THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9124, 4 August 1888, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

THE CROWN MINE, KARANGA HAKE. Now that there is every probability of capital being io_nd to work the Karaugahake and Tui districts, there should soon be a larger population in these centres. The Crown mine, situated at Karangahake, will have, under the new arrangement, a working capital of £25,000, and by the judicious expenditure of this sum in the construction of tramways, opening up the mine, and the erection of plant, there can be little doubt that the district will be thoroughly developed. From the prospects already obtained we believe that the English shareholders in this venture will be handsomely paid for all their outlay. We learn that the process by which the stone will be treated is altogether different from any process now in operation in the colony. It has, however, been found to be suitable to the Karangahake stone, over 20 tons having been tried in Glasgow, also a lot ol refractory ores from Queensland, at a cost of some 128 to 15s per ton, and 90 per cent, of the bullion has been saved. Should this process be found successful on a large scale, of which there seems little doubt, it will be found a great advantage to all our poorer class of refractory ores, of which there seems an unlimited amount all over the Thames goldlield. We understand that the Crown syndicate at home have been supplied with all information in respect to the probable cost of Railley's and the Ivanhoe plant, and both are under offer to them at reasonable amounts. While Railley's plant is the easiest of access to the Crown mine, the Ivanhoe is considered the most central for the whole district, and in the erection of a large plant, this must be taken into consideration. Nothing, we understand, will be done finally until both sites have been worked at by an expert from Home, who will leave as soon as the company is formed, which is expected to be concluded this month. We also understand there is every probability of a new pulveriser being made use of which has just been patented in Britain. There can be no doubt but that the shareholders u the Crown have acted wisely in having a large working capital instead of pocketing a large sum themselves, as they have agreed to take shares in lieu of cash, thereby showing their faith in their property.

Thames, Friday. Mantkac. —Stoning operations are now in full swing un Mulligan's leader, which averages about four inches in thickness. No gold has been seen during the last day or two, but the appearance of the quartz is very favourable, and there is every reason to believe it is of a, payable character. As the slopes advance upwards, however, there is every likelihood of the leader enhancing in value. The block now in hand is fully GO feet in length, and about 50 feet in height. Moanataiari Battery.During the month of July this battery crushed '279 tons of quartz and 1051b picked stone for a yield of 6400z Sdwt gold. This tonnage includes that obtained by the company's tribut-ers and numerous outside parties. Newbkry-Vautin.—lt is announced here that the tender of Mr. John McDermott has been accepted for the erection of this company's plant. Mr. McDermott has had considerable experience in the erection of machinery at the Thames, and has always given great satisfaction, so that there is every reason to expect he will make a successful job of this new undertaking. He will probably commence operations on Monday next. Sylvia (Tararut. —Since a start was made with the new contract the contractors have driven a distance of 54 feet through rather tight country. A few days ago a reef two feet in thickness was passed through, but nothing further has "been done upon it. Mr. Bayldon made a survey of the old workings yesterday, in order to furnish particulars re the strike of the reefs and the point they may be expected to be met with in the level now being opened up. Cambria. —The winze in the hangingwall leader below No. 2 level having holed through to the intermediate level, preparations are now being made to commence stoping operations from the back of the latter level. The leader where sunk upon averaged about 9 inches in thickness, and showed strong colours of gold throughout, so that there is every likelihood of a payable block soon being opened up upon it. Its dimensions will be about 50 feet in length and fully four stopes high. Three stopes are in hand upon the hangingwall portion of the main reef above No. 3 level. From a foot to fifteen inches of quartz is taken, in which colours of gold are frequently seen, whilst the quartz itself' is of a promising nature. The third stope is now being taken alon» on No. 7 leader above the same level. The leader itself is only about four inches in size, but shows gold frequently, and is heavily charged with silica — a most favourable feature. At No. 4 level, the crosscut towards No. 7 winze is passing through an excellent description of country, the manager feeling confident that if quartz can be found in it payable gold is sure to be met with. Tenhead of stampers are employed on company's quartz at the battery ten hours per day, the yield of amalgam auguring well for & payable return. ANsw Explosive.— By the kind permisj sion of Mr. George Clark, manager of the Prince Imperial mine, an interesting experimental test of the strength and safety in handling of a new explosive known as " Bellit," was conducted yesterday afternoon in a drive at No. 3 level, in the presence of several mine managers and others, by Mr. L. Macßrair, a director of the Bellit Safety Explosive Company. Two side holes, each two and a-half feet in depth, had previously been prepared in the side of the drive, one in solid quartz and one in the ordinary sandstone. in order to give a fair test of tne explosive in the two classes of rock. Into the hole drilled in the quartz four Bellit cartridges were placed, and three into the other. After Bellit detonators, which alone will explode the compound, had been attached, to fuse and inserted in the top cartridges, the holes were tamped in the ordinary manner, and the blasts exploded. The result in each case was most satisfactory, for while bringing down a considerable quantity of rock it also completely shattered it, thus proving that it did its work effectively. _ On coining up to the surface Mr. Macßrair illustrated the freedom with which it can be handled by proceeding to the blacksmith's forge and throwing a cartridge into the fire, where it simply fizzled away. He then placed one on the anvil, placed a red-hot drill upon it, and also hammered it with a heavy hammer, but with no effect whatever, which showed conclusively that the srbstance can be handled without any danger whatever, so long as separated from tne detonator. The fumes, also, are not so disagreeable as either powder or dynamite, and one can walk into them immediately after explosion without feeling any ill effect therefrom. These advantages, therefore, are such as will at once make it Eopular with miners, and a3 it is lighter in ulk than dynamite, although sold at the same price, it will prove a more economical explosive for general use. Mr. Mcßrair proceeded to Te- Aroha this morning, to make further tests in that district, but he returns to Auckland on Monday next, to fulfil an engagement with Messrs. T. and S. Morrin, for conducting an experimental test at Mount I Eden, on Tuesday.