THE MINES.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume V, Issue 214, 21 March 1885, Page 2

THE MINES.

(Fkom our Mining Rbportkr.; Friday, March 20. Un'itid Alpini.—Sinee last report, the batttry has ceased crushing pending the substitution of a new driving gear plant, instead of the old over-shot wheel. The excellent return of 2570zs of retorted gold, from 442 tons, obtained at the last cleaning-up, is another proof of the highly payable average which the block Nos. 5 and 6 levels represents. On the 17th, the very satisfactory intelligence was brought in by l[r Conradsen, that the rise from No. 6, had been hoW j:U'«ugh to No. 5, and that on the day previous, a large body of stone, apparently veiy extensive, had been struck on the hanging-wall side. The last retarn, the completion of No. 6 rise,—one of the heaviest and moat extensive works ever undertaken in the mine, next to the driving of the last level, and the striking of the big block, all combine to give the future of this company every promise of Koon besoming a really prosperous one. The battery is a scene ®f great activity just now, and Mr Waters is taking advantage of the present stoppage, in giving everything a thorough overhaul. The wheel is all down, except the frame, which will be roofed and weather-boarded, so as to thus serve for the new machinery. The tunnel tail-race is completed, and the hands are now finishing deepening the wheel-pit. Inside the machine houseseme of the leerdans are being re-lined; new guide bar's are being put up ; earns and disci being re-arranged and new keyways eut; some of the stamper rods being replaced by new ones, and generally, every part being looked after, and seem to. New stringers, rails, rollers and cleats being put into the lower incline, whieh, of course, will be the oily one now used. Iron rails being laid down, along flat tram between No. 6 shoot and lower paddock ; whieh is fiilled to overflowing with quartz. The contractors for renewing portions, of the head-race, are making good progress. The stopes are not being worked just now, the haadi beiaag all otherwise engaged at logging-up passes, &c, and various other outside works. Since the rise was holed through to No-. 5, the eontaet hands have been engaged making a •chamber to connect between it, and the level When this is out of hand, it will not take long to trim aud log-un the top end of ,the rise. Hands repairing and making rise good ajeove No. 4 towards surface. Tributers have tunnel driven IS sets on leader above No.. 4 level; stone very regular and gold payable. United- Italy.—No change here. Thetributers are still rising and blooking north and sonth on leader. Some of the ground has been hard, but it improve* as they rise. The formation' carrying the stone is very good, and the quartz which varies in size now and then, shows payable gold. United Victory.—Five heads still running here, and the cleaning-up to be made this month. The out-put of stone has slackened of late, owing to a variety of causes having taken the hands elsewhere. Tyr Connbll.—Work inside the mine going on as usual, the hands en . gaged in carrying two stopes along the length of the block just over the level. Stone keeping usual size, and of goo<3 ■quality. When it has been stoped on the height of the rise, a crushing will b« made.