LATE MINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 43

LATE MINING.

(Continued from page 24.) CENTRAL OTAGO NOTES. (Faosr Otrn Owir Cobhespondent.) ALEXANDRA, April 1. The Molyneux has been falling steadily during the week, and is now not very far off winter level. Thf-re is every prospect of a very low river this winter, providing it is a frosty, not a wet sefcson. The returns are about the average in this locality. A few of the dredges ha.ye had their usual overhaul before the winter. The Golden Beach is expected to start dredging m the middle of the coming week, after having had a thorough overhaul. The Alexandra Eureka finished overhauling on Thursday last, and started dredging on Friday morning. This dTedge is on her winter ground. The Manuherikia,, after doing some necessaiy repairs, wa3 dredging last week, and had a fair wash up. I expect big things from her during the coming winter. The- Moa was stopped for a day at the eu^ of ths week, bxit was dredging steadily again on Friday. I have not heard the return, but it is not expected to be large. The Sailor's Bend was dredging last week, but ha 3 not yet pioperly opened out. The machinery is working smoothly. I believe the Fourteen-mile Beach was working day shifts only last week, biH is, at last, to start in earnest this week. The Golden Falls was not woikmg last week for two reasons — first, the County Council recmdrag tEe motion foimerly passed by them giving a, right to Dr Hyde to work the Bridge reserve , secondly, the pump is not throwing sufficient water to treat the wash. The Perseverance's return is about her average. She is one of the most consistent of gold getters on the river. The New Alexandra has been floated down to where she opened out some time ago, and where she got excellent returns. I wish the new dredgemaster (Mr T. M'Math, late engineer on the Molyneux Hydraulic) every success in his new sphere. The Ma-tau, under the new dredgemaster, Mr Sanders, who has been one of the ciew since she started, has had a very decent wash up. This dredge paid handsomely last winter, and it is expected to do the came this season. The Chicago was, I believe, working last week after a week's stoppage owing to the crank shaft breaking. She is working towards the river, and is expected to be near the lower boundary shortly. The Enterprise No. 2 was stopped at the beginning of the week for a few hours for some necessary repairs, but was working steadily for the remainder, and washed up a decent return. The Molyneux Hydraulic is dredging steadily. Her return is about the average. The Olrig is working steadily. Her return is a shade under last week's. The Morning Star has, I have been told, struck a fairly rich patch, getting 20oz for three days' dredging. May it continue. The Golden Link had a steady week's work, but he"* return is not so large as I expected. The Vincent is working in midstream. There is a deal of discontent expressed by local shareholders in some of the dredges not letting the returns be known locally, the Vincent Extended being one of the culprits. I don't see why the shareholders up here should be kept ignora-nt when Dunedin people can know hours, and sometimes a day, befoie we do. It means a pecuniary loss to certain people in this district. The River Molyneux pontoons a,ro going ahead by leaps and bounds. The dredge is being planked aheady, and is expected to be in the water in about six or seven weeks' time. Nearly till the machinery is erected on the First Chance dredge, and housmg-in will commence shortly. The Alexa-ndra Lead is now being pushed ahead. She will have one of the longest, if not the longest, elevr.toi's on the nvei when completed. Ti""bl fc r framing is now being crested on the Bendigo. The ejection oi jaftohyjeirj on ih» FiWfi Fiafc

dredee will commence Uv Vieel". There is a large quantity of machinery on the giound. lh", dredge? m the Cromwell district are still getting large leiurns. The Electuc's -wash up of 3550z is considerably above her average. | The Earnsoleugh No 2 keeps t.p her a\erage j ma- decided manner. Her irturn this week of j SBoz, though under Iqst wejlv's, mu°t bp cm - j sidered equal, as she v>as on'.y dredging 120 j horns, j The Golden Gate dredae has finished her | annual overhaul, and may be expected to equal her good returns of las* wmtpr. The Otaso is undei&cme; exreu = ive lepairs at present, but is expected to strut dredging very shortly The Golden Bed is working well n to the bank, and is getting highly satisfactoj-y leturnp. The machineiy on the Gibb's Beach is being elected as fast as possible. j The timber framing on the Mam Lead Hercules is nearmg completion. The Tevioo's machinery is well forward. The Gold Deposit dredge is not very far off completion. At a recent meeting of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce a lesolution was carried deprecating the granting of siib^iclies for mail service? to foreign steamship owner?. Mr C. W. Turner mentioned at the sitting of the Coal Commission at Christchurch on Friday morning in connection with the question of freight on coal, that the articles of the Pareora on hrr voyage to the colony from England provided for the payment of wage? amounting to £&7 per month; wren he resliirjped the crew under New Zealand conditions, and provided the extra men demanded by tho-p conditions, the pay-she»t totalled £I^s. The chairman said : " AvA lon° may it continue so." Mr' Turner: "I qiiite agree with you, but if vre aye to pay these wages we must have an equivalent in freight." Preparations are still boirg actively carried on for the formation of a vjarty that is to explore the Kimberlev district (West Australia). Mr F C Brockman. chief inspecting surveyor in the Lands department, will take command, while one of the surveyors of the Land's department (Mr C. Crossland) has boen appointed second in command Mr J. Gibb Mnirland, the Government peologipt, will accompany the party, taking charge of the geological branch. Mr C. G. Gibson will accompany as assistant geoloaist. The party will be made up of four officers, two prospectors, and others.

6. PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP (in harness), of lOOsovs , the i=eccTid hoise to receiv. 2030V3 and the third ssovs Irom the stages. Open to horses that can do 5.25 or under. Nomination, 30s, acceptance, 40s. 'lwo 7. OCEAN BEACH HANDICAP (m <=adcMe^, of 4550%<5, the second hoisc to receive i)so^s froj the btakes. Aom.nat.on, 20-,, nccepUucc, 20-. One mile. Second Day — Saturday, Bmi Juke. 1. ADVANCE HANDICAP (in saddle), of 30sovs , the second hoise to receive 6=ovs fiom the stakes. Open to houses that have not v.oii in 5.31 oj better. Nomination, 12s 6d , ac^pUnce, 12r> 6d. T^o miles. 2. KANFURLY PONY HANDICAP (saddle or harries?), of 25<=ovs , the second pony to receive o'- vs from the stakes. Open to ponies 14.2 hands and under. Nomination, 12s 6d , acceptance, 10s. Two miles. 3. Tl-IIAL HANDICAP (in harness), of 30sovs , the second horse 1o receive Gsovs fiom the stakes. Open to horses that have not won m 5.34 or better. Nomination, 12s (ki ; acceptance, 12s 6d. Two miles. 4. OTAGO HANDICAP (in saddle), of 75sove ; the second horse to receive 15sovs frcm the stakes. Open to hoises that can do 4.4 or under. Nomination, 255 , acceptance, 235. One and a-ha.lf miles. 5. SELLING HANDICAP (saddle or harness), of 25sovs. The winner to become the X^ioperty of the club and sold by auction, and the whole proceeds t-o go to the funds. Nomination, Os ; acceptance, 10s. One mile. 6. WINTER OATS HANDICAP (in harness), of 75sovs ; thr second horse to receivt 1550v3 from the stakes. Open to horses that can do 5.25 or under. Nomination, 25«, acceptaace, 255. Two miles. 7. DASH HANDICAP (in saddle), of 40sovs , the second horse to leceive Ssovs from the stakes. Nomination, 20s ; acceptance, 15s. One mile.

Dates of Nomination*, Handicaps, and Acceptances. Nominations for all events both days close at 10 p.m. O.i SATURDAY, 4th May. Handicaps for first day declared MONDAY, 27th May. Acceptance? for all events first day close at 10 p.m. oh SATURDAY, Ist June. Handicaps for second day declared THURSDAY, 6th June. Acceptances for all events second day close at 10 p.m. on THURSDAY, 6th June.

Rules and Regulations. All entrances and acceptances to be addressed to the secretary, Club's Office, High street, opposite Telegraph Office, Dunedin, entrance money enclosed, with the name and description of horse, ago at time of entry, name of owner, pepigree, colours of the rider, and in case of handicaps, the performances of tho horses which rre not known to the handicapper. All entries and acceptances, accompanied by the full amount in cash, must bs in t'lie hands of the secretary before 10 p.m. on their respective dates, unless stated to the contrary. All races -will be run under the rules of the New Zealand Trotting Association. Five per cent, will be deducted from the gross of all moneys paid in accordance with the programme for expenses. The staward3 reserve to themselves the right to order any race to be run in heats or sections should they consider it desirable to do <=o. COPY OF NEW RULE.— RuIe 13a • Any rider or driver, after leaving the saddling paddock, speaking to artjr person or persons on the course, with exception of starter or clerk of the course, may be disqualified for the race in which he is engaged to ride or, drive, or fired, as tho stewards may direct. H. L. JAMES, 3ap Secretary.