MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13869, 1 October 1908, Page 3

MINING NEWS.

AUCKLAND GOLD RETURNS.; £112,167 FOR SEPTEMBER, > ' TOTAL FOR" NIKE MONTHS, £815,031. During tho month of September the gold returns 'from the Auckland district reached a, total of £112,167 0s lid. Compared with the August output'this shows an increase of £7560 13s Bd, and is the second highest of the year, the top 0110 being that for May, which amounted to £174,997 16s .6(1. On that occasion, however,'; two Waihi returns, of £70,283 and £70.893, came, to hand during the month, so that, in one respect, tho present output may bo claimed to bo tho highest during the year. And it is interesting to note that during September two companies in the Ohinemuri district have each established record crushings, viz., the Waihi and Talisman, while a third, tho Waihi Grand Junction, has experienced tho highest return of the year. Iu the? month of September last year tho total yield was £118,074 6s. The present returns complete tho figures for the first three quarters of the year, which show a total of £815,031 6s scl. This falls far short of the corresponding returns for last year, which amounted to £1,041,563 18s. It might bo mentioned, however, that the 1907 yield constituted a record, it exceeding the output of £921,458 12s 7d for 1906, which was at that time tho highest recorded for a similar period, by £120,105 ss. sd. Tho past month's returns are made up as follows : — Ohincmuri, £109,793 lis 2d; Thames, £2261 9s 9dj Coromandel, £112. Following aro the details: — '. , V OHINEMDEI. Waihi G.M. Co., 31,904 tons ... £72.804 0 0 Talisman Consolidated, 3625 tons 24,457 0 0 Waihi Grand Junction Co., 3640 tons 6,508 11 2 Koinata Reefs G.Jtf. Co., 2100 tons 3,849 0. 0 N.Z. Crown Mines, 1724 tons ... 2,165 00 Total Ohinemurl district ... £109,793 11 2 THAMES. Waiotahi G.M."Co., 205 tons ... £782 18 9 Tairua Broken Hills G-M- Co.. 266 tons 573 11 0 May Queen G.M. Co.. 52 loads, 60lb 570 0 0 Victoria G.M. Co., 24 loads, 351b 325 0 - 0 Thames G.M. Co.. 6 loads (trial crushing) 10 0 0 Total Thames .district 2,261 9 9 COROMANDEL. Old Kapanga tributers. 5 loads £50 0 0 Old Hauraki G.M. Co., 29 tons, Blb 82 0 0 Total Coromandel district ... £112 0 0 Total, Auckland district, for September £112.167 0 11 Total outpnt for first nine months of year ... ... ....£815,031 6 5 MAGNET. A meeting of shareholders in tho Magnet Gold Mining Company, Ltd., was held at the offico of tho secretary (Mr. J. B. Sheath) yesterday afternoon, when tho chairman of directors (Mr. Arthur Wright] presided. The directors in their half-yearly report! stated that the recent discoveries in tho mine were very encouraging. The balancesheet showed that the authorised capital of tho company was 100,000 shares of Is each (£5000), and of these 20,000 had been paid up to is, and the remainder called up to--7d (£3333 6s 8d). . , , . : ;. " The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and Mr. F. Whitehead, who retired from the directorate by rotation, was re-elected, while Mr. W. Kayll was again appointed auditor.

The manager in his report stated that during the year work had been confined to the prospeoting of different lodes on the surface portion of the compauy's property and driving and rising on the main reef in the low level tunnel. Tho north drive on the main reef had boon extended a distance of 225 ft from tho old face, and tho reef, for tbo whole distance, averaged about 20in in thickness, and in that distance occasional Colours of gold wore scon; also a few strong dabs at different broakings clown. During tbo progress of work on this lodo a small mineral vein;- was met on the bangingwall. It carried excellent minerals, and assays made ranged in value from £25 up to £181 per ton. This vein, after carrying along with tho roof ' for a few fiJot, turned into quartz and junctionod with the reef formation. As the drive was advanced a rise was put up on tho vein for about 15ft, and it carried tho. good class of minerals up for that distance, and a 'few colours of gold were also seen in tho mineral stone. In tho back of the rise the mineral stone had every appearance of opening out in width. The seaward drive on the main lode bad been picked up. timbered, and tho rails laid for 117 ft, and then extended 65ft from the old face. The reef for that distance averaged about 2ft. in thickness of quartz of a heavily mineralised character. Tho riso on the main reef, south drive, had been put up a height of 50ft, and where risen upon tho reef averaged about 4ft in thickness of quartz, very heavily mineralised. An assay mado from some of the mineral stone gave a value of £4 per ton. The manager recommended tho continuation of the north drive on tlio main reef, for there was, in his opinion, an excellent chance of something important being had in that lodo system, and this work would at tho same time (with tho present trend of the lode) intersect all tbo east and west ore bodies, which were known to oxisfc ahead of tho present face. Ho would also keep the seaward drivo going. •

CORONATION. ' ■ In their half-yparly report, which was presented to a meeting of shareholders at tho office of tho secretary (Mr. H. Gilfillan, jun.) yesterday, the directors of the Coronation Gold Mining Company, Ltd., stated that the winzo referred to in their last report, was continued to a depth of 50ft, for 30ft of which distance fair, prospects were obtained. A drive was then put in easterly from tho winzo for 12ft, and westerly for 14ft, but nothing payable was met with. At the latter point the reef formation terminated, and driving had been-resumed in the first-named direction. So far the prospects were slightly better, and the manager reported that there was every indication of further improvement. ". .In view of the poor results which had been mot with since work was resumed this year, the board asked for an expression of opinion from shareholders whether operations should bo continued or not. The financial statement showed that a balance had been carried to the credit of the profit and loss account of £2065 5s Id. The report and : balance-sheet wero adopted. Captain-Smith' and "Mr. D. E. Clerk wero elected to the directorate, while Sir. F. L. Prime was again appointed auditor. Mr. F.H. Masfon proposed that tho com-pany-should go into liquidation and that the assets be realised by auction as soon as possible. Mr. Masfen said that ho considered that the results from tho mine did not justify further expenditure. The proposition was seoonded and then put to the meeting, but was declared lost on a show of hands.

NEW SYLVIA. Tho manager of the Now Sylvia mine telegraphed to the secretary (Mr. 0. A. Stubbs) yesterday 1 morning, intimating that he had cut 3ft into the .main reef, and that there woro colours of gold and tollurtdo in the stone. In consequence of this information the shares were freely inquired for, and sales took olaco yesterday at 2s 6d, 2s 7d, 2s-6d. and 2s sd, closing with buyers at 2s sd, and sellers ab 2* od.

NEW WAITEKAURI. At the office of the secretary (Mr. H. Gilfillan, jun.), a meeting of shareholders in the New Waitokauri Gold Mining Company, Limited,'was held yesterday. The directors in their half-yearly report stated that ordinary work liad been carried on ini.the mino during the past' half-year in the continuation of driving and sloping operations, l but the value of the ore won and crushed'had not been equivalent to the working expenses. Proposals had, been received from the Now Zealand Jubilee Mines, Limited, regarding tho amalgamation of the company with that concern, and particulars of the forms were being awaited. The financial statement showed that the receipts during the half-year ended August 31 had amounted to £1175 17s 3d, and there was £103 10s cash in hand. There, was a credit balance on the profit and loss account of £43b21456ei The report and ' balance-sheet were adopted, and Messrs. J. Nowdick and C. H. Treziso, who retired from tho directorate by rotation, wero re-elected, while Mr. W. B. Holmes was re-appointed auditor." The manager reported that in'the north intonaodiivtfli off Baker's pass, a block 60ft. in

length by 75ffc. in height .had been sloped, which moduced very fair grade ore, and hau continued .for about 20ffc above the Queen : level, where tho gold cut . out. This level was :. opened up : and timbered .' for '•' •■■ a" distance of 56ft, .and he had driven and limberod a further distance of 90ft, and holed through to old workings, which were -worked through ,irom this level through to tho surface. ' In rising for No. 2 stopo south ore showing ; gold freely was mot with, but when the slope , was beaten along both sides of the rise the lode ; became of very low grade; in fact, it proved to be only a small pocket of good ore where .the rise was put up. Ho was now driving south on tho intermediate level, which was 111 a total distance of 74ft from Baker's pass, the lode being tho full width of tho drive, viz., 4ft. All the quartz from here was being saved, and it was intended to trv a parcel of $0 or 40 tons at tho battery. A little gold could be got by pounding and dishing, therefore! it ought to pay. the cost of crushing, ami help. to pay the cost of driving; but as this drivo advanced he was in hopes' of picking' up ,th© run of gold on the down strike that was worked in tho levels above. As there was a stretch of country over 400 ft in length and 200 ft. in height, he thought it advisable to 'continue this drive a little furtuer. A start had been made to sink a winze below ; the Queen lovel in the south section directly underneath where tho Old WaitekauriV Company worked out a very good block of' ground, and north of the block worked from the intermediate level by the same company, which also proved highly payable. He suggested sinking this winzo about 40ft or 50ft, to prove if it were payable or not. Thero was also another block over this level, and north of the block worked by tho old company, which the manager considered worth while taking a. trial crushing from to prove its value. The lode was a nice kindly-looking body of stone, which measured about 4ft in width, and showed a little sulphide. There was also a block between the smithy and surface levels, which ; he considered would prove payable, and in prospecting this block recently he discovered nice sulphide ore showing gold freely. The. lode was a splendid body of stone, being from 4ft to sft wide,.but to work the block properly it would tako some time to repair the levels and passes. ,'/Tho battery superintendent reported that since crushing operations were commenced at the battery 4244 tons of ore had been treated from the mine for a return of £749 16s 6d, an average of £1 15s 4d per ton. When. crushing first commenced, thero were about:2oo tons of ore delivered to the battery of low grade, averaging; under £1 per ton. This ore was broken by tho old. company. There being no means of "sampling "the qnuirtz in 'the mine, if, was decided to send it to tho mill, and this parcel was responsible for the low average- value. The ore broken by tho. present manager was of a better grade, one parcel going £3 9s 3d per ton, and the other parcel £2 2s 4d per ton. One hundred and twenty tons of tailings, of a value of lis per ton, wore trucked in for trial, and the superintendent thought that if a tube mill was erected to rcgriud .them, and the tailings sloTced ill, the company would find them a, valuable product. Those tailings, without grinding, gave an extraction of 70 per cent. Tho ore from the mine gave an average extraction of 88.6 per cent. The bullion recovered and banked since crushing commenced amounted to 5210z. lOdwt., of a total value of £691 4s Bd. There was- still about £30' worth of bullion; retained by solution, slag, unsmolted slimes, and copper plates. f. .MINING SCHOLARSHIPS. [by TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington", Wednesday. The following questions were put' to the Minister for Mines to-day by Mr. Baume: — '"•(1) Whether the Government will consider the advisablencs3 of so amending the mining scholarships regulations as (a) to permit hop ders of scholarships to study either at Dunedui or Auckland; (b) to award scholarships for good work on such groundwork subjects as chemistry, metallurgy, and mining (elementary), mathematics, and drawing, requiring 70 per cent, average, and a minimum of 50 per con in.each- subject;, (c) to rnako tho scholarship tenable for four years, instead of three. (2) Whether the Government will consider the advlsableness of allowing mining graduates of the New Zealand University to qualify as mine managers after three years of practical work." The reply. was as follows:—" (1) (a) A suggestion in this direction has already been made to the Auckland University; (b) when tho value of tho scholarship is considered it should be recognised that tho standard is not too high; (c) inquiries will be made as to the necessity for this extension of time. (2) Tho reply is no, and this decision is given in the interests of the minors, 'whose safety lies iir> the hands of tho- mine nianagcr, before ha can obtain a certificate as such, must; hayediad atdeast-five, years' experience underground." NOTES. No. 2 level in the Mountain King mine has been advanced a further distance of 10ft for the week. The country is still of a hard nature, but has the appearance of a change, as tho water is making its appearance in the faco again. During the- week a 6in leader compelled of rubblo and silica was passed through. . _•";,.: In the Brilliant, Block mine tho drive to intersect the Brilliant lode has been extended 25ft, making a total distance :;f (12ft driven to date. The country being penetrated is all that can be desired. ■ A small leader cut during the week gave an assay value of 23s per ton. There is still about 30ft to drive before getting mid.or tho outcrop.; The men prospecting on the surface havo not, as yet, discovered anything of any special value, but dish prospects aro still encouraging. ; !■ - ■ The low level in tho Watchman mine has been ■ extended 5 a further distance # of 10ft, and on September 24, as previously intimated by telegraph, the'big reef was cut. Since that date the roof has' been penetrated 9ft. The quartz passed through up to the present is of a loose rubbly nature,. and apparently low grade. On Saturday the face showod signs of improvement, and some good-looking stone was seen, which carried zinc blende and galona freely. ■ A portion was sent to the Thames School of Mines for treatment. The present face shows no sign of the hangingwall.

+ The leading stope north of the riso in the Scandinavian mino has been carried forward '"'l6ft'. and tho drivo timbered up for that distance. The foot-wall portion of the reef being broken out. carries ore of a highlymineralised character, intermixed with veins of quartz and silica, and generally looks very promising. In the north drive : tile reef formation is still about Bft wido; the centre portion consisting of stringers of quartz, interlaced with bands and bunches of mineral. The footwalf portion of the reef, which is about 3ft" wide, is carrying ore of a kindly nature. . . ' Tlio low level in the Ivirikiri mine is being continued, and the reef has improved during, the week. Tho lodo is now about 2ft in thickness, and is of a more solid character, and is showing somo nice mineral.- There is still,, a-lot--of water ; coming from the face. TKferoia also an improvement in the country, it having become muoh firmer, and is showing nice mineral seams. " I expect to meet with a further improvement, - seeing that wo havo a good stretch of ground to drivo before we reach the winzo on-'this reef," says tho manager. Heavy timber is being placed in as the lovel advances, arid a- further distance of 10ft has been driven. Over 200 ft have now been driven on the" lino of reef at this level, and all closely timbered. •The manager of the Magnet mine reports that t.h« uorlTi drive on the main ■: reef is passing through favourable sandstone country," but tho roof formation is now divided into two branches, which appear to be going away from 0110 another. The footwall branch will average 12in in thickness of quart/, of a kindly character. During the week a few colours of gold wero scon in the stone. The bangingwall portion is of'a rubbly description, and by dish test a fair prospect of loose gold may bo obtained. This part of tho reef will average about Bin in width, and tho manager intends to continue driving upon it for a time,: as by -the present trend of the footwall branch it will bo impossible to curry tho two branches in the 0110 drive. In the Tairua Conqueror mine the prospecting lovel has been extended a further distance of ,10ft during tho week. No. 1 reef has been intersected on the, footwall,, and passed'through a distance of 6ft, with no signs of the .bangingwall. A small prospect' is obtainable from the borings of the reef, which is composed of a very kindly class of quartz. There is a material difference in both underlie and strike of the reef, its underlie being 4-; in 6, and strike more west of north than at first expected. In consequence of this a considerable distance has yet:,to;bo driven in the main crosscut before the intersection of reef is expected — approximately a further 50ft* from measurements- to date. Now that sufficient data are to hand, work has been suspended in this level, and the main crosscut will bo pushed ahead with three shifts. The main crosscut has been extended 9ft, making tho distance now driven 145 ft. Some bars of very mild sandstone, have ■been met with in penetrating tho' last few foot, and the country generally is of a good quality. For the purpose of facilitating the' intersection of No. 1 reef a slight turn to the south-west has been taken in this level, and under favourable circumstances the' manager expects- to intersect thereof in about three weeks., - : ' ■>-■ * :