THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9022, 29 October 1892, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[fl» TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Friday. Sharemarrbt.— Alburnia, sellers 9s, buyers 88 6d ; Cambria, sellers 2s, buyers Is 9d ; Calliope, sellers Is; Hazelbank, sales 3s 2d, sellers 3s 2d; Moanacaiari, sellers 6s 6d ; Norfolk, buyers Is Bd. Victoria.—Operations in this mine are Principally of a prospecting character. At the 160-feeb level, what is known as the hangingwall leader is being tested on the eastern side of the main crosscut, at which feint there is a section of country, about 70 feet in length, that has never been driven through. The leader in question varies in size from 4 to 6 inches, and as far as it has been driven upon it has shown colours of gold freely, and has yielded several pounds of picked stone. The leading stope is being carried along conjointly with the drive, and it was in this stope that the ten pounds of picked stone wired yesterday were obtained. A very good class of sandstone incases the leader, but it is pretty firm, and prevents very rapid progress being done at the 210-feet level, but at the 300-feet level a start has recently been made to drive westward from near the Caledonian boundary upon the Caledonian main No. 1 reef. This reef runs right across the company's ground, but at this level it has only been cut through at two or three points by crosscuts, so that it is just possible payable runs of gold may have been missed. Several feet of the reef have been taken down this week, but the quartz is nob very grand looking, it being of a too dull description and carrying very little bright mineral. The size of the reef is about two and a-half feet, and the country it is passing through is rather tight. It is probable, however, that a change for the better in this respect may shortly be met with. Hazelbank.—A block about 150 feeb in length is now opened up on Darby's leader at the intermediate level with the drive still being pushed ahead and opening up new ground. During the lass few feet of driving, however, tho leader has been very small, bub ib now appears to be making strong again, and the country continues of a good class of sandstone. For the greater part of this length the average height of backs available for stoping is about 34 feet, but beyond this the drive is entering into solid country, it having passed the point where the face of the drive at No. 1 level stands, consequently the backs will be greatly increased thereby beyond that point. The leading stope over the drive is now well advanced, and the seoond stope has just got clear of the winze. In these stopes the leader will average about a foot in thickness, and shows colours of gold pretty freely, whilst occasionally a few pieces of picked stone are selected. A little stoping is also proceeding above No. 1 level on the same leader. The supply of quartz is rather limited, owing to the leader being rather small, but colours of gold continue to be seen, and a change for the better may set in at any time. Operations upon the crosslode at the lower intermediate level and the leaden; in Holly's section at No. 1 level have been at a standstill for several days past, the men having been employed upon Darby's leader instead, in order to increase the supply of quartz for the crushing now in progress, which will probably be completed about Monday next. Calliope.—The rise for a stope upon the junction of the footwall reef and No. 2 hangingwall leader has just been completed, and a stope is now being carried in upon the latter, which is about six inches in thickness. The footwall reef will average nearly nine inches in thickness, bub it is not intended to do anything upon ib for the present. A few colours of gold were seen in the quartz broken from both bodies whilst rising, but nothing was found good enough to class as picked stone. A good class of sandstone prevails, but it is rather firm, and prevents very rapid progress being made. The contractors for driving tho crosscut towards the Bendigo reef are making slow headway through very hard rock, and if an easier class of country is not met with shortly ib will take them several weeks to fulfil their contract for driving 80 feet. Orlando.Tbo drive upon the reef is now advanced a distance of nearly 170 feeb eastward of the main crosscut, but during the last few feet of driving the reef has not looked so well as it did further back, neither has it shown any gold. In the face now it is about a foot in thickness, but ib is split into several veins with seams of sandstone between. An improvement in this respect, however, may be expected at any moment, as the country being penetrated is a fair class of sandstone, except perhaps that it is a trifle too grey in colour. About 50 feet back from the face a leading stope ha* just been started at the point where the colours of gold were first seen so freely, Here the reef will average nearly a foot in thickness, and looks very promising, colours of gold having been seen at every breaking down so far, although not quite so numerous as was the case in the drive. Ib is probable a few loads of quartz will be sent down to the battery next week for a trial crushing. Crawford's Special.— following telegram from Mr. Butch, who is at present in charge of the above mine, was received in Auckland yesterday : — " Broke down reef upper level yesterday. Reef still showing strong dabs gold from bottom to top of drive."