THE GOLDFIELDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 164, 11 July 1906, Page 7

THE GOLDFIELDS.

I " —

WAIOTAHL ,

The manager telegraphed yesterday afternoon: "Selected 2cwt. of picked stone from the third stops above No. 5 level." This makes oc-wt. so far'for the mouth. The dividend of 57 per share and 1/ bonus for the year ended June 30th was payable to-day, which mean's the distribution of £18,000 amongst the lucky shareholders, or just £3000 more than the actual paid-up capital of the Company. The total disbursements to shareholders have now reached £ 169,800, of which about £ 124,000 was distributed within the last two years.

KURANUI-CALEDONIAX. (By Telegraph.—Own Corresoontlent.) THAMES, this day. Development is progressing satisfactorily in the Kuramii-Caledonian mine, and there is every, indication that a valuable block of ore will be opened up on the Cure reef. In the winze which was sunk in this reef, and which is now down 70ft. below the No. 6 or Waiotahi level, splendid gold-bearing quartz has been won. Some of the stone when rapped showed enough strong gold to be classed as specimens. This development is decidedly encouraging, and should stimulate the Company to further efforts, as the prospects are steadily improving.

KURANUI. (By Telegraph.— Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. It is satisfactory to chronicle that the Kuranui Company, which has carried on development work for some years in a plucky manner, bids fair to at last secure some reward for their labours. It is reported that slbs. of picked stone were secured from the leading stope on the Shaft reef, which is lft. wide. The gold is not, however, con-' fined to a band, but runs right through the whole width of the reef. The development is decidedly satisfactory, and the possibilities of further improvement being reported are hopeful indeed. DURBAR (WAITEKAURI). (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. I visited this mine yesterday, and found that a good deal of work had been done on the lode, samples of which were recently assayed at the School of Mines. So far the ]ode is maintaining its size and value. Assays made at the Waikino branch of the. Bank of ISew Zealand, and also at the Thames School of Mines, gave most satisfactory results, values being from £30 to" JE6O per ton. SYLVIA. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.} THAMES, this day. Good progress is being made with the low level, the contractors having driven 56ft. on ten days. The country in face is still very favourable lor progress. This contract of 300 ft. of driving should be completed in good time. UNFENCED AND OPEN SHAFTS. A perpetual danger on mining fields exists in the shape of old shafts, and provision is made in the Mining Act of this colon}' for having all shafts properly fenced or covered. At the Warden's Court, Coromandel, a case wa3 brought before Mr R. S. Bush, S.M., yesterday, "as the outcome of a miner named Fitzgerald, being killed through having fallen into a disused shaft in the Hauraki No. 2 mine at Coromandel. An information was laid by the mining inspector against the Hauraki No. 2 G.M. Co., but as it appeared that the company had gone into liquidation prior to the information being laid, and it was doubtful who was liable under the Act, the inspector withdrew the information after bringing before the public and owners of mines their liability to heavy penalties for allowing disused shafts to remain unfenced or uncovered, and the determination of the Mince Department to see that the Act is strictly complied with.