MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 182, 9 May 1872, Page 3

MINING.

Nonpareil. —The strongbox now contains over four hundred weight of picked stone altogether, some of which is very rich indeed, and will yield well, and more may be expected to be taken out, as the face shows the precious metal freely. City of London. Crushing with ten head at the Prince Alfied Battery was started yesterday at about eight o’clock, and before evening a very good show was made on the plates. There is plenty of stone obtainable, so that crushing will be kept up for some time to come. The tramway and shoot being completed, the cost of sending the stuff to the mill is much less than it has been hitherto. Waiotaiii Battery. This machine after a long spell of idleness, will start lo work to-day on stone from the Company’s tribute, and two other parcels, one from the Prince Imperial and one from the Moanataiari Union.

Point Bussell. —The forty tons of stone which are now being crushed at the Kuranui Machine have been lying in the paddock for some time past. The parcel lias been robbed of the specimens, which were crushed separately, so that no heavy yield is expected. Half an ounce to the ton will be the probable 3’ield. Operations in the mine have ceased for the present, owing to the want of powder. As soon as this want is supplied work will bo resumed.

Caledonian. —Everything is now in perfect order in the mine, the “ cave in ” having settled down well and firmly, and the slopes have been cleaned out, ready to go on to woik as soon as powder arrives. The vein which lias yielded the specimens lately is nearly worked out, but another source of wealth seems to be in band, namely, the new leader opened the other day close to the mid-level, where the horse of ground was left standing. This where touched proved rich, and will probably turn out some very good stone. It is supposed to be the small lode which was cut when the lower chamber was being made. It was a few inches wide there, and showed gold, but will, we imagine, prove richest underneath where the heavy shot of gold was found in the main reef. The winze from the low level has been sunk to a depth of forty-three feet, and as this brings it down to the water level, no more work can be done at present in it. It is now being limbered up and secured. The rise is going up towards the Otago winze, but there are onlj' eight men at work down below altogether, and even these will have to be knocked off in a few days if no powder arrives, when the only work carried on will be pumping. Black Angel. —A new manager has been appoiutod to this mine, Mr He akin, and lie has started to work. A winze is being put down on the reef at the end of the main adit level, and is now down to a depth of twenty-eight feet. The lode which was left standing iu it was worked

on yesterday, and a portion of it broken down. As soon as this winze is down to the required depth, cross drives will be opened on the lode, and the old workings connected with it, and thus good working blocks will he opened up. Golden Calf.—The engine lias had to bo stopped, owing to the steam pipe giving way. and tin's will ha've to be replaced. By Friday next this will probably be done, and bailing again commenced. There is a very large quantity of water left in the mine, it being nearlv one hundred feet up in the shaft, so that it will probably take four or five clays to empty it, and clear the workings of water.

United Pumping Association.— Tho engineer is now engaged in fixing the plunger rods for the new pumps. These consist of immense baulks of blue gum timber, twenty inches square, and each forty feet long. The total length of the rods will be two hundred feet, and their aggiegate weight, forty tons, which will force up an immense quanty of water. Sinking the shaft is proceeding satisfactorily, even without powder, the ground being nice working stuff. The inflow of water is steadily on the increase, and the pumps have just about as much work as they can conveniently manage. The large pumps will, however, soon he in readiness to take the place of the old ones, and little or no delay need be anticipated. Siiotover. —A great increase in tho quantity of water coming in at the face of the drive going in for the main 'reef from the shaft, is now noticeable, and seems to indicate the prospect of its now being near at hand. There is very little powder left so that if none arrives soon, work will have to be suspended for a time.

Pukeiunau. We were informed last night that work has been started in this ground by Kelly and Party, who won the lawsuit which lias been going on for some time with regard to the ownership. They have commenced to clean out the old main drive, and mean to go to work without delay on the reef.

Crown Prince. —The leader which was cut in tiie main drive from the bottom of the shaft at about forty feet from it has been followed for some distance under the flat towards the beach. It has laid in very hard ground for some Distance, and was not. very large. Yesteulny some stones were found containing gold, and the precious metal was also seen in the face of the drive. Shares were in good demand last night at low rates, and a few changed hands in consequence of news. Windsor Castle. — Tne manager reports that (ho crushing which is going on at Clarkson’s Battery for this company is shaping for about three-quarters of an ounce to the ton, which will pay them, as the stone is easily got and sent to the mill.

Sons of Freedom. —The picked stone crushed for the company has turned out seven hundred ounces of hard-squeezed amalgam, which ought to yield well. Retorting will probably take place on Friday, when the general stuff amalgam will be added to that already on hand, and a rich return will he the result.