THE THAMES GOLD FIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1518, 6 October 1868, Page 6

THE THAMES GOLD FIELD

MINING MATTEES. (From the Thames Advertiser, October 5.) The Deep Lend claim, Kuranui, is still busily engaged crushing from their leader at the Homeward Bound mackmo. This leader varies from four to six feet in thickness, the stone being taken from a drive out of tho shaft. A second leader has recently been exposed in this drive, about a foot in thickness, which has been struck at a point where it intersects tho main leader. Great improvements are constantlv being made in the workinc of this claim the superiniend°nce of IVIr. White, tho manager, who informs us that the shaft is about to be widened, and that an engine will be erected almost immediately for the purpose of drawing up tho contents from the shaft. I3y this means it is estimated that at least fifty tons yeekly can be raised with facility. The shaft is admirably situated with respect to the Homeward Bound machine, and the stuff as raised in the buckets is merely tilted into a bag and straightway conveyed to the machine situated immediately above the workings.

The Alabama Claim, Shellback Creek, struck an enormously rich leader about a fortnight back, from which some magnificent specimen stone is reported to have been taken. are informed that tho ridge nt the extreme head of the Meanatairi Creek, which is bounded by the El Dorado and Dixon's (but which we have not visited), contains many claims of singular richness—such as the Alburnia, the "Whan, &c., and others as yet almost undeveloped, but which promises to rival them. One of the shareholders of the Pride of the West has just shewed us several rich specimens, all taken out of their drive adjoining the Alburnia claim, consequently they conclude that it must be their reef which certainly passes through their ground.

The Star of the West, situate on tlie Kuranui spur, was taken up by the present shareholders four months ago, and a considerable amount of work has been done on the claim. There is a fine looking reef opened on the surface, 6 feet thick, on which they intend to sink. The shareholders are getting out a very large quantity of quartz ready for the machine, and intend to commence crushing shortly. The Town of Napier adjoins the Digger's Friend and the Golden Harp, on the VV aiotahi. This claim was abandoned three times before it came into the hands of the present shareholders, who hare been in possession of the ground about err weeks. A drive excavated 120 feet on a low level exposes various auriferous leaders, varving from two to six inches in thickness.

The Young York and Devon—was recently taped off the York and Devon by the present shareholders. This claim is situated next to tile Bank of Zealand, on the VV aiotahi. A large reef runs through the ground, supposed to be the same as found in the Bank of Ireland claim, and has been uncovered in one of the drives commenced previously to the present shareholders coming into possession. In a second drive, recently commenced, a mullocky leader has been obtained two feet in thickness, from which a very payable prospect has been obtained by means of a dish.