INANGAHUA MINING ITEMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2018, 26 January 1875, Page 2

INANGAHUA MINING ITEMS.

[herald up to jan. 23.] Golden Fleece. — I never saw the claim look better than at present, so far as quality of stone is concerned, and there is very little doubt but that this mine will yet prove to be a very permanent dividend paying property. Besides the low level workings, a number of hands are employed in the top level driving north, following the reef, which appears to be continuing into the hill. The receiving paddock is filled with quartz, and they are now commencing to fill No. 2 paddock, and will start crushing as soon as the El Dorado finishes up at the battery.

Fiery Cross.— Continuing to extend the workings and the levels north and south, the stopes carrying a splendid run of stone all over, averaging the usual width, showing good gold. The main receiving paddock is about full of quartz, and the claim is altogether in first-class condition. The main shaft from the surface is commenced, and the timber for which is being supplied by contract is coming to hand readily, so that no time will be lost in prosecuting the work of sinking as rapidly as possible. The shaft 13 to be carried down by wages hands until reaching the rock, after which the sinking will be let by contract-

El Dorado* — The crushing of this company's stone, is going on very satisfactorily, and will no doubt turn out well. There is abundance of stone inside the mine. The three faces working all show a good run of stone, and in one, about 18ft up from the main level, where they have opened out for a distance of 20ft, the run of quartz averages from 5f 0 to sft Brn in width, and is undoubtedly a continuation of the Fiery Cross reef coming south. This splendid run of stone has given considerable encouragement to the company, and an extra number of hands has been engaged to follow it. This company is expected to finish crushing operations in the course of the week.

Hopeful. — The rise from the lower main level is being pushed on as rapidly as possible, and in a few days we may expect to hear of their having met the reef in tlie 80ft level at the bottom of the old shaft, ■end of course as soon as this has been accomplished the eomt>any will commence taking out stone for crushing.

Boatman's Creek.— The contractors are still pushing energetically on with tunnel work, and have about 4ft further driving to finish up the required distance of 50ft. This contract ha 3 been exceptionally heavy the workmen haying carried hard rock all the way- There'is a possibility of getting the reef in this contract, or if not there can be little doubt that it is not far dis-

tant, that is judging by the run of reef now obtained in the Just-in-Lime lower level working.

««~crinyrißa- rt>iuue-uutnuioii«j.ug -VVOTIC at this mine the hands have been principally employed gett : ig timber and cutting out a chamber, from which they intend to commence sinking a shaft on the reef, and this'of course will require some little time. The chamber has already been started, and in the course of a couple of weeks we may expect to hear that the company's prospects will be in an improved condition, since the stone already obtained is second to none in the district.

Just-in-Time— ln Nos. ], 2, and 3 stopes, the reef averages 7ft thick, whilst in the face of No. 4 (near to the south boundary of the claim) there are not more than 2ft of clear reef, between which and the foot wall there are 4ft of " guage," or, in Cornish parlance, " gossen," which contains, it is thought, sufficient gold to warrant its removal to the mill. There are four large blocks of stone remaining above the present workings in the south —sufficient probably to keep the mill going two months. From the turntable at the T on the lower drive to the south boundary, a large reef is under foot all the way, and it is in this part of the mine that a new shaft will be started for another level before the stone above is all taken out. Some time ago a drive was carried north from the turntable, 18ft on the reef, when the stone gave out entirely and driving was discontinued until all the stone overhead had been taken out — the reef nowhere extending beyond the face in the lower drive. On Monday a party of men were set to work driving north, and had not driven more than 4ft when they began to open out the reef; the drive is now extended to 25ft, and the reef in the face being between 2 and 3ft thick and bearing away from a due north course to east by north. Should it be found to continue on the course at present indicated, it would lead through the east side of the North British claim. The drive is now being proceeded with, and gold is plentifully distributed through the stone. The mine is well fitted up and sound in every part.

Anderson's.- On Saturday last the stampers were hung up, there not being sufficient stone to keep them employed ; on Monday next, however, a fresh start will be made.

Wealth of Nations.— A portion of the piping for Lankey's arrived at Black's Point on Monday last; eight lengths more left Greymouth on Saturday, and should be here to-day. The flanges for the first four will be rivetted on at the Company's shop on the claim ; those for the remaining pipes will be fixed in their places by the makers. The pipes are 18ft long and 15in in diameter, are made of 12 and 14 guage iron, and are capable of withstanding a pressure of 901 bto the square inch. The iron rails on the tramway will be finished this week. The contractors are still taking out stone and stacking it at the mouth of the tunnel, where there are not less than 70 tons already accumulated. On Tuesday last the contractors in the middle tunnel struck what is supposed to be the west reef through the foot wall ; at the present time only three or four tons of stone have been taken out, and the reef exposed along the face of the drive ; the stone taken out is gold bearing, and seems similar to the stone above. [Two additional dray loads of pipes have left town since the above was written, and should now be very near their destination.] Energetic. — The main shaft is down 80ft and opened up 25ft from the bottom.

Up to the present time no timber has been use , and should none be required, tho sink -ig will be fin-shed next week. The mill is now keptgoin-» and is reducing some excellent stone. The chapter of accidents which, has attended the construction and working of tho coal tramway has caused considerable comment. It is not necessary to recount what it is well known ought to have been done ; at the same time, ia justice to the company, be it said that they appear to spare no reasonable expense .in trying to remedy aH defects, and so far aa may be the dangerous curves on the present line are 1© be altered and the Hue rsgraded ; alco smaller, consequently less cumbersome, trucks are to take the place of the o'd ones. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Stevenson, the sufferer from the late accident.