THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9284, 11 February 1889, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[from our own correspondents. J

Thames, Saturday. Trenton.—The contractors in the shaft are pushing on with the sinking as rapidly as possible, bub the rock still continues hard, and prevents very rapid progress being made. It is thought, however, that another couple of months will see the shaft down the required depth. New Prince Imperial.—Mr. Dawson Crawford has been appointed to the charge of this mine, vice Mr. G. F. Clark, resigned. Mr. Crawford has a thorough knowledge of this property, having been employed in the mine for a number of years as an underground boss, consequently the interests of the shareholders are likely to be well looked after.

Saxon.—The drive at No. 5 level has been penetrating very tight sandstone country during the past week, consequently not very rapid progress ahead has been made. The lode at and above No. 2 level still continues to yield a large supply of payable quartz, its size varying in thickness from a tew inches to three feet. > Colours of gold are freely seen distributed throughout the quartz, but picked stone is not very plentiful just now. A very fair supply of quartz is also coming to hand from No. I footwall leader at No. 3 level, which is about 8 inches in thickness, and shows gold freely.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Greymouth, Sunday. Reef ton returns for the week :—Globe, 2020z of amalgam from 175 tons; Dark, 2710z from 160 tons.

riAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Cambridge, Saturday. The Piako County Council met here to-day. Present: Messrs. W. P. Chepmell (chairman), J. Mills, D. Murphy, N. J. Hunt, and J. Horrell. lie the Council's refusal to pay the Auditor-General's charge, that official notified that the matter would be referred to the Crown law officers. In reference to a subsidy to the bridge at Waiorongomai, the Government wrote stating their inability to grant subsidy for this work. A communication from the Chairman of the North Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was received, covering a copy of a petition to the House of Representatives asking for power to rate native lands for Hospital and Charitable Aid, and requesting the Council to sign the petition. Resolved, " That although the wording of the petition precludes the Council from signing it, the Council approves of it and will forward an application of a similar nature to the Government."

Mr. W. T. Firth applied for leave to cut flax growing on roads on each side of the Waihou stream. Resolved, " That legal opinion be taken if Councils have power to grant permission, and, if so, that tenders be called for the purchase of the right to cut fiax on the roads for five years. Resolved, " That tenders be called for a bridge over the Waihou at Waiorongomai: also to repair the road betweenJW&iorongomoi and Gordon Settlement."

Mr. Heathcote's tender of £17 for the donkey engine at Waiorongomai was accepted, and the chairman was authorised to accept any offer for the wire rope that he might think fit. Mr. Horrell gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that the Council meet quarterly instead of monthly,'and that an executive committee be appointed to carry on any necessary work during the interval.