QUARTZ MINING MEMORANDA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 264, 20 October 1874, Page 6

QUARTZ MINING MEMORANDA.

CARRICK RANGE.

The Star of the East will clean up to-mor-row or Thursday. For the last week the, reef has been thin, which necessitated putting on extra hands to keep the mill going. The reef has now widened out, and consequently there has been again a reduction in the number of men. We have Been the returns of the last cake of gold that went from the Star. The entire loss in smelting was "05 per cent. This shows it to have been nearly pure, and we believe it is the best returns from any cake sent to Dunedin.

The Heart of Oak held a Directors' meeting on Saturday, to receive tenders for driving the big tunnel. The tender of Ah You, of Shepherd's Creek, was accepted at 255. per foot. Work is t# be commenced immediately. Messrs Williams and Edwards have been greatly delayed in the erection of their machine. Owing to the quantity of snow lying on the hill, they have been prevented from carting material up. The Secretary of the Bannockburn Miners' Association has received a communication from the Government that a sum of money has been granted, on the recommendation of the District Engineer, for forming the road from Carrickton co the top of the hill, but the severe weather has prevented anything being done to this as yet. When done, it will be a great boon to claims on the top of the Carrick Range, as at present a slight shower stops all carriage there, and even at any time cartage is very expensive.

The Elizabeth Company has been prosecucuting the driving of the tunnel with vigour. The manager reports 193 feet completed, and it is now remarkably easy driving, necessitating the use of timber. The company will complete a small crushing by this day week, when work in the mine will probably be suspended until the tunnel shall have reached the reef.

BENDIGO

The Lucknow Company report having had a small reef for some time, which gradually increases in width as the drive nears the long-looked-for ground. It is now 10 inches wide, with fair prospects. Mr Thomas Logan, of the Cromwell Company, on Tuesday last brought a cake in, the result of the last washing up. The total weight was 1197 ounces, being a trifle over 30 ounces greater in weight than the one brought down three weeks or a month previously. The Bannockburn Water Company's dam, between Smith's and Pipeclay gullies, is now completed, and has been passed by the Directors. It will largely increase the value of the company's property, and will give increased facilities to the miners, who will not necessarily be compelled to work at night as heretofore, as the storage capabilities will enable the water to be collected during the night and utilised during ordinary working hours.