MINING MEMORANDA

Otago Witness, Issue 1189, 12 September 1874, Page 6

MINING MEMORANDA

We are indebted to the Cromwell Argus, of the Ist inst. , for the following mining items : — " The Star of the East cleaned up a crushing of 160 tons on Friday last, with a result of 190 ounces. 1 his result was hardly so good as was expected. The stone, hoAvever, having been taken from different parts of the reef should be a fair • sample of a very large body of stone, the manager having driven about 150 feet along the reef, and having risen upon it about 70 feet. The mill commenced crushing again yesterday morning on the same kind of stone, so the shareholders have every prospect of a handsome divi- , dend once a fortnight, a dividend of six shillings a share having been declared payable this day. As soon as the traniroad which is in progress is completed, a great saving will be effected in the conveyance of stone to the mill.

"It is contemplated by the Heart of Oak directors to put in a deep tunnel, some 70 feet lower than that of the Star. The tunnel will be about 800 feet in length, and it is belived it will cut the same reef as is being worked in the Star, as well as the old reef that was worked in the Oak. An extraordinary meeting of the share- , holders is called to decide on the matter.

"We are given to understand that Messrs. Herbert, Watson, and Co. are in treaty about having a mill erected at their claim, the Crown and Cross. They have a large quantity of stone out, and have been

trying to come to terms to have it crushed at the Royal Standard battery, but finding the charge too high, they think of putting up a mill of their own. The stone from this claim looks, very well, and a large quantity is in view. "Altogether, the prospects of the reefs on the Carrick never looked better than for the ensuing summer, as quite a number of paying claims will be in full work the whole season through." * The Tuapeka Times remarks :—": — " A good deal of speculation has taken place as to the richness of the Blue Spur tailings. We are informed that the Gabriel's Gully Quartz Mining Company are putting through their battery fifty tons of the tailings taken froni close proximity to Morrison and Co.'s and the Perseverance Company's tailraces. While the result will be anxiously looked for, we do not for a moment consider it will be anything like a satisfactory test of the auriferous character of a large portion of the tailings, as it is generally admitted by all parties that the quantity of gold that escaped in the early days of Blue Spur sluicing was far larger than it has been for the last few years. We shall know the result of the experiment early next week, and hope it will be encouraging, and give zest to the Channel Committee." The number of steam engines on the Auckland goldfield for mining purposes is thus given : — At the Thames, 45 engines — 1,283 horse power ; at Coromandel, 8 engines — 220 horse power. Totals, 63 engines — 1503 horse power.