THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6116, 24 June 1881, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.! Thames, Thursday. Albdhnia.—Operations in Dixon's section of this mine have been suspended for the present. The last winze sunk from the Whau level Oα Dixon's lode was carried down some distance, when the lode pinched right out, and although a start was made to open out a level at the bottom of this winze, nothing of any moment was met with. Recent operations oa this lode apparently indicate the fact that at about 50 feet below the Whau level the lode dies out. In a length of about 400 feet on the line of reef from five to six winzes have been sunk on this lode, and in all of them the quartz died out at about a depth of 50 feet from the floor of the Whau level. It is possible the lode may make again at a considerable depth below that point, and form a strong body of quartz. The winze on the Star of the South lode is down from 40 to 50 feet, and has passed the junction of the Success lode, but as yet there is no improvement in the quality of the quartz coming to hand. It was expected that when the two lodes functioned a great improvement would be noticed, but unfortunately this lias not been the case. The Star of the South lode continues to stand almost perpendicular. Above the 70feet level there is now a long length of stopes in hand on the hangingwall leader, from which a considerable tonnage of crushing staff is obtained. The quartz from here, however, is not very rich, but colours of the precious metal are occasionaly seen in it. A winze is being sunk from the floor of the 70feet level on the junction of this leader with the specimen leader, and a little gold is seen in the quartz coming from here. At the 160-feet level a drive has been started on this leader to connect with the winze from the 70rfeet level. In this drive the leader is at present very small. Fair progress is being made witli the extension of the Son 3 of Freedom tunnel level. The face is now about thirty feet into the Whau mine. A quantity of fair grade crushing stuff is coming to hand from the workings on the Twenty-third of June lode. New North Devon.—During last week communication was effected between the 70-feet and 160-feet levels, and the manager has now commenced to open out an intermediate level about half way between the J two. At this point the reef is a strong body of quartz, and judging by the mineral indications alion-ing, appears likely to produce a large quantity of good grade quartz. About 30 feet east of the winze the lode had a very promising appearance along the floor of the 70-feet level, and the manager anticipates meeting with a good block of ground when the intermediate level is driven under this. The eastern drive will therefore be pushed ahead as rapidly as possible, so as to open up this block for stoping operations at an early date. The western drive will also be extended towards the Alburnia boundary. 11l this direction, it is also expected a valuable block o£ ground will be opened up. Crushing for the company is proceeding at the Herald battery. During the last few days two trial parcels have been going through the mill—one from the Whau level eastward of the break, and the other from the 160-feet level. It is expected that both will prove payable, but only just so. -Waiki, Tuesday. Mining matters here never looked more prosperous than at present. The prospectors within the past week have come on to another rich find in their new CO-feet level, and are getting out richer stone than any yet discovered. This makes the second find of gold in the claim at two different points within the fortnight. The new lead is about forty feet below where the twenty-ounce stone was taken out last week. The quartz is of a compact character, and the gold is thickly distributed all over it. About 20 tons have been bagged. All the other mines on the hill are in full work. In Jones's I lease the cap of a leader about 2 feet in thickness has been cut, and a good return of gold has been obtained from it by hand crushing. This claim, which is over 1000 feet from the prospectors', is a further proof of the auriferous character of the reef. The Dulcibel are driving along the reef and have about 200 tons of stone at grass. The Waititi, Young Colonial, Little Tommy, and Bright Smile are continuing their levels to cut the lode.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS. 1 Coromandel, Thursday. Tikbxas's are.getting eut splendid picked stone and specimens from the upper workings. The reef improves every time it is broken down. It is 3 feet thick. Coarse gold shows in blotches in very large blocks. In the level the reef is also improving. The country is much easier. Blackmobe.—The big reef is still shoving rich gold, and the heap already at grass is rapidly increasing in size. In the Flat Reef, driving east, splendid quality of stone is taken out every breaking-down. The Hume Rjle are sinking the winze with two shifts. Some very large blocks of rich specimens came out yesterday. The shareholders are looking forward to a rich crushing next time. The I'euseveradtce are getting out firstclass crushing stuff, and rapidly accumulating a large heap. The Castle Bock has resumed operations. The workmen picked up a few good specimens on the surface. New Find.—Mr. C. Maefarlane reports having discovered a new leader of great richness in the old Rakia gully. Some of the specimens on view are very rich. Two or three claims have been pegged out on the line of reef. Bismarck.—Sent a large lot of quartz to the battery. Stoping operations are carried on in the upper level. A little gold i 3 showing. They opened out from the bottom level yesterday. The reef in the main tunnel is not looking well. "•.-.' Success.—The manager is still getting out very rich stuff every breaking down. Gold has been carried some distance now, and it looks as well as ever. New Colonial. —Mr. Lepham has been placed in charge of this mine. Systematic endeavours will be made to develope the mine. New Pah.—Have had great difficulty with mineral water, destroying the pump buckets. There is a very large influx since the rain set in, and it is feared that the pumps are too small to cope with the inflow. New Nor.Tii Devon.—Tho mine manager reports as follows: Intermediate level—A drive lias been started from the east end of the winze at a depth of 45 feet below the 70 feet level. The reef here is about 4J feet wide, showing colours of gold occasionally, but is of a very hard description of quartz. As soon as it can be done to advantage, so that the men will not interfcro with one another, I purpose starting >i drive from the west end of the wiuze nlso. I have sent two trial lots to the battery—ono from the rise from Whim level. I cannot speak positively as to the value as yet; that from tlio lower level, however, appears to be shaping best.—Joim AVrxcox. ■ : ■