THE GOLDFIELDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 150, 25 June 1907, Page 2

THE GOLDFIELDS.

(Continued from page 5.) WAIOTAHI. The transfer books of the Waiotahi" Gold Mining Company will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, the Ist and 2nd of July, for the payment of a dividend on Wednesday, the 3rd of July..

A VALUABLE DISCOVERY.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) WATHT, Tuesday. Mr. E. G. Banks, metallurgist for the ■Waihi Gold Mining Company, has just received from Mr. Allen, late director of Thames School of Mines, and now of Western Australia, a sample of manganotantalie mineral, containing tantalium, -which is now taking the place of carbon filaments in ordinary electric light. The use of tantalhun for the purpose mentioned was discovered recently by a German, and since then is being extensively used. Tantalium has now been discovered in Wodgim in Western Australia, the field being alluvial. The metal, as evidenced by the samples received by Mr. Banks, is black and extremely hard in substance. Two tons were recently shipped Home, according to Mr. Banks' informant, and produced a value as high as £1000 per ton, thus giving ample demonstration of the immense value of the- discovery.

MINE MANAGERS , REPORTS.

WAEOTAHI. No. 6 leyel: The crosscut north, -of the mam shaft is being, continued, and is In a distance of 3fttft Stringers' of quartz continue to be met witku The south crosscut has also been in progress, and is in. a. distance of loOft, but so far no reefs have been -mot with. ■' We have started to sini a "wikze ■ on- "the main reef- below this level, immediately under fine run of gold, and now that we have the air compressor almost ready this work will be pushed on as rapidly as possible- Stoping on the main reef above this level is in progress as usual, the fourth, stops being carried east of No. 1 winze for a' distance of 37ft. The reef at this paint is about 10ft in width, and colours of goli have been seen in the quartz broken- Stoping on the footwall dropper and branch leader is also in hand, and colours of gold are occasionally seen. Stoping- above- this- level on the- Cure- reef Ist being continued, and good colours of gold are seen. 3550 l 5 level: Driving west on

■ the main reef is in progress, and is in .a ~ distance -of 260 ft from the crosscut. The quartz is, however, still of low value. Stoping on the main reef above this level is in progress. The eighth' stope has now been carried 20ft east- of the No. 1 winze, and Sft west- This stope is now nearly ex-

hausted; as far as the rich gold is concerned. During the week 9Olb of picked etone have been secured from here, making a total so far for the month from all sources of 6cwt 501b. The main slopes east have produced a good tonnage of quartz. No. 4 level: Tie cutting-down, of the roof

of the old north crosscut has been carried in for a distance of 185 ft, or into the No.

5 reef »nd cleaning out the drive west is 1 being pnshed on, so as to get under the workings at No. 3 level. Drivnig east on the -main reef from the north-east drive is in progress, and is in. a distance of 135 ft. The quartz is of a kindly nature, and shows a little bright mineral. The drive west on the Cure reef is in a distance of 51ft from the rise; the reef being stiil small. The stopes on the main reef above this level are still producing a, fair quality of crushing dirt. No. 3 level: W* are pushing on with the sinking of the winze, which: is now; down a- depth-of 27ft. We have also started Jto drive through, from the No. 1 winze to the No. 2 winze to improve the ventilation. The clean-up for the month will take place on Monday next.

■ Southern Queen. —The Blue reef at No. 3 level averages lain. The quartz carries a fair percentage- of bright mineral. The country 4s at a -white, Wocty natnre, with bright pv"' > ral seams crossing through it. Stoping is proceeding on. the Atlantic reel, wMch averages 61n in wifith. The quartz carries zinc blende and iron pyrites, antl shows strong colours of gold.

fjonanza.—Tie crosscnt is in 3451t, and. tke country is most favourable. The eastern drive Is in 40ft. During the week a break was met with' at a long angle, and the reef is showing signs of making stronger. Tie country is firmer, and interlaced with mineral veins and quartz stringers. Golden Belt—During the week the drive south on. tie main reef at No. 1 level Has. been extended 10fS. The reef is beta" taken out for the fnll width of the drive, and there is ore still showing on bo>h walls. All'the ore broken from here i s being sent to the mill, and is shaping for a payable retnrn. In the No. 2 level tie contractors iave extended the .drive south. Bft The reef here is small at present but gives fair dlsi prospects. It may prove to be the continuation of the main ore body _ New Dart.—The water is down 35ft from the adit level, a fair start at baline beine ■ made last Tuesday. There is about 3ft of . water on the flat sheet at No. 3 i eTe l The wlnOlng shaft wm now be repaired' down . to >o 3 level. There is not a great deal lt is drained off, one shifty (with the taut) coold keep it under the » looks well. In the-