THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9134, 16 August 1888, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[fkom ouk own correspondent.]

Tham-es, Wednesday. Caledonian.—(Jood progress is being made with the driv» at No. 3 level on Rowe's leader, 42 feet having been driven wince operations were commenced. It had been the manager's intention nofc to have broken down any quartz until the drive had reached underneath where the winze from No. 2 ia expected to hole through, but about 12 feeo back from the fa.ee a break occurred, which heaved the ret £ four feet into the hangingwall, at the same time causing the country to be somewhat broken and loosening the quartz. The effect of this was that on attempting to strip the leader beyond tho break, some of the quartz came away, and it still continues of this loose description. The quartz, however, is of a very promising nature, and strong colours and dabs of gold are freely to be seen, which augurs well for the block now being opened up. The winze is now down a depth of 78 feet, with the leader still looking as promising as when the winze was first commenced. Its size both in the wiuze and at No. 3 level ranges from six to eight inches. Owing to a breakago in the county water main yesterday, the battery was idle all day, but advantage was taken of the stoppage to replace some of the stamper shoes and a few other slight repairs. Crushing operations were resumed in the evening on tributers , and Saxon quartz. Hodge and party's crushing of nine loads and 301b picked stone yielded the good return of 440z lOdwt melted gold. x\lburma.—The improvement noticed in the reef in the eastern stopes of the company's workings on Jobe's leader still continues, and as a result 301b of picked stone was obtained when breaking down the leader yesterday afternoon, whilst a fair show of gold was left in the back. In my report of the mine which appeared in Monday's issue, 1 stated that it was thought the expected junction with the Success reef had been met with, and that it was the effect of this junction which had .improved the quality of the quartz. The manager is now of opinion, however, that the present junction is not that with the Success reef, but rather one of another body of quartz emerging from the hangingwall. Should this prove correct, it may reasonably be expected that a good deposit of gold will be found when the junction with the Success reef is met, and especially so if the leader maintains its present favourable prospects. It must also be mentioned that the new body of quartz already met with shows strong colours of gold, and its discovery may lead to some important developments later on.

Sylvia (Tararu). —The new low level is at a standstill, the air having- become so light that it has been found necessary to secure some means for a proper system of ventilation. This is being effected by the sinking of a winze from the surface, which is now down close on 20 feet, with another 101) feet still to be sunk. As the country is of a very favourable description, and one in which speedy progress can readily be made, this work should be completed inside of four weeks.

Paroqukt (Waiomo).— Mr. Power, the gentleman who has been inspecting this mine on behalf of the Melbourne syndicate who are negotiating for its purchase, has completed his inspection, and is now busily engaged in testing samples of quartz taken from various parts of the workings. These tests will be completed in a day or two, when it is expected that Mr. Power will inform the local directors whether or not he is satisfied with the prospects. Te Mata District. —It is not expected that the new reduction works now being erected in this district by Mr. Geo. Fraser will be ready to commence operations before the end of another couple of month?. This is partly owing to the sawyers not being able to supply the timber quick enough, and also because the water race is proving a heavier job than was at first expected, although excellent progress with this latter work has been made up to the present time. The battery building is now completed, and the engineers are now at work erecting the machinery, which will be pushed ahead with all possible speed. There is one matter, however, that wants attending to at once, and that is the completion of the road between the mines and the battery. A portion of the road has already been formed, but a misunderstanding appears to have arisen between the County Council and the clatmholders, and consequently the remaining portion is being delayed. It appears that when the claimholders first asked the council for assistance towards making the road, they themselves agreed to contribute £50, on the understanding that the work would be cut up into small contracts and let to them at such a price as would enable them to earn from 4s to os a day, and by this mode make up the sum promised towards the work, but contrary to this tho job so far has been in the hands of one contractor, and naturally the claimholders feel aggrieved at the treatment they have received. It is (o be hoped, however, that a settlement of this difficulty will be speedily effected favourable to both parties, and that the road will be pushed forward in time for use when the battery is completed. The only claim in the district in which it c>an be said prospecting work is being carried on is the Mata, where operations have been confined for some time past in driving a low level to intersect the leader which has been proved to be payable in the upper level. The low level is in a distance of about 180 feet with the leader just to hand, but as yet no sxold has been seen. A few feet further ahead, however, will bring the level underneath the winze sunk from the level above, in which some very good golden stone has been found, and communication between the two workings will be effected as quick as possible, when it is hoped a large and payable block of ground will be opened up for sloping.

[BY TELEGKAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Thames, Wednesday. Cambria. — Another leader two inches thick intersected in crosscut tins afternoon, showing strong colours of gold, and carrying excellent mineral. A fine class of country still prevails.

AIiBURHU.—A further parcel of pinked stone was obtained to-day whilst breaking the reef in the eastern stopes above tlie battery level.

Nkw North Devon.—This mine, which had the lease forfeited for non-working, was sold to-day by order of the Warden, Mr. George Hareourt being the purchaser, at the upset price, two guineas.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Cambria.— The cross-cut at No. 4 level is now in a distance of b'l) feet. The reef in the face of the crosscut is about 20 inches in thickness. The quartz in kindly looking, with some nice looking mineral through it. There is splendid looking country on both hanging-wall and foot-wall of the reef. The fourth stope on the No. 7 leader is along six feet. The leader in the face of the stope is four inches in thickness. Colours of gold were seen freely through the quartz when breaking down the leader. The fourth stope west on the main reef, over No. 3 level, is along 31 feet. There arc about 15 inches of the hangingwall portion of the reef carrying nice-looking mineral, and colours of cold were seen through the quartz when breaking it down. The lifth stone west on the main reef over No. 'A level is along 15 feet. There are 18 inches of the hangingwall portion of the reef carrying nice-looking mineral, and colours of gold were seen through the quartz when breaking down the reef. The leading stope west on the hangingwall leader over the intermediate level is along 10 feet. The leader in the face of the stope is tive inches in thickness. Dabs and colours of gold were seen freely through the quartz when breaking down the leader. 27 loads of quartz have been crushed during the week for the return of Ktoz of amalgam. The battery has been running I'2-hour shifts during the week. ,1 loads of tailings have been put through the berdans for the return of 9oz lodwt of amalgam. The battery and winding engine are in good working order. Since writing the above, i>011) of picked stone came to hand from the hangingwall leader in the intermediate level. The mine manager wired yesterday :-—" Cut leader two inches crosscut No. 4 level. Colours of gold seen when breaking it down."