THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8161, 24 January 1890, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

■ ♦ [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Thursday. Trenton.—A start has been made to drive towards the Saxon boundary upon the footwall reef, which is about 18 inches in width and composed of a good description of quartz. Moawataiari.—A little gold was seen to-day in a leader on the footwall of the Golden Age reef, in the western intermediate drive *bove the Point Russell level. Preparations have been completed for opening out on the Reuben Parr at the bottom of the winze below the Point Russell level. PROCEEDINGS IN THE WARDEN'S COURT. THE ADELINE AMALGAMATED ROUND. Thames, Thursday. At the usual fortnightly sitting of the Warden's Court to-day the Warden granted the following applications :—W. Mears, Sons of Freedom, Moanataiari Creek ; J. M. McLaren, Dunedin, Karaka (granted in name of Win. Pierce Davidson, of Auckland); E. K. Cooper, Joker, Waiotahi Creek. The application of S. T. George, for water-race, special sito, and machine site, was adjourned till the 6th of February. Two months' protection was granted to E. K. Edward? for Midas claim, Waiotahi. On the application of the Mining Inspector bheGoldwater licensed holding (Whangamata), the Wairarapa holding (VVaitekauri), and the Tapu holding were forfeited for non-work-ing He also applied for forfeiture of Mount Edwards holding (Waiotahi Creek), Maungakara holding (Waitekauri), and the Adeline Amalgamated Gold Mining Company's property (Karangahnke), on the ground that the mining regulations had not been complied with as regards the number of men employed. The first case was- adjourned till the tith of February, and the latter two until the '20bh February. Iu dealing with application for forfeiture of the Adeline Amalgamated Company's mine in which Mr. Miller, solicitor, appeared for the compauy, the Warden commented very strongly upon the manner in which the company first secured the ground and then held it by protection. He said that the area held formerly comprised a number of licensed holding*, and when they were being amalgamated it was represented to him that in this manner the ground could be more cheaply developed, and that men would be put on. In consequence of these representations he had written to the Minister of Mines, telling him exactly whathad beensbated. A special claim was then granted, whereupon the owners did nothing, bub when the Mining In spector laid an information against them for non-working they went to the Minister of Mines and gob four months' protection. The very day that Mr. Wilson's notice was posted here a telegram was received from Wellington to stay proceedings, so that someome while in the office evidently saw the notice and made use of tho information. Since the protection was obtained three men had been pub on. That was the position. Mr. Miller concurred that this was the position of affairs, but urged that the mine could be easier developed by having the several holdings amalgamated, and that the Minister of Minos had been applied to for protection, because six months was required, and the Warden had only power to grant four. The Warden replied that the Minister of Minos had been applied to for protection, which they knew he (the Warden) could not honestly grant. If they could not work the trround, they should throw off a portion of it, as a number of men were willing to take it up. Any company that kept faith with him, and carried oat its promises, whs deserving of every assistance, and had these people done as they had promised in the first instance, he would not have asked Mr. Wilson to proceed against them. Mr. Miller mentioned that it was intended to let the mine on tribute, and tenders for blocks were receivable until the Ist pros. The Warden inquired how many men it was intended to put on in the event of no one applying for tributes? Mr. Miller replied that he could not say, bnc suggested that the case be adjourned for a month, to see what could be done.

The Warden adjourned the ease until the '20th of February, but he stated that he must then be satisfied that something would be done to work the ground in iv bona fide manner, or else he would forfeit it. He did not nsk any Company to put on a lot of men when they could not be profitably employed, as he knew that if good gold was struck more than the regulation number would be employed, bu' something should certainly now be do ie to develop this ground.

KUAOTUN'CJ. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Work on this field is fairly underway again, and encouraging prospects are everywhere obtainable. A winze is being sunk in the Thy Fluke mine, from which quartz quite equal to anything got in the drive is being secured. Arrangements are in progress for putting in a level which will give a hundred feet of backs below the present workings. The Carbine mine is working on the Try Fluke lode. In this mine the reef is very large; about eight feet of it is good quality ore, but the gold is fine, and will require careful treatment. In the Mariposa ground, which is north of the Carbine, the Try Fluke reef is being worked on with payable results, and, judging from indications, there should be a good shoot of gold in this claim. John Bull Claim.—This is also on the Try Fluke reef, and a low level is being put in. Fair prospects are obtainable on the surface where the reef is cut. Red Mercury.— This claim, which also prospects well on the surface, is putting in a drive to cut the reef at a lower level. Great Mercury (or Prospectors' Claim) are putting in a drive to cut the Just in Time lode, and in doing so cut another leader, which is carrying the coarsest gold I have seen on the field. Irene. —This claim is situate on Maori ground, and the Try Fluke reef has been .traced right through it. Fair prospects are obtained from the stone, and the owners are sanguine that by cutting the lode at a greater depth, for which purpose a level is being put in, good gold will be got. The reef is from '.I feet to 3 feet (3 inches thick, and is in a very favourable class of country. Otama.—This claim is situate at the end of the Bald Hill, and some 20 tons of ore, which is estimated to yield from four to five ounces per ton, are being bagged for shipment to the Thames. The Kapai mine is south of and adjoins the Try Fluke. A low level is being put in here, and it is expected the reef will be in hand in another three weeks. The country is a favourable sandstone. Hidden* Treasure.—This claim is south of the Kapai, and the course of the Try Fluke lode runs through it from north to south. I understand an Auckland syndicate propose to commence active operations in this ground immediately. Maori Dream.—ln this claim, a low level iB being pushed on through a favourable class of country, intersected by nice mineral veins. A verv promising leader hail just boon cut when 1 visited the ground, and the reef for which the level was started should be in hand in a few days. Just-in-Timk.—This claim have two men at work breaking out quartz of a payable character, and a contract has been let to put in a drive to cut the reef at a lower level. Most of the Maori land is taken up for mining purposes. Thanks are due to Mr. James Mackay for making satisfactory arrangements between the natives and the miners. Battery power is now all that is required to make this field a considerable gold producer, and that want is in some measure soon to be supplied. On the 18th instant a meeting of miners and others interested was held at Kuaotunu to hear what arrangements had been made by Mr. James Mackay in regard to the leasing of land from the Maoris for mining purposes. Mr. Roue presided, and introduced Mr. Mackay, who exblained that there had been cousiderable difficulty in dealing with the land as there were many native owners, several of whom. resided at a great distance from the field. He had succecued, however, irf securing a power of attorney from the owners of two blocks, and Mr. Leo had been empowered to deal with the third, and they were now prepared to let these for mining purposes. The terms of lease would be : The area to be granted to any one party not to exceed te- acres. The term of occupation to be 21 years. The rent to be £1 per acre per annum to be paid in two instalments in advance, and if at any time the lessee should fail to pay the rent within three months after it is due, the owners are at liberty to retake the ground. Any disputes arising between miners will be settled by Mr. Mackay. Mr. Rowe was appointed to do the survey. Mr. R. Graham then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Mackay for the indefatigable manner in which he worked for

the benefit of the miners, and Mr. Wilson seconded it. Three cheers for Mr. Mackay were then called for and responded to in a most enthusiastic manner. Mr. Mackay then called for three cheers for Kawhina and Graham who had aided him in bringing things to such a successful issue. MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Adeline Amalgamated.—l he underhand stope that I mentioned in my last report has been carried along for a distance of 18 feet, in another 18 feet I should reach the run of gold if it goes down. I had to carry the stone from the mouth of the tunnel in order to have an outlet for the water.