MINING MATTERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2055, 27 May 1875, Page 3

MINING MATTERS.

Old Whau.—During the present week, tho manager having completed the timbering-up of tho old and new workings, so far as was necessary, has started sloping the hanging-wall reef, above the 40-feet level, and will resume crushing at the company's battery on Monday next. There is a nice compact body of stone, the width of which varies considerably where it is opened, but it averages about 2 feet, and as the surrounding country.is easily worked, there will be a considerable quantity of crushing stuff available. There has been no very great show of specimen stuff since stoping was started, but there is a fair general show of gold, and tho stuff is expected to yield remunerative returns, j .Nothing has yet been done in the main reef, nor will there be until such time as the stopes on the hanging-wall,lode are sufficiently advanced to enable the manager to utilise the mullock for fillingup, but in the meantime operations have been started towards putting in a drivo to open tho reefs at the other end of tho mine. • Queen of the May.—Tl>'o manager hail commenced driving on a branch lode, which strikes into the foot-wall of tho main reef at a distance of about 215 feet from the City of London shaft. Its course is about N.E., while that of the maiu reef is due JS. and W,, and it contains about two feet of crushing stuff, through which a little gold is visible. It may prove to be a mere offshoot from the main reef, or a totally distinct lode, but it contains good prospects so far, and will, we have no doubt, prove a source of profit to the company. I CuKG.—Although thero has been no I very great change noticeable in the Curo mine during the last few days, there has been a noticeable improvement in the crushing, and this was shown yesterday by tfye fact that, after twenty-four hours' run with twelve head _ of stampers employed on the crushing, there was a return of' 83oza of. hard, amalgam from tho plates and bcrdans. Stoping is going on as usual, The underhand stope below the main level is and gold was yesterday visible in it, but thero were no rich specimens found, 'I hero appears to be a slight change in the quality of the quartz below this level; and although it is not so rich as some of that which has come out from higher levels, it is- good payable stuff. There will be a retorting for the company at the ond of the month, and so far as can be judged at present the result will bo a very favourable one, which will servo to strengthen and improve the position of tho company. Manukas—Crushing for the Manukau ha 3 been resumed with full forco at the Tramway battery, and tho stuff is showing up on the plates for the customaryaverage. During the stoppage of the mill a good deal of dead work has been performed in the mine. The stopes havo been filled, the levels repaired, and other necessary works accomplished, and now operations ate in full swing. Driving on the foot-wall leaders, or rather upon such of them as strike direct for tho No. 4 reef, and following the course of tho crosscut-, is continued. They aro generally small but rich, and from'one of those about 30lbs of specimens came to hand yesterday! These, with others which camo to hand recently, will materially swell tho return of tho present month's operations. Moanataiabi.—Tho Moanataiari Company's battery has been standing for the last four days, but resumes work to-day to its full ..capacity. During the stoppage tho boilers have been cleaned out, the engine repaired, the centrifugal and other pumps overhauled, and. the machinery generally inspected. The new fresh water supply has been laid on to tho boilers, and everything about tho machino is now in first-rate order, There will be 30 head employed on stuff from the company's mine, 5 head on stuff from the Alburnia, and 5 head for tho-Long Drive.

Crown Pais ce.—There was no breaking down of stuff from the No. 2 reef yesterday, and there is consequently no change to report from it, but. the stuff from this lode is' now going through at the mill, and it is making a show on the plates equal to that derived from the specimen' leader. It has not yet been decided-whether there shall be a retorting next Saturday, but it is probable the crushing will be continued for a month's run, which will not terminate until Saturday next. Exchange Tbibute,—Another crushing for the tributers of the Exchange (Sampson and party) is now going on at Prince Alfred battery. It is shaping for a better yield than the last parcel treated, •but it is from a different section of the reef, and a little gold was visible in it. There was no gold at all showing through the previous trial parcel. Shotover Tbibute.—L further parcel of stuff from the old Shotover mine is now being crushed for' Dabb and party, tributers, and it is, we are glad to notice, showing on tho plates for a good rich yield, beiug evidently of much better quality than any of the recent trials. The gold also appears, so far as can be judged from the amalgam, to bo of good quality. B AMAH AT AND BISING StfN. — Two trial crushings for the tributers of tho Ballarat and Ilieing Sun mins were completed yesterday at the Prince Alfred battery, but results are not yet to hand. Tho principal parcel was one of 8 tons treated in a five-head battery, and the other was a ton, which was treated in tho single-stamper. Both showed up well, and the yield will bo remunerative. Golden Hill Teibdte.—Another trial ton from tho Golden Hill tribute is now being treated at tho Prince Alfred battery. Golden Point, Ohinemubi, - The trial ton of stuff from tho Golden Point claim, Uliinemuri, which has been treated at tho single-stamper battQry of tho Prince Alfred mill, yielded 28dwts of melted gold.