MINING NEWS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1014, 23 September 1881, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

Dredging operations on the river are being carried on. Scott’s dredge is now on the party’s own claim, about midway between Clyde and Alexandra, and is working away steadily. The difficulty at first experienced with the dirt raised appears to bo got over, it being now dealt with by sluice-boxes ; but the system must be an expensive one, as it takes one man specially to keep the boxes clear. The amount of gold the party is getting does not transpire. McKenzie and Co., with their currentwheeler, “The Duke of Sutherland,” are also in full swing. This is a nice, compact affair, and appears to answer equally as well ns the more cumbersome ones, the means for getting rid of their dirt and saving the gold is just equal to the occasion, and requires no extra or special attention. No mention is made by this party, either, as to their yields. The reticence of mining parties as to the amount of gold obtained by them is unaccountable. It is not the same as if they were in danger of either being robbed of the.ir earnings, or of their claims being jumped. The socresy has a damaging effect upon the industry generally, and should by every means bo discouraged, but so long as tho banks so studiously refrain from giving any information, cither publicly or privately, as

to the amount of the treasure they period! • cally send away from their various country agencies, so long will individual miners keep silence. The information should be given to the public, and as the Government tell off a certain number of the constabulary to escort the treasure, the matter might fairly be dealt with by them. The Dunedin Gold Dredging Company, commonly known as Maokersy and Co., are still proceeding with the construction of their ironclad dredge, and, failing unforeseen delays, should make a start within a month.

There is no news of the fleet of dredges in this locality being increased, but at the Teviot, besides those at work and in construction, one other (an iron one) is to be built. We would not say but that a commencement has already been made with it. In alluvial or reefing there is nothing new. All the sluicing claims on the backs of the Molyneux are in full swing with a plenteous supply of water, and as everything has been peculiarly suitable for this class of mining, claim-holders should be doing well. At Doctor’s Point, Nicholson and Bailey ore hard and fast at work, and by all accounts are making a good thing. Mr McKenzies' (Coleman’s) ' claim at Butcher’s Point is hung up for the season.

Lett and McNeil, in their new claim on the west terrace of the) Molyneux, immediately opposite Alexandra, are making a good show of work. John Allen has again got to work in Brennan’s Gully, and is clearing all before him ; this gully has paid remarkably well for working, and none begrudge John his good luck, as he is a most persevering and legitimate fellow. On the Dunstan Commonage the Golden Gate Co., Lawson and Anderson, Hill and Lindsay, Williams and party, M‘Lood, Watson, and the other's who are there engaged in extricating the golden metal, are all in full work, but with what results is not known. As the whole of these parties have now been working on the commonage for a number of years, the inference is that they are making wages, or they would not with such Fmpet-like tenacity stick to it. T. Sims, at Mutton Town Point, is still where he has been for the past 10 years, and the above remarks will well apply to him.

Some short time ago there was some talk of sinking in the Uunstan Fiat a shaft or so to settle what has ever been a moot point whether there is a run of gold in the flat. Of late nothing has been heard of it. The diamond drill is exactly suited for a work of this kind, and if Government carry out the idea of obtaining one or more of these latest aids to mining, the district to a man should join in requesting that one of them be sent up here.