MINING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 166, 13 April 1871, Page 6

MINING.

The Tuapeka Goldfield is not the only one that has suffered from the recent drought which, by-the-by, has been pretty general all over New Zealand. The " Nelson Colonist " says : — Would it be credited that the long drought experienced on the West Coast has had an influence on the Goldtields revenue of the Province, atnountieg to some thousmds of pounds during the present year 1 Yet we are assured such is the fact. Such a filling off in this branch of the revenue represents a deplorable state of things for the minevd, who are in the position of frozen out gardeners. Infiict, the dry weather has caused a loss of thousands of pounds per week on the Coast. Trade is suffering, the retailer and wholesale dealer, and the exporter to the West Coast from different parts, are all suffering from this cause. In Charleston district it is estimated that £20,000 has been literally lost to that district through want of water. Need more be said to induce every man to exerc his influence to forward with all speed the water supply scheme of the General Government? It would pay the miners to pay a handsome rent, not only to meet the interest of the money expended, but also in course of time to recoup the capital.

According to a Northern paper, an immense quantity of stutt" is being extracted from the upper workings of the Caledonian claim, and the mine is now keeping fifty head of stampers going, two batteries of five head each having started to work for it the other day at the Waiotahi machine. There are about 8001 b. of specimens on hand, and close upon 200oz. of amalgam. The stuff crushing at the company's own mill is yielding magnificently.

A late number of the "Thames Advertiser " says, with regard to the Caledonian : — The wonderful richness of this mine was again exemplified yesterday morning, when after the night shift 6cwt. of specimens were brought to the surface. They are exceedingly rich, many of them would run 6 ozs. to the pound, and such stone still continues to be broken out from the stopes and winze. Yesterday another lot, weighing 1166 ounces of gold, the result of two retorts full of amalgam, was lodged in the bank, increasing the amount on hand to 7674 ounces. There were then two retorts full ready to be put on the fire, and these will add at least another thousand to the amount already in hand. Specimen crushing is still continued with unabated vigour, and adds hourly to the amalgam on hand. The general stuff is also turning out splendidly, and even the so-called inferior stuff that is being crushed at the Herald battery is averaging Bozs. or 9ozs. to the ton. The manager has commenced a rise from the main level of the engine-shaft to meet the winze which is being sunk from the No. 2 shcift, and the sinking of the engineshaft is still continued. Although the two pumps are in position, only one is required to keep the water down. A splendid block of stone, a sample of the specimens broken out on Tuesday, was on view yesterday in the exchangeroom of the Bank of New Zealand. Another lot of gold, weighing 8600z., was lodged in the Bank last night, and there was then another retort on the fire containing from 400 to 500 more. There are now 83910z. on hand. The mine continued to turn oxit splendid specimens during the day, and in the evening a lot weighing oOOlbs. was broken out, making the total produce of specimens llOOlbs during yesterday,

Mining affairs at Coromandel were like-wise progressing favourably. The Nil Desperanduin had just finished a crushing for the Excelsior, with the magnificent return of 79 oz, from 15

tons. The result of the Swedish Crown crushing at the New Zealand Company's battery, yielded, from a small parcel of fifteen tons of stone, 34 oz. 12 dwt. melted gold. An average yield of this amount from 'the enormous quantities of this kind of quartz obtainable, will ere long p.'ace the Swedish Crown foremost among tho dividend claims of this district. The yield of the small sample lot of stone from the Count Von Bismark turned out exceedingly well, three tons yielding 7 oz* 17 dwts. 12 grs. retorted gold, proving to the shareholders the payable character of the general stuff from this very promising claim. At the Bay View a very promising new leader, bearing about E and W. , had again been found, a short distance from their present works, having all the indications and appearances of giving a good return at an early date. The Little-and-Good prospects seldom looked better, fine looking stone being daily raised and paddocked for an early crushing.