Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 116, 16 May 1878, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1878.

We have picked up a few item 3 concerning the present aspect of mining matters in the Collingwood district which will interest our readers. The excitement in the little town arising from the visit last week of bo many visitors, some of them with pockets full of money, was of course very great, and the demand for accommodation atrained the resources of Collingwood to the utmost. General satisfaction was expressed, and will also be felt in Nelson, at the coal mine falling into^the hands of local men, most of them miners, who may be expected to work the coal economically. Dr. Hector gave them excellent counsel when he nrged them to aim above all things at supplying a clean-picked coal. If they did this he predicted success for the undertaking, and could assure them that at Wellington their coal was preferred to any other. Why have they adopted a new new name? Is it that they are abashed by the pun of local application about " the Calling Wood Coal Company?" General'gloom fell on the shareholders in the Phoenix Gold Mining Company at the miserable result of their first crushing of stone from the pyrites reef. As, however, a parcel of the stone taken at random bas been found at the Colonial Laboratory to contain nearly an ounce of gold to the ton, they would seem only to require skilled men and appro-

pnate appliances — such as are obtainable in the Thames district-to put a new face on the matter. It may, therefore, be fairly said that the success of the Phoenix is only postponed for a time. When they d< ?B« fc thei r ounce of gold to the ton, thera will ne a rapid succession of other companies following in their wake. Indeed, already 4u V ° ° ther . claim 8 situated on either wing of the Phoenix have been taken up, one of which— the " Shamrock "--having the same reefs as are now under trial ruuning through It m great strength, is ready to proclaim itself a company as soon as the success of the pioneer company is made sure. Dr. Hector's principal object in visiting Collingwood was to examine and report tipou the Richmond Hill Silver Mine', in going over which he spent au entire day. He reserved his deliberate opinion till he could embody it in an official report; meanwhile he did not conceal hig opinion as to the company possessing a magnificent property, requiring, however, much labor to develop it, and that it was a question of money* pluck and patience whether or not ifc proved a success in the Company's hands. We understand the lode now being sunk upou is a powerful one five feet in width, but the rock is as hard as ever.

A new silver-mining enterprise is commenced at Sailor's Gully, but is in its infancy, not baring even been christened as yet. It may strictly be called a lead-mine, but the amount of silver associated with the lead is much greater than usual. But little has been done on this ground, though ifc is more easily worked than that at Richmond Hill, and awaits the aid of capital. Probably the mining, or rather mineral, enterprise in the Collingwood district which is nearest to fruition is that of the manufacture of hematite paint on a large scale. The Nelson public are well aware that there are here two small factories engaged in this branch of industry, but probably few are apprized of the impulse it is about to receive, and the great dimensions to which it is likely to grow. District Judge Ward and Messrs Turnbull of Dunedin have bought up both the Nelson manufactories, acquired all the available hematite leases, and are • about to form a large company to work .the paint on a scale commensurate with its commercial importance. Ifc is said that moat of the shares are already bespoken, but some will be offered in Nelson, where the depot will be placed, though the manufactory will, for the sake of economy of working, be established at Paia Para. A seam of coal has turned up on one of the leases, but whether of practical value i 3 not yet ascertained. In the West Wanganui district a Wellington Company is working a valuable coal seam, and the Golden Ridge Company is returning golden dividends. The number and variety of embryo mineral enterprises in .the Collingwood and adjacent districts is bewildering; besides the coal and silver in the Whakamaramara Ranges we might name several minerals that are beginning to be talked of as worth attention, but we think enough has been said already to prove that efforts will not be wanting to develop the latent riches of this Cornwall of New Zealand.