MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 35, 16 November 1871, Page 3

MINING.

UNITED PUMPING ASSOCIATION.— LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE FOUNDATION.

Yesterday afternoon the first stone of the foundation for the above company’s machinery was laid in the presence of a number of gentlemen interested in the work. The stone, which measured 4 feet by 3x2, was let down on to the spot prepared for it, and Mr. Dewar, having given it the finishing touch, said, “ I declare this stone to be well and truly laid, and wish all and every success to the contractor in the completion of his work.” The stone having been thus sufely placed, refreshments, kindly provided for the occasion by Mr. Briton, the contractor, were handed round and partaken of by all the visitors and employees on the works, Mr. Dewar then proposed the health of Mr. Errington, the Engineer of the Association. He said it was a day. of particular pleasure to him. Some nine months ago, when this work was first proposed, the magnitude of the undertaking had, at first, frightened many of those interested, but they now had something tangible before them in the amount of work which had been already done on the ground. It was necessary that every undertaking should have some guiding hand at the helm, and he thought that the United Pumping Association could not have a better pilot than Mr. Errington, who had drawn up ail the plans for this large undertaking, and under whose sole supervision the work was being carried out. After many years’ acquaintance with Mr. Errington, he felt perfectly satisfied that the work could not possibly be in better hands. He concluded by asking all present to join him in drinking the health of Mr. Errington, which was cordially done. Mr. Errington responded, thanking them all kindly for the manner in which they had drunk his health, and begged leave to propose the health of the contractor, Mr. Briton, wishing him success in carrying out his work, and hoped the contract would be a remunerative one.

Mr. Briton responded, and said he was glad to see so many gentlemen present, thanking them for drinking his health, and also for the kind wishes expressed by all his friends.

Mr. Brodie proposed the health of Air. Dewar, who was one of the originators of the plan of operations now being carried on on the ground, and hoped he would see and feel some of the benefits which were sure to be the result of this great and useful work. Mr. Dewar replied, thanking them all for their kind wishes, and said that though the principal part of proprietary were away from the scene of operations, he felt sure they would be satisfied that all was being carried on for their advantage, when they heard how things were progressing over the water. The present work would not only benefit the companies immediately in the vicinity of. the pumps, but would undoubtedly drain a very large area of ground. He then proposed the health of the Directors of the companies who had united for carrying out this work, coupled with the name of Mr. Thomas Russell, which was enthusiastically drunk. Air. Dewar proposed the Press, saying lie was always glad to see the representatives of the public Press knocking about amongst them. Air. Sandes duly responded.

Tookey Company.— The manager informs us that at a distance of GO feet from the main shaft, at the 200 feet level, he has come on to the main reef, which shows up a fine strong body of stone. The drive will, of course, be continued along towards the upper boundary, in order to prospect for, and reach the run of gold which does not exist where the reef is now cut. No delay is likely to occur now, as the ventilation of the mine is quite under command. Albion.— The stone now in hand at the bottom of the shaft is very hard, necessitating the use of powder as they get down. Some quartz was cut in the corner of the shaft yesterday, butitisnotanything of consequence, as far as at present, can be seen, being simply a small vein of quartz, which carries a good deal of metal in it. This shaft is getting rather deep now for working by hand, but we perceive that tenders are called for the erection of an engine to work it with.

Shotover. —The machinery has been standing this week, receiving a thorough overhaul, which the manager deemed necessary. A new plunger-caße has been put in at the low level, and everything having been put in good order, a start wil ba made, in all jirobability, to-day. In the mean time, the tributers are getting out a good quantity of stone for crushing. Waiotahi. —The tributers working for this company are breaking down a very large body of stuff composed of saudstone thickly impregnated with quartz veins of all sizes, running in all directions, and which carry the gold sometimes in good quanties, a tin dishful of magnificent specimens having been taken out of one of the veins yesterday morning and crushed at the company’s battery. We have not yet learned with what result. This body of payable stuff has been proved to a depth of fifty feet below the present surface workings, so that a very large quantity will be available for some time to come. At the company’s battery, Good’s tribute (Tookey Co.) are crushing a lot, which will be completed in a day or so, and the Prince Imperial are also putting a large lot through. Dixon’s No. I.— A trial crushing from the surface stuff at the old tip-head of six tons is going on at the Manakau fur this company, and should it prove payable, a large quantity will be sent down. Kelly’s tribute are also trying a few tons from a leader, at this battery. The Poverty and Charleston likewise occupy one of the batteries, and at the end of the week the Red White and Blue will commence with ten head.

Moanataiari Union. —A parcel of about 60 lbs. of stone was crushed at Spencer and Hall’s test battery, yesterday, and gave a return of llozs 4dwts smelted gold. They are getting another paddock of stone ready for the mill, and expect a good return from it.

Bird-in-lland. —A meeting of the directors was held yesterday, and the usual business transacted, accounts passed, &c. It was decided to open out at the 100-feet level, and to put in prospecting drives from both sides of the shaft at once. A. call of Is per share was also made, in order to carry out the proposed works without delay. City of Dunedin. —A parcel of 40oz of gold from the crushing going on at Russell’s battery for this claim was lodged in the Bank of New South Wales yesterday. We have not heard the quantity of stone crushed, but the yield is about the average. New Caledonia. —The country is getting softer as the drive gets further into the hill, and the reef is also increasing in size as it is opened up, still carrying good gold. The manager is ready to start a continuous crushing as soon as satisfactory arrangements can be made about a battery. It seems that Mr De Hirsch sent a man up to get some stone, which has been left lying on the ground by the former proprietors, .and which contains a very large quantity of mundic, but on breaking one or two of the stones, u very good show of gold was seen. Mr. De Hirsch did not get the stone. Celt. —A trial crushing of 17Glbs of stone brought down from the Celt was crushed, and gave a return of an ounce to the ton. This is the second trial which has given the same result* and as the stone was taken promisuously from the reef, which is eleven feet wide, the prospect is an encouraging one, as the owners intend to erect machinery of their own on the ground when they have plenty of water power at hand, Moa. —A crushing for this company’s tributers was finished yesterday at Bull’s No. 1 battery Karaka Creek, but as the amalgam was taken away from the battery no return is to hand as yet. It seems that the parly for whom the crushing took place are subtributers, having taken the claim from the original tributer. When the clean up took place, and in the absence of the manager of the battery, they possessed themselves of the amalgam, and walked off with it. offering the money for the crushing. They afterwards had the stuff retorted, as they returned the silver to Mr. Bull. The whole thing looks suspicious, not to say worse ; in fact, if tributers of companies are to be allowed to act in such a manner, it would bo no wonder that the companies should receive a very small per ccntage or none at all from the crushings. More we expect to hear on the matter to-day.