MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1681, 17 February 1882, Page 2

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

[From our Special Mining Reporter.] MINING CLAIMS. SHAMROCK LEAD. Roth well and Party. Five Men’s Double-area Claim.—This claim is situated on the north side of the sludge-channel and to the west of Thorn and party’s claim. They are engaged at present getting timber ready for the tunnel tail-race, by which they intend to connect with the sludge-channel. Their tail-race, when completed, will be about three chains in length. They have been trying by the process of law to obtain an abandoned tunnel, to use as a stone-tunnel; but the process is as slow nearly as driving one for themselves would be. The claim is fairly situated, but rather south, of the fancy line. Owing to being near the sludgechannel and the Barker’s Flat branch-race, the opening out of this claim should be quick and inexpensive. Five months should see a good face on the ground and the claim well proved. Thorn and Party, or Borlase’s Six Men’s Double-area Claim. —This was the first sluicing claim taken up on Barker’s Flat, Larrikins, and the owners have had their tail-race completed into the sludge-channel some months ; and had it not been for the unfortunate delays that have taken place, they would have had their first washing at Christinas. The have partly stripped a paddock dry where they intend to open out. It will take them three weeks to construct a flume so as to bring the water from the Barker’s Flat branch-race on to that portion of their claim where they intend opening out. They intend trucking out their stones to the front of the terrace, and have a tunnel 1500 feet completed and in good working order. Four months should see the first washing-up. Shares in this claim are valued at £2OO each. Meade and Party.—Five Men’s Doublearea Claim.—This party are making good progress, and have gone about their work in first-class style. They have sunk a large tank-shaft, erected poppet-heads ready for fixing the winding gear, have fixed iron piping, all but completed their tail-race, and are now busy erecting a flume to bring the water on to the tank or ■water-balance by which they intend to lift the stones whilst opening out. The site for the machinery is well selected ; they have a good tip for stones and good water pressure. The ground is on the fancy line, washdirt about 30 feet. They will be sharp on the heels of Thorn and party in having their first washing-up. Some time ago £6O was paid for a half share, since which shares have risen. A full share could not now be bought for less than from £IBO to £2OO. M‘Gh >in and Party. —Five Men’s Doubl earea Claim.—This party are hard at work with their tail-race, and getting ready for opening out. They intend sluicing the ground into the sludge-channel. The washdirt will average fully thirty feet. There are not many large stones met with. From the natural facilities they have for working this ground they should not be far behind Meade’s party in having their first wash-up. Raleigh and Party.—Five Men’s DoubleClaim.—This party are at present driving their grqund.and paddock-washing the same, but intend in a few days to commence driving a tail-race into the sludge-channel. Their tail-race will cross M'Gloin’s, but an amicable arrangement has been come to between the parties, so that there is now no obstacle in the way. The general opinion of the miners in the locality is that this party have one of the best sluicing claims on the flat, and that it is a pity to be ppttering away at driving same. Hardy and Party.—Three Men’s Doublearea Claim. —This party are preparing for sluicing, and though the ground is limited, still it is reckoned to be very good. One share sold a few months back for £ls realised the other day when resold £6O. Mansfield and Party. Six Men’s Double-area Claim.—This claim is situated to the north-east of the sludge-channel. They are driving the ground at present and trucking the dirt to the front of the terrace, a distance of 1400 feet, and there paddock-washing it. The sluicing fever has, however, taken a fast hold, and preparations for changing the mode of working will shortly begin, if they are not already started. This claim is no distance from the sludge-channel, and, with ♦the advantage of having their present tunnel for use as a stone-tunnel, the difficulties of opening out are half met. Two of the mates are at present putting in a

drive, and to my query as to its direction. I was told-—“ Oh I towards Mount Cook!’’ As the sludge-channel intervenes between the snow-clad peak and whei'e I guess they are driving, they may perhaps stop at the channel and leave the prospecting of Mount Cook to some less cautious indU viduals. The washdirt in this claim for sluicing would average 40 feet. £2OO per share is the figure quoted. Six months ago one of the mates sold out for £3O. Wilkinson and Party. Six Men’s Double-area Claim.—This claim is situated at the head of the sludge-channel, which runs through the middle of the claim. They are at present opening out, and anxiously await the completion of the blocking of the channel. They are well satisfied with their prospects. The opening out of this ground will be very inexpensive ; they are near the Government race; no jump-up is required, and though they are at the far end of the sludge-channel, they will not be last in having their first washing-up. Average depth of washdirt 30 feet. No shares changing hands is a very good sign. Greenroyd and Party. Pour Men’s Double-area Claim.—This party are driving the ground at present, but intend shortly to commence sluicing operations. They have a choice bit of ground, and are only wasting time if they continue driving. Being only a few feet from the sludgechannel, and close handy to the Government water-race, the expenditure in opening out as a sluicing claim would be very small.