THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2790, 7 January 1873, Page 3

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[PBOH OUB OWK CORBESPONDENTS.]

Thames, Monday. Bekjht Smilb. —It was attempted to resuroo •inkiug this morning, and although this might be done under great disadvimtage with the present machinery, yet eo great would the delay and drawbacks be, that the directors have deemed it advisable to hire another portable engine, which will be used exclusively for pumping, and the one now in position will attend to the winding, and by this means it is thought that tho difficulty will be overcome, »nd that a further depth of 30 feet for a new level will be attained. These alterations will not extend over any great length of time, — this day fortnight, it is anticipated, will see both engines in full swing, as the hired engine is close at hind. It was a mistake at first to erect the present engine, and by the expenditure of a thousand or so more, a fine horizontal one might have been got, which would have carried them down several levels deeper ; but this oversight is nothing more ttiau what has occurred in nearly every mine on the field, who have to provide for deep sinking. City oi Lonbok.—The stoppage of wiuding by the foregoing mine has caused little or no impediment to the progreis of this mine, ai arrangements ar« now iu progress for the use of the Bright Smile whim shaft, for the windinj of the City'e dirt. There is any amount of dirt in the paddock, and although 25 heads are employed at the Una buttery, yet the purchase or hire of the three whim horses will have been accomplished before the j paddocks are run down. The cost of winding by the whim, including the employment of an extra man or two, will not, according to calculation, exceed the cost of what it has hitherto done when hauled by the engine of the Bright Smile Company. There ie uo change to report in the mine, the stuff passing through the mill showing up on an equality to that crushed previous to the holidays. Cbstbal Italy.—ln the early part of the day the lowest level was uufic for the employees to perform thoir duties, owing to foul air, but the steps taken by the manager will probably by this time have attained the end in view. The manager reports that he has commenced to stope the right-hand branch of the big lode in the bottom level, and the little work he has done is very encouraging, as no leas than forty or fifty pounds of fair specimens have already been grassed. Whore the block was commenced upon is about 60 feet S. of where the lode divides, and he is of opinion that from the present stopo to the face of the drive thero is a good block of ground which is well worth trying,—the lode, so fur, averaging fully eighteen inched wide. United Pumping Association. —It was rumoured that some lode or other had beeu met with in this shaft, but on making enquiries of the manager, I find tbat such ie not the case. For the past week or so, the contractors havebefiu engaged in lengthening the columns, changing the buckets and blocks, and a lot of other work always necessary aftur it little progress has been niado in the actual sinking. The present depth is now 242 feet, which, according to eurvey, should bo eloce upon the lode ; and, from indications in the shaft at the present moment, I should not be at all surprised to hear of the lode being touched any day. GrOLDKN Calf.—This company commenced crushing this evening at Webb's battery, where they have employe.! the six heavy stampers. About 60 tons of dirt is already in hand, and, from tho weight of picked stone in hand, I anticipate the best fortuigiit's crushiog they ever had.