THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11040, 18 April 1899, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

! AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET. Yesterday the only points worth noting were that Upper Thames scrips were in good demand, prices being well maintained, while Coromandel and Thames lines also had occasional inquiries. Waihis were wanted at £5 15s, but sellers declined to quit at less than £6. Talismans were in good demand at 14s 6d and 14s 9d, while buyers of Waitekauris came in at last call and offered 38s. Crowns were asked for at 13s. Alphas were placed at 3s Id, with further demand at this Tate. Four-in-Hands improved, and saw business at 38 3d, with buyers 3s 2d, and sellers 3s 4d at last call. Bunker's Hills were wanted at 2s 4d. Whangamata Corporations were asked for at 3s 6d, sellers 4s.

MARATOTO G.M. CO. AN IMPORTANT FIND. Messrs. J. McCombie and H. H. Adams returned yesterday from visiting the Maratoto mine. Prior to their visiting the mine the sub-manager (Mr. H. Sheehan) had been engaged driving on the hangingwall at No. 1 level, and the work resulted in rich stone being found, samples of which were shown at the company's local office yesterday afternoon. There are about 100 ft of backs overhead, and the run of rich ore has already proved to be 30ft in length, with gold showing in the face going southward. The lode varies from Ift to 4ft in thickness, and what are said to be general samples taken from tho paddock give exceptionally high assays, some of the assay returns being as high as £95 16s 9d per ton. The quartz was taken from what was formerly known * the Payrnck mine, which was worked by Goldsworthy and party. Two English companies had options over the property, and they drove a level over Mcßrinn's Creek, 300 ft on the footwall portion of the lode, but found no payable ore and threw their options up. When the present company commenced operations they drove on the hangingwall for about sft, when they struck the chute of payable ore. FOUR-IN-HAND G.M. CO. j The development work on this Coromandel property is progressing very satisfactorily, and the results so far obtained give indications that the future of the company is likely to prove a prosperous one. At the present time driving south on the lode is being continued, and excellent dish prospects are being obtained from the quartz. Driving north on the same level is also being continued, and here also the reef shows gold freely, and is yielding splendid quartz. A final inspection and preliminary trial of the battery will be made this week, and permanent crushing operations should commence this month. MINING EXAMINATIONS. The annual examination for mine managers' certificates will be held at Wellington this week, commencing to-morrow. The examiners for the North Island, Messrs. H. A. Gordon, T. Dunlop, and Captain Hodge left for Wellington yesterday, and will probably return to Auckland about Saturday week. The sitting this year will he rather longer than usual, as the number of candidates for examination is considerably in excess of the number for previous years. GOLDEN PAH G.M. CO. This mine is said to have shown considerable improvement, and some quartz of good quality has been bagged. A small crushing will be made this month, and judging by the quality of the stuff secured, should prove in every way satisfactory to the company. ROYAL OAK G.M. CO. Tho prospects in the above mine are decidedly encouraging. Very recently work has been proceeding from the No. 2 level in the Hauraki Associated mine, and through there into the Royal Oak property, and although work has only been proceeding for a few weeks, quart/, to the value of £200 has j already been obtained from this level. The Rainbow leader looks very well. This work I is proceeding on the south-east portion of the mine, and the result of development work has added considerably to the value of the Royal Oak property. The result of these operations nni't be considered as very gratifvino to the Hauraki Associated, (lie adjoining property. The water power scheme is working satisfactorily. KAURI FREEHOLDS GOLD ESTATES. TRIAL OF THE BATTERY. , [BY TELEOIUPH—OWN' rnimKspnvDEXT.] Coromandel. Monday. On Saturday last a trial was made of the new battery in anticipation of a more public opening. The reduction plant consists of a 40-stamp mill, electric light; in fact. the verv latest mill accessories. The cyanide plant comprises 16 large steel vats, solution tanks, stimns, large elevators. spitzkasten, etc., and a Huntington mill for grinding sand and concentrates. Great interest is taken in the new mill, and in the future prospects of the property, as upon it depends to a large extent the futureof Opitonui. It is said that there are 28,000 tons of highly-payable ore lying in the paddocks, besides a lot of low-grade quartz. QUEEN OF THE NORTH, [nr telegraph.— corresitikdent.] Coromandel, Monday, the Swedish Crown reef is still being operated on, and with encouraging results-! A distance of 24ft has been driven, and gold has been seen in the stone frequently. In breaking down the lode in the winze 31b of quartz, in which the gold shows freely, was selected. Work is also proceeding on the Peep-of-Day reef, hut although indications are very favourable, the expected ran of gold has not yet been reached.

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Progress-Castle Rock (Coromandol, April 15): Drive on No. 1 reef in No. 4 level is now in tola] distance of 139 ft from crosscut. Tlio formations continue, tight, shooting sandelono country intermixed with quartz ringers and mineral veins. Reof in face is about B,n wide, and the new leader that made on the footwall, mentioned in previous report, is gradually improving in size and appearance. No. 3 1001 - Tl,e windlass has been fixed and he No. winze cleaned out. Before starting 0 Sink I have found it necessary to open out thowinzo wider and to slope down the south end, in order to (jet it in line with the proper underlay of the reef. Sloping south if No. 1 rise on the hangmgwall branch above No. 3 level has bqen carried on, and the leader continues tc look well, showing antimony and gold occasionally. About 41b of picked l T ",Z becn £mmA during the «-k making 101b on hand. ' Waihi Consols (Waihi, April 15): There is nothing fresh to note in the country we a ° passing through. , 1S still a hard, solid country and carrying plenty bright mineral. Three the shaft If from surface. Water keens about the same Pumps are working well. level S iPT April 15): Bk "<* e level-Ucaning out, repairing, and lavim? completed Driving eastward, on course of Wade reef, was commenced yesterday (FriSrtSß'f" ™ ™ched at a point 630 ft from mouth of tunnel The tone 'c£F* f T is good - °»>* ™tstone. Good mineral seams or veins are also noticeable in the country. A little quartz ! alt" 1 br °K C ?' W,,ioh » m «' P'»£ E bo,n|f , asßoclate ' l «a« silica and stiaT y fc to .late that a litSe tha* -. u»» . i L . *. l am °' opinion that a long stretch of gold-bearing country two h ? Ward ° f , Present face. At presort two shifts are employed extending this drive, Imperial (Karangahake, April 15): The work of development on the south corns" of main reef at the low level i being energetically proceeded with. The reef is a splendid looKing body of quartz about 3ft in thickness, and although no gold has yet been per wived in the or broken, still the mineral .ndica .ons are of such a promising ch~ 1,1 I- to , tbe ? pectatioa of the Precious meal being found at almost any moment, here is yet every prospect of a groat im-mrmribT-ft met ■** as »«« advancement of the drive proceeds. Driving on the *H e ° ? 6 * outcrop is being pushed forward Reef formation consists of quartz and mullock intermixed. ' Bunkor's Mill (Coromandel, April 15). Work of ventilating the mine was completed on Wednesday last, and in a decided success! 1"' rise a total distance of 40ft has been risen. No gold was seen this week in the leader which hue produced the specimen stone in the past. A change of country ha« come in, and it is very evident with it the run of gold is cut off, with » view of picking EJ f W n - 1 have been ™ at aS angle of 30 degrees; in the face of rise a leader striking north and south has made its appearance, and from which 21b of fair picked stone was bagged. Next week, rising on the juction of this with the 4in leader will bo undertaken, when it is very probable good results will again be obtained. No quartz

I lias been broken down in No. 3 stope this week. A distance of lift lias been carried along during the weok. On Tuosday nest tbo quartz trill be taken down; the leader looks well and appears to be making in size, and should produce gold. No. 4 slope has been extended Bft, and here a little quartz is making on the wall. The quartz in the northern drive for a distance of Bft has been taken down. The country is favourable and the leader contains silica and nice mineral, but exposed no gold. The extension of main crosscut with two men will be commenced next week.