THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6150, 3 August 1881, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[fbom our correspondent.]

. Coromaxdel, Tuesday, Blackmore's. — Flat reef: This is being driven towards the big reef, and has developed into an enormous size, being fully six feet thick of solid stone. In the face gold shows here and there through it all, and the whole of it is expected to crush well. The drive from this level to cut the big reef has been discontinued for the present. On the surface active operations are going on. A large paddock has been excavated, and is being quickly filled up by stuff taken from the outcrop of the reef, which varies from 18 inches to four feet thick, gold showing pretty freely in the stone. A very large quantity is 'accumulating ready for crushing from the big reef. Gold has been got in the big reef in the new level, but not in large quantities at present, but they have some distance to drive to come under the surface patch. Home' JEtoLE. —The winze has been holed thiongh into the low level, carrying a fine leader all the way down. This level will now be carried to the boundary, and stoping operations commenced forthwith. The tramway to connect this mine and Blackmore's with the battery makes very slow progress for want of timber, the road being nearlly impassable. The battery is almost complete, only a few finishing touches being necessary. ; • . ' Tiernan's.— The manager has found it necessary to discontinue the main level on the leader, it having dipped a good deal, and caused the drive to be depressed, which has thus' accumulated a quantity of water, making it unpleasant to work. The level to the west is still being pushed ahead without any material change. ■ The reef is somewhat smaller. A drive or winze has been started to, the east to open communication with the low level. Some very fine golden stone to hand from this place. Perseverance. — The men are driving south on the-main reef through splendid country. The reef has been a good deal split up • for the last five or six feet, but is coming together again. In the face firstclass prospects can be got by pounding the stone, which, in many places, shows freely after burning. •-,-•-.■:•

Castle Rock.—The manager is stoning out a fine section of the No. 1 reef, and by the time the roads and battery are finished, will have a fine paddock filled ready for crushing.' ■ - Stodart's Lease. —- This company are very energetically driving different levels, endeavouring to cut Blackmore's big reef, or any other that may be crossing in that neighbourhood." In two of the drives the ground is very hard, and progress is consequently slow. In the other two levels they have very much better country, and are making good headway. In the eastern drive they have a couple oi fine-looking leaders, and gold may be got any minute. The manager is expecting these to come together ere long, when he expects to find gold. Union.—This company has a very fine reef in hand, about a foot thick, full of minerals. It is enlarging every foot driven upon it, and. there is every probability it will turn out payable. Colonial.—This claim has been turning out some very rich stone, some pieces several pounds in weight. Shares have changed hands at an enhanced price to-day. Success.—The manager reports a magnificent show in the rise to-day, almost solid gold showing for two feet. Some pieces ai - e about an inch thick. The country is a good deal easier

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Thames, Tuesday.

Gold Returns. — Albnrnia Company, 32ozs. 3dwts. ; Waoitahi Company, 2190z5. lOdwts.

Waiotahi. —The cleaning up and retorting for this company took place to-day, and produced the excellent return of 2190z5. lOdwts. of melted gold, as the result of a fortnight's work. For this return, 140 tons of general stuff were crushed. Operations in the mine were resumed yesterday.

Alburn IA. —A small parcel of 20 tons of quartz from this mine j has been put through the battery for the good return of 32ozs, 3dwts. of melted gold.

All the employes of the Moanataiari mine, with the exception of Messrs. Hudson and Vivian, were paid off to-day. Before separating, Mr. Comer addressed the men, referring specially to the time during which he had been in charge of the mine. Among other remarks, he stated he thought there were too many men on the field, and advised all who could do so to leave the place. ' •

NEWS IN.BRIEF. » - The South Australian Legislature lately rejected a motion for payment of members by 22 to 6. Mr. Goodwin, assistant inspector of schools, is at present in Waikato examining the schools there.

Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales, entertains his guests with private theatricals. A man named Thomas Walker, alias Daniel Thomas, has been arrested at the Thames, on the charge of deserting from the Wolverene at Sydney.

The Napier papers report at great length the proceedings of a meeting called to consider the question of how the members of the St. John's Church choir should be robed.

The New South Wales Agricultural Society is on its last legs. It has never recovered the expulsion of M. Jules Joubert from its secretaryship some two years ago. M. Joubert is one of the promoters of the Exhibition now being held at Adelaide. The far-famed Cyfarthfa Works in South Wales were closed on June 4, and the last of the men paid off. It is only two years since they were re-opened amidst great rejoicings, but the continued depression in the iron trade has caused their final close.

■ The Bank of New South Wales has purchased a vacant section at the corner of Devon and Curric-strecta, New Plymouth, having a frontage of 51 feet to Devon-street. The price paid was £17 10s per foot, and the bank intends to build on the section at once.

. At an inquest upon a lady in Melbourne a few days ago, who had died from tightlaeing, it was shown by the post-morlem examination that the poor creature had so abused the form which nature had given her that she had actually two stomachs, like a camel.

Referring to the late Dean Stanley, the Dunedin Tablet says:—"Dean Stanley was a man of high abilities, which were chiefly employed by him for the spread of rationalism in the Anglican Church. His influence on religion in England was considerable, and has done much towards the growth of infidelity," A copper medal, supposed to be 300 years old, and to have been given by Captain Cook to the Maoris, has been.dug up in a garden' in Pelorus Sound. The obverse Dears the head : of George m., and the reverse a likeness of the two ships Resolution and Endeavour at sea. ■ . . . "

-Speaking of Mr.- George Darrell's first ; appearance in Philadelphia, the .correspondent of the Clipper remarks: —" 'Back From the Grave' is highly sensational in character, but not even the excellent manner in which it was played could make it enjoyable. Mr. Darrell is an actor of considerable merit, possessing a good stage presence, a good voice, and a familiarity with his art."