THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7259, 23 February 1885, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

REVIEW OP THK WEEK. [from our own correspondent.] Thames, Saturday. Matters daring the past week have been dull, and so many mines are in a stage of development—that is, dead work is being done to open up the lodes—that unless some* thing good, not at present known or suspected, turns up, the chances are in favour of quietness for a month or two. I admit that a feeling of despondency prevails, and mining ntocks are almost unsaleable, but am far from sharing it. On the contrary I con* sider the prospects of several of the mines are very encouraging. Of these the Cambria, Darwin, Imperial, Cross, Caledonian, Crown, Kuranui Hill, andßocky Point may be cited. The Cambria is the premier gold producer at present. Since the leading stope was started in the intermediate level, a fortnight ago, 3601bs of specimens have been obtained, and it is unnecessary to add that the general crushing is shaping much better. There is little change in the other parts of the mine, but the cross-cut at No. 3 level is making fair progress, and should touch the reef about ten weeks hence.—The Darwin is sinking a winze and driving in the lode. The reef looks well in the winze, and colours of. gold are seen occasionally. In the drive it is large and white, being largely of the character of a "back." Still I have every confidence in the reef improving as driven on, especially if no radical alteration takes place in the country. Bat I am inclined to think that the drive might advantageously be suspended. There is an impression abroad that the present level is on the cap of the best gold, and the next level will be better. It might be as well to wait for two or three months, and let practice prove or falsify this theory. ' If No. 3 level should prove richer, Barely that would be the one on which to carry along the prospecting drive, in preference to a shallower level. The manager reports that a crushing which has been in progress at the Imperial battery is shaping for an ounce to the load. lam very much disappointed with the Moanataiari Extended. Nearly 600 feet of crosscutting has been done, all in the ohannel of country, generally considered uncongenial for gold. However, I am satisfied that the drives will Boon emerge from it into a favourable sandstone, and the mine is excellently situated for catching lodes which have been payable. The southern drive is in 232 feet, and should soon cut the Cambria lode. The northern cross-cut has been driven 216 feet,

-The Golden Crown shaft is down 115 feet in excellent country. In the Caledonian about 18 feet of the Red Queen leader has been broken in No. 2 winze, and it shows colours of gold very freely. . A little leader at No. 1 level, four to ._ six , inches, which appears to be almost intact, is likely to prove valuable. A small portion was broken down to-day, and two or three lbs. of blotches, almost good enough for picked stone, were obtained. Ellis and party, tributera, first discovered its quality, but,' unfortunately for them, it has run' out of their ground. The Imperial manifests .little change. The winze is through on No. 1 lode, and a block of excellent general dirt, should now be available. More gold is being seen in the stopes at No. 7 level. "In the Manukau driving has been resumed. There are several loads of payable quartz on hand awaiting crushing facilities. The Deep Level Cross is a favourite of mine. One leader has crashed at the rate of one and a half ounces to the load, and there are 200 or 300 to drive on it with ample back; above and below. Again, there are nearly 100 feet of No. 3 lode, from which leader the specimens were taken in the Saxon, and 200 or 300 feet of No. 2 leader which has been driven on perhaps 100 feet. It has shown colours all along, the last break* ing down being better than any. It has been ascertained that another week's driving will be required before sinking is commenced. The winze will probably require a fortnight, and then there will be ample ventilation. The Saxon shaft is down about 56 feet. A leading stope is being carried along No. 3 leader, and colours of gold are seen. At the Euranui Hill running the rioh stopes on the Duke's leader is proceeding. Several lodes are now opened up, and ventilated, and nothing remains but to test them. They are in a good locality, 1 and I am hopeful as to the. result. No reef to hand in the Queen of Beauty yet. Good progress is being made in both cross-cuts, and I saw some very kindly sandstone from there to-day, lam very much disappointed that gold has not been seen in the leader being tested by the Caledonian Low Level. The country, quartz, and mineral are just as favourable looking as are to be seen on surface levels. The northern cross-cut is still being pushed ahead, and a lode should soon be to hand. The Rooky Point bids fair to be a good mine. In the eastern drive and leading stope another strip is being taken off, revealing gold-bearing stringers. These are joining together and forming into a cross lode. Steps should be taken at once to obtain ventilation by obtaining permission from the Adelaide to cross-out from their level above, a distance of some 180 feet. The leader could then be sunk on, and thus 120 feet of profitable backs would be open for stoping. The Bright Smile is cross-cutting for a leader which on a higher level yielded at the rate of 5 to lOozs. to the load. It should be to hand in five or Bix weeks. At Otunui the New Eureka race will be completed in about a fortnight. The Oriental cross-cut is into better country, and there is a little water in the face. '

Owing to the water race being vary low, the only battery- which can work is the Golden Crown, the, Prince Imperial doing a little intermittently. This scarcity of water brings aS face to face with another question —the feasibility of; supplementing the present .water supply. . This is a problem which must be worked out speedily if the field is to progress.' Those most competent to judge are of opinion that the 'big primp could be worked by water power, and that for one half or one third the present coat.; Again, if water could be brought down the creeks at a high' level .small batteries , might be erected in' the creeks, and much low. grade quartz could be rendered profitable that will not now pay. .-., '.'.' >.' " ■ '.. Another matter in which the , Thames is too conservative arid behind the times, is in the' meanij of winning quartz. In this matter we are too timid. The experience of the Caledonian Low Level has 'amply' vindicated the rook drill. Improved and cheaper drills are now obtainable, and I am convinced it would pay several companies such as the Cambria, Rocky Point, Dart, &c, to procure them. . In the latter mines there is ample room for prospecting what is known in eaoh case would warrant the expenditure.