THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10412, 9 April 1897, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET. About the same amount of business was done yesterday ou 'Change. Investments stocks were in demand; there were buyers of a good many stocks, and there were sales in National Banks at 38s Gil, in National Insurances at 18s 3d, and in Taupiri Coals at 26s and 25s 9d. May Queens were done at 8s 3d, with further buyere at Bs. Mclsaacs closed steady after exchanges at 4Jd. There were buyers of Stanleys at Is, after sales at that ana at Is Id. There were buyers of Moanataiaris at 10s. NEW ZEALAND CKOWN MINES. IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. A large quantity of machinery tor the New Zealand Crown Mines. Limited, is now bciug landed from the s.s, Mitmari. At the mine the experiments and alterations made by Mr. Daw with a view to substituting the wet for the dry process have, it is reported, proved eminently satisfactory; so much so, that it is claimed the present system of treatment here will be revolutionised.

ORMOND G.M. CO. A meeting of shareholders in (lie Katangahake South property was held yesterday at the office of Mr. H. Gilfillan, juu. Mr. E. M. Coleman presided. It was decided to form the Orinond Gold Mining Company, No Liability (to work the ground), with a capital of £7000 in 70.000 shares of 2s, nil paid up, of which 52,000 be issued to present shareholders, the balance to be reserved for the benefit of the company. Rules were adopted, and the following appointments were made: — Directors, Captain Smith, Captain Pitt, Messrs. H. J. Finn, C. F. Reid, E. M. Coleman; legal manager, Mr. H. Gilfillan, jun; bankers, Bank of New Zealand; auditor, Mr. F. L. Prime; 'solicitor, Mr. W. Coleman. At a subsequent meeting of the Board, Mr. E. W. Coleman was appointed chairman, and arrangements made for vigorously working the ground, with a view to cutting at a lower depth reefs which on the surface have yielded good value. ARGOSY. A circular has been issued to the shareholders of the above company by Mr. Jesse King, legal manager, stating that " negotiations for the sale of the property at Home have been tedious; but in consequence of an adverse mining market the promoters have not yet decided whether tliov will take it up. The Board's advisers counsel patience, as the syndicate is a strong one, and are in consequence undecided whether to press for forfeits, which would mean determining an agreement so satisfactory to nil concerned." Yesterday there was on view at Mr. King's office a dish of stoue showing bands of gold an inch wide, while two heavy stones, each as much as a man could lift, also showed dabs of gold. These were taken from a leader which has averaged from two feet to six inches wide. GENERAL MINING ITEMS. Yesterday the mine manager of the Sceptre wired:—Cut body of quart giving good prospects. A special general meeting of the Hauraki North Goldmining Company is called for April 29. The half-yearly meeting of the Katie Gold Mining Company will be held on April 30, to be followed by an extraordinary meeting of shareholders. A sale of forfeited shares iu the Golden Opportunity aud Premier Gold Mining Companies is advertised for to-day. THAMES SHAREMARKET. [bt telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Thursday. Alburnia East, sellers 9d, buyers 7id; Argosy, tellers 7d; Broken Hills, sellers 8d; Club, sellers 3d; Conservative, sellers 4d; Darwiu (contributing), sellers 4il; Grand Triple, sellers 3d ; Kurunui - Caledonian, sellers lis 3d; Karaka Queer,, sales 3Jd, sellers 4d, buyers 3d; King Solomon, sellers 2d; K'uranui, sellers la 4d; Mata Reefs, sellers 4d; Mclsaacs, sellers sd, buyers Id; Moanataiari, sellers lis, buyers 10s; New Whan, sellers 6d. buyers 4d ; Nonpareil," sellers lid; Occidental, sellers 3d: Tararu Creek, sellers 4s; Temple Bar, sellers 4d, buyers 2d; Kaiser (contributing), sellers fid; lona, buyers Is; Welcome Find, sellers 2s 6d. GOLD PURCHASE. f«r TELIQRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.} Thames, Thursday. During the month of March, gold to the amount of 65ioza l-'dwts was purchased by the local branch of tho Bank of New Zealand. The gold was obtained as follows Borough of Thames, 2250zs 13dwts; County of Thames, 3390zs 12dwbs; Coromandel, 87ozs 7dwts, THE WAIHI MINE. AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT. Paeroa, Thursday. A most important development has occurred at the No. 3 level of the VVaihi Gold Mining Company's mine—namely, that the world renowned Martha lode has now been proved to exist beyond the point where it apparently gave out in the levels above, and where it is cut through it presents a fine strong body of stone fully 29 feet wide, giving an average of one ounce of gold and 13dwt of silver to the ton. Such • development considerably enhances the value of this valuable property. GOLD MINING AT KARORI. {nr TILMRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION,] Wellington, Thursday. The City Council has agreed to give Mr. Cohen, of Napier, the lease of the ground at Karori Waterworks for 21 years, at £1 per acre, tor gold mining purposes, on condition that la pal- ounce royalty is paid, and £500 expended in actual testing in 12 mouths. NEWS FROM THE MINES. [IT TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENTS.] Thames, Thursday. MAHAKA ROYAL. The contractors for the construction of the battery and water-race, respectively, are making good progress. Excellent headway is also being made with the develop* ment of the Royal reef, which continues to yield.* good grade of quarts. . DOVER CASTLE. The No. 1 reef continue* to yield good prospects of gold, and the drive upon its course is being.vigorously pushed forward. It is intended to stark , linking upon No. 8 reef shortly, in order to prove its value 'at • depth. '; Pi#

Paeroa, Thursday.

EAGLE HAWK. Driving on No. 1 reef is now in full swing, it being about two feet in thickness, and composed of a good description of quartz. The main crosscut at the same level is being pushed forward with the object) of intersecting the Kaiser reef, but a very tight class of country is being penetrated. Pamoa, Thursday. GRAND JUNCTION. Operation! have again been commenced on the course of the Martha lode, the nature of the work being a crosscut with a view to ascertaining if the reef had got branched. If the quartz is not found on either side, driving will be resumed on the coarse of the lode, though at present there is no encouragement m the shape of stone showing in the face. The south, crosscut that was being driven to intersect the Welcome has passed through from the sandstone to a pumice formation, so that it would appear as if the Grand Junction is not to be favoured with the desired lode in this portion of the mine. At all events this is so m regards this upper working, and this perhaps ii due to the fact "that the level is too shallow and has not yet reached the valley level. In consequence of the disappointment received in this direction, l;he manager now intends coming back to a point about 650 feet from the shaft, and to open out upon some irregular stringers of quartz which had been passed through during the progress of the lerel. This work will then determine whether or not the formation intersected is a disturbed body of stone. In connection with the works in the Grand Junction section, the south crosscut has been stopped for the present, whilst the advancement of the northern face is being pushed ahead with vigour. It is expected, however, there will be 300 feet to drive before the Martha lode is met with.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Golden Colkdonia (Cabbage Bay, April 1), -Crosscut in No. 1: The lead is making. It is now 12 inches in the face. Fabulous (Waikoromiko, April 5).-The tunnel: Another leader, six inches, has been intersected, which gives a very fair prospect of loose gold in the dish. Four-in-hand (Waikoromiko, April 5).— Low level tunnel: Owing to improvement in the country, we shall be shall be able to make a little better headway towards intersecting the hangingwall leader. Sheridan -(Tapu, April s).—Low level crosscut: The country penetrated is of a splendid description. The second leader, two inches in thickness, has been passed through. No gold was seen, still it looked very promising. Jat GodliD (Port Charles, April 2).—No. 1 Mclsaacs tunnel: No change. No. 2 tunnel: A small stringer from the haniringwall has junctioned with the main reef. The quartz has a most promising appearance. Have done some prospecting on the big reef, called No. 3 reef, Have not found any gold. There is another reef on the north end of Jay Gould that was found by John Muleaac. It is near the boundary of Waitemata. Will try it shortly. Mata Reefs (Thames, April 6).—Good progress hus been made with the drive to cut the lode referred to in my last. It ii expected that the lode will be met with in a few days. Rialto (Thames, April 3).—Picked up a trail of loose gold on the spur opposite the smithy. I have been trenching the spur, but have not, as yet, located the leader it comes from. FLEMiNGTON(Whangamata).—No. 1 drive: Now driving on the hangingwall portion of the reel north. No. 2 level. We are now in 28 feet through the reef, and it is the same quartz conglomerate. Waiharie (Puhipuhi).—The drive; The country we are going through contains numerous quartz veins, well mineralised. Alma (Waitekauri, April 5).-Crosscut pasted through a six-inch leader, very kindly Rainbow (Waitekauri, April 5).-The cross lode is keeping about the same but the country is a bit harder to work, but better quality. Exchange! Waitekauri, Aprils). -Northern crosscut; passing through the same good class of country, Omma (Waitekauri, April 6).-Low level: No change to report, the country is rather tighter but a good sandstone country. Level going into the Alfred section: The country has improved, the present face shows u good blocky sandstone with occasional quartz stringers. Princess (Karangahake, April O).-The tramway is lnid into the face. Good progress will he made with the extensiou of the low level.

Mata wai (Matawai, April s).—The reef is still looking well, but there is no change in the stone yot. ' Foktuna No. 2 (Coromandel, April 3).~ Drive to intersect No. 1 reef: The country penetrated is full of leaders and stringers of quartz. Oakley (Paeroa, April 6).-New drive: A number of stringers of various sizes met with, the largest being about three inches in thickness, carrying a little silica and iron pyrites. From a fire test some of the stone contained bullion.

Hauraki Main Lodes.—The shaft is passing through rock of best description. Water is very slightly increased. Machinery and everything working well, Permanent poppetheads expected to be in position this week. Puru Junction (Puru, April o).—No. 1: The country at present is of a loose nature, but I expect a change into sounder country before many days. No. 2 reef (Pakeha): Struck a good class of leader and have started to drive on it. .The country the leader is passing through is of an exceptionally good quality, and from the way the leader is running I anticipate its junction with the reef in about 12 feet. Mataranci (Matarangi, April 3).—South drive: The reef is not quite so large. This drive has reached a point under where we got good prospects in No. 2 level. Drive going north : The reef has improved in size and quality for the last few feet driven.

THAMES WARDEN'S COURT. [bi telegraph.—own correspondent.] Thames, Thursday. The usual fortnightly sitting of the Warden's Court was held to-day, Mr. Warden Bush presiding. The following business was transacted :—

SPECIAL CLAIMS, ETO. The following unecial claims were recommended ; — T. P. P. Searer, Columbine, Ohui; Richard Leary, Little Wonder, Waiomo (recommended subject to approval of the Survey Office); M. E. Flummer and H. McVVilliiuna, Roacommon, Wharekawa; W. J. McCormick, Whareora, Tapui; H. D. Abbott, Lord Salisbury, Ohui (objected to by J. P. Ward, objector s area being cut out, costs £2 2s allowed to objectors). J. G. Ralph, New MountZeehan, waiomo; H. W. Moore, New Oceola, The Wires; J. G. Ralph, Waiomo Extended, Waiomo ; RenataNgata, Kaliukura, Omahu; F. P. Jones, Puru Extended, Puru; F. P. Jones, Welcome Sound, Puru; J. Johnstnne, Black Douglas, Puru; J. G. Ralph, Waiomo Central, Waiomo; Thomas Scanlon and Thomas Dunbar, New Straight Tip, TaramiF. H. Whalley, Marguerite and Eileen, Tairua; C. G. Walker, Holborn, Whangamata; C. G. Walker, Pall Mall, Whsnganuta; G. H. Mood, Unicorn, Puru; A. P. Vicary, Mountain Maid. Paratene Ngata, Wharekawa, Nos. 3, Mb, 4,6 special claims, all at Tairua. Mr. Mmer appeared for Paratene Ngata. The* application was objected to by Tasraan Naheon th* ground that people were living on the land and cultivating it, and also by Graham, a native, who was living on the block. Mr, Miller called Captain Mair, the Land Purchase Agent for the Government, who laid he was iware of the way in which Kept obtained the land, which was divided into two portions, the one on which the claims are eituated being unfit for culcivation. Because of the loss he sustained through theTarawera eruption Mere Taipari's interest was bought by Mr. Duthie, who sold it to Paratene, who was now applying for the five special claims. There were two of Paratene's tribe living on the land. Tasman Nahe was ont of those who conveyed the land absolutely, and there were no cultivations whatever on this portion. Graham, the other objector, had no interest whatever in the land, He was allowed to squat on it by sufferance. Adjourned to April 23rd for the production of transfers, The iollowinir were granted:—E. H. Whitaker, Newton Extended licensed holding, Whangamata; John Butcher, Mediterranean licensed holding (in the name of Robert McFarlane); Patrick Cliffy, Rue and Shine special claim, Newesvillc (granted as a licensed holding); Charles Newton, waterrace, Whangamata (granted subject to Kauri Timber Company's floatage righw. Refused: William Morrison, Omaha Gem special claim. Omaha. Struck out: John Ryan, Ryan's Freehold special claim, Great Barrier. Withdrawn: Si H. Matthews, Darby ipecial claim, Whangamata; Alex Campbell, Waikawan special claim. MISOBLLANEOUS APPLICATIONS. The following were granted :-Chaa. Mewten, water-race, Whangamata, Kauri Timber Company objecting, subject to the Kauri Timber Company's floatage rixhu; Albert Cuff, water-race, Colossus Creek, subject to the Kauri Timber Company's floatage right*; E. H. Whitaker, water-race, Quarti Cntk, subject to the lame conditions; E. H. Whitaker, water-race, junction of Colouui Creek and Tairaa Rirer, granted nbjtct.to the,aame conditions; A. McMthoo, water-

race, Whalebone Creek; B. H. Bishop, water-race, Sutcliffe's Driving Creek, subject to Leyland and O'Brien's floatage rights; J. H. Harrison, water-race, W»ipa : heke Creek: H. Owen, water-race, Puhoi Creek; J. SteveDSon, water-race, Creek in the Pakeha special claim, Puru: J. Stevenson, machine site, on the Pakeha special claim, Puru; Ja». Coe, permission to work Day Dawn Extended special claim with two men, instead of 21, for four months; T. Millett and E. C. Beak permission to work Mount Taylor special claim with two men instead of 26 for four months; J. A. Pond, permission to work Scottish Chief special claim with one man instead of 33 for four months (granted with two men); J. A. Pond, permission to work Dream special claim with one man instead of 88 for four months (granted for two men); Renown Gold Mining Company, permission to work Renown special claim with (our men in»tead of 33 for four months; Tamihana Gold Mining Company, permission to work Grand Coup special claim with two men instead of 23 for four months; Ulysses Gold Mining Company, permission to work Ulysses No. 1, Ulysses No. 2, and Ulysaea No. 3, etch with one man instead of 33 for four months j J. Teddy, six months' proteetiou for Golden Chariot special claim, Matatoke; Puriri Gold Mining Company, six months' protection for water-race No. 9231; Qiieen of Beauty Gold Mining Company, six months' protection for Manning's Reset ve licensed holding -, Puriri Gold "Mining Compauy, permission to work Puriri special claim with two men instead of 33 for four months; York Gold Mining Company, permission to work London special claim with three men instead of 32 for four months; Waipuru Gold Mining Company, six months' protection for water-race No. 9280; Nellie Gold Mining Company, permission to work Nellie licensed holding with two men instead of five for four months; Club Gold Mining Company, permission to work Club special claim with three men instead of 16 for four months; Tararu Creek Gold Mining Company, special, debris site, Tararu Creek (granted, subject to flow of water in the creek not being interfered with): R. Tomsou, permission to work Shamrock licensed holding with two men instead <>f seven for four months; J. M. Moran, six months' protection for Eclipse Nβ. 1 special claim; R. Worth, sjx mouths' protection for Never-miss apeciai claim; Mclsaacs Gold Mining Company, permission to work Young Australian licensed holding with two men instead of nine for four mouths, and also to work the Mclsaacs licensed holding with twojnen instead of nine for four months ; Orion Gold Mining Company, six months protection for waterrace No. 9275, and machine site; City of London Gold Mining Company, six months protection for Gity of London special claim; Albert Gold Mining Company, permission to work the Winder special claim with four men instead of 33 for four months; Boss Gold Mining Company, permission to work New Boss special claim with two men instead of 33 men for four months; Sheridan Gold Miuing Company, permissiou to work Sheridan special claim with six men instead of 33 for four months; Magazine Gold Mining; Company, permission to work Magazine West special foreshore claim with one mnn instead of nine for four months ; E. H. W hitaker, six months' protection Golden Castle special claim: J. Churton, six months' protection for the Melbourne Cup special claim; W. B. Jackson, six months' protection for Trump special claim; J. Corbett, permission to work Golden Mount speci.il claim with three men instead of 33 for four months ; R. B. Luek, permission to work Golden Mount Extended special claim with two men instead of fourteen men for four months; H. Lowe, permission to work New Caledonia apeciai claim with two men instead of 33 for four months; Golden Horn Gold Mining Company, four months' protection for Golden Horn licensed holding; Herald Gold Mining Company, permission to work Herald special claim with five men instead of 31 for four months; Bendigo Gold Mining Company, permission to work Bendigo special claim with five men instead of 33 men for four months; Steve Catran, six months' protection for Morning Dawn specirl claim; John Muir, six months' protection for Hope Extended special claim: W. H. Buckley and J. Onyon, permission to work Eclipse licensed holding with one man instead of five for four months; Jas. Darrow, six months' protection for Columbia special claim; Jas. Baggott, six months' protection for Whangamata reserve No. 1, WhaDgamata reserve No. 2, and Whangamata No. 3 special claims; J. H. Smith, eix mouths' protection for Beehive licensed holding; A. Bureher, waternice, Tairua; R. J. Hastings, residence site, Puriri; Hastings Gold Mining Company, permission to work Sheridan No. 2 special claim with two men instead of 26 lor six months; Albert Gold Mining Company, six months , - protection for waterraco No. 9293, Tairua; VY. S. Styak, permission to work Ace special claim with one man instead ot 33 for tour months'; J. H. Flemini;, permission to work Domino special claim with one man instead of 33 for four months; C. McLean and J. H. Fleming, permission to work Kirikiri No. 1 special claim with one man instead of 33 for four months; J. H. Fleming, permission to work Ivanhoe special claim with one man instead of 33 for four months; Sunlight GoldmininK Company, permission to work Sunlight special claim with four men instead of 33 for four months; E. T. Dufaur, six months protection for Mandoline ami Inverness special claim ; J. Kernick, six months' protection for the Ulysses Extended special claim; May Queen Hauraki, Limited, permission to work Hidden Treasure special claim with one man instead of two for four months; E. M. Clark, permission to work Kuvero special claim with two men instead of 33 for four months; European Gold Mining Company, six months' protection for Duplex special claim. The following were withdrawn:—P. Bennett, permission to work No Surrender special claim with two men instead of 17 for four mouths; W. H. Lucas, permission to work No Surrender Extended licensed holding with two men instead of ten for four months; Motrin, uermissiou to work Waimca special claim with four men instead of 33 for four months; J. H. Smith, permission to work Waiinea Extended licensed holding with one instead of six men for four months; T. A. Dunlop, permission to work Park licensed holding with one man instead of three for four months. PLAINTS. Thomas Hicks and others v, Apakura Syndicate: A claim for wages. The evidence and arguments in this case were heard last court day. In giving judgment the Warden contended that the defendant had contributed to the manner in which the work was completed. Judgment was given for the amount claimed, £36 12s, and costs of Court, 13s. After considerable discussion it was decided to allow the question of witnesses'costs to stand over for some time, until it was ascertained what had been done in previous cases. William Preeble v. W. D. Sweetapple, claim for forfeiture of the Leap Year aud Cinderella special claims. Mr. Jordan stated that £18 15e rent w»a owing, which he was trying to collect, and asked the Warden uot to forfeit the claim until he had had an opportunity to recovering the rent. The case was adjourned to April 23. Chas. Manuel v. Tararu Creek Gold Mining Company: Plaint for forfeiture of waternee No. 9205. Messrs. Biume and Harper appeared for the plaintiff, and Meisra. Cotter and Miller for the defendant company. Mr. Jordan, mining registrar, stated that the race was granted on October 11,1895. On the 20th March, 1896, six months' protection was granted, but on August 7, 1896, another six months' protection was given, which expired in February. Mr. Bauirie stated that he was unaware of the latter protection beisg granted, and he put in a plaint for forfeiture on the ground that from September 19th no work had been doue in connection with the race, and therefore he would withdraw his plaint. Charles Manuel v. Tararu Creek Gold Mining Company: Claim for forfeiture of water-race No. 87, and priority of right to the lame. Mr. Baume, who appeared with Mr. Harper for the plaintiff, stated that no evidence would be given in the case, but it would be a legal argument with Mr. Cotter, who, with Mr. Miller, appeared for the company. Mr. Cotter, who spoke at length for nearly fifty minutes, was replied to by Mr. Baume in a lengthy address. Eventually the Warden stated that he would go in the morning and see the ground himself. Mr. Adams, who surveyed the company's race, and Mr. Allom, who surveyed the pjaintifPi race, to accompany him to show him the pegs. The case was adjourned till to-morrow morning.