REVIVAL IN MINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8963, 30 January 1888, Page 6

REVIVAL IN MINING.

THE OUTLOOK AT THE THAMES.

BRIGHTENING PROSPECTS.

I A GOLDEN BELT OF COUNTRY. It is sometime since mining matters in the Australian colonies attracted so much a tent ion as they are doing at the present moment. Whether it is that the wave of trade depression that has passed over the world and which has been felt to a greater or less degree in all the colonies, has stimulated those who were thrown out of employment to brave tho wilds of tho bush and almost uninhabited regions in the hope of discovering that mineral wealth which it was felt these unexplored regions certainly contained, or whether the colonies are now only just reaping the reward of many years of hard laborious prospecting by the pioneer miners is beside the question. At the present it is quite sufficient to know that the mineral wealth of these colonies is being brought to light again in a marvellous manner.

Nor are these discoveries confined to ono spot alone. Over tho wide area of tho Australasian Continent discoveries of the precious metal are being made one mteht say in all directions, while New Zealand is also coming in for its share of the good things. It is very gratifying also that these new discoveries and developments are attracting the attention of English and Australian capitalists, and that to some extent the large sums of money which, for a considerable time past, have been lying in the London banks awaiting a fair held for investment, arc finding their way to colonial mining fields. In connection with this matter, it is very pleasing to notice that the Thames goldfield is also making a bid for public attention. It is a long time since such promising results wero obtained on this field as at the present time. Gold is being got in more or less quantities over a very extensive area of country, stretching from the Mata Creek right away to Te Aroha, and in some localities the indications are of the most promising description. At the Mata, at Tapu, at Waiomo, at Grahamstown, at Hikutaia, at Waitekauri, at Karangahake, at Owharoa, at Waihi, and elsewhere, it is believed that gold is being obtained in payable quantities, and experts assert that with the introduction of .an improved process of extraction to those now in operation tho results would bo marvellous. It is worthy of note, however, that with tho exception of Grahamstown all the Thames discoveries are what may be termed surface deposits ; that is, there has been little shafting done. At Grahamstown, however, matters are somewhat different, and following on the numerous discoveries which have been made from time to time at varying depths is that now being disclosed in the Saxon mine. «Some reference to this mine will no doubt prove interesting. For many years fiast the ground has been worked by different companies, but with very r>oor success. To a great extent this was owing to the fact that the operations were mostly seaward of the shaft. In these workings gold was certainly obtained, and frequently rich jwekets of specimens, but the deposits were small and the lodes patchy. Hillward, or eastward of the shaft, operations were also carried on, but these were never very extensive, and failed to reach what is known to those who have studied the Grahamstown goldfield as the auriferous channel of country. The present proprietory, however, when they obtained possession of the mine, set to work with one main object, and that was to drive on the line of the main lode until this golden channel of country was reached. This work was prosecuted with a considerable amount of vigour, and has resulted in a measure of success which must be gratifying to the most sanguine shareholder. But- what is of equally great, if not greater importance is that this success adds another proof to the many already obtained, that a well-defined auriferous channel of country is found immediately at the back of the Grahamstown township, stretching away south-eastward from the Kuranui Hill towards Shortland, and indicates with almost unerring certainty in which direction deep sinking will be most, successful on the Thames. To go fully into the theory held by old Thames miners with regard to this auriferous belt would occupy too much space. It will be sufficient for our purpose to mention that, commencing with the Kuranui, where rich gold was first discovered, and taking the mines in the order they stand to one another between this point and the Karaka Creek, it is now proved beyond doubt by the several workings and results obtained, that the gold in this auriferous belt lies, or rather descends, to a greater depth as it is followed southwards. Good gold was got at a greater depth in the Queen of Beauty mine than any other on the field, and it is a well-known fact that the indications met with at the 748 feet level of this mine were most promising when the company wero forced into liquidation for lack of the necessary capital wherewith to erect more powerful machinery for the further development of the mine.

These facts are the best evidence that the ground between the Saxon mine arid the late Queen of Beauty, as well as the virgin ground between the latter and the Karaka Creek, offer a most promising field for mining enterprise. In addition to the well known Queen of Beauty lodes there are other (notably the Vanguard) though untried, lodes traversing this ground. At this juncture, when so much attention is being given to mining properties, it is gratifying to learn that the owners of this ground are negotiating for a special claim of 50 acres with the intention enlisting outside assistance towards its development. The property has already been submitted to an English syndicate, whoso expert was lately on the Thames examining the ground, and it is anticipated the result of bis inspection will be favourable, as no more promising mining venture is to be found on the Thames goldfield than this Queen of Beauty special claim. The country in this locality offers no great difficulties to mining operations, while the indcations, and the knowledge of the lay of the auriferous channel referred to, point out that deep sinking and energetic working in this ground by a strong company may be expected to yield large returns of gold. It is also gratifying to learn that an expert is now at the Thames, sent by a Sydnay syndicate, to report on the Hikutaia mines. It will be remembered that the tests made from the Marototo claim in this district were enormously rich, and caused considerable excitement in mining circles, both at the Thames and Auckland. The Karangahake and Waihi districts, too, are now in a fair way to receive the attention at the hands of capitalists that they deserve, the Mammoth Company at the former, and the Waihi Company at the latter district having been successfully floated on the English market, which speaks well for the future of both districts.