THE SHOTOVER CO.’S MINE.

Evening Star, Issue 3626, 6 October 1874, Page 3

THE SHOTOVER CO.’S MINE.

A reporter of the ‘ Wakatip Mail,’ who recently visited it, thus reports : In making search for the gold, Mr Manager Evans appeared to be equally as unfortunate as Eager, and, like him, “ delighted ” to run along over the top of it, and, strange as it may appear, Mr Grace, the Company’s present manager, obtained some of his very best prospects four feet under the ends of the last sets of props put in by Mr Evans. This timbering of Evans’s has been a considerable source of annoyance to Grace, as it is difficult to timber under ground already worked and timbered before. Since Mr Grace has had the management he has been enabled to reach his old face ” running into Eager s late claim, and is now engaged following up the run of gold. Previous to our visit, the last week’s washing realised 590z. ; but this week it is not likely to be so large, as several of Mr Grace’s best' men were “on the spree, consequently the manager was working ground more on the reef, and where less skill in timbering is necessary. To work the mine, Mr Grace finds fifteen men, divided into “ shifts,” sufficient, and as many as he can profitably employ at the “ faces.” The! washdirt varies in depth—in some places there are three feet of it, in others, only as many inches; but (as Mr Grace rightly says) he does not want so many, trucks of dirt— his object is to get ounces of gold, and useless headings are better thrown back to secure the ground than wheeled but" of the mine and sluiced. Of course.all the ground has to be closely timbered, and when the fact is taken into consideration that props,; caps, and laths cost something like Lid per hundred, the working of the mine is veiy expensive. The water supply brought in by Mr Evans from Pleasant Creek is discontinued—the drainage of the mine being sufficient to sluice all the washdirt. It was also found that this water running through the tunnels was of itself—as well as being splashed about by the trampling of horses and men—doing considerable damage by undermining the sides, and so bringing down the roof. To give an idea of the probable results of the Shotover JTerrace Company’s prospects is a matter of considerable difficulty. Qne thing is oertaip, .that the mine is how under efficient management, and whateVeij can’bo dbne in . the . .intents of the 'shareholders will be' done. .JTo makd up for original capital invested, as well as fcr fruitless expenditure of proceeds,* will require an enormous amount of gold. Still, I should imagine lhat, : with ordinary luck, the company; may be pulled .through its difficulties. r