THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10422, 21 April 1897, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

COLONEL LE MBSSDRIER'B VISIT. A Herald representative bad a few minutei' conversation with Colonel A. Lβ Measurier, C.1.E., R.E., who arrived from London, via Sydney, this week. Colonel Meuurier is one of the directors of the Waihi Consolidated and Royal Standard mines. "How do I think New Zealand stands in the eyes of the British capitalists ?" was the Colonel's reply to a question. " Just u well as any other colony, but you cannot expect to get everything you want. The investing public at home are always changing Now British Columbia u receiving every attention, but New Zealand will have her day again in due time. The Indian mines were neglected by our capitalists until the capitalists law safe investment. The returns were not phenomenal, but they were steady, and that ia what rinds most favour; the people want to invest, not to speculate. I don't think New Zealanders are endeavouring to foist bad properties on the market any more than those in other places. If a property gives promise of being a good one, English syndicates are always willing to take an option. They can thui prove the mine and satisfy tbemsclvea in every way. No one would, especially in mining, buy a' pig in a poke.' The present 'slump' is, I think,only temporary. Give breathing time. And remember that New Zealand is new the only place in the world where there are mining properties under offer, and where there are good properties that only reauire capital to develop them." Colonel le Messurier is accompanied by an engineer irom Landon, who will superintend the erection on the Waihi Consolidated property of a pumping plant which be has himself devised, and which has already arrived in Auckland.

lONA G.M. CO. The half-yearly meeting of shareholders in the abtve, which was to have been held yesterday, lapsed. The balance-sheet showed : Receipts, £60114s lid, the calls on syndicate amounting to £526 Oa 4d. The expenditure totalled £429 17a sd, leaving a credit balance of £17117s 6d. Plant and wages cost £190 0s 9d, Several specimens of nice-looking stene from this mine were brought to Auckland yesterday. The reef, it is said, still shows good quartz, the material met with being much the same, although it is a little softer in places. A tramway is being laid, houses and blacksmith's shop erected, and it is more than probable that the number of meu engaged at the mine will be increased.

SCANDINAVIAN G.M. CO. Some six months back negotiations were proceeding for the sale of the Scandinavian mine to the Gold Trust Corporation of London, and as a result the sum of £750 was paid to the owners, this being the first instalment of the purchase money. Captain Argall reported very favourably on the prospects of the mine, which wa« thoroughly examined. Yesterday, Mr. J. T. Juliau received a cable advising him that thi balance of the purchase money (making £1000) had been paid in London to the company's attorney, who expected to have the transaction completed aud the new shares issued this week. Besides the cash payment mentioned the vendors also receive 40.000 paid-up iharet of 10s each. The working cadital to be provided is £.25,000. For some months prospecting work has been vigorously carried on, and several reefs, giving very satisfactory prospect*, have been discovered. An eight-stamper battery is already erected, but when the minn is properly opened out a complete plant of the latest machinery will be sent out. Low level tunnels will now be put in and the property thoroughly tested by those means.

STAFFA G.M. CO. Messrs. D. G. MacDonnell and J. Thornes, directors of the above company, havejust returned from the Great Barrier Island, where the property is situated. Arrangements have been completed with Mr. W. Sandersou for the purchase of 150 acres freehold. The company have the choice of selecting any part of Mr. Sanderson's freehold up to the area stated, and this matter will be decided at an early date. The director! will ihortly meet to arrange details as to the work to be proceeded with, and what number of men will be employed.

GREAT BARRIER G. AND S. CO. The half-yearly meetinj cf shareholders of the above company, called for yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum. The receipts for the half year were £6->0 Hβ sd, the syndicate's calls amounting to £600. The expenditure also totalled £620 Hβ sd, of which .amount £350 was for special claim. Work on this property was reported to be progressing satisfactory. The reef known as No. 3 still showed well.

GENERAL MINING ITEMS. Yesterday the manager of the Welcome Find (Coeomandel) Gold Mining Company telegraphed to Mr. H. Gilfillan, jun. :- "Struck the big lode. Water making freely." Mr, D. G. MacDonnell yesterday received the following wire from the manager of the Poar-in-Hand mine:—"lntersected hangingwall leader. Gold visible in stone." The ordinary general meetings of the Wynyardton, Prospect, ami Napier Gold Mining Companies, are advertised lor April 28. The half-yearly geueral meeting of the Waitekauri Reefs Gold Mining Company will be held ou April 21. The ordinary general meetings of the Welcome Find, Jupiter, and Cluues Gold Mining Companies are called for April 28. tStone from the Imperial mine at Ohinemuri has been assayed, with the result that one sample gave a return of loz I4dwt gold, and 4oz 12dwt silver (value £7 6s per ton): and the second loz 12dwt gold and soz 6dwt silver, equal to £6 18s 6d per ton.

NEWS FROM THE MINES. [B? TELEGRAM.-OWN CORRESPONDENT.j Thames, Tuesday. DOVER CASTLE (PURIRI). The development works proceeding iu this mine are being attended with very encouraging results, no less than six reefs varying from one to three feet in thickness having been discovered, from all of which a prospect of gold is obtained. In order, however, to still further test the ground, the exploring works are now being extended right across the whole width of the property, with the view of locating any other ore bodies that may exist therein.

It ia anticipated that the cleaning-up works now in progress at the old 80-feet level iu the Kurunui section will be completed by the end of the presont week, when sinking operations will be commenced upon what ia known as Williams' leader. A little gold continues to be seen in Kelly's leader at No. 1 level and Darby's leader, and the cross reef continues to yield payable ore. Good progress is being made with the cleaning up of the 400-feet level.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Wynvardton (Coromandel, April 17).Drive: Lode continues about same width, viz., about lft between the walls. Gold is still seeu at each breaking down of the leader. There is a good percentage of mullock iu leader, which requires careful separation from quartz. iKvnro (Waihi, April 14).-On north portion of ground a gold-bearing reef lft in width has been met with. The lower level is now in 37ft.

Pokewhad (Coromaudel, April 17).—Have been crosscutting to the right in the end of No. 3 drive and picked up reef. Am still driving (head. Reel 9in tbiok aud looking well.

Harp or Tara (Ohui, April 14).-Boundary tunnel has been extended 25 feet, and is securely timbered up to the face. No change to report. Western drive is now in 36 feet, bat we have not met with any quartz in this tuunel yet. Gololv Anchor (Kuaotunu, April 16).Low level now going through splendid class of iandstoue. Yesterday we intersected another very promising leader. It teems to be about one foot thick. By pounding atone got fair prospect of gold. West Derbt (April 17).—Main lower level tunnel has been extended 6 feet further, the reef being about 3 feet in width, but slightly broke* up. I can obtain sold by pounding. Crosscut hag been driven 81 feet further, the leader is about 4 inches in width, and gold can be seen frequently in the itone. Bat View (Kennedy's Bay, April 17).Proapects about the ume. Ground a liule easier to drive. Reef about 8 inches thick, with mineral occasionally showing. Nonpareil (Thame*, April 17.)-Country at present in the face it of a good description for gold, although not good for speedy progress. The bottom level drive will be stopped for the present, »« the men will be engaged getting the quartz ready tor conveying to the battery. Drive wist on Liverpool reef is still passing through a matt congenial class of aiiilcaitea, and on Thursday last we cut a nice leader fully ooc inch in thickness running in the otugingwall, carrying abundance of the most favourable minerals, iu which dabs and colours at cold could be seen freely. This leader will be well worth following at tome future time. Juno (Kuaotunu, April 16).-Have been atoping from the sooth end of block. Iα breaking down leader obtained few picked stone. Grace DIKLINQ (Waitekturi, April 16).— Good progress it beiug made with rise in Portsea, There is«large body »f stone from which good protpeeto ef lon* gold can be obtained.

Alburn-ia East (Thames, April 17).Operations confined to rising and stoping on the reef immediately over where gold was first obtained in the level. Colours of gold are seen at each breaking down. In breaking down reef in the north of the rise some nice pieces of stone were selected from the footwall portion of the reef. Another rise will be started 25 feet farther north. This should reach the run of payable atone in 20 feet of rising. North drive baa been driven 90 feet from the starting point to the face. For the past ten feet the reef has completely cut out between two hard walli. Imperial (Karangahake, April l/).-Reef in south drive is a nice compact body of quartz, about four feet in thickness. Repairing and cleaning out No. 4 level have been completed j the reef is two feet, and colours of gold have been seen in the quartz "mori'on-Pdru (Thames, April 17).-Rimu reef: Continued driving crosscut to intersect this reef, and have now driven 77 feet. Country is of a vastly improved nature. No. 2 reef: Quartz has improved greatly since reef was cut, although reef in still very much broken up. Wealth of Nations (Karangahake, April 15).—This week the western trench has been extended a further distance of oue chain, and No 3 has also been extended one chain. Matawai (Matawai, April 14).-Winze is down 48 feet. Reef is still looking well. Am mkine out very nice looking stone. Orion (Puru)—No. 1 reel is about 18 inciies thick and has every appearance of improving as drive advances. Expect to cut No. 2 reef with crosscut early this week. lona (Great Barrier).-Reef still looks well with silver ore freely showing. Tandem (Coromaudel).—Reef ia about 2 feet wide, with indications of improvement us we approach the point where gold was got iu the top level. York.-Have started No. 2 drive, which is now in a distance of 7 feet. Zone.—Drive to intersect No. 5 reef is now in 32 feet, and water is running from face. Reef should be met with in few more feet. Albion'.—A third reef 10 feet wide has now been found ou this property, iu good class of sandstone country. Atlas (Wh»rekiraupuoga).-The country has become harder, making progress slow. Prospecting shaft is passing through favourable country consisting of sandstone highly charged with iniueral. King of Whangamata (Whangamata).— Crosscut has been extended 221 feet. Country iu face is all that can be desired. Water is now oozing freely from the face. Marco Polo (Whaugamatii).—Crosscut has been extended ; 127 feet driven. Country continues tight. Leader is lying very flat, and is about 15 inches in width.

Nil, Desperandom (tainia, April 16).— Shalt is now sunk 36feet. The lode, 12 inches thick, is still keeping in the shaft, but I have net aeen any gold in it so far. Golden Fleece (April 17).—Good headway continues to be made with the extension of the main level; the total distance driven is 260 feet. Still going through good sandstone country, and have passed through several small stringers of quartz. Sonught (April 17).—Ore is beginning to improve iu appearance, aud showing traces of mineral. Am still trenching, but nothing new to report. Citv of Auckland (April 17).—Low level tunnel has been extended live feet and shaft sunk 10 feet. In clearing round shaft Bite we discovered a small leader which prospects very well. Waitekauri South (Waitekauri, April 17).—N0. 2 reef: In driving uorth on this reef a change of a favourable nature has taken place in the reef, some of the quartz beinii met with carrying sulphides, and giving a very fair prospect of gold. Have started crosscut to intersect this reef about 400 feet further north; '25 feet of driving will cut reef, aud give about SO feet of backs. Hadraki Sooth (Coronundcl, April 17). —Crosscut: Total distance driven, 221 feet; no change to report. Excavation for shaft site: Cutting not quite finished, but good progress made. Golden Calkdokia (April 15).—Have got very good run of gold, which I am busily trailing and trenching for the lead, have not been able to do any driving in consequence. I have got the run of gold in this ground, and will find the lead. Gold is obtained iu almost every dish. Welcome Find (Coromandel, April 17).— The shaft is just 40 feet below No. 2 chamber. Ground of blocky nature, carrying strong ribs of white quartz. No. 2 level; Bunches and branches of quartz have been met with here. The bif lode is 124 feet from the shaft. It is giving out a Urge volume of water. Tauiuaka (Hikutaia, April 17). -During the week we have doue 60 feet of ttenching. Still meeting with louse quartz, but no lodes have been discovered. AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION. 1 — -■ The Exhibition of the Society of Arts was well attended yesterday, considering the holiday amusements prevailing. It was closed last evening owing to the practice of the Auckland Choral Society. To-day it re-opens at 12.30 tos and from 7.30 to 10 p.m. There will be musical selections in the evening. The art union is progressing favourably and prize winners will have the largest and beat collection for years past from which to select their prizes. We continue our notices of the OILS. Mr. R. Reid exhibits tour email oils. There is a strong individuality of style in this artist's work, but the usual result is somewhat wanting in breadth of treatment. The pictures are rather suited to a drawing-room than tin exhibition. "Wellington Harbour" is perhaps the beet. Them is a flatness of effect scarcely accounted for by the fact of its beiug a gray day. A little more strength here and there would have improved things wonderfully. " Woodhaugh, Duuedin," by tlie same artist, has similar general characteristics—rather tlimsy. We cauuot understand the rocks in the foreground being lighter iu tone than the distant bush-covered hills. "Clearing After Rain," is a swamp with cattle drinking. The rain is just clearing oil; the hills iu the distance are rather hurriedly paiuted, but ahow some ability. " Midsummer's Night, Auckland Harbour," is a well-known and much painted bit in our harbour, but the picture calls for no special remarks. "The New Woman" is the title of a humorous picture by Mr. Trevor Lloyd. This picture brines before us rather vividly what is likely to happen in the future, in the reversal of the relations and duties of the sexes, The idea of the work is very •uggestive, and happily carried out. The lady of the house, a severe looking dame, with her feet resting on the fireplace, reads the newspaper while her helpmate of, we suppose the weaker and more frail sex, (with a receding chin), u giving the children their weekly bathing. There is a good deal of humour in the picture, but the details and perspective will scarcely bear analysing. " Study of a Totara Tree," a second exhibit, shows the versatility of the artist, and an attempt to render unto Nature that which is Nature's due. There are traces of careful study in the work. MiseE. V. Hemus exhibits several excel, lent studies of fruit. "Pititi" (peaches) shows a large amount of really clever work. The soft surfaces of the fruit are well indicated, and the grouping and scheme of light aud shade well managed. There are traces here and there of the fruit having been painted individually, the principal beiug some cast shadows, which we might reasonably expect.ha ving been omitted. The surface, on which the fruit is resting, seems slightly tilted.and the colour of the near edge a trifle chalky. A few of the grey lights ou the foliage require modifyiug, A study of grapes and pears with basket introduced, is also executed by this lady. It shows the same care aud attention to the main incidents of the work, a slight haziness in the edges of the lights of the pears being perhaps the most noticeable. The foliage is kept nicely subservient. " Peach Blossoms" is a study ia pink and grey—pink blossoms and grey pot, with fan in background. This ia uot quite so successful as the other two. but possesses considerable merit. Some of the foliage might have been relieved with brighter lights, and others kept a tone darker.