MINING

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1933, Page 2

MINING

BELL HILL SLUICING CO

Tile mine manager’s latest report advises that the top pressure, nozzle has been permanently installed in a position commanding both faces. The raising of the top pressure dam has been completed, and the discovery of a. further small darn necessitates the installation of a guage box which will be a further asset as regards water storage at the claim. The top pressure water is proving a great help in the lower face, and prospects taken from this face show good values.

M.OONLIGHT-NELSON . CREEK COMPANY.

Mr T. Learmont, mining engineer, superintending the construction of the Moonlight water-race, reports for the week ending December 5, as folows: The weather has been fine and suitable for outside works. Ditching: Some stones in the ditch have slowed up work a little. This having been drilled and shot, the work is progressing satisfactorily. Tunnelling: Going has been fairly hard, therefore footage a week has been a little slow. Better ground is being encountered now and more speed will result. Pluming: This is now taking shape and a good showing has been made. Legs and caps have been placed in position up to the lower end of the tunnel; stringers laid for over three chains, n.nd bottoms and sides for two, Transport : Difficulty is being experienced in keeping up to the flume contractor's .capacity. Arrangements are in hand to effect improvements in reference to this.

3li- A. J. Tippett reports for period ending December 9 on the progress of the claim:—Two nozzles are now erected, complete with levers and balance boxes, and everything is in readiness for water. The new council track has been built replacing the present, which will be sluiced away. .A start has been made in erecting the bridle for the aerial and also squaring timber for anchors.

MATAKI DREDGE REPORT

The manager of •the Mataki (Murchison) dredge reports that the dredge has been working steadily. On the eastern side the ground is now becoming very shallow and contains a considerable' amount of timber. Towards the centre of the cut the ground has deepened ot 224 ft under watei. 1S is the deepest dredged to date, the wash here is hard, and carries very fair prospects. Have found it necessary to build another dam. This work is now almost completed.