C—3a

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It is to prove this at 100 ft. lower level that the old tunnel is now being extended. I requested some timbering to be done at the mine-mouth, and this will be put in. I "•":! Victoria Quartz-mine. —(23/11/95) : This mine is- worked by a private party, six men in all being at work, in three shifts. At present a winze is being put up from No. 2 level, at a point about 500 ft. from the mine-mouth, to connect with the intermediate level. It is up 50ft., and the quartz was struck at 30ft., of an average thickness of about 14in. As centering has been carried up, the air is sufficient. Rules posted up in the smithy. The crushing from the centre block of stone, Mr. Collins states, gave only 3-Jdwt. gold to the ton, but the south block now to be worked is expected to turn out better. Sir Charles Bussell Quartz-mine was not working when I was in that district. Sir Francis Drake Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95) : This mine is worked by a private party of miners. A new block of quartz has been found about 12ft. to the east of the line of the old reef. It runs nearly north and south, is 70ft. in length, and about 3ft. 6in. in thickness. The height of backs is not known, but the lode lies underfoot. Four men are stoping in the day shift 60ft. above the No. 2 level, and two men in the second shift. Air good, and timbering all right. (12/2/96): Stoping is now going on 110 ft. above the No. 2 level. Air fairly good. The lode continues the same width as formerly, and what seems to be a new make of quartz has just been met in the south end of the stopes after a pinch of a few feet. The length between the north and south faces is 90ft. Two shifts are at work, employing eight men in all. Exchange Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95): Two men are putting in a prospecting drive at a higher level than formerly. As they are only in some 90ft., the air is good. Timbering sufficient. Dynamite on road-side, so I cautioned the men, and it is to be kept away in future. At a subsequent visit this had been complied with. Cumberland Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95) : Two men are driving in the intermediate level to south, 90ft. above the No. 4 level, which is also being extended to the south. In the latter there appears to be a new make of quartz in the face. A cross-cut has also been put in 106 ft. from the line of reef to south-west, but nothing is doing there now. Some of the timbering is beginning to require attention in the winze from No. 3 and in the intermediate level, but it is to be renewed where required. Air all right. Rules posted up. Report kept. Only six men in all employed. (12/2/96). —No work is doing in the intermediate level now. The required timbering to which I drew attention has been done. No. 4 level is being driven to south-east on a quartz-lode 18ft. wide, but not gold-bearing. A different class of quartz has just come in on the foot-wall; it contains no free gold, but is heavily charged with pyrites. There is a fair current of air, which is led in in boxes. A cross-cut has been driven to south-west, and has cut a track of a reef on which two men are now driving, but so far no quartz has been seen. Total number of men employed, six, in one shift. Mr. Thomas Lawn, the mine-manager, keeps the plan duly posted up. Golden Lead Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95) : Work is now going on 106 ft. above No. 2 level, or 64ft. down from the surface on the No. 1 leader. Air good. Two men are stoping and two are extending the intermediate level. Although the leaders are very thin, Mr. Sutherland informs me the prospects are considered fair. Al Quartz-mine. —(21/10/95) : The No. 1 party of tributers have ceased working, as the leader pinched out. The No. 2 party of tributers, of four men, are taking out four stopes above the level where the leader lies very flat and is very thin indeed, but carrying rich gold. Air very good. Big Biver Quartz-mine. —(23/10/95) : Three stopes are working 25ft. under No. 2 level. Air good. A set of timber required on travelling-way near top stope, and this the manager agreed to have put in at once. No. 3 level is being driven to south-east, and a start has been made to open out in the winze between Nos. 3 and 4 levels, at a depth of 65ft. Reef very irregular. One stope working 20ft. under No. 4, on quartz averaging about 10ft. in thickness, but tending to increase in width underfoot. Air good in both these workings. Work in No. 5 level is to be started shortly. A steam-engine has been obtained in place of the water-wheel, so that winding will be facilitated. Plan up to September last. Manager's report kept. Copy of the Act at the mine, and the rules in sheet form have been sent for. Lord Edward Quartz-mine. —(23/10/95) : The only work doing is driving a cross-cut to a little west of north from the Big River Mine No. 2 level. This is in about 150 ft. past the boundary. Air rather thick after firing, but it seems to clear fairly well. Mr. McCallum, manager of the Big River Mine, is in charge of this one also. Boatman's. Fiery Cross Quartz-mine. —(20/8/95): This mine has been purchased by Mr. Ziman, and, pending further development, is being worked by a party of tributers. Nothing is being done from the shaft, the point where work is going on being a tunnel from the surface which strikes the line of reef about 80ft. in. The lode is very flat, underlies to west, and is about 16in. in width, with antimony to be seen in the quartz. It was considered too poor at the time when work was formerly going on near the surface. Air good. Four tributers and one wages-man are at work. Welcome United Quartz-mine. — (20/8/95) : Work from the blind shaft in the old Eureka level has been suspended ; the latter is being repaired, and it is intended to connect with the old Welcome workings. Some timber in incline requiring renewal; this is to be seen to. Only three men and manager employed. (15/2/96) : Work has been resumed from the blind shaft, cross-cuts having been driven to the north-west and north-east from the level at a point about 650 ft. from the bottom of the shaft. At present only the latter cross-cut is working, employing five men, in two shifts. Air poor, even although a high-speed fan driven by steam-engine has been erected. Timbering of both shaft and level requiring immediate attention, so I notified the company's manager in writing to have this done at once, and the air improved. lam informed that both have been attended to.