THE THAMES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 45, 2 December 1871, Page 3

THE THAMES.

fSVom the New Zealand Heeald of the 23rd November.] Tuesday, 6 p.m. Caledonian. • In company with Messrs Ninnes, Kenrick, Stanning, and Hicks, I visited the mine at noon today, immediately after several shots had been put in the main face, which brought down several cwt of very rich specimens, and as the visitors truly termed them " blocks of gold," and the show that was still left in the face was truly magnificent, extending over 25 feet in length, superior to what was seen even on Saturday, or any day last week. There is no mistake, but to-day it surpasses anything seen for months, and in this assertion I can fall back upon those gentlemen who were down at the time, and several of whom will be in your city to-morrow. The prospects of Tookey's are, no doubt, very good, and to all appearance will get a portion of the gold, but to say that the run of gold is making direct into them is more than any person has a right to say, and I would direct your readers to the small plan that was issued by the directors, where they will see the block taken out

curves to the winze No 3, marked G to C, | In the bend of this, not very much gold has been seen latterly in the face standing although directly above it, and at that very point, the best gold ever seen in the Caledonian was broken out down to the top of the winze, but this morning a change seems at hand, for there is some splendid gold standing in the face, close up to the top of the winze, confirming stronger than ever that the run of gold still maintains its course, and that the block from figure 2, crossing over the winze to Tookey's peg, will be as rich as any ever taken out. Of course this also shows that Tookey's will get a portion of the run, but after all, amongst the best of practical men here, and those who have seen it to-day, the opinion is still strong that the Caledonian holds the lion's share of the gold. Thespecimenleader,between Nos 1 and 2 winzes, shows gold in the same proportion as when last reported upon, and when it comes to be taken down to-night or to-morrow, the haul of rich stone will be good. Some strange reports were current yesterday that Mr Bo we was picking the eyes out of the mine, and intended leaving no gold for his successor, but such reports as these are not worthy of credence, as it is utterly impossible that he, or any other manager, can pick the gold out for many months to come. The only thing that can be said is this, that from, to-day he is in a position to break out twice as fast as before at one-tenth the cost, simply because everything is cut up into sections, connected with the winzes to the bottom level, so that there is no hauling up of dirt, but now it passes under your feet to below. The estimate of Saturday, I think, will be found, if anything, below the mark, if everything keeps up to the standard of today. Wattemata.—Last night the manager or' this claim took out about 5 lbs. of very nice stone from the winze. This winze is down 12 feet upon the lode which is being sunk near to the boundary of the Nonpareil, and upon the continuation of this latter company's main adit.