THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6907, 7 January 1884, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

| MONTHLY SUMMARY. [from our own correspondent.] Thames, Saturday. Mining matters since last mail have been pretty lively, and a feeling of confidence now prevails. The most important event has been the finding of strong gold at the 640feefc level of the big pnmp. This is a resnlt long looked for anxiously, and marks an epoch in the history of the field. That payable gold goes down C3n no longer be doubted, for it has now been obtained at a depth of 600 feet in both the Queen of Beauty and Deep Level Cross mines. Connection is being made between the No. 5 level of the Prince Imperial, from which the Deep Level Cross is working, and the 640feet level, a distance of 210 feet, by means of sinking and rising. The rise bad been pat up some 25 feet when a leader above four inches wide, and containing strong colours of gold, some being almost eqnal to picked stone, was cut. Owing to its underlie it was nnt intersected in the main cross cut, and asitsoon dipped oat of the rise, no prospecting has yet been done on it. The' quartz is as favourable looking as would be met in any of the higher lerels. The winze is down about 130 feet, and the rise up some 50 feet, so that communication should be effected in a fortnight. This fiad will add a fresb lease of life t& the field, and has bad the effect of strengthening the stock of the Cross and Imperial mines, for it borders upon the Imperial. When the rise Bhall have holed through to the winze an intermediate level will be opened, and prospecting begun on the Imperial specimen leader. Tne leader met in the rise will also be followed at once, and I may be in a position "to say more about it next mail. This find proved opportune for the success of another scheme for testing the low levels by means of a tribute company, which had been under consideration for some weeks. This venture h»3 now been floated, and is named the Caledonian Low Level Gold-mining Company. The ground of the Caledonian, Golden Crown, Manubau, Karanni Hill, and Moanataiari Companies, under the 400 feet level, has been secured for ten years at 5 per cent, tribute. The arrangement seems to be : Kuranui Hill, 15,000 shares, which the shareholders may take up; Caledonian, 6000 ; Crown, 5000 ; Maoukau, 3000 : total 29,000. The Moanataiari Company's directors thought fit not to offer their shareholders any shares in the Tribute Company. As the new company consists of 100,000 shares, the promoters—that is, the two or three gentlemen who succeeded in securing the tribute—have taken to themselves and friends the modest number of 71,000 shares, The scheme is to cross-cat through the Caleionian ground up to the Moanataiari slide, some 700 feet; the slide once to hand to come back, say 30 feet, and drives parallel with it in each direction. By this means it is probable that several of the best gold-producing reefs in the field, including the famous Caledonian and the Moanataiari No. 9, should be intersected at a point generally considered most favourable for gold, the vicinity of a slide. It is the opinion of many experts that a good class of country should be met in the direction to be driven. The Prince Imperial mine has done remarkably well during the month. Two cleanings-up took place, the result being 21670z5. gold from 600 loads general dirt, and llcwt. specimens, enabling the directors to declare a dividend of 7s per share, being 39s for the year. The rich block on No. 2 leader is nearly washed out, only two ot three stopes being left; but these may yield 7s 6d or 10a dividends. Still, there is no doubt about the mine being a payable one for years ; indeed I have great hopes of the mine below No. 5 level, and should not be surprised to find the stock higher than ever one of these days. Deep Level Cross.—The only remarkable features about this mine have already been meijtioned. The Prince Imperial Company were in treaty for the purchase of the Alburnia battery some months ago, but, as they were not satisfied with the title, never paid the money. The Cross then stepped in, accepted the title, and bought the battery. It is admirably situated for this company, as a hopper connects between it and the brace of the big pump shaft.

Caledonian. —A leader and branches are being stoped in the Red Queen section ; the lodes are of good grade, but small. A crushing of 12S loads yielded 2020z5. of gold. A winze has been sank on the lode to No. 2 level, and it improves in size and quality. In order to work it at this level a crosa-cut is being put in, and the lode should be to hand before next mail. The Caledonian will then probably rank amongst the principal of gold producers.

London. —Like tho Caledonian a cross-cut is being driven to intersect No. 1 lode, which, where picked near the bottom of the winze, yielded some stray picked stone. The lode will probably be to hand in a fortnight, and thiß mine ought soon to be yielding profitable retuinß. Waiotahi.—This mine continues a steady gold producer, the month's return being 300ozs. gold from 200 tons quartz.

Darwin—A trial crushing or IS loads i yielded 16ozs. lSdwt. gold, a payable return, j This mine is one of three which should maki an impression during the coming year. The Darwin, Cambria, and Moanataiari Extended are on the line of the YVaiotahi No. 5 reef, the first-named adjoining the Waiotahi mine. It is not unlikely that this reef is identical with the Shamrock leader, a lode which in the early days of the field yielded handsome returns. The old Shamrock ground is at the north-ea3tern end of the Moanataiari Extended. As the Nonpareil- Waitemata ground of former days skirts the western side of the3e mines, they cover what is known to be a good channel of country. The Cambria will work from the Darwin abaft, whilst the Moanataiari Extended is sinking its own shaft. The lode has been driven on about 70 feet altogether in the Darwin and Cambria. In the former it is changed, being charged with minerals favourably and patches of gold. In the Cambria it is somewhat disturbed, but the country ib good. The Moanataiari and Golden Crown returns cover expenses. The Dart, Hape Creek, is likely to claim attention during the coining months : SS loads general dirt and 3owt. specimens and picked stone yielded 4*23ozs. gold. This is from the bottom of a block 100 feet in length by 70 feet overhead, aud driving southwards shonld reveal 100 (edt more payable dirt. "Waihi District.—That the Martha Extended is a payable mine is now beyond all question, and I expect to see it, before many months elapse, a dividend-payer. One thousand tons of quartz yielded 3440z5. gold. The supply of dire is so great and so easily won that this will leave a considerable margin of profit.

Coromandel, Saturday. The improved tone in mining matters still continues. Though there is nothing of any particular moment before the public, yet the idea is abroad that we have got to the lowest, and that after the holidays things will mend, aa is usual at this time of year. We

have bad some very good crnshings, as immediately before Christmas all the mine owners and tribaters endeavour to have a crashing of their beat, consequently the returns of gold are nearly three times more than for several montbß past, the best return being McNeil's Tokatea tribute, 299ozsfrom 16 tons of stuff; bat this party has already had several good specimen croshings, which brings the average up to the magnificent amount of 52ozs. per ton. Of coarse this staff has been very carefully worked and selected, bnt the fact remains that a very small block of the reef has yielded over SOOozs. gold. There is still a large portion uf this leader to work oat within the boundaries of their tribute. This reef has always been very rich in patches. The claim was originally pegged out for this leader, and it has paid well both to the company and tribaters. It was also from this leader, close to the boundary, from which the Royal Oak obtained such a rich haal and paid Bach pood dividends. The compaay (Tokatea) are still pushing in the maia level to cut the big reef, but progress is slow. It will most likely be some months before it is reached. The stopes are turning out average crashing stuff, but as only a few men are employed, very little is broken. Royal Oak. —This company have been for many months putting in a level to cat McNeil's tribute leader at a great depth ; in fact, it was cat just before the holidays at least 200 feet below the lowest former workings. The ground is exceedinely bard, bnt it is characteristic of this leader, and no doubt when'it is worked upon good patches of gold will be got again. Bismahck Tribute.—This party have been fortunate enough to get a nice patch of fair specimens, and their prospects for the new year are decidedly better than for many months past.

Scccb.-s.—This mine continues to turn out small quantities of gold, more than sufficient to pay working expenses, but no large haul has been obtained for some time past. There is every probability, however, that when the reef is blocked out from the bottom of the rise there will be something more to talk about.

Kapanga.—Some exceedingly rich stone was got in this mine just before the holidays, and there are good prospects for the coming year.

New Corby.—The manager has started a rise where a little gold was got some time back, but without any very encouraging results at present. The face of the drive is still some distance from the old shot of gold. Bright Smilb.—A little gold has lately been got in a leader in this mine, and it looks favourable for working. Another party has also got a nice leader in this locality, which is likely to turn out well. New Union Beach.—Tho manager in still pressing on his drives on Black and Venus reefs intending to cut the junction and slide, in both of which places gold is likely to be got. A rise has also been started on the Venus, to teßt it 3 value, above the eightyfeet level. Good crushing is coming to hand from a level put in from the winze, 40 feet down on Daniel's leader. Gold shows freely, and the leader looks first class.

Jdst-in-Time.—Since last summary the manager has made good headway in sinking the winze, and has obtained golden stone more or leas all the way down. The stuff taken out was crushed just before the holidays, and gave the splendid return of 50ozs. from six tons of stuff and a parcel of picked stone. It was then found necessary to desist, the air having become too bad for working, but a rise is being pushed up to the surface as fast as possible, which will give splendid ventilation and enable the winze to be Bunk to the bottom level with ease, and it appears likely to open up a splendid block of the reef.

New United.—This company are Binking a winze on Meredith's leader, and appear to be opening up a fine block of the reef. The quartz is very good, but rather Bmall. Matawai.—Since last summary soma thirty or forty tons of quartz have been put through the battery for the very handsome return of 102ozs. retorted gold, and whea it is borne in mind that this came out of a fourfoot.reef, and was the work of only one man for about three weeks, the prospect is vary good indeed. Vizard's.—The manager is accumulating a large paddock of quartz, which is expected to crush well. The road is not yet sufficiently far advanced to enable the stuff to be sent to the battery. Blackmore and Home Rule.—These two companies have or are about to amalgamate, and then work will be pushed on vigorously ; and as they have a battery at the mouth of the drive, a very small return per ton will pay handsomely. There are several other claims in this district which will be again started shortly. The following are the returns of gold for the month :—

(BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thamss, Saturday evening. Shauemarkst.—Deep Level Cross, 3s 6d, sellers <>3 Sd, buyers 3a 4a ; Imperial, 233 (id, sellers 24a; Caledonian, low level, 9.1 ami lOd, sellers Is. Waiotahi.—The monthly cleaning up yielded HOOoza. gold, obtained from 200 tons of quartz. London - .—The cross-cut is in 50 feet, leaving 70 feet further to be driven before No. 1 reef ia to hand. Caledonian. —The contractors are making good progress in the cross-cut, aod 50 feet further should see the leader to hand.

Daut.—The leading stope is within 20 feet of No. 1 winze. Colours of gold are seen. Dabs are seen freely in the second, third, and fourth stopes, the last named having just been started. A few pounds of stone have been obtained from each stope. Driving southward on the reef will be resumed on Monday. The battery is running one shift, but two will bo started early next week. Queen o< Beauty.—Driving towards the vanguard has been suspended owing to the strength of the gas. The manager intends to supply a blast next week, aud if that does not avail, to supplement it with a furnace, so as to provide air. The contractors at No. 10 level have finished their contract for fifty feet. The ground is a good, firm sandstone, and the manager thinks that probably 18 or 20 feet further will have to be driven before tbe leader is touched. Prince Imperial.—2cwt. specimens were obtained to-day, one being eastward, the other westward of the break. Bhight Smile.—A new level is about to be opened from the extended ground. Driving will be commenced on the Monarch lode, which the manager thinks, judging by upper levels, ought to prove payable when driven upon twenty or thirty feet. This lode will probably strike against a break, which, followed say forty f«et, would lead to the lode now being worked with payable results. Albdhnia.—A rise is about to be started from the low level tc hole into a drive some forty feat overhead, with a view to obtaining

ventilation. The Hatter's leader will then be followed to the Coliban boundary, under where Hunter and party, proprietors of that claim, are obtaining very rich crushing dirt. Dsep Level Cross. — Crushing with twenty head of stampers will be commenced on Monday. Darwin.—The manager reports that a cross-cut ha 3 been begun, to reach the footwall of the main lode, and to intersect the leader found in the bottom of the shaft, so that more gold may be reasonably looked for within the next few days. Cambria.—The manager reports that driving on the Darwin lode is still being carried on, and on Saturday there being a •greater flow of water at the face, leads to the expectation that the lode itself will prove more compact Hun it haa been for a few days.

GOLD RETURNS. tnscwt.lbs. oz.dt.^r. Adelaide 25 0 0 21 0 0 Do., Mander's tr .. 30 o 0 22 I f o Do. Jury's tr .. .. 18 0 0 9 9 0 Albumin, Whuaker'a tr 12 0 0 10 6 0 Do., Siadden'a tr .. 16 10 0 15 S 0 Bright Smile .. .. 61 10 0 122 4 0 Caledonian .. .. 192 0 0 202 ]."> o Do., Mclnnes'tr .. 2"> 10 0 15 17 o Coliban .. .. 28 10 0 270 4 0 Dart 147 2 0 423 15 0 Do., ChHderbouse's tr 5 0 0 11 :• 0 Don Pedro "Wilson's tr.. 8 0 0 44 4 o Darwin .. .. 27 0 0 10 Js o Deep Lerel Cross 1. 30/ 0 0 159 5 o Kuranui Hill, James's tr 0 u 60 65 3 0 Do., Le Manquais' tr 3 0 0 13 5 0 Do., Thomas' tr .. 0 0 15 12 H 0 Do., tr .. 4 0 0 4 13 0 London> 48 0 0 36 6 o Mariner .. .. .. 800 840 Martha Extended. Waihi 1000 0 0 344 11 0 Moao&t&iarl .. .. 68 0 0 65 1 0 Do, Guthrie's tr .. 10 10 0 63 0 0 Do., Kneebono's tr .. 3 0 0 17 0 Do., Hancock's ir .. 5 0 0 3 11 0 Do.. Waite'str.. .. 7 10 0 26 0 0 Do., Lukie's tr.. •• 5 0 0 7 15 0 Do., Williams's tr 10 0 0 35 2 0 Do., Carter's tr .. 8 0 0 21 14 0 Do., Tr*bilcock's tr .. 4 0 0 . 3 17 0 Do.. Rowe's tr.. ... 8 0 0 22 17 0 Do., F. White's tr .. 3 10 0 • 10 6 0 Do., Dabb's tr.. .. 6 0S 390 New Prince Imperial .. 909 11 0 2167 15 0 Smile of For'ne, Owharoa 9 0 0 7 12 0 Do., Farmer's tr .. 88 0 0 CO 14 0 Sundries — 1067 0 0 Thames Golden Crown.. 100 0 0 133 0 0 Waiotahi 200 0 0 300 0 0 Waitekauri district .. 140 0 0 170 0 0 Total .. 3550 3 75 6i05 4 0 TE AltOHA RETURN'S. Trucks. oz.dt.gr. j New Find 140 357 10 0 Colonist .. 94 104 16 0 Premier .. .. ... .. 118 86 3 0 Werahiko .. .. .. 50 41 13 0 Lucky Hit 6' 6 9 0 Total - 408 596 11 0

oz.dt.gr. Tokatta 23 10 0 Do. McXeil's tribute .. .. .. '2f*9 15 0 Prido of Tokatea, Kennedy's tribute .. S2 4 0 Blue Peter .. '27 t5 0 Bismarck tribute .. 66 7 0 Just-in-Time 6j 0 0 Mat&wai .. .. .. ... .. .. 102 f> 0 Rojal Oak tribute — ». •_ .. 22 4 0 Erin's Hope .. ... ... .. IS 0 0 Kapanga.. .. _ .. ... S'i 0 0 Klectric claim .. .. .. 14 2 0 Sundries ... _ S 17 0 Total .. „ 795 10 0 THE GOLD RETURN FOR THE YEAR. The gold returns for the year 1SS3 may be estimated at 54,000oz9 M although that, judging by the sworn returns wnich the banks are uow compelled by law to furnish to local bodies, is probably under the mark. An allowance of 500ozs. for sundries is made in calculating the monthly returns, but that seems to be an under-eatimate. The yield for 18S2 was about 4'2.500ozs.; for 1881, 46,500ozs.; for 1SS0, 5*2,000oz«.; for 1S79, 5Q t 000ozs.; and for 1S7S, 60,500oza. A local journal tabulates the returns for the year as follows f oz. dt.jr. Adelaide claim ., ., — 650 o 0 Do. (tnbutera) .. .. .. 24'» 4 0 Alburnia Company .. «. — '218 U 0 Do. (trihuters) .. .. .. .. 0 Bright Smile Company — .. .. 1400 S 0 Caledonian Company .. .. 807 0 0 Do. (triuuters) iMl 19 0 Deep Level Cross Company .. .. 4307 <0 0 Dart Company .. .. ... .. 4S2 10 0 Do. (tribaWf) .. .. .. .. 184 14 0 Kuranui Hil! Company 104 10 0 Do. (tributersi (xk; t» 0 Karangabake district 164 11 0 Moanataiari Company 1763 14 2 Do. (trlbutcrs) 16*6 1*2 0 New Prince Imperial Company .. ..20,023 14 0 Olnnui district .. .. .. 253 *2 0 Owh&roa district .. .. .. .. lt£7 18 0 Queen of Beauty Company .. .. -Oil Y& o Do. (trlbutera) .. .. 557 8 0 Sundry returns G757 13 0 Te Aroha district 2405. 3 0 Thames Golden Crown Company .. 1177 13 0 Do. (tributes) .. *21 8 0 Waiotahi Company .. — .. .. 2735 lt> 0 Walhi district 1106 10 0 Waltekiuri district .. .. .. .. 1145 19 0 Total .. - .. 53.832 7 0