THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9098, 5 July 1888, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[from our own correspondent.] Thames, Wednesday. Cambria.—Good progress is being made with the tee crosscut at No. 4 level towards the Moanataiari boundary, which is expected to be reached about the middle of next week. In my report last week I fell into an error on this point, and stated it would take a month. I should have said it would take a month to complete the drive which is to be driven from this crosscut to connect with the winze on No. 7 leader. _ In the winze from the intermediate level sinking has been resumed in the " dig," and the main reef will not be broken into again for a day or two. Waiotahi.—The monthly return of gold from this mine amounts to 2470zs lOdwts melted gold, the product of 200 tons general dirt. . ' MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Cambria. —The tee drive at No. 4 level is now in a distance of 40 feet from the crosscut, which leaves other 25 feet to be driven to the point where the drive will be turned to drive straight for the winze on No. 7 leader, and cut all the leaders at right angles. If the present class of country continues the 25 feet will be completed in about other seven days. This drive is going through a splendid class of country for gold-bearing leaders. The winze on the main reef in the intermediate level east is down a depth of 21 feet. . About 18 inches of the hangingwall portion of the reef are being carried down in the winze. There are nine inches of the hangingwall portion of the reef carrying good mineral. Gold was seen freely through the quartz when breaking down the hangingwall portion of the reef this morning, when 4ib of picked stone came to hand. The battery is running ten hours, five head on trial lot from No. 4 level, and 15 head crushing for the public. Thirteen loads of tailings have been put through the berdans for the return of 250z amalgam. The battery, air compressor, and winding engine are m good working order. Diamond. —The mine manager reports that the one ton quartz will arrive in Auckland per s.s. Kotuku this day. The parcel will be carted to Messrs. George Eraser and Son's works for treatment.

New Manukau.—The No. 5 stopes are turning out good payable dirt. Mulligan's leader is now making in the back of stope, west of winze, in the third stope ; but I have started to open up a block east of winze to boundary, for I find I cannot make end ground at the winze, so it will be advisable to extend the block to the eastern boundary', where I can take out all small leaders met with in the footwall, and some of them look very promising for gold, and will pay to take out when opened out in this way. Mata. —I have not anything of consequence to report on the mine. We are working two shifts in the low level. The ground is getting softer, therefore we are making better progress. We will not do anything more in the winze until the water is drained. Mr. Fraser is pushing on the work of the battery. Some of the machinery is on the ground. Saxon.The leading stope on the footwall portion of the main reef at No. 3 level has been extended eight feet during the week. The reef is 15 inches in thickness. In the same stope on the hangingwaU portion the reef is from 10 to 12 inches thick. In both gold is frequently seen, and the last-mentioned yielded 251b picked stone yesterday (wired). The face of this stope is about 120 feet from the Trenton boundary. There is no change in the second stope, which has been advanced about seven feet. A third stope has been started, in which the reef is about 18 inches thick, and shows gold. The second stope seaward has been beaten up to the break. Very little has been done in the rise here, but some very good mineral is showing in the back, and" colours of gold are occasionally seen in the quartz. In the crosscut to cut No. 1 footwall leader the country is much tighter, and is probably the wall of the leader. In the stopes on this leader the reef is from six to seven inches thick, and still shows good colours of gold. On the hangingwall reef the third stope is up to the boundary. The fourth is 113 and the fifth 103 feet in from the junction. The reef in these two stopes is 15 inches thick, shows very good mineral, and occasional strong colours of gold. The sixth stope has been idle for the last fewdays to admit of filling in the ground. On the footwall reef the seventh stope is close up to the boundary. The eighth stope is' 149 and the ninth 112 feet in from the rise, and shows sold when broken down. Since starting again the contractors for No. 5 level have driven 42 feet, making in all 105 feet, including chamber. A " head" has come in, and thrown the reef into the wall, but the drive will be continued straight on in the course of the reef. Amalgam on hand to date is 4610z sdwt, and retorting will take place on the 6th instant.

New Alburnia.— During the past week work has been continued in the stopes above the batterv level on what is known as Jobe's leader. This improves as the stopes are carried east. Although no great hauls of picked stone are coming to hand still gold is seen at every breaking down, and about 101b of fair picked stone have been saved for the week, and the quartz coming to hand is of a payable character.