THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10544, 10 September 1897, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET. The market was quiet yesterday. Little business wm transacted, and the number of buyers showed a decrease on that of the previous day. There was a fail, demand for investment stocks at recent quotations.. In mining, Moanataiaris were done at lis 3d, with sellers Us6d at last call, and no further buyers.. New Alburuias were placed at 4) 4d, but dropped a little in the afternoon, sellers being quoted at 4s 4d, buyers declining to give more than 4; Id. Grace Darlings firmed, sales being recorded it 'A 2d, with further buyers at that figure, sellers raising their price to 2s 6d. In Karangahake scrip there were buyers of Talismans at 163, with sellers 16* 6d at last call, no buyers being quoted. Talisman Extended! saw business at IOJd, with further buyers at lOd, sellers asking la Id. Ivauhoes were placed at 6Jd and 7<l- Waihis were still iu demand at £7 12s 6d, sellers being quoted at £8. Extendeds were placed at Is, with further buyers at that figure, sellers asking Is Id at list call. Sellers of Grand Juuctions dropped from 18* to 16* with no buyers quoted, Portseas were down at lOd, while Bunker's Hills were in guod demand, being placed at 2s Id and 2s 2d. lonas (Great Barrier) hardened, business being done at Is 9d with a steady demand at the close at Is Bd,_ sellers holding for 2s. Other Barrier scrip was in good demand.

ASSOCIATED STOCK AND MINING BROKERS. Business in the following was yesterday transacted by the above .—New Alburnia, 4s 4d ; Ohinemuri, 5Jd; Waihi Extended, Is Id; Waihi South, 3d; Bunker's Hill, 2s, 2s Id; Cuirassier, 4jd; Harbour View, 3d, 3id; Hauraki North, contributing, lOd, IUH < 1 00 l> i Is 9il.

GOLD PURCHASES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Thames, Thursday. The following are the total amounts of gold purchased by the local banks, as won from the undermentioned districts, during the month of August BANK or HEW ZEALAND. ozt, dwts. rrs. Thames County 893 19 0 Ohiuemuri County 21 12 0 | Thames Borough 531 5 0 Total 1,446 16 0~ BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES. ozs. dwts. grs. Thames County 72 9 0 Ohinemuri County ... 203 16 0 Coromandel Couuty ... 15 11 12 Thames Borough 22 0 Total 295 18 17~ NEW ZEALAND CROWN MINES. THE MONTHS*RETURNS. 1567 TONS YIELD £4163. During the past four weeks the New Zealand Crown mine at Karangahake crushed and treated 1567 tons of ore for bullion valued at £4163, being at the rate of £2 13s Id per ton. During the previous month I'JOO tons of ore were crushed for bullion valued at £3300. The return for last month, therefore, shows an increase of 3117 tons iu tile quantity of ore put through, this being ascribed to the fact that for half of the period named the whole battery was crushing wet. The total value of lust month's return shows an increase of .i'SSO over that of the previous month. It is anticipated, now the battery is in good working order under the wet process, that this month's return will show a further increase in the quantity of ore milled, and in total value.

WAIHI GRAND JUNCTION. It is stated the results of the assays of the drillings from the reef on the Grand Junction mine were such that it has been decided to have check assays made. The mine manager iMr. J. H. Evans) has been cabled to from iOiulnn instructing him to proceed to Auckland, when ho will probably confer with the local board as to the nature of the future operations to be conducted.

GREAT BARRIER GOLD AND SILVER

ESTATES. Operations on this property at the Great Barrier are proceeding under the superintendence of tho representative of the Melville Corporation, who hold un option over the ground, which contains 300 acres. On this property, it is said, two reefs were cut before the option was granted, but they were somewhat broken up. Since the Melville Corportion took charge a drive has been put in with the object of intersecting the No. 3 or Lees reef, which is at present being worked on in the Barrier Gold and Silver Company's ground. This reef, which is about two feet wide, has, it is believed, been cut on the Kaitoke ground (which adjoins the Estate's property) close to the boundary of the two claims.

PROGRESS-CASTLE ROCK. Mr. F. K. Vincent, consulting engineer of West Australia, is at present at Coromandel inspecting likely properties for the London and New Zealand Finance Corporation. On Wednesday he inspected the Progress-Castle Rock property. GEM OF lIAURAKI G.M. CO. v A meeting of shareholders of the above company was held yesterday at Mr. W. J. Smith's office, Victoria Arcade. The chairman of directors (Mr. A. Wright) presided, and there was a fair attendance of shareholders. The Chairman said the meeting had been called to consider the position of the company. They were " head over ears "in debt, aud shareholders ivero evidently unwilling to pay further calls. The company had had difficulties to conteud with from the commencement, for only half the shares had been subscribed, aid this had kept them back a good deal. He was satisfied that one portion at least of their property_ was valuable, and would well repay additional expenditure in development work, but they wanted the shareholders to back up the company by paying calls. The mine manager (Mr. Scott), Messrs. J. Leydon and H. Hughes (one of the directors of the Progress Castle Rock Company, who had vtaitud the Gem of Hauraki) were asked to give their opinion of the property, and agreed that there was every indication of it> proving a valuable one. The reef now being worked on in the Progress Castle Rock should, they said, be intersected in the Gem of Hauraki. Mr. Edward Leydon aiked what had become of the unallotted shares in the company? Tho acting secretary (Mr. Smith, junr.) questioned Mr. Leydon's right to speak, as lie was not a shareholder. Mr. Leydon insisted upon his right to speak, and said the secretary had no right to question his right to ask for the information. The Secretary: Mr. Leydon allowed his shares to be forfeited, and is therefore not a shareholder in the company. After further remarks, during which Mr. Leydon said he would insist upon saying what he had to say, the Chairman was asked to rule upon the point. Mr. Leydon said he wanted to know what had become of the unallotted share;, and j what had been done with the forfeited shares which had been offered at auction? After the second cull some 19,700 shares had been forfeited, and after the third call 24,900 were forfeited. These latter shares had been offered at «uction, and a few thousand sold at 103 'per 1000. The remainder had been withdrawn from sale,.and they should have gone on the books of the . compauy us they bad been bought in on behalf of the shareholders. But what had been done Tho shares unsold, some 18.000, had been disposed of by the legal manager at the rato of 10i per thousand, .and the shares had been hawked all over the streets of Auckland. He submitted that tlie shares could not be so dealt with in the office. No authority had been given the legal manager to dispose of any of the shares, and he would strongly oppose any sale of Shares under such conditions. _ Mr. Arthur Langley had, he believed, deposited a cheque for the shares at the price mentioned, but the speaker was satisfied that the shares could not be so vended, and that any lale such as had been proposed was illegal, and could not be carried out. • -' s - • Mr. Langley said he had deposited his cheque for the shares at the price whioh the others had brought at auction, but he wonld remind shareholders that there was another call (lending, and that that would have to be paid on the shares so purchased. What he had done was entirely in the interests of the company, and was merely done so that they would lie able to carry on. • <> j .<:• The Secretary explained that he had perhap* made a mistake in arranging to dispose, of the forfeited shares as mentioned by Mr. Leydon, His reason for so doing was that a sum of money was due to the mine manager,' and there were no fuuds available with .which to pay him.; It did not seem likely that another call would be made, and ' the shares were to be sold with the object of raising money ; to pay the ;■ mine mauager's wages. ' ;n -.V »l Mr. Langley «aid if there was to be any question as to the legality of . the proceeding, lie would withdraw his cheque and allow the shareholders to/do as they liked .with the shares. He f had > certainly, deposited his cheque as payment for the shares, but the sale : was subject to the.'; approval ' ofthe shareholders at the pretest meeting. ,

After further discussion, it wm agreed not to dispose of the forfeited shares to any one shareholder, but to offer them to shareholders at )0i per 1000, and should the shares be over-subscribed so allot them pro rate on present holdings. , CHAMBER OP MINES. The ordinary meeting of the council of the Chamber of Mines was held at the Chamber s rooms, Shortland-street, yesterday afternoon, Mr H. Brett (president) in the chair. There were also present ' Colonel Burton, and Messrs. J. M. Lennox, G. Aickin, Mercer, Griffiths, W. S. Wilson. A. Kidd, C. C. McMillan, W. Gome, W.R. Bloomfield, T. Morrin, 8. T. George, N. A. Nathan, and James Russell. ENGLISH publications on new ZEALAND

MINES. The Chairman drew attention to the publication in the London journals, the Sketch and Graphic, of certain articles on the goldfields of New Zealand, which were of a derogatory character, and letters in this connection were also read from Messrs. J. G. Green and Q. A. McCottnell, advising the Chamber to take steps to dispel the misleading statements in the articles referred to. Mr. Aickin said the matter was one that required careful consideration in dealing with, and proposed, "That it be referred to the goldfields committee to report," which course was, after a brief discussion, adopted.

SUBSCRIPTION AND . MEMBERSHIP. The manager of the Four-in-Hand Gold Mining Company wrote, stating the directors of his company were of opinion that the payment of subscriptions to the Chamber should entitle them to the privilege of the nomination of a member of the directorate, to membership of the Chamber. A similar letter was also read from the manager of the Hauraki Associated Gold Reels Company. The secretary (Mr. G. S. Kissling) pointed out that the proposal was contrary to the rules of association, and the matter was eventually referred to the legal and finance committee for consideration.

REGISTRATION. FEES. Mr. H. A. Gordon, attorney to the May Queen and Moanataiari Gold Mining Companies, wrote to the effect that the companies in question were willing to Remain on the Chamber's registration list, providing the registration fees did not exceed two guineas per annum in each case. The matter was deferred, pending Mr. Gordon's presence at a future meeting of the Council.

INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS. Mr. James Russell brought forward, the question of the meagre information afforded colonial shareholders concerning the operations on mines under the directiou of English companies as compared with that afforded by those under the management of local and colonial companies. There were numbers of people here-original vendors, and otherswho held large interests mi English concerns, and were unable lo obtain any information, which information it seemed only fair they should be affjrded,ftndwereentitledtoatleast with regard to the workings on the mines, even if not from the London offices of the companies. He.suggested that a sub-com-mittee, should be appointed to draw up a clause for the provision of the required information. Mr. Griffiths thought it would be inadvisable to bring forward any compulsory law in this connection, and that the shareholders could get the information if they wanted it. An arrangemeut might be made through the English representatives, to publish tne reports locally, at such time after the reports had been sent Home as might be arranged. Mr. Blooinfield said there were local shareholders who could not elicit any information whatever in connection with" the workings of English companies here in which they wereinterested, aremark in which he was supported by Mr. Gortie, who was ot the opinion that they should obtain legislation on the matter. A letter was read from Mr. L. _D. Nathan, contending that it was only right that colonial shareholders should be permitted to inspect English mines in which they were interested, and holding that information concerning the operations being carried on should be published here simultaneously with its arrival in London. Several others present spoke strongly in support of an arrangement whereby colonial shareholders might be .afforded the leouired information, ana it was eventually decided to refer the matter to the lentil and finance committee, Mr. J. Russell to be in attendance, MISCELLANEOUS, Messrs. Henry Reynolds and J. Hatterley were elected members of the Chamber. _ It was decided to hold the quarterly meetings on Monday afternoons at half-past two, prior to the departure of the 'Frisco mails, the first meeting to be held in November.

. COMMITTEES. Committees were elected as underGoldfields committee: The President and Vicepresident, and Messrs, Jus. Russell, H. A. Gordon, A. P. Griffiths, W. A. Mercer, S. Thorne George, J. McGowan, R. Rose, J. M. Lennox, W. Gorrie, Col. Burton. Legal and finance committee: The President, Vicepresident, and Messrs, M. A. Clark, A. Mild, J. MeFarlane, D. B. McDonald, T. Morrin, N. A. Nathm, W. 8. Wilson, Col. Burton. Plans and statistical committee he President, Vice-president, and Messrs. J. Chambers, J. C. Da vies, W. R. Bloomfield, A. G« Horton. R. R. Hunt, U. C. McMillan» J. A. Pond, W. S. Wilson. '

GENERAL MINING ITEMS. Yesterday Mr. D. G. MaoDonnell received tho following tetegam from the mine manager of the Golden Lead :-So far crushing shaping all right. Mr. John Endean, one of the directors of the Bunker's Hill Compa.iy, has just returned to Auckland after paying a visit to the mine. Mr. Endean brought with him some quartz from the cross leader recently cut, the stone showing gold freely. The quartz is at present on view at Mr. C. A. Stubbs' office. THAMES SHAREUARKRT. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Thames, Thursday. Adelaide, sellers sd; Albnrnia Ea#t, sellers 3d; Argosy, sellers Id: City of Auckland, sellers lid; Clones, sellers 3d; Cornet, sellers 3d; Golden Horn, sales GJd; Kuranui-Caledouian, sales 3) 6d, sellers 4% buyers 3s 6d; Karaka Queen, sellers 3d; Kuranui, sellers Is; Mata Reefs, sellers 2d; Mclsaacs, sellers 2d; Moanataiari, sellers 12a; Moanataiari Extended, sellers Id; New Albumin, buyers Is; New Whau, sales 4jd, sellers 6d, buyers Jd; New Golden Point, sellers Sd; Nonpareil, sellers 7d; Occidental, sellers 44; Puriri, sellers Id; Royal, sellers It sd; Victoria, sellers 2s; Komata Qunen, sellers 2s Id: New Zealand Crown, sellers 265; Bunker's Hill, sales 2s2d, 2s3d; Empress,sellers 3d Welcome Find, salet It OJ, seller* 2s.

NEWS FROM THE MINES. [IT telegraph.— CORRESPONDENTS.] Thames. Thursday. MAY QUEEN EXTENDED. The drive south upon the course of the cross reef in the Onehunga section ii penetrating a very firm clfws of country, and consequently the reef has narrowed down to about four inches in thickness. It nevertheless looks promising, and should a more congenial class of country set in, it would probably have a good effect upon the ore. MORION-POKU. The drive upon the course ot the Rimureef hat been extended a distance of 26 feet since operations were commenced at No. 1 level. The reefcontinuei rather broken in character, but is now showing a tendency to become more defined. . No gold has yet been seen, still the ore looks favourable and will probably improve as 'the drive advances.

NONPAREIL. This company's operations upon the Liverpoo) reef are being steadily pushed forward, and upon the whole very encouragiug prospects are being met with, especially from the stopes. From that, point a good supply of payable ore is coming to hand, although the manager expresses disappointment at not having obtained more picked atone than has been secured, for at times.the reef has looked well enough for a really good haul. However, it is itossible that his hope* in this respect may be realised yet, for the block is a large one, and bears every promise of turning out welL The drive upon the western course of the reef is being pushed.ahead with all due speed, and . there is every prospect of a second run of told being met with shortly. VICTORIA. .. Operations.upon the Victoria reef at the several levels are still resulting in a fair supply, of payable 'quartz ' being won. The best results are being obtained, however, from the topes above No. 3 level; at which point colours of gold' are seen freely at every breaking-down',, with an!, occasional few pounds of picked stone as well. The same reel is also looking very well in the eastern drive at the intermediate level, and in the J stopes above that level, but scarcely as much gold has been' seen during the last two or thiee breakings down m was previously the case. Ad improvement in this respect, however, is' likely, to occur at any time, as both the country encasing the reel ana the mineral indications in the quart* are quite good enongh for better results. ' Good progress continues to be made with . the winze below No." l level. r At that point the reef isaboat 15 inches iu thickness and looks fairly well, but no gold was seen when last breaking ; down.' ' The - manager • attributes this ditect; however, to the country encasing "the reef being rather of too firm a oharacter, and is hopeful bt archange occurring soon in that respect. ■ Stoping has been .resumed in th« eastern .sto|*s al»v«'/No;. 1 1 level,' and from.tbeuce a ver* fair class of quarts, showlag colours of (old, is coming to band. Driv-

ioj has been commenced upon the No.l hangingwall leader at No. 4 level. This leader is about five inches in thickness, and bids fair to open up well, but as this work has only just been commenced, there is yet nothing much to lay about it. ml Coromandel, Thursday.

I HAURAII NORTH., The drive west is being continued on the main reef, ft may be noted that in this drive gold was seen in the atone, when 147 feet from the shaft. It then continued to show for about 12 teet. Another small run of gold began to be seen about 180 feet in, and continued for about eight feet, ana again yesterday, when at 208 feet from the shaft, stone was procured with gold showing distinctly, and to-day on breaking down, during my visit at the mine, some very nice quartz, large pieces, with gold "bowing in dabs, were procured. All this is tile more encouraging, for the reason that the reef has not been worked on in this westward portion of the mine, so that the whole run ot the reef from the shaft on this level to tne surface is ready for exploitation, true, the golden stone procured cannot'be classed as picked stone, yet with a good body of solid quartz of over two feet in thickness the new development is well worthy of note. The reel maintains a fairly uniform character throughout, some cross veins being met with occasionally. A start has been made to rise on the run of cold at tne point 147 feet from the shaft. .The crushing plant has been idle for some weeks, but Mr. Steadman is hopeful of making a start with crushing again next week with ore from this westward section. Of course, no very great results can be expected unless the quality of the stone improves, but there is no reason why the ore should not prove fairly payable. So far the crushing plant, although Its capacity is limited, has proved _ itself more than capable of treating • all the ore produced. The output of ore lias been very small lately, owing to a series of repairs and renovations being necessary in the boiler, the recent heavy rains percolating through the old workings having impregnated the water with injurious acid, so that every tube in the boiler has been eaten through and destroyed. In replacing these a great deal of time has been lost. t ihe interruptions and delays must mean a serious item to the company. Operations in the shaft are at present suspended, awaiting, it is said, the arrival of the additional tubes required for replacing' the more recently worn-out ones. It is. however, manifest that a much larger boiler is essential to enable a lower level being worked to advantage under the old rich chutes of gold as obtained iu the eastern portion of the mine. bonkers' hill. Three of the directors, Messrs. andean, Heather, and Finlayson, accompanied bv the local director (Mr. J.C. Fraser), visited the mine yesterday, for the purpose of inspecting the new leader. Whilst below a small breaking down eventuated, when several pounds of picked stone were obtained, ine class of ore, as the result of the third break-ing-down on the new find, was somewhat better than the second, but hardly comes up to that obtained when the leader was nrst met with. The vein maintains its size, and the present face, although not revealing any rich golden stone, presents a kindly appearance. If the loader continues as productive of good picked stone u up to the present. Bunkers'have found a,valuable vein. Although sanguine, the manager wishes to see more ol the reef before pawing too high an opinion on it, as he deprecates raising false hopes with present knowledge.

PAEROA WARDEN'S COURT. fl* TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Thursday. The ordinary sitting of the Warden's Court took plage to-day, when the following business was transacted :— SPECIAL CLAIMS. The following were granted:—S. Forbes, Crown Woodstock Junction, Karangahake; J. Butcher, Eliza, Waitekauri (granted as Colewinaer); J, Jackson, Ballarat licensed holding; F. Farley, Koinataproper, Komata, RESIDENCE SITES. The following were granted :—A. Patterson, shepherd's occupation license, Karangahake; C. Colliugs, Waitekauri; R. Hungerford, Karancahake; G. Archer, Waitekauri; J. Billing, Mackaytown; E. Flavell, Mackaytown; A. Dudley, junr., Mackaytown; C. A. Morris. Karangahake; Wm. Ellerby, Mackaytown; P. Peterson, Karangahake; J. Fincharn, Karangahake; P. J. James, Wharekerau punga; R. B. Patterson, Karangahake; P Conway, Karangahake; H. Sheehan, Karangahake; J. H. Sloaue, Karangahake; J. Fleming, Te Whariki; M. Flemiug, To Whariki; J. Rose, Owharoa; C. Gane, Wharekeraununga; C. Walker. Wharekeraupunga; J. Young, Karangahake; J. Carnation, Karamjahake; 0. Kelly, Karangahake; Elliott, Karangahake. C. Shepherd, A. I Shepherd, Harold Shepherd, and Alfred I Shepherd were each granted J-aore on Shepherd's occupation license, Karangahake. Residence sites at Waihi were granted as follows E- Leech, section 55; W. Gamble, section 286; R. Samson, section!!#): A. Samson, section 160: VVaihi South—J. Edwards, Bection 31, Bulltown,

MISCELLANEOUS. The following miscellaneous applications were granted :—J. A. Brown, application for right for renewal of road for 12 months. The Fiery Cross Gold Miniug Company, by their iolicitor (Mr. Mahony) made application for a certificate that an agreement for an option entered into by the company will not prejudicially effect the claims of creditors. This was granted.

PROTECTION. Protection was granted as follows : —lrving Gold Mining Company, four months, Irving special claim: P. Bain, six months. Dawn ot Hope claim; Fiery Cross Gold Mining Company, six months, Fiery Cross claim: T. D. O'Toole, six months, water-race No. 100; P. McFarlane, six months Komata Eldorado claim, granted for three months; W. H. Porter, Golden Taw holding; W. Kathbone, four months Doris claim; N. B. Lusk, tour months Liverpool claim; Irving Gold Mining Company, six months Yankee holding, granted for four months; D. Allan, six months lolanthe holding.

PERMISSION TO WORK WITH LESS MEN. Permission to work with fewer men was granted as follows Teutonic Gold Mining Company, Teutonic claim, two men for four months; Robert Kelly, Mary Queen of Scots claim, two men for four months; Stanley Gold Mining Company, Stanley claim, two men for four months; S. Uraffin, Emerald Isle claim, two men for four months; G. Colebrook, Colestream claim, two men tor four months; Star of Waihi Gold Mining Company, Waihi South holding, one man for four months; T. 1). O'Toole, Royal Standard Extended, two men for four months; Lord Rosebery Company, Lord Rosebery, two men tor four months; P. McFarlane, Waihi Broken Hills, two men for four months H. Fletcher, Waihi Broken Hills Extended, two men for four months; J. Smith, Dawn of Hope Surplus, three men for four months; Waitekauri No. 2Company, Waitekauri No. 2, two men for four months; H. Gilfillan, jun., Waitete claim, four men for four months: Waihi Monument Gold Mining Company, Sea View licensed holding, one man for four months.

PROTECTION REFUSED. Union Jack Gold Mining Company, four months'protection for the Union Jack special claim. This claim was taken over by a company in November last, and was then under permission to work with four man, which expired on January 28th, 1897. Since then it should have been worked with 33 men. Mr. Mueller stated that £640 had been spent on the gromid since this company had it, and at least four men had been employed. His Worship contended there had been a breach of the regulations. Had.the company come to him when permission expired they could have got either protection or permission, but theyhad neglected' to do so, and had worked with fewer men,without permission, consequently they must now suffer. The application would be refused. PLAINTS. G. T. Weston v. D. O'Toole: Plaint for the forfeiture ot the Waitekauri Junction holding for non-working and non-payment of rent. Mr. Miller appeared for the plaintiff, and defendant, who is away in England, wat unrepresented. The claim was declared forfeited, with costs £3145, and plaintiff was declared the first applicant. J. O'Meagher v. M. Smeaton, claim £113? 10d,due'f«r legal expense*. Judgment for the plaintiff, with costs £4 6s lid. J. McClellan v. G. Purchas, plaint for the forfeiture of the Colewinior Extended licensed holding for non-working and nonpayment of rent. Mr. Kenrick appeared for plaintiff. The claim was forfeited, and plaintiff declared the first applicant, costs £3 14s. The' Court then adjourned till Saturday morning at ten o'clock. The Warden stated that all the applications, whether for special claims, waterraces, residence sites, or any other, would bo struck out unless the plana were in the office within six months of the date of lodging such applications., ,

! MIME MANAGERS' REPORTS. Aoskrk {Kuaottihu, September 4).—Further distance of 12 feet driven on reef, making total distance driven from ! break 145 feet.' Reef formation at present is two. feet ; wide, aud making more clean quartz; also prospecting better. Nil Dkspsrakdum (Ohui, Tairua. September 2).—Low level, crosscut: Extended seven' feet during week; now clear of No.: 1 ( reef. Crosscut should be driven 100 feet farther to intersect other lodes known to carry gold on Surface.7- * • t'>\. > ;'•• : r- , , ii Omega (VVaitekauri, September.7).— level extended seven feet quring past week; total, 304 feet. No change of important . " ' ' • ' - 1 *

I Cuirassier (Omaho. Kennedy's K»Ti^ tember 6). - Operating oa Foor-in-Hand ' boundary, ore bf (food quality comint to hud, when boundary reached willl commence sloping from No. l rite to boundary. Mined PoLO(Whanpn»U, September 4There is no change to report. The crosscut is itill penetrating the same clas# of. unastone, Uirheadway is bemgmade: the total distance driven to date is 228 feet ■ Princess (Karangahake,. ,e P Low level crosscut advanced eight feet tor week, making total 312 feet.' ■ ■ _ <~ Mount Waihi and Sir (W»'h'). Dunne week 21 feet driven, making drive 27 feet from starling point. Same claw of country continues, nice.brown country. SUNLIGHT (Thames, Beptember 4).-StaU driving, but no change to report in lode or character of country. , Bio Reef (Te Puru, Thames, September 4).—Driving continued on course of Big Keei in low level crosscut. Reef looking very well: gives good prospects. Teutonic (Owharoa, September v ; Distance from start of cutting to face of . drive 30 feet. Country similar to that worted at Owharoa on same lint. May have to drive some distance before reel w met with. Talisman Extended (Kan»ng«hake, September 6).—Drive on reef on western aide of range driven total 50 feet. Country firm class of tough purple ground. Two quartz leaders cut through. _ Moanataiari Extended (Thames, September Drive on reef is now in 40 feet from main crosscut. About 10 feet of reef stripped, which will be taken down during incoming week; quartz showing in face of promising appearance. _ _ Orlando (Thames, September Sinking winze steadily proceeded. Roof continues of promising character, and shows colours oj gold at each breaking. Country, which is of good description, becoming niuch farmer. Golden Planet (Tairua). - Believe have struck right channel of country, where lodes come through from Broken Hill. Every appearance of another making in face. Dover Castle (Puriri). — Driving upon north-east continuation of No. 2 reef, meetting with improved ore. Reef in face is four feet thick, and shows gold in hard atone in footwall portion, while splendid prospect obtained in loose rubble when washing in di»h. . Puriri (Thames).—Advanced drive on new reef, which at present is of pug formation, being intermixed with quartz and mullock, and will average in thickness about one foot three inches. Quartz of good description for carrying gold, and should form into solid body of quartz. , . Victoria (Thames, September 6).— Driving on easterly continuation of hangingwall leader at No. 4 level. About five inches in thickness ; quartz good class of stone, anil showing good mineral indications. Few colours of gold observed. Sloping operations above No. 3 level resulting in good class of ore being won. At intermediate level reef in eastern drive about 15 inches in width; little gold seen in it, but not as much as formerly. Winze below No. 1 level sunk 25 feet. Prospects look very encouraging. Stoping recommenced above No. 1 level; similar class of ore coming to hand as that met with in rise above. Phoenix (Kuaotunu, September 3).— vancement of drive on course of Muriel reef carried on, and country still of most favourable description. Reef has narrowed down to one foot thick, but well defined and carrying gold. No. 1 crosslead at times gives very nice prospects of gold. Country is highly encouraging.