THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9083, 18 June 1888, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

MONTHLY SUMMARY. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Thames, Saturday. The past month hag revealed no new discoveries of importance, neither have there been any fresh developments in the recently opened districts, whilst in the older centres operations have been carried on in the usual manner. Several new leases have been granted by the Warden in the Marototo district, but with a few exceptions there does not seem to be any desire on the part of the proprietors to work the ground in a bona fide manner, they appearing rather to hold the ground with a view of obtaining some monetary benefit from outside capitalists. What is now wanted is some means of bringing about a change in this condition of affairs, and the Warden, seeing that this is necessary, has already intimated that he intends soon to instruct the mining inspector to see that each claim is manned according to its prospects. This is certainly a wise step, for although it is rather too much to expect that the ground should be manned according to its area, still it is only fair to demand that works of a definite character should be undertaken and pushed ahead with reasonable energy. Three special claims of large area have been granted by the Warden, viz., one at Tararu Creek and two at Te Aroha ; but each of these are subject to the approval of the Minister of Mines. In each case the ground applied for is difficult of access, and requires a large amount of capital to thoroughly open up and develop, which facts alone are sufficient of themselves for their being granted. At the Thames we have experienced a very quiet month, but it must be said that the prospects of one or two of our principal mines have materially improved within the last day or two, notably the Cambria and the Saxon. In the first mentioned the prospects had really assumed a very doubtful aspect, and in consequence a number of men were dismissed. This was brought about by the various blocks of ground on the payable leaders becoming exhausted, whilst the "prospecting works to develop new blocks had proved a failure. But no sooner was the reduction made in the staff than an important discovery was made in the new No. 4 level now in course of development. For some time past a crosscut has been under way to intersect the main reef worked so successfully in the levels above, but at the point where it was first _ met with it did not come up to anticipations. After considerable work had been done at this point the men were brought back about '20 feet in the crosscut, and set to driving westward, to effect communication with the winze sunk from No. 3 level. After driving about 15 feet in this direction the reef, which must have taken a sudden turn, was again intersected, and on breaking into it strong colours of gold were found. As vet, however, the size of the reef and true value of its quality have not been ascertained, but the fact of finding gold at all in such a large body of quartz is in itself of considerable importance. All due haste will now be made to effect communication with the winze, and to open up a block of ground to enable a number of men being put on to work it in a systematic manner. The only other work now in hand is the sinking of a winze from the intermediate level below No. 2, on the rich run of mineral met with in the main reef when the intermediate was first opened up. The block of ground to No. 3 is 50 feet in depth, which will give plenty of room for the discovery of a patch of gold. It is more than likely I shall have the pleasure of chronicling a far more cheerful state of affairs from this mine next month. In the Saxon mine a work of considerable importance is underwayviz., the opening up of a new block of ground at a deeper level on the reef, which has been producing excellent gold returns for some time East. This work will occupy some considerable time, but it is likely to prove very remunerative when once accomplished, as it is proved almost beyond a doubt that the gold continues downward even richer than it does upward. During the month a large staff of men have continually been employed in breaking out payable quartz from No. 2 reef at Nos. 3 and 4 levels, whilst occasional parcels of picked stone have also been met with. The Prince Imperial Company is at present stoping out a small block of ground on a leader above No. 1 level, but it is barely payable. Prospecting operations are still being carried on at No. 1 level in the Caledonian Company's mine, but payable quartz ! is not yet to hand. The Alburnia Company is getting payable quartz from a reef at the battery level. In the Manukau mine good crushing dirt has lately been coming to hand from No. 5 lode, ana a block of ground on Mulligan's leader is now in course of being stoped. As for the old WaioI tahi mine, that still maintains its reputation of being the steadiest gold producer on the field, last month's yield being 2910z. The whole of the operations in the Moanataiari mine are confined to tributers at present, the company having suspended further prospecting until some definite information has been gleaned re the sale of the property on the London market. Efforts are being made to dispose of the Deep Level Cross Company's property to outside capitalists, and there is also some talk of including the ground of the surrounding mines below a certain level, but nothing definite has yet been arrived at. The suggestion, however, is an important one, and well worthy of consideration. At Waiomo the wet weather experienced lately has caused such damage to the road leading from the Paroquet mine to the battery that the company have been compelled to suspend operations until the winter months have passed over. Very little prospecting is going on in the other claims. In the Mata district most of the claimholders are at work forming tracks', and aiding in the construction of a battery. The upper country districts are pretty quiet at present, but considerable operations are proceeding in the Mount Aroha mine, and one or two adjacent claims. It is not likely, however, that the newer fields will come to the front very prominently before another summer, as the wet weather now prevailing has done great damage to the roads and tracks, and it is only with great difficulty that many of them can be traversed at all. Mr. Parkes, the eminent mineralogist, and inventor of a process for dealing with refractory ores, has definitely decided to erect his first experimental furnace at Te Aroha, and has chosen a site near the river. The gold returns for the past month total up to about 35000z5, the bulk of which is contributed by tributers in the various mines and a number of private claimholders. Coromandel, Saturday. A large number of new licenses have been applied for in this district. About twentyfive were to have come before the Warden on Thursday last, but unfortunately owing to press of work in the Land Office the plans were not prepared in time, and consequently the whole batch had to be adjourned for another month. This was most unfortunate, as in two or three cases purchase could not be complete until the license was formally granted. In one case especially it was necessary to send the plans to England. A month has now bcon lost, which may cause the whole transaction to break down altogether, to the very serious loss of those concerned and the district. It seems to be a useless piece of red tapeism to compel everybody to send their plans to Auckland. We have got along for the last twenty years without any serious hitch, and might do the same for twenty years more. The fees are also very high. Formerly anyone could make their own arrangements with the surveyors. We have also had another setback in the matter of the foreshore. In my last summary I mentioned that several claims had been applied for, but were deferred by the Warden, as he had no power under the Act to grant the right to sink below high-water mark. The matter was referred to the Government, but when the Warden sat here he informed those interested that he had not been instructed what to do; but I am nearly certain legislative action will be necessary. As the House is now in session, it is to be hoped that an amendment will be introduced at once, for it is manifestly preposterous to compel anyone to sink on shore and drive a mile under a mud fiat covered with a foot of water at high tide. -Of course, certain precautions will be necessary to prevent the sea water netting in. Coromandel. —The large new machinery is in full swing, and works splendidly. There is not the slightest vibration. The work of sinking the new shaft has had to be stopped for a time owing to the inflow of water.

Although they have not yet tapped the Green Harp reef, they have cat several stringers which show their proximity to it, and the flow of water has bo much increased that they had to stop. The shaft is down about 60 feet below the 180-feet level, in splendid country. The pump column is already down, and as soon as the flat rods are laid in position and connected, work will be resumed ; and judging from every indication, the manager is quite justified in expecting to cut a payable reef. No doubt as soon as this work is completed, prospecting will be pushed on in various directions, and we shall watch with great interest the development of this work, as it will to a very large extent forshadow what we may expect in the deep ground. Kapanga.—This good old mine (the oldest on the peninsula) keeps on the even tenor of its way, turning out a fair average supply of the precious metal. The mine is getting splendidly opened up. There is enough ground in sight, barring accidents, to last for years. There is a very distinct desire on the part of other companies to get as near to this one as possible. We hope very soon to hear of two or three companies adjoining resuming operations.

Tokatea.— hear of a proposed amalgamation on the range and a company to Be formed which, if carried out, will be one of the grandest undertakings on this goldfield, as it will include most of the leading mines which have been yielding payable gold for many years, and if this ground is worked in the manner proposed, there is very little doubt it will pay handsomely for many years to come. Royal Oak.— exceedingly rich specimens have been taken out of this mine during the past month by the tributers, and it is also looking very well where worked by the company. No doubt a good account will be heard of it before long. Bismarck.—Some good payable stone is being taken out of this mine, and a good crushing will be had shortly. New Find.— This is situated just over the range at the back of the Waihou Hotel. The reef is about two feet thick. A little gold can be seen in the stone, and good prospects obtained by crushing. Some three or four leases have been applied for, and there is likely to be a good deal of work done there. Some good specimen stone was picked up in a new locality at the Tiki lately, and there is likely to be some companies started in that direction shortly. Manaia.—Some wonderfully rich specimens and loose gold have been taken out of the winze in this mine. The men are sinking down for another level, and arc evidently opening up a splendid block of the reef. Tho country is exceedingly good clearing, and it will not take long to open up a block, when we may expect a splendid return. White and party are getting loose gold by sluicing in the left-hand branch. Jones' party are working on Blackmore reef, and are likely to do well. The stuff is payable. The following are the returns of gold for the past month, but very little crushing has been done :Queen of North (McLean's tribute), 70oz 2dwt; Nelson, 220z 2dwt; Lonehand, lloz: McLeod (tailings), 4oz; Waikaromiko, lOdwt; Manaia (sluicings, &c), loz 17dwt; Tokatea (Hornibrook's tribute), 17oz : total, 1260z lldwts.

Thames, Saturday. Cambria.—The only operations now in progress in this mine are the opening up of No. 4 level and the sinking of a winze from the intermediate level down to No. 3 level on the main reef and hangingwall leader. This latter work was only commenced on Friday morning, so that but little has yet been done, but in shooting out the mullock this morning a small portion of the hangingwall leader came away, from which one or two stones were picked out that contained an excellent show of gold. The leader itself is separated from the main body by about 3 feet of sandstone, and is about 3 inches in width, whilst it also contains a large quantity of silica and minerals favourable to the existence of gold. A very fair show of gold remains in the leader where the stone came away from, and there is every prospect of a good haul being made when a proper breaking down takes place. The fact of gold being found at the outset of this new prospecting work is very encouraging indeed, and should act as an incentive to thoroughly prospect the block of ground that still remains intact between the intermediate and No. 3 levels. Good headway is being made in penetrating the main lode in the western crosscut at No. 3 level, and communication is expected to be effected with the winze in the course of a day or two. A furthur breaking down of quartz took place last night, with the result that strong colours of gold were found disseminated throughout the entire portion, and the appearance of the quartz augurs well for its payableness. But before much can be said about its size or even its position, it will be necessary to wait until the drive has holed through to the winze, as the main break seems to have materially affected its course. The battery is still emEloyed in crushing the quartz broken out efore the staff of men at the mine was reduced, but the supply will soon be finished. —[The mine manager wired on last Saturday a3 follows : —" One pound of picked stone from leader in hangingwall main reef, in winze intermediate level. Gold showing.'"]

Saxon. No. 5 level the contractors have driven a distance of 60 feet beyond the shaft, and are passing through an excellent channel of country. The quartz met with on Tuesday last is being carried in on the right hand side of the drive, and consist* of a small leader about 2 inches in width, in which no gold has as yet been seen. Whether this will eventually turn out to be No. 2 reef remains to be seen, but its course is the same as No. 2 pursues at No. 4 level, where it is to be seen as small as 1 or 2 inches, and as large as 2 or 3 feet, being very changeable. The leader which was first intersected at No. -5 level has disapi«>u.rcd altogether, having been nipped out about 30 feet in from the shaft. Owing to the stoppage ot the big pump for annual inspection, which will occupy at least a week, the contractors will most likely be taken to No. 3 level to put in a crosscut to intersect No. 1 footwall leader, the stopes on that body having reached the floor or that level. This work is already in progress, a distance of about six feet having been driven. There are three stopes in hand on the main reef above No. 3 level, the reef ranging in size from a foot to two feet, and showing strong colours of gold when broken. The leading stope on the footwall portion of the reef is now up to the face of the drive. This part of the reef averages about eight inches in width at this particular place, and it is from this point that the 501bs of picked stone came which were reported by the manager during the week. Gold is still showing in two or three places in the back, but until the next stope comes along there will be no further breaking of quartz at this point. On the hangingwall portion of the reef above No. 4 level six stopes are under way, the reef ranging in size from a foot to two feet, and maintaining a uniform quality throughout. Two stones are in hand on the footwall portion in beyond the junction, but there is nothing fresh to report. Twenty head of stampers are still employed on the output of quartz from the various workings, and there were 1071 amalgam on hand on Friday morning, which is the amount accrued from the general dirt alone since last cleaning up, four weeks' ago.