COROMANDEL MINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9990, 29 November 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

COROMANDEL MINES.

VISIT OF INSPECTION. (BY OCR OWN KEFOnTKK.) THE HAURAKI G.LI. Co. Couomandel, November 8 Again, through tho courtesy of Capta' Hodge, I have been able to make athoroar-h investigation of tho workings of the Ha" raki Gold Mining Company's mine at Com mandel, under the most favourable circum* stances. The first arrangement was that Captain Hodge was himself to accompany me underground, but other bnsiness detain, ing him a little, he placed me in charge of Mr. Jamieson, the underground manager undor whoso guidance I had almost ex ! plored the mine, when we were joined by Captain Hodge, who was making his regal, inspection, and to him I am indebted for" 1 good many hints and items which I coal! not possibly have observed under ordinary circumstances. ' . 1 might premise by saying that on the «ur taco there uro some noticablo changes -f„ I last visited the Hauraki a few months"™-,' Since then the new winding engine been brought into practical work , safety cages have been fixed in, the and now poppet heads and pulley, 1, been erected and the whole of this „ been accomplished without stopping | , work of the mine for an hour, forthe ne „ poppet heads were erected outside and o™ tho old ones and when the ni, sppuratu was completed the old pc T0C heiX, ai l egs, pulleys, and all, Weiß ,| ijln J leaving tho new gearing in full gj; nrrfpr Thp winriimr • Working order, The winding engine is one of th« most compact I have ever seen V controlling power is within easy he driver, who is never .equired to move from his position, and the regulating p C 18 ot the most accurate description Thr patent safety cages aro of the latest pattern the Rippers (automatic) being capable of stopping the cage, in caw of mislian within a few inches. By mishap I mean of course, the parting of the chain or rood connected with tho winding gear Another feature which I noti.je is tho erection of a substantial quart? hono'er alongside the brace of the shaft. Only tho framework is up yet, the structure not being completed. Its object is to receive quartz from the mine at any time, but more especially during tho night, Without oxtra handling or shovelling this hopper will discharge into trucks double the .| M of those working in the cages, that i» to say, capable of holding a ton each, and in these the ore will bo transmitted through the tunnel to the battery. It will greatly facilitate operations, and form a reservoir at both ends in case of any accident, far something like 100 tons of ore can be accommodated at the battery, and this hopper will give holding room for a very considerable quantity at tho mine. But now in regard to the* mine it>eif. The mine, owned by the Hauraki Hold Mining Company exercises a potent in. fluence on tho whole of the Coromandel district. The discovery of the rich No. '2 reef within its boundaries has been the means of stirring up interest, local and foreign, in the mineral resources of the northern portion of the peninsula, and it has in fact been the factor which has led to the investment of capital for the development of the mineral resources of the place. I do nob say that in all, or indeed in many instances, has this new energy been wisely directed, for on my tour around this section I find that there has been a great deal of misdirected energy—in fact, money wasted—through want of proper guidance. Then, again, in a great many instances tho areas are small, too small for the erection of necessary machinery, and there is so much jealousy that amalgamation on terms satisactory to all is almost impossible.

But to hark back to the Hauraki mine, and my inspection of it. I went through many of the old works which I had previously inspected and I saw many new developments of which I had no previous knowledge. But I was in pood hand!. Mr. Jamieson knows every foot of the ground; more than that, he knows every intersecting' vein of quartz no matter how small, and they are numerous. Commencing then at the 100 feet level, which 1 thought had been almost worked out, wo began our investigation from it. Here a crosscut has been started, running northeast, going through beautiful country, and although it has only reached a distance of 15 or 16 feet from the shaft, it has already cut through several small unimportant quartz veins; none of them have yet been of sufficient importance to be subjected to a test. The class of country, the intersecting quartz seams, and the general indications would, however, point to the conclusion that there is a good strong lode in close proximity. This may be a leap in the dark, but the indications are in that direction. Taking the direction of the westward c-osscut from the shaft, the first opening is on (lie New Year leader. In regard to this leador it may be recollected that when gold was Btruck in Bunker's Hill mine the lode was stated to be the New Year leader. I asked Captain Hodge at the time, as I happened to meet him in Auckland, what this lode was, and he told me that the last he had seen of it, gointr north, it was a narrow clay seam the thickness of tho blade of a knife, and this he verified by showing mo the seam in question to-day. But it was not always like this. In fact, in the very first operations from the shaft this lode plays an important part. In tho drive on its course south a very nice lodo was followed showing a little gold, and it has now been driven on 20 feet in this direction. For the greater portion of that distance the lode was compact, about a foot thick, and showing gold occasionally, but in the face at present it is split into veins, there being evidently 'some disturbing element in this direction on this as well as all the other reefs. In the drive north on this lode, it has developed into a very important portion of tho mine. It has grown into a fine reef, well walled and defined, IS inches thick, and has carried gold not only in the drive but in the leading etopo. It has proved to bo a valuable addition to the productive power of this section of the mine. It may be mentioned that in the northerly direction this lode is running parallel with the No. 2, in fact they are only about eight feet apart, and holes aro poked through from tho workings on the two reefs for tho purposes of ventilation. Indeed, I do not think they aro two reefs at all. They are one, divided by a narrow belt of country interspersed with quartz veins, and the whole mass will eventually be milled, and pay well for crushing. The faco on this lode is now 100 feet from the crosscut; that is to say, it has been followed in 4 northerly direction for that length. In this face the lode is now two feet thick. It has takon a slight turn to the eastward, but the ore is of good quality, and tho slight deviation does not eeom to have affected its auriferous charactor.

Quifc9 recently driving has beon resumed on the No. 2 or rich Hauraki reef, in a northerly direction, beyond the ground previously worked upon. There is a con. sidorable distance yet to drive in tbif direction baforo the boundary is roached, something like 100 feet, 1 am told, but the country is unpromising in the face. It is hard, and the reef has dwindled down to little more than a pug vein. Of course, it may make again into a strong lode in a few feet. It is subject to variations, but one feature is that the lode, although slightly diverted for a time, has resumed its normal courso west of north.

A crosscut is being driven from the No. 2 reef in a north-east direction, and has now reached a length of 60 feet. It was in this thafclfound the trace of New Year leader referred to already. In the face at present there is a very strong mtnoral rein, dark in colour, in fact, nearly all mineral, and if ib contains gold, it can only be discovered by tests, not by sight. It is three inches thick, and the fact tliab the country ii improving at the back of ib would seem to indicate a change for the better in this direction, _ I may say that although the greater portion of the No. 2 raef is now blocked oub to the surface, and very little quartz remains in ho ground opened up, there is a block from tthe north face 60 feet back intact to the surface, and there is the encouraging fact that gold was carried to within 30 feet of the face, that is to say, up to tho crosscut in which the mineral vein has been found, The No. 3 reef has been opened ab this level in a northerly direction to its junction with No. 2, a distance of about 90 feot, and it averages from six to eight inches, sometimes more sometimes less. It was never a strong feature of the mino at this level, the chief attention being devoted to the No, "

KTnnraki lode, and tho result is that this - ?reef is still intact to the snrfaco above At various points, however, ib ,l " 8 mod gold, and beneath tho 100 feet " aV< i,!has proved a very important factor • eV °the option of gold returns. In the .1,-! drive oil this lode and within i it ]j feet of the flat sheet, a stringer or a ■ f e il in to the right at an angle of about v -'!! crree" It lias been followed for some ?.t,nce and although not largo it has .»n a good lot of rich ore. Beyond this f I 4 reef, about 100 feet to tho west"id of'tho No. 3. It is a nice enough w "Lf lode about six inches thick and well ,U° but it lias proved poor for tho "hole 'distance it has been opened out v q.j feet. The drive, however, was .j I]ue( i alone it for another purpose, meiy, to connect with the No. 6 or Ross ""buto'roef. It may bo interesting to stato [hat it wit? Ross' party, when driving to 'nte-sect this reef in their own tribute, Uvim' to pass through Legge's tribute L'ion. who first discovered the No. 2 Haiiraki reef, which has created such a evolution in mining in Goroinandel. In , r he ir own Mo they also had good gold. NV!. tlii? has now been reached in the i „ys workings, and communication !v ; .,| wi:h Ross's winze. The lode is or 4 inches wide only—but already j f|io«.' traces of srold, although the run 01 -... i |.y Mas? and party has not yet been rfarht-il. The drive is, however, being niivled ahead in order to open up ground or neiking in this direction. Tin)* virtually ended our explorations on die li- 1 ieet level, and instead of returning t , t! e engine shaft wo went down a ladder- „ ,v t.i the slopes on tho No. 3 lode between (he'lti" and 100-feeb levels. In this section •, v „. v considerable amount of sboping has been carried out on the No. 3 reef, which I may remark between those two levels has prove ! to be a very much richer reef than it n'a? in any of tho upper levels. In the No. fiani No. " topes above the 160-feet level the irinitii: staff drew our attention to a very line show of gold. The lode in the ltd was about a foot in width, but on the fv.; wall i>i.lo there was a very rich seam a b; it four inches thick, which carried heavy gold, and lam sure tho next, breaking ,iown in this section will produce a rich haul of specimens. Usually the richest ore,

I am informed, is on the hangingwall of this lode, although 011 this occasion it is on the foc-t wall. Operations at tho 100-feet lovel are on a very extensive scale. Wo reached it the ladder-ways 011 the stopcs, a:u! taking the shaft as a starting point-, I h.i.l my attention drawn to tho crosscut, which is being driven towards the lona—a property recently puichased for the company, and added to their mine. Ii has jlrea iv reached a length of 160 feet, and lias put 'irou{xh some small lenders, some of which havo been opened, although a few ruiours have been seen in one of them, which it i- surmised may prove to be tho No. 1 l«ie. That, however, is pure conjecture. The country at the end of the drivo is very wet, and is intersected with quartz reins, i-ii there are indications pointing to tho

close proximity of a larger lode. In tnis 160 feet level the No. 2 or specimen reef maintains its original course west of north, or generally speaking about X.N.W. It lias been followed north fur nearly the same distance as that at which it was opened at the 100 feet level in the same direction, and its characteristics are nearly identical. In the north faco st present the reef is somewhat broken into veins, but some of them show a little gold. The lode varies in size from six or nine inches to two feet, in fact in some places it is nearly if not quite 30 inches in width. Gold was got both in the drive and in the .'topes, but the latter has been the mainstay of the mine, the source from which the greater portions of the results of of the last couple of months' returns have been drawn, for in the level itself the lodo was not nearly so rich as it was in the 100feet level. It is, however, very satisfactory to find that within 10 feet of the present north face a fine patch of golden ore was found on the floor of tho drive, and striking downwards—a very promising indication for the next level. Stoping is now going on from an intermediate level 30 feet abovo the drive, and from the 160 feet level as well, and there is a large supply of ore coming to hand. The gold from this reef still maintains its superiority. It is considerably higher in value to that from any lode in the mine.

In the 160 feat level some other important features have developed themselves in the course of opening up the mine. To the south-wost of Is os. 2 and 3 reefs a number of intersecting quartz veins, small, it ia true, in size, but rich in quality, have been met with, and some of these have been opened up with the best results, ore of a very rich quality having been obtained from them, and they have materially assisted recent roturns. In fact, some of the more important of them are now being systematically worked, and sloping is about to be started on them.

In this level, as well as in the 100-feet level, the whole of the lodes depreciate in quality when followed south, and this is more particularly the case with No. 2 lode. This has been followed for about 50 feet, In the face the lode is large but disorganised, bat there seems to be a change for the better in the class of sandstone, and the lode may improve when further opened in this direction. The No. 3 lode has been driven on about 25 feet in the same direction, and this also is split up into vein-, but one branch on the footwall, which seems to carry the main characteristics of the lode, contains a good show of gold in the ore. A cross vein south-west of No. 3 reef, which has been followed and opened up at this level, has produced good gold for a length of 50 feet, but none of it has yet been sloped, although a rise has just been started, with a view to commencing stoping operations. Just where this is to be started a slide or crosscourse was mob with, which hove the vein 20 feet to the westward, but when picked up again, after a search, it again showed gold. It may or may not be the same vein ; at all events it is a lode worth working. I may add that the ground in this direction, as well as in some parts of the mine, very heavy, and requires timbering with •nassive sets to carry the superincumbent •■eicht and maintain the stability of the workings.

I don't know that I have anything more o add. The mine is in first-class working order. Its ventilation is perfect, as good, is fact, underground as on the surface; tho operations are progressive on a systematic basis, and if 1 am not mistaken the prospects generally are as good as they have been for some time.

No. 11. 1 purpose following up the description of the operations in, and prospects of, the Hsuraki Company's mine by a reference to the adjoining mines. The mine which at present most occupies public attention here and in Auckland is no doubt THE BUNKER'S HILL. The present developments of the Bunker's Bill are perhaps of greater local importance than those of the Hauraki itself, and expectation in on the qui vine as to what may bo the issue when the rich reef of the Hauraki, which is now within a measurable distance, comes to hand. The rich class of ore found in the No. 1 reef—the first intersected—has Riven rise to hopeful expectations. All the indications at the time I write point to the near proximity of the principal reef. The face is intersected with quite a maze of mineral veins, and there is a strong inflow of water, although why this should be considered a good indication is not quite clear, for if it is the No. 2 reof, and in the same strata of country, the water should find its way into the Hauraki shaft. Having on the occasion of my previous visit given a description of the plan of operations then in progress, it is not necessary to go over the ground again with the same particularity. Most people are aware that the company's property adjoins the Hauraki on its northern boundary, and that a shaft was sunk for the purpose of intersecting all the lodes which haveyielded such rich returnsin the Hauraki. A measure of successhasalready attended the company'soperations so far as one lode is concerned, and further developments arc, I may say, hourly expected. The management of mining operations was placed in the hands of Mr. Kichard Harrison, who has sunk a shaft close to the Hauraki northern boundary, so as to be within easy striking distance of the lodes. The shaft is roomy, well timbered, and suitable for an engine shaft, and at a depth of 140 feet a chamber was cut and a crosscut started in a west southwest direction, in fact parallel with, and within 35 feob of, the Hauraki boundary,

but on the course of the lodes the distance would be a few feet greater. The lodo recently cut, ; and which from the first gave good-class ore, was thought to be the continuation of the New Year lode of the Hauraki, . but . the manager is now of opinion that ib is what is known as the No. 1 reef, a lode which was cub through in the shaft of the Hauraki mine above the 100-feetlovol,and also in thetunncl driven by Ross and party through Legge's tribute in which the rich Hauraki No. 2 reef was first discovered. When the lode was first met with in the crosscut from the Bunkor'a Hill shaft, ib was split and broken, and afforded little promise. In fact in tho roof at this point ib still has this character, but when opened on in a southerly direction towards the Hauraki ib made into a fine body of oro. It has now been followed for a distance of 16 or 18 feet. Gold was apparent at tho point of intersection in the crosscut, although tho rein was only about 3 to 4 inches thick, but it widoned to 8 inches when followed 3 or 4 feet, and only 6 feet) of it had been opened when a rich specimen 531b in weight, subsequently exhibited in Auckland, was found in the roof of the drivo, and at tho same time rich ore was also showing in tho floor of the drive. Since that time a drivo north has been started. The lode has decreased again to some three or four inches, and although there are no specimens coming to hand from this face there is good rich picked ore showing heavy blotches of ore coming? to hand with every breaking down. The crosscut is now a long way past tho No. 1 reef. The country throughout has been kindly andesito, exactly similar to that in tho Hauraki.

Hitherto the only hoisting machinery available was a windlass requiring throe men to work it, and they had hard work at that, but now poppotheads are in course of erection. The legs aro already in position, and it will not take long to fix the pulleys. A winding engine, tho counter part of that recently erected on the Hauraki, has been purchased, and has arrived. Tho whole plant, including engine, boiler, safety cages, etc., was supplied by Messrs. John Chambers and Son of Auckland.

PROPOSED AMALGAMATION

SCHEME.

Soma time ago I referred to a project for amalgamating a number of mining properties on the southerly strike of the Hauraki

lodes, including a section of the Hauraki mine known as the Golden Pah section. This was first mooted by Captain Hodge, and it has taken hold, for in most instances

the terms proposed have been accepted, and in most of these mines included in tho scheme operations are at present merely of a tentative character, Indeed in these, hands have been reduced to a minimum. But a little information as to what) has already been done may be acceptable. In all instances I think the operations have been carried on nt such shallow levels, that labour and money have been wasted, and that really nothing in the way of permanent development has been done in any of them.

The Hauraki No. 2 is that which most immediately adjoins the premier mine, and for a considerable time Mr. Wm. Anderson

has been carrying on operations. He has in fact done a good deal of prospecting and driving. The principal drive is that which starts at the point of a spur at the junction of the Hauraki and main roads. A good-looking lode has been followed for a considerable distance, and a winze is now being sunk on it. The ore body would range from nino to ten inches to two feet, and a winze is now being sunk on it which has already reached a depth of 35 feet. There is a change for the better at the bottom, more mineral coming in and the country is more kindly. The lode has an underlie of about 45 degrees to the north, and in Mr. Anderson's opinion this, if not the continuation of the Hauraki No. 2 reef, is one of tho parallel lodes. The Zealandia is another important factor in the amalgamation scheme, and as the

company has already signified its acquiescence in the terms tberejwill be no difficulty in regard to them. Mr. John Robinson is now in charge of the mine. I may say that the lowest level driven into the point of a low spur is in ISO feet, but it affords very little depth from the surface. Two lodes have been intersected varying in size from 3 to 15 inches. They havo been driven on for a length of about 80 feet each, and Mr.

Robinson informs me that in all cases the ore has been best in the bottom of tho level, clearly indicating that tho drive is too shallow, altnough a little gold has been occasionally found in both lodes. There is another drive put in on a higher point of the range or spur where tho hill rises more steeply. Its course is south-west by south, and it is a prospecting drive making towards the crown of the hill to intersect various leaders which have been found outcropping on the surface.

Mr. Robinson also has charge of the Hauraki Extended. The development works in this mine consist of a prospecting drive put in from the lorel of the main road towards the crown of the hill. It is now in 180 feet, and has intersected several stringers, but nothing payable has so far been discovered.

HAURAKI SOUTH.

Overtures wero made at the commence-

ment of the amalgamation schemo to the owners of the Hauraki South mine to be included in the scheme, but for some reason or another they did not consent, and therefore this property, which would, from its position facing the beach road, and adjoining the Golden Pa section of tho Hauraki, appear to be a necessary complement of the whole scheme, is not included. Probably thero were dissatisfied with the terms offered to them, for I know that some of the shareholders, and especially tho manager, Mr. A. Harvey, entertain a very high opinion of the value of their property. A good deal of useful work has been done on this ground. •An old crosscut put in from tho road level between tho wharf and the Hauraki Company's battery (the old Union Beach) has been cleaned out, repaired, and extended, and it has now ronched a length of 470 feet, opening ground to a very considerable depth. Up to the present none of tho lodes intersected have boen followed up, but in the face at present there is a good stream of water, and a number of pug veins would appear indicate tho vicinity of a lode. At a distance of about 300 feet from the mouth of this tunnel a number of leaders and stringers crossed the drive. They varied in size from mere veins to a thicknoss of six inches, and from three of them fair prospects can be obtained. There is also a

crosscut south which has oponeci up several other veins, and Mr. Harvey now proposes to clean out this crosscut in order to develop them, as they also gave fair encouragement; bub the main drive will be continued, as it is expected that in a total length of 800 foot the Neptune lodes and runs of gold will be reached. There is an upper level pub in from the north side of the spur about 150 feet above the level of the main road, but the country is disturbed, and the lodes intersected are broken and for the most part consist-of clay seams and pug veins, bub they nil carry gold, more or less. One vein has beon followed for a distanco of 235 feet. Ib consists of quartz and pug intermixed for the last 100 feet of driving, but generally speaking tho quariz is of a glassy nature. A change, however, is now occurring. The brown country hitherto prevalent is giving place to a kindly, blue, decomposed andesite rock, favourable for auriferous deposits. Some small seams of ironstone and clay carry with them loose gold, and in one quartz scam a little gold has been found. THE WELCOME FIND. On visiting the Welcome Find, I ascertained that thero had nob been many important developments since I was previously on the ground, but work is steadily progressing, and the drive from the engind shaft is being oxtended, in order to prospect the lodes existing in the ground. There have been two lodes intersected, the smaller of which is about six inches thick, of solid, compact quartz, while tho larger is about three feet, of conglomerate,formation, with kindly blue veins running through it. The former is supposed bo be the continuation of the Just in Time lode, worked in former years higher up the hill, while the latter is so far unknown, never having apparently been found nearer to the surface. So far, neither give prospects, but a heavy stream of water from the face of the crosscut is taken as an indication that another'reef is close to hand, and that it is draining a considerable extent of country. NEW GOLCONDA.

This company's shaft, which is close to the Welcome Find boundary, has reaohed a depth of 95 feat, and is in a nice, class of

country. : Driving has been commenced in a northerly direction, but there is a strong inflow of water, and as the mine is worked with a windlass only, the baling is' a serious item. !

, HAURAKI NORTH. This property includes the old Golconda ground, and is in Mr. John Bremner's charge. He has already made a starb to sink a shaft 12 feet by 4 foot. The intention is to carry this to a depth of 120 feet boforo opening out drives.. The property, I may add, is part of Wynyardtown, and in addition to the township areas, the company owns about 00 acres on the foreshore. The principal object at present is to work the Golconda lode, which produced rich results in former days, but numerous other lodes have been discovered by more recent prospecting operations, and as these run through the company's ground, they will be intersected and developed from the shaft. No. 111. A VISIT TO THE TIKI. Of late a good deal of attention has been directed to the Tiki district, a few miles south of tho township of Coromandel, partly because of some important discoveries in the mines which are being worked, hut chiefly, no doubt, by the purchase of a large section of freehold mining property by an English company. This consists of from 500 to COO acres of land known as Mrs, Mcintosh's proporty, situated in the central portion of the Tiki district, and which has been proved by former operations to contain lodes of groat value. No work is now going on in this company's property, ft scheme for systematic operations boing under consideration at present. However, there is a eood doal of useful work proceeding in the section of the district which is goldfields proper, and held under the ordinary conditions of license, and amongst these the most important in many respects is THE PUKEWHAU.

| This is an area of IS acres, including the ' Pukewhais and the Tui mines, bounded on the south by the Little Wonder, on the south-west by the l'ride of Hauraki, on tho north by the Forest King, and on the east by tho Native Chief. A good deal of work has already been done in the mine, mainly through the onorgy of Mr. Chas. Hovull, on what aro known as thoEmily nnd Homeward Bound reefs— which in former days yielded vory rich results. Pour levels havo been worked and blocked out to the surface, and the main lodo varied in size from four inchos to two feet-, its courso being northeast and south-west, and another lode, the Bannerman as it is called, has also

boon stopod to the surfaco, tho last two tons taken out yielding 30oz of gold. Mr. Hovell first took up the ground some six years ago, and has worked it at intervals since as opportunity offered, having from the first implicit faith in its resources. Operations previously had been mainly confined to tho eastern side of the spur, but Mr. Hovell made his point of attack from the western side, with the projoct in view of driving 500 foot to intersect the lode at u point whore it could be operated on with advantage under the richest gold run. After driving tho crosscut a distance of about 130 feet, the lodo was intersected at a point whero it was only three or four inchos thick, bub when followed it opened out considerably, and on the remainder of its course, so far as it has been opened, it varies from four inches to two feet. Gold in more or loss quantities, and frequently fairly rich ore, has been carried for a length of 150 feet. At this point a small section was atoped out, and from it 10 tons of ore and 141b of specimens wero taken out, which yielded in all 2-loz of gold, the specimons alone giving an ounce to the lb, Stoping was then discontinued, chieflly because there is tio crushing power available, and driving was continued. For a length of 25 feet there was a blank in the lode, that is to Bay, there was no gold visible for that distanco, bub an improvement then set in, and for the next 32 foeb blotches of gold were frequently visible in tho oro broken down. Another short blank then intervened, but at present a good class of ore, showing gold, exists up to the face. The total length driven so far is 372 feot, and Mr. Hovell calculates that he must continue a further distance of about 100 feet to get under what is known as the Homeward Bound run of gold. Besides the manager, there aro five men working the Pukewhau mine, and the extent of the operations is highly creditable to all concerned : while the prospects must bo considered very encouraging indeed. Of course the great want now is crushing power, but this, I suppose, will come when tho development of this and other mines is expanded sufficiently to induce capitalists to stop in and supply the want. THE NATIVE CHIEF,

This mine is next in importance to the Pukewhau, and it is formed by the amalgamation of four claims, namely the Little Wonder, Transit, Junction, and Native Chief, the whole area comprised within its boundaries being 77 acres. There has not been a great deal of work done up to the present, but Mr. Thomas Tyne, formerly of tho Wolcome Find, has now taken over the management, and he has already commenced a systematic plan of operation with distinct objects in view, so that it is probable that before long there will bo some tangible results. Tho southern boundary of "the company's property is tho Coromandel Freehold Proprietary (Mrs. Mcintosh) and it will have tho strike of several well-known auriferous lodes existing in tho latter property. In the Littlo Wonder section of the mine, close to the Pukewhau boundary, a large reef fivo feet thick has beon opened in a short drive, and Mr. Randal, who opened the lode, states that it yielded at the rate of an ounce to the ton. It is a well-formed, truly defined ore body, with an underlie of about 45 degrees. Of course I am not in a position to say what its actual worth or prospects really are, and as tliero is no immediate intention of opening it up it is not of much conseauence at presont, as Mr. Tyne intends to devote his attention to a vein about 5 or 6 inches thick which branches off from the big lode in a westerly direction, and which apparently runs a course parallel with the Pukowhau reef. Here the managor intends to open out as soon as some necessary timbering is done. In the Transit section of the company's property a crosscut 125 feet? in length lias been driven, and four leaders, varying from 2 to 6 inches, have been cut near tho boundary of tho Pukewhau, and all gave fair mortar prospects, and as the whole of them wero cut in 10 feet of driving the probability is that they are in reality one distinct lode, with horses of country botween the veins. Thore aro four distinct reefs in the Native Chief section of the mine, and one of them, which is about 3 feet thick, gives fair prospects, although nob showing visible gold in tho stone. There are at present six men and the manager employed oil the mine, and I am informed the staff will bo increased as tho ground becomes opened up. OTHER MINES. Amongst tho other mines in the immediate vicinity is the Queon of Hauraki, owned chiefly by Mr. Thomas Handlay, comprising an area of about 50 acres, westwards of the Pukewhau. Ib is well situated, bub very little development works have beon done, only one man being employed on it fossicking. There are two men employed on the Forest King, two on the Eureka, and two on the Speoimon Hill, so that it will be seen that operations so far as these mines aro concerned aro merely tentative. In the Eureka, howover, Mr. Randal is following up what is known locally as Malcolm's leader, a lode aboub six inches thick, in which a good show of gold exists. The Great Pukewhau is situated to the north-west of the Pukowhau and Native Chief on a commanding spur. Ib comprises an area of 30 acres, and is now being floated by a Wellington syndicate. It is on the left-hand branch of the Pukewhau Creek, and although very little work has been done, it is situated in a good auriferous bolt, and three lodes havo been discovered and opened in it. The largest, a well-dolined lode, is two foot six inches thick, composed of promising ore, which I am informed gives fair mortar prospects of very tine gold, and the channol of country in which it exists is a free-working sandstone. At a distance of 60 to 100 feet south from this lode, and running parallel with it is a second one smaller in size, from six to eight inches thick, carrying quartz of a-promising character, and gives fair mortar prospects. The third lode is about six inchos wide, and its course is nearly , at right angles with the other two,

arid must junction with both when operations on it are extended. The mine, from its configuration, is admirably, adapted for working by tunnels and adits, the range being steep and affording great depth for "backs," and there is.a good supply of water and timber available. lam informed that Captain Argall 1 and Mr. I). " • Sullivan have reported very favourably on the property. The Alert adjoins the Great Pukewhau, and has the same strike of r6efa through if), but in this ease as in . the othor, there are only a ooupie of men employed bo far, and very little development work of a useful character has yet been accomplished.

No. IV. THE NEW TOKATEA. 1 think I havo already stated thab the new developments of the Hew Tokatea mine are attracting a great) deal of local attention, The mine occupies a commanding position on the Tokatea ridge, on both sides of the range. The area is 30 acres, and the main operations ab present are from the Kennedy's Bay side, in whioh two important lodes are being operated on from two distinct levels. In the upper level, the Erin's Hope reef, recognised in former years as a good gold-producer, was opened by Mr. Coll, who is now managor of the company's property, for a length of 130 foot, during which the prospects wore the reverse of encouraging, bub at this point the lode opened out to a good size, making a welldefined reef two feet in width.. Here the managor started to sink a winze on what appeared to be tho junction of two lodes, tho Erin's Hope and the Kennedy. The underlie is about one in six, and gold has

beon carried from tho No. 1 level to within about 10 feot of the No. 2 level, that is to say, for a depth of 70 feet. Here a leading stope has beon opened, the drive ab present extending about 14 or 15 feot in a north-easb direction, and the lodo maintains its characteristics, varying in size from IS inches to two feet six inches, Within the last fow days this lode has produced excollent ore from the main lode. Tho quartz is for the most part of a white milky description interspersed with blue veins, and it is in these thab the gold mostly forms. It is very fine, and I think ib will require special treatment outside tho ordinary battery process. A small stringer striking into the hangingwall shows rich gold now, and ib may, when followed, lead to important results. The bottom level, as already stated, has now direct communication with No. 1, so that the ventilation is now all thab could be

desired. In this level Konnedy's reef has been driven on for a considerable distance ; in fact, 413 feeb in (ill have beon drivon; bub it) is not all on Kennedy's lode, for the drive was first carriod on the Erin's Hope reof to its junction with Kennedy's reef, and since then the latter has been opened for a longth of IGO feob, carrying gold in visible quantities, and some oro of good quality, for 100 foet. The lode varies in thickness from a foot to 18 inches, and it has the same underlie as the Erin's Hope running in a north and ' south direction, and (lipping to the oast. In the face at present there is a fino solid body of ore, and during the last few days thero has been taken out 1001b of good picked stone, including some fair specimens. In fact, all might be trimmed clown to specimens, and good ones too, so far as the bluo formation is concerned, but the stono, being mostly in large blocks, they have been left intact, although tho gold seams varying in width from half an inch to an inch in width, and very rich indeed, worth at least an ounce to tho pound. This mine is under offer in England, and of course, pending completion of negotiations, the operations aro 80far on a somewhat limited scale, only sevon men and the manager being employed at present. Of course there is no desire to augment the quantity of ore until there is a reasonable prospect of gotting ib crushed. To cart it over tho rango in order to send it to Mayne's battery, on Driving Creek, would be very expensive. At all events, permanent operations must eventually bo carried on from tho western side of the range, as greater lovels aro available, and ib is the natural output from the mine, and their crushing plant, when it is erected, will most naturally belong to this watershed of the range.

PRIDE OP TOKATEA. This company's property is situated just on tlio saddle of the Tokutea range, to the north of the New Tokatea and Royal Oak, with tho Harbour View on the west and the Napier mine, formerly known as the City of Auckland, oil the east. It i 8 therefore well surrounded, and is in the heartof themosbauriferoua portion of Coromandel. Mr. A. Neil Ogilvie has charge of tho mine, lie informs me that he took up the ground nine years ago, and has made a living out of it since, but the area has recently been enlarged, and now comprises the Prido of Tokatea and the Caledonian licensed holding. Operations are now bointr carried on from tho Kennedy's Bay side of the Saddle, from what is known as the old Pride of Tokatea low levol. Here a crosscut was put in 300 feet in a northerly direction, and then a lode was cut, which has been followed in a westerly direction for 300 feet. It is a wellwalled, defined lode, varying in size from one to three feet. From tho first point of intersection it has shown fair prospects, and for the last 40 feet there ims been a considerable improvement, but Mr. Ogilvie thinks he has still 40 feet to drive before he reaches tho run of gold which yielded handsome returns in tho upper levels. A winze was started from tho upper level, bub it only reached a depth of 13 foot when water became troublesome, and it had to bo discontinued. lam informed that upwards of 700007,s of gold have been taken out of the upper levels of tho Pride of Tokatea, and the lode known locally a 9 the Rainbow end, that being tho name by which the mine was originally takon up. THE MATAWAI, A mining area, which for some considerable time has attracted attention in Auckland as well as locally, is the Matawai, formerly known as Vaughan's, and situated on the Tiki, on a leading spur trending from Castle Rock to the Waiau Creek, about four miles above tho bridge which spans this river at the junction of the Tikiand Thames roads. For many months, or rather years, Mr. Georgo McLeod, the well-known prospector, has been pushing on operations on this ground, and has manifested such confidence in its resources that he has for months on a stretch worked alone in it. At length Mr. Thompson, of Waiheke Island, took an interest in the venture, and invested capital in it. Since then, of course, there has been more satisfactory progress made with the de*olopmenb operations. A fine strong lodo, varying from eighteen inches to throe feet, hat been opened. It was first found in a shallow drive 30 feet from the surface, and hero it was five feet wide, being intersected aftor the crosscut had been oxtended about 30 feet. Then Mr. Vaughan, who had charge at the time, brought in a level 95 feet under the upper workings,, and at a length of 378 feet he again interacted the lode. Between those levels an intermediate has been

opened, dividing the workings so as to leave a winze of 45 .feet to reach the low level. The lode which has been followed

about 100 feet would average aboub two feeb in width. lb is highly mineralised, and there are now about 60 tons on hand ready for the mill. Mr. McLeod estimates its value at 1 Joz to the ton, but I Intra had no opportunity of checking his estimate.

No. V. NEW HAURAKI GOLD PROPERTIES COMPANY. This is probably one of the most important mining properties on the Coromaudol goldfields held by an English Company, on aecounb of its great extent, as well as of the commanding position which ib occupios on the Great Tokatea range to the south of the Saddle. Its total area is 176 acres, of which area all is freehold excopb 15 acres known many years ago as the Succoss, whon ib was one of the richest) gold producers in the Peninsula. The ctiargo of tho mine has been placed in the hands of Captain Hodge who has appointed a manager and prepared a plan , of operations which is already bearing important results, inasmuch as within the last week or two rich ore ha 3 been taken out of two lovels on a strong lode. Machinery has-been ordered, and some 40 men aro alroaay employed on or about the mine, but beforo any important move can bo made in the erection of necessary 'planb, a road to the mine 'is «a absolute' necessity, An

application ias been made for the road to the County Council by Captain Hodge, and the Council . entertainod the proposal favourably,'arid have applied to' the Minister in eharge of the departments a grant,' Ib is hoped no time will be lost in getting thereat! opened, for the machinery is now on its way from England, and any delay in getting ib to its site when ib does arrive would of course retard the development of the company's property, and the employment of a largo number of men, The plan of operations laid down is an exhaustive one, but ob present work is confined to a lode known as James' Easb and Wesb leader, whioh is being developed on three levels, and in two of those rich ore has beon found. The lode, which is about five feeb thick, is composed of rubbly quartz highly oxidised, bub carrying rich coarse gold. Tho intermediate level is 130 feet under the crown of the hill, and here it is that the. specimens referred to have beon found, tho best of them coming from the floor of the drive, but all the ore in this level is of good payable quality. The ground above this level may be fairly calculated on to contain rich pockotsof ore, and good ore is also coming to hand daily from the face of the drive east on the course of the lode, this drive having already reached a point 100 feet easb of the crosscut. The next level is to the eastward of James' main level. The crosscut has been driven 148 feet into the range and gives backs of about 50 feet between the two levels.

Hero again tho reef is fully five feeb in width carrying the same characteristics as in the intermediate and containing visible gold and good crushing ore. A start has now been made to rise to the intermediate from the lower level in order to promote ventilation and to open blocks for stoping. It has already reached some six or eight feet above thoroof,with good class ore showingsteadily. The next point of dovetopmenb which claims attention is a drive going west of the crosscut in James's level, on which a distance of 70 feet has already been reached, and the lode all the way gives indications of being good payable milling dirt. On this level therefore a run of 200 feet of good auriferous ore has been followed, and thore is still a distance of 140 feet to drive in this direction before it runs through to the surface, Operations are also in progress in Bennett's level, which is 160 feet deeper than any of the others, and here the same reef has already been intersected and its course followed for G6 feob, its characteristics ab this level being almost identical with those manifested in the upper workings, the stone being rubbly, heavily charged with oxide of iron, bub it does nob carry gold so far. The ground is dry, and although gold has not beon found in visible quantities in this level, yet there is nobbing to hinder goodjrich shoots making, as thore aro still 400 feot to drive on the roof before it comes under tho rial) run in the intermediate. All the

ground above the intermediate, and between the intermediate and the lower level, will be sent down a winze, and trucked diroct to a battery of 10 head of stampers driven by steam powor, which will bo erected on a machine site in the vicinity

already secured for the company, and surveyed. A deep lovel is being also opened up 100 feet below tho old workings on tho South Tokatea section of the old workings, which are in reality only a continuation of operations on tho Success reef. This crosscub is already in 180 feet, but thero is a further distance of 480 feet to drive to reach a winze from which very rich ore was taken. Tho opinion of Captain Hodge, and of the managor, Mr. Reid, is that this section of the mine has not been worked deep enough to properly develop it, for in a rise put up to tho surface tho lode proved to bo very small, although id carried gold. In the Transit section tho crosscut, at a length of 360 foet, ought to cut through a largo reef which has nob yet been worked hero ; but on tho largo reef north, at a distance of 260 foot on its courso, a winzo has been sunk to a depth of 45 feet, and it carried loose colours of gold the whole depth, although at this point ib is slightly disordered by ail oast and west lodo striking into it. Another drivo from tho main crosscut is now being driven in order to gob under this winze, and when connection is effected this will give access for all the oro from this lodo to the main workings. When

communication is effected in this way, the intention is to operate on tho lode in a northerly direction and also to continue tho crosscut about 100 feet further in order to intersect another large lode which runs north.north-ea3t, and when it is reached it will be opened on. Thero aro so many reefs in this company's extensive property that its possibilities are very great indeed, especially as several of them are already known to be nob only auriferous but payable, and with machinery to crush the ore thero should soon be a large output of gold.

SCOTTY'S HAURAKI. In this mino, adjoining the Kapanga, tho operations in hand are of a progressive character. The engine shaft, commenced some time ago, on which suitable machinery (including a locomotive boiler) has been erected, is now down 211 feet, and a chamber is almost completed at this depth which corresponds with the lowest point of Corby's shaft, and in a few days a drive will be startod to reach Corby's shaft, and sinking will be resumed. There are about 160 foeb to drive to Corby's workings, which are now included in the Kapanga property. The Scotty's shaft will bo continued to a depth of 300 feet, which corresponds with the 300-feot level of the Kapanga, and the two wiil be connected in order to dovelops tho reefs. In crosscutting from tho main shaft to the Golden Point level tunnel, a lodo supposed to be part of Scotty's well known reef was discovered, and it is now boing driven on in a northerly direction. lb is giving good rich prospects ; the rubbly quartz of which it is composed shows strong blotches of gold. The mino is boing opened up by Captain Hodge on a thorough system, and ho is now prepared for any emergency that may arise in its development, TOKATEA OF HAURAKI. I have already informed your readers of a vory important discovery which has been made in this mine, rich gold having been found in a winze sunk some 20 foet below the floor of tho No. 7 lovol, the deepest point hitherto reached in this mine, the level being upwards of 700 feet below tho crown of the saddle. The lode in tho winzo is a foot thick, strong and well formed, and amongst tho 101b of rich ore taken out last week, the first found since operations were resumed there, were some which were rich specimens, and since then every breaking down has shown blotches of gold in the stone. Tlio levol, which was driven from tho Kennedy's Bay side of the range has been thoroughly cleaned out and repaired, and Captain Hodge intends now to sink a little deeper in the winze, and then to break out a parcel of 10 or 20 tons of ore for treatment so as to ascertain whether the company would bo justified in erecting machinery. The prospects are so encouraging now tliab there is little reason to fear tho result, and tho intention is if the county council will make a road for coal from Kennedy's Buy to have all coal and machinery landed at that side, and thus save tho cost and trouble of carting it from Coromandel over the Tokatea range, and then down a steep road on tho Konnedy Bay side to the mouth of the tunnel, and the site of tho battery. ROYAL OAK. There is not a great deal of work doing in the Royal Oak ab present beyond the ordinary work of opening up the mine for further operations in the Nos. 5 and 6 levels; also, making surface roads and preparing timber, in order to open up below the No. 3 level. THE KATHLEEN. Captain Hodge has taken over the supervision, on behalf of an English Company, of a 50-acre section of ground well situated, and which may lead to important results, for the property is situated east of the Hauraki, and it will have the din of the Golconda reef, which runs through it. It is calculated also to contain the strike of the once famous Green Harp and of the Pukepoto reef. A plan of operations and surveys are now being made, in order to develop tho reefs to the beat) advantage. The company was floated in London ,by Captain Hodge, and thoro are no Now Zealand • shareholders. The capital is £75,000, with a working capital of £25,000, and already the directors havo before them, for their consideration, the plans and specifications for the requisite machinery.

No. VI, KAPANGA G.M. CO.

This, the parent mine of the peninsula, although exclusively owned by an English company, furnishes, perhaps the most) ia-

portanfc; object lesson ingoldmining.in New Zealand. As an example of plucky perseverance and sustained effort it is perhaps unequalled, ab all events in New Zealand, and the facb that the ,mine is, now to bo. explored to 1000 feet in. depth, with fairly encouraging prospects, makes the present operations of great interest. On ray visit to the mine every facility was afforded to me by Mr.. Bettans,. tho mine manager acting under the instructions of Captain Argall, the company's supervisor and general manager, and a description of present operations and futuro prospects of the famous mine cannot fail to bo of interest to readers of the HitRALD, especially those interested in mining. The operations in progress at present are extensive and widespread. What are called the surface workings are carried on from a drive through a spur from a gully facing the Scofcty's mine. In this a small rich vein has been followed and stoped out towards the surface, and although at times ib was very narrow it was rich and paid well for working. A winze has been sunk on it from the adit to a depth of 45 feet, and a drive is now being carried, on its course from this depth in a southerly direction, and in the face during my visit, when the little lode was broken down, very rich ore came to hand,and from a small vughole some leaf gold almost if not quite pure was taken out. This vein has beon worked upwards and downwards for about 100 feet, and it was always found to be richest on both sides of a clay slido, which crosses its course and underlies at an angle of 40 or 45 degrees. Thisslidehasnotyet been reached in the winze level, but it must now be close to hand. Perhaps as a lode in itself this vein may nob be considered of very great importance, but ib drops down On the back of the Kapanga reef, and their junction should be reached when the winze is down 80 feat, and here there, is good' reason to expect a pood rich patch, provided of course the Kapanga reef has nob been already worked out at that level. The working plans, however, indicate solid ground here, so that the junction may prove to be an important one. From tho character of the country on the hanging Wall of the vein alluded to, it might reasonably be expected that other similar veins exist, and possibly these may come together on tho Kapanga reef. Tho main working from the engine shaft aro of an extensive character. A good deal is being done on the 300 feet level, where three rises are in progress above the main drive on Snotty's reef, and thoy are now up from 90 to 104 feet respectively in good solid country. The lode is about two feet thick at present, although ib has been smaller, and it carrios good ore, which is heavily mineralised. A stops has been started from ono of the rises and some very rich specimen ore has already been obtained from it, and although the quantity is not great, the indications as to the block are mosb satis-

factory. Driving north and south is now proceeding on Scotty's reef on tho hangingwall side, from an intermediate level between tho 300 and 420-foot levels. The lode is on an average about 15 inches thick, and it shows strong blotches of gold frequently. Formorly the best gold in this lodo was obtained from the footwall side, but it died out, and ib would now appear ..to have jumped to the hangingwall. This is not a very unusual occurrence in this part of the peninsula, and tho present developments may mean the re-opening of a very important run of gold. Tho drive so far has only been carried a length of 40 foet, and a rise will at once be put up from this to the 300 feet lovel to obtain ventilation and open blocks for stoping. A rise formerly put up above the intermediate levol on the footwall of Scotty's reef is also being cloaned out with a view to driving from it in a southerly direction to pick up what is known as the No. 1 run of gold. At the 4'20-feot level the operations are of an extensive character distributed on the two lodes, Scotty's and tho Kapanga. Sloping is progressing on Scotty's reef, which here is 10 inches in width, not showing much gold, but the quartz is promising and it crushes fairly well. They aro also stoping from this level on tho Kapanga reof, which in the face at present is 20 inches wide. This also carries a little visible gold, and its payable character may be gathered from tho fact that the greater portion of last month's crushing came from this source, and the average was over an ounce to tho ton. Thero aro no works going on at the deeper levels, except that a start was made last mouth to continue the sinking of the engine shaft from tho 800 feoli levol, in order to carry it down to 1000-feet. It will probably bo recollectod that some time ago Captain Argall obtained from the Government the use of a set of diamond drill

boring rods, with which ho bored 200 feet below the 800-feet level. In the tSOO-feot loVol, the strata was hard and unpromising, but the cores taken out, showed a gradual but steady improvement in tin rock passed through. It becamo heavily mineralised, and the hard, barren rock gave place to a kindly decomposed andesibe formation, eminently favourable to tho existence of gold. So satisfied was Captain Argall of tho improved prospects, that he cabled home for permission to continue the shaft to a depth of 1000 feet, and this being obtained, he made the necessary preparations, and, as already stated, operations in tho shaft were resumed a month ago. It is now down 12 feet under the SOO feot level, but the time has been chiefly occupied in putting in the new pitwork necessary for the sinking of tho shaft. I noticed that instead of cast-iron pump columns, usually used, lighter columns of steel are now being supplied, and on asking tho cause of the change, I was informed by Mr. Bettans that being lighter they are more easily handled, besides which they are more durablo, and not more costly. Tho engine formerly used for pumping is now being put into use' as a winding engine. The necessary drums have been constructed, and although tho old winding engine has done excellent service, it was thought that it was hardly of sufficient power to work to the 1000-foot level, and the larger engine being available it is being pub into service. A new set of poppetheads GO feeb high will also bo erected immediately, instead of tho present ones, which are unsuitable and old, and the

necessary orders havo boon given for the legs.

A very important departure has-just beon made, and that is the commencement of operations at Corby's ahaft near the boundary of Scotty's mine. A new collar is erected on the shaft which is already down 200 feet. It requires repairing and re timbering here and there, Those acquainted with Coroluandel some 20 odd years ago will recollect thab very rich gold was obtained from this section by Corby and party, and Captain Argall's object is to pick up this run of gold by driving westward where Corby's party had already drivon for some distance. A winding engine, which is already on the ground, will be erected immediately on Corby's shaft, and ib will also be capable of pumping should there bo any water to contend with, but this is a very improbable contingency, as the water is sure to find its way into the main engine shaft. The wholo of the plant is in good working order, and tho com puny's battery is working on fair class ore, derived from various portions of the mine, BLAGROVE'S FREEHOLD. My next visit was to the mino known as Blagrove'fl Freehold, situated about midway between the Kapanga and tho flauraki, in' the direct line of the Golden belt of country. Captain Argall has supervision of the operations of this mine on belalf of the English company owning it, and his brother, Mr. A. Argall, has charge of the mine as manager. It . was the first time I had visited the mine since the erection of the pumping and winding machinery, and tho whole is now in good working order. The engine is entirely new, manufactured by Holman of England, and is said to be capable of winding and pumping with a 12inch column (the size now in the shut) to a depth of 300 feet. I thought ib was a mistake to have the pumping and winding engine combined, and I am of opinion that in all cases there should be a separate' winding engine. In this instance the necessity for a separate winding engine is increased by the facb that there is no clutch goaring by which either pumps or winding I could bo thrown out of gear when not required. I was informed, however, that the machinery was sent out from England as a temporary expedient, for should tho water increase and tho prospects of the mine warrant ib a larger engine will be procured for .pumping and the present one will. then be ' used for winding alone. Power is supplied by a Cornish boiler 5 feeb C inches in diamoter and 25 foeb in length, carrying a pressure of 1001b to the square inch. The engine, shaft has reached a depth of 135 feet, and is going through a nice kindly mineralised andosito forjaation ol a greonish colour, which pro-

1 inise'a well for gold,'bub,eQ far only a fqw small. stringers of no importance have been met with.' There is an adib levol 60 feet below the, brace, driven from : this sido of a spur, and the water is only lifted to this level, from wludh ib finds its way infcp a golly. The intention at present is to sink 160 feet below this adit level, and then to drive a crosscut in an easterly to intersect the run of the lodes, all of which dip westward, for besides the continuation of Scotty's and the Kapanga reefs there are numerous other lodes existing in and running through the company's ground, which can be operated on successfully from the engine shaft. The equipment of the mine is very complete. The .poppet,-heads are strong,, serviceable squared kauri, and are 44 feaf high, and the winding gear has stool ropes, safety cages, and detaching hooks for the prevention of accideub in case of over-winding, and the 'whole plant- is, working satisfactorily. There is a suitable office and store-room near the brace, and 1, notice thata dwellinghousefor the manager, situated on the side of the hill and a short distance from tho works, is now almost com pleted. THE TRIUMPH G.M. CO. This mine is the property of an English Company who are about , to start vigorous operations for its development.. The area consists of 30 acres, situated on the main range about a mile and a half north of tiio Tokatea Saddlo, and Mr. Skiine has taken charge of it on behalf of tho company. In the course of a conversation with Mr. Skrine he informed me "that ho had completed a survey"'of the reefs and of the ground generally, and plans and sections are now being prepared with a view to laying down a plan ..and .commencing systematic operations for. the.development of the property, • It is intended first to start a new low level to out the Brothers reef and other lodes, but the points of attack can only bo determined on by survey. ' In addition to the Brothers reef operations will also be commenced shortly to work the Waverley and other reefs in another portion of the ground, all of which ,i,t is Mr. Skrino's intention to develop, when the surveys show tho best points from which to commence. The company is registered in London as The Triumph (Hauraki). PREECE'S POINT PROPRIETARY, HAURAKI .(LIMITED).

This is the title of the company formed in London, to work 200 acres of freehold land, known as Preece'a Point, a peninsula jutting out into the Coromandel harbour, south of the township. It is now attracting a good deal of attention,' and Captain Argall, who has taken charge of the property on behalf of the English company, has already prepared a plan of operations for its development. The property is situated south of the Hauraki mine, and is on the direct striko of the golden run extending from the Tokatea to the Hauraki mine, and the fact that gold has been known to exist in the point for many years, and that Snowden and McGregor, two well-known Coromandel prospectors, discovered very rich ore in a portion of it, in a drive pub in # from soa level, is a proof of the continuation of the run. I may say that the property is bounded on the east by. the Tiki, and on tho west by the sea. Captain Argall informs mo that he is now negotiating for pumping and winding machinery,• to be separate and detached, and to bo of"a capacity to sink and work to a depth of' 1000 feet if necessary. There are a number of gold-bearing lodes traversing the property in every direction, and somo of these which were workod many years ago gave splendid results—in fact, in some instances there are records of specimens worth 9oz to the lb, but none of these lodes-have-been worked beneath tbo tea level. Numerous outcrops of various reefs are visiblo on the shore, varying from a few inches to three and four feet. The site for a shaft' has been selected, and sinking will commence without delay, in order to obtain a depth sufficient to properly explore those lodes which already show above ground, and those whiclfmay bo afterwards, discovered. The fact that the property ie- freehold of course enhances its value to the English company, who will, no doubt, willingly subscribe tho capital • roquired for the requisite machinery, and' the development of reef systems contained in their'property. ' '