THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9056, 17 May 1888, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[jTKOM 008 OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] WHANGAMATA. Whanoamata, Monday. It has been raining over here off and on this last nine days, and since Friday it has been a continual downpour, which resulted last night and this morning in the place being flooded. The water in the creek rose rapidly to a height of nine feet, and overflowed its banks, which caused one or more of those residing on its banks to flit to higher and safer quarters. It is greatly feared that serious damage has been done to the new road by the flood. Those miners living on the Goldwater side of the creek had their provision supply cut off through the bridge (which was only erected on Thursday last) being washed away. A " genius " suggested that small parcels be put in flour bags and slung across. Although some were hungry, many a good laugh was indulged in when someone's share fell short, and was swallowed by the elements instead. It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and it has been pleasingly verified here. J. McWilhams, on passing over the Herald claim, which is owned by himself and party, observed that a portion of the reef nad slipped away, and on examining it, he picked up a bag full of stone which had a splendid show of sulphide of nilver. One stone in particular, about lcwt., had blotches of sulphide over it the size of one'e hand. Thii stone is not included in the bagful. This line of reef traverses almost the wholo length of the Silver King, commencing at the Herald boundary. In the Goldwater Company'*! mine good progress is being made with the low level, although the country is very hard at present. The reef is expected to be to hand in the next 10 feet. There is also good progress being made in the Brogan tunnel. Other claims are rather quiet on account of the wet weather interfering with their workings. 1 will now conclude, hoping that I shall have something startling next time.

MINE MANAGER'S REPORTS. Saxon. —The drive on the right hand portion of hangingwall reef is in 113 feet from junction. In the face the reef is about one foot thick; good mineral is seen in it, and occasionally colours of gold. The leading and second stopes have not been advanced much this week, but the reef is 15 inches thick, and shows a little gold. The third, fourth, and fifth stopes have been extended about 9 feet each, and payable crushing dirt is being broken. The sixth stope has been carried along 10 feet during the week, and yesterday produced 251b of picked stone. On footwall reef the 6th stope is 191, 7th, 123, Bth, 80, and 9th ? 51 feet in from rise. There is no change in these stopes; the reef is about 15 inches wide, and of the usual character. Seaward of rise, the 7th stope is up to the break. The Bth stope is 26 feet in from rise, the reef 18 inches wtde, and always shows gold. No. 1 footwall leader maintains its size in the back stope, and shows strong colours of gold : it has been extended 9 feet. The reef formation in crosscut No. 4 level has not improved this week, and still carries clay on the walls. The face is in 59 feet from the main level. Above No. 3 level stoping is in progress as usual. In consequence of the stoppage of the Big Pump, the water has risen 5 or 6 feet in the shaft. Amalgam on hand to date is 10990z 15dwts. New Manukau.—Cleaning up to-day, retort to-morrow. Expect about oOoz of gold. This crushing came from eastern end of stope; the last came from the west, which turned out better, and which I expect the next will, for I start a first stope some time this week west of winze. Timbering up drive on Mulligan's leader this week. Mine looking about the same.