THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3603, 29 May 1873, Page 3

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[FEOSI OPE OYTN- COHftESPONDENT.] Tiiames, Wednesday. SoS3 OP Freedom. —There is no great change to report from this mine since my last visit, the contractors are still steadily pushing on the main drive towards the winze, which is about 80 feet further in. The lurge reef that was visible on the right of the drive still remains there ; while from the left thure are a number of reins striking into it. Middle Stab.—Good progress is now being made by the contractors, in this company's tunnel ; and by the end of the weak a. distance of 700 feet, or more, should be accomplished, leaving little less than fifty Let or so before the underlie of the main lode ig met with. In the main winze that ia being sunk from the battery level down to the tunnel, a distance cf 110 feet has been sunk, and the last few shows that a decided change in the underlie and size of the lode has taken place. Hitherto it was very big and lay fiat, but now it is much less in size, and the underlie almost vertical. Watchmax. —The development of this mine, both in the low level and the intermediate, is progressing apace, and the manager (Jlr. Kneebone) 13 engaged in breaking out quartz from both levels, bo as to have a test crushing. The lode in the bottom (S.W.) level has been driven to within 90 feet, of the Coliban boundary, and there is a nice learlor two feet thick i in the end, with an abundance of minerals, while on several occasions gold has been seen since the drive has been commenced. Contracts for tlie continuation of the drive to the Coliban boundary are now oat, and it is intended that no time shall be lost in pushing this ahead, so that the Coliban can at ouce commence work. In the upper or intermediate level, about 40 feet above the bottom, a couple of slopes have been carried from the winze to the Middle Star boundary, a distance of fifteen feet, and although there is a strong body of stone, yet the prospects hero are not so good as on the other side of the •winze, yet they should get gold if the stopes were a little higher, as the Middle Star are said to have left a nice run of gold on the boundary there. South-west of the winze the drive has been carried thirty feet or so, with two stopes following, and here the prospects are very encouraging,—a lode three feet wide and of a most promising appearance, full of minerals, with a little gold occasionally. The find of this gold in the stopes and also in the bottom level is within the line that tile run of gold is supposed to take coming from the Middle Star ; and when it is thoroughly opened up the manager is of opinion that some good ground will bo in hand. There is over one hundred tons of stone in paddock, and the manager only awaits the action of the directors before sending it down. There is 6ome talk about- the Daughters of Freedom and this company amalgamating, and if it can be carried out it will form a very strong company, and can be worked very cheaply.