WEEK’S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 28

WEEK’S MINING NEWS

August 6. During last week the Waikaia dredgo worked ahead 28 yards. On Friday a “ maori ” bottom was struck, but up to the present there is not much improvement in the wash. The dredge as in good working order.

The gold returns to hand from the various mines in the Auckland district last month totalled £76,038 11s. Compared •with the return for June (£72,510 7s), this shows an increase of £3528 4s. The return for tue corresponding month of last year was only £34,582 18s lOd, owing to * the Waihi strike, and thus the present figures constitute an increase of £41,456 12s 2d. Tne latest returns complete the figures for the first six months of 1913. and bring the total value of gold produced in the Auckland province during that time to £455,661 2e 6d. Compared with the yield for the corresponding period of last year, this shows a decrease of £31,614 15s sd.

The secretary of the Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company reports that No. 1 had a full week’s sluicing, and good progress is being made. No. 2 finished cleaning up on Wednesday, the result being 123 or. 12dwt. The elevator and plant has been removed from the paddock, and a start lias been made to blow back the old tailings. At No. 5 everything is ready to start when the water is got through. In another week or so it is proposed to try and get to the head of the lion race anil decide whether it is practicable to get the race clear of the snow.

August 7. The ground at the Olrig Company’s claim has become easier to work during the past week. Largo stones are occasionally encountered in the wash. There is a patch of promising ground in the centre of the cut.

The master of the Karaunui dredge reports that fie is looking forward to an improvement in the returns. The ground on the inside appears to bo the poorest part of the cut, but there may bo a change in the ground at any time. The dredge is working well. The master of the Electric No. 1 dredge reports that the dredge worked 131 hours last week for a distance ahead of 37ft. The depth of the ground varies from 45ft in the deepest part to 16ft on the Bannockburn side. The bottom is composed of granite on either side and of pipeclay in the centre of the cut. The ground on the Bannockburn side continues to be very difficult to dredge, with occasional falls of large boulders. Prospects are variable, and on Saturday were moderate. The sample of gold is of a very fine nature. The Rise and Shine No. 1 dredge worked the usual cut last week. There was' a coal bottom over about half of it, and clay in the other part. The ground in the centre gave a fair prospect, but both sides were poor; and drift was troublesome throughout the week. The company’s consulting engineer reports that the No. 2 dredge will probably leave her present moorings for the working paddock during next week. Soundings taken right across the river show that only a narrow nock will require dredging! As the elevator is lying on the tailings behind where the old No. 2 was working, it cannot Vie put into position until the dredge readies her paddock. August 8. The secretary of the Mastcrton Company reports a return of 12oz 4dwt for 97 hours’ work. The master of the Success dredge reports a good run of 120 hours last week. Operations were carried out on the north or smithy end of the out. The depth of the ground remains practically unchanged, and the wash is very tight. The dredge ran well, and although a number of stumps were encountered a large amount of material i was handled. The dredge has been shifted I to the south end, where operations will Vie carried out for the next two or three weeks in older to square up the out August 9. Our Greymouth correspondent reports th.it ! a rush on a small scale is taking place at Maori Point', Greenstone. Some dozen claims have already been pegged off. August 11. Our Greymouth correspondent advises that the machinery of the Ross Goldfields Company continues to work very satisfactorily. It is understood that the manager expects to be able to enter the old Cassius workings to-morrow. August 12. The postmaster at Alexandra telegraphed on Monday morning that the Molyncux River was at the 7ft mark. The weather was fine. The new tumbler for the Hartley and Riley Company’s dredge has arrived at (he claim, and wifi be fitted immediately. The river is still running high, and it will be some time before dredging operations can bo resumed. A cablegram has been sent to the head office of the Waihi Grand Junction Gold Mining Company, London, as follows: “ Wo are crushing 366 tons per 24 hours, the extraction is 355. No. 1 shaft is now down 1134 ft. At the bottom of the shaft there is a 12ft reef formation. Low grade. Empire main lode. No. 6 level cast: 744 ft; width of reef sft; footwall exposed; va'uc 6s. Royal lode. No. 6 level cast: 541 ft. I Country broken.” The master of the Rising Sun dredge re- j ports that a start was made to bale out i the paddock last Friday week. On Thursday evening a sleeve of the lifting gear car- j ried a wav. causing a stoppage. The western i end of the cut is still too deen to bottom. I The dredge worked 130 hours for a return I of 19oz, from the eastern end of the cut. I