MINING MATTERS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 2590, 5 April 1877, Page 3

MINING MATTERS.

Moaiutaubi. — The single stamper gave out on i uesday for a short time for want of specimens, but was fully supplied yesterday morning with half a ton, broken out from the slope close to the face of the specimen run. Some of them wore as rich as the. exhibition ones forwarded to Auckland, after beigg shown here last week, The show of gold left is as good as at any time previous. The width of the gold, wall is increasing easterly towards the big slide (though that is a long way off), and is nine feet beyond the clay seam. Tjje character of the gold is evidently coarser as it extends eastward. To the westward the reef is good, with a little gold occasionally. In fact, all the lodes worked on the level are good, and, added to the No. 9 reef as broken down for 50 feofc from the specimen run, makes the general crushing firat-rate. Timbering up has been completed, so far as to allow of work being resumed, and during to-day the rails will be brought home to the face of the drive, and tho mullock trucked out, making room for continuing the drive on the course of the reef, Sinking the winze from the main tunnel level progresses, and though not on the same reef, as tha gold is now obtained from below, will be sufficiently near to utilise it for ventilation, as well as to break out from that reef itself, which will prove another source of wealth to the company.

United Pumping Association.-For the past two months huge kauri logs, squared, planed, and fitted together, have been in occupation of the surface, and the heavy castings, as well as wrought ironstraps, bolts, &c., furnished for the new balance-bob, as supplementary to the one already in use. This ponderous adjunct to the pump has been successfully lowered into its chamber 300 feet deep, and yesterday, at 1 pm., the connection was made to the main lift. Some anxiety was manifested as to this novel mode of rendering assistance to the over-taxed balance-bob on top. A few easy strokes of the engine, however, dispelled every fear, and she went awdy four strokes per minute, rather faster than the average speed, owing to the water accumulating for eight hours previous, in_ order to make the connection, Ac. On inspecting the new erection it was found to be working admirably, not a hitch occuringin any part, with the regularity of a clock, but without the noise, the silence of its operation being a proof of its fine adjustment, and beauty of dosign. The bob itself is fully five tons weight, besides the 5-ton ballast in cage, and is connected to the main rod (20 inches square) by massive iron straps extending below the 400feet plunger, where they grip the timber, and cause the counterpoise to the immense weight. The design and execution of this underground balance has been carried out under the immediate control of Mr G, Black, the company's manager, who is no doubt pleased with the satisfactory manner in which it has commenced operations. Its site,at the 300-feet level, was determined by the fact that a considerable chamber had been cut out there for some purpose formerly, and therefore saved so much money, but in order to render it fit for the reception of the bob the space broken out here extended to 43 feet in length, 18 feet high, and 10 feet wide, clear of timbers. The immediate effect of this helpmate was apparent by the greater steadiness of both up and down stroke of the engine, and in the gain of steam power, as indicated by the stop valve. The benefits to be derived will be several, the chief being safety and economy; taking less sicam means loss coals, less labour, and less cost. In a short time proper data will be afforded to make the calculations; in the meantime it may be noted as the most important mechanical contrivance yet attempted on the Thames, and one that will pay for itself within a comparatively abort period, having already demonstrated its effectiveness, and will be found to prove not only practically of immense benefit, but a complete refutation to the views of a 30 years' " Observer," as expressed through our columns of January 27th, The fortnight's driving on the bottom level (G'lo feet) has been through good country, the contractors breaking down 52 feet, making the total distance northwards 631 feet from the shaft.

Gu eat UEPtfßLio.— MoAlpine obtained one ton from this claim, on the Earaka, and realised 2ozs retorted gold at tlio Piako small battery. Kubanui Hill Tbibctes.—Catran and party, working a portion of the All Nations block, secured lcwfc specimens, which produced 82ozs lodwts retorted gold, at the company's battery. Daniels lodged lozlCdivts, and Savage loz lodwta gold from trial crushings, Caiedonian Tbibute, — Lowe and party, working a block abutting on Tookey's boundary, obtained IGozs 15dwts gold from a crushing at the Kuranui battery. Moanataiaui Tbibute.-Williams and party, working the section above the 132feet level, crushed 21 tons at the company's mill for 19ozs lOdwts gold. _ Queen- of May. — The crushing at Bull's battery continues to shape well for a good total. Ciry of London.—The No. *1 reef, as opened between the third and fourth level, lookß well, and will furnish a considerable tonnage of profitable stone. Waxotahi. -This company having for a long period pursued the oven tenor of its way in quietness and little profit, seems to have entered upon a more encouraging level, and likely to repay the large expense lately bestowed upon their plant and mine. Three months since the shaft was started to be deepened; this was I cfiected for 80 feet, and a drive northI wards for tlio purpose ofintersooting the

main reef in the former level has also been driven for 80 feet, besides timbering up where necessary and cutting out a large chamber, reflecting credit upon manager and workmen for quantity and quality of work. In cutting the chamber a small vein of good looking quartz was broken through. This has been followed a few feet. Three other small leaders have been cut through, and gold taken from them. At 60 feet distance from the shaft a reef was met with showing good quartz, more than 2 feet wide, or, rather, a body of stringers all joined together. This was supposed to be the 3 feet reef sought for; but, on opening upon it, its course showed that it must be a new reef, This proved to be the case, for, on extending the drive 20 feet further, the wishedfor reef appeared, but lying considerably flatter than in the upper level, hence the farther distanco required in reaching it. It shows well, a little gold having been seen in it. The underlie on the floor of the drive is not quite through, but, as it is upwards of 2 feet wide and in good country, will give a large tonnage of payable quartz. This, with the other leaders mentioned, with backs of 80 feet to take out, should give the company a lift to the front.

Impebial (Waitckauri).—A meeting was held at the office of Mr Harcourt, legal manager, last night, for the purpose of making a call and starting to work again, now that the tramway is being pushed ahead to the company's Battery. The ground lies between the company's and the Comstock, and close to the tramway, and as there is payable stone in the claim the manager .has orders to start operations as soon as the funds.come in.