THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10081, 17 March 1896, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[bt telegraph,—own correspondents,] Thames, Monday. Siiakehakket. — Imporiul, sales la Gd, Is 7d ; May Queen Extended, sellers 5d ; Moanataiari, sellers lis Now Whau, sales 9d, 10d, sellors lOd, buyors 9d; Puriri, sollors 9d ; Victoria, sellers 4s,

Sheridan.—The contractors for extending the low level commenced operations on Tuesday last, and have since made fair headway. The work of erecting the air appliances for ventilating the level is expected to be completed during the present week.

Gor.den - Point.—This company's shaft has now attained a depth of 180 feet, of which 10 feet was sunk during last week. Numerous quartz veins and mineral seams have lately been passed through, which leads to the bolief that a largo quartz body must be near at hand.

Cardigan.—The crosscut at the No. 4 level was extended a distanco of 32 feet during last woek, but operations in the face were again brought to a standstill this morning owing to tbo supply of water for working the rock drill being out off, which action is due to the lownoss of the supply in the county race. Victoria.A start was made this morning with the sinking of a winze below the floor of tlio western drire at No. 1 level upon tlio now roof. No quartz was broken in tho leading stope to-day where the picked stone rocently came from, but in all probability a portion of the reef will be taken down to-morrow. Crushing was commenced upon the quartz on hand at Bull's battery this morning. New Wiiao. — Strong colours of gold were seen this morning in the quartz broken from the new cross reef recently intersected nt the low level. This roof is now being driven upon with the object of following it up to its junction with the Sons of Freedom reef, which point is still some 200 feet further ahead. Ib is about ten inches in thickness altogether, and composed of several veins of quartz, the gold that was seen to-day being found in the hangingwall rein, which is about three inches in thicknee«. The country encasing the reef is a good class of sandstono but the quartz is rather white, and carries very little mineral. The fact of getting gold at this point is somewhat important as the reef is intact right up to the Son of Freedom reef, with fully 128 feet of backs. The point) whore it will strike the last) mentioned body iB right underneath where rich veins of gold have been worked in the old Middle Star and Coliban mines, and it is estimated there \yill be fully a distance of 1400 foet available on tho lino of tho Sons of Freedom reef when oncfrib is intersected. AORERE. A cablegram was received yesterday from London by Mr. John Abbott that negotiations were pending for tho sale of the Aorere. IRENE. News has been received by cable that the agreement has been signed for the salo of the Irene.

STAR OF TOKATEA (COROMANDEL).

A meeting of shareholders of the Star of I Tokatea was held at the office of Mr. W. K. Waters, 107, Victoria Arcade, yesterday afternoon. It was decided to form ano liability company with a capital of £11,500 divided into 115,000 shares of 2s each. The number of directors was fixed at five, and the following gentlemen were appointed :— Messrs. E. J. Smith, T. Neil, O. Blascli, C. Robinson, F. B. Booth. Mr. Wm. R. Waters was appointed legal manager; the National Bank of New Zealand, bankers: Mr. P. E. Baurne, solicitor; and Mr. A. Taylor, auditor. The directors were authorised to execute all the necessary documents to carry out the flotation of the company on the English market, offers to submit the property having already been received, It was stated that the mine consists of 60 acres of ground, being the licensed holdings granted the Star of Tokatea and Lucy Bull, and upon which work had been done for some time past. It was situated oil the Tokatea range, and comprised both siden of the main range, and on the west side was peg and peg with the Triumph (the English company), and on the east by the Star of the East held by a strong syndicate, and under offer in London.

CHAMBER OF MINES. A meeting of the Chamber of Mines was held yesterday afternoon. There were present; Messrs. S. T. George (chairman), Kidd.S. G. MaeKy,Owen, Wright, Matthews, Carr, Heron, Buttle, W. S. Wilson, J. J. Dixon, Morrin, H. Johnstone, Hutchinson, W. R. Walker, Young, Leighton, W. S. Aickcn, Jackson, Maufarlunc, J. Russell, A. ''I' " ' '

Carrick, Eller, Gorrie, Benjamin, F, A. White, Clayforth, Kissling, G. Aickin, and Colonel Burton.

It wag resolved that paragraph A, clause 20, of the articles of association, authorising registration under the Companies Act, 1882, be expunged, and that the following paragraph be inserted in its place:—"To pro* cure this association to bo registered as a company _ underlie Unclassified Societies Registration Act, 1895, and to pay cost of such registration."

AUCKLAND SHAREMARRET. Buyers on the Auckland Sharemarket were, yesterday, a little less expansive in their offers, and considerable more business was_ done. Business was transacted in National Insurances at 18s 3d; there were buyers of New Zealand and River Plates at 7s 4d; of Auckland Gas, old, at £12 6s; of Auckland Gas, new, at £6 13s; of Gisbome Gasat32a; of Thames Gas at 335; of Devonport Steam Ferrys at 28s; of Hikurangi Coals at 8s; of Taupiris at 19s; of Westport Coals at 41s 6d; of Northern Boots at 6s ; of Northern Steamships at the same price —a larger call for investment shares than has been the case for a long time. Considerable business was done in Thames mining shares. Cardigans changed hands at Is 6d, Mouowais at 5s 3d, MoauaUiari3 at 10s, Norfolks at 3a 9d and 3s lOd, and Victorias at4s and 3s lid, with buyers firm. Kapai-Vermonts were transferred at 7s 3d and 7s Id, with buyers at 78. There was a good call for Upper Thames stocks, and heavy business in the heavier shares was recorded. Talismans changed hands at from 9s 9d to 10s; WaihiSilvertons ran up from 71s to 72s 9d, with further buyers at7ls; Wood stocks were transferred at 24s 3d and 24s Gd, with still a demand at the lower figure. There was business in Viotors and other stocks at firm rates. In the Coromande! class Bunker's Hills advanced- to sales at 7s, with a hardening tendency. There was increased demand for other stocks in this district.

FREE EXCHANGE. The following sales were effected yesterday at the Free Exchange New Whaus, 9id and lOd; .May Queen Extendeds, 4tf; Ivanhoes, _ 9Jd; Sovereigns, Is; Ophirs, 2d; Waihi Dredging Company's, 3d; Zealandias, 7sd. There were buyers as follow :— Alburnia East, 4d; City of Dunedin, Is 7d; Moanatairi North, 4Jd; New Whau, 9d; Norfolk, 3s 4d; Orlando, sd; Coinstock, 4£d; May Queen Extended 3|d; Cardigan, Is 5d ; Golden Point, Is 2d ; Excelsior, 3d ; Puru Consolidated, Is; Scandinavian, lOd; Alpha, 4d; Chelt, 3d ; Crowu, 325; Day Dawn, 5Jd; Grace Darling, Is 7d ; Huanui, Is 2d ; Imperial, Is 6d ; Ivanhoe, 9d ; New Zealander, 4Jd; Nil Desperandum, 4Jd; Portsea, GJd ; Stanley, 2|d ; Talisman, 9s 4d ; Sovereign, lUd; Zion, 7d ; Maritana, 6d; Jewel,3d; Victor, 3s 6d; Waitekauri No. 2, 7d; Waihi-Silvertou, G9s; Waihi Extended, 6d; Wealth of Nations, 4jd; Golden Spur, sd; Queen of Waihi, 2s Gd; British Empire, 4Jd: Waihi South, 9d; Waihi Dredging Company, 2^l; Aorere, Is 4d; Invicta, 3d; Kapai- Vermont, 6s lOd; Maorilaud, 8d; Midas, Is 4d; Noriiia, 4>,d; Balfour, Gd; Kuaotunu, Is 2d; Golden Link, lOd ; Carnage, 4^l; Ajax, 5(1; Mount Aurum, 4.J<l; Bunker's Hill, Cs lOd ; Hauraki South, 9d ; New Golconda, Is lid ; New Tokatea, Is 3Jd ; Pride of Tokatea, lid; Pukewhau, Sid; Zealandia, Cd; Coromandel Freehold Proprietary, Is 6d ; Four-in-hand. Is 2Jd: Progress-Castle Rock, 3d; Great Kapauga, 3d.

GENERAL MINING ITEMS. A small sample of stone from the New Whau, showing good gold, was on view yesterday in the office of Mr. H. Gillillan, jun. The ordinary annual meeting of tho Golden Hill Gold Milling Company will be held at the New Zealand Insurance Buildings, on the 31st instant, at 2.30 p.m.

MINE MANAGER'S REPORTS. Scandinavian (Thames, March 13). —Will start crushing with four head of stamps on Monday. As soon as we have rain the other four will be put on. Monarch of All (Knaotunu).— crosscut has been extended a total distance of 117 feet. We have cut through the reef in No. '2 level. There are about two feet of splendidlooking stone in the face, but it does not prospect so well as it did. Carnage (Kuaotunu, March 14).—Send you 1 bag, containing '251b of quartz, a fair sample of the last reef cut iiiNo.2crosscut,aud which I reported was worth an ounce to the ton. No. 1 crosscut: The reef is about six inches wide, and the quartz has been saved for treatment. In No. 2 crosscut the reef is about one foot wide.

Hauraki No. 2 (Coromandel, March 13). —The country has changed from brown to a blue colour, that of the latter contains a good deal of likely looking minerals for gold. Pout Charles Prospecting Syndicate. Wo have driven 65 feet on No. 1 tunnel, also cut the track to No. 2. Mr. Bedlington has now completed the survey of both claims. Hacraki South (Coromandel, March 14). —Low level: The low level hf.s been driven a total distance of 622 feet. Winze: A Hat leader containing gold has been cut through. I took advantage of the fine weather to do a little prospecting on the surface at the southern end of the mine, and discovered a reef, which at present seems to be about a foot wide, carrying fair prospects of gold in the stone, The course is a little east of north. Have a ton of quartz in paddock from a surface cut on a reef about 250 feet westWard of the new reef.

Jupiter (Kuaotunu, March 14).—Drive to cut lode in Nonpariel section ; 40 feot more driving should cut this lode. New Wiiau (Thames, March 14)— find by survey that by continuing on the course of reef reported as crossing drive for about '200 feot that it should junction with the Sons of Freedom reef, if it keeps the same course as at present. Have found a few stones showing good strong colours of gold in the low level.

Welcome Find (Coromandel, March 13).— We are now at the extreme end ot the old workings, and are penetrating virgin ground which looks well for gold. The drive is on the hangingwall lode, which is a strong body of stone 12 inches in width. A leading stope is being carried along behind this drive, The country hero is of a good description. Try Fluke (Kuaotunu, March 14).—Drive north on main reef at No. 3 level: The country is still good, and the lode fully two feet thick, prospects about the same. The lode in the rise is fully four feet thick, and is well defined, with fairly good prospects. The leading fltope lode is from 18 inches to two feet. Drive on No. 2 lode: A very great change in the country on this lode has taken place; expect an improvement in the quality of this ore. I have on hand from the plates 520z of amalgam. Britannia (Coromandel, March 13).—Another pug seam about four inches thick has been cut through, running north-west and south-east, and dipping to the south-west. Buffalo (Coromandel, March 13).—The country appears to be getting softer, and the leader has widened at the top of face to live inches, Napier (Coromandel, March 14).— cut a cross reef in the low level; find colours of gold in it by washing. Stoping going on in the, intermediate level; getting a little picked stone occasionally. . North (Coromandel, March Puketutu leader; started driving. The leader is of good size, and improving in appearance. We got some very good looking stone from it. InviotA (Kuaotunu, March 13).— to stare crushing the latter end of next week. Norena (Kuaotunu, March 13).—Cut a nice-looking leader six inches thick, carrving a little gold. New Tokatka (Commanded, March 14).— The intermediate stope on Kennedy's reef: The reef has been considerably split up, but is coming together again, and shows gold very freely in the ore. and which ought to be good crushing dirt. The winzo, No. 3 stope: The reef looks well, being a good sized body of ore, fully 18 inches, and carries gold here also. The battery will make a start on Wednesday morning. Prospect (Kuaotunu, March 14).—N0. 2 reef: It is about 4 feet wido at present. This reef is not payable yet; it carries a little gold. Great United (Kuaotunu, March 13).— Nothing fresh to report. Mount Atjrum (Kuaotunu, March 13). — By extending the drive we should cut all the north and south lodes that are traversing the Aorere proporty. Golden Anchor (Kuaotunu, March 13). —A tew quartz stringers have been passed through, and the country continues of an excellent description, Wynyardton (Coromandel, March 14). Hope by Monday evening to get up steam ready for a start. Conquering Hero (Coromandel, March 12).—Have driven 18 feet on Scotty's reef. The reef here is about 18 inches wide, in a good channel of country, and prospects fairly well.

Maoriund (Kuaotunu, March 13),-The west crosscut has been extended 10 feet, making the total distance driven 112 feet. There is a chango comiug in for the better in this drive.

Kuaotunu (Kuaotunu).—East crosscut: Have _ struck a reef, how large 1 cannot say; it is cut into a distance of quite two feet, and no appearance of any wall. It gives small dish prospecta. Bunkkr's Hill (Coromandel, March 13). — Second stope: The reef is not more than four inches in width, but looks well, aud strong dabs of gold were seen when breaking down to-day. Main shaft: Excellent progress continues to be made. ! A vein one inch and a-half thick has been intersected; the quartz is of a very kindly descriDtion, and shows excellent minerals. A", change of country, however, has taken place on the footwall side of this vein.

Juno (Kuaotunu, March 14).—Drire at road level: The leader at present hai tamed into flint, and does not prospect. Low level: In this level we _ have been getting nice mineral, and occasionally a little cinnabar. The last prospect I tried gave a fair prospect of gold both in the loose and by pounding the stone. Kapai-Vermont (Kuaotunu, March 13).— Main level,_ south face: At present there are indications of a slide in face, causing the reef (about two feet wide) to jump easterly. The prospeots are still very poor. First intermediate going south: Gold is plainly visible in the stone. The third, fourth, and fifth stopes above first intermediate level: The whole of the reef is very stood quality. North end of mine: Ore is of average quality. The winze started some few years ago, at the north end of property: I believe every particle of the reef will pay for mill treatment; in fact, we are now treating tons of stuff thrown into the old winze as useless by the old battery system. As telegraphed, the result of last monthly clean-up was 400oz from 308 tons.

MiDaS (Kuaotunu, March 14).—New low level: Another 50 feet should strike the first reef. The rise is now through & splendid channel of country. Mountain" Flower (Kuaotunu, March 13). —There has been a change of country. There have been several small veins of quartz passed through since the change of country took place. Gladys (Kuaotunu, March 14),—The reef in the north end of the No. 1 crosscut is about three inches thick, and from prospects yesterday is worth loz per ton. The reef in the south end is still very much disturbed, and carries a little gold, scarcely payable, but too good to throw away. Waitaia (Kuaotunu, Match 13).—Low level: The main drive going north. Fair crushing dirt has been obtained from this end, with the exception of the quartz broken down to-day, which is not up to the average. Iz tho face of the drive there is a seam of quartr 6 inches in width on the hangingwall. I have started an intermediate drive. The leader averages 10 inches in width. First-rate crushing dirt has been obtained from here, gold showing freely through the stone. Golden Link (Knaotunu, March 13.)—N0, 1 leader: Not quite so large as it was, but it looks like opening out again now. Gold is still showing freely through the stone at every breaking down. Four-in-Hand (Waikoromiko, March 13.) —Have obtained about 38lbs of rich specimens and picked stone, andgold is still showing. The rise is now up 20 feet, and since banking have obtained from it about 151bs of pickcd stone, making a total of 501bs since 1 banked, and grand total of 2781b5. Piioenix (Kuaotunu, March 14).—Low level: The country we are penetrating is a splendid, heavily 'mineralised, bluish sandstone. Prospecting crosscut to intersect the hangingwall reef, cut 5 feet into a large reef formation, from which we had some fair dish prospects. Small north-east leader has given good prospects when cut through. This lead is about 3 inches wide.

Bell Rock (Thames, March 16).—Cut some small quartz veins. Just come on to a body of quartz in the face, and taken down to sec what it is like. Mo. '2 level: The reef is 2 feet in thickness. The minerals there are just the same as in my last. Kaiser (Thames, March There is, in my opinion, a fair prospect that when we cut the reef, ore of a payable character will be obtained.

Victoria (Thames, March There is a little gold showing in the stope on the western side of the winze. There is little change in the other parts of the mine, but on the whole I think the mine looks very eucouragiug indeed.