Mining.

Otago Witness, Issue 1355, 17 November 1877, Page 3

Mining.

THE MACETOWN REEFS. (from our own correspondent.) The welcome advent of fine weather has enabled the various mining parties to set in briskly to work agaia, and the several operations connected with quartz mining are now being briskly pursued. There exists, without a doubt, a very promising field here, and which will eventually extend itself to the Shotover in one direction and to Bendigo and the Rough Ridge in another, it being almost an established fact that the same auriferous belt extends to all of these places, and that the intervening blanks will eventually bo filled up. So far as things have gone up to the present, quartz mining in Otago has not realised the expectations formed of it ; but I think this does not arise from any fault in the reefs themstives, but that they are imperfectly understood. All our experience has been gained from Australia, and there exists a considerable difference between quartz reefs there and here. As a rule the lodes in Australia are foußd between two distinct rocks, sandstone and clay slate, while here they appear to be entirely "con fined to the metamorphic sysfcsm of mica schist. In the one case the lode is consequently better defined, the fissure being easily traced on both, walls ; in the second case, as with us, the fissure is perfect on the hanging wallj but uncertain, so far as the foot wall is concerned. Another matter — the lodes of quartz here run more in blocks than they do in Australia, while they are more full of what is technically known as "horses" and "mullock," or, to make the matter plain, there is, oftentimes, more detached portions of the surrounding rock present in thß lode or fissure than quartz itself, every occurring block of quartz may be likened to a fish, corning in and going out wedge shape at all points. As a rule, all the blocks of quartz come in from the footwall of the lode, and gradually make over to tbe hangingwall, in which position they usually contain the most j gold. I can only account for the fissures codtaining so much less quartz here from the fact that so large a quantity of that rock is found everywhere permeating through the surrounding country, instead of being deposited in the fissure itself, as understood by our Australian experience. However, this -matters little so long as the gold is there, and we have this fact before us, that very nearly all our quartz lodes are gold-bearing, and it is only a question of following them up systematically to find gold in payable quantities. Of course the preference must be given for a good and defined line of reef. Of the permanency of the Macetown reefs I think there can be no reasonable doubt, .because so far as discoveries have gone up to the present they ■appear mostly to exist in the high country; ■they, nevertheless, will be found to exist at great depths, and this is from the fact that ,the high, country is all solid as nature first formed it, while, at the base of the mounitaios, it has been shifted, consequently the quartz lodes cannot be followed readily from the surface, or they are found in irregular masses. As to the gold-bearing quartz of the ,reefs, there is no reason why they should not be a3 good here as elsewhere ; there may, perhaps, not be such rich patches as are occasionally found in Australia, but the average yields are highly satisfactory. The gold is possibly finer here than there, but there exists this compensating Let that it is very evenly distributed throughout the stone. Quartz-mining in Otago must eventually beconis a valuable branch of industry, and much more so than is generally supposed. It is only time and experience that are wanting. When once things come to be properly and systematically arranged, what are now .almost insurmountable difficulties will really prove accessories. The atone can be brought down the steep mountain sides to the crushing milis by the mere force of of gravitation, while the mills will be driven by the ample water power almost everywhere present. In such localities where supplies iall short during the hottest portion of summer, mine owners will only have to increase their crushing power, aud so put through more stone when the season is favourable. Many of the difficulties arising out of the scarcity of timber will be goc over by improved systems of working. For instance, instead "of working the lodes do r ra by underhand stoping os is now the case, they will be worked upwards towards .the surface by driving in tunnels from the lower portions of the hills," when the ground can be secured with a much les3 , quantity of timber than by the present method, besides the work of extracting the ores can bo much more economically and safely performed. The mining regulations, or rather the want ,of a proper interpretation of them, have had a very great deal to do in keeping things back here. The mining regulations being read by the Wardens sordethicg after, the spirit of the Ten Commandments, a little pore common sense and a little less law .would have prevented , all the law suits .which' have inflicted us lately. A system of 'registration for quaitz claims would save a icleal of trouble. Survey would doubtless b3 the best, but this is expensive, aad the couse of serious delays. I think tint when- ! ever a prospecting claim has been taken up j on any line of reef either new or fcupposed, it j should be registered by the Warden in a book k.ptfor that purpose; then if any persons desire to take up another claim, they should first go to the Warden, who should" require the prospectors to at once, or «dthin a given time, define their boundaries, or as to permit the person applying to work aloagside. Under such & system there would be no quarrellirjoand complications, and things would go on smoothly. Then there has existed the pernicious system of the Wardens allowing summonses io ba left upon claims. In most all cases this has been abused, and certificates of occupation have been cancelled when the owners knew nothing at all about it, or absent mates have been quietly got rid off, aud their shares divided amongst those immediately resident. Quartz-mining can only be pursued by a system of co-operation, and nothing ia more necessary than that absentees contributing tV.eir quota in money should be protected. It is to be hoped that the state of chaos which things have been brought to here of late by the substitution of

legal quibbles for common sense and justice, will be shortly restored to their usual quiet again, aud that we shall proceed once more pleasantly and comfortably with the development of the natural resources of the country. The lines of reef at present in work may be set down as three : The first THE HOMEWARD BOUND LINE. The Homeward Bound Company were the first to commence operations on a systematic scale, and it is just two years since they first started. Of course it must be thoroughly understood that things at Macetown are in a very crude state as yet ; the various companies can only be considered as ! engaged in the work of (as Professor Ulrich would designate it) " exploitation of mines," or what may be better understood as pros- j pecting or opening them out. Capital has not poured ' in upon Macetown as haa been j txi3 case elsewhere, contributing Bhareholders in Otago quartz mines fighting rather shy, while there has been a desire on the part of working shareholders aa well to make sure before venturing too far. The lines of reef may be set down as running about southeast by north-weat, underlying to the southwest at an angle of about one foot in five, but it is thought that the loies will become nearly vertical as the depth increases. The Homeward-Bound Company own about 200Q feet along the course of the reaf, and have traced it all through that distance. The lode varies from five to eight feet in width, the stone varying from two fe«st to the full width of the lode. As a rule there is usually about two feet of payable stone either on the hanging or foot wall. The crushing frosa this band of quartz have yielded from one ounce and a quarter to two ounces to the ton. Other stone might be crushed, but owingtothe want of crashing power, and the cost- of transport to the mill, unly the best of the stone is now reduced. As the permanency of the lode in this company's claim has now been proved beyond a doubt, they intend after Christmas to increase their capital, and erect more powerful machinery, as well as increase the length of their, tramway so as to obviate the necessity of using sleighs, a most expensive and destructive system of transport. So far as things have gone the Homeward Bound ranks first on the list of Macetown mines. THE LADYE PAYRE. This ia a special claim of 1200 acres adjoining the Homeward Bound to the northwest. The lode haa been traced pretty well all through the ground, and some very good stone has been hit upon in two distinct places, sufficient to warrant the opinion that when better developed it should not be behind its neighbours in the matter of its auriferous value. MESSRS MACKAY AND M'ARDEL'S LEASE Adjoins the last mentioned claim, and judging from prospects obtained from a patch of stune just uncovered about 15 feet from the Lady Eayre boundary, this should prove a good claim, the prospects in both cases being about equal. THE PREMIER AND GLADSTONE. After crossing a guliy— Sawyer's Creek— the same lode haa been hit upon here again by the first-named company, but unfortunately they have got into law. It appears that most of the shareholders are resident at Cromwell, and while the Arrow shareholders were away in Dunedin the workmen left to prospect the ground jumped a portion of it under variousjpretences ; hence the difficulty, which it is to be hoped will speedily be adjusted. The prospscts are exceedingly good here, quite equal to the Homeward Bound. There are -'two other claims on this line farther to the north-west, but the weather haa been too severe to peimit of systematic operations. THE SURPRISE. This is a prospecting claim of 1200 feet, on the south-east extremity of the Homeward Bound line, and two miles from the latter, and almost touches the Arrow Kiver. The reef has been traced all through the claim, and prospects of fine gold can be obtained in the stone. In some large pieces of detached quartz some very nice specimens have been got, evidently showing that the lode only wants opening out in the right place, which of course haa to be found. This claim presents great advantages for working, it is easy of access, and water power for any number of stampers may be obtained from the Arrow Ttiver. THE ALL NATIONS LINE. The discovery of this line was made some 20 months since by the celebrated Thomas Hall, in the ground now held by the Marlborough Company, the All Nations and Marlborough mines adjoining, and the celebrated" Tipperary" is alao on the same lode. The richest stone ever obtained at Macetown appears to be on this line of reef, while in extent it is more than double that of any other ; but although bidding for first position ib wants more time to estimate its correct value. THE ALL NATIONS, j This is a remarkably good claim, and ia held by a lease of 1200 ft. along the line of reef, which has been opened upon for some 200 feet in length, and proved to a depth of nearly 40. The lode is well denned a£d the country solid and hard, and this perhaps aeconnts for the reef being narrow juat here, the pressure having being greatest where the recks are most dense. The average width of the lode may be taken at a foot. The gold is well distributed throughout, and when the shoots of that metal occur, it should yield from four or five ounces to the ton ; but the company prefer taking out all before them and 1 should judge the result at two ounces! The company own a battery of four heads in Bu3h Creek, about half a mile from the mine where they are now crushing. I hear that three one- seventh "shares are about to change hands at something like £1000 each for cash, i THE MARYBOROUGH. This is a prospecting claim, held by a lease of 1200 ft, along''the course of the reef, and adjoins the All Nations on the north-west boundary. The lode has been traced all through the claim by sinking and tunnelling in various places. There appears to be two reefs forming a junction here, somewhere between the two boundaries. When Hall discovered the gold the lode seemed to split, and the company sunk a shaft some 35 feet in depth when the stone made off to thefootwall. They then entered a tunnel from below the paddock, and after driving some 30 feet cut the Ipde again on a new run of

stone apparently just making, but showing two distinct reefs, about a foot wide each ; one, a whitish looking quartz showing excellent prospects, the gotd being embodied in green oxide of copper. The second or back reef is dark blue, also showing good gold, but bright in colour*.- The ' company are engaged raising a paddock of 200 tons as a trial for thsir battery, which is being erected in Sawyer's Gully, about threequarters of a mile from the claim. THE TIPPERAIIY. Skipping over a space of about a mile to the south-east brings us to the famous "Tipperary," over which there has been so much fighting in the law courts, the end of which seems never to come. So far astoppearances go, this claim promises to be the richest of the rich discoveries, and a deal of gold has been taken out by the Chinese, who skinned the aoft parts of the reef, and pounded specimens to a large extent. The lode is about eight feet in width, about half of which is quartz in four distinct bands. Where the rich specimens were obtained is from the second band of quartz next the hanging wall. In every bit of stone in this claim gold can be distinctly seen, and there can but no little doubt that the most satisfactory results .will be obtained. THE DANIEL O'CONNELL. This claim adjoins the [Tipperary on its south-east boundary, a small creek running between. The reef has been • traced all through the claim to its furthest extremity - at Scanlon's gully. The lode runs through a sort of low spur ; the fiasure is about the same width as in the "Tip," but there is very little solid quartz. One of the shareholders was engaged sluicing it away last winter, but he obtained very little for his trouble. I believe nothing approaching a payable character has been found here, and the spur of the hill through which the lode runs being low-lying, there is not much room for prospecting without sinking bslow the gully, which means lifting water by means of pumping machinery. Shares have changed hands at very high prices in this claim, I presume, from the fact of its adjoining the Tipperary. THE GERALBINE. This adjoins the Tipperary on the north. west, and the reef has been discovered in the claim, and a little gold obtained by crushing the stone with a hand hammer. Until the law proceedings in the Tipperary are settled, no work can be done here, a3 should the original prospecting claim of the " Tip" be restored it will absorb a large portion of this company's ground. THE CALEDONIAN. This claim promises to turn out well, and a lease has been applied for to hold the ground. The reef is distinctly visible, and promising prospects have been obtained by crashing the stone in a mortar. I consider thia a most excellent show for being a payable claim. THE DTTNOLLYS Next adjoins ithe Caledonian, and is owned by Mr Sew Hoy of Dunedin. Prospects here are almost equally good as in the Caledonian. In fact this is a first-class line of reef, and the more it isj developed the better it will turn out. Running parallel with this line of reef js a large lode of bluish looking quartz in places not more than half a chain distant on the hanging wall side. Thia has been traced from the farthest extent of the boundary of the Maryborough past the All Nations, theCaledonian, the Tipperary, and over an adjoining range to the south-east, where a chim named the Ancient Briton has been taken up. A second claim haa been also taken up abreast the Tipperary by Mr Sew How, and named the Canton ; and a third ia occupied near the boundary of the All Nations at Bush Creek, and called the Morning Star. In other situations this lode runs into the , claims already mentioned. Gold has been found in itin small quantities. It is what is termed in mining phraseology a barren or bull reef, but in all probability it will turn out to be the true lode of the All Nations line at a great depth ; the lodes at present at work ate evidently dipping into it, or possibly where there is no small reefs alongside the gold might be found in this large reef from the surface. THE VICTOR EMAiniEL LINE. This a lode evidently splitting out of the All Nations line, somewhere at the boundary of the All Nations and Maryborough Company's claims, and it has been traced fully one mile in length. It is extremely well defined, and angles off to the eastward. Commencing west, at the All Nations and Maryborough boundaries, is THE GARIBALDI. This is a lease of 1200 feet, and the reef has been traced nearly all through the ground. The company arenow engaged driving tunnels so as to test the lode at various accessible points. Very good prospects have been obtained, and payable stone has been proved at the western end of the claim. THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON" adjoins next. They have found the reef in several places, and with gold present in' the stone, but there ia nothing, of a payable character as yet, while the stono is also narrow. THE VICTOR EMANITEL is No. 2 in this line, and is, without doubt, s payable claim. Some splendid specimens have been obtained in this mine. The lode varies" from one to three feet in width, and should yield from one ounca to oae ounce and a half to the ton. The company have about 80 tons of stone at grass ready for crushing. ' The claim is very easily accessible, and all that is wanted ia a crushing mill. SAM WILLIAMS'S. This is No, 4, and on the rise of the range from Bush Creek. Mr Sam Williams is a well-known quartz miner in the Cromwell district, and having come up here to try his luck, managed to hit upon this, which promises to prove a payable claim. itnn's lease. No. 5. Here a considerable body of stone* ' has been struck, and payable prospects, obtained. So far as appearances go, tfcfly seem to warrant that this should prove avaluable mining property. It is owsad byMr H. J. Finn, barrister at law. THE HIBERNIAN 1 . No. 5, and the last discovery en tnis line,. The claim is held by the well - known* Captain Barry and party. The prospeetfe obtained give every evidence thafethe claim

Barry and his pirty must wait until the pnblic crushing battery is utarted to test the value of their gronnd. THE MAIN LODE LINE. This is one cf the oldest discoveries at Macetown, aud a trial crushing from a detached leader, crushed at one of the Cromwell mach'nes, realised 5 ounces 12 dwts. This line is evidently tho " mother lode" of the place, and it appears that from here ali the alluvial diggings have been fed. The lode seems to take it 3 rise from near the summit of Advance Peak, and every gully running -down from it has been rich in specimens of quartz and gold. Those beautiful specgnens given by the late Superintendent, !Ar James Macandrcw, to the Benevolent Asylum, were from here, besides there are many other very line ones in the hands of private parties in this district. This line presents more the appearance of Victorian quartz lodes than any others I have seen ; they are very large and perfect, the fissures containing less mullock tnan is the case with tha reefs previously referred tc. THE MAIM LODE COMPA3Y. These were the original prospectors, and they own the Crown claim, a lease of 16 acres. They have three distinct lodes of nearly 12 feet wide in their ground, besides a number of rich leaders. In two of the large lodes gold is very evenly distributed throughout the stone, in fact the claim may be called a quarry rather than a mine, as the quartz could b? carted away by thousands of tons before any impression could be made upon tho ground. It only wants plenty of crashing power to make this one of the best mining ventures in Otago. The claim is about two miles from the Arrow Rivar, but the quartz could be very cheaply trans* ported there by means of a wire tramway. Althongh the locality looks cold and bleak from Macetown, that is because we view it from the shady side of the mountain; but taking it from Roger's gully, on the Arrow River, it is all sunshine and quite a different country altogether. It is a pity that some public company does not take this mine in hand, it is unquestionably a promising and legitimate enterprise. THE GERMANIA. This lease is the property of some Germans, some of whom are resident in Dunedin. The claim abuts on the northwest end of the Main Lode Company's ground, and 1 believe very good prospects have been obtained from it. It is, however, not so easily approachable as the main lode, and lies more on the shady side of the hill. However, it is a valuable mining property. THE KATHARINE. This is a lease application on a reef about half a mile from the southern boundary of the main lode, and which was discovered during last summer by Mr Thomas Hall, the well-known prospector in theoe parts. I never saw the lode myself, but I have seen some very fine specimens obtained from it, and I believe it will answer all the fond expectations of its owners. The merits of Mr Thomas Hall as a prospector and pioneer are worthy of acknowledgement, and should the Macetown Reefs only turn out one-half so well as anticipated, Mr Hall* services are deserving the recognition of the Government.