MINING REPORT.

Kumara Times, Issue 3031, 21 July 1886, Page 2

MINING REPORT.

[By our Special Mining Reporter.] Tue Lead, July 20. Since my last report, Dill.nan’s Town bas been the scene of a series of committee and public meetings. Fiist of all, preparations had to be made for

sluicing into the No. 2 channel, and as certain legal documents bad not been prepared as between the promoters and those about to use the channel, two delegates were despatched to Hokitika to interview Mr Purkiss, the solicitor. Before the return of these delegates the sludge-channel had sustained serious damage through water being turned in at the head ; but as a" committee of inquiry into the matter has been apP 'inted, and as it may he considered sub judice, the least said about it the better at present. Meetings of all parties interested in the channel have been h.-ld as to repairs; and to sit behind the door and look on made one wish your late correspondent the “Commercial Traveller” had not cleared out for Wellington. I never realised the power of the Press nor the importance of your humble servant so much as I did the other night. After tea I strolled as fat as DilJman’s Town, and passing a few men on "the street, I overheatd one who was gesticu’ating in a Frenchified style and declaiming against the Mining Reporter aa> being responsible for the disaster to the No. 2 channel, and all the trouble connected therewith. I had often heard of tho power of the pen, but felt rather tickled over the pen of your Mining Correspondent capsizing a sludge-channel. There are over sixty men idle through the No. 2 channel affair, and it is to be hoped your expectation that a start will be made in a few days will be realised. There was some difficulty experienced in working No. 1 channel to advantage after the No, 2 parties were withdrawn, as it is not easy to regulate the best positions for working in each shift; but old Davy was equal to the occasion and soon had things “a’richt.” Mr Band, the manager, has been most assiduous in attending to the necessary works for the starting of No. 2 channel, as he was to be met at all hours of the day, and night too, sometimes, inspecting the progress of the works. It was intended by the Minister of Mines, and actually promisedj that those taking over No. 2 channel should have a small balance in the bands of i he promoters by which some necessary works—such as extension of boxes, rigging signals and connecting with No! 1 channel—should be constructed ; but, on account of this mishap to the channel, I am afraid they will start in debt, even although the greater part of the labour is being given gratuitously. Talcing all the facts of the case into consideration I think it is a case where the Government could step iu and carry out their promises that they should he enabled to start free of debt. The stoppage of the claims for a fort! night and doing a lot of work gratuitously is had enough, without having to stare with a deficit. Sir Julius Vogel himself would not like financing in. that, sort of way, and I think we would be justified in seeing if our member could not squeeze Mr Larnach iust a little.