THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 19

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS.

The Secretary of the Golden Litik Dredging Company has received the, following report, dated 25th September, ifrom the company's engineer :—" Messrs A. and,T. Burt have the whole contract for the construction of the pontoons and machinery. The whole of the machinery is now on the claim, but the woik of erection had to be suspended on account of the trouble in keeping pontoons afloat. I have just returned from the claim, and while there inQtructed Mr Austin (who is representing Mr Ross, the local director) to pull the pontoons into deep water, and to put in a wing dam to turn current of river under dredge."

The engineer for the Abaura- River Company reports that his West Coast representative states that the contractor for the pontoons is

progressing well, and that the pontoons are expected to be launched in a few days. The contractor for the machinery is also making good progress with his work. Tenders for the erection of the machinery will be called for as soon as there is sufficient material on the claim to enable the contract to be proceeded with. . - ; The directors at the Perseverance Gold J Dredging Company have, declared a dividend (the third) of la per share, payable .on the Ist mst. The annual meeting of shareholders in the Electric G old Dredging Company will be held in the Agricultural Hall on Wednesday, October 17. An extraordinary meeting of shareholders in the Sunlight Gold Dredging Company will be hold on "Wednesday, October 10, to discuss the advisability or otherwise of winding up the company. - ~ ' ' Tenders are invited in the Daily Times for the purchase of the Sunlight Gold Dredging Company's dredge as she lies in the Molynevtx River, near Beaumont. The pontoons of the Central Mataura Company's dredge are in position (says the Gore Standard), and riveting and caulking 'are being proceeded with, and will be finished in a fort- [ night, when the pontoons will be floated. Whenthe dredge gets to work 'she should give the Mataoira a thorough test. The ladders will allow dredging to a depth of 50ft. The Manager of Craig's Freehold Gold Dreclg-. ing Company telegraphed as follows on the 22nd: 'Chesterman washed up to-day for 30oz, value £121 55." Messrs Tonkin and Co., contractors, delivered the Bannockburn Crock Dredging Company's boiler to the claim on the 24tiu It weighed 8 tons 9cwt, and was the heaviest load of mining machinery that ever passed through Cromwell. The &ame contractors on Monday loaded at Wedderburn, five teams carrying a total weight of 28 tons lOcwt of machinery for the Golden Falls Company. The Secretary of the Clyde Dredging Company (Limited) reports a yield of 88oz for 50 hours' dredging. River 2ftj 6in above normal mark ; ground making very deep and rich. The directors of the Lawience Gold Dredging Company have declared a dividend of 2s per- share, payable on Friday. The Secretary of the Charlton Creek* reports that a wire was received on the 26th from the dredgernaster stating that the dredge was stopped in order, to pvit on a, new top tumbler. A meeting of shareholders in the Tyson's Beach Company was held on Tuesday evening, when it was decided that the company be wound up voluntarily. The following was the resolution passed: — "That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the shareholders that the company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly that the company be wound up voluntarily, and that Hector Faulkner Monro Mercer be and is hereby appointed liquidator ifor the purpose of such winding up." A resolution was also passed that the brokers be asked to refund a portion of the brokerage money. The Secretary of the Galvanic Gold Dredging Company has received the following report, dated 25th September, from the engineer o£ the company:- — "Messrs Stevenson and Poole, who have the construction and erection of machinery, have" now it all away to 'the claim with the exception of the centrifugpl pump, lower tumbler, and water pipes. They are now employed finishing these, and should have them away within the next week. The winch is being built by Messrs M'Gregor and Co., who have the frames finished and all the castings ready, and niO3t of them finished; shafts all turned. The work of erection is being pushed on, and the winch shoiild be ready for sending to the claim in a fortnight. The work o£ erection of machinery at the dredge is going on satisfactorily. Mr George Neill has been appointed secretary of the Canadians Flat Hydraulic Sluicing and Electrical Power Transmission Company. The Secretary of the Great Western Dredging Company reports that after replacing a bent shaft and raising the dam higher the dredge restarted work. A letter just received from the dredgemaster says that he had got a, portion stripped, and bottomed at about 24ft from surface of dam; got a splendid prospect of gold. He adds : " There is about sft of sludge -on surface, 12ft soft blue puggy clay, carrying gold, on top of about 3ft of free gravel wash, on a lotten granite bottom." - The Merrimac dredge is finished, and steam was got up on Saturday, when it was found that the •machinery woikecl smoothly. The dredgemaster of the Mokoia advises that the dredge started work on Monday, the 24th, opeumg out the paddock, and that she is working well. The chairman of directors of the Golden Beach Company desires to state that it has become known that misleading reports respecting the company's property have been circulated by a disappointed person, and he asks shareholders or investors before crediting these reports to make inquiry of any of the directors or the secretary, when they will be given the fullest information The Electric Extended should be nearly finished by the end of this week (says the Cromwell Aigus). Our contemporary hears that the river is too low -just now for her to get down to her claim without some trouble. The pontoons of the Enfielcl dredge, Waipori, were successfully launched on Wednesday, and as the bulk of the machinery is on the ground the construction of the dredge will commence immediately. Everything in connection with the workings at the O.P.Q. mine, Waipori, is proceeding satisfactorily. Th& quality of stone now beinggot out is reported to be very good, and the battery is kept constantly going. There were between 65 and 70 men on the pay sheet at the end of last month, so from this it Avill be seen that the company is a large employer of labcur. — Tuapeka Times.

A question that threatens to become of paramount interest in the dredging world is that of procuring crews for the dredges about to commence active operations. The supply of experienced dredgemen is not equal to the demand, and good winchmen ars at a decided premium. The Cromwell Argus hears that, one at least of the dredges up the Kawnrau is experiencing difficulties in procuring a crew, and may not be able to start when the machinery is ready on that account.

We are informed that a requisition calling upon the directors of the Roxburgh Lead Gold Dredging Company to hold an extraordinary general meeting to consider the advisability of winding up the company has been signed by every shareholder in Alexandra. It is the intention of the Alexandra shareholders to send the paper to ,Di}n.64ift fe> SB6eive rfresh signa-

tures. Alexandra shareholders represent about IdOO shares.

Mr E. Roberts, consulting engineer to the Grey River Consolidated Dredging Company, that the contractor for the pontoons has made a good start, the road being finished to the claim, and rapid progress is expected fiom, this, time forward. Latest advices fromjMessrs Johnson and Sons, Melbourne, state that the machinery is well advanced towards ! completion, a considerable amount being ready for shipment. At' a nietmg of directors, held last evening, progress payments on account of T>cth were passed. ' The Austral Otis" Engineering"- Company, of Melbourne, are now shipping 1 the machinery for the Kia-Ora 1 Gold Diedging , Company (Limited). Messrs A. and T. Burt (Limited) report to the secretary of the Dart River "Gold Dredging ancl prospecting Company (Limited) 'that the whole of the machinery for thi3 dredge is now on the site. The timber for the pontoons is all ready, and the carpenters will have the pontoons ready for the erection in seven weeks from date. , Another shipment of over 30, tons arrived at the Bluff on Monday per Westralia for the Arthur Point Gold Dredging Company. Over~ two-thirds of this company's machinery has now arrived. _, - At a meeting ox directors of the Happy Valley Gold Dredging Company, held on Thursday, Messrs A. and T. Burfc (Limited) reported that the machinery, for the dredge was well advanced, and would be completed before contract time. The bulk of the machinery for' the Arrow Junction, dredge was passed by, Mr Leslie -\H. Reynolds on Thursday, and left Me"ssr3 Cossens and Black's yards for the claim. The work has been carried out with an excellent degree of workmanship. The adjourned annual meeting of the Cardrona Valley Gold Dredging Company again lapsed -for want of a quoium on Thursday aiternoon. The Mine Manager of the Shotover Quartz Mining Company (No Liability) reports having driven 10ft last week, and the total distance driven is 1240 ft. A change ifor the better has taken place. There is -3ft of reef formation between the two walls, and both walls are well denned. An Auckland telegram states that the gold leturn for Auckland for the. month totals £50,291, the highest for any month during the present year. The Secretary of the Golden Beach Hydraulic Elevating and Dredging Company (Limited) reports that in consequence of the breaking of the spur wheel, the dredge has stopped working. The new wheel is being cast, and will be forwarded without any delay, so as to start operations again as quickly as possible. The Secretary of the Great Western Gold Dredging Company (Limited) received a wife from the local director on Friday stating that the dredgemaster had washed up and got.ioz of amalgam for three hours' dredging. Our Wakatipu correspondent wires : — During the last few days there was a sudden and considerable rise in the temperature, causing the new-fallen snow of a week ago to melt quickly, leading to a very perceptible rise in the rivers. At present the weather is boisterous, and "rain threatening, which, should it come only in moderate quantity, would mean a flood. The value placed on the Waipori River as a source from which to obtain power is shown by the fact of an - application >on behalf of the London Minerals Company, coming before the warden next month. " The application is for the surplus water available after the Waipori Electric Pooler Syndicate's right ha's , been exercised. • ' . •The directors of the Blackwater River GoVl Dredging Company (Limited) have received the result of the boring done on their claim. The sinking of the shafts and boring has been so highly satisfactory that the directors will lose no time now in securing a dredge to work the ground. The result of No. ] shaft and bore is as follows:— Bottom, 31ft, equalled Igr per yard over tho 31ft; and No. 2 yielded 22.7gr over 31ft bottom at same depth. 'The bottom lignite, and the wash is the same as thpt on which the Chinamen are working at the top end of the claim (bottom 7ft yielded 2dwt 16.8gr per yard). No. 3 gave a yield of 6gr over 32ft, bottom also of soft lignite, and the wash is of the same class as No. 2. In summarising, the engineer says: — "After putting down these three bores, I consider that this claim will pay very well by dredging. The first bore appears to b's out of the run of the golcl,'found in the Blaekwaler. The surface gravel and wash are of a different nature to v that found in the workings up the creek, also the bottom. Nos. 2 and 3 are identical with ths-class of wash and bottom found in the workings above, and the prospects obtained from the last two bores I consider very good. This claim will be very easy to dredge, the gravel being of a light nature, with no large stones." The full report may be seen at the secretaries' office, Messrs Duncan and Power, Rattray street..

At a meeting of directors of the Blake and Auckland Leads Gold Dredging Company, held on Friday at the office of the secretary (Mr W. T. Monkman), estimates for a dredge s-peciaily designed to suit tho ground were submitted by Mr Leslie H. Reynolds, and instructions were given to him to prepare plans without delay, and to call for tenders within the colony and at Home.

The pontoons for the Gibbs Beach Company were successfully launched on Thursday. Mr Burton points out that in the map issued with the last number of the ' Mining Investor's Guide ' the Eclipse Company is credited with two claims, whereas the lower one, next above the Metallic, is the Waiora Company's.

The Eureka dredge on the Mataura River below. the township has been blocked against the bank for the last couple of months in her tailings (says the Southern Standard), and has been unable to do any dredging owing to the water being turned into the centre of the stream. The river up to the last week has been very shallow, but it has risen sufficiently to enable an attempt to be made to get the dredge out into the open.

Tn order to get the new scieen on board the Molyneux Hydraulic dredge, it was necessary (says the Alexandra Herald) to- turn the dredge right round, and to do this some dredging had to be rkme owing to a breakage occiirring two days before it was intended to stop for repairs. The screen was got, in position on Tuesday. Tlue whole of the machinery is being thoroughly overhauled,, and the manager expects to be able to resume dredging operations by Monday next.

The directors of the Inch-holme Company visited the claim on Friday, and report that the dredgemaster has just finished making a dam to get more water into the paddock, and started

dredging again that day. The dredge, for the last few weeks, has been working in an o!4 swamp, but has now a nice face of wash onen}. and the dredgemaster expects^ an improvement in the returns' in future. The Alexandra t Coal Mining^. Ccmpans (Limited) is now supplying a number of dredgea with coal. An excellent seam 'hi ;coal, 30ft thick, is now opened up. — Alexandra "Herald?The directors of the Waimurnu Central Dredgi ing Company have declared a dividend (the second) of 2s per share. , Mr Thomas Barnes has been appointed' dredgemaster to the Central Charlton Gold Dredging Company, ancl takes charge as from to-day. The dredgemaster of the First Taieri Gold Dredging Company (Limited). reports that ho is taking a cut across the river, and expects to be clear of the silt and on good wash in two weeks' time. The dredge is now in good working ordeij. The meeting of shareholders of the Upper Fraser Gold Dredging Company (Limited), called to consider the amalgamation of the company with the Fraser Flat Dredging Company, was held at the registered office, 14 Bond street,, on Friday night last, when the resolutions for amalgamation were negatived. The property of the Upper Fraser being a freehold, it wa3 thought advisable toehold on to, their own claim and await developments; in the meantime the directors to work . everything at a 'nominal charge, and no further calls to bo made. The first statutory meeting of the Nevia Dredging Company, as registered .under the Companies Act, v.-as held in the 1 board room of jthe Dnnedin Stock Exchange, Princes street, on Friday evening, when the following directors were appointed: — Messrs D. J. Bews, -Alfred Jame^S, C.G. V. Leijon, J. C. Short, and Alexander "Wright. Mr Thomas Callender was appointed auditor, and Mr D. Larnach secretary. The company's dredge has been completely overhauled during the, winter months, and got a start on Wednesday, the 19th September. The dredgemaster reports: — "The dredge 'is now lunning firat-class. ." . . The engine is working 'splendidly. (Jrouad averages 12ft in depth; - mostly clay bottom. . Wash inclined to ba heavy, with a little fine gold all through." A meeting' of directors of the Red Jacks Gold Dredging Company (Limited) was Eeld on Saturday, the 22nd ins=t., when the tender for "the timber for the pontoons was accepted, the successful tenderer being the Timber Company, Greymouth, and the quantity of timbpr 53,000 ft. This should take some four or five ( weeks tor deliver on .tne ground, when the erection wilt be pushed on with all "possible speed, as the contractors expect to have the machinery on r,be?" ground by the e'ncFof the present year ready to put together. The Secretary of the Dunback Dredging Ccm.pany reporfca that the engine has arrived by tha. Waimate. Pontoons are being proceeded with. " Machinery contracts are well forward. It is expected that all works let will be finished by, contract time. ." In a decision by Warden M'Carthy, published in this issue, it is laid down that applicants for mining privileges, their counsel or agents, must, when making applications to the warden, observe towards that' official ' the highest good faith by disclosing to him every fact within, their knowledge which might be expected \to affect his decision, and that any non-disclosura of said facts , must be treated in law as fraudulent misrepresentation within, the meaning, of section 147 of " The Mining: Act, 1598." Although such a doctrine is quit© well in other branches! of law, this, is, we believe, the first occasion in, Australasia where it has been held to apply. to applications for mining privileges. It is understood thatthere will be an appeal, and, if so, the decision of the Appellate Court will. bo looked forwardto in the mining world with some degree of interest. . The annual meeting. of shareholders in the> Junction Electric Gold Dredging Company will be held in the Agricultural Hall on Thursday, 13th inst. _ _ ' The Tuapeka Times says a requisition is being signed by -the Lawrence shareholders in the Point dOr Company calling' for an extraoidinary general meeting' of the company. Work is proceeding on the Maerewhnum dredge (says the''oamani Mail). The decking of the pontoons is being caulked. Portions of i lie" machinery are erected. The boiler has to be put on board, and 'the bucket ladder erected and buckets put on yet. The water. ha;<| to be damned oitt "of the chantel the pontoons are lam.cued in, or the- dredge would have been silted up before she could be got ready to starts It will be three or four weeks before the dredge can start. % The men who were boring Robertson's claim pnd the one above Grogan's Point have finished, and are now boring the Criffel Lead claim, nearPembroke. As far as depth is concerned, th^ present party of borers have qiiite upset all previous ideas as to the depth of the Carclrona Creek. Where it was suppos3cl 25ft at mos& would find bottom, it was proved to be over 40ft, and if, as a great many suppose, deeper. ground will be found below, it will upset all tho present plans for dredge-building. — Lak& County Press.

The Bakery Flat Sluicing Company report a return of S3oz ldw't 18gr for four and a-hal£" weeks' work.

Mr E. Teiqhelniann, chairman of-direetors cf the Perry's Reward Gold Dredging Company,. West Coast,' has- issued a^ circular to shareholders intimating that the directors have succeeded in purchasing the Riverbank dredge, near -Milton^ for £3500 cash. The dredge is practically new, and Mr Roberts, consulting engineer, estimates it would at present cos& <55600 to build. Whilst urging shareholders topay calls promptly, ' he states that in consequence of the cheap purchase of the dredge it is probable it will not be necessary to call up more than 15a per share. The Secretary of the Metallic Gold Dredging Company (Limited) reports that everything is being done to get the building of tha dredge completed. The contractors for the machinerystale that more than two-thirds is already ou the pontoons ; arrangements are made for tha erection and housing of the machinery; engine and boiler pro on the claim; winch is being forwarded this week, and it is expected that by the middle of November the dredge will be working. There appears to be some misapprehension on the part of shareholders regarding the present position of the Enfield Company's niachincry. The machinery is completed, and either on the claim or on the way. There has beer, some delay in sending cut the engine and boiler fhrough no fault of the directors, who ordered them in January, ancl had the repeated assurance of the importers that they were to be shipped in June. They are, however, on the Paparpa, and will arrive and be delivered before the erection of the machinery is completed. A shareholder who has just visited the claim reports to the secretary that'it is, in his opinion, a much better property than was represented by the vendors. The Secretary of the Gentle Annie- Gold Dredging Company, Limited (Mr T. Chalnier) supplies us with the following extracts from the report of the company's engineer (Mr F. W. Payne) on progress of contracts: — Messrs A. and T. Burt (Limited), who have the machinery contract, with the erection of same, have, the work now full in hand. Ladder is fitted together ready for riveting; buckets all bent, links forged, and novr riveting them, connecting links forged and bored; screen plates all punched and rolled and rimering holes; condenser put together ; shoots being made. A' good many 'of the castings are ready, and are being machined, such as top tumbler blocksx

second motion shaft blocks, , screen blocks, fan leads and sheaves, air and feed pump, condenser,- ends, heatei and screen pillow blocks, etc.; all gearing patterns made and- being cast. jSies'srs J. M'Gregor and Co., contractors for the winch, have the frames put together, and are getting the castings in for drum, gearing, etc. "They are -pushing on well with this work. Engine and boiler (Marshall's), ordered from -Mr ~F. R. . Manning. J. expect advices of the despatch of these soon as they were ordered in February last. Pontoons (Mr A. Bain, contractor). These are now being planked, and should be ready for launching in the course of a anonth.

Mr Leslie H. Reynolds has received the following wire from Mr W. Wyllie, who has erected the machinery on the Electric Extended cbredge : • — " Highly satisfactory run of whole plant. Kawaiau pump - splendid. Will finish odds and ends in two days."

A meeting of shareholders in the Sunlight Gold Dredging Company to discuss the advisability or otherwise of winding up the company ■will be held on Thursday, 11th inst.

Warden Macfarlane says that there are scores and scores of prospecting licenses held on the Coast on which nothing had or was ever likely to be done. This is veiy likely, and is a feature inseparable from all mining booms; "but is an evil that always soon cures itself.Mr Macfarlan^also says that there was scarcely one claim on the Coast that was cot -subject iro forfeiture if the law was strictly enforced. Evidently the law is bad and star'ds in need of reform. — Grey Biver Argus. A thoroughly practical -gold-digger, of long experience at Blue Spur and elsewhere (Mr Ro--bert Ledlie), now resident at, Gore, informs the ■•papanui Courier that in his opinion Southland £as a great future before it as a goldfield. The ■whole of the extensive Mataura Valley, • from •jßcingston to the sea, is gold-bearing, and contains", immense quantities of rich wash for •dredging and hydraulic sluicing. Mr Ledlie ias personally prospected raany of the reaches on the Mataura, and found gold of excellent quality and in payable quantities. Some tidy sized nuggets — up to 4dwt pieces — have been got near the town of Gore. The "Waimunm and many other tributaries contain the precious anetal in considerable quantities. During the mext few "years Mr Ledlie considers that the gold yield of Southland ■will surprise the natives, and enrich the colony to "an enormous ' extent ; and our informant is a thoroiighly practical man, who understands gold mining.

-IFhe Greymouth Star st-ates that the Shelllack Gold Dredging Company, whose claim is situated opposite the Ahaura, has completed dts prospecting with highly satisfactory res-alts. report shows that the ground throughout is of very equal quality, s averaging over six grains to the load— inclusive of the top stuff. •At the lower end of the cl.aim splendid prospects were obtained, while at another point saear some ol dworkmgs an average of ldwt Cgr to the yard was obtained, i An evil which has caused loud complaint -in Dundin at different times, says the Mataura Ensign, has apparently made its appearance in these parts — that is, the obtainonent and retention by directors of knowledge of the returns of dredges, in which information |the shareholders cannot participate for a considerable time afterwards. It i<* unnecessary to- mention names to give point to the mci VJent broiight under our notice, because the iacta are fairly s well known. A few days ago ■fche return of a district dredge was ascertained Iby a director living in the locality, - but on T>eing applied to for information by a shareholder as to the yield, he declined to state •what the return had been. This shareholder Tvas therefore compelled to telegraph to Dun«din for the information, and only got it some liours after it should have come to him through "fcha ordinary channel. In public companies there surely should be nothing to conceal from shareholders, and in any case a directoi should not be the possessor of information which is ■withheld from a shareholder. Shareholders axe entitlpd to know the extent of returns as Koon as the figures are verified by the bank, and anything calculated to give rise to the suspicion that directors desire the exclusive

use of such intelligence for several hours,' Bhiould be sternly discountenanced. As a matter of right and Justine shareholders are eniitled to know what the returns are ps soon as the directors.