TALISMAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 274, 25 November 1897, Page 5

TALISMAN.

The manager reports: During the past month the North drive has been extended a distance of 55 feet, on the exact course of the lode, which is five feet in thickness, and all the ore won is of a payable nature. This drive will open up a tine large block of ground for stoping out, which it is anticipated will prove highly payable. Stoping south has been continued with four men during the month. The reef is two feet in thickness. At No. 4 level the ore Avon from the south stopes is not quite so rich as it was last month, but it is expected that richer ore will soon be met with further south. In the rise north of the break the reef has continued to improve. At No. 5 level south the reef is 3ft 6in in thickness, with well-defined walls, and encased in a splendid class of .sandstone country. The ore is improving in value as the drive is carried in this southward direction. The rich shoot of, ore coming down from the No. 4 level, is expected to be met with at an early date. In the stopes north and south of the No. 1 winze the reef is sft in thickness, and the ore won is payable. The assays from this part vary considerably, ranging from £2 to £15 10s 9d. At No. 6 level the reef presents a splendid appearance, and is a fine, strong body fully sft in thickness. The value of the reef is improving as developments are extended southwards. No. 7 level crosscut is now in a total distance of 200 feet, hut up to the present time Shepherd's reef has not been intersected. The managers are confident of picking it up east of the hard country that is now beingpenetrated. Surface works : The hopper and self-acting tramway at the No. 6 level are now completed and'working very satisfactorily. The erection of the new large storage hopper at the mill has been practically completed, while good progress is; being made with the erection.of the Krupp mill, which has involved the purchase of an additional rock-breaker, 4 cyaniding vats and other accessories. The Talisman Company have been carrying on prospecting works on the Bonanza section of their property and met with considerable success, already having unearthed two reefs five feet and 15 inches wide respectively, both goldbearing. These lodes have been found by trenching awl been traced between 400 and 500 feet running through the country. Tests made of both lodes on the surface arc of an encouraging character and little doubt exists that when opened up by drives in the solid country the result will be. more satisfactory still. In the mine the lode at No. b" level continues to open up exceedingly well, being five feet wide and encased in splendid country. The whole of the ore is being sent to the mill. This happy state of affairs at the lowest level in the mine, taken in conjunction with the developments going on in the Bonanza section, augurs well for the future of this property. The next return for four weeks will probably be out on Monday, the 22nd, and will be ' the result of the treatment of COO tons. It is expected this return will, like the former : one, average £3 per ton. When the new Krupp mill is at work, it is anticipated that over 1,000 tons will be put through ; every month.