MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13666, 6 February 1908, Page 3

MINING NEWS.

ROYAL OAK. The manager of the Royal Oak Gold Mining Company telegraphed yesterday stating that he had secured 151b of picked stone from the cross leader. TOKATEA. A visit to-the Tokatea mine has just been, made by two of the directors, Mr. J. Dawsou and Colonel F. W. Abbott, accompanied by Mr. Pv. Harrison. They report that arrangements have been made to appoint Mr. McFarlane mine manager, and to put on six men at once. Prior to the company's taking over the property the original owners for some time worked, with two men, on Kelly's aud Woods' leaders in the Road level. The directors state that both leaders are looking well, and in excellent country, and that gold may be expected at any time. It is intended to push on developments here as rapidly as possible. The'" battery taken over is, they state, in good condition, being nearly new. It consists of a three-stamp mill, with two berdans, rock-breaker, and all accessories.

THE QUEENSLAND MINES. The mineral yield in Queensland for the quarter ended December 31 last was valued at £336,791, compared with £144,926 for the corresponding period in 1906.'

MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. New Una: The improved prospects met with in the east drive on the Duke reef warranted me in moving the men from the west drive to here to force it ahe«d more expeditiously, as I am of the opinion that something above the average values will be met here. The reef maintains its usual width and the quartz contains a. lair percentage of minerals.. During the week strong dabs of geld were frequently seen.

New Occidental: We have cut the Dives reef, which is spirt up at present, the haogingwaU vein being about bin thick and the others smaller. A few feet of driving will bring them together, when they ought to form a good-sized reef.

Waitangi: The'east drive on the hangingwall of the main reef at the low level is now in 81ft -past-No. 1 crosscut. The reef, which is again making in the drive, is at present composed of rubbly quartz, and does not show as much mineral as it did before heaving into the wall. The vein of quartz that branched oil;the reef at the point where the latter made the heave is now a nice body of stone loin wide. It is running parallel to the reef, about 2ft of country separating them. The drive going west on the hangingwall of the reef has been advanced a total of Bft. The reef for a width of 3ft is being broken out. The quartz is carrying favourable minerals, but bo far we have seen no gold. No. 1 leader in the slopes is still split up into stringers. Colours of gold were Been in oue of them during the week. The crashing from" this leader will be completed about the middle of the week.

Old Kapanga: Allan and Co.'s winze is down 26ft. From that point an opening-out drive was started on the leader, which is fully. 2ft wide. Prospects can be obtained by pounding, as well as an occasional colour being visible in the, solid stone. A parcel of this ore will be forwarded for treatment at an early date. This leader has not been operated on previously, so will be intact throughout.' Martin Brothers have taken tip ft' fresh surface block on tribute. . .

Kirikiri: The low level crosscut, has been extended a further 7ft; total, 278 ft. This is now far enough to admit us to drive on the hangingwall of reef. The north drive on the reef "has been driven Bft; size of reef, from 2in to 8m thick. In breaking' down no gold was seen, but the quarts is heavily mineralised with splendid minerals. The country is all' that could be desired-for gold. The south drive on reef haa been driven 4ft; size of reef, 6in. In Una wo havo nob broken down" any of the reef.' I expect to get gold here when breaking down,-as there are several small mineral seams and Unities crossing into'the reef.,

Rising Sun : The drive north on the main reef has been extended 9ft. The reef in the face is now a well-defined, compact lode, about 2ft 6iu in width, carrying nice mineral, and. fair prospects can be obtained by mortar teste. In the winze the drive north on the hangingwall reef has been extended 3ft 6in, and good payable ore is coming to hand from this face. .

Taihoa: The tram line has been laid to the face of the intermediate . level, and the rise connecting this level with the bottom of the winze has been cut down to the- required size. A contract has been let for extending the intermediate level in a southerly directum on the ■reef, and this work will be pushed ahead as speedily as possible.