MINING NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9028, 28 March 1898, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

Auckland, March 28,

PtJBU CONSOLIDATED.

Messrs J. E. Gray, J. M. Lennox, and Q-. T. Oapman (directors of the Paru Consolidated Coy), together with Messrs Griffiths (Engineer) and Morris (Secretary) hare returned from a visit of inspection of the mine and plant. They were more than pleaßed with the ■ battery and plant, especially the turbine which is supposed to be the finest in the colony. They found that the dam . and water race were completed and thi aerial tram approaching completion. The contractor (Mr J. Payne) had done his work well, while great credit was due to the Union Ironworks for. the excellent material supplied for the works. It is confidently expected that in three weeks the oatterv will b» . in ope ration* As some doubt hafbden ; . cast on the capacity of the 10-hea4 battery now in course of erection, together with the stone-brraker, to» crush from 800 to 1000 tons per month, -: the directors have made every enquiry, and from opinions ..obtained from the* most reliable sourceß, they have no- " hesitaton in stating'that the battery will crush 3J tons per stamp par day.' In the mine the Jow level is in 430 feet, the reef being about 2} feet thick, and shows copper pyrites and every evidence of gold, which the - manager states can be seen at every breaking down. The manager confidently expects to win sufficient ore to keep the battery fully employed. It i; hoped ia .a not' very distait future to see the Puru Consolidated added to the list of our dividend paying mines. TOKATEA CONSOLS.

The Tokatea Consols Company purpose having' a trial crushing f >oin the Erin's Hope leader which averages from lfc to 15iu vide. Various parts of the miae are bi ing worked, and are looking well, The next crushing is expected to be a satisfactory one.

i AOTEA. The low lewl tunnel in the Ao&i. Company's property at the Great Barrier is to be pushed ahead, with the object of intersecting the lona lode. The lona Company nare agreed to bear half the cost of this work.