ALBION

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1897, Page 6

ALBION

Union Baach Buy will during the next 12 months present a vorv busy appearance, as no loss than three different shafts are to bo sunk by Engli.h companies—tho Albion, Golden Pah, and Hauraki. This part of bho district has been responsible at various times for very nch finds of gold, as the old Union Beach mine has itself amply demonstrated in days gone by, and bhe intention now is to oxph.it tho country ao still greater depths, in hopss of picking up those runs of gold; again. This exploration will not bo coiiiined bo that part of the country above sea love!, but operations will bo prosecuted in a seaward direction, a? it is known thab bho auriferous channel of country extends in that direction. To this end the Albion Company will probably be the first to tost the section of bho gold-bearing area known as tho foreshore. Tho claim iteolf consists of 100 acres, and adjoins tho \ Hauraki South, Golden Pah, and Hauraki mines on the land aide, embracing also, it might be well to notice, the old Coromandel Minbmino, whoso brief career came to a sudden termination by the water breaking through from old workings, and flooding the mine, the men having barely time to escape with-their live*, tho natural result being that as no cxpital was available to provide adequate pumping machinery the company had to close down. The syndicate who look up tho Albion in order to avoid any chance of forfeiture through nonworking, and to gain time wherein' to arrange for flotation on the Home market, commenced sink ing the main 6halb, which is situated about 50 yards from the __ore, that being the mo.t suitable site, selected and decided upon by the beat mining authorities, This work was continued with a windlass and a limited number of men to & depth of 40 feot, when iutolligenco was received that a company had been euccessfully formed, as a practical proof of which a sum of money was remitted for the continuation of the shaft-sinking and erection of temporary machinery to undertake same. For this purpose a plant similar in every respect to that ab tho Hauraki North will bo erected by John Chambers and Son, and it is considered that thisi will .u.fi.-e to sink to 200 feeb, by which time ir. j. expected the permanenb machinery will bo up. and ready to commence. The braes of the shaft is now being securely puddled, in order to prevent

surface or sea water finding its way in, while a platform or jetty is under construction to receive tho engine and boiler, etc. Temporary poppet legs will be erected, and in a few weeks everything should bo ready bo resume sinking again. The new plant erected on the Albion foreshore claim was started on Jan. 11 for the first time, and ovorything worked satisfactorily. Vigorous operations wiil now be resumed sinking the main shaft. This property is being worked on behalf of an English Company.

GOLDEN PAH

This claim was formerly the southern portion of the Hauraki Special, and has since been formed into a separate English Company, Men are now busily engaged erecting a manager's house, offices, etc., and in sinking tho shaft with a wir.dlass, pending the arrival of machinery, which, I j understand, has been arranged for. Cap*; tain Hodgo is also supervisor of this mine,; which is sufficient to say thab no stone will bo lefb unturned in the exploitation of the Company's property to bring about successful results. HAURAKI MAIN LODES. LIMITED. The machinory which has been in course of erection the last two months on this mine is now completed, and sinking is being actively carried on. The shafb is ab presenb down 54fb. This proporby is held by the Mines Corporation of New Zealand, Limited.

KATHLEEN.

The English Company which acquired the freehold lying bobweeu bhe Hauraki Spur and the lower township have been prosecuting tha work of sinking a main engine shaft on their property, with the aid of si email and temporary winding and pumping planb, pending the erection of their powerful and permanent machinery. For some time pa .b tho vicinity of the shaft has presented a bu»y appearance, consequent upon the preparations necessary for and the erection of this new plant, which is now nearly completed and should, when ready for,work, constitute both as regards completeness and efficiency one of the finest mining plants in the colony, a credit alike to the district and to the company who hare so energetically grasped the requirements of their mine. The buildings alone from an external view, together with the lofty poppet heads and fcresbling work leading from the brace of tho shafb, present quite an imposing appearance and are quite a landmark as the eye views this part of tha district. Tho buildings throughout aro built of corrugated iron, and comprise a changing-house. boiler-room, and enginehouse, the whole being attached, but under two roofs. Tho changinjj-hou.e is a tine, commodious apartment, 18fb x 34ft, and ..ill be fitted wibh all the latest improvements to ensure the comfort of the miners when off shilt and tho drying of their clothes. Adjoining thits ia tho bailor-room, in which are situated two 25-h.p. each horizontal Ti*nj.ye boilers. These are supplied with a complex Tangye feed pump, are must substantially set in brickwork and concrete, and aro without doubt as fine an example of this kind of construction as can be seen in tho colony. Ascending & flight of steps wo enter the engine house, containing the massive pumping and winding engines. This room is particularly stiik ng lor its size, commanding position, attention which has been paid to light and ventilation, and also for tho uninterrupted view which can be obtained of the brace. It measures 70ft in length by 24 in breadth, Here are installed a pair of Tangye winding engines with 10 inch cylinders and 22 inch strokes, having a spin wheel 8 feet in diameter and fitted with a pair of 6 feet winding drums securely set in a solid block of concrete. One conspicuous feature about these engines i. their evident simplicity, no complicated gear being noticeable. Immediately in front of the winding engine comes & pair of compound pumping engines, these also being sot in substantial concrete foundations. One is a high procure 16in cylinder, the other a low pressure 24in cylinder, each having a 30ln stroke. The engine driving shaft is of turned steel SAin in diameter, while the pumping shaft is llin. Tho pump can be worked at threo different strobes, via., 4ft, _fp and 7fc, as may bo found dosirable. Tho f\y wheel is in two pieces and is a massive and ponderous piece of machinery, measuring 13ft in diameter, 22 inches across the face, and weighing 5^ tons. Outsido and in connection with the pifc work considerable excavation was rendered necessary for the sotting iv of tho balance bob, which is built of twelve-inch channel iron, and in this respect diliers from most others on the peninsula, they being made of wood. Tho king-post for tho same is 12fb high, and the balanco b»x is capable of holding 20 tons of scrap iron. The wholo of the excavations are faced up with solid concrete walls, and ib is estimated thab in this and- oth'or work in connection with the plant nearly 500 cubic yards have been used. The smithy ia large and replete with all conveniences' for carrying on the mining work and repaying, etc. Tho whole planb was built under contract from the Kathleen Company by Messrs John Chambers and Son, of Auckland, from plans propared by Mr H. H. I-letcaH, C.E., and the manner in which this work has been carried out, reflects great credit upon these gentlemen, Mr Gordon, superintendent, his foromart, Mr Haswell, and indeed, all connected there with. The new plant will be ready to start with the New Year. In the mine, preparations are now being made to open out for the different reefs which have been located by careful survey. The shaft is down over 20Wt, and it speaks well for the future systematic development of bhe mine when wo review bhe many great and natural ditFiaulties.arisin^ from the alluvial nature of tho country and exisbing until solid country was reached, and which, moreover, were successfully contended .•gainst) by tho experience of the Company's manager, Captain Hodge.

KATHLEEN CROWN,

Some of tho heavy machinery for tho new pumping and winding phmb for tbis English Company has arrived in Coromandel, and is already on tho ground. The balance is expected shortly, so thab we should soon see another powerful plant added to tho list and bueily employed in developing the low levels.

SCOTTY'S HAURAKI.

The reef in the 355 feet or lowest level in this mine is five feeb wide, and good picked stone is being obtained.

SUCCESS

The Success return for bhe month id 41 ozs 7dwtgold valued ab £124, which was obtoined from 150 ton» of ore treated. Thi? is one of the properties recently acquired by an English Company.

WELCOME FIND

The following telegram was posted on the Exchange on Jan. 18 :—*• Obtained 2310z of retorted gold from 30 loads of atone, and 2G!b of picked stone."