THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8683, 28 September 1891, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[by telegraph.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Thames, Saturday. Saxon.—The amalgam on hand will be cleaned up on Monday, and tho picked stono crushed in , readiness for - retorting, which will tako place on Tuesday morning. A good return is anticipated.

Occidental.—A. rather important discovery has just been made in this mine, and one that will no doubt aid materially to enhance its prospects. Ib will be rememberod that some months' ago a winze was sunk from tho low level with the object of following down the good run of gold that was previously worked in ~ both the level and the stopes above. This winze was sunk a depth of 50 feet, but shortly after starting the reef became considerably split up, which made it difficult to tell which was the main portion. However, as the reef in the workings above had an almost upright position it was decided to sink on tho portion that stood the most vertical, bub it turned out disappointingly, although after sinking the depth mentioned a drive was put in on it, and topi rig has since been carried on,to within about 20 feet of the floor of the main level. A few days ago, however, it was decided to cub into the footwall country from tho top stope, to prove whether any more veins were to be found, with the result that after driving about eight feet, 'a strong body of quartz was met with showing gold pretty freely. Since then a portion of. the quartz has been stripped, and, when breaking.down some of it last night several pounds of excellent picked stone wero obtained, and a very good show of gold was left in the face. It is now thought that this will turn out to be tho main portion of the reef which carries the rich gold, and that the winze was sunk upon a branch ~leader. If this surmise proves correct, then it is needless to say that the reef is still intact, below the main level, and that it is quite possible as good returns of gold will be obtained from it as those banked as the result of the operations carried on at and above the main level. MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Woodstock United (Karangahake).—'The treatment of 25 tons of general ore broken out from the No. 3 lode, low level, and 5 tons of tailings resulted in a return of lOfioz scl\vt retorted bullion, which on being melted was reduced to lOOoz 15dwt, value Ms 4d per ounce, realising £'2(33 2s 6d, which amount has been placed to credit of company's account in the Bank of New Zealand, Paeroa. The tailings, being the residue of the abovenamed parcel, have all been saved in pits, which are now being emptied and the contents stored for subsequent treatment. Sloping out is still being continued on the No. 3 lode, which varies in thickness, and good prospects of gold arc obtainable from any part of it. Fair headway is being made with the extension of the level on the tramway lode, which averages IS inches in thickness and carries more or less gold throughout. •" V

Silverton (Waihi).—The return from the treatment of three tons second-class ore, at Mr. Cox's plant, was Sozodwt melted bullion, value 4Ss Id per ounce, realising £7 16s 3d, or an all round return of £2 12s per ton. This three ton lot was taken promiscuously from the 89 ton parcel of second-class ore which the company purchased from the tributers, and which is now lying in the paddock at the mine ready for treatment. Average samples of the ore have been taken both before and after treatment, and these will now be forwarded for assay purposes. Splendid headway is being made with the work of repairing the waterrace, which will again be ready for operations very shortly. The interior of the battery is being subjected to a complete renovation under the supervision of Mr. E. M. Corbett, who is getting everything ready for the introduction of the new pan plant. New Maniucau.—Good progress is being made in the crosscut, and a large body of 'quartz is now making in the face of drive, and some of the stone carries favourable mineral for gold, which is being saved. It will take a few days to get through it, I think.

Run Mercury (Ivuaotunu).—The mine manager, telegraphed oa Saturday : —" 14707, hot water amalgam' from plates and bertlans for 55 hours, 10 head." , May Queen. —The crushing proceeding at the Cambria battery with ten head of stamps is expected to prove satisfactory.

Owing to the recent rains, the roads have pot into such a bad state that the quartz cannot be, got. to the batteries, consequently several of the mines arc shortening hands. Another result of the bad roads is that the batteries are running short of firewood, though there are some thousands of tons cut in the bush ready to be hauled out.—[Kuao" tuuu Correspondent.] ruiiiruHi. YVhangarei, Saturday. Prospectors No. I.—News from tho Prospectors No. 1 states that so far the level lias been driven at Camp Creek the lode is apparently in a slip of country close to tho surface, and of boulder formation. The boulders contain more or less good sulphide. The ground is now rising to the spur, and the lode, is becoming better delined. About 12 .tons of ore are to grass, to bo graded down to about half. Ibis expected that crushing will be resumed about the middle of next week. At other parts of the mine in work tho; intermediate level is within 26 feet' of the line of the main winze. The lode has commenced to open out in it. The level should strike the shoot of silver in a clay or two. • The working expenses are reduced to a minimum while the development is proceeding-.. SOUTHERN MINING. : [BY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION.] • : , Drnkdin, Sunday. Tho Dunedin Gold Dredging Company obtained 720z Bd\vt last week. : y . , Grbvmouth,-Sunday. The Reef ton returns for the week are :— Globe, 3300z amalgam.from 250 tons ; No. 2 Dark, 204"0z amalgam ' from 124 tons Dark, '730z amalgam from 64 tons; Big River, 394oz,amalgam from ST.tyns.