TEE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9497, 28 April 1894, Page 3

TEE GOLDFIELDS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] - Thames, Friday. 1 May Queen.— manager has decided to defer the usual monthly retorting until Monday next, and operations in the mine are without any particular change to mention, Hazelbank. —There has been a little improvement in the class of quartz won during the past two or three days from Darby's leader, especially so in the western block of stopes above No. 2 intermediate level. At this latter point gold has been seen pretty freely, and a few pounds of picked stone have also been secured. The company's crushing that is now proceeding at the Moanataiari battery has shaped but moderately so far, but an improvement is expected as soon as the quartz now coming to hand reaches the battery. It is thought the crushing will be completed by Wednesr clay or Thursday next. MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Portsea (Waitekauri, April 25).—We have driven 9 feet since last report. The cqnntrv penetrated is nice sandstone but rather difficult to crush. The class of veins intersecting the sandstone are all that can be desired for good indications. The ground, so far, does not require any timber. Grace Darling (Waitekauri, April 25). — Driving north on the reef has been continued and the reef averages about eight to ten feet wide, yielding good payable dirt. A lot of our time has been taken up getting timber this week for stull pieces and timber for pass, as we intend to block out a V-piece from winze to face and thereby construct a pass, making ready for putting quartz into hopper which was started by contractor today. The contractors for erection of plant are making excellent progress, and with good weather should have all the machinery on the ground next week.