THE LYELL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1878, 12 August 1874, Page 3

THE LYELL.

[iiYELL AKGTTS, AUGUST 5.J Excelsior. — The driving in this company's tunnel remains very hard, so much so as to still necessitate the use of powder — a new featurne on the Alpine Range. Fire feet were added to the length of the tunnel last week, which leaves a distance of 15ft yet to go before reaching the reef. Maruia.— Stone is now being got as rapidly as possible from the three levels at which the old leader has been worked. The company have already as much quartz to grass as when they began to crush on the last occasion when they had the use of the machine. Preparations are now in progress for opening out operations on the Smithy leader. Monte Ohristo.— The new tunnel to -which I aUuded in my last report as being necessary to the efficient working of this claim has already been commenced, and is now nearly 40ft. The management deserve credit feu the prompt manner in which this very necessary work hau been taken in hand. A further examination of the leader has but convinced me of the value of the discovery. Maloney and party began the removal of their quartz on Monday. I am credibly informed that Messrs Carroll and Cairns will start to crush it with their two batteries to-morrow. Break o'Day. — A stoop was commenced last Thursday in No. 4 level. It will be carried up to the boundary of the Maruia, a distance of about 80ft A decided change for the better has taken place during the week in this part of the mine. The leader in the stoop and in the face of tunnel just now varies in thickness from Bin to a foot, and contains splendid gold. Blocking out from No. 3 level was commenced on Monday. The manager has enlarged the paddock, which now holds atx additional 25 tons. No work was done last week at the western leader, as the men were employed elsewhere. Additional men were put on to work last Monday, so as to enable Mr Jacobs to re-commence operations in this part of the mine. In my last report, by a typographical error, it appeared that the block at No. 4 level was only 10ft high. It should have been 80ft.