MINE MANAGERS' REPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 149, 29 June 1897, Page 2

MINE MANAGERS' REPORT.

Wonona.—Ab the request of the directors, Mr R. Ross, mine manager of the Moanatatri North mine, visited the Wonona mine ab Puru and reports he found the reef outcropping ab the surface and underlying into the property. He estimates that from the creek level to the outcrop of tho reef is from 500 to 600 feob vertical, bo there are plenty of backs. The reef ab its outcrop is composed of quarte of a brown colour, being of ft friable nature, and carrying a large quanbiby of iron pyrites, and appears to be free of base minerals. Ib has been cub through and proves to be 12ft thick, a compact body of Bbono, and if ib would yield from Isdwts to an ounco to the bon would pay good dividends. Afc a depth of from 30 bo 40ft> below the outcrop, he was surprised to see such an improvement in tho quartz, which ab this point looks really good, and a email quantity when pounded in a mortar gave colours of coarse loobo gold. Tho low level is now in 114 ft, and it will take about 40ffc more driving to intereoct bha reef. This mine presonbs unusual facilities for economical working, there being an abundance of good mining timber growing on the ground including a number of kauri trees, which would be available for erecting a battery and other buildines when necessary. There is a splendid site for a babtery a ehorb distance lower down the creek than the boundary, and an ample supply of water can bo obtained ab all seasons excepting perhaps in a very dry summer. Quartz could be convoyed to the battery by means of a ground tramway aba very small cost. Goldkx Lead.—The reof is looking woll and showing gold every breaking down. The manager expects a patch of specimens shortly. Maritana. —The road haa bjoen laid for the truck and driving resumed.

Ormond.—No. 3 level is in 140 feet, and the country looka well. Another 50 feet of driving should sco the reef to hand. Imperial.—ln tho drive on No. 1 reef a puggy formabion exists, and until this cnbs out anything of much vaiaecan scarcely be expected. At No. 4 level a mullock bar has cut off the reef.

City of Gisbornb. — A starb has been made to open out and drive north on the upecimen leader. Stripping the big reef hus commenced.

Tamihana.—So far no reef has been tceb with, but the sandstone is of an excellent class.

Nonpareil,—Nob much quartz has been broken oub this week. The Wade reef shows colours of gold.

Albert.—The ore body meb with in No. 3 tunnel baa been intersected in the No. 8 tunnel and Bhows a thickness of 12ft.

New Mtjnster. —In the drive we have met with very good looking quartz, which may be tho hangingwall portion of the reef. TANDKM (Waikoromiko). —The reef in the rise at. preaenb varies from 12 to 18 inches in width, and excellent prospects continue to be obtained by washing and pounding.

Diamond (Waitokauri).— The drive ia in 51fb and the country is still a good class of sandstone. A nice looking leader about 6 inches thick ban been cut.

Goldstbeam (Wharekeranpunga). — In croßscub into the hangingwall of the reef stringers of quartz are frequently met with.

Atlas (Wharekeraupunga).—The drive from the shaft is passing through a firm bub favourable class of country, interlaced with small quartz veins of a kindly nature. Haubaki (N.Z.) Associated Gold Rkefs (Limited).—The mine looks vary eocourag' ing just now, gold being got on both tho leads. The most important development is striking gold in the old winze on the Ruinbow lead at the No. 1 level. Strong colours and dabs were seen ab the first breaking down, and ab the second and lust breaking down more gold stiil was seen froely dißtribubed bhrough bhe quartz, and one or two pieces mighb be classed as picked stone. The lead is rather broken at this poinb, bub has bhe appearance of coming together again. From the second stope in the footwall lead about 51b of picked Btone were selected, and gold is still showing. In bhe western leading stope the lead is rather small, bub shows gold. Id will make large again in a few feeb according to the size of it in the drive.

Wonona. —The low level to intersect the reef is in 126 feet, and aboub 30 feeb more driving should reach the reef. The country is of a good description for gold.

ruKißi.—The new reef is aboub four feeb in thickness, with a horse of mullock between it. The hangingwall portion will average about one foot six inches in thicknose, and the footwall branch about two feeb wide. The ore coming to band is very solid.

Magnbtj—l have continued etoping in north end of the rise, and have seen coloura and dabs of gold each breaking down, out of which I bare secured about lib of picked stone.

Golden Opportunity.— In the old level the reef is four feet wide ; 177 feeb of driving will bake us under the crown of the hill, and within 50 feet of the old tunnel whpv« tbi> cold w»a Qbßaiaadi,

Albion.—Still extending No. 1 drive, and expect to cub through reef during.next week. Yokk.—No. 2 drive is in 80 feet, and reef is jusb to hand. Zone.—Have been engaged all week timbering drive and preparing: to start Bin king on No. 1 reef. Good Enough. —The drivo is in 225 feet. Colours of gold are gob by washing. Empress.—The reer ia looking a great deal bebber, getting rnoro defined and gives a very good prospect of gold. Wynyakdton.—A start) has been made to drive woeb oq the courae of the reef, which ab present is blauk, bub as the walls are well defined no doubb the lode will make again.