MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13937, 19 December 1908, Page 5

MINING NEWS.

THAMES DEEP LEVELS. THE DIRECT ROUTE SUPPORTED. At the last meeting of the Thames Deep Levels Committee it transpired that the Saxon and Victoria companies were, favourable to Mr. Wm. McCullough's scheme to project the 1000 ft level crosscut from the Queen of Beauty shaft direct to the old Big Pump shaft, provided that the course of same was deflected seawards to facilitate their own operations. This proviso has now been abandoned, and the two companies named have expressed approval of the direct route, as explained in the following letter, which has been forwarded to the chairman of the Thames Deep Levels by secretary of the Waiotahi Gold Mining Company (Mr. G. S. Kissling):—" Mr. E. A. Brown, one of my directors, has informed the board of the Waiotahi that he attended a joint meeting of the Victoria and Saxon directors in his capacity as a Saxon director. At the meeting he was requested to convey the decision arrived at to the Waiotahi board, with a request that the Waiotahi should apprise you of its concurrence or otherwise with the decision of the above two companies. My board understands that, to meet the various objections made to the seaward route proposed by the Saxon that company with the Victoria will waive their stipulations to this route to get at some finality on the subject, and will adopt the shaft-to-shaft route, viz., direct from the Queen of Beauty to the Deep Pump shaft, feeling that this will meet with Go\ernment support. My directors have instructed me to inform you that they entirely concur with the decision arrived at, believing that the shaft-to-shaft route (Queen of Beauty to Old Pump) is the solution of the difficulty, and one that very fairly meets the needs of all companies, with a little concession on everybody's part." OLD HAURAKI. The manager of the Old Hauraki mine telegraphed yesterday, stating that tie had obtained strong dabs of gold from No. 8 reef at the 300 ft level. HANDS WORTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Coromandel, Friday. The Handsworth mine (Kuaotunu) continues to look well, good gold being obtained at last breaking down. The iast crushing was obtained from the upper workings, where stoping is in progress. The mine is, however, being opened up at a greater depth, and the low level has been driven 670 ft. The reef is in hand, but another 100 ft will need to be, driven to bring the face under the chute of gold. It is intended to at once sink from the upper level to the lower workings, after which driving will be continued. This will open up a large block with 60ft of backs. NEW ALPINE. [BY TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION. J Gkeymocth, Friday. Stone was struck in the crosscut of the new level in the New Alpine quartz mine this morning. The size and value has as yet been undetermined. SALE OF A CLAIM. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Paeroa, Friday. The case between C. H. Trezie and the Golden Cross Company and J. F. Jackson, was continued at the Warden's Court yesterday. It was contended by plaintiff that Jackson had sold to the Golden Cross Company the Croesus claim on terms not approved by plaintiff (one of the owners of the Croesus claim), and it was also alleged that the Golden Cross Company -was working on*the Croesus claim and had taken from it a quantity of gold (which was at present in the bank). The plaintiff's case was concluded at the former sitting of the Court, a fortnight ago, and the defendants' case was concluded last evening. The Warden reserved hie decision. THAMES WARDEN'S COURT. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Friday. A special sitting of the Thames Warden's Court was held to-day, to conclude the business for the year. The following miscellaneous applications were dealt with : —Champion Mines, Limited, for a license for special site at Tairua, for a machine site, granted; G. Gill, for six months' protection for the Ncavesville Extended social claim and permission to work the Neavesvillp special claim with four men for six months, granted ; New Sylvia Gold Mining Company, for permission to work 'the Ophir special claim with six men for six months, granted for 14 men; H. Lowe for three months' protection for the Vulcan special claim, Tararu Creek, recommended ; Aupori Gold Mining Company, for surrender of the Aroha special claim. Great Barrier Island, accepted; Golden Hills Gold Mining Company, for special site at Tairua, granted ; G. W. Peploe, for surrender of the New l»ucky Hit special claim. Karaka Creek, accepted ; T. G. De Renzy, for six months' protection for the Waimangu special claim at Whan gar-vita, recommended in the name of R. McCormick.

OTAGO DREDGING RETURNS. i [BY TELKGIUrH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin', Friday. The following dredging returns have been received:Koputai, 104oz* 16dwt 4gr; Mystery Flat, 60oz lldwt; Muddy Creek, 360z lldwt.; Masterton, 28oz ldwt; Chicago, 230z; New Roxburgh Jubilee, 19oz sdwt; Centra] Charlton, 17oz 16dwt; South Waikaia, 14oz 17dwt; Kura, lloz ldwt. NOTES. The manager of the Waiorongomai mine yesterday cut a heavily mineralised leader lit wide. The manager of the Corom.uidel mine reports that No. 5 reef, is well defined, carrying a good band of mineral and 6in of pug. In a south-east direction this lode looks well No. 2 reef has junctioned with it, and work is now being carried out on this junction. In the Tairua Dreadnought mine the manager has passed through the jumble of quartz and ironstone veins, and is now passing into much tighter country. The rock is a decomposed andesite of good quality, that is, fine in texture and carrying a fair quantity of iron pyrites. The manager of the Missouri mine (Kuaotunu) reports .that in the drive south to intersect the junction of the Red Mercury reef two leaders about 2in wide have crossed the face. He believes the reef is close at hand. Driving north the Red Mercury reef is a strong body of ore and gives a little gold by dish test. The manager of the Phoenix mine reports that there is no doubt that the stringers driven upon are only a portion of a large ore body. He has started a crosscut, and as soon as that is advanced a few feet will get on with one in the opposite direction. Another good vein of quartz is showing in the face, which gave a nice show of gold. There is also a fair quantity of sulphides in the stone.