MINING OPERATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 10

MINING OPERATIONS

OTAGO CENTRAL FIELD [From Ouh Correspondent,] CROMWELL, December UL Mining is receiving more attention locally than lias been the ease for some time, and a wealthy London syndicate lias a representative in the district investigating several propositions and also some at Nevis. There arc still no signs of progress in connection with the now Hartley and Riley Company, which is to operate on the river between Cromwell and Clyde. The early information was that a" machine would be in course of construction before now. Another proposition near the town, on which a certain amount of developing was done by a private party, is likely to be taken up again at an early date with ample capital to fully test it. The latest proposition of note is near Bendigo. Representatives of a Christchurch syndicate were in the district last week, and pegged off an area of some 250 acres from the Clutha River up Bendigo Creek to a point where it enters the hills, or what is more familiarly known to the older generation as “The Wheel.” Tiie proposed mode of working is dredging. Any reference to mining would be incomplete without touching on the Nevis field. It has been the main gold producer for years, and will continue to be for many more. As a gold-pro-ducing field, it can only be referred to as remarkable. With an abundant water supply, the hydraulic claims arc having a steady run. Jones and party, below Whitten’s Creek, at the Upper Nevis, had the first wash-up for the season ten days ago. It was only for a mere matter of a week, but one of the best for the period that has been recorded for some time. In fact, there is no reason to doubt the rumor that it did not fall far short of HOOoz. Even better results are anticipated ns the season advances.. On the same field Andy Graham is developing two new areas north and south of Schoolbousc Creek with encouraging prospects. After passing over Hie somewhat lonely road of seven miles from Nevis to Upper Nevis—a road marked .only by the silent vigil _ of crumbling stone walls of the blits of the early pioneers—the; valley opens out on to a scene of activity. Surging round a sharp bend in the road the Upper Nevis'dredge and the small township of some twelve or more buildings comes into -view. It is a striking scene in the fastnesses of the mountains. The dredgo has had its ups and downs, but in the opinion of those disinterested authorities who have an intimate knowledge of the field for a quarter of a century it will more than make good. There can be no denying the fact that should the dredgo'strike the rich lead being worked by the hydraulic claims lower down it will have a very prosperous run. The direction of the dredge was changed this season, and it is now beading towards the hill on the west at the too of which the rich lend ' lies. Much could he written of the famous field, and to those to whom the industry appeals nothing could be more interesting during the holiday season than an inspection .of the many concerns in operation. A party which recently visited the locality was shown a strip of land a few chains wide and some 400yds long, which had kept a party going for many years and has produced from 20,000 to 30,0000b’ of gold. Next was shown a small pond nestling under the foothills—an old hydraulic hole filled with water—where some 6,0000 z of gold were taken from it. Further on is Jones and party’s (formerly O’Connell’s) famous claim, There all hug the hill on the west, which is moving in with mining operations. Between these rich points vast areas of maiden ground still exists, but the wate) supply is limited excepting foi short periods. Summing up. It would seem that the Nevis Valley offers great scope for boring operations, for the general opinion is that the rich lead exists far beyond the points already worked. A Keystone drill is at present operating there, and is engaged on Stevenson and Co.’s claim. Further work will likely he done before the drill leaves tlie valley.