WEEK’S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 28

WEEK’S MINING NEWS

July 15.. The secretary of the Hydraulic Sluicing Company reports that No. 1 had a full week’s sluicing, and good progress was made. There are more stones in the paddock than in the previous ones. The men employed oh No. 2 race extension had a full week’s work, the cutting was finisned. all the slips have been removed, and the sodding was started. The following cablegram has been sent to London by the superintendent of the Waihi Company:—“No. 9 level: Lode at 1130 ft, in Reptile crosscut, driven east 22; value per ton, 4s 6d. Empire lode west, 31ft driven; value per ton, 27s 6d. No. 10 level: Royal lode west, 10ft driven; value per ton, 46s 6d. Lode at 81ft, in Reptile crosscut, 28ft driven; value per ton, 7s. Empire lode west, 28ft driven; value per ton, 395. Edward lode, east section, 20ft driven; value per ton, 9s 6d. No. 11 level; North branch. Royal lode, south Bft; value per ton, 10s 6d; the lode_ is about 2ft wide. North crosscut, at 142 ft in; intersected lode, 4ft wide; course, 70deg; value, 7s. The master of the Good Chance dredge reports that the river has risen to the sft 7in mark at the bridge, which means a rise of 2ft at the Good Chance claim. The river is very broken, and there has been very little frost. Even if a hard frost sets in there will be' no chance of dredging being coraenced this week During the month of June the Talisman Consolidated Gold Mining Company (Ltd.) crashed and treated 4450 tons of ore for a return of bullion valued at £22,664 12s 6d. The costs of the past month totalled 45s 5d per ton, made up as follows : —Mine development, 13s lid; mining, 16s 2d; milling, 13s 4d; and general expenses, 2s. Compared with the return for the corresponding month of last year, the present return shows an increase of £2256 17s lid. The ore tonnage treated in June, 1913, was 3850. The total amount of bullion won from the mine to date is £2,241,543 16s 9d. The following cablegram has been despatched by the mine superintendent to the head office of the company, London; “Woodstock No. 1 crosscut: Progress, 69ft. Driving south--Progress, 35ft; crosscut at 100 ft; reef 60in wide; values low. Driving north.—Progress 41ft; crosscut at 100 ft; reef 39in wide; values low. No. 14 level, south drive: Progress, 45ft; reef 15in wide; values low. No. 12 winze, 3ft; reef wider than winze; values low. Driving north: Progress, sft; reef wider than drive; values low. Driving south; Progress, 9ft; reef wider than drive; ■values low.” July 16.^ The Ross Goldfields return for the paet week (a Press Association message states) was 31oz 3dwt, from 1212 trucks of wash. During the past week the Electric No. 1 dredge worked 128 hours for a distance ahead of 20ft, on ground about 40ft deep. The bottom consisted of sandstone and clay. The cut on the Bannockburn side still continued very rough, and was severe -on the machinery. The prospects varied during the week, but at time of writing (11th inst.) were fair. Fine gold was making on the Bannockburn side, and a portion of the return was of this nature. The master of the electric No 2 dredge reports that the dredge worked 24ft ahead last week. The ground continued to be exceedingly rough, and was severe on the machinery. A good deal of time was lost through the headline breaking. The gold won was of a very fine nature. The Rise and Shine No. 1 dredge had a steady ran last week, and got good prospects on a clay and sandstone bottom In the eastern half of the cut, and fair in the oth-w part. The Rise and Shine No. 2 dredge will this week work in towards the bank, in order to test'the quality of the ground in that, part. The annual report of the Queensland Mines Department shows that last year’s

output of gold was worth £317,474 less than that of the previous year, the total production for 1913 having been only £3,857,881. The report states that the decline in the gold yield is serious, and , m the absence of fresh discoveries to cornpensate the waning productiveness of the older mines, it will probably contimie. the increase in the production of _ industrial metals hardly fulfils the anticipation formed with regard to it, although the disappointment in this respect may fairly be attributed to causes incidental to, rather than inherent in, the industry. July 17. The secretary of the Success Company reports a return of 28oz for 111 hours’ work. The master of the Red Jacks dredge reports that the dredge was stopped on the 6th inst. for repairs, which would include the bushing of buckets and links and riveting. Attention would also be .given to the ladder, drop shoot, and top tumbler. Ho anticipated that operations would bs resumed yesterday (16th inst.), and that the dredge would be turned east after a fortnisrht’s dredging. The master of the Success Company, writing on the 12th inst., reported that the dredge had a fair run of 114 hours, for a return of 320 z, won from the north end of the cut. The depth of the ground was unchanged, and on washing up a fair amount of ruby sand was visible, which indicated that an improvement might be expected. A number of large buried logs considerably hindered operations. The dredge bad been shifted to the south end of the cut. which would be onorated for the next three weeks. The machinery was running well. The following cable has been sent to the London office of the Progress Mines. Reofton: —“South reef struck in No. 11 level 166 ft in from the main cast crosscut. In the present face the reef appears strong; values later. The south reef from 10 level is lying very flat.” July 18. The following returns have been renorted bv the secretary of the Electric Company: — No. 1 dredge. 320 z 12dwt for five clays’ work; No. 2 dredge, 15oz sdwt for days’ work. July 20. The master of the Manuhenkia dredge, in reporting a return of 240 z for a week’s work, states that a heavy drift was encountered. The depth of the ground was 40ft. July 20. In the Occidental Consolidated mine, Thames, the reef and country in the top stope on No. 2 lode are reported by the manager to bo still looking favourable. Some coarse colours of gold could be seen in the ore broken during'the week. Very little ore was broken in the block recently stanted. Timbering is not yet completed, but the second stope is still being brought along and a few feet of reef has been stripped ready for breaking down. Slome nice dabs of gold could be seen in the ore broken down. The general ore is being carted to the battery, and crushing was to start last Monday. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. ROSE v SAILORS’ GULLY GOLD MINING COMPANY. A SUBSTANTIAL AWARD. A Compensation Court, under the Mining Act, sat at Lawrence on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, to determine the claim of Mr J ohn Rose, sheep farmer, W aitahuna Gully, against the Sauers' Gully Gold Mining ijo. (Ltd.), tor compensation tor right to”take a water-race, carrying tour heads ot water, through his freehold property (section 21, block vil). The court was constituted as follows: —Mr E. W. Burton (warden) and Messrs George Scott and George Henry (assessors for the claimant and Mining Company respectively). Mr A. S. Adams (Dunedin), with Mr D. Finlayson, appeared for Mr Rose, and Mr K. C. Moore tor the Sailors’ Gully Co. Mr Rose claimed the sum of £1570 for the actual and prospective loss ho would suffer by the construction of the race through his property, and the company’s offer was £SO. Great interest was manifested in the case, which was considered to be of great importance, both to the mining and pastoral industries. ■ ■ Evidence on behalf of the claim was given by Messrs John Rose, R. M'Kinnon (auctioneer for Donald Reid and Co., Ltd.), A. Bateman, D. Murdoch, R. Corvil, J. K. Brown, H. Flett. James Cutler (sheep farmers), and John Black (race caretaker). All these witnesses were agreed that Mr Rose’s section, containing 1550 acres, which was his lambing ground, would be seriously depreciated by the presence of a water-race; that it would practically have to be abandoned for that purpose, and used for grazing wethers (a branch of the pastoral industry which was not so profitable as raising ewes); that where there were water-races there was invariably a heavy loss through sheep and lambs getting drowned in the race; and that Mr Rose’s land, through which the proposed race would pass, was peculiarly liable to slips owing to its open and shingly nature. The evidence for the defence, which was given by Messrs J. H. Cotton (runholder, Waipori), E. Whelan and Philip Thomas (mine managers), Alex. Walker and Thomas Ryan (race caretakers), and W. R. Smyth (chairman of directors of the Sailors’ Gully Co.), was to the effect that the claim of Mr Rose was greatly inflated, and that from their experience the prospective loss was practically negligible; that over the large number of races they had control there had been a very small number of sheep found therein, and that the loss from slips would bo very small. Counsel for both parties having addressed the court at considerable length, tho court retired to consider its finding. On returning about two hours later the Chairman announced that, by a majority verdict, the assessment had boon fixed at £BOO. The question of costs was then considered, Mr Adams drawing attention to tho wide powers of tho court with regard to these, and pointing out that, as it was quite possible the defendant company would not proceed with the race in tho face of tho assessment, it would be onlv fair on the part of the court to grant the claimant such costs as would indemnify him for having to defend hie right. The Warden agreed with this view, and allowed the following scale of costs: Solicitor’s fee, £lO 10s per day for four days; claimant’s assessor, £3 3s pea* day for three days; witnesses’ expenses, £6 9s lOd; court foes, 16s; —total. £SB 14s lOd.

WARDEN’S COURT. The Doef/ Stream Gold Mining Company applied before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., on Friday, for a special alluvial claim of about 40 aorcis; part of mining section 10, block X, Sutton district; and part of mining section 13, block VII, Leo Stream district. The application was objected to by John Butler, Deep Stream, runholdcr, on the ground that part of f>vA',ion 13, block VII, Lee Stream, was held by him as a small grazing run, that part of the land'-was used as cultivated land, and that it was practically the whole of the low-lying part of the grazing run held by him, and could not be held for the purpose of mining without groat loss to himself. Mr Callan appeared for applicant, Mr Hay for Mr Butler, Mr Logan for the Taicri County Council, and Mr D. Reid, jun., for Mr Jas. Dunory, owner of Rockland Station. Mr Hay said that Mr Butler held about icoo acres of high country as a small grazing run under the Land Act. On these 1300 acres ho kept sheep, and this particular land applied for was the most valuable part of it, and it was quite as good as the Taieri Plain. It was absolutely necessary for Mr Butler, in connection with the working of his run, to grow winter feed, and there was no other country available for growing that. Unless there wore exceptional reasons this land should not bo taken from Mr Butler and granted for mining purposes. If it were taken it would reduce the value of the run by £3OO or £4OO. Evidence was given by John Butler, after which Mr Callan called Richard Cotton, J. R. Cartwright, and Patrick Joseph Casey.— The case was then adjourned for legal argument to a date to be fixed, his Worship mentioning Thursday next as a probable date. NOTES FROM CROMWELL. (Fhoii Our Own Correspondent.) CROMWELL, July 17. The rivers at present are not falling a great deal, but are standing at a very low level. The Rise and Shine No. 1 dredge is still working ground, with nrospccts better than a few weeks ago, and the -returns seem likely to reach the vicinity of £ooz or better. The No. 2 dredge is having a continued run of bad, luck, and was stopped again this week with a broken bottom tumbler, but fortunately another was on the claim, and the dredge is now ready to open out a cut near the bank at the lower end of the claim, having finished blocking the swift running outlet jpf the wide basin in the river. The Rising Sun dredge continues working a cut with a portion of the Athenaeum reserve included, and the ground is of a verypayable nature, and almost certain to continue so. . A survey to determine the boundary of this claim and the reserve was recently made, and although nothing official is known, I understand that the position is such that the terms hitherto existing will still be observed —namely, the Athenaeum Trust to receive one-fourth of all gold over 260 z weekly, on a monthly divide. A party is at present engaged salvaging the machinery from the wrecked Hartley dredge below Cromwell. THE WAIHI COMPANY. AUCKLAND, July 17. During the four weeks ended July 4 the Waihi Gold Mining Company crushed and treated 15,057 tons of ore for a return of bullion valu dat £25,889. This shows an increase of £6lO as compared with the return for the corresponding period of last year, when 14,568 tons yielded £25,279. THAMES DEEP LEVELS. THAMES, July 17. Developmental work at the Thames deep level, at 1000 ft, which has been interrupted for months by an inrush of carbon-dioxide gas and water, through piercing the Moana,taiari slide, is to be recommenced. A oon- , nection' between the Thames-Hauraki and Waiotahi shafts has been effected, and the use of blowers and exhausts "fives good ventilation, thus enabling the crosscut to be continued to the northern end of the field. This work has cost £20,000, towards which the Government granted a subsidy of £SOOO. It is intended to sink various shafts to connect with the low level. The only shaft now connected is the Waiotahi. The resumption of operations has given general satisfaction, as if a new goldfield is discovered it will bo through the medium of the low level. WAIHI MINING FIELD. WAIHI, July 14. Mr J. W. Walker, who recently returned from London, outlined, in the course of an interview, an important mining scheme for prospecting the Waihi field. Ho proposes, if certain concessions are granted by the department, to drive a tunnel from the sea coast to Waihi (five or six miles), with numerous cross-cuts. He is to lay the scheme before the Borough Council, the Miners’ Union, and the public, with a view to co-operation. He is assured of abundant British capital if the mining concessions are granted. BROKEN HILL PROPRIETARY. MELBOURNE, July 15. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company debenture issue has been substantially oyerapplied for, the subscriptions totalling £744,000. VICTORIA’S GOLD AND COAL. MELBOURNE, July 15. The Mines Department’s report for 1913 shows that the Victorian 'old yield was 434,9320 z, valued at £1,847,472—a decrease of 44,1980 z as compared with the previous year. The coal yield was 593,912 tons, valued at £274,371 —an increase of 4170 tons. ROSS GOLDFIELDS. WELLINGTON, July 20. The Ross' Goldfields mine manager, ropoi'tmg on the work for the week ended July 16, says:— “In the sixth level workings No. 7 south has been extended a distance of 20ft, and is now 60ft from the opening in payable wash, which I expect will increase in value as the drive is advanced. No. 3 north has reached the required distance to enable a new shoot to be risen. This will be commenced immediately, and should be completed by Monday. The construction of this shoot will greatly facilitate the removal of the wash at this level and enable the output to bo increased as well as improve the ventilation. No. 2 east has reached a distance of 152 ft from No. 5 south. The drive is in poor wash and has been worked shorthanded.”

MOUNT LYELL RETURNS. MELBOURNE, July 17. The Mount Lycll returns for the four weeks, Juno 11 to July 8 (inclusive) were: — 26,434 tons of ore. Five tons of purchased ore were also treated. Yield: 574 tons copper, 33,2410 z silver, and 8420 z gold.. DREDGING RETURNS.

DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. A moderate amount of business has been passing on the Dunedin Stock Exchange during the week, but sake have not been so frequent as might have been expected. Investment lines were freely quoted, and the demand for all classes of stocks continued firm throughout the week. There was again a paucity of sales on ’Change however; most of the small amount of business transacted during the week taking place outside. National Banks were wanted up to £5 17s, sellers wanting £5 17s 6d. Sales of Union Banks were reported on Tuesday at £62 and on .Friday at £62 7s 6d. A buying offer was recorded at £6l 17s 6d, but no sellers declared. Bank of Australasias came in for inquiry on Friday at £126, and a sale was reported at this price on Monday. All insurance lines have been in firm demand. Nationals have had buyers at £2 13s 6d, South British at £4 12s 6d, Standards at £1 18s, and New Zealands at £6 8s 6d, but sellers have again been very scarce, and no business has been recorded or reported. Union Steams show little alteration from prices quoted at the close of last week. Buyers of Westport Coals have advanced to £1 10s 3d, with no selersi yesterday under £1 10s 9d. Offers for National Mortgages have firmed from £4 3s to £4 4s 6d, but no sellers have been induced to come forward. A small amount of business has been passing in Milburn Limes at £1 12s 3d, and further buyers have been quoted at this price, with sellers holding for £1 13s. New Zealand Drugs had reported business on Tuesday at £2 6s 6d, and this line has continued in firm demand at this price, with no seller below £2 7s 3d. Sales of Kaiapoi Woollens have been reported at £5 6s 6d, and further lots have been wanted daily on ’Change at this figure, but sellers have not declared themselves. Sales of Taupiri Coals were effected on Tuesday at £l Is Bd, and business was reported on Friday at £1 Is 6d. New Zealand Portland Cements had reported bus ; ncss at 9s 3d yesterday, but this line has had no declared buyers or sellers during the week. Auckland Trams wore disposed of on Wednesday at £1 3s 9d, and since then buyers have offered up to £1 4s, with no sellers under £1 4s 3d. The local share market opened quietly on Monday, no business being effected on ’Change. Waihis were a shade easier at £2 Os 6d (buyer) and £2 Is 6d (seller). Sellers of Talisman Consolidateds advanced to £1 14s, but the market closed without declared buyers. Waihi Grand Junctions continued in fair demand at £1 6s 6d, with consistent sellers at £1 6s 9d. National Banks had firm inquiry at £5 17s, without sellers. Union Banks had reported business at £62 7s 6d. Dunedin Stock Exchange Proprietaries came in for inquiry at £3 7s, but no sellers came forward. Sellers of Kaiapoi Woollens (ordinary) were quoted at £5 6s 9d, Milburn Limes at £1 13s, and Mosgiel Woollens at £3 16s 6d, but no buyers came forward. The following are Monday’s latest quotations, subject to the usual brokerage:— Dredging Stocks. Rise and Shine —Buyers £1 ss, sellers £1 8s 6d Mining Stocks. Ross Goldfields —Sellers 2s 2d. Progress Mines of New Zealand—Sellers 11s 3d. Saxon —Buyers 6d. May Queen —Buyers 2d. New Sylvia—Buyers 6d. Talisman Consolidated —Sellers £1 14s. Waihi —Buyers £2 Os 6d, sellers £2 Is 6d.. Waihi Grand Junction —Buyers £1 6s 6d, sellers £1 6s 9d. Julv 14. —Taupiri Coal, £1 Is 8d (tw T o parsels). Sales reported:—Talisman, £1 13s 6d; New Zealand Drug, £2 6s 6d; Union Bank, £62. July 15. —Progress Mines, 10s 6d, 11s. Sales reported : —Waihi, £2 Is ; Auckland Trams, £1 3s 9d. July 16. —Waihi Grand Junction, £1 6s 4d ; Milburn Lime, £1 12s _ 3d. Sales reported:—Union Steams, £1 4s 6d; Christchurch Meat. £l6 13s 9d. July 17. —Waihi, £2 Is 3d; Union Bank, £62 7 s 6d; Kaiapoi Woollen (ord.), £5 6s 6d; New Zealand Portland, 9s 3d; Taupiri Coal, £1 Is 6d (two parcels). July 18. —Waihi, £2 Is 6d (two parcels); Waihi Grand Junction, £1 6s 6d (three parcels). Sales Reported.—Waihi Grand Junction, £1 6s 6d; Standard Insurance, £1 17s 6d; Kaiapoi Woollen (ord.), £5.6s 9d. July 19. —Union Bank, £62 7s 6d. AUCKLAND STOCK EXCHANGE. AUCKLAND, July 20. Following was the business on the Stock Exchange to-day:—Waihi Grand Junction, £1 6s 6d; Devonport Steam, £1 13s 6d; Takapuna Trams, 12s. WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. WELLINGTON, July 20. Following was the business at the Stock Exchange tp-day;—Bank of New Zealand, £lO 18s; Christchurch Gas, £7 6s.

■ Oz. dwt. gr, Rise and Shine No. 1, Cromwell, 128hrs .r 67 0 0 Rising Sun, Cromwell, ISlhrs 54 17 0 Golden Bed, Ettrick, week 32 13 0 Electric No. '■*!, Cromwell, 5dys 32 12 0 Willowbank, Waikaka Valley, 135hrs 25 16 0 Manuherikia, Alexandra, week 24 0 0 Electric No. 2, Cromwell, 4£ days 15 5 0 Rise and Shine No. 2, Cromwell. 104hrs 12 17 0 Olrig, Manuherikia, week 11 0 0 Total 275 0 0 The West Coast. Success, lllhi's 28 0 0