THE KARANGAHAKE MINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 28

THE KARANGAHAKE MINE.

AN EXPEftT'S REPORT,

(From Oub Own Cohkespondent.)

AUCKLAND, January 29

In view of the conflicting reports concerning the Kaaraaigahake mdne, it was decided to request a certificated mine manager to make an inspection of the property and furnish an independent report. Mr H. J- Evans, manager of the Waihi Consolidated mine, accepted the oommiaeion, «nd visited the property yesterday in company with the directors. He has reported as follows: — "On arrival at the company's ground we first inspected the low level drive, which is in about 80ft, and appeared to have just reached solid country, which «raems to be composed of quartzite, andesite — i.e., silicafied andesite. We were informied, ana see no reason to think otherwise, that more or less gold has been seen in quartz stringers in the prosecution of th» drive. Thence we went up the ball above th« drive to the foot of a long bluff about overhead, and at the top of which the prospecting hole is being sunk against the face of the bluff. A certain amount of quartz has been broken off, and there is •» leader of quartz showing about 15in in width, but as far as could be ascertained no gold lias been visible. The leader is what they expect to cut in from 30ft tp 40ft in one driving at the low level. We then returnea to the office, and by another route ascended the hill, getting over where work at the low level 'is being prosecutect. Here we found the prospecting 'hole that is being sunk in the formation of the top of the bluff. On the dwrnp we saw sundry pieces of leadery anctesite showing colours of gold, some with decided blotches, ■^'c then descended into the hole, which is about lOrt deep, but at this stage could see nothing, tiie walls and bottom of the hole being verj; dirtx- We climbed out^ and

several shots were fired, after which we again returned, and -went into the hole. On this occasion some fresh pieces of quartz and stringers were disclosed/ showing gold, and some rather nice gold was showing in the bottom of the hole after it had been cleaned and washed. It might here be remarked that it is quite easy to understand, under the circumstances, that on the occasion of a recent visit gold was not seen. We did not see it until the shots had been fired and the cleaning and washing processes had been carried out. It may be pointed out that the gold showing in the bottom of the hole was confined to a quartz stringer about ljm in width. There was, however, a good deal of unmineralise'd quartz and andeaite intermixed, which looked very well, but how it will pan out, as far as values are concerned, has yet to be ascertained. In summing up, it may be said that what we saw has the appearance of a stockwerk — i.e., a large formation with stringers and quartzite intermixed — the course being roughly north and south. Up to the present not sufficient exploration work has been done to determine the underlie of the formation. On the whole there i* good encouragement for the prospecting work now being carried out, but the value of the discovery can only be determined by crushing in bulk, as, the quartz ati-ingers being integral with the formation, it would be very difficult to make a selection of ore. It is yet rather too soon to arrive at any definite conclusion, but the impression given me" by my inspection is that the company has a large low grade, formation to deal with. As the stringers ►only represent a small proportion of the whole, the important work in progress ia really the low level being driven. This will penetrate the formation of stockwerk at a depth of from 150 ft to 170 ft below the ' top of the bluff, Which appears to be the line of the ore showing in the prospecting hole. In conclusion, I may say that we were courteously treated, and there did not appear to be any disposition on the part of the management to conceal anything."