THE INANGAHUA DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1379, 31 December 1872, Page 2

THE INANGAHUA DISTRICT.

[fbpm our own correspondent.] During the week just ended further evidence has been adduced of the absurdity of relying on mere flood tributaries of a mountain torrent for a constant supply of water during the summer months. And steps are about being taken by the Wealth of Nations Company that, if carried out, will effectually remedy the blunder in so far as they are concerned. A meeting of the shareholders is to be convened for the purpose of considering the ways and means of constructing a race capable of carrying 12. heads of water. The race will be between five and sis mile 3in length, and the supply will be drawn from one of the tributaries of the Inan3ah.ua, which will be able to yield the full quantity evenin the driest weather. The line of this race would be lOrfc higher than the surveyed line of the Invincible race, which is again considerably higher than Anderson's. Should the project be carried out, and in the interests of the district it is most devoutly to be hoped that such will be the case, they will be able to supply the Golden Ledge and other neighboring claims. Should sufficient inducement offer, they would probably be prepared to carry it on to the township of Black's Point, whioh they could easily do after using the water themselves. While it is satisfactory to find that one company at any rate see the paramount necessity of grapplmg with and overcoming this difficulty, it is very much to be regretted that no steps have as yet been taken to procure any of those appliances for the proper manipulation of the tailings, and which, in all nth ar. quartz-mining dislricts contribute so largely towards the profitable working of the mines. It is now wel> mown that large quantities of pyrites exist in all the quartz— the stone from some of the claim 3 has been found to contain large quantities of antimony. These facts are now universally acknowledged— are in fact the ordinary topics of conversation and lamentation, and everybody seems satisfied to continue talking and lamenting, and at the same time neglecting to adopt any of the usual precautions. At present there is only one small berdan in the whole district, and not a single buddle, Chilian mill, or roasting furnace. The machinery for the Energetic is completed, the, water laid on, and on Friday last Mr Binney started it for the first time. No quartz was put through — it was merely a trial. For a short time everything worked exceedingly well, but there as usual the supply of water was found to be insufficient ; only about one head being obtainable. As 1 write it is raining steadily, but as it is Christmas Eve advantage of the supply cannot be immediately taken. At this claim the fall of water on to the turbine -wheel is 152 ft in length. The wheel apparently performed its work very well, and seemed admirably adaptedfor a steep mountainous country, where, as I have already remarked, during the summer months there must necessarily be a scarcity of water. They are also neater, cheaper, and far more durable than the huge, unwieldly overshot wheels that have found so much favor in this district. Kelly's Line.— The Victorian has partially cleaned up. The result has not been announced, but it will not be so favorable a3 was generally supposed. The stone ontains an extraordinary quantity of pyrites, and consequently much of the gold has been lost; about half their quantity of stone has been crushed. The machine has stopped. At the Inglewood they are getting out atone. Shiel's Line.— The Ajax are still crushing for the Golden Fleece. The wagesmen in the employ of the Ajax Company have all struck, in consequence of an attempt on the part of the management to reduce their wages. Should the directors insist on the reduction, there is reason to believe they will have to employ a very inferior class of men, and if such should be the case, the shareholders will lose four times as much as they can possibly gain by pinching ten shillings off each of their experienced men. While the dispute lasts, they have applied for protection for their claim for a month. Where the Golden Fleece are obtaining their stone the raef is 9ft thick, well defined, with gold freely scattered throughout. They will certaiuly have a more, favorable crushing. The North British, the next claim to the Golden Fleece, are steadily advancing with their drive. It is now in, about 130 ft. The driving is. rather firmer. They have struck light water in the face, and also several leaders from which indications they imagine that they are not far from the reef. The result of Anderson's Creek Company's crushing is announced as 5750z 15dwt. It was obtained from, 500 tons of stone. Notwithstanding this exceedingly favorable result, a large quantity of quicksilyer, and consequently of go,ld, ljas gone away with the tailings.