OUR THAMES LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2347, 3 August 1871, Page 3

OUR THAMES LETTER.

"Wednesday, G p.m. Prince IliPEiiTiX.—Underground work in this company is progressing very rapidly indeed, the shaft now being sunk a further depth of twenty feet, through very pood ground. This will be continued until it reaches the reef, which, according to the underlay in the 100-foot levol, should be met at a lower deptli of about fifty feet. On this reef the men are driving into the hill, and the quality remains about the same, gold being mot with occasionally. In the winzo in the No. 1 leader the quality of the stone sent to the surface is very good, the prospects therefrom being everything that could be desired. There is a quantity of dirt from the main reef in the paddock, and also at the | mill, and as soon as coal hay arrived a start I will be made t:> reduce it. Central Italy.—The manager of this mine sunk a little yesterday afternoon, after mv visit, and he reports that lie shortly after- i wards uncovered another leader, being the third within the last few days. This leader is about six inches in thickness, running across the shaft, ami appears to have scarcely *nv underlay, being almost plumb; but there can be no doubt but theso leaders form one body of stone, and that at 110 great depth. The firit two leaders uncovered showed gold freely, and this is no exception, some of the stone lying in the oilice showing the precious metal sufficiently to prove that it is highly gold b, •arin<j. The question has been askeii is I it the same run of gold that the Nonpareil lmvo so good in their winze on the main lode P but I am inclined to think such is not the case, as they are not deep enough ; but, on tho other hand, it is a distinct one, and with what ia striking into this claim from the Nonpareil, and tho i ulication3 in tho shaft the last few days, we ».ave reason to believe that after a short period we shall have this company adding considerably to our gold production.

Crown" Pei.cce.—The manager of this company had not succeeded in getting more than ten tons of quartz reduced at the Manaknu machine boforo the want of coal put nil end to crushing, and how long this state cf thin-? will last it is impossible to saj, 113 there is not any sign of a cutter in the Gulf. Under these circumstances it was thought prudent to retort the amalgam they had in hand, which

was over CO ozs. hard squeezed, whicli fire:i very poorly, only yielding 12J ozs. of retorted gold. The wholo of this 6tone was from the new leader. That from the celebrated Ueach leader is now lying in the paddock ready for the mill, and if this had been put through it would have made a considerable difference in the yield, as there is some very choice stone amongst it. Ashley Company.—The last of the crushing which the tributers of this mine will lmve was finished yesterday at Greenway's machine, and I am very glad to record that it is a good payable one, 50 ozs. of retorted gold being obtained from 70 tons crushed. The tribute having now expired, it will be let again, but on tenns far more advantageous than the last. Whilo the

tributers will bo employed on the upper blocks, the company are about to sink their shaft, so as to prospect the virgin ground, besides having blocks of the leader to work out which has paid so well near the surface.

Middle Stat.—The malinger of this company lodged 10-ury 82 ozs. 2 dwts. retorted gold, the result of last fortnight's crushing with eight heads. This only" lost 1 oz. in melting, speaking well for tho care bestowed upon tbc amalgam when being treated. About 130 tons of the surfr *e stuff have be*n reduced during tho month, four men only being employed in breaking and conveying it to tho mill, and the net result is 170 ozs. S dwts. G grs. melted gold. With a few additional hands, sufficient might be broken awav to keep a number of stampers going on the" flat, and for this purpose a tuunel and tramwav is being pushed forward to the Shooting Star wire tramway, which is now in 1-10 feet, and will be completed in about a fortnight longer. The main low tunnel from the Moanat.-iiii Creek is going in very fast, upwards of 30 feet being accomplished within the fortnight, the countrj through which they are passing being all that can be desired.

ScAXDIXAVJAX AND NIGIITIXGALE.—Last night, at a meeting °f the directors of these companies, it was unanimously decided that the leases should be amalgamated, and for this purpose tho Nightingale will be wound up voluntarily, the lease of the ground being assigned to the Scandinavian, and for this the latter will issue-1000 extra scrip to the shareholders of the Nightingale. This amalgamation is a step in tho right direction, nud now they are consolidated it forms a mast powerful directory, ablo at any moment to crcct powerful machinery ; and suck is the extent of their ground t'lat it wi" require this specdl'.v, as the number of auriferous reefs, and the splendid prospects obtained therefrom, are sufficient to warrant the directors to ca'l for tenders for the supply of 10,OC ) feet of limber for the water-race. As soon as fine weather sets in, steps will bo taken for the erection jf a battery, their site being equal to any in the upper district.

Mrrrini IX Parto.—l am yery glad to report that tho last day or two this company have taken out some ver/ rich stone from the stopes in the winze in a S.\Y. direction. The ground towards the old Monarch seems to beeorno richer, but us they open up this way, I am sorry to say that water is very treuble«ome, it coming in freely ; whether it be from tliiß lea.lor or not, is unknown, but steps are about to be taken which shoi'M drain the workings thoroughly.

Twenty-third op Jcxe.—Some 23 tons of atone from the new leader have been sent lo tile Waiotahi battery for crushing, but there is no likelihood of it being put through for some time, aj the road up the hill is in a fearful state, and wi'l preclude much coal being got up until it is thoroughly repaired, and the stampora that can be kept going will be on for the Caledonian. Wlieu the stuff is reduced a Tory higli yield is anticipated, us there is a large quantity of choice stone in hand.