CULLIFORD MINE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 268, 15 November 1870, Page 2

CULLIFORD MINE.

o The following report has been furnished to the directors of the Culliford Company by Mr. Henry, who has recently paid a visit to the raine : — Gentlemen — At your request I have again visited the Company's property at 1 Wangapeka, and I now beg to report on the progress of the works up to November Sth. The mine has been explored as suggested in my report of 9th May by means of a tunnel and shaft, . and the result in ray opinion has beeu very satisfactory. The reef is found to average 2 feet 6 inches ia thickness, is exceedingly well defined, and gold-beariug stone similar to that which was crushed in Victoria has been (aken from the lowest levels. As it is very difficult to describe the complicated underground workings of a raine without a plan, I made a rough. survey aud plan of the workings, by which you will see that the reef has been traced longitudinally from south to north for a distance of 190 feet, and to the depth of 130 feet. The total length of tunnel and drives at present executed is 366 feet, aud the depth of shaft is 95 feet, but the shaft will have to be sunk some 30 feet deeper so as to join the main tunnel, and complete the drainage and ventilation of the different levels. This part of the work is now in progress, aud, when finished, the mine will be ready for working on a large scale. The quartz taken from the drives in the course of their construction will weigh about 120 tous. This has been stacked near the top of the inclined tramway, and is ready for conveyance to the crushing battery. The foundation and framework of the machinery and the machine house have been completed iv a most satisfactory manner. Mr. Binnie, the engineer, informed me that should the machinery arrive on the ground in the course of this week, the machine would be complete and ready for crushing about the lst December, and should no accident occur I see noreasonto prevent the contractors from completing the greater portion of their contract by that time. The Water Company had commenced operations, but very little had been done towards the construction of the dam and water race except the cutting of timber, and I am afraid that our machinery will be ready long before the water race is finished ; but Mr. Grill, the manager, informed me that at the last meeting of the Water Company they passed a resolution to the effect that should the Culliford Company's machine be finished before the water race was completed they would employ more workmen ; that all the shareholders in the Water Company were greatly interested iv having a crushing as soon as possible j and that he felt confident that every effort would be made on their part so as to bave as little delay as possible. The contractors for making the inclined tramway from the mine to the battery, had cleared the line of timber and commenced the earthwork, but I feel quite certain that if they do not employ at least twice the number of men they have at work they will not bo able to complete their contract by the time specified, viz., 18th December. I would suggest that in all future contracts of importance the contractors be compelled to fiud security for their due performance. The road up Blue Creek, from the township to the machine site, has been made by the Compauy at a cost of £66, aud by the further expenditure of a very few pounds it would suit for the conveyance of the heaviest machinery. In the event of the Government declining to pay to the Company the above sum, the Company ought to have protection for the road, or some arrangement ought to be come to with the other companies on Blue Creek who are certain to use it. I am, &c, James Henry. NelsoD, Nov. 10, 1870.