THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 23

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

WEEK'S_MINING Mr Lee, Reefton, advised the Dunedin Stock Exchange on the 18th of receipt of information from the manager of the Big River mine to the effect that he had got gold in a small leader ■which was cut in No. 7 level. The secretary of the Unity Gold Dredging Company reports that the return last week was 18oz for five days' dredging. Unfortunately, the crossbar of the ladder hangers broke on Friday, 14th, allowing the ladder to drop, but the dredgemaster expected to have everything secured by the 18th. Owing to the high river and the large quantity of drift that is travelling at present operations have been suspended in the meantime, and the dredgemaster is now engaged in .effecting some necessary repairs. "When the Davis's Bend dredge was passing down the river to her claim on Saturday she carried away the sand chute on the Unity dredge, and it will be necessary to piocure another.

The dredgemaster of the Molyneux Kohinoor ; dredge stated in his report for last week that there was a change in the bottom on Tuesday, part of the cut consisting of pipeclay, but , there was no improvement in the quality, . though, better returns are hoped for as the dredge works ahead. The main rope drive j broke on Wednesday, and caused a stoppage •until a n«w one was substituted. Owing to the flood on Friday night it was deemed advisable to put a shift on to ensure the safety of the dredge. The dredgemaster expected that a ■week or two would elapse before dredging could ' bo resumed, as the drift was very troublesome, i The first motion shaft was in need of repairs, and it was intended to have it attended to ■while the dredge was idle. An Auckland telegram states that during October the Komata Reefs Gold Mining Company treated 1120 tons ore for bullion valued at £2880. The run on which the Lower Enfield dredge •was working last week was parallel to the cut across the flat, and the dredgemaster was of opinion that the patches that had been struck •were deviations from the run. The dredgemaster has now got through the run, and is engaged in shifting the dredge, pipes, and lines to the extreme right of the claim, where the lead runs at right angles to it« previous course. It is apparently very narrow, with granite bottom, at a depth varying from Bft to 13ft_. It haa beea pretty well worked before, but by the prospects should prove payable. The iredgemaster is anxious to get through the old ground and test the run in the maiden ground, ■where lie hopes to be able to report a great improvement. The New Fairdown Company has now been successfully formed and registered. As before mentioned, the company has acquired the .ground on the lower boundary of the Mystery .Flat claim, and as the best returns from the .latter company's dredge were obtained from 'the Fairdo.wn Company's ground and the adjoining portion of their own claim, good results are expected when dredging is commenced. The company has secured the machinery end pontoons formerly owned by the old company, •and a contract for the removal and erection bas been- let to Mr Joseph Pearson, of Ravenshourne, who so successfully competed the erection of the Woodstock and Caledon a. dredges. Mt Pearson will commence his work without delay, and the contract will no doubt be pushed on as quickly as possible. It is intended to erect the dredge wher« the excellent returns •were obtained by the Mystery Flat dredge. The dredgemaster of the Lady Roxburgh dredge got the machine past the New Roxburgh Jubilee tailings on Thursday, and at the end of last week had her halfway up the Jubilee claim. The operation of getting past the tailings was very difficult, as the river was divided into channels by them, and the water rushed through at a. great speed. When the dredge got properly into the channel the current ■was so powerful that the winch was too weat to shift her. One of the lines broke, and a heavier one was borrowed from the Jubilee dredge and put on to the hand winch for the purpose of assisting the steam winch, after ■which slow progress was made. There is only one more rip — caused by the tailings from the Teviot dredge — to be gone through, after ■which the river will be easily navigated. The dredgemaster intends to start work about th* centre of the claim, where good gold is supposed to exist. The Southern Standard states that Mr David Miller, formerly of Nokomai, and latterly of Kaitangata, where he undertook contracts of considerable magnitude, is the successful tenderer for the Charlton Creek tailrace. The amount of the 'tender is £799 12s 2d. TheTe ■Was only one other tender. Mr Miller has had a largo experience in -worts of a similar nature to the Charlton channel. He -will probably make a start with his contract in less than a fortnight's time. ' The manager of the Mount Paparoa Gold Company reported on the 10th inst. that he had been engaged in extending the level all the previous week, and had taken it an a distance of 77ft. He stated that if the same rate of progress were maintained he would tnaiei ike nut H Jta fti* at 1«* week,

after which he intended to immediately uprise in order to connect with No. 2 level. The reef pinched slightly towards the end of the previous week, the average wid + h at the time of reporting being 2ft 6in. Much of the stone . passed through lately has been very good indeed, showing go? 6 freely. Recent raiu washed the quartz on the tip head, showing gold more freely than was expected. Not only was the t gold in the casing, but it also existed in thin streaks or layers in a perfectly white stone. : The financial position of ths Great Wood- i stock Gold Dodging Company, as shown in ; the half-yearly balance sheet for the period ended September 30, is net as good as could be desiied, this being due to the fact that the returns since work vas comirtnced have been on the whole rather disappointing. On March 31 the profit and less account showed a debit balance of £1184 11s 9d, and the expenses dur- j ing the six months under review amounted to , £1147 Is 4d, in addition to which the accrued i interest on the debentures was £309 4s Bd, • making a total debit of £2640 27s 9d. The dredge has won a total of 2160z 4dwt 21gr of I gold, valued at £957 15s lOd, leaving a debit j balance of £1683 Is lid on September 30. The nominal capital of the cempany is £10,500, but 3375 shares, on which £438 15s has been paid, have been forfeited The liabilities, inclusive of the debenture interest, amounted to £1083 9s lOd, as against which there was £52 6s 7d in the bank.

With reference to the attempt made to " jump " the Davis's Bend Company's original claim below Alexandra, the Dunstan Times is given to understand that a new company is in course of flotation to work the original claim. To defeat this the manager on Friday shifted the dredge down the river to the claim, it now being the intention of the company to put another dredga on the Cairnmun claim. It was particularly aggravating to shift the dredge at the present time, as she had worked into excellent ground, and the returns would have been on an increasing scale in the future. The wash, when she stopped working, was carrying nice-looking gold. The claim will in the meantime be well looked after, some machinery beirg already deposited on the ground. The dredgemaster of the Bendigo dredge has taken advantage of the high river to effect some necessary repairs. Should the river be suitable for dredging when the repairs are completed work will be resumed without delay, but if it is still high there will be no alternative but to wait until it goe-s down. The secretary of the Maori King Gold Dredging Company reports having received word from the dredgemaster that the dredge started working on the 18th inst., and that the wash was tight, with boulders. The dredge is in good working order, having been thoroughly overhauled. A new crown wheel, governor (Pickering), and grabhooks (Davies) have been put on, and these alterations should enable the machine to cope with the hard wash.

The New Roxburgh Jubilee dredge had a very steady run last week until Saturday morning, when work was suspended owing to the rise in the river and the large quantity of drift. The wash was improving towards the end of the week. The dredgemaster has started to overhaul the machinery. This is practically the first stoppage of any length since the dredge commenced work in July last.

The recently-appointed dredgemaster of the Lady Charlton dredge (Mr Bichan) has now taken charge, and has engaged his crew in preparation for the resumption of operations. Steady progress is being made with the repairs to the dredge, and it is expected that dredging will be started again about the beginning of December.

The dredgema=ter of the Cromwell No. 2 dredge (Mr F. Woodhouse) reports that the machinery has all been overhauled and that the elevator has been placed in position. He expected to make & start on Tuesday tc shift the dredge to the company's claim, which he anticipates will be reached in about a fortnight. The operation of shifting up the river will be facilitated in consequence of the recent rise.

At the end of last week the dredgemaster of the Point dOr dredge had got withm a few feet of the boundary of the New Royal Maori claim on one side of the cut. He was getting, very good prospects, and the wash seemed to be improving as he got farther in. The ground was about 18ft deep, with 6oft bottom, and was fairly easy to dredge. The dredgemaster expected to be able to make into the face of the company's own claim either yesterday or ioday, and if the wash continues the same as at present better returns are looked for. As the ground is shallow, the high river will improve the conditions, as it will be po&sible to get further into the bank. An Auckland telegram states that the gold returns in the Auckland district for the past three weeks total £67,427, exceeding all previous totals for a similar period. The total for the 10 months of the present year is £662,331.

The secretary of the Island Block Company reports that the tnbuters intended to start work again on Thursday, 18th. The dredge is working steadily, and it is satisfactory to note that last week's return showed an improvement on previous 'yields, while the ground continues to look well. The installation of the electric light on the dredge has given ft great deal of satisfaction. Mr A. C. Perkins has been appointed dredgemaster in succession to Mr W. Milne, who has resigned. The dredgemaster of the Lafranchi's Freehold dredge reports that operations were suspended en Saturday in order to enable some repairs to be effected, dredging being resumed on Wednesday. The quality and depth of the gTound were about the same last week as previously, and the wash still continues tight. The ladder line broke last week, but it was spliced in order to allow work to be carried on until the arrival of a new one, though the returns in the meantime will probably be affected, as the line is not long enough to bottom. The dredgemaster of the New Alpine Conpols dredge obtained fair prospects from Wednesday, 12th inst., until it was found necessary to close down. The ground was easier to work than formerly, and gold was got right across tlio cut, though the best was obtained in the centre of the river. There had been a little drift travelling on and off for the last month, and it was troublesome in the early part of last -week, but not so bad during the latter half. Since the Tise in the river the dredge has been closed down and unnecessary hands discharged. The Rise and Shine dredge worked 9ft ahead last week, the ground being up to 45ft in depth, and th* width, of the cat more than 170 jarda.

The prospects continued good, and the bottom, with the exception of a lump of chippy leef m one place, was soft. On the east side there was a soft red rotten rock, carrying veiy good wash. Better prospects of fine gold were also obtained near the west corner. The ground was still heavy, carrying plenty of wash stones. On Friday the river rose between 2ft and 3ft, but this is not expected to interfere with the work further than causing more top material to be treated.

The directors of the New Roxburgh Jubilee Dredging Company have declared a dividend (the third) of 3s per share, payable on the 28th inst. This dividend will make a total distribution of 8s per share within the last four months. The reserve fund now stands at .€IOOO, in addition to which the company has a working balance*of £250.

The ninth half-yearly meeting of shareholders in tha Shotorer Quartz Mining Company (Xo Liability) was called for Thursday, but as there were only five shareholders present the meeting was adjourned until the date of the next half-yearly meetmg in April next. In the course of an informal conversation the Chairman stated that all the machinery had arrived at Skippers Point, but it was not all on the claim yet.

The Clyde correspondent of the Cromwell Argus states that the Monte Christo dredge will be shifted on to the Boundary Creek claim as soon as the rivpr rises sufficiently to enable the dredge to be safely taken through the rip. After the Boundary Creek claim is worked the directors will have the ladder lengthened in order to enable the dredge to work the top portion of the Monte Christo claim.

The Alexandra Herald sa-ys : — The Chatto Creek Syndicate are busily engaged repairing the dredge, and dredging will probably be commenced within a fortnight. — We hear that the Morning Star dredge is obtaining very satisfactory returns. — On Saturday morning last simultaneous applications for the Davis's Bend Company's claim, below Alexandra, were lodged at the courthouse, Clyde, by two different parties. It is understood that one of the applicants is acting on behalf of the company. The company's dredge commenced dropping down the river to the lower claim about the middle of last week, and yesterday (Wednesday) had got as far as the Alexandra Lead claim. The applications -will come before the court at Alexandra on December 16.

The dredgemaster of the Point dOr dredge wires that he started work in the company's own ground on Friday. The prospects- are still good.

The dredgemaster of the Cromwell No. 2 dredge wires that he had a short but satisfactory run out of the elevntor on Monday, 17th. Favourable progress is hcing made in shifting the dredge upstream

The dredgemaster of the Junction Electric dredge wires that he resumed dredging on Thursday. Thero was no wash up last week.

The secretary of the Three-mile (Greenstone Creek) Dredging Company reports that dredging was resumed on Thursday, everything working well. There was no wash up last week.

The secretary of the Stafford Waimea Gold Dredging Company reports that there was no wash up last week. The dredgemaster advised that he would stop on Friday on account of boiler inspection next day. The dredge is just starting to bottom. All the bluegum and kauri for the construction of the pontoons for the Hessey's Company's dredge has arrived at Riv?rsdale, and the greater part of it has been taken on to the claim. The work of construction will be put in hand very shortly.

The dredgemaster of the Great Woodstock dredge reported on the 16th inst. that tho ground was still rising a little on one side of the cut, and the gold was a better sample than previously. The machinery ran smoothly during the week.

The dredgemaster of the Watterson's-Ahaura dredge took a shallow cut for two chains after pulling ahead, and commenced to bottom again on Monday, 17th. It is- thought that the distance pulled ahead will be sufficient to take the dredge clear of the deep giound that was atTuck at first.

The Enckson's Reward dredge struck a good deal of old ground last week, but the dredgemaster expected to get clear of it od tho 21st inst. Th* flood last week was the largest •for about two years. The machinery continues to run satisfactorily.

The Aldinga dredge had a very steady run last week, but the ground was \ery hard and poor. Ou Friday night the creek was in high flood, and owing to the confined position of the dredge in the gorge thi heavy travelling timber was very annoying, and the dredgemaster deemed it advisab'e to stop work during the greater portion of the night. With the exception of a piece of the road and a dam being carried away no material damage was done. Oui Clyde correspondent telegrnphs- — " After a continuous spell of some months of exceedingly dry weather, rain began at neon yesterday, and had every appearance of continuing for a time. It will be a blessing to the farmers and fruit-growers. Several of the dredges are stopped just now, including all from the bridge downwards."

A Reefton telegram states that the November return from the Keep-it-Dark mine for four weeks is 2130z from 991 tons of s'one treated by the battery, and 1370z from the cyanide process, making a total of 3500z. The secretary of the Lafranchi's Freehold Gold Dredging Co. advises that the dredgemaster wir<"3 having stopped the dredge to fit on new seriated lips on the buckets. This, with the breakage to th<» ladder rope, has necessitated a stoppage of four day, the result being that foT the remaining two days the dredge obtained lOoz 7dwt. The secretary of the Champion Company reports that there was no wash-up last week. The dredgemaster of the Mokoia dredge reports that he did not wash up on Saturday, but states that he ■will do so on Wednesday. The secretary of the New Roxburgh Jubilee Company reports that there has been no wash np a-uring the past -week, the dredge having been stopped to make pertial repairs. The dredgemaster of the Island Block dredge reports that he did not wash up last week as he was engaged in repairing since "Wednesday. He intended to resume dredging last night. The dredgemaster of the Central Charlton dredge reports for the week ended 21st inst. that the return b&owb a alight improvement on the previous week or two, rjid ho has no doubt I that he will get larger yields in the conn* of *

week or two. The average depth of wash is Bft, with an average depth of stripping of 4ft. The dreclgemas r er of the Cornwall dredge stated in his report for the week ended November 15 that he had a somewhat rough experience owing to the flood and timber. The flood, which was the biggest known for years, carried away 25 bags of coal, and also kept the dredgemaster and engineer imprisoned in their hut for some hours, as the river biske through the tailings. The returns from, the Lower Enfield dredge have been rather disappointing since work was commenced, but as the cost of putting the dredge on the claim was comparatively small, the financial position was fairly satisfactory on September 30, tha close of the haK year. On March 31 there was a debit balance of £748 7s 7d, and the expenses during the ensuing six months amounted to £233, making a total of £981 7s 7d. The go.d won within the period under review was 14oz 19dwt 3gr, valued at £57 lla lid, so that there was a- debit balance of £923 15s 8d to be carried forward. The nominal capital is £7500, but this is reduced to £6875, as 625 shares, on which £303 15s has been paid, have been forfeited. The company's liabilities amounted to £841 Is Id on September 30, as against which there was cash in the bank to the extent of £348 11s 7d, and also sundry debtors to the amount of £30 11s.

Mr J. C. Arbuckle will sell at Lawrence on Monday, December 3, the Evan's Flat Gold Dredging Company's dredge and claim.

The Tinkers Gold Mining Company, Matakanui, obtained 70oz from their boxes for a fortnight's running.

There was no wash-up from the Grand Junction dredge last week. The dredge is being moved to summer ground on the Nevis River.

The dredgemaster of the Trafalgar dredge reports that he was engaged all last week in clearing silt out of th.c paddock, in consequence of which he did noi wash up. The return telegraphed from Greymouth on Friday by the Press Association agent was for the previous week. * The dredgemaster of the Cornwall dredge wires that work was not resumed until Saturday last, in consequence of which there was no wash up last week.

There was no return from the New Golden Gravel dredge last week as the dredgemaster has beea engaged in relipping the buckets, an operation which is expected to be completed by the end of thfs week.

The secretary of the New Greenstone Creek Gold Dredging Company recsivod a telegram from the local director on Monday stating that the dredge was running very well indeed.

The dredgemaster of the Aldinga dredge wires that he washed up on Friday. The new tumbler shaft has been fitted up, and dredging was resumed at midnight on Sunday.

The secretary of the Moonlight Gold Dredging Company has received advice from the consulting engineer to the effect that the dam will be finished and the pontoons launched this week. The pontoons are already completed and ready for launching as soon as the dam is finished.

The secretary of the Maori King Gold Dredging Company reports receiving a telegram from the drede^emaater stating that the return is Boz 4dwt 9g for 48 hours' work. This gold was got ■while opening out after i fresh start was made on the Maori Queen ground. The 1-ottom tumbler shaft broke on the 20th, which accounts for the short time worked. A new shaft tas been ordered at the local foundry, and a fresh start will bo made as soon as the repairs are effected.

The result of the work done by the Point dOr dredge while going through the New Royal Maori Company's claim was 440z lOdwt for six days' dredging on bottom. All this gold "has been given to the Royal Maori Company, as the Point dOr Company only received the privilege to dredge through the former company's ground on the condition that the yield was handed over. The dredge is now working in her own claim.

The dredgemaster of the Mokoia dredge wired on Monday that the upper spur wheel on the top of the elevator broke on Saturday night. Another has, however, been procured at Greymouth, and the dredgemaster expected to get back to the claim with it on Tuesday. He states that he will probably resume dredging on Thursday morning. The directors of the Oceanic Steam Gold Dredging Company have accepted the tender of Mr G. R. Hunter for the removal and reerection of the Big Flat dredge on the company's new claim at Waipori, the contract price being £850. The work will be put jn hand without delay, and, if everything goe? well, the dredge may be expected to be at work within the course of a few months.