MINING MATTERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2314, 29 March 1876, Page 3

MINING MATTERS.

Don Pedbo.—The-tributers of tho Don Pedro mine had a crushing yesterday at the Tramway battery, jfrom which they obtained the very handsome return of 34ozs ldwt 2grs melted gold as the result of lOOlbs of picked stone which had been treated for them.

Waio-KabakaDbaina&e Association, —The repairs to the plant, including the engine and boilers, are so far completed that steam could, we understand, be got up to-day if it was desirable to do so, but we are seriously informed by some of the men principally concerned in the association that they have no intention of starting the pumps for the present, nor until such time as the Crown Princess Company satisfy themselves regarding the drainage of their mine. In tho latter, baling was started last week, the avowed object of those who started the work being to prove that this mine was not drained by the Bright Smile pumps, and that therefore they were not liable for drainage contributions. Since starting they have reduced the water in their own mine very considerably by means of their baling tanks, and there now remains rather leas than two feet over the flat sheet of the main levei, the reduction recently being at the rate of a foot in 24 hours. It will no doubt be argued that if the company is able to contend with their own water—bale their own mine, in point of fact—that they are not entitled to contribute towards the maintenance of the Bright Smile pumps. This is a question, however, which will undoubtedly have to be referred to competent judges, although it is difficult to imagine what arguments may be brought to bear on either side. For our own part, we can at present look at the matter from a public point of view, and regret that at this period anything should arise which would in the slightest degree retard the starting of the Waio-Xaraka pumps, and the resumption of mining operations over the flat.

AißunNiA.—We are informed, on reliable authority, that gold has been struck in the Alburnia mine in the battery level drive, which is now being carried along the course of Dixon's No. 1 reef in what was formerly Dixon's No. 1 mine. We have not yet ascertained the extent of the find. The reef in this drive has been so changeable and deceptive that little reliance can be placed upon the, mere appearance of gold in the lode, for sometimes when there is a strong lode in I the face in the morning there is scarcely a seam by which to trace its course in the evening. However, the drive has been recently in better formed ground, and has been more in the heart of what is recognised as a gold ■ bearing section, and it is therefore.possible that the present find may be of some importance. A party of the company's tributers finished a crushing at the Moanataiari battery last night, .Retorting will take place to-day, but the return, although not rich, is likely to prove payable. Middle Star.—Shepherd and party, tributers of the Middle Star, started a crushing yesterday at the Moanataiari battery. They have ten head of stampers working on a parcel of 50 tons of stone, the quality of which, is believed to be superior to that treated recently. The latter, although not quite up to an avorage of an ounce to the ton, paid the men good wages. Included in the present crushing will be from 401bs to SOlbs of good specimens, which will help to swell the total return.