THAMES GOLDFIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18324, 14 February 1923, Page 14

THAMES GOLDFIELD.

REVIVAL IN MINING. THE MOANATAIARI WORKINGS. PROSPECTING IN, PROGRESS. An optimistic tone is noticeable at the Thames owing to a revival in mining. When the deep level operations ceased some years ago it was feared that the only future for the district -was in tho direction of facing. However, as the result of prospecting work, which has been in hand for over two years on the hillward side of tho Moanataiari slide in virgin country, two lodes and several leaders have been cut, and it is confidently expected that these discoveries will bo followed shortly by others of equal interest. The operations referred to are those of the Caledonia Kuranui Moanataiari Mining Company. Its mine, which contains in its area four of the oldest properties on the Thames goldfield, is situated in the precincts of the town, and its aqueduct is a well-known landmark, or will be until its pending demolition. The old workings were all on the seaward side of the slide, which hears the slope and direction of the hillside. The present company is putting in a crosscut behind and parallel to the slide and over 1800 ft. from the mouth of the Moanataiari tunnel, with the object of cutting the lodes which existed on the seaward side. No. 9 reef was first picked up about 100 ft. from the starting point, and this has been driven upon and stripped for 100 ft. Further along the crosscut other stringers and leaders were cut, all giving values 'on assay. About 500 ft. from No. 9 reef another lode, which proved to be 4ft. "wide, was passed through, and this is now being driven upon both ways from the crosscut. Work is also proceeding with the lengthening of the crosscut to the spot where it is expected to pick up the Waio-tahi-Cambria and possibly other reefs. Good country is being passed through meanwhile. The consensus of expert opinion at the Thames as to the company's prospects appears to be favourable. If their operations are crowned with success it will mean much to \ those who have engaged themselves in the undertaking, . and its benefit to Thames through accrued prestige and optimism alone will be incalculable. Many eyes are watching the progress of the developments. Two other mines in Thames are in good working order at present. These are the Sylvia and the Waiotahi. From the former there is at present a crushing proceeding at- the Moanataiari battery. In the latter a little picked stone comes to hand occasionally. !