THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9111, 20 July 1888, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[from our own correspondent.] Thames, Thursday. Caledonian.—No. 1 reef at No. 1 level has reduced in size from 8 feet to 3 feet, but there is no apparent improvement in its quality. A trial crushing from here will be commenced to-morrow. Tne winze on Powe's leader, below No. 2 level, is making but slow progress, the country being very tight', but the leader still maintains its size of six inches, and shows colours of gold on being broken down, although not so much silica is prevalent as hitherto. The crosscut towards Hodge's leader has been extended about 15 feet. When this work was first commenced, the manager expected to meet with the leader in 12 feet of driving, but its underlie is evidently much greater than anticipated. Three tribute parties are crushing, and each expects a payable return. Alburnia. —This company have as yet been unable to send their quartz down to the battery, but in the meantime operations are being carried on in the mine, and the supply of quartz in the hopper is being daily added to. There is not much change in the reef, colours of gold being seen at every breaking down, with an occasional pound or two of picked stone. The tributcrs, Jobe and party and Henderson and party, are at present crushing, and will have payable returns. Irwin and party will be forwarding a parcel down in a day or two, from which they expect a very remunerative return, having a considerable quantity of picked stone on hand.

New Prince Imperial.—No change of importance to note in this mine. By the end of the present week the manager hopes to have the second blank stope on No. 1 reef, above No. 3 level, carried home to tho end of the block, and then the men will bo brought back and set to work to carry along a third stope on what is believed to be payable quartz. Nothing fresh from the tributers. Trenton.During the past fortnight the contractors have sunk a depth of 10 feet, 5£ feet of which were sunk during the past week. Indications are now appearing that seem to tend to a change in the nature of the hard rock that has hitherto prevailed, for during the last day or two pockets of dense mineral have been met with, and small stringers of quartz are now making their appearance.

Sharemakkkt.— Manukau, sellers, 2s 2d ; Saxon, sellers, 4s; Paroquet, 3s; Uinon Insurance, 25s 3d.