WAIHI G.M. CO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10417, 15 April 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

WAIHI G.M. CO.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. [fuom ODR OWN CORK&SPOXDBHT.j The Waiiii Gold Mining Company's mine, at Wailii, which is unquestionably the great mine of Ohinemuri, and, without exception, the most consistent and largest bullionproduced Hid colony |)bssesses, lias by its splendid contributions of the precious metal assisted in a very large measure to attract the attention of the British capitalist to New Zealand mines', and ted (6 iiuijieious good llrtipcrties being taken tip in Its vicinity. These M beiiij; systematically develeped, and there is no ddillit oltr vast mineral rSgitSd is being thoroughly exploited with satisfactory results) large dumber* of gdod "didbearing lodes hiviiig.been exposed in vkrioiis portions of the peninsula. In addition to drawing attention to New Zeaaud properties', the Wailii Company' lias , also gfveii an object lesson to colonials as to the excellent results that can be achieved by the treatment of low grade ore on an extensive scale, and I liiii'fe hot tlie slightest hesitation ill asserting that this lesson will be more, deeply impressed when the large works at Owhaipa are completed, gild Hie preseiit oitttiiit of bullion considerably increased. This uius'fc iiattirally be the sequel to the development works in. hand. It may be asked, can the mine continue to supply such a vast quantity of ore as will be necessary to keep the large plant regularly employed In reply to such a question I may Say that if a person has any doubts' upon the matter he has only to take it trip to Walhi, and the quantity of stone exposed in somaiiy pluces in the company's mine, would, I am sure, convince even the greatest pessimist that there is, apparently, all unending slip jily of ore, and that even the present levels alone would be sufficient! to keep a very large mill constantly employed in the reduction of ore for many, many years to come. Althoui'h the mine has now been ib course of development for a number ot years, it may be said to be yet only in its infancy, for, correctly speaking, only three levels, namely, the adit and Nas. 1 and 2 levels, have been reached, and from these workings something like HUGO tons of ore per month are despatched to the mill for treatment. Some idea may, therefore, be gathered of the immense possibilities of the Martha and Welcome lodes, which are beiiig operated apou, and when the present exploratory works citn yield without any extra effort such a large tonnage regularly, it may be safely assumed that tlie retf sys'tein underfoot will be fonnd equally productive. At all events, the Uompauy is in a safe condition us regards gold-bearing ores, and one pleasing feature worth recording is the fact that a new and important development has occurred at No. i level, notice of which has. already appeared in the columns of the Herald. The development Is all the more important, iuasinuch as it opens up to the company a hew era of prosperity. I refer to the make of stone in the drive going eastward at the No. 2 level. To make the matter brief, and at the same tilde clear; 1 may state that In the,two levels above the great Martha lode " petered " out, or at all events it appeared to do so, and it was generally conceded that in the direction named the reef dwindled away altonether. Lately, however, the No. 2 level reached the point underneath the apparent taperingoffot the Marthain the No. 1 level, and as the ore body appeared to possess the same characteristics as in the upper workings, it was naturally thought that the terminus had again been reached. The manager, Mr. Gilmoiir, nevertheless kept the level going ahead with a view to determining* the problem as to whether or not the Martha lived beyond a certain point, and after about 60ft of driving the level was slightly veered to the left, and passing through a horse of sandstone, the main body of stone came in very strong again. It.is needlessto say that this happy state of alfaifs gave the greatest of satisfaction not only to the manager, lint to the superiutcmiaiit, Mr. Barry and all the lucky shareholders, proving as it did that gqing further east this company's magnificent bullion producer still existed in a healthy state', Immediately the body of ore made strong again it was crosseutted south east and northwest, and in both directions a splendid lode formation was laid bare. The south-easterly crosscut was the first one undertaken, and it was followed for about 28 feet, though it was only during the last 14 feet that the reef became solid, the first half being composed of sandstone country intermixed with numerous quartz seams. At the end of the 28 feet a soft kind of bluey country,'heavily mineralised, came in with a dip slightly to the north-west, and so far as it has been exposed it would seem as if it is underlying at a different tingle to the hangiugivall of the Martini lode. The manager therefore came to the conclusion that this particular body ot stono was associated'with the Welcome lode, so leaving the wall he went back to the level again and crosscutted in a north westeily direction with most successful results, orer 29 leet of solid quartz having been passed through before the other wall came to hand. From all appea iviicos it would seem as if this is the main body of ore, though it apparently lias been heaved slightly to the north-east by a horse of country, which previously had been taken for the wall, where a crosscut was put in a short distance back, to ascertain the size of the lode. At all events, there the Martha now stands exposed for 294 feet, and a valuable lode jt is, as for the first 15 foot from the face it gave on an average loz of gold and loclwt of silver to the ton, though the remaining portion was of less value. This clearly proves that the outlook for the company is brighter than ever, and it is my opinion that the lode will also be found just as strong in the levels above when the country is proved. Operations upon the lode will not be commenced until better ventilation is secured, and when this has been accomplished no doubt the face on the reef will be advanced.

As already stilted the development is of great importance to the Waihi Company, whilst itt the same time the new discovery is one that should possess a considerable amount of interest for other companies operating to the north-east of the Waihi, as the tracing of the lode so far through the Waihi Company's ground gives encouragement that its strength will not diminish as driving on its trend progresses. At the same time it nflbrds more hope that the reef is not going to confine itself to the »rea within the pegs of the company in question. I may say the company have now a large and valuable block to open up in the north-eastern portion of their mine, as there will be from eight to nine hundred feet of driving to lie accomplished before their eastern boundary, or the north-western boundary of the Orand Junction is reached.

No doubt the future operations of the compauy will be watched with more iuterestthan ever, especially as more extensive works are being undertaken The development of both the Martha and Welcome lode 3 js proceeding assiduously at the several levels, tho latter body looking especially well at No. 2 level. Here over ICOO feet have beenproved, the ore beiijif mi the average worth close upon ah oz of gold to tile ton, while as regards width it maintains a good working size, being in Home places beyoud the No. 2 shaft fully 30 feet wide. The interesting part of this development is that the reef is getting stronger and better as depth upon it is attained, as in the levels above the ore body does not show anything like to such advantage as at this No. 2 level.

Looking nt the mine all round, it is unquestionably opening np better than ever, and its value has certainly been considerably enhanced by the recent rich discovery. The lucky shareholders can therefore regard the future with the greatest of hope, and anticipate remunerative returns for years. The brilliant results achieved by the Waihi Company should also be an incentive to other companies to diligently prosecute their works of development, for they, too, have their chance of reaping the same reward for diligent and systematic labour.

The company are not only conducting a vait amount of work in the mine, but at the surface great preparations are beiuK made for the carrving on of underground explorations on a more extensive eoale than ever. Powerful pumping and winding machinery is being erected over the No. 2 shaft, four large mnltitublar boilers having been already landed on the engine' site and are now beiuK bricked in. The pumping plant is certainly to_ be of a model pattern.and when completed will be oto of the fimest And most efficient plants of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The engine is to be one of Haythorne, Davey and Co,'a differential compounds, and when I state that it will be capable of lifting 1000 gallons per minute to a height of 1000 feot, some idea may be gathered of its immense pumping oapacity, The expenditure at present being inonrred by the company in order to systematically »nd profitably develop their l»fge vroperty is certainly; enormous, but the revenue from the mine is so large and steady, that it is amply justified. The company are not only conducting operations at Waihi, bat, at already known, they are erecting a very large reduction plant at Owharoa, or Waikino, as it is now called. These works, which, I may state, are on the northern bank of the Ohinemuri situated about five miles below Waihi, and are leint rapidly pushed ahead under the able superintendence of Mr. H. P. Barry. t The battery site is euy of access, and is situated in the heart of the goldSelds, and afford* a nice easy tramway grade from the mine.

The tank-shed ii a very large building, being 270 feet in the dear by 114 feet in Width. This shed will contain 20 percolating vat», efcc.ll cipablt oi boldjng ISO tone of

The battery itself is situated to the west of the tauli-shed, being already partly excavated, aiid is situated with due regard to the economic treatment of the we. The foundation, uprights, and framing for 50 heads, are now in place, wliile the other portion is beiug vigorously operated upon. One hundred head of stampers will be erected at ouce, whilst provision is to be made for the erectioii later oil, if it is thought desirable, of fill additional 0 Head in the direction of the tank-shed; Tlife mortars Are bf the, double discharge .pattern, and are the produce ot that weii-Kiib'tfii foundry llrih, Messrs. lride i)rbtneT 3 , of Thank's. Tlife sfcaifips are UtiUlbs weight eilch i ili tact, the latest and best mill practice has beeii embodied in the design throughout, and hears ample evidence of Mr. Barry's mechanical skilj. One important feature in connection with die heiv works Is file large space provided for Hie ore bill:*, aiid as these will be always kept tilled there will never be Any danger df a stoppage of the plant from want of ore. Altogether, the new battery will bo fitted up with all liecess'ary appurtenances for the elhcient and at the salne tiiiie economical treatment of ore, and when h'liishe'd it will be second to nolle in the colonies. Before passing from the treatment of till* ore, 1 may state that the question which at present appears in be iig'Uatiiig tlie Ihiiids of the jiiili managers in the district is wet versus dry ctusliiligj ahd experiments lire now bfeiiik niiide by some of the leading experts with a view to s,olvjug the problem as to which method of tre**ment will give the best results. These experiments fee, as already known to the reader* of the HtfeALU, commenced spine time ago at the New Zealand Grown Mines' reduction works at Karahgahake, aiid, the succeS3 achieved there has induced the New Zealand Exploration Company, who are the owners of tile mines in question, to permanently adopt tile iret system of treatment,preparations fur which are already well 111 hand. In commoil with other managers Mr. Barry has also fhe same problem to work out in connection with the ore won irom the Waihi mine, and if it is found, after a thorough trial, that the wet method of treatment is the best for his particular kind of ore; it is) I understand; to be put into practice in the new mill, consequently several le-arraugements from the orjgiual design may yet be made lit the new. Owliarba works. Of cbiirse, to drive such a large and extensive plant, a great amount of power will be necessary, but this .most valuable concomitant has been well attended to, and the requisite water is to be brought in by means of two water-races. The first one" lias a much higher level than the other, and it hits altogether a length of about six miles. This race commences at a point on the Waitekauri stream, a short distance below the Waitekauri Gold Mining Compaiiy'e mill, and the water is theil brought through 3. tunnel iii chains in leugtli under the kauri bush ; thence over the Alangaluira stream, and along the main road to the penstock on Che top of what is known its Earl's Hill — overlooking the buttery site. Its height at this point is 191 feet above the mill floor, arid the pressure pipes from here convey the water across the Ohinemuri River to tne battery. This race will Work two Peltou wheels, each of which will be capable of developing 140 horse power. The second or low level race commences on theUhiueinuri Riv'er, about four miles above the mill site, and a costly dam is being constructed to dam the river. This dam is about 110 feet in length, 13 ieet 6 inches in width, with a slight batter on the inner face, and is built of stone masonry and cement mortar, with a stone apron, also set in cement, so that it will be seen a thoroughly perinaheut job has been made of the construction. The race itself is eight feet at the bottom, four feet deep, and 12 feet wide at top, and is estimated to carry GO sluice-heads of water, whilst it will provide a fall of about 52 feet from the dam to the mill. This race will work two large turbines, . supplied by Messrs. Gilkis, Gilbert, and Co., of Keimal, and these two' wheels will be capable of developing something like 200 horse-power each, so that it will be seeu that, as far as water power is concerned, the company's superintendent has left no stone unturned in order that the necessary power might be available for the successful working of these immense reduction works. 1 may state that it was for some time a matter of much consideration with the company whether the power of the water-races should be generated by means of electricity and transmitted up to the present mill at Waihi, which.of course, would be still further -enlarged, or whether the new mill at Owjiaroa should be undertaken and connection effected With the mine by means of a tramway. It was thought in connection with the first proposal that the electric current generate!!, would lose a considerable amount of power before reaching ;its destination, so that after mature and careful study, the battery proposal at Owharoa was adopted and the works commenced. This, of course, made the connecting tramway a necessity, and some twelve months ago the tram was commenced, This line was pushed ahead with expedition during the fine weather, with the result that it is now completed with the exception of ballasting, etc., to within 1J miles of the mine. The gauge of the tramway is 2 feet 9 inches (this being the ordinary mining gauge, allowing trucks to be easily handled), and is worked by one of Messrs. Manning and Wardle's saddle tank locomotives of 9-inch cylinder and IS inch stroke, weighing altogether about 10 tons. The total length of the line is about 51 miles, and I understand the cost of formation and permanent way wits something like £1500 per mil'!.

The tramway and water-races Were executed by contract, but all the works at present in hand are being executed by day labour under Mr. Hurry's immediate supervision, though lie is ably assisted in this work by several competent and thoroughly qualified overseers. When this great crushing iilaut will be ready cannot precisely be fixed, but 1 have iio doubt it will not be *ar off completion by the eud of the year. There is no doubt that the (jowl fortune of Ohinemnri, is closely identiiied with the operations at the Waihi Company's mine, and while that great gold producer continues to yield such remunerative returns as it has done in the past, and with increase in the bullion production of other properties, Ohinemuri will surely forge ahead.

MINING ATTHE GREAT BARRIER A VISIT TO THE PROPERTIES. [BY OUR SPKOIiL REPORTER.] Of late considerable attention baa been directed to the Great Barrier as a field for mining operations, and there has been much speculation among the cognoscenti, the brokers, and other dealers in scrip, as to the future of the island. With the object of obtaining full and reliable information on the subject, a Herald reporter was despatched to Great Barrier Island, and the information which follows was obtained on the field, almost) every portion of which was visited and inspected by our representative. GREAT BARRIER GOLB AND SILVER. It is five years ago since silver was first discovered on the Great Barrier Gold and Silver Company's property. The man Lee, mentioned above, was prospecting when he found in a creek stone showing silver, but beyond satisfying himself that there was silver, nothing farther was ventured upon by Lee. Eight months ago the same man discovered what is now. known as No. 3 reef, supposed to be the most valuable on the property, The matter was reported to Mr. Clayforth, and under his directions the ground was pegged off and a quantity of stone forwarded to Auckland for assay. The first assay returned £47 of gold and silver per ton, three subsequent! assays returning from £30 to £64 per ton of bullion. Three tons of stone were then taken from the reef and treated, the crushing giving a return of £12 and £15 per ton respectively. The company was then floated in 60,000 shares, Mr. ilcPeak at that time being mine manager. They drove oh the reef, and took out some 25 tone of quartz. Of this 10 tons were eent to England for treatment, while parcels were also forwarded to Adelaide, Ballarat, Sydney, Thames School of Mines, and Dunedin. Two months ago Mr. R. C. Feilding, ort behalf of the Otaeo syndicate (composed of English capitalist*) secured a five months' option, the price being £1000, with the right to a three months' extension, on payment of another £1000. Mr. N. S. Brown was appointed mine manager on behalf of the syndicate, 25 men being employed on the property. The work done has been driving low level tunnel, ejtendingupper level.orosscutting Out from No. 3 reef to the surface, cutting paddocks, forming roads, erecting wnares, clearing bush, The country (i ' h !' a PP lieS l ° »'l the properties on the held) is of sandstone formation, with occasional leaders of flinty quartz and conglomerate. So far four reefs have been aiscoiered, On the upper level a paddock which will hold some 200 tons of quart*, has bean cat in the face of the cliffs. The drive Wag' started at the junction of the Barrier and Ryan's, driving 80 feet in an easterly direction. A crosscut has been pat iri lor the paddock. ' The low level Iβ now in 80 fte«. 7 Him' f«t from the ao«Ui»

reef was cut, with good indications on botfc ' ' fdob and hangingwalls. It ia a bit epHu?■:' '■ bdt carries nice-looking' stone; direct V ' V east and wet. Forty fe/st in leaden wd : ' ::, stringers .showing antimony were : The drive IS In 90 feet, mat the' affl j"£. ••', our representative's visit) a hard stone i<l' * flinty nature had been met with. V , ) stone, in which the field abounds, is b~' - to work, but shoots well. It jj gJEeSb'a that No; 8 reef will be. cut 70 feet iartheJ ' in, which will make the length di theS ' ' ' 160 feet. So far us the reef has been ex[)tfsed| it gives evferj promiidof gi«dF2 ' ■' good return; Ib is ,2 feet in places) bar pinches again to one-foot, and as fat as hu beeii gone should avdrilge IS inches. Rub* silver shows freely Hi the quarts bub IS hw ■ m a till aecompaiiiuieiitofautilnoHy, arsenical' and iron pyrites, and is expected to 11 give ii good deal of trouble in treatinS-' i The question of treatment, lidwever; ft" referred to farther oh. The principal , '■ matter at present Is whether the' tjuatii' contains the precious minerals (whether \'i' accompanied with base metals or not)) and 1 ' so far the result* liivo been considered id' ': every way satisfactory. Good work is being' done on this mine, though things are yefc in , ' "'',', ah experimental stage. ryan's proprietary. | This claim consists of SO acres, at present .|\": held by Messrs. Ryan on freehold. & prospecting drive wa3 put in on a " . reef which was outcropping* near the' :1 . junction of the Barrier and rtyan'E ■•■;,".; properties. Th 6 stone wa3 assayed, aritl •.• gave a return of 2oz gold, and 2<Jooii (if - silver, equal to £84 per toil. Bit : months ago a nine mouths dpttdfi was secured by Messrs. Lawson and '■-:]:'■ Brett, of Auckland, and since that time ' f ■'■; work has progressed rapidly. At .the .0, present time 3'2 men are employed, shifts ii'*'? working night and day during the seven' .S'-i days of the week. Shortly, the work being : ' ' done is driving on the upper level, following" the course of the feet, sinking tfifize', and J': driving low level tunnel to cut the mafb' \ '■' reef. The country so far passed through , %< ~,-J sandstone. The quartz is full of gold arid silver being the component pattywith arsenic, sulphur, and a littld copper- (:•} showing. In the upper level, No. 3 reel was struck 20 feet in. It) varies in widtb- -,%'• from 12 to IS inches, and should average 't| about 15 inches. It has been traced SO feet. ; . ,;'.5 and it is intended to drive oh it as far as if '.';,! doe?. Indications serve to show that thii r CA reef joins the loria reef, and if this be sotbe '.. :\ big reef.which runs from 9 feet 6 inches to 1J ; feet wide, should be struck on the uppe'l' , < i> level within another 40 feet. Mr. Mackay; ; : :S----the Government geologist, whd recently ■' ' inspected the field, has expressed the; ?.% opinion that the reef outcropping on this j; and other properties is the big reef, aiid ;• $ that the small reefs are but tributaries -'\ and will join the main body in varionj }. places. The low level has been started. : J ;5 with the object of cutting the lode ad fcnl ? junction of the main reef which rani ,- -v diagonally adrd-is the property, terminating , . '■•* at the western boundary, and is supposed ' Vr-'.-to be the continuation of tlie big redf dii« - ' ;' covered ease of the property. This reef ii) -' ' dipping here about one in one, and itij ,, ,', expected that the drive will be in 601) feet > ' ■' before the reef is tapped. A big height of; I .' bHcks (over 300 feet) will thus be obtained, , ':; The winze has been sank almost on the border of the Great Barrier and Ryan's* 'ih and is down 80 (cot;. The reef known as . ;;.■ No. 3 was struck 32 feet down. It rails'. ;,;■ nearly east and -west, and has 6 diji of .. J; about one ill three. So far the country ii ■ ::;' hard, bob it shoots well, and good progfeH■• ;>"' is being made, The reef has been traced on this property SO feet west on the upper level' I ; and 30 feet in the winze* and is holding up ; well. Several other reefs have been ■.( traced, but at present are not befog 'i touched, every effort being made to push ,■'.;.;; on the work? enumerated above, ■ 'M

ORIGINAL GREAT BAKRIERj This property consists of 200 acres, and li situated on tile opposite side of the \VliiW Cliffs tu the two properties described before. About, twelve months ago the present company was formed, the number of shares being SO,OOO. In July , of last year the Anglo • (.'ontiuenial Company secured a three months' but terras could hob bo arranged, mid Iμ syndicate withdrew upon tho termination" of the option. Encouraged by fuvoufablf indications, the coiiipany decided to wotf' the property themselves, Mr. John Martin being appointed mine manager, and sine* that time splendid progress has been madeiln the upper level, winch is in 200 feetj but is not being worked at present, what is known as the Proprietary lodi was cut, the reet being driven upon east and west for a distance of 35 feet on each side. The assays were more than satisfactory, while the result of the crushing* evidently convinced the , ' shateholders that the property was a valu--able one, for it was decided to drive a main low level tunnel to the reef, a distance of 1150 feet, the estimated coat being £ltt The reef, where out, is four feet thick, and well defined. It has been driven on in one place only, but is outcropping to the west* some distance from the drive.

This Claim was pegged oub eight months ago, when the present company wm formed; number of shares 60,000. These were quoted at something like 5s per lOOfJ until, while working in the prospecting drive at a distance of 102 feet, a reef bearing gold and silver was struck. Picked staff from the face of the reef was assayed til . Auckland, the return being 60nz gold ana 500oz silver. Such an assay at ulico jumped the shares up, and they rose to Is Id, at which price they remained for some titflSj and are now quoted at Is 2d. The Atiii is now in 150 feet. The reef has been driven on at an angle which gives the cut 48 feet/ but allowing for this it will be about 30 feet wide. The dip is about one in one. The reef has been traced from the southeast to the north-west boundary of the property (about half-a-miie), and shows splendid stone in places. The reef shows silver and gold, accompanied by anUmony and iron | pyrites, bat so far no copper pyrites hate been met with. The north-west prospecting drive is in 15 feet, and will pro l bably be carried on to the boundary til the property. Before the claim is properly proved it will be necessary to drive at lower level. AOTKA. The Aotea mine lies between the Whit* Cliffs and lona properties, and is bounded on the north by the Great Barrier. It con gists of 200 acres*. A prospecting drive 18 going in on the southern end of the claim. At the timeof our reporter's visit it was in 100 feet, working through free sandstone coilntry, It is the intention of this company to put in a level on the southern end of the Ureal; Barrier ground, driving on to the reef which runs through the property. The site has been laid off and surveyed, and an application for permission to proceed with the work has already been made to the Warden's Court. Tho Barrier Company are driving for the same reef at a higher level above the site selected by the Aotea. Acccording- to surveys the reef should be cut at 313 feet. It runs from the lona to the Great Barrier, cutting through the north-easterly corner of the mine under notice. The reef underlies about one in one to the west and it is sapposed that the Aotea will got a good portion of it, as ib dips fast into that claim. The reef is showing on the outcrop, and is » very big formation. KAITOKE. This property is of the same area as th* majority on the field, viz., 200 acres. It ■> bounded by the Great Barrier north and east, the northern portion being called No. 1 and the eastern Kaitoke No. 2. Several reefs have been discovered on this property. On the No. 1 portion trenching has been done, and a prospecting drive has just been started, and is in 15 feet. On No. 2 portion they are driving with the object of Cutting No. 3 reef, the lode running east and west along tho hill, and, it is supposed, into this property. Ic is expected that the lode will be cut at ISO feet. The drive at j the time of our representative's visit was in ;, 130 feet, going through fine free aandston* j country carrying good indications. ' MOUNT AROB.VTOM. This mine is situated to the west of | Ryan's, and consists of 200 acres. The j ground has been thoroughly prospected, .-■ and is said to oarry very good stone. The company, which was floated a few montM back, did some trenching and put in a drive. The property was then secured on option by Messrs. Seaver Bros., of AiiCK* land, on behalf of an English syndicate. A seven months' option was taken at the raw of £100 per month. Six men are employee) ■ the work consisting of putting in a pro* , j ; pecting drive. The country so far is very., ; v, hard, somewhat resembling the flinty .;.j; <muti lo pronounced iu the lona proper*! r:T£- : .-'- : ' ' ■ : rOOB

a which is said to be gold bearing, "liboiigii a good deal of it is rather hungry SdliklHL'. * tunnel at a higher level was tarted, but ' c was deemed advisable to go for the'reef at a lower level, and work ia Ihcrefore confined to that portion of the Dcoperty. The drive Is in 200 feoc, and a reef glinttltiß silver freely has been cut. Some of the quartz looks really wall, and ,j, assay of stone taken from this mine tfive a return (principally of silver, though there was a email proportion of gold) equal jo about £20 per ton. The mine manager (J lit. fianseu, jun. KDfIERTON. .' this mine is situated west of the Argentdni, ill the direction of Whangaparapara Bay. I' De ' on £ t0 a company of six, who We decided to prospect, and properly prove the ground. The drive is in 200 feet, and splendid country has so fur been met' iritb. Several reefs have been discovered on the property, and it is expected that tho rich lode, which ' ,M already been pet with on the properties lying east, and which ie supposed to carry into the Edgerton; will soon be cut. EXCELSIOR. The Great Barrier Exclesior was formerly known as the White Cliffs. Ic consists of jfjO acre?. If) has been thoroughly proEpected, and several reefs from which satisfactory returns have been obtained, lave been discovered on the property. The country is the same as that Jneb with on the Original, the proving of which will practically do the same for Excelsior, as the direction of nearly all the feefe is east and west, thus catting through the mine under notice. Ib is thought that the Proprietary lode, 4 tcet, runs through this property. BONAN'ZA, CO.MSTOCK, ETC. the remaining properties, Bonanza, Comitock, and junction Barrier lie to blie east of the mines described above. Portion of the ground is on the lull, the remainder fanning into the swamp near the Kaitoke I Creek. The ground has been prospected, lot nothing further has been done, and the properties, together with the Silver Great Barrier East.and Great Eastern, ire now said to belong to the company known as the Great Barrier Gold and Silver Estates Company. Reefs have been discovered on the Bonanza andGomstock. KAORI TIMBER COMPANY'S PROPERTY. On this, a prospecting party consisting of VV. Sanderson, jun., and three men discovered several reefs, some of which carried silver. Ab present driving operations are being proceeded with west of the original. One of the tunnels, which ire 5 feet and 6 feet wide, is in 80 feet, it being intended bo intersect the reef at a low level, Nice stone was procured from the trench on the east of Whangaparapara. THE TREATMENT OF THE ORE. In the opinion of thoso who have given the matter a good deal of attention the chlorinisatioh process will be the most efficacious in treating the quartz. With the presence of so many refractory ores, treatment by the cyanide process is admitted to bo out of the question, and though many of those interested in the various properties profess to troab this phase of the question lightly, there ie no doubt that some difficulty will be experienced in solving this problem, for the chloriiiisation process is a costly one. The more thoughtful, however, recognising the difficulty that looms in the distance, and which must eventually be faced, are prosecuting inquiries with regard to treatment, and the result of their investigations will doubtless be made public in duo course. But it is just as well to here emphasise the tact that there is a difficulty, and thab that difficulty will have to be gob over before the permanency of the Great Barrier as a mining district is assured.

MINING ON FREEHOLDS. &ITKEN V. KENNY AND ANOTHER. WARDEN'S DECISION REVERSED. On March 29, at the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Uonolly (sitting in Banco) gave judgment in the appeal lodged by Mr. William Aitkeii against the decision of Mr. Warden Kenny in the matter of au application made by Mr. Swindle? for the rif>ht to mine on fei'tain freehold property belonging to Mr. Aitken, Mr. (Jooper was for the appellant and Mr. Jackson Palmer for the respondent. On the case being called, His Honor gave judgment as follows:— It is admitted by theappcllant that the right of the Grown to Royal mines, and that for such the Grown can itself mine or grant the right to any subject, ovou upon the lands of private owners, is one inherent in this colony to far as it has not been controlled by any legislation. , It is admitted by tho respondent that the Crown's prerogative is controlled by the several Mining Acts which have been passed ill the colony. Two questions then for in.-.-* in V«. anewed in favour of tiie respondent Mm? In- c.k: succeed. First, tlmttlifst'ruwn (~•.»> '■'•>■ i ■«, «r has re-acyuire(i ils i'!- , ' 1 .!- 1 '"" 1 ''I- , lt'- n;tli respect to 1 lie li'.uii ill quiMti'iu, m..1. ■eooudly, that iU« grunt by the W..i fl«n oi * special claim for mining pur|i«>c i? (la oxi" p cisenf that priiroKCtivf. The land in .jiieatL'-n —»iJ wfi-i— orieinally part of i u>ncu hmt '■>.r\, 10,000 acres or mwa. ■ • lie , ) K oi-i./i T:.e evidence of the n«tj» f-s i< v«rv l 'MO' •■! i '<■ Die to some extent uuiiiwli'i.'ible. a:'o .•' ' tribes were entitlnl to tii'i blo-ili i n-j'-native usage. 'A is u'ideiil cliAt '»evs:i! Were so entitled, but in i." >'iev/ (.hut I uke of the case theA't'Crmiiiaiioii ot tin." <n\V»r is utinecessary, oven ■! i hat! ills 6Viiiiii.\ competent to detrnniue It. The first deiiliiii;, cm .iup|ioscd dealn.«, With this land. i.< a .locuncnt vticken of »« >nagreement, dutsdfith NoTfrabf , lß6l, by Vrhich 26 natives, »' M-iiotii 'li Arakuri (whose full name is Kap*na» To Arakaii), ami Mokoare are two, Thin dwuuicu* io in the following words :— "1. Let all men know, 'V? the f\\kh and t*ople whose uainetl arc attached u; this taper, that is to my '.lie ilcSoeudanti of Matatualiu, fully nhd truly nonieni m thin day, the 2nd day of Nurtmliw, the yew 1861, to permit all fenroptMoa who d.'inrii l> prospect for gold on '«ir livnd, to Gf.arch to: aud to seek for such mild wkiiin all i.i!( lauds from Wair.n to Ca|ii:Colvili<!(Mi'-.iii)), tven unto the sea un the eastern h.i. 4 i wesier.i shores thereof wn will riot prevent nor forbid such Europeans. '.'. If gold should reiily bo foi'iul in considerable quantities then vi will make terms with tlio Oovclnmeiit for the regular working ot such gold. .1. Lot all Wen know likewise that the title ot too km] remains with us, and will not at all lie --.uVted by this arrangemen'. llf the l?uio|>ewi Mid eeekeis come in Urjje tuiirlivra lliou the ««etnraenuhalliuioi»niv. , ftkur3« ; iprcserm order amongst th- i"n: ~■> :■.:-; M-i.uis. ■>. ™oh tribe shall con lint ,ha iviropeaui to its own piece of lan 1." In addition to I lit Bi»unVure ui the % natives this is signed Diuin.l .MoL»nn, Mid also certified to be a true truimlat'ou. In what capacity Mr. (aflerw.>riln Si;' Donald) Mowan elguecl it doco not appo«.r. It was contended by Mr. Palmei that this document was an ur,reenie;ir between the ■ Ji»tives and theOru'.vn; bat oven supposing it to be otherwise of value, I nnaot admit this as a fact. If it is an aji >ei&enf with Myone, it is with .ill Kuropsaiis who desini to prospect on the lands, and withtlwOovernmeut of which Sir Uoimld McLean was lot a member, biu an ofb'oor. .The next is another aifreement betweon nine natives, of vriwin KaiJuuga T« Arakuri , JJdMokoare wen two, nod James Maokay, Civil Commissioner of the district ol Wai- ' poll, on the part of the G'lvarament It whs "i the following words.— \ "This agreement made at Kftparea this }lth day of October, in the year of our Loi'l : '854, witnesseth the consent of the iihief i. 'nd people, the names of whom arellS^jfUhtO I WMoribed, to the following conditions, under ;-'• *jiich Europeans and oth-.rs shall be per- % fitted to 'mine for gold' on then , lands' i" Jituaied at Kapanna, Nenarukohu, and M.Ijy »#ai, in the district of Ooroniandijl, in the li Province of Ancklaud, vii, 5 ,\ "Allnative ldndeat.Kttpansa, KgaUrtl- ■;■, «hu, and ilatawai, shall be opi'.ii to ' (join g njinei'e/ except pieties reserved for cuitiva'p. tIOB, burial grounds ( afldoaoreil places^ m, 2. "Noperson shall be allowed to ' mine foi 1 g gold' on the said lands uule? he is the holder Mjf & license duly cirthow.erinjj him ill that |;-'behalf, , |5- 3. " Every license'ihall be issued by an ' §f officer duly authorised by the Governor, and . ■hall bear on it | ie ditto of i«ne and the p: aaitie of the block of native lund on which H the holder ihall be entitled to mine for pohl,6 eat timber (other than kauri) for gold mining purposes, and erect buildings. ' , Wfc 4. "Whenever anypeMoli; sht.l! de.nrs to Jjß commence go|d mining operations on a block if'd native land other than that for which his license «h»ll ha»e been originally isaued ho •hall not remofe to such new locality until fp« receives \giimlktM,!(6tiV tHe-OfllninlS" 1 tioner eotodof The dstc of euoh Wtliorked '. rtmoval shall U endowed on his lieensS mi Hitered in thrO<>UfJ6ldJ RiigisW^. , " ; U 5. "lucoMld«r»tionof,tlienativo3allo«'ing . ..loldmioin| oV erthe lindfi spedaejl' |n, thi«. j, ■ ,t. „■ ■ -

particularly defined In the map hereunto annexed, the Government hereby ajjree to pay on the 23rd day of July in every year of the continuance of this agreement the sum of £1 for each and every gold mining license which ahull have been is.metl as aforesaid during the previous 12 tnunths; the money to he apportioned amongst the owners of the Kapanga, Ngaurukehu, and Mataivai blocks, in proportion to the number of gold miners who shall have beeu employed on each, as shown by the 'Goldaelds Register.' 6- " The Government also agree to pay the sum of £1 for every ' Business License,' and the sumof £2 for every Publican's License which shall be issued for buildings or tenements situated on the native lands herein described. All payments in respect of such licenses to be made anuually on the 23rd day of Jnly. The first payment to be made on the 23rd day of Jnlv, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1865. "11l witness of the consent of the said chiefs and people to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, they have hereunto set their hands on the day and iu the year first above written; and in witness of the consent ot the Government to their part of this agreement, the name of James Mackay, the younger, Civil Commissioner of the district ot Wuihoii, 13 hereunto attached " in his evidence Mr. Mackay stated that ho was acting on behalf of the Grown, and this appeared to me to be admitted. This agreement, therefore, stands on a higher footing than chat of 1861. Whether it is of any value as respects the appellant, is a matter to be considered later on. Between the dates of these two documents, viz., on the 25th June, 1882, the Coromandel goldfiold was proclaimed, It appointed to be a goldlield under the provisions of the Goldfields Act, 1858, " all land being waste lauds of the Crown," within certain defined limits, which limits included the land now in question. Iu 1803 there would appear to have been some partitiou of the Kapanga Block ; for the 412 acres now in question were on the 28th December of that year granted to Kapanga Te Arakuri and Makoire, their heirs and assigns for ever. This Crown grant is in the ordinary form, and contains no restriction of any kind. It is headed " Grant under the Native Lamia Act, 1883," hut the heading is in my opinion merely an intimation that the requirements of that Act, preliminary to the issue of the grant, have been complied with, and that the land was granted to the natives who had been found to be entitled to it, and without an? money being paid by the grantees. There is no ante-vesting clause. On the 24th October, 1868, Kapanga To Arakuri and Mokoaro conveyed the same 412 acres to the appellant. No question is raised as to the validity of this conveyance. It is admitted that the land belongs to the appellants iu fee.

An agreement made the 9th November, ' 1867, was put in evidence, signed by » uum--11 her of natives, but not by Kapanga Tβ Arai kuri or Makoare, giving the Governor and his to successorsas Governors "all uur pieces of land V commencing at Mamakn, thence along the g sea enasc to Mercury Bay, thence along the boundary of the lauds belonging to Ngatihe and Ngiitimaru to the point of commencement at Te Mainnku, the whole of the said i pieces of land are given over for Koldiniiiiui; 9 purposes for the Governor anil his assigns, t that is all lands belonging to us within the l said boundaries are open for gold mining excepting the pieces of land owned liv other ' tribes, and places occupied for residence or ■ used for cultivation by us or for burial 1 grounds." o Itisadmitted thattliehoiindariesmontioncd 8 would include many parcels of land owned 0 by Europeans and even townships ; and yet . that notwithstanding the natives clearly 3 limit the grunt to their own lands within 9 those boundaries, it was contended that it must be held to apply to all lauds within ■ them. To support this contention the proelimination of the Superintendent of Auckland • 16th May, 186$. and the Auckland Unldh'olds , Proclamation Validation Act, 1869, were 1 olted. The former does not refer . to the agreement of the 9th November, 18Q7, e except it may be supposed to do so by t Stating that the Governor has, by agreement, 5 obtained pit to authorise goldiniuing over j the block of laud described. Then it describes the boundaries of the land proclaimed to be a goldfield. These are not the same apparently as in the agreement of ilth November, 1867, but I understand that they equally include the appellant's land, and also other private lands and townships, '~ The Auckland Goldliolds Proclamation Validation Act does not appear to me to support the contention of the respondent. Seotion '1 refers to certain agreements therein- ■'• before recited or referred to, and enuols that ;• they shall be deemed from the making thereof n to have been valid, and to have been, and to lie binding on all persons whatsoever, " accord- " ing to the true intent and meaning thereof a respectively." Anions these Is rha agreen inent of the !)th November, 1807, which -, expressly is said to have been one by which the chiefs and peoplo of Inn Ngatitamatera tribe released to tile Governor " all their '■ lands described in the said instrument." If then this instrument is to lie read " according to the true intent and meaning," as it has been road by the Legislature, the contention '' that the release included lauds over which the ir Ngatitamatera tribe as such had no rights is ? shown not only to be absurd but to be con- '' trary to law. Ami it may bo observed that y besides Kapanga Te Arakuri ami Makaore ' holding this piece of land under Crown grant, Mr. Mackay says that he did not consider e that they were members of the Ngatitama- . tera but of a different hapu. 11 The validation of th« wern! prreliunntio'.i of '.he f"i|>rriuteiiil«nt of Auckland re- '" fern"! t.> irn'Kiilorlrira nueli aa the omission :: of the fi'iiil'i' s>.tl u! the province. Seotion 4 I' ■.' Mi- A'.'td'ics mil iirofe-s t.. vJMute more 11 ' these. The U.ndtiolds Act. Wl. was then '• In forise, iy vhlcb biio uruelnmniiou of a ' «t|i||,i»'d win lunitnd to itmw li'inU of the l.'r.iwn ! th"«ofnr<>» |irncl;ui.itioii of private land- ".oir 1 lie null ..ml void. It ayiwars to '' me. tti«r«fi)r«, th« llie intended Viewing ot • the .•<>i|).-viiittndoi)l , 3 piojl.mi.iii -in was to e pr ."'r.iin 'i (fMflold within certain limits of ■• ■ «i:jli h ids 'herein as could hi legitimately ' ' .L.-ii. with us parts of :i (s'jlJtielJ, and no ', ; Mi -r<i. ■ ! • li(i%(ip. buys dealt at; unnecessary length 3 I with I'm' ittiiiemeat of IMJ7, unci- In my '•' ' n|iiiiicn It affect the present in any '- way. It ••■us not signed hy ih-. native iiwiim '■;' ihe land DOW in question. '■ I , it luJ iwen. '.he efToct uiipit have been " ililtmeiit. With regard to those of 1861 v ' Ami ISit4, it >Vii 3 contended for the re- '' :. Hi(le:<! '.hat they miwt bo tre.ued as ens' u,,!ii')raiii!«t on tn« Crown ..-rant, or in other '•' won'- th.' , the grantees and the appellant look '.(it Crown ifraut and tho conveyanoo '} siihii',-t t» a ii."i'«i-.nn relawse or surrender to k tli- (.':-iivii <f tun right to mine on thu land: 11 mid ir*i if th" p-f.ig.itivo of the Crown had I I lie -i •■»! jeij ny I'jkl- lition ,i was removed by •' I "h.-'il-! iiavt i l .'tight this Wit arguable '•' :>:•.'■•. 'I.' :•.'■• i.f W, I'iu-jita i. the Bishop of ( \'.V !■>.>■.■ .i:id the AtiorueyOomriU. 3, I' V,v ■:■> >■■■'. Jurist, 11 to which 1 shall •J ■ .Tier ii ii- i ■::: ti illy presently. 'I I lhii"f-.,-' ■•••>: the appellant's title as • being 'i ■•■:!'.")■( rowu grant, which does '' not ijiinf li.i i!i.'gr»moe« the rival motals ■■ oi dpi , .*." the 'V iwii fro:n mining oi nutltorla--11 ing o:li'-rv to miii in- thorn, unless the 'I 'Gciivvii 1,.« ii•< ■• 4opv;.Tti of nr limited in J h.i iM'"iyiiiv" I.;- l«!*.:9lation. An uxfimiII nation ■! ill "'.i-'siutiiLes bearing upon this 6 nnjuf.lon i"<'. :■-■ 11 ! »:■•- S.t.i V- And iici'B I 0 ti.nst ill'" iv. it .i, 'he I'oiii't beloW the >• rospo-!. ■, •-:: i.' , <.; .uc that the prorogan :ivo >A tin , (.'■■ W' vis itTeoted by the legislttl.ni if i:< ■■ i .ii\. Oft the contrary, it ' 3 was ii-'iau-l ■•>' :' < n-.%\> indent,aid cSuocded 0 by tin- apiirlla.i. On: ihii law in force here ' E ivii-i tlii!«i:ii'i w in iv 1 in-!. Tho admission '• now ma 1' tint We the innposes Of thifi case tile in ?.!'.."'! if the Urovn in controlled s by tile Mining .' " ?, puts the matter on an e eiuiri'ly d ; lfom.i loniinn. Ho far he I o.ari Bee ; tlio judgment i.f' -ii iVKrd«n mi right as the t nuttc. vmh B'iPiuittod <.p, him; but what bis Ii |iidi>mHit wunl.i have lit-w if the argument ii ii tin) 'A , at den's Court bad bunn oil the sijnie i- -.ilios ;ij thar in thin luiirt I can oaty Conjee--1 lute. Tim first stftinta .li«liiii; with the go!dfleld3 ii !a that 'A IBSS. S«pr.',n'2 of thatAd^aui Shorißci the Go'.'ori'i l.v proclamation to ', ipboinl any part 'if On , i- k.ny to go.ld- -- IUId " ur;.('!r t",- prnvi»iui:< of this Act," a_ud S a provision is fonn'! in the intirprewtioii olHUnelhat'Villllelil nliail n.'iiin lb*t part s c.t thj w.Bte Uniia ii! tho Cnwo in the ooicuy 1 on which rhy pwioni H". w .nay be.KCtiUlly i engaged in miiiiiiL-foi gold, stxl which «i]»ll 0 be iirocloimud te l)e «>ldliniil». :1 r Althtiugii this |,iovisii>:i did not to terms '• waive J.hu Roynl prurugutive aa to Vi'iVdte s lands, it made all Hit pownl'i of she Wardens' .- Courts limpfillcable '.« them, anil loft the e meana of rtnfordlug the richts of ib; Crow'iiso far unai-'fiHed. ' •- ■■ , But section 29 goes farther, mid prohibits 1 airy person from iiiiin: , " in my land belong- • iiijj to a- private individual without the con--3cr-t ot .the owhci or bin f'uly authorised i iigcflt, subject to the ia.nA penalties as by r section '& are eniwted aj Hint persona ihiiliu? i oa. a. goldfield withottt a uilnef's right 61! a lease. ■■, '-'■ i Since words importing tho singular in--1 elude tije plural, it may bo tlv.t lands belong--0 ing v> a private individual would luoluiie i lands held by,natives under tubal rights; I but it is iiuiiec£B?,(iry to determiiie this ; quostioi), ■ ■■ , ■■ . •■"••! j The. Act of 18©0 oarrio* the matter lift ) fiifthor, aiid is to U teiA frith the Act of c 1853 as cue Ao.t.V'. /,. ' ;■ '.' VS 1 i Both of these %ali weiro repnaleil by the j etoldfields Ant, 1882, of Y'hioh ; the clause' « I to proelhimin(( goldfield», »nd theintcrpreta- ' tiilli eh'Aix at* tht suhie a-i in the Act of 1858. 1 Section 50 rejieali section 29 with in Ikddltion I ftiithotiulnj; the ofyfirf of the private. laud to •'■■ anil for dstoagos a(,';ynet ; the.- perfeon iilii'itit, ', iA addition to.bie.beiv'K subject;, to, penalties, i. Tfjie w*nU < ij6t ap^l|y,-to /iistiye*;'e>wußg ! WMicrtrjtolUKhU, "'\ ' 1 "•, •■■ ■■ - ■"-•y : ;.'' >"U .:'■•':■'-.■■''

The Goklfiolds Act Amendment Act, ISO 3, is one upon which the respondent would appear mainly to redy, since it was in force when the land was Crown granted. This Act extends the expression " waste lands of the Grown" to any land whatever over which the Governor shall by lease, agreement, or otherwise have obtained power to authorise sold mining thereon. It is contended on his behalf,that the documents signed by the natives in 1861 and 18iH were such agreements.

As to the document signed in 1861,1 have already intimated au opiuion that it was of no value. That of ISI4, if it stood alone, would bo oh a different footing; but I hold it to be controlled by the Grown grant, which makes no reference to it. Nothing can be clearer than tho judgment iu YVi Parata v. the Bishop of Wellington, that " this Court has no jurisdiction to avoid a Crown grant or anything therein contained, on the pretence that the Crowuhasnotconformcdiuits grant to the terms on which the aboriginal owners have ceded their rights in the land," in other words, it is not in the power of this Court to read into a Crown grant the terms of any alleged prior agreement. It follows thai the grantees and those claiming under them obtained a grant which, while it did not pass the royal metals, barred any person from mining on it without their consent. This was the position iu ISGS under the Acts of 1562 and 186!) and the question now is has that position been altered by subsequent legislation ? Tho Goldfields Act, ISGS, repeals all previous Acts then in existence with regard to goldlielda, and while retaining tho provision for penalties and damages against persona mining on private lands except with the consent of the owner, expressly exempts private lands from the operation of the Act, except where especial provision to the contrary is nude therein. The only especial provisiou to the contrary would appear to be in section 94, which gives the Warden power to settle any disputes which may arise between holders of miners' rights, who shall be in occupation formining purposes of any private land with the sanction and consent of the owner.

Between this and the next enactment the agreement of 1367 comes in. I have already decided that this does not affect the appellant's land. The Goldfields Act Amendment Act, ISGB, refers solely to lands over which the native title has not been extinguished. It contains terms which imply that the Governor may obtain power from natives in that position, by least, agreement, or otherwise, to enter on their lands for gold mining purposes. The respondent's solicitor did not quote, or in any way rely upon this Act, although it provides that lands over which such powers shall be, or have been acquired, may be proclaimed, and thereupon be deemed to be Crown lauds within the meaning of this Act. It could not, in my opinion havo been nreucil, in the face of the Crown grant, that this could apply to the agreements of 1801 aud 1864. The agreement of 18(37 may he within it; biif, as already explained, this would not affect the appellant's land. The several Acts relating to the Resumption of Lands for mining purposes, such as tho Acts by that name of 1873 and 18S2, tho Mining Act, 1330, and the Mining Act, 1891, all provide for resuming laud with the consent of the owner, and upon compensation. lint no steps have boon Uilcu under those Acts'! and it is admitted that the appellant lias not at any time consented either to the resumption nf his land for mining purposes, or to any mining operations being curried on upon it. The last-mentioned Aot defines "private lauds" as lieinu Unds alienated by the Crown in fee simple, thereby removing any doubt, if any such could possibly exist, that the laud in question is private land, and cm in no sense bo held to be Crown land. And this finally disposes of the agreements of ISBI and 18114.

By tho Mining Act Amendment Act, 1896, land may (subject to certain exceptions) be resumed for minim; purposes as if fur a public work; that is to say without the c<lll.lolll of the owner, but upon compensation. This Act was not passed until after the present prucnraliinjs were commenced. Since 1 am of opinion that the Crown has given up, and lun not re-acquired its prerogative right .to mine, or to grant permission to mine upon these hinds, it becomes unnecessary to decide whether the grant by the Warden of a Special Claim for mining purposes upon them was a due exercise of that prerogative. The inclination of my opinion is that tinder different circumstances it would have been so, since the Warden is an officer appointed by the Ornwii to do certain acts. The appeal is allowed. Mr. Cooper applied for costs, and as the argument was one of extreme magnitude, ho would ask that a liberal amount lie allowed. Fifty guineas would not lie out of the way. 'l'hitt would not cover him. Mr. Palmar thought forty guineas would be sulficieiit. If Mr. Cooper had raised the samn points in the lower court probably the appiftu would not have been necessary. Hi« Honor :Mi doubt. I was 9111 prised on rending the Warden's judgment to find the difference in the point''. lam of opinion tlmt on the admissions before him the Warden was right. Josts to 40 guineas were then allowed. Mr. Cooper then said he had withdrawn the application for an order prohibiting the Warden from issuing the license. The application was then struck out with live guiuoaa costs for defendants. KAURI FREEHOLD OOLU ESTATES (IiIMITKD). During tho past month Mr. Montgomery, superintending engiiioor for tho company, ami bin stall have been bu*y pressing on thoir developmental work. It is a matter for congratulation that they are mooting with very satisfactory results, especially in tho Opitonili group of mines and at Owoin. Tim Opitouui group comprises tho mines lo bo oponitiid upon by tho now Castle Rock Consolidated Company. The Maiden and Lanigan'a claims are within the area, and in both the exploration work proves the oxietonco of continuous reefs of distinctly piyablo value. ■ Mr. Leonard Wol.-itead, one of tho London dirtctors on the Kauri Freehold Board, lias just roturned from a wook's visit to the Company's estates, and expresses himself in terms of groat satisfaction regarding tho prospects he saw. and tho progress that lias been made since his last trip to Wliangapoun. The pumping and winding inaoliinory to bo erected on tho first of the now shafts is now on tho ground ; the sito for it is ready and during tho tioxt month the plant should be in working ordor. Evory effort is being made to utilise the fine weather before winter sets in. Resides the work abovementioned there- is considerable activity in other directions. An assay office has been erected and equipped, additional rooms for accommodation of the engineering department, a magazine, stables, store, etc, are all in course of building. Aβ soon as possible a township will be laid out, so that tho company's employees will be able to secure suctions, and provide themselves with homes. Later on, when inoro wives and families are established in the place, a school will bo sought, as a necessity to civilisation. At Oivcra, in the mine there, a now run of gold has been got) on to, which yiolds really good prospects, and Mr. E. Qtinu, the company's mine manager, speaks most hopefully of its promiio. Tho elm to of oro is about 3 foot wide. Ib is higher up the hill than the old workings, and some distance ahead of the face of the low level of tbo Owera mine, which has been steadily, pushed forward for some months past. Prospeoting is still being vigorously prosecuted on the company's estate, and altogether there is a healthy tone pervading tho work under Mr. Montgomery's control.