COROMANDEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 7

COROMANDEL.

Coromandel • Mining News.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)!

s During the past four weeks there has been little change to record in the position of the different companies operating here. Interest in mining affairs at this season of the year is always more or less dull, and the present is no exception. There is a widespread feeling, however, that with the New Year some startling and interesting developments will take place in some of our leading properties, in which case Coromandel will receive a certain stimulus which will not be amiss. At any rate the present gold production is higher than that of 12 months ago, and there seems every likelihood of its being still further increased. The crushing of the Welcome Find Company for a return of over £680 worth of bullion was altogether satisfactory, and that mine now occupies the leading place as a- gold producer amongst our local ventures, with, a big chance of further improving its position. It is also most gratifying to see that the Golconda. has been resuscitated, and has for the first time got into soma gold, the forerunner only it is to be hoped of better things. This Company. have struggled persistently in face of adversity, and they deserve all they get. The leader now being worked is the right character and in the desired country for a nice patch. Nothing more will be "accomplished in the local mines this year, as they all shut down this week for the holidays. The English mines keep only two days. I have been favoured byCaptain Hodges with reports on the mines under his charge, from which it will be seen work of a most vigorous character Is being prosecuted, -while in each case the outlook is distinctly promising. HAURAKI ASSOCIATED. Stoping on the footwall leader at No. 2 level has been continued on the first block of 100 feet and attained a height of 45 feet, leaving another 50 before reaching No. 1 level. This block has proved to be more or less gold-bearing all through, and gold has been left in each end of the block. In the eastern end good ore has been left in the bottom of the level, and the head is a strong body of stone likely to live to a depth. The manager therefore recommends putting in another level 100 feet lower down as an important piece of exploration work well worthy of being taken in hand at once. As communication has been effected at the Rainbow End No. 2 level, a start has now been made to beat out a block on this lead. A No. 2 rise has been started in which the lead is 2 feet wide, and the ore gives colours of gold when panned off. The Halnbow End and footwall leads at No. I level are close together, and are taken out in one stope. There is about 6to 8 inches of quartz showing colours and dabs of gold. GOLDEN PAH. This Company has just completed a crushing of 20 tons of general ore and IS lbs of picked stone for a return of 71ozs Sdwts melted gold, valued at £3 1/5 per oz., a total of £21S 9/9. In the mine stoping is steadily proceeding on the Jewellers and Golden Pah reefs, from which good general ore of payable grade is being obtained. The shaft is now I being sunk to provide for a well hole i before opening out at the 193 feet level ! below the adit level. After this has ! been completed and a chamber been cut, ja crosscut will immediately be.started to I cut the New and other reefs which exist in the vicinity. A crosscut will likewise be driven a distance of 400. feet to communicate with the 180 feet level from the Union Beach shaft. At this level the development of two known reefs will be undertaken, also others lying near the shaft, all of which will be intersected by this crosscut and from which it_ fs expected good results will be forthcoming. The rock sunk through in the shaft has been all that could be desired for the production of payable ore bodies. On surface all the works are in beautiful order, and the plant, etc., is doing its work economically and well. HAURAKI SPECIAL.

Union Beach Section : In a few days the Company will start the permanent pumping and winding plant. The Tangye pump which has been in use temporarily will then be dispensed with, and the systematic working of the property Initiated. This will consist principally in sinking to be carried on by compressed air as a motive power. The air-compressor is now nearly completed. The development of this section of the property is looked upon as a most valuable adjunct to the Company's prospects. Hauraki Section: Sinking the main engine shaft is in full swing here, a depth of 40 feet having been attained already below the 300 feet level. It is proposed to sink to 400 feet before opening out. The future outlook for this property has very much improved since gold was met with at the 300 feet level on No. 2 cross reef. All along the bottom of that reef at this level the stone shows strong dabs and blotches of gold, and it is naturally considered that a continuation of the famous run of gold will be encountered underfoot. It also augurs well for the other reefs at the next level, viz., No. 2, No. 3 and the New Year. It is also worthy of mention that the Castle Rocfcreef now being developed N.W. from the 160 feet level crosscut is carrying a large body of quartz varying from 15 inches to 5 feet in thickness, with well-defined walls and with a strike the same as Legge's No. 2. It dips moreover east, and should be intersected in the shaft at a depth of 600 feet. In the opinion of the manager this lode will be found productive deeper down. A crosscut is to be started almost immediately to again cut this reef at the 300 feet level, from the end of the lona crosscut, which is now at a point under the lona shaft. This will open up a new block of ground 140 feet in depth vertical between the above levels. It -will be remembered that nearly 12 months back a disastrous fire destroyed the Company's pumping and winding plant. This haa now been all replaced and the present machinery is second to'none in the district, and equal to the many extensive developments in progress and in view.

KATHLEEN,

This Company continues to develop .its property with indomitable spirit _ and energy characteristic of John Bull In his many enterprises. Although theif efforts have not yet been crowned with the success so richly owing, yet daily the character of the reefs under examination in the matter of their matrix is so analogous to the rich reefs of this locality that a gratifying discovery is quite on th 6 tapis at any time. Hartridge's reef, which varies from 1 to 7 feet in width throughout the whole of its exploitation, has maintained a fine body of quartz, with good walls and regular strike. It has been opened up for a distance of over 525 ft and it can be said that no reef has been found yet in Coromandel equal to it In general apearance or considered as a true fissure lode. Captain Hodge considers that at a depth this reef is likely to prove the mother gold producing lode of all the series on the property. In their respective spheres the same remarks apply comparatively speaking to Carlyons and Hawaii North No. 1 reefs, only these bodies are much smaller, varying from 6 to 18 inches in thickness. It may be mentioned that the resuscitation of the Kathleen property within the next few months Is inevitable. The main shaft is already sunk 40 feet below the 200 feet level, and it is proposed to further deepen this shaft so as to open up another level either at 260 feet or at 300, whichever may be decided upon.

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