MINING MEMORANDA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 230, 27 June 1872, Page 8

MINING MEMORANDA.

REEFTiIN. (From tltc " West Coast Times'" correspondent.) May 29. It often happens that before a storm there is a lull, and so it is here ; at present there is a slight calm, but the storm, or "rush" must inevitably come. Twothirds of the miners are now at work on the roads " putting in " the winter •months, and, at the same time, saving money enough to enable them to make a fresh start in spring. The town is very dull and business people are grumbling sorely especially those who have paid fancy prices for business-sites. B,unior has it that Mace's crushing has turned out well. I call it " well," if it has reached — as I am informed it has— 3oz to the ton, and the 600 tons now crushed,. I have no hesitation in saying, is the poorest portion of the reef. There is every reason to believe that the Westland Company's crushing will top Mace's by at least 2oz to the ton, and as the machinery is now in working order, they will no doubt commence crushing in three weeks' time.

There can ba but one opinion as to the administration of affairs by the Government in this district. From first to last it has shown itself incapable of managing this goldfield, and both the Press has, or seems to have no settled opinion on anything but "sections," while regarding mining affairs it decidedly prefers going with the tide of the public opinion, utterly oblivious as to when the slid tide, may bear them, and, as a natural consequence, they as a rule, find themselves at sea. The raining community sen to be led by one or two gentleman who are better at finding out grievances than in suggesting remedies for them, and who dearly love to hear their own sweet voices. Ere long I anticipate having the pleasure of seeing some thinking men settle amongst us, and for the sake of the district, the sooner the better.

There is every reason to believe that many of the reefs already discovered vi il turn out "fortune?," but it will take both time and money to develope them. The miner, as a rule, has little to give but " time," and of that he is liberal enough, making ho objection to " putting" in " six months of shepherding, particularly if there are four notes a- week hanging to it. What we really want is capital, and as that commodity is scarce on the Coast, we must, like Sir Julius seek elsewhere for it. A branch bunk is greatly required here, and would be a great boon to all classes of the community. The only wonder is that a bank has not been .opened before this.

Li conclusion, I can assure your readers that they will fin,d every facility

here for parting with their loose cash, either above or below a £20 note, or to any amount they please.

Several specimens of gold bearing quartz have been sent from Candahar to Calcutta. Mineralogists consider that the strata must contain gold in rich proportion .and considerable quantity. The "Oamaru Times" learns from the Maerewhenua Diggings, that the races in progress are being vigorously pushed on. The Mosquito, which runs to the south branch of the Maerewhenua River, is. expected to be completed in a fortnight, and a permanent water supply, available for a large area of payable ground, will then be afforded. There at present about 70 men at work on the field, one party intending to have a great washing-up in a few days. All seem very confident of good results, indeed our informant states that there are miles of payable ground, good prospects being obtainable in some places from the suface to a depth of forty or fifty feet. A township is shortly to be laid out and steps are being taken for the establishment of a public school.

An industrial Exhibition will be held in the Thames Mechanics' lnstitute in Augusc next. The exhibition will comprise all kinds of articles of manufacture, but preference will be shown to those to which most nearly affect the progress of the goldfield. Models of quartz-crushing, amalgamating, boring, and gold-mining apparatus are particularly desired, and with this view communications have been sent to San Francisco, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and the southern provinces, inviting the sending of models of this kind.

The mining department, Auckland, has received a descriptive circular by Messrs. Hutton and Mac Donald, of Leeds, respecting a new double-acting steam hammer for crushing purposes. Tho machine is arranged in a very compact and portable form. The stamp-head is worked on the same principle as the steam hammer, the blow being due to the pressure of the steam upon it, to the end of its downward stroke, as well to the weight and fall of the stamp-head. The anvil block can be placed upon a simple wood foundation. The anvil and stamp head are capable of being turned round to equalise the wear, and can be replaced at a small cost when too much worn for use. The machine is said to possess the crushing power of more than twenty ordinary stamp-heads, and to be economical and rapid in working. The portableness of the machine, and the fact that several of them can be used together are additional recommendations in its favour. The cost is said to be moderate, and the weight of the whole eight tons. It is urged by the manufacturers that it is of especial value to small companies of miners who have not the means to obtain large and expensive machines.

The Tokatea mine at the Coroinandel has yielded for the twelve mouths ending April, 16,794 ounces of gold, from 3958 tons, valued at £41,400,