OUR GOLDFIELDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 265, 14 November 1885, Page 2

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

The La Monte Smelting Furnace.—The " exports" have returned from their visit of inspection to tho Karangahake goldfield, and will early next week commence sampling operations on tho stone at present awaiting treatment at the furnace. A careful assay will bo made of v few tons alter tho stone has been broken and mixed, and by tho results the valuo of tho ore will be determined. As thoro is at times a great discrepancy between tho results of tho various assays from the same reef, it is feared that tho gold at Karancahake may prove patchy, Tho problem of whether or no the mines will pay for working will no doubt be solved by the crude test of the LaMonte furnace, and naturally groat interest is felt in the ultimate result of its operations. Smelting will be commenced next week.

Smile ok Fortune. - Driving and etoping is progressing on Mo. 1 level, which now averages three to six inches in thickness. A fresh block, 160 feet long and 150 feet back, has been opened in the vicinity of the slide. Tho quart/, yield good proepocts, but tho lode is rather email. Crose-cntting is proceeding from both sides with the object of striking tho waterfall reof.

Rosrmont (VVaihi). — Excellent ore, especially likely for silver, is coming te hand from tho Btopoa north and south of the riao. The lode averages ISms to 2ft in width. About 2< r> tons aro awaiting shipment for tho Thames, and tho whole—6o tons—will bo forwarded in a fortnight.