MINING NEWS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1105, 15 November 1882, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

« [From cub Mining Reportek.] Saturday, November 11. There has been considerable activity in poking out mining leases during the past ' v 'ak, no less than six or eight areas baving been applied for in the Snowy itiyqr District. This is a locality about which little or nothing has been known till within the last week or two. It lies about five or six mileg to the south west of

;!ie Big Biver, and although the rivers < ihere have been worked for alluvial gold, \ , no attempt had been made until quite recently to test the character of the quartz reefs. In the early part of last week, however, Mr James M 'Naught, a settler there, set a party yf men on to one of the reefs, and the result was that after a few hours prospecting the indications were found to be so good that two leases were at once pegged off and applied for. On the following day Mr«J. O'Mally applied for iwo other leases there, and Willing and party followed with two' more. The reef is from 2ft. 6in. to 3ft. in thickness, is well formed, and carries a nice sprinkling of coarse gold. The stone is of a bluish tint, and all who have seen it speak favourably of it. It was at first thought that the discoveiy was on the line of the Big Biver lodes, but it has since been ascertained that the lines are five miles apart, and it is therefore entitled to be considered as an entirely new strins;to the bow of mining enterprise in Beefton. * s the fine weather is now on, the prospectors will have an opportunity of opening up the reef, and further information from the locality will be looked for with interest. GOLDEN HOPE. The hands are still extending the main level and the country continues promising. Numerous quartz stringers have been crossed of late, one of which was about 3 inches thick, and carried fair gold. SOUTH HOPEFUL. The men employed are placed as follows :— Two are surfacing on the track of the reef, two are sinking, and others extending the main level. The workings present nothing new. IMPERIAL. The reef in the main level shows very good form, being compact and of good thickness but is still rather flat for the western underlay. In the north uprise a fine solid reef, showing fair prospects was met with after rising 3ft, nothing, further, however, can be done at this point until the pass is completed. The air-hole to connect the south-uprise with the Bhaft will be through in a short time, when etoping will be started in thia part of the mine. The cleaning up was fixed to take place on Monday evening, and after this is over about a fortnight will be required to get the battery again in operation, when it will be kept going till the end of the year. According to the general appearance of the mine there is every reason to expect that the next crushing will show a considerable improvement upon the one just completed. The fan has been done away with and in its place a water-blast has been, erected so that bad air, which had previously driven the best hands from the mine, will no longer be a source of trouble. JUST IN TIME. There i3 little' or no change to report in the general workings. The men in the Just In Time and Walhalla cross-cut are making good progress, the ground being softer and a nice slate carrying leaders of quartz. The contract for the sinking of the main shaft will be finished by the end of the present month, and a contract will be let in December for the erection of a reversible water-wheel and winding gear. The plans for the work have been prepared by the company's engineer, Mr WH Hobby, and are now on view at Mr Wise's office. As a specimen of the ability of the draughtsman the drawings reflect the very highest credit upon Mr Hobby, and all persons interested in this kind of work should certainly call and inspect them. CALEDONIAN EXTENDED. The works are still progressing, but there is no change of importance to record. Although this company are offering £3 10 per week for wages hands the greatest difficulty is felt in getting experienced miners, and this fact has greatly retarded operations in the past. There are plenty of what are known as "surfacemen" available in the district, but there is no doubt that plenty of room exists for a large number of really practical underground miners.