MINING MEMORANDA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 203, 21 December 1871, Page 7

MINING MEMORANDA.

Special efforts have been made for some time in Victoria to effect the saving of pyi-ites at the quartz-erush-inj; machines. The present- plau appears to be the introduction of tucks or plaits in the blankets, about two feet apart. Blankets are now specially manufactured for this purpose. " na are said to act satisfac^' 1 ' 1 !; show the imp' I'*fa"-c1 '* fa "- c w^^ which the saviug and treatment of pyrites and other "refuse" is viewed in Victoria we need only quote the fact that the return of gold obtained in thit colony form this source from March 31 to this year was no less than 9,000 ozs. The Macrae's correspondent of the " Waikouaita Herald " writes as folio ws : — The cry on all sides is about dull times, still, in the face of this, new buildings are being erected in the townahip almost weekly, not only by Europeans but also by the Celestials. This seems io be a favourite place for the Mongolian class of miners to try their luck at gold digging before they-peoceed further up the country. There is a considerable number of them engaged in gold digging in this district, and, I am induced to believe, more than one-half of the miners on this goldfleld are Chinese. Claims originally abandoned by European miners are being worked by them with profitable results. The Hock and Pillar diggings are turning out well. There is a considerable number of miners at work on the ground that was recently opened upThe great drawback to miners hitherto has been the want of a store on the ground where they could purchase provisions, mining tools, &c This want is about to be supplied by an enterprising individual who has announced his intention to open a store during the summer months. T need hardly state that this locality will have to be abandoned on the approach ofwinter. In fact those that intend to try their luck in that part of the district need not be surprised to see a snowstorm during the summer months in that inhospitable region.

The " Wellington Independent," of the 29fch ultimo, says:— Slow but steady progress is being made in the effort to discover gold in the neighbourhood of Baker's Hill. The Baker's Hill Company have nearly completed their water-race, and the water wheel will be finished in about a weok. It will be equal to between three and four horse power, and will be engaged to drive three head of stampers, though it is said, by those who understand the matter, that it will be equal_ to driving four. The drive has not been taken any further than the 410 feet, the stuff to be put through being taken from the second drive, from which was taken the specimens reported on so favourably by Messrs. Brown and O Neil, who were appointed by Parliament to examine the ground in connection with the passing of the Waterworks Bill. Very little information of the company's operations can now be obtained by inquisitive visitors, as the manager of the

works ba3 taken the precaution to fasten up the drives ; consequently .specimens of the stuff now being got out are not being hawked about the town in such plentiful number as was formerly the case.

The Coromandel correspondent of the Auckland " Weekly News " writes as follows. — It is very gratifying for prospectors and parties interested in the beach portion of the Keven's Point claims to find they will Boon be supplied with abundance of crushing power. Captain Thomas, the manager of the New Zealand Company, has within a few days, selected the best position on that part of the field for the erection of a 15-head battery, with a 25-horse power steam, engine and boiler. The Green Harp, being the foremost and most developed of the Beach claims, presents a splendid show. The Golden Pah, Neptune,, and Venus claims come next in importance. They are all on promising gold leaders, whilst many new prospecting claims are kept industriously at work, wich good objects to look forward to. — Eeferring to the upper or Tokatea range portion of the diggings, the next latest important find I have heard has been from some prospecting done on the new lease of the Whakaroa Quartzmining Company flate the Flying Cloud). The prospects obtained on the surface from the old leader have shown extraordinarily rich results of very pure coarse gold. A winze is to be sunk forthwith on this leader, which will, no doubt, give splendid returns to the fortunate proprietors. Grood gold has been exhibited during the past few days from the new Waverley lease, which is most encouraging to find at such an early date of proceedings. At the Day Dawn aud Peep-o'Day operations are principally confined to driving their bottom level. The Pride of the Tokatea are blocking out good-looking stone for an early crushing. The Count von Bismarck, Freuch Republic, Siege of Paris, and D*y TA%ht are prosecuting their drives at their various level?, with every energy and dispatch, with a view of meeting the rich leader of the Tokatea ground. The Conquering Hero have met their leader in the shaft, producing fair shows of gold. At Murphy's Hill the lower dr've ia being pushed ahead, and, when completed, there is everyprobability of good stone being met with. Vigorous workings are being done on the late rush o l Syke's Creek, Paul's Creek, and the head of the Driving Crsek, ami many leases pegged off. T'uere «» no doubt the various prospecting parties now scattered rtirowr h the creek and ranges will, during this fine season, be amply rewarded for their rough researches. The New Zealand Company's batfcevy, being rented for the Tokatea Company, is kept in full work, .andthe general appearance of the yields is of the same good class as hitherto. ru« umw w tte ri e g arP generally employed m vanouo «.— u Iq^ dali coming in.

The Auckland "Weekly News' says ■ that the Auckland Provincial Government are about to test the truth or otherwise of the reported gold discoveries in the Ohinemuri district.

The " Southern Cross " says that fcbe directors of the Caledonian company have resolved not to dispose of their tailings as heretofore by public auction, but have entered into an ar-. ; rangement with Mr. Severn to have the t tilings treated on a new principle on behalf of the company. Tip wards of 3000 tona of tailings have accumulated, which, it is expected, will b© gone through at the rate of 200 tons per week.

Groldmining in Queensland (remarks a Sydney paper) would seem to be carried on in the midst of difficulties that would deter any but a regular and seasoned digger. Fever and ague is caught and got rid of, or get rid of the digger in regular course.

Dysentery waits upon him with every change of locality. He is starved in one place unless he goes out upon the road, at purchases vi et armis from some incoming team. In another place he is half killed with thirst, or is forced to drink water that lays the foundation for future disease. Lately, to add to all these miseries, he runs the risk of being cut off by bands of marauding blacks, who wander through the country murdering every white whom t! ey can take at a disadvantage. Latterly these murders by the blacks in Northern Queensland have been appalling frequently, and several wellknown squatters have perished by the spears of the natives. How many unknown, uncai'ed for, and untraeeable diggers have fallen in the same way will never be known.

A Bill to legalise mining on private property ia to be circulated by the Victorian Government before the recess, and after an opportunity has been afford jd for an expression of publii! opinion upon its provisions, the Bill ia to be introduced early nest session.