THE GOLD FIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7645, 24 May 1886, Page 6

THE GOLD FIELDS.

MONTHLY SUMMARY; [from our own correspondents,! Thames, Saturday. The feeling in mining during the past month, on the whole, has been one of depression. This may be attributed to several causes. Business in general throughout the colony, certainly in Auckland, has been very dull, and capital for ontside enterprises is not readily available. Auckland for some yeafs past has been very prosperous, but now there is in some degree a set back, which is natural, for brisk times cannot last for ever, and the pendulum inexorably swings to the other side. The list of bank, insurance, timber, shipping, and all other companies in Auckland has only to be scanned to realise that mining cannot boast a monopoly of hard times. But depression is intensified through the disappointment felt at the failure of the water jacket furnace to do what was represented. Instead of the cost of treatment being £2 per ton, the month's run was at the rate of £6 15s. Of course this would be materially lessened in time, and Mr. LaMonte is confident that he: would eventually be able to reduce the cost to near tho original estimate. Thus the high hopes that were entertained of obtaining great wealth in silver and gold by this means have not been realised—their fulfilment is a matter of futurity. But this fact should ever be borne iu mind : the rich ore exists in abundance. 1 hat has been proved. The ore lies fallow in fine lodes at Te Aroha, Ka.rangahake, and Waihi—in fact, all over the Ohinemuri district; but how to treat it profitably is the question requiring solution. Here is a vast field for the enterprise of capitalists and the congenial labours of scientific experimentalists. If a minimum of £4 to £"> per ton cannot be made to pay handsomely—well, modern science is a much vaunted fraud. True, our ores are silicious and refractory, but it will be found with regard to them that knowledge is power. Even now there is reason to believe that a blending of ores to great advantage is possible. The galena ore of Tai Creek, and the quartz of Waihi and Kaixngahake, for instance, are thought to bear such an affinity as would cheapen treatment considerably. But there is now great expectation in another direction, namely, an improvement in crushing and grinding appliances. A plant is to be erected at Karangahate, in which the leading feature will be McKay's pans. This, it is fondly hoped, will save a much greater percentage of gold than the ordinary battery. Another cause of the duluess is, although mining investors have been on the tip-toe of expectation lately regarding some of our leading mines, no big find has yet been reported. But the month has not been without its sensation. At Waiomo, a little distance on the Thames side of Tapu Creek, prospectors well known in, that locality—the brothers Lowrie and Plummer—made a discovery of rich surface gold about three weeks ago. It is said their "lay-on" was from a Maori. The spot is about three miles from the beach. Not a great deal can be said of the find yet, —at least most experienced miners are reticent as to the probabilities of its future. The formation, which has been opened out for nearly thirty feet along the surface, is somewhat like a reef. But leaving development to reveal a glorious future, the present can only be referred to with pleasure. Wash a dish anywhere, and it is calculated to recall the African's appeal to the slaver, Come, feast thy greedy eyes with gold. No one has yet panned off a prospect without pennyweights of gold rewarding his pains. The gold, as far as I have seen, is granular, rather than shotty. A few tons are being packed to Grahamstown, to be crushed as a test. Many men of experience seem of opinion that as profitable a way as any of working the claim, as far as present appearances enable a judgment to be formed of its character, would be by sluicing. Several claims have been pegged out in the vicinity. On the Thames proper there are few noteworthy alterations. The leading mine is still the Cambria* —It is situated on the Waiotahi Creek, taking in portions of the old Nonpareil and Waitemata claims. Four levels have been driven, the lowest being 350 feet below the surface. About £65,000 has been paid from No. 3 level upward. No gold has been seen at No. 4 level, but the hangingwall of the reef in not yet to hand. The mineral indications are favourable. Payable crushings are being obtained from an intermediate level below No. 3. Darwin.This claim is worked from the same shaft as the Cambria. It adjoins the Golden Crown and Waiotahi mines. The Cambria lode is being driven on towards the Golden Crown mine at Wo. 2 level. Colours of gold are seen frequently and small patches of specimens obtained, but nothing good enough for dividends has yet been found. Golden Chows.— This once famous mine is about paying its way. A reef has been driven on in the Mary Anne section towards the Darwin boundary about 300 feet at the No. 2 (300 feet) level. Stoping is_ proceeding, and occasionally a little picked stone is obtained. Caledonian.—An intermediate level has been opened out from No. 3 winze, about fifty feet below where the celebrated patch of gold was taken from. A leader has been found upon the hangingwall which contains colours of gold and carries excellent mineral. It is about payable. A block of payable quartz has just been opened out on the same lode near the Red Queen boundary at No. 1 level. Moanataiari.—This company is driving through the Golden Crown shaft to cut the Cambria reef, which should be to hand in about 70 feet. From mineral indications met in veins of quartz in the crosscut the chances are in favour of payable gold being obtained in the reef. Manukau.—A leader is being worked through the Waiotahi shaft. It is about payable, and hopes are entertained of it developing into something better. Waiotahi.—This mine continues to yield fair average monthly returns. Deep Level Cross.—Stoping is proceeding in the Prince Imperial specimen leader and the Mariner's reef. The crushing averages about an ounce to the load. Saxon — This is the Crcwn Princess claim. A fair-sized leader branching off from No. 1 reef at No. 3 level is being stoped with profitable results. Driving is proceeding hillward on No. 2 leader. • The country is excellent, . and colours of gold are seen. Anything found here would be equivalent to a new mine, as this section of the mine has never been prospected. Prince Imperial.Stoping out a rather small but payable leader has engaged most hands lately. Prospecting the Mariner's reef at Wo. 3 level has been commenced, and judging by the payable quartz obtained above and below, the result should be satisfactory. Alburnia.—This mine is likely to soon come to the front again. A fine leader has been found in the hangingwall of the Sons of Freedom reef, and colours of gold are seen freely. A little picked stone is also obtained, and the manager entertains no doubt of its payableness. Devon.—The prospects of this mine have also improved. The Sons of Freedom reef baa been picked up where it had heaved at the El Dorado level. It is an excellent Channel of sandstone, and colours of gold are seen. GOLD RETURNS FOR THE MONTH. Oz dwt gr Adelaide, 20 tons .. .. .. 15 2 0 Adelaide, Dare's tribute, 15 tons .. 10 12 0 Caledonian tributes, 25 tons .. .. 20 10 0 Cambria. 670 tons 676 10 0 City of Manchester, SO tons .. .. aft 0 0 Darwin, 13 tons lOcwt. ... _ _ 43 7 6 Don Pedro, 1 ton .. .. .. 015 0 Eureka, Otunui, 150 tons „ .. 13114 0 Kuranni Hill tributes, 64 tons .. .. 37 8 0 Moanataiari, 28 tons „ .. .. 47 10 0 Moanataiari tributes, 110 tons ... .. 109 0 0 New Alburnia, 55 tons .. .. .. 43 7 0 Ditto, tributes, 62 tons ... ... 115 18 0 New Manukau, 20 tons.. .. .. 28 0 0 New Shamrock-, 20 tons .. «. 8 18 0 New Prince Imperial tributes, 27 tons .. 22 15 0 Reuben Pair tributes, 10 tons .. -. 10 13 0 Rocky Point, Pascoe's tribute, 25 tons .. 33 6 0 Sundries .. 500 0 0 Thames Golden Crown, 110 tons .. i.9 4 0 Waiotahi, 220 tons - - 233 4 0 Total, 1,6135 tons -. -. . - 2,112 IS 0 OHINEMCKI. _ • , , Ozdwtgr Iva_hoe,Ka.rangabake'.. - .. 10 J? • „ Scotia, Karungahake .. ... •• 3 lu 0 Union, Waihi .. 56 0 0 Huntler.Waitekauri .. -. - 202 14 0 Stepbonion, Owharoa .. .. •• l (i 0 0 Madden, Owharoa .. _. . 11 0 0 Total .. „ 390 17 0 IK AKOHA. Ozdwtgr New Find .. 321 0 0 Coromandel, Saturday. Mining matters remain much as they did tost month, ,We are still waiting, like

Micawber, for something to turn up. However, there is decidedly more definite information as to the floating of the Telephone and Kapanga on the London market. From the last mail news we gather that this is an accomplished fact, and it is only a question of time when operations will be in full swing in these two mines. Of course no one oan tell what is below the surface of these two mines, but judging from their past, and comparing their prospects with older mines similarly circumstanced, we are fully warranted in expecting payable results. There are scores of men who have unbounded confidence in the deeper ground of the Telephone, and also in the prospects of Blagrovc's freehold adjoining. Since my last summary a new industry has been started here by a party from the Thames, viz., grinding tailings. They have brought down four berdans, ami are about to commence operations on the tailings of the Old Golconda mine. No doubt the gentlemen concerned have proved to their own satisfaction that the speculation is a good one. If the venture turns out profitably no doubt they or some others will try some of the tailings from the other batteries. The Manaiadistrict still continues to attract attention. The Victoria claim was visited a few days ago by a number of gentlemen from Auckland, and I understand they are very well satisfied with what they saw. A parcel of five or six tons is to be packed out and brought round to Coromandel for treatment, to test the value of the reef. I think there is little doubt it will shape well. The work in the mine is confined to driving both ways on the reef, which looks first-class in both faces. Manaia Claim.—About 10 tons of quartz have been brought round from this mine, and are to be put through Mayn's battery as soon as a large parcel now going through from the big reef is finished. Tiki. —This district is perhaps most in favour at the present time. The fact of Mr. Vizird, of the Castle Rock claim, obtaining 1360z from six tons of quartz just as it was taken from the ground ha? surprised most people. Tho whole of this gold was taken out of a little over 12 feet square of the reef, and stamps its richness beyond dispute. Mr. Vizard now intends to drive forward, and cut the original shot of gold for which the present low level was first started, Ho expects to have some 60 or 70 feet to drive yet, but the country is very good, consequently it will not take long. Matawai.—The manager is trying a large reef lately found considerably higher up the hill than his old workings, and he is obtain, ing most encouraging prospects. .Nelson. — The manager iB taking out another crushing from his large reef, which so far appears to average about as good as tho last lot, and should shape well whon put through the battery. A small lot was crushed from the Little Noll, but, unfortunately, did not turn out as good as was expected. Telephone.— There are several parties working tribute sections in this mine, but I believe none of them are doing any particular good. Premier.—Anderson, the tributers of this mine, had a nice little crushing a short time ago, but the return is hardly payable. Harbour View (Allen's tribute), which appeared to be doing so well some mouths ago, is not now yielding anything to speak of. Royal Oak (Mayn's tribute), have had another nice crushing for 30oz gold. Tokatea. — 1 he company are pushing in their prospecting drive through good country, but at present have been unsuccessful in cutting anything payable. An unfortunate-aeoident happened to a miner in this claim last week. It appears that 11. McKewon, the man in question, was working in the stopes with some other men when the ground caved in and buried him, and it was some time before he could be dug out, but ho was ultimately got out very much bruised and one or two ribs broken. Matamataharakkke.—There are several miners at work in this block, but up to the present nothing important has been found. Waik©kohiko.—There are a number of prospectors working up this creek, but they have not yet succeeded in finding anything rich, though some of them have a good show. GOLD RETURNS. The following are the returns of gold for the past month :— Oz dwt gr Bright Smile .. .. "_ 118 0 Castle Rock .. „ ... .. 135 & 0 Ness Side .. .. .. ..460 little Nell . .. .. .. .. 460 Praraier, Anderson's tribute .. ~ 13 17 0 Telephone, Sheehan'a tribute .. ... 416 0 Queen of the .North, Mclnernay'a tribute.. 6 10 0 Blue Peter .. .. 8 4 0 .New Golden Belt, Gale's tribute.. .. 19 0 Harbour View, Kneebone's tribute .. 4 9 0 Roral Oak. Mayn's tribute .. .. 30 8 0 Sundries „ .. .. ...5 10 Total 220 11 0 [BY telegraph.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Saturday. Sharemarket.—Sales : Manukau, Is Id, Is ; New Alburnia, Is 6d. Sellers : Manukau, Is Id ; Devon, 9d ; New Alburnia, 2s : New Prince Imperial, ls9d : Old Caledonian, 7s 6d. Bayers : Cambria, 9* 3d; Manukau, Is : New Prince Imperial, Is 6i. Albcrnia.—Rising on the leader in the hangingwall of the Sons of Freedom reef is proceeding. The rise is up nearly 20 feet, leaving about 25 feet more to reach the Whau level. It varies from 6 to 18 inches. Gold is seen freely, and a few pounds of picked stone are obtained occasionally. About 12 feet of driving will intersect it at the Whau level. A little gold in seen in the Star of the South lode every breaking down. Moanatauki Extended.—The main reef seems to have turned to the left, so that the new leader and it are running parallel at present. The new-comer looks well, and shows gold very freely. Fossicking on the footwall of the big reef, where first met, revealed some nice gold-bearing stone. The manager is contemplating sinking or rising at this point. I consider this mine looks much better than ever it did. It was quite a pleasure to look at the mine on Thursday, everything in the face of the drive being congenial for gold. Moanataiari.—The crosscut has been driven 172 feet, and another 70 feet uhonld see the Darwin reef to hand. The country and quartz veins are favourable for gold. Golden Crown.—The crushing is payable. A few pounds of picked stone are obtained occasionally. Caledonian.—Colours of gold are still seen in the hangingwall leader, and the crushing is almost payable. Saxon.The crushing is shaping fairly well. Colours of gold are seen in No. 2 leader hillward. This is prospecting entirely new ground. I should like to see a crosscut in each direction from this drive. Waiomo.—Lowrio and party, of Waiomo, have lodged about iOOlbs of picked dirt at the bank this week. They had on view a few pieces of quartz, showing gold very freely, today. Walter V. Stevens has notified the Warden of a discovery at Matamataharakeke, north of Kennedy's Bay. He states that a dishful of dirt yielded several pennyweights of gold. A. trial lot of a ton will be packed to Coromandel. Comet (Utunui).—The manager reports that crushing was started on Wednesday last, and that there are a few loads of Btuff at the battery yet to be put through, while there are also about 25 loads of quartz in the paddock. In breaking down the reef in the drive yesterday a few pounds of specimens were secured, and. good colours of gold are seen through the general dirt, while the reef appears to be opening oat in the face to a greater* Width. Oriental (Otunui).—The manager reports :—" tor the last fortnight 1 have continued the crosscut a distance of 10 feet. The ground continues hard, but the reef should, according to survey, be to hand in another 20 feet. In the Anglo-Maori section I intend to resume operations on Monday next. The crushing of the different paddocks of quartz previously broken from various parts of the mine has been finished at the battery for 20oz dwt melted gold. The tributers have started a rise on a small leader which shows gold, and are now getting out quart* for a crushing.