WEEK'S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 28

WEEK'S MINING NEWS

May 8. The Karanuni dredge had a good run last week, the time put in being 135 hours. The prospects kept about the same, and both machines were running well. The ground was rough in the Sailors' Bend claim throughout last week, and the drift was running heavily. It is expected however, that better ground will come in shortly. The secretary of the Nokomai HydVaudio ijluicing Co. reports that Nos. 1 and 2 have had a full week's sluicing, and good progress hat been made No. 2 lost two shifts owing to a slip on the race. No. 3 has had to close down, the snow having filled tho Lion race. The master of the Good Chance dredge reports that he had the paddock opened un on Wednesday last, but got over very little bottom during the week on account of the deep ground. ■ The fine gravel •which poured into the paddock necessitated continual baling, but the drainage is now- nearly completed and the dredge is getting over a fair amount of bottom. The prospects are fair, the gold being very fine, and if all goes well there should be a fair wash-up at the end of the present week. The Hartley and Riley dredge has been idle since the recent mishap to the ladder, and is being hauled up-stream to a spst near the beach, presumably to be anchored. The river is too low to enable the recentlypurchased Golden Sun dredge to be floated down, and it is rumoured that the latter claim may be given a trial. With the present low river this could probably bo done with every chance of success, and the work would not in any cose result in a very great loss. Mr J. Holden, dredgemaster of the 909 dredge, engaged a crew and returned to the claim last week. After a few repairs have been carried out dredging will be commenced, and if the river continues favourable payable returns are expected, as the indications were promising when operations ceased. The ground towards the lower end has been proved to be very deep, and could not be successfully treated with tho river at a level which was hitherto favourable for shallower ground. May 9. The Rise and Shine dredge worked tho usual out of 600 ft last week. There was no appreciable change in the character of the ground. Thx Electric No. 2 dredge worked 15ft ahead last week. The prospects were fair, but the wash was tight and rough, and the dredgo was unable to get over much ground. Her working capacity was taxed to tho uttermost to keep the cut open. The dredgemaster has not seen such difficult ground to work before, Thj Electric No. 1 dredge worked ahead 36fc last week. There was no change in the depth or width of the cut, but some large rocks on the north side temporarily blocked a portion of the cut—the best ground at the present time. The sample of gold was of a mixed nature. The dredgo resumed opt rations at 12 o'clock on Tuesday night after having to stop for repairs to the flanges of the bottom tumbler. The master of the Success dredge, reporting for the past week, states that the returr, of 21oz 3dwt was won from tho dewn-stream or west side of the cut. The ground had gone off a bit, and the wash did not look so well, there being a fairly thici: seam of false bottom dividing tho blue and oxidised wash. The present week is being spent on the same cut, and if there is no improvement the end will be worked round and the dredge turned up 6tream. At the time of writing the best of the lead appeared to have been crossed. The master of the Lady Roxburgh dredge reports as follows for the week ending 4th inst.: —" Dredging was commenced on the west side of the river, and large stones wera met with. Nearing the east side we sank on a gutter 48ft deep and 4ft wide,

' with 'hard reef and rocks rising steeply to the west bank. We worked on this until stepped by large rocks, and then pulled ahead about a length, and are ikjw atuK.iig on free ground. The indications in the ' gnavei are good, but while trying to follow the guttjr we were handicapped for want of room. May 10. The secretary of the Master ton Company reports a return of 270 z 14dwt for 12i hours' dredging. The Waikaia dredge washed up on Thursday for a return of 9oz 3dwt for 122 hours ! work. I A dividend of Is 3d per share has been I declared by the Mount o-.yell Mining and i Railway Company (Ltd.), and will be payable on June 15. ! The master of the Olrig dredge reports that he had a good run last week, though the gound was lairly hard and stony. From the appearance of the ground, he had expected a better return. The heavy ground was telling somewhat on the backets. The large tree mentioned in the last report by the master of the New Trafalgar . dredge blocked working across the face last week, as it projected some 20ft into the I paddock, and was hidden from view by a flood in the creek. A change was made in the head line, enabling the dredge to turn more directly up stream, and open the face out towards the downstream tailings. The Sandy Point dredgo worked 120 hours la/;t week on a cut 100 yards wide. The average depth was 30ft, and the average height of face above water level 30ft A distance of 7ft was worked ahead, the ground being fairly tight, making it difficult to get over much bottom. The bottom itself still keeps very even, with the exception of the inside corner, which started dipping. The prospects improved during the week, and were fair right across the cut May 11. The Golden Beach No. 2 dredge resumed work on Friday week. The No. 1 is still i idle, and is not likely to start until the 1 spring. j The Molyneux Hydraulic dredge washed up for a return of lloz last week. The dredge has been closed down in the meantime pending a meeting of shareholders. It is pleasing to note that the Electric No. 2 dredge has obtained another good return, having washed-up on the 10th for a yield of 71oz 15dvvt for a period of five days and a-half. The directors of the companv must find it very gratifying to have their judgment in purchasing this claim ! (formerly known as the Alpine Consols) this vindicated, for this claim is establishing something of a reputation as a i gold producer. It is to be hoped that I these large returns will continue,' as this company lias in the past shown consider-

able enterprise in the way of proving goldbearing claims, and deserves any success that may attend its efforts. May 13. The master of the Blackwater Rivnr •Iredg? reports that last week's return of 250 z 6dwt was won from the poor side of the face. The depth of the ground at the Masterton claim remained unchanged across the greater part of the face during la.st week, but was inclined to deepen near the eastern side. There was no change in the wash, which was looking fairly good, the poorest parts being the centre and sides of the out. May 14. The Molyneux River was 3ft 7in above the normal mark at Alexandra on the 13th, and the weather was fine. The secretary of the Lady Roxburgh Company received the following telegram from the dredgemaster yesterday : —"Beginning to reach eof t bottom; buckets off ladder; no gold vet." The Rising Sun dredge worked 125 hours last week, and moved ahead 12ft on a cut 100yds wide. One shift was occupied in effecting some repairs to the centrifugal elevator. There was no change to report in the nature of the ground. The prospects continued fair, and the machinery was running well.