THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3997, 3 September 1874, Page 3

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Wednesday. Kuranui.—lt is with pleasure that I have to record an improvement in this company's affairs, due to the discovery of a leader in the 20-fathom level, that promises to yield very welL The leader was discovered early yesterday morning, in a block of ground that lies between Hunt's and Barry's reefs, and has been well prospected around, but it was not until a few days ago that the manager commenced to pierce through it, and the consequence was that this vein was discovered, and is supposed to having something to do with the leader know as Gribble's. It is a ,t;ood-sized leader, varying from nine to twelve inches in width, of a first-rate constitution, full of copper and other minerals, and a fair show of »old; in fact, similar in detail to the leaders that have yielded so well in this and upper levels. Other work is being undertaken in this level, with every prospect of success, such as breaking down and prospecting on each side of the old leaders ; and by this means it is highly probable that other veins will be met with, as the country between the two main reefs is one network of veins. The western crosscut at the surface level has entered that large area of ground belonging to the company which hitherto has received little attention, and is now within 50 feet or so of intersecting a good-sized lode that was cut in the 20-fathom level some 120 feet deeper than the present cross-cut. This reef at the 20-fathom level was intersected at a point much further south than the surface crosscut will touch it, and the manager anticipates it will be of a better quality, on the ground that the lodes as yet have proved better above the 20 fathom level ; and again, that lie was too far south at this level, the gold working inwards or north, according to what the other leaders have done. The battery remains idle for a short time, the Queen of Beauty Company having yielded up 20 heads wdiile their shaft is being stripped, and advantage will be taken of this stoppage to alter No. 2 battery to tlie same principle as Nos. 3 and 4, which means a longer drop, and a considerable increase in the quantity of stuff Hi at will be reduced by the alteration in the drop of the stampers.

Queen ok the Thames.—At a meeting of the directors of this company, last; niglit, it was decided that tlie continuation of sinking should be carricd 011 to a further depth of 35 feet, which would then make the total depth of the shaft 251 feet, at which depth it is intended to open out. The distance to be driven to intersect the Bird-in-Hand reef would then be very short, something under 30 feet, so that ill another month or six weeks the company should have the reef or be very close to it.

Lincoln Castle.—The cross-cut that the manager is pushing ahead from the Sons of Freedom low tunnel in the direction of the Twenty-third of June leaders and reef is progressing very favourably, and there remains about 40 feet more to do, when the underlie of these lodes should be intersected. The cross-cut will tap them just inside the southern boundary of the drive, or within a very few feet of where the Twenty-third of June tributers recently obtained their rich crushings, which one may say with truth was the boundary line. There will be two objects gained by touching the lodes so near the boundary—first, the close proximity to the gold ; and secondly, the whole strike of the leaders can be followed from the southern to the northern boundary.

Exchange.—The No. 1 reef of this company has now been followed for a distance of 110 feet in tlie direction of tlie Crown Prince mitie, and every time the lode is taken down it shews increased strength, as close upon S feet of stone is seen in the face. The country alongside the reef, especially 011 the footwall side, is exceptionably good, so that progress in driviug will even be better than it has been. To connect with the Crown Prince there is still 130 feet to go. Tlie leader that usually runs on the footwall side, anil which trended off slightly, is again hugging the lode aiul shewing gold. The main cross is in 5G feet beyond No. 1 lode, and in 20 feet further should intersect No. 2 lode of the Crown Prince. Driving north on the lode has ceased, it being impossible to carry it uii with the deficient ventilation now experienced.

Bird-in-Hand. — The manager reports that the chamber at the 290-feut level was completed last night, and driving commenced at once, so that in about a fortnight the reef should be to hand, as it is only about 30 feet away from the shaft. As soon as tho reef is intersected no delay will ensue in resuming crushing operations, as the No. 1 winze is only a few south of the cross-cut, and by breaking through into this winze stoping can be undertaken.