Mining Review of the Week.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3529, 17 April 1880, Page 2

Mining Review of the Week.

Daring the week the mining world has been in a state of comparative quiet, the only event of interest occurring to relieve the monotony being the starting of the Alburnia battery. The directors of a premier mine,have at considerable expense refitted and rebuilt the old Prince Alfred mill, and the new machine is a credit to the place, and will'doubtless become a favorite with the claimholdors of the Moanatairi Creek for whose accommodation provision has been made. Writing on thia subject it may be mentioned that complaints are already made by the new battery officials of insufficient water, while other batteries are suffering similarly. Allowance must of course be made for the dry weather, and the exceptional strain on the resources of the supply at present, but what will be the state of things when the Queen of Beauty pumping turbine starts work. The power required will use a large quantity of water, and though it is provided that the Queen of Beauty batter; shall be the first to stop in the event of a failure of the supply, it is expected that there will be a great scarcity for the batteries, and the granting of further power from the race would be madness.

During the week arrangements hare been concluded between the Colmbia and New North Devon' Companies, foi 1 the joint working of these minei, aud operations will be started at onoe.

The drainage measurements made by the Mining Inspector's Department today, show the state of the water in the various shafts to be as follows :—Pump Shaft 227 ft, Prince imperial 241 ft, Crown Princess 241, and Piako 217. Since the Big Pump started on March 6th, the water has been reduced as follows :~Pump Shaft 64£ ft, Prince Imperial 65|-ft, Crown Princess 41ft Piako 20Jft. The aepth of the Caledonian No. 3 level corresponds with a point 274 ft down the Bip Pump shaft, and should the Pump continue to diminish the water at the same rate as at present, operations may be commenced at the No. 3 level in a fortnight.