CARDRONA MINING NEWS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 250, 25 August 1874, Page 6

CARDRONA MINING NEWS.

(By our Reporter.)

This winter is said to have been the most severe experienced on this goldfield for the last eight or nine years. 1 ' The frost and snow bave caused great damage t > the water-races, and it will be some time before work can be fairly recommenced in many of the claims, as the damage done will have to be repaired, both as regards head and tail-races. All the sluicing claims in the creek are at a standstill, and the only parties working are a few Chinese who work with the water from the creek itself. At Branch Creek, after an enforced idleness caused by the frost of about two months, a fresh start has been made, and work is being proceeded with. The deep-sinking claims are still working steadily.

The Empire claim keeps seven men employed, all shareholders. This claim appears to contain very good patches, and averages good wages generally,—The Great Extended llate Band of Hope) now have a shaft down about 130 feet, and have driven up towards the hill about 200 feet prospecting for the deep lead. Foul air is apparently going to ■cause them a great deal of trouble and expense. This party are exceedingly unfortunate. They have steadily worked away for ■the last two or three years, contending against really extraordinary difficulties, and now, just when they had every prospect of veaping the fruition of their labour, they fall across this foul air, as if nothing but trouble were in store for them. In consequence, they will have to shift their plant farther hack, and sink another shaft near the end of the present drive, when they hope to strike the lead without further difficulty.—The Enterprise, lately purchased by Mr J. Torrie, appears to be making small wages. The working of this claim is hindered greatly, owing to the great body of water which apparently is backed up at the head. But they are now fetching up a tail-race from the front of the claim, with which they will be able to thoroughly drain it, when they will have no difficulty in making it pay.—The Banner of War party are fetching their washdirt a distance of about 500 feet from the incline. This claim to all appearances is one of the riiost lasting and best paying ones on the creek. The result of their last week’s work was about 13 ounces. The claim gives steady employment to seven or eight men, all shareholders.—Messrs Bond and Cooper have applied for the Old Gin and Raspberry and Pirate claims, comprising about six acres. This was at one time the richest ground on the creek.