THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9065, 28 May 1888, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[from our own correspondent.]

Thames, Saturday. Cambria.—At No. 4 level the crosscut to intersoct tho main reef is penetrating a good sandstone formation, and is in a distance of 416 feet. Tho reef should bo to hand in a day or two, as the "dip " of the country is taking the same underlie as the reef itself pursues in the winze, which is coming down from No. 3 lovol. This winze is down a depth of about 80 feet, two fceb of the hangingwall portion being broken as tho work progresses. The quartz from here is of a very promising character, showing nice mineral. In tho rise above No. 3 level, whicli is up a height of nearly 40 feofc, tho reef hardly looks so well, but in tho hangingwall there is a leader about two inches thick which yields a littlo golden stone. Between this leader and the main reef two or three other stringers exist, but not so much gold is seen in them as in the one first mentioned, btoping operations are being carried on as usual on Nos. 1, 5, 6, and 7 leaders, with profitable results. No. 7 leader averages four inches thick, but although showing gold freely, no picked stone has been obtained from it during tho past few days. Stoping is also being carried on upon the new leader between Nos. 6 and 7 leaders, upon which a winze was sunk a little while back from the stopes on No. 6. This leader is about two inches in thickness, and shows gold freely. Taken upon the whole, the prospects of the mine are very encouraging, and are likely to continue so for some time to come.

Alburnia.—Driving east and stoping on the hangingwall lode, at the battery level, is being continued under the supervision of Mr. T. A. Dunlop. The reef ranges in size from 15 to 18 inches in thickness, but only about a foot of this is saved for crushing dirt. Colours of gold are frequently seen in breaking down, with occasionally a pound or two of picked stone, there being about 151bs of the latter now on hand.

Sylvia Claim (Tararu). —The now low level is in a distance of over 300 feet, of which 83 feot wero driven during tho last fortnight. The ground is now much firmer than formerly, bub of a good description. Mata Creek.—Most of the claim-holders are now employed in taking up tho creek the machinery for Mr. Eraser's new battery, the first shipment being nearly all landed on the site. In tho Mata claim a start was made to sink a winze from No. 1 level to No. 2 level on Thursday. This winze will be sunk on tho leader which has been operated upon for some time at No. 1 level, and where commenced the leader is about a foot in thickness, and gave 21b of picked stone at the first breaking. No. 2 level is still penetrating through a hard belt of country, but the leader should soon be to hand.

Gold Returns.—Alburnia : Jobe and party, who are working a block underneath the company's present workings on the hangingwall lode, completed a crushing of 25 tons to-day for tho excellent return of 970z 9dwt retorted gold. Moanataiari : White and party obtained lloz gold from seven and a half tons. Old Welcome (Waitekauri): The present proprietors, Goodwin and party, have just finished a crushing of 34 loads for 330z 12dwt gold. Colonist.—The following telegram has been received from the manager of tho Colonist, Waiorongomai : — " Broke reef down last night. Still shows gold. Best in bottom of drive."

GOLD FIND IN MARLBOROUGH. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Blenheim, Saturday. A discovery of gold is reported about midway between Blenheim and Picton in a gully leading from Mahikipawa to Speed's valley. The gold is nuggety and of splendid quality. Auriferous indications are said to have been traced at distances of seven miles. The Warden to-day granted a special claim of three and a-quarter miles in length along tho Wakamarina River to Mr. b. J. Macalister conditionally on a company being formed with capital of not less than £20,000, that £3000 worth of plant be placed on the ground and 40 men employed within . nine months. This is the largest special claim yet granted in the colony. It is proposed to dredge the river. Where the gold was found by Patterson's party in Cullen's Gully is three miles from Mahikipawa. Ib is difficult of access, except by boat or going through private property. From reliable sources I learn all ranges show strong auriferous indications. The boundaries of Wakamarina goldfleld do not extend so far, and it will be well to extend them, or proclaim another goldfield embracing most of the ranges in Pelorous Sound, which are proved in various directions to be auriferous.