PURU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10752, 13 May 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

PURU.

The extension of the Puru Consolidated Company's No. 2 level southward' 1 during .;;. ■ .', ."• the past month has resulted in a capital ■ class of ore being revealed, and the prospects &l*. •'•;• 'at that point are still of a very promising ■ character The mine is now well opened up at both this and No. 1 level, and a great length is available upon the reef for stoping at both points.. The contractor for the erection of the battery, water-race, and tramway, has completed these works, but the supply of water at present is scarcely sufficient to work ' ■ the lull strength of the battery, and it is probable arrangements will have to be made ;'. to increase the pressure of the supply by giving a greater fall between the race and the Pelton wheel. WAIOMO. Owing to the scarcity of water for motive power, which ha;, kept back the commencement of crushing operations on behalf of the Monowai Gold Mining Company, the manager (Mr. W. H. Williams) has decided to curtail operations in the mine for the present, and has lessened his working staff in accordance with that plan. Another reason for taking this step is because the Monowai section of the mine, from which the bulk of the ore will be obtained, is now well developed, and capable of yielding a large output of ore, so that there is now no need to hurry on the work at that point. Consequently, the only development work proceeding there at the present time is the extension of what is known as the No. 3 B level, for the purpose of connecting it with the main No. 3 level. This will be accomplished in a very short period of time, and will provide a more direct outlet for the ore won at that level than would otherwise be the case. Sc far as the prospects of the Monowai main lode are concerned, the outlook is a most encouraging one at all the levels in which it has been opened up. The reef will average about 30ft in thickness, and carries excellent mineral indications through nearly the whole of this width. An idea as to the exact value of the ore has just been attained in the breaking out of about 20 tons, for shipment to Swansea, Wales, where it is to be subjected to experimental treatment. The ore included in this 20 tons parcel wai. broken from the reef at four different points, namely, at the surface outcrop, and at Nos. 1, 2, and 3 levels, so it may be considered to be a fair average sample. Assays made of the ore proves it to be worth about £9 per ton. With respect to the Gem section, work is proceeding as usual at that point, there being no change to chronicle. The tramway connecting the Gem section with the battery is now completed, and that between the Monowai- section and the battery is well underway. TAPU. The Mahara Royal Company's usual monthly retorting took place on the 29th ult., and resulted in a yield of 1760z ldwt of melted gold, the total valuo of which was £537 13s 9d. For this return 325 tons of ore were treated, so that the result is a very satisfactory one. Operations in the mine are progressing very favourably. The Royal main reef continues to look well, and a limited number of men are able to break out a sufficient supply of ore for present battery requirements. The new reef sought for in the Fluke section is expected to be intersected daily. During the month a contract was let for driving the first distance in connection with a new low level for the Royal reef. Five tons of this company's ore are being shipped to England for experimental treatment. The Sheridan Gold Mining Company has a considerable staff of miners now employed in the development of its property. The main operations, however, arc those which have the ultimate object of connecting the upper section of the mine with the new low '. level. Very good prospects are being met with, and there is every hope of the mine yet coming to the front as a gold-producer. ' PURIRI. In this district the Bewick, Moreing Syndicate is continuing its development opera- ' tions in the Empress of India property, but the efforts made to pick up at lower levels 1 the runs of gold found in the higher levels i have not been as successful as could be wished for. The Puriri Gold' Estates Company is ] also continuing the prospecting works initi- ' ated in its property some time ago, but no : discovery of any importance lias yet been ■ made. WHANGAMATA. Very encouraging prospects are being met with in both the Wentwortli and Whangamata Proprietary mines. The directors of , \ the Wentworth Company received informa- ■ tion a few days ago, from the Hauraki Penin- , sula Exploration Company (Limited), who : hold an option over the property, that a , parcel of stone (three tons) from the Stud- ] holme reef, crushed at the Thames School of • Mines, and treated by the cyanide process, ; yielded a return equal to £17 10s 3d per ton. , This represents a saving of 90.4 pel cent, of the gold, and 50.5 per cent, of the silver, or , 89.6 per cent, of the total value. The assay ; value of the ore before treatment was £19 lis per ton, while the assay value of the tailings : after treatment was £1 Is 4d per ton. It is i stated that instructions have been given for i '' the erection of a battery, so that there is every probability of the mine being a bullion- ] producer before long. '• The operations proceeding in the Whanga- ' i mata Proprietary Company's ground are of l an extensive nature. All the contracts for j the construction of the water-race and erec- J tion of reduction works have been let, the ) two tunnels along the line of the water-race ' have been completed, and the third will be ' ' finished at an early date. The remainder will consist entirely of wood fluming, part of > • which will be erected on trestle work. The i sinking of the shaft at the mine is now well '■ % in hand, and only 60ft require to be sunk : before the crosscut will be commenced from : } the shaft and a connection made with the No. 3 or western crosscut, which is now in about 570 ft. The shaft is now down a total ' '. depth of 165 ft, where excellent prospects ' were obtained, the ore assaying as high as . £10 in places, and the average value being j estimated at £4 per ton. In the No. 2 level the reef has not been cut through, but no , walls are showing in the drive, and the width .' V of the lode is over 10ft. Driving has been j % discontinued in No. 2 level, as the manage- \ £ ment are satisfied with the results obtained, , .' the rich chute which came in having conv tinued for over 200 ft, while the reef in the . j "'. shaft shows signs of improvement. W TAIRUA. In this district, mining operations at the ' present time are confined principally to one ■ mine, namely, the Albert. In that mine works of an exploratory character are being . | carried on as usual, but no new discoveries | have recently taken place. COROMANDEL. Thursday. . The operations earned on for the last two , i" years in Blagrove's Freehold at last give . promise of bearing fruit. It is, perhaps, as . p: >vell to note the fact that this company s ■ main shaft is located in the western portion of their ground; and that a considerable s' amount of prospecting was done on a 200 ft . level adjacent to the shaft. Although several reefs of more or less promising character were discovered, there was nothing " : to warrant very high hopes of success. Later on, Mr. A. E. Argall, the present : manager, deemed it advisable to prospect 1 on the eastern section of the property, the re- ] suit being that gold-bearing lodes were found, i and one crushing of ore taken from near the i • surface gave a return of about £100 worth of < bullion. This was a few months ago. Since then a small steam plant has been erected, i and a small shaft sunk in the locality, i Whilst this has been proceeding the 200 ft i level crosscut from the main shaft has been i pushed ahead in that direction. It was as- I • sumed that when the reef formation was I reached in this crosscut gold would be ] found. ' But, going as it did through virgin ] *. |: country, there was the possibility of striking i |... other unknown lodes. This has been done, I ;., for at a distance of about 150 ft from the i ••.'.; eastern shaft two gold-bearing reefs have : v been intersected, one yielding stone- with gold ' y showing in heavy blotches. Both •at the :point of intersection ore. undoubtedly pay l ! able, but as no work has been done on either, 1 I it is too soon to estimate the value of the new find. '! Sufficient is in sight to fully warrant ' the hope that Blagrove's is going to turn up • '"■:' bumps. There is also the prospect of meet; ■* ;•, ing with' other lodes in the Bpace intervening : -•'•';' between the crosscut and the eastern shaft. ''• '-■ '■' •It is essential. that conneefcior', should be '$0. effected in order, to procure very necessary ;;. ventilation. ;.',-'- ••.'-'. ' ir \ - '' ■'-•;.> : -'■ .' The Hauraki- Special had a profitable re- ''*", . turn again this month, it being 4240z 18dwt, : -"• ; valued at' £1280. ' Operations are being con- ,

tinued on the 400 ft level from the main shaft. In the Union Beach section of the mine, the old workings have been cleared out and new work has been started. There is a large block of virgin country between these two sections of the property— the old Union Beach portion, the upper levels of which were exploited many years ago with such splendid results, and the Hanraki Special now being worked. It would appear as if the management avoided the old Union Beach workings, on account of the water. Now that the mine has been drained, operations can, and will, be carried on safely in both sections.

In the Golden Pali some capital work is being done. Golden stone has been Won; although it is not yet up to anticipations, there is every reason to believe thai; richer chutes of gold may be met with at nay time. In the main lodes a reduced staff of ir.in is at present engaged; everything is woiliir.g smoothly. A better class of country is at present being penetrated. The Hauraki South Company have made capital progress with the crosscut from the main shaft, but, unfortunately, operations havo been suspended in that locality for the present. This is regrettable, as a few weeks would have sufficed to prove the nature of the country at this level. It is thought operations will be resumed shortly. The Welcome Find Company are still developing their property, and a little gold is occasionally seen. The lowest level is now approaching the locality where the old run of gold, which was operated on above, is expected to be met with. Splendid country is being penetrated. In the New Golconda mine good work has been performed with a view to the thorough exploitation of the property. » The Hauraki North Company have at Inst broken the back of the dead work, which had to be done preparatory to opening at levels beneath the rich chutes of gold obtained in thns mine in times past. Bunker's Hill is still working on gold, and at the present rate, will, before long, have sufficient ore to hand for another crushing. Kathleen Crown have nothing very special to report, although most encouraging prospects are met with, and a little gold is seen from time to time. Operations are being carried out systematically, both from the main shaft and in the locality of the new find in Blagrove's. Should the lodes intersected in the latter mine prove valuable it must have a beneficial effect on the Crown.

In the Kapanga mine the small army of tributers has been considerably reduced, the unsuccessful ones having for the most part left. The good work done by the tributers cannot be overestimated. Andrews and Gunn, and Home and Johnson, have done much to put new life into the mine, and whilst these two parties have done very well for themselves, the company's welfare has not been overlooked, Mr. Battens, who had the personal management of the mine during the period, took every precaution to conserve the interests of the shareholders, and the company can now follow up the cuo given by the tributers, and exploit the adjacent blocks with wages men. Home and Johnson's find will, in all probability, lead to something valuable for the company, because there is a long run of virgin reef in the 420 ft level) which might have been left for years had it not been for the tributers. The general management of the mine has been taken over by Captain Hodge since the resignation of Captain Argall, and it is said that the new policy will be an aggressive one from a mining point of view. During the month Home and Johnson, who are not allowed to employ any wages men, sank a"winze in their little 50ft square block. The ore taken from this winze lias been treated, giving a return of gold valued at £255 12s 4d. Another party of tributers, Allen and Tarrant, had a small crushing, with a result of £17 2s Id, whilst the company had a crushing on its own account, yielding £64 17s 6d. we

Operations in Scotty's mine since the reconstruction of the company have been confined entirely to dead work, the results of which cannot be seen for some time.

_ The Golden Lead is still on gold, and will in duo course have a crushing. Harbour View continues to get a littlo picked stone every now and then, but no great haul has been made.

In the Britannia a lot of good systematic mining is being done, and it is a matter of surpriso that so excellently situated a property should not ere this have met with payable ore, but the class of country rock intersected is of the most kindly description, and the management is very hopeful of the future prospects of the mine. The Hauraki Associated Reefs, whilst continuing to give handsome monthly returns, are not forgetful of the future. Simultaneously with the exploitation of the reefs, on present levels, operations are well in hand for dealing with these lodes at a greater depth. To this end Mr. Shepherd has a low level drive in an advanced stage, which will be available as soon as necessary. The returns for the month have been of the value of £768, from 30 tons of ore.

The Tokatea Consols are still working on gold, the reefs maintaining their character as capital producers. Gold is being won in the Queen of the North both by tributers and the company's own men, and a crushing will eventuate at an early date. The Royal Oak has had another splendid return from 30 tons general ore and 16391b picked stone. The crushing brought out a value of £2300. This is an improvement on last month, which was £950. The waterraces are now in course of construction, it being intended to make use of water-power in providing compressed air in the mine, and thus avoid the present very great expense of carting coal over the ranges. The Coromandel Freehold Proprietary is now working upon a reef of considerable promise. Gold is occasionally seen in the stone, and there are splendid indications, that by further development work, a capital lode may be proved. Progress-Castle Rock have a low level tunnel in hand, from which it is intended to work the lodes when the new battery is erected.

The Pukewhau has obtained some nice little parcels of picked stone, and in due course will have a payable crushing. In the Kuaotunu district the Mariposa had a very satisfactory crushing of 300 tons for 1990z, valued at £443 8s 3d. Arrangements have been made for deepei sinking. There is no doubt the past returns from the old Try Fluke fully warrant the undertaking. The Waitaia is still working on gold. Tim work is being laid out in anticipation of the erection of a battery at the mine. The Irene had a crushing of 163 tons for a return of £290, which may be deemed fairly satisfactory. The Kapai-Vermont is at present idle, pending re-arrangements. The tributers in the Aorere are satisfied with their prospects, and hope to have a fair return from their first crushing. In the Kennedy Bay district the Bay View and Flossie are still amongst our goldproducers. A crushing taken from the former yielded a value of £64 17s 6d, whilst a small test parcel from the Flossie proved the ore to be payable.

KAURI FREEHOLD GOLD ESTATES (LIMITED).

THE MONTH'S OPERATIONS. Mr. A. Montgomery, superintending engineer for the above company, has just returned from the mine with a satisfactory report on the month's work. In No. 1 level of the Maiden mine the Maiden reef has been recovered by crosscutting on the west side of tho cross reef, and is being driven upon. The portions of the reef left standing in the old workings have been sampled, and show that there is still a good deal of low grade ore, with some richer stuff, to be won from above this level. Driving on No. 2 level has been suspended on account of want of ventilation, until a rise to No. 1 level, now in progress, has been completed. The approach to No, 3 level is nearly finished, and driving mil be begun during the ensuing month, In the main shaft the poppet heads are almost finished, and sinking will be commenced in a few days. Good progress is being made with the erection of the boiler and winding plant. In Carvill mine tho main shaft is sunk 62ft, and the men are opening out to drive for the reef 80ft below the adit level.' The reef in the west end of Lanigan's mine adit level has been very large during the month, and of rather low grade on the whole, but contains considerable valuable ore.'. During the last week it has been of better value, with gold often visible. ''[ In No. 2 level the reef has maintained a good average . value during ' the month, the average assay being £5 per ton. A winze is.being sunk on the north branch of the stone from the adit level to connect ,with this level. 'Work in N0..'2 level of

the Hilda mine has opened up some good stone, gold showing freely.: It has proved that the good chute of ore near the air-shaft in the No. 2 level continues up to the No. 1, and most likely to the surface, giving a block'of striping ground 150 ft in height. ;In the No. 2 level operations have been mostly confined to crosscutting. An air shaft has been commenced near the mouth of the Hilda west tunnel, to connect with this level for ventilation, and later on for supply of filling for the stopes. No. 3 level of the Owera mine is now in over 1000 ft. The gold-bearing vein has lately been small and poor, though good bunchcsof oreare often met with. Crosscuts have proved the lode " formation" to be about 50ft wide, composed of iron-stained clayey country, with ramifying strings of quartz, and bounded by welldefined walls. Work in the other mines, the Australasia, Zealandia No. 2, and Lillis, has gone on much as usual without any fresh development worth reporting. With regard to surface work, Mr. Montgomery mentioned that a measurement and assays

of the tailings lying at Lanigan'a old batter} have shown that there are 538 tons of coarse sands worth £1 10s 6d a ton, and 109 tons of slimes worth £1 Is 3d a ton, which can easily be dealt with when the new mill is in working order. Wet weather has caused some delay in the erection of the sawmill, but he still hopes to have it working by the end of May. Good progress has been made with the railway embankment over the right-hand branch of the Quartz Creek. A short branch line has been laid into the new mill site, and the branch to the ore-bins is also in hand. The repairs and alterations to the wharf at Whangapoua are well forward, and will be completed in time to receive the machinery of the 40-stamp mill. A small race for the supply of water to the stamps and the vats and for the mill boilers has been surveyed up the Waingaro stream. It is 116 chains long, and runs through fairly easy country. This will give an ample supply of water for the purposes of the mill, but not for power. The machinery for the new mill is expected to arrive shortly.

KAURI FREEHOLD GOLD ESTATES.

A VISIT OF INSPECTION.

IMPORTANT WORKS IN PROGRESS.

DETAILS OF THE OPERATIONS.

[UY OUH SPECIAL lIWOIITKR.]

Though it is well known to those interested in mining in the Auckland province that works of a substantial and important nature arc being carried out by tho Kauri Freehold Gold Estates (Limited), on their properties at Opitonui, near Whangapoua, very few are aware of the extent of the operations that have been, and are being, conducted on bchalt of the company named, A visit to thoso portions of the extensive property on which mining operations are being conducted is really necessary before the importance and magnitude of tho work is thoroughly recognised and appreciated. Since mining operations were commenced under tho superintendence of the company, work has progressed steadily, and the important line of development work decided upon has been advanced until, at tho present time, it is questionable whether any other mining company in the province, mayhap in New Zealand, can show such progress in work which is being industriously pushed ahead under the superintendence of the company's officials. There have been no repeated and wearying flourishes of trumpets as to the nature of the operations, the satisfactory results obtained, and the prospects of success in the future; and probably it has been due to this omission—an omission too rarely met with nowadays in companies conducting mining operations—that but littlo attention has been directed to tho work done by the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates, and to the fact that on the company's property development work, necessitating the expenditure of several thousand pounds each month, is being vigorously prosecuted. But the fact remains that on the company's property, between ffhamigpoua and Kuaotunu, such substantial and important works us tho construction of a 40-stampcr battery, sinking of shafts, erection of powerful machinery, and the further exploring of the several ore bodies now being worked upon in the various mines, are being forwarded with all necessary despatch. THE VISITING PARTY.

On April 22 some of tho local directors of the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates (Ltd.) visited the property to inspect tho workings, and, at their invitation, they were accompanied by a number of representative Auckland citizens interested m mining. The party consisted of Messrs. Seymour Thorno George, W. S. Wilson, Colonel Burton (directors of the Kauri Freohold Gold Estates), Charles Rhodes (secretary), H. A. Gordon (Anglo-Continental Syndicate), L. D. Nathan, W. Gorrie, W. Berry, H. Horton, T. L. Murray (Bank of New Zealand), C. A. Harris, Arthur Myers, J. Chambers, J. Macfarlane, Charles Ranson (manager Northern S.S. Company), E. H. Bold (Inspector of Telegraphs), Moss Davis, H. H. Metcalfe, F. F. Rotherham (locomotive superintendent New Zealand Railways), Captain H. F. Anderson, and Bruce Lloyd (Union Iron Works, of San Francisco). The party left Auckland in the Northern S.S. Company's new steamer Taniwha, and the harbour of Whangapoua was entered early on April 22. Shortly after the arrival of the steamer at the wharf the party were met by Messrs. A. Montgomery, the superintending engineer of the company, and D. W. McArthur, and were conveyed to the mines at Opitonui by rail, the company's 2ft gauge railway from the harbour to Opitonui having been completed, and is now used for the conveyance of goods, machinery, passengers, etc., to and from the mines and Whangapoua. The magnitude of the works undertaken was a surprise to the majority of those forming the party, who expressed themselves as being astonished and pleased at the splendid work done, and also with the excellent prospects obtained, and the general indications that the company had a successful future before it. Mr. H. A. Gordon, whose opinion certainly carries considerable weight, expressed his astonishment at the excellent work done, and pleasure at the very satisfactory, results obtained, and all the party wore unanimous in the wish that the company would, in the future, be well recompensed for their large expenditure, and that the prospects of the mines would continue to improve. IMPORTANT WORKS UNDERTAKEN.

The light railway, as mentioned, connects the mines with the harbour,' a distance of about six miles, and when required will be extended to what is called the Opitonui mine, some distance up the valley frem the present terminus, which has been taken to a point above Lanigan's and the Hilda mines, and thus can bo used to convey all the ore from these properties, and from thoso intervening —tho Maiden and Carvill's— tho battery which is to be erected about three miles further jlowu the valley, and for which the excavation work is now being proceeded with, while the formation for the tramway is also being attended to, The line terminates at a point a short distance past Quartz Creek, at which a sawmill is being constructed, and at which point the company bought a large ""kauri timber forest. At this mill the timber for the battery building, mine work, etc., will be cut, and as it is estimated that there is close upon 7,000,000 ft of timber available, it will be seen that the company have a largo quantity of timber available for years. This is situated just below where the new road to Coromandel by way of Tiki is to pass, this being another additional advantage to the company, as it will facilitate the conveying of the timber from the forest to the mill. The tram formation extends about a-quartor mile past where the rails at present terminate, so that when it is considered necessary the line can be continued to the Opitonui reef. This, however, is not considered necessary at this juncture, as the operations at present being conducted at Hilda, Lanigans, and the Maiden mine are sufficient, and should result in the output of a large amount of quartz which should give a very satisfactory result. "

Another point to be considered is that were operations to be proceeded with at once at the Opitonui mine, the construction of a large shaft would be necessary, and as the results so far' obtained have been . decidedly encouraging and in every way satisfactory, while the same gratifying results have also been obtained at the mines past which the railway runs (and . which will first be utilised to supply the bat-' tery with ore),' operations at the Opitonui mine will doubtless be suspended until crushing operations are commenced, and other development work decided upon. • The tramway •'• terminates at the shaft site of the Opitonui reef, and will be extended when occasion requires,

E On the Australasia and Zealandia sections of the property,' which are up Quartz Creek, good work has also been done, 'and payable stone discovered in parts, though portions are poor. Still, the indications are most encouraging, and it is more than probable that the quartz .will continue improving in quality and run into stone that will prove payable. At Lanigan's the prospects have improved, and at the Maiden mine the reef lias already yielded about 2000 tons of quartz which is expected to yield at the rate of £4 per ton. Carvill's reef has also yielded payable quartz, and a splendid chute of gold was met with in the Hilda mine, while at Murphy's Hill, Lillis, and Owera, some distance away from Opitonui, a large amount of work has been done. But avoid confusion, I will refer to the various mines, the work done, and the prospects obtained from each under separate headings, beginning first with ' LANIGAN'S MINE. The value of the lode in this mine has now been proved beyond a doubt, and as the quartz has improved considerably at a depth, the prospects are decidedly encouraging. It is the same line of reef that runs through the Hilda property, and has already proved that it contains splendid chutes of gold, from which payable crushings can confidently be anticipated. In what is called Lanigan's Creek level, where the reef was worked by the formor proprietors, two chutes of gold were driven on and the stone crushed, and it is said that somo of tho quartz treated at the old Moanataiari battery gavo a return equal to about 3oz to the ton. There is a proved payable chuto of gold for a distance of about 200 ft, and the face of the drive is now only 80ffc under the point where the rich chute of gold was worked on by the old Hilda Company, and as good gold has been obtained, it lias been demonstrated that the rich ore carries down, and that tho reefs at a depth are more valuable than in the top drives. The shaft is now down 135 ft, that is, 80ft below the creek or adit level. After the chamber was opened out driving east was commenced, and at a point about 140 ft on tho crosscut reached the reef. The water was of course troublesome, but a splendid set of machinery was obtained from the Union Ironworks, of San Francisco, and by means of a Cameron pump, worked by steam, the mine is kept perfectly dry. The winding gear is working well, and the bucket at present being utilised will shortly bo replaced by a cage, with tho addition of other up-to-dato appliances. As stated, the reef was intersected at 140 ft, and has been driven on a total distance of 90ft. Shortly after the reef was driven on splendid stone camo to hand, and this has continued the whole distance, the average assays being about £10 per ton. The width of the reef here is about 6ft. Another 100 ft has yet to be driven beforo the face reaches the point where tho rich chute of gold was met with in tho creek level, and the indications are that the gold will continue to a point below where the rich chute came in on tho top level. The reef looks well, and tlicro is a splendid paddock of quartz close to the mouth of the shaft. Tho above may bo considered one of the most important developments that have so far been met with. The Hilda level proves that payable quartz lives ahead of the creek level, the results obtained from the latter level prove that a rich chute of gold occurs for several hundred feet, and the shaft level proves that tho reef improves at a depth, and that the rich chuto carries down, so that from the Hilda level to the creek level, 80ft below, right down to the shaft level, which is again 80ft below the creek level, the reef has shown a decided improvement. It may be mentioned that the present low level is 25ft below sea level. THE HILDA SECTION. As stated, tho No. 2 drive on the Hilda section of tho sumo reef is 165 ft above tho shaft lovel of what is called Lanigan's section—that is, the Hilda No. 2 level is about 80ft above the creek level, which again is 80ft above the shaft level. Tho old Hilda Company worked on a chute of gold east of the crosscut for about 110 ft, and this is the samo chuto of gold that is now being worked on in tho west end of Lanigan's adit level. Here again is an indication of the valuo of this portion of the property, and sufficient to justify tho expectation that from tho reef in the Hilda and Lanigan's section a largo quantity of payable uro will be obtained. The new company drovo west, and for a considerable distance passed through a blank, the lodo being practically valueless. Nothing daunted the drive was pushed ahead, and about 300 ft past whero the blank came in the reef began to show good quartz, and to make strong. Cold was seen, and this has continued off and on for about 390 ft. In tho last 300 ft the reef varied, sometimes giving splendid prospects, and at times growing poor again. It has, however, been proved that there are three good chutes in this level, where tho reef runs from 6ft to 12ft, i and where, at the time of our visit, about sft of good quartz was showing in a rather dis-turbed-looking face. Tho payablo quartz varies, for while in places there is not moro than 2ft of crushing dirt showing, in others the payable portion is fully 10ft wide. Tho Hilda No. 1 level is 85ft above tho No. 2 level, and the reef there is from 4ft to ' 6ft wide, and gold-bearing. On the hangingwall portion, which at present gives the best prospects, 50ft has been drivon in an ' easterly direction. The stone has shown a ' decided improvement, and the reef gives ' every indication of making a chute of gold ' at this point. Another level on this section is called tho Hilda west level. This has beon put in oh the other side of the hill, about 125 ft above the Hilda No. 2 lovel.

Here the drivo lias been driven on for 170 ft on the reef, and particular attention lias been paid to a gold-bearing vein, varying from 6in to 18in wide, which is on the south wall of the reef. The latter is a large body of quartz, but is barren-looking. It may here be mentioned, as showing the possibilities of this particular portion of the property, that the Hilda No. 2 level lias yet to be driven 200 ft before tho face comes under another rich chute of gold worked on the surfaco by the old Hilda tributes. In the No. 2 level the reef was" badly disturbed by a break, caused by a belt of hard country junctioning with the lode. This, however, has now been passed, and, as I have mentioned, there is about sft of nice-looking quartz showing in the face, 'flic liard belt has split up, and the solid quartz appears to be making strongly, and is resuming its former width, and gives every promise of developing into a large and valuable body of stone. THE MAIDEN MINE. A good deal of interest is being displayed in the development of tho line of reef in the Maiden section, and there is every indication that the exploration of the ground at a depth by means of the shaft which it is intended to sink will be attended with highly satisfactory results. The reef, though it twists and turns about a little, maintains a true general courso, and despite the fact that it is somowhat disturbed in places, by the intersection of a cross lode of poor quality, it has yielded good stone, and is improving every yard the drive is advanced. In the No. 2 level Hie reef has been driven on about 700 ft. For a distance of about 115 ft the results obtained were rather disappointing, the quartz showing traces of gold, but being far from payable. Thq drive was pushed ahead, and at about 190 ft in, or 45ft past where an improvement was first noticed, it became good, and remained so until the face was in about 570 ft, or 130 ft from where the face of the No. 2 level now is, where it was cut off by a cross lode. This cross lode disturbed the reef for a considerable distance, but just recently quartz has commenced to show, and making strongly, there is now a few feet of gold-bearing stone showing, and it looks as though the reef was coming in again to _ its usual size, and with the same satisfactory characteristics that distinguished it further back.

In the No. 1 level, which has been put in at a point 90ft higher, it- may, perhaps, be remembered by those who are acquainted with the operations at Opitonui, that a chute of gold was worked by the old owners in this level for about 65ft. Now, as will be seen from the lines referring to the operations that have been conducted in the No. 2 level the chute in the low level has been proved for a longer distance than hi the top workings, and in its extension east and west it has been found to be much richer than in the No. 1 levoL This is very encouraging, and loads the management to hope that when worked on at a depth—the workings so far have not been at any. great distance below the surface-valuable quartz will be obtained. "' . .•• -.:.-■.,■■-

It is intended to sink the'main shaft, the poppet-heads for which have' already been erected, about 320 ft from the mouth of the tunnel, and to start a now tunnel about ftJOfj

' from the mouth of the No. 2 tunnel and about 70ft below the latter. ' This will be the No. 3 tunnel, and seeing that the chute of gold worked on in the No. 1 tunnel has improved considerably in No. 2, it is reasonable to suppose that the chute at a depth should be even more valuable, - >■->-"■»■' < ■ The results so far obtained from this section have been decidedly , satisfactory, and the quartz already on hand, estimated at about 2000 tons, which is expected to run close on £4 per ton, should enable the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates Company to have very satisfactory initial crushings from this portion of the property alone, while the indications ' are that higher-payable quartz should be to hand when the reef system is worked at a depth. CARVILL'S SECTION. Lower down the valley we come to what is known as Carvill's reef. This was discovered by the mine manager, Mr. Edward Quinn, and named after the chairman of the London hoard of directors, Its direction is almost north-east, and it runs nearly at right angles to the Maiden. It was cut whon the company wero prospecting for the Maiden reef. The total amount of driving that has beon done is 435 ft, and of this about 205 ft was supposed to have been on the lode, but part of the drivo was off the reef, as it was thrown off by a fault. The reef has yielded good gold-bearing stone, and has frequently shown visible gold. The reef varies from 2ft to 6ft wide. A shaft is being sunk 120 ft east of the mouth of the tunnel, and it is intended to open out on the lode when the shaft reaches a point about 80ft below the tunnel level. Here also the indications are most favourable, and in cvory way justify, the exploration of the reef at a lower depth. Mr. Montgomery has every confidence that this section of the property will yield satisfactory results, and in this opinion he is not alone, for tho majority of those who have traversed the drive, and inspected the quartz, express their conviction, in view of the known features of the reefs in the other sections, that when cut at a depth some splendid stone should be obtained. THE AUSTRALASIA AND ZEALANDIA MINES. Up Quartz Creek the Australasia and Zealandia mines are situated. On the former section there aro two drives. The No. 1 level has been driven on the reef 100 ft, the direction of which is slightly west of north. The No. 2 tunnel is in 265 ft, of which distance 165 ft is on the reef, the other 100 ft being a crosscut into the reef. Tho reef is more or less payable, and good gold has frequently been obtained. The reef carries highly payable stone in some places, but is uneven in quality. The prospects aro good, and the present indications give every encouragement for further development. On the Zealandia section the reef has been driven on for a distance of 335 ft, the lode being rather poor, but strong and premising. On the right-hand branch of Quartz Creek are the Zealandia No. 2 and Hilda cross reefs, on which two prospecting tunnels have been driven. Fair prospects havo been obtained, and at the present time tho drives on the reefs are being extended, it being hoped that before long the reefs will improve, and payable quartz come to hand. THE OTHER PROPERTIES. Tho principal work is being confined to the properties above-mentioned, but good work has also been carried out on the Opitonui, Murphy's Hill, Owera, Lillis, and other reefs. On the Opitonui property the lode is of largo dimensions, it being 20ft wide in places, and carrying gold. A considerable length has been driven on tho reef, and it has carried gold in varying quantities for the whole distance. This large body of quartz will shortly be opened up, and the mine connected by rail with the battery. At Murphy's Hill the prospects were encouraging, and after tho important works now in hand are brought to a successful issuo, operations will bo proceeded with in earnest. At Owera the reef is sft thick in the low level, which will give about 100 ft of backs. A goodly quantity of quartz is on hand, and this mine will be connected with the central battery by tramway. On those large and valuable properties there is sufficient quartz to keep a battery going for years, and as the ore bodies are showing considerable improvement it is not too mu& to oxpecb that when opened up at a depth they will prove largo and highly payable. Every possible means are adopted to ascertain the true valuo of tho quartz as the reefs are driven on, and in this connection the company have always endeavoured to prove tho lodes without tho usual accompaniment of glowing accounts of development work, and exaggerated reports as to the values of the ore bodies under development, which in many cases cause' shareholders to become too sanguine, and in so many instances result in grievous disappointment. This honest and business-like policy has been strictly adhered to, consequently a fairly accurate idea of the actual result of development work, and tho prospects of the properties can be obtained with very little trouble. Mr. A. Montgomery, the superintending engineer, has done his work faithfully and well, and is to be complimented upon the very satisfactory results obtained from the carrying out of tho line of development work decided upon by him. Ho has received every assistance from Mr. D. W. McArthur, engineer and surveyor, and Mr. Edward Quinn, mine manager, while the general secretary, Mr. Clias Rhodes, exercises a close supervision over the operations of tho company, which has resulted in the saving of : many a pound.

THE BATTERY will consist of a properly-equipped and up-to-date 40-stamper mill, the excavation work for which is now being proceeded with. The battery will be erected under the joint superintendence of Messrs. Montgomery and McArthur, and J. W. Cline, engineer for Messrs. Eraser and Chalmer, who supply the battery and engines, The mill will be driven by steam, and for tins purpose a boiler of about 150 horse-power, and a tandem Corliss engine will be supplied and erected. In addition to tho mill, there will be a complete cyanide plant, and two or more rockbreakers. The process to be adopted is wet crushing and cyaniding, and as the quartz so far obtained is free milling, and the gold fine, it is not anticipated that any difficulties will occur in the treatment, and that the percentage of extraction will be very satisfactory. The battery, as I have mentioned before, is about two miles from Lanigan's mine, and is in a splendid position for ready and economical treatment of the ore. At the first inspection of the property it may be concluded that a more suitable site would have been higher up tho valley, and in close proximity to the mines, but all these matters were carefully weighed, and the present site only decided upon after a careful inspection of the ground, and after due consideration had been given to the many points that the casual observer is wont to overlook. STRAY JOTTINGS. The party left Whangapoua on Friday evening, and reached Auckland shortly after midnight, after having had a most enjoyable and interesting tour. And in this' connection special mention should be made of the courtesy of Captain Sullivan, of tho Taniwha, and Steward Wigley, Thanks to the kindness of the Kauri Gold Estates directors, the latter, with the capable assistance of the undor-stewards, was able to lay some splendid tables, and on board the steamer, and at the dinner held at the general superintendent's house, did all that was possible for the comfort and convenience of members of the party. > Just prior to the departure of the Taniwha from Whangapoua, Mrs. Montgomery, wife of the superintending engineer, performed the ceremony of christening the locomotive. She broke the usual bottle of champagne over tho iron steed, which she christened " Geraldine." The Opitonui river traverses its course along the foot of the auriferous belt of country, so that an ample water supply is assured for years to come. .''• r Opitonui can' easily be reached from Coroniandel overland, { the journey by sea from Auckland to Coromandel, and from the latter place to the mining centre at Opitonui,' occupying about seven hours. ';.' .i Among the visitors present at tie gathering at the superintendent's house. was Mr. Hamiora Mangakahia, the well-known chief of the Ngatimaru tribe, who reciprocated the kindly wishes expressed, and who extended to ,the visitors a cordial wolcome to Whangapoua.-.-' '"'' •.'.';•..' -■■' : The assayer for the company, is Mr. Carvill, the ion of the chairman of the London board of directors, who is making excellent use of the time he is spending in New Zealand, ' I

The stock market has been very quiet. Prices have, however, on the whole been fairly well sustained, although the volume of business has been small. Banks.—The inquiry for Nationals has ceased, and no gales were reported during the month under review. The market closes with sellers at £2 5s 6d, and no declared buyers. Insurances.— class of stock have been somewhat neglected, but the market closes with a better demand, and an upward tendency. New Zealands have been weak, and sold down to £3 2s 6d. ' Closing quotations show a firmer tone, . Buyers now offer £3 Ss, and there are sellers at £3 6s 6d. South British remain about last month's quotations. Sellers ask £2 10s, and buyers offer £2 Bs. Nationals sold at 16s, and there are still buyers at 15s 9d. Standards have been in request, with buyers at lis 9d. New Zealand Accidents sold at £12s 6d, and there are still buyers at this figure. Sellers ask £1 3s 6d. > Gas,—Not much demand forAucklands. Old issue sold at £14 12s 6d, and are still obtainable at this price. _ New issue sold at £11 and £10 10s. A fair inquiry for Thames. Sales at £2. Gißbornes have also been asked for. - Sales at £2 0s 6d, and buyers offer £2. ~ , \ .'■' >v • • ;.-. . .. Co .US. -Prices for these have been well sustained. Hikurangia sold at 9s, and are still wanted at this price. There has been a steady inquiry for Taupiri, with safes from £1 Is to £15s. Buyers' requirements saem to be satisfied, and the market closes with sellers at £15s. . The demand for Westports has ceased. ■ * .

"""• Nx -- s °" abui 1 "' :

■ BnMntt-Thea, have been in better re- » quest. • Buyers offered £9 7g for Union 3 Steams Md » 6s for Not Zealand ShipPings, but no sales of either were reported 5 Northern Steams sold at 6s 3d, and the ; market cI OS e S with buyers at 6s, and seller,: , ■ Pnce, Sellers ask £2 9s ffi ttls F™» Sellers ask £2 9s' Enfti S ; - offered at 17s 6d, «£. C 2', M ? I. Plates sold at 18s and 17s (MS , are now sellers at 17s 6d * w2s2* S" 8 I and Shoes are offered at 10- w"? soot5 oot • are buyers at 9s 9d° s3d ' andth^ j i ing," and many of the, miL„ ls ,ncre! «- ! •W*fwib l fCS».*s- I »w , Position to speculate wffP*^ ■ m steady reqtfe andsold upt £5 "a beßn » £5, and sellers ask £5 7» fe : Grand Junctions sold a*iTV ' "*»» obtained at thL ! £'wSW U "» have been neSI TV T hl S,Vre rtons , inquiry # , i Souths, at 3d' gJaJ *».«*» «**» Waihi i Souths, at 3d '3m**L% W Waihi the WallefcamidkSS SSfwL m mines in ™ns have been Sfew land ■ sales, effected at from lfW&Tr , Mm 6rou ß ' d«ing With S rs 111? to ft# los «, ■ 3d. WoodsSlnd&Si 1 ;have been negffipiJS^ Wns 'are now offered at 17»6d fonn « • declared MSg,ta•» no «* wen a im

—■- oecretary. ■«SPIi ™ : ;i$ :.;■ : Ma am I oCks -„ f Mataiari6 sold at ftp R * S 51 d free from 6s 2d to 6s« i ■ dealt in ft W A ' buri "as We also been large* M 3s 4d to 3s 9d to 3s 4d to W ' request Cre , eki have also been m strong ; Si*f from Is to 3s 4d to Ml Ja 8H fc Chail B ed hands from 4s 4d toll [ i bSt?^*? 4 " 1 ,"- ; 5«tS mer Mandstocks have allbwjb •'■ -' : —r ■fiilP :!■ ': ' GOLD PURCHASES. fjj|| ' froSf? ba^B P urcted^ M iaWSolfc' - ***** dßriDg ** BANK OF SEW ZEALAKD. i Thames County t . I i^^lll , Thames Borough ~< - ( it 271 Sjftj •" «.■ lltf 5 BAKK. OF NBW SOOTH WALES. '•'""-i". ■, ~. p Is 12 ■ '"•• Total ■'\-'.' ■ ••• iSu-'wSHI COLONIAL GOLD RETURNS. «POrt W? tod , value of B°H entered te follow:-! ** quatler « nded %h wore «« ; Auckland ■• - 0 *- i .Valued ij|| \Vert rW _. 160 V 597 ■■::.. .■Otat- 0088 ' - .25,207 .1. 100,829 . ! ;•• , 14,696 ,4, 59^Mv' H?S - •■• ... im^io 1 * •>«««« :«f hist ye»r : ••;. - **"*&(«• 69,681(8, valued a* £275,816. ■■;•■■ :-■■■■..■ ■.;.■: ■.'''... J , •.?.»- ; i.lr