THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10428, 28 April 1897, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET. There was a good demand for stocks yesterday, and a fair amount of business was transacted. New Zealand Insuranee changed hands at 725, a Blight increase on last quotations, and at the close sellers were asking 735. There were buyers of National Banks at late quotations. Auckland Gas (new) at £9 5s and Palmeraton North Gas at 73s 6d, both showing a tendency to harden. Thames Gas had enquirers at 35i 6d, New Plymouth Gas £6 7s Bd, Northern Steamship 6i 4d, Tanpiri Coals 25a 6d, and Westporc Coals at 555. Kuranui-Caledonians found purchasers at 4s 6d, a much better figure than on the previous days. Sellers first asked ss, but at last call had come down to4s9d. Bunker's Hills were done at 2s Bd, a slight increase; Victorias found buyers at 2s sd. looas were done at la and Is Id, and at last call had buyers at Is Id, but no further business was done, sellers asking la 2d.

ASSOCIATED STOCK AND MINING BROKERS. The following business was yesterday transacted by the above Scandioaviin, "d ; Central, Is 4d; Imperial, 7d ; Waitekauri King, 2jd; Hauraki North, paid-up, 39 Id ; Aotea, sdj looa, Is; New Zealand Insurance, 72*. MOUNT AURUM G.M. CO. The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the above company, called for yesterday, lapsed. The balance sheet showed receipts to have been £277 4s lOd, including balance forward £236 18a 2d, and expenditure £248 4s fid, leaving a credit balance of £24 0s 4d. AURARIA G.M. CO. Work on this property consists of prespectiug, which so far has been very satisfactory. A reef which ranges from three feet to four feet in width has been cut close to the boundary of the Joker mine. Good prospects have, it is said, been obtained, traces of gold having been secured by pounding. It is intended to prove the reef in the middle and outer end of the property, after which work will be proceeded with in earnest,

AMALUAMATION OF PROPERTIES. Negotiations are proceeding far the amalgamation of the British Empire, Waitekauri Reefs, and Waitekauri South Companies, and the basis upon which the amalgamation is to be carried out has already been discussed by the directors of the companies mentioned. Nothing definite has so far been arranged, and a conference of the companies interested, at which, it is expected, details will be agreed upo», will shortly be held. TAMIHANA G.M. CO. The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the above company, called for yesterday, lapsed. The directors reported that on the formation of the company steps had been taken to have the ground worked on a development option, but the company had resumed possession, and with further development good results were expected. The balance-sheet showed receipts (sale of syndicate shares) £800, and the expenditure £278, leaving a credit balance of £523 10s. I'LL TRY 0.M.C0. The directors of the I'll Try Goldmining Company, no liability, Coromandel, have lately been negotiating with a gentleman with a view to obtaining outside capital for the better development of the mine, they being of opiniou that the reefs which are known on the property will develop very satisfactorily when tested at lower levels than can be reached by driving. They hsvo therefore granted an option for two months, and it is their intention to call the shareholders together immediately as per advertisement appearing elsewhere, so as to lay matters before them and obtain their sanction to their proceedings. The position of this ground is excellent, surrounded as it is by good claims and in close proximity to the English owned Kapanga and Scotty's. The stone obtained from the claim is said to be of a very kindly nature, being goldbearing stone, only requiring systematic < working to give payable returns.

MAY QUEEN HAURAKI. The Cardigan No. 2 lode now being worked at No. 6 level in the Saxon section is almost certain to prove to be the No, 4 lode in the May Queen proper, as the survey indicates. The quartz and the underlie are the same, as also the selling value of the melted gold, and the specimens are similar beauties. There are hundreds of feet on the lino of reef, ami it is intact to the surface. Singular to say, should this lode prove to be the May Queen No. 4 lode, it has never been seen in the Queen of Beauty. The lodo being parallel to tne Saxon lodes is now traversing the Saxon section, and its course is through the Trenton. When the drive on the lode is properly under the hill and within the rich Saxon channel of country a patch may be expected.

NEW GOLDEN POINT G.M. CO. (N.L.) At a meeting of the directors of the above company, held at the office ot Mr. S. H. Matthews, Hobaon's Buildings, Mr. G. H. White, lute manager of the Moanataiari Extended mine, was appointed miue manager of the Golden Point claim at Tapu. Only a very small portion of the company's property, which consists of 120 acres of freehold, has been prospected. Mr. White will therefore give the property a thorough examination with the _ view of locating other reefs, which it is believed run through the ground. Upon the present workings is erected a powerful pump capable of dealing with any water that may appear for some time to come. Hoisting gear and cages have been supplied, and all the machinery is in the best of condition,

COROMANDEL FREEHOLD G.M. CO. The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the above company was held yesterday. Mr. W. Gorrie (chairman of directors) presiding. The report referred to the negotiations which had been proceeding in Loudon to bring about a sale of the property, and stated that there was every reason to believe that the mine was one that would well repay development an a large scale. The balance-sheet showed receipts £363 10s lOd, and expenditure £363 9s lOd, leaving a credit balance of £2 Is. The report and balancesheet were adopted. The chairman referred to the fact that since the end of the half-year advices from England had been received to the effect that an offor of £7500 had been made for the property. The present proprietors were to receive, in addition, 45,000 paid-up shares of £1 each. The working capital was to be £20,000, and 20,000 were reserved shares out of the company's capital, which was to be £175.000. This offer had been accepted, but nothing further had been laid before the directors, The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

HIT OR MISS G.M. CO. The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the above Company, called for yesterday, lapsed. The balance-sheet presented showed receipts to have been £303 Is lOd (including deposit on option, £250), and the expenditure £221 5s 6d, leaving a credit balauceinßankof £8416s 4d. The present position of this Company is that itis being worked on option by Messrs. Bewick, Moreing and Co. (on behalf of the New Zealand Exploration Company), the arrangement being that the purchase of the property is to be completed by the 30th instant. The present proprietors of the Hit or Miss receive £1000 in cash and 20,0000 paid-up shares, net, in a new company (consisting of the Hit or Miss, Central, and Joker properties), to be called the Empress of India Company. The proprietors of the Central and joker are to receive £1000 and 20,000 shares between them. The new company is to have a capital of £150,009, and provide a working capital of £30,000. At present 30 men are employed in development work, the reef, which is supposed to run through the three' properties mentioned, being driven on in several places. BRITISH EMPIRE G.M. CO. The half-yearly meeting of the above compaty was held yesterday afternoon, in Mr. H. Gillillan's office, Exchange Court. Mr. Colin E. Colbeck (chairman of directors) presided. The directors' report stated that in the north-western portion what is known as Gordon's reef was picked up. Assays therefrom give a return of £15 7s fid per ton. Further work had been suspended pending future developments in the direction of amalgamating with other companies whose properties adjoined the British Empire, and when that was arranged they anticipated being able to obtain an option for sale of the amalgamated area. The balance-sheet for the half-year showed the receipts to have been £66913s 2d, including calls £617 la Bd, aud the expenditure £655 8s 4d. the principal item being wages £444 9s. The balance in hand is £5 4s lOd. The chairman referred to the arrangements which were proceeding in the direction of amalgamation, and said that though it was hard in a place like Auckland for the people to pay so many calls, they would be acting wisely in sticking to the company. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. At a special meeting held afterwards the action of the directors in purchasing the forfeited shares (17,000) on behalf of the company was approved of. The chairman said that total protection had been applied for, so that there would be no further call for some time. •,. ' ;';

ADELAIDE G.M. CO. The half-yearly meeting of shareholders of the above company was to have been held yesterday, but lapsed. The directors reported that the work of developing the main reef had been continued, and that the reef had yielded good ore, a crushing of 54 loads yielding 650z retorted gold. The reef going north had lately opened out to two feet wide, and country was improving. As stoping operations were being carried on regular yields of ore were to be expected. The machinery connected with the mine was in good order, and working well. The balance-sheet showed receipts to have been £1750 la Id, including calls, £1364 10* 6d, and expenditure £1359, the principal items being wages and supplies, £89017« 2d. The credit balance was stated to be £40913s 4d.

MINING ON KAURI TIMBER COMPANY'S LEASEHOLDS. [BY TEWaRAPH.-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thame*, Tuesday. Further evidence was to-day taken in the inquiry being held into the mining claims upon the Kauri Timber Company's leaseholds at Tairua.

George Skine, of Whangamata, remembered Davys and O'l'oole prospecting at Tairua at the latter end of 1892. He sent McDowell to show them where he had found gold, and paid Mr. Winder for the " tucker" supplied to McDowell and Davys, and also found £11 or £10 on account of the expenses of the lease, and £1 for two miners' rights, one of which was for himself and the other for McDowell. This money was paid to Davis, who gave him a receipt in which he acknowledged that witness held a third interest in the ground. Witness gave a copy of the receipt to Mr. Cadman. The "tucker" bill due to Winder was paid by witness, Worth and party not paying their proportion of it. Edmund O'Connor stated that he was the applicant for the Mascntte licensed holding, situated at Tairua. Witness and J. Allum worked on the claim for two months prior to the latter's decease.

Piiipira, widow of the late Joseph Allum, corroborated O'Connor's statement, and stated that O'Connor held an equal interest in the claim with herself.

MINES DEPARTMENT. Wellington, Tuesday. I understand that the departure of the Under-Secretary of Mines and the Engineer has been postponed until Friday next, GENERAL MINING ITEMS. The meeting of the Bay View Gold Mining Compauy, to have been held yesterday, lapsed. The balance in the bank was shown to he £209 10s. The Chamber of Mines'collections of specimens ot stone has been added to by contributions from tho Komata Reefs and the Waitekauri mines. All the samples from the latter come from the Golden Cross sectien, while those from the Komata Reefs represent the Komata, Argall'a, and Livington's lode?, and Ilartndge'a leader. Yesterday Mr. H. Gillespie, jun., received the following telegram from the manager of British Empire mine at Waitekauri :- " Driven eight feet, and reef prospects well." At yesterday's meeting of the shareholders of this company the chairman (Mr. Colin Colbeck) said the reef had not yet been cut through. A special general meeting of the New Zealander Gold Mining Company will be held on May 6. Other mining notices are advertised elsewhere. THAMES SHARE MARKET. Thames, Tuesday. Adelaide, sellers 9d; Albnrnia East, sellers 8d ; Club, sellers, 3d; Conservative, sellers 4d; Darwin (contributing), call paid, sellers 3jd; Grand Triple, sellers 3d; Knranui Caledonian, sellers ss; Mata Reefs, sellers -hi; May Queen, buyers 7s 6dj Mclsaacs, sellers oil; Moanataiari, sellers lis; New Whau, buyers 3£d; Occidental, sales 2d, sellers 2id; Taruru Greek, sellers 4s, buyer!) 3s; Temple Bar, sellers 3d; Royal, sellers Is 7d; lona, sales Is, Is Id, Is, buyers Is Id; Aotea, sales ail, buyers 5J ; Hauraki North (contributing), sales Is lOd.

NEWS FROM THE MINES. [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Thames, Tuesday. MAY QUEEN EXTENDED. The development works iu progress in this mine are progressing very satisfactorily. The contractors for the extension of the eastern drive upon the Dolcoath reef in the Onelmnga section are within 20 feet of their stipulated distance, and the total length opened up to the present time is 146 feet. A good and firm class of country is now making its appearance in the face, and the reef, although it has shown no gold as yet, looks promising, and is about two feet in thickness. Westward upon the same reef colours of gold were seen at the last breaking down. The reef, however, is split into ribs, but it is anticipated that it will become more compact as it approaches the Hague-Smith cross reef, with which it is supposed to eventually junction. In the Hokianga section driving is proceeding upon the main reef on its western course, but no quartz has been broken down for several days past. A length of about 12 feet, however, is now stripped, and will be broken down during the present week. At the point where it was last broken the reef measures about three feet in thickness, and is heavily mineralised.

KARAKA QUEEN'. The No. 2 drive upon the north-west course of the main reef has been extended a total distance of about .100 feet from the surface entrance, and for 200 feet of that length colours of gold have been frequently seen, Latterly the country met with in tins level has improved very much, and is now of an excellent description for gold, it being interlaced with numerous veins that are all trending towards and striking into the main body of quartz, whilst on the hangingwall side small quartz veins can be seen striking off in which colours of gold are freely to be seen. These veins and the good channel of country have had a most beneficial effect upon the reef, for since meeting with the improvement colours of gold have been seen freely distributed through the quartz, whilst some of the pieces of quartz selected from the general dirt can be classed as fair picked stone. The reef is strong, and measures about four feet in thickness, it being divided into three distinct division with bands of kindly sandstone between them. On the footwall side a leader about four inches in thickness, and containing a large quantity of mineral of a good description, can be seen trending towards the main body on a long angle, but a further eight feet of driving will probably see it junction with the latter, when with the present appearance of the reef there should be a still further improvement. The drive is being pushed ahead with two shifts, and is entering into new and as yet untried country, so that the outlook is oue full of promise as regards the future. A rise has already been put up from this level to the surface, and good ventilation provided thereby, consequently no difficulty is likely to be experienced with regard to the extending of the level for some time to come so far as good air is concerned. The rise is 75 feet in height, so that it will be seen there is a good block overhead to beat out when sloping operations are commenced. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Paeroa, Tuesday. WOODSTOCK. Universal satisfaction was felt here to-day when the Herald arrived announcing the first clean-up of the Woodstock Company. Minicg matters in the Karangahake district will undoubtedly receive a considerable fillip thereby, especially as' good bullion returns should in future be available monthly, the mine being well opened up, whilst the mill is one of the best in the district. WAITEKADBI, A new development has occurred in the western crosscut at Corbett's level, namely, the intersection of the large reef met with in the Realm section. At present very little can be said as regards its size or quality, as , the ore body has not yet been peuetrated for its full width. The ore, however, varies from the general characteristics of the other bodies, the stone being of a bluish nature, whilst it carries a good percentage of mineral. More will be known as to value and dimensions as the development work proceeds. TEOMAIUMARA. The Te-o-Maramara, or what was formerly the Komat* section of the Wuitekauri Gold Mining Company's property, is now in active course of development under the management of Mr. Purchas, late manager for the Waitekauri Comprny. The scheme for the future development of the Komata area has not yet been definitely decided upon, but I understand the works are to be of an extensive nature. In the meantime attention is being directed to the ex tensions of a crosscut to intersect a large reef unearthed at the surface ; also the advancement of a large tunnel counected from Grace Darling creek by the Waitekauri Company. These works will be vigorously prosecuted until the new company launches upon a more extensive scheme of development KOMATA REEFS.

The contract for the large aerial tramway has been taken away from Sheehau aud Todd, and, I understand, it is to be let in small contracts, or else completed by wages. It is a great pity that this work has been hindered during the -long spell of fine weather, especially as the non-completion of it hampers work in the mine,', there being no storage for the quantity ot quartz broken out, as all ths hoppers have been filled.

( The probability is that there will be a reduction in Che staff of hands employed underground, until such time as the surface works are completed, and the transit ot ore from the mine to the battery enabled to be undertaken. The erection of the new mill ii proceeding satisfactorily under the superintendence of Mr. H. U. Adams, and a big show is now being made for the labour expended.

PAEROA WARDEN'S COURT. [BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Tuesday. The usual sitting of the Warden's Conrt was held to-day, when the following applications were granted by Mr. B. S. Bush, Warden :— SPECIAL CLAIMS. P. McFarlane, Waihi North extended; W. H. Potter, Zephyr; W. J. Downie, Zephyr Kxtended; W. Klliott, Komata Triangle (granted as licensed holding*); W. Shaw, Killdare special claim; Hear/ Hair, Wairiporipo Extended; John Murray, Crosscut Extended (objected to by Edwin Edwards). The objection was withdrawn and the application was granted. * RESIDENCE SITES. Applications for residence sites were granted to the following :—James Mollis, Waitekaurl; Clias. Gordon, JCanngahake; J. W. Clotwotthy, Waiteknuri; P. Clarkin, Waikino; Henry Benner, Wai. kino; Charles Callings, Waitekaurl; 11. Frith. Waitekaurl; J. Phillips, W%itek»uri; Waitekauri Gold Mining Company, Waitekaurl; J. Gibson, Waihi; G. Aitkenhead, Waihi; J.Dunstan, Waihi. MISCELLANEOUS. Royal Standard Gold Mining Company, two special sites at Wharekeraupunga. The Waitekaurl Consolidated Gold Mining Company applied for a machine site at Waitekauri, but this was objected to by the Waitekaurl Junction Hold Mining Company, anil the matter was adjourned until May 6th. The only application for protection was that made by W. Ratnlione for permission to work the Doric special claim with one man for four months. The application was granted; APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN. The following applications were withdrawn :-A. B. Millar, buna Venture (objected to by J. A. Clarke); 11. Cullpan, Fairy Queen. APPLICATIONS REFUSED. An application was made by Agnes Henderson for a residence site at Waihi. but the Warden refused the application, which was accordingly struck out. Another application made by W. Denton for a residence site at Owliaroa, but which was objected to by the Hercules Gold Mining Company, was also struck out. PLAINTS. J. Morrlssey v. J. Home : Plaint for the award of a quarter share of the Queen of Marototo special claim. The evidence in this case was taken last court day, and to-day the Warden gave judgment for complainant for £50, to be paid unless a fifth share wis transferred within II days. A. Robiuson v. A. D. Lasker, plaint for possession 01 a residence site at Karangahaks : After evidence Ivul been adduced, an amicable settlement with the consent of the Court was arrived at between both parties. An application made by D. Adams for the forfeiture of a residence site at Karanganake was withdrawn. APPLICATIONS ADJOURNED. A large number of applications were adjourned, Including the following:- Woodstock Main llouf.t, Limited, v. Henry Lamas Smith, for forfeiture of water-race No. 8240, Karaiijahake, adjourned to May 0; Finch v. S, Budge and T. >. Jlonin, for forfeiture of the Mitre special claim, adjourned to May 6; S. Finch v. S. Undue andT. s. Motrin, for forfeiture of the Balance licensed holding, May 0; I'. iiheehau v. James Todd, complaint for dissolution uf partnership, adjourned to .May 0.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Klecihic (Whangamata).— further extended 16<t. Hate cut some nice stringers, one about Sin showing good stone.

liK.NniGo (Puru).—Keef in low level continues 4ft to sft in width and show, bright mineral. Hauiiaki Associated (Coromandel, April 26).— Have commend d to slope out footwall lead in Smithy level. Gold sieii freely in quartz broken down.

MoitlON-PuitU (Thames, April 24).-Crosscut to intersect Rimu reef is in Sift. Country Is of most favourable nature.

Ohio* (Hum).—ln breaking down got the beat I'tnspe.-it nl cold yet obtained, a nice t.iil of gold being visible in each dish washed from loose rubble, Curl Kit Light (Uoromamtnl, April 25).— level No 1 leader tins bran extended tit feet. No. 3 reef north ha* been extended nine feet. Keef is looking well, but mi gold has yet been seen. M.ATAWAI (Maiawai, April 24).—Size of reef in winze is six inches. Can get a good prospect in some of the quartz taken out, Reef is three feet ; depth of winze SO feet. liiviNO (Vt'aihi, April 22).— quartz veins have been met with in the lower level. Country rock is improving in appearance. Kvening Star (Kennedy's Bay, April 24).— Driving in Madge's Hill anil No. 3 have been ills, continued, and men put out prospecting on the Kennedy's Bay section. Nothing oi importance baa been discovered. At the winze work lias been timbering drive and making ready to sink further. Wynyardton (Coromandel, April 21).-LiHder is pinched at present, and there are only a few inches of quartz on the liangingwall. There are about five tons of quartz on the surface. Southern Cross (April 21).—Low level has been driven IDS feet. Same class of country, carrying very f.tir mineral indie itinus.

Ksi'ERANZA (Wallii. April 24). — Level south on reef has been extended 35 f<ct: a small leader carrying a little gold was intersected, and the country is of a favourable nature. Cm- OP Auckland (Thames, April 24). - Work done is opening up continuation of Sylvan lead. We have vtry largo body of quartz, fully 20 feet wide, and showing a lit hi gold in . panning off. I. have let a contract for SO feet sinking shaft, also SO feet of Umbering In low level. v

Great Maiiototo (MarotoM, April 24).-Driving through the Marguerite reef has been continued, reef shows a thickness of 8 feet with no .sian of hanging wall. The ore is of a very promising character. Mexico reef is fully 2 feet thick, being well defined. Have started to open out on Jason reef, lower down the hill.

Golden Fleece (Karaneahake, April 24).-Main level has been driven u distance of 2(!4 feet, ami with another 30 let expect to cut large reef. Still loins through good sandstone country intermixed with quartz seams. New Zealander (Waitekaurl, April 21).—50. 1 reef—No, 1 level : Crosscut on hangingwnll side of drive put inlo the reef. Cut in 18 feet, and no hangbigwall showing as yet. Few colours were got hy dish test this week. Reef ha* also been cut on fuotwall side for 12 feet, showing a body of quartz 30 feet in thickness.

Sunlight (Thames, April 24).- Am still driving but have nut got through broken country yet, and have to keep timbering. Ore seems to be the same as list report. Am still trenching. KUIUNUI (Thanhs. April 24).— in north drive still maintains its size, nine inches. Ifeef'in the youth drive has opened out to 18 inches. Quarts is of very dark nature and heavily mineralised. Dig Reef (To I'uru, April 24).— crosscut at the creek level this morning we touched the run of ore we have on surface. Stone gives same prospect as in the upper crosscut. In the drive in the Big Reef section reef is very much split up. GITY OF GISDORNE (Caboage Bav, April 21).Have been unable by trenching to discover the big reef on the spur, on account of large landslip, which entirely overlays country. Uave started crosscut In intersect it. Drive on main reef is being pushed on. Albert (Tairua, April 24).—N0. 6 tunnel has been extended 110 feet. Country splendid class of saidstone. Tunnel to intersect the Albert reef has beta advanced 49 feet. Country interlaced with quarts and mineral veins.

Renown fl'liamei, April 24).—Contractoni have driven 20 feet since starting their second contract, the ground has been very tight. Crosscut is now in 240 feet, but as surface workings are nearly O'K) feet from where we are driving, it is possible for lode to have swerved from its course as intersected on surface. Mariner (Karangahake, April 24). -Level on Mullocky reef has been extended 46 feet. Reef has now become a more solid body of stone and carries a little gold superior to any other prospects obtained in the mine, Waipuru (Thames, April 24).-Have now driven 111 feet along the llimu reef; cournry of nice de. sciption. Reef at pv. sunt is one and a-half feet in width; quartz is of very favourable nature. COROMANDEL Freehold PROPRIETARY (Coramandel, April 14). Uave found new reef about six inches wido where it outcrops on the surface; gives very good prospects. Tried prospects for 20 feet along the reef with satisfactory results. Goon Knouoii (Coronnndel, April 24).-Havc driven 163 feet. struck what looks to be a large reef ; we holed through it about five feet, and there is no sign of the hangingwall. liAt View (Kennedy's B.y, April 21),—Continuing drive; ground much tighter aid containing a betterclass..(sandstone for carryinggold, and having some nice mineral veins, Can find colours of gold in the rubble. Pandora (April 24).-No, 3 crosscut has been extended 210 feet. Country Is sandstone and is intermixed with iron seams and quartz veins. No. 1 level : Have started to crosscut in a splendid class of country on a nice seam. KXCKISIOR (Karangahake, April 24).-Crosscut has been extended 205 feet. Ribs of quartz are much bigger and give a prospect by pounding. Waihi .Monument (Waihi, April 23).-Country in shaft still continue* hard, but fair progress made with sinking. lIINTON (Coromantlel, April 24).-Have extended No, 2 drive lin feet, and navo cut a small leader three inches thick. So far hive got no gold, Maiiitana (Uwharoa, April 21),-Have started driving smith on the hanging wall of big reef. Prospects give gold by pounding, Deep l,E»n(Karani:ahake, April Distance driven from mam tunnel 100 feet. Country of reefy nature, canying quartz, and country mixed. Jay Gould (Port Charles, April 23).-No. I SicIsaac's tunnel has been extended 101 feet. Can get a few colours of gold from mullock. So. 2 tunnel has been extended 83 feet. Leader is very small and broken up.

Royal Shield (Whareltoraiipuiig.!, April 24),Have extended No. 2 crosscut 50 feet. Country intermixed with quartz stringers or mineral veins. Have picked up line of new reef going north. It U three fee!- in thickness ami gives prospects of flue' gold. Will sink shaft in the hanpngwall side of this reef and open out at water level. Purv Consolidated (Thames, Aoril 24).—Rise on up'lrite of Itirnn reef has been steadily carried up. Reef looks veil and measures four feet wide, and shows strung gold through ore. Gold has been obtained at every breaking. Waitekauri No. 2(Waitekauri, April 2*).—Drive has been extended 16 (set further. Reef seeim opening out a little, but there is not much change in country. Mangakara United (tt'aitekiuii, April 24).No. 5 reef maintains its size, unil a little gold is seen at each breaking down. Drive on No. S reef is in 0 i feet. On No. 1 reef men have been engaged crosscutting to ascertain it any quarts existed in trails, J