MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1701, 13 March 1882, Page 2

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

[By our Special Mining Reporter. j Saturday, Match 11. SHALLOW LEAD'. Long Tunnel Party.—This party had a washing-up last week, and, considering that only five men had been at work sluicing, fifty ounces could not be said lo be unsatisfactory, and proves the ground payable. When the expenditure of capital in constructing dams and driving fresh tunnel is finished and all hands get to work, the returns from this claim should lie very good. The only drawback will bo there are too many men for the water available, Harris and Party,—This party are getting a very nice face on their claim, and have got underneath the cement. The progress will now be more rapid, inasmuch as the hydraulic hose excavates quicker and larger falls of earth arc obtained. The paddock now will measure 40ft. by 40ft. by a depth of 25ft. Pending arrangement with Government re use of sludge-channel, they were knocked of}' work for a week. Romas and Party—“ Frenchman’s” Claim.—This party are opening out under ground, and are making fair progress. The chamber underneath is a very creditable piece of underground work. A great drawback is the want of pressure for the hydraulic hose, besides it increases the danger for those working underneath. Since I visited the claim an accident occurred, which, had not the timbers stood firm, three or tour lives must inevitably have been lost. As it is poor Charley Ringrnann Iras got a broken leg, and it will take a fortnight to straighten tip matters in the claim. Too much caution cannot be exercised by this party in working their ground, which is of a loose nature and has been partially driven, besides being thoroughly saturated with water, which, lodging in the old ground, aefs as a hack pressure, and when as yesterday it caused more dirt to slip thau the chamber could contain, unless the men have a good get-away serious consequences must ensue. DUNEDIN I’LAT, j Sellars and Party.—This party are j making a better shew and have a padj dock opened out about 30fr. by 30ft., j but are bothered at present with big stones. They have commenced laying j iron-piping from the Government race, j which, when completed, will greatlv j expedite work. | Bramhall and Party.—This partv are j driving into the Seddon tail-race. Their | drive is now in about 160 ft. They i have another 40ft. to drive. They have sunk the opening-out shaft about 50f(.,

and require to go another 30ft. to bottom on tunnel now being driven*. This parly do npt _ allow grass to grow under th**ir feet, and \Vil! t m,t be Ijon** at the present rate of work before they have a good f.ce in their claim. Paltrier and Party.—This party are working in shifts; ahd abe drivhtg a tail-race into Ponlaon and party’s tailrace, and expect to finish in about another three weeks. Evans and Party—Ancient Britons Claim.—This party are busy opening out, and have cleared j d good-sized face on the side of the Bill around the shaft. Tlie great depth of wash in this claim will render it very dangetoiis to those working, and the utmost caution is necessary. But as all the party are old experienced miners, my warning is; perhaps, Unnecessary. Bourke and Party.—This pdrty dro hard at work, and are making a big hole belbw. Like the Frenchman’s claim, they are opening out Underneath; and find it a ,very dangerous task. Yesterday they liad d large run, siniildr to Romas add party, but were fortUndte in having nothing worse hajjpeqiriig than having tci shiice away the dirt; which came in much laiger Quantity and in much Quicker time than they anticipated or wished ftfr. Dunedin Party.—This party are washing up this week and then intend to drive a tunnel to the west face, and commence working down the flat. They will also require to erect a neiV whird, lower down thafi the old one: From the experience gained by my visits up the lead, I am beginning to think that the use of whims is the bedb and cheapest method of removing the stones-from the face, unless, indeed, the run for a stone tunnel is very short.