THE WAIOMO CRUSHING.

Thames Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 5414, 3 June 1886, Page 2

THE WAIOMO CRUSHING.

; A Spliadid PwOtura.

The crushing of two tons of dirt end SOOlbs of pibiUd stuff obtained from the Paroquet, or * prospector*' olaita, at Waiomo, bat been witched by the public with considerable interest, rarious estimitts beinjf m»4« m to tbt probiblt

Return, which it was generally oonceded would be a handsome one. The treatment of the tailings was; finished at an earlj hoar this morning, when the total amount of amalgam on hand was ascertained to be 4610zi sdwts, of which the general dirt and picked stuff produced 438055, and the tailings 23ozs Sdwts. About half-past 8 o'olook the retorts were placed on the'fire, and taken off shortly after 11 o'clock in the presence of a large crowd of spectators. Upon being weighed, the amount of gold was found to be 1690i5, which is a magnificentyield, and, quite up,, to the anticipations of even the most sanguine. The gold is of splendid quality, and the general opinion expressed by those who saw it taken from the retort was that it would realise at least £3 5s per ounce. It was. reduced by melt*, ing to 1670zs lOdwts, and was purchased by the Bank of New Zealand at the excellent price of £3 8s per ounce, the total sum thus realised by the crushing being £569 10s. The stuff was crashed at the New Prinze Imperial battery, and the prospectors express themselves well pleased with Messrs Clack and Pitkethley for the careful manner in which the whole, was treated. The claim, as most of bur readers are doubtless aware, is situated in one of the branch streams of the Waiomo creek, »nd consists of six shares, three of which are held by Messrs Lowrie Bros, two by Mr H. Flummer, and one by Mr J. Clark,, grocer, who purchased it some time ago from Mr Lowrie. Considering the very small - amount of work done upon the ground, there can be no question that the yield is indeed a magnificent one, and will doubtless hare the effect of causing 1 operations to be carried on in a systematic | manner, while it is also likely to bare the effect of directing attention to this portion of the Thames goldfield, where but little prospecting has ever-been done, though opinions hare existed.in the minds of many for some years that good deposits of gold would some day be found in this locality. It has often been contended that the whole of. the country from Te Aroha to Coromandel is auriferous* and this has been conclusively proved by the finds of gold which, hare been made during the past two or three years in the country lying between these two places. The question of! the best means of developing the.,well- known mineral re* sources: of this Peninsula has been frequently animadTerted upon in oar columns, but Tery little practical benefit has accrued therefrom, prospectors and speculators being eridently contented with working thosd places easy of access, and where motive power is available. But Waiomo will now doubtless receive the attention at the hands of prospectors which the present yield demonstrates it deserves, as there can be no question that good gold exists in the locality. We trast thai the rich return banked to-day will prove the fore runner of many moie'of a similar nature. The proprietors of the Paroquet claim express themselves thoroughly satisfied with the return, and now intend pushing on work with renewed vigor. They inform us that it is their intention to start sinking a winze on the lode on Monday next, as they feel convinced that there ia still a large amount of stuff of. similar quality to-thatj aster ushed, which can be easily opened up.