THAMES EXPLORATION CO. OF LONDON & NEW ZEALAND.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8618, 24 March 1897, Page 2

THAMES EXPLORATION CO. OF LONDON & NEW ZEALAND.

This company has a great number of properties under development all over tie peninsula, and, in the majority of instances,, those held by them are in very high favor with people competent* to judge. The mines owned by the company in this district are— the Mascotte-Limerick (Hape creek) and Vulcan Extended (Tararu district}. The development work in hand is under the verWable supervision of Mr Jas. Thomas, 'of this town, whom I might mention is a miner of very many years practical experience, and one who is quite competent of conducting mining operations on a thorough systematic basis. In addition to his practical knowledge, he also acquired a large amount of theoretical experience whilst studying as a student at the Thames School of Mines, and is, therefore, one of the very best men the company could have secured to carry out the many and important duties entrusted to his care and judgment. Regarding the'Mas-cotte-Limerick property, it may be of' interest to know that it is situated on the main range dividing the Karaka' and Hape creeks. It is surrounded on all sides by mines of exceptionally ' high repute—*on tne west by the I Golden Anchor (Euglish company), j north and east by the May Queen Extended, Last Chance, and Man-' Chester properties, then towards the east and south-east by a mine known as the Masonic. The estate com* prises 100 acres of proved auriferous land, and embraces some of the most important lode series in tho Hape creek disttict, and will have for its purpose the intereec- j tion of the whole of the reef system referred to, but what is more important at such a depth, in the event of the gold tenure of the lodes being maintained as depth is reached, permanent operations can be negotiated in any direction desirable. The cross- J cut will also afford backs to a height ■ at 120 ft upon the master bodies of ore I known to exist. So far this exploratory work has been carried on by) contract, aud siuce commencing those j who have the work in hand liavo driven

the crosscut a length of 60ft. For 40ft of that distance the diiving was somewhat slow, due to the tight nature of the country, but latterly a more conducive class of country has been entered upon, which has enabled the advancement of the crosscut to be proceeded with more rapidly than hitherto. If this class of country continues there is every reason to believe that when Presscott's leader comes to hand, which should be in another 60ft of diiving, good payable results will bo obtained. However, the chief aim at this level is the intersectiu of the Souvenir reef. This quartz body in the past has been responsible for the production of a large amount of gold where it wae operated upon by Punlop aud party on the higher levels. It is a lode of large dimensions, measuring in

places 15ft thick, but on an average it shows fully 10ft. Mr Thomas anticipates meeting the downward continuation in another 100 feet of drivage, ■and, as aforementioned, if the present good channel-'of country is maintained afld the'gold continues at depth the future of this mine can be nlmost lookfcdupon as an assured fact. The future of this goldfield dopends upon the successful mining of the deep lcvvl areas, and from whatcan be seen it is the intention of this company to attack these lodes, and in the^ event of meeting r with the success anticipated this section of our goldfields is almost certain to interest capitalists. Regarding the Yukon Ext uideJ |>voperty which this company is deTclopmg, it is situated at tho head of the Tararu creek, and forms the greater part of the original Vulcan claim which was under operation fully 2(» roars ago, and from -winch highly rerrtlfmratiYe results were obtained. At thfifctesant juncture tho chief point of dcTwnpment is directed to the advancement of a crosscut at a substantial depth from the surface The object is to intersect the lode to the westward of the original works at art approximate depth of 180 feet, and directly underneath where good prospects of f rco gold are obtain* able on the surface. The lode at that point; measures fully 2ft, and it is anticipated its present quality will be maintained at depth. It may be of interest to kuow there is unlimited backs available, and the crosscut can be pushed ahead to intersect the numerous lodes which traverse the property.