THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 25

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

April 19. The secretary of Riley's Beach Company late 15th inst., reported that a lot of time Was lost last week owing to alterations to the elevator and a number of other necessary re P lirs. He expects that the returns will "Tn'lucklnd telegram states that during the past three weeks the fW^. 88 * 0 /^ from the Auckland mines totalled =£74,348. On Duly one previous occasion has this output been exceeded. _ , . Th'- master of the Molyneux Kohmoor flredge reports that in his last communication he intimated his intention of shifting the •dredge on Sa-turday, but as the prospects 'showed a decided improvement he afterwards resolved to continue dredging in the same cut. On Saturday night one of the bottom itumbler bushes was broken owing to wear, and a new one was put on on Monday, ttwelve hours' time was lost owing to stones breaking the screen pipe and cast-iron bend, which were repaired. The ground is somewhat rough, but there is a little wash making Vcross the cut. A first class engineer is wanted for a gorge The Earnscleugh No. 3 dredge has been overhauling all the week (says the Dunstan ttimes), and it will probably be about six weeks Wore the dredge resumes work. The Cromwell Argus says:— The Electric No. fe dredge has shifted to Long Gully, at the foot tof the claim, where the No. 1 was working, »nd is opening cut.— The New Alpine Consols firedge is greatly troubled with silt, but once s, proper opening-out is effected this dimcultv jwill probably be overcome.— The Hartley and Stiley dredge had a lot of stoppages last week, iwhich no doubt accounts for the small returns Obtained. — The Junction Electric No. 3 dredge £s in shallow ground, and is dredging into the ibank. A report received from the master of the ILady Roxburgh dredge states tliat the dredge stopped at midnight on Thursday to enable a new tumbler to be put in, and dredging was resumed on Friday. He expects to finish 'the ground he is working on during the next jtwo or three weeks, when the dredge will be jshifted down to the bottom of the claim. The working portion of the claim has been marked 'out, and the dredge when shifted will have s, mile of the river to work up. Two of the fiirectors of the company have just returned from a visit to the claim, and they report the dredge to be in good order and the machinery running well. The master of the Unity dredge reports that the screen arrived on Saturday, Bth inst. He Expected to have the screen in position and Dther repairs and improvements effected by JCu6sday, and by the end of the week hoped *o have the dredge shifted down to where she left off work. The gold yield for West Australia for March *as 160.9170z, valued at £683,534. Thenreturns [or the first quarter (450,3740z) show «vi i*-

crease of nearly 50,0000z over last year's corresponding figures.

A "West Coast exchange states that a prospecting is leaving shortly en behalt of a private syndicate for the Wilberforce district. It does not intend to go to the Wilberforce, but will prospect the country in the neighbourhood.

The secretary of the Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company reports that only a feyfc hours' sluicing was done at No. 1 elevator owing to shortage of watej^During the week there ■were occasional showers, but not sufficient to make any material increase in the water supply. At No. 2 elevator matters were somewhat better, and sluicing was carried on for about 100 hours. Work is hindered owin<* to the heavy nature of the wash. °

The Sailor's Bend dredge was in idleness during practically the whole of the six months ended March 31 as a result of the unfavourable condition of the river, and it could therefore hardly be expected that the finances of the company would be in a flourishing condition, especially when it is remembered that for some time prior to the period referred to very little could be done in the way of dredging. The balance sheet issued by the company for fhe six months ended March 31 shows that the value of the gold won during that period was only £3 12s sd. In addition, the sum of £1 3s lid was received in revenue from sundry sources, and payments on account of debentures issued amounted to £100, making a total income of £104 16s 4d. The expenditure for the six months was £221 17s 7d. In addition to the debt of £100 in connection with the issue of debentures, the company had on March 31 various liabilities (including wages and unclaimed dividends) to the extent of £262 5s 4d, while the cash on current banking accounts was £38 18s 3d. The returns from the claim have hitherto been very satisfactory, and if operations can be carried on steadily this season the company "will probably be able to show a substantial credit balance before long. April 20. The master of the Clyde dredge wires that he struck old ground on Tuesday last.

It is reported that the Alpine No. 2 dredge has bottomed across the cut, and that a return may be expected this w«ek.

The Waimumu dredgemaster, under date April 17, reported that everything was working well last week, and that the ground though bard was improving.

The master of th© Electric No. 1 dredge reports that he worked 112 hours last week over a distance of 18ft. The width of the cut was 91ft, and the depth of ground varied up to 40ft. The sample of gold was very fine and scaly, and prospects were about the same as during the previous 1 week, the run of gold being near the centre of the river on a blue clay bottom. An accident to the crossbar caused some delay on Saturday, but dredging was resumed on Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The master of the No. 2 dredge reports that the dredge was shifted lip opposite Long Gully on the 10th inst., and that dredging was resumed the same evening, the remainder of the week being occupied in baling out the old paddock. There, was a little gold showing on tHe mats on Saturday afternoon, b,ut as the work is still behind the face the gold did not amount to much. The depth of ground varied from 40ft on the JtJannockburn side to less than. 30ft on the Crjinwell side. The master of the Junction Electric No. 1 diedge reports that he finished cleaning out the paddock on Monday week. On Tuesday week the ground worked was very rough and covered with large "Chinamen," some of which were too large to go through the hangers. The prospects were only fair until Thursday, when they improved very much, but they were not qufte so good on Saturday lasl. The width of the ct\t was about 60ft, and the depth of the ground 25ft to 80ft. "Jhe master of the No. 2 dredge reports that he dredged for 116 hours, the distance worked ahead being 30ft, the depth of ground varying from 12ft to 25ft. A portion of deep ground on the Cornish Town side of the river has been dropped, and the cut extended right mU) the bank on the, Croux»*U Aids.

The prospects were reported to be better, and the dredgemaster thinks the ground has not previously been worked. The report from ihe master of the No. 3 dredge states that the actual dredging time last week was 110 hours. There were several short stoppages for repairs to machinery- Prospects continued much about the same as when the last report was sent in.

The secretary of the Rise and Shine Company reports that the i\o. 1 dredge worked only three days last week, and was employed in the east corner, which is the poorest part of the cut. Prospects were very fair, and the ground was light. The master of the No 2 dredge reports: "The east corner improved again last week and belped the return. Tbe river has been let into the paddock, as the tailings were giving trouble at the corners, and the river was 3ft higher than the water in the paddock. This gives more room, and enables us to work away the corner of the tailings, under which there is good gold."

The directors of the New Perseverance Company have declared a dividend of Is per share, payable on Friday, 28th inst.

The directors of -uignell's No Town Company have declared a dividend (the fourth) of one shilling per share, payable on the 20th inst. This makes JEIBOO distributed in dividends by the company, and in addition to this £100 has been added to the reserve fund, which now stands at £400.

April 22. The secretary of the Alexandra Lead Company reports that there will be no wash-up this week.

A Reefton telegram states: — The Big River Company's mine manager reports for the week that No. 8 level has been driven 14ft, making the distance from the shaft 298 ft.

The directors of the Lady Annie Gold Dredging Company have declared a dividend (the fourth) of 2s per share, payable on Wednesday, 26th inst.

The master of the Dunstan Lead dredge reports, under date 18th inst., that he had a very good run last week, and that the ground being operated on was very good. There was a lot of drift travelling, but the dredge was not getting a great deal of it. He expected to reach very near three figures this week if the ground continued the same.

The dredgemaster of Sandy Point dredge, reporting on the loth inst., stated that he had dredged 135 yards — width of cut 150 yards, average depts 26ft, distance worked ahead 9ft, and average height above water level 22ft. The deepest ground was in the inside of the cut, and prospects remained about the same. The face at date of report was very sifty, and the sample of gold remained very £ne.

The master of the Punt Gold Dredging Company, uuder date 15th inst., reported that he had worked ahead 12ft, the width of cut being 315 ft, depth of ground^ on west side 3Gft, on east side 38ft, and centre of cut 32ft. The bottom was very uneven, and prospects were reported to be slightly better towards the east side, a narrow strip carrying fair gold. The paddock opened in fair order, but the engine was running unsatisfactorily, -and a stoppage was made on Saturday night for repairs.

The Clyde dredgemaster, tinder date 18th inst., reported that the Manuherikia side of the ground had improved, and that the west side of the face continued payable, and drifty. The drift was, however, lessening. In two weeks the present cut will be finished, and the dredge will then open out on the deep ground and run up the centre of the river from about abreast of the present position. The Waikaia dredgemaster, under date April 15, reported that he was still dredging down-stream, and that he expected to turn into the flat in about a fortnight's time. The width of the face was about 95 yards and the depth of the ground from 17ft to 25ft. The prospects remained the same as when last reported, and the machinery was running well* Since the report was sent down word ha 3 been received that there will be no washup this week owing to a breakdown. April 24. There was no wash-up on the Hartley and Riley, Electric No. 2, or Junction Electric No 3 dredges last week.

The secretary of the Rise and Shine Company reports the following returns: — No. 1 dredge, 360z lOdwt, for the week; No. 2, 290z 7dwt, for 108 hours' work. The master of the No. 1 dredge reports that prospects are unchanged. The master of the No. 2 dredge reports tha-t he washed up on Thursday. The dredgemaster of ihe Fourteen-mile Beach dredge reports that there was no washup last week. Work was stopped on Wednesday to repair the lower tumbler bushes, and tha coal boat got adrift and went eight miles down the river, causing a delay of 2J days before it was found.

The Manuherikia dredgemaster reports a return of 250z for 70 hours' work last week. - Bottom has not yet been reached, although dredging has been done down to 40ft. Everything was reported as working well on the 22nd inst.

The secretary of the Golden Rim Company reports a return of 41oz lOdwt for 136 hours' dredging. The dredgemaster reports that the water is across the river, and is doing good work getting ground ready for the dredge to work when* she ha« finished the ground she is on at present. The present ground will be finished in a few weeks.

Coulson and party have purchased the Chicago Company's old dredge, and .intend to erect her on a claim on the Manorbuin. She will be dropped down stream to the junction of the Manuherikia, where a portion of her machinery will be taken off to allow ber to be taken up the Manuherikia when the first rise comes.

We hear the Lake Cotmly Press) that operations m the Premier mine, Macetown, will be again commenced at an early date. A few hands are now employed pumping the water out. The new reefs discovered, at Macetown continue to give promise of developing into something substantial. Mr ft. Balch is getting out a third crushing, which speaks well. Messrs Anderson and party have had satisfactory crushings, and they are satisfied that there is considerable extent of reef in their property. There are sufficient grounds for believing that there is 111 the immediate future a bright outlook for yeefing at Macetown. This opinion is shared by experienced quartz-miners. April 25. The master of the Rising Sun dredge reports for thp week ci.ding April 22: — " Dredged. 130 hours and worked ahead 12ft, crossing the paddock four tipies. The ground shows an improvement, and 13 getting rougher than usual. The western side of the cut, which for about a month has been rather poor, now carries fair gold, though flaky. T.he average depth is 40ft, varying to 50ft in the gutter; -width of cut, 160 yards. The machinery and elevator ats running -well." The secretary of the Ettriok Company reports thai the dredge olosed down on the 22nd inst. for re-paira. $T«w bushes will be put in th.c bottom tumbler-, and, liners 0"n tou end of the screen and new ladder blpcks will adso be put on. Overhauling and these repa.ii-3 will occupy about the full week up to ihe 39th inst. The ground in which, the dredge is working is very rough in peaces, anil Auuirenilx the dredge will come across

a clay bottom after dredging higher up the river The present dredging face is from the western bank iMoa Flat side of the river) to übout the centre of the river.