THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 18

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

TheTapanui Courier says:— "Since thePomatiaka rose .the gold dredges have resumed work. We understand that all three dredges are on gold, xhe dredge formtrly owned, by Mr R. Dun^op is to be provided with an engine and set to work shortly." The' Clyde correspondent of the Cromwell Argus Writes :— "The county boriflg rods are at present being utilised in prospecting the deeper parts of the Nevis Flat. ' The work is being done with a View of testing the depth of the deposit, and to find out how. far the bottom is suitable for the successful carrying out of dredging operations., Should the echist bottom be at all soft or capable pf being cut into by the buckets, It is quite procable that a fleet of dredres will soon b» equipped for the purpose of turning over the- Satire flat, fcredge ow&tra here are anxiously awaiting news

as to the result of the boring operations.— lt is considered that the Molyneux >.will go very low this season, aud if so we may expertt to toear of some handsome returns being obtained from the mauy ordinary claims on the river .between Clyde and Cromwell. I notice that several Chinamen ' have already put in an appearance on their respec- ' tive claim s !, and arc preparing the necessary tools to enable them to start work as soon as'the river goes sufficiently low jbo allow of 'Wing daius • ■•beiug put in. Should the frosts continue for an other month, work will begin in earnest, and probably many of those who have been ' shepherding' their claims for the last 20 years will then have an opportunity of laying hands upon the coveted { treasure supposed to" exist in them. To my idea ; there will be mauy disappointments when tliose ,l, l crevices are exposed to view, and In some instances ] I should not wonder to learn that the treasure ; existed only in imagination. Let us hope, however, that fortune awaits those who have waited aol«ug for it.— -Tho uncertainty that is so characteristic a feature of gold mining is very often known to lead .to certain good results. Only a week or two ago a party of prospectors at German Gully were so uncertain in their movements as to drop upon a patch or 30oz without in any way looking for it at the time, much less expecting to fall upon it in such a happy way. The prospectors ate very capable men indeed, and just the set of fellows who are neither afraid to work for a fortune or pick it up when they accidentally stumble upon it. In thisjnstance they were agreeably surprised at., their good luck, and at once set about securing the metal/ which transaction was completed in two weeks, They are certainly certain of that amount, but quite uncertain about hittfiig a similar patch for some time to cohje. Such is the life of a gold digger nowadays, that with him nothing is so certain as uncertainty;" and .this fact, in a ..measure, accounts for hia existence, and shall do so t6 the end of the chapter." ' • ' The following "ftems are from' the Tuapeka Times :— Messrs Matthews and party, Tuapeka Flat, exp.'ct' to float "the pontoons of their new dredge this weelr,- and within a month orfivo weeks she is expected to be in going order.— A number of prcspectsrs are searching the Old Man Range in quest of reefs. On Saturday last a couple of experienced miners were fortunate in finding two outcrops of stone, which they purpose thoroughly testing.— Mr F. Browne, the newlyappointed manager, took charge of .the Beaumont Local Co-operative Goldmining Company's property, on Monday. In Mr Browne, wo feel satisfied, the company^havd secured the services of a thoroughly reliablo and capable manager.— Shares in the Roxburgh Amalgamated Sluicing Company still continue to steadily improve in value. The present quotations for paid-tip shares in the company are from 12* 9d to 13s 3d, and for contributing shares (18s paid-up) 12s 3d to 12s 9a. Shares in-the Jutland .Flat Dredging Company also show an improvement in value, vendors' being quoted at 6s 3d to 0» 9d, and contributing 5s 9i to '6s 3d.— Our- Roxburgh « correspondent writes: — Mr G. M'Lay, the well-known and capable manager of the Dunedin dredge, intends to resign his position Shortly, and proceed to his dredge at the Lowburn. I hear two names mentioned in connection with the succeeding managership, one being that of Mr "A. Young, and the other that of Mr D. Billaptyne, manager of the Golden Run dredge, which' is' shortly to be laid up for the winter on account of the lew state of the river.— The luck of the DuuedinGold-dredging Company has now changed for the better, after getting desultory returns for some, weeks past, Last week's return of the precious metal, the dredgemaster (Mr M'Lay) reports, was 290z, that of the previous week being 20oz.— The erection of the TJo'den Lead Uompany's dredge at Horseshoe Bend is nearing completion. The Messrs Kuewstubb Bros.,of Port Chalmers,- have the contract for the hull, which is 91ffc long, 10ft wide, and sffc deep, bnilt of 2Jin kauri, With bluegum ribs and stays. The hull, will be ready for launching about the begiuning of-next w.eek. The nuchinery, which is beiDg supplied' and erected by Messrs Morgan and Cable, also of "Port Ch aimers, wilF teke about six weeks before it is placed "in 'working order. 'Aboutthe middle of August 6hould see the dredge jcommencirig work. The dredge is being built to work on the Molyneux on the upper a.nd, lower side, of the Tallaburn.— Some stir has been caused in the Teviot district by the di«covery of a quartz- reef by Mr John Kitto situated near the head of the Teviot stream. The reef is said to bs 6ft wide. A sample of the stone was crudely tested and it was estimated to yield from 2oz to 3oz to the ton. Mr. Kitto has applied for a prospecting area, but little or no work can bedone owing to the allitudo until the spring. Other claims by Messrs Brown, Burton,, and Kitto have been pegged off on the supposed line of reef, which will also remain in abeyance until the winter months have pissed by,— Another reef is being prospected by<Mrß. Diamond in the neighbourhood of Ovens Hill, on the west branch of the Menzion Burn. The particulars are at present not public property. — Miller's Flat :— Our correspondent sends us the following items* The Treasure dredge hns had another satisfactory wash-up, last week's retnrn bsing 340z. In the course of another week or two, I am looking for--ward to some very big yields from this cldin. I have all along maintained that the company have in their pos«ssiqn a really valuable- propertyone of the best, m fact, on this stretch of the river; The directors at their next meeting will probably declare a 2s or 2s 6d dividend.— The Ettrick dredge hasjrot back into her old face, and better weekly returns of the precious metal can now be relied on. Last week, 1 hear, she got over 20oz.— The Otago dredge is still at work on the west side of the river, and is now on a very fair run of pold.— The Surprise dredge has been idle ■lately owing to a mishap to the top tumbler. The owners of the dredge aro anxiously awaiting the day when they can commence operations on the punt site.— The Golden ' Run dredge is still working away and meeting with very good returns. The lowness of the river prevents the dredge from working with any degree of freedom otto the best ad vantage,, and it will not surprise me any hour to learn that the directors have issued instructions to the manager to discontinue work.— l hear that the prospects are still showingsigns of improvement in the Extended claim,owned'by the Golden- Run -Dredging Company. Mr Madden is hopeful that the paddock now being worked , will satisfy the directors that their property has a big future.— The Pride of the .Clutha dredge (Pringle and party's) has been idle lately undergoing a few alterations and repairs. I had a chat lately with one of the party, and he informed me that they had no cause to tegret having gone in for their present dredge. Sioce they got fairly to work they have done uncommonly well— much better, in fact, than many people supposed.-r-Mesars Short and party's dredge. is at work in the river a short distance from the mouth of the Menzion Burn, and is doing fairly well— at least, that is the general impression. The owners of private dredges are not the most communicative class on the face of the earth when approached respecting their gold returns.,— The Golden Gate dredge has not been doing so well of late. In other words, the returns havo nofbeen sufficiently large to warrant the directors in declaring a dividend. Let us hope that there are better days in store, and that No. 2 dividend is not afar off. The Waitahuna correspondent of the Tuapeka Times writes.— : "The usual dry weather at this time of the year hag had rathena depressing effect ou mining operations by causing a considerable shortage in the water supply.— Messrs C. Thompson and party, better known as the " Norwegian party," ,are still carrying on operations, with highly satisfactory results, but are only enabled to work two shifts owing to the shortness of water. This party has been pushing on operations for opening- out tLe ground lately purchased by them, having extended their race up to the ground, and' they have also laid down a consideiable amount of piping, and are only waiting for the arrival of more piping to complete the necessary plant for commencing, operations,— Me.«srs Ferris, Trayes, and party are also limited in theiroperations from the fame cause as above mentioned. Up to the present the returns from this claim have been of a satisfactory nature, and no doubt as soon as a bettor water supply is obtained their operations -will be more extended, -ilessrs Quilter are obtaining satisfactory returns from the ground operated on by them, but from the w<»nt of water also are restricted in their operations,— Bitsm Kearney, Brqdi'ick, aud party (now known as the Sailor's Gully Company) have completed tho clearing and widening el &gk «cc and hw kagg£&& Isto i

connection with the very excellent dam that they have had constructed for them hy Mr J. Ryan in Sailor's Gully, where it is the intention of the party to commence hydraulic sluicing as soon as the necessary plant can be got on the ground. They have a very good proapect of success. They have a large amount of tailings to operate on - cemented gravel that was run down from the adjoiDing hill— and there is not tho slightest doubt a good quantity of gold was brought down with the tailings. I see by the Tuapeka Times they have applied fof an extension of tbeir preseut water supply, which, if the quantity applied for is obtained, will enable them to carry on operations with almost a certainty of success. This party have already been to considerable" expense, and their intended operations will entail more in con-'j structing the race applied for. Their pluck in ■ carrying out so expensive an enterprise deserves success, and they have my hearty good wishes for it. —Messrs Hagan, Hansen, and party are still J continuing sluicing operations in the Main Gully, with fair returns. There are a few Chinkie* also working in the gully, making about ' tucksr.'— Oa Havolock Flat Messrs Pearson and party are engaged washing up their last paddock, which shows better results than have been experienced for some time pa«t.— Mr J. H. Perry's dredge is at present working well down the river. The returns, although not of as satisfactory a. nature as could be desired, are sufficiently so to induce him to continue operations in the hope of better results as he comes further up the river. He also has my good wishes for his success.— The party of Chinese who purchased the right to work a piece "of ground inside the railway fence near the Waitahuna, railway station for a decent amount— £32, if I am rightly infoirned— have not found it turn out as well as was expected. The gold obtained will hardly cover the cost of the work, independent of the first outlay. -^-There are two«w three parties of Chinamen working on the fl»t, getting about ' tucker.' "' Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs :— " Among the passengers by the Waihora was theRev. Joseph Campbell, M.A., F.G.S., F.C.S., M.1.M.E., principal of St. Nicholas's College, Rindwick, Sydney. Mr Campbell is one of the leading geologists of New South W»le3, and holds the position of University extension lecturer in geology and chemistry. He is paying a short visit to Auckland for the purpose of examiuing some mining properties, and giving advice as to the treatment of certain^refractory ores, to which subject he has given much attention. The Itsv! J. Catfipbell represented the New South Wales Government in the Mines Exhibition. He comes to Auckland at the request of Mr W. v J. Walker for the purpose of leporting upon certain properties, after which Mr Walker proposes to proceed'tO'LoudoQ. That Mr Campbell is well qualified to speak on the question of treating refractory ores is shown by the fact that half a ton of ore from the Tui mine, Te Aroha, which was sent to him for treatment under hia hand, yielded considerably more than was thought to bs j the true assay value. Mr Arthur Dieseldorff, ! managing director of the International . Gold j Syndicate(Tjinnted)at London and Paris, is now on his way from Sydney to take up hia residenca in Auckland permanently as the company's representative." ' ' i The Cromwell Company at Bendigo (says the j Cromwell Argus) propose starting shortly, with i the full battery of 20 stamps at work, there being large blocks of quartz of various grades all thronghthe mine. A few alterations will, however, first be made. The Whitelaw turbine whioh preseutly drives the battery. will be replaced by a pelton wheel, and the water pumped from the shaft will be" carried to the pelton to increase the power, giving an extra jet with 59ft pressure. The goldsaving appliances will be . altered, so a? to dispense with ihe quick-ilver and copper plates, in order that the whole of the pyrites ore will be saved for subsequent treatment, which bas been fonud by. assay to be very valuable. One of the principal levels in the' mine from the battery shaft through the, upper ground will be continued into the solid. The bottom level in the present shaft is to be driven back underneath the old gold workings. The bottom level of the original mine cannot be driven on as it stands' full of water.it having been driven towards insteadof from the pumft shaft. The new battery shaft is to he continued down to the present bottom of the mine. Mr Fred Evans takes the entire'super- j vision of the mine. Mr Mliot is manager, Mr ! Sorenson, battary^manager; Mr Maxwell, tngineer, and Mr Newman, secretary. A London cable states that the Monowai Gold Mining Company of New Zealand, with a capital of £150,000, has been issued. £25.000 worth of shives are offered to the public. | ■ 'Reports aw current in • Hokitika, says the Guardian, to the effect that the Ziman syndicate iconlcmplates shine gigantic mining operations, which, if carried out, will entail, an expenditure of J250.000. {fbis is entirely independent ofHumphrey's Gully. Some negotiations are now going on with the Government, which', if satisfactory, will lead to some surprising developments in Westland.

The Moonlight Sluicing Company report having obtained 10oz 7dwt 20gr of gold in last wasoiug up. The sum of £2000 has been deposited in the bank on behalf of Messrs L. D. Natluo-and others, of Auckland (says the Westport Times), for the purpose of roromniencjug work at the Great Republic Company's mine, Stony Creek. It is proposed -to eventual'y floit the proparty on the London market. ■* The Qamiltons correspondent of. the Mount Ida Chronicle reports :—" The Perseverance Company h(u washed up, and for the past -two years has only obtained 290z of gold. They have been driviug to try aud find the lead at the.Shepherd's Hut, but without success/and I believe one of the party (Mr Mathias) has sold out to Mr G. F. Hooper for the sum of £100. The- share was sold 12 years ago for £\OdX .Nothing daunted the party has started again to find the lost lead." , The.' Hyde correspondent of the same paper reports:— "ln mining matters there is nothing doing in Hyde at present, but there/ are several parties at work out Four-mile and Deep ' Sinking way. Tbomas and party are doing very- well, and have waahed up for .£l5O worth of gold. Kelly is also doing very well, and has gone to considerable expense taking up a tunnel for drainage. The Mount Highlay Company have on a number of hands constructing and laying a tramway from theiraine to the battery. When completed it is to'be hoped tho returns will prove remunerative. The reports from tb.B Rock and Pillar Dredging Company are not very satisfactory. It is reported that the gold does not go down, the best of it is on the surface, which seems quite contrary to what nny one would expect. The company which was formed to work a large "-extent of ground by hydraulic sluicing near Mareburn, on tha Taieri j river, are now' driving a tunnel through a hard bluff of rock, through which they intend to divert ' the Taieri liver. By doing, so, they will, leave a large extent of the river bed dry, which they reckon is highly payabß They are also, I am informed, goioe to construct a water-race from Taieri river, below Taieri lake, for hydraulic sluicing. This is what is badly wanted, some outside capital to develop our mineral resources.,!!.