THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9123, 3 August 1888, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

* [from ode own correspondent.] Thames, Thursday. As ha m - Mollo y. — These works were started this morning for a week's trial run. At the time of inspection everything was running smoothly, and all five of the Molloy pans, fitted with the new steel dies, were in full operation. The pulveriser, too. seemed to be doing its work well, for the dirt coming through the gratings was as fine as flour. At present only one dynamo, instead of two ;up formerly, is connected with the pans, Mr. Hale being of opinion that the electric current from the one machine is sufficient to answer all purposes. The tailings under treatment are those obtained from the company's allotment on the foreshore.

Saxon-.—Driving and stoping on both portions of the main reef at and above No. 3 level are being vigorously proceeded with, and a large supply of payable quartz is coming to hand, gold being seen in almost every face. The reef varies in size from one to two feet, but its characteristics are pretty much the same throughout. Above No. 4 level the 8 topes on the hangingwall portion have been discontinued for the present owing to the reef pinching out to a mere thread in some places, and disappearing altogether in others. At No. 5 level the contractors are in rather tight country just now, consequently slow progress is made. The reef has not been broken down for some days past. Caledonian'.—Owing to the late trial crushing of 28 loads from No. ] reef at No. 1 level only yielding Boz 9dwt gold, an average of about tidwt per load, the manager has suspended further prospecting at that point for the present, and removed the men down to No. 3 level, where they are now employed in driving on Rowe's leader, to get underneath the winze coming down from No. '2 level, which point is about 60 feet ahead. The winze is now down 55 feet, the leader ranging from six to eight inches in thickness, being well mineralised and showing gold freely at every breaking down. The late trial crushing of six loads from here gave a return of li-ioz lldwt melted gold, which is sufficient proof of its being payable. The drive on Hodge's leader at No. '2 level has been advanced about six feet, but the leader is at present somewhat disturbed by a cross course or slide, together with several antimony veins. When these are passed through the leader will most likely become compact, and be of a more promising character. Little ell. —This is a licensed holding, situated on the Pretty Jane spur of the Karaka Creek, and comprises an area of 30 acres. The owners and Auckland syndicate have just let a contract for the opening' up of a low level, in order to intersect several reefs that are known to exist in the: ground, and which yielded excellent returns in the old workings higher up th«; hill. The distance to be driven is about 300 feet, and the contract price is 9s lid per foot.

WARDEN'S COURT. Thames, Thursday. At a sitting of the Warden's Court this morning, the following licenses were granted, all being at Marototo : —H. Butler, Whakamoehau ; F. C. Dean, Slip ; H. Butler, Fair Head ; R. R. McGregor, Southern Cross. In granting the latter application the Warden remarked that the ground must be worked by as many men as could profitably be employed. If the full number could not be put on in accordance with the regulations, then 'application should be made to him for permission to work with a reduced number, as he simply desired that the ground should be properly prospected, and not merely held for speculative purposes. The following applications were adjourned : —I). B. McDonald, Silver Crown, Marototo, 9th instant Buckland's Freehold, Puriri, 9th instant; H. C. Savage, Britannia, Waihi, 6th September. Permission was granted E. Simpson to work with four men in both the MartiniHenri and Musket licensed holdings, Marototo ; and protection was granted to John Bice for the Norfolk Nos. 1 and 2 licensed holdings, Tararu, for a period of six weeks. After one or two other minor cases had been disposed of, the Court adjourned til! the 9th instant. MAHAKIPAA GOLDFIELDS. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. Mr. Gordon, Inspector of Mines, speaks most favourably of the prospects of the Mahakipawa Gold field, near Blenheim. He expects to find it carrying from 300 to 400 miners shortly. He says further that the accounts of nuggets being found have been greatly exaggerated. A NEW GOLDFIELD. Ddnedin, Thursday. The Star's Arrowtown correspondent says :—A new field has been discovered twenty miles up the valley of the Dark River. Chinese prospectors have cut a track tin-ought the bush. Good prospects have been obtained.