THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4256, 5 July 1875, Page 3

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[kkom ouk own corukspondexts.]

Thames, Saturday. City ok Losnojt.—Considerable inconvenienco is experienced in not having the required length of shaft-rope from Auckland, and it is hindering the work from being prosecuted iu the new chamber, and may probably lead to a temporary suspension of the stampers. In driving on No. 4, near to the City of York boundary, a marked improvement has taken place.

The Qi-eus of the May have augmented their return of gnld on cleaning up at the Herald battery, after three ami a-half days' run, by a few ounces : the yield now stn'-fN at 01 oz3. 1G dwts. Twenty head of stauii :VH at the Una mill arc now engaged on quartz which, judging from tho appearance of the lode in tho mine, will give an improved yield.

Moan atai in. — The usual fortnightly cleaning up took place this day, 050 tons from all sources being put through the battery. The yield, though not large, is satisfactory, owing to the excellent arrangement in winning the store and placiug it iu the mill, 257 ozs. 10 dwts. retorted gold being the return.

Goi.kkn 11 m< (Salmon's Tkiihtk). —12 tons were reduced at the Tramway battery, for tho fair return of 19 ozs. 3 dwts. melted gold. A small lot has yet to be treated to complete the parcel.

Loni; Dkivk. —The return from the 200 tons put through the live-head stamper-box at t'lo Moauatain mill during the past month has shewn up well, and during the last fendays has been augmented by a rich Hud of specimens, giving the handsome return of SI)G ozs. retorted gold.

I.rrn.K Lizzie (Karak \).— The shareholders of this claim lodged 2j ozs. 13 dwts. melted gold from a crushing of general stuff, to which may be added 20 ozs. obtained from 30 lbs. specimens.

Till'. AutUKMA started this morning with full force at the company'd mill up the creek, having during the last four days overhauled their machinery while the necessary inspection of the boiler was in hand by tho Government Inspector, Mr. Jobsou.

Pi'Mi'iso Association.—The work of sinking is progressing satisfactorily, tho first set of permanent timbers being fixed iu portion, the IS-iueh lift workii>3 admirably. This day the buckets were charged on tho 25 inch lift, and will be started to work again in a short time. The body of quartz that has so long been in the shaft is dying out, and a freer country is expected to be under foot.

Of UK. —The prospects of this company are certainly in the ascendautif the crushing test at the battery is of any value. Since the stoue has been taken to the Tararu mill, a marked improvement has been obt:ii"cd in the c'ass of dirt crushed, and the 20 head employed in r ducing quartz promises to br : ug the mouth's results superior to any former similar run. The amount of amalgam on hr-ul is now IG9G ounc -, with S cwt. of good spec'iueus iu store. The face of the btopes r'ld especially that in the drive looks well.

Corom.vsdel, Saturday. The couspieuousness of absence of all symptoms of vit-lity may bo said to be the prominent characteristic of our little world down here. Ever since the far-fauud swindle, that not only gave a universal reputation to oar settlement but that also nearly crushed the life out of it, everything has been a struggle—a pulling bard against the tide. Even the magnificent dividends that have resulted from several of our gold mines and the evidences, patent to any candid observer, of the prospective wealth of the district, will scarcely avail to restore signs of life so much to be desired. A pall seems to hang over the place, and, beautiful as it is in scenery and healthful almost beyond compare, still, one almost comes to feel at times that the command Ix>t received, " Get thee out of her," would be a welcnmn voice. lint nil itifjtjif.rantlum will keep us altoat a little longer. liy the way, that jubilate reminds me of an item of business. The battery that boasts the pretentious name Nil Desperandtim has been closed, consequent on the blockade, by the lVovineial Secretary, of the Tokatca Tramway. I don't think the lock-out will last long though. The Inspector of Works here, Mr. Gatland, ha" certainly so "cireulared" the mine managers that he now holds the key of the tramway, and forbids any traliic, but it is only pending certain arrangements fur future etfieient working. The Three Brothers, I learn, have over 100 tons of stuff ready for the mill, but they must just shepherd it till the "arrangements" are complete. Tile stoppage of the line is not likely to continue. Every ounce of gold banked means 2s (idtothe Tn">»ury, and the greed fur gain of all the lowers that be won't sacrilice even that little item if they can help it.

In mining matters there is nothing very striking. The zeal with which Captains E. Thomas ami Skteue have entered upon tliL'ir operations at tin: Oolcomla is encouraging, anil they deserve to he reward ' The time wad wlien a lame man was n ale to leap at tile news of the rieh gold this P'"ie jieldcd, ami nearly ±"IC3 per mouth per full share was actually paid. The long idleir ■■ of this mine has been a jnizzle to nianv, hut 1 suppose somebody knows. The Cu"luomla hat jry is being got into a state of ellieient working order, and from good stono is coming out of the mine, a crushing will be had shortly. The old tramro:>.d is also being l>ut to rights, ami we hope soon to sec the trucks rolling along, and to hear the coughing of -the old battery engine.

I have not yet heard from the liismarck, whether they have linished the 112 tons of stuir they have been crushing at [teiinett's battery. Will wire as soon as result is known. There ought to be some show here with so much general stuf*. and about GOO lbs. of picked stone considered worthy to be called specimens. This latter lot of OCD lb-. is to be treated on Monday. I shall watch it. llow comfortable it must be, after all calls are paid, to see a. dividend sticking out, say on a thousand sharos.

We are all on tip-t<>« here, waiting for the breaking down shortly expected in the Union Beach.

The Kapanga mine hue also Hs observers. They are dancing on the bottom of their new 300-fcct shaft, and start at once to drive ahead after the leader. If they get it—the gold, of course—some of the old Kapanga shareholders will feel green.

"Wo have excellent weather, ami our school children, under Mr. and Mrs. IToskings, had a treat yesterday, at their breakup for midwinter holidays. Th«young folk did their duty well.