THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10426, 26 April 1897, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET. Though little business was transacted on Saturday there was a good demand for stocks. There were buyers for New Zealand Insurances 70s, New Zealand and River Plate 14s, Devonport Perry 325, and New Drug Companys 45s fid. New Whaus were disposed of at 3Jd. Waihi Extendeds at 7d, Bunker's Hils at 3s 6d, Hauraki North (contributing' opened at 2s 3d, sellers coining down to 2s, but buyers would not go higher than Is Bd. Hauraki Norths (paid up) opened at sellers 4s, then dropped to 3s 6d with buyers 6d less. Knranui - Caledonians, Victorias, and Talismans were firm at last quotations,

RISING SUN. Work on this mine is being steadily pushed ahead. Three winzes have been sunk on the main reef from different points in the level from the crosscut, and in all it maintains its size and quality, carrying a large amount of blue sulphides running iu veins and frequently gold is seen. The stone is of the same class, and is said to be in every way similar in appearance to the rich loose stone than can be picked up anywhere on the surface in the Owharoa district. Samples of the stone brought up from the mine by one of the directors are on view at the office of Mr. G. C. W. Morris. THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ORES. A THERMOHYPERPHORIC PLANT TO

BE ERECTED AT TE AROBA. The Rev. Joseph Campbell, who 'recently lett New Zealand for England with the intention oi endeavouring to direct attention to the thermo-hyperphorio process, of which he is the inventor, returned to this colony on Friday. The rev. gentleman was interviewed by a Herald reporter as to the results of his visit to the-old country, and in answer to questions Mr. Campbell said : "My journey to England has been in every way successful, I am pleased to say. You are doubtless aware that my desire has been to bring to light some system which would facilitate the extraction of gold from the refractory ores of the Hauraki Peninsula, and that the process named has been the result of close and careful investigations. I reached London and found things in a very depressed state, but despite this I found so many (including numbers of friends in England) taking an interest in this important matter that it was decided to form a company, on the distinct understanding, however, that any work undertaken would be carried through under my own personal supervision, On account of this stipulation I shall devote another year to the matter, during which time it is intended to erect a plant at Te Aroha. This will be erected under my own supervision." " And what was the general opinion of experts as to the merits of the hyperphoria process ?' " The process was examined and tested in every possible way by the leading metallurgists of England—those connected with the Royal School of Mines, the Royal Mint for instance—and they recognised the importance of the discovery, accorded me their hearty interest and support, and expressed themselves as being more than satisfied with the result. A miniature plant was erected at the Royal Mint, and the process subjected to the severest test possible, ores of the most refractory nature from Australia and South Africa being treated, and with wonderful success. As one result of the successful nature of the investigations a preliminary company of £25,000 was formed to work the process. It is intended, however, to form a company of from £250,000 to £500,000, to extend operations to all the colonies, to Europe, Asia, etc, In America and Africa, too, companies will be formed, and already arrangements have been completed in America for the formation of a company of 500,000 dollars to form subsidiary companies in the United States and elsewhere I may say that while in America 1 paid a special visit to the largest mining camp in the world, situated at Cripple Creek, Colorado. Here I saw tellurides of gold worth 132 dollars per lb, while to see tellurides worth one dollar per lb was a very common occurrence." Our representative was here shown samples containing tellurides of gold (calaveritej said to be worth fully two dollars per lb. " I visited the ore dumps and frequently found ore worth from five to 10 dollars per lb thrown on one side. It had been found impossible to treat it by any kuown process put the thermo-hyper-phoric system will treat it at a cost of about two dollars per ton. So far no known process has treated refractory ores satisfactorily. Some have adopted smelting; this has proved a failure on account of the ore volatilising. Then cyanide and chlorination have also been tried, but in the treatment of refactory ores they have not given the best of results. In British Columbia, when there are masses of ore containing arsenical pyrites, they have been trying the bromo-cvanide process with partial success; but with the hyperphorie treatment over 80 per cent, of the gold is saved." " Is the system a costly one?'' " Its cheapness is one of its recommendations. With a complete plant between 100 and 500 tons per day could be treated at a cost of about 5s per ton, including crushing, heating, and amalgamating." " And what are your future intentions?'' " Well, I had intended remaining in Auckland, taking up my residence in the Te Aroha district, but communications which I have received render it necessary that I should journey to Sydney for a time. I intend being hack here by the cud of June, and will then take up my permanent residence at Te Aroha. The plant which is to be erected at Te Aroha by the Montezema Gold Mining Company will cost about £6000. It will he capable of putting through from 50 to 60 tons per day, but with a very small expenditure will be capable of putting through 100 tons per day. lam quite confident that the process will save 95 per cent, of any ore on the Hauraki Peninsula. I hope to have the plant erected by the end of October. I may say that during the experiments conducted at the Royal Mint we had samples of Australian pyritical ore whioh no known process could treat, and by the hyperphorie process (which consists of water gas being conducted in closed furnaces to the ore) 80 per cent was extracted with the imperfect plant erected. Another sample (this from the Transvaal) was also treated. By the chlorination process 20 per cent, could be saved, but by the hyperphoric process 90 per cent.iwas extracted, and many other results of a similar nature were obtained. lam quite convinced that the secret of treating telluride ore has been solved, and that the discovery will have a wonderful effect on mining in all parts of the world. In New Zealand, too, tellurides have been come across in many of the mines. I may say, in conclusion, that while at Home I brought myself into touch with the leading metallurgical and other scientists and have secured their co-operation and cordial help. lam convinced that any rock from the Hauraki Peninsula can now be easily treated, and by securing the co-opera-tion of the leading scientists of England and elsewhere I hope to help New Zealand mining in many ways. Mr. Campbell left for Sydney on Friday by the Mariposa, which conveyed him from 'Frisco to Auckland. He will return about the end of June, and will at once proceed with the erection of the plant at Te Aroha. Messrs. Bisley and Bruce, of Auckland, hold the powers of attorney for the Rev Mr. Campbell; and have taken every step to protect his patents.

MINING ON THE KAURI TIMBER COMPANY'S PROPERTIES. Thames, Saturday. The following evidence was taken to-day by Mr. Burgess in support of applications for mining claims on die Kauri Timber Co.'s leaseholds :—

John McDowell stated that as far back as 18 years ago, when clearing away for a dam on a branch of the Tairuu river, he found traces of gold, but took no steps at the time to follow up the discovery. In January, 1893, however, he saw Dans and Tilsley at Tairua, and the conversation turning on prosEecting he informed them of the gold he ad found when working in the dam. He agreed to show them the place, and in consequence Davits, Tilsley, and himself went to the spot, but did not succeed in getting any gold. They prospected up the creek for some distance and then on to the spur, following up the traces until they came upon the gold, where they eventually pegged out the Golden Hill claim. Witness aiid his mates were therefore the original prospectors and discoverers of gold in that district. Had never seen Gerdou there until be earn* and pegged out a claim adjoining the Golden Hill, Daviea showed Gordon their claim, and assisted him to mark out his (Gordon's) claim. Witness went with L'aviea to Whangamata, where he got his share of the lease money (£11), and Davis went to Waihi to get the balance, after which he and Worth went to Thames and made their application.

Oliver Mason Creagh, surveyor, produced a plain showing the Prospector* claim recently applied for by McDowell. The positions of the pegs were pointed out to him by McDowell, and they occupied the same points as the pegs of the original Golden Hill claim, one of which was still standing there, the others had been destroyed. William Gorris stated that prior to applyi tag for the Gem licensed holding in Sep tern-

ber, 1893, he had prospected at Tairua for six months, and had found gold in the third branch of the Tairua River, at its junction with Wilson's Creek. Upon following this up he found it brought him to Gordon's claim, and he therefore pegged out a claim adjoining. He had not got his title to the ground, but had never withdrawn his deposit money or application, because Mr. Warden Northeroft had promised him that he would do his beat to get their titles put right. Since than, in conjunction with Mr. 8. Myers, he had included his claim in a larger piece applied for in August, 1895, as the Myositis special claim. This was all the evidence taken to-day, but the inquiry will be continued on Monday,

WET VERSUS DRY CRUSHING. When the attention of the mining public is directed towards the different advantages of wet and dry crushing a few remarks on the subject might not be out of place. Until recently it has been the general opinion that for the gold-bearing ores of the Upper Thames district, dry crushing and cyanide treatment were the best suited for the recovery of a high percentage of gold at the least possible cost. Now, however, there seems to be a change of opinion on the subject, and experiments have been and are about to be made by the leading mining companies in the district. The New Zealand Crown Mines Company have taken the lead in this matter, and after a series of experiments made with five heads of stamps and the requisite leaching vats, although the results have been kept secret, I understand the manager has so far considered them sufficiently successful as to warrant the altering the present dry crushing battery into a wet crushing mill, and is now proceeding to make the necessary alterations. The Waihi and Woodstock Companies are also, I believe, about to make experiments in a similar direction at their batteries.

The advantages claimed for wet crushing are :—First, the saving of the cost of fuel in drying the ore; second, that the dust difficulty is got over; third, that the tonnage of ore crushed per stamp is about double. The first two advantages are plain to every one, nevertheless against these must be placed the facts, that the wear and tear of shoes, dies, and screens are very much greater than in dry crushing, and that the crushed ore obtained from a wet crushing mill is much more difficult to deal with in the treatment. The ore pulp from the stamp boxes must be filtered, and for that purpose is run into a tank with a false filter bottom, and here a great difficulty occurs. The heavier particles of ore, as the pulp is run into the tank, settle hard and solid on the bottom, leaving the slimes on the top, so that when the vacuum pump is applied which is connected with the tank by means of a pipe underneath the filter, the slimes which are uppermost settle down on the top of the ore, forming iuto an almost waterproof coating, through which it is very hard for the solution to pass, and makes the washing of the ore both tedious and imperfect. This difficulty in dry crushing is obviated, as the ore is delivered into tho tankß dry. and the slimes being so intimately mixed with the rougher particles when the cyanide solution is carefully run on, do not interfere materially with the filtration. Even in the treatment of ore of an exceptionally clayey nature, if sufficient care is taken in running on the cyanide solution, the difficulty of filtration is never by any means insurmountable. With regard to the dust difficulty in dry crushing, this is not so serious as it is generally given out to be, and cau be easily drawn away by suction pans from wherever necessary. The advantages claimed for wet crushing through the saving of fuel and the prevention of dust, are only obtained at the cost of additional wear and tear and extra difficulty in the handling of the ore in treatment. The slimes difficulty in wet crushing, when the ore has to be finely crushed, and afterwards, for proper treatment, subjected to a leaching process, is a great one, and cannot be easily overcome, especially in ores containing a large percentage of clay. Such ores are much easier and more perfectly filtered and washed in the treatment, if crushed and charged into the tanks dry. With regard to the additional output claimed for wet crushing, there is no doubt if the same mesh of screen is used as in dry crushing, the actual amount of ore crushed will be largely increased. But it must be considered that by using a 30-mesh screeu in dry crushing, at least 90 per cent, of the crushed ore obtained will pass through a 60mesh screen, where, if a 30-mesh screen is used in wet crushing, not more than about 10 per cent, of the crushed ore will pass through a 60-mesh screen.

In wet and dry crushing, when the same fineness of screens is used, the actual amount of ore erased per stamp is in favour of wet crushing, but the fineness to which the ore is reduced is certainly in favour of dry crushing. To crush wet by means of stamps ore to the fineness of that obtained through a 30-mesh screen in dry crushing, a 60-mesh screen would almost require to be used. The advantages therefore gained in the discharge by the use of water are to a great extent overcome by the necessity of using a finer screen so that the crushing powers of wet and dry stamps when reducing the ore to the same degree of fineness may he reasonably reckoned about equal. In the ores of the Upper Thames the gold exists in an extremely fine state of division throughout the quartz. Frequently in high grade ore not a particle of the precious metal can he seen even with a powerful glass, It is therefore absolutely necessary to reduce the ore to almost an impalpable powder before a high percentage cau bo extracted. The finer the ore requires to be crushed the greater are the difficulties iu wet crushing. _ It is questionable therefore whether it will prove as successful a method of treatment as dry crushing for the ores of the Upper Thames. The method of working being experimented on is, I believe, by crushing the ore with a cyanide solution, running the pulp into vats, filtering and washing, the solutions being drawn off by means of a vacuum pump, precipitating the dissolved gold by zinc in the usual way, and then making up the waste cyanide solutions to the required strength and pumping up to the stamps and using it over again in crushing fresh ore. Other difficulties apart from those already mentioned are likely to crop up. The large quantity ot solution necessary to be pumped is bound to become troublesome, and a considerable decomposition of cyanide will take place through action of the air as the solution is agitated and passed through the stamper boxes.

Taking everything into consideration, I think it is open to question whether wet crushing will be on a large scale as successful for Karangahake and Waihi ores as is expected.—l am etc., Gold. 22nd April, 1897.

GENERAL MINING ITEMS. About 1501b of picked stone have been received from the Cuirassier mine and placed in the Bank of New Zealand. It is said that several well-known Auckland Mining gentlemen have combined, and have lately been conducting some interesting experiments on the treatment of refractory ores,

One of our mining engineers in the person of Mr. Cyril E. Parsons is leaving Auckland for Australia. The company which Mr. Parsons represents is amalgamating with another company, whose headquarters in the colonies is in Sydney, the result being the transference of Mr. Parsons to Australia. Recently some members of the Northern Club and their friends, numbering about twenty, tendered a farewell dinner to Mr. Parsons. The whole function was moat successful, and is evidence ef the esteem in which Mr. Parsons is held by his confreres and friends. On the day of his departure Mr. Parsons was presented with a souvenir in the form of a gold Maltese cross, having on the front side a miner's badge, and on the reverse tho following inscription :—" Presented to Cyril E. Parsons by his New Zealand mining friends. Auckland, April 21, 1897." A large number of hit mining friends were present, and Mr. Parsons' health was drunk in bumpers of champagne, and each wished him bon voyage and success in Amtralia.

THAMES SHAREMARKET. ~,.. „ Thames. Saturday. Adelaide, sellers 9d, buyers 6d; Albarnia East, sellers 8d; Club, sellers, 3d; Conservative, sellers 4d ; Darwin (contributing) sellers 3M; Grand Triple, sellers 3d" KuranuiCaledonian, sellers 5s 3d; Karaka Queen, sellers 4Jd; King Solomon, sellers 2d; Matt Reefs, sellers 4d; Mclsaacs, sellers s<l ; Moanataiari, sellers lis 6d ; New Whan, sellers 6(1, buyers 4d; Nonpareil sales 8d ; Occidental, sales 2d, sellers 2Jd; Tararu Creek, sellers 4s; Victoria, buyers 2s ad; Royal, buyers is 3d; Hauraki North (contributing), buyers Is 7d; Albert, sellers is 6d.

HEWS FROM THE MIKES. [«T tn.EOIUTII.-OWK COBRMFOKDBNTS.J Thames, Saturday. GLOUCESTER. The excavating operations in connection With the new shaft site having been completed, sinking operations have been commenced, and the country which is being passed through is of a very favourable class for the existence of gold. ORION (pubu). . A new reef about three feet thick, was reoently discovered in this mine, and for a length of 70 feet now opened up along its outcrop fair dish prospects of free gold are obtainable from it. An excellent class of country encases the reef, and steps are shortly to be taken to open up the latter at a deeper level,

The cleaning out of the No. 4 level has been advanced a distance of 400 feet from the Big Pump shaft, and the crosscut leading to the Caledonian shaft has now been reached, so that another fortnight should see the latter point reached. The development work upon Kelly's reef westward of the crosscut at No. 1 level, has not yet sufficiently advanced to form much of an idea of its value, as only one shift is employed at that point, but colours of gold are seen in the quartz coming to hand. Sinking operations upon Williams' leader below the 80-feet level in the Kuratmi section, are expected to be commenced in the early part of next week. From the stopes upon Darby's leader and the cross reef above No. 1 level the usual supply of payable ore is coming to hand, and crushing operations are proceeding one shift per diem at the company's battery.

ADELAIDE. During the past week the leading stope southward upon the Adelaide reef has been further extended, and another week should see it up to the break which terminates the southern course of the reef. In this stope the reef is somewhat split up into ribs of quartz, but judging from appearances the next stope brought along will reveal the reef compact again. In the drive northward no Suartz has been broken during the past week, iperations have been confined to stripping the reef only, but a breaking down will probably take place in a day or two. The stopes over this drive continue to yield a payable class of quartz. It may be stated that the total length of stopes opened up on this reef is now about 120 feet, whilst there is still a distance of over 400 feet to open up on the northern course of the reef. THAMES HADRAKI. Owing to Monday lust being a holiday, and yesterday being a wet day. the progress made with the foundation works, etc., upon the Queen of Beauty shaft site has not been so good this week as usual, but nevertheless very fair headway was made, considering the time that was lost. The bricklayers have made considerable progress with the large chimney stack and the foundations for the boilers, and a few weeks' fine weather will see these works near a completion. The further advancement of the pumping machinery foundations will be pushed forward during the forthcoming week, as the bolt boxes and holding-down plates are now in position and ready lor the concrete blocks. At the De6p Sinker section the shaft in progress has attained a depth of 196 feet, and a more favourable class of country is now being penetrated. The dimensions of the shaft are at present being increased in order to provide tor the plungers and cistern that are to be put in at the 200-feet level in connection with the pump. So far no difficulty whatever has been experienced in coping with the flow of water, the pump being able to deal with it at a speed of about three strokes per minute. At the Deep Levels Consolidated section the extension of the main prospecting level has been discontinued, an 1 a start made instead to crosscut in a northerly direction. A good channel of country is reported to exist in the direction stated, and the crosscut will prove whether or not such is the case.

warden's office. During the fortnight ending to-day, the sum of £180 9.< 6d was lodged as deposit money at the Warden's Office in support of mining applications. These included three special claims, four- water-races, two extended protections, and three additional deposits. Paeroa, Saturday.

Colonel De Messeurier, accompanied by Messrs. 8. T. George and C. McLean, yesterday paid a visit of inspection to the Waihi Consolidated property, at Waihi. The Waihi-Silverton was also iuspected and bearings of reefs taken, whilst to-day the Martha bearings were taken. To-morrow Colonel De Messeurier leaves Waihi for Wlmrikirauponea, and having thoroughly inspected the Royal Standard mine he intends returning to Waihi, where he will remain for several days prior to bis leaving by the 'Frisco mail steamer. WOODSTOCK. The Woodstock return should be available in a day or two, and judging from the bars of bullion which hare from time to time been brought in and lodged in the Bank of New Zealand, the yield should be a satisfactory one. Great hopes are held out as regarding the Woodstock property, and should anticipations be realised the output of bullion from Ohinemuri should be materially increased by the monthly returns from the mine in question. At all events, the first return from the new mill, which is being anxiously awaited, will be made known at the beginning of the week. IVANHOE. A fresh contract has been let for the advancement of the low level. The country is still of a hard nature, though tho most favourable class of country rock is not expected for some distance ahead. It is anticipated that 200 feet more driving will see the Crown lode to hand. NEW ZEALAND CROWN. Large quantities of machinery, etc., continue to arrive for the Crown mine. Yesterday and to-day the road leading to the suspension bridge looked quite lively with so many waggons unloading the various pieces of machinery.

TALISMAN. The drive going north on the western branch of the main lode at No. 4 level is being steadily advanced with most suecesful results, the ore coming to hand being of a highly remunerative character. There is no doubt that small though this branch may be, it is a good bullion producer, and should be a valuable feeder to the main body of stone. This leader still maintains its width of 12 inches, and the assays obtained from the ore broken out prove that the stone carries a high percentage of precious metal. There is still a block of between 30 and 40 feet intervening between the northern and the southern face. The other workings are still productive of payable ore, this being especially the case at No. 5 level, where to-day the lode was showing to advantage, being fully five feet wide in the face, the whole of which is good grade ore. When the face has been advanced another 50 feet a connection should be effected with No. 2 winze, when good ventilation will doubtless be available, and thus allow driving south on the lode to be continued without any trouble. With regard to No 6 level, the contractors are Keeping the face fully manned, the lode being about five feet wide. The quality of ore, however, is not the best, though another 49 or 50 feet of driving should bring tilt face underneath the point where the good shoot of ore was first met at No. 4 level. When this distance iu question has been negotiated, interesting developments should accrue. The erection of the crushing and treatment plants is now being pushed ahead expeditiously, and the new double discharge stamp boxes have been placed in position ready for the stamps. Coromandel, Saturday. bunker's hill. It was rumoured last night that Bunker's Hill was on gold. I find that just a few colours were seen on the last breaking down, somewhat similar to that which has been seen during the breaking dowu for months past. The manager did not deem it worthy of special report; nevertheless as he says the couutry is of the best possible description, and the reef looks more promising than it lias done just recently.

MINE MANaGERS' REPORTS. STANLEY (Karangahake, April 21).— account of strong flow of water from drive it is impossible to do any more at this level. Have put men on to crosscut for another reef which is cut higher up the spur. Reef is from one foot to 18 inches thick. A few stringers cut through gave good prospects. Low level is now in a total distance oi 600 feet.

Sceptre (Wharikirauponga, April 12).— Crosscut has been extended total distance of '236 feet,

Matarangi (MaUrangi, April 17).— uprise has been risen total distance, 40 feet. This work, when completed, will give us 110 feet of backs. North drive: Reef compact, and prospects Improving as driven on. Poru Consolidated (Thames, April 21).Rise upon the upstrike of the Rimu reef has been actively proceeded with. Lode has thickened out to fully 4 feet of solid quartz, and on breaking down strong blotches of gold could be seen.

losa (Great Barner).-Same class of ore still showing in reef. Can get gold by washing loose rubble in dish. Hadbaki Associated Gold Reefs (Core •nandel, April 21).-Contractors for low level have completed 197 feet. Communicahoi has been effected between the drives. A little gold has been seen here. Preparations are being made to start leading stope. Sterling (Karangahake).-Country now of an excellent sandstone formation and con,s m 8 numerous stringers of quartz. The Rising Son (Owharoa, April 18).-No chanee has taken place in sinking of winze, still in splendid country, down 34 feet. Pdbd Junction (Puru, April 19).-No. 1 low level has been driven 18 feet; country is getting harder. No. 2 Pakelia: No change in the country, it still continues to be of a good class. Am driving on first leader which is running in the direction of reef. . V k* AR ( Tairoa . April 21) -ProspectlM *« been carried on on western side of hill for about 12 chains, splendid prospects being the result, the gold being the richest seen in the district, and very coarse, the stone when pounded giving splendid tails a go i - Low level is in now about 55 feet. Another 40 feet ought to cut the lode. • \e B . K ( m «a)-—No. 2 drive is now in 15 feet, passing through sandstone inter»P«r«d with quarte boulders.

Kiso of Whasqamata (WhangamaM ***m Contractors have extended crosscut 240 if ■•$& Water still continues to ooze from face .S * stringers of quartz have been met with ' <? If Zone ( Whangamata).-No. 5 drive is' „ '•"-' in 40 feet, and has intersected a reef Of 1 6 inches wide. Am now starting to driv. P ALBION.-Have started drive to cat V l M reet, which should be met with at 40 few * K Ajax iKuaotuuu, April 23).—Low 1.11 crosscut has been extended bix feet tovitl '■" with six feet driven on No. 3 reef inii " -'V level. ■""*:;? Rialto (Waikoromiko, April 22) _ H ' -' traced leader some distance along the, ' f face, and should intersect it about SO KSfil below. A small leader shows in far,;! '■-■ drive. Got a little gold by pounding, "■§