MINING MATTERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2039, 8 May 1875, Page 3

MINING MATTERS.

Exchange Tbibute.—A crushing of 10 tons from the No. 1 reef of the Exchange mine for the tributers, Sampson and party, did not turn out payable, .but the party are not very much disappointed, and intend transferring their operations to another section of the reef in which there are better prospects. Tliero was no gold at all showing through the stuff which, has just been, tested, but tho tributers were'led to make tho trial from representations which had been made to them' that good' results were to be obtained from there. In the block which they are now about to start upon there is some gold showing, and they will, break out a crushing as speedily as possible. Ueal.—A trial crushing of stuff from the Ural mino (late Hand-and-Band) is ? now being treated at the Prince Alfred battery, where five head of stampers are employed. ; Point Russell.—Another .crushing for the tributers of the Point Russell, who are working the old Dawn of Hope ground, has been started at the Prince Alfred battery. _ ■ ; • CuiiE,—ln this mine, yesterday there was a nice show of gold showing, and a quantity of picked stuff was selected from the stuff broken out, but there were no very rich specimens like those con-" tained in the recent crushing obtained.-: i"here is an improvement in the lode where it is being followed towards the Red Queen boundary. The sandstone horse which here divided' the reef has been cut out, aind the two sections of the lode have' closed together, forming a strong compact lode, and it was from this face that the best of the picked stuff was taken yesterday. Crushing for the company was started yesterday afternoon at the Prince Alfred battery,, with a force of 12 head of stamper?. There is a pretty large paddock of stuff ready for tho mill, ancl as the reef is well opened up there is a considerable mine force employed, so that the crusbiug which has, now been started .will probably bo made a continuous one.

The West. Coast.—A crushing, of 39 tons'of stuff from Weatherall's tribute of the West Coast claim was finished up at the Prince Alfred battery yesterday/and a good payable yield of 48ozs obtained from the retorting. The yield is a satisfactory one for the party, who anticipate soon having another .parcel, 'equally good, ready for the "mill. This stuff was taken out of tho upper section of the claim, and was forwarded to the mill by tho Moanataiari tramway. Old' Whau.—Crushing for the Old Whau Company is steadily continued (half time only) at the company's own mill, and so far as can be ascertained, the stuff is showing on the plates for a good average yield. At present the manager is engaged putting up a rise from tho ' 113-feet level to the surface. This is now almost through, and-when finished and timbered up, it will open a section of the cJaini which contains a large block of reef. Thi3 part of the mine was never worked at all by tho present Old Whau Company, but under the original Whau Company there was a lot of rich stuff taken from the immediate neighbourhood, and the rise is going up on a fine .strong lode which will probably be carried right through to the surface. At present the only quartz which is coming to hand is from this rise; tho supply is therefore limited, but as soon as this work is completed iho manager will be able to start opening out and sloping, and will then bo able to keop tho battery fully employed. Many who are well acquainted with the previous history of the Whau and the old workings are sanguine that the present block will pay handsomely. Gold has been frequently visible in the rise, aud from time to time some., nica specimens jbave been taken out of it. Cbown PiiiNOßSs.—The manager yesterday- commenced to break down some' quariz from the No. 2 reef, on the courso of which driving has now been carried on for several days. There was a nice show' of gold apparent, and a few pounds, of picked stuff were obtained, but this was only to bo expected, for there was good gold showing at the point of intersection. The specimen leader, upon which stoping is now being carried on, maintains its size and rich appearance, , and is turning out a pretty extensive supply of stone upon which crushing will be started next week.

Middle Star Teibute.—A trial ton from the Middle %r claimhas been treated at the Prince Alfred;,battery, but the retorting has not taken place. Tliere. was< no amalgam' showing, and the produce will not be payable. Tho parcel was taken from tho lowest level which tho tributes have opened. Manukau.-Tlio manager had the small parcel of specimens which accumulated during the month crushed yesterday, and clie general cleaning up for the month will take place to-day. Ketorting will, however, be postponed until Monday, Tho yield this month will be poor, for there was a large quantity of the stuff treated of inferior quality, and this of course reduces the average of the whole. In regard to' the low level no answer has yet been received from tho Cure or Golden Crown Companies, to whom application has been made for permission to uso their levels. As tho monthly meeting of tho Manukau shareholders takes plac'o on Tuesday next, there will pro-

bably be nothing definitely decide d iri regard to tho new level before then.