TAIRUA MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10417, 15 April 1897, Page 6

TAIRUA MINING NEWS.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Wednesday. I have just returned from a visit to the Tairua district, and, judging from the amount of work that is at present being carried on upou several of the mining properties in that locality, there should be some important discoveries to chronicle at no far distant date. Up to the present, however, the principal works carried out have been chiefly what may be termed of a prospecting character, none of the companies haviug as yet accomplished much opeuiuz up work as regards the development of ore bodies, with the exeeption of the Broken Hills Company; but from hence more work of this latter character will no doubt be done, as most of the mines in operation have already succeeded in locating their ore bodies. One great drawback to the district, however, is the want of proper roads or tracks to enable prospectors and others to get about with advantage from one point to another. At the present time the tracks in the district are in % very bad state, and most uncomfortable to travel over, notwithstanding the fact that this is the driest season of the year. It is true that the Broken Hills Company has spent several hundred pounds in repairing and putting into order the main road that leads up from what is known as Winder's landing to its own mine, so that it is now possible to bring a dray over that section, but the Thames County Council, who have tie looking after aud control of the whole of tne tracks, etc., in the district, have done very little during the recent summer mouths towards placing them in good order for the wet season that is fast approaching. This is a great oversight on the part of the local body in question, but it is to bo hoped that steps will shortly be taken by it to remedy the defect as much as possible before the worse of the winter months sots in, especially as it has for some time past been reaping much pecuniary benefit from the recent revival of the mining industry in this aud other of the out districts which comes uuder its eoutrol. The prospects of the mining industry undoubtedly warrant something being done to remedy the present state of matters, but apart from this some consideration should be made for tho large number of miners that are now at work in all of the outdistricts, as well as for the large number of visitors that are daily passing through on rounds of inspection to the mines that they may be interested in. THIS BROKEN HILLS MINE. Since my last visit to this mine, abont seven months ago, a great deal of opening up and prospecting work has been accomplished, and although, so far as I could glean, the results have not been so successful as was anticipated would have been the cue when the mine was first taken over from the prospectors, still, on the whole, the prospects are of u very satisfactory character, and if the mine continues to open up as well in the future, as it has done up to the present, then its success is assured. I may state at the outset, however, that I urn unable to give any information as to the assay values of the ore bodies discovered, and upon which operations are now in progress. This is duo to the fact that Mr. T. Seavcr was not present at the time of my visit, and the foreman of works, Mr. Robert Eli, who showed me round tne mine, and explained the various points of operations, informed me that the assay results did not come within his department, and that he was unable to give me any information concerning them. Consequently it remains for mo ouly to detail tho opening up works that are now iu course of development.

These latter comprise at the present juncture the driving of five different levels, all of which are in progress iu the large bald hill of the No. 2 block in which the original prospectors found the patch of rich ore that led to the flotation of the Broken HilU property on the Loudoti market by Mr. Jonathan Seaver. Three of these levels are situated in close proximity to oue another on the northern face of the hill referred to, whilst the fourth is situated on the southern face, and the fifth, which is the lowest of all, is on the western end or river side of the hilt in question, about 50 feet above the level of the river itself. In addition to the3e levels, however, a large amount of prospecting work has also been done upon Nos. 3 and 4 blocks, and in two or three instances very fair prospects met with, but these are at present at a standstill, pending the carrying nut of the works that are now being pushed forward, and which are considered to be of far greater importance iu respect to the development of the mine. Beside the opening up of the levels referred to, a large open surface cutting is also being carried in on the northern face of the hill near the point where the prospectors found tho rich ore. One of the chief reasons for this cutting is because when operations were commenced some time ago upon the rich ore, the latter was found to bo very limited in quantity, and that instead of thero being a deSued body of quartz to operate upon, as was at first believed to be the case, there was only a "pocket" of good ore, which had apparently slipped away at some past period from a reef that has not yet been located, consequently the chief object of the cutting uow in progress is to ascertain, if possible, tho position of the reef from which the rich ore came. The cutting has been carried into the hill a diatanco of about 150 feet from the starting point, the average width being about '20 feet at the bottom aud 35 feet at the top, but as yet nothing of importance has been discovered, although numerous small leaders have been passed through, and a few feet further should bring the face in to where the rich ore was found in No. 1 drive. In addition to probably locating the reef sought for, the open cutting will alio serve to test in a most practical manner a section of country that is interlaced with itringers and veins of quartz varying in thickness from the back of a knife to four or live inches, together with a lot of rubbly quartz, which apnoara to strike across the whole face of the hill, and which has already been penetrated by Nos. 2 and 3 drives, and found by assay to be of considerable value. This section of country is apparently of gieat thickness, and from the knowledge already gleaned concerning it, it only remaius to be systematically developed to prove a source of great remuneration to the com-

puny, The lower section of the cutting for a depth of about 30 feet lias been at a standstill Utterly, and instead a crosscut is being put in at n depth of about 30 feet below the floor of No. 1 drive. This crosscut at the time of my visit was in a distauce of about 35 feet, in a most favourable class of country, and would require to be driven a further distance of about 30 feet to reach underneath the face of the cuttiug overhead. It will prove whether or not any more of the rich ore centinue* downward, and that, too, in a speedier manner than would be accomplished if the whole width of the cutting was carried in. Several nice-looking veins have been passed throughout nothing of very much importance has yet been revealed. Th« No. 2 drive, which is about on a same level with No. 1 drive, except that it is situated about 70 feet further westward, has been carried in a distance of about 250 feet from the face of the hill. The greater part of this distance ii through a mixture of the rubbly quartz and veins as referred to above, end the opinion formed concerning it is, that with a large reduction plant erected upon the mine, the bulk of it will not only pay for treatment, but also leave a fair margin of profit. At a point about 70 feet in from the mouth of this drive a crosscut lias been driven in from the left-hand side and a connection effected with the No, 1 drive at a point where the rich ore was met with in the latter. This crosscut revealed nothing of importauce, as a great portion of it passed through a rather broken section of country, and when it reaohed the point where the the run of rich ere was supposed to exist it showed that the extent of-the same was very limited. At a distauce of 200 feet in the main drive several strong and nice looking veins of quartz were passed through, which eventually led to the putting in of a crosscut on the western or right-hand side of the main drive. After going in a distance of about 90 feet in this latter direction, a strong body of quartz about seven feet in thickness, running a northeast and south-west course, was intersected, and this has since ( been opened np for a length of 51 feet on the north side of the crosscut and 60 feet on the south side. The ore of which this body is composed is of the usual light brown description, with curly flinty veius in which streaks of blue sulphide are frequently seen, and I was iuformea that assays made of the lame showed that the ore was of a remunerative character, The main drive is at present at a standstill, but a very good olats of country shows in the face. No. 3 drive, which is situated between 200 and 300 feet westward of No. 2 drive and about 40 or 50 feet higher up the hill, it in a distance of 287 feet. This drive has passed through the lame quartz formation of country as was penetrated by No. 2 drive, and I was informedthe same favourable,' results were also obtained from assays made of the quartz. At the extreme end of this drive a crosscut; which is already in a distance of 33 feet, is being, driven eastward to test the country between it and the southerly drive that is proceed on "the 7-foot reef in the No. 2 drive. At the point: where the cross cut started from : the side of the drive a reef formation ' ov«r twa' feet" in .thickness was passed through, but since then only small stringers ana rubbly quartz mixed with •onntry rock has been met with. . \ • ■■': The reason; why both Not. 2and 3 drives are not.being pushed forward at the sent ioactuj* ii btcMiM wait u termed w inter*

mediate drive or crosscut is now under way from the opposite or southern side of the hill, but at a depth, about 150 feet lower than No. 3 drive on the north side. This intermediate drive, which is already in a distance of about 120 feet, will test the same line of country as that which would be penetrated by both Nos. 2 and 3 drives, so that there is no need of pushing these Utter forward. Another reason why it is advisable to proceed with the intermediate drive from the south side of the hill instead of Nos. 2 and 3 drives, from the north side, is because of the groater depth of the former, which will give a better chance for getting iuto a more-solid class of country, and where any ore bodies met with are likey to be more defined than would be the case at the higher levels. The course of this intermediate drive is almost due north-west, and this direction will bring it vertically underneath No. 3 drive. Up to within the last 10 or 15 feet of driving, the country passed through his been of a somewhat broken formation owing to the proximity ot the surface; but & change for the better in this respect has now set in, and oue which is getting fall of quartz veins, the same as is the case in tho drives on the opposite side of the hill. About half way in the drive a large body of ore, showing a thickness of about 15 feet on the right hand aide was passed through, but on the left hand side it was much jumbled up, owing to the country ou that side being very broken. The ore, however, was not of much value where passed through, bnt of course it might improve in value if followed for a short distance, and this will probably be done at some later period. What, in my opinion, is the most important work of any that is at present proceeding in the mine is the driving of a low level from the extreme western end, or river side, of the hill, which will pass through the centre of the same for its whole length, at a point fully 500 feet below its summit and about 300 feet below the intermediate level on the south side. It is about 50 feet above the water level, and its course is almost due west. As this tunnel is inteuded to act as the principal centre from which to eventually conduct the whole of the operations in the hill, its dimensions are such as will provide plenty of room for the same, it being eight feet high, six feet wide ac the top, and eight feet at the bottom. Il is already in a distance ot about 125 feet, but it is estimated that, fully another 200 feet will require to be driven to get into the channel of country which carries the extensive ore formation in tho drives at the upper section of the hill. Prom this level, crosscuts can eventually be driven to teat the sections of country ou both sides, and it will also be possible to connect the same by means of a rise or winze with both the intermediate and No. 3 drives, as its course has been laid out to come directly underneath these latter points, so that it will be possible to mike the low level the chief exit for the whole of the output when the mine is once opened upr and in full operation. It is intended to push this low level ahead as rapidly as possible, as by its aid tho mine can be better prospected than from any other point, and it will also prove with more detiniteness and greater promptness, whether or not the quartz formations met with in the upper drives becomes more defined as they make downwards, or whether, as many think is the case, the whole hill is a massive quartz formation. The entrance to the low level is situated several chains distant from the proposed battery site, but the general formation of the country leading down to the same is of such a favourable character that a ground trainwry can be formed at a comparatively low cost, so that no trouble and very little expense will be iuourred in that respect. I was not able to obtain any information as to what steps, if any, have been taken in regard to the erectiou of a reduction plant, but I was given to understand that steps are likely to be taken soon in regard to the construction of the water-race, which will be about four and a-half miles in length, so that apparently tho erection of a plant will be commenced at an early date. One important feature in connection with the mine, and which I hare refrained from mentioning until the last, for the simple reason that my information regarding the same is somewhat limited in character, is a discovery recently made regarding the work done by the Albert Gold Mining Company in what is known as their Despised tunnel. This tunnel was supposed to be within the boundary lino of the Albert Company's own ground, but it has now been discovered that It is about two chains within the Broken Hills No. 4 blocks, the mistake having occurred through a misunderstanding regarding the position of the pegs of the two sections of ground. A distance of about l!2Bft has been driven in this tunnel, and an ore body passed thrmigh about Bft in thickness at a point about 45 feet in from thce ntrance. Assays made of the ore on behalf of the Albert Company have given results equal to about £8 per ton, so that its discovery should prove a valuable acquisition to the resources of the liroken Hill?" Company. The latter, however, has not as yet taken any steps for its further development, but will-probably do so at an early date. It will be seen from the above particulars that the Broken Hill Company is losiug no time in fully testing and developing its extensive area of ground, for at the present juncture between 50 aud 60 miners are emplayed in carrying out the works in progress, whilst the prospects so far obtained stamp the property as being a most valuable oue, and one which deserves being developed in the thorough and systematic manner that it is now receiving under the management of the Messrs. Seavcr Brothers. THE ALBERT O.M. CO. This company's property, which comprises an area of about 153 acres, lies on the northern boundary of the Broken llills mine. Operations were commenced under the management of Mr. John McDonald, a well-known Thames miner, in June last, since which period a large amount of work has been done upon the property in the shans of surface trenching mid the driving of levels, the total number of feet driven by a limited number of men being 625, besides about a mile of trenching. The results attending these operations have, upon the whole, been of a most encouraging character, for no less than four different reefs have been discovered, from all of which very fair prospects are obtainable. The reef, however, from which the most was expected, and upon the strength of which big anticipations were formed, was one about Bft in thickness, intersected iu a tunnel which has unfortunately been found to have beou driven in the Broken Hills No. 4 block, near the Albert Company's boundary. This reef, however, runs a north-east and south-west course, so that the Albert Company gots its northeastern continuation. In fact, the company has already commenced operations upon it in their own ground, at a level some 40ft or 50ft higher up the side of the hill. At this latter point the reef, which is composed of a gritty quartz formation, interlaced with ■mall villus, maintains its thickness of about Bft, and looks quite ia promising as it does in the first, mentioned level, but no assays have yet been made of its value at this point. It is intended to proceed with the development of this reef as rapidly us possible, as it is considered to be an ore body well,worthy of a systematic and vigorous trial. Backs about 60 feet in height will be obtainable in a very short distance of driving, and these will quickly increase in height as the drive is pushed ahead, for the hill itself rises rery rapidly at this poiut. Some distance further up the same hill another large ore body has been revealed by surface trenching, and with the object of testing its size and value at depth, a level is being opened up about 50 feet below its outcrop. This level is already in a distance of about 42 feet, which leaves a further distance of about 100 feet to drive to reach the downward strike of the reef in question. A very kindly class of country is being penetrated, and it is auticipa ted that the reef will be to hand iu a month hence. In addition to the above-mentioned works, Mr. McDonald is also employing a portion of his staff in carrying out prospecting work at the northern end of the Company's property. At this end of the ground an outcrop of a reef has been discovered which gires highly remunerative assay values, and a level is now in courae of progress to intersect it at a depth of about 40 feet from the surface. This level is already in a distance of 103 feet, aud a further distance of 50 feet should see the reef to hand. Besides this work, a considerable amount of prospecting has been done upon the outcrop of a large ore body which strikes across the Tairua river from the opposite bank, bnt bo far the operations have uot resulted in anything of importance being found, as the outcrop appears to be very much broken up where it has been touched upon up to the present. The above includes all the works at present proceeding upon the proDerty, but the other sections of the company's large area of ground will uo doubt receive thai attention later on which its position and prospects warrants it receiving. It may be mentioned that the company is possessed of a most suitable machiue site, and also of the necessary water-rights iu connection with the same, so that if future developments should warrant the erection of a reduction plant there will be no obstacle in the way as regards these latter requirements. NEW YEAB G.M. CO. This company's property lies between the weytern boundary of the Broken Hills mine and the Tairua River, and comprises an area of about 32 acres. The only work that is prooeediog upon the property at the present juncture is the driving of a level iuto the spur that leads down From the Broken Hills Company's Nos. 1 and 2 blocks in Wder to intersect a reef that outcrops ou the surfa:e of the tpur referred to. The total/diiUnce wlikh it it estimated will be reouW to h>

driven to reach the reef is about 150 feet, 40 feet of which has already been accomplished, and backs übout 50 feet in height will be provided. The reef at its outcrop shows a thickness of several feet, and as excellent dish prospects of coarse gpld havejjeen obtained from it, there appears to be Rood reason for anticipating that favourable results will attend its intersection and development iu the level now being opened up THE BROKEX HILLS EXTENDED AHD TAIBUA SPECIAL. The Messrs. Seaver Bros., who hold an option over both of these properties, the first of which is situated on the eastern boundary, and the latter on the southern boundary of tho Broken Hills mine, have for some time pist been carrying out a gqod deal of prospecting work on tho same, but as yot no payable ore has been discovered iu either of them.