MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13983, 12 February 1909, Page 3

MINING NEWS.

o __ ROYAL OAK. The manager of the Royal Oak mine, Coromandel, reports that the drive on the Tribute reef at No. 6 level is in 46ft east of the bar. The reof in the face averages 9in, and (lie. country is still well mineralised, but no gold was seen at, last breaking down. In the leading slope- the lead averages bin, and colours of gold are. scon when breaking down. WAIHI EXTENDED. The country in the face of the Wailii Extended Gold Mining Company's southeast, crosscut at No. 5 level is showing a little improvement. The manager reports having passed through a small band of quartz on Tuesday last. Sinking has been resumed in No. 4 winze. COROMANDEL WARDEN'S COURT. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] Coromaxdel, ' Thursday. At the Warden's Court, to-day the case of Anderson v. Hauraki Freeholds, a claim for £100 for putting the company on to gold, was advanced another stage. Mr. J. Reilly, authorised surveyor, put, in a plan, showing the locality and the run of the reefs in the disputed area. Mr. Skelton, of Auckland, appeared for the Freehold Company, and Mr. F. P. Burgess for the plaintiff. The Warden stated that he would give judgment during the month, probably at the Thames, next Court day. NOTES. The manager of the Tairua Leads mine reports that the crosscut is in 140 ft. The country is firmer, and in the last few feet driven" several veins fully 6in in thickness wore cut. In the Missouri mine, Kuaotunu, driving north on the Mercury reef is being continued. The manager states that, the country has made a slight, improvement for the better, as there are numerous mineral seams striking into the reef, and the country is milder. The reef has been broken down to the face, and is a nice compact body of ore, and when tested by dish shows an improved value.

During the week ended February 6 tho crosscut in Dixon's Consolidated mine was extended 9ft. the country continuing to bo of a firm description. The rise on tho parallel reef had been risen to 26ft. The reef in the back was of a rubbly nature, and did not. show such good indications as previously. The manager consequently decided to suspend operations in the rise for the time being, and to again start driving on the reef.

The manager of the May Queen Extended Company, reporting on February 8, states that lie has now driven through the hard belt of country in the south-east, crosscut, and has struck a nice-looking body of quart/., with splendid country, on the opposite or south side. The quartz is about 2ft in width, carrying splendid minerals, and has an eastward and westward course. The manager has no doubt that, it is O'Sullivan's reef. He intends to cut into the south wall, and then open out on the reef, and will telegraph immediately if any gold shows in breaking down

The. manager of the Champion mine, Neavesville, reports that crushing was commenced with 10 head of stamps on flay. February 8. The plates are looking well, but have not been cleaned up yet. Tho ore is now tipped direct into the battery. Four men are working on the Champion lode, which is opening out satisfactorily. Three men are employed on the dyke outcrop, which at present is looking better than the manager anticipated. The battery level is being cleaned for driving. The values in this level have averaged 10s for some distance.

The Tairua Dreadnought mine, which adjoins the Phoenix, and embraces the same reef formation, has just he-en visited by a director of the company, who expresses himself highly pleased with the development, so far. Up to date the level has been driven 100 ft, and a further 100 ft will bring tho drive directly underneath the surface of Clarkson's reef, from which good returns were, it, is stated, obtained. The country now being passed through is of a very favourable character. A small leader was recently cut, showing good mineral. Nothing further was done upon it, the aim of the directors being to cut Clarkson's reef as soon as possible.

One of the directors of the Phoenix mine in the Tairua district, has returned from a visit to the mine, bringing with him samples of the band of ore cut, some few days ago in the north crosscut from the 80ft level. The width of the lode is still unascertained. The crosscut, has been driven 35ft. to the north and 15ft to the south, and is still reported to be passing through seams of rich ore separated by country rock, which latter is described as payable. The assays of the seams of quartz which are practically veins of sulphide quartz showing free gold are, it, is reported, very high. The samples brought rip by the director can be seen at Sir. Stevenson's office in Swanson-street.