Mr Ashcroft's Lecture on the Resources of Otago and Southland.

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 18 April 1889, Page 12

Mr Ashcroft's Lecture on the Resources of Otago and Southland.

, Keep-it-Dark. —A report is current, btit its 31 accuracy is not vouched for, that a mining expert is now on his way to the colony from London for the purpose of reporting upon the mine for a London syndicate, who are prepared to take the property over at the valuation fixed by the company some time ago. April 12. Globe. —lt is reported to-night that the 1 reef at the west end on the level is sft thick, > and is making a more northerly course m 1 the direction of the Jubilee ground adjoining. 1 Owing to this sign, also of the underlie changing, there has not been much doing to-day. April 14. The following are the battery returns for the past week :—Globe, 3070z of amalgam from 185 tons; Eeep-it-Oark, 2980z amalgam from 185 tons; Golden Treasure, 109oz amalgam from 28 tons of stone. Globe. —lt is said that on Friday afternoon last a parcel of 1000 of these shares was placed on the local market from Dunedin. At the time the current rate was somewhere about 255, and the'fact of such a considerable parcel being suddenly flopped en the market had the effect naturally of creating some disturbance in prices. It is said, however, that most of the shares were purchased locally at the rate offered (24s 63.). The directors inform they know of no reason for so large a parcel being offered, as the mine never looked better than it did then and does now, and the belief is that it was merely a ruse to lower the price. Last night's report from the mine was that the reef both at the west and east end is of large size, and shows payable gold. ■ April 15. United Alpine (Lyell). —A wire was received from the mine manager this morning reporting that he had met with solid stone in the new low level, and that water was flowing freely from the face. The stone had not been driven into at the time he left the mine, so that he was unable to speak as to its quality. He says, however, that he will report more fully to-morrow. As the stone was met with at the point given by Mr Watkins' survey, it is fully believed that it is the north reef. The shares at once became firm, buyers offering £10s 6d at noon. There has been no news to hand since, hut the brokers are very busy to-night, and it is thought that they are possessed of some later information. If it should prove to be a reef equal in quality to that worked in the upper levels, it will be a big thing for the shareholders, as the present level gives over 300 ft of backs, of that height of stone overhead to the upper level. ' | | !

(Fbom Oue Own Cobbespondent.) Havelock, April 13. Corbett and party, at Cullensville, are the first diggers who have struck bottom in the deep ground. They .went down between 60ft and 70ft, but the prospects at present are only sufficient to warrant further prospecting. The rook is dipping towards the main creek, so probably there may be good gold at the lowest level. The Wairarapa claim is yielding only fair wages. This party are driving right up the creek bed, as the ground is too deep to work any other way. The Long Time claim has now fairly started their race. It is the longest in the creek, and shows what skill and perseverance will accomplish in the search for the yellow rubbish. The creek now presents quite a lively aspect with the many manual labour-saving appliances now to be seen on its banks. I was much pleased when visiting that locality the other day to see much evidence of clever mechanical skill. The yield at present averages about 150oz, but a great number of miners sell only what is actually needed for tudker. Mining matters at the Waikakaho are livening up as the prospects from the reefs improve. The whole development of this field is left; entirely to private enterprise. The Government seems to be " shepherding " them, ready to claim the duty as it becomes due.

Editoe Witness, -— Sir : Now that Mi Ashcroft's instructive and interesting lecture has been circulated verbatim, in pamphlet form, it is possible for those who were not fortunate enough to hear it delivered to form an estimate of its great practical value. Not only every miner, but everyone who takes ah interest in mining in any shape and form should read, mark, and inwardly digest Mr Ashcroft's arguments. Besides its practical value the lecture/from a.literary and scientific point of view, is a production, of great merit, and cannot but stimulate the thinking portion of our working miners,'and convince those who invest only their capital in mining that they have to study something else than dividends and the rise or fall of the value of scrip. Practical working miners—-and especially the more unsuccessful ones —may probably take exception to Mr Ashcrof t when he says that there is more gold to be dag than has been taken out of the ground, and that a return of the grand old times'of 1863-65 may yet be in store for. us. As a not very successful miner, I am inclined to call, these statements into question, and think that they have just a little too much of "colonial blow " about them^ nor do these statements put the case in its true light from Mr Aahcroft'sovm point of yiewi' First, we have a similar decrease in the yield.jof 5 all gold-prodeuang. countries. California, New' South Wales, Victoria, Queensland show a rate of decrease approximating

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