NOTES FROM REEFTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 181, 6 August 1886, Page 13

NOTES FROM REEFTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

REEFTO&, July 30.

Wealth of Nations. — It is reported that some favourable indications have been met with in the main level going south. Not much is known about the matter yet, but it has already induced some little inquiry for shares at a slight advance. Some good boulders of quartz have been met with, but it will take a day or so to prove the extent and value.

Golden Treasure. — Acting on instructions from Dunedin, all hands have been knocked off in this mine.

Reform. — News has come in of fine stone having been met in the winze going down at the north end of the level. Some reports say the stone is equal to 2oz per ton. Further particulars will no doubt be available to-morrow.

Keep-it-Dark. — The representative of the contractors for erection of water wheels did not leave last week as intended, having decided to make certain other little alterations. These alterations are now made, and a final test of the machinery under specified conditions will soon be made.

REEFTON, July 31.

The following are the battery returns for the past week : — Welcome, 814oz amalgam ; Keep-it-Dark, 508oz ; Venus, 3510z retorted gold from 540 tons ; Fiery Cross, 2470z amalgam.

Inglewood Extended. — The extension of the new low level is being pushed ahead at the rate of about 100 ft per month, being now in about 200 ft. There is a considerable parcel of stone to grass, and all being well, crushing will be resumec some day next week. The reef in the upper level shows a width of from four to five feet, but stoping has been rather slow, owing to the hardness of the country.

Eoyal Oak. — Thy first call of Id per share has been made, and it is understood the directors will shortly decide upon the first work to be undertaken. There are some promising indications on the surface of the level, ,and by following these it is hoped to pick up the continuation of the western reef of the Venus Extended lode, which is being worked in the adjoining ground.

Inkerman. — Prospecting works are being carried on ip this mine with a few hands, but as yet there is nothing to report.

August 1

Wealth of Nations.— There is nothing to add to my former report in reference to this mine, What has'ben met with is a loose formation of quartz at the north end of the main level. The discovery does not appear to be of any considerable imporlanpe as < yet but may possibly lead on to something more permanent ahead. Reform. — The crushing of some 40 or 50 tons of stone taken from about the main level will be completed by to-morrow. In the meantime two winzes are being carried down from the floor of the level, one at the north and the other at the > south end. The stone coming from the former is reported to be of good quality, but no information is at present available as to its thickness. Fiery Cross Extended.— The current crush-

ing will be concluded by Saturday next, when there will be a general cleaning up. Local shareholders are sanguine of receiving a dividend of certainly not less than Is and probably Is Gd. Venus Extended. — The general cleaning up over last crushing was finished last night., and the figures are given elsewhere. The directors met last night and declared a dividend of 6d per share. It may be remarked that owing to the breaking of one of the cam shafts five heads of stampers have been hung up for a considerable time ; otherwise the "returns would no doubt be considerably larger. Globe. — The stone recently met with proves to have been only a big boulder. The indications are, however, considered sufficiently good to justify the line being further followed, and this is now being done. Keep-it-Dark. — The new machinery lias not yet been taken over by the company, but a final trial will be made in the incomingweek, when the effectiveness of the newplant will be thoroughly tested. ' Inangahua Low Level. — A considerable quantity of water is now flowing i'rom the face, and this is thought to be a good indication of a favourable* change of country ahead. Reefton, August 3. Keep-it-Dark. — At a meeting of directors last night a dividend of Is per share was declared, and will be payable on and after tomorrow. Welcome. — The battery is expected to resume crushing to-night, some delay being caused owing to an alteration being effected in the course of the underground flue. This was to be completed by this afternoon, in which case the stampers wo\ild be at once set in motion. Reform. — The winze going down at the north end of the level has reached a depth of 10ft and carries a fair body of good quality stone. The manager informs me that the lode shows a thickness of 3ft. The crushing was completed to-day, the returns being 320z of gold from 62 tons of stone. Wealth of Nations. — Nothing fresh to report from this mine. A good track is being followed. A call of Gd per share is announced. Just-in-Time. — It is expected that this company will start crushing about Monday next. The local brokers report little business doing. Inquiries are current for Keep-it-Darks, Welcomes, Just-in-Tirnes, and Fierys.