THE THAMES GOLDFIELDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1191, 26 September 1874, Page 7

THE THAMES GOLDFIELDS.

Our latest advices from the Thames Gold field are to date August 27th. They give but an indifferent account of mining matters, aud further state that the share market was singularly inactive, or to that effect. Only two or three mines were yielding at all up to expectations, chief of which was the Bright Smile, its yield for the previous fortnight being 1301 ozs. This very handsome return is said to have liquidated the Company's liabilities, of the existence of which we were entirely in the dark, the subject having evidently been kept secret in the North. However, we are very glad indeed to hear that the Company is iv a fair way of paying dividends again. It is about to erect a poweiful crushing plant on its own account, the cost of outside crushing having been exceedingly heavy during the twelve months. LII,GOO were expended under that head and carting combined. The adjoining Queen of Beauty mine continues to maintain its enviable reputation of being the beat paying property on the Thames Goldfield. The latet-t return horn it to date was lOSP-ozs,, the product cf about 1 6 days' work. At the annual meeting of the Bird in Hand Company— an adjoining mine— it was demonstrated that since the commencement of crushing at the latter end of last year, 2325 loads of stuff, averaging, say 2ocwt. to the load, had been milled to a leturii of JOMozs, of gold. Tho Company was not in tho be,st of positions, its liabilities being £1000, whilst in one direction the lode had run very poor indeed. #Of the progressive mines of the Waiokaraku district, tho City of York Company shaft has been sunk to a depth of 150 ft., and that of the Queen of the Thames to 21(ift. deep. Both mines are still sinking. The Vanguard's olwf t> is dow« jgaft, t,U?sp niiwsuv prnpetftos

as well as progressing, and we shall he very glad indeed to hear of their having struck paying gold, beeau.se in that case the very large extent of comparatively untested countiy at tho hack of them would in all probability prove remuneratively auriferous also. The old Goldeu Crown mine is once more in commission, operations having been resinned with the object of finding the continuation of that lode which is paying so handsomely in tho next mme — the Mamiknu. The latter continues to yield handsomely above tho main level, but below that the lode does not seem to be so rich, and that it will lose in quality as depth is gained is next to a certainty, such being the characteristics of every lode that has been opened in tho locality. That the very important find in this mine, we allude to the new lod'% i> exercising beneficial influence is evidenced in a ronuukalilc manner by ihe f.ict of the old "Hidden Treasure mine, «li(o> the Hand and Earnl, fetching at public auction the liMndsomo sum of £1200. Nothing of the slightest consequence hud ever been found in the mine, and its value is therefore entirely prospective, and at present, reflected fiom the find in tilic. Mauakiiu, the next mine but one to it. Theic is a very extensive mining company at the Thames known as the South British Association, which was orßiiniied for the purpose of prospecting a, larjro aiea of ground, through which it was assumed the stiike of the Una and Murph>'s Hill and Hape Creek 1 ides would pass. Operations were commenced by driving a tunnel through a hill upon winch a section of the Town of Shoitl.ind, designated "block XXVII.," stands. It would appear that the tunnel failed to intersect any paying part of the lodes in question, inasmuch that the company is now engaged in sinking a shaft to test the deeper ground, and h.is reached tho depth of 246 feet. Steam machinery to facilitate operations is being elected. The Colihan Company, on tho Mountain Creek Eange, which lately obtained a pay ins; crushing from the lode that was struck in the deep j. round, is now driving on the lode through hard country. The lode is rath'jr small but shows gold freely, and it is thought will pay. We append a few of the principal gold returns dining the fortnight ending the 27th ult. : - Queen of Beauty, 10S9 ozs. ; Alburma, ?S1 ozs ; Albion Co. Poveity Tribute, 55 tons, 178 ozs. ; Moanataiari Co., 750 tons, 3 1(5 ozi. ; Hose and Shamioek, 200 tons, 10(i ozs. ; Watchman Co. Tribute, HO tons, 2(5 ozs. ; E.ert White and Blue Tribute, 45 tons, 'W ozs. ; Long Drive Co., month's return for August, 42 oz^. ; All Nations Co., month's return for August, 92 ozs.