35

C.-3

On the geological map prepared by Mr. Park, it is indicated that the Queen of Beauty shaft is in a syncline basin, and that the strata rises both north and south from near this point on the field. On the north side, the Tararu breccias can clearly be seen dipping towards this basin—if it can be so termed ; but the indications of the breccias rising again as they pass to the southward are not so well denned. The present companies are not in a position to find the necessary capital, neither is there any tangible scheme brought forward to induce capitalists to come to their assistance. The ground is at present held by several companies—the Moanataiari, Hazelbank, Waiotahi, Cambria, Victoria, Prince [Imperial, May Queen, and Queen of Beauty Extended; and each company places so considerable a value on their ground that at the present time it would be a difficult matter to bring about any scheme which would be likely to give interest on the outlay required. As far as the deep levels at Grahamstown are concerned, the ground below the 500 ft. level would require to be given up by the several companies, and the whole of the ground on the flat below that depth formed into one claim. The present pumping appliance is not sufficient to pump the water from a much greater depth, and the cost of working it is very heavy. New pumping appliances would have to be erected, and the cost of sinking a shaft to the depth mentioned by the people at the Thames—lsooft. —with levels and opening out the ground, would not be less than £120,000. The chairman of the Moanataiari Company, at the last annual meeting of that company, made very sensible remarks in reference to prospecting the deep levels. He said he would like to see the mining companies combining to form a committee to draw up some scheme by which two important works—the extension of the Moanataiari tunnel and prospecting the deep levels — could be carried out. He earnestly impressed the gentlemen present to think the matter out, and devise a scheme, which could be taken to the Government to induce it to assist in the undertaking. He was quite convinced that until some sacrifice was made, and they could go to the Government with some scheme, nothing practical would be done in the matter. He thought that by companies assessing themselves to a certain amount they could get the Government to advance a certain sum of money. It would be difficult to tell what the future of the Thames Goldfield might be. He said he only threw out these suggestions, for unless something was done the Thames Goldfield would get from bad to worse. There is no doubt something requires to be done, or else this portion of the Thames Goldfield, where the richest auriferous ore has been obtained in the colony, will in the course of a few years be virtually abandoned. There is still a good deal of gold to be found on the upper levels —that is, above the present drainage-level; but, with the exception of a few claims that may manage to carry on operations for a considerable time, some of the others are bound to succumb, and even those that are left may find that the drainage rates become too heavy to allow them to carry on their operations at a profit. Were it not for the heavy expense of drainage, no doubt companies would be able to carry on for a much greater length of time. Therefore, looking at the question of deeplevel workings in all its phases, the ground below the 500 ft. level is practically of no value to itg present owners, as they cannot work it, and, in the interests of the goldfield, should be given up, in order to give inducements to outside capitalists to come in and assist in opening up the lower ground and prospecting the deep levels; and in consideration of this the company holding the deep ground may be asked to drain the upper levels of those companies who have given up the ground free of charge. Such an arrangement would make the claims of the present proprietors of considerably more value, and allow them to be worked for a much longer time than they can under the present system. The other portion of the field where deep-level prospecting can be carried on is from the Moanataiari adit-level going on from Point Eussell, about 30ft. above sea-level. This adit-level is constructed in a straight line into the hill for a distance of about 3,100 ft., and, having cut through the Moanataiari slide, and at the end of the field where the gold-bearing band of country is nearest the surface, it would cut the country at the back, getting into probably the same strata of country that would be cut at the Queen of Beauty shaft, at about from I,oooft. to 1,200 ft. deep; but in getting on to the back into the range there is a possibility that it might get through the auriferous band or belt of country. If the extension of this adit-level were carried on in a straight line it would go through the Fame and Fortune and back into the range, where very few claims have been worked; but, if it were deviated a little to the northward, it would cut through the Golden Age, Eeuben Parr, Orlando, Watchman, Star of the South, Sons of Freedom, Dixon's, and other reefs. Before anything could be done in this direction, an arrangement would have to be made with the Moanataiari Company for permission to use this adit-level, and to settle the terms and conditions on which future haulage would be done. Application was made to the department to subsidise the extension of this adit, but, before even this could be entertained, the owners of the claim it would go through would have to be arranged with, or else it would have to be made a public highway for the field, and placed under the management of trustees; and, if such were done, the Moanataiari Company would have a good claim for the cost of construction, which would amount to a large sum. To prospect the deep levels on the Thames Goldfield by any means will entail a considerable amount of capital; and, before that capital can be got, a scheme will have to be proposed by which it can be shown that there is a fair probability of the money being returned. It cannot be expected that the Government will advance or grant the whole of the money required to test the deep levels on either this or any other goldfield. 6—C. 3.