9

Q,*=3ff.

The length of the new block of stone has not yet been proved, but it is known to be at least 70ft. in length, and to go up above the 860 ft. level for a distance of 100 ft. This new block has an easterly and westerly direction, having a branch in the centre going in a northerly direction. The country rock at this depth is far more favourable -for the existence of auriferous lodes than it was for 200 ft. below the 500 ft. level, and, seeing that this is in a belt of country where large auriferous lodes have been worked, there is every likelihood of a considerable quantity of gold being again obtained from this ground. The company has a crushing plant of twenty heads of stamps Bcwt. each, and three berdans, which are driven by two Pelton water-wheels 6ft. in diameter, working under a head of 28ft. A water-race is constructed to the Inangahua Biver for a distance of 1J miles, which has a carryingcapacity of about 20 cubic feet per second. The crushing battery has the ordinary quicksilver and blanket-tables for saving the gold, and the whole of the tailings from the stone crushed from the mine has been allowed to run into the Inangahua Eiver, and has been carried away with the stream. Gladstone. This is a special claim of 100 acres, and includes the ground formerly held in mining leases known as the Golden Bell, Eclipse, and Prince of Wales. Very little is known regarding this ground, as no prospecting has been done. Mr. T. Watson, manager of the Wealth of Nations Company, which is the adjoining claim, is, however, of opinion that there is a good run of stone going through this claim. The recent developments at deeper levels than hitherto worked gives a great incentive to carrying on prospecting operations, as it adjoins the western boundary of the Wealth of Nations, Energy, and Undaunted Claims. Beaconsfield. This is also a special claim, comprising an area of 100 acres, and includes the ground formerly held in mining leases known as the Bannockburn, Victory, Wellington, Band of Hope, and portion of the Formosa. This ground adjoins the eastern boundary of the Undaunted, Energy, Keep It Dark, and Wealth of Nations, and the northern corner of the Hercules. It is, therefore, favourably situated for auriferous lodes to be found. There are lodes running through the ground on which a little prospecting was done in the early days of the field, but no work has been carried on for many years. There were 1,545 tons of quartz crushed from the Victory and Band of Hope ground, which yielded 9300z. of gold, representing a value of £3,603. Of this amount, £400 was paid in dividends. As the Wealth of Nations, Keep It Dark, and Hercules Companies are all working lodes of a payable character, and also as a large quantity of gold was obtained from the Energy ground, it is reasonable to believe that payable lodes will be found in the Beaconsfield. It may be looked on as ground that is worth expending money to prospect with a fair chance of success. Very little work has, however, been done, with the exception of surface-work and working a lode at shallow levels in the Victory ground. Hercules. This is a special claim of 33 acres, and includes the ground formerly held by the Golden Ledge and Nil Desperandum Companies. There has been 9,335 tons of quartz crushed from this claim, which has yielded B,olooz. of gold, representing a value of £31,453 ; of this amount, £5,288 has been paid in dividends. From the Ist April of the present year to the 31st August last, 1,646 tons of stone has been crushed, which yielded 821oz. of gold, representing a value of £3,275, out of which £600 has been paid in dividends. This ground was worked for many years with poor results, from the surface downwards, by three adit-levels, and from the third adit-level a shaft was sunk for a distance of 420 ft., and a large amount of work done for very little gold. The shaft was then sunk to a depth of 560 ft., and the lode cut at this level, which gave good results for working, with rich auriferous stone underfoot in the level. Eecently a commencement has been made to sink a winze on the lode from the bottom level, which is carrying good stone as far as the sinking has proceeded. This shoot of gold-bearing stone is similar in character to that worked in the No. 2 Keep It Dark. It appears to be the same lode, but if so a displacement has taken place, and thrown it considerably to the westward. This, however, has not yet been definitely proved. Devil's Ceebk. Globe. This is a special claim of 53 acres, and three mining leases comprising an area of 35 acres, making an aggregate area of 88 acres, including ground formerly held by the Union Company. The Globe Company was formed in 1882, and since then the following statement will show the result of the workings: — 2—C. 3c.