MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3606, 12 September 1874, Page 2

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

UPPER SHOTOVER. {From our own, Correspondent.) „ August 31. r rom the figures and particulars mentioned in one of my letters, it will be seen that the Phoenix claim on the Scandinavian Reef is an undertaking of no ordinary magnitude, but one calculated to test on a large scale a seam of quartz which is perhaps the most important in Otago for extent and thickness. It can be traced cropping out on the mountain tops for over ten miles in one direction—vi*., from the Phoenix across the SShotover, near the Sandhills, to the head of the Twelve MLiie, Arrow (where the lode appeal's of immense width, and where large quantities of quartz specimens have been found, and whom its development has been the stock subject for agitation tor many years without anything having yet been done towards it), and beyond this towards the Cardrona. In the opposite direction from the Phoenix Reef the Country consists of lofty mountains but little explored, although in the event of the workings extending in

that direction, the favorable conditions of abundance of timber and water power present themselves. In the neighborhood of the Phoenix itself, which is situated towards the base of Mount Aun.ni on a branch of Skipper’s Creek, large quantities of timber suitable for mining purposes clothe the mountain sides. Insufficient water power has hitherto been the drawback to the progress of the workings; and when the works about to be undertaken are completed by tunnelling through an arm of the mountain, no hindrance from that cause is anticipated. It may be mentioned here that in this neighborhood generally large areas of timber exist, affording employment to a numerous class of men in supplying mining timber and firewood to the miners and residents. The recent timber regulations, if applied here, would cripple the progress of the place, as they are doing at Queenstown’ Arrow, and the vicinity. In this severe climate during winter, firewood is one of the necessaries of existence, and to raise it to a famine price by legislation is cruel and unjust, besides, by checking building operations in a young and rising district serious evils must result. 1 make merely a passing reference to the subject now, but it is one of vital importance here. Another important matter is so closely connected with the progress of mining that I may be pardoned for still further digressing slightly to refer to it. It is that residents have been compelled to make roads between the mines and the bushes in the mountains at their own expense. These are permanent works and of immense value to the Province. They applied during last session for some compensation, but their petition was scouted, the reason assigned being that “the works had been constructed without the authority of the Government.” The necessity and value of the works and the consequent liability of the Government to at least defraying a portion of their cost were thus discreditably evaded for the present. In a country bidding for popularity and favor among the emigrating classes at Home, such heartless parsimony and indifference to the struggles and trials of those who are pei forming the most important part of colonisation—that of the pioneer—cannot be too strongly condemned. For Some time past only one claim has been actually work upon the reef, that of South berg and Co. Their operations have been restricted 40 a small limit, on account of an inadequate watersupply • they have, however, a fine battery, and appear to have found the stone operated upon prove remunerative and of boundless extent. From what I have endeavored to show of the extent and average richness, as far as ■Rested, of this immense belt of quartz which intersects the district, together with the resources in timber and water power which can be made available, I think I may be justified in assuming that a mining interest of enormous proportions will arise in the future. The Government would act wisely to give the matter more attention than they seem to think it worth their while to bestow, as in apportionment of the revenue the Shotover district has been systematically neglected, and it has only been with the utmost difficulty that even paltry amounts for tracks, &c., could be obtained.

Jn the creeks, such as Skipper’s, Stoney, &c., parties of Chinese are here and there at work, and in Stoney Creek there are some fine terraces which have been recently proved to contain payable deposits qf gold. At Skipper’s Point, the principal claim—As[ inall’B—being worked by sluicing, is at a standstill, as the grip of winter is upon the waterraces.

The Nugget Reef is situated on the west bank of the Shotover, about a mile above Skipper’s Creek. It is a joint-stock company, in which the manager (Mr Roskruge) holds about half the interest. The crushing machine is down near the level of the river, and is worked by a turbine wheel. The workings at present consist of what appears to be three seperate reefs, parallel to each other, and of varying thickness up to about 18ft. As they are found near the surface and low down on the mountain side (about a quarter of a mile above the crushing inachine), it is not improbable that they are only slips from a main reef which exists higher up, such being frequently the case. At present only a few men are at work raising stone, the machine being stopped for the winter season. The stone crushed has been of good average quality, and the working of the mine -although expensive, owing to the quantity of timber required to support the ground, from the workings being so close together and near the surface, and to defective machinery has enabled the owners to pay off over L 3,000 liabilities during the last two years. Unlike the reefs at Skippers, where the quartz is trucked out direct from the slopes and tipped into the machine, here the stuff has to be carted down a winding dray road to the battery, Mr Roskruge, however, hopes to he able soon to put in a low level tunnel to cut the reef or reefs, and thus materially decrease the working expenses of the mine. He is also making improyemouts in the machinery, but as the capital has had to be furnished out of the mine itself, its progress is of course much slower than his wishes would dictate; he is satisfied, however, that ho is creating a valuable property, although under circumstances of much difficulty. It is not at present known to whfct line of reef these workings belong.

Before closing this communication I may state that the account of improved yields in the Shotover Co.’s claim, now under the management of Mr Thomas Grace, is confirmed, it being stated that the late manager's drives were not deep enough to reach the best of the wash- < i i rt.