MINING MATTERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2020, 15 April 1875, Page 3

MINING MATTERS.

Bbight Smile.—Retorting for the Bright Smile Company took place yesterday at the company's own battery, in consequence of the stoppage which has taken place for want of water. Although a fortnight has elapsed since the last retorting took place, the stampers have only been going for eight days. It is a pity the mill could not be kept going, for the stuff has been shaping better than usual, as may be seen from the fact that the result of the crushing completed the yield is 1590z5. As our readers areaware mining operations are for the present suspended, but the manager is taking advantage of this suspension to carry on some important works in connection with the future development of the claim. A new plunger is to be inserted at the bottom of the shaft of the present main level, preparatory to resuming the sinking of the shaft itself. The castings for this are now being perfected at Judd's foundry, and will probably be delivered on tbe ground in the course of a week. In the meantime the shalt is to be repaired where repairs are required, and new guide-rods will be substituted for those which are worn, and every possible preparation will be made for carrying on the sinking of the shaft; for a new level with as much expedition as possible. City of Loudon.—Yesterday the manager commenced the sinking of the main shaft for the purpose of opening up a deeper level. It is quite evident that ho has no intention of running short of stuff, but on the contrary, by thus making an early start he will keep the dead work of tho mine well in advance, and will thus bo able to keep a permanent supply of quartz without the difficulties which would arise in keeping 40 head of stampers efficiently employed and at the same time carry on such important works as the sinking of the main shaft hurriedly, Further than this there is nothing new to report from this mine. The No. 3 reef, the improvement in which we noticed a day or two ago, still maintains its increased size, and tho promising characteristics of the lode and surrounding country are as promising as ever. To-day a fair start will be made with the crushing at the Kuranui battery, and that at the Herald w.ll terminate. We have been led into a mistake with regard t$ the latter mill. No complaint can now be made with regard to the weight of the stampers. They are quite equal to the usual run of stampers on this field. In fact an addition ol 2c«t has been made to each stamp-r, and the mill has afforded completo satisfaction to the manager of the Uity of London Company, but the change had to be made in consequence of the company requiring increased crushing power, and it would not bo advisable nor economical to carry on orushing at two mills when the work could be performed at one.

Cube,— The new lode of the Cure mine, the>'o. 5 reef as it is called, still continues to produce rich stone, and during the last two days rather better than 301bs of fair specimens came to hand, besides which a good lot of general crushing stuff was taken out. (.'rushing for the company will be commenced on Monday next, probably at the Prince Alfred battery.

Albion Company.—Two trial crushings for* the Albion Company are to be treated at the Prince Alfred battery this week. One of those is already at the mill, and consists of hard blue rock. 'I he other, which is to be forwarded to-day, is two tons of soft stone, which will be treated in the single-stamper battery. LoNoDiiiVE.-Crushing for the Long Drive Company will be resumed in the course of a day or two, and notwithstanding the stoppage which has taken place for want of stuff, the month's yield will be & very handsome one, for although quartz is not coming to hand in large quantities, that which is taken out is rich in quality. In fact, it appears to be quite up to the average of that which was put through in the early part of the month.

Kubanui Tribute.—The progress of the cruaning fnr James and parly, tributes of the Kuranui Imine, which was made at the Prince Alfred battery yesterday was entirely satisfactory, tho show on tho plates being fully up to expectations. There still remains a considerable quantity of stuff for treatment, and the crushing will not be finished until the end of the week.

Caledonian.—The crushing for the Caledonian Company was completed last night, but the gold return is net yet ascertained. The result will, however, bo a brilliant one, much in excess of what was originally expected. The total quantity of stuff treated, including 2owt of specimens, was 45 tons. The general stuff was of good quality, but the specimens proved to be remarkably rich. In fact, some stones, oh the outside .of which there was very little gold visible, were, when broken, so densely impregnated as to appear almost solid masses of the precious metal, and some of the small veins striking into the walls of the lode produced very rich stone. The yield of gold cannot be accurately judged, but it will probably amount to 250 or 300ozs. Una.—The main cross-cut of the Una mine has not yet reached the reef, although the estimated distance laid down in the survey plans has been driven. Th* lode has evidently altered its underlie to some extent, but it is now expected to hand daily. The country in the face is of nice sandstone formation, through which there are some quartz stringers. Thecompany has been rather disappointed in the length of time which haa been occupied in driving this cross-cut. The country proved much harder than was calculated upon, and consequently it has taken a longer time to perform the work, but the drive is expected to cut in under the shot of gold, and when the reef comes to hand there will not be much time lost in opening it to a sufficient extent to make crushing stuff available. Should the gold carry down to this level as richly as it did in the last one, the company will have good rich rock upon which to start operations, as well as a large extent of country and deep backs, and the mine may retrieve its position, and be as flourishing and important as it was formerly.