OUR GOLDFIELDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5, 7 January 1895, Page 3

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

Silverton.—The manager reports thab bhe distance to be driven from the shaft to cub tho reef is 182 feeb. The shafb is now down 115 feeb.

The Kapai-Vermont Mine.—Much interest was taken in tho starting of the Kapai-Vermont Goldmining Company's crushing mill and cyanide plant at Kuaotunu on Friday last. There were presenb a large number of shareholders, employees and bhe pnblic, including the Chairman, Mr E. Stanley, and the manager of the Company, Mr George Robson, of Sydney, and Messrs Swindley and Harper, local directors, Capbain Argall being unavoidably absenb. The christening ceremony was gracefully performed by Miss Harper, who, in breaking the customary botble of champagne named the mill "The Kapai - Vermont," and wished bhe shareholders prosperiby and buccoss bo bheir venture. After on inspection of bhe mine and planb, bhe company adjourned to tho hotel, where dinner was provided, under the able superintendence of Host Loram. The Chairman presidod, supporbed by the directors and officials of the Company. After the usual loyal toasts wero given and responded to, Captain Richards proposed, "TheKapai—Vermont Goldmine," wishing the Company every success and prosperity, and hoped thab a long succession of dividends would reward bhe shareholders for bheir pluck and perseverance. The Chairman, in responding, gave some details of the mine and planb and hisbory of bhe presenb Company. He stated thab the area of the claim in round figures was thirty acres, the length on the line of reef boing about 1,400 feet. The lode ou which the principal work ha 3 beon done is tho Try Fluke reef. A crosscut to intercepb the reef had been pub in 275 ft, ab which point the reef was cut. Thereof was bhen driven on norbh and south for a distance of 400fb. Some sboping was done in the norbh end trom the Try Fluke boundary, which produced some good ore. A winze was sunk some 30fb in depth, bhe reef being lOfb in thickness, giving excellenb prospecbs. This work was done by the old Kapai-Company, under Mr Wilson's managemenb. In bhe soubh level aboub 160 ft from bhe crosscut a rise has been pub up to a heighb of 70ft, bhe roef averaging throughout 6fb in thickness, bhe whole of it being good payable scone, parts of ib being vary rich. The total distance driven on the reef is over 4001b, the average thickness of the reef being sfb, with payable prospecbs all bhe way ; bho botal average heighb of backs obtainable wibhoub sinking being over 300 feet. The ore is easily worked, and is conveyed from bhe differenb faces by means of a tramline to a shoot 110 feeb long, delivering into a mine hopper of 200 tons capacity, bhence by bramway to bhe drying kilns, and on bo the babtery hopper, which discharges inbo the mill by bhe aid of a self-feeder. The crushed ore is elevated into a dust hopper of 30 tons capacity. From this it is discharged into the vats as reauired, and the tailings after the extraction of the gold are sluiced oub of the vats. The whole operation is entirely automatic, the ore is nob again handled after ib leaves the stopes. The mill has been erected from plans supplied by and under the superintendence of Mr James Walker, and reflects greab credib on hie skill and ability. The work having been carried oub in a mosb substantial and faithful manner, the capacity of bhe planb is equal to bhe treatment of 100 to 120 tona of ore per week. The mine 13 under bho able and satisfactory management of Mr H. P. Hornibrooke. one of the oldest and beab respected mine managers in the district. Capfcaia Swindley and Mr Harper also responded to the toast and thanked those present.for their sympathy, and expressed their entire confidence in the dry process adopbed by the Comp&ny. The. toasb of tbe Kuaobunu gold. e3d was proposed by Mr' Peebles and responded to by Mr Hornibrooko. The toa3ts of the "Ladies" and tha "Press" wore duly honoured. The proceedings wore enlivened by music and recitations.