The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 256, 31 October 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1870.

A report has recently been published by Mr. J. C. Richmond of the working and prospects of the Perseverance Company which will be read with avidity by the shareholders, and is not devoid of interest to the public generally, to whom the success of the numerous mining speculations that have been entered into within the last twelve months is a matter of the highest importance. Unusual interest attaches to the proceedings of the Company that has been the first to take the field in this particular branch of industry, and we shall therefore give a short outline of the main features touched upon by Mr. Richmond in his report. He commences by stating that his impression of the property is favorable, and that on examination he finds that tbe reef bed, or vein; is continuous through the present workings, although it varies considerably in thickness and richness, in some places being nine feet, while in others it is not more than as many inches, thick. The drive, known as No. 3 appears to be exceedingly rich in places, the gold being plainly visible in the walls ; the

rich parts however are most irregularly distributed, there being no trace of a regular lead of gold. So far matters appear to wear a promising aspect, but we now come to a subject with regard to whicii we hear a large amount of dissatisfaction openly expressed. Eeferring to the water supply, Mr. Richmond says : — " In general terms, the whole supply coming down the race is not quite sufficient to keep the batteries at work without intermission, six days and nights per week. The Company's half is therefore not more than enough at the present seasou for eleven hours' work per day, and in the height of summer when the loss by absorption and evaporation are greatest it will probably fall considerably short of that amount." Now this is so directly at variance with the terms of tbe prospectus, wherein it is stated that the supply of water is amply sufficient for all purposes, that it is not to be wondered at if some annoyance is felt by those who are now unexpectedly called upon to put their hands in their pockets to provide that motive power which they were led to expect already existed. That the statement which appears in the prospectus was made under a misapprehension we fully believe, but at the same the mistake is so serious a one that it requires explanation, and it is incumbent upon the provisional directors to explain the circuinstauces under which they attached their names to a document which, on the testimony of one of their own number, proves to be erroneous in its most important clause. It is not to be supposed that each individual member of the directory took the precaution to visit the spot before giving to the project the weight and influence of his name — it would be sheer stupidity to expect anything of the kind — but it is due to themselves and to the shareholders to give tbe authority on which the statement bearing upon the water supply was published, in order that it may be shown to the satisfaction of all parties upon whom rests the responsiblity of promulgating an error so important in its bearings upon the interests of the company. It may be argued that the number of working hours per day was not specified in the prospectus, and that in stating that the supply was sufficient for all purposes it was only intended that the battery should be at work during some fractional part of the twentyfour hours, but the generally received impression is that a contract to provide an ample supply of water for machinery on a goldfield is, unless distinctly specified to the contrary, usually understood to hind the contractor to furnish sufficient water to work the machine day and night. There is certainly no law to this effect, and consequently any decision must simply be based upon precedent, and if so we are disposed to believe that those who entertain similar views with the large body of the shareholders will prove to be in the right. But even allowing that those who undertook to supply the water were under the impression that twelve working hours per day were all that was required of them, — and they could not suppose that anything below that would be "amply sufficient" — it would seem from the report before us that they have still failed in carrying out their part of tbe contract, for we there find it stated tbat " the Company's half is not more than enough at tbe present season for eleven hours' work per day, and in the height of summer it will probably fnll considerably ehort of tbat amount." Mr. Richmond enters very fully into the means at present employed for conveying the water to the ground, and states that considerable alterations are necessary in the race, the boxes, many of which are rotien, not being sufficiently large for the work required of them. In place of the wooden boxes he suggests the advisability of using semicircular troughs of stout galvanized corrugated iron, which would cost, fixed in their places, £6 per chain, from 100 to 120 chains being the estimated length of the race required. The report then goes on to state that, owing to the precariousness of a water supply brought through a rugged forest country, it is scarcely advisable to rely upon it as the sole motive power, and suggests that if the machinery is to be increased, steam power should be employed at least as an auxiliary. For this purpose a 25 horsepower engine which would be equal to working 20 head of stampers, is recommended. If this plan were adopted, even after the improved water-race had been j erected, Mr. Eichmond is of opinion that

the expenditure upon the latter work would not be unprofitable, as the surplus water would be saleable to the other companies about to commence operations. The fuel for the engine could be supplied from either of three different places, two of them being distant some fifty chains from the spot, while the third, the main forest, is about 100 chains off ; the estimated cost of a tramway to the bush is £4 per chain. A valuable suggestion relative to the improvement of the road from the mines to the Port is made, and will no doubt, receive due consideration from the Government, and the various parties interested. In order to set the value of the mine in the clearest light before entering ou any further large expenditure, Mr. Richmond recommends that the manager should be instructed to work so much stuff from the No. 3 drive as he is satisfied he can take without any risk of injury to the mine. This suggestion has, we believe, been acted upon, and the next returns from the mine will be the result of crushings from this, the richest portion of the property yetworked. A subject which has had to be dealt with on the Thames Goldfield, where it has given rise to much ill feeling between the employers and the employed, is then alluded to, namely, the temptation] that is placed in the way of the men working in rich parts, of the drives to appropriate specimens, an act, which, we are told, would be neither difficult nor unprofitable, Mr. Richmond strongly deprecates the practice of searching the miners, and suggests as the best safeguard, that the service of the company should be made as popular as possible, while great care should be used in the selection of the men to be employed, The report gives a clear and concise account of the present state and future prospects of the mine, and both directors and shareholders are to be congratulated on having before them a statement on which they can thoroughly rely, and may safely base their future operations. The following is an estimate of the entire cost of providing power and water : — £ Improvement of Water Race - 750 Engine (25 horse-power), freight, haulage, connections, house, &c. - - 1000 Sixty chains Tramway to Bush, at £4 - 240 Contribution to New Road - - - 100 2090 Two New Batteries of five stampers each, house, connections, &c. - SOO £2890 " I think," says Mr. Richmond, " the amount ought to be amply sufficient. The addition of ten stampers will enable a fair profit to be realised, without assuming the reef to be on an average richer than it has hitherto shown itself."

Mr. Atjgarde's Weekly Report has unavoidably been postponed until tomorrow. The English News. — Up to the tour of our going to press the Rangitoto, which is hourly expected with the Englsh telegrams at Hokitika, had not been telegraphed. Assembly Room. — "We would draw especial attention to the programme of this evening's performance at the Assembly Room, when Miss Adelaide Bowring will appear in some of her favorite characters. Doran's Reef Company. — We understand that so great is the confidence of the prospectors in the undertaking, tbat they have expressed their willngness to take up 50 shares in addition to their allotted number of paid-up shares. We learn that there is every probability of the company commencing operations without further delay. Wesleyan Missions. — Two sermons were preached at the Wesleyan Churcb, Hardy-street, yesterday, on behalf of the above missions, in the morning by the Rev. P. Calder, Jand in the evening by the Rev. W. J. Watkin. The collections after the service amounted to £5 2s. 3d. This evening there will be a public meeting in the Church, when addresses will be delivered by the various ministers and other friends, and several anthems will be sung by the choir. Gas Meeting. — A meeting of tbe ratepayers of the town of Nelson has been called for to-night, at the Provincial Hall, to take into consideration the question of supplying the town with gas. No doubt the members of the Board will be prepared with a series of resolutions expressive of their views on the matter, but we have not

yet heard the tendency of such resolutions. In the meantime we call attention to a letter from Mr. Lightband, which appears elsewhere, and although his proposition appears impracticable in its present form, the letter contains many valuable suggestions which may be turned to account by the ratepayers at to-night's meeting. Consecration of St. Peter's Church, Havelock. —On Wednesday last the above church was consecrated by the Bishop of the diocese, the following clergy also being present : — Yen. Archdeacon Butt, Rev. T. L. Tudor, minister of the district, Rev. R. J. Thorpe, and Rev. Thos. Flavell. The day was beautifully fine, and the boats coming up from the Sound, and flags flying on the various buildings gave to the little township of Havelock quite a gay appearance. The usual service was performed in the presence of a large congregation, mauy of whom had walked from a considerable distance. An appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. R. J. Thorpe from the text, " Thou art Peter, and ou this rock I will build my Church;" the Bishop preached iv the evening, the collections at tho two services amounting to £21. The church is a neat structure, lined, and seated with very comfortable benches, and reflects great credit ou Mr. Paul, the contractor. A handsome reading desk was made aud presented by Mr. Hornby, the lamps were given by the Rev. Mr. Weld, a Communion Service through Dr. Weld, a rich cloth for the Holy table per Rev. T. L. Tudor, and linea for the same by Mrs. William Adams. The church was opened without debt, the collections at the opening making up the deficiency, and leaving a balance of £3 to the credit of the Building Committee. The greatest credit is due to Mr. Whitehorn and Dr. Weld for the iuterest aud liberality displayed by thera in carrying out the work so successfully. We learn that another church is iv course of erection on the road from Picton to Blenheim, and a third at Canvas Town, Wakamarina.