THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8501, 27 February 1891, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GOLDFIELDS.

MINING SUMMARY. [F«OM OUR OWN COKKKSFONr>KNTB.) Thamks, Thursday. The chief event of tha.month has been the prominence .given to the Waihi G.M. Co.'s mine through the continued excellent prospects in the large reef operated upon, and the good returns of bullion coming to hand therefrom on the ore being treated. At the time of last summary this company's paidup shares were saleable at about 17s 6d, but during the last week or two transactions have taken place as high as 32s (3d, and at preseut they stand ac about 30s. The cause of this, somewhat sudden rise is duo to the fact that so far as present prospeofca ure concerned the supply of quartz available is practically unlimited, and of such grade, too, as will soon place the company into a sound financial position, notwithstanding the large amount of capital that is now being , expended in the erection of machinery, water races, und experimental tests in one way and another. The reeult of tlie company's successful operations has led to the pegging out of several claims on the supposed line of reef, so that Waihi is likely to be the scene of very busy mining operations at no far distant date. At the Thames proper, the Moanataiari, Saxon, May Queen, and Sylviu mines have come in fora large share of public attention, for important developing works are proceeding in each of these mines, as well as in several others, consequently there is a probability of something good being found at almost any time which will have tho effect of giving increased confidence in our mining industry. - During the past month several good returns of pold have been banked by somo of our local companies, the details concerning which will be found below. MoANATAiAiii, —The prospects of this mine are exceedingly good, most of the works in hand being of a remunerative character. At the 100 feet level the new south drive has disclosed t-everal bodies of quartz, which arc now yielding a considerable supply of good grade dirt, whilst the footwall and Reuben Parr lode? are also yielding their quota. The winze below the level upon the footwall lode has communicated with a rise brought up from tho 'JOO-feet level, and the manager expects soon to be in a position to identify the same reefs at tho last-mentioned level. On the 31st. ult. che manager had .i cleaning up and retorting at the company's battery, after crushing 552 tons of general dirt and 4Jowbof picked stone, with the result that he obtained f)3ooz 18'lwb of melted gold, the monies accruing from which freed the company of debt. Crushing with 25 heed of stampers has been continued lb' hours per day throughout the present month, and the next retorting will probably take place on Saturday, when a good return Is expected, although not nearly so large as the one mentioned, as not; so much picked stones has been obtained this month. .Saxon.—The main No. 1 reef was intersected at the new No. 6 level a few days ago, and a connection effected with tho winze sunk from No. 5 level upon the same roef. Owing, however, to a large quantity of water flowing from thereof and surrounding country, which has accumulated in the level to a height of several feet, through there nob being a proper outlet, for it,, tho work of oponing up the level has been dcirtyed for a few days, until the drainage crosscut at the Prince Imperial No. (7 level has been extended ahead a few feet, in order to clear the watercourses to allow the water to drain away. This work is now being procoeded with, and will shortly be accomplished. The prospects for the new level are of n very encouraging character, as in sinking the. winze from No. H level the reef was found to carry gold pretty freely, and a few colours were also seen when the reef was cub into at No. 6 reef. The only other work in progress in the mine is preparing to open up a blook upon No 1 footwall leader at No. 3 level, eastward of No. •2 break. A rise has recently been carried up from No. 4 level upon this leader, in the course of which several pounds of picked stone were obtained, so that there is good encouragement for developing it at No. 3. A crushing of 310 loads was completed during the month for 1740z of melted gold. The company's battery is now idle. May QijEkn.— Stoping upon No. 4 reef has been suspended, owing to the quartz proving of an unprofitable character the higher up the stopes wore worked, tho last 18 loads crushed only yielding 12oz 4dwb of gold. The company's operations are therefore now confined to driving a proepeebing crosscut into the hangingwall country of No. 4 reef at Mo. 1 level, and to making ready for opening up a lower level. To carry out the latter object a winze was recently sunk down to the required depth, and an old drive on its western side is being cleaned oub, with the object of providing an outlet for tho water now accumulated in the company's shaft, as soon as the main break is intersected. I TRKvrox.—An excellent grade of quartz has been coming to hand from a block opened up ab No. 3 level, and a crushing of 35 loads of general dirt and 1761b of picked stone was finished a few days ago, for the handsome return of 2780z sdwbol melted gold. In addition to this block, which will last for ft considerable time, the No. 1 branch of tho hangingwall reef has just been intersected at No. 4 level, and the manager is hopeful of meeting with the continuation of the same run of gold as is being worked at No. 3. Ab No. 5 level the new reef is being risen upon near the western boundary, and very fair prospects are being met with. Cambiua.— Very successful results still attend the working of several small bodies of quartz at the intermediate below No. 2 level and at No. 3 level. A crushing of 6"Q loads and 35 pounds of picked stone was recently treated for tho return of 1490zs 14dwts of gold, and another crushing is now being treated. The rise upon the hangingwall portion of the main re'ef above No. 2 level lias been ab a standstill for two or three weekn, to permit of anobher rise being put up upon ft footwall leader, but as the latter Is now completed work has been resumed in the former iise again. AiiHUHNIA. —Sboping upon the Success and Dixon's reefs at the battery level is now proceeding and the quartz coming feo hand is of a payable nature, 28 loads crushed a few days ago having yielded 42ozs of gold. A little prospecting has lately been done on the Sons of Freedom reef, bub without much success, consequently that has now been suspended. Orlando.—Crushing dirb is now being obtained from a block of etopes upon the hangingwall reef, and also from the stopes upon Carponber's reef above the n«w drive recently put in from surface. From these sources 35 loads of quartz were recently treated for the payable return of 420z lOdwb of gold. The eastern drive upon the hangingwull reef is being pushed ahead by contractors. Hazemunk, —The prospecting crosscut at No. 1 level is still being puslied ahead, and Kelly's reef is shortly expected to be meb with. The drive upon the flab cross lode has nob yeb developed payable quarbz, bub gold is sometimes seen freely, and what is wanted to improve matters is another' reef crosßing it ab right angles. It is anticipated that if such an event should occur that ab leasb payable quartz will be found. Calkdonian. —This company is now confining its attention to prospecting the hangingwitll of No. 2 reef at No. 2 level, and to driving upon tho same body at No, 3 level. In both instances tho surroundings are of an encouraging character, for rich gold was formerly found in the vicinity of both places. I)ives.—The stopes upon the hangingwall leader above iNo. 2 level have bsen yielding a good class of quartz lately, one cuushine , of 14 loads and 31 pounds of picked 6tone having recently been treated for sloz 9dwts of gold, whilst 67 pounds of picked stone crushed a day or two ago yielded tho handsome return of 114ozs 4dwts of gold, and 16 loads of general dirb now undergoing treatment is ajso" expected to yield satisfactorily. Driving upon the in,aiii flinty at No, 3 level is still proceeding, but as yet no leaders have been found crossing it. Lonk Hanu.t-tNo. 0 . break was intersected in the eastern drive at the low level twoor three weeks ago, and this is now being followed with the view of intersecting the leaders wrought upon it so successfully ab the levels above. A crushing of 39 loads of quartz from the sfcopes at the western end gave 470z sdwb retorted gold. AVajotahi.—This company's monthly crushing of 225 tons yielded 880oz lOdwb of gold, and resulted in a'dividend, of 2s 6d per share being paid,

Magnolia.—The new low level is in a distance of over 900 feefc, and two or three weeks more should see a connection with the winze being sunk from the upper level. A good class of country is being penetrated. There is some talk of increasing this company's capital from £15,000 to £i) 0,000, with the object of providing funds for tho erection of a battery. ••' Consols. —The contractor for the erection of the winding and pumping machinery, together with all the necessary buildings, is making good headway, and expects to bo able to commence baling water from the the shaft in about another month. OccidicNTAL.—A crushing of 43 loads of general dirt and 1001b of picked stone was completed last week for the excellent return of 20ioz of goid. Alfukd. —The intermediate level upon tho 23rd of June reef is now well in hand, and a leading stope is being carried in over the drive. A little gold is seen at every breaking down, and 19oz 14dwt of gold were obtained last week from a crushing of 26 loads of quarbs. Victoria,—-A new contract was let for driving , 200 feet a few days ago. A good sandstone country is being penetrated, and gold should be found in any reef cut so long as the present country continues. NoiiKOLK.—For some time past the managor has been operating successfully upon the Californian reef below No. 2 level, but a3 the workings are now so deep as to prevent the workings being carried on economically from this point, a start has been made to bring in No. 3 level to cut the reef. About 450 feeb of driving is expected to accomplish this, when 75 feet oi backs will be available. It is also intended to prospect the same reef above No. 2 level. Sylvia.—This company's plant, which is purely one ot' concentration, is working most admirably, and, so far, has answered the most sanguine expectations. The ore treated has come from the company's own mine, where there is a very large supply available, and where fresh developments are daily being made. So far, a large quantity of concentrations has been accumulated, which assay very rich results, but no shipment of concentrates hus yet taken place. The success of the company's mine nnd pknt will have a very important bearing upon the future of the Tararu district, and, in anticipation of such being the case, several large areas of ground have already been pegged out. Gold Purchases.—The following is a return of the amount of gold purchased by the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand during the month of January:— Thames County, 145ftoz lldwt; Thames Borough, 533nz 2d\vt; Ohinemuri County, 530z lOdwt ; Coromandel County, 602 sdwt: total, 20430z Bdwt. Up-Countrv DisTiucTS. —The efforts pub forth by the Wai hi Company during the past two or three years are now being crowned with success, and judging from present proHpects the shareholders have a bright future before them. At the mine the reef is opened up for a length of 300 feet, and in some places a width of 2(J feet is being broken out and sent to the battery for treatment. The as.«ay value of the ore broken varies from £3 to £50 per ton. The cost of treatment is about 25s per ton, and as about G6 per cent, of the assay value is being paved, it will be seen that a good profit is accruing. All the tailings are being saved for future treatment. The yield for tho pasfc month is about 7cwt of bullion. This would have been much larger had the full strength of the battery been »fc work, but owing to a senrcity of water in the early part of the month, and afterwards, through the back water on the tail-race, caused by a rise in the river, only two-thirds of the stampers could be used. Preparations for the erection of another 30 head of stampers are well in hand, and also a powerful steam-engine, which is to act as an auxiliary to the water power. Tenders have just been let for several miles ot a new water-race, and also for the construction of 3050 feet of steel water-pipes. Altogether the works are assuming very large dimensions, and are likely soon to equal, if not surpass anything of their kind in the colonies. The Silverton mine is still in the hands of tribufcers, who are breaking out an excellent grade of ore. Other claims have also been taken up in the locality, and no doubt when they are maimed, new discoveries will be made. At Waiorongomai some difficulty has arisen re the transfer of the tramway from the late Tβ Arohft G. & S.M. Co. to the new syndicate who recently purchased the company's mine and plant, consequently all operations in the mine have been suspended, and some 30 men discharged. How long this difficulty is likely to last cannot he said, but it is hoped it will soon be .settled, as it is keeping back the welfare and progress oi the district. The Champion Co. at Tui Creek have just let another contract for driving 175 feet at their low level, and by the timo the contract is completed, it is expected the reef sought for will be to hand. A difficulty has also arisen between the Crown G.M.C. at Karangahake and the Cassel Co., with the result that operations have all but been suspended in the mine, and consequently tho Cassel's plant has been closed. In tho Woodstock mine what is believed to be a roef known as " Shajaherd's" has recently been intersected at the low level crosscut. It is fully threo feet in thickness, and assay tests made from different samples of the ore broken out have ranged from £6 16s to £18 13s per ton. The cutting of the reef is likely to have an important effect upon the company's prospects, as the point of its intersection is quite 120 feet below tho other lowest workings. The other mines in the district are chiefly in the hands of tributers, some of whom are doing fairly well. At Waitekauri Messrs. Russell and E. K. Cooper are developing their mines (the Waitekauri and Jubilee respectively), witli strong forces of miners, and the former is also completely re-organising the old Waitekauri battery. Both gentlemen are confident of ultimate success. Gold Retctrns.— The following are th« principal gold returns banked since the publication of last summary : — os! dwt Albumin., 28 loads ... ... ... 42 ( Alfred, 26 loads 19 14 Cambria, 60 loads 149 l<! Consols Tribute, 7 loads 29 4 Dives, 14 loads and 981b ... ... 165 If Lone Hand, 39 loads ... ... ... 47 I May Queen, lSloads 12 < Manukau, 26 tons .. 18 ' Moanataiari, 552 tons and 4icwt ... 935 K Occidental, 43 loads and 100lb ... 204 I Orlatido, 35 loads 42 1( Saxon, 310 loads 174 { Trenton, 35 loads and 1961b... ... 278 I Waiotahi, 225 tons ... 330 11 Total 24-18 1{ GoROMANDEii, Thursday. Things are just in the same position at the Coromandel mine this month as they were last. They have not yet resumed work, although the pump is still kept going, and word may arrive to start work again any day. I think there ia not the slightest danger of the ground being abandoned. The prospects are far too good for that, and if it was done, a new company would soon be formed to take it) in hand. But it> is very unfortunate that it should be stopped just now. Coromandel Mint.—Work has not yeb started in this mine. It is a great pity, as there is a remarkably good show if the groupd is handled properly. The companj is quite strong enough to demonstrate the fact of payable gold or not, and then ii more capital is required ifc will be forthcoming. There is no doubt the ground is valuable and full of golden leaders, and ii the surface soil was properly handled it would pay handsomely. Kavanua.—Things in this mine are noi quitq so rosy as formerly, in fact the sfcufl lately coming to hand has been rather poor, but the ore in this mine has always been ir patches, so muph 50 fchat; unless they arc getting specimens the stuff is very little worth. Nothing has yet been done towards erecting the new pumping plant, in fact it may be some months, before it ia done. ] have no doubt the manager would like to see a little better prospect before going on with the work, but as the reef and counbrj both look very favourable afc the lowest level the prospects are very encouraging Although no rich deposit has yet been found at that depth, I understand a largt proportion is still unexplored and may yet produce payable ore. Tqkatka.—Several trjbute parties have been agajn taken on in this mine, bul nothing very flattering has yeb been dis covered. However, there are a number oi other men who would only be too glad tc take a tributo if the company would onlj be a little more liberal. Whether the pro posed sale has fallen through or not is nol known ; but it is to be hoped not, as the ground only wants to foe worked with 6 little more energy.

Royal Oak.—This mine so far is shub down pending "the sale of the cround with the Tokatea. A short time ago thi3 ground produced soma very rich stone; but the country iewery hard aud progress very slow. Nkw Fixn.—Honi, the old Maori prosf eel x, brought in some very rich stone, whioh he goti n the negubournood of Paul's creek. It has caused a sensation, and there is quite a little rush there, but sp far the reef has not been found from which the specimens came. WIIANGAPOTXA. This district is languishing, and unless something rich is found, will be deserted. The company's new terms are scarcely any improvement at all, and they will get no old miners to work under them. The Owera is still cumin? out payable gold, but it is not as rich as its surface prospects indicated. Most of the claims in the neighbourhood have been abandoned. Muiii'iiv's.—There is a better show here. The reef is large and shows gold freely. They are now putting in a low level which • will give them a fine block to work out. Lanigan's.—There has been a slight stoppage of work here, pendiug an amalgamation on a large scale. There aro three or four claims adjoining which could be worked more profitably as one than separately. As soon as the matter is arranged work will be resumed with energy. KOAOTUNtr. This district is decidedly improved. Ib very rapidly recovered after the Christmas holidays, the great future being the new shoot of gold in the Try Fluke. Since my last report the reef has immensely improved driving south, and they have had a couple ot" very rich crushings, the last being not quite so good, the manager reportiug that the gold apparently goes down hut nob up. However, tho reef is very strong, 1 being about four feet thick of bard solid ; stone, the gold being pretty evenly dis- • tributed through. Some 70 feet have been ' driven, but as they go south the depressioa ! io the country brings them very near tho surface. The new low level is ia over 300 ' feet, the contractors having had eplendid 1 country all the way. ! Kapai.—For months past this company has been driving to cut the Try Fluke reef. They have had very hard country to contend with, but have at length succeeded in reaching it, and where cut it is about four feet thick of nice looking stone. They have about 140 feet to drive back to the boundary. There is a grand future before this mine, and it may be very valuable. Kuaotunu. —This coiapany has a splendid reef in hand, almost exactly like tha Try Fluke, striking nearly parallel, with all ; its' Characteristics. The prospects are exceedingly good, and the reef ia large. 1 They have an immense heap at grass, which : they are anxiou3 to send to the battery, ; but a short bib of the road has yeb to be 1 made. 1 Carbine. —The small leader or leaders, ) as there are two, look exceedingly well. , The stuff coming to hand is worth a good > many ounces per ton. The country ia very good, but rather tough. The main 3 reef looks first-class. In the No. 1 level, 5 a little gold showing all through it when I crushed. In the main low level it is slightly ; deranged, but it appears to be only a teml porary fault. j ~ Red IVlkrcury.— The reef still maintains I its good appearance. Gold can be seen all • through the stone, and it ought to shape • well when put through the battery. They ' have a large quantity on hand, and should E be able to have regular crushings. t Great Mercury.—The work of erecting; • the battery goes on apacs. Some 3lighti ' delay was caused by a slip through the ex- . cessive rains, but this has been cleared, and ) the contractors are busy erecting the plant. L In the mine things are going on all right. > The main drive is in over 200 feeb, and the winze is also sunk nearly 100 feet. In a few § months this mine should be in full opera- - tion. SmtrLus.—The new low level is going r through rather tight country, but very ) good-looking for gold. The reef is a little :• broken just now, but no doubt that will 1 corne together again before long. They , have some distance yet to reach the shoot f of gold, when I should not be surprised if J they get specimens. i Ikene.—Some little stir has been caused t by the discovery of a new reef in this mine. 3 It is a fine-looking body of atone, but it will e require working on to determine its value. - Rumour says good gold has already been s got. s Public Battery.—A formal start was e made on Tuesday last, but no regular start y has been made. Now the battery is ready s there is no quartz to crush. This is easily >• understood, and shows a want of foresight f on the part of these in charge. No one i likes to put valuable ore through a new t battery, but the company should have got , some to chance 20 or 30 tons of low grade - ore free of cost, then others would follow it t up, otherwise the battery may remain idle ) for some time with thousands of tona ready b for crushing. J Curtis' Battery is in an advanced state, 1 and will not be long before it is ready to r start. This is smaller than the other, bub 3 will be very complete. v JusT-iN-TiMK, —There is a large paddock 1 of quartz at this mine, which will be send . down aa soon as tho road is complete, for t which tenders are now called. The reef 3 still maintains its large size of good average ) ore.» i Pbtde of the Hills. — There is a fine 3 reef in hand in this mine, and some really 3 good stone is coming to hand. They will 3 also have a crushing as soon as the road is 1 complete. f Waitaia.—The manager has a large pad--7 dock (ft quartz to send down, which will no i doubt shape well at the next crushing, as 3 gold has shown pretty freely in breaking , down. The reef both ways is still looking 3 well, and should be able to keep the battery 3 going for a long time to come. i Bonanza.—The level through the Arizona is being pushed on by two shifts, Ib e should nob be long before reaching the sihooti e ot gold. Keystone.—There is a fine reef in hand t from which good mortar prospects can be 0 got. Tiie country was rather hard, but is 4 better now. The oxidised reef also locks 4 well, in fact, will probably be the best of 4 the two vrhen worked. £ Lucky Hit.—The new low level is going \ through splendid country. It will not take % long "to reach the reef in the upper level. q The reef is about a foot thick of fine looking D stone which gives excellent mortar pros--0 pects. The manager is endeavouring to 9 get a crushing, but at present the road li is too bad, and the county not in funds. 0 .11 * . g At St. Sepulchre's Church on January 28 a very pretty wedding took place. The bride was Miss Mary Grace Wylde-Browne, daughter of Mr. Ralph Wylde-Browne, late of Her Majesty's Royal Navy, and the j bridegroom, Mr. Arthur G. Clarke, of Carlton Gore Road. The ceremony com--1 menced at three p.m., the service being conducted by the Rev. Archdeacon Dudley, j assisted by the Rev. Archdeacon Willis, brother-in-law to the bridegroom. The bridesmaids numbered six, viz., Misses j Jeanette Wylde-Browne, Anna Clarke, Nora Walker, Alice Aickin, Eva Richardson, and Ethel Willis. The dresses of both brido 1 and bridesmaids were both artistic and becoming. The service was a choral on.e, Mr. Beafe officiating at the organ. •[ A most interesting meeting, and one of a j unique nature, was held at the Y.M.C.A. on February 6, when about 70 or SO of the " workers connected with the Association |f met to say farewell to Mr. G. W. Wilson, I son of Mr. J. A. Wilson, Judge of the Native Land Court, who has offered himt self to the Church Missionary Society, v and proceeds to Islington for preparation , for the work. Ho has for several years ' been one of the most regular and earnest workers connected with the City Hall ser- ° vices. In the course of the evening ad- • dresses were delivered by the president, f Mr. Vines, Mr. Hemery, and several of the t, young men; and, on their behalf, Mr. Brakenrig, general secretary, presented Mr. Wilson with twelve volumes of Elliott's • Commentary and an album of New Zealand " b photographs. \ Speaking into the phonograph, which ha? 1' been exhibited by Professor Archibald at the 1 Opera JEF.aiise during the month, Sir Geo. Grey . 9 sent the following message to Mr. Edison t —" Auckland, February 14, 1591.— Profess* Archibald has kindly given me the oppoa* e tunity of sending you a message. I wish fa. t speak words of encouragement to so great a i. discoverer 1 , who has overcome such vast dim,f culties, and so constantly labours for the n good of all, Ido.thisbytelliugyou that we „ in New Zealand constantly think ot you, and y regard with esteem and gratitude one who '"■ has rendered such vast service? to mankind. b I hope yet to make your acquaintance, az.a e to tell you personally how strongly I andiny a friends feel the debt-of gratitude, we owe; to you.—Yours truly, Gkorgjs Gkev.