THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2650, 28 December 1904, Page 26

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

December 21. The North Beach dredge was stopped on Saturday^ last for repairs. The secretary of the Punt Gold Dredging Company reports receipt of a wire from the flredgemaster on Tuesday morning to the :ff-ct that the dredge had safely passed the Lowburn punt and was now moored on her claim. The Lady Roxburgh dredge was last week hampered by the increased drift on the outside of the cut, where the best wash existed. The sluicing claim ahead was stripping, and Hooding the river with drift. The wash was 'good -on both sides of the exit, being best on the , east ■ side. The dredgemaster intends stopping on Thursday, to prepare for -ie annual overhaul. The D.unstan Lead dredge had a very satisfactory run last week. The, ground, however, was ,very poor, and still kept shallow, while Borne of it was very rough and light. The jWash-up for this week will again be on Satur- j Bay. During the holidays the elevator will I •be attended to. also tne elevator buckets and i links, and two or three buckets on the main ladder. The Junction Waikaka dredge was last week working near the boundary of the Waikaka. Company's claim, but owing to the great depth of clay met with the dredge did not get over as much ground as usual. There was fair-looking wash under the clay, but until the dredge gets a set of picks in order to cut up the clay it cannot So justice to this portion of the ground. The secretary reports that the picks have accordingly baen ordered. The Alexandra Lead dredgemaster, reporting under date 18th inst., stated that the dredge had a fair run for last week. On "Saturday, 17th inst., he took advantage of the rise in the river and shifted the dredge down the river a considerable distance. There will, of course, be a few days' dead work to get into the bank, but the dredgemaster is confident that better returns will be obtained. The Central Charlton dredgemaster reports that last peek's return was obtained from sections 1 and 2, but was not quite iip to expectations. The mats looked very fair aD the week, but the gold was of a light, flaky mature. Preparations were to be made on Saturday for general repairing, and it is more than likely that no dredging will be done till after the New Year. When the dredge does start again it will be on sections 3, 4, and 5. The secretary" of the Nokomai Hydraulic Company reports that' at No. 1 elevator preparations are now being made for erecting a aiew- line of boxes before elevating can be resumed. At No. 2 elevator a. start was made Dn Monday week to remove fie plant. This -CwaSj completed on Thursday, when sluicing -was 'resumed. - The elevator has been sunk to a depth of 12ft. The ground is very firm and •tony." In accordance with a resolution passed at ti meeting of shareholders on October 13, the directors of the New Golden River Gold ."Dredging Company are inviting aoplications for 100 debentures of £5 each. The reasons for the issue of the debentures, as staled in a circular forwarded to shareholders on sth October, are chiefly the difficulty experienced ■with coaling prior to the starling of the

( dredge, "breakages of machinery, and the inability of the dredge, after being shifted ahead, j to bottom, owing to a rise in the river, as a ! consequence of which the dredge was closed down, for the season. The terms of the issue are as follow: — Total amount £500, in 100 debentures of £5 each, carrying interest at the rate of 25 per cent, per annum, interest payable half-yearly; currency two years, and redeemable by the company at any time on payment of one half-year's interest as penalty; amount "of debentures to be paid in two instalments of £2 10s each, on January 10 and February 10, 1905, respectively; debentures to be secured by mortgage over the dredge and claim of the company. The Waimumu dredgemaster reports as follows under date 17th inst.: — " We na-ve had a lot of trouble this week with the engine, aiso with the elevator pinion, which stripped on Wednesday morning, causing a lot of lost time. The tumbler was getting very troublesome, and causing the ladder to be cleaned nearly every shift. The inspector of machinery was to visit the dredge on Tuesday, and through, this a lot of time will be lost; otherwise I expected 'to have fully 30oz, as every- : thing is now running well." j The manager of the Undaunted Gold Mining Company washed up 20oz out of the boxes on Thursday last. Prospects are looking well, and it is anticipated that the Christmas wash- | up will be a good one. — The sluicing claims in the St. Bathans and Matakanui districts aTe all going full swing. The present season has been an excellent one for water, of which there ! has been an abundant supply. Last week's fall I has considerably augmented the quantity of J snow on the high tops, and there should be no ! scarcity of water for some time to come. — Dunstan Times. Says the Cromwell Argus: — "The Sunshine dredge 'is repairing while waiting for the river to rise. — The crew of the New Halfway House dredge had an exciting experience iast week. Owing to the i breaking of the headline the dredge broke loose, and went down the river, floating bow first. The ladder was dropped, but did not touch bottom till the dredge had travelled 100 yards. When it struck the dredge swung round, bow up-stream. Until a new headline is procured no further advance can be made." The directors of the Rising Sun Gold Dredging Company are allowing the crew a week's holiday at Christmas on full pay as a bonus. At a. meeting of the directors of the Rise and Shine Company, held on Tuesday, Messrs bcott j and Gilkison, presented the chairman (Mr Wm. I Fenwick) with a handsome gold-mounted walking stick, as an evidence of the pleasant relations existing between the members of the hoard. Mr Scott, in making the presentation, said it was a matter for congratulation that j the company had at last discharged the heavy liability entailed iv placing a powerful dredge on the second claim, and that the new year would open with such bright prospects for the company. The Chairman thanked the local director and his confrere for their handsome present, which he accepted as a token of their goodwill towards the other members of the board as well as to himself. They had had an uphill fight so far, but there was every reason to believe that from this on the shareholders ■ would reap the benefit of placing such a- dredge ; on the second claim as was capable of working it to the fullest advantage. The master of the Rising- Sun dredge reports ' for the week ending the 27th inst. : — " Dredged • 125 hours last week, and worked ahead 9ft. i Tits bottom, which is mostly sandy clay, was c very uneven, and in the river portion "of the | '. paddock deepened to 45ft ; and as the face wag ; falling freely, a considerable amount of top < gravel wa-s dealt with last week. Prospects < continue fair, and the machinery is running- 1 I well. On Saturday evening the dredge wfll i be shut down for a week for the Christmas < holidays." < December 22. i The Otago No. 1 dredgemaster reports having had a steady run last week, with the ground l about the same as in the previous week. The c No 2 dredge lost four shifts putting in a new t tumbler. This dredge wit! undergo an over- i haul before startivec again next y^nr. c The Junction Electric No. 1 dredgemaster ! \ reports that he wa 1 ? leraivms; all last w?ek, I ] but has now finished and dischaiged tlie ciew. I

Repairs were also being carried out on the Nd. 2 dredge, and it was expected that everything, with the exception of the dynamo engine, would be completed this week. The Waikaia dredgemaster, reporting under date 17th mst., stated that he had a steady run up till Wednesday, the day of the wash-up, after which a few small repairs and alterations were carried out. The ground worked carried fail-looking wash, 100 ft on the freehold side having been dropped on Monday so as to get down-stream quicker. Provided there are no heavy Jloods, the returns are expected to impiove weekly. All the machinery was lunmng splendidly. The master of the Electric No. 1 diedge reports that repairs were carried out last week to the ladder, and the new screen Vas b?ing put in and a few minor details attended to. The time worked by the No. 2 dredge last week was 190 hours, aic distance worked ahead 25ft, and the width of the cut about 45ft, with the depth of the" ground vaiymg from 20ft to 40ft. At tlie inner corner ot the cut the face stood about 16ft above water level ; but this was the highest point, the ground further ahead being lower again. The ground appeared to be improving slightly, and a fair prospect could b.j panned off occasionally. This will probably be the last week tnat the dredge will be working for some time to come, as repairs will be started after the holidays. The Blackwater River dredge resumed work on Tuesday after a lengthy stoppage for repairs. | Mr Richards, secretary of the Chiicago Company., wired on Wednesday that the New River Molyneux dredge, purchased for the Chicago Company on Saturday last, was put in readiness for shifting to the claim at once. The master of the Teviot dredge will make a start dredging after the holidays. The new elevator has been put in position, and everything is now in first-class order. — Dunstan Times. December 23. The statutory half-yearly meeting of the Phoenix Water Race Company was held in the secretary's office at noon on Thursday, and was attended by half a dozen shareholders. Mr Spencer Brent occupied the chaiir. The balance sheet, as presented to shareholders, was read and adopted. Mr Goldsmith reported that the company's races, Burning, and dam were all in good order. The retiring directors (Messrs S. Brent, D. Brent, and W. Goldsmith) were re-elected, and Mr A. Bartleman was appointed auditor. At the conclusion of the meeting the directors declared the usual half-yearly dividend. An Auckland telegram states that shares in the Waiotahi mine at the Thames advanced in two weeks from 12s to £9 10s. They are now being offered at £9 ss. Rich ore is bein« obtained 70ft below previous workings The secretary of the Muddy Creek Company reports a return of 270z sdwt for 126 hours' di edging. It is rumoured that as a result of an encroachment by the New Perseverance Company on the Chicago Company's claim an important lawsuit is pending, "both companies being anxious that the matter in dispute shouid be investigated by the court. Tenders are invited for the purchase of the JNew Paiil's Beach dredge as she lies on her claim at Beaumont. Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co., in conjunction with Messrs Sievwright Bros, and Co., will sell, at the former's rooms, on Friday, January 20, the Taratu-Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company's nime, railway, buildings. minin°plant, and-, the goodwill of the business as nowoarried on. Mr William Adams, View street. Dunedin advertises in the Daily Times for 24 partners to join him in the formation of a company with a capital of £2500, with a view to procuring two dredges and working two claims. Mr AcJams states that the dredges, one of which is in good order, can be secured for £1500, and that an expenditure of £50 will put the other in good condition. After allowing for this expenditure there -will be umvards of £1000 available for working expenses. December 24. Applications are invited for the position of engineer on the Loch Lomond dredge. Tenders are invited in the Daily Times for m, mt ase of minin S privileges at Roxburgh. -Tne secretary of the Matau Company reports a return of lOoz for the week. The dredgemaster wired that li 6 was opening out and that the river was rather high. It is only fair to the directors of the New Perseverance Company to say that the alleged encroachment of the Perseverance Comoany on tne Chicago Company's claim, referred to I in yesterday's issue, took place under the ' management of the old company. j There will be no wash-up on the Blackwater River dredge this week owing to the short time worked and the accumulation of silt during the recent stoppage for repairs. The dredge will be closed clown for the Christinas and New Year holidays. The Gabriel No. 1 dredgemaster reports having stopped on Tuesday night owing to a tube in the boiler bursting. Repairs were effected, and a start made again at 5.30 p m on Wednesday, after which everything ran smoothly. Reporting under date 19th inst., the Aldinga. aredgemaster stated that everything on the dredge was working well up to the time of writing. The crack, however was flooded, and for over six weeks there had been nothing 1 but floods, but the weather showed signs of clearing up again. The secretary of the Waimumu Company reports a return of 330z 7a W t for 117 hours' work. The dredgemaster reports that he will stop dredging this morning to change some of the main bucket? *n& to re-rivet some of the elevator buckets before the crew leave ior the holidays. The dredgemaster and the engineer wiJJ be working on the dredge during the holidays, putting in a set of new boiler tubes and eftecting other minor repairs Tne Moonlight dredgemas.ter, reporting under date 17th inst., stated that he had a good week s oredging. The ground was much tlie same as in the previous week, except in the eastern corner, where there was no gold, but the dredge will have to carry the cut up with it, as it will have to open out pretty sharp at about 1008 ahead. A high point of reef was struck "ast week, and tins no aoubt accounts for the presence of so many bier 3tones. The dredgemaster has hopes of better returns when the reef is finished. The master of the >\ T orth Beach dredge reports that, he retorted on Wednesday last for 220z 13dwt, included in which is the" previous week's amalgam. Reporting for last week, he stated that he had to stop the dredge on Tuesday evening owing to a pin breaking in tbe elevator trays and causing them to run off the top tumbler. The night being a bad one, repairs could not be effected till the following morning, dredging being resunisd at S a.m. on Wednesday. There were several other stoppages during the week. The dredge only worked a litt c over two days on the back lead, having to pull out again owing to an accumulation of silt. The bottom path of the screen collapsed at 8 a.m. on Saturday last, and during the stoppage to effect repairs the elevator was to be attended to. The master of the New Woodstock dredge reports that the bottom tumbler shaft broke on Saturday last, and it was intended to take the tumbler out the fo lowing day if the weiiher permitted. During the two weeks atidod the 17th inst. thedred c had been working into tbe bill, whirh was tlie only place where any gold coi^d be got. The free was 30ft ai.we water, and neariy all lilt.

There was a little gold stM in the hill, feu if the dredge worked in any further it wouli get b'ocked. i The annual meeting of the Royal Wai ! lnuniu Dredging Company, attended by nm ! shareholders (including two ladies), was hel< at the secretary's office, Goie, on Tuesda; I evening. Mr A. A. JJacGibbon (chairman o ' directors; presided, and briefly reviewed th | annual report and balance sheet, after whicl he moved their adoption. The motion wa: seconded and carried. A communication wa received fiom Mr J. S. -Neave, acting on be half of a foim-er shareho' der, asking that hi be allowed to re-purchase his forfeited sharei and offering £20 for them. After considers tion, it was resolved that the letter be re eeived, and that Mr NVave bs informed tha the request could not be granted. D: Donaldson (the retiring director) was re elected. Mr J. Latham was appointed audito: at a fee of JSS ss, and the directors' fees foi the year were fixed at £52. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr A. A. MacGibbor was re-elected chairman. December 27. There was no wash-up on the Alexandr; Lead dredge last week, but the dredgeinaste wired that the wash was improving. Th diedge is now closed down for the holidays.