BOATMAN' S.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 38, 6 July 1877, Page 2

BOATMAN' S.

(Fbom oub own Correspondent.) There is nothing of importance to communicate from this portion of the district to : day. The battery still continues crushing for the Hopeful Company, and the stone being put through is fully up to the average quality. The Hopeful people will keep the use of the stampers as long as they can, but it is very likely that the Fiery will be ready to crush by the Ist of August. The Just-in-Time have also a good supply of stone paddooked and they too could start crushing if arrangements anent the battery would permit it. We have had ra f her more than the usual number of visitors to this district during the past ten days. The Welcome mine has been the great centre of attraction to many of tbe comers, and they have been shown stone from this mine such as it would be hard to beat anywhere. Tbe Hopeful mine has improved very much in appearance of late. The winze going down between Nos. 4 and 5 levels ran off the stone for a dis* tance of some 21 feet, and this had the effect of putting shares down about 20s, but subsequently the reef came in again when shares once more reached the stan dard quotation. To those who are in any way familiar with the Hopeful workings this little cutting out of the course by the reef is thought nothing of, as it will be recollected, the lode did the same thing in the upper part of the ground, when it was afterwards found that instead of there existing a break in the reef, the stone had merely benched over some fourteen or fifteen feet, and was as good there and solid in its formation as if il [had kept its proper course. No doubl that the same thing occurred lower down; and hence the break referred to- The ground hereabouts is of a rather brokei character, and one can therefore hardlj feel surprise if the reef above tbe level ol the general contour of the country is pushed about a bit, but I believe that the deeper the reef is traced, and the furt.be) it is worked into the hill, the more regular and perfect will it be found to be, Indeed 84 regards these two mines I do not hesitate to express the opinion thai vre at present know as little of the real wealth which lies stored within their boundaries than we did months and months ago. The Fiery Cross is still delving away, and adding to tho Jstock ol stone in the paddocks. The determination of the Machine Company - to enlarge th( battery is viewed very favourably here and it is the general impression that th< terms offered are very reasonable indeed The proposed reduction of 2s 61 per tor in tbe price of crushing, id a step in th< right direction, and means a good dea more to companies here than may be ap< parent at first sight. A cloud hangs a present over operations at Italian Gully but 1 have every confidence that it is only temporary, and that when th< Italian Gully nvne is opened at ; greater depth, better results will b< brought about. We all know how thi fortunes of nearly every mine iv thi whole of this extensive district hung ii the balance at the outset, but subse qaently their real soHd worth was ul timately ■ established. I think, then, tha the Italian Gully Company have little t< fear as to what the future will bring. W< cannot all enjoy the sunshine of success at tho beginning, for the experience oi this field unquestionably is that the worth of a mine is no more to be rated by the test of its higher levels than an alluvial lead is by the headings which overlay it.