TAIRUA BROKEN HILLS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1900, Page 2

TAIRUA BROKEN HILLS

VISIT TO THE MINE.

On Saturday afternoon a party of gentlemen interested in the Tairua Broken Hill property proceeded in the s.s. Admiral to Tairua for the purpose of inspecting the mine. Those present were Messrs H. A. Gordon (chairman of directors), H. Gorrie, Donald McLeod, A. L. Alison, Hon. E. Mitchelson, W. Frater, and Alex. Alison. The Admiral left the wharf with promise of fine weather, but before long the night set in nasty, with heavy downpours of rain, that rendered navigation so difficult that about eleven o'clock the vessel hove to until landmarks could be better seen. Later on the weather became very squally, with severe thunder-stoirms, and iat last the Admiral was run to shelter under Slipper Island, the captain deciding to wait till daybreak to see what the bar was like. The morning was fine, and the visitors amused themselves fishing until noon, when the Admiral was safely steamed over the bar and made fast to the wharf at Tairua. The party had lunch before starting up the river. Mr Stillwell was caterer for the trip, and everything was carried out in his wellknown admirable style. About ten minutes before two o'clock the party started up the Tairua River in an oil engine launch, the voyage being a very pleasant portion of the trip, as the scenery was strikingly picturesque, with the background set in dark-blue rugged hills. After a run of about two hours the visitors reached the upper landing, where horses were in waiting to convey them to the mine. The ride up could scarcely be described as a pleasure, because the winding of the Tairua River necessitated it being forded no less than five times, which meant in some cases the horses being in up to their saddle girths. At the mine the party were welcomed by Mr H. H. Adams, the manager, who at once started ofE to show them over ' the workings. The Broken Hill mine is appropriately named, as the valley where the camp is located and the battery erected is surrounded by very high rugged hills. Up the steepest of one of these hills Mr Adams led the visitors to No. 2 level. Along the side of the hill could be seen where the course of the reef had been traced by surface workings. In No. 2 level the party were shown what would appear to be the junction of two lodes. At this point the ore body has been broken out for a width of fully 25ft, all of which has been sent to the mill. There are 220 feet of backs from this point to the. surface where the reef outcrops. The drive has been continued about 380 ft into the hill past the chamber where the ore is being broken from, and Mr Adams explained that several smaller payable lodes had been cut. From the chamber a winze has been sunk 50ft on payable ore down to No. 3 level. Here what may be termed a second chamber has been made by breaking out the ore for a width of fully 25ft, all of this likewise being sent to the mill. From this point 'crosscuts have been put in short distances both ways through ore, but were stopped when assays showed the quartz was not payable. Mr Adams considers he has clone enough work to locate the lodes as running east and west, but only driving can prove this definitely, as the work of breaking out the ore to keep the mill going proceeds. One thj,ng is amply demonstrated, and that is that there is ample ore in sight to keep the mill going, and the result of the first crushing of 600 tens will be the best proof of its value. At No. 3 level the most interest centred, as it was from a winze going down to No. 4 level that the assay of £21 per ton was reported by Mr Adams on Saturday. This winze is about 7ft square, and has been sunk 16 to 17 feet on ore. This winze is not directly under the two chambers previously mentioned, but located at a point 65ft to the west of the upper one. Doavu this winze went several of the visitors,: and looked eagerly for the stone showing free gold. A dishful of stone' was gathered and placed in a bag, and then Mr Adams proceeded to break out stone from the richest part of the ore body. This was about 18 inches in width, zigzagging across the face. The stone from here was really firstclass, and upon being washed outside gold could be seen in it. The washing in the dish also panned off a nice show of free gold. Still better-looking stone from this point was subsequently shown the visitors by Mr Adams. The assays from ore in this winze have varied from £2 to £21 per ton, the last one being described by Mr Adams as a fair one, taken right across the face of the winze. A week previous a similarly taken assay went £13 per ton, apparently indicating improving value downwards. The party were next shown over the batp&y f .which is a fine plant, with, 20

f head of stampers, driven by a 40 h.p. engine.' Nine cyanide vats are now being added. The company has also 100 head water race, with tall of 45 feet, so that the expenditure of additional capital will give economical working for a large plant an the future.