THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2207, 18 June 1896, Page 18

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

The Rsxburgh correspondent of the Tuapeka Times sends tbat paper the following interesting notes:— "The Roxburgh Amalgamated Sluicing Company shut down on the 10th inst. to allow of tbe main line of pipes being shifted further back. Owing to a temporary shortness of water, the manager (Mr Peters) has taken advantage of the opportunity to do this necessary work. On the Monday and Tuesday stripping operations were commenced on the recently-surveyed lease of 100 acres. The company's race is also getting thoroughly overhauled, and at present a portion of it is being lined on the bottom and two-thirds of the aides with galvanised iron, thereby increasing the water supply by about 15 heads. When the whole of the fluining U thin lined, there will be iaiftie enfc water to run three elevators conatantly. ThiH will increase the return of gold and also find einplo)mt l i)D for sevtnil more mcD, though at present 30 mm a:e c-inpl yed by the company. The lining, bosides adding to the quantity of water, has the advantage, especially in summer time, that if the w.,ter was turned off for any length of time, the boxes would not leak as they do now from shrinkage when the water is ahut down. Thia leakage undermines the boxes, greatly weakening their foundation. The manager anticipates a shoitacss of water unless there is a change in the weather. The usual routine is expected to be resun td in about a fortnight's time. The warti-dirt is v^ry rich, and, in fact, could hardly look better. This is attested by the excellent wa3h-up last month. With regard to the reefs recently discovered in the claim, for the purpose of thoroughly testing the stone a considerable quantity— a ton, in fact— was sent to Dunedin to bs assayed, but as yet the results have nob been made public. Mr Peters inteuds shortly to sink a abaft on to the reef, and if things turn' out well a battery will be put on the ground.— Tbe result of the dissolution of'partnership of the owners of the Hetcules No. 2— Messrs Ewing and M'Cessochte— ls that Mr Swing now

owns the claim, having bought ib-in for £2050. He- has 'recently peggej out a large area afe Anderson's Flat, Ib is currently reported that this lease includes the areas pegged off byMsasrs Kltching and Kitto, but a later rumour has 16 that the leases adjoin one another. He also Intends to bring a fresh race from the Tevlot Creek— but at a Trigher elevation— into tbe head of the Station Creek, ana thence to Dumbarton Kock. His reasons for applying for a new race are :' No flumiiig will ba required; as a ground ditch will be cut ; and it would be more expensiveto continue his present line of pipes to the scene ■ of his intended operations,— The Golden Run dredge ceased work last Saturday, as the" river is getting too low for her to work tho rich ground near the bank. It is said that she might ba brought up the rivev to work the special olaitn belonging to Messrs Tubman and Borland, a Hitle above the Roxburgh Amalgamated Company's claim.— The Roxburgh and Edina dredges are pegging away steadily, but there is nothing startling to chronicle about either, though ft mar be mentioned that the mansger of the Roxburgh dredge oxpeots to get into letter gold as he works furtli-r up the river, which is vow falling gradually.— The Dunedin dredge has been doing steady work, and on Wednesday last commenced sinking. The manager (Mr M'Lay) expected to bottom to-day (Monday). He is troubled a good deal with drift. Two of the directors (Messrs Rtley and Hamilton), who are also directors of the Edina dredge, were up at the end of last week to visit the company's ground, and expressed themselves well satisfied with ths management of the dredge 3.— The Edina dredge was laid up for a few days owing to a wheel of the upper tumbler breaking, but work has been commenced again.— ln the Hercu)es No. 1 fairly rich gold has -been struck- after some weeks of desultory prospecting. There is every likelihood of the returns contiuuieg good, for some time at least.— The long spell of dry weather broke on Saturday evening, when rain fell on and off throughout tbe night till the following evening. To-day. (Monday) was fine, with a touch of frost. If snow does not fall heavily there is every likelihood of there being a scarcity of water next summer. — As showing to some extent tbe importance of the coal industry, it may be mentioned that there are about 200 tons of coal stored at Miller's Flat for the Otago and Messrs Prugle and party's dredges. Mr Keys, who is already running two 8-horse power traction engines between Coal Creek and Miller's Flat to supply coal to some of the dredges, intends to put on another engine of 10-horge power in the spring — If there is anything like payable gold in the reefa on the Old Man Range, Roxburgh will be booming after* tbe winter. The specimens are very rich, und a considerable quantity of atone takeu from Mc*Brs Klltofcb and party's reef has left Roxburgh for Dunedin. Naturally the results of the testing will be anxiously awaited. The owners think » not improbable that the stone will average about Boz to the ton, which should be considered eminently satisfactory.— Jles rs Louden and party intend to put a hydraulic plant on to their claim. Their present paddock is a gcod distance from the river, and they find their pr«aent moJe of working very expensive. To oonvuy the tailings to the river a long line of boxes is necessary, but with an elevating plant this will not have to be done. They will also be able to work their bolding to a deeper level than formerly, which undoubtedly will be a great advantage. Under the heading " Dry Crushing in the West," tbe Australian Mining Ktaudara says ;—; — " The dry process mill at Mouut Charlotte (CoolKarelia) is a. pronounced success. After the mill had bean tried uutil it was in working order on low grade ore, a start was made lost week to crush good stone. In a few days eight tons', worth loz Bdi»t per ton, were put through and yielded Boz Bdwt of smelted gold. The tailings contaiu 7dwb per top, bub this is less than 'the average tailings from ore treated by the batteries. The prrcess in use cousi?t3 of dry crushing- by rueau^of Krom .rolls similar to tho^e in use at Brown Hill, and separation by means of Terra S?cca dry blowers. Tbe ore when put through these two processes is in splendid condition, for cyanidinic and a< all the metal lefts in the filings ia very fine, no trouble^would be experienced in treating them with cyanide. The mill was erected as an experiment during the summer, before the whole of tbe lakes in the district were flooded with water. It is pivbiWe cyaolde vats' will be added to the mill before long." We (Tuapeka Times) learn that a proposal ia oa foot to acquire a number of the (hedging claims on the Clutha River between Coal Creek and Miller's Flat with a view to their being thrown into a company and controlled by a general manager, ft is hinted tbat a syndicate of Johannesburg mining speculators look with a favourable eye on the subject. — Messrs ttobinson Brown and party, of Tuaptka Mouth, nr« making arrangements for working their claim, which has been proved to be a very valuable one, by me^ns of a bucket dredge. They were desirous of working the ground on the hydraulic system, but found the expense of bringing in a sufficient supply of water for such a purpose was too. great. They are new taking stops to get the necesstry plant for the dredge on the ground with as little delay as possible. Pour or five Lawrence gentlemen who recently joined the p.irty arc assisting in the purchase of the necessary plant. Mr J. J. Christmas, one of the earliest arrivals .on Broken Hill, and who patented a process /or tbe extraction of silver from refraotory ores, has lately tried his process on the gold ores of Coolgardie. The machine consist* of a lead bath, into which the crushings are pub from the hopper above through 12 pipe 3 by means of an auger sotew in the pipes. At tho same time carbon gas is generated iv the crushing^ by m.-a&s of kerosene, this being a very essential part of the process. The rock being rlrst placed in- the crusher, it is carried from there to the rollers, ther cc through fine sieve?, unriFit is powdered sufficiently. Then an elevator carries ■it into the hopper* of the machine, from which it goes through the lead bath, wh< nc>> it emerges minus the gold it previously earned. The advantages whinh the process claims above others are that no water is required, that it extracts a larger' percentage of gold (in most ciaes 100 per cent.)! and that it can be w. rked without skilled and expensive labour,- being so simple that any intelligent miner can work it, and it can : be attached to any crusher. . The weight . and bulk are "less ; therefore cartage (an expensive item in most urine?) is less. — Australian Mining Standard.

'I he Cardrona correspondent of the Lake County Press writes :— "The miners are all busy washing up for tho season, thai; is to say those in sluicing claims. As regards this industry Cardrona is slowly improving fov the better, and most of the claims, eipecially those on Criffel Fare, are paying steady wages. What diffe>c;>!; results might be looked for the ground worked on a large srale and in a systematic manner 1 I hear that a Dunedin lady, well knowa in mlniDg circles, is negotiating with the ipinera holding claims on Criffel Face with a, view to buying out their claims and floating a company on the London market. If such a compiny should be started there i« no doubt of it* t aying well, as the yield of gold in this locality is almost as steady as clockwork, and when miners can make from £& to £A a week steadily by driving or sluicing with a small stream of water, whab would be the result if a 'trpnm of 10 heads' of water were turned on with lOOOi't of pressure ? Tim water power could eivly he got, and more pressure, if necessary. The r.ices at present commanding Criffel Face will carry from seven to nine head*, and if a iam were made for storage twice as much water could bt got for 12 hours' work."

The following items are from the Dunstan Times :— The Golden Beach Company have built a dam on tbe hill at the head of tbeir pipes. They are down to a good rough seam of wash.' The company are atpresent working three shifts. — The Molyneux Hydraul'c Company r preference shares are (roing off well. Mr G&rds returned from Dun* edin lasb SatmJay, aftqr Invite madi* satisfactory arrangement* aa to the i cv, d:-."!i;e for thw comJiny.— Mr Ge-.rgo CampbfM, fV nn,anK>v fAy Mr atnes Rivers, at Tucker Hils, i<> u-\v pepariag"to commence sluicing, the 1-ifc r.wi having provided a supply of water.' I hear th.afc Mr Rivers intends making a concrete dam wall at a point lower down the Speargrass Creek than the present dam, ana where nature has provided an exceptionally favourable site. When completed the storage caoaoity will be very grea f , and should assure a sufficient supply of water for working in the driest season.— Messrs Park and Company's Manorburn dredge is now rapidly ne»ring completion, ( Ihe ladder is i» position, and they commenced putting

!ha buckets on last Wednesday. The boiler and - Htfrtnes areexpeot«d to reach Alexandra on Friday, indMrParkconfidently.expects to haveall ready for - i trial ki U days. As Mghly.payable ground wa3 mddocked in portions of this party's ground years kgo there can be little doubt that they have a very valuable property. Mr Kelman's steam hammer ■ns of late been disturbing tha usually leaoefol evening hours making the bucktta St. Messrs Park and Co.'s dredge. Several the parties who are working up the gully are reported to be making very good wages, though t'.ey labour under the disadvantage of saving to wheel their wash a considerable distance.—Matakamn : Mining matters remain very <juiet, the water supply being very short owing to a long spell of dry weather, followed fay. severe frosts. The Undaunted and Matapanui Companies have both had a good run of work, and the men employed in th<*pe claims have been very fortunate, comparoii frith those in the Blue I'uck, Sugar Pot, and JEwing s, all of wbiob have been without water for •at least four months. Simes and Mogan and Shannon and Barron have a good supply of. water. The latter party has just washed up with satisfactory results. The amalgamation of the several claims into one large aomp&uy haß, so far as I can Jearn, dropped for the -present. . The want of a proper .water supply is a great drawback to this important goldneld, aud unless some definite steps are taken to remedy tbe evil I predict m gloomy outlook for both miners and business men. The companies I have mentioned as being idle possess really good ground, but It is only for a short time - In each year that it can be worked, because of the scarcity of w*ter. If these companies could bs kept going Tinkers would bs one of the most •thriving townships up-couutry. Let us hope that 'the evil will soon .be remedied. Dredging.— We are indebted to tho Mount Ida Chronicle for the following items :— " The Manuherikia River from the OCjnnal Bridge to the girge has been pegged off Jor dredging claimß. easrs Knewstiibb and M'JCinnon have now

launched their dredge. I believe that this dredge was tp have been built by private enterprise, but it is now the nroperty of a company, the Hit or Miss. To Messrs Koewstubb and M 'Kin uou, however, wo are indebted for causing sucb a 'boom ' for dredging in our usually letnarglc township.— Germany Gully: 'Messrs' Watson and Moore, are at present 6n very good gold at Germany Gully, and I believe there U every likelilioodof the ground holding out for some time. The other minors at Germany Gully are doing fairly well, but water is not very plentiful, so uisy are handicapped. — Blucksfcone Hill: There is but little to chronicle from this portion of the county. In spite of the late rains, scarcity of. water <ppears jco have become chronic. With only half a supply ' now King Frost will not have much, trouble in cutting it off altogether. Quite a number are looking for dry diggings, some prospectors going on along Blackstone Hill proper. I see there is some agitation golag on in Naseby as to water for prospect- ■ ing. It is to be hoped your quarter will tare better than here. "When the Minister 'for Mines visited us 14 months ago, a deputation waited upon him t and amongst ptner matters brought to his notice was water for prospecting. After considering the Matter he telegraphed from Naseby that the matter would be conceded under similar conditions to those in. force in Naseby. Upon inquiring from the manager we were gravely Informed that prospecting water was not granted At Naseby. On Mr Gordon's last visit bin attention was directed to it, and a promise made that it would be considered and a reply forwarded from Wellington. I suppose this time we may look forward to a similar concession as obtained in the moon. Ido not know the Naßeby conditions under which gold is found, but have been Informed it is more general. Here a man might Bink a dozen shafts in a likely-looking piece of ground without a sign of paying.- Experience shows that the only method of sure ' Jprpspebting i it a cross - cut with water, And If a man is willing to lose his labour, rely it would not burst H.M. Government losa the night water to a customer. The .policy is bo short-sighted that it is a puzzle to find out what business notion actuated the powers in withholding it. !The conservation of water is being gradually recognised as a vital necessity. All Governments, ancient and modern, have recognised it— barring New Zealand. When will its people wake up? With gJdfields sufficient to support a population 10 times as nume-rous-as at present,' they prefer the unemployed, . .charitable aid, &c. Let all understand the quantity of gold obtained is limited by the quantity 'of ,water employed. If you want to 'keep young New Zealand at home we muit find

Ample scope for his energies in New Zealand

Mr Jabez Burton . reports ;— " Tbe Roxburgh GoW Steam Dredging Company (Limited) washed up 6Job gold for the week ending the 6th inst. Tne ground is very deep, and the material is procured for putting about Bft on the ladder, which Will enable the dredge to work the deepest ground And reach the bottom wash, which is supposed to be very good.— The Ettrick Gold Steam Dredging Company has now worked up to her old paddock of deep wash, and better remits are anticipated next wash-up The week's wash-up on the 6th was 4ioz."

A .Hokitika telegram state? that a trial crushing of 3891b of atone from the Alpha claim, Cedar creek, returned at the rate of 6£oz of gold to the ton. There is considerable excitement in the locality at the promising appearance of the reef. The s.s. Invercargill brought up from Preservation Inlet a case of 170oz' gold from the Morning Star mine. Owing to tbe want of piping— which has since been supplied— to carry air into the south drive the men only worked 16 days instead of 24. The manager reports the mine as still looking splendid, and he has now put in an uprise from. No. 1 level to stopo out the shoot of gold. "The Mount' Bengsr Mail predicts that owing to .the discovery of a number of quartz reefs in the -neighbourhood -of Campbells there will'be-a'boom In the spring. The splendid, samples found in -Messrs Paiker and Elliot's reef sJiow that they have an excellent property ; and the samples of stone taken from Messrs Pitchers and' Weather-, all's reef -also showed very good results. Messrs Brooks and Wood have alto obtained sufficient encouragement to warrant them applying for a Special claim of 30 acres.