Saturday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 30, 23 November 1883, Page 11

Saturday.

A report from Dr. Hector was received yesterday by Messrs. Harris and Blundell, the referees appointed in connection with the recent diepute as to the alleged yield of gold from the Queen of Beauty mine, Makara. The report so far as it goes is distinctly ia favour of Mr. Walker's contention, that the cake of gold exhibited as the result of the recent crushing did not come from the Makara reefs, lhe referees, however, are expected to draw up a report for publication to-morrow, giving their views on the subject. Dr. Hector, in ms report, says :— "No. 1. The residue obtained by you from 1501 b. weight of a mullocky vein at Makara consisted* of pyrites, black sand and gold, the latter being in the form of very fine specks. The ! total weight of gold present was three-three tenths of a grain, which calculated on the ton, would indicate a yield at the rate of 4£ grains

per ton. Taking pure gold at a valne of 80a per oz,, the valu» of sample No. 1 is at the rate of £3 11s lid, and of No. 2 £2 13s id per oz. The percentage of silver contained in gold obtained direct from the reefs in different parts of the Colony is 'generally very characteristic and constant as to the result of many essays. The goW from reeFs in the South is easily distinguished by having only from 3 to 5 per cent, of silver alloy, the gold found in the vicinity of Wei- &« abont 9 pe V centi of Bilver ' and the g° ld fxom the Thames goidfields rarely contains less than 30 per cent, of silver. No. lof tiie sample submitted, which you took from the reef at Makara, contains 9 per cent, of silver, and therefore agrees with the degree of fineness usual in the district ; but the sample No. 2, clipped from the bar Cthe result of crushing 10 tons at the Thames), contains 32 per cent, of silver, which is the proportion that usnally characterises gold obtained in the Thames district." ■ • Crisp, the r^an killed by lightning, was buried yesterday, at Inver-car-ill about 600 people attending the funeral. It was a peculiar coincidence that a thunderstorm broke out as the cortege left the nouse, and continued till the' interment. Major Atkinson left £3 as a subscription for Crisp's family. •n. l^- £ unedin Morning Herald makes the following remarks, with which we fully agree :— Mr. A.. H. Ross earned his^appointment as Chairman of the Harbour Board. It is a post without emolument, but it ought to be otherwise, as, if the work is well done, it is a very onerous position. Mr. Ross has shown himself willing and able to fulfil the duties of the office in a thoroughly efficient manner, and he js entitled to whatever honour may attach to it.