THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 26

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

June 7. The Mystery Flat dredgemaster reports that he had a good run for test week, and that the wash was about the same -as in the previous week. Trouble is still being experienced at the Nokoinai Hydraulic Sluicing Company claims on account of the weather. There was a covering of 12in of snow at the end of the week, and this had to a great extent interfered with work at both claims. Reporting under date 3rd inst. the Waimumu Company's dredgemaster stated that the ground continued very shallow, and prospects were not up to expectations, though there was a slight improvement towards the close of the week. The ground was dipping again, and the wash was rougher. Everything on the dredge was working well. Reporting for last week the Lady Roxburgh dredgemaster stated that he bottomed on Wednesday morning towards the west side of the river "at a depth of 36ft, but the ground had apparently been worked before. The depth of the river was about 6ft, and there was a laige amount of tailings to be moved, and this handicapped operations a good deal. The Hessey's dredge had a fairly good run for last week, but there was no improvement in the ground, it being of about the same quality as that treated in the previous week. The dredgemaster had a good deal of trouble in getting sufficient tailings to stack a wall sufficiently high along the creek to the bridge to prevent floods getting through and round the edge of the bridge, but it was expected that two or three days more from time of writing would see things safe in that quarter.

The secretary of the No Town Creek Gold Dredging Company reports having received advice from the dvedgemaster to the effect that the No. 2 dredge has bottomed at 47ft, but the buckets have been dragging dirt in from behind whilst opening up and keeping on tha bottom. The bottom is now clear for about 90ft, and if a good run is obtained this week he may be able to form an opinion of what the ground is like. The ground operated on by the Manuherikia dredge last week was very lough, and there was a sood deal of daft to contend, with,. In

the centre there was soft bottom and the prospects were fair, and by appearances at the end of the week the return should be about the same this week as that for last. Everything was working well, but trouble was being experienced with large stones. The river was going down at time of writing (June 4), but the dredgemaster deemed it advisable to finish the piece of ground where the dredge then wag. The. dredgemaster of the Golden Bed Dredging Company (Limited) reports a return of 6oz 2dwt of gold for 123 hours' dredging for week ended June 3. He also reports that the reef nearest the river has risen across his cut considerably, making it very shallow, and until ho passes the pre-emptive right (which he anticipates doing in about a fortnight's time) he will be unable to do much; then, however, he will widen out into deep ground again. The directors therefore think the returns for the next three or four weeks will not be as good as formerly. The adjourned annual general meeting of the Last Chance Hydraulic Sluicing, Elevating;, and Dredging Company, called for the 6th inst. again lapsed for want of a quorum, and now stands adjourned sine die. The report to have been presented to shareholders stated that during the year two dividends of 6d peishare each had been paid. The last dividend? was paid at the end of December, and the directors regret that the ground worked after that date proved very poor, and a loss resulted. The balance of profit and loss account shows a debit balance at the end of the financial year of £270 9s lid. The prospects at the mine since that date have somewhat improved. During April the ground proved more auriferous, £100 profit being made on the month's work. The gold won during the year amounted to 4030z 13dwt 9gr, of a value of £1568 4s lid. 1 At 31st March there was money in the bank , to the- amount of £234 4s sd, with sundry creditors totalling £105 7s. June 8. The secretary of the Clyde Company reports receipt of a wire from the dredgemaster stating that prospects were somewhat better. The New Roxburgh Jubilee dredgemaster ' completed repairs, and resumed dredging on Monday afternoon last. Writing under date 4th inst., the Sailor's Bend dredgemaster stated that last week tha two 3ides of the cut were very rough. &t times the prospects were fair, and at others not so gcod, but if the quality of the ground remains the same and the dredge has a fair run there should be a return of 50oz for this week. The Dunstan Lead dredgeinaster reports having had a very good run for last week, but the ground had been partly worked in places. He stated he would have broken time this weak as he intended to go round the links and bush them. The dredge will be stopped during tho day and work at night. The Electric No. 1 dredge last week worked ahead 20ft for 138 hours' dredging. The ground varied in depth up to 42ft, and the cut wag 82ffc wide. The gold was a coarse, nuggety sample, and the prospects were fair, the bottom consisting of pipeclay with occasional ; narrow sand reefs. The dredge was working faslly into a slip on the north sfde. I The Rise and Shine dredge last week worked I aheaj, Tit, and had a cut 540 ft wide^ with, t£e

greund varying in depth up to 50ft. The prospects continued about the same, ihero still being poor ground on the east side. In tha centre the wash was very tight, and from the centre to the west side ve:ry good. " The No. 2 diedge -norked ahead lOit, with a cut 250 ft wide. Ihe ground continued very rough, and there was no wash on the greater part ot the centre of the cut. The only wash showing was on the east corner on a rising bottom. The wash is expected to come in again in the centre of tha cut very soon, for, as a rule, something better is got after encountering a number of larga stones.

We are informed by one of the directors of the First Chance Dredging Company that a wire has been received from the dredgemaster to the following effect . — " Twenty bucketß in sight; will probably get the remainder."

The Sandy Point dredgemaster reports for the week ending 3rd June as follows: . '" Dredging time, 130 hours; width of cut, 150 yards; average depth below water-level, 26ft; distance worked ahead, 9ft; average height of face above water-level, 22ft; prospects still remain good; owing to frosts water in dam ie very short."

The directors of the New Bendigo Company on Wednesday received advice that the Moly* neux Coal Co., contractors' to the New Bendigo dredge, had ceased to supply any further coal on Friday last, when the dredge had consequently to be stopped. The reason for stopping the supply has as yet, we are informed, not been given by the Coal Company, but Mr Kyle (one ol the directors) leaves for the claim Wday to see into the matter, which will no doubt be rectified and the dredge enabled to resume operations.

The New Golden River Company's dredgemaster reports under date 3rd June that, aa the river had fallen, dredging was commencedagain on Monday, the 29th May, at 2 a.m., and bottom was reached on the 31st, the ground being very rough. BTe states that if the wash does not improve he intends shifting the dredge upstream.

The Punt dredgemaster, reporting under date 3rd inst., stated that last week's dredging time was 117 hours, the distance ■worked ahead 12ft, the width of the cut 125 yards, the depth of ground from west to east 32ft, and 36ft to 40ft. The ground on the east side waa very tight. There was no improvement in the wash, and the gold was a nice sample. The best part of a shift was lost through having to rivet the screen.

The actual time worked by the Electric No. 2 dredge last week was 114 hours, the distance worked ahead 24ft, and the width of the cut) about 90ft. The sample of gold was not so coarse as in the previous week, but there waa a lot of medium fine gold' beaten into the mats, which brought up the weight. The prospects remained good.

The manager of the Mount Rex Tin Mining Company, reporting for the week ended May 27, stated that there was no change in the stone in the south stope, No. 1 level, and that in the north stope, No. 3 levels was of about the usual quality. The winze was sunk sffe for the week in payable stone, which wag dipping under the granite to the aorih and northwest. The granite was going very flat, and it may turn out an entirely new make of stone. At the alluvial works the race was cleaned up for 36 bags of tin, and the face was looking very well for future workings. During the week 225 tons of stone were crushed for 53 bags of tin.

The master of tho Junction Electric No. 1 dredge, reporting for last week, stated that on Tuesday Ihe prospects improved a little. Tha chedge was engaged on a narrow cut ur> the Cromwell side find close into the bank. It wast very rough working there owing to the presence of a, ''arge number of boulders. The gold won was mostly of a very fine nature. On Thursday, when lifting the ladder, it was found that both the tumbler bushes had broken and fallen out, the bearing of the shaft being cut. TXa expect&d to start dredging on Tuesday, 6th. The No. 2 dredge worked for 125 hours last week. The prospects were very poor from Thursday at noon up till Monday morning last, when they showed indications of improvement, and thj return for this week will in all probability be fioni 30oz to 40oz. The ground was about Ilia same depth, alpo the width of the cut. Tho distance worked ahead was 14ft. The No. 3 dredge worked for 123 hours last week. The ground was very rough in half of the cut, but the other half was fairly gcod dredging. Tha prospects were not satisfactory, and a. good deal of time was lost in working the rough ground. The machinery was running we-U.

June 9.

The directors of the Electric Gold Dredging Company have declared a dividend (the thirtythird) of 3s per share, payable on Wednesday, 14th inih.

The directors of the Junction Electric Gold Dredging Company have declared a dividend (the eleventh) of Is per share, payable on Saturday, 17th inst.

The Alpine No. 2 Company's dredgemaster reports that he started dredging on Monday last, and ho expected tc gei on lo the goldi again in a few days.

The manager of the Island Block claim wired on Thursday as follows: — '' Boxes frozen; cannot wash down; frost very severe." The Bignell's No Town dredgemaster reports v/ashing-up for a return of 51oz 12dwt as tho resulb of 211 hours' work. The dredge was stepped on Wednesday in order to put on the new screen and to effect certain repairs. The Clutha River dredgemaster completed rapaira and resumed dredging on, Monday nighfi last.

Reporting under date 3rd inst., the New Alpine Consols dredgemaster stated that prospects had improved, and the gold was becoming coarse.

The Thiee-mile (Greenstone Creek) dredgemaster wired on Thursday as follows: — " Stopped for crown wheel ; too bad to work." The Maslerton. Company's dredgemaster, ia his report for last week, stated that lie expected that by the end of this week the dredg-a would be down to the south corner of the claim, from where a start would be made to open out and take the whole claim, including the river, in ;\ face.

Mi S E. Brent, secrelarv of the Baiewood! Gold Mining Company, reports a return of 58oz lOdwt from 106 tons of stcne for the month of May The manager cf tho Champion sluicing claim; Tcrc-rts having washed up at th° eiul of la,%t; week for 17oz 17dwt 10gr of gold for a forinisrht'si work

Mr S. F.. Brent, secretary of the Shotovcr Quartz Mining Company, rpports the following returns for the month of May:— s3oz lldwt lOgr of melted bullion from 140 tons of stone, and! 2oz 9dwt 3gr cyanide bullion, making a total of 560z Odvrt 13gr. The two divers engaged by the First Chance Company to assist in the recovering of the dredge buckets have returned to town from tha claim, and report to the secretary that there is every prospect of the whole of the buckets being recovered. Twenty buckets and tha ladder have now been laised, and there will ba no difficulty in getting up the remainder. The Otago Company's No. 1 dredgemastef lcrcorts losing a couple of shifts last week doins? sundry repairs. The dredge wag working through "old ground, which affected the return. TT>o No. 2 dredgemaster reports having had a steady run, with prospects fair. Ar. Auckland telegain states that during; May tha Talisman Consolidated Gold ilining Cod*

(Bany treated 4000 tons of ore for bullion valued «1 £10,135.

June 10.

The directors of the Sandy Point Gold [Dredging Company have deolared a dividend H'thia tenth) of Is per share, payable on Tuesday, 13th inst.

There will be no wash-up on the Hartley and Hiley dredge this week.

The Unity dredge resumed operations on [Wednesday last.

The secretary of the Matait Company reports tb*t there will be no wash-up this week.

Tho master of the Riley's Beach dredge wired as follows on Friday :— " Pulled aheadSunk on payable gold; ground deep." Reporting for last week the Three-mile (Greeu-atone Creek) dredgemaster stated that he continued working on the north side of the face. The ground was very shallow and the trash exceptionally tight, with large boulders in it. Consequently the dredge did mot have b chance to put much material through, -and the return was therefore affected. The gold was a nice sample, and weighed well, and was a big improvement on that got in the same line further down the flat. The dredge was opening out in tha corner towards the north side of the flat and the creek.

June 12. The New Halfway House dredge resumed operations on Friday. The Junction Electric No. 2 dredge has been stopped fop three days owing to repairs to the" ladder being necessary.

The First Chance dredgemaster wired on Saturday that he had recovered 21 of the Ibuclcets lost when the belt parked. The New Roxburgh Jubilee dredgemaster Reports no wash-up for last week. The dredge was working well, and bottomed on Wednesday. The Alpine No. 2 dredgemaster wired on Saturday as follows: — "No wash-up; stopped dredge owing to top tumbler shifting; expect to start dredging about Tuesday." The secretary of the Rise and Shine Company reports the following returns for last week: — No. 1 dredge, 320z lOdwt; No. 2 dredge, 220z 6dwt for 136 hours' work. The !No. 1 dredgemaster reports a slight improvement in the wash.

A sawmill employee whilst making a cutting for a new tram line the other day (says the Orepuki Advocate) struck what, in the miners' phrase, appeared to be "good wash." The result is that about a dozen acres are already pegged, off. A few shafts have been hurriedly sunk, in some cases without result, in othera with good prospects. A Dunedin gentleman now residing in Buenos Ayres in a recent letter states that there is going to be a great dredging boom there, and, in fact, it has already commenced. All dredging shares are at a high premium, and any placed on the market are inimediately taken up. The latest dredging company to be placed on the market is one with a capital of £60,000, and all shares were subscribed for long before the prospectus was issued. Messrs John M'G-regor and Walter Cutten and several dredgenuen arrived there recently, and the dredgemen left immeaiately for the different dredging fields, where they will be engaged in the erection of the dredges, some of which are expected to start in October or November next.

The fall prospectus of the Criffel Lead Sluicing Company, Limited, appears in our advertising • columns this week. The company' is being formed .to amalgamate the various claims, water rights, etc.. in that remarkable field known as Criffel, in the Cardrona district, from which phenomenally rich yields have been returned in times past. The Criffel face lead or deposit is somewhat similar to the New Chum lead at Klondyke, inasmuch as it is of the same formation, high up on the side of the hill, and is easily traced for many miles. Mr E. Trythall is the broker, and further particulars, beyond those given in the prospectus may be obtained from him. June 13.

The Junction Electric No. 1 dredgemaster •wires having started dredging at midnight on Sunday.

xhe Masterton dredgemaster wired the secretary on Monday as follows: — "Dredge at eastern boundary ; head up-stream ; __ commenced widening out; all going well." The Rising Sun dredgemaster reports that he worked for 127 hours' last week, crossed the paddock three times, and worked ahead 9ft. Th« average depth of the ground was 40ft, and the width of the cut 160 yards. The machinery was running well.

The secretary of the Round Hill Mining Company reports the following returns for the month of April: — Round Hill, 2470z 13dwt, of a value of £978 4s 4d, and Winding Creek, 230z 19dwt 18gr, of a value of £94" 14s lid, making a total value of £1072 19s 3d. The returns for May were as follow: — Round Hill. 2540z 14dwt, of a value of £1006 Is Id; Winding Creek, 230z 6dwt, of a value of £92 Os Bd, making the total value of the gold returns for May equal to £1098 Is 9d.

Mr A. Kyle, who has just returned from a visit to the Firpt Chance, Sailor's Bend, New Bendigo, .and Matau Companies' dredges, has kindly furnished us with a few particulars •with regard to the working of these four machines and the nature of the prospects now being met with.' Commencing with the First 'Chance, Mr Kyle states that 21 buckets have now been recovered, and there is every prospect of at least nart of the remainder being recovered. The directors have, however, decided to -purchase the required number in the meantime, and as soon as this is done and they are placed in position the dredge will be able to start work once more. The master of the First Chance dredge assured Mr Kyle that prospects were excellent, and he considers that in the First Chance claim shareholders have something pood. The dredge is now working just below Butcher's Gully, and the gold obtained previous to the mishar> was a coarse, heavy sample. The Sailor's Bend dredge is at present working between four and five hundred yards from the tori boundary of the claim, and the return of 59£oz for 4§ days' •work last week indicates the excellent Quality of the ground there. The river is lower now than at any time last season, and very little drift is running. Conseque-ntlv there is no difficulty in keeping on the bottom. Judging by indications, there is great project this year of the river being lower than it has been for many years, and if it keeps falling as it has "been doing the gorge dredges will have a better chance of working than they have had since dredging was first started. The ground is pretty rough where the dredse i<i now working, but nrosTjects are very good With regard to the New Bendigo dredge, the co»1 suptily has, owing to a misunderstanding, been stopped during the past week, but at a meeting of directors held yesterday instructions were forwarded to tbedredsemaster to s?et hi<= crew together and staTt work again without delay. Since starting work this year great difficulty has been experienced owing to the head and preventer lines being silted over, especially the latter. It has now been decided, however, to cut off part of the head-line only, and take the dredge to the top of the claim to a place where the drede;emaster is confident of oMpining good gold. The Matau dredse is now working near the top end of her claim, and will complete that part of the river in about three or four weeks, after which it is the intention of the dredpemaster to shift the dredge down to the bottom end of the claim and take th* whota river in a face, workine right up. He expects to get payable gold when working the old ground a second tinie, and also to

strike many solid first worked over

blocks, as the claim was at very rapidly.