NEW ALBURNIA.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8609, 13 March 1897, Page 4

NEW ALBURNIA.

Under the able superintendence of Mr Robert James the development of this mine is proceeding very satisfactorily, the various works in hand being most vigorously pushed ahead. The history of the mine leaves a clinging idea in the minds of many that a repetition'of the past successful results may again be met with in the hundreds of feet of untried reef existing at the various levels. This idea of course will b© fully determined when the scheme of operations, which has been prepared by Mr James, is pushed on to the various points intended. Since assuming charge the manager has made an effort to deal with the large low grade ores which are in sight, and -which must as a necessity be turned over to allow of the reef receiving the the exploitation it is.intended to negotiate. Ab our readers are aware the result of the treatment of. the ore reserves referred to has resulted in the general working expenses of the mine being considerably curtailed, and by operating upon these reserves as it is the intention to do it is anticipated that a considerable amount of gold will be obtained. The recent returns are ample evidence of the productive character of the blocks in hand, and although the length and height of BtopinfC ground is so far not very extensive it is thought that by pushing ou with the drives that the length of etopiog gtound will be very largely increased, At present the Fo. 4 lev*}

T^hescSne of most activity, and it js from Dixon's celebrated lode that tbe chief output is obtained between the latter level and the No. 3, where the lode matter measures from 2 feet 6 inches to 6 feet, and would average throughout a thickness of about 3 feet G inches. Since commencing the development of the Dixon's reef at this No. 4 level it is pleasing to find that a new leader measuring from 6 to 8 inches has been discovered about 25 feet in the footwall of the Dixon's, and traversing a parallel course to the latter body. This leader, so far as is known, is an utter stranger to any of the series originally worked in the mine, and as far as the works have advanced the quartz has shown gold very i frequently, whilst occasionally a few I pounds of picked stone is selected. At the present time stoping and driving is proceeding upon the lode, and the results which continue to be met with are highly encouraging. The shaft has now reached a total depth of 464 feet, and a crosscut has been com- J menced for the express purpose of effecting a connection with the old 160 foot level. This will, it is anticipated, aSord an outlet for all troublesome water and also provide a good supply ,of fresh air for ventilating purposes, thus allowing of the development of the new leader and Dixon's reef at this level. At the time of my visit the breast of the drive had only been advanced a few feet, so that it will take some time to advance it the distance, viz., 100 feet, to effect the desired connection "vith the 160 foot level. When this piece of work is completed a start will be made to crosscut for the Dixon's and the new reef, and 60 feet of driving should see the latter lode at hand, whilst 25 feet of further driving will intercept the new leader. When the above scheme of developments has sufficiently advanced Mr James purposes carrying the shaft down into the deeper areas for the purpose of thoroughly and systematically exploiting the lodes. So far as can be seen Mr James is conducting his developments ,on thorough systematic lines with a view to permanency, andit is to be heped that when he reaches the deeper areas upon the various ore bodies he will meet with similar results to that obtained in the past. I might add that the company's mill has been only running one shift of 8 hours on a supply of ore j very wisely kept on hand at the ! battery. This temporary stoppage is | due to some parts of the wire rope used j on the aerial line becoming defective, and Mr James had to send to Australia for the required section of rope, which has arrived and has been placed in position.