THE WEEK.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3083, 4 January 1879, Page 2

THE WEEK.

During the past week, and, indeed, the preceding week to, there has been but Ihttle work done in any, of our mines. Towards the end of the present week [.several of the principal mines made a 'start, but as many of the batteries are undergoing their annual overbMAithe gold returns will be sparse fo7 a few weeks. There is no interest shown in mining matters at all just now, except, perhaps, by the miners, who draw their weekly wages therefrom, and it will take a very good find to cause a revival from the present torpor. , _The stoppage of the Waio Earaka Pump referred to in our mining newi must be regarded as a calamity of no small moment to this district, as it; will cauie the throwing out of work of some fifty or sixty men, and more should the stoppage continue long enough to affect the other mines drained by the pump. We suppose the directors are Waiting to see what reply the Government will give to_ their application for assistance. It is rumonred that if the pump stops any length of time; the greatest difficulty will be experienced in clearing the mines of water. For the last two or three months the, Queen of Beauty hag been keeping the pump going without any outside assistance, and it is to be hoped that, some satisfactory arrangement will be arrived to enable the immediate resuming of operations in the low lewis of the Waio-Karaka Flat. : A number of the claimholders at Hape Creek are put to serious inconvenience and loss through not being able toget their stuff down to the,butteries, the tramway having fallen into such a dilapidated condition that it is absolutely impossible to get a truck Jo rua along some portions of it. There are several claims in this vicinity now working with, payable prospects.