Our Mining Reporter.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1771, 5 September 1874, Page 2

Our Mining Reporter.

THE WEEK.

The past week mny be said to have been dull in mining matters, and really so it has been,'nofc from any actual falling off in the mines that I can hear of, but from causes that those actually not ownors of mines should have tried to anticipate. The result that has followed is what in most places would be. called a lamentable want of 'business tact. The fact is,,the Thames created a market" for many commodities—the principal one, in fact, its \evj life, is, fujol. Although to the eye the distance'is covered with wood available for steam or mine purposes, /still it is not available. Coal; it seems, is riot to bo had; pity the goose should bo killed that lays the golden eggs. Of all dull places the Tararu and upper part of the Hape Creek lines of tramway seem the dullest. At Tararu the only mines, that I can hear of employing labour, are tho old Vulcan, (Wicks') the Missouri, and the Tararu Tunnel Company. On the upper part of the Hape the only work I hear of is that being carried on in the old Black Forest,mine. The Waio-Karaka flatis also at present somewhat, slack in its mining operations ; not from want.of staff, as in most cases. There is little but dead or progressive work being carried on. Instance, the Queen of the May, City of London, City of York and othars. The Queen of Beauty are repairing their shaffc,arid making very good headway, at the same time they are putting the battery in a state of greater efficiency; also making a connecting link with the Bella-street tramway. The Crown Princo holds its own well, the stuff being sent to mill more than answering all the .'expectations formed of it. _, The Manukau is splendid property, the general stuff showing up well without touching, the reserve of better stone. There should be a good and new featur* in: the Thames/mines, I moan when the old Hand and Baind get'to work ; I somehow fancy they will get on the strike of the Manukau gold lode, but they mayhave to go deep for it. The Nonpareil have had theta? meeting, and changed managers again,' Mr. C. JRobinson being now in office. He should, from his previous knowledge of the ground in the claim, be able to do it justice. Its management has been through so many hands during the last six years, that the public began to funk it. All up the Waiotahi Creek things >eem mending. I hear nothing from the JCuby or the Bcndigo Independent, other,than that evevy effort is being made to attain the object of the companies. Mr. Hall, with the Alburnia, has all his work cut out in managing one of the most provoking mines on the field. He may get something good on the Whau level, but I think he will have to winze for it. That part of the goldfields district is about the most uncertain of any I know of, bar none. Tho Moanatairi must be a wonderful claim. Where the stuff sent to mill has coma from during' the last seven years, Icertainly do not know; but I. cannot let the chance slip of saying that all honor 13 due to, those who have prevented tho mine from caving -in. Tho Pumping Association's works are going • on so smoothly, that I sometimes wish that there would bo more stir, or ,some other difficulties '' for the management to overcome; for the fact is that the v works now go on so smoothly and well that there is .little to record other than that the work seems perfect, that the contract for the sinking is being carried out, and, with the preparations being made, with every prospect of success, The Central' Italy keeps plodding on, with more success than for some time past, still I must whisper the word dividend to those in authority. j ' The sharemark'et has been,very dull this week, still I do not see that has so very much to oo with the general' life of the field. There have been almost as few sellers as- buyers, and holder's down here don't seem to care about parting with stock at a less value than fetheir esti* mation it is worth. In some instances the mines, even at present market quotations, are very full, and people begin to look at those matters, extended, and in some' cases re-extended, capitals boing shied by purchasers. Another thing that seems to hinder speculation is, that in some cases there is such a doubt in the public mind as to whether stock said to have been' forfeited. has been lawfully treated, and Thames people are now : getting a little cautious in theso matters ; yet they are willing to invest in some- | thing. Bank intcront on money is too , slow for the man who has saved a few 1 score pounds. In ninety-nine cases the slaving miner would invest in land. Ho cannot do that, it appears. He then either rushes into the scrip market, or damns the place and leaves it, and gives other colonies the benefit of his experience and what; money he hag.. We have pro-duced-as much gold; with a saving fund ,left <to our miners or tributcrs, that if opportunity had offered would have made the Thames not only a mining centre, but an agricultural one. Perhaps it is -not too late to alter it, but it is pretty near time it w.as altered.