THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9927, 17 September 1895, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[BT TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Thames, Monday. Sharemarket. —Cambria, sellers 2s 4d, buyers, 2s; Invicta, sellers Is 7d; May Queen, sellers 12a 3d, buyers lis 6d; Monowai, sales 5s 6d; Whau, sales Is 4d; Alburnia, sellers 7s 3d; Owharoa, sellers 8s 3d; Royal, sellers Is 8d; Sheridan, sellers Is 4d; Tapu Fluke, sales 9d (2s paid up); Victoria, sellers 2s 10d, buyers 2s 7d; Waitekauri No. 4, sales 2a sd,sellers 2s 5d ; Welcome Find, sales 4s 3d; Broken Hill, sales Is 2d, Is 3d, buyers Is 2d; Huanui, sales 2s Bd, 2s 9d, sellers 3s ; Orlando, sellers Is, buyers lOd; NewTokatea, sellers 3s Bd, buyers 3s 3d. New Leases.—Ten applications were today lodged in the Warden's office, four of which were for special claims of 100 acrcs each, four for licensed holdings, and two for water rights. The revenue received on behalf of the same amounted to £219. Paeroa, Monday. Talisman.—This company's battery is now almost completed, and a trial of the machinery proved that everything worked most satisfactorily, a fact which not only reflects credit upon the contractors, Messrs. A. and G. Price, bub also upon Mr. J. Dobbs, who supervised the erection of the same. Several small details have yet to be attended to, after which the mill will be ready for crushing. Stanley.—The crosscut it being pushed ahead expeditiously, and as water is now coming away from the face, the probabilities are that a quartz body is close ab hand. Prospecting operations are also being prosecuted at the Waitawheta Creek level, where a reef, about four or five feet wide, has been unearthed. The manager intends to test the ore body, and if prospects warrant it a commencement will be made to thoroughly prove the lode in question. Crown.—At No. 6 level the works being carried oq are still of a most interesting and encouraging nature. The shoot of rich ore, which has now been proved for such a great length, is being still further explored. The lode in the face is about four feet in thickness, and the stone coming to baud is of a highly remunerative character. Overhead the leading stooe is being beaten along the north of the rise, over 120 feet having now been opened up in this working. Here fully 10 feet of ore is being won and despatched to the mill for treatment. In the Abbey section of the property, a commencement has been made to drive in a westerly direction for the purpose of picking up the main lode. It will be remembered that a considerable amount of work has been done here, but as the lode being operated upon was vertical, and possessed the same characteristics as the footwall lode met with in No. 6 level, or at a point a considerable distance south of the former working, theNpanager came to the conclusion that the main load was heaved by a big break, and was still to be met with in the western portion of the mine ; therefore, with a view to practically test his opinion, which is based upon very good grounds, the drive westward has been undertaken. Another very important work which has been commenced is the continuation of the winze below No. 7 level for the purpose of exploring the lode at a greater depth, and there is no doubt that if the reef still continues to improve downward the company will be able to look ahead to years of remunerative work ; but if operations are to be carried on in the lower levels (there will unquestionably be great need for a shaft instead of adits. Kuaotunu, Monday. Kapai-Vermont.—The Vermont is getting coarse gold, different to their previous specimens, as they drive on the southern face. THE CROWN MINES COMPANY. RESULT OF LAST MONTH'S CRUSHING. Karangahake, Monday. The assay value of the bullion recovered from 500 tons crushed" and treated by the New Zealand Crown Mines Company (Limited) during last month was £2327-

KENNEDY'S BAY. Our Kuaotunu correspondent telegraphs that an assay made of stone from the Rangatira reef in Kennedy's Bay gives a value at the rate of £258 17s Id per ton— 640z of gold and 230z of silver. This, however, is no doubt an assay made from a specimen sample, and cannot be accepted as indicative of the true value of the reef. It has been known for years that the district contained auriferous reefs,and probably when well prospected good discoveries will be made. , TAITAPU GOLD ESTATES. We have received a copy of the prospectus and particulars of this company, which has been placed on the London market. It is a prospecting company, with a capital of £175,000, and is intended to deal with 88,350 acres of freehold land on the West Coast of the South Island, north of Westport, and in the Kelson provincial district, known as West Wanganui. Mr. George Beetham, formerly a member of the House of Representatives, is one of the promoters of the company. The first issue of capital is £125,000 at par, but it is not intended that the company shall work the mines. Subsidiary companies are to be formed to " take over and work the existing payable reefs" and other gold deposits which may be discovered. THE GREAT MERCURY MINE. A writer in the Australian Mining Standard of September 7 says:—Some New Zealand journals credit English investors with the purchase of the Great Mercury, a Sydneyowned mine in that colony. The wish is evidently father to the thought. An offer, I believe, was made for the property indirectly by a syndicate who wish to amalgamate a number of properties for London flotation, but it was never even considered. A profit is already being made on last month's work, and a substantial bank balance has been obtained by the issue of the remainder of the 30,000 shares comprising the company pro rata to the present shareholders. With this money the surface equipment can be improved, and the milling capacity, and consequently the proportion of profit, increased. The owners are satisfied with the outlook, and content to await the dividend-returning era, which cannot be far distant.

WAIHI PROPRIETARY. - At a representative meeting of the shareholders of the Waihi Proprietary Gold Mining Company held yesterday afternoon, at the office of Mr. D. G. MacDonnell, it was resolved to change the name of the property to that of "The Queen of Waihi." It was pointed out at the meeting that the Registrar of the Supreme Court had notified that no other company would be registered with the prefix " Waihi." ROTOKOHU. A meeting of shareholders in the Rotokohu I syndicate was held at tbe office of Messrs. Morris and Edwards yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of seeing how many shares were wanted locally before investors in the South were appealed to. More than half the shares were subscribed in Auckland, and the list was declared closed. A report by Mr. Fred. McCombie speaks very hopefully of the future prospects of this section of the Karangahake district, WELLINGTON LICENSED HOLDING. The above property, which consists of 30 acres, situated at Coromandel, will be placed on the market to-day through the office of Mr. R. C. Carr. An advertisement connected therewith appears in another column. BEEHIVE AND KATHLEEN. This holding of 30 acres will be placed on the market to-day by Mr. Joshua Jackson, the well-known mining agent on the Stock Exchange. The property is favourably situated, inasmuch as it is end on to the Grace Darling Company's property on the side, nothing whatever intervening, and thus receives through the whole of the ground the run or strike of the Grace Darling Company's reef. It is a well-known fact that negotiations for the sale of the adjoining property to an English company are almost completed, hence the value of the property offered to the public makes it a most desirable investment. IN VICT A NORTH. The mine manager telegraphed yesterday as follows: —"Cut Invicta leader 100 feet from boundary'; a little gold by pounding." ALBURN IA CENTRAL. This property has been hitherto known as the Eileen; is splendidly situated between the New Alburnia and the Alburnia Extended. Two large reefs are now being worked by the proprietors, and the prospects for payable returns in the near future are considered very good. Full particulars will be found in our advertising columns.

AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET. The week opened well on the Stock Exchange, yesterday, and heavier business was recorded than on any day during the past week. There was no particular run on any stock to note, all the leading lines being equally sought after. Of the Thames investments there was, perhaps, a leaning towards Waiomo stocks, good business being reported in Monowais, Broken Hills, and Comstocks. New Alburnias were wanted at 7s, at which price business was done. In the early part of last week these stocks sold as high as 7s Bd. There was an advance in Hazelbanks, which changed hands at 6s Bd. May Queens rose in price again, reaching 123, though at this figure there "were more sellers. Orlandos, which for some days had not been quoted, again appeared on the board, buyers offering lid without drawing a seller. Victorias were a little easier, 2s 7d being the best price offered. Active business was done in Upper Thames stock. Silvertonssold at 535, 595, and 60s, aud Woodstocksfrom 38s to 40s. Talismans and Alphas exchanged hands at current rates. Imperials were a little easier, business being done at 2s 4d and 2s sd. Of the smaller stocks in the Upper Thames Oceanias and Waver ley were mostly in demand. The Kuaotunu district was greatly favoured, and there were buyers of all stocks. Principal attention was directed to KapaiVermonts, which ra.nged from 13s 6d to 14s, these being the closiing prices. There were buyers of NVaitaias at 23 with no sellers. Golden Anchors sold at 2s 4d to 2s sd, and Aoreres at Is 6d, at; which figure there were no further sellers. _ Of the Coromandel stocks the chief rise was seen iu New Tokateas, which touched 3s Bd. It was only last week that these stocks could have been had at Is, the advance being due to the improved prospects in the mine. Some very rich stone, showing gold freely, was on view at the office of Mr. J. H. Harrison, and attracted considerable attention. AUCTION OP SHARES. Sales of shares by auction were held yesterday by Messrs. G. Lewis and Co., and R. C. Carr, each being well attended. The firms mentioned have agreed after to-day to sell on alternate days. Messrs. Lewis and Co. will sell on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Mr. Carr on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Freedom (September 14).—During the past week I have picked up 25 feet of the Lincoln Castle level, which had been partly destroyed by a slip, and expect to have the rest in working order in a few days. I have also driven a crosscut 10 feet to intersect the Success leader, which I expect to cut about Tuesday. I have taken this course on account of the 'round being very bad where this leader had been previously cut by McDonald and party on the Coliban boundary; it is a very nice-looking leader 12 inches in thickness. Harbour View (Coromandel, September 13). —Since last report have extended the rise on the No. 4 level eight feet, making a total of 41 feet. The Mo. 1 tribute has been extended eight feet for the week. The leader is three inches thick, is well defined, and carries good prospects. Invicta North (Kuaotunu, September 13). —Have started to drive north on luvicta leader from the old crosscut. Got a little" loose gold in the floor at the drive to-day. Have started trenching to pick up the leader further north. Bunker's Hill (Coromandel, September 14).—We have driven 20 feet for the week. The country is still very good, very much like the Hauraki. I hope to be able to drive 20 feet a week. I have ordered the timber for the poppet heads, and will get everything in readiness, so as when machinery is wanted thera will be no delay in getting to work. The water is little or no trouble, as it takes nearly three days to fill the well, which is 10 feet deep. Southern Cross (Coromandel, September 14). —The main leader is still about 18 inches, and is in very good country. The branch leader i 3 about 6 inches, and is looking very promising. I have also cleaned out the main drive, and laid rails. We started driving yesterday in good country, and will not have far to go until we cut a leader that crops out on the surface.

Inyicta (Kuaotunu, September 13). No. 2 level (west side) has been extruded 16 feet, mostly through country of a broken character, which has consequently disturbed the reef somewhat. Several hard flinty bars have come in from the footwall of the reef, and whereever they occur gold is not so plentiful, but there are now (the last shift or two) indications of a change for the better, both in country and reef. Pegging out and sickness has left me rather short-handed, and it is a very difficult matter to get good miners just now. All the best men have become mine managers and left a large number of inexperienced ones to fill their places. Buffalo (Coromandel, September 13). — The No. 2 level has been repaired a distance of 20 feet since last report. We expect to reach the face of this level by the end of next week. The country in this part of the mine is all that could be desired. On No. 2 leader the drive has been extended another 15 feet, making a total of 30 feet for the two weeks. The leader averages six inches in size, but so far the quartz obtained from this level is hardly good enough to paddock. I have been prospecting on the surface during the week, but have not yet found any goldbearing reefs. New Tokatea (Coromandel, September 14). —Since my last I have much pleasure in stating that in continuing the sinking of winze from upper workings that I have obtained from the same 70 or 801bs of fair specimen stone, sample of which I forward for your inspection. The winze has been sunk for the week seven feet, and the reef looks remarkably well, gold being freely visible to the naked eye all over the face, the reef obtaining the usual size, namely, from eighteen inches to two feet. I do not intend to break the reef dowu again befere Tuesday morning, and will wire results. Lower level: This level has been extended for a further distance of six feet. The tootwall and hangingwall leaders are now coming more together, and will be in conjunction in another few feet of driving. The prospects are about the same. These reefs, in accordance with the surveyor's plans, are what are known as Kennedy's reefs, . and I am now only within a few feet of being up to the rich run of gold obtained by this party in former days. There is also another run of gold some 50 or 60 feet further ahead, and which has been worked on by the same Kennedy party with good results. North (Coromandel, September 13). —Since my last report I have advanced the drive on the Blue Peter, a distance of 18 feet. The country continues highly favourable for gold. Hacraki No. 2 (Coromandel, September 14).—Since last report we have extended the drive on reef 14 feet; the reef is 12 inches thick, a fine-looking body of stone. I have seen no gold as yet. New Whau (September 14).—-We are still making good progress with the drive on the Sons of Freedom reef. The reef is still well defined, and about four feet wide ; the quartz is of a very kindly description, but as yet we only see colours of gold, not enough to be payable, but a change for the better may take place here at any tim«. I wili start a crosscut on Monday next, all being well, to cut the reefs mentioned in my last report, via the Success and the Star of the South reefs.

Sooth British (Coromandel, September South-eastern section of the mine : The reef has been picked up in the prospecting drive, and trenching again commenced, to find it where sufficient height of backs are obtainable by driving on its course. The j ex tension of the crosscut is still in progress with little or no change to report. Ward Proprietary (Karangahake).— Work has been commenced at this mine. The mine manager has submitted a lengthy report, in which he speaks very hopefully of the prospects of this property. Wjslcomk Find (Coromandel, September 13th). —The shatt has attained a depth of 92 feet 6 inches, 13 feet 6 inches sharing been sunk through firm but most congenial rock for gold. The water is increasing a little in depth. The machinery is working well. The prospecting drive is 77 feet beyond the Just in Time shaft, 14 feet having been driven in the week past. A promising little leader has been intersected. The country has improved much the last few feet of driving. Moanataiari —Work has been commenced at this mine. The manager intends first to direct attention to the Point > Russell level of the New Moanataiari mine. Try Fluke (Kuaotunu, September 14). — As mentioned in my last, we have started sinking on the main reef near the junction of the Nos. 1 and 2 reef at No. 3 level. The winze is down about eight feet. The lode from wall to wall is over three feet thick, with a sandstone horse about 15 inches thick in the centre of reef. From its appearance it will soon cut out. The prospects on each side of the horse are fairly good, and will I think improve when the whole of the reef conies together. We are also stoping on the main reef above No. 4 level. There is no change of importance in these workings. In Mariposa section I have two shifts stoping south from the north winze. 1 have also two shifts stoping north from south winze. The reef is from two to three feet thick of average quality ore. In Venus section we are driving north and south with one shift on the western lode, which varies in size from six to twelve inches thick. The country being a little tighter than usual, there is not the same quantity of quartz broken from here during the week. Eastern" lode : I hare here three stopes going north. The lode in i Nos. 2 and 3 stopes is from one to two feet j thick, and prospects fairly well. In the i drive going north the lode is very small in I tight country, and so far as I can sea is

likely to "continue the same for fully 20 feet. The same thing has taken place in the upper workings, and a block of ground over,3o feet in length has been left in. _ North of this dead block in the upper workings • there was another run of gold, some of the ore being worth over two ounces to the ton; so that we must push on and try and pick up the No. 2 run at this level. The contractors for the low level are making good progress, and are already in about 60 feet. Should the country continue as at present it would not take loug to cut the reef at this level. I have on hand from the plates up to date 2460z of amalgam. Waitaia (Kuaotunu, September 13). —I have not yet picked up the reef in the north face of low level on the other side of break. I intend to start a crosscut to-morrow from the present face of drive, and expect to have the reef in hand by driving a few feet in a westerly direction. The south drive is in 76 feet from the flat-sheet, the reef averaging two and a-half feet in width, blotches of gold showing in the stone broken out during the week. Barrett's level: The drive going south on No. 3 reef is in 230 feet from the flatsheet. The reef has been badly defined during the week, but appears to be making solid in the face of drive. Hauraki Extended (Coromandel. September 14). —During the past fortnight the work in course of progress has been the continuation of the main tunnel, which has now attained a total distance of 128 feet through a kindly class of country for gold. We are cutting through & large body of stone, and judging by the favourable indications to hand, payable ore should soon be met with. Kapai - Vermont (Kuaotunu, September 13).—At the north end of the mine an intermediate level has been started to connect with the south workings. This level is 50 feet above the main level and above where the winze was formerly sunk. It is no win 14 feet south on the hangingwall branch. The reef is very small at present, and gives only small prospects. A rise is now up 41 feet from the level to connect with the above. The reef is four feet wide, and all goes to the mill. The main level, south reef, has been extended eight feet by contract for the fortnight with one man.' The country looks well, and the quartz is becoming easier to break out. The reef has been pinched latterly, but is now opening out again to three feet thick. Occasionally fairly good prospects are available. The whole of the quartz goes for treatment. The prospects here generally are about the same as I obtained in this level from the flat sheet at the end of the crosscut to our rich shot of gold at south rise (or 190 feet back from the "present south face), and a quantity of the stone now coming to hand is similar in appearance to our best golden stone. A rise is up 7 feet on the footwall branch, thirty feet south from main rise reef is 2 feet thick with small prospects. Top intermediate is in a total of 158 feet south from rise reef is four feet wide. Gold continues visible round the stone in streaks. The first and only stope over this is 120 feet from rise, the reef being 5 feet thick, and as good in quality as any ore ever obtained from the mine. On the same level as above, north, 191 feet has been driven on good payable ore the whole distance. The leading stope over is 144 feet; second. 92 feet; all giving out good ore. Other stopes further back have not been touched latterly. The mill is working very satisfactorily on good quality ore (being same as usual). The two new vats, will be ready for filling next week. Hazelbank (September 14).—The drive on the cross reef at No. 1 intermediate level has been extepdeda distance of 16 feet this week. The reef is 18 inches in thickness. It is well defined, and still continues to carry a good deal of mineral, but I am sorry to say no gold has been seen in the quartz broken out this week. Driving is also being continued westward on the same reel at No. 1 level. The reef here continues to look most encouraging, as antimony and other mineral is distributed through the quartz, and I feel confident that something of importance will be met with here, as this is in close proximity to where good gold was obtained on Darby's and the Young American. The building in of the boiler is nearly completed, and I expect to have steam up on Wednesday. New Moanataiari (September 14).— feet level, Golden Calf section : On account of the very flat underlie which No. 2 reef has here some delay has been caused for the past week or two in cutting away the country in the footwall of the reef in order to get the permanent timber well in the footwall. Much about the same class of quartz is being broken out and gold continues to be seen. Wo. 4 lead : There has not been so much gold seen in the western drive on this lead, but in the leading stope the lead looks well and has produced a good few pounds of picked stone. All Nations lead : Work in the western drive has not yet been resumed, and at present there are only two men employed in the stopes, but I hope shortly to be able to increase this staff. Point Russell level: The drive eastward on the Golden Age reef still continues hard but is now showing signs of an improvement, there being some nice quartz stringers striking through the country on the footwall. The stopes on the footwall leads continue to produce a few pounds of picked stone almost daily, and on the whole are looking considerably better. For the past week 117 tons of quartz were treated for the return of 90oz of amalgam.

SOUTHERN MINING. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Hokitika, Monday. The Ross United Company washed up at Ross and Donoghue's Elevators with 2020z, valued at £788. Mr. C. Miils is arranging with the directors of the Mount d' Or, with a view of offering the property in the London market. ____________