MINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 28

MINING.

WEEK'S MINING NEWS j January 5. A return of 84oz for 250 hours' work is reported from the Paracale dredge. Under date December 24 the secretary of the New Big River Company reported: — "December return, 3070 z lldwt; 320 tons from' battery; 70oz 6dwt bullion • from cyanide; —total value, about £1400." The Punt dredgemaster reported as follows on December 24:—" We had a little broken time through various things requiring attention. There is no change m the bottom or wash since last week to report. Prospects are still poor. The depth on the jriver side of the cut is 27ft, ' and on the freehold side 33ft. We worked ahead 20ft on a three-chain cut, closing down to-night for the holidays." In his last report the master of the Sandy Point dredge stated:—" We dredged 187 hours during' the week. The width and depth of the cut remain the same as for the previous week. We worked ahead 14ft, the average height of the face above water-level being 13ft. Prospects are unaltered. The race water is getting very light through the long spell of dry weather. W© are stopping on Monday to turn the top tumbler plates." The Enterprise dredge was expected to resume dredging on Monday. The dredgemaster of the Riley's Revival dredge wired yesterday stating that he had started dredging on Monday, and that everything was running well. . , ... A cable message was received on the 4tn from the dredgemaster of the Stanley "Paracale dredge, Philippine Islands, as follows:—" lo2oz gold for 10 days 12 hours up to December 21." Some months back optimistic reports were received as to the mineral possibilities of Fiji, and saveral prospecting parties went to the islands. A local resident of some standing has written to a friend in Perth, expressing the opinion that "so far from payable mineral deposits having been discovered, I do not believe that one genuine assay has been obtained indicating the existence of ore that would yield a payable return At the same time the writer adds that it he were a mining speculator he would not hesitate to spend money in exploratory work on some of the rests.—Mining Review. The Secretary of the Nokcmai Hydraulic Sluicing Company reports that work at No. 1 has practically been suspended all the week. At No. 2 the dam ran dry <n the afternoon of the 30th. The weather has been generally warm and windy, but beyond a few showers on different dates thtre ■was nothing to help the water supply. There are prospects of move lain. At No. 3, owing to repairs on the Lion race, there was a delay in getting sluicing ccne till Tuesday, but good progress has been made since. January 6. The Manuherikia dredge resumed work on the sth. The Alexandra Eureka dredgemaster advises that he recommenced' dredging at midnight on the 3rd inst. The Masti rton dredge resumed operations at 8 a.m. on the sth. On December 24 the master of the Charlton Creek dredge wired: —"Nine ounces for week; stopped until ram comes." The Nelson Creek dredge resumed work on the- sth. Auckland teleeram states that during December the Waihi Grand Junction, runnine.'- 22 days, crushed 4821 tons of stone, valued at £9623. The .Rise and' Shine No. 1 dredge worked 4ft ahead last week on a cut 600 ft wide and from 42ft to 48ft deep. The ground was similar to that worked in the previous week. No. 2 dredge worked a cut 520 ft wide and from 38ft to 46ft deep, making 4ft ahead. There was no change of any importance in the nature of the ground. Reporting under date December 24 the master of the Central Charlton dredge states : " We got a return of 13oz 9d\vt for. 137 hours r dredging on section 5. The wash in this section is fairly scarce, and on an average only one shift in three treats any of it. The other two shifts are occupied in removing the overburden of clay. What wash there is gives a fair enough prospect, but when taking the overburden into account it must be considered poor. I think it advisable to work upon secions 1,2, and 3, and leave 4 and' 5 until later on. A channel can be left so that we can drop back to these sections if. necessary." The Lady Roxburgh dredge has been pulled' ahead, and'is all ready to start on Sunday night if the. river proves favourable. In his report for the week ended December 21, the mine manager, New Alpine Company, states: " The north face has been Attended 20ft by the contractors without revealing any defined body of ore. The contraotore have commenced to rise at the

near end of the level_Jo _test for the north winze block. If the north"winze block is of any extent, we should'get stone in a week or so after we get' properly started with the rise. A start will be made with No. 7 crosscut after the holidays."

Under date January 1, the master of the Punt dredge reports :•" We were repairing this week bushing bo'ttom tumbler, rivetting up the stays on ladder ,and on elevator. We are finished repairs, and are ready to commence dredging at midnight on 3rd inst." The manager of the Old Hauraki reports for the weekended December 24 that when stripping the reef on the 400 it level on the 23rd ult. some pieces of stone came «,way with the shots showing blotches of gold. Colours of gold continue to be seen when breaking down in the 300 ft level. •January 7., The New Trafalgar dredge resumed operations on the afternoon of the 3rd inst. The master of the Sandy Point dredge reports for the week ended December 25: "Dredged 80 hours during the week; got plates turned and started aga.m on Tuesday night. Pospects are not so good. The hard white pipe clay bottom comes in places across the- citt, and the Stacking room is very tight. The race water at present is very light, as there is very little water in the River at the intake to the races." I The secretary of the Otago Co. reports that the No. 2 dredge started work on Tuesday. The No. 1 will probably take a day or so finishing repairs. A Waihi prospector recently visited the Ruahine Ranges, in the Hawke's Bay district, to examine them for minerals, states the Wairarapa Times. He discovered coal, copper, graphite, marcasite, silver, and hematite. With the exception of copper, none of these minerals have vet been found in Dayable quantities in the district. It is a practically unexplored country as far as prosneeting is concerned'. The following teleerra.m was posted a.t the Stock Exchange yesteday:—" Reefton, Ja.nu.ary 6. —Progress mines: 13 working days, crushed 2607 tons, yielding gold valued £3229; cyanided 1585 tons, yielding £791. Smelter: Worked 19 days, treated 135 tons; no matter tapped. Estimated gold' in furnace. 1960 z. Wealth of Nations: Crushed 1740 tons, yielding £2494; cyanided 910 tons, yielding £536. Blsckwater: Crushed 3260 tons, yielding £934 " The manager of the Roxburgh Amalgamated Mining Company (Ltd.) reports a return of 960 z lldwt for the month of December. The month was a broken one.

January 8. Water for sluicing is scarce at Matakanui. and some of the claims are idle. The New Roxburgh Jubilee dredge resumed work on Tuesday, and the master reports a return of I2o'z for 60 hours dredging. .. , * The Electric No. 1 dredge resume a dredging on Tuesday after the holidays, and "No. 2 recommenced work on Thursday. As both paddocks were filled up neither dredge will wash up this week. : The chairman and secretary of the Karanui Dredging Company visited the-dredge during the Christmas holidays, a.na' found that the constructing engineer had made good progress with the overhauling, additions, and alterations. Provided that the new machinery required is sent forward, this dredge will in all probability start operations about the second week in February next. . Owing to the rise in the river, which has set the drift running, the master of the Good- Chance dredge has decided not to resume dredging till next week Th-?. river is receding as fast as is expected, and operations will be commenced then. The sale of the Electric No. 3 dredge, etc, will take place next Wednesday on the claim, between Clyde and Cromwell. Australia has to face a declining gold vield: This drop arises almost entirely from natural cause. The rich alluvial deposits in the known mining ditricts are being worked out, as well as the rich surface quartz formations. The falling off in the gold yield is not confined to any one State. Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland all have to record a decline, due to the depletion of the richer ore. Bv this means" the ore bodies of low grade, "which have been passed by, are now being tested, and they will, w,ith the improvements in processes, be turned to account. The gold yield of Australasia for the first 11 months' of last year amounts to 3,122,5120 z fine, as against 3,223,0410 z fine for the corresponding (period in 1908. January 10.

The New Trafalgar dredgemaster, in reporting his return of lOoz 3dwt, states that it was obtained from the eastern section. The Rising Sun dredge was to have resumed work at midnight on Sunday. The following wire was received from the Talisman mine on Friday evening:— " For broken oeriod of December crushed 3240 tons for a return of £14,424 8s Id (smaller tonnage and return owing to Christmas holidays. Total costs, 37s Iddevelopment 9s, mining 12s 6d, milling 13s Id, general 2s 6cl. Following cable forwarded to London : ' No. 12 level northProgress 44ft, reef 42in wide, values low; No. 13 level south —progress 34ft, reef 27in wide, values low; commenced sinking No. 5 winze, .sunk Ift, reef 24in wide, assay value £2 4s sd; No. 8 winze—sunk 14ft, reef 24in wide, assay value £3 13s; No. 12 vinze—sunk 15ft, reef wider than winze, assay value £1 4s sd; No. 13 winzesunk 12ft, reef 54in wide, aasay value £4 10s.' " January 11. The height of the river on Monday morning was 6ft llin above the normal mark at Alexandra. The weather was fine. The master of the No Town Creek dredge reports a return of 370 z, part of which was obtained from blowings. The Waikaia dredgemaster reports: — " Dredging was carried on up to December 23, when we stopped for the wash-up and soreen repairs, which were concluded on the following might, when we closed down for the annual holidays. The ground improved slightly as we dredged towards the old paddock.". Work at the scheelite reefs, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, is suspended for the holidays. The Scheelite- Syndicate has purchased the late Mr A. -M'Kenzie's reef, and has been further developing the lode, which promises well. The Nelson Creek dredgemaster reports a return of 7oz for 64 hours. ■ The Manuherikia dredge will probably wash up on Wednesday.

J'otes from CronmeJl. (From Our Own Correspondent.) • CROMWELL, January 7. The weather is exceptionally warm, a.nd the river is falling steadily again after a email rise. The drift will probably be troublesome to the Gorge dredges for a while yet. The Cromwell Syndicate dredge will make a stairt next week, and the Hartley and Riley should soon follow, as the gold is running into the deep ground. With the Hartley and Riley the drift will be bad where they are, unless on a favourable river. The Rise and Shin© No. 2 dredge is now on much improved ground, and it is expected that returns approaching those of the No. 1 dredge will be made, as the gold has changed, and is now the same as the No. 1 sample. The Punt dredge is working steadily into the flat, but it takes a considerable time to get ahead far. Consequently they will not. strike the rich run of gold that the Riley's Revival is working a short distance ahead'. A considerable amount of work has been done on the reef at Quartz Reef Point, and a fine 3ft reef is showing, carrying a little gold. The drive is now in about 40ft.

AUCKLAND RETURNS

AUCKLAND,

January 7

The Waihi Gold Mining Company during 23 days in December treated 33,253 tons of ore for a return of bullion valued at £72,554. For the broken, period ended December 24 the Talisman Company treated 3240 tons for a return of the value of £14,428 8s Id.

MOUNT LYELL RETURNS. MELBOURNE, January 7

The Mount Lyell returns from December 2 to December 29 (inclusive) show that 27,934 tons of ore and nine tons of purchased ore were treated. This yielded 589 tons of blister ccippei-, containing: Copper 582 tons, silver 46,5020 z, and gold 1105 oz.

CONSOLIDATED MINES. GREYMOUTH, January. 5. The returns from the Reei'ton mines are as follow : Progress mine crushed 3376 tons, yielding and cyanided 2678 tons, yielding £1079. Wealth of Nations crushed 1845 tons, value £3968. Blackwater crushed 2950 ton*, value £6326.

ROSS GOLDFIELDS PUMPING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, January 4

Mr J. S. Welsh, managing engineer, advises that the Ross Goldfields pumps were started again on Sunday night, and are working splendidly. . It is expected that the water will be down to the 300 ft level to-niight, unless something unforeseeni occivns. A few more weeks should ses the more pleasant task of winning the "golden harvest" commenced.

GARDEN GULLY COMPANY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) GRECMOUTH, January 3.

The- directors of the Garden Gully Gold Mining Company waited on the Minister of Mines. They explained that, already the shareholders in the company had spent £7224 in the work of development, while those in the Croesus and other propositions had incurred heavy expenditure. They therefore asked the Minister to grant them a subsidy towards the further developmer.i of the mine. There had been great difficulty in coping with the water, and a great deal of the work bad been done in tunnelling, which cost at the rate of 30s a foot. They therefore thought that they were justified in risking the Government for a subsidy of pi and for pound, which would enable them to thoroughly rroppi-ot the mine, which it was certain would be a payable concern. Mr M'Ken/ie said that it was open to the company to make an application to the department for a loan under the provisions of the aot of last session, which provides' that mining companies, on making an application and depositing security with the department, could obtain loans for developing mines. If such an application were made in proper form through the County Council ho would carry out the provisions of the act and grant the required loan. MINING IN SIAM. At a meeting of the S,iam Keclah Exploration Company on December 22 Mr A. 3 " T. Miles gave an illuminating account ot his prospecting tour in the East on behalf of the company, and the options he had secured in the Malay States and Sumatra (says the Mining Standard). The first option secured was over a property known as " Gopeng," of 514- acres, at 400dol per acre, half cash and half shares. This property is in the vicinity of several Chinese mines, and has been worked by some time past on the tribute system by Chinese with very good results, but on a small scale. It consists of about 250 acres of flat land, and about 250 acres hills 150 ft to 200 ft high. On the flat there is approximately 15ft overburden and sft karang (wash). The karang is rich, and the overburden also contains payable tin. The Kampar River adjoins the property, thus ensuring a permanent water supply. The owners are not anxious to part with the property, but have not capital enough to put in the machinery necessary to work it to the best advantage. Another property secured was one of 100 acres, adjoining the famous Tambun mine, in the Malay States, and Mr Miles found that the overburden, karang, and bottom on both porperties were identical. The Tambun mine has about 10ft overburden, carrying payable tin, 15ft to 20ft whitish clay, containing a large percentage of tin, and from 20ft to 60ft of rich brown clay karang, with limestone .bottom. Over all these options shareholders were enthusiastic, but perhaps it was more particularly a gold property in Sumatra which conjured up such visions of fortune. The area of this claim, which is situated in the mountains near the South-east Coast, is between 15,000 and 20,000 acres, and the price £2,000. Captain Miles secured this option, and has agreed to transfer it to the Sdam Kedah Company in consideration of receiving on© fifth fully paid-up interest in any company formed to work the property. Another gold property in the same range

of mountains is paying 100 per cent, per annum, and the Dutch Government has j obtained such excellent results from pro-

spec ting in the distrjct-Jiha.t-it ..will, ■ no' more applications for concessions, as it in bonds to work all the, reefs, as .Government mines. It also made overtures for the withdrawal, of the company's concession.. Samples taken from a number of places on the claim all showed gold, and the statement that the reef was 140 ft wide and estimated to be* four miles long, worth 19dwt per ton, brought forth an inquiry as to why such a property' had not been floated long ago. Mr Miles explained that with the Dutch the practice is to acquire a property and hold on to it until someone comes along with capital. As for the Chinese who own claims, they absolutely refuse to spend a large sum of money in order to get big returns in a year or two. They prefer to make a email profit on a comparatively small cutlay right away. DREDGING RETURNS. Owing to the holidays very few of the dredges washed up last week. The following returns are announced: —

DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. The Stock Exchange resumed business after the holidays on Wednesday morning, but a number of brokers were not yet back from their vacation. It is expected that not much business will be transacted for a few days, as all the dredges and mines have been stopped, and it will be some time before things get again into their stride. A call was held on Wednesday in the morning and afternoon, and the usual midday one was eliminated. Business on 'Change shows nothing in the way of unusual activity, things having barely had time to get into their stride after the holidays. On Monday three calls were held as usual. In the morning Rise and Shines changed hands at £2, and the call closed with buyers offering £1 19s for more of the same stock, no sellers, however, being forthcoming. The following are yesterday’s latest quotations, subject to the usual brokerage;--Dredging Stocks. Blackwater (con.) —Bayers 4s. Golden Bed—Buyers £l. Hartley and Riley —Buyers 15s, sellers 18e 6d. Manuherikia —Sellers 10s. Nelson Creek —Buyers 15s. Muddy Terrace —Buyers £1 4s 3d, sellers £1 6s. Mining Stocks. Blackwater Mines —Seller's £1 6s. Consolidated Goldfields —Buyers 17s 3d, sellers 18s 6d. Old Hauraki—Bmer 3s lOd, sellers 4s 2d. Kuranui Caledonian —Buyers Is Id, sellers Is 4d. New Zealand Crown—Sellers 5s lOd. Tasmanian Copper—Buyers 5s 9d, sellers 6s. Talisman Consolidated —Buyers £1 19s, sellers £2 Os 9d. Tairua Golden Hills —Sellers Is 3d. Waihi—Buyers £9 12s. Waihi Grand Junction —Buyers £1 15s 6d, sellers £1 16s Waiotahi—Buyers 4s 9d, sellers 5s 3d. January 6. —Waihi Grand. Junctions, £1 15s 9d ; Standard Insurance, £1 3s 3d 1 . January 10.— Rise andi Shine, £2. Reported sales: Napier Gas, £l2 15s; National Insurance, £1 7s 6d; New Zealand Drug, £2 7s. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE. LONDON, January 9. Waihi—Buyers £9 11s 3d, sellers £9 13s 9d. Waihi Grand Junction—Buyers £1 14s 4d, sellers £1 15s 7d. AUCKLAND STOCK EXCHANGE. AUCKLAND, January 10. The following business was done at the afternoon call to-day : —May Queen, 3s Bcl, Old Alburnia (oont.). Is 7d, Is 6d; Ola Hauraki, 4s, 4s Id; New Zealand Crown, 5s 9d, 5s lOd; Waihi Grand Junction, £1 16s; Golden Belt (oont.). s£d, sd; Tairua Broken Hills, Is 3d; Talisman Consolidated. £2 £2 Os 3d; Waihi, £9 15s 6d; Consolidated Goldfields, 18s.; Kuranui Caledonian, Is 3d; Phoenix, 4d. WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. WELLINGTON, January 10. The following sales were effected to-day: Waihi Grand 1 Junction, £1 15s 9d; Ross Goldfields, 8s 9d. The following sales were reported:—New Sylvia, 6s; Old Hauraki, 3s lOd; Talisman Consolidaetd, £2 Is, £2 Os 3d; Waihi Grand Junction, £1 15s 9d.

' Oz .dwt gT Rise and Shine JS!o. 1, Clutha R’ver, 113hrs ICO 1 0 Rise and Shin© No. 2, Clutha River. ] 16brs 40 0 0 New Roxburgh Jubilee, Roxburgh, 60hr.? 12 0 0 Punt, Clutha River, 103hrs... 8 1 0 West Coast. New Trafalgar, 3i days 10 3 0