The Hauraki Goldfields.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8617, 23 March 1897, Page 2

The Hauraki Goldfields.

INTERVIEW AT HOME WITH MR H. J. GREENSLADE.

(Continued.) In reply to a further question Mr Greenslade said:— "About this time, when mining matters were somewhat depressed, the rich gold before alluded to was struck in the Manukau mine, and the same shoot of gold was soon intersected by the Golden Crown Company at a depth of about 100 ft from the top of the hill, or some 50ft above high-water mark. '1 he first crushing yielded an average of 50oz. of gold to the ton. The run of gold assumed a more defined ap-! pearance than in the Manukau, and the richest portion of the lode lay in a block about 70ft in depth by 40ft in width. At ab»ut 50ft below highwater mark the shoot of gold broke, and all traces of it were lost for a time; but it had not rim out, though from some cause or other it had jumped 40ft to the northward. From this level it was followed on the underlie a further depth of 45ft to the boundary of the Caledonian Company, the average at this point being Jloz. to 12oz. to the ton. As the result of the splendid yields then obtained, this company— the Golden Crown—paid a total of £200,000 in one year.'' " Bather a splendid record," I remarked. " Yes," continued Mr Greenslade, " but it was nothing as compared with what followed, Towards the end of 18G9 the same rich run of gold was discovered in the ever-famous Caledonian mine at a distance of about loft from the Golden Crown boundary, and at a greater depth of about 30ft, or at a level of some 80ft below high-water mark. Then commenced the most exciting era in connection with the Thames goldfields, and intense excitement prevailed when dividends at the rate of £4 per scrip share per week were paid to shareholders for some time. For the two years ending July 31, 1872, dividends amounting to £198 per scrip share had been distributed, making the total sum disbursed for that period £569,710, though further good dividends wore paid for some time afterwards. But, as "already mentioned, the gold was met with about 16 feet from the Golden Crown boundary. The golden belt was only about 16 feet in width, and about 90 feet tetween high water mark the shoot of gold widened out, and covered a face 30 feet in width, and it was here that the richest golden stone ever known was found. At a distance of some 170 feet below the sea level the quartz again became somewhat poor, and all trace of the immense rich deposit which had beon so long oporated upon was lost, while water *lso seriously impeded operation*. During the month of January, 1872, 6832 tons of quartz were crushed for 11,8650z of 1 wold, while in February the returns amounted to 30,7490zs of gold from 7074 tons; but in March of the same year 878 tons yielded the enormous return of 45,2Q00zs of gold, line following are some of the best crushings from this mine: 80 tous of general quartz, 50960js ; 80 tons, 77790z5; 115 tons, 69,5660zs of gold. Quartz was scarcely visible in the lode, which' was almost solid gold in places. The 1 largest fortnightly yield was some 25,0000zs of gold, and the greatest dividend fora similar period. £2 7 per, scrip share. Shares rose quickly,l until on the 15th June, .1871, theyj reached £175, and on the 21st were, sold as high as £212, but on the 28th they began to fall in price, and on j the 10th July were at £110, from which figure* they gradually re-| ceded. This property is now owned: by an English company, under the name of the I£uranui-Caledouiah.'' "Then, again, souae other mines, were paying handsome dividends,' notably the Central Italy, Nonpareil, and 'All Nations, tlio last-named dis.r tributing £14,QQ*> & Qao )W- Ifrwy gold was next struck in the Whau mine, situated on the Moanatairi Creek, a crushing of 1$ tons of general ore yielding 6120zs of gold; The history of this mine up to t^ie time was not without interest, and. myghtbe briefly referred to as another example

of the uncertainty of gold mining, From some cause or other the first Whau Company were unable to make the ground pay, and the mine was Bold to a few private individuals, who put in a low level, and from the first crushing taken out they received more from the gold won than they had paid for the mine. They were afterwards rewarded with splendid dividends, one parcel of 6cwt of specimen stone yielding over lOOOOZB of gold; while two and a half tons selected from the general dirt produced 1 lOOozs of gold. The general quartz, irrespective of this rich stuff, went 2&ozs per ton, and, as a result of nine months' work, the shareholders received £9000 in dividends." "Is this the "Whau mine that the Hauraki Consols Company has been formed in London to develop?" "Yes," replied Mr Greenslade, and he continued: "Then the history of the Golden Calf Company's mine is no less remarkable. In 1870, one of the most extraordinary finds of gold that has occurred on the field was met with in this mine at the 200 ft level. Embedded in the mullock, of which the lode was composed, were found large flakes of pure gold, some of which were about three inches square and three-quarters of an inch thick, and some smaller. There was a large deposit of the stuff found—in all, dOOozs, and it required no other treatment than melting in the crucible. These flakes were not of the usual consistency of melted metal; they looked rather as if the particles of gold in the lode were sufficiently fused to make them adhere together, but they could be separated with a little force. Other deposits oithis singular composition were found, although not in such large quantities. In addition to this" however, the general crushing* from the lode averaged 2£oz9 to the ton, and good returns were obtained for some time. ' " Perhaps the most important discovery made in 1875 was that in the Manukau. This mine was generally considered exhausted, and work had been suspended in it for nearly eighteen months ; but a crosscut drive, began before work was stopped, if as again resumed, and a distance of only 2 ft. was driven when a lode was met with 18ins. in thickness, and from it exceedingly rich gold was obtained, enabling fully £12,000 to be paid in dividends. "Mining matters then went on smoothly for some time, though good yields of gold were also obtained from the Queen of Beauty (now- included in the Thames Hauraki), Central Italy, Nonpareil, Bright Smile, Black Angel, All Nations, and several other mines, too numerous to particularise, bo I will pass on to another memorable era, when rich gold was struck in the Moanatairi Company's mine in 1877. The Moanatairi, I may say, has recently been taken over by an English syndicate. The attention of speculators had been directed to this mine for some months jwevipusly, as it had shown considerable improvement, and for the fortnight ending March 3, 1877, the then manager—Mr Robert Corner, who is now a member of the advisory board of the Kuranui-Caledonian Company—banked 7150zs 15dwt gold from 480 tons of general dirt. This awak

ened additional interest from the fact that some 20 tons of this from the No. 9 lode produced 500ozs gold. Other mines were also looking well at this time, notably the Albmrnia, which was paying excellent dividends; but as this was eclipsed by the Moanatairi, I shall pass en to the ' greater light.' The stone was very rich, and some pieces were almost solid gold. The handsome fortnightly yield of gold which shortly followed—namely, 49120z5, was the cause of great excitement and speculation. As the result | of thisßplendid yield, the debt incurred by the company in erecting the battery —one of the finest plants upon the field—at a cost of i 513,000, was wiped off. Shares rose from £1 to £22. As giving an idea cf the richness of the ore, I may mention that one piece, weighing 50lbs, produced 300ozs of gold. On April 2,1877, the enormous return of 10,2980zs of gold was banked as the result of one week's operation^, being one of the best yields ever obtained upon the goldfield. About this time I remember a Wellington doctor who bought 175 shares at 19s each, and sold them at £22 each. But this is only an example, and not by any means an exception, of the money made in those good old days." '• Do you think the Thames will ever see such days again ?" "Most assuredly I do," promptly replied Mr Greenslade. " Now that English capital is flowing in to develop our mines I am positive numarous rich i discoveries will be made. But to proceed. In 1880 the Alburnia and New Whau Companies obtained good gold, and paid substantial dividends. A year later the Prince Imperial mine, together with the company's windingengine, etc., was sold by auction for £250, and after lying idle for some months, it was again submitted to auction. It was purchased by a local syndicate for £500, and after a good deal of difficulty the New Prince Imperial Company was formed, consisting of 18,000 scrip shares, to prospect the ground, which had lain dormant for years, although it had yielded handsome returns in former times. Only 6d per share was called up (£450),----when payable gold was met with,, and shortly afterwards a rich shoot of gold was struck. The largest yield of gold obtained as the result of one month's operations was 37890zs from 628 loads of quartz, which was banked for the month of January, 1884 ; while from the first crushing in September, 1882, until October, 1885, a total of 30,104 tons of quartz was treated for 41,4730zs gold, of the value of £114,136. The total amount paid in dividends was £3 7s 6d per share, making the sum distributed £60,750—• a splendid result from an investment of £450! " Then the history of the Cambria Company is equally remarkable. It was formed in December, 1884, and it was only necessary to call up one shilling per share (£15,75) when rich ore Mas struck, and about £90,000 was paid in dividends. The largest yield of gold for a fortnight's operatiouswas 4 IGOozs from 43610 ads of ore, and the highest dividend for one month 9s per share (d631,500\ " But there," exclaimed Mr Greenslade, "I could keqp yqu interested for hours with the marvellous wealth of our goldfields, for the history of Ooromaudel—where the famous Hauraki Mine is situated— : and also Waihi, Waiorongomai, Tairua, Waitekauri, and other districts is .equally interesting. By what I have eaid you will quite understand why I am so enthusiastic regarding the Hauraki Goldfielda, the immense wealth of which. wiU startle the worl4 i«* the. couraa of a couple of years, now that capital is being obtained for the development of their enormous resources,"