MONTHLY SUMMARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1880, 28 October 1874, Page 3

MONTHLY SUMMARY.

OUR GOLDFIELBS

The re-establishment of mail communication with America and Europe via San Francisco, which we now avail ourselves of for the transmission of the news of the month in a summarised form, is a matter of very great importance, and its discontinuance caused a very large amount of inconvenience, In mining affairs the depression to which we alluded in our last summary has not quite ceased to exist, but on the whole there is a much healthier fooling prevalent now than there was on that occasion, and there are grounds for a more complete and thorough restoration of confidence than exists even at present. Perhaps the most important item of news to which we shall have to allude is the amicable settlement of the disputes regarding drainage contributions, to which wo have referred from time to time. These disputes threatened very serious and even disastrous consequences at one time, not only by involving the various mining companies in a course of expensive and worrying litigation, but by the stoppage of the two pumping plants by which the mini's are undoubtedly drained. The inevitable result of the stoppage would have been tho flooding of all the most important mines, and the stoppage of all operations. Thousands, of men would be thrown out of employment, the crushing mills would be idle, the gold yield fall off, and the very existence of the place as a prosperous mining district was threatened. But, fortunately, the good sense of both parties stepped in, and all these consequences were averted by an amicable adjustment of the proportions which eacli mining company, whoso mine was benefitted by bein? drained,- should pay towards the maintenance of the pumping plants. Men of practical experience, and a thorough and intimate acquaintance with the reef-system, cross-courses, and water-channels of the district, were appointed arbitrators in one, case which was in dispute, and the scheme of contributions which these gentlemen —Messrs W. O. Wright, raining surveyor; A. Dewar, manager of tho Tookey mine; and J. Kernick, manager uf the Kuranui mine—lrew up as a basis on which to found their award in that one case has now been generally adopted, and all the mines on the Waio-Karaka flat have, with one or two exceptions which are now under negotiation, made offers of payment according to this scheme, and ihey have been accepted by the proprietors o*' the pumpinsr machines. So far, therefore, this troublesome question has been settled, we hope finally, aud wo have no hesitation in saying tint this has done more to establish the permanent prosperity of the goldfield than any local or particular find to which we shall have occasion to allude hereafter. The operations of the month have been to a greater extent characterised by steady progress than by any great and important discoveries, at' least of that class which would lead to any feverish speculation, but _ important finds have not been wanting, and they have in some instances occurred where they were least expected. We shall refer to these in order below, and without further preface we shall allude in a more detailed manner to the various districts into which the goldfield is usually divided.

Pumping Association and Adjoining Mines.—So far as regards the operations of the Pumping Association, they have, since our last summary, been exclusively confined to sinking the main shaft below the 400-feet level. Already a depth of 40 feet below that level has been reached, and it is going through an excellent class of country, through which the contractors for tho remainder of the distance will make rapid progress. The 12-inch pumps, which in this section of the shaft are used in lieu of the 25 inch pumps which are used in the rest of the shaft, have so far proved perfectly adequate to' deal with the water. But it is in consequence of thorough provision having been made for turning all the water which comes into the mine at and above the 400-feet level into the plunger cistern, and not allowing any of it lo _ flow into the shaft. Hence the 12-inch lift has only to cmtend with the water which comes in below the 400-feet level—the natural drainage of that section of the ground alone. Uf course, the advantage to the contractors is very great, for the appliances which would be necessary for lifting the largo length of columns would be very much more slo.v and difficult to work than those • neeossary for a mere length of 12-inch pump*. But although the Pumping Association are not now carrying on any works as an association in the way of explorations ac the level which they have opened, their 400-feet level is being largely utilised, and is likely to become tho main outlet from a large number of mines' if any payable quarlz is discovered at this depth. The connection made some time ago by a drive between the Association's shaft and that of the Tookey mine has provided proper ventilation, and a perfect plan of exploring operations is now being carried out at this level by tho Tookey and other companies, not separately or each working on their own account. The works are carried on co-operatively, and therefore atmucu lesscost totheiudividual companies. They are under the management of the manager of the Tookey mine, and consist of two main drives, one towards the Albion boundary eastward, the other southward towards the Golden Crown, Imperial City, and Prince imperial claims. In the latter a good, strong reef was met with on tho 21st instant, which possesses more promising qualifications than any quartz which has hitherto been met with in this level. It does not show gold, but it has now been penetrated to a depth of 5 feet, and tho whole thickness of the reef is not yet ascertained. It possesses those minerals which usually accompany gold, and in the opinion of practical men who havo examined it, the appearance of tho reef and the surrounding country is highly satisfactory, and promises gold. Tito importance of any find in this reef can hardly be overestimated. It would affect not only the I Tookey, but the Golden Grown and numerous other mines doubt before next month this reof will to some extent be opened up; possibly a crushing might be taken out of it as a trial. It has been decided to increase the capital of the Caledonian Company by the issue of new shares on which Bi niiy be called up, the object being to mho funds for carrying out explorations at the deeper levels. So far the muin level of the Caledonian mine has proved a blank. .Mo payable quartz has been met with in it. In the plan of operations devised a good deal of interest is felt, aud the fust steps towards carrying it out havo beon taken, The main shaft is being sunk. The shaft ■ is, to be sunk to a, level to correspond with

the 400-feet of the Pumping Association and Tookey mines, or a total degth of 487 feet, and by the time this is reached the No. 3 reef, which is now away in the east angle of the claim, will, from its strong underlie, be at or near the shaft, thus affording an opportunity for driving on its course south under the shots of gold in the No. 1 reef and the specimen leader. Of course at the greater depth the Nos. land 2 reefs willhave dipped out of the claim, but there is good evidence that there are other lodes besides the No. 3 dipping into the ground from the eastward, and at the new level these can be prospected. The No. 1 reef, wo may remark, has already dipped into the Albion, so that nothing further can be looked fin-, ward to from this source, and it is quite apparent, now that the present level has been so thoroughly opened up and its value tested, that if the Oalodoniau mine is ever to regain its former position it can only be the result of new discoveries. As we have already stated, there are reefs other than the No. 3 dipping into the claim. One which is ten inches thick was cut through within a.few feet of the east boundary, and after the boundary was reached on the drive a drill-hole was punched for some depth into the face. This must have touched a large reef, for from that time there has been sncli a heavy inflow of gas from this hole that no further search could be made, although the air-boxes are laid up to the face and are drawing gas all the time. This lode, for lode it doubtless is, from which the gas is issuing in such volumes, is evidently a parallel reef to those already intersected, and as it doubtlessly underlies in the same direction as the others, it will of course-be fouul in the deeper workings. The proposed works will be purely prospecting works.— There is no particular change to report, since our last Summary, in tho Manukau mine. A cleaning up and retorting, which took place on the Ist instant, provided funds for a dividend of 15s per share, or a total of £4,800.—1n the Cure mine an important discovery has been made, which has already effected a revolution in the estimation in which this mine has been held by.the public. It was in a winze sunk on the black lode from the main level that this discovery was made, and rich gold has n.uv been carried down in it for a depth of about 35 feet. Valuable and largo specimens have been taken out of it already, and the character of the rock is very similar to the best portion of the Manukau reef. Indeed there is very little doubt but that it is the foot-wall portion of the Manukau reef, which, in its strike north, has become detached from the main body and taken a separate course as an independent lode At nil events, no such golden quartz as that which is now coming to hand from this lode has been taketi out of the mine since the rich shot of gold in the No. 2 reef was worked out. —The Golden Crown Company have been engaged in exploring works during the month, but no success has attended these operations.—The prospects of the imperial City have improved, and from the 2nd instant up to tho present gold has in rich quantities every time the reef was broken dow Crushing for this company will be cj ~ :ienced next week.—The prospects of the Waiotahi mine have also improved in a marked manner. There is gold showing now in tho two principal reefs. Waio- Kauaka District. — Mining operations have undoubtedly been carried ou with more marked success in this than in any other portion of the goldfield latterly. Tho extent of operations and the steady produce of the mines would bear m ire than favourable comparison with any mining district in the world. The best mining property on the field is undoubtedly that owned by the Queen of Beauty shareholders, to which we shall briefly refer. During the latter part of last month it became necessary to have their main shaft stripped, enlarged, aud re-timbered, After that, crushing was resumed, and tho first fortnight's operations not only sufficed to pay the liabilities incurred, but lefc each holder of a full share £57 17s Bd, or a total of £104 13s 81. The subsequent fortnight's return gave each shareholder £200, or a total of £1,400 to the company, and the prospects at present are as good, if not better, than ever. — 'he annual general meeting of the Bright Smile Company was held on the 21st instant. The report submitted by the directors showed that the out-turn of gold from the Ist of May, 1873, to the 30th rf April, 1874, was 121130zs from 14 415 tons, tho value of the gold being £33,598. Dividends to the amount of £9,768 had been paid during that time, besides which very heavy expenditure had been met, and a battery purchased. The supplementary report of the mine manager, which brought the operations down to tho day of meeting, was as follows: — " Since my lait report I opened out for a new level on the 13th May, and on the 18th of the same month got the reef with good gold therein, it proving to be a connecting reef between Nos. 1 and 2 lodes, then work has been steadily progressing up to the present date. Sinking the shaft for another level having been started on the sth June, and completed ou the 12,u instant, I coumenced opening out at 350 feet from the surface. In driving west from the No. 1 reef I came upm a strong leader about six foot from the shaft, and containing good gold. This, I believe, is the greatest depth below the sea level in which gold has been found either in this or any of the Australian colonies; and taking this in connection with the I'aet that the surrounding mines have expressed their willingness to contribute towards the expense of pumping, as also the intention of the company to erect their own battery, I can confidently state that in my opinion no better mining property exists on the field." The supplementary balance-sheet was as follows:-Dr.—Itecoipts: To gold and monies from other sources, £18039 18s 4J; balance, £1,120 19s Bd-£19,160 18s. Cr.-Expenditure: By divideud (5.t per share), current expenses—wages, material. &«, £19,160 18s. Bilauce duo to Bank of Now Zealand and other creditors, £1,120 19s 81. On tho day of meeting tho No. 1 reef was touched in the new level. The No. 2 had previously 'been cut, and there are now in this new level already three rich tturifer jus reefs, one of which is 15 feot thick, tho other 4 feet, and the third a foot. Tho directors have been authorised to erect a large and' powerful crushiug mill of 40 head of stampers for the company's us», and the contract for its construction has already been accepted.— I he City of London shi'.fc having reached a depth of 350 feet, operations, ceased pending the erecting of hoisting machinery; and the Queen of the May workings are also suspended for the same reason. Arrangements have been made by which th? stuff from tho Queen of the .May mine is to be raised through the City of, London shaft.Boyond tho discovery of a sniill now lode, whioh. Im sulwquently been proved to < bo. yroi:t|j. 3q? ? to, the [on, there, is nobbing

fresh to report from the Crown Prince mine.—ln the Bird-in-Hand mine operations have been carried on as usual. On the 6th instant gold was struck in the No. 2 reef of the Exchange mine. On the 15th communication was effected with the Crown Prince workings by driving along the No. 1 reef. This afforded the requisite ventilation. Since then gold has been freely visible in both lodes, and permanent crushing will be started next week. There is every prospect of this property proving a very valuable one.—The City of York main shaft has made good progress, and will soon reach the depth at which it is intended to open out for the reefs.

Moavatauri District.—la the Central Italy mine operations at the deep level have been suspended, and a plan of works has been devised for developing the the upper sections of the mine, in which really no work has hitherto been done. —In the Golden Calf gold was struck in a leader in the new level which has been opened out at the depth of 350 feet, and a very fair prospect of success is no.v before the company. This lode was not exactly unexpected, but it is not either oftho main reefs, towards which the drives are stilt being extended -As regards the Moauataiari mine there is little to report. There have been no fresh finds for some time past, but the crushWs are yielding good payable returns. The Kuramii tlill tunnel, which formerly was_ the joint property of several companies, has during the month become the sole property of this corapanyJ-Ou the 26th instant, gold struck in the main reef of the Watchman mine, and since then a crushing hns been taken out of it. Nine tons yielded 39ozs gold, and the return was as handsome as it was unex-pected.-The Lincoln Castle Company have been driving their deepest levels to intersect the two reefs of the Twentythjrd.of June claim. One of those was met with on the 12th instant, after 100 feet of driving had been done, but the other is not yet to haud.-Gold was struck in the Black Angel mine in the City of Glasgow reef on the 7th instant, and since then a considerable amount of work has been done.—The annual general meeting of the Old Whau Company was held on the 29th ult. ihe report showed that the quantity of quartz crushed from last annual report to the present date is 5,955 tons, yielding 10,180ozs 10,1 wts melted gold, or an avorage of loz 14iwts per ton; sold by tender at the average rate of £2 lis 41 per ounce. Dividends have been declared amounting to £13,200, or MBs per scrip share. On the 12tli instant, the rise and winze counected the adit-level with the upper workings. Gold has been found in good .payable quantities in a winze sunk on a second reef below the adit level, and gold has also been struck at the adit level in the right hand branch lode. Arrangements have been male for starting permanent crushing as soon as these finds are sufficiently developed to keep up the requisite supply of crushing stuff. -Gold was struck in a rise which was put up from the Alburnia deepest level to meet a higher level, and in this rise gold was struck on the 2nd instant. Since then the communication has been effected, and stoping is now progressing. Crushing has also been started, and the prospects for payable returns are very good.

Miscellaneous.—On the 29ih ultimo the hoisting machinery erected on the South British mine having been finished, work was started. The shaft was then 226 feet deep. It has since been sunk to a depth of 260 feet, and driving ha 3 been started at the 250-feet level. Amongst the principal items of intelligence of the month we have to notice the amalgamation of the Nonpareil and Italian Mining Companies. This. whs effected at a meeting of the shareholders of both companies, which was held on the 14th instant. It will prove of mutual advantage to the shareholders, and will make a very valuable mining property.—There is little of importance to report from the Hape or liaraka creeks, and from the Kuranui we have only to notice that the Long Drive and All Nations mines continue to yield good payable returns from each crushing. Ooboiundel.—Several very handsome gold yields have been obtained from some of the Coromandel mines during the past month, and the district generally is in a heilthy state so far as mining affairs are concerned. The fJity of Auckland, New Gruen Harp, and Union Beach mines are assuming very prominent positions, and the older mines, such as "Uie Tokatea, are yielding steady payable re\rns. The Gold Yield.—We append a list of the crushings which have been completed since our last summary was published. It will be seen that there is a very considerable increase over the yield of the previous month : — GOLD BSTUMS MO! SEPTEMBEE 24 TO OOTOBEfi 28. Clam on Commit. Stone Crushed, gold. S > a ,• * • Ho -* o to Albion Tribute (Kelly's) - 67 0 0 11 3 0 Ditto 55 0 0 mC2IO 0 Ditto - - - - 10 0 0 CO 18 0 Ditto (Poverty) - - 45 0 0 m9O 0 0 All Nations - - . - 80 0 0 147 0 0 Alburnia - - - - 350 0 0 247 0 0 Bright Smile - - - 550 0 0 374- 0 0 Bird-in-Hand - - - 400 0 0 2HIO 0 City of Auckland (Corom'del) 0 5 0 m 299 5 0 Central Italy - - - 80 0 0 mSBIS 0 Cure 24 0 0 14 7 0 Crown Frinco - - - 60 0 15 0 0 D.tto 600 0 0 289 0 0 Caledonian - - - - 100 0 0 114 2 o Coliban - - - - 35 0 0 6913 0 Dauntless and Sink-to-Itise tribute - - - - 24 0 0 84 U 0 Don Pedro - - - - 20 0 0 11 0 0 Golden Crown - - - 42 0 0 25 0 o Junction tribute - - 25 0 0 m2O 0 0 Kuranui - - - - 150 0 0 7rt73 16 0 Ditto 200 0 0 »il2l 0 0 Long Drive tribute - - 50 0 0 in(i<) 7 0 lloauataiari - - - - 704 0 0 534 0 0 Ditto 800 0 0 500 0 0 Ditto 750 0 0 402 0 0 Mauukau .... 1000 0 0 Mlß7l 2 0 Morning Star tribute - - 20 0 0 10 10 0 New tirecu Harp (C'd'l) - 48 0 0 »«34S 15 0 Neck or Aothiug - - - 2 0 0 ml 18 12 Nonpareil - - - - 10 0 0 mil 2 0 Only Cliauce - - - 010 mil 12 0 Point Russell tribute - - 25 0 0 *2 7 0 Ditto 20 0 0 mitt 18 o Queen of Beauty - - - 1000 0 0 883 10 0 Ditto 750 0 0 854 10 0 Rod White and Blue tribute 48 0 0 m 54 10 0 Itoso and Shamrock tribute 130 0 0 nnoo 5 0 Sons of freedom - - - (JO 0 0 m 24] 212 Sundries, including Gold from Tailings, about - - - 1000 0 0 Tokatea (Coromandel) - - 80 0 0 77 0 0 ookeys (Lowe's tribute) - 90 0 1115 o Twenty-third of Juno - - 410 0 mi 14 0 Ditto - - --■ . 710 0 11 12 0 Thame* Scottish - - ■ 0 020 "21 2 0 Union Beach (Uorom'n'd'l) ■ 119 043 187 6 0 Una tribute - - . 5 00m 5 7 0 Vulcau Tribute - - - 30 0 0 «i2O 4 0 Waiotahi • - - - 20 0 0 mil 17 0 Waikoromiko Creek gold - ml 3 8 8 Watchman - - - - 90 0 39 0 0 TOTAL. - - 8,62910 03 8,670 512 Previous Month- 8,2931012 7,810 i\% I Increase - * 23G 051 1,857 1 0 m moans that tho quantity stated, is in molted, gold..