OUR GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11949, 25 April 1902, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

SUMMARY. The gold returns from the mines in the Auckland district to hand since the publication of last Summary enable the compilation of the total yield for the first quarter of the present year to be completed. The returns for the three weeks show a total of £57,649 12s lid, which brings the gross output for the first three months of the year to £189,113 12s Id. The total for "the first quarter of 1901 was £146.686 4s 3d. so that the increase for the 1902 quarter is very marked, amounting as it does to no less than £42,427 7s l,od. This is completely satisfactory evidence that the industry is steadily progressing, and there is little reason to fear but that the whole returns for this year will reveal a continuance of its profitable nature. The most recent return from the Waihi mine constitutes a fresh record, 12,956 tons having yielded bullion valued at £41,231, as shown in the table of returns in another column.

Instructions were received bv cable from the London directors of the Waihi Grand Junction Gold Mining Company bv the local management on April 15 to apply "for a term of six months' absolute protection, and to close down the property pending arrangements. The application came on for hearing the Warden's Court yesterday. As the Waihi West section of the company's property is already under a similar term of protection, the application was made only with respect to the Grand Junction section. The protection asked for was granted; A party of contractors at present working in the Waihi West will be allowed to finish their contract, after which work will be suspended here as well as in the main part of the mine. No mining company in the Auckland district has had to deal with such difficulties as the Grand Junction. Tor the past six years their operations have been hampered from time to time by the heavy influx of water into their workings, and throughout they have steadily and pluckily faced the odds against them. The present position does not come wholly as a surprise, for it was only to be expected that, in the face of the large yearly expenditure necessary to continue development work—an expenditure which has not brought in any return in the shape of bullion—the company would eventually be forced to seek time in which to raise sufficient further capital to carry on their uphill struggle. It is probable that the renewal of operations will not commence until the Waihi Company have sunk to a level below the Grand Junction deep workings, in the meantime between forty and fifty men will be thrown out of work. The present depth of the main shaft is 635 ft, or 135 ft below the level where the lode was first intersected, and where two winzes had been started on the reef, and sunk 7ft and 25ft respectively.

The Thames Drainage Board recently circularised the various contributing companies requesting to be informed how many men would be thrown out of work should the Board's pumping operations be suspended. The Kuranui-Caledonian Company replied that 22 of its tributers would be affected, and the May Queen Hauraki Company reported 44. The other contributing companics, with the exception of the Waiotahi, replied to the effect that the stoppage of the pump would make no difference to them. The secretary of the Waiotahi Company stated in reply that some months would elapse before cessation of pumping would affect their workings. At the instance of his directors he suggested that, as, in the event of the Board stopping the pump, the duty of tinwatering the field would devolve upon the company or companies carrying on operations, and as the cost of contributing would be entailed upon surrounding companies, the Board should consider whether such a step could not be avoided. (1) By insisting on the overdue contributions being paid, (2) by the Board taking steps to secure the regular working of all ground within the drain- 4 age area, and (3) by approaching the Hon. the Minister'for Mines, with the view of a less cumbersome and less expensive system being provided for managing the Board's business*. After a short discussion the Board resolved to take no action as to stopping the pump, and to continue operations as at present.

At the same meeting of the Thames Drainage Board it was decided to defer further consideration of the Thames Hauraki Company's arrears until next meeting (May 14), and in the meantime in order to protect the Board's interests to obtain judgment against the company for a further sum of £250, liability incurred since the last judgment obtained by the Board.

The Talisman Consolidated management having decided to adopt the use of rock drills in the stopes issued instructions early in the current month for the closing down of their battery, pending the erection of the necessary plant. Consequently the return published in this issue will be the last from the mine for some time to come.

The Tairua Broken Hills Gold Mining Company declared a, dividend {the first) of 3d per share on the 7th inst. This was the outcome of the payable return recorded in last Summary, since the publication of which shares in the concern have been steadily rising in value. The directors visited the mine this week, and express themselves as pleased with the prospects of the property. On Tuesday last a new reef was intersected in one of the upper levels, two assays from which have given good results.

Mr. E. Hardy, who has for the past two years been successfully carrying on mining operations in the Wuiorongomai district, has shown us a sample of ore taken from a large new reef recently discovered by him in his property. The sample in question, which which is of good, kindly quartz, is very heavily-mineralised, and carries gold, silver, end copper in payable quantities, the metal being held in concentrates. A parcel of about 30 tons has been taken out. from the ieef, and tests taken from it give a good average return. The general direction of the reef is north-east and south-west, and it is heading straight to junction with the wellknown big reef of the district. Where exposed the lode, is about 3ft wide, and the country rock is of a highly favourable character for gold. Mr. Hardy states that this reef is an entirely new discovery, the closest workings to if. being those of the old Arawa Company, who did a little work about 50ft away from the present discovery some years ago. The battery on Mr. Hardy's property is at present running on a parcel of concentrates that has accrued from the past two years' work in the Premier mine. Their chief value consists in silver sulphides, easily caught on the Willley table and vanners, after having been ground in pans to a uniform size. The total number of tons crushed from Ihe Premier mine for the past two years is 3157, producing 26000z bullion, valued at £2 2s lOd per ton, giving a total of £6755 9s 2d. Mr. Hardy is busy just now adding a new vanner to his present plant, which will make a total of three altogether in use. In order to connect the new rich reef with the battery an aerial tram will have to be erected for a distance of threequarters of a-mile. Mr. Hardy intends shortly proceeding to London for the purpose of floating his new discovery on the English market. The Taniwha Gold Milling Company have just had fitted up on their property at Tairua a two-stamper battery (with provision for six stamps), which has now started running. The plant has been erected by Messrs. John Chambers and Sou, and is driven by a Tangye 13 horse-power oil engine.

Tsie Hauraki Gold Mining Company's mine was this week formally handed over by Captain Hodge to Mr. F. A. Holdsworth, the new manager. Pending full instructions from Home all the miners have been discharged, but the engineers are kept on, and the mine is being kept clear of water. It is confidently expected that the new manager will shortly receive instructions to man the mine again. The following are reports from our goldfields correspondents : — OHINEMUW. The mining industry at Ohinemuri has suffered during the past three weeks owing to the suspension of operations at the Grand Junction mine, and of crushing operations at the Talisman Consolidated Com-

pany's new mill. The suspension in both instances is, it is hoped, rtf a temporary nature only. The cause of the Talisman Company's stoppage was the installation of an electrical air-compressor plant for operating rock drills in the stopes. As regards the Grand Junction, instructions have been received from Home to close down the mine pending arrangements. Though when the news did come it caused a good deal of depression, it was not altogether unexpected, as those who are intimate with the operations of the company know only too well the troubles and difficulties that the Grand Junction Company have had to combat during the past seven or eight years. In sinking their main shaft the pumice formation that had to be penetrated seemed inexhaustible, but eventually the end of this was success fully reached and driving commenced. All went well until the large reef was tapped, and with that event the water trouble became associated, and it has clung to the company ever since. Large and powerful pumping machinery was erected, and when fairly underway it seemed as if the trouble in that) direction was for a time at an end, but it was not so. Owing to the fact that the Grand Junction Company's workings are lower than the Waihi, the drainage from the hitter's large reefs poured into the Junction workings, and though the company in question struggled on bravely trying to unwater their property, they eventually found it was useless under the circumstances to continue battling against their formidable water enemy, and there was nothing left for them but to adopt a waiting policy. Otherwise, everything connected with the industry is proceeding as usual, and the bullion output for the hist crushing period is exceedingly satisfactory. KARANQAHAKK. As already indicated the Talisman Consolidated Company's mill has been stopped, but since last Summary was published the monthly return came to hand, showing that 2360 tons of ore treated produced £2515 worth of bullion. 'this makes £129,339 4s which has been won from the mine.

At the Woodstock Gold Mining Company's mine operations have once move been resumed at No. 6 level, and as soon as the chamber which is at present being cut out is finished, the extension of the level will be resumed. The No. 1 winze, is being sunk below No. 5 level, and another winze is shortly to be commenced. A good deal of surface work is also being done, and it is expected that as all the workings will shortly he manned enough ore will be broken out, to allow crushing to be resumed in a couple of months' time.

The New Zealand Crown Mines Company's operations tire being attended with a considerable amount of success, and at almost every point where works are being carried on the reef looks well. Every facility is being afforded for the development of the blocks below the Waitawheta tunnel, and the main incline shaft has now attained a. depth of about 21ft below No. 4 level, or about 380 ft below the Waitawheta tunnel. At the present time the men are busily engaged at No. 4 level in putting in the bearers and cutting out the chamber, and when completed sinking will be resumed for the No. 5 level. In the meantime the exploitation of the reef southwards at No. 4 level has been undertaken. After driving upon it for a short distance, the lode was heaved out of its course a little to the eastward by a fault, but the level was kept straight ahead, and picked up tire lode again several feet further in. When recovered the reef was about 2ft wide in the bottom of the level, but it has now widened out to fully 3ft, and is producing a good quality of stone. A splendid class of country encases the lode, and the prospects obtained at this point are of a highly encouraging nature. No. 3 level is also being extended, and fully half-a-mile of country has been opened up, whilst, just recently, the management let a contract, for sloping out 5000 tons of ore. A rise has also been commenced with the object of connecting the south end of the workings with the. Waitawheta tunnel and the reef. The rise is looking very well indeed, the lode being between 7ft and Sft wide. In the level the lode averages fully 6ft in width, and is producing large supplies of payable crushing material. At No. 2 level a contract has been, let for stopiug 2500 tons. The reef in the stopes is of an average width of about 4ft, of good stone. Contracts have also been let for about 3600 tons of quartz to be obtained from the upper workings of the mine, and from each of these sources the lode is yielding ore of the average value. A very important work has also been commenced at a point about 2000 ft in from the mouth of No. 1 level, above the Waitawheta tunnel, namely, a rise which will be carried up a height of about 1000 ft. This rise is being put up with the object of testing the ground in that section of the mine, and so' far as it has gone splendid results have been obtained, large blocks of high grade ore having been tapped, the average width of quartz being about 4ft. At the battery the new engine has been fixed in position, and the sheds to cover it are new being built, so that the company will in future always have auxiliary power for driving the mill in the event of the river being too low during the dry season, or of an accident at any time to the water-races. The last return of bullion shows that during March 2465 tons of ore were treated for a return of bullion valued at £5925. WAITEKAURI. At Waitekauri the Waitekauri Company has increased its mining staff, and it is anticipated that a big development scheme will shortly be entered upon. MAROTOTO. During the month of March the Hikutaia Gold Syndicate's five-stamper mill crushed 435 toils of ore for a yield of 2270z, valued at £364. This only represents the bullion recovered from the plates and cyanided sand, while 113 tons of slimes remain untreated. The whole of the ore treated was taken from the slopes north of the No. 1 rise. Here the reef is looking well, and is being taken out fully sft wide. A rise has just been commenced 60ft north of (he No. 2 rise, to connect with the surface, so that the stopes may be quickly filled in. The working expenses of this company are exceedingly low. Mr. F. Roche, the manager, informs me that 5s per ton is sufficient to cover all mine work. For the month of February it was 4s 9d. Milling and treating with* cyanide are also done at a very low figure considering how small the plant is, and that it is driven by steam power, the fuel for this costing Is 8d per ton of ore crushed. The total cost under this heading is about 6s 6d. For February it was 6s 7d, making the total cost of mining, milling, and treating lis 4d per ton. To this a further sum of Is 6d per ton has to lie added for rents, etc., making the total cost 12s lOd per ton. The directors have authorised the erection of a. plant for treating the slimes. Mr. Roche has practically decided to use a plant which is new to this colony, viz., the Ricken electro-chemical process, and is now waiting the arrival of the manager of the, company who own the patent rights from Australia, to conclude arrangements before starting in I lie election of the plant. KOMATA. The Komata Beefs Gold Mining Company are now actively engaged in (lit opening up works of their newly-acquired property. During the past month 860 tons of ore were crushed and treated for a yield of £1930. WAiiir. The Waihi Extended Cold Alining Company's shaft is now down 500 ft, and as soon as the necessary sump has been provided for, the. crosscut, to intersect the lode will be commenced, The country in the bottom is of a iavourable nature. As already stated above, the Grand Junction Gold Mining Company's mine has been closed for a time, and it is hardly likely that operations will be renewed until the Waihi Company lias sunk to another level, and thus relieved <ne Grand Junction Company of pumping the water, which drains from the Waihi reef system, or until they have raised capital by a reconstruction scheme. At present, I understand, there are between 30 and 40 men employed at the Grand Junction, and eight in the west section of the company's property. The latter are to be kept on, though* of course in accordance with instructions, the former's services are to be dispensed with at tt <?' ,*. the current month...

THAMES. The improved tone in the mining industry of this district, as mentioned in the last Summary issue, still continues, and the general " opinion prevails that the worst, stage of the depression that has prevailed for some time past is now a thing of the past. At any rate a more hopeful feeling exists, and the spirit of speculation in mining stocks is more rife than has been the case for a considerable period. In the May Queen Extended (Sold Mining Company's mine at Thames good progress has been made with the work of opening up the new reef recently intersected in the Adelaide section, the working staff of miners having been increased for that purpose. The reef ranges in size from a foot up to 15in. and so far strong colours and blotches of gold have been seen in the ore broken out. Splendid sandstone country encases the reef, and the prospects generally are of a most hopeful character. It is intended to have a trial crushing shortly in order to test the value of the ore.

What is known as Harry's lode was intersected a few days ago at the adit tunnel level, in the Kuranui Gold Mining Company's mine, and hopes are entertained that, payable ore will shortly be met with. There is a large block of ground available upon the reef in question, and the intention is to proceed with its development as rapidly as possible. Sloping is still proceeding on the footwall leader, and a. little gold is seen in the ore coming to hand, but owing to the light nature of the country encasing the leader the supply of ore is somewhat limited.

Operations in the Waiotahi Gold Mining Company's mine are proceeding with the usual remunerative results. The last crushing gave a. return of 1240z of gold from 90 tons of ore, valued at about £340.

No gold returns are to hand on this occasion for publication from the tributers at work in the Mav Queen Hauraki, New Moanataiari, and Kuranui-Caledonian mines, but several parties in each of the mines mentioned are doing fairly well, and their returns will be available for next Summary.

No definite information is yet to hand as to when deep sinking operations are likely to be resumed in the Thames Hauraki Company's property. This company, as is already known, is one of those dependent upon trie Standard Exploration, reconstruction scheme that is in progress in Loudon. It was stated, however, at a recent meeting of the Thames Drainage Board, that the reconstruction scheme was being pushed forward, and that there is every reason to believe that it will eventually be successful. Home very useful prospecting work is being proceeded with in a number of mining properties in the district, but as yet nothing of a very important character litis been discovered, although in several instances the prospects are sufficiently good to warrant the belief that a change for the better will be met with sooner or later. Amongst the properties referred to are the Tararu, the Thames Talisman. Kuranui-Caledonian, New Alburnia, New Gloucester, and Ironcap. J.l'l'Eß TARARU. The Eclipse, Limited, are proceeding with a. good deal of development work, and are turning out a considerable supply of remunerative crushing dirt. During the eightweek period ending on March 29 last, a total of 729 tons of ore was treated by the company for a yield of 3370z Bdwt of melted gold, valued at £959 19s Bd. It will be seen by the return that the ore is of a somewhat low grade, but the result leaves a fair margin of profit after allowing for ail costs in winning the same. WAIOMO. J in the Wajomo district the Monowai Gold Mines Company are pushing forward with all speed the development of their property. At No. 3 level the large lode is being vigorously and systematically opened up with very satisfactory results, whilst at No. 4 level the crosscut towards the main lode is advancing through a good class of coun- , try, and has already penetrated over onehalf the distance which has to be traversed before the lode is intersected. Crushing operations are being carried on as usual at the company's battery, the output of ore from No. 3 level being fully ample to keep the stampers going continuously. A number of prospectors are at work in the same district, and the Broken Hill Gold Mining Company is keeping a small staff of miners employed, so that there is every likelihood of other discoveries being made, TAI'U. At Tapu a few parties of prospectors are at work trying to find new reefs, and tributes are also employed in the old Bullion mine- One of these parties, viz., Messrs. Manuel and Plummer, who are working upon what is known as the Sheridan reef, obtained 3011) of picked stone two or three weeks ago, which, when crushed, yielded 440z Idwt of melted gold, valued 'at £136 14s 9d. TAIKUA. Tangible proof of the improvement referred to above is afforded by the action of the directors of the Tairua Broken Hills Cold Mining Company, in declaring a 3d dividend on all its fully paid-up shares, as the result of the last two bullion returns secured by the company, one of which amounted in value to £1920 from 400 tons of ore crushed, and the other of £2098 from 280 tons of ore. This company's prospects are considered to be very good at the present juncture, and every effort is being put forth to open up the mine in the most systematic and advantageous manner, in order to ensure a large and steady output of ore. A new reef has just been discovered in an upper level, which has given satisfactory assay results. The prospects of ihe Chelmsford Gold Mining Company, whose property is also situated in the Tairua district, have shown, considerable improvement of late, the'value of the ore won from No. 1 reef, especial lv that broken at No. 2 level, having materially increased in value. In the early part of the month the company banked bullion valued at £370 16s Id, the 'result of a crushing of 225 tons of ore, and since then the ore obtained from No. 1 level has been of a superior class to that treated during the time the above-mentioned crushing was in progress, so that the next return is anticipated to be even better.

The Taniwha Gold Mining Company has just had fitted up on their property, at Tairua, a two-stamper battery (with provision for six), and crushing has been commenced with it. CdROMANDEL. The Royal Oak of Hauraki Gold Mining Company's cleaning up this month has been delayed by an accident to the water-race. The battery will, however, he at work again in a few days. The crushing this month is expected to be fully up to the previous ones, and the mine is looking remarkably well at present. The la.st return was £1220 10s 9d from 40 tons and 45211) treated.

Captain T. Hodge has resigned his position its general manager of the Hauraki Mold Mining Company's mine. During his term of seven years this property has become well known throughout New Zealand, the best results having been obtained from a small area of ground, known locally as John Bull's Gully. The company was floated seven years ago, with a nominal capital of £40,000 (320.000 shares at 2s 6d each), and during the period Captain Hodge was manager, the property paid to the shareholders over 550 per cent, in dividends on the capital invested. It is the opinion of mining men in this district that if new and important development works are carried out in this mine good and paying results will follow, and it is hoped that Mr. V. A. Holdsworth, the new manager, will be afforded an opportunity to develop the mine, and prove the ground, there being £14,000 of the original capital still in hand-

The Hauraki Mines, Limited, with a limited stall, are getting satisfactory results, and the tributers in their mine have met with fair returns.

In the Hauraki No. 2 mine a new reef has been cut. which gives excellent prospects of gold. The lode, will be broken down when the, junction is reached. It measures from 18in to 2ft in width, whilst the, leader upon which driving has been proceeding is 4iu wide. .

The Kathleen Crown Cold Mining Company's prospecting work is being pushed on with satisfattoiy results, gold being frequently met with" in the drive. Tributers in the Kapanga mine have put through a small

crushing at Scotty's battery, with satisfactory results, which fact has given them encouragement to push on with the work. The County Council have promised to put the road from the mine to the battery in better order, and this will facilitate and cheapen the haulage, which at present is a considerable item.

In the West Tokatea mine the contractors are making good progress with the low level drive, and it is expected that the junction will be got, as the present indications are favourable. The tributers in the New Tokatea portion of the mine are working under favourable circumstances, and obtaining fair i prospects. _ I In the Progress-Castle Rock mine work is ; being carried on in the stopes on Reynolds" reef, both north and south from the new i rise. The. strata formation is a good description of sandstone, interspersed with strong veins of mineral. The reef continues to look well, showing gold in the ore. when breaking-down the lode. Crushing is now proceeding at the company's battery. During the past month more tributes have been let in the mine than for years past, and no doubt this will have a good result, some of our richest finds having been made by the tributers in the past. KXAOTCNU. The Waitaia gold mine cleaned up ten davs since for a three weeks" run. A total of"70 tons of ore treated by amalgamation only gave a return of 61oz 7dwt of melted bullion, valued at £190 13s lOd. Good giade ore is coming to hand from the stopes, and it is expected the next crushing will bo equal to any of the previous returns. The (heat Mercury tributers have cleaned lip, from 140 tons of tailings, treated by the cyanide process, for a return of 51oz odwfc melted bullion, valued at £69 13s 9d. 'Che Kuaotumi Syndicate also cleaned tip last week for a fairly satisfactory return. This company have at present a good many difficulties to* contend against, but these no doubt will all be overcome in the near future. In the meantime the company are following the course of a lode cut in the No. 4 level, near the No. 4 winze, which has given satisfactory assays. orixoxt'i. Owing to'the delay that has occurred in gettiug the Nog. 3 and 4 levels of the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates Maiden mine open, the ore-breaking is in danger of overtaking the development work, and in accordance with instructions from the London Hoard of Directors, it has been decided to partially shut down the mill until the new levels are further advanced, and to close the Rangatira mine until the Maiden is ill a state to allow of keeping up the output required for constant running of the mill. 'Ibis mouth the mill is only running one shift per day. In the Maiden mine, No. 3 level cut through the reef on the 10th hist, at 120 ft from the chamber; reef 4ft" to sft wide, carrying a little gold. In the No. 4 level crosscut, the driving is now being done with machine drills. The new Lancashire boiler has been bricked in, and is now under steam.