MILLING IMPROVEMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1340, 4 August 1877, Page 3

MILLING IMPROVEMENTS.

The new tailings mill, known as the Omega, situated at the junction of Six and Seven-mile canyons, has been completed and will start up to-morrow. Ifc j is provided with 20 large-size pans and 10 settlers, and has a working capacity of about 200 tons per day. It will furnish employment for 100 men in all. The machinery is driven by a Corliss engine of 400-horse power. The engine, which is one of the finest on the coast, was purchased a short time ago from the I fc'avage Mining Company. It cost originally $60, 000. The machinery of the mill is entirely new, and combines all the modern improvements tending to economy and convenience. The mill is supplied with tailings from the Consolidated Virginia and California mines, and has a set of sluices 1,200 feet long and 24 feet wide. It is also provided with three- of Towle's concentrating tables. The working of slimes and tailings involves a heavy I expense in the line of chemicals, and a large amount of experience, skill, and prudence on the part of the management to make the business at all profitable. The heaviest item of expense is for sulphate of copper, the consumption of which at the Omega for a month of 31 days, at 10 cents a pound, amounts to over $27,500. There are required in addition from 15 to 18 car-loads of salt per month, with a daily consumption of quicksilver amounting to 225 pounds, at 40 cents per pound. The men employed about the mills who receive the highest wages are the amalgamators, owing to the unhealthy character of their work. Men are seldom found who are able to follow the business for a period of over two or three years, their" systems becoming so thoroughly charged with mercury and other chemicals that they become subject to the "shakes." After working in the open air for a time the poison is eliminated from the system. The high wages paid to amalgamators is the only temptation for a man to engage in the business. — Virginia {Neoada) Enterprise.

Mr G. Munro's patent atone shearing machine has just been completed, and the trials have proved very satisfactory. The machine may now be inspected in the patentee's monumental yard in Moray place. The iron rods on either side of the machine, which is easily worked by steam, can be made to cut to a depth of 12 feet, and the rods can be lengthened if necessary. The machine ia to be conveyed to Oamai'u for use at the stone quarries which have been Jeased by the patentee from Mr Teschemaker.