MINING NEWS.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 256, 16 January 1886, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

(from our MINING REPORTER.) Friday, January 15.

Alpine.—Everything inside the mine going on as usual, and the different faces in the stopes showing good widths of stone. Blocking out coatinues in the usual manner, and a good supply of quartz is coming to grass freely. Crushoperations at the battery continue in full swing. The temporary stoppage of five heads last week owing to shortness of water, was limited to a few hours only, it having been discovered that an old disused tail-race in the vicinity of the dam was causing the loss of a good drop, but upon a complete stoppage being made there was at once an ample supply for the full complement of stampers, and to spare. O'Brien and party, contractors for tunnelling the head-race about 300 feet through the spur, have started work at both ends, and already havs tips, trucks, kc. constructed, and altogether a good face on the work. Crgesus.—This unfortunate mine seems to retain about the same backward position which she has occupied for years back, and the result of the last crushing of 114 tons of stuff by the tributers, is given as under 1G ounces of retorted gold. Nothing could be more discouraging to both tributers and the company alike, and it may safely be anticipated that this most conveniently situated mine and handy little battery will lay up in damp decay and rust for some time to come. It is only fair to add that a lot of this last parcel was composed of mullock, which as it appears, does not, like that in some other mines in the neighborhood, carry any gold.

Lyell Creek Extended.—Contractors making steady headway, but just at present they are in a pretty hard formation. As the strata is being crossed this is only likely to be a bar, ami may soon give place to softer ground, such as was met a little distance further back. The distance required to complete the present GOO feet contract is 270 feet, by which time the level will be in IGOO feet, with the daylight outside visible from the face when there is no smoke about.

Maruia.—All the outside works, such as the double incline tram, and appliances for getting the quartz lowe ed to the new road, preparatory to crushing at the Croesus battery, are completed, and the carting down of the quartz will be commenced to-day.

Tyr Connell.—Work still going on steadily, all the hands being employed in different parts of the mine, either completing ventilation arrangements or in getting out quartz. Theleader has just been struck in the branch from No. 5 level, close to the break, and will now be followed and risen on up to where it was worked for the previous crushing; it shows payable gold.