Notes from Wakatipu.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 17 July 1890, Page 14

Notes from Wakatipu.

(Fbom Oub Own Oobbbspondknt.) Abbow, 3v,hY M.— Signs continue to point to a boominminibg here in tfienearfuture. Thfere are two new applications, for speolal claims at the Oardrona, on the strength of the prospects obtained by Sew Vpf arid party the' 'other week, a* reported. The

olaim in which the prospects were obtained wai privately floated in a few days, and the organisation of the company is pushed ahead with all possible speed, so that the steam whistle will soon echo through the Oardrona Valley for the first time. Piazoli and party are pushing ahead in spite of the frost with the construction of their head race, and several other parties, both private and publlo, are energetically kicking their several ooncerns into shape. , . The Sunrise (Macetown) Company's prospects have continued improving since my telegram of last Thursday, and are developing a» promising a shoot of stone as has ever been worked at Maoetown. At the end of last week the reef had widened out to between 4ft and 6ft, showing gold all through the stone, whloh in the Sunrise quartz is something exceptional, as even when riob, gold is rarely visible in it. The Premier Company, under the new proprietary, have made a start with the preliminaries for opening out the new low level tunnel, for which plauß and specifications are now being prepared, with a view to letting the work by contraot. Quartz raising from the old part of the mine le going on at the same time, and as there are about 120 cons at grass, crushing will begin bo soon as the frost will allow. The Tipperary Oompany, Maoetown, are making a oall of Is per share, which seems to Indioste business.

Several other mines at Macetown are likely to be taken in hand again during the coming Bummer, and activity will once more become general at these long dormant reefs.

The Wakatipu and Kawarau dredges expect to be at work with their new large boilers before the current month is out. In the meantime both dredges— especially the Kawarau— have dooe a certain amount of prospecting work, which should give the shareholders a good insight into the value of their respeotive claims— that is, if they are allowed to partiolpato in the knowledge accumulated. As the directors have not seen fit to make any of it public, it may be mentioned for the benefit of .those interested, that the local directors— amongst whom are some of the promoters of these companies— like wise men, as they are, do not depend altogether upon their expert's opinion of their properties, although they deemed it good enough for placing before the public when offering the contributing shares, have done a great amount of prospecting which, if divulged, must have an interesting tale to tell. Of course I do not wish to infer that this prospecting work is done with any but the best Intention, but I think the shareholders who find the money for doing the work have a right to know the result of the outlay, and not allow it to be looked up in the bosoms of the promoters and directors for their sole and exolusive delectation. As it is, the shareholders in mining companies are far too much in the handi of their respective directors and managers. Pub liolty, whloh is so assldulouily oourted by promoters while promoting, is too often regarded as a very bugbear and as a thing utterly to be abhorred, except for certain purposes, when orjoe their object has been attained. On this head the Lake County Press makes the following very guarded remarks :— " We have heard, on what we consider fairly reliable authority, that during the trials with the Wakatipu dredge, with its maobinery in an imperfect state, as is now practically admitted, some 41b weight of gold was obtained. This speaks well for the quality of the ground, as little or no bottom was got at." The Golden Bar Company, Lower Shotover, are about to launoh their dredge in a day or two, and as nearly all the machinery is upon the ground, it will probably not be long before the dredge will be at full work. The Morning Star dredge was successfully launched laßt week, and is having her fittings placed on board as fast as possible, and will be delving for the precious metal In a short time. Upon the Shotover considerable activity prevails in dredging from end to end of the river, and upon its banks many parties are busy— mostly at profitable work. The Gallant Tip have let two contracts having for their object the better opening of the mine. The battery is being subjected to a general overhaul in view of the demand likely to be made upon it. The Phoenix at Skippers is opening on the splendid stone from whloh the last cake was obtained, and drives for tapping the lode at various points are being pushed ahead. At the Head of the Lake dredging is likely to be started upon the Dart and Buoklerburn during the coming summer, and it is reported that the new owners of the Invincible Oompany have decided upon a plan of opening the mine. Home of the otherjreefs in the same neighbourhood are said to be likely to be taken up again, so that it will be seen that the revival is not confined to one part of the distriot nor to one class of mining, but that the Improvement will be general in the fullest sense of the term. Nothing but a failure of the water supply— which it must be admitted is immi-nent-can prevent an exceedingly prosperous season for next summer.