Our Mining Reporter.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 1890, 23 January 1875, Page 2

Our Mining Reporter.

THE WEEK.

There is nothing to relate but the everyday routine work, and there are few but newchum speculators who make a study of perusing such like reading. I may remark en passant thai; this class of individuals sedulously devour the " mining column," and derive great comfort from such announcements as that a new leve has been opened up in this mine, or " the color" found in that; and buififhigh hopes upon the same of • future greatness. They will become acclimatised in time. As Mr Weller senior remarked of the illustrious patron of his son, when incarcerated in the fleet, I may remark of these people— they have entered our community "rather raw," and, eventually become " exceedin' brown."

Attention v in many places being attracted to the principle of amalgamation in carrying on mining operations. In one or two directions in our own district its advantages have been acknowledged and silently practised, and the result has proved the supposition, that quartz can be worked much cheaper when the country is opened up on an extensive scale, than when operations are confined to a limited extent of ground, and in which so much unproductive "work has to be done before any return can be expected in the shape of procuring crushing stuff. Ihe experience of all miners will endorse this fact; and we need to go no further for evidence of the necessity of some scheme of amalgamation than our own field, where the progress of many mines—which should pay for werking in this age of scientific and mechanical improvements—is stunted, and oftentimes stopped for want of the facilities which a complete opening up of a large extent of country in different directions would give them. It is a pretty well ascertained fact that there is ground lying idle on this field which .should prove remunerative. Some such system of working as that suggested will doubtless be adopted in time ; and as for cheap crushing—a most essential particular—it must be remembered that the promised water supply, if all is to be expected from it that is stated, will have the effect of materially lessening the expense in the working of batteries, and thus enable them to crush at aTmich lower rate than at present. The mines have all got well into trim, and work is being carried on with 9 regularity which would not suggest'to a stranger that a " Christmas holidays" had occurred to. break the even tenor of our way. One of our mines has stopped, namely the Crown Prince—corked up by a bailiff. It is to be regretted that operations could nofc be continued. The workings of this mine were on a most extensive scale, and were carried on very ably by Mr Beeche. As a reflective friend observed to me recently, the stoppage of an extensive mine such as this, not alone affects the laborers ynmodiately engaged in the working of it, but it effects the labor market generally. One such an occurrence, for instance, makes a material decrease in the demand for coal and so with other supplies. It has been stated that the company will be reformed and a fresh start made in the course of a few weeks. Yesterday I visited the pumping association and ascertained that there is every probability of sinking being resumed on Monday r.ext. About Monday last ths gas was fortunately overcome, and the fires were then lighted. During the week an immense amount of work has been got through, throwing great credit upon. Mr Black, the manager, Mr "Box, and all connected with this important work. The 25-inch lift has been substituted for the 12-inch, and yesterday the rods for the lower section of the shaft were connected. This is. satisfactory intelligence to have to record, and will be generally received with pleasure, since, as it is well'known, all mining on the Thames goldfield revolves round thia one great centre.

The yield from tho Manukau mine is calculated to be magnificent. Yesterday the specimen crushing was finished, and the result far exceeded the most sanguine expectations. This will swell the return from the general crushing of three weeks, and the lucky shareholders will be the recipients of a fine dividend. 31570zs 15 dwts of amalgam were obtained from the cleaning-up, and retorting was commenced to-day, but the result will not be in time for this issue.

The following is a compend of igold lodged at the Bank of New Zealand durnig the week: —

This is merely the amount lodged.up. to 12 noon to-day, and does not by any means represent the returns for tne week. As mentioned above the Manukau return has yet to come in, and there are other parcels, amongst them the Queen of Beauty's return for the fortnight. ■■. ■■...■

Werty and Charleston loanatari lalifornia ... „„ ►Id Monarch , ozs. dwt ... 1H ... 449 ... 14 ... 7 tsvgrs. 17 0 0 0 S 0 1 12