REEFTON MINING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 889, 15 March 1889, Page 33

REEFTON MINING.

(FROM CUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Reefton, March 7. During the past week business lias been dull, with the exception of the Dark and -Globe, the former having receded to 375, while the latter has advanced 6i. ,The Big River has dropped to 2s ; the cause of so great a decline is that the reef has pinched out, leaving a face of hard sandstone. The mine manager is, however, very sanguine. He avers this is often the case in sandstone country, .and by going a few feet farther the reef will in all probability make again. Sir Francis Drake.— The mine manager -reports There is no change inside of mine. The reef is much about the same, the length of which is about 80ft. Five hundred and eighty-tsvo tons of stone have been sent to the battery from the sih January to February 28 oh ; 17 men have been employed. The battery returns 75 z 91wts amalgam. Keep-it-Dark. —The crushing for the week is excellent, being 313jz amalgam from 180 tons- of stone. A new make has been struck, which is apparently running into the Wealth of Nations. This has caused an activity in the market. Globe.—The monthly clearing up yielded 4870 z from 180 tons. This includes the clearing out of the boxes for the mmth. The gold from this claim retorts better than any other in the district. A 6d dividend has been declared.

Big River.—The mine manager reports that stone is again obtained on the east end of the reef about 40ft over the level. I am driving on the stone to get the bearing so as fc-> connect with level. Thestone is also making in the level and showing good gold. From 100 tons of stone passed through the. battery 2310 z of amalgam has been obtained. This return may look small, but it must be considered that the plates being new have taken up at leastßouz of amalgam, which will remain until the plates are done with.- 1 ' -V V.

Reform. —Stoping stone ; no change to report. - - V _ . . . : Lme Hand.—The contractor for the tunnel reports a better change of country, and making good progress. Inglewood.—The battery returns are better, being 109jz of amalgam from 80 tons of stone. This, together with one third move in the boxes, will give a yield •of about 121 wts. .

Argosy.—Still prospecting on the surface. "-■ - V .. -

Empress.—Driving level to Oat reef. Progress.—The concentrators are now on the ground, and preparations are being made for their erection, but some two to three months must elapse before crushing will take place permanently. The whole of the work is being pushed on vigorously., *- .