MINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 31

MINING.

NOTES FROM LYELL,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) June 30.

Things mining are looking a little better now than they have been for some time past. The Alpine. Company will soon have their battery going again. There is now about 80 tons of stone in the paddock, and the reef in No. 9 level is of a very good Bize, and also shows very nice gold. An aerial tramway has been surveyed off by the mine manager. Mr Coombe, who has also got out the plans for the erection of the tram and machinery, and shows that he is no novice with the drawing pen. There Is about 100 tons of' stone stacked at Nos. 1 and 4 ready to be run down to the mill, aud it should turn out very well. Thi* company's b ittory has bcon kept going off and on for a shoyt while crushiug for the Orawus tributes, but their 100 tons turned out very poor ; then some 30 tons for the Tyr Conntll Company, which went about sz ; and finally 40 tons for the Lyell Creok Company, which also went very poor— a little over adwt. The Crcesus people have been most unfortunate in losing the usa of their own battery, which was covered up with silt caused by the recent floods in the' Lyell creek. When the silt has cut down again they will be able to effect

necessary repairs. '* There have been all sorts of rumours in connection with offer* made for mining property here. Very good offei'3 have been made, it is understood, for the Alpine Company, but some of the directors are not for eutertaininff anything in the shape of an offer, with the result that tho local shareholders and some in Reefton have got their backs up and are going to call an extraordinary meeting in spite of the opposition put forward by the directorate. Should any good stone be found in extending the upper levels north there should be money in the old claim still ; and the question is,*Js it better to sell right out or hang back for a prospective four or five shillings a year in dividends ?

The Lyell Creek Company are still plugging away, and are now sinking a winze. Some very good stone came in a week or so ago, but it has been lost. In speaking to the manager about it he gives his opinion that a horse of mullock haa come in turning tfie stone out of its right couree. He expects to get the stone again shortly. They ara being troubled a bit with water at present. A bit of a stir was made on Tuesday evening, when the half-yearly meeting of the company was to be held. Four Reefton shareholder* put in an appearance, and the fun began by these four being the only holders present at the meeting, with one or two of the local holders doing a pop in and out of the office. Something had got into the heads of some of the local people to the effect that a biff try was going to be made to shift the office back to Reefton, so they would not put in an appearance at the meeting. A quorum not being present, the meeting was adjourned for an hour, with no better result. Finally the meeting was further adjourned to Friday next. In speaking to some of the Reeitnn people they assured mo that they had no such intentions as was put up against them, nor would it be to their interest to shift the office. All they required was to be properly represented on tha directorate. I would not be surprised to see a bit of fun at the next meeting on Friday now. Th 9 United Italy tributers will start crushing in about a week, when they should have a very good return. They will have about 100 tous to put through, and if the stone is all like wbat I saw on the face then it will not be far off of a pound weight of gold to tho ton. It is a really beautiful quality of stone, and is from Bin to 18ln wide. There is some talk of an offer for the two adjoining claims, the Italy and Tyr Connell. They would make a very nice property there is no doubt, and if the Lyell Creek were thrown in with them it would be a claim worth talking about. Seeing that the Lyell Creek tunnel could work the whole of the alpine range, and is on a direct line with the Tyr Connell claim, what better could be wanted ? Tbe Cocksparrow dredgo haa been having a bit of a bad time lately with the weather and breakages, but has now been running a week and is putting through an immense quantity of stuff, but not very rich. They should be on something better when they get out into the liver a bit further, though. Tbe Buller dredge has been a sufferer also with the weather, and is now laid up for an overhaul. She has been doing well up to the present, and should do well again when she gets a start.