THE PUHIPUHI SILVER MINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8283, 16 June 1890, Page 11

THE PUHIPUHI SILVER MINES.

BRIGHTENING PROSPECTS. Faith in the future of the Puhipuhi silver field, which a while ago had sunk to a very low ebb in Auckland, is beginning to revive again, and with reason, if ore in bulk can be obtained equal in quality to some specimens shown to us on June 13 by a gentleman who has just returned from a trip to the mines. He lias had considerable experience of silver and other mines in Australia, and he is quite enthusiastic about Puhipuhi. He declares that the place will produce as much silver as Broken Hill as soon as it gets properly developed ; and adds that there will bo any amount of capital available for working the mines as soon as their value is proved. The specimens in his possession are among the best we have yet seen. They consist of large pieces .of quarts several pounds in weight, with black particles of silver distributed all through them. He estimates the value of the ore as running from 70 to IOOOoz per ton, and contemplates taking over some fi or 0 tons to Australia, He will also probably induce some Australian gentlemen practically acquainted with silver-mining, to come over and inspect the hold. Whaxgarki, Juno 13. Some months ago a Whangarei resident took a parcel of stone from the Prospector's No. 3 lode himself and sent it by a relative, who is an assayer, to Broken Hill, there to be tested at the assayer's leisure. The result came to hand by last mail, and. proved to be llloz 12dwt of silver, and a trace of sold, per ton. This trial was obtained for the purpose ot gaining a correct idea of the value of the lode. The stone was an average sample, not so good in appearance as they are getting now from a lower level ; the Puhipuhi stone would be considered very rich at Broken Hill. The si ufF turned out of the Proprietory only averaged 45 to 50 ounces per ton, and that from Block 14 about '20 ounces per ton. The prospects of Puhipuhi are improving every day. Each expert who goes there expresses a favourable opinion, and shares in most of the claims have a tangible market value. They are now making a united effort to get machinery on the field. When they do, shares will go up all over the field.