MINING ITEMS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1198, 31 July 1874, Page 4

MINING ITEMS.

[LTELL ARGXI3.] In the Monte Christo on "Wednesday evening last, a first-class leader, averaging six iuches in thickness, was cut through in the uprise which has being driven from the end of the low level tunucl. Some stone, taken from the leader, contains more than the average of coarse gold, and the leader presents a very favorable appearance. It was met with sixty-five feet above the floor of the tunnel, which is in nearly 700 feet. The leader is thought to be a continuation of the Maruia leader. Should this surmise prove to be correct (about which there is little if any doubt) the leader in question must run through a large area of the Long Drive and Central, as well as the Monte Christo Company's ground ; and in that case it will prove a most valuable discovery. Messrs Leslie aud Stuart report:— Towards the end of the week a brisk inquiry arose for Central, Long Drive,

and Monte Christo scrip, consequent upon the discovery of a well-defined rich leader in the latter claim. The sales resulting, show a decided improvement on late prices. We quote"Boilers—Long Drive, 2s ; Central, 3s 9d; Monte Christo, 5s (buyers 3s 6d) • Maiden City, £4O • Tichborne, £4O.

[itfANGAIIUA HERALD.] The very interesting ceremony of faking over the machinery for the No. 2 South Larry's Gold Mining Company, took place at Larry's Creek, on Thursday. The wheel was set iu motion and the ceremony of baptism was performed by Mrs T. Gallagher, who having wished successful future operations to the company, broke the orthodox bottle of wine against the wheel, and amid deafening cheers aud the clank of the stamps, all toasted one another aud drank to the success of the undertaking. The machinery consists of two batteries of five 7-cwt. stampers each, driven by an overshot water-wheel 32 feet in diameter aud 5 feet breast over all, fitted with crown wheel 29ft 4in diameter, 2\ pitch, aud 6 in face ; this works into a 4ft pinion wheel which performs revolutions to I of the overshot, which gives revolutions per minute, and conse- ; quently 391 revolutions of the cam shaft and 75 beats to-each of the stamps per minute. The pinion wheel is keyed on to an intermediate shaft in a direct line with the cam shaft, which is connected by a clutch that enables the batteries to be disconnected at any time required. The whole has been fitted with iron framing throughout, and there - are; shafting and foundation for an additional five head of stampers. It is also worthy of mention that this machinery, which is of very heavy casting, is entirely of New Zealand make, and was turned out of the foundry of Mr James Moutray, at Nelson. The superior character of the castings and all connected with the plant reflects great credit on the firm. The batteries are supported by three iron columns weighing 3725 lbs each. These columns carry the cam shaft, intermediate, stamper lifts, &c. The weight of the stamper boxes is 3775 lbs, and to transport such heavy material from the Landing road to the claim, considering the state of the bush track at this sea-son of the year, must certainly have been a most difficult task for the contractors. Credit is certainly due to Graham, Malfroy, aud Co., by whom the plant has been erected. Iu fact everything in connection with their work has been executed in a thoroughly substantial and workmanlike manner.

Anderson's —The Anderson-Invin-cible tunnel is now brought up to within seven feet of the incline shaft, and the work will be out of hand not later than Tuesday next. It had been decided to tap the shaft from the drive and so allow the water in the shaft to escape, thus saving the time and expense which would be necessarily entailed by bailing out the water. There is usually more or less danger attending the process of " tapping," but fortuuately in this case little or no clanger is feared since the water is fast disappearing from the shaft; percolating through into the drive. It has already sunk over one hundred feet, thus leaving only -10 feet to b s } disposed of, and by the time the drill is put through into the shaft, nearly the whole of the water will have disappeared. The raising and levelling of the race and fluming are nearly completed. We are informed that some very rich stone is being raised at the Just in Time claim from the upper levels, where the manager has recently commenced to open out. Advices have been received that the Inangahua Company's crushing plant was to be shipped from Melbourne for Grreymouth on the 19th instant.