MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 161, 10 July 1899, Page 5

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS.

Nonpareil. —The eastward intermediate level is in. 18 feet from the winze. The Wade leader has averaged three inches in width, but so far only colours of gold-have been seen. As these have been seen more freely within the last day or two the manager anticipates an improvement from the present face onward. Another 12 or 15 feet requires to be driven to get under where good results were obtained on the level above. Driving westward has been discontinued for the present, and a leading stope commenced over the eastern drive.

Imperial.—Another hard section of country has been met with in the South drive upon the course of the main reef at the low level. The reef is now showing a thickness of about two feet. As yet no gold has been seen. In the United section the western cross-cut towards the new reef is passing through excellent sandstone. The reef is expected to be met with at almost any moment, as the estimated distance for its intersection is now accomplished.

Progress Castle Rock.—The manager telegraphed to-day:—"lslbs of picked stone from No. 1 reef above No. 3 level."

Marototo.Mr J. McCombie reports the following works have been carried out in the mine for the fortnight ending 7th of July inst.:—Over the back of No. 1 level the rise has been extended 12ft, making its height 80ft, and another 30ft of rising should hole

through to the surface. The No. 2 level has been advanced 19ft, making its total length 482 ft, and the distance remaining to be driven, in order to meet the downward continuation of the rich ore shoot, is 83ft Within the last fortnight the lode has been somewhat harder than usual, and progress has been slow in consequence. The lode is now being broken out to an average width of sft without any sign ;of either of the walls. At present

there is a vein of ore in the face averaging lft in thickness. In this gold is visible in the stone at every breaking- down, and the bulk of the ore yields fair dish prospects of the precious metal. The contractor for the new mill has now got a large staff of carpenters at work on the mill buildings. The walls and roof of the cyanide department are fast approaching completion, and fair headway is being made with the battery section of the structure.

Khartoum.—Mr J. McCombie reports that the level has been extended 31ft, making its total length 216 ft, and a further distance of 84ft remains to be driven before reaching under the shoot of rich ore exposed to view on the surface. Just now work is confined to the hanging wall branch of the lode, which ranges from 3 to 4ft in thickness, and carries a little gold throughout. The footwall branch has not yet made its appearance in the level, but it may now come to hand at any moment. _ Bunker's Hill—Operations have been confined to sinking the well hole in the winze. The quartz broken from that point exposed nice dabs of gold. The leader is going down strongly, measuring lft betwen the walls. Propress has been considerably hampered owin~ to the increased quantity ot water. The required distance having been sunk next week attention will be directed towards carrying out tne necessary work to connect the winze with the winding engine. To accomulish this will probably take nine to i ten days, after which operations will be considerably facilitated and an extensive system of work will be inaugurated.