OUR GOLDFIELDS. TAIRUA AND WHANGAMATA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10132, 15 May 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

TAIRUA AND WHANGAMATA.

IV---' KAKANGAHAKI3.

; GREAT DEVELOPMENTS AND RICH prospects. rThb prospects of the mining ■ industry still continue to bear a bright aspect, and tho outlook generally is a good one. This is evinced by the keen interest that is being taken in the industry by not only local capitalists and others, but alto by the numerous cablegrams received daily from London enquiring for suitable mining properties to place on the Home market. In fact, it may be stated that never in the history of the Hauraki Goldfields has the interest taken in their mineral resources, especially as regards mining for gold and silver, been so widespread as is the case at the present time.

A large number of English companies, involving the expenditure of several hundred thousand pounds, are now at work developing mining properties throughout the entire peninsula, and scarcely a week passes over but one or more cables are received from London announcing the successful completion of negotiations for taking over other properties Amongst the mines so placed during the past month, have been the Alburnia, Hazelbank, and Comer's Kuranui at Thames, the Waitekauri No. 4 nt Waitekauri, and the Coromandel freehold Proprietary, Harbour View, Harbour View Extended, and North mines at Coromandel. Negotiations for the purchase of numerous other properties in each of the districts mentioned, are in a very forward state, and others again are being placed under offer almost daily.

As further evidence that very great strides have been made in the gold mining industry of late, it may be mentioned that the official gold and bullion values for the year ending March 31st last, as shown by a return jusb compiled by Mr. Geo. Wilson, Inspector of Mines for the Hauraki District, give the substantial increase of no less a sum than £116,360 14s 103 above the total value obtained during the year ending 31st March, 1595. The total value of the gold and bullion won for the year ending March 31st, 1896, was £378,106 14s lOd, as against £261,746 for the year ending 31st 1 March, 1895.

For the past year Ohincmuri heads the list with £174,355 4s, after which comes Coromandel with £138,897 7s 2d, Thames with £63,913 2s 6:1, and Piako with £941 Is 2d. Each of the districts shows a substantial increase vith the exception of Piako, which has a decrease of £769 18s 10.1. The increases are as follow -.—Coromandel, £75,901 7s 2d; Ohinemuri, £26,656 4«; Thames, £4573 2a 6d. These results cannot be considered other than being of a most satisfactory character, and may be accepted as conclusive evidence that the expectations of even the most sanguine regarding tho capabilities of our goldfields will be fully realised now that the necossary capital is forthcoming for the development of our vast mineral wealth. Further particulars concerning the year's return of gold and bullion will be found elsewhere in these columns.

One little incident has occurred during the past month, which has had the tendency to cause a feeling of mistrust in mining circles regarding the tenure of titles to land held for mining purposes. This was the issuing of a circular from the Thames Warden's Office, by instructions from the Mines Department, calling upon certain holders of mining leases in the Tairua district to surrender the same at once, as the leases in question are situated upon blocks, held on leasehold by the Kauri Timber Company. The matter has been taken in hand by a committee appointed at a recent* public meeting held at Thames, in order to protest against such a course of action, and this committee is now in communication with theGovernnsant, endeavouring to effect a satisfactory solution of the whole affair. It is considered that no very great difficulty will be experienced in settling the question at issue, and that matters will shortly be amicably arranged for all parties concerned.

In the course of last month's summary we chronicled the resignation of Mr. H. A. Gordon as inspecting engineer of the New Zealand Mines Department, and of Mr. James Park as director of the Thames School of Mines, and their attachment to the staff of the Anglo-Continental Gold Mining Syndicate of London, which is now extending its operations to New Zealand. Since then Mr. Park's engagement with the School of Mines has terminated, and he has now taken up the duties connected with his new office, whilst the Syndicate has also secured the services of Mr. W. Baker, who for many years past has occupied the position of manager to the Cambria Gold Mining Company's property at Thames. Mr. Baker's duties will be to supervise the practical operations carried out in the properties acquired by the syndicate, and those which will be placed under offer of sale to it,

As regards actual operations, there has been no diminution in the progressive works in hand; in fact there is such an amount of zest and energy being put into the mines just now, backed up of course by capital, that good results are continually being achieved, while the works are extending generally throughout the whole field. Perhaps one of thn most pleasing characteristics of the past month's operations to record is the intimation of a gold-bearing lode having been met with in the Kapanga Gold Mining Company's shaft (Coromandel) at a depth of 900 feet. This discovery is undoubtedly one of considerable importance to the whole of the Hauraki goldfields, inasmuch as not only is it the opening of gold-bearing strata at the deepest level ever opened in New Zealand, but the general surroundings are such as to afford very great encouragement for future deeplevel operations in other parts of the goldfield.

TheKapanga Company's shaft, it may be mentioned, was sunk to a depth of 800 feet some time ago, but on the recommendation

of Captain Argall it was decided a few months back to continue the sinking of the shaft down to a depth of 1000 feet. This work is consequently now in conrseof being carried out, and at a depth of 120 feet below the last level opened up, a new quartz vein, about four inches in width, has been met with, which shows gold through the solid , quartz, while amongst the ore taken out of it was a piece about two inches in length, which might fairly be classed as a specimen. ' The sinking of the shaft, however, has to be continued, so of course under present circumstances no fresh development of the vein in question can take place for, some time to come, 'at the fact of gold being struck at the d' pth mentioned serves to show that the pr tcions metal does live downward, and it sh >uld be an incentive towards the assiduous Prosecution of deeplevel workings throughc >t the whole of our local goldfielde.

< Now developments have also been reported in other sections of the Peninsula, while the ; returns from the various mines in operation are also in the majority of instances up to 5 the usual standard, so that it will bo seen the advancement of the mining industry is i assured, time only being necessary to prove - the value'of the new development works 1 that are now in progress. Puller details, however, concerning these matters will be '• found in our mining correspondents' reports, v/which we,attach hereto.}— •:: v •

j; ;■ ; ' •- Pakkoa, Thursday. At the Woodstock Gold Mining Company's mine good progress is being made with the development works in hand. During the past month the No. 1 level has boon driven 42 feet, thus making its total length 239 test south of the crosscut. Here the hanging wall branch of the lode averages four feet in thickness, but the ore is low grado at present. A junction with the footwall branch is, however, to eventuate shortly, and then an improvement should take place in the value of the ore. At this level north of . the crosscut the winze is now down to , a depth of 40 feet on the footwall side of the lode, but nothing definite can be said about, the value of the ore body till the hangingwall portion is also iu hand. At tho "intermediate crosscut a contract has been let to drive the level a distance of 200 feot, at 16» per foot, and the contractors are making fair headway. Good progress H also being made with the excavations on the section of the new tram lino which will connect tho No. 1 level as well as tho intermediate

crosscut with the head of the proposed aerial tramline, terminating nt the top of the kilns. At No. level work for some time past has beon confined to tligfthftnirlngwall branch of the Maria low, which varied considerably in thickness and value, and is encased in a splendid class of country rock. Last week, it may be mentioned, the course of the level was altered to the eastward so as to pick up the footwall branch of the lode, which, it is expected, will bo to hand within the ensuing three days. The crosscut being driven from this level has been advanced 77 feet, during the pa*t four weeks, making its total length 577 feet, and it is expected that the main or Wooditock lode will be in hand within the next 30 feet of driving. The No. 3 lorel has been extended a distance of 13 feet through a hard holt of country, making its total length 643 feet.' Within the last six feot of driving the lode has widened out to fire foot, and the average assay value of the ore is £9 per ton, so that it will be seen a miirked improvement has taken place, but it is hard to dctormino just yet whether this improvement is due to the influence of the Hauraki shoot, which may be expected at any time. The block intact between this and the Hauraki level is 400 feet, so that the company will have here an extensive and valuable block to work out. At No. 4 level a distance of 76 feet has been driven since last summary report, making the total length of this level on the lode 206 feet. Lust week a break occurred in the lode, and just before meeting with this break the '.my value of the ore was £8 12s per ton. After crossouttlng a distanco of 20 feet east of the break the hangingwail lode was picked up, but as yet it has not been sufficiently cut into to determine either its size or its value, and a few feot further remains to be driven before ine Maria lode is intersected. There is nothing new to report from the No. 5 level where the country Is hard and progress rousequently slow. Here, the Maria lodo should be to hand in a few feot more driving. All the outside works are proceeding satisfactorily, and good progress it being made with the erection of the battery. The Talisman Gold Mining Company's battery commenced crushing operations since las. summary, and the returns from the district should soon be supplemented from this source. In the mine stoping is being continued and a good supply of crushing material is being won. A commencement has also been made to drive a crosscut for the purpose of cutting the Talisman reef at a point 100 feet deeper than the Ho. 4 level. It is also expected that tho Maria reef being operated upon so successfully in the Woodstock mine will be intersected in this level, so that when the various ore bodies are in hand a big supply of payable ore should be procured. At the New Zealand Crown mines tho outlook is very promising at present, and the company can indeed look ahead for years of prosperity. One pleasing feature of|the past month's operations has been the recovery of tho lode in the eastern crosscut at the No. 4 level, and as the underlie of the lode is at the same angle as that of the ore body, before being heaved by the break, namely, 45 degrees, there is not a shadow of a doubt that the reef is the one that was sought for. It is about three feet wide, and the quartz is of a payable nature, though there does not appear to be any alteration in the quality of the ore. With a view, however, to proviug its value driving north and south upon its course is to be at once undertaken. The crosscut. at No. 6 level, to recover the same lode, is also being assiduously kept ahead, and the probabilities are that the consummation desired will be effected very shortly. The slopes above the Nob. 6 and 4 levels are continually manned, and the workings still maintain their supply of good crushing dirt. Below the No. 6 level the underhand, stope is being beaten along, about 54 feet having been accomplished, for which distance- the reef will average 12 feet in width. This speaks for itself as to thequantity of ore that is available, and when it isstated that the ore carries a high percentage of bullion, it will be at once seen that the prospects for the development of the lower blocks are indeed bright. Indeed this pleasing outlook is borne out by the encouraging results being achieved in the workings below the No. 6 level, namely, the No. 7 level, where driving south is in progress, and also In the winze which is boing continued below the No. 7 level. With regard to the drive going south, tho reef is showing to a width •ot three feet, and the quartz being grassed from here is rich, free gold being seen in the stone. The winze below the No. 7 level has attained a depth of 26 feet, and in the bottom of the working the reef is three feet thick and shows signs of widening out. The lode is a very fine body of ore and is well defined, the quartz as already said carrying a high percentage of the precious metal. With regard to crushing operations for the past month 530 tons of ore were treated for the satisfactory return of 1226 ounces of bullion valued at £2126. The additions to the battery are proceeding satisfactorily, and every effort is being made to get the plant ready for crushing as quickly as possible. The various other mines in the district are being systematically developed, and in some of the properties encouraging prospects are being obtained.

OWHAROA. The Ohinemuri Syndicate Limited Company's property has been regularly manned during the past month, and the tunnel in Elliott's section is now passing through an excellent channel of country. It is quite evident therefore that a strata has been reached at last in which ore bodies will live, especially as quite a network of mineral reins have lately been passed through, while a small leader was also intersected. The crosscut from the Annie Creek ban also been pushed ahead expeditiously, and about the 2nd instant several leaders, varying from one to six inches in width, were intersected. The quartz is heavily mineralised, and it is anticipated that the results of operations in this part of the mine will be successful.

The Teutonic, Ophir, Inglewood, Marltana, Kinsella's Freehold properties are also being developed, while a good deal of work is being conducted at Owharoa by the Waihi Gold Milling Company in the construction of water-races, etc., and excavations for the new battery.

WAITEKAURI. There ace no new developments of any moment) to chronicle from the Waitekauri district, though a considerable amount of work is being carried on in, the locality. The Waitekauri Gold Mining Company, however, is the largest omployer of ' labour, and the greatest activity is being displayed in connection with all the works in hand, Excellent progress is being made with the erection of the new battery, while the train line between the battery and low level is now completed. Water-races, etc., are also well underway, and every effort is being made' by the management to advanco the progressive works with all expedition. The Realm section of the property is now being developed, a crosscut being in hand for the purpose of intersecting the. Empire and any other lodes traversing this portion of the mine. The crosscut is in over 380 feet, and it is anticipated that the lode driven for will soon bo to hand. Already a number of quartz stringers have been pawed through, but what relation, if any, these Jnay have ; to i the , reef is . not yet known, as the surveyor lias not made the necessary calculations. The shaft is down a depth of 212 feet, and at a point about 129 feet from , the , surface -a commencement has been made to open out,', the drive, being carried northward for, the purpose of intersecting cross reef, which is expected to be met with when 200 feet

h.in been driven from the chamber, Of thin distance 15 or IG feot have been '. accomplished through a fair claps of country.. At Corbett's level driving along the hangingWall of the reef in still baing proVocUtetl, but there is no - improvement in tho lode to chronicle. From this level a- crosscut is also being advanced with a view to intersecting the Emplro reef, and there is no doubt that the system of promoting operations now In hand is"4 wise' ito adopt, inasmuch as that the supply of ore from the main reef can be supplemented by the production of other quart/, bodies which arc known to traverse the property. This crosscut has been driven 300 feet, but Until the eiirveyorHiikes the bearings and lays off the lines it wlllnot bo known how far will have to be driven before the lode iu reached. The kilns and low levols are also being pushed ahead expeditiously, the 1 latter working having bean advanced 686 ; feet, but so far no quartz has bean posed through. In the Komata section of the mine a fine body of ore varying in size from four to 15 fout in width is being operated upon, the bent portion of which is to be found on the hangingwall side. It is, of course, known that the ore won from the Komata portion of tho property is also to bo treated at the new battery, now in course of erection at Waitekauri, but in order to get the quartz to the mill the hill will have to be tunnelled and the quartz brought through this adit to Waitekauji. The company, therefore, are losing no timo in having this undertaking commenced, and a couple of weeks ago a contract was let for the first section of 300 feet. Altogether tho company are sparing no expense in opening up the mine, ana there is no doubt that the future prosperity of Waitekauri will in a large measure be dependent upon the success attendant upon the operations of the Waitekauri Company. Crushing is still being continued at the small ten-head stamper battery at the Golden Cros-i, and during the four weeks' ending 25th April, 153 tone of ore were crushed and treated for a yield of £531 worth of bullion, an average of £3 9* 5d per ton.

Situated to tho north of the Golden Cross section of the Waitekauri Company's property is the Waitekauri Cross, on which operations haro lately been commenced. What the future of this property may be It is hard to say, but being as it is in a good position for catching the reefs running from the Waitekauri Company's mine, it should certainly be heard of at no distant date as a bullionproducer, for tho company are not limiting expenditure in the opening up works. The course of the ti'hlden Cross and Empire reefs were first of all taken, and as the surveyor proved that those lodes run right through the Waitekauri Cross property, steps wore takon to open up tho ground in order to unearth those lodes as quickly as possible. Consequently two crossciitsare now in progress, one being in a distance ot 230 feet, Thisadit is traversing a Westerly direction, and judging by tho underlio of the Empire lode, it is expected that another 100 feet of driving will see the lode to hand. Then there will be something like 1600 or 1700 feet to drive to cut tho crojs reef, but with a view to securing the latter body of ore more quickly, a new crosscut has just been started on the oastem side of the range, but at a somewhat higher level, and hero it is calculated that only 300 feot of driving will have to be negotiated to intersect fclio lode in question. The Whakainoehau rango, parr, of which tho Waitekauri Cross property takes in is one of the highest at northern Waitekauri, so that extensive backs will be available. Water rights Imvo also been secured, and I understand it is the intention of the company to erect a small crushing Elant as soon as the ree/s being sought for ave been met with.

The Waitekauri Extended and New Zealand Jubilee, both English-owned mines, are also being systematically developed, and when tho works being carriod out by the numerous other mines are considered, it will bo soon that the mining Industry is flourishing in tho Waitekauri district,

KOMATA. The main works of this.district are boing carried out by the Komata Reefs Gold Mining Company, who are now employing a good number of mon in opening up the mine. During the past month a contract was let in the main crosscut for a further extension of 100 feet, and it is pleasing to record the fact that shortly after commencing operations in the face, a lode Was struck which proved to bo Lavington's lode. This reef has proved to be about 20 feet wide, and is a oompuot body of stone, comparatively free from mullock, and of a vory kindly nature. So far, this is the biggest make of stone found in this mine yet, and as the assays of several paroels were very satisfactory, it is only reasonable to suppose that tho company will be well rewarded for the work undertaken in this portion of the mine. However, this is only a supposition based upon the average assay value of eight paroels of stono brokon out from the first eight feet penetrated. Samples were also procured from the last twelve feet but tho results of those tests are not yet known ; so really it is hard to determine the value of the new development, though, should anticipations be realised, the company's property has been considerably enhanced by the discovery. Tho drive north from the main crosscut on Argall's lode has been extendod 20 feet, but the country being penetrated is still very hard. This place is improving as far as tho appearance of the roof goes, as the formation has widenod out considerably, and gives fair prospects. The No. 2 crosscut was extended a further distance of seven feet after passing through Argall's lode. At this point it was thought best to drive south on this fine loilo, and thus expedite the connection with the drive coming north from the main crosscut which is being driven for the purpose of ventilation. This drive has been extended 33 feet, and tho stone continues strong and prosDocts fairly well. Altogether the outlook of the mine is a bright one, and it will bo a fine thing for the company when the new Komata road has been bo far completed as to allow the convoyance of machinery to the battery site. When this consummation has boon effected no time will be lost in the erection of tho plant and tho treatment of the ore commenced.

WAIHI. The various mines at Waihi are in active operation, and during the past month all the progresssive works have been kept steadily advancing. At tho Grand Junction Gold Mining Company's property, tho damage to the pump mentioned last summary was subsequently repaired, and now everything is working satisfactorily. The new 30 horse power boiler for the pump will be further supplemented in the course of about six weeks by the 40 horse powor boiler contracted for, so that the Company will shortly bo in a good position as to power, and there is everv probability of it all being required at no die ant date. The erection of the poppet, heads has been completed, and sinking hns been resumed, though during tho past month ve.-y little work has been done in this direction owing to the stoppages caused by the damage to the pump, and also the lengthening oi the shaft by five feet and 24 feet in depth. This work, it may be stated, was necessary in order to mako room for the plungers which are to be put in for future uso. A pumice formation is still being passed through, but it is expected that another ancienb surface will bo penetrated before getting into sandstone or lode country. In the west section of the property enwoutting in still in progross at a depth of 100 feet. This adit is in fully 250 feet, and is penetrating hard blue country, though brown sandstone it appearing, which makes it hopeful that the lode is not far distant). This level, the manager informed me, is only 30teot shallower than the No. 3 level at the Waihi Company's mine, and from general indications Mr. Evans anticipates meeting with the Martha lode within another 50 feet of driving. Surface operations have also been commenced at a point about 350 feet to the south of the west shaft with a vlow to locating the' Welcome lode. Already a distanco of 30 feet has been accomplished, but it is expected that another 30 feet will have to be driven to get on to the probable line of the reef. ■

The Consols Gold Mining Company's shaft is down a depth of about 130 foot, broken sandstone country boir.g pnssod through. In connection with the Favon^-Brilliant property, which is now owned, by. the Waihi Consolidated Company of London, the first instalment of £1000 on behalf of the working capital of the Company came - to hand during the month, and as the requisite machinery for carrying oh, permanent operations has been ordered no .doubt matters on this property, will before ' long assume a

lively aspect. Tho old prospecting shaft is at present being enlarged, the size of tlio working being 14 feet by six feet iii the clear. Up to the present a depth of about 'Jo feet lias been attained, Tho operations in the VVaihi Company's tome and" the important developments which have taken place during the month, combined with the excellence of the month's yield, haVo attracted , more than the usual amount of attention. Referring to the Welcome lode oil No. 2 level, there, remained last month 70 feet to drive, to connect the level and No. 2'shaft. ' This had been accomplished, and the, level extended 20 feet beyond' that point, making the total length on course of reef 463$ feet. The lode is 12 feet wide, composed of ore of the usual good quality for the whole month. The right-hand branch has been driven on 20 feet, making a total ot 89 feet west of the junction, aria at. this point the lode junctions with the hangin|wall of the Martha lode. On this latter lode, at the same level, the drive west has how reached a distance of 262J feet. Six feet back from the face a crosscut was driven from Wall to wall proving the lode to be 51$ feet in width, showing ore'of a fair class. Owing to the great sizs of the lode and the level being driven too close to the footwalf the contractors had to be brought back 50 feet to carry the level mora in the centre of the lode. In the eastern cud which has been extended 101 feet, the lode is 18 feet wide in the face, Hiving ore of good quality from six feet in width on either side, but the centre tor fix feet was of ion' grade. The only other work in hand at this level is the extension of the crosscut towards the Martha lode to No. 2 shaft, and squaring up the crosscut to the shaft for a double tramline, The operations in No. 1 level on the Welcome and

Martha reefs include stoping and.sinking winzes to connect with No. 2 level and in the adit level there have not been any important changes. In the No. 2 shaft tlio No. 2 chamber has boon all but completed, the plant is bainc laid down and tho braco built ready to commence landing ore At this level. Before sinking is again resumed it is intended to open out on the eastern side of the sjiaft 35.0r 40 feet below No. 2 level for plunger cistern and clack door pieces. It has been decided to discharge pump water at the adit, and therefore it was necessary to fix thetirst plunger as near 200 feet below that point as possible. The bottom was now about the proper depth, but being too soft it is advisable to open out us close above as possible. For the purpose of developing tho Welcome lode westward on the surface, and also (inking air shafts, a small shaft- has been sunk GO feet at a point about 335 feet west on the line of the reef from No. 2 main shaft. The lode was found to bo irregular both in fize and strike Until that depth was attained, and then it opened out to the usual thickness and quality, but the water became troublesome. To drain thi j off he cleaned out an nkfc drive, the month of which had boon closed for many years, and found it extended 210 feet into the hill to within 20 feet- of the lode where the shaft was being sunk. The lode had been cut through at the end of the drive, and showed a medium class of ore for eight feet in width. The water has now drained from the shaft, and sinking wdl be resumed, The pumping and winding machinery are in good working condition. The quantity of ore forwarded to the kilns from all parts of the mine was a< follow-.:—Adit level, 207 tons; No. 1 level, 2207 tons No. 2 level, 631 tons; total, 3105 tons.

As regards the WnihiSilvorton the battery lias been kept employed redlining the ore broken out, ami according to official information the crushing is turning out satisfactorily, the manager having reported that for 20 days run, ending 2nd instant, 500 tons of ore were treated, the assay avorago of which per ton was £4 ss, the extraction being highly successful. The full complement of stampers have not bean kept steadily employe 1 during the past four weeks, as at the latter end of April a rather singular accident occurred which necessitated some of the stampers being hung up until the damage was repaired. It appears that a large eel got into the turbine, and though it was cut in halves by the process, it smashed 17 doors of the wheel. When the breakage was discovered no timo was lost in removing the causs and having the turbine repni'ed, 80 that now tho mill is running as satisfactorily as could bo desirod. In the mine work lias onco more been resumed in all tho faces and stope-". In connection with the VVaihi South the London shareholders having withdrawn, the colonial shareholders have dooMed to spend £1500 in prospecting the property and sinking operations are in progress. It is intended to sink a shaft nine feet by four feet until tho bonldor country is passed, after which boring will bo commended for the purpnso of ascertaining the depth of pumice before ordering tlvo mnchinory for future use.

The Waihi Extended, Waihi Monument, and King of Waihi among other properties are also conducting active operations.

WAIORONGOMAI. The Now Zealand Hxuloratton Company Ins now commenced the development of their property at VVrtiotoiitfoinni in earnest, and the prospect* lining obtained are of an encouraging n.-iinre

THA.M {{a. Thursday. The gold mining industry in this section of the Hauraki Peninsula still has an up ward tendency, the introduction of English capital into our midst having caused such an impetus as to create a considerable demand for suitable mining properties to place upon the London market. Consequently the mama for taking up new leases in the out-district#, namely, Tairua, Whangaraata, Waiorao, and Upper Tnraru still continues, and the officials at the Wurdon'g Office here are experiencing very busy times in attending to the numerous applicants. It is true that us yet. the development operations in these outdistricts are nob of a very extended character, nor aro they likely to be until the winter now being entered upon has pawed over, but it is most gratifying, nevertheless to soe the interest that is being taken in our resources, for benefit from the same is sure to follow at no very far distant date.

One of the most important local incidents I of the past month was the taking over on the 27tli ultimo of the late Queen of Beauty, Deep Sinker, and Deep Levels Consolidated mines by Mr. Haggard on behalf of the Thumes-Hauraki Gold Mining Company lately formed in London, and the immediate letting of a contract for stripping and enlarging the Queen of Beauty shaft for a depth of 275 feet, This latter work was commenced some few weeks previously with wages men, arid carried down to a depth of about 50 feet, so that the contract now letfor 275 foet will curry the onlargomotiti down to nearly the water level in the shaft, Sinoe commencing operations on the 27th alt,, the contractors have accomplished a depth of about 48 feot, and are consequently sinking at the rate of 16 feet per week, so that they will probably accomplish their contract within a period of about four months from the time of starting, Mr, Haggard has secured the services of Mr. T. A. Dunlop, one of our oldest and most efficient mine managers, to superintend the company's development operations, and it is safe to say that a wiser appointment could scarcely bo made, as Mr, Dunlop is thoroughly conversant with tho peculiarities of this district, and especially the portion now under notice, he having previously been manager for several years of a portion of: tho area now held by the now company, In connection with the floating of the abovementioned company, It may bo stated that some five years . ago the Thames Borough Council passed »resolution offer-; ing to aid deep-level prospecting below tho 600-feet levol, by granting all thegold duty won from gold obtained below such level within the Borough boundary, for a period of 12 months to any company who undertook such an important work. The offer, however, was never taken advantage of, but the matter was again brought ander the notice of the Council at a meeting held 011 the 23rd ultimo, by the reading of a letter from Mr.C. A. Harris, of the Thames Hauraki Gold Mining Company, in which application was made that theCouiicil would assign direotto the said company all benefits accruing from tho above-mentioned resolution, as . the said company wer« now proceeding with the necessary works and machinery to bast the doep levels. After a little discussion on tho matter the following motion was carried without dissent, "That the Thames Borough. Council do hereby assign direct to the Thames-Hauraki Gold Mining Company (Limited) all the benefits accruing from the foregoing resolution, thai) is to aay, all the gold, duty, or its equivalent

- v -. , 77- '| I In cash paid by the Government on gold won during the first twelve calendar months of mining operations carried on below the 8(10-feet level of the Big Pump within the Thames Borough boundary." s Another pleasing feature has been the successful floating of a company In London to take over and , more systematically develop the' Alburnla mine, a property Which has the reputation of haying in the past produced some . very . rich' patches of. gold. The nominal capital of the new company is. put down at 180,000, out of which £40,090 is to bo set aside as a working capital, and £10,000 goes to the shareholders of the old company. The mine has hot fas yet been taken over on behalf. of the new company, but the sinking of the main shaft has been in progress for some time past, and it is anticipated that ft sufficient depth will have been reached within the next weak or tw6 for opening up a levoi from, ' Negotiations that were in progress some time ago for the placing of the May Queoii Gold Mining Company's property on the London market were not successfully carried out, so that during the past month they were ; withdrawn, and othor negotiations opened up with Mr. Moss Davis, oil behalf of another home syndicate. Mr. Davis has secured a six weeks option of the property from the 21st of April last, and has deposited a sum of £2000 on behalf of the same, which he is to forfeit if he fail* to successfully float a company to take over the property by tho end of the period mentioned. Operations in the mine at the present juncture are of a somewhat limited character, and are confined to the development of two loaders in the Saxon •section, and to the completion of the etopes upon the No. 4 reef in the May Queen section. A crushing of 100 loads of quartz vvus carried outdaring the month for a return of lOSoz '2dwt of melted gold, valued at £303 n-7d. , , , ' Excellent progress is being made in the development of the Moanataiari mine by the Knglisli Company, which is now in possession. Most, elaborate works are under way in the different sections of the mine, all of which are being carried out with the view of giving tho area a most thorough and extended prospecting, and Mr. Clark, tho company's indefatigable mine manager, is very sanguine of shortly being in a position to report soma valuable developments from the same, In addition to the prospecting works, however, several reefs are at the present time being operated upon, and a very considerable supply of crushing dirt is being won therefrom, but just now the quality of the same is of rather low grade, although of a payable character. A cleaning up took place on Monday last after crushing 584 tons of general ore and 00 tons of pickod stone for a return of 2550z of melted gold, which is a decrease of 204jz upon the previous month's return. Operations in the Victoria Gold Mining Coniptny's mine have been attended with fairly successful results, a crushing of 15S loads of quart!! in the early part of the month having yielded l/soz l3ilwt of melted gold, valued at £502 Is 7d, A block of ground 250 feet in length is now being sloped upon the new reef recently opened up at No. 1 level, and driving east ward on the same body is now in progress at No. 2 level.

During tlw past month information line been received by cable of the successful floa'ing of a company, with a working capital of £25,000, on the London market, lor taking over the Hazelbank and Comer's Kurnnui properties combine'). Both properties have the reputation of being heavy Hold producers in the earlier days of the field—in fact, the Hazelbank area includes the once celebrated Caledonian mine, in which one of the richest shots of gold ever found vim worked with groat success, 110 less a sum than £(100,000 being paid in dividends from it within the firct welvo months of its discovery, Capital, however, is now required., to more fully and systematically devolap the joint properties, and as this requirement is now, about to be provided for, it is to be hoped that the fame which the ground once held will before long be repeated,

The Waiotalii Gold Mining Company« operations continue to be attended with considerable success. This mine has for yours past produced its regular monthly return of gold with scarcely a break, and judging from the present outlook is likely to continue doing so for a long time to come. Last month's yield was 1970zs of retorted gold, for which 184 tons of ore Were arushsd. The Occidental Company is at present working on what is known as the North Star leader, from the Te Papa gully side ol tiie Una Hiil, and very fair prospects are being met with. A crushing 6f 11 loads of quartz was completed during the month for a yield of 38o?. lOdwt of gold. JClie Cambria Company is operating on several small loaders between .No. 3 and 4 levels still, but the supply of crushing dirt coming to hand from thorn is small. Operations in tho Fame ami Fortune mine are still baing carried on with a number of men, but the works are all of « prospect ing character. The hangingwaii of the big reef at the Australasian level has not yet been reached. The reef itself is rather broken up awl intermixed with quartz stringors and mullock. Slow progress is being made with tho extension of the Gladstone crosscut, as the country is of a very tight character, but three shifts are being kept employed at that point.

. With respect to the other mines of the district, x considerable amount of development work is in progress, aiarge proportion of which will no doub; result in productive results sooner or later. The Adelaide Com p'any is sinking a new main shaft to open up new levels; the May Queen Extended Company is driving a low level prospecting crosscut, the Orlando Company is opening up a block upon what is known as Carpenter's reef, and expect) to have a large and payable block available soon ; and the Cardigan, Moanatairi North, and Moanatalari Extended Companies are also doing a lot of prospecting work on nice-looking reefs, and if good prospects go for anything, they should soou be on payable dirt. respecting works are also in progress in the Magazine, Bell Hock, Alburnia East, European, City of London, New Wbau, Freedom, and several other mines, so that it will bg seen that a good deal of work is going on in our district altogether.

TARARU DISTRICT. In this district the Tarara Creek Gold Mining Company claims the foremost attention, as the works it has in hand aro of a somewhat extensive character, and are both of a productive and prospecting nature. In connection with the productive works, a considerable supply of fair-grade ore is being won from the Californian reef in the Norfolk section, and from the Day Dawn reef in the City of Dunedin section, but as the gold existing in the quartz is of a vary fine character, only about 20 per cent, of it is saved by the ordinary battory process. All the tailings therefore are being saved, of which there aro between 000 and 700 tons in hand, and in order to successfully deal with these a cyanide plant, capable «f treating ovor 100 tons per week, is now being erected at tho company's battery, and is expected to be ready for operation in about five or six weeks hence. If this plant proves effective, then it is probable that (fcne company will enlarge its capabilities and go in for the cyanide treatment altogether. With regard to the prospeobing works the company has in hand, these are chiefly dovoted to the further development of the City of Dunedin saotion, and one of them is the extension of the old Sunbeam low level, the entrance to which is just at the rear of the company's battery. This level will nob only provide additional backs nearly 200 feet in height on the reefs now being operated upon, but it will also be used eventually as the main outlet from the mine, through which all the traffic for the conveyance of quarts, etc,, will be diverted,

The works in progress in the other mines of the Tararu district are chiefly of a prospecting character, the mines receiving attention in that manner being the Kaiser, Conservative, Scandinavian, and Day Dawn.

PURU DISTRICT.

Several of the newly-taken up leases in this district have obtained protection from the Warden until .the winter months havo passed over, but j the Puru Consolidated Company continues to keep a number of miners employed, and are obtaining very fair prospects from what is known as the Rimu reef. ■ Another now reef, from which excellent dish prospects are obtainable wai discovered two or three weeks ago, but very little work has as yet been done upon it..

1 ;waiomo DISTRICT. ;IntbisdUtriot the Monowai Amalgamated I Gold Mining Company continues with the work of developing its mine, bub, nothing

fresh has been discovered during the month. Information was reCelfred by oible a few days ago to - the effect that ft Gla!gow syndicate has decided to - take over the property on the terms stipulated by the directors, and that one of the first works to be instituted by the new company Will be the erection of a reduction plant capable of treating a large quantity of pre monthly. . The prospecting works :in both the Broken Hill and Corn3tock mines are still, being pushed fof#ai:dt bat fcp|rtjrdm; these mines very little other work is being: done in the district. ' 1 HV7/< / TAPU DISTRICT.

The Gpldon Point Company has pom * pleted the sinking of its new main'shaft to the 200 foot lovsl, and has now started to drive a crosscut westward from that point to intersect a body of quartz known us Bull's reef, which at'higher levels in pais years gave good returns of gold. The Sheridan Company is driving a new low level, and the Royal Company is also engaged [in developing its ground. Both of these latter properties are at present under oiler to an English syndicate.

PCIRIRf DISTRICT. Nothing further hqg been made public re the flotation of a company in London for taking over tho Putiri Gold Mining Comparty's -property, but- the colonial property still continues io keep a limited number of men employed in developing, the mine. During the month a trial parcel of one ton of ore from the mine was treated at Mr. George Eraser's experimental plant in Auckland for a return of bullion which realised £4 4s 8d at the bank.

Operations in these two districts Are purely of a prospective character, but notwithstanding the fact that the work so far done has been of a limited character, still numerous large reefs have been discovered from which very good Results are obtained by assay, In consequence of this, some thousands of acres have been taken up for mining purposes in each of the districts mentioned, and as many of the properties are under offer to foroign capitalists, there is every probability of a number of them receiving more systematic attention later on. One of the Tairua properties under offer is the Broken Hills Syndicate's area of over three hundred acres. Mr. Jonathan Seaver is negotiating for the Same, and lie has already lodged a deposit of £1000 for a two months' option, Which sum he forfeits if at the end of the period mentioned lie decides to proceed no further with the purchase. In the meantime, however, he lias sent a staff of miners out to more thoroughly test the value of the loile» in the ground. A trial puree! of quartz, weighing 1800 pounds after it was dried, was treated at the School of Mines experimental plant during the month from the Herald special claim at Wliangamata. The assay value of the ore before treatment was £3 17s per ton, and the actual value of the bullion obtained from the same was £2 7j», so that a savin» of about 80 per pent, was effected. This result is said to be a satisfactory one, as the reef from which the parcel was broken runs from five to six feet in thickness.