MINING MATTERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1897, 21 August 1874, Page 3

MINING MATTERS.

' MiNtnuff.— Some really mignificenfc specimens were exhibited in the exchange room of the Bank of New Zealand yesterday. The total weight wa* 500ozs, and the stone was quite as rich, in quality as any ever taken out of the CaL lonian mine when it was at its richest. The whole, parcel was originally one large block, broken down from the second stope above the main level. It did not show much gold on the outside, and the attention of the manager was chiefly attracted to it by the appearance of ruby silver, and afterwards by its extraordinary specific gravity. When brokon up the latter was easily accounted for, for the whole of the inside of the rock presents the appearanco of a dense mass of coarse gold in a belt from 3 to 5 inches wide. There is very little base mineral apparent amongst the gold, and the latter being so coarse and massy, gives the specimens a still richer appearance. It has been estimated that the gold contained in this stone would amount to 193 ounces. The estimate has been arrived at by a test of the specific gravity of the ore, but making all allowances for a reduction of this ostimate, the block is of extraordinary richness, and attracted a largo amount of attention yesterday. Beyond this there is not much new to report from the mine, except that at the new level in the drive north there is a fine rich show of gold, which was even better than usual yesterday, and gold also shows in the stopos above the main level. The rich mass of specimen stuff which for some time past lias remained on the footwallneartheold shaft has not been touched yet, and it would not be too much to estimate that a shot put in on that bench would break out lOcwt of stuff equal in richness to that which was on view yesterday at the Bank of New Zoaland.

Windsor Castle —As our readers are awaro for soino time past driving has beou carried on in this mine for tho purpose of connecting tho adit, driven from the back of Clarkson's battery in

Wiseman's Gully, with the main level of the Watchman, which is driven from the Moanataiari Creek side of the range. _ Communication was effected yesterday in a most satisfactory manner, and the meeting was so perfect that the levels were identical, and there was scarcely 3 inches out at either sides of the drive' As a piece of mining engineering skill and close calculation, it was without exception the best ever performed on the Thames or anywhere else. The total length of the driving was about 2,000 feet. The difficulties arising from the ragged, uneven surface were the least which the engineers, Messrs Wright and Bayldon, had to contend with. The levels were driven long before any idea of a connection was entertained, and they each take numerous bends and'angular turnings, reefs being followed in each. And the reefs were not identical, although they were for a long time supposed to bo so. This of course made the survey still more difficult, for the drives had each to take a turn to effect a meeting at all. In this turn or cross-cut a lode of a very promising appearance was intersected yesterday. It does not show any gold at present, but it may prove to be of importance when opened up. The communication which has now been effected will greatly facilitate the operations of the, Windsor Oastlo Company. It will not only effect thorough ventilation, but will afford an outlet for quartz to the Moanataiari Creek tramway, by which it can be sent to the flat and crushed as required. The success achieved in this instance reflects the highest credit on the skill of Messrs Wright and Bayldon. It was no chance that the connection wa3 so perfect; it was the effect of the closest possible calculation, and taking the surrounding circumstances into consideration, tho difficulty of.survey, Ac, it is simply wonderful that the, calculation couid be arrived at so closely. / • : 'Queen of Beaut?.— The "junction of the reefs' near the City of London boundary in. the Qiieen of Beauty mine is undoubtedly a junction between the No.' 1 and No. 2 reefs, and tho former proves its title of champion lodo by maintaining its own strike and carrying with it the No. 2, although the latter is, and has; been, the largest and apparantly the strongest body of quartz. At the junction, as is natural to suppose, there is an immertse mass of 'quartz, the. ■ whole of; which appears to be good crushing stuff. There is a difference of opinion as to the distance which yet remains to drive before the City of London boundary is: reached, but a survey is to be made to decide the point.

Bihd-in-Hand. — Eetorting for the Bird-in-Hand took place yesterday at the. Imperial Crown battery after a month's run with 15 head of stampers, during which there were, estimating l\ tons per day for each stamper, 540 tons reduced. The yield was a moderatoono only amounting to 266ozsl5dwfcs, the poorest obtained since operations were first commenced on a large scale. But the last fortnight's crushing has added little to the yield. Tho stuff taken out from the eastern end of the claim has so far proved very poor in comparison with tho western or seaward section of the claim. The blocks above the present level in this section are worked out, and the new level not being oponed up for working, the manager has boon obliged to work on the poorer stuff to keop the mill employed. Old Whao".—Tho manager commenced yesterday to break down tho section of the reef stripped in the adit level. There is a largo body of quartz in the face, but as a commencement has only beou made and the main body of the stone is to be taken down to-day there has not been much opportunity of observing any change, particularly as the men have not yet roached the footwall side of the reef.