MARATOTO MINING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2802, 18 November 1931, Page 2

MARATOTO MINING.

THE UNITED LEASE.

INTERESTING HISTORY. Some interesting history of mining operations in certain parts of the Maratoto Valley was given by Mr C. Adams, while unsuccessfully opposing an application in the Warden’s Court, Paeroa recently, for a decree of forfeiture over the United and the Walker’s Maratoto prospecting areas. In August, 1887, the discovery of a large quartz reef was made on the property now known as the United, and the reef was traced for nearly two miles. At several points along its outcrop the prospects were considered good, but on further prospecting work being done the results were so disappointing that most of the claims in the Valley, which were held mainly on the strength of the discovery of the large reef, were forfeited prior to the end of 1888. With the mining revival of 1895 attention was again directed to the Maratoto district, and the Hikutaia Gold Syndicate (London) was formed in 1896 with a capital of £16,500, which capital was afterwards increased to £21,000 for the purpose of prospecting the large United Reef. The prospecting operations were carried out under the direction of the late Mr H. P. Barry, who was at the time superintendent of the Waihi Gold Mining Co., Ltd., and the late Mr J. E. Banks. It was hoped that by systematic prospecting and development and the use of the cyanide process profitable results would be likely. A small experimental battery was erected and ran for tweve months; 5,478 tons being crushed, which gave an assay value of £4,869 (average per ton 17s 9d), but the actual recovery was £3,662. The property was thoroughly prospected, extensive diiving on the main lode at various levels being done and the lode was exploited at seven different levels for a depth of 1,600 feet along the line and down to a depth of 250 feet beneath the surface. In 1903, however, the syndicate ceased operations. the return proving unprofitable with the experimental plant. The syndicate certainly proved the o-istence of a very large tonnage of low grade ore. Further very thorough sampling by experienced men went to show that while there was plenty of ore above water level, i*. was of low grade, and the proposition was one in which very little one way or the other would make all the difference between working at a profit or a loss. The property Infer fell into other hands, with the lesult that another company callei the United Gold Mine Ltd., was formed during 1915, with a capital of £16,000, which was increased in 1917 tc £22,000. This company expended most of its capital in the erection of a mill and other buildings. The battery was erected* in a most unsuitable position, being a considerable distance from the mine, and where the only power available was limited water power. The result was that only a very small tonnage of ore was treated, and the company soon got into difficulties and went into liquidation.

In 1922 the Majestic Gohl Mining Company (capital £75.000) was formed for the purpose of acquiring the property. A low level was commenced from Mcßrin’s Creek, and the reef driven on at an estimated depth of 100 feet below the No. 7 level. This pioved a very expensive undertaking and was subsidised by the Government to the extent of about £3,000. However, the capital was expended before the work was completed, and after another £B,OOO raised by debentures, had been expended, operations ceased and the company went into liquidation. The debenture holders received nothing, and their only asset is the battery and the freehold of 800

acres which surrounds the mining lease. Mr C. Adams secured a “Prospecting Licence” over the united sections of the property in February last, and has had samples taken with a view to ascertaining values in order to induce capital from abroad to work the mine as a low grade proposition. In August last a London mining engineer was interested in the project, and while he admitted that it would cost probably £lOO,OOO to prospect the mine at depth he had undertaken to endeavour to raise this money. If successful in raising this capital in London, prospecting at deep levels would prove or disprove the theory held by most prominent mining engineers, i.e., that in the Maratoto district the reefs carry payable values at depth, the geological indications being in favour of a zone of gold enrichment at depth. Although it was argued before the Warden that 1 it would be a waste of money to carry out further prospecting work on the surface, as the whole of the area had been prospected time and time again, the main reefs have been trenched throughout the length of the property, and thousands of feet driven on the lodes from adit levels, the Warden ruled that insufficient prospecting has been done during the currency of the present license to fulfil the conditions required by law. He therefore decreed that it be forfeited and that the applicant for the decree be acknowledged as the first claimant.

Youthful Complexion regained and wrinkles vanish by regularly using Rachel Face Cream.—S. J. Hedge, Chemist.*