MINING NEWS. Grahamstown, Thursday.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4608, 31 May 1872, Page 3

MINING NEWS. Grahamstown, Thursday.

Windsor Castle.— l inspected this mine to-day, and can report moot favourably of it. By dint of perseverance, and— considering the public disfavour into which the mine had fallen— a most liberal expenditure, the company has succeeded in developing the mine into a first-rate property. When Mr. Lowe, long time manager of the Inverness mine, was placed in charge, he very soon ascertained the value of the lode in the winze ; and also that something very like foul play had been practised by some person or persons who had access to it. After laying down an iron tramway in the adit opened in Wiseman's Gully, at the level of Clarkson's machine, and making other preparations for quickly disposing of the lode stuff, he opened an intermediate level in the winze, at about half-way down, and commenced following the lode to the eastward. The lode there was about 2ft. thick, and carried on its back a small specimen leader. Directly the intermediate level was opened it was ascertained that the specimen leader had been fossicked out, and the space rendered vacantfilled up with clay hardrammed, as was subsequently disoorered : a section of the leader 14ft. up and down the winze by 3ft. in from the side had been taken out. Both sides of the winze were served alike. The perpetrators of the robbery, for such it undoubtedly is, are of course not known. The intermediate level was pushed ahead, and stoping commenced above it. It has been driven about 60ft. along the lode, which showed a little fold throughout, whilst much better stone was met with in the stopes. But good stone was mot with last night in the faco of the level, and several really nice specimens, which I examined this morning, were taken out. It is thought that this is the edge of one of the shots of gold struck in tho upper level. Wherever it is exposed in tho workings the lode is of largo eize : nowhere did I notice it to run less than 18in. in thickness, whilst in places it bosses out to 3ft. and 4ft. The whole of the stuff is put through the mill, which now is working steadily for the mine and with capital effect, the take of amalgam being large. 1900z., hard-squeezed in hot water, was obtained during two and a-half days' run on the 12 head of stampers, and during the past 16 hours 20oz. or 30oz. were produced by eight head. Work is prosecuted at the greatest possible advantage to ensure economy and speed. Whatever apprehensions may once have been entertained concerning the company's piospects have been proved unfounded by recent events. The shots of gold do run down, and I believe will be traced below adit level. At any rate there is an immense block to be worked above that level. Tsvo years hence will scarcely see the end of it, tho size being 300ffc. by 180 ft., an average thickness of say ISin. of lode stuff. Waitemata. — This mine after many vicissitudes has taken another upward turn, and with better promise of continuing in the ascendant than has been vouchsafed it for many months. I stated in a former report that the main lode hud branched into those at the bottom level opened in the winze sunk on the Nonpareil boundary, and that the left-hand brauch bore stone of superior quality. This or to the saaie effect was the substance of the report. But it has since been proved that this branch is a distinct leader, dipping at an angle of 70 degrees, whilst the main vein lies at 45 degrees. Thus the new vein rises away from the other, but inclines to it downwards, and, if the angles of dip do not alter, the two veins must come together a few feet below the present level. But there is a fine scope of country upwards to the very surface for the now vein to run through, and should ifcs present quality bo sustained a good deal of gold will be taken out of it. Stoping it is being pushed ahead with all speed, and with good result, as is shown by the battery, whore a lot of tho stuff is undergoing crushing. Proving the vein below the bottom level has commenced. This morning a winze which will eventually connect with the Nonpareil 100 ft. level was opened, and at a foot or so down a splendid prospect of specimen stone was obtained, the thickness of the leader being about lft. Very soon soon work will be carried on t« much greater dvantage than ib is at present, negotiations for the use of the Nonpareil low-level having boen completed, and when tho two mines are connected at that level all of the Waitemata stuff will he sent to the surface vi& the Nonpareil shaft. Moreover, tho Nonpareil low-level commands SOffc. of backs on the Waitemata vein below the wiuzo level of that mine. Nonpareil.— Consequent upon arrangements with the Waitomata Company, the manager commenced this morning to extend j the bottom level to the Waitamata boundary, from which the Waitemata Company will take up the driving into its own mine. There is still a good show of golden stone in the stopes of the Nonpareil lode and No. 1 speci« | men rein. Bright Smile. — I was in error in stating yesterday that this company had included the stripof ground under dispute with the Queen of Beauty in its application to license the Bright Smile mino uuder the new Districts Act. Also, it was not the latter company which lodged a plaint in the Warden's Court re the disputed ground, but a person not connected with the company. I daresay there is indirect connection, but at the Bame time the Bright Smile Company will not appear in the case, unless perhaps as a witness. — [Correspondent.]

Coro&iandel, Thursday. Katanga Company. — The manager is pushing ahead with the lower level adjoining the Golden Point boundary, which 13 now in about 130 ft., and is to be worked for about 300 ft. additional. The working and timbering is carried on in a very satisfactory manner, and as the Coromandel Hope is assisting to pay the expenses of the undertaking, no doubt the work carried on will prove of much benefit to both mines. In the eotnmencemenb of next week the management intend cross-driving. Golden Point. — Tbis company, which has lately been amalgamated with the Scdtty's, is driving on the lower level towards the Working Miners' leader, aud the workings have been carried to a distance of 90ft.! Very promising stone can be aeen the entire length. It is believed that the work will have to be continued for about 400 ft. to to cross the leaders running through the ground, and to give the company a good back for their operations. Close to the old , shaft at the boundary of Scottys ground a 'drive was concmeuced yesterday afternodu to further ascertain the richness of the company's prospects. Scottish Hill. — On the occasion df my visiting the mine yesterday afternoon operations were suspended. ; Golden Sceptre are working at the main level, which has been oavried to a distance of about 70ffc. At 40fb. in the workmen commenced to cross-drive for Nil Desperandum leader. This company seema to have done a considerable amount of work in driving and shafting. • ; Working Miners.— The manager informed me yesterday evening that the appearance of the mine Ins much improved, and hopes ar« entertained that the present good body of atone met with will continue. BEAOH CLAIMS. . j The Jitanita.— This company recommenced work about 10 days ago iv the main workings, which they are now pushing/ahead. Neptune. — The lower level is now carried to a distance of about 165 ft. and well timbered all the way. The facefof the workings has improved. This morning the manager commenced the top winze,' and at its opening met with capital stone. I had a small portion broken and washed, ' and a very good prospect was obtained.' The appearance and prospects of the mmc are every day improving. — [Correspondent.] Another dorre'spoiident "sends us jthe following :—": — " We are informed that j several ■gentlenefen, , including^- Mr. W. Rowe, Mr. Comer,, and Mr. D.J. O'Keeffe, vwitidsome of our principal mines to-day. The party were Tery courteously ohown over' th,e Beveral mines visited. We regret ta-hear that the management of the Green Harp Claim would not allow any inspection of.

their abaft or drives. This tro consider most injudicious, and mu»t tend to prejudice the stock of the

company." Tapu Creek, May 25. The Tapu tramway has once more been surveyed from the jetty np to Kattray's machine at Golden Point. As presently iurveyed, some five or six bridges "yrill require to be erected. A road o£ some kind or .other is urgently required, as landslips »ro no frequent that the footpath from Golden Point to the township is positively dangerous j and judging from present appearances the whole hill appears to be in a movable condition, daily threatening as it were a considerable portion o£ Buckland's flumiag, besides the danger to pedestrians. — At the Gentle Shepherd Claim there is 60 tons of quartz in the paddock. A few days ago one of the shareholders showed me some of the richest stone that I over saw, several of the pieces being nearly half gold.—-[Advertise)' 1 $ correspondent.]