REEFING NEWS,

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1780, 20 April 1874, Page 2

REEFING NEWS,

[from the inangahua herald, april 16.] (.Anderson's. — The various repairs and alterations to the incline tram were completed on Monday last, and will no doubt be a great assistance to the working of the line. New self-emptyinsj trucks have also been substituted for the old ones, and about 200 ft of iron rails fixed in a substantial manner at the lower end. The battery was started early on Tuesday morning, and— as might be expected with new iron work, and gear not having been used for some time — everything worked rather stiff ; but on visiting the mine this afternoon, the general operations were proceeding with the ■ usual activity, and the recent improvements appeared to answer exceedingly well. The driving in the Anderson-Invincible tunnel continues very good, and excellent headway is being made. Wheii another 50ft have been driven, the boundary of this company's, claim will be reached. Wealth of Nations. — The delay caused during the time the race was being repaired last week, prevented the mill from crushing within 70 tona of the average quantity. However, all necessary repairs have been effected, and affairs at the ma-chine-house may be briefly stated as having plenty of water, an excellent supply of ■tone, and the battery in splendid working condition. Upon matters at the mine, the principal item is . that of, the company's men having been engaged this: week in excavating and making preparations for starting in the middle level tunnel. The driving in the lower one continues excessively hard, and very slow progress is being made. An accident occurred at this claim on Tuesday last to one of the wages men, named Brown, and although it was fortunately unattended with very serious consequences, still it might very easily have proved of a very painful uharacter. It appears that one of the trucks joggled off the Hue, and while Brown was engaged placing it on again, the men at the break, not being aware that anything was wrong below, started the down truck, and consequently Brown was knocked down by the other, which passed over one of his shoulders, and also severely injured one of his fingers. However, the injury sustained is not so serious as was anticipated, and from the appearance of Brown to-day, I think he will soon be able to resume his occupation ; and it is to be hoped that a little more care will be exercised for the future. Independent. — The contractors took up their position on the ground on Saturday last, and have been engaged this week in erecting scaffolding for the tiphead and doing other preliminary work for laying the tramway. As this company's line will cross the incline tram of the adjoining claim, a great deal of outside work has to be done before the contractors can commence driving. ! Energetic. — The extensive works being carried on at the present time by this company gives Murray Creek an aspect of unusual activity. From the machine site to Cement Town about 20 men are busily employed constructing the coal tramway, and the sound of the axe and crash of falling timber may be heard in all directions. Although the weather during the last two days has been anything but favorable for outside work, nevertheless an excellent start has been made, and the contractors evidently intend doing their utmost to get the work advanced before the winter weather sets in. At the machine site a number of the company's men are still engaged making the foundation, and from the peculiar position of the present machine house, a considerable amount of very heavy labpr is being expended to make it suitable for the new machinery. The logs used for the breastwork ara of an immense size, and the entire work is being executed in Such a manner as to. leave not the slightest fear of the creek ever making an encroachment. The general works of the interior of the mine are steadily proceeding, and although the present weather is' most favorable for crushing operations, still it slightly retards the progress of ojutside work. j : Inglewood.— No important change has taken place at this claim since ray last roport. The sinking in the shaft is 1 being vigorously carried on, and although the water is a little troublesome, nevertheless fair headway is made. Men are still employed doing sundry matters of Outside work, and in fact, it has been necessary to make so many alterations to paddocks, tramways, and other appliances,' that almost as much labor has been expended as would have been required to re-con-struct them. The whip has yet ;to be erected, and when starting to open out three horses will be employed for carrying on the work when crushing. The system would appear to entail considerable expense, still,^ to a certain extent it; shows the amount of confidence those connected with the claim have in its payable; qualities. : Ajax. — This company got up steam and set the battery in motion at 4 o'clock on Monday: morning. Everything connected with the machinery appears to be in excellent order, and the stampers beating about eighty strokes to the minute. The main drive is being steadily pushed on towards the northern boundary, and we are informed that stone ha 3 made its appearance in the face during the last few days. It is not very thick" at the present time, but from the fact of the adjoining mine having had a strong body of stone close to the boundary of this company's claim, it is confidently expected that it will very soon make to a considerable thickness. North British. — Operations have again been commenced at this claim. Two men are now following in a loader from the face of the hill, and as their work is entirely of a prospecting nature, we shall endeavor to report the result of their labors as they proceed. Golden Fleece.— The contractors are making good progress with the tunnel ; about 80ft have been completed and the work kept steadily going.

Mr Albert Grant has bought the central ground of Leicester Square, London, and is converting it into a garden with statues and fountain, and when completed will hand it over to the Metropolitan Board of Works for the use of the public. Residents of Virginia Oity, Nevada, propose to present a silver, brick to Lamberton Lorraine, commander of the" British war-ship Niotfe, for his, manly action in the case of the Yirginiu3. The brick will bear this inscription : — " Lamterton Lorraine : You are a 'brick ;' this is another— presented: by Americana who love humanity and its manly defenders. Virginia Oity, Nevada, U.S.A., 1873."