MINING REPORT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2946, 9 April 1886, Page 2

MINING REPORT.

[By our Special Mining Reporter.] The Lead, April 7.

The all-absorbing topic of conversation amongst a good number of miners lias been the taking over of the No. 2 channel. There was a considerable

t liversity of opinion as to what would '■e the ultimate result of such a step, '"it sis the Government seemed determined not to have anything to do with it, it was belter that the parties diectly interested should have the control than that another body should be found to intervene between them and 'he Government. There should he no difficulty in running the new channel ‘or the usual fee charged by the Government, viz., 10s per week per man, as the length of it is considerably less than the one-half of the No. 1 channel with i's extensions. If a com mi tree of management is judiciously chosen, there should he no trouble or heartburnings over it all, as the experience gained by the working of the No. 1 channel should he sufficient to keep everything straight. If no monopolies are allowed in the shape of excessive fall in the tail-races that connect with it theie need never he any absurd restrictions proposed, such as bars or gratings or other monstrosities of any kind. When the Minister for Mines anives in Kumars, the arrangement initiated with Mr Gordon should be ratified, and a committee appointed at once to see to the rights, &c., being secured, and providing for a start being made into the new channel as soon as the Government have provided the means of flushing No. 1 channel. Eveiy day that is lost is a serious matter to the parties that remain in No. 1 channel, and those who go ont of it have a right to use every despatch in bringing the affair to a speedy settlement;.

I do not know whether the national and compulsory system of Education has anything to do with it or not, but one cannot help noticing the marked impi ovement in the tone and goodfellowship of sludge-channel meetings now as compared with two years ago. Angry recriminations were then the rule, and it was a crime to have a gt eater fall in your tail-race than your neighbour, and one of the greatest misfortunes imaginable to be “a backnumber man f’ and a five year’s permit enabled yon to flatter yourself with the idea thin, you had been very far-seeing, und you could pity the ignorance of those who had not more sense than take out a short permit. All that is changed now, and one man is as good as another, and, as Paddy said, “a good deal better.” One thing is certain, there is a good deal better feeling existing; and long may it continue! I visited the second prospecting shaft at Larrikins the other day, and I must say I dont like the position at all. It is too near their other shaft to my fancy. But the prospectors, I believe, were driving an old shaft near by, and may have got something to induce them to sink so near. They deserve to g'‘t gold, as they stick to it manfully. M'Redmond and party are sinking a near the Okuku race, going towards the first’ mill. A very good run of ground was lost going in that dilection that was worked by the whim party on the other side of the terrace m *ar the Government race, and it might be picked up again.