THE THAMES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1712, 29 January 1874, Page 3

THE THAMES.

The following details" regarding the present condition and prospects^ of the majority of the principal mines at the Thames is given by the Soutliern Cross of the 16th inst :— An arrangement has been entered into between the Tookey and Caledonian Companies which will prove mutually beneficial. The deep workings of the Caledonian mine being at the footwall side of the main reef, there is a good deal of water which does not readily find its way into the. Pumping Association shaft, and it accordingly had to be pumped put of the bottom level into the next one, where it was turned into winzes sunk on the reef and it percolates through the latter, which, acts as a sort of water course. But the winze of the Tookey mine, which was being sunk near the boundary of the two mines, was interfered with by this water, and the arrangement made was that, for a monetary consideration, the Caledonian was to be allowed to pump the water into this winze, meanwhile the Tookey Company would drive from their shaft to intersect the No 2 reef at a deeper level than that at which it has been cut in the Caledonian, and so drain the latter mine. In the Caledonian mine a little more gold has been found where the men are stoping midway from the No. 4 winze, but the find is neither important nor unexpected, for gold in small quantities was carried down to a considerable depth when it was being sunk. Very fair prospects have been met in a seam of quartz a foot thick,. which was discerned in the intermediate level midway between the specimen leader and the main reef, and this probably will be found rich when it is stoped up towards its junction with the main reef. On the sth, the water was all pumped out of the Caledonian bottom level, and the contractor resumed the drive to intersect the No. 1 reef near the Albion boundary. The No. 2 reef is already to hand in this cross cut. A very fair share of gold has been met with in the 200 ft level of the Tookey mine in what is known as the hanging wall leader. This seam which is a fine strong lode from ■riPft to 3ft thick, has been worked to. great in the Caledonian and Golden Crown mines, and also in the upper levels of the Tookey by tributers. There are good expectations that when this lode is sunk on to its junction with the main reef, good rich stone will be found ; for it is a generally believed theory that the junction of those lodes had a great deal to do with the formation of the famous Caledonian run of gold. In the Old Whau since the holidays, the manager has commenced to open a new level from the reef from the main winze at a depth of 40ft lower than previous workings, and there is already a very fine show of gold to hand. Crushing for this company has not been resumed, as there is a scarcity of water in the creek, and, besides, a new engine has been procured for the battery to substitute the old one which is defective. The last month's crushing gave a splendid yield of nearly JLOOOoz, and besides leaving a large balance on hand, paid the shareholders 10s per share as a dividend. In the Sor-s of Freedom the most prominent feature has been a 10s dividend, and the prospects of the mine are such that steadily monthly dividends may now be constantly expected for many years to come. The greater portion of the stuff crushed for that return was from the^Oft level, but since then rich gold has been struck in the 90ft level. In the Middle Star, gold was struck early in the month of December, and crushing has been commenced this year with fair prospects, but there are no results yet to hand. The Black Angel during the last week or so has opened on rich gold in the bottom level, and will be crushing steadily by the end of the month, making a start as soon as the level is fairly opened. A^iew days ago nice gold was struck in the Golden CalL but. the lode has not yet been opened np;!to (l any extent. The Central Italy closed , last year with a splendid ; gold yield, and have started this year with even better prospects. There is no particular change in the Moanataiari mine. The new crushing mill will be ready for work at the beginning of February. Jn connection with outside mines a very noticeable event was a handsome yield and a good dividend from the Waitemata mine. — The Kuranui Company's mine has continued|to produce steady yields during the past month. (For continuation of JSewssee 4th page)