MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 495, 15 June 1866, Page 3

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

<«• (From tlie' Lalce Walcaiip Mail, 2nd June.) The chief event of the week Las been the opening of the works of the Otago Quartz Mining Companj', Skipper's (Southberg and party's), which was inaugurated on Thursday by christening the wheel. There was a largo attendance of miners and other visitors. The machine of eight heads of stamps workedsplendidly, and must be considered a great success. "We are unable now to give full particulars of the works of the company, but hope to do so in our next. Perry, "Watt and Co. having nearly completed their works, and will probably, in another week, also be in full work. The Scandinavian Company are packing their machinery on to the ground as fast as possible, and as quickly erecting it ; so that before many weeks Skipper's will be able to boast of three quartz-crushing machines in full working order. A new claim lias been taken up by Hacket and party, under the name of the Mountain company, on the Pactolua Reef, adjoining that of the Miners Royal. Another lease has been applied for on the Nugget Reef, on the eastern side of the Shotover. "We were lately shown a rather remarkable specimen from the Alexandra Company's claim. A seam of gold was distinctly traceable through it, besides sundry specks of the precious metal in other portions of the stone. We understand this company have in contemplation the suspension of prospecting operations till the severe months of winter are past. The stone in the Criterion Company's claim, Arrow, is said io show better than that of the first crushing. Mundic abounds in this reef, one and a half pounds of which has been tested by Mr. Mining Surveyor "Wright, and the result was nearly seven grains, or at the rate of more than twelve ounces of gold per ton. There are good indications of Criterion Co.'s reef, in the Jupiter and "Who'd-have-thought-it Companys' claims. ■ The Barracouta Company have struck in one of their shafts a large leader, supposed to indicate the near existance- of the main reef. A party have struck a reef near the eight mile, where the Deep Creek joins the Arrow, but no auriferous prospects have at present been reported. It is also rumored that a new reef has been discovered about five miles from Arrowtown towards the Kawarau. At Twelve-mile, Arrow, most parties doing well, also those on the Deep Lead, at the Cardrona. The parties on Lower l\"evis, sluicing the Kawarau banks, are doing very well. A correspondent, writing from the Arrow says : — ' ¥ The Columbian Quartz Mining Co held their first meeting on Wednesday, 30th ult, when the following gentlemen were elected directors : — Messrs "Worth (Queenstown), Gr. C. Bowman, E. I\ Williamson, E. De La Perrelle, and R. Campbell. Subsequently Mr Bowman was elected Chairman of the Board. The Cornish Co. in German Chilly have accepted a tender for sinking thirty feet upon the reef in their present shaft. The prospects are very encouraging, gold having been found in the stone. Criterion hard at work, and the amalgam looking well. The company do not up until Saturday next, 9th inst." A correspondent writing from the j Xevis, under date 22nd May, says: — " Mining matters are rather dull here at present. ]SFo prospecting is attempted owing to the insufficient size of claims allowed by the present absurd Mining Regulations. The consequence is that most of our miners, as their claims get. worked out, transfer themselvs and their earnings to the goldfields of "Westland. instead ofremaining to develops the resources of this district. Verily, Mr V. Pyke has a deal to answer, for such an unsatisfactory state of things. "We are of opinion that the sooner mining boards are establisned the better for the mining interests of the province. "We may state taat great dissatisfaction is felt here at the New Regulations, anent water-races. If the owners of water-wheels are to pay 5s for each head of water required, we can only call it taxation), with ft vengeance."