REEFING NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1786, 27 April 1874, Page 2

REEFING NEWS.

[I'ROM THE INANGAHUA HEaALD, APRIL 25.] Anderson's. — In addition to the extensive works in course of execution for the permanent openingof thiscompany's mine, a number of otherimportantimprovements and alterations are to be made, which cannot be effected without considerable outlay. The prospects of the mine are so good that, the management do nothesi tate to incur any reasonable expense in opening up and. facilitating the future working of the. mine. The present crushing is expected to be completed by the end of next week, and when such is ac complished, all crushing operations will then cease for a considerable time t" admit of the above-mentioned works being carried out. The improvements to be made at the battery are of an extensive character, and I may mention as one of the first that of a new segment-wheel already, ordered from Melbourne, which will be 27ft in diameter, and is intended to be used in place of the present one, which is only 14ft ; two new pinionwheels, 3ft in diameter, are to replace, those now in use, which are only 2ft. In addition to the foregoing," the waterwheel is to be removed and erected several feet lower down the tail-race ; and according to the levels that have recently been taken, it is intended to re-construct a portion of the race, which will bring it con-; siderably higher than the present lejvel. When these works are effected, the speed of the battery must undoubtedly be: increased to a great extent. At the mine there is also a large amount of work to be executed before everything will again be in working order. The paddock at the head of the incline tram must be shifted down to the lower level, and tramway constructed accordingly. Owing to the broken nature of the ground above the mouth of the low level tunnel, much loss of time is caused by constant slips of mullock and debris after every flood, i To obviate this, the manager intends altering the position of the tunnel mouth, which will necessitate about 60ft of additional driving ; and in order to have the abovementioned works completed by the time the incline shaft is reached, it has heen deemed advisable to discontiue all operations on the upper level for the present, and employ all hands to execute the required works as speedily as possible. The driving in the Anderson-Invincible tunnel continues easy, and the present contract will be finished by Saturday next. There will then be 168 ft to drive to reach! the shaft, and if the driving gets no harder it . is anticipated that the mine will be in splendid working condition in about three months from the present time. The works already constructed proved the existence of a fine body of payable stone, 400 ft in length and 160 ft in depth, while there still remain some 700 ft of untried ground within the boundary of the company's claim. From the above particulars there Is no doubt but this will be, in" a very short time, the most valuable properly in jihe district. Wealth of Nations. —This company intend having a filial cleaning up this week and from the ; respective returns of the plates it is expected that a very satisfactory dividend. will be declared. The contractors sent down. 200 tons of stone last week, but were compelled to employ two additional hands this week— having been slightly delayed by the ground settling caused by the surface drainage. The new middle tunnel is now fairly started and ready for contract ; tenders for this work: are to be accepted to-morrow. It is aatisfactoiy to be able to state that Brown, who sustained a slight injury at this claim last week, has sufficiently recovered to be able to return to hi 3 occupation. Independent. — The contractors have now completed all necessary outsidework ; a fine substantial tramway has also been laid in the old tunnel a distance of 60ft, and driving was commenced on Tuesday last. Energetic- — Several of the company's men havetthis week been engaged in centering and securing the shaft. This work is certainly one of great importance, since where a large body of stone is being taken out daily in the adjoining claim, and in close proximity to the shaft, the ground must to a certain' extent settle down and strain the shaft. However, the necessary precaution being taken, no damage is likely to be done. The works

on the coal tramway are being pushed forward with all possible speed, but the weather has up to now greatly impeded . progress. t United Band of Hope.— The contractors who are constructing the tunnel in this mine are evidently working under great disadvantage independently of the _f ace. Jjeipg excessively hard' v ,. , Scarcely a "day 'passes but they are coin petted "W leave the -face and bestow considerable time in clearing away large flakes of rock, which are constantly: coming, down in various parts of the tunnel. I made it my business to pass through the tunnel to-day in order to see the appearance of the face, and for the safety of those engaged in the mine, there are many places that certainly should be timbered immediately. A number of leaders have recently been passed through, and lain informed that a very hard bar of rock is known to exist at the side of the reef, and as the present driving may in all truth be considered sjft, we may daily expect the reef to be met with. Ingle wood.— r-The . numerous matters of outside work that it hss been necessary to execute; for the quick transit of stone from thiß mine to the machine are now on the point of completion, and everything will be in readiness for commencing to crush very shortly. The reef has been proved in the shaft for & depth of 50ft, and until within the last 'set it maintained an average thickness of' sft, but during the last iew days it has pinched to abeut 3ft— although at the same time showing stone of a thoroughly payable quality. It . is now intended to open out at once, and the work of erecting the whip is to be immediately commenced. In the course of a very few, days the true value of this claim will be fairly tested. The man iv charge at the battery is now engaged overhauling the engine and making the necessary preparations for the crushing. Golden Fleece. — The contractors have made excellent headway with the tunnel extending from the perpendicular shaft to the incline, and contemplate bringing their work to a termination by Saturday next. A number of the company's men have been busily employed this week excavating for the "whim, and we may, therefore, calculate upon this mine- being in good working trim in a very short time. ; ; •Ajax. — There is no important change, in the affairs of this claim to mention since my last report. The various works in course of execution for the further opening up of the mine, are being vigorously proceeded with. The stone which was recently made in the face of the main drive, is of a superior quality.