REEFING AT SKIPPERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 234, 25 July 1872, Page 6

REEFING AT SKIPPERS.

Quartz mining is looking up at one claim at Skippers, amid the first discovered portions of the reefs of that district. The claim we allude to is that of the Gladstone, owned by Messrs Southberg and Duncan, and containing about sixteen acres. The claim, we hear, continues to turn out payable stone, which yields, upon crushing, from ljozs to 3ozs per ton. The reef; which is" said to be from two to— three feet wide, has been followed up for over one hundred feet along the surface, and the deepest part worked, except a trial shaft, is some sixteen feet. The trial shaft is, of course, considerably deeper and has proved the existence and continuance of the reef at a lower level, and the stone is said to improve ali the way down. Messrs Southnerg and Duncan at present content themselves with working without incurring any large outlay for wages, as they own in conjunction with Mr Mala^han, the old Ota«o Company's crushing machine, they are enabled to crush their own quartz, and find fund 3 for the necessary outlay iv piospecting the older claim. Upon the latter abont L6OO has been thus expended, but confidence is felt in the eventual result of the venture. The history of the Gladstone claim is a peculiar one. It was taken up in January, 1864, by Messrs Hackett and Manders. The former gentleman was so confident that the other claims were off the line in that particular direction, that it was proposed by him to call it the "Cock Bird Beef." It being, however, the first day of the New Year, a lease claim of similar dimensions to the Gladstone was marked out and christened the " New Year's Gift." A trial shaft was put down at an expense of tome L 320. The men employed did not, however, sink the shaft at the place indicated, but this was not found out until too late, as the men employed sent in from time to time favorable reports and specimens. Had that shaft been sunk in the spot pointed out, it would have opened up tho reef now being worked. The original lease was abandoned during the crisis which followed this first trial, but ever siuce thc-n Mr Southberg says ho had his eye on the claim, although it was a long time before he could get on his legs sufficiently strong to tackle it. When he did he found the reef after a couple of days' work, and was guided to some extent in his search by the mdica tions obtained by the former proprietors. He expresses a strong opinion that he has hit a solid, p°rm?inent, and rich reef. "We wish Mr Southbf-rg every-^ucccss. No one is more deserving of good ■ luck than this persevering miuer, who through good and ill repute has stuck so manfully to this part of the Skippers district. — Wahatip Mail.

Cost of Railway Material. — As showing tho cost of railway material, and the effect the increased price will have on the works about to be constructed, the following extract from a speech of the chairman of the London, < hatham, and Dnver Eailway Co. at its lecent annual meeting will be interesting. He said : — "Taking the cost of iron and steel chairs and rails, which form so large an item in railway expenditure, just a fortnight ago we made our contracts for iron and steel rails and chairs fur 1872. In regard to iron rails, we had to pay LlO 10s a ton as against L 6 18a 6d in the previous year. As ! egards steel rails we had to pay Ll3 03 per ion as against Lll 7s Qd. For chairs we had to pay L 5 5s 7d as against L 3 9a 6d."

The Thames Guardian expresses an opinion that if a few of the local bakers were branded as well as their loaves, it would not be a bad thiug for the community.

The Wt'xl Coast Times reports that there are now about 400 persons at the Woodstock rush. Gold has been struck by five different parties, and prospects are showing well.