MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 27, 7 November 1871, Page 3

MINING.

Caledonian. —The mine is looking verywell. Good gold is being taken from the specimen leader in the block between Nos 1 and 2 winzes, and also to the right hand of No. 1 winze, where it is being driven on. The main reef is also turning out good stone. In the low level no stone is being broken down at present. From the quantity of good stone lately to hand a good return may shortly bo looked forward to. Lowland Lass. The main _ tunnel is now in a distance of 365 feet, and a third reef has been cut being the one known as the Vulcan No. 1 reef. A good show of gold has been seen in the lode, which is about six feet wide, and well defined. The No. 1 reef in the tnnncl is four feet wide, and is gold bearing, as* is also No. 2 reef, which is nine feet in width. Both of those reefs, from the prospects obtained, will pay well to work, with crushing accommodation close at hand, and the last one struck is expected to provo very valuable. It is the intention of the shareholders to erect, machinery of their own as soon as the road or tramway is in lit order to have the necessary appliances carried on to the ground. And from the great size of the reefs which run through the whole length of the lease area, a large number of stampers can very easily be kept employed. Gigantic Bubble Arena. —A trial crushing from this lease situated near Waiomai, some eight miles down the coast, took place at the Flora Macdonald battery, Tararu. The reef is at least 40 feet wide, and can be knocked down by hundreds of tons. The yield from the parcel crushed crushed was 28 dwtg., nearly Hdwts. to the ton, proving the existence of gold in the reef. This will give the owners encouragement to prospect the reef still farther, and at a distance in from the surface the lode may prove more valuable. With such an immense body of stone at command, a very small return would pay to work it. Windsor Castle. The stone in the face of 4he drive is very hard indeed towards the top. but at the bottom it is getting softer. They have cut through a tough clay bar some few feet back, which most likely has forced the reef back from its supposed course. As they have driven a long distance further than where the reef would have been cut, had it come down as it was doing in the upper level, they expect to get it at any moment now. When it is cut they will drive on it at a distance of some 25 feet, in order to come underneath the winze which has been commenced in the upper level. This winzo will then be carried right down, and there will then be a block of reef ready to work on of 100 feet of backs.between Lie upper and lower levels, as well as a block still uuworked above the upper level 55 feet high This cannot be worked to advantage now owing to the great expense attached to carting the quartz to the battery, but when the stud; can t be passed down the winze on to the battery level, it will require no second handling before being delivered at the machine, which stands close to the mouth of the drive. Besides the main reef the old Waikato reef also runs through the ground, having been cut in the main tunnel, and as it proved payable in the upper workings, giving an ounce to the ton, it may pay the company to open out on it, and try what it is like down below. Clarkson’s battery standing close to the mouth of the drive is a first class plant of 13 head of stampers, and as soon as they once get a start it can easily be kept constantly employed. George Stevenson, Ilape Creek. —The shareholders in this claim have had another crushing of specimen stone from their lcador, with a very handsome return. 501 b. of stone crushed gave 140 oz. of amalgam, which on being retorted and smelted, gave a bar of superior gold weighing 70ozs. 13dwts., the amalgam having run more than half. It is only a short time since a rich specimen crushing took place, and this has proved even richer than they ever anticipated. Vulcan. 27ozs. 9dwts. of gold, the result of several tests from reefs not hitherto worked on in this company’s ground, was brought to town yesterday, and lodged in the Bank of New South Wales. The tests were very satisfactory to the management, and it requires only additional crushing power to make the claim a good gold-producer. Inverness. —The tributers (Goldsworthy and party) are crushing a small quantity of stone at the Prince Alfred machine, which will be finished to-day, when the machine will be occupied by the Bright Smile Company for some time. Bright Smile. —This company have driven about 100 feet towards the boundary of the Smiling Beauty, and have stoped out for that distance in parts as high as 25 feet towards the surface. The manager intends to open out a cross cut some distance ahead of where the leader branches away from the main reef, in order to intersect it, which he expects to do by next Thursday or Friday. The stone still continues to look well, and there will be a general clean up aud retorting to-morrow at the battery, after which they intend to crush with ten head at the Prince Alfred machine. Italian. —The shaft is now down a depth of 210 feet, and at the bottom the country is improving in appearance, becoming much softer and kinder looking. When they get down some few feet further into the soft stui! they intend to open out a chamber and drive for the Nonpareil reef, which they expect to get in a very short distance.

All Nations.—The final lodgment of gold brought the total yield up to 1,000 ozs., which Avas reduced to 9930z5. in melting. This is a long Avay short of the expected yield, but it seems that a very small proportion of the gold remained in the boxes, most of it being taken from tlie plates, Avhich is not usual with this company’s crusbings. The yield, however, is a very good one. and will enable the directors to declare another good dividend. Bird-in-Haxd.—A general meeting of shareholders was. held last night at the Stafford Hotel. The rules of the company Avere passed, and directors elected. The manager stated that the shaft Avas down 82 feet, and a good balance Avas in hand, all the calls having been paid up, in most instances before they Avere due. This exceptional state of things in a goldmining company is the best proof that could be given of the A'alue placed on the ground by the shareholders generally. Black Angel. —The manager reports that some more very good stone was taken out again yesterday afternoon, and that there Avill soon he enough quartz in the paddock to enable them to commence crushing. Tiif. Golden Site.—The cleaning up for this company took place at Bull s machine last night, hut the result, is not yet to hand. The British claim, Uape, crush next, and after them the Moa will put through S(J toDS, Avhich is uoav being sent doAvn.