MINING MATTERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2054, 26 May 1875, Page 3

MINING MATTERS.

Queen op Beauty.—Owing to • the stoppage of the Bright Smile pumps, for the purpose of fixing tho connections of the new plunger,, and the work having occupied more time than was anticipated, the water has risen to such an extent that the main level of the Queen of Beauty mine is now flooded; but the manager, anticipating such a result, had previously made everything secure and snug, so that the workings will sustain litllo or no damage from the water. In the meantime, operations are now confined exclusively to the 150feet level. Here, as we stated a few days ago, the manager has opened, up, or rather re-opened, tho old workings, finding that a very largo portiou of tho reef had been left standing on both walls, and he is of opinion that from this level alone there will be a supply of qjarlz available, which will keep tho batteries in full work for tho next six months. But the flooding of tho main levol will only be a temporary affair, for as soon as the Bright Smile pumps are at work again there will be no furtherineonvenience from water in the Queen of Beauty, and stoping will, of course, go on as usual.

Albion.—The new leader which has been opened at the bottom of Kelly's old shaft, to which we made allusion a few days ago, is,' although small, very rich, a'nd some first-class specimons are now being obtained from it. Tho country surrounding the leader is good working ground, and as the levolvis an. advantageous one, affording good back's for stoping, there will in all likelihood be some good crushings_ taken out of it before long. Meanwhile operations are going on on- the Young American reef, from which a recent trial crushing was taken, which averaged nearly an ounce to the ton, and it is anticipated that this also will yield profitable crushings-,,. Dauntless and Sink-'to-Rise.—A parcel of tons of stone, crushed at the Prince Alfred battery for Hall and party, tributers of the No. 2 section of the above company's mine, produced a very handsome and solid return of 138ozs 6dwts gold. This party has opened up a considerable section of the mine, and carried out some important prospecting works, from which they will now be able, no doubt, to get a succession of good payable, crushings. While on the subject, we may add that there are four tribute parties working in this mine, so that, although the company on its own account is not carrying on any works, it is deriving considerable profit by the percentages paid.by the tributers.

Black Angel.—A, small parcel of 271bs of stone, - .which has been crushed at the Willoughby-street Eeduction Works for the tributers of the Black Angel mine, yielded a handsome return of 6ozs 9Jwts melted gold.

Ceown Pbincess.—Operations in the Orown Princess mine are progressing most satisfactorily, and the prospects are excellent. The development of the No. 2 reef, as it progresses, proves beyond doubt that the ■ new level is opening up a block of ground, on this reef especially, which will prove as rich as any level which has hitherto been opened in the mine. The lode is not quite so large as it was when first intersected' at this level, but it is compact and well'formed, averaging about a foot in widtb, and being surrounded by fine easy-working ground, it will produce a very large quantity of crushing stuff. But there has been very little stoping done yet on it, although it has beoh driven on a considerable distance towards the beach inone direction, and towards the Exchange in the other. It has throughout carried a large proportion of mineral cf the description which most .frequently accompanies gold deposits in this _ and neighbouring reefs, nor is gold itself absenVfor.: dn ; . every occasion that tho reef.is-hroken, there is gold visible in greater, or less quantity, and some good parcels of picked stuff and specimens have been obtained from it. Tho specimen leader is also turning out well, aud crushing stuff from it is shaping for a handsome average. The crushing is going on at tho Bright Smile battery, but this being the first crushing for the company that has been treated at the Bright Smile mill, it is not so easy to form an estimate of tho average as if there had been previous crushings operafed on there. The cross-cut towards No. 1 reef is making good progress through fine practicable country. ' NoNrAitEiL.—At a moeling of direotors held last evening at the. offico, Mr James Ooutts, lale mine manager of the Waitemata, was appointed to take pharge of tho Nonpareil mine Out of a number of applicauts the directors have made a good choice, and we wish tho new manager every success. As. soon as some repairs are done there will be a crushing of the stuff left on hand. All Nations, Ohinemusi.-A parcel of 1201bs of stone was crushed yesterday at tho Willoughby-street deduction Works from tho All Nations cluioi, Ohinemuri (N T o. 1 North). It yielded Idwt of retorted gold, or at tho rate of nearly, an ounce to the ton, and as the reef is four feet wide, and in a favourable situation for working, such a yield would pay handsomely, fhe shareholders are now driving for another reef, which they expect to. cut shortly.