THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 18

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

We are informed that the Golden Ripple Gold Dredging Company has been heavily oversubscribed. The shaies will be allotted at a meeting at Bald Hill Flat on the 24th inst. The claim is _situated between the Golden River and Golden Falls claims.

The prospectus of the Duke of Wellington Gold Dredging Company (Limited) appears in th<2 Daily Times of the 21st inst. The claim is situated on the Grey River, West Coast, a mile below the junction of^ the Moonlight Creek. The claim is reported on by Mr John Don and others, and the reports speak for themselves. Tie capital is JBSOO, of which £2000 is given to the vendors in paid-up shares, and the balance, £6500, is now offered to the public in 6500 shares of £1 each on easy terms. Prospectuses and plans can be had on application to the brokers (Messrs Quick and Smith, W. J. Watson, and John Reid and Soue) or from .the interim secretary, D. Leslie (Leslie and Mitchell), corner of Water and Crawford streets.

Messrs Cook and Gray notify that intending investors may obtain prospectuses and a reservation in the Ross Day Dawn Gold Dredging Company, Donnelly's Creek, Westland, by making early application.

The abridged prospectus of the Victoria Gully Gold Dredging Company is published in the Daily Times of the 21st. The capital is £10,000 in £1 shares, of which 7800 shares are offered for public subscription. It is proposed to work claims of over 77 acres in all in the Nokomai district, "below the Sew Hoy special claim. The claim is well reported on. The ground is known to be good, but the water has always prevented its being worked "by individual miners. Messrs Logan and Vivian, Sligo Bros., Hamilton and M'Kerrow, and J. J. Ramsay and Co. ara flic Dunedin brokers, while Messrs Fait and Co., TJren and Co., *md Mr J. D. Miller ai-o the Gore brokers, with Messrs .Car3well and Co. for Invercargill. ' The Woolshed No. 2 dredge, situated on the Little Waikaka, was to be formally opened on th-2 20th (according to the Gore Standard). This property is owned by a private syndicate, who are also proprietors of the Woolshed Company, situated at Glenore, near Milton, which claim has yielded excellent returns. The interim secretary of the Cardrona Lead Dredging Company reports its flotation. Although tbc company was floated privately applications were received in excess of the number of shares The claim the company is formed to acquire is situated in the Cardrona \ alley, and is bounded by the Tacon's Cardrona and the Cardrona No. 1 Company's claims, the area being about 80 acres. The claim was reported on favourably by Messrs G. M'Lay, of the Hartley and Riley dredge, and G L. Tacon, of Cardrona. We publish in this issue, fcr public information -only, an abridged piospertus of the company. The provisional directors of the Waitahuna Gully Gold Dredging Company (Limited) met m the company's registered ofSce, Lawrence, on Monday evening, when the shares, which had been fully subscribed, were allotted, and the date of the first meeting of shareholders fixed. - The company's solicitor (Mr Coote) reported having registered the company, and that thd agreement with the vendors had been duly signed. It was unanimously agreed that a dredge should be procured with the utmost possible despatch. Mr George Morrison was appointed secretary pro tern. The Woolshed Company's dredge washed up on Friday for 250z. This makes an avera-e of 220z per week for the time she has been ruumng since Christmas. The company's new dredge, the Waikaka No. 2, has now started work. — Tuapeka Times. An Auckland telegram says:— Cable advice from London states that there is yet time to upset the sale of the Talisman mine to the Consolidated Company. Shareholders are .requested to immediately communicate with Mr 11 ■_ lf tll<? .y. object to amalgamation. The statutory meeting of the Globe Gold Dredging Company -nas held in the Queen's rooms, Crawford street, on Thursday The Chairman (Mr A. S. Adams) slated that the directors had made very satisfactory arrangements tor placing a suitable dredge on the company's claim by the Ist May next. Owing to the exceptionally good terms arranged, the directors were able to reserve 550 shares, and the ca-pital of the company, on which dividends would have to be paid, was therefore only .-£3450. Work was already well in hand, and. the dredge should be ready to start within tlnee mojvths at latest. Messrs A. S. Adams, John Clegg, John Wells, A. M'Gill, and H. M'Kechnie were appointed permanent directors of the company, and Arthui A. Adams as auditor.

The provisional directors of the Vulcan Gold Dredgine; Company (Limited) met in Mr J. J. Ramsay's office on Thursday, when the shares, which had been latoly subscribed, were allotted. Mr R. S. Black was appointed secretary.

At a meeting held in Messrs Sligo Bros.' boardroom on Thursdov (Mi A S Adams presiding), the snares in Wattersbn'-. Consols Gold Dredging Company were allotted to applicants. The interim secretary reported tbat the share list was largely oversubscribed. Atr J. A. Sligo was appointed secretary. The date of the ststutnvv merting of the company was fixed. A committee was appointed to wait on the engineer (Mr E. Roberts) to instruct him, to n*

once proceed to prepare plans, etc., for 'the pontoons and machinery required, so that tenders could be called for the work at an early date. Mr Phil Brennan, of Clyde, formerly belonging to the Unity dredge, has been appointed manager of the Alpme dredge. — Cromwell Times. The brokers for the Kimberley Gold Dredging Company report that the "prospectus is now ready. The Secretary of the Premier Waikaka Company (Mr J. J. Ratnsay) reports that active operations "are about to ba. commenced in connection with the building of the dredge. The contracts were let some time ago, but delay was caused by waiting for delivery of hard wood from Tasmania. That has now arrived, and the contractor has everything on the ground for a start. The machinery, gearing, and engine and boiler will all be on the ground when the pontoons are finished, and work will now be pushed ahead rapidly. The secretary also states that Mr Ibbotson, on the claim adjoining, is avciagmg ISoz per week with a dredge of not much more than half the size of that being built for the Premier Company. The statutory meeting of the Inchdale Gold Di edging Company was held in the Dunedin Stock Exchange on Friday evening, Mr D. J. Bews in the chair. Messrs G. L. Denniston, F. Cuming, W. li. Pearson, G. H. Fulton, and J. A. Cook were appointed permanent directors, and Mr W. Vivian auditor. The provisional directors reported that boring to ascertain the depth of the ground wo\ild be finished in a few days; also that they had been making inquiries re purchasing a certain second hand dredge, which they 'thought would be thoroughly suitable for the company's claim. The statutory meeting of shareholders of the Golden Gutter Dredging Company (Limited) was held on Friday at the Colonial Bank buildings, when the following gentlemen were appointed directors : — Messrs H. Adam, A. James, John Wright, W. H. Melton, and F. W. Mitchell. Mr George Duncan was appointed 'the company's auditor. Messrs J. J. Ramsay and Cp. report the successful flotation of the Vulcan Gold Dredging Company (Limited), the prospectus .of which appears in Saturday's Daily Times. This claim is highly reported on by Mr Henry Maidman (of Pembroke), Mr H. Excell (of St. Bathans), and Mr A. Hill (qf Dunedin;. A very large number of shares were applied for from St. Bathans. At the adjourned statutory meeting of the Grand Junction Gold Dredging Company (Limited), held on Thursday, Messrs James Horn (Bannockburn), T. K. Harty, Jas. Milne, J. H. Hancock, and J. Soutor were elected directors, and Mr W. T. Monkman auditor. MiThomas Chalmer (Brodrick and Chalmer) is secretary. In Saturday's Daily Times will be found the prospectus of the S-witzers Winding Creek Gold Dredging Company (Limited). This company is being formed to work a claim of 100 acres situated at Winding Creek, Waikaia. The property lias been thoroughly prospected by Mr John Don aoid Mr William Longshaw, and has also been highly reported on by the wellknown expeit Mr J. Howard Jackson. Only 750 shares aie available for Dunedin. The share .list will be opened at 10 o'clock this morning, and will close ,at noon on Monday. Messrs Sievwright Bros, and Co. and Messrs Hume and Ewing are the Dunedin brokers.

J. J. Ramsay and Co. publish in Saturday's Daily Times, for public information only, the prospectus of the the Scotia Gold Dredging Co., which lias been floated, and largely over-sub-scribed. This company is promoted to dredge the well-known Cardrona claim called Alncallister's. Mr Macallister went to considerable expense in boring and prospecting the property with highly satisfactory results. The property adjoins Tacon's Cardrona, and includes half of a valuable coal lease.

The statutory general meeting of the Horowai Dredging Company (Limited) was held at the registered office of the company on the 22nd. The following were elected directors: — Messrs William Jenkins, H. S. White, Charles Wilson, Thomas Elliott, and S. Is. Brown, the latter ■being appointed chairman. Mr R. T. Wheeler, jim., is the auditor, and Mr Sidney Mirams os the secretary. Tenders will immediately be called for the pontoons, machinery, etc. The provisional directors of the Moke Creek Dredging Company (Limited) met on Friday, and allotted the shares. Mr J. F. Harper was appointed secretary, Mr T. S. Graham auditor, iind Mr W. G . Mouat consulting engineer. The statutory general meeting of the Car■drona Lead Gold Dredging Company (Limited) -was held at the Chamber of Commerce Hall on Friday, when the following gentlemen were elected directors: — Messrs James Coombs, G. L. Tacon, A. Stoneham, Charles Coombs, and C. G . Srneaton. The next general meeting was ■fixed for the 25th May next. At a meeting of the directors, .held subsequently, Mr Smeaton was elected chairman, and Mr W. T. Monkman was appointed secretary to the company. The Mount .Benger Mail reports that the Jubi'ee dredge has been sold during- the week to 'Mr ■Runrdley for the sum of- £500. The pontoons will be utilised by the Miller's Flat Electric Co.npauy, while'the remainder will be taken to Southland to be' used in the construction of a dredge there.

The "following items are from the Alexandra Herald: — Mr G. M'Gregor has been appointed dredgemaster of the Golden Point dredge, vice Mr D. Bringans, who leaves shortly for New South Wales. — The Victoria dredge has be.en sokl to a party at Gore,- to work a dredging claim in that district.— The new part for the broken tumbler, on the Perseverance dredge has arrived, and it is expected that dredging will be resumed by the -beginning of next~week at latest.

The preliminary notice of the Day Dawn Gold Drpdging Company appears in Saturday's Ota-'o Daily Times. The capital is £7000 in £1 shares, of which 3000 have already been applied for. Full particulars, with prospect I.!'*,1 .!'*, may be obtained from the broker (Mr W. L. Hocper) or the interim secretary (Mr J. F. Harper). _ The prospectus of the Duke of Wellington Gold Dredging Company appears in Saturday's Otago Daily Times. " The capital is £SSOO, in shares of £1 each, of which 65-00 ara offered to the public. The claim is situated on the 'Grey River, one mile below its confluence of the Moonlight Creek. Reports from Messrs John Don (mining expert), John Gill, and George Burke are attached to the prospectus. The Dunedin brokers are Messrs Quick and Smith, John Reid and Sons, and W. J. Watson. The prospectus of the Golden Channel Dredging Company appears in this issue. The claim consists of one mile of the Molyneux River, and comprises an area of 77 acres of dr«dga"ble ground. The part of the river on which the claim is situated is 165 yards wide. A plan of the claim accompanies the prospectus, which can be had on application to the brokers. Mr J. A. Chapman is the Dimedin broker. The Cardrona Bonanza Gold Dredging Company, recently floated, has been re-named the Bonanza Gold Dredging Company, in consequence of the Deputy Registrar of Companies refusing to register any more comvmnies under the title of Cardrona. Mr E. Roberts has appointed Mr C. M'Quecn, jim., to represent him on the West Coast. Mr M'Queen leaves for the -Coa4t to take up his duties on Monday. Mr R. Dobbin, for several years accountant of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Duuedm, has resiguetl his position to start Tjusines3 as v shaie'broliev in Cnristohu''eh. TJiq sh&ie list oi WiUoualibj'a Qdj^xpno,

DreSging Co. (Limited) was to close at noon qn Wednesday. The claim consists of a"boufc SO acres, and- lies in the vicinity of the White Star and -Rolling Stone claims. The brokers are Messis Harman Reeves and Co. (Dunedin) and J. Solomon (Cromwell). In Monday's Daily Times Messrs J. F. Harper . (secretary) and William L. Hooper (broker) ad- \ vertise a preliminary notice of the Day Dawn I Dredging Company. The claim immediately I adjoins the highly-thought of INugget Company. ! Messrs E. Roberts, J. Don, and F. Brown. (manager Wairnumu dredge), whose reports will appear in a future issue, all speak very highly of the company's prospects. Only about 3500 shares remain open for subscription, so early application is necessary. The secretary (Mr Brent) of the Last Chance Hydraulic Sluicing, Elevating, and Dredging Company (Limited) received a telegram on fhe 24th Februaiy from the mine manager reporting a return of 350z from half of the last paddock. This is considered good. The directors were so satisfied with the results of the prospecting and boring operations that they have instructed their engineer (Mr F. W. Payne) to ; proceed with the plans and specifications for , the dredge, and tenders will be called for it at an early date. i T-he Happy Valley Gold Dredging Company (Limited), with a capital of £7500 in 7500 sharps oi £1 each, has been duly incorporated. The directors met on Saturday and allotted the shares. The share list was largely : over - subscribed. The abridged prospectus . of the company will be found in ou- advertising columns. This company has been formed to acquire the right to dredge certain freeholds of 68 acres situated at Wethcrstones, Tuapeka. These properties have been well prospected by the vendors. The re- ! suits of the first prospects gave an average of 15gr per cubic yard, and the results from prospects taken by Mr J. H. Chester, mining expert, gave an average yield of over 32gr per cubic yard of dirt. A party of eight Chinamen, who worked a portion of the ground, mown I as M'Cluskey's freehold, for five years, are said ■ to Jiave made an average of £73 per week, and taken £10,000 worth of gold out of the land. Mr C. W. Harvey was the broker ior the company, j and Mr Hector F. "M. Mercer has been appointed secretary. The statutory meeting is j fixed for Monday, 19th prox. i Messrs Brent and Brent and J. J. Ramsay and Co., sharebrokers, report the successful | flotation of the Manorburh Lead Dredging ' Company (Limited). The prospectus appears in Monday's Otago Daily Times, for public I information only, the shares having been all ■ applied for before the prospectuses were printed. A large proportion of the shares were applied for in Alexandra. The shares have been allotted, and the first statutory meeting will be held at Wood's Hotel on Wednesday, March 7, at 8 I p.m.

i A s . v 'it for the cancellation of a portion of the ; Harris ±seach claim on the western side of the river has been commenced by Phillips and party, of the Beaumont (says the Tuaneka, lanes). The result of the case will be watched ! with great interest by the holders of all dred°-- ' ing claims on the river.

I The number of shares applied for in -the No Town Creek Gold Dredging Company Is ; largely in excess of the number to be allotted. ! The preliminary notice- of the Kerin's Free- " hold Dredging Company appears in Monday's ' I .Daily Times. The capital is £3500, and the claim is situated on the Cardrona River. . _ The directors of the Roxburgh Jubilee Dredg- " mg Company (Limited) have authorised their engineer (Mr E. Eoberts) to accent the tender ' of Mr "Watson Rhodes for the pontoons. , A Reefton telegram states that the Keep-it-Dark Company's returns for February were: — ' Battery, 214 oz gold from 902 tons; cyanide, ' l<l2oz gold from 750 tons tailings. A dividend of Gd per share has been declared. i The preliminary notice of the Great Woodstock Gold Dredging Company appears in Tuesday's Daily Times. The capital is £10,500 in &X shares. The prospectus will be issued shortly, but applications for shares will now be received by the brokers, Messrs Quick and Smith and Messrs Hamilton and~M']lerrow". The Soiling Stone dredge, Cardrona, -wss, according to the Cromwell Times, to have commenced work on Friday. The Totara (Ross) dredge is to commence •work in a few days. It is considered that the result will be eminently satisfactory. The Secretary (D. Larnach) of the "Electric , Extended Gold Dredging Company (Limited) reports in connection with above company that the pontoon framing has been completed for some days, and will be launched shortly. The machinery is expected to be on the ground in six weeks' time. Winches are completed, and ' only want fixing together. The winch engine is ready, and only waits for completion of other machinery to be sent forward. The engine , and boiler will be here "by the Wakanui at the • end of March. The tender for railage and cart- " ing of machinery has "been let. It is confij dently expected the dredge will be ready well on to contract time. Messrs Edward Trythall and N. M. Gunn and Co., the "brokers of the Kimberley D.redg-'-' ■ ing Company, leport that the Christchurch. j agent on Monday wired for 1500 shares in addition to the 1000 shares already placed by him, ! and the Alexandra broker, in whose district the ' claim is,' has wired for 3000 in the meantime, and asks if any snore can be reserved for that district. It is anticipated that the list -will " close early this week. ! The following items are taken from the Crorn-j well " Argus :— A roacl lia# been made to ' the site on which the Merrimac pontoons are to be built, and a considerable amount of timber is * on the gronntl. — The pontoons of. the Magnetic ; No. II should be ready for launching- in a few • ! weeks. Good progress has been, made with the planking. The machinery is coming to hand rapidly. The ladder, .buckets, and "tumblers are already on the ground.— The. contractor for the construction of the. Meg and Annie ponp toons is making good progress with .his work. ' The framing is up and a- start made with the planking. The boiler is already- on the ground, and the balance of the timber for the pontoons. — The contractor (Mr Morrison) expects to launch -the Galvanic pontoons -in three weeks, ■ : and the Metallic in six weeks.

1 The statutory general meeting of shareholders of Tyson's Beach Gold Dredging Company was' held at the registered office of the company, 14 Bond street, on Monday evening. Messrs John i "Wright, Jonathan Rhodes, "W. Gr. Somerville, John Kerunitz and Joseph Hatton were elected directors. Messrs Leslie and Mitchell were ap- \ pointed auditors. At a meeting of directors j neld afterwards Mr John Wright was appointed chairman of directors, and a committee was appointed to wait upon the engineer to arrange for plans and specifications for the construction of k dsedgo without delay. The directors • visit the 1 claim on Saturday, 10th March, to select a site for building pontoons, and make other preliminary arrangeraents. Messrs * Harman Reeves and Co. report as; follows on the under-mentioned dredging comoanies: —

j Central Electric— The pontoons are nearly completed. The machinery is well 'advanced/ j and a portion, is on the ground. The contrac- 1 tors expect to have the dredge completed er.rly in MayT ! Alpine Consols and Alpine No. 2.— The contractors are not so well ahead with the -work, but expect to have both dredges going about the end of May. Upper Magnetic. — All the work Is well advanced, and most of the machinery is on the ground, or on the waj r up. The engine and. boiler will be landed, iv a few dam Ih»

clredge will be one of the first to start work in the district.

Vincent Extended. — The pontoons should be afloat^ this week. The machinery is now landing from Melbourne, and is being speedily sent forward to the claim.

Halfway House and Great Central. — The pontoon contractors are fairly well ahead with their work, and the machinery is well under .■way. Adam's Flat.— After a thorough overhaul and "sundry repairs to the dredge, the dredgemaster •will start dredging to-morrow, when he expects a continual run and good returns. > First Chance. — This .company's dredge (Victoria) has been sold at a satisfactory figure, and the funds will go towards the purchase of the new dredge, which will be up-to-date in every particular. All the contracts are let, and the engine and boiler have been ordered from Home.

The Sunlight. — The new ladder is now being placed on thg dredge. The extra length should greatly improve the returns. Dredging should start again this week. The shares in the Golden Glen Gold Dredging Company have been allotted. The statutory meeting will be held on the 16th March.