THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8386, 14 October 1890, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Thames, Monday. Hazf.lbank.—Crushing was commenced for this company to-day at the Moanataiari battery with ten head of starnjKjrs. There are about 20 loads of quartz to put through, all of which were broken from the Young American reef. Tho crushing will tako until about the end of the week to complete. Champion (Tui Creek).—The contractors are pushing ahead the crosscut at tho low level with very good speed, having driven 24 feet since commencing operations about a fortnight ago. The manager is now engaged in putting in a water blast for tho purpose of improving the ventilation, which is very bad at present. Orlando.—A few days ago, while cleaning up the drive, preparatory to commencing to stope upon Carpenter's reef eastward of Pott's old workings, tho manager discovered a body of quart/, on tho hangingwall side of the drive, which showed colours I of gold. This induced him to open out I upon it, with the result that when breaking down a portion to-day lOlbs of good picked I stone was obtained. The reef is composed j of several nice-looking ribs of quartz, and will yield about 15 inches of crushing dirt. Cambria.—The breaking of the quartz stripped in the rise above No. 2 level was continued to-day, but nothing more than strong colours of gold were seen. A rib of quart/, about six inches thick, and carrying splendid mineral, has made its appearance about 2$ feet above tho hanging wall of the reef; but as it has a more upright position t( an the reef itself, it will probably run out of the rise shortly. A breaking down of No. 7 leader in the leading stope at No. 4 level will take place to-morrow, there being about 20 feet strippod. Crown (Karangahake).—The manager of this mine received instructions by tho last mail to get an estimate of the probable cost of shifting tho Crown machinery already erected on tho mine down to the junction of the Waitawheta and Ohinemuri rivers ; also to give the estimated cost for tho construction of a tramway from the present low level to tho proposed new site, together with tho cost of extending the water race to the same point. These matters have been attended to and forwarded to tho head office for consideration. At the mine crushing has been started upon the quarts coming from the low level. Crushing with the Lamberton mills is rather slow work, consequently the tonnage put through per week is small, but tho returns are said to be very satisfactory.

Alburnia.— the dead work in connection with the ventilation of the workings upon the Dixon's reef, at the battery level, were completed to-day, and a start made to drive eastward upon the reef, where it is about 18 inches thick, and shows colours of gold. Operations have also been commenced upon the Sons of Freedom reef at the same level, near the Whau

boundary. A party of tributers in the latter mine are breaking good grade quartz from this reef adjacent to the boundary, and the manager anticipates picking up the same run of gold.

Marototo G. and S.M. Co. —Mr. J. H. Mooro brought down 800oz. of bullion from his company's mine to-day, for which about 50 tons general dirt were treated. The mine is looking well, and yielding sufficient dirt to keep the plant employed. Sharemarkkt.—Cambria, sellers, 4s 6d ; Caledonian, sellers 2s 9d, buyers, 2s 6d ; Consols, lOd, sellers lOd ; Dives, sellers 2s ; Freedom, buyers la 4d ; Lone Hand, buyers 4s (3d ; May Queen, 7s 4d, sellers 7s (3d ; Moanataiari, 7s Bd. sellers 7s 9d ; Alburnia, buyers 5s ; Norfolk, 2s 3d, sellers 2s 4d ; Orlando, Is sd, sellers Is 5d ; Saxon, 5s 4d, buyers 5s ; Trenton, sellers 3s 6d ; Waihi, sellers 6s ; Hazel bank, sellers 2s ; Oriental, sellers lOd ; Mountain Flower, Gd. Paeroa, Monday. Marototo.—Mr. J. H. Moore cleaned up for about 8000/< for the month's run.

Adeline Amalgamated (Ivarangahake). —Both tributes are looking splendid, and the company's section also promises well. Grand Junction.—Much disgust is manifested by the May Queen fiasco, which much militates against this district. Arrangements were being made to float the Grand Junction at Karanjjahake, a firstclass property, but owing to the collapse, the owners intend to withdraw.

[from our own correspondents.] KUAOTUNU. Try Fluke.—Everything is going along very smoothly in this mine. At the battery there is a decided improvement in the stuff going through, and tho tramway is working splendidly, the cost of sending quart/, being almost nominal. Tho stojjes are turning out a large quantity of rich crushing stuff, while the bottom level is being driven on a fine large reef, much more solid in the face than further back. Several feet of good payable ore are being sent to the mill. In tho face there is what appears to be a horse of mullock coming in, but it is just possible to be ah offshoot or drooper going into the footwall. I am inclined to think it is tho latter. At any rate a few feet of driving will decide the matter. The manager is just now laying out the line for another, which will take him down near the road, and give about 220 feet of backs bulow the present low level for about 450 foot of driving, and, if the reef maintains its large rise (which there is every appearance that it will) it will take years to work out. At the back, or eastern boundary, the manager is putting a surface tunnel to cut the Kuaotunu reof, which must strike through this ground, and when cut will no doubt add greatly to tho value of this property.

Kuaotuni*.—This claim is situated east of the Try Fluke, and they have a very line reef in hand. It strikes about N.E. and S. \V. I think it is four feet thick in places, but varies very much. It, has all the characteristics of the Try Fluke reef ; in fact it is so much like it, that if the quartz was put together it could not be separated again. They are rather badly situated for levels, the claim being flat, but no doubt they will be able to inake arrangements to use the Try Fluko tunnels. lliddkn Treasure.—This company are getting boring rot.'- to test the deep ground. Some time ago tney sunk a shaft a considerable depth., but they were forced out with water. They will now try the rods before going to the expense of machinery. Gakijink.The manager is accumulating ft line paddock of quart* from the specimen leader. The drive has now passed through the best part of it, but the stopos are turning out stuff equally good, and as the level is continued he will probably come on another shoot of gold. The lower drivo on the main reef is looking well. There is a line body of stone carrying a little gold, which may develop into richer stuff at any moment. They have a long way to drive to the Mariposa boundary, and may see two or thrue shoots of j;old in that distance. Makakoa.—This claim is situated below the Mariposa, and has two or three lino reefs striking right through the ground. Very fair prospects can bo got in them, and when they are more driven on may be equally as rich as their neighbours. Ma Ann.The manager has just cub a new leader or rather reef, for it averages about 15 inches thick. Good prospects can be got by pounding. I saw a good prospect from a single stone. The reef strikes through good country, about north and south.

Britannia.—A fine reef has been uncovered in this ground some two feet thick, running nearly north and south. Very little work has been done on this ground lately on account of tho owner's death, but the heirs have now come into possession and intend <■) push the work. Unfortunately a dispute has arisen with the adjoining claim, who have overlapped considerably in their survey, but an objection has been lodged in tho Warden's Court, and as this claim was pegged out, prior to the other, there is little doubt how it will go. Waitaia.— The manager is getting this mine into shape, putting up a residence, smithy, toolhouse, etc., and tho mine is being opened up very fairly. He has a splendid roof in hand which shows gold freely. It ranges from Gto 12 inches thick, a little split up in the face, but no doubt it will come together again. It is a large claim and wants a larger staff of men than he has at his disposal to develop it, but when it is opened up, I have no doubt it will be a good one. Kki'stonh. — Tho manager is putting in a main tunnel to cut a couple of fine reefs which have been worked above. The stone prospects remarkably well, the gold being of a very rich description. The country is everything that can be desired, and in the near future this claim will take a leading position. °

COROMANDEL. K u'.vnca. — The Diaim-ci Jias ifttclv come upon a now shot of gold, and has been getting out a large quantity of exceedingly rich stone. This is at the northern end of the mine, and is entirely a now discovery t and, judging from appearances, it will bo as rich as any that has gone before. Suotty s. — The manager has forwarded by to-day's boat to Auckland about lOlbs of tirst class picked stone. The gold is very coarse, and good value. Since the new syndicate took over the ground, a good deal of prospecting has been done, and gold, more 01 less payable, got in two or three places. 1 he present lot has been got by sinking on the INo. 1 reef, and is a good indication for the future. This had must be very encouraging to the new company, and the late lind in the Kapanga will also materially affect them, as tho find is near the boundary, and this claim should got part of it.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Dives.— mine manager telegraphed yesterday : Pen pounds picked stone from slopes above No. 2 level. Orlando. — The mine manager telegraphed yesterday :—Ten pounds picked stone from hangingwall reef low level New Moanataiari.—Tho footwall' lode in the eastern drive at tho 100-foot level still continues a strong well-defined body of solid quartz, <•. hich shows gold prettv lroely every breaking down, and as I advised you by wire to-day 101b of good picked stone were obtained. There are now three stopes in hand on this lode, in all of which gold is boiny neon, and occasionally a fow pounds of picked stone selected. In the western end, on the main reef, operations for tho week have been confined to tho second stope, which is now nearly home to the face of the drive. The lode here is still a good-sized body of stone, but does not show much gold. Nothing has been done in tho eastern drives on the course of the break or on the main reef since tho beginning of the week, the men being engaged in the slopes to keep up the supply of quartz for tho battery. The drive west on the Reuben Parr reef, Point Russell level, is in progress with one shift. So far the lode is small and mullocky, but the country is of a. very favourable nature. Two hundred-foot level: The large body of stone met with in the south end of the chamber has been cut through and the drive continued on its course westward till the break was met with which has thrown the reef. There has not been any gold seen here yet, but the country is by no means of an unfavourable description for its existence. The general dirt has not been shaping quite so good this week, 80 tons having been passed through the battery for IGOoz eold-water amalgam. Saxon.—Tho No. 1 winze has been su.ik to a depth of 5S feet, but owing to the quantity of water to contend with, it has been found necessary to discontinue this at least until the No. 0 or new level is sufficiently ahead to cut the Mo. 1 break. The prospects in the winze still continue encouraging and the reef is six feet in width. Ths drive on the new reef at No. 5 level has been pushed forward, the reef is from 15 to 18 inches in thickness, of a kindly ap- • pearance, although no gold has been seen for the past few days. Tho drive on same rwf at No. 4 level lias again been stopped I

to allow the leading stope to be-brought forward. No. 6 level: Fair progress has been made with the drive along the course of the No. 2 reef, the country is tight and the reef averages about two feet in thickness. A start will be made on Monday to open up a block near the junction of the Nos. 2 and 3 reefs over No. 6 level. Cleaning up and retorting for the fortnight will take place on Tuesday, but the yield will be moderate owing to the quantity of quartz treated being smaller than usuaL Hazklbank.—There is no change to report since my last. Gold is still being seen in the quartz as it is broken out. Golden* Gatk.—The roof is about fifteen inches thick, and carries a very fair prospect of gold. Ido not think we will have to go far before we get into blue sandstone country ; and, as this reef has proved itself to be good in the Just-in-Time ground, we should expect something good hero. Koiiinoor (Kuaotunu). —The crosscut has been extended 15 feet for the week, and the country we arc going through is everything that can be desired for gold. Maori Pah (Kuaotunu).—Since my lasb report I have had one man driving on a lode from 12 to 18 inches through, situated in the northern portion of the ground ; we have driven on it about 14 feet. One portion of this lode is heavily mineralized, and we can get a little gold occasionally by crushing and washing. The other man I havo prospecting on a reef on the south side of the spur; we have opened it on the surface, in three places, it varies in size from one to two feet through, and in each place we can get a little very fane gold by crushing and washing. lam in hopes that we may g«t on a payable run by further prospecting on this reef. Victoria (Kuaotunu). —There is nothing new to report from the mine this week, as all hands have been engaged for the last three days bagging ' lartz ready for shipment to the Thames. Red Mercury (Kuiotunu). —Since my last report driving on the reef south has been continued. The country is still very tight, but I think it will improve for the better shortly. The reef is now between eighteen inches and two feet wide, which gives payable prospects. Carbine (Kuaotunu). —Work has progressed as usual during the week in the upper portion of tho mine. The drive on the footwall vein in No. 1 tunnel has been extended 11 feet, the vein still presenting a very healthy appearance, and the country being of tho same kindly character as that met with hitherto. In the block over the drive good ore has been got from the leading stope north of the winze, and a small quantity of picked stone found, about 101b in all. In the low level satisfactory progress has also been made in driving, although the reef is of a harder nature than formerly. It continues to look well, and has yielded payable stuff. Its present width is about 3 feet. Invicta (Kuaotunu). —Your property, situated on the western spur at Kuaotunu, is splendidly situated for being easily and cheaply worked. There are three fair-sized reefs opened up in the ground, besides a number of small leaders and veins, all of which give a little gold when pounded and panned off. No. 3 reef, on the last one found, gives the best prospects, but tho j gold appears to be of a very poor quality, I but it should yield between 2 and 3oz per j ton with proper treatment. Two men are now working on No. 3 lode, and havo driven J on it about 30 feet and broken the quartz down and paddocked it, all of which gives a nice prospect when pounded. Try Fluke (Kuaotunu). —The low level J has been continued a further distance of 12 ! feet for the week, which brings the total to 127 feet. There is about 3 foet of reef well defined, the balance ; about 4 feet, is intermixed with mullocky veins. Small prospects are obtainable. lam in hopes to see an improvement here before very long. The country continues of similar sandstone i as that overhead. The intermediate level ! has not been touched this week. No. 6 south stopc is in 35 feet, and the reef is fully 3 feet in width ; some very nice gold is showing in the present face. No. 6 north is now in 20 feet. The reef is 7 feet wide, and very fair gold is obtainable on the hanging wall side ; all is being treated at the battery. I have laid off a new low level to cut the Try Fluke lode at a further depth of 120 feet perpendicular. The distance to drive will be nearly 500 feet. Prospecting for the Kuaotunu reef is going on with one man. The drive is in 27 feet°; the country is of a v ;ry soft nature, which requires timbering. The amalgam has not been all cleaned up yet lor tho week, but j the plates continue to look well. i Waikoa (Kuaotunu). —We have to-day cut a leader in the crosscut four inches thick, which gives a very fair prospect of gold. I think this will be the leader that runs parallel with tho main reef and about six feet in the footwall. As through tho Irene ground it has been driven on, and carries gold all the distance of 150 feet. The ground is rather in the face now, and full of quartz stringers. We should see the main reef to hand by the end of next week. The drive on the big reef on the eastern side is making fair progress, and the reef is fully three feet thick.

Diamond (Kuaotunu). —I made a start on Monday to enlarge a tunnel, which I hope to complete on Monday or Tuesday, when 1 intend to lay down rails and put on trucks into the reef, which has been cut by Davies in the Golden Point Claim, and very fair prospects obtained. As soon as the above is completed it is my intention to drive south on the reef.

Alfred.—l expect to break down the leader in the winze on Monday or Tuesday, and will wire you the result immediately. Have had two shifts sinking, having started two additional men on Thursday last, hoping that our first breaking down will be a <jood one. Leopold.—We have gob the crosscut cleaned out 10 feet this week, and timber put in close to t.he face. The ground had run for about 25 feet high, and was very dangerous to work. I hope next week will put us into good ground. I believe the crosscut is very near to the leader that I referred to in my first ri port, from which good returns were obtain ;d. Secret (Kuaotunu).—Have got two more leaders coming into us—o.ie is as good as the one we had crushed, it is half a chain inside the line, and can bo gob out without much trouble.

Stani.lev (Kuaotunu).—l find by taking bearings that the two reefs now worked on with such good prospects in the Waitaia mine must traverse through the Stanley ground. We have the identical same country, and loose quartz obtained on the surface is similar. I also took bearings of a strong reef in Keystone mine, which must, according to compass, run through the western end of your ground. No." '2 drive will prospect this portion of the mine, and c m bo extended SOO feet if required, giving backs at the rate of 1 to 1 feet. I think it very probable wo shall meet with a good payable reef in this drive before the first, contract is finished. No. 1 drive is started on the northern sido, and will prospect the ground directly under tho blow.

Ota ma (Kuaotunu). —The drive on No. 2 reef, No. '2 level, continues lather tight ami consequently progress is rather slow'. A small leader came in from the hangingwall, and has gone through No. 2 reef into the foot wall. This leader carries some nice gold, and is about 4 inches thick, and looks very promising. The crosscut is now in a distance of 160 feet, and in grand country; some small stringers have been met with, and all carry a little gold. Nemesis (Kuaotunu).—l started to drive on a leader 10 inches thick. This leader prospects very fair, and keeps about the same size all through as far as driven on. Monowai (Kuaotunu). — Two small stringers have been cut during the week each of them carrying a little gold. The country is of a first-class nature for gold and we should cut one of tho leaders we are driving for during the next week. Just-in-Time (Kuaotunu). — The reef averages about 18 inches and prospects well. The total depth sunk in winze is 29 ieeb.

Haitaia.— Work , underground during the last fortnight has been confined to extending the drive on No. 3 reef, which is now in 50 feet. The leader has been very small for several feet, but as a change of country appears to be coming in the faoe of live, 1 expect shortly to see an improvement in the leader. I have started to rench for No. 3 leader on the opposite side of * 10 gully, about a chain north of the present level. I expect to obtain fair crushing dirt when I start driving north on this leader, as gold has been seen in the stone in two places where the leader has been cub on the surface higher up the spur. The following is a rough estimate of the quartz on hand :—No. 2 reef, four tons ; No. 3, ten tons; No, 4, eight tons; No. 6, two tons.