MINING NEWS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 87, 11 July 1871, Page 3

MINING NEWS.

The very seasonable and much-needed fall of snow which occurred last Friday night has materially assisted the water supply of the district; and wo may expect increased activity in sluicing operations now that a comparative abundance of the necessary aqueous element is available.

The last parcel of gold sent from Cromwell by escort amounted to 1235 o/.5,, and it is most probable these figures would have been largely added to if the long protracted dry season had been brok hii in upon Suonoi* by copious pluvial disturbances. As it is, though, wc still maintain our usual fovorable reputation.

The most noticeable feature of mining news comes from the Garrick Range portion of our neighbourhood. The Border Chief Quartz Claim lias just completed a trial crushing of 9 tons of stone, the result of which is the very handsome return of 41 ozs. 5 dwts.; this is at the rate of 4 ozs. 12 dwts. to the ton, and is considered of so highly satisfactory a character by the shareholders, that they have concluded to push on their workings with renewed vigor. The width of stone in this claim is in excess of 18 inches and is readily procurable. The Caledonian Claim is at present engaged in sinking. The shaft is down 16 feet, and the prospects are said to be improving. The company intend to have a trial crushing in about three weeks from this time. The Heart of Oak reef claim is, we are reliably informed, proving itself more valuable the more its resources are explored and submitted to the crucial test of the stampers. Every encouragement should he given for the development of our auriferous quarts lodes. We regret to say, though, that the refusal of the Warden to grant a prospecting claim on a line of reef recently discovered and applied for by Mr Brydon, lias had the effect of damping exploratory ardour. We are informed the find is genuine, valuable, and as far removed from existing grants of this nature as the mining regulations require. The Warden is understood to have grounded his refusal upon the fact of throe prospecting claims being already hold on the Garrick Range, and to have said that this number was two too many. However this may be, late experiences prove that the Garrick Range reefs are substantially wealth-producing, and that their advance is not to he easily retarded by the vagaries of a Warden with arbitrary discretionary power. THE BASJfOCKBURS WATER RACE.

Messrs Berry, Kendall, and party are making very gratifying progress with the construction of their large race, which was commenced about ten months ago. The race is constructed to carry from twelve to fourteen heads of water. Its length will be between eighteen and twenty miles; and its height will render the water available for tire whole of the Bannockburn district, as it will be some considerable distuico above the All Nations Company’s race. The reefs, therefore, as well as the whole of the alluvial ground in the district, will derive benefit from it.

To supply any insufficiency of water that might be caused during the summer months from the small quantity flowing in the Bar - nockburn, the proprietors have secured a grant for eight heads from Coal Greek. At the present rate of progress, the race will occupy another twelve months before completion, but it may fairly be presumed that the water will be partially available for use within six months from the present time. The value of the scheme is evident to any one who is acquainted with the Bannockburn district, the scarcity of water being much felt by the inhabitants of that locality. The company of practical and intelligent miners who arc carrying out this important and somewhat formidable undertaking, deserve all praise for the skill, energy, and perseverance they have brought into action for the benefit of their fellow miners.

Here is an instance in which a portion of the amount voted by the General Assembly for water supply might be most advantageously applied towards assisting private enterprise. The completion of the Bannockburn race will be the signal for taking up and profitably working several hundred acres of the richest auriferous ground in the Province ; and if the race-owners can be assisted in a way that would tend to bring the work to a speedy conclusion, the whole Province will derive benefit from the granting of that assistance. The promoters of the undertaking have, in fact, a right to demand Government aid ; it must not be regarded as a matter of favour at all.