MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13691, 6 March 1908, Page 3

MINING NEWS.

WAIHI GRAND JUNCTION. AN INCREASED RETURN. £4756 FROM 3527 TONS. TOTAL TO DATE, £96,954. During February the Waihi Grand Junction Gold Mining Co. crushed and treated 3527 tons of ore for a return of bullion valued at £4756. This is a considerable increase upon the return for January, "when 2071 tons yielded £2571 5s 6d. Compared with the 1 return for the corresponding month of last year (£4451 from 2407 tons) the present return also shows an increase, though for a larger tonnage. The total amount won from the mine to date is £96,954 Os 2d, as shown in the following table of details: — I" 1905 .. £13,794 12 1 In 1907, 40,127 tons ... 75,832 2 7 Total ... .. £89,626 14 8 January, 1908, 2071 tons ... 2,571 5 & February, 1908, 3527 tons 4.756 0 0 Total to date £96,954 0 2

KOMATA REEFS.

£2400 FROM 2400 .TONS. TOTAL TO DATE, £277,854. For the four weeks ended February 22 the Komata Reefs Gold Mining Company crushed and treated 2400 tons of ore for a return of bullion valued at £2400. The dirt treated for the period is below the average, being worth only £1 per ton. Compared with the return for January (£2278 from 2100 tons}, this shows an increase for lie period. The total amount won from the mine to date is £277,854, as shown in the following table of details: — To December, 1900 .■ £30,369 0 0 In 1901, 8670 tons 11,092 0 0 In 1902, 12,260 tons ... ... ... £7,083 0 0 111 1903. 14,780 tons ... ... . .... 37,157 0,0 In 1904, 16,900 tons 34,430 0 0 In 1905 ... - ...- 43,136 0 0 In 1906. 20.490 tons 42.779 0 0 In -1907, 28,430 tons ... 47,128 0-0 Total ... "... ... . ... £273.176 , : 0 0 January, 1908. 2100 tons 2,278 , 0 0 February, 1908, 2400 tons ... 2,400 • 0 0 Total to date ... .... ...£277,854 0 0 NEW ZEALAND CROWN MINES..

■j,:, £3640 FROM 1891 TONS. I TOTAL TO DATE, £725,076. During February the New Zealand Crown Mines crushed and treated 1891 tons of ore lor a return of bullion valued at £3640. This shows' an increase upon the return for January, ' when: bullion worth £2669 was won from 1646 tons. The total amount won from the mine to date is £725,076, as shown in the ' following table of details : — Bullion obtained prior to 1896 £132,104 To December. 1898 52,024 To December, 1853 71,636 To December, 1900 ... 66,515 To December, 1901 ... •... 68,073 To December, 1902 ... 75,452 To December, 1903 78,265 To December, 1904 32,002 To December, 1905 38.639 To December. 1906 ... 40.821 To December, 1907 57,236 Total £718,767 January, 1908, 1646 tony ... .. 2,669 February, 1908, 1891 tons 3,640 Total to date ... £725,076

TALISMAN SHAREHOLDERS. At the firet call yesterday on the Stock Exchange, Mr. G. A. Buttle, chairman, referring to Dr. Newman's remarks in Wellington, as contained in a Press Association message published yesterday, said that as chairman of the Stock Exchange he had made no utterances on the matter of the Talisman (shareholders' affairs. He had alway recognised that they were purely questions for the shareholders themselves, and what he had said was simply as chairman of the Auckland Shareholders' Committee. Any statement made by him had nothing •whatever, to do with the Auckland Stock Exchange. : ' TO THE EDITOR. - • Kir, —Will you allow me, a small shareholder in tha Talisman mine, with a plight, knowledge of its management, to say a few words? It is quite true that in the past, following on a conservative custom long since abandoned as obsolete by thy management of such companies as the Waihi and the Talisman of to-day, it was considered or assumed that a vague half-yearly or annual statement of acccunta, together with matuber's rejaorb, .conveyed eu%

cient information _to satisfy any ordinary shareholder. Ancient custom also allowed the directors of companies to receive for their services a rate of remuneration calculated to make a Prime Minister or leading; jockey envious. These things being so, it was small matter for wonder that shareholders in the Talisman Consolidated in New Zealand should wish for a change, and move in the direction of obtaining such alterations as they considered necessary in the best interests of the company. Our grievances were placed before the board of directors at short notice, and with a great demonstration of force, but our guns were not loaded, and we were repulsed. Since this time it has been assumed, but not clearly demonstrated, that, we were met in a hostile spirit, and that reforms since brought about, are merely the result of a great show of force. It is true that the directors acceded to the wishes of an overwhelming majority of shareholders, but it is also true that before making radical changes, such as we demanded, it was necessary that a large majority in favour of these changes should be shown. There can be little doubt that our complaint on the score of lack of information from the mine itself was not justified, even at tho time it was made, because for some years frequent and regular progress reports have been published in the local press—roll rots that have been both interesting and instructive, and coming from Mr. Stansfield their truth has never been questioned. What, then, is the position of the company to-day? Every change demanded has l>een cheerfully made, and we in New 'Zealand can, if we are foolish, fill every seat on the board, and assume the entire management within a period of three years after June next. Is it in the best interests of the New Zealand shareholders, in view of the present satisfactory state of affairs in Loudon and at the mine, to push matters further at the present time? J think that many will agree with me in saying that it is not. The feeling of indebtedness to Mr. Wilson for bis services has caused his nomination for a seat on the board, but his election will be opposed by very many, and New Zealand will be divided. The attitude adopted in Wellington seems most indiscreet. W. N. Leatiiam. March 5.

WAITANGI. After a short stoppage pending the fixing of new air-pipes for ventilation, work was resumed in the Waitangi mine yesterday.

AEROA WARDEN'S COURT. [by telegraph.OWN" correspondent. ] Patsroa, Thursday. At the Warden's Court yesterday applications were granted as follows : —G. W. Nicholls, Union Jack special claim of 90 acres, at Karangahake ; G. W. Nicljolls, General Kitchener special clanni of 89 acres, at Karangahake; G. W. Nicholls, City of Auckland special claim of 52 acres, at Karangahake; Robert Stack polo, permission to work Silver Hill special claim, at Karangahake, "with six men for nix months; Durbar Gold Mining Company, Limited, protection for six months for Durbar Extended special claim, at Waitekauri Durbar Gold Mining Company, Limited, permission to work Durbar special claim at Waitekauri with. two men for six months; W. Gray, protection for six months for Crown North special claim at Karangahake.

COROMANDEL SCHOOL OF MINES- . [by TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Coromandel, Thursday. The annual meeting of the Coromandel School of Mines was held last evening, Mr. T. W. Rhodes presiding. The report and balance-sheet showed the institution to lie in a healthy condition. The director reported that 16 students have enrolled so far this year, with a class attendance of 22. The director (Mr. Charles Arthur Cotton) was heartily congratulated upon having attained the degree of master of science, with honours, at Dunedin University, in November last. . The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. T. W. Rhodes; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. N. Jamieson and J. B. Rockliff; council, Messrs. John Reilly, G. C. St. George, F. C. R. Home, Ben B. Johnson, Geo. F. Mellars, and John Fraser; auditor, Mr. 'Geo.- G. Paul. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. A. N. Jamieson for supervising at the battery, and Messrs. G. E. Jamieson and A. H. Gat Land for conducting the school during the interval between the departure of Mr. D. V. Allan, B.Sc., and Mr. C. A. Cotton's arrival. Mr. T. W. Rhodes was elected a life member of the institution, as a recognition of assistance rendered during the past 20 years as president, secretary, and treasurer.

MINE* MANAGERS' REPORTS. Mount Zeehan: The low level is now in <i total of 120 ft. . The country is still a very, firm andesite- of' a favourable nature. The reef in the. face is more defined than it was last week, being about 9in, and in breaking it down it shows some very good minerals. From appearances the stone looks good enough to meet with gold at any time. Southern Queen: The low level has been extended sft. There has been a decided improvement. here, the country, being amice mild sandstone, and when breaking down the reef to-day (February 29) we saw a few colours of gold. At No. 2 level the rise is up 10ft. The reef is from 12in to 15in wide and is looking splendid as we get up. Colours of gold are freely seen through the quartz, and I have selected 31b of stone from here.

Tairua Triumph : The late manager (Mr. Hayes) left the mine on the 21st ult. Before leaving he handed over temporary charge of the property to Mr. Barker. The only work in progress is being done in the low level drive, which has been driven in a southerly direction a total from the mouth of the tunnel of 200 ft. The face at present is in a good firm country, with occasional iron pyrite seams. In fact, the country is all that could be desired for reefing in. This 200 ft of driving completes Patterson and party's contract. It has been re-let to them.

Champion: Battery rite—The open cut has been extended 38ft, making a total of 58ft driven. The country . passed through consists of horizontal layers of heavily-mineralised slatyflint, with seams of sandstone and nibble running across. them. ." These > seams give very fair prospects of gold and appear to improve as we advance hillwards. We have now enough backs to commence tunnelling, and I am starting the full three shifts. , As soon as the mouth of the tunnel has been secured by timber the work will be let on contract. A waterway has been cut, and rails are" being laid down. The contractor has commenced carting the heavier portions of machinery, several loads of which have been deposited at the terminus of the Council road, from where it will'r be skidded to the battery site. The gasoline assay plant, ordered from England, is to hand in Auckland, and will l forwarded up to, the mine forthwith.

Kirikiri: Have started rising again, a distance of 2ft having been driven; total, 10ft. The whole of the rise is in quartz stringers, and each of them is carrying splendid minerals, but no gold was seen. The north drive has been extended 3ft; total, 24ft.; size of reef, Bft. The reef is making stronger and is carry every indication for gold, but we did not see any when breaking down. The quartz looks equally as good here as where we obtained the richest of our ore in the upper levels. Rise—The reef in this is split- up into stringers. From the hangingwa.ll to the footwall is 2ft 6in wide;. of them looks very well. We tire carrying "the reef formation along with us in the north drive and rise.

Tokatea: The drive north on Woods' leader if in IOTt, and we have started opening out on the south side. Tho drive on Kelly's leader is now in 42ft. The leader has increased in width, being now 3ft thick, with 6in of good-looking quartz on the hangingwall.

Kapowai: The connection between No. 2 level and the battery is now practically completed. The connection with the new reef will be pushed on with as rapidly as possible. Mcfsaac's leader continues to look well and has been driven on for Bft.

New Una: The total length of the leading stope is now 40ft. The reef for that distance is a compact body of quartz, fully 3ft wide. We an at present parting the quartz to the battery and h commencement will be- made to crush tomorrow (March 3).

Old Kapanga: 1 hope to be able to start, pumping* in the shaft on Tuesday or Wednesday next (March 3 or 4). The pump has been lowered into position and the column erected.

Victoria: The drive east at No. 2 level is in 49ft from the crosscut. The lead contains a good class of mineral, and colours of gold were seen at last breaking down. Sloping on the lead east and west of the crosscut is "being carried on. No quartz has been broken from these working*. The winze below No. -2 level has been sunk 14ft.. The country encasing the lead is good sandstone. With the exception of a little of the lead breaking away with the shots no quart/, has been broken.

May Queen Extended: Hansen's uim.e has been sunk 62ft in lirtt-clfiKS country, with quartz making stronger in the bottom "and very heavy in mineral, although not showing gold so freely. At 65ft it would be advisable to drive into the hangingwall and pick up No. 3 reef. The drive on the new intermediate level, has been driven in firm sandstone 331 f- A solid quartz leader was cut through at 325 ft, carrying very favourable minerals', but no visible gold where intersected.. The manager intends to open out, 'to the eastward in this quarts, which looks very promising, and has the same course and underlie as the llocky Point reef, and should junction with the Adelaide reef. About two or three loads of ore are in the hopper from Hansen's winze.