THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 238, 16 November 1866, Page 3

THE LAKES.

A CRUSHING OF 555 OUNCES OF GOLD.

FROM THE ' WAKATir MAIL.'

The most striking event of the week is the result of the crushing of some 4-10 tons of quartz from the Otago (Southberg) Oomp»ny's claim, Skippers. The yield is five hundred and fiftylive ounces ; or something like an average of j one ounce and a quarter to the ten. Nor.e of the stone was picked, and, as previously stated, this Company at first crushed more than a hundred tons, which they consider did not yield a quarter of an ounce per ton, and was simply put through the machine as the best and least expensive system of getting rid of their mullock. Other'stuff run through, is stated to have been a little better, and it is the last 100 tons which mainly contributed to produce this fine cake of gold. The Company are now crushing from a reef twenty feet thick, and sending all into the stamper boxes so that the prospects are very assuring and add stability to future operations. Some, people profess disappointment because a cake ot 1000 ounces, or more, has not been obtained. The Company themselves never gave occasion for i such absurd expectations. It must be borne in mind that the Otago, are essentially a private company of working miners. They have no object in crushing for speculative purposes, having no shares for sale ; and, therefore, their chief aim is to conduct operations most economically, and with the greatest advantage to themselves, Is is, taken in this aspect that the present return is so satisfactory, and we can now realise the fact that the reefs at Skippers bid fair to prove highly remunerative. The cake which arrived here yesterday morning, was 'taken to the Union Bank of Australia. We may state that the Otago Company are nearly blocked up with stone—owing to the facility of obtaining it—and will soon have to temporarily suspend the getting out process. Their additional twelve heads of stampers are to leave Melbourne on the 26th inst, and by Chirstmas they will propably be able to boast of a complete battery of twenty stampers. The British-American Company (Perry's) are said to be still crushing. The shareholders, however, are at variance, it is said upon the subject of the rates of wages; but we do not understand the matter, neither are we in a position to give any reliable information as to the prospects or workings of the company, owing to the extreme secretiveness of those in a position to give any particulars. The late seasonable showers have furnished sluicers with good supplies of water, and generally, favorable accounts are to hand ; but the numbers engaged in this class of mining are not large, owing to the scarcity of watef. The river workings are mostly suspended, and are likely to be so for some time, as the river will probably continue high for a time. The Union Company (beach claim) have obtained very favourable encouragement from the fewpaddocks Stripped by them, But owing to excess of water in their ground, are building a very large overshot water-wheel. A correspondent writing from Skipper's, says : —"ln mining matters everything is going on first rate, and all are making the most of this fine weather. The machines are going day and night The works of the Scandinavian Company are "being rapidly erected, and will soon be in crushing order. At the Sandhills, and also at the two Branches of the Upper Shothover, mining is being carried on with vigor, some parties making as much as halt-an-ouncc a-day per man. Craig and party, .at the Sandhills, are putting in a tunnel to find a lost run of gold, and are sanguine of success. On the 2nd instant a free ball and supper was given by Mr Johnston, of the Otago Hotel, Skippers, in commemoration of the completion of his house, which is a very commodious one. Numerous invitations were sent, and a large party, including several ladies, assembled. What with a sumptuous supper anc" dancing, all enjoyed themselves, and the company did not separate till eight o'clock next morn-1 ing."