THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7862, 3 February 1887, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[FROM ode OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Wednesday. Prince Imperial,—The lode has now been driven on about 45 feet, but of this some 15 feet is still standing, and will probably be broken down to-day. The surroundings are favourable for gold. A considerable length of the leading stope is also stripped, and the chances are in favour of a satisfactory breaking down. The face of tho drive is now within 100 feet of the junction with No. 2 leader, and the junction is just above where first-class mineral indications exist, where work was last carried on at No. 3 level. Odger's crushing is shaping for an excellent return. »

Trenton.—There is a very strong feeling amongst Thames shareholders regarding this mine, and the impression is general that it is not getting fair play in Auokland. The pretence is that the calls cannot be got in ; yet I understand nearly all, if not all, calls due in this district, and there are some heavy shareholders here, have been paid. Report says it is not intended to resume work for six weeks. The authorities should not allow this playing at mining, especially as the prospects of tho mine have improved very much recently. Tho gold now being got in the Prinoe Imperial Is within 400 feet of the boundary, and the lode is running straight for their ground. Again, Counou's tribute in tho Saxon, with a large lode worth 2 or 3oz to the load, is within, say 300 feet of the boundary, in entirely unprospected ground. This is also running towards the Trenton. A sinister motive in the head that impel the hands that move the puppets is suspeotcd, and a pretty shrewd guess is formed of what that design is.

Albornia. —Two stopea are being carried along with the usual results, only so much picked stone is not being obtained as last month. The winze is down 25 feet, and colours of gold are seen, accompanied by good mineral indications.

[by telegraph.OWN correspondent.] . Thames, Wednesday. Shaiiemakket. —Cambria, 4s 6d ; Saxon Is Id, sellers Is 2d. The Consolation mine (Waiomo) was sold by auotion to-day for £10, Thomas Simmon being the purchaser. A half share in the Paroquet (Waiomo) was offorad by auction, but was withdrawn at £5, the reserve being £.10. A SPLENDID RETURN. [by telegraph.— OWN correspondents. I Paeroa, Wednesday evening. Woodstock.—Railey has scored yet another auccees with the dirt from this mine, having oleaned up an eight ton trial crushing for 27-toz bullion, being an average of 340z Cdwt per ton. This dirt is worth about half an ounce to the ton at the battery.

Rose.—Crushing at Bailey's on a parcel of about 20 tons has commonccd.

New Alburn ia.—The mine manager, under date February 1, reports:—The winze on the new specimen lode, 70-feet level, is now down a depth of 27 feat. The lode varies in size from three to six inches, shows gold every breaking down, and carries the right sort of mineral. VVhen the winze attains a depth of 40 feet a drive will be started from the dropper winze, 15 feet of driving will connect both winzes, and consequently make the connection desired between the intermediate level to be driven on specimen lode and the 160 feet level. The intermediate drive will bo shaped for the Sons of Freedom reef, which is about 60 feet east of the winze now being sunk on specimen lode. Tho dropper lode will also bo in hand at the intermediate level, and having formerly been a good lead on the upper levels, should be well worth a trial. Two stopes are in operation over the 70-feet level. The lode is small, but the dirt coming to hand is payable. There are 12 loads of quartz on hand.

Saxon.Tho mlno manager, under date Ist February, ISS7, reports : The reef in the face in Connon's tribute is looking as well as ever. Gold is seen all through, and the country is very good, but rather tight for speedy work ; unless it gets muoh harder 1 shall bo able to start sinking with threo shifts early next week.

Cambria.—The mine manager reports :— 1 havo the honour to state that the south cross-cut at No. 4 level is now in a distance of 517 feet from the shaft, 12 feet having been driven during the last six working days. This drive is still going through hard blue rock. The winze that is being suuk ou the hangingwall reef below No. 2 level is down a depth of 31 feet. Tho reef in tho bottom of the winze is about 2 feet in thickness. Gold is being seen through the quartz when breaking it down. The western drive at No. 2 level on tho hangingwall reef is now in a distance of 8G feet from the crosscut. In the face of this drive the reef is about 2 feet in thickness. Gold is being seen freely through the quartz when breaking it down. lOlbs of specimens were obtained from here on Thursday last. The leading stope west is along 51 feet. The reef in this stope is 18 inches in thickness. Colours of gold are being seen through the quartz when breaking it down. The second atope west is along 39 feet. Gold is also being seen through the quartz iu this stope when breaking it down. Tho crosscut that is being put in at No. 2 level, to connect the drive on the main reef with the eastern drive on the hangingwall reef has holed through. The men are now engaged squaring up and timbering the drive. Tho second stops east is along 66 foot. The reef in this stope Is about two feot six inches in thick ness. Gold is boing seen freely through the quartz whan breaking it dowu. Tho third stope oast is along 30 feet. Gold is also seen freely through the quartz here. 5S loads of quartz have been crushed during the week for the return of 2440Z of amalgam. The battery is in good working order. The winding engine and also tho air-compressor are working satisfactorily. The mine manager wired yesterday the result of the fortnightly cleaning up, viz., 112 loads quartz and 351133 specimens crushed for 2210z retorted gold.

Dubbo (Karangahake).—The mine manager reports: — Main Level: 'This level has been extended another 9 feet, the reef opening or t to about 4 feet thick. A little gold can be obtained by dish prospects, and here and there a few coloura of gold in the stone. We will know more about it after 4 or 5 feel; more of the reef is broken down. We have found indications of a reef near the western boundary, and the branch reef not improving, I withdrew the man for the time being, and put him trenching where tho surface quartz is cropping out. We have ten tons of quartz bagged for R,ailoy's battery, and will start carting about Monday next. Railey has a parcel down for the Ruse, and as soon as it is through the Dubbo will follow.

Adeline (Karangahake).—The mine manager reports : The rise is now up about 36 feet, and if all goes well, we will have it through by the end of next week or early in the following week. The reef is about 15 inches thick, and prospects for from 4oz to 5o to the ton. As soon as the connection is made with the winze stoping will be oommenced, with a viow of getting out a crushing for the end of next month. We have about 10 tons to grass. No. 3 leader : There is no change to report from the driving on this leader. It is a strong body of stone, looks promising, and running in similar ground to the No. 1 reef.

Josephine (Karaugahake). — The mine manager reports: The contractors have driven the main level 65 feet from the start, ing point, meeting with bunches of quartz here and there the whole distance, but nothing regular or defined. We have tried these veins every few feet as tho level advanced, but aa yet have met with only

colours of gold. At present the country is not very favourable, but by the appearance of the surface ground we ought to have a change within the next 30 or 40 feet. Diamond.—The mine manager reports that he will be ready with a crushing of 20 to 25 tons in about 12 days. No. 1 stope is driven about 28 feet, No. 2 stope about 15, and No. 3 stope about 8 feet, northward. A leading stopo southward has also been started, and from it there is nice gold coming to hand.

GOLD RETURNS. (From 1st to Slat January, inclusive.) oz ilwt gr Auckland .. .. .. •• 73 6 0 Blanche, Poarce's tribute .. .. 3 10 Cambria .. .. .. .• 890 0 0 Comer's Ktirftnul, Moyle's tribute .. 15 0 Ditto, Uire'd tribute.. .. .. 8 11 0 Caloiionian .. .. .. .. 58 7 0 Ditto, Itickard's tribute .. .. 38 0 0 Ditto, Mclnnes'a tribute .. .. 40 10 0 Moanat*lari, Diamond's tribute .. 3 16 0 North oUr Kxtonded, (iroeu's tribute .. 8 0 0 Ditto, Smith's tribute .. .. 4 IS) 0 Norfolk 25 10 0 New Pritico Imperial, Odgor's tributo ... 104 18 0 Ditto, (.'Uric s tribute .. .. 9 10 0 Dit.o, Ilrigiin'a tribute .. ... 3 10 0 Ditto, Burrymau's tribu te .. .. 0 18 0 Paroquet, Waiomo ,, .. .. 28 15 0 Private claimholders, tailing plants, (So. 540 IS 0 Saxon, Connon's tribute .. .. 18 4 0 Surprise .. .. .. ... 9 10 0 Thames Golden Crown.. „ .. 23 16 0 Ditto, Wood's tribute .. .. 53 7 0 Triumph .. .. ... .. 13 19 0 Turtle'* Kurauui .. .. ... 84 0 0 Weymouth, Thomas' tributo .. ... 1 13 0 Total .. 1540 6 0