MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 632, 15 February 1867, Page 3

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Mmmg — both alluvial and reef — may be said to be progressing slowly as far as actual results are concerned. Many works of preparation, however, are in an unfinished state, among which may be included those of the Big Beach Company, Big Beach, and the Union Company, Arthur's Point. The former are losing no time in bringing up a covered tail-race secure, from all floods ; and the latter have been energetically at work in securing their water-race, so as to increase the supply of water, and also have brought i their mammouth water-wheel (36 feet in diameter) to such a state towards completion as will enable them, most probably, to commence the working of their ground the beginning of next week. A party of miners are also busy in carrying a - race on te Wrexford Terrace, Upper Shotover. It will be necessary to flume the water across the river by a span of about 700 feet, and we understand the wire rope required for same is now en route from Invercargill. The prospects of this party is very cheering, as it is stated the ground proposed to be sluiced has yielded liberal wages by a more disadvantageous mode of working. The sluicing and reefing interests are suffering chiefly from lack of water supply, owing to the unusual drought. and sometimes heavy, showers have occurred lately, but their duration has been too limited for them to have any material effect in satisfying the demands. At the Nokomai present results are said to be more encouraging than they have been for some months. The number of miners at work is considerably reduced, but nearly every one on the field is said to be making money. The Grreat Extended Company, who own a very extensive race of about 10 miles, are continuing it another three miles or so, in order to increase the supply of water to work good payable terrace ground that will last for years. . It is true, as rumored in our last issue, that Perry and Co., have struck the reef in their claim. The reef is about four feet thick, and the stone, all through which fine gold is to be seen, is believed to be payable, We were informed yesterday that the Criterion Co., had come on some good stone, said to differ in - character from that previously obtained, and the lode was more defined. Inormation of Southberg and Co's claim, and the Scandinavian will be found below. Of the other quartz claims we can say little; some few are being prospected, but the majority are still lying untested. A correspondent writing from Skipper's under date 29th January says : — Mining matters are improving. Southberg and Co., have struck some very rich stone, and as the material for their ad-, ditional machinery is fast arriving on the ground, and will be in working order-in two months, it seems only within bounds to prophesy that some fine cakes of gold may be expected from this claim before winter sets in. The British American Co, too, have struck the reef in the prospecting shaft. After sinking about 70 ft they have driven some 90 ft, and struck a lode about 2|- ft thick, widening out at the bottom. Q-old is to be plainly seen all through it. At the Scandinavian Co's claim the last portion of the new wheel arrived a few days ago, and the whole was fixed in its appointed place on Monday last. The following day a trial start was made with ten heads of stamps, and proved highly satisfactory. As much as fifty-eight strokes per minute was obtained, and was kept up. The wheel, which is a reaction turbine, runs very smoothly, and reflects the greatest credit upon Mr Smith, the com r pany's engineer, by whom it was designed. It is astonishing the power it gives with the limited supply of water at hand, consequent upon the late dry season. In sluicing claims things are looking well Watkins and party have cut a new race along Skipper's Creek, fluming their water over the creek by a wire rope. The ground taken up by them has been tunnelled, but the previous parties having no water at hand it was given up by them. G-old is found in the gravel some distance up, and as much as £50 has been refused for a share in the claim. The Aylmer Eace Co are doing very well ; netting as much as -£10 per week per man. The Mountain Eace Co are also getting good returns. The Enterprise Co is again at work and their returns are very favorable. All classes of mining have decidedly improved at Skippers. The contractors for the new bridge over the Shotover at Skipper's Point have arrived. This important work is much required before winter sets in, and it is to be hoped the contractors will push it ahead without delay, as it alone might prevent many accidents to packers and .travellers to and from this district. — Wakatip Mail.