The Goldfields.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 43, 24 June 1890, Page 2

The Goldfields.

Wakamarina Reefs.

Mr Leslie Macarthur, mining expert from Australia, who is making a tour of the colony inspecting some of our mines on behalf of a number of Australian capitalists, kindly gave us some information-with regard to the Wakamarina reefs. He was there three days and made a careful inspection. He says the tunnel leading to the Golden Bar reef is thoroughly substantial. With regard to the reef itsef he considers it very good stone, and one of the best reefs he has seen. He picked off some quartz and panned it out, and, although the appliances were very primitive, he got some good coarse and fine gold, which show good prospects, and the stone is easily worked. On going to the outcrop he had a shot put in, and he thinks it shows every indication of schelite, which he estimates will contain about 75 per cent of silver, and the balance lead. Of course he can give no decided opinion on the matter until he has analysed it, but if it should prove what he believes it to be it will add 100 per cent to the value of the property, as the silver would pay without the gold. The stone, he says, is very like that at Puhipuhi. Mr Macarthur is more pleased with the discovery of schelite than anything else. Other mining experts have been there but evidently have not taken the same trouble of thoroughly investigating the mineral resources other than that of gold. There was also a good deal of silver in the quartz of the Golden Bar reef in the tunnel. He also fossicked about over the Federation reef where the tunnel is being driven in, and discovered an outcrop of stone, which gives every indication of copper, which will likewise add to the value of the property. He estimates that they will have to drive 50ft to cut the reef. He also paid a visit to the Break of Day, which pleased him very much, and he cannot understand why it was ever abandoned with a reef 6ft thick and excellent prospects. He thinks it is a remarkably good property. He is of opinion that machinery should be placed on the ground at once, and the prospects are such as should cause those interested to put forward every energy to thoroughly develop the resources, as it was no good going r on as at present just poking away any chance of doing any good" In answer to a question he considered that the jobbing of brokers had been the ruination of gold mining colony. If the results of his inyejjjjjwsr tions proved as satisfactory- as he anticipated Havelock should become a large town, as there was evidence we had gold, silver, copper, and lead in large quantities. Mr Macarthur showed us specimens of the stone containing the various minerals, and gave us a scientific explanation which led him to believe that the abovenamed minerals existed.

Mr Macarthur spoke in high terms of the economical and efficient way in which Mr Mace worked the mine, and the energetic manner in which the men Avent about their work; but the company would be considering their own interests if better accommodation were povided as it would be a great Iwoato anyone visiting the mine £qs

the purpose of and won show that the company took a in their property. It is quite evident that Mr Mai « Jtfthur is a thoroughly practical inai he goes to'inspect a minin he does it thoroughly an well, not in the usual half-and-ha fashion. His report to the shaw holders of the company will be looke forward to with great interest, and w have no doubt that it will cause then to proceed with energy in the erectioi of machinery. The Puhipuhi.Reefs. Auckland, June 17. It is reported that another find o: rich auriferous ore, yielding 630 z a gold and 30oz of silver to the ton has been made at Puhipuhi. A block of 80lbs of silver ore hag been sent from Puhipuhi to be shown at the London Mining and Metallurgical Exhibition. Reefton Returns. The following are the battery returns for the week :—United Alpine, 1920 z / of amalgam from 125 tons (top plates); i Globe, 3770 zof amalgam from 168 tons; Progress, 3020 zof amalgam for the week; Inglewood, 740 z amalgam from 70 tons; Inkerman, 82oz amalgam from 70 tons; Fiery Cross, 2680 z of amalgam from 90 tons.