Notes from Reefton.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 24

Notes from Reefton.

(From Ocr Own Correspondent.) REEFTON, May 5. The patience of Pactohis shareholders has"

at last been rewarded by the declaration of a divider.d. The return from the Kirwan'a Reward Gold Mining Company is 2200z 15dwt retorted gold frcra 505 tons (clean up). May 9. The Alpine Company's mine manager re- i ports:— v The crosscut in No. 7 have been extended 10ft, making the total distance 91ft. The strata has turned, r.nd is now underlying to the east with a deal of water coming in. Owing to having Ao repair the rock drill t,nd put the new chuck in, we did not get started till Tuesday morning at No. 12 level. The chamber will be finished to-morrow night, and I expect to start the crosscut on Monday morning." The manager of the Big River Company's mine reports for the week: —"The uprise has been put up 9ft, making the total from No. 7 level 55ft. In the last end of the uprise there has been lft of stone. The grounfl keeps' hard, but the track is widening, and the walls are 4ft apart, with water corning from the back oi the uprise. The Fe-klersen's dredge has been working very rough ground, and in some parts the go.d was a rougher sample than had be-an obtained for some weeks. The dr&dgernaster is of opinion that the returns will improve from this out. ■

Eaton's and Black's tunnels The object of sinking the winze would be to quids the opreations at a lower level from which tho stone could bo worked. This stone is poor, but, partly through tho reduced cost of milling and partly by getting rid of the mullock by some prelim hiary treatment, it can be made to pay; while the stone that will be developed through sinking the shaft is undoubtedly rich in gold.' GOLD DREDGING IN BRAZIL. The dredge which was built at the Otago Foundry at the beginning of last year for the Transpacific (Brazi!) Mining and Exploration Company has been in active operation for some little time, and the returns that have been obtained augur well for the future of tho company. It was found necessary to build (he dredge on an island and float her up tho river, and consequently she has been working on one of the poorest parts of the claim; whereas, if she had been put together where it was first intended to launch her, she would lu.ve obtained much better returns. Messrs M'Gregor and Co. (the Otago Foundry Company) have received a letter giving particulars of the returns obtained during the period between February 18 and March 31. The yields, which have been kindly placed at our disposal, are as follow:—February 18, 630z for seven days; Marcji 3, 105oz for seven days; March 18, 550z for four days; March 31, 70oz for 240 hours. No intimation has been received as to the quantity of material treated, but the dredge has lost a lot of time owing to the flooded state of the river during the wet season. It is understood, however, that the wet season always ends about the beginning of April, so that by this time the dredge will no doubt be working to better advantage. The abovementioned returns were, under the circumstances, very satisfactory, and indicate a highly successful career for the company. The dredge has given thorough satisfaction, proving hprself quite equal to the work to be performed. A few duplicate parts are being sent over to the claim, to make provision for any mishap that might occur, as otherwise a lengthy delay would probably be entailed if a breakage took place.

2 dredge shows what a remarkable claim it is. No. 2 dredge is working neaT the top end, and No. 1 at the bottom of the claim, which is one mile and three-quarters long. The Junction Electric No. 1 dredge will iakfc a considerable time to open out as tne drift is troublesome. „-,.. The Alpine Consols dredge should start again early next week. . The Riley's Beach dredge is working pas_t a Blip, and cannot bottom for heavy stones. The dredge should soon work past it.