MINING IN NEW GUINEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 35

MINING IN NEW GUINEA.

About six months ago the Goverawnt in New Guinea equipped a prospecting partv, composed of Messrs M. Crowe, E. Pryke, and J. Pryke, who travelled by the Merrio England to the Tauri River, where they disembarked and prospected the creeks and gullies, finding a little gold, but not in payable quantities. The Lake-Kamu River was next visited, and colours were found, in the creeks, and the first experience of the Tiveri River was equally prolific in small deposits, the west branch giving a. little gold, but not payable. Sufficient was found however, to justify the party in pegging out a reward claim on the eastern branch of a creek which runs into the middle branch of the Tiveri River, about 25 miles from the Tiveri junction and about 10 miles from good water carriage. Tho new goldfield to be proclaimed forms a right-angled triangular block of which the perpendicular is the boundary of the Gulf division, the southern side is the eghth parallel of lattude, and the hypotenuse the German boundary. There is” said to be about five miles of payable alluvial ground, but it is expected that most of it will be taken up by miners already in the territory. The Lieu-tenant-governor is about to visit the field, and probably a much fuller report than that yet to hand will shortly be forthcoming. " The prospectors found the natives distinctly hostile, and one of the native carriers was speared through the heart. It is believed that the recent discovery of alluvial gold between Yule Island and Kerema was made by this party, and it is stated that as ; much as 3oz per day was being got. The chief officer of the Meriiie England, who was at Townsville at Christmas, contradicted the statement that the best rout© to the new goldfield is by way of Thursday Island, and stated that the most direct route is to Port Moresby, where a number of luggers and cutters are trading with tho Papuan Gulf and passing Williams River. Besides the regular monthly trip by the steamer Kaiora he only knows of one lugger from Daru to the Gulf. Port Moresby would be the base from which supplies could be drawn. He also stated' that besides the Government prospecting party two men, named King and Swanson, went prospecting in from Yule Island some months ago, intending to go in the direction, of Williams River.

Kotes from Cromwell.

{Fhoh Oub Own Coebespondent.) CROMWELL. January 14. Dredging 1 matte, 1 :3 are very quiet, just now, tho only dredges creating any excitement, being 1 the two Rise and Shines. The returns from these last week wore for five days, consequently better results are expected this week. It seems certain, now the- No. 2 has picked up the rich run of the No. 1 dredge. The Rising Sun dredge started on Sunday night after making some improvements in the tables and doing other necessary repairs. The Punt. dredges is making slow progirces into the flat, but it is possible that it may pick up the rich run of Riley’s Revival earlier than expected. If the ground dips at all, the prospects are sure to improva.

The exceptionally dry weather is sending- the river down fast, and the Hartley and Cromwell Syndicate ■dredges should start on Monday. Owing to the very hot and u-ry weather the hydraulic sluicing claims at Nevis are getting vc-rv short of water, and it will stop some of them if it continues muon Reefing is still engaging considerable attention. The find at Quartz Point is being worked steadily, and there are great hopes of it turning out a success. The stone is changing now, so there is a chance of it carrying a payable prospect of gold. A lot of work is being dona prospecting in several parts, and there is some talk of another attempt being made to float a. company to put in a low-level tunnel at Bendigo, and it would be well supported lie re. Messrs Harman Reeves and Donaldson Bros. (from Macraes) visited there this week.

Notes from Alexandra.

(From Our Own* Correspondent.) ALEXANDRA 8.. January 11. . Owing to the dry weather water for mining is very scarce, and at Matakanui all the claims are shut down. Most of the dredges have now resumed work alter the holidays, but for the greater part of the week operations have been confined to opening out the paddocks. The Good Chance dredge is expected to start this week, a-s dredging was suspended owing to the travelling drift. The Manuherikia dredge has opened out again on fair prospects. The Molyneux Hydraulic dredge is idle for want of water to fill the paddock, and some of the crew are engaged in sluicing off the top material in front of the dredge, preparatory to resuming dredging operations when the water supply is more plentiful. The Sandy Point dredge is working on a good wide cut. but the prospects are onlyfair, and much difficulty is being experienced in stacking the tailings owing to the paddock being low, very little water being- available. AUCKLAND. January 12. The manager of the Old Hauraki mine telegraphed this morning that he had secured another 60!b of specimens in tne rise from th© 400£t level, leaving" gold still showing. This makes 5501 bof specimen stone and 101 b of picked stone secured in the rise since its commencement, and ir addition to this 31b of picked' stone with gold still showing has been secured in the winze, which is being sunk from the 300 ft level immediately overhead. Some. 2151 b of specimen stone and 101 b of picked stone, together with 21 tons of general ore were crushed on December 23, givinga yield of 4790 z lldwt valued at £1455 12s 6d. This accordingly leaves 3351 bof specimen stone and 31 b of picked stone nowin hand. A distance of about 25ft now separates the top of th© rise and the bottom of the winze, and as soon as this has been penetrated, stoping will bo commenced. The fact of the Old Hauraki mine getting picked stone in the winze is of importance, as it shows the reef is improving- in value at a* depth. The mine generally is looking well, and further hauls of stone may reasonably be expected in the near future. The up-to-date methods in vogue at the Waihi Gold Mining Company’s reduction works are illustrated by a shipment of gold from their refinery which has just been made, and which constitutes a record for purity for the company, and probably for the whole mining world. Some of the 1 bars, weighing IOOCoz (fine), are absolutely pure gold, while none of them fall below 99.95 per cent, of pure gold. The metal is produced by the improved electrolytic process recently installed by the company’s metallurgists, which is not only a conspicuous metallurgical success, but, is also highly advantageous from a> commercial point of view.

Foies from Grey month.

(From Oiir. Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, January 14. The New Ulster Company proposes to undertake operations on a more comprehensive scale, since in the past it has not been attended with substantial success, j The amount of the company’s unexpended | capital is insufficient for the object in view, and it 'has been, decided that it is necessary to provide additional capital for the purpose. An application has been lodged for a certificate of protection for six months, which will give time to perfect financial arrangements. The present company took up the area in 1906, and since that date operations have been carried on almost continuously. The New Alpine mine manager reports (as follows: —“ Owing to nothing of any value being revealed in No. 14 level work was discontinued for the present in the lower workings except to keep the mine unwatered. A start was made to clean up and repair No. 7 level, so as to get inside the level to drive a cross-cut in a southerly direction from the cross-cut. known as Prince’s cross-cut, to try and locate the block of stone worked in the old times and known as the North blocic. This block is believed by many to have never bean seen below No. 6 level, where a. split occurred in fhe Old Alpine reef. Repairs to No. 7 have been effected, and work will be commenced- to-morrow on the cross-cut, which has been let on contract for 120 ft.” WILBERFORCE REEFS. HOKITIKA, January 11. Prospecting operations at the Wilberforce reefs, with which good progress lias been made during the recent fine weather, have resulted in proving a further extent of reef to be highly payable. A distance of 17ft additional has been driven on the continuation of the former tunnel during the past month, and the atone has been found to bo oven superior to that previously met with. The reef is still widening, and there are indications that it will continue to do go for some distance. The gold-bearing quartz is now showing a thickness of 2ft. Although th)3 stone .ha.s not yet beten assayed, experts pronounce it to be particularly good. WILBERFORCE REEFS. CFroii Our Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, January 12. According to the Hokitika Guardian, there are good prospects of the early flotation of the King Quartz Mining Company, which will operate in the Wilberforce district. The largo venture is being taken up by North Island investors principally. A private telegram received on Saturday inchoated that the shares were going off

fairly well, and those in authority believed J that the flotation will shortly be effected j The Wilber force promises to play a very important part in the future' ot Westland. Although its quartz lodes have been known to exist for years, the locality has never before had the effective trial it. has lately been -subjected to. The discoveries and encouraging results which have followed t,h-3 prospecting indicate the presence of payable s.ono over a large area. Capital, however, is necessary to curare development, awith the money forthcoming the Willterforce p;orn:-■■©.s to beconi-3 li thi'iviij-g district. VICTORIAN GOLD YIELD. MELBOURNE, January 12. The gold yield of the State for last year was 802,221 gross ounces, valued at £2.779,000. a decrease of 18,9880 z compared with the previous year. NEW SOUTH WALES GOLD YIELD. SYDNEY, January 12. The State's gold yield last year was 238,0470 z, of the gross value of ££69.456. This Is a decrease of £23,6360z, compared with the previous year. CONSOLIDATED MINES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) GREY MOUTH, January 17. The general manager of the Consolidated group —viz., the Wealth of Nations, Progress, and Black water mines—reports for January 14. 1910, as follows: - Wealth of Nations.—No. 11 cross-cut west was' extended to a point 272 ft from the shaft. The reef is not yet intersected, and at a noint 209 ft from the shaft a drive was started to cut No. 10 block. N.B. The reef (sft wide) has since been cut. On No. 11, Golden Fleece, 32ft of development was completed during December, representing work on No. 15 level. As usual sloping was carried on above levels Nos. 14 and 15, and the slopes are looking well. For the month of December lbs tributors crushed 210 tons, returning 2540 z lldwt, value £lOl9 5s 3d. The periodical clean-up of the cyanide plant was made, figuring 500 tons for 105 oz lOdwt, value £224 3s 9d. Progress. —Work is proceeding smoothly at all points. No. 11 west cross-cut.—This is a cross-cut being driven west through the main fault encountered on No. 11 to intersect the faulted portion of the pioneers block. This cross-cut is now 65ft west of No. 11 main cross-cut smelter. A slight mishap occurred to this early in the month which necessitated the temporary cessation of operations. However, repairs were effected, and smelting resumed on December 24.’ Its record is 12 days’ running, treated 1074 tons for an estimated extraction of 1690 z sdwt, or an estimated extraction of 88.32 per cent. Blackwatm- —The main shaft has been sunk a further 24ft. and the bottom of the shaft now stands S9ft below No. 3 flat sheets. Development is still proceeding north on all levels, maintaining the reef in the faces. TARAWERA GOLD MINE. Among the passengers T>y the s.s. Invercargill on her trip to Preservation- Inlet on Saturday last were Mr Charles E. Stone, the superintending engineer of the Tarawer a G.M. and Smelting Co., and Mr E. B. Pilcher, .chairman of the company. Mr Pilcher went down to the inlet for the purpose of inspection, but Mr Storie- took with him in the vessel between 40 and 50 tons of plant and material and a staff of men who have been engaged for the erection of the plant. A representative of the Southland Times had a chat with Mr Storie on the site of the mine, and gleaned some intereating information. No development work has been done at the mine since the shaft was unwatered. At that time the ore body at the bottom of the shaft and crosscut were examined, and the samples that were taken out were found to be of good value. Since that date, however, substantial buildings have been erected. When smelting operations are started and the staff is increased, further accommodation will be required. The large smelter building, asasay office, etc., have been almost completed. The main building is 60ft by 25ft. It is built of heavy timber, and at present comprises two floors. On the ground floor are the smelter, the blacksmith’s shop, and a portion of the assay office. On the upper floor the facilities necessary for charging the smelter are provided, and the rest of the space is taken up by the assay office. The building is well lighted, and stands on a solid granite foundation. A substantial landing stage. 40ft by 30ft, has been- erected and firmly braced by diagonal stays and struts. The piles rest firmly on the granite rook, and so steeply do the hills rise from the inlet that alongside the stage there is a depth of from Bft to 10ft at dead low tide, and a slight extension will give 20ft. With very little expense wharfage can be provided that will accommodate steamers of large draught, and in this respect, as well as in others, the Tarawera site seems to have been designed by Nature for the purpose. Of the plant a large part is th© manufacture of Messrs Johnson and Sons, Invercargill. It consists of a pipe line, a winding plant, three Pelton wheels, and all accessory fittings. For th© Pelton wheels th© company is so fortunate as to have sufficient water available to develop 80 horsepower, and if higher power should become, necessary in the future it will be easily obtainable by a short extension of the pipe line. The smelter machinery was purchased in Australia. The smelter consists of a circular water-jacketed blast furnace, capable of putting through 35 tons of or© and fluxes per day of 24 hours. Th© accessories and l fittings consist of a cruoibl© water-cooled discharge spout, separator, forehearth, slag pots, matte carriages, and many other items. The blower is a machine of great capacity, .capable of supplying tho amount of air necessary for a smelter three times th© size of that which is now being installed. Mr Storie said that he will first of all take in hand the covering of the roof and sides of the smelter building with galvanised iron. Then the smelter will be housed and set up, and finally the Pelton plant, blower, and pipe line will be erected. This work will occupy at least three months. Mr Storie is quite confident as to the outlook of th© Tarawera mine. H© anticipates that tho smelting process will prove extremely successful, and that shortly after operations have been commenced large additions to the plant will be authorised. He has reason to believe that developments now taking place in the inlet will provide sufficient ores, when combined with the

Tarawera ores, to keep <a large smeltergoing for many years to come, and in his opinion some very valuable discoveries will be made as soon as the smeller is a demonstrated' success. The mine is certainly admirably suited for the cheap handling of ores. Mr Stone told the Southland Times representative that no plant in Australasia has been so cheaply provided is the Tarawera plant. Ample water powei is ava liable at an extremely low cost. The facilities for cheap water carriage have been provided by Nature, and with the expense so low it should not be difficult to show a handsome margin of profit. All round the inlet the progress of the Tarawera enterprise is being watched with the greataest interest, and it is safe to say that if the results aro satisfctcry new epoch in the Iris lory of Preservation will be commenced. January 14. A return of 20oz for a week’s work is reported from the Alexandra Eureka dredge The drift was very heavy. Tim Wiaikaia dredgemastcr reports;— “ During the holidays the winch engine, air pump, and other gear wore overhauled, and on Tuesday, 4th inst., and followingday new bevelled wheels were put on the screen gear, -dredging being resumed on Wednesday, at 9 p.m. Being in the main river, a fair amount of silt had collected, and a shift was lest before dredging commenced on the face. The dredge is now passing through a strip of deep ground, but another 10ft will reach shallower ground, and the bottoin will then change from Maori to red day.” The secretary of the Otago Company reports that the No. 2 started work on the 4th inst., since when the dredge has boon engaged mostly 7 in baling silt. The No. 1 started last Friday. At a public meeting in collection with applications for river claims field at Paeroa a few days ago,-the following decision was arrived at; —’‘That this public meeting of residents of Paeroa and surrounding districts objects to any applications for special river claims being granted unless a condition is placed on the licenses that no tailings are to be returned to the river after treatment.” Mr E. V. Turnbull, Kuranui mine manager, reports':—“ The mine was re-opened on Tuesday, 4th inst. Driving has been pushed ahead in the main level (Blyth section), also on the Hue of reef east and west from the main drive. The shaft leader cast is making in size, and is now fully 2ft. in width, and in the crosscut west driving is now on the footwall side of the reef, which is carrying promising minerals and indications for stone. Owing to laying down Batsheets, cleaning up the drive, and laying rails on ihe line of reef east and west, we have been unable to break an! of the reef for the present week.”

DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. The market is beginning to brighten up a Little-, a. fair amount of business bring transacted during the week, both in investment- and mining stocks. National Banks are in fair demand, buyers offering £5 17s 6d (ox div.). Bank of New Zealand is quoted buyers £9 6s bd, sellers £9 9s. A large number of National Insurance shares have changed bands during the past seven days at £1 7s 6d, the call closing yesterday with buyers offering £1 7e 3d for scrip valued by sellers at £1 7s 9d. Standard Insurances were sold during the- week at £1 : 3s 3d, and are now on offer at £T 3s 6d, without buyers. Union Steams hava weakened, and sellers are offering' at £1 12s 3d. National • Mortgages were inquired for at £2 18s, sellers getting their value at £3. Trustees, Executors changed hands during the week at £5, and won afterwards on offer at £3 Is. Donaghy’f I Ropes are wanted at £1 2s, there being no sellers. Mil-burn Dimes have been quoted buyers £1 9s, sellers £1 10s, with*' out business. Sales have been reported in Mosgiel Woollens at £2 16s, and in New Zealand Drugs at £2 7s. Portland' Cements are slightly firmer, the latest quotation being buyers £1 17s 3d, sellers £1 18s, which is about their present value. Sales have also been reported in Wellington Gas at £l4, and in Napier Gas at £l2 15s. In the raining section a fair amount of business has been transacted. Consolidated Goldfields have firmed slightly, and arc now quoted at 18s 3d and 19 s 6d, buyers and sellers respectively. A sale has been reported , at 18s 3d. Kuranui Caledonians were productive of sales at Is Id. Old Ilaurakis we.ro responsible for a- good deal of business.. They opened on Monday at buyers 3s 9d, sellers 4s, and on Tuesday the prices wor* 4« 2d and 4s 6d. On Wednesday a fair number changed hands at 4s Bd, 4s 9d, and 4-s 7d;, and a lot were sold on Frida 3 at 4s 6d, the market closing with buyers offering 4s 6d and sobers asking 4s Bd. Talismans have firmed several shillings | during the week, this doubtless being i due to the imminent operations of the i Crown Mines pumps. Waihis have also hardened, £9 15s buyers and £9 17 3 sellers being the nearest quotations. Grand Junctions have fluctuated slightly, opening on Monday at buyers £1 15s 6d, sellers £1 16s. and easing on Wednesday. On Thursday sales took place at £1 14a 9d and £1 14s &d. On Friday sales wort reported at £1 15s, the closing quoratie.m being buyers £1 1£«, sellers £1 15s 3d. Tii dwr-dging, Golden Beds have firmed . slightly, and ore wanted at £1 Is 9-d, . sclUrfi holding out for £1 2s 9d. Sal&t

look place in Rise and Shines during- the f week at £2. They arc now firmer, and ! fit-vers are offering £2 3s. Sailor’s Bends I are quoted at . fis 6d and. 9.5, buyers and aofiers respectively. A .fair number of i Muddy Terraco scrip has been sold at i prices ranging from £1 4s fid to £1 ss, j Ihp market closing buyers £1 ss, sellers ‘ • £1 5s 9d. j "Engines*- was brisker than usual on • 'Oheange on the 17th inst., and a number of tail's were transacted and reported. I ;.ae following are Monday's latest quo- : subject to the usual brokerage : j Dredging Stocks. Alexandra.. Eureka*—Sellers 2s 9d. Ttlecjlrio-tJ Sellers 4s. , ( TSainjrprjsg.—Buyers,4s, sellers ss. . .- ! (Holden Bed—Buyers £1 Is fid, sellers £i j 2s 6d. , , j Hartley . a.nd Riley—Sellers 18s fid. I island Block—Buyers 2s Id. ()tago—Buyers 14s. 1 j Rise and .Shine—Buyers £2 Os fid. Stanley Paraoale —Sellers £1 2s. Minikg Stocks. Old Haurakl— Buyers 5s 10d, sellers 4s Id. (xmso’idated Gc4dfields—Buyers 19s, eel fa"' s 19s 9d. i -vuranui. '.Caledonian-—Sellers Is 4d. I N.Z. Crown—Buyers 5s Bd. luddy Terrace —Sellers £1 5s 3d. ‘1 ’:>3i.sm?.n Consolidated—-Sellers £2 6c 9d. - Waihi Extended--Bayers , 3s 2d; sellers j . alhi Grand Junciion —Buyers £1 14s 9d, | t. . r -.A £1 15s fid. January 11. —N.Z. Drugs, £2 7s; National Insurance, £1 7s fid: IVaihi Grand Junction £1 35s Ml, £1 15s fid : Mosgiel Wool ions, £2 15s. , Jan. 12.—01 d Hauraki, 4s Bd, 4s 9d, 4s 9d, <6 3d, 4s 7d; Talisman Consolidated. 40s fid: AVaifci. Grand Junction, 54s 9d; Talisman Consolidated (forward delivery), 425. . •Sales R>sport*«{.-—'i'asaianian Copper, 6s: ■Wellington- Gas l£b 35s pel). £l4; National Insurance, 27s G»l; Trustees, Executors, £3; Kopu. i, 26s ; Old Hauraki, 4s 9d ; Talisman Ccujso. dated. £2 Os fid. January- 15.—Muddy Terrace. 255; Waihi Grand Junction, 34s £xl, 54s 9d. Sale:- Reported:—Tasmanian Copper, i 5s lid; Golden Bed. 21s 9d; Talma Broken Hills, Is 3d; Old Hauraki, 4s 8 d; Muddy ' Terrace, 24s fid. January 14. —Enterprise, 4s; Waihi Extended, 5s fid ; Old Hauraki, 4s fid, 4s fid, ' 4s fid ; Waihi Grand Junction, £1 15s; Consolidated Goldfields, 19s 3d {forward delivery). Sales Reported.—Consolidated Gold- 1 fields, 18s 3d: Old Hauraki, 4s Bd, 4s 8d; Waihi Grand Junction, £1 15s. £1 16s, £1 15s: Ross Goldfields, 8s 9d; Kurasuii Caledonian, Is Id. There were no sales transacted on ’Change on Saturday. January 17. —Muddy Terrace. 25s ; Golden ' Bed, 225; Consolidated Goldfields, 19s fid; Old Hauraki. 4s Id, 4s id, 4s Id; Warn Grand Junction, 355. Sales Reported.—Trustees Executors, 60s; National Insurance, 27s fid: Old Hauraki, > 4s fid, 4.s sd; Waihi Extended, 3s fid. ’ WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. ’ WELLINGTON, January 17. ( The following sales were reported to- 4 day:— Royal Oak (contributing). Is' Id; . Boss Goldfields, 9s 3d- .(

i AUCKLAND STOCK EXCHANGE. i ■ AUCKLAND, January 17. 1 ’ The following were the sales at the after- 1 noon call:—Old Alburnia (paid). Is lOd ; i i Point Russell, 7d; Saxon, is 4d, Is fid; 1 j Waiotahi, 4s lOd; Ross Goldfields, 9s; 1 ! Mount Welcome, fid; Old Hauraki, 4s id, | 4s 2d, 4s id, 4s, 4s Id; New Zealand Crown. I 6s 2d; Talisman Consolidated, £2 6s 3d, £2 ’ fis, £2 5s 9d, £2 6s; Waihi Grand Junction, £1 15s 9d, £1 15s fid ; Victoria, is 2d; New . | Sylvia, 3s lOd; South British Insurance, £2 i 15s; May Queen, 4a id. ■ = ;

DREDGING RETURNS. Oz. dwt O* > Rise and Shine No. 2, Clutha River, 140hrs 81 6 0 Rise and Shine !No. i ? Clutlia River, 139Lrs 73 11 0 Waikaka United No. 1, Waikaka, 195hrs 54 10 0 Ota pro No. 1, Miller’s Elat, 116hrs 35 0 0 Waikaka United No. 2, Waikaka, 189hrs 29 3 0 Otago No. 2, Island Block, wee k 28 0 0 Golden Treasure, Miller’s Elat, 183hrs 26 0 0 Enterprise. Alexandra, 80hrs 25 5 0 Riley’s Revival, Cromwell, week ' • ■. 25 0 0 Alexandra Eureka, Alexandra, week 20 0 0 New Roxburgh Jubilee, Roxburgh, 131hrs 19 12 c Electric No. 1, Cromwell, 132hrs 19 11 c Waikaia, Waikaia 15 14 0 Muddy Creek No. 1, Waikaia, 69hrs 15 6 c Maaterton, Waikaia, 152hrs ... 15 6 c Punt. Clutha River, 131hrs ... 12 16 0 Muddy Creek No. 2, Waikaia', 126hrs ; ... 7 10 0