MINES AT MAROTOTO AND THE THAMES.

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

MINES AT MAROTOTO AND THE THAMES.

A few days ago we stated that Mr. Plumb, chairman of the Marototo Mining Company, and Mr. Bell, a large shareholder in the company, had arrived here to see the position of the mine, so that information might be obtained to decide on the future working. Mr. Bell states that in the B drive they are sinking a winze on a very good lode. This lode is from 12 to 14 feet wide. Several assays have been made, which have given good results. Mr. Plumb is well acquainted with mining operations, having been connected with a number of mines in Australia, and he thinks that the method of treatment to be adopted with the ore of the Marototo claim need be a very simple one. He does not anticipate any great difficulty in obtaining a large percentage of the bullion. The directors have sent parcels of the ore to different parts— to San Francisco, to Swansea, and to Freiburg. The stuff sent to San Francisco was consigned to Price and Co., who are wellknown assayers. Their report is most favourable. They had three-quarters of a ton for treatment, and they got 05 per cent of the bullion. The ore was sent by one mail, ana the result came back by the next. All the parties to whom samples have been sent were asked to advise as to the method of treatment. Messrs. Price and Co. state that the method of treatment is very simple; they state fully what they would advise, and they send details of the machinery which they considered best adapted. The directors of the Marototo, however, will not come to any decision till they obtain the results from Freiburg and Swansea, and hear the opinions from these places as to crushing machinery. Mr. Bell states, that he is very well pleased with the district generally ; the prospects are far better than he anticipated. The machine site for the Marototo mine is about 1£ mile from the claim. At present the roads and tracks are very bad, and nothing could be done in the way of getting up machinery, even if the special kind were decided upon. But Mr. Bell feels no doubt that during the coming summer everything will be in working order. There are now about 400 or 500 tons of quartz to grass, so that there will be abundance of stuff to commence upon when the machinery is erected. The Silver Queen, at Marototo, is also looking well. This claim is now in the hands of' Mr. H. S. Meyers, and will be worked by a syndicate in Sydney. It was reported upon by Messrs. Cox and Seaver, who spoke highly of it. No fewer than eight assays have been made of ore from the mine. They vary from 2350z of silver to 6860z of silver to the ton, and from loz of gold to 16oz of gold. At the Thames Mr. H. S. Meyers has completed negotiations for what is known as Crawford's special claim, a block of 78 acres of ground, lying on the right hand side of the Waiotahi Creek, and adjoining the Cambria and other known mines. This claim embraces the old Moanataiari Extended, and also Sullivan's claim. It has been reported upon by Messrs. Cox and Seaver, and by Mr. D. H. Bayldon and Mr. McLaren. Mr. Seaver states that he cannot understand why a large block of property like this should have lain idle for so many years. Mr. Bell and Mr. Meyers visited Crawford's claim on Thursday with Mr. Bayldon, in order to consult as to the best method of working. We understand that in regard to Crawford's claim, local directors will be appointed.