THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GOLDFIELDS.

MONTHLY SUMMARY. [FROM our own correspondents.]

Thames, Thursday. The question of how the necossary capital is to be acquired for testing the low levels of the Thames Goldfiold has been the most important theme for discussion in mining circles during tho past month, but so far very little progress appears to have been made in bringing matters to a climax. Messrs. Harris and Merricks, the two representatives of English capitalists, who are at present in Auckland endeavouring to arrive at a solution of the somewhat difficult problem, have prepared a scheme, in which they state that, they are prepared to undertake the formation of a company to take over the Queen of Beauty mine, and to erect a now pumping plant capable of draining the wafer to a depth of 2000 feet, providing that the present existing companion who will bo benefited by the drainage operations will guarantee the working expenses of tho new pumping machinery with 10 per cent, added, and also agree to give a royalty of 10 per cent, upon all gold won below the 500-feet lovol. Those terms, however, are at present considered to bo rather excessive, but ib is probable that a meeting of tho companies interested will shortly bo held to consider the whole mutter, when a more definite understanding will no doubt be arrived at.

A gentleman named Jules George Wilson, who is acting as the representative of another wealthy English syndicate, has also been visiting the Thames during the past month, with the view of finding an opening for tho investment of capital. In speaking about tho scheme promulgated by Messrs. Harris and Alerricks for the development of the low levels, Mr. Wilson says that ho is not by any menus antagonistic to it,, but if it falls through then he is ready Bo step into tho breach on behalf of tho syndicate which he represents. That no time may ho lost in the matter, however, the syndicate which he represents has already cabled to .1 mining expert in Mel-' bourne requesting him 10 visit tho Thames to report on the prospects of the deep levels, and if the syndicate undertake* the work no delay will tako place in providing tho necessary capital, as it is ready for uso the moment it is required. The following resolution was carried at a meeting of the Thames County Council held on the 6th instant, which bears upon the granting of aid to deep level prospecting 011 the Thames go Id field :—"That to assist and encourage the prospecting of tho deep levels of. this goldfield, the Council offers to supply froe water at all times when available, i'or feed to boilers, for air compressor" to work rock-drill-', and for ventilation of adits, and allow 50 per control all gold' July derived from the gold won from the new deep level areas within the Thames county." The passing of this resolution i* sufficient proof that the efforts made by any company or syndicate in the direction referred to will receive tho hearty support of the Thames, local bodies and the inhabitants generally. Operations in ojiir Thames mines during the past month have resulted in most encouraging returns of gold, and the prospects generally are of a most hopeful character. Tho May Queen Colli Mining Company has now got its new low level into thorough working order, and the development of the No. 4 and north-west lodes is now beiutr pushed ahead with all possible speed. A most remunerative grade of ore still continues to bo broken from what, is known as Ciarken's leader in the upper levels of tho Saxon section, 90 loads crushed at tho end of last month having yield-.1 2290z sdwt of mulled gold. It is expected that the company will shortly be in a position to carry 00 continuous crushing operations, as a largo supply of quart? will soon be available from the new low level.

In the Moanataiari mine the now crosscut at the old 150-feot level through the Golden Calf section of the company's property is now approaching the point whore the reefs sought for are expected to be intersected. There has been a decided improvement in the character of the country lately passed through, and if it continued there is no doubt that payable gold will be found. The other works in the upper section of the mine continue, to yield payable quartz. Two hundred and seventytwo ton* won and treated last month having yielded 2015.)/. of gold, whilst 240z wore also obtained from the treatment of 'tSU to!'.' of surface dirt, which made a total return of 22~0z for the month.

j The Alburuia Company is once more to I the front as one of oar regular gold pro- | ducers, and tho prospects now boiore it j warrant the belief that good retains will j bo furthcoming for a long time to como. ' Mr, Dun lop lias now (rot the mine opened up in a most systematic manner, and an the j company is possessed of a battery of it* I own, which is connected with the mine by an serial tramway, lie is enabled to deal with , a class of quartz that under the old system I of working;, with heavy carriage and crush- | ing expenses, had to bo left hi the mine. Last month a total of 410 tons of quartz were treated for the excellent return of '218 I oz of gold, whilst the return of amalgam Ibo far obtain'.-! this month promises to yield a still better return at the next cleaning.up.

I Amongst the other returns banked since j last Summary are tho following, in each of which mines operations are being conducted I in a vigorous manner : — Waiotahi, 220 tons, ! 2060z sd\vt gold ; Cambria, 30 loads, 70uz i sdwt; Hazelbank, 34 loads, sSoz 14dwt. Several parties of tributers are also at work in the different mines, but the two principal returns of gold banked during the past four weeks were those obtained by Robinson and party in Comer's Kuranui mine, who crushed 701b of picked stone for 1320z 6dwt of gold, and a return of 420z from 281b of picked atone by Williams and party, who are working in the Occidental mine. Operations are also in progress in the Victoria, Orlando, Norfolk, and several other mines, but nothing of importance has been developed worthy of special mention during the past month.

In the Fame and Fortuno mine, which is situated in the Waiotahi Creek, and is owned by an English company, operations are being energetically pushed ahead under the management of Mr. E. K. Cooper. One of the most important works in hand is the driving of a crosscut at the old Australasian level, for the purpose of un watering a winze which was sunk some years ago, wherein, it is said, a reef exists which carries good gold, but winch had to bo abandoned owing to the inflow of water. The crosscut has already been extended a distance of over 300 feet, which leaves another 150 feet to drive to reach the winze, bub as the country that is being penetrated •is principally diorite rock, the progress made is consequently slow, although three shifts aro employed. A crosscut is also being driven from the Famo shaft to intersect a leader which yielded specimen stone at a higher level, and operations are also to be commenced at once to extend the Australasian level a further distance of about 500 feeb, to a point where a shaft was sunk upon the Golden Age reef soma years ago, in a claim then called the Duke of Edinburgh. Each of tho works mentioned are of a most important character, as they will develop blocks of ground well worthy of a most thorough trial, so that ib is within reason to expect that something good will shortly bo met with. The local banks purchased gold as follows from the respective districts mentioned during the month of February :—Bank of New Zealand : Thames Borough, 9500z 15dwt; Thames County, 6610z 17dwt: total, 16120z 12dwb. Bank of Mew South Wales: Thames Borough, 78oz lldwt; Thames County, 83oz 12dwb 12gr ; Coromandol County, 230z 4dwb 12gr. Total, 185oz Bdwb.

In the Waiomo district the Monowai Amalgamated Gold Mining Company commenced the treatment of ore at their newly-erected crushing plant about four weeks ago, bub no cleaning-up has yob taken place, as a good deal of time has been lost in making some alterations in connection with the dry-crushing portion of the plant. The ore dealt with so far, however, has been that won from the Gem section of the mine, but after the first cleaning up it is intended to commence the | treatment of ore from the large reef in the Monowai section. , Operations in both | sections of the mine are now in progress, and I the ore won from the Monowai reef during J the last few days has given excellent assay results, one bulk assay from 15 tons having yielded at the rate of £9 Is 2d per ton. A little work is also being done in the Broken . Hill, Mount Morgan, Comstock, and one or

two other claims in the name district, bub as yet ib is principally of a prospecting character. ."•: * . * " : f /

At Tapu the reef discovered last month in "the Royal licensed holding has been further developed by means of a crosscut put in some 15 feet beneath where its outcrop was first found on the surface. It has been found to be about eight feet in thickness, and to show gold very freely throughout its entire width, bub as y«t very little work has been done upon it. A trial crushing of five tons, however, is to be broken out at once and treated at ono of the Thames batteries in order that its value may be ascertained, and it is also probable that a start will soon be made to develop it at a lower level as well. The Sheridan Company has completed the alterations and additions to its newly-acquired battery, and on Thursday last crushing operations were commenced. A very good class of ore is being won from the mine, and it is anticipated that the mine will prove a steady gold-producer. The Fluke Company had a cleaning up a few days ago after treating 5S tons of ore, from which 250z 4:hvb of gold were obtained. Better results, however, are expected shortly from this mine.

In the Puriri district mining matters aro rather quiet as yet, but several new licensed holdings haVo recently been taken up, and it is generally surmised tint in some of them payable reef's will eventually be met with. Operations are being carried on in the Ilit-or-Mi's mine as usual, and a ton of ore taken from it and crushed at the School of Mines a few days ago yielded 2-foz of gold. '

Mining matters in all the up-country districts boar a most; promising aspect, and never since the opening of the gold field has there been such a rush for pegging out claims, machine sites, etc., as has been the case during the past four or five months. In fact the whole country for miles has been pegged out for mining purposes-, and prospecting for the precious metals is being m (St vigorously carried out. Karangahake is tho most favoured district in this respect at tho present time, and according to the number of new finds reported from time bo time, there should shortly be a large output of bullion.

Tho mine, however, that is attracting the most attention is the Woodstock, owing to the excellent grade of ore which has been coming to hand from it for several months past, the treatment of which is now in progress at the company's uowly-eiected cyanide plant. The plant has now been in operation for over a month, but. as yet no cleaning up has taken place. It is understood, however, that the ore under treatment is Shaping for a remunerative return, and that about 80 per coot, of the assay vaino of the bullion is beintr saved. The prospects in tho mine are of a most promising character, and a largo quantity of good ore is being won daily. Several new prospecting works are also in progress, and one of them, on Saturday last, resumed in No. 2 reof being cut; at No. 2 level, showing good freely. The company's property is without doubt a most valuable one, and largo returns of bullion will prove this before very loag.

In the Crown Minos. Company's property the work of extending the No 0 level southward is still being proceeded with, and a very good class of ore is being won from this part of tho mine. The sinking of the winze below this level upon the rich run of gold has baen somewhat; interfered with of 'ate by an influx of water, but this drawback has now been remedied by the erection of a Worthington pump, the motive power for which is obtained by connecting it with the compressed air pipe. This pump has already cleared the winze of water, and sinking operations will probably bo continued for a further 50 or GO feet, or as far as practicable, pending instructions from Glasgow as to sinking tho main engine-shaft, for which plans and estimates have been sent to tho directors by Mr. McGrner, the manager. A general cleanitig-uu book place at the company's reduction plant on tho 28th ultimo, after having crushed tor a period of six weeks, during which time 572 tons of ore were treated for a return of bullion valued at £2253.

Operations in the Talisman mine are also of a most interesting character, and so far us tho developments have proceeded sufficient proof is evident that there is a moat promising iuture boforo it. It is already known that a winze has been sunk" to a depth of 74 feet on the) reef which gave such rich results recently at the Crown battery. A now low level has also been started to intersect the reef, and another winze has been commenced in order to connect with the cross-cut when the latter intersects the reof in order to facilitate the development of the block as rapidly as possible. Tho work of erecting the company's new battery is making good headway. Tho excavation of the battery site is just completed, and the contractors (Price Brothers, of the Thames,) have already a large quantity of bricks and timber on the ground for the buildings. A strong wire tramway is also thrown across the river from tho Crown battery tram to the battery site, to carry tho heavy machinery. The plant: when finished will be ten head of stampers, with a complete cyanide plant, exactly similar bo that now working for the Woodslock. -

In several other of the new mines recently taken up in the district the prospects are of a most encouraging character, and several of them will be heard from soon in the matter of bullion returns. Among the most prominent ones may be mentioned the Earl of Glasgow, Imperial, Wealth of Nations, United, Waverley, Mew Bonanza, Victor, and Marmion. With regard to the Earl of Glasgow mine, it is jusb possible that an Australian syndicate will shortly purchase it, as Air. E. J. Dunn, a Victorian geologist, recently visited ib on behalf of a syndicate. Mr. Dunn expresses 1 himself as being greatly impressed with the value of the property, which ho thinks is good enough to induce the expenditure of a large amount of capital in thoroughly developing its resources.

At Waitekauri the great feature of the month has been the disposal of the Golden Cross and Koraata mines to an English company. Shareholders in the former company are bo receive £25,000 in cash and 12,000 paid-up shares, and the now company also undertakes to expend £35,000 in developing the mine. ■*- The Komata shareholders are to receive £10,000 in cash and 500 paid-up shares. Both properties have already been proved bo contain exceedingly rich lodes, and there is no doubt bub that under the hands of the new proprietary their wealth will be more fully developed than would be the case if retained wholly by the colonial shareholders.

Another mine in this district that should eventually turn out well is the Jubilee, which is also owned by an English company. In the mine a winze is being sunk on what is known as Butler's run of gold at the Golden Horn level, with every indication of remunerative results, but unfortunately a rather heavy inflow of water interferes somewhat with the speed of the work. A rise is also in progress upon the main reef above the level, and an intermediate drive in being driven between the low level and the 100 feet level upon Butler's reef. It is also pleasing to chronicle that Government has granted to the company a subsidy of £750 towards the development of a new low level to bo driven a distance of 3000 feet, commencing at a point on the No. I Waitekauri creek, and to be extended upon the main Waitekauri roef to the southern boundary of the company's property. This new level will give 700 feet of backs vertically on the reef upon the old Leahy run of gold. The company's manager, Mr. E. K. Cooper, is also pushing ahead the now redaction plaut, and overhauling the old water race, which works are now at an advanced stage. - Thd Grace Darling Company is still proceeding with the advancement of the now low level, and operations have also been resumed in the Portaea. Captain Argall, of she Kapanga Company's mine at Coromandel, has completed the purchase of three or four licensed holdings, comprising an area of about 80 acres, on behalf of an English syndicate, so that more foreign capital will shortly be expended in this district. Excellent prospects are being obtained in the Taranaki, Alpha, St. Hippo, and other claims in the district.

At Waihi Mr. W. J. Walker is pushing forward his boring operations with the aid of a diamond drill in the Grand Junction mine. A depth of about 120 feeb has now been obtained, but the country penetrated so far has been of a very hard nature, and consequently a. good deal of difficulty has been met with, several carbons having been broken. However, there now appears to be a change for the better in the class of rock, and it is anticipated that better progress will be made, during the ensuing month.

t : As reported!: last ; month, the Silvertbn mine has been purchased on behalf of an English company, and operations in that mine are now beings conducted on behalf of the new proprietory. Messrs. Kidd, Grey, and Pond visited the mine a few days ago in order to place the newly-appointed manager (Mr. K. H. Adams) in charge. The latter is to at once prepare a scheme of operations to be submitted to the English directors, but in the meantime the present operations will go on, and the water-race will be made. The sinking of the present shaft will also be continued to the intended depth of 150 feet, and then a cro«H-cub is to be carried to the reef,*but what the further projects may be can only be learned in the future.

Operations in several of the newly taken up claims have been commenced, and muttors generally are wearing a very promising appearance. The Cassel Extracting Company cleaned up on the 7th instant after a run of four weeks in the treatment of tailings, during which period 1440 tons were treated for 6700z of bullion, valued at £990. WAIHI OM. CO. Although no special effort was made for that purpose, and the ore treated was a mixture from various portions of the mine, the yield from the 2130 tons" of oro treated at the company's battery and cyanide plant was a very satisfactory one, he value of the bullion obtained being £7559. The operations in the mine during the month have been of a progressive character, but there are several interesting features developed. As usual the principal operations have been on the No. 1 or main level, and on the two or rather three reefs, namely, the Slain or Martha reef and the two branches of the Welcome lode. The drive on tho western end of the Martha lode has been extended '29 feet, and the reef in the face is 20 feet thick, but at present it; is somewhat hard and tough and of low grade at this point. The four topes on this reef are in active progress supplying the larger portion of tho ore sent to the battery. The leading stope has now reached the great length of 007 feet, namely, 445 feet west of the cross-cub, and 162 feet east. At tho extreme western ends at present, the reef is only taken out for a width of 14 and 9 feet respectively, tho other portion being flinty and low grade, but this only refers to the bare extremes. The second stope is 437 feet.to the west and 115 feeb to the east of the cross-cut, and in the western end the lode is taken out to its full width 31 feet, the ore being of first-class quality ; but in the eastern end the hanging-wall portion is low grade, the rest, however, being good ore. The third stope is 73 feet east ami 210 feet west of the crosscut, and the lode .at the western end is 22 feet thick of good grade ore. The fourth stope is 105 feet west and 40 feet east of the crosscut. The lode is 22 feeb thick in the western face and of excellent quality, but in tho eastern face it is narrower than usual, being only 12 feet wide. A glance ab the measurements just given will show the great extent to which this magnificent reef is opened, and the fact that throughout the whole of this area the ore lias been payable and yielded profitable returns shows what a wonderful reef it is. The top of the fourth stope is now 36 feet above the floor of the No. 1 level, and is within 45 feet of the floor of the adit, leaving that quantity to hi still worked upon from the present level at the point at which the greatest extent of the reef is taken out. Operations on the Welcome reef have been somewhat limited. Driving has been resumed on the left-hand branch, which is now '292 teet west of the cross-cut, and the ore body, which is eight feet thick, is of first-class quality. Since this drive was resumed the inflow of water has increased to such an extent that the spead of the pump lias had to be increased I', strokes per minute. The drive on the right hand branch has now reach a length of 150 feet west of tho junction, and the ore body is 10 feet thick in the face at present, a tine strong compact re». Ib is running closer to the Martha reef as the drive extends westward, otherwise there is little change to report, and there has been very little stoping done on either branch of the lode during the month. The workings in the adit level and on the surface present no now features. Owing to the amount of preparatory work in connection with the shaft, pump, and cistern, sinking has not been resumed. The crosscut from the new chamber—Bo feat under No. 1 iavei—lias been driven 35 feet. The first point selected for tho cistern proved to be unsuitable. It was soft and broken, and another placo was chosen. Here it has now been excavated, with a water capacity of 7000 gallons, and ic is completed. Tho new 14-inch suction-pipe is expected at the mine shortly. Tenders have been called for new works of an important character, and have been accepted within the last few days. One of these is the sinking of the new shaft at a site selected COO feet west of tho old one. It is to be 14 feet 2 inches by 7 feet, and the first contract is for sinking 130 feet. Another contract is to drive COO feet from the western side of the adit to roach the point where the new shaft is coming down, and the third is for sinking the old shaft a further depth of SO feet, and these very important works will be started forthwith. The tonnage forwarded to tho kilns during tho last month was 2753 tons, of which 807 tons were from the adit level, and 19ili tons from the No. 1 level. The battery and cyanide plant are in splendid order, working satisfactorily, and good progress is being made with the erection of the additional plant of 30 head of stampers with the necessary equipment of cyanide vats, and it is expected that the whole will be in working order about the middle of May. Coromadxel, Thursday. The Hauraki Company continue to develop their mine, and the more this is done the richer it shows itself. In my last summary there were, only some 50 feet driven upon tho reef, but gold was showing both ends, and in the comparatively small amount of reef broken out over £20,000 worth of gold has been won. Since that time the drive has been extended over 150 feet, and still gold is showing each end. This is the longest shoot of gold we have ever had in this district, especially so exceedingly rich. They have also extended the main crosscut ami intersected the No. 3 leader, and, as I expected, have got some very rich stone. The battery has been kept continually crushing general stuff, and last week they put through a quantity of specimen stone, and the result was lodged in the bank on Saturday—about 1400oz. Since the clean up they have got a large quantity of specimen stone, and I think their average for the month will be over 2000oz altogether. This is a most astonishing mine, and is evidently developing into the wonder of the decade, and there is no earthly reason why the adjoining claims should nob be equally rich, more especially tho large paddock known as Courthouse paddock. Hero tho surface has been more denuded than elsewhere, showing that the country rock is more decomposed, and therefore should be richer in the precious metal. Of course, bo prospect this ground will require sinking and driving, but bhere are no exbra difficulties bo contend with. A good road from the wharf runs alongside, and any part chosen for work can be reached ab once, and I know of no place which has so good a prospect of success.

On the other side of the Hauraki is the Albion Foreshore claim. Unfortunately, through a technical error, the lease was not granted last sitting of the Court, bub the error has been rectified, and work will be pushed on here with vigour as soon as the lease is granted. The shareholders expecb to pick up a parallel reef to Legge's.

I understand tho machinery is now on the way out from home to be erected on Blagrove's Freehold. This is a step in the right direction, and I trust is only the forerunner of others which will be required.

The levol to intersect the main reefs in the Kapanga is being pushed in with great vigour. The country is exceedingly good through which it is being driven, so that everyone is in great hopes of gold being struck, although I think they will have over 1000 feet to drive on the reef before getting under the dip of the old shoot of gold, and from which such quantities were taken in former days. The company are also undertaking a very important work in attempting to test and develop the deep levels by putting a bore-hole 1000 feeb from the 800 feet level. This will be a splendid test as to the class of country in the deepground, and if the result is favourable it will result in a new era on this peninsula. There is very little doubt we are on the eve of a very great revival in gold mining in this district. Claims are being pegged out in all directions, and although some of I them may be wild cats, I know that in

several instances the ground has been taken : up by miners who, having work themselves, intend to keep a few men going <Co develop other claims, and my ! experience proves that they are the best stickers, as knowing the difficulties, they do nob expect to strike gold immediately, and are content to look for it. I am glad to hear that Scotty's Licensed Holding has been successfully floated. lb will now most probably get the proper testing which the deep ground deserves. This' mine in the surface blocks yielded a large quantity of gold, bub the deeper ground has never been tested. TOKATEA. There is considerable stir in this district, work having been resumed on all sides. The New Tokatea has been driving on a splendid leader from eight inches to a foob thick of very highly mineralised stone, some beautiful specimens of copper and tnundic being taken. The country i* excellent, and the men are very confident of getting gold before long. The sluicing operations in Kennedy's are progressing. A few very rich specimens are to hand, and the men are very hopeful. TRy Again (Success).—The lucky shareholders in this mine are on gold again. For some time past they have had very uphill work, gold being rather scarce, although they have contrived to accumulate about two tons of rich crushing dirt. However, lately they.have had better luck. From a few pounds of stone they had some 70oz, and they have now some 10 or 121b of the riabest stone I ever saw, most of ib being worth 7oz or Boz per lb, and there is every probability that they are now on the right track, and likely to get a considerable quantity of gold. The picked stuff they have on hand is sure to shape well, and if found possible they intend to put up a small battery on the ground. AUAOTONU. This district is also very greatly improved in its prospects of late, and I think is cm the high road to better times. In the first place, notwithstanding a little over estimate of the value of the Kapai- Vermont by the over-sanguine, ib is & splendid mine, and will turn out thousands of ounces of gold for years to come. At present it is nob fairly opened up, and there is a difficulty in keeping the battery going, and they are short of another kiln,* which, however, they are now excavating. They will will also require another vat or two, and when they sob all these things fixed up there will be no danger of the result, as the more the mine is opened up the better it looks. The Try Fluke is also greatly improved in its prospects. In a winze pub down from the present low level they are getting- very good stuff, which augurs well for the future of this mine. The Great Mercury is also looking well, and under the present manager should turn out well. On the Waitaia side also things are improving. The Oreti is doing well, also the Waitaia tribute, and the Prospecting Association, who are putting a tunnel through the hill, have already cub one very good leader, and the prospects are very encouraging. I understand the Black Jack is also being again taken in hand, and I have, no doubt will do well yet when properly handled. They have abundance of quartz, and an easy way of handling it.