THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 18

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

Mr D. Leslie (Mitchell, Leslie, and Don), ' lecretary to the Gabriel Gold Dredging Company, Tuapeka Flat, near Lawrence, advises us ihat the statutory meeting was held at the registered office of the company on Wednesday last, when there was a veTy good attendance "at shareholders. Messrs J. Rhodes, J. Dawson, W. G. Somerville, and C. M. "M'Nicoll (Lawrence) were appointed directors, and Mr Howes (Airey and Howes) auditor. Messis Cutten Bros., consulting engineers to the company, have ' had tenders called for machinery, and Messrs A. and T. Burt's .tender was accepted by the directors. The dredge that is on the

claim, and which was working it for some time, has been dismantled, and the work of heightening and strengthening the pontoons is now progressing, and it is confidently anticipated that the new machinery will be fitted up and the dredge in going order inside of four months.

The writs of the Supreme Co-art were served on the Goldbank and Woolshed dredges last week (saj-s the Bruce Herald), and both dredges have been closed down since then.

The progress report for the month endingJuly 4 of the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company states that No. 4 level S.D. stopes, No. 5 level stopes, and No. 6 level stopes are all producing fair grade ore. Smelting plants Nos. 1 and 2 : In operation ; smelting operations in No. 1 plant resumed as before ; removal of debris of conflagration in progress ; temporary trestle approaches completed across gap in flux bins, caused by fire; excavation for temporary sampling establishment completed; beginning made with deliveries of building materials. New engine room No. 1 smelting plant: Condenser finished, and connected to circulating main from valley pumping plant. Aerial • ropeway from mine : New ropes received, and now being placed in position. Converter plant, in operation. Two thousand five hundred and eightyfive tons of blister copper consigned for the current half-yeaT.

The Manager of the Mount Rex Tin Mining Company, Ben 3-joniond, reports under dato July 14: — Dam: We. have been filling in both coffers and tamped wall. As we liave now plenty of strength for a dam 60ft in height if required, 1 have dropped the coffers, and now it is one tamped wall from back to front. Head race: We have this week constructed eight chains, making a- total of 2 miles 17 chains; timber for fluming is being delivered along the line of race. Main shaft : Six feet has been sunk this weeT*7 making a total of 72ft ; 12ft has been timbered, and 30ft of ladders put in position. Contractors are now cutting out for frame set at about 70ft ; no water as yet.

The Hartley and Riley Company's dredge resumed dredging on the 25th. ____ In accordance with the resolution of shareholders at an extraordinary meeting held recently, the directors of the Golden Gutter Dredging Company have called upon the vendors to make a further prospect of Hie claim, and we understand steps are being taken in this direction. It will be remembered that as soon as the board were appointed they iook steps to have the company's property tested by boring. The results were submitted to experts and to two engineers, whose reports were considered so unsatisfactory that the directors at once called the shareholders together and supplied them with all the information they had obtained, with the result above stated. While it is undoubtedly the duty of vendors ia all cases to thoroughly test their properties before putting them upon the market, a similar duty devolves upon directors, who are elected to safeguard the interests of shareholders. If similar action to that of the G olden Gutter board had been taken with other companies now being wound up, probablj r considerable losses "to shareholders might have been saved. Their action and that of the broker (Mr D. G. Davidton), in offering to refund a portion of his commission when the reports were brought "down, is worthy of the highest commendation. We are informed that the boring is being proceeded with.

Further shipments of machinery for the Golden Falls Dredging Company (Limited) are being landed per s.s. Mokoia at Rattray street wharf, and Messrs Johnson and Sons advise that another shipment will follow by next boat. Manganese and steel for nibs not being to hand has caused a little delay, but they have received advice that it is coming per the Port Victoria and Dara, which will arrive shortly, when they will do all they can to huiry on and finish off their contract.

The Austral Otis Engineering Company (Limited), of South Melbourne, advise the secretary of the Kai-dra Gold Dredging Company that they are quaking excellent progress with their contract for machinery. The directors of the Inch-holme dredge have decided to put on an elevator, and in the meantime the dredge has stopped work.

Mr E. Roberts, consulting engineer, reports under date if uly 25, to the secretary of the Ahaura River Gold Dredging Company: — The contract for pontoons is nearing completion ; the contractor for machinery states that all the material for ladder, buckets, elevator buckets, links and pins, is expect kd in Papamii. The screen is ready for riveting, screen castings finished, all buckets for screen and elevator drive cast and pulley fitted; winch frames finished, all winch patterns made, castings partly done, winch engine half finished, condenser riveted, belt pulleys cast, pump intake, cast and mountings completed. Sheaves cast for fairleads and ladder lifting gear; hangings for ladder lifting gear on hand; castings for fairleads under way.

The Cromwell Argus hears that Mr Thomas Shaw has been appointed dredgemaster w of the Alpine No. 2 dredge.

The Richard's Beach dredge is well forward. The crown and driving wheels are in position, the winches are up, and the boiler in position ; the ladder is aboard, and the gantry finished. The work of getting the machinery on the Electric Extended is well forward. The -winches are in position, the 1 odder is aboard and put together, and the boiler in positionr The en-, gine is also aboard and the gantry up. — Cromwell Argus. The directors' report to be submitted- at the! annual meeting of shareholders in the Waikaka Queen Dredging Company shows that of the contributing capital of 4950 shares, 440 remain unallotted. The directors have received an offer of par value for these, but deemed it advisable to retain them on behalf of the company in the meantime. The sum of £1970 has been paid on account of the dredge, leaving a balance due of £1530. Every endeavour to expedite the constmction of the "3redge has been used by the directors, but owing to tlie difficulty in obtaining the raw material from Home, it has not yet started work. However, the contractors (Messis A. and T. Burt) promised to have everything, in- readiness for a start by the end of August. The retiring directors are Dr G. A. Copland and Mr E. G. Gresham, who are eligible for re-election.

All of the landowners who put in claims for in the event of the Waikaka being declared a sludge channel have received intimation from the Government, offering certain sumi in settlement of their claims, without prejudice. The amounts in all- cases are vei-v much below tho^e applied for, and it is probable thpjjffevg will be declined In the meantime with the object of securing a better adji.stment by arbitration, M% W. Connor, pro-

prietor of the East Gore swimming baths, who claimed £340, is offeied £50, as also is Mr C. G. Thurston, who asked for £1000 as compensation for the extinction of his plan to establish a fellmongery, etc., at East Gore. We understand that the Government are negotiating with Messrs R. and F. Waliis, with a view to adjusting that film's difficulty in the way of procuring clean water from the Waikaka tor woolscouring purposes. — Mat aura Ensign. The last shipment of machinery for the Vincent Extended dredge was landed by the Mokoia on Friday, and will go forward to the claim without delay. Messrs Tonkin and Co. have the forwarding of this company's machinery.

The Secretary of the Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company reports that advice, dated the 20th inst., has been received from the dredgemaster, who is now on the claim, that the contractor's gang of men have arrived at Greymouth, and that erection of the machinery will be gone on with at once.

The Secretary of the Endeavour Gold Dredging Company (Limited) repoits that the pontoons for the dredge are well advanced, and ■will be launched next month. The engine and a large portion of the machinery have gone "forward to the claim, and the contractors are pushing on with the balance of the machinery. An Auckland telegram -states that the return irom the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates lor four weeks is 11340z bulHou, valued at £2323, from 1758 tons of stone eiushcd and 1554 tons by the cyanide piocess. The directors of the Miller's FJal Electric Dredging Company held an informal meeting on Tuesday, 21th hist., to receive Mr White's (the late dredgemasfcer's) report. After a short discussion a retirement was made to Spain's Hotel, where a nice little dinner was held sis a parting to Mr White, 'who is leaving to' tshe charge of the Government sanatorium electrical work at Rolorua. The Chairman, in wishing Mr White every success in his new position, commented on the valuable services rendered to the company, and thanked him on behalf of the directors and shareholders for the efficient way and energy displayed by him in bringing the dredge to its present position. Mr John Kiley also spoke, and expressed his regret at losing the services of so promising and capable a gentleman, and also called to mind the pleasing reminiscence that 'he owed his life on orve occasion to Mr White's--ser-vices. Mr White, " in reply, regretted" having to sever his connection with the company, but he felt sure he was doing right in the course he had taken. Among other things 'he" felt bound to say that he had left everything in working trim, so that no time would be lost in getting to work as soon as the contractor's delivered the elevator and screen, which were, he understood, well in hand. He was pleased the dii ectors had' appointed Mr Milson to succeed him, as he felt sure they would not find a more competent, careful, or painstaking dredgemaster on the river — at least this was his opinion after nine years of experience wilh him. Altogether a, very enjoyable evening was spent, and the meeting broke up at a quarter to 11 o'clock.

The prospecting of the Cornish Point claim by boring is being gone on with (says the Cromwell Times), and in the first bore put clown we hear bottom was found at a depth of 22ft.

The Secretary of the Point dOr Gold Dredging Company informs us that the directors i have received a report fiom Mr Thomas. Simon- j sen, dredgemaster of the Molyneux Hydraulic Gold Dredging Company, who was specially ! ■selected to visit the property, as one having extensive experience in working bank claims. Mr Simonsen has reported most favourably of the clam, and in his letter to the directors fctafces that all doubts as to its dredgeability should now be removed. Messrs James M-George (manager of the Lady Ranfurly dredge) and John Johnston (manager of the Junction Electric No. 2 dredge) and other competent men have also reported on the property. All these reports are of a most favourable nature, and point out conclusively that the claim does not present the slightest difficulty to work with an up-to-date dredge. Boring operations are in progress, and when completed the results, together with copies of above-men-tioned reports, will be sent to the shareholders. Mr. Payne, the engineer of the GalvanicG old Dredging Company, reports that the pontoons are completed, and moored on the claim. Engine and boiler have been despatched to the claim. Machinery, including ladder and buckets, winches, and the erection of same, also the housing, was let under contract' to Messrs Stevenson and Poole. A large quantity of machinery has now been forwarded to the claim, and it is intended to commence the work of erection withm a week from date.

At an extraordinary meeting of shareholders in the Beaumont Lead Gold Dredging Co., held on the 27th inst., and attended by 10 shareholders, holding proxies for a large proportion of the capital of the company, a resolution was passed instructing the directors to have the company wound up voluntarily. The shareholders also expressed their opinion that, in view of the iinsatisfagtory nature of the ground, as shown by boring operations, and the engineer's report, the vendors should forgo any claim on the company in respect of paid-up shares.

Mr R. T. Wheeler, jun., secretary of the" Golden Vein Gold Dredging Company, has received from the. engineer (Mr F. W. Payne) a report stating that the timber for the pontoons is on the ground, and the contractor, Mr George Morison will be starting almost immediately, tp build. The Austral Otis Company, of Mel-' bourne, have secured the machinery contract, and were pushing ahead with the work. Mr Payne's representative writes that good progress was being made with the same, and he has no doiibt that the Austral Otis Company's contract will be finished in time. A progress payment for £400 has been remitted to Melbourne. The engine and boiler have been ordered from Marshall, Sons, and Co., through their agent, Mr P. R. Manning. The centrifugal pump of Tangye's pattern has been ordered through then agent, Messrs R. B. Denir>ton.

At the adjourned annual meeting of the Central Otago Dredgeowners' Association the following officer-bearers were elected for the ensuing j'ear : — President, Mr James Kelman ; vice-presidents, Messrs Spencer and Luke ; secretaiy and treasurer, Mr Closs. It was resolved — "' That the secretary be instructed to communicate with the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, requesting him to forward, as early as convenient, a copy of the engineer's report of inspection of road down the Molyneux River from Alexandra."

Mr Payne, the engineer of the Golden Link Dredging Conrnany^ reports that the larger^por.-

tion of the - machinery has now left Messrs A. and T, Burt's premises. The remainder is practically finished, and is to be despatched to the claim within 10 days. The xDontoons being completed, a start will be made at once with the erection of the machinery. The dredge is estimated to start work within eight weeks from date. The annual report of the directors of the Waimumu Queen Dredging Company refers to the expeditious manner in which the dredge has been placed on the claim, this reflecting great credit on the contractors — Messrs Morgan Cable, and Co. Attention is drawn to the fact that the directors have been enabled to place everything in readiness for work, although only calling up 17s per share from the contributing shareholders. They hope that it will be unnecessary to make any further demands on the shareholders, or at any rate, not more than another call of Is will be required. — Ensign. The Maiaura Ensign understands that those Waikarka Valley seltierd affected by the proclamation of the Waikaka - stream as a aludge channel intend holding a meeting shortly to decide upon whether the respective amounts offered by the Government as compensation shall be accepted forthwith or not.

The Riverton Star states that the Great Western dredge, at Lake George, commenced operations on Thursday. There was a good at- , tendance of those interested, and hopes were expressed that it would be the pioneer of xnany others.

The Gold Queen started dredging on Monday afternoon (says the Mount Benger Mail), but as there were some alterations to make and some of the machineiy was running hot, she has not been constantly dredging, and will not wash up this week. She will be stopped to-day tc make alterations to the save-all. It is anticipated that she will be in good going order next week.

A meeting of farmers inteiested in the question of the pollution of the Tokoniairiro River was held at Milton on Wednesday evening. Ths Bruce Herald ascertains from a reliabfe source that the principal business was the consideration of a letter forwarded on behalf of the dredging companies at Q-lenore. This communication requested that those farmers who held riparian right? should agree as to a lump sum as compensation for the damages caused by dredging, and should state what the amount was. It appears that of the 18 farmers who combined io defray the cost of law proceedings, eight or nine have riparian rights. The meeting decided to decline compliance with the request of the dredge-owners, xinless the latter were willing, m connection with the matter of damages, to treat the farmers interested alike, irrespective of whether they hays or have not riparian rights. Mr W. J. Hopkins, of Christchurch, writing from Oaniaru on Saturday, informs us that his firm has purchased Craig's freehold near Hokitika. From this property about £84.000 worth of gold has been obtained, and the returns still kesp up. Mr Hopkins states thai his firm have a company with a capital of £30,000 underwritten. The intention is to work the terraces as at present, and to put on three dredges to work the rich terrace leads that run into the flats. The other properties to go with the freehold have been purchased, making altogether 650 acres. The wash at present being treated goes up to 12dwt to the load, but as much as soz to the load has been obtained. Mr James Ciaig, the owner of the property, lives in Oamaru, and Mr Hopkins has completed the whole business satisfactorily. It is not yet known if the underwriters will put the property on the market.

The return from the Golden Run pipes last week was 340z.

The Molyneux River is 2ft above the socalled normal mark.

The Manuherikia is somewhat high, causing a good deal of drift, which hampered dredging operations 'during the week. The directors of the Upper Magnetic Company for some unaccountable reason allowed the contractor for the dredge to build their dredge on the Gentle Annie claim instead of on their own ground as is the usual and more satisfactory custom. It was expected that the dredge, when built, could be taken down to the claim on which she is to work through 'a narrow rock-bound gut. But it now appears that the gut is too narrow to permit of the dredge getting through, with the result that the rocks along the passage will. have to be blasted to allow of. the dredge, getting away. .Naturally, enough the shareholders are not pleased that such a stupid arrangement should have been permitted by the directors, and th&y very pertinently ask on whom the responsibility will fall should the dredge sustain any damage — whether on the shareholders or the dredge contractor? Possibly the directors have taken measures to safeguard the interests of the shareholders. If not, the shareholders have valid grounds -of complaint against the manner with which their affairs have been managed. — Tuapeka Times.

An Auckland telegram states that the Waihi mine return for the month is the largest since January, 8405 tons of ore were treated for bullion valued at JE23.382.

An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in the Golden Point Dredging Company will be held to-morrow evening. The erection of the machinery for the Naumai Company's dredge is about to be proceeded with, and it. is anticipated that dredging wilj commence .by the end of September. The construction of the machinery for the Golden Chain Company's dredge is being pushed on with, and the building of the pontoons will be proceeded with immediately. The machinery for the Marsden No. 3 dredge is well in hand. The t'mber for the pontoons is on the claim, and building will commence this month.

We are assured by the chairman of directors of the Upper Magnetic Dredging Company that there is no truth in the statement made in the paragraph which we republished from the Tuapeka Times yesterday about a difficulty in getting the pontoons on to the claim. We are informed that before the site for the building of the pontoons was selected every care was taken to make sure that the dredge could get to the heart of the claim with safety. The matter was fully gone into by the directors, who felt assured that there was no doubt whatever in the matter. They even went so far as to get Mr J. F. Kitto, of the Magnetic dredge, to take measurements before the pontoons were constructed, so as to make doubly sure.

On the recommendation of Mr Cutten, engineer for the Inch-holme Gold Dredging Company, and of Mr George Bennet, the directors have decided to put on sluice boxes instead

of the present screen. The alterations will take about three weeks to complete. The dredgemaster reports having washed up 4oa 17dwt for 138 hours' broken time.

At a meeting of shareholders of the Adam's . Flat Gold Dredging Company, held on -Monday, it was decided to increase the capital of the company to £4000, by the creation of 1300 new shares of £1 each, a-nd to acquire another* claim, containing about 71 acres, on- the Waitahuna River, which has yielded 7480z from 11' acres with a dredge of a very primitive type. The present dredge, which is in good order, is to be shifted to the new claim. The number of shares taken up in the room was 354, and tha balance (946) are now open to the shareholders and public for subscription. The Secretary of Gunton's Beach Gold Dredge ing Company reports that the machinery con- - tract for the dredge has been let to Messrs Cossens and Black, delivery to take place in.' 11 months. The machinery includes gearing, ladder, buckets, elevator, and winches. A 10inch Tangye pump has been ordered from] Messrs R. B. Denniston and Co. The tenders are now being called for dredge hull, and are returnable by the 9th August. A Marshall, Sons, and Co.'s 12 horse-power engine and 16 horse-power boiler have been ordered.

Mr R. T. Wheeler, jun., secretary of tha Golden River Gold Dredging Company, has received the following report from the company's engineer: — The contractor for the pontoons has just about completed his contract.. The engine and centrifugal pump have been delivered at the claim. The drop and tailshoots, tank, and pins have been delivered! at railway station. The condenser, all the bucket links, iriction drive rollers, with bevel wheels, and shafts and bearings for same, are ready, and will be delivered "before date of meeting. The winch is well advanced, and! will be finished in about a fortnight. There is a considerable amount of work in progress in , the foundry.'

Mr V. Calverb, chairman of directors of xua Pride ofYEuaupka Gold Dredging Company, is issuing a 1 circular to shareholders with reference to the statements regarding the character of the claim, made in a letter by Mir A. E. Lane. The chairman says: — "The directors 'have interviewed i£r Tyson, whose report on the claim appears on the prospectus, and he emphatically states that his report is absolutely true, and that those who say there is a lot of clay on the claim don't know what they are talking about. I have arranged to> visit the ground with Mr Tyson and see for myself. In order to allay any uneasiness that; may exist in shareholders' minds, I wish to state that we will have the clp.im thoroughly, prospected by shafts and bores before any ex--penditure is inclined in removing the dredge, and that the whole of the moneys now being called up aie being paid over to the Bengerburn Company for the dredge. Even should the claim turn out to be undredgea."ble, we will have the dredge as an asset, and I am led to believe she is fully worth the price paid — namely, £2000, — so that there should be iittla loss. In conclusion, I must ask shareholders to support their directors loyally, and not add!to thoir difficulties by imposing financial difficulties, which . there is no reason should: exist." The statutory meeting of the Clifton Gold • Dredging Company (Limited) was held at the Otago Stock Exchange rooms on Monday even- - ing,°when Messrs H. Stokes, J. W. Stokes, W. A. Scott, and J . H. Hay were elected direclas^, and Mr T. H. Thompson auditor. The Nevis correspondent of the Cromweil . Argus states that the Nevis dredge is swinging • free of tho ice, so if this thaw continues, ifc will not bs long ere she will be able to start york again. - The Mafcaura Ensign states that the Dome Cicek Dredging Company's pontoons at Wai- ' kaia are now finished, and will be laiinched this week. The boilec, engine, and all the principal machinery have arrived at the claim, and the erection of the machinery will be started as soon as the pontoons are afloat. There will be no stoppage in the work before its completion, which^is expected to take place in about two months' time.

The Nelson Eveniug Mail states that the cloan up at the Golden Blocks mine (Taitapu) has resulted in 186oz of gold being obtained lor 23 days' crushing from 222 tons of stone. Mr John Davie, the liquidator of the Springvale Dredging Company, is calling for tenders for the purchase of the company's claim and dredge. The dredge has a steel hull. A large amount of money was recently spent on her to adapt her for the work required at the Springvale claim, and during the 14 weeks she was running there she did good work, and proved, herself to be a very handy and serviceable machine. Messrs Anderson and Denniston, mining and boring experts, of Mataura and Invercargill, insert an advertisement in the Daily Times. The firm will undertake prospecting, boring, and reporting upon claims. Mr Denniston has had considerable experience on the Australasian goldfields, and has had the management of several mines. The Livingstone correspondent of the Oarnarii Mail writes:— There is nothing doing in miaingfhere just now. The frost has put a stop T to°all mining for the last month or more. Ther* miners are tired of their- holidays and are anxiously waiting for the frost to go, so that they "can get another chance of winning the* precious metal. This is very hard to get now, as this field, like, all others, js about worked out,, unless a better watel- supply is brought in. With more and cheaper water there is payable gold to be got foi many years. The lon'g-looked-for dredge on the Maerewhonua River is starting to make its appearance. A number of men are now working at it, and I suppose in the course of a few months we shall have a dredge in full swing. It is to be hoped that' it will pay. The results of this one will mearu life or death to a number of other dredgingr clainis on the rivei. I don't hear anything of: the Awamoko dredge of late, although it was reported here some time ago that the contract for the building of the dredge was let. The miners here are looking foi this one, as there is some hope of the Awamoko being declared; a sludge channel if the dredge pays, and, besides, it will be a more direct benefit to Livingstone.

With reference to gold dredging in Victoria,there are, according to the Secretary for Mines, over 150,000 acres of shallow auriferous alluvial deposits, of which to date 320 acres have been dredged, and fully 100,000 . acres may be so treated without injury to other interests. Pump hydraulic sluicing "has been regularly) carried on since 1891. Bucket dredging and jet elevating have been recently begun. During 1899 the quantity of gold raised by dredging was 17,3000z, of which 16,5000z was from pump hydraulic sluicing, 200oz from bucket dredging and 600oz from jet elevating. On December 31,^ there were 25 plants at work, and 20 under erection. Whatever public and private interests are- likely to be injuriously affected, measures are being taken to insist on tailings being: stacked, and sludge settled in dams clear of the water way of streams. It is expected! that dredging will, with skilful management; be the means of giving profitable employment in .the further development of old' and un-> worked alluvial mining areas, and will in duef course considerably increase the gold production of Victoria. With respect to dredging, itf should be noted that great skill is required, otherwise companies, even with fairly richi ground, will not pay dividends. Mr L. Resta has completed his Moonlight No* 2 race contract. We believe a splendid job hag been made of it. TEis does not mean that the whole length of race is completed A as there art

Borne 30 chains of iron piping besides a quantity of fluming to be placed in position yet, but this •work is delayed on account of the frost. It •will be well on to New Year before sluicing operations are commenced. — Wakatip Mail. A Christchurch syndicate has been formed rtvith a view to the taking over by a company of the Montgomery Terrace Sluicing Claim, ■which is situated near the Blackball Creek, Westland. This claim, which has only been recently opened up, has had three wash-ups, •with a result of 108oz of gold for about three months' work. During this period operations were, in consequence of the scarcity of. water, restricted to three hours' work per day, with from eight to ten heads of water. The syndicate proposes to bring in a race from the Blackball Creek, where it holds rights for sixty-five ieads of water. The late Mr John Gow, shortly' before his death, reported favourably upon this claim. — Lyttelton Times. Gold has been found in the Awakino (TaraEaki) district by an old digger who was fencing a property about five miles from the coast. It is Btated that there is a defined quartz reef.