THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9149, 3 September 1888, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[from our own correspondents.] Thames, Saturday. Reported Find.—A party of natives, who have been prospecting for several weeks past at a place called Waipaheke, situated between Hikutaia and WhangamaU, report the discovery of a new re«f eight feet thick, from which excellent diss prospects of gold can be obtained. They are very reticent as to the precise locality, being anxious to secure as much ground for themselves as possible before making it publicly known. New Manukau.—The first crushing from the stopes on Mulligan's leader above No. 4 level was completed yesterday for the payable return of 3Soz retorted gold, for which 25 tons general dirt were treated. Sylvia (Tararu).—The contractors completed the winze last night, which has been ! sunk from surface with a view of improving the ventilntion at the new low level. Operations will be resumed in the face of the level on Monday. Coromandel, Saturday. . Some of our mines here are decidedly improving. Of course, foremost of all is the Kapanga, which continues to turn out excellent stone, and the more this ground gets opened up the better it is proving itself to be. I hear that rich gold has been got deeper than ever, while the old stopes continue rich. With a return of 976 ounces for last month, and the probability of a very good one this month, these shares ought to be looking up. The Tokatea has not been behind-hand either. Several of the tributers have been doing woll; whilst Sims and party have come across an exceedingly rich leader (though very small). From a parcel of 361bs of specimens they crushed no less than 4'2ozs. gold. This is the more remarkable as their claim—the Earl—is situated on the western side of the big reef where, until very lately, it was thought no gold could be got. Bismarck.—A fine crushing of 54ozs. was got from this mine last week, and is verv encouraging, as it is a new leader, very little worked upon. Gold has been got very regularly for over 70 feet along. Success.—McGregor's party (tributers) had a capital test crushing of two tons of stuff for 20ozs gold, taken from a block which was supposed to be unprofitable by the late manager. This small parcel will pay the men handsomely, and they will now go in and take out a considerable quantity. They will also make an effort to open up the lower workings before long, as they are confident that very rich gold is to be got there, if it can be got at without too much water. This is the claim which, in spite of the large amount of gold which was proved to have come out was condemned as nearly valueless by an expert from home, whereas judging from appearances the mine is better than ever it was, and all parties who know anything about the mine are very anxious to see a low level put in, and as the reef has steadily improved downwards, there is little fear of the result. Sir James Hector.— great indignation has been expressed here at the unwarrantable doubt expressed by Sir J. Hector as to the genuineness of the Coromandel specimens exhibited by Mr. J. H. Witheford in Melbourne. Does Sir James wish to imply that we have to go to any part of the world to obtain richer specimens than can be got here ? If he does, it shows how little he knows about Coromandel and its reefs. I have now in my possession specimens of almost pure gold, and can show exactly where they came from, and I am quite sure that hundreds of others can do the same. Even the official returns show that our quartz is very rich, I think averaging 3£ ounces per ton all round ; therefore, we have no need to go outside for rich specimens. Where our mines have been properly worked they have shown results second to none. Except in one or two instances, the capital to properly develop the mines has nob been forthcoming, consequently they have only been scratched on the surface, but there is every appearance of a change for the better in the near future. Cambria. —On Saturday last the crossc u at No. 4 level holed through to No. 7 winze The ventilation at No. 4 level will now be perfect, and enable the level to be properly opened up. The identity of the 20-inch reef driven on with the crosscut will now be ascertained, and steps taken to open up the new level. The crosscut will be continued past the bottom of the winze, and as the class of country is superb for gold, the discovery of the precious metal in the lodes will surprise no one. The sinking of the winze on No. 6 leader at No. 3 level (the leader being 5 inches wide in the bottom of the winze) is an important work in connection with the development of No. 4 level. The workings in the other parts of the mine look well. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Reefton, Saturday. The following are the returns for the week : Dark, 3'260z. amalgam from 175 tons ; Globe, 1770z. from 175 tons ; Venus, 2040z. from 90 tons ; Fiery, 1590z. from 77 tons.