THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8387, 15 October 1890, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[by telegraph.—OWN correspondent.]] Thames,, Tuesday. Sharkmarkkt.Cambria, sellers 4s 3d ; Caledonian, 2s 9d, 2s 7d, sellers lis; Con sols, sellers lOd ; Dives, sellers 2s ; Freedom, Is sd, sellers Is 6d ; Flying Cloud, sellers 6d ; Golden Age, sellers Is ; Lone Hand, buyers 5s ; Moanataiari, sellers 7s fld ; Alburnia, 5s 3d, sellers lis, buyers 5s 6d; Prince Imperial, 3s, buyers 2s 9d ; Orlando, sellers Is 4d; Saxon, 5s 3d; Trenton, sellers .'is 4ct; Victoria, sellers Is 5d ; Waihi, sellers 6s; Hazelbank, sellers 2s; Oriental, Bd, sellers 10d; Mountain Flower, 6d.

Saxon.—The fortnightly cleaning up and retorting to-day produced 1750z 12dwt melted gold, for which 310 loads general dirt and 201b picked stone were crushed. About 61b picked stone came to hand today from the No. 3 reef at No. 0 level at a point where stoping is just being commenced upon it near the junction with No. 2 reef.

Lone Hand.—Stripping operations are proceeding in the eastern drive at the low level, no quartz having been broken .since last week. It is not probable that a breaking down will take place till near the end of the week.

THE CRAWFORD GOLDMINING COMPANY. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN correspondent.] Thames, Tuesday. The formal starting of Crawford's Special Gold mining Company's recently erected winding engine, etc., took place this afternoon in the presence of a largo number of gentlemen interested in the mining industry, amongst whom were Mr. Myers (chairman of directors), of Sydney, Captain Colbock and Mr. Seymour George, of Auckland. The orthodox bottle of champagne was broken by Mrs. Seymour George as the machinery was set in motion amidst greatenthusiasm. Everything worked smoothly ami exceedingly satisfactorily, and Mr. Myers was the recipient of hearty good wishes for the success of the company. An excellent repast was provided, and after it was partaken of a short but appropriate speech was delivered by Captain Colbeck, who pointed out that any man who extracted gold from the earth was a benefactor of the country, and he therefore expressed his gratification that outside capital had commenced to flow in to develops the vast mineral resources of the Thames goldtield. He alluded particularly to the excellent work done by the Crawford Company since its formation, and after expressing his satisfaction at being present on such an auspicious occasion, concluded by expressing the hope that every success would attend their efforts, and that enterprising investors would be richly rewarded for their perseverance. The following toast list was then gone through : —Mr. J. McGowan proposed "Success to Crawford's Gold Mining Company," coupled with the name of Mr. Myers, to which that gentleman responded ; Mr. Myers proposed "Success to the Mining Industry of the Thames Peninsula, and Prosperity to Auckland, which was responded to by Mr. Robert Comer ; the latter gentleman then proposed "The Health of Captain Bayldon, Local Director of the Company," which was duly responded to. Major Murray proposed " The Health of Mr. Thomas H. Crawford, the Mine Manager, coupled with the name of Mr. J. H. Moore, of Marototo," to which the latter responded, Mr. Crawford being unavoidably absent through illness. Mr. Myers proposed " Warden Northcroft," coupled with the names of Messrs. George Wilson and F. J. Burgess, Mining Inspecto: and Mining Registrar respectively, which was duly responded to by Mr. Wilson. Mr. Moore proposed "The Contractor (Mr. J. McDermott), and Thames Miners," which was responded to by Mr. McDermott, and Messrs. Comes and Crawford. The toasts of "The Ladies " and " The Press " were also proposed and duly honoured. In tho course of the speeches made during the proceedings the various speakers expressed their firm conviction that were the shaft sunk another 300 or 4(X) feet, and operations vigorously prosecuted, shareholders would be well repaid for their outlay, as the mine is situated in a well-known auriferous belt of country, and only needed development to rank it as a good gold producer.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Cambria. —No. 2 level: There are about seven feet ef the main reef strip(xjd in the rise, which we are at present engaged breaking down. Some nice dabs of gold were seen to-day through the qua* - *- There is a rib of quartz on the hangi. wall, about six inches in thickness. It is carrying good mineral, and looks very well. There is at. present about two feet six inches of sandstone between them. Intermediate below No. 2 level : The leader in the drive off the cross leader is about six inches in thickness ; when last breaking down, gold was seen pretty freely, and a few pounds of picked stone were also saved. The leading stope on the cross leader is along 45 feet ; this leader is at present about live inches in thickness, and shows gold at each breaking down. The second stope on the small leader is along 52 feet ; the leader is from four to five inches in thickness, and shows a little gold. No. 3 level : The drive on No. 7 footwall leader is in a distance of 4.3 feet the leader, for the last six or seven feet, lias been small, but is now making again. The quartz coming from the leading stope on the western branch of No. 7, still shows gold pretty freely. We are now rising for the second stope. No. 4 level : There are about 20 feet of the leader stripped in the leading stope on No. 7 leader ; a start will be made to break it down to-morrow. The battery and windiug engine are in good order. Tkknton.—The face of the drive east of the junction is in a distance of 145 feet, 12 feet of which have been driven in the past wsek. The lode maintains its easterly course, and it is still composed of clay and gritty quartz, but is smaller than it has been for some time past. The country is good for gold. The No. 1 hangingwall lode in the stopes above No. 5 level is from 12 to 15 inches wide. Some of the stone has a kindly appearance for gold. The sandstone is also favourable to its existence. I expect we shall get up with the rise to the Saxon No. 3 level this week. The leader is small as yet, but it showed a little gold when last taken down. The stopes on No. 2 hangingwall lode are '20 feet above No. 5 level. We are carrying them up short in order to get to No. 4 level as quickly as possible. The lode has been disordered here during the week, caused by the influence of a break, but it looks as if it is more settled above the break and forming again. Th 2 main crosscut has not been driven more than 14 feet in the past week. It is passing through a tight belt of unauriferous country, which I liojhj will not last long. The face of the drive on the new lode in the Saxon mine is about 10 feet from our boundary. The lode is 18 inches wide, and looks fairly well on the whole.

Lone Hand.The country in the drive eastward on the Manchester reef at the low level is of a first - class description. The reef is about 9 inches in thickness; when breaking down the reef on Friday last gold was seen freely through the quartz, and 3 pound of picked stone came to hand. The drive has been extended 15 feet during the week, making the total distance from the crosscut 393 feet. The fifth stope west of the winze on the Manchester reef is along 55 feet. The reef in the face of thin stope is 9 inches in thickness. There is some nice looking mineral through the quartz, and gold was seen when breaking down the reef. The sixth stope west of the winze is along 37 feet the reef in this stope is about 10 inches in thickness. There is good mineral through tho quartz, and gold was seen through the quartz when breaking it down. The seventh stope west of the winze is along 9 feet; the reef in this stope is 9 inches. There is good mineral through tho quartz, and gold was seen freely through the quartz when breaking down the reef to-day (Monday). May Queen. —Owing to the breaking of the cam shaft at the battery, tho stampers were hung up from midnight on Monday, the 6th, until six a.m. on Wednesday, the Bth inst. The quartz passed through the battery, for the week, came from all parte of the mine, including that broken from the eastern drive. Hot water amalgam on hand to 13th inst., 8760z sdwt. No. 4 footwall branch : The third stope here has now been carried forward 90 feet from the rise, which is the required distance for the present. Therefore the men have been taken from this end, and started to rise for a sixth ebope. In the fourth and fifth Btopes from

10 to 12 inches of crushing dirb are being saved. A little gold has been seen here during the week. No. 4 reef, east: The drive east on the No. 4 lode is now in a distance of 140 feet from the crosscut. In the early part of the week the reef was small, and would nob average more than from six to eight inches in width, bufc latterly it has shown signs of opening out, and is now about 12 inches in thickness. The loaa in the back of the drive lias a darker appearance, and is more heavily mineralised at present than for some time past. The same excellent channel of country for gold still shows in the end of the drive. The reef in the stopes east and west of the crosscut varies from 12 inches to two feet in thickness. More solid quartz than usual has been met with in the third stope, in which some good dabs of gold have been seen.

Nkw Fearnought.—l have extended the Creek level drive a further distance of eight foot during the week, making a total distance of 47 feet driven on the reef from the crosscut. The roef still maintains its usual width, which is from 12 to 1G inches, but during the week the quartz has not been so heavily charged with minera' as formerly. New Almjrnia.—On account of tho easy nature of the ground good progress has been made in crosscut at intermediate level, and on Wednesday last communication was effected after driving a total distance of 79 feet, with the result that good ventilation has been obtained, and having finished the few necessary repairs connected with holing through, work has again been resumed on Dixon's reef at battery level. In tho drive east the reef has a very promising appearance, being about 15 inches in thickness, heavily charged with copper pyrites, and other favourable minerals. The No. 1 stope cast has also been manned. The reef here is about 15 inches in thickness, and on breaking down the quartz in this stope on Saturday strong colours of gold were seen. Stoping west of crosscut will be commenced about Thursday. Sons of Freedom reef, battery level: Stoping is being carried on hero with one shift of two men, tho reef hero being about one foot in thickness, of nice kindly quartz, and encased in a splendid class of sandstone. Gold may be got at any breaking down. By extending the stopes on this reef to a height of about 50 feet should strike the junction of this and Success reef, which is being at present worked with such profitable results by Loughlin and party, tributers in tho company s ground at this level. There are large blocks of ground on both these reefs intact from this level to the surface. Tributers : Georgo and party crushed two loads of quartz for the return of 2oz 14dwt melted gold. Loughlin and party, who are working on Success reef, at battery level, banked 501b picked stone to-day This party's tribute term expires next month. Orlando.—The new lovel has been extended 12 feet. The reef still maintains its size being fully five feet wide. A trial crushing from this level yielded five dwt to the load, which clears battery and train expenses. The hangingwall portion is being saved for another trial crushing. This part of the reef carries first-class minerals for gold, and the general appear ance of both country and reef are improving. Bendigo reef: The reef is about two feet thick, encased in a good class of sandstone. The hangingwall roef is opening out on a small leader on the hangingwall of Carpenter's reef in the low level, about SO feet east from Potts' stopes. I discovered a stong body of quartz about 15 inches wide, which showed colours of gold freely every breaking down. So far .-is I can judge this reef is intact to the surface.

Junction - .—We are now in a distance of 147 feet from the Moanataiari Company's main tunnel; the country is easier day. Water is coming out from the face ; this shows that we are getting up towards the reefs.

Norfolk.—There is nothing new of any importance. The dirt coming to hand from the stopes keeps about the same. The reef is the usual size. The drive on the Norfolk has been extended 13 feet for the week. The reef in this end is small at present. There is a favourable change in the country for the last few feet, and I got a little gold. Pin kirk. —During the past week we have been busily engaged in opening up the low workings referred to in my last, and have made fairly good progress. Freedom. —Low level : The good channel of country mentioned in my last still continues, and the reef continues to improve in quality and size, it being now fully 2 feet wide, and when breaking down to-day gold was seen well distributed through tho quartz, which is all being saved for treatment. 12 feet has been driven here for the past week, making the total distance 45 feet. Another 15 or 20 feet should bring us up to the junction of I.can's reef with Twenty-third of June, when some good stone should come to had. Upper level: Stoping and driving on hanging wall lode is being carried on without change to report. The western drive has been advanced 10 feet this week, nuking the total distance from main crosscut 55 feet. The reef here still maintains its size and carries a little gold. The second stops over eastern drive has been advanced 10 feet. The reef is about 10 inches, and carries a large |>ercentage of good minerals. No work has been done in the leading stopo or western drive 011 footwall leader during the past week M 01; Edward. —The country in the crosscut is still very tight, I am still carrying the small leader with the drive. The crosscut has been extended 13 feet for the week, making a total distance of 88 feet from Shamrock reef.

The Souvenir.—l have finished cleaning out and retimbering an upper level in which the George Stephenson is cut, and find the reef has been driven on 40 feet, and a rise put up to the surface, but beyond this the reef seems intact and averages over two feet in thickness. I have had to rise again in the solid as tho old rise is crushed in. Started a loading stope from which I have broken a small quantity of quartz in which I have seen good colours and blotches of gold which ought to crush for a payable return.

Dives.—During the past week the very hard ground through which the crosscut on main flinty has lately been driven, has cut out, and a much better class of country now shows in the face. The leading stope is along 42 feet from tho end of ground, 10 feet of this having been broken for the week. Here tho reef is about 12 inches in thickness, showing large quantities of the minerals which usually accompany good gold. No. '2 stope has shown good strong colours of gold in the reef, which is about nine inches in thickness, and has been extended eight feet, making a total of 23 feet. In No. 3 slope the reef has been stripped for a distance also of eight feet ; the quartz has not been broken down, but from appearance in tho back of the stope below ib should be-good. In the stopes westward above No. 2 level, the crushing dirt, about eight inches in thickness, is of very good grade, showing strong colours of gold freely.

Magnolia.—The drive lias been extended last week 16 feet, making a total of 046 feet. T'le ground is pretty hard, and is mixed with tlinties. The flinty I mentioned in my last I have got clear of. The water still follows »is up the same in the face. The winze in No. '2 level is flown a distance of six feet. The reef is about the same as in my last, and I see good dabs and colours of gold in breaking down.

Hazklbank.— Crushing was commenced at the Moanataiari battery to-day. Twenty loads of quartz have been sent to the surface. There is nothing new to report from the mine.

City of Dunkdin.—Operations for the past week in No. 1 level on the black reef consisted of stoping out quartz for crushing. The reef, especially downwards, looks very we'll, and appears to increase in size deeper down. No. '2 level on the same reef is now being driven by the contractors. The country is all that can be desired for gold, and the roof is making very large, and similar in appearance to the quartz in the level overhead. This level will open up a very large block.

Oriental. — During the past week we have extended the drive '20 feet, making a total of 45 feet. The last 10 feet has been through a splendid class of sandstone carrying mineral seams and small flinties. Caledonian.—The drive westward on the No. 1 leader that was cut in the crosscut recently put into the Young American lode, has been driven up to the Hazelbank boundary ; the leader has been about six inches in thickness; I have not seen any gold in it this week, but the quartz has been of a very promising appearance. The drive eastward on this loader has been extended » distance of 12 feet; the leader is

about a foot in thickness in the face of the drive, and is composed of rubbly quartz and clay. Although I have not seen any gold here lately, I am in hopes of getting on gold here at any time. As per wire to you, the crosscut drive holed through to the stopes on the Young American lode. We will be unable to commence stoping on this lode until the Hazelbank Company gets the quartz that they have broken sent to the surface and the drive timbered up, which will take about a week.

Little Nell.—Upper level: During the past week this level has been cleaned out and timbered up to where the water was backed up. Low level : The country was rather hard for progress, but a better class of ground seoins now to be coming in both for progress and gold. There are 127 feet to, drive before getting into your ground. The backs from this level to upper level are about 180 feet. The reef at present is about three feet, and should it keep its course will junction with the Onehunga reef, but not before some considerable distance has been driven.

Prosperity.—l broke down to-day, and found the leader to vary from one to three inches in thickness, showing minerals of a favourable class. The channel of country through which it runs is of solid white sandstone, with mineral voins interlaced.

Pride of Karaka. —Since my last tho drive has been extended a further distance of 12 feet, which makes the total distance driven since commencing 50 feet. During the past week the country has been rather tight, in consequence the progress slow, but I am pleased to noto signs of improvement in the face.