WAIHI MINING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2927, 20 April 1910, Page 28

WAIHI MINING NEWS.

TALISMAN CONSOLIDATED

ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENTS AT No. 13 LEVEL.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WAIHL April 15

Your representative paid a,visit of inspection to the Talisman Consolidated mine at Karangahape to-day, and was shown over the principal underground workings by the superintendent (Mr H. S. Stansfield). . At present chief interest is centred in the operations being conducted at and below the No. 13 level. # . The No. 6 winze, which is about oOlt down from the No. 13 level, shows from s_ft to 6ft of highly payable sulphide ore in the floor, and in the No. 12 winze, which is of large dimensions to admit of pumping operations, the lode is wider than the winze, with no sign of the footwall, and the quartz is all high-grade material. The winze is between 7ft and Bft wide, and has now attained a depth of about 100 ft, thus showing that the main reef (from which the company has worked some of its richest ore in this section of the property) is maintaining. its strength. A further 100 ft of sinking will reach the point at which the next level (No. 14) is to be spent up. The pump installed in this winze has relieved the pressure of water in the main incline shaft to such ap extent that the manager hopes to be able to resume the work of" sinking the shaft for No. i 4 level in a few days. In the south drive on the main lode at No. 13 level, where the.values were recently under paying point for a short stretch, the reef is now wider than the drive, and for the last 25ft to 30ft of driving has been payable, with free gold showing in some of the stone —an uncommon occurrence in the Talisman. The face of the drive here is about 300 ft south of the. point at which the values in the bonanza chute out out in the drive going south at No. 12 level. The No. 15 rise, which was started from No. 13 level in ore worth from £l2 to £l6 per ton, is now up about 30ft from the level, and. so far the reef has maintained its size and dip. The rise is to be taken up to No. 12 level, and will determine the question as to whether this make of ore going further south in the bottom. workings lives up to the level above. Provided the reef maintains its present dip and carries ,up it should he intersected by throwing out a crosscut from the wall of the drive at No. 12 level. Stoping south from, No. 12 rise on the main reef over No. 13 level is in progress, and the lode which is being taken out for a. width of fully 15ft shows some very rich ore The first of the two parallel branch reefs (discovered recently in the west wall of the south drive on the main reef at No. 13 level), which was cut off by disturbed country some few feet north of the point of intersection by No. 4- crosscut, has made again beyond the fault, but the values in the face are not payable. The drive should shortly enter the area parallel with the good values on the main ore body, and may then be expected to give an indication as to the importance of the " 3trangers." The No. 4 crosscut is being pushed out west in a nice class of country to cut the second branch vein, which should come to hand in from 25ft to 30ft, assuming that It maintains its apparent strike going north. Where intersected in the western wall of the main ree f the branch carried ore of more than payable quality, but so far little work has been done on it here. The drive north of the main reef at No. 13 level is now out about 420 ft from the shaft, and the lode is opening out stronger again and showing a slight improvement in values. The drive will shortly be under the point where a run of payable ore was met with in the level above. In the Woodstock section of the mine at No. 11 level the drive north on the Woodstock reef, which followed payable dirt for a distance of some 50ft south of the No. 1 Woodstock winze, got into faulted country just beyond the winze. When the lode was picked up again it was smaller and poorer, and is full of small dimensions in the present north face. The block of ore in this section is intact from the Talisman No. 12 level to the old Woodstock No. 5 level, and the ground going north remains to be explored' right through to the Taukaui Hill section. At the Woodstock shaft, where the powerful pumping and haulage plant, is to be installed, the preliminary work is Well forward. The foundations for the winding •engine are going in, and preparations are 1 being; made to put in the foundations' for the pumping engine and draining gear. The chamber ■for the capstan engine to be used in the first instance in handling the pump workings in the shaft has been excavated and timbered.

Notes from Cromwell. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CROMWELL, April 15. The river is rising, and it will probably stop the gorge dredges. The Rise and Shine No. 1 dredge is still troubled with the silt, and it will take a •while yet to get the face clear. The No. 2 dredge i 6 doing very well, and there is every indication, of the good return® continuing. The Low-burn and Riley Revival dredges are still repairing. The Punt dredge is working steadily into the flat, and should soon strike the rich lead. Notes from Arrow. The Arrow River in the early days was a goldfield of considerable note, and the handsome yields from the various claims made Arrow a famous mining centre. Comparatively speaking, it again bids fair to rank as an important gold-producing field. The same remarks apply to the Shotover. Only a few years back it was the opinion, of not a few that both river b:ds were completely worked out, but subsequent events have proved otherwise, and during the last three or four seasons both profitable and substantial returns have been, the order of things. The present year is no exception to the rule. Some excellent returns have been obtained, and the future outlook is decidedly encouraging. Several parties in the Skippers district have done well during the season. In the Arrow River the Falls' Company have had a very prosperous year. The manager, Mr R. Payne, partly washed up last Saturday, for a yield of HOoz 6dwt 20gr. The gold is a very fine sample, containing several email nuggets, one over an ounce. Working two shifts, the paddock was taken out in eight weeks. The remaining portion to be cleared up is expected to yield an equally profitable return. During the last 16 months 6500 z have 'been won from this claim, and previous to that period substantial returns were obtained monthly for a considerable time. The company has still a large area to work. In the Arrow River Valley, the Shamrock Company has commenced operations. This property. is considered a very valuable one. and is held principally by district residents. At present only one line of pipes is being used. Next spring the other line will be erected. When completed there should be a water supply sufficient to meet all requirements. —Lake County Press.

Notes from Alexandra. • (From Otjb Own Cobrespondbnt.) ALEXANDRA, April 12. At a meeting of the Central Otago Miners' Association last evening two applications were received for assistance for prospecting. Both applications were approved, and will be forwarded to the Mines Department, with a view to securing a Government subsidy. Both applications are for assistance towards developing quartz areas, one being at Serpentine and the other on the Old Man Range. Of late much attention has bsen devoted to prospecting for quartz lodes in this district, and indications point in the direction of thorough tests beng applied to different quartz areas known to exist in surrounding hills. I understand that work at Mount Highlay mine, near Hyde, in which several local investors are interested, is well in hand. The erection of.the 'battery is nearing completion, whilst a huge bridge connecting the mine and a coal pit is also well forward. Work in the mine itself is well advanced, the reef having been struck about a fortnight ago. Driving on_ the lode is now proceeding, and it is anticipated that all the erection work will be completed within two months. As scheelite is known Jo exist on the property the company has every prospect of success. The Cardrona dredge, which is owned by a loca.l syndicate, has just finished dredging across Boundary Creek, and is nearing- the locality where the old company secured good returns. - ■ ■. ■ The work of dismantling the. Waikeri dredge is well forward. It is intended -to remove the afterpart of the machinery to make room for the installation of the pumping machinery from the plant which sunk recently. After the machinery has been removed from the dredge she will be dropped down stream to where the pumping plant is lying in the river, in order that the work of transferring the machinery may be rendered easier. Owing to boiler inspection all the dredges have lost some time this past week.

ROSS GOLDFIELDS. (From Otjr Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, Awil 14. Further delay has been caused 1 in the operations at the Ross Goldfields Company's tram, work having been suspended pending the removal of some trees which are close to the transmission line between Hokifcika and Ross. As soon as this work is completed the pumps will be set _ in motion, and the unwatering of the mine, which will necessarily take some provided the gear is in good working order, will be resumed. Immediately the shaft is unwatered, the rjermanent pumps willbe installed, and after the old drives are in a fit condition to work in mining operations should be commenced. OHRISTCHTJRCH, April 18. Dr Nealey. chairman of directors of the Ross Goldfields Company, states that the damage caused by the recent gale on the coast to the transmission line of the company from Hokitika to Ross will lead to a big delay in opening up the mine. The works had been shut down ten days ago in order that the line rasp-lit be cleared before wnvnent o-w"'-i~r>=> -.-a- <-< «-./ gale has really been of advantage in disclosing doubtful trees from which the line was eusD&nded. Pumping is to be resumed to-morrow, and the stationary pumps are shortly to be installed at the seventh level, where the pumping chamber is now ready to receive them. THAMES DEEP LEVELS. (From Our Oww Correspondent.) AUCKLATMD, April 12. There .would at last seem to, be a,reasonable probability, o£ the, Thames deep levels scheme .'. coming to , early fruition,, , : At„<i, meeting of the Thames Level, ■ Minin g Board this morning the chairman' (Mv F H. Taylor, M.P.) presided, "and others present were Messrs Albert Bruce' (Government nominee), C. Hudson (Waiotahi G.M. Company), H. H. Adams (May Queen G.M.. Company), John Kneebone (Saxon G.M.

Company), Graves Aicken (Victoria G.M. Company), H. Gilfillan, jun. (Kuranui Caledonian 'Company), and J. B. Sheath (secretary to the board). The secretary announced that the Kuranui Caledonian, the May Queen, the Waiotahi, and the Victoria Companies had! all paid in their contributions of £2400 each. The fifth company concerned (the Saxon) had paid in cash the sum of £847, and for the balance of. the contribution due it had handed to the board three fixed deposit notes (which materialised on August 19 next) for £517 10s each. This was equivalent to a payment of £1552 10s, in addition,' to the cash payment of £847. The total amount in the bank to the credit of the board was £10,447 10s. Some discussion followed the proposal to accept the Saxon Company's fixed deposit' notes instead of cash. It was finally agreed 1 to accept these, and it was resolved that the secretary. should at once communicate with the Minister of Mines and inform him that the amounts had all been paid, so that the work need not be delayed Some discussion ensued as to whether the specifications would again have to be sent to the Minister for approval. Mr Aiokem said that every time they sent to Wellington it meant interminable delay. Mr Bruce .said that was because they, had " knocked the stuffing out of the Mines Department" by putting it in the hands of the Public Works Department. Mi Aicken: It is a shame.

Mr Taylor: Yes, it is very regrettable. Mr Aicken: Oh, well, we will simply have to keep them up to it and bombard them, with telegrams. It was decided that tenders for the crosscut at the 1000 ft level should be called right away, the tenders being alternative for the whole distance or the first 500 ft. Mr J. Rickard, of Thames (manager of the Tairua Golden Hills), was appointed supervisor of the work. There were 24applications for the position.

DREDGING RETURNS. Oz. dwt. gr. Rise and Shine No. 2, Cromwell, 137 hrs 108 13 0 Rising Sun, Cromwell, 130 hrs 66 17 0 Golden Bed, Miller's Flat, 127 hrs 56 0 0 Koputai, Waikaia, 139 hrs ... 39 2 0 Electric No- 1, Cromwell, 8 days ... ... ... 34 15 0 Golden Treasure, Miller's Flat, week 30 0 0 Waikaka United No. 2, Waikaka, 128 hrs 29 7 0 Masterton, Waikaia, 137 hrs ... 28 16 0 Waikaka United No. 1, Waikaka, 129 hrs 28 2 0 Rise and Shine, No. 1, Cromwell, 139 hrs 28 1 0 Muddy Creek No. 1, Waikaia, 131 hrs ... 27 12 .0 Sandy Point, Alexandre, 120 hrs ■•• 27 3 12 Otago No. 1, Miller's Flat, wk 26 0 0 New Roxburgh Jubilee, Roxburgh, 132 hrs ... ... 2* 3 0 Central Charlton, near Gore, 133 hrs 18 19 0 Waikaia, Waikaia, 125 hrs ... 18 5 0 Mystery Flat, Waikaia, 137 hrs 14 11 0 Olrig, Manuherikia, week .... 14 11 0 Molyneux Hydraulic, Alexandra, week ...... 12 18 0 Punt, Clutha River. 104hr5... 12 8 0 South Waikaia, Waikaia. wk ' 11 5 0 Muddy Creek No. 2, Waikaia, 120 hrs - ■•• 7 9 ° Total ... ...... - 664 17 12 NEW ZEALAND CROWN MINES. (Pee United Press Association.) LONDON, April 13. (Received April 13, at 9.45 p.m.) The New Zealand Crown Mines propose to voluntarily, wind up and form a. new company with a capital of *IW,OOU in 4s shares, giving the Consolidated bcolafields of New Zealand the option at par of 150,000 shares for guao-an teeing the working capital. CONSOLIDATED GOLDFIELDS. (From Our Own Correspondent:} GREYMOUTH, April 13. The following reports have'been issued:—" Golden Fleece.—The tributers continue to mine the bulk of their output from levels 14 and 15. There is no change to report in this property. ■' - Wealth of Nations.—On No. 8 level the footwall drive from the main crosscut has been successful in locating: a nice solid ore body, the width of which is not yet known, but it is probably somewhere about 7ft thick, the assays being of a serviceable standard. No. 9 level south drive has also disclosed an ore body, which is probably, a continuation of the reef developed on No. 10 level. This cutting of the reef occurred at the extreme end of the month, consequently assays are not completed, and it is impossible to advise as to value. The stopes are looking very well indeed, and the uiiuo generally has a' healthy appearance. There are no further changes to report. The .output for the month of March is as follows: The battery crushed 1820 tons, yielding 7340 z 6dwt, value £2599 16s lOd. The cyanide and slimes plants treated 1340 tons, yielding 190 oz. valued at £654 14s 2d. Progress. —The various development works have been continued, but there are no disclosures of importance. The stopes are looking well. Early in the month the mine compressor partially broke down., since which time it has been possible to work only one cylinder. This has reduced the boring plant to four or five machines. Consequently development and driving footages have been very small. However, the duplicate parts are now in transit, and will be' fitted by about the middle of the month. Since effeoting the alterations and improvements to the smelter this plant has worked very satisfactorily indeed, so much so that the slags are now averaging only I.23dwfc per ton in value. The steam plant has been coupled up to the smelter, which will prevent the necessity of diverting: power from the battery shaft. The monthly output, is as follow?: —The battery crushed 4354 tons, yielding 14470 z lldwt. Valued £5965 2s 3d; 2045 tone were cyanided. producing 3430 z lldwt, valued at £938 0s 3d, while the estimated value of sulphurets produced by the smelter is £6BB.

Black water.—The develpments and output from this property maintain their.regularand fsatisfactgry. standard. Durinef , the, mont!: of March rain was .0100© plentiful than in the previous months. This, of course, gave in evented water power, and in direct couserjup.uoo the full complement of stomps; was dropped at the maximum' speed, and Hie tp.be ..ill ran almost without interruption. These factors have, of■ course, materially increased the output as com-

pared with other months. The main shaft iwas extended a distance of 22ft, and the bottom is now 16ft below the site of No. 4 ohamber, and the chamber is now being cut. Upon completion of this work, the crosscut will be extended. The suction gas plant and charcoal retort are now at the battery site, and everything is in readines to proceed with the erection. The monthly output is as follows:—The battery crushed 3200 tons, yielding 16890 z, valued at £6809 6s ,7d, 2050 tons were treated by cyanide, producing 108 oz, valued at £214 13s lOd. DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. The effecting of a fair volume of business in the call-room, and the number of sales reported as having taken place, together with other indications, point to the fact that brokers have had a fairly busy time during the past week. The market itself, while, in respect of most stocks 'fairly buoyant in tone, has presented one or two interesting features. Investment sticks have excited fairly wide demand, and at generally improved prices, but Auckland quartz continues to provide most activity, and is responsible for a very fair measure of business. The most interesting feature of the week's market has been the position in regard to Waihis, which, after a. disturbing fall in values, effected a partial recovery. After gradually weakening, they were on Saturday last quoted at —buyers £9 3s, sellers £9 7s, but on Monday they showed a rather startling decline, being quoted at —buyers £8 13s 6d, sellers £8 17s 6d. Naturally enough, a great deal of apprehension was created amongst shareholders. The causes contributing to this- sharp decline are, to say the least of it, perplexing. The mine officials give the assurance that there is nothing whatever in connection with the mine development or values to have caused such a fall in the price of the shares. There has been no fall in assay values, and the mine is keeping up its output of recent years, and, as a matter of fact, the directors confidently anticipate another record output, amounting to something like £975,000, this year. The London market has likewise not been the cause of the drop, and it must therefore be concluded that the local market has been attacked, and that shareholders, becoming alarmed, have assisted the bear operations by forcing their shr"29 on the market. On Tuesday values had recovered to —-buyers £9 4s, sellers £9 6s 6d, but have since declined again, and on Friday's closing quotations read—buyers £8 19s, sellers £9. Is. Waihi Grand Junctions displayed a weakening tendency towards the close of the week, and a sale has been recorded at 28s 9d, the closing quotations on Friday being—buyers 28s 6d, sellers 295. At the Waihi Grand Junction mine recent crushing values have been disappointing, the last averaging 27e Id per ton, while at the No. 5 level prospects generally have so far not been encouraging. Talisman Consolidateds hold firm, the quotes" recorded on Friday being—buyers 52s 6d, sellers 53s 3d. The mine is developing splendidly, and the Bonanza chute of stone on the No. 13 level has been showing high values much, farther V>uth than on the level above. Further, the stone in the No. 6 winze was, according to the last report from the mine manager, worth £l3 10s per ton. This winze is about 150 ft north o c where the good stone was first met v-!f,h in driving the' No. 13 level. In fact, generally speaking, the Talisman mine has never looked better. Incidentally, the total amount won from the mine to date is £1.256.321. /

In investment scrip, meet stocks of importance remain firm. This refer? to bothNational Insurances and National Banks. Bank of New on Friday had inquiry at £9 14s. but there was no response from sellers. New Zealand Drugs have firmed a littß Wesfcporb Coals have attracted a little attention during the week, and sales are reported at £6 5?. A rather large number of parcels of New Zealand Paper Mills have changed hands this week at 22.%.

In dredging and mining stocks (local), there has been r.o great movement. Muddy Terraces have excited some buying attention, a sale being put through yesterday at 265, but inquiries for further lots at 25s 6d found the market clear. Electrics have ha.rd-an.ed up slightly, and at the o'ose of the day yesterday inquiries from buyers at 2a 9d found no response. As far as dredging is concerned, a rise of some inches in the river, with the weather still unsettled, will have a disturbing effect on the operations of those engaged in the river.

Monday's market presented no features of special interest. Talismans were a shade firmer, and Waihi Grand Junctions also hardened up to an ar.oreoiable extent. Waihis had inquiry at £8 18s 6d, sellers asking £S Is. The following are Monday's latest quotations, subject to the usual brokerage: Dredging Stocks. Alexandra Eureka—filers 2s. Black water (contrib.) —Sellers ss. Central Charlton—Buvers 2s 3d, sellers 3s 3d. Golden Bed-Sellers fills. Ma-nuherik'a —Sellers lis. Molyneux Hydraulic Company Dredge— Buvers 3s 3d. Olrig (pref.)—Sellers 15s 6d. Ota go—Sellers 16s 6d. Rise and Shine—Buyers £2 3s. Mining Stocks. Muddv Terrace—Buyers £1 5s 9d. Re - Buyers 7s. Old -iauwtki —Buyers 3s 3d sellers 3s 6cl. Barev.o-id —Sellers 16.=. Consolidated Goldfields—Sellers £1 2s. Kuranui Caledonian —Sellers Is 7d. May Queen—Sellers 4s 6d. New Sylvia—Sellers 4s 6d. Talisman Consolidated —Buyers £2 12s 9d. sellers £2 13s 6d. Waihi— Buyers £3 18s 6d. sellers £9 Is. Waihi Extended-Buyers 2s 3d. Waihi Grand Junction—Buyers £1 8s 9d, sellers £1 9s 6d. April 12.—Waihi £3 19s. Electric 4s. Reported sales • —May Queen 4s 3d, 4s 3d. Westport Coal ?■ £6 6s. 4.pril 13. Waihi. -69 3s. Reported Sales. —Waihi Grand Junction, 70s 6d. 30s 6d; Waihi, £9 ss. Awril 15.—Talisman, £2 12s 2d, £2 12s 9d. Reported Sales.-Waihi, £9 4s. £9 bs; 'New Zealand Paper. 225; May Queen, 4s 34d: Old Hauraki, 3s 54d; Talisman, £2 13 ADr!i 15.-Muddy Terrace, £1 65.; May Queen. 4s Id: Old Hauraki 3s 4d; Waihi «3 Junction. £1 8s 9d. forward deHve?v £1 10*. £1 9s 9d ' and £1 I 0 *, reported: New Zealand Paper Milk' £1 2T £l 2s ' £1 2s ' £1 &; Waihi ' £9; 'Koputai, £1 3s 6d.

April 16.—Westnort oal, £6 5s 6d. April 18. —Waihi Grand Junction (forward delivery), £1 10s, £1 10s, £1 10s. Sales Reported.—Ofcago Daily Times, £2l 15s; Waihi, £9. WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE. WELLINGTON, April 18. The following were to-day's mining sales: Talisman, £2 13s; Consolidated Goldfields, £1 Is; Old Hauraki, 3s 6d, 3s 7d. The following sales were reported : Talisman, £2 13s (four parcels). AUCKLAND STOCK EXCHANGE. AUCKLAND, April 18. The following business was done a.t the afternoon call to-day:—Old Hauraki, 3s sd; Bendigo. s£dj Waihi, £9 Is 6d, £9 Is; Waihi Grand Junction, £2 9s, £1 8s 6d, £1 8s 9d; Taranaki Oil, 9s 6d; Bandsworth, 9d; Talisman Consolidtated, --o2 13s Id; Missouri Mines (p. 2), 2£d; Saxon, Is 7d; May Queen, 3s lid; WestportStockton Coal. 7s 3d; Wiseman's, Limited (pref.), 19s. LONDON STOCK~EXCHANGE. LONDOX, April 17. Waihi: Buyers, £9 2s 6d; sellers, £9 ss. Junction: Buyers, £1 8s 9d ; sellers, £1 lis 3d.