Mining Notes.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2069, 18 January 1898, Page 2

Mining Notes.

Work will shortly be re-commenced in that promising l region which may be described as the hinterland of the Tui, although the reefing country is entirely different and the numerous surface indications bespeak the presence of a body of remarkably highclass stone. Mr Harry Burt has returned'from the Bast , Coast looking very fit and well, and development work at the claims in which he is interested, the Crimson Thread, Golden Band, and Silver Streak, will be proceeded with sometime during the week. Work is progressing very favorably on the Great Western G.M. Co.’s proproperty under the direction of Mr Farquharson. Work has ?been resumed on the Sisters S. C., Te Pnlce. As soon as a few sets of timber have been put in the No. 2 drive will be started for the purposepf cutting a reef which outoro s in another part of the property. : An important publio meeting was held at Te Puke on Friday under the auspices of the Mayor and County Chairman relative to the mining industry at Te Puke. Mr B. R. Hunt one of the proprietors of the big mine there, attended the meeting, and explained thejgfeesent position of affairs, what was contemplated to be done, and the future prospects, The mine comprises 1100 acres of freehold, and 25,000 shares out of 100,000 are being offered to the publio. Mr Hunt stated that financial arrangements were already made for the putting up of a 40-stamp battery, and that the owners of the mine had subscribed £1975 to open up and develop the mine. The preliminaries for starting operations on Ralph’s Taupiri coal mines are now being pushed on with all possible despatch. Plan® and specifications are being prepared for the construction of the neoessary machinery, and tenders for the same will be invited shortly. It is the intention of the directors to have as much of the machinery as possible produced locally the objeot being to lose as little time as possible before getting to work. The Company has leased two of the allotments on the reclamation near the Freezing Works to be used as a coal depot, and the necessary offices will in due course be erected. The depot will be convenient both for shipping and railway, as well as for the requirements of the town trade.

‘The Bendigo mines have now reached such great depths that miners only work with difficulty, and six hours’ labour is all that they can do underground in certain localities,’ remarks the correspondent of the - London Mining Journal. ‘lt is preying on their mind / and making old men of them at forty. Consequently the constitution of the rising generation is likely to be undermined unless some amelioration of the conditions under which their, fathers work is introduced.’ The Victorian Government, acting on the advice of the Board appointed to inquire into the matter, have offered £I,OOO to any person who can institute a cheap and effective means of ventilating mines. .