THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9293, 31 August 1893, Page 3

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[by telegraph.— OWN correspondent.) Thames, Wednesday. Shark market. — Alburnia, sales 3s 7d ; Cambria, sellers Is lOd, buyers Is 6d ; Calliope, sellers 5d ; Hazelbank, sellers 2d lOd, buyers 2s Sd ; May Queen, sales 3s Sd, buyers 3s 8d ; Orlando, sellers lOd.

ALuornia. — A loose portion of the hanging wall section of Dixon's reef in the No. 6 stope going east was taken down this morning, with the result thab 25lbs of picked stone were selected from it. Orlando. —A trial crushing of three loads of quartz broken last week from tho reef ab the low level, was completed to-day for a return of 3oz 2dwb melted gold. An improvement was nobiceablo to-day in tho character of the reef, it being more compact than ib has been for several days past, and showing nice mineral indications. Hazfxbank.— Crushing has been commenced for this company with 10 head of stampers ab bho Moanatairi battery. Operations in bho mine are resulting in a good class of quartz being broken. There is an improvement in Darby's loader in the West drive ab No. 2 intermediate level, and some nice strong colours of gold wero seen when breaking ib down last night. May Queen.— Two of the directors, Colonel Burton and Mr. Dixon, this morning visited the mine'and inspected all tho underground workings. Whilst in conversation with them afterwards, they informed me that they were highly pleased with tho excellent prospects bhab wero visible, and predicted a successful future for bhe company's operations. They subsequently held a consultation with tho mine manager, Mr. T. B. Hicks, with regard to the management of the mine during his temporary indisposition, with the result that it was eventually determined to associate his brother (Mr. Win. Hicks) with him in superintending the underground workings until he was again able to assume full charge, which, ib is thought, he will be able to do in from three to four weeks time. In making this arrangements the directors feel satisfied they have acted for tho best interests of the company, as Mr. Wm. Hicks is a wellknown and thoroughly experienced miner, and has a full knowledge of the characteristics of tho country in the vicinity of the mine, as ho was for many years an underground boss in tho old Queen of May and City of London mines. There is very littlo fresh to report from the mine, except that the improvement still continues in the reef going cast. During last nighb 12 pounds of picked stono were obtained from this reef in the drive and leading stops, and 20 pounds were secured from" tho drive and stopes upon the north-west lode.

Waihi. — For the four weeks ended August 26, 1502 tons of ore were crushed and treated for a return of bullion valued at £5536.

MINE MANAGER'S REPORTS.

St. Hippo.—The leading stope is along 50 feet. The reef here is 18 inches thick, and a few colours of gold have been seen. There is not much mineral in the stone, ami the quartz is of a very hard nature. The second stone is along 20 feet. There reef here is 18 inches thick, and in breaking down to-day nice colours of gold were seen. The third stope will be started on Monday, and I am in hopes that as we get higher up in the block, the quartz will improve. After next week I will he able to start driving main level, as by that time the timber and the leading stope will be finished with for a time. I am anxious to «et this work started, as I believe we shall get better stone in this direction than any we have had so far. Victoria.—One hundred-feet level : The winze being sunk from this level to the 160feet level has been continued with one shift, and has been sunk a further depth of eight feet. _ The reef is from IS iirmes to two feet in thickness, and occasionally a little gold is being seen. Ten feet more sinking should reach the 160-feet level. Work in tho stopes on the main reef has been resumed, and to test this I have started a rise about 15 feet in length, with the object of testing the reef upwards as speedily as possible. The crosscut started at the 160-feot level to meet the winze has been pushed forward, and the reef is expected to hand in a few days, also the connection with the winze. Cleaning up and retorting took place to-day, for a return of G7oz3 retorted gold, from 27 loads of general quartz and 201bs of picked scone (as per wire).