The hydraulic press., 1859-05-21
THE MINES.

A break in the Middle Yuba Ditch about
SIX miles from the head, caused considerable
interruption of mining operations in this
vicinity, the present week, by Withdrawing
the supply of water. The break occurred
the middle of the week. and up to the pres
ent writing has not been repaired.
Several companies cleaned up last week on
San Juan Hill with the usual good results.
1t is impossible, at any time, to give full re-
ports of mining yields, but we append few
which are representative. The Bioomer
Company, after run of six days, cleanedup
Sl,So4; the Sailor Company from a run of
the same length, realized 81 ,o24; and Win
ham h Co. 1851.
The diggings at French Corral, Birchville,
Sweetland and Cherokee are said to be yiel-
ding handsomely, water being abundant and
many companies washing.
The sluices of Evans & Co., at Buckeye
Hill, We're lately robbed of considerable
amount. Sluce robbing is becoming more
and more frequent. The rascals unlucky
enough to be caught at it, will hardly meet
with much mercy.
Mr., L. c. McKeeby, of Sebastopol, con-
templates a novel and extensive enterprise.
lie intends to put flume eighteen feet wide
and six hundred feet long, into the channel
of the Middle Yuba just below Hatfeld's
Crossing, through which to sluice the dirt
now lying in the bed of the river, and all the
tailings that flow from surrounding hills and
down the stream, using the stream itself, in
full volume, for that purpose. This will be,
in fact, an immense tail sluice. 1t is thought
all the quicksilver needed can be collected
from the tailings, as great deal is known to
escape from every claim. At the lower end
of the fume strong dam will be construct
season comes on, will be closed, thus allow
ing the tailings to bank up and cover the
hume entirely ensuring its protection until
the next low water period, when the dam viii
be tapped and the tailings washed The en-
terprise will be an expensive one, but the
protector thinks it will succeed and prove
highly remunerative. Should it do so, we
may look to see the whole course Of this and
other streams completely cleaned out.
The preliminary survey for the proposed
ditch to Columbia Hill has been made by
Mr.. John Archibald, and develops the fact
that water cannot be brought to the hill from
any point less distaat than thirty-eight or
forty miles. 1t is thought, however, that the
ditch could be dug at an average cost per rod
of eight dollars, which is said to be less than
the cost of any work Of similar size in the
county 1t is not yet certain whether it viii
be undertaken or not. Dir. Weaver offers to
contract to furnish water from his ditch at
twelve cents an inch # this offer is aecep-
ted the new ditch will not be built.
1t was reported that the Eureka Lake Ditch
and Miners Ditch property had been orwas
about to be consolidated; but we learn that
no consolidation has yet been effected, al
though proposed.
From Humbug II B." writes the follow
ing communication
''Boomer' should not forget that it is but
very recently that Humbug has been furn
ished with an ample supply OF water, and
any prestige or Importance she may formerly
have had was owing TO the extent and nature
Of her gravel formation, her resources being
apparently undeveloped. But the prospect
and permanently of this ncediul clement,
imbued our citizens With new life and new
aspirations, while our miners, justified by
the prospective richness OF their respective
claims, abandoned their former mode Of
washing, which was very superficial, and
commenced tunnels deep in the bedrock,
having in view every facility and advantage.
A number of these companies have already
commenced washing, and have been abund-
antly rewarded while others are prosecuting
their work with vigor and with like fattering
prospects. The extent and magnitude of
our hills exclude the possibility of develop
ments in a week or year, but they are being
penetrated and will ultimately succumb to
the indomtable seeker after sold. | am
confident in the belief that more extensive,
varied and promising mining section canrot
ba found than is embraced within this district.
| have nothing to do with the Water Compa-
ny, but will say he strike benefited them
very materially. Neither will impugn the
veracity of their Committee; but the COM
panies consulted by them made no effort
whatever TINT would induce the belief that
strike was thought of. The companies
visited by this august Committee from CO.
lumbia Hill are also all making money-av-
eragins from $500 to Sl200 per week, which
is much better than paying nine-tenths of
their gross proceeds for water. These are
ncontrovertible facts and can be substanti-
ated if necessary.