KARANGAHAKE SILVER LODES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1173, 22 August 1885, Page 3

KARANGAHAKE SILVER LODES.

(From the Thames "Star.") Considerable interest was manifested in some tests of silver ore from the Karangahake, district of the Ohinemuri goldfields, which took place at the assay and smelting works of the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. Amongst those present were a number of mining experts and gentlemen interested in the mining industry, and the tests made wero conducted by Mr Burns, the assay er of the bank. Mr H. W. Shepherd had brought some ore from the Crown mine, Earangahake, and a rough sample from this was selected for the test. It showed little or no trace o£ value to the inexperienced eye. There were certain dark blotches, and these were said to contain silver. The first test was to calcine tho stone, and then minute globules of metal could be found glistening on the broken surface. Then the stone was pounded in a mortar and put into the crucible with fluxes, and the result being treated in the cupal gave a residue in the shape of a nice button of silver weighing 13 grains. Roughly estimated, this is equal to a value of 1000 ounces to the ton, but as an accurate weight was not taken of the proportion of pounded debris put into the crucible, it is probable even more than this. Of course, as the assay value of the button has not been taken, it is impossible to say what proportion of gold it may contain. Mr Shepherd informs us that the quartz he has brought' to town is taken' from a leader in the Crown mine about six inches thick, or rather from the surface outcrop of the leader, which is on top of a high bluff. There are several other lodes in the mine varying from six inches to six feet in width. He had previously made tests on his own account, and as the result of one which be made in the end of 1884/ he has a bar of bullion weighing nearly Sozs, and valued abjut VJa an ounce. A. small stone taken promiscuously from the tip head of one of the mines of Karaugahake was calcined at the request, of Mr J. W. Walker, and the display of metal was estimated by Mr Burns to. be equal, at a very low valuation, to BOOozs to the ton.