THE GOLD FIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8669, 11 September 1891, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GOLD FIELDS.

monthly SUMMARY. [OUU OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Thames, Thursday. - mining industry of this district has eivcfl somewhat of a check during the 'rist month, owing to the curtailing of operations in several of our mines, through the falling off of tlie >' iel(1 of B°bl. The outlook hist now is not nearly so encouraging _ was the case a few months ago. Still, it ■ pleasing to note that there have been exceptions, even in the midst of the depression that has prevailed, especially with reraril to the returns obtained by the Sylvia „„<! Wftihi Gold and Silver Mining Com* .riiiies, The former company cleaned upon Fri'l' l V last, after four weeks' run, for a return equal to £2:if>'J, whilst the latter comr,.j„v for a similar period, secured bullion L tile value of £2731 Jos. In both instances the returns exceed any previously obtain id, and are conclusive proof of what close application with regard to the suitable treatment of refractory ore, combined with tho judicious expenditure of capital, will ~'ccoiiiplisli. After a stoppage of nearly two i.Utli*, caused through its No. 6 lev-' being iIo,h!(h1 with water, the Saxon tympany ]| a s just resumed operations upon the jeefs that were yielding so remuneratively prior to the stoppage, _ the drain|,,rt. works that have been in progress from the Prince Imperial shaft bciugsuceessfii! Un Sunday_ last in draining the water a way. Operations in the Moauataiari mine h.ive been fairly successful during the month, the return of gold being -ISOoz Cdwt, and the prospects of the various works in hand still continue most promising. The May Queen Co. have at last connected their shaft with the new No. 2 level, and a very short time will see a large supply of crushing dirt coming to hand from the No. 4 lode. The mutter of prospecting the deeper levels of the field, and also of extending the Moauataiari main tunnel, is again attracting considerable attention, and Government is being approached with the view of having a sum of money placed upon the Estimates for the purpose of subsidising the 'proposed works. the result of persistent prospecting in the W'aioino district, several large lodes have l oon discovered that give very rich assays of l-otii gold and silver, and it is expected that some rather important developments will be made in that district during the forthcoming pummel'. Subjoined is a mote detailed account of the work done in the mines during the month : — Moan.vtaiaki.— About a week ago a winze was started upon the junction of the Hat and cross-lodes at. the 100 feet level, with the view of testing both bodies as they make downwards, and also to ascertain whether or not the flat lode is identical with a similar body in the slopes above the intermediate -level. The sinking of the first 10 feet, resulted in ITOIhs of picked stone being obtained, and since then two or three smaller parcels have come to hand. Operations upon the Golden iVgt- m t result in the output of a large tonnage of quart/., and the same remark applies to the main foot wall lode. During the month 849 ten? of quartz and 2001b of picked stone were treated, for the highly remunerative return of -k>(M/s odwts of melted gold. ;-i.\.\o.\'.--Tiie water difficulty has at last been got rid of, and a start lias once more been inade to work upon the reef at No. 6 level, after a stoppage of nearly two months. To accomplish this end, a drainage crosscut lias been brought in from the Prince Imperial shaft and connected with the company's No. li level, which work was completed on Sunday last, ami for ever settles the drainage of the level in question. The first two or three days of this week were taken up in 'cleaning but the various drives and making them fit for traffic, but the various faces in both drives and. stopes are now manned, and regular fortnightly returns of gold will ensue a/previously was the case. The prospects of rite No. ti level were never brighter than at the present time, and it is fully expected that dividends will be paid out to shareholders shortly. May Queen.—'This company's new No. 2 level is at length connected with the shaft, ami preparations are now in progress for the systematic development of No. -i lode, which so far has yielded at the rate of nearly Sozs of gold per load of quartz. As soon as stopins'.operations arc fairly under way, which wiil be in another week or two, a sufficient staff of miners will be employed with the object of keeping up continuous crushing, when it is expected that highly remunerative returns of gold will follow. Sylvia Gold and Silver Mining Com--pany.—The operations conducted by this company arc exceeding even the utmost expectations, and it would seem as if a very rich run of gold-bearing ore is at present bo--ing developed in the mine. The reef operated upon is of large dimensions, and latterly hua yielded a. quantity of excellent golden quartz in addition to the ordinary supply, in consequence of which the past month's return was much in advance of any previously obtained, being valued at no less a figure than £2352. For this return 400 tons of part/., and 400 pounds of selected stone were treated, which yielded 31 tons of concentrates, valued at £1236, and oQoozs of bullion, valued at £11 14.

Hazki.iian!:. — Arrangements were completed during the month whereby the continuous use of ten head of stampers were secured at the Moanataiari Battery for reducing the supply of quartz coming to hand from the stupes upon the cross lode at No. 1 level. To carry out this object the staff of miners employed has been considerably increated, and several new stopes started. The .quartz coming to hand is of a remunerative character, 100 loads crushed during the early part of the month having yielded l'JOoz lGdwt of melted gold. Operations arc also in progress upon Turtle's leader at an intermediate drive below No. 1 level, and fair prospects are being obtained.

CAi.kdo.nian*.—At . one time • during the month it seemed as if the work which has recently been in progress upon No. 2 reef at 'No. ! level was going to turn out well, as a considerable improvement was noticeable in the quartz/jonung to hand, and ten pounds of picked stone were obtained. The improvement, however, did not last, but notwithstanding this the work is still being continued Mitii, Turtle's leader is also being tested from tlie eastern boundary of the Hazclbank 'nine, but nothing payable has yet been discovered.

Ai.iujks'ia, —Vigorous stoping operations have been in progress on Dixon's reef, above th(9 battery level, but the quartz won has scarcely proved so remunerative as previously. A large tonnage is now in course of treatment at the Saxon battery. The pushing ahead of the drive upon the Sons of Freedom iootwall leader at the Whau level is being proceeded with by contract labour, unci a winze upon the same leader is in course of progress from the battery level. The prospects met with have been very encouragiii", and there is every probability of an extensive block being available for stopirig purl.i'i.rs.

0lado. —Some little time ago it was thought that this mine would aid materially in swelling the gold returns of the field, but latterly the prospects have fallen off very much, and the last 00 loads of quartz crushed yielded only 15,V.>y. of gold. The directors have consequently decided to let the upper blocks of the mine upon tribute, and "operations on ht'lmlf of the company will be confined for the present to the sinking of a winze upon the hangingwall reef with the object of proving whether the prospects downward are Worth going in for a new low level. I'aluom:. —Work in tins mine is confined to breaking out a trial crushing from the reef met with about two months ago. Judging from the appearance of the quartz and the quantity of gold seen it is surmised that it will turn out payable. Ki.vin<: Cloud. —Another trial crushing of ■I', 1 loads of quartz wiis treated about a fortnight ago, but as only Moz 19dwt of gold were obtained operations have since been limited to one or two men. boNK Hand.—The lower and Moa levels have been connected by a rise in the Lone Hand section, and a start has been made to "pen up an intermediate drive about midway between the two levels, with the object of working several rich leaders. During the month a crushing of six loads of quartz ami IK pounds of picked stone, all of which was broken from No. ."leader in a winze below the Mo,i level, yielded the handsome return of o'ioz PJdwt fit gold. •\i.KKKn.~-The work of opening up a low level upon the '-'3rd of June reef is proceeding "I'aee, und us soon as possible stoping will be commenced. 'Mahsoma.—Only a limited number of men •ire employed at present, consequently the output is small. A crushing of 21 loads of 'Jtiartz from No. 1 cross reef was treated a days ago for the return of *250z 17dwt of n 'd, and now a crushing is being broken bom No. 2 reef. _ t-A.M iiKiA.This company's operations are l)e mg attended with considerable success, as "11 the leaders in hand are turning out quartz ot a payable character. The usual monthly Wishing is in progress, but will not be completed lor a day or two yet. The efficiency of lee company's battery is about to be increased "V the addition of one of Mr. J. C. Eraser's grinding and amalgamating pans. J.iiKMTON.— Owing to the poor success ""eli has lately attended this company's 'perdtioiis upon the footwall and now reefs aiov.e iNo. -1 level, further work at that point Wl! l)( ' u n suspended for the present, and a ~o»ti'aet Jet for the extension of the main ri'sscut into the country on the footwall u lc of the new reef. This is the only work "w in progress, but it is possible that the astern drive upon the same body will also c resumed shortly, The animal meeting of

the company took place a few weeks ago, when it was stated that during the 12 months then ended a total quantity of 298 tons 'of quartz were crushed for the return of 10920z lOdwt of gold. Watotajii.—Operations in this company's mine are still of a most profitable character. Last month's return of gold was 23Soz from ISO tons of general dirt crushed from all parts of the mine Dives.—What is believed to bo the Dayspring reef has been intersected in the crosscut at No. 3 level. It is about four feet in thickness, and in cutting through it colours of gold were seen, but before opening out upon it the manager purposes continuing the crosscut ahead to cut the Duko reef, which should be to hand in 30 feet of driving. >

Consols.—Mr. John Carter has been appointed manager of this company's mine, and under his supervision the shaft has been overhauled from top to bottom, and placed in a thorough state of repair. Steps are now being taken to clean out the drives at the various levels with the view of commencing operations upon quartz on behalf of tho company. The pumping machinery is working well, and no difficulty is experienced in keeping down the water.

Pride op Karaka.—McKenzie's reef has been intersected at the low level, and found to be about six inches in width. Some nico dabs of gold were seen in the quartz, and there is every prospect of its yielding payably when further developed.

Victoria.—During the early part of the month No. 4 reef was intersected in the crosscut at No. (i level, since which time it litis been driven upon for a considerable length and found to be about a foot in thickness. So far strong colours of gold have been seen, and the quartz looks very promising. Norfolk.—The extension of the No. "> level towards the Californian reef is still being proceeded with, but latterly the country penetrated has been rather tight. The only other work in progress at present is driving westward from the rise above No. '2 level with the object of testing the same reef.

Fame and Fortune.—Operations in this mine were curtailed in the early part of the month, as Mr. K. K. Cooper, the manager of tho syndicate, considers the time has arrived to place the property into a limited liability company, and with that object in view he purposes visiting England shortly. The good returns that have been obtained from ■this mine in the past, and the systematic manner in which it is opened up should make it an easy matter to float the company, especially as during the past week or two good gold has been struck in the eastern drive upon the Golden Age reef. During the period Mr. Cooper has been - working the mine he has crushed 5914 loads of quartz for the verv successful' yield of 5(>680z l(idv/ts. The position of the mine is good, and it contains many valuable reefs, whilst the syndicate also possess a 1-stamper battery, with' 10 bcrdans, which combine to make the property a valuable one.

Gold Purchases. — The local branch of the Bank of New Zealand purchased gold as follows during the month of August: — Thames County, SOSoz ISdwt: Thames Borough, 7700z Uklwt; I'iako County, ISooz sdwt; Ohinenmri County, -So/,Sdwt; Whangarci, loz Sdwt: total, 1889oz ISdwt.

Waiomo District. —A party of prospectors recently discovered a large lode fully 40 feet wide in the vicinity of the Puhoi Creek, and pegged out a claim upon it called the Mount Zseluin, which has since been disposed of to a Southern syndicate. Several assays have been made of "some of the quartz broken and returns thus obtained show that the quartz is rich in both gold and silver. The richest portion of the reef, however, is confined to about six feet iu width. It is intended to break out five or six tons of the ore and have a proper test made, so as to obtain a definite idea of the value of the ores and what proportion of the minerals can be saved. The proprietors of the Monowai claim are also getting good prospects from another large reef. This they have just succeeded in cutting at some depth below the surface, and the quartz is heavily mineralised and assays well.

Up Country Districts. — The Waihi Company's operations for the month are referred to below. The Sil verton Company is making preparations for the speedy development of its valuable property shortly. The tributers' interest in the mine l has been purchased by the company, together with all the ore they had to grass—about 200 tons—and the old Martha battery is being put into a thorough state of repair, and its efficiency is to be increased by the addition of a number of pans. The proprietors of the Waitete claim are making excellent progress in the sinking of their prospecting shaft in search of the Martha lode, unci are confident of eventually being successful. At Waitekauri Mr. Russell's plant is running night and day upon ore won from the old Waitekauri initio, which yielded such handsome roturns in bygone clays, and there is every prospect of the present operations proving successful. In this plant Mr. Russell has adopted the wet crushing process, and so far it has been found to be more efficient and far cheaper than the dry process as utilised at the Waihi Co.'s plant. The ore is first crushed in the ordinary manner, and passed through an extremely fine mesh of 3600 holes to the square inch (the ordinary mesh inuseatthoThamesbeing2Qoholes). The crushed ore is then lifted by means of bucket elevators to an elevation, from whence it flows into and over a series of tanks, and the water is eventually returned again into the stamper boxes. By this means the fine float gold is saved, and the ore is afterwards treated by pan amalgamation. At Karangahake a tenton parcel of ore has just been treated for the Woodstock Company from the No. .1 lode at the low level for the return of 360z of melted bullion, valued at 51s per ounce. This parcel was a fair average of a 30-ton lot which had been fairly well sampled, and its assay value proved to be £18 per ton. It will thus be seen that the percentage of bullion extracted is a little above 50 tier cent on the assay value, but the whole of the tailings and slimes have been saved with a view to having them further tested by pan amalgamation. An accident occurred to the Crown Co.'s dam a few days '40. by means of which it was destroyed, and consequently necessitated a suspension of the reduction works. Just before the accident, however, 32 tons of ore were treated from different sections of the mine with the following results Monastery section: 5 tons 6cwt; assay value, £30 0s per ton. No. 4 level: (J tons; assay value, £4 10s per ton. No. 5 level: 12 tons; assay value, £16 10* per ton. No. 5 level: (5 tons; assay value, £10 '2s per ", ton. No. 5 level : 3 tons; assay value. £19 per ton. The percentage extracted by Cassell's process was 95 per cent. on the assay value, and the total value of the bullion recovered from the abovenamed lots was £570 sterling. In the other mines of the district very little work is at present being done, and so far as the Adeline Amalgamated is concerned the shareholders have decided to wind-up the company, and dispose of the property. The .'proprietors of the .Smile of Fortune mine, at Owharoa, are doing fairly well, and a few days ago banked l.'JOoz of gold. At Waiorougomai Mr. Adams is crushing with 13 head of stampers upon quartz broken from the old Hero mine, which is shaping for about an ounce of gold per truck-load of quartz. At present Mr. Adams has about 20 men employed, and the'prospects are so encouraging that he purposes increasing this number by the addition of several more men. He has also 34 berdans at work in treating \ tailings : accumulated under the old regime, of which there are about 5000 tons in stock, and five head of stampers are also at work crushing for a party of tributers in the Ferguson Syndicate mine. Cokomavdel, Thursday. Since the last summary news comes to us from .-.England of a very important amalgamation of mining properties in this district, viz., the Coromandel, Blagrove's Freehold, and the Kapanga. comprising nt.arly 200 acres in the whole, Blagrove's Freehold alone containing about 120 acres. There are many manifest advantages in the present movement, the principal shareholders being interested in _ all the property, and although tho properties are not contiguous, the funds and appliances will be easily interchangeable. For instance, the Coromandel Company have an engine quite capable of pumping the expected water in Blagrove's at the 200 feet level, while the Kapanga company have the necessary funds for its development, and from the prospects already obtained in Blagrove's there is splendid warrant for success, in fact, at the present time tins property has perhaps the best show in Coromandel. The Coromandel Company has exhausted its funds in erecting a splendid plant, but has done very little in the way of developing the resources of the mine, which, in the Golden I'ali section at least, are excellent. There are several well known leaders striking through this ground, which proved very rich near the surface, but had only been tapped at the SO feet level just before orders were received to cease work. The few tons obtained, however, yielded some 150oz of gold, averaging per ton, and gold was showing all along the drive and stopes. This ground is well worth working, and the men previously employed on it were so .well satisfied with its value that they were willing to give a large percentage for the right to work the ground on tribute. All below this level is quite intact jand untouched yet, there is a main level from the engine shaft at the 180 feet level, which runs in this direction some 700 feet, and a crosscut,of between 300 and 400 feet from that would bring operations under the above section. .Judging from present appearances, there is a large section of valuable country containing many rich leaders, : which, now that the amalgamation has taken ! place and the necessary, capital is available, i should surely be taken 111 hand. .1 he shaft; ' should also be sunk a further JOO teefc, ami ' the Green Harp and Cross reefs tested

thoroughly at both levels, for very little work has been done on them yet, even at the •180 feet level.

Couoman'dkl Mint. —This company has now completed the erection of a small but powerful little engine and pump over their shaft on the beach, and tho water is now pumped out, and a contract let to sink the shaft another 50 feet. The shareholders of this mine deserve great credit for their pluck and perseverance in the face of many difficulties for bringing the affair to so successful an issue. In the opinion of all practical miners this is a valuable piece of ground, only requiring development to prove its richness. The valuable reefs of the_ Pah ground all strike through it, and arc believed to be richer under the foreshore than further inland, and the country is easy to be worked, while it is anticipated there will bo no difficulty with the water, as the mud on the bottom is quite impervious to water. Mr. Colebrook lias just been appointed mine manager, and takes charge this week, when the present contract for sinking is _to be finished. The manager intends to drive for a known gold-bearing reef about 70 feet distant, and we hope after that to have the pleasure of chronicling some hauls of rich specimens. Katanga. — Things in this mine are progressing in the usual course. No rich hauls of stone have lately been made, but there are large blocks still untouched, which may "yield handsomely, and the company have lately acquired the ground adjoining known as the South Kapanga. This is believed to be valuable, anil well worth development. Scott—Very active operations are going on in this mine. Last week the surveyors were engaged surveying the water-race and a site for a new battery. Some 00 feet of fall of water was scoured, and a splendid site chosen, and if a main level is put in it will entirely do away with carting. Mr. J. Binney lias just been appointed manager, and under his able supervision the mine will doubtless give a very good account of itself. North Katanga.—' main tunnel is now in about 450 feet. The ground still continues hard, but shows signs of a change. The workmen are now rapidly Hearing the line of one of Scotty's reefs. Tokatea and Royal Oak.The ground is being worked by tributers in both the mines. The projected sale to a Sydney syndicate has not yet been accomplished, though there is a fair chance of its eventuating. If the ground were taken vigorously in hand, there are thousands of tons of payable ore if. cheap crushing* ere available. Bismarck.—The tributers have a fine block in hand, and are likely to do well, but they are badly situated as regards crushing, having to cart their stuff up and down hill to a battery." OA Br..', OK BAY. This district docs not progress as fast as it might, but there are one or two claims which will be heard of at least—Vizard's and Brodie's. They are now packing iii some five tons of very good stone, and intend to crush it at Main's battery. A good deal of gold can be seen in it. and the return is sure to be good. .-Their main level is carrying a large body of stone, payable if a battery were available on the ground, but it will not pay to pack out. They have some 40 or 50 feet yet to go before getting under the rich stuff got on the surface. In a short time an effort will be made to erect a battery, for which there is water power and on excellent site on the claim.

Shamrock.There is a fine large reef in this mine, whtch produces a little gold all through, whilst some portions of it give excellent prospects, and the whole is gradually improving as it is driven upon into the hill. Cracksiiot.—Good surface prospects are got here, and in a small leader little specimens have been got, but up to the present it is hardly rich enough to satisfy the owners. WHANGAPOUA. The amalgamation arrangements of the mines about Lanigan's Battery move on very slowly. There is a little work going on, but nothing of importance. Owkra.— A good deal of activity is manifest in this mine, and there is talk of a proposed battery, but it is understood the owners wish to further develop the ground first on. Waitkkattiu.— Lillis' party are obtaining good payable stuff, but it is rather slow work for want of a battery. KUAOTITN (J. This district is gradually forging ahead, but of course the winter has been very much against it, the heavy traffic making the roads impassable, and the county funds available are quite inadequate to cope with the difficulty. Try Fluke.—This mine keeps up its reputation as a steady gold producer, but unfortunately the average is rather too low. Kai'Al.—This mine improves as it is opened up. The stopes arc yielding good crushing stuff, and the-face looks well, but the state of tho roads at present preclude crushing. Carbine.—The manager is accumulating a good parcel from No. 2, and the drive on main reef is looking well. There is a good paddock of quartz from this reef, but it will not be treated until the weather takes up. Makh'OSA. —This company is in much the same position as regards the road, and will not be able to do much for another month.

Red Mercury*. claim still holds its own, and proves to have one of the best reefs in the district, and it is rather remarkable how well it averageda large crushing, last month proving a little better than usual.

Great Mercury.—This mine bids fair to be one of the best gold producers, its last month's yield being some loOoz of gold. This of course is not large, but it is only a question of power, to treat the quartz, as there is almost an unlimited 'quantity. A number of large reefs striking through their ground, which on the whole can be very economically worked. So far, the richest reef is the No. 8 (Red Mercury), but the whole of them so far as tested are payable. Irene. —This company is working on the Try Fluke reef, and have obtained some capita! stone. The reef is large, and should bring this mine to the front. Surplus.— manager lias been getting out some very fair stall', and will be likely to have a crushing before long. The ground stands well, and will be good in the near future, but it would be of more value to the Great .Mercury than any other, as some of their reefs and all their levels for battery must pass through this ground..; Wairoa.—This ground looks well, and should come into nytice when properly worked.

Just In" Time.The manager is taking out another largo parcel for crushing. The reef maintains its large size and average quality.

Waitaia.The manager is accumulating a largo paddock of good quartz. The drive has gone ritrht through the spur, and several rises have been put up to facilitate the work, and the whole block from this level will soon be taken out. Very little work is doing in the rest of the mines in the Waitaia district, but with the return of fine weather a little more activity will be shown. ' WAIHI G.M.C. Within the last month the local Board of this company has received very satisfactory information from the management at Waihi respecting the result of a trial test of live tons of ore taken from their ordinary workings in the Martha lode, and sent to the Waitekauri battery for the purpose of ascertaining whether ii: could be treated by the wet crushing process. The YVaitekauri battery, belonging to Mr. T. 11. Russell, is constructed for the purpose_ of reducing ore upon the wet crushing principle, through an extremely fine mesh of 3600 holes to the square inch (the ordinary mesh in use at the Thames being 200 boles). The crushed ore is lifted by means of bucket elevators to an elevation, from thcnce it flows into and over a series of tanks, and the water is eventually returned again into the stamper boxes. By this means the fine float gold is saved, and the ore is afterwards treated by pan amalgamation. The Waihi Company, whoso process is one of dry crushing, entailing roasting or calcining the ore previous to crushing, being desirous of ascertaining whether the wet process would suit their ore, made an arrangement with Mr. Russell to test a parcel of their ore at his battery, and 5 tons were accordingly sent. The test was made under the supervision of Mr. Napier, metallurgist to the Waihi Company, who reports as follows : Trial parcel, five tons, Waitekauri battery. 83 per cent, of gold, and 56 per cent of silver." This result will be received by the shareholders of this company with the liveliest satisfaction, for it means that with an alteration of the present buttery from dry to wet crushing, a very large saving, equal to .'SO per cent, of the whole cost of mining and milling, can be made, whilst 7") per cent, more ore can be crushed. When this alteration is made, and the extra 30 bead of stampers (which are now well forward) tire completed, the battery will work 60 head, and will be capable of reducing '2500 tons per month; and if anything like the percentage saved by the Waitekauri mill is accomplished, there is a brilliant future for this company, as there is an almost unlimited supply of ore in the great Martha and Britannia lodes, which traverse this company's .ground. .Competent judges estimate that, without resorting to sinking, there is ore sufficient to employ GO head of stampers for the next ten years, and the ore below water level will not be exhausted within the lifetime of any of the present shareholders. It is anticipated that the company will have the full force of GO stampers at work within two months. It will be interesting to note that the Waihi mine lias produced bullion which lias been sold for the sum of £36,844. The return for the past month is one of the best produced, the bullion being valued at £2741 IDs.

The' following is the value of tho bullion received from the above mine : - July 1889 ... -£2.330 February IS9O ... — J March „ - - 1.50' April •• 077 May 541 jZ » •• ... a.® July - MM August „ I 99 September ~ 1 ,^0 October ~ 2, ISO November ~ ... ... 2,238 December „ 4,175 .January 1891 .. ... 1,530 February ~ I,SSO March ~ 1,800 April 1,200 May „ I,W) June ~ 1,375 July J, ... ... 1,300 August „ 1,900 September „ 2,731 £36,844 .