MURRAY CREEK.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 35, 29 June 1877, Page 2

MURRAY CREEK.

| [FKOJM OUR MINING EEPOiITEE.j NIL DESPERANDUM Wednesday, June 27. Tha remarkable activity in the share market that has existed for several days past, would certainly denote that a vast improvement bas taken place in tbe pros* pects of several mines in this part of tbe district, and from tbe general desire to obtain shares in this mine, it may be reasonably assumed that the appearance of the 'workings jusfify the demand rereferred to. Tiie result, however, of the last months operations show the 'advantage derived by the amalgamation of the two claims originally known as the Golden Ledge and the Hercules. The recent works have been carried on, on the low le7el of the old Hercules ground %Juis enabling a further test to be made of LfchMJedge grouad afc a level 50 feet lower Wan was previously worked before the amalgamation was effected, and although , the result does not as yet show anything of extraordinary richness it has certainly proved the existence of stone of a much superior quality than bas beejt bitherto obtained -in the same ground. The men employed during the last four weeks have driven along a block of stone about 60 feet in length, varying from 5. feet to 2 feet in thickness, and from a careful in* spection of the same, it certainly should be estimated as fair payable stone. The gold is most evenly, distributed, and the stone although in the old Ledge ground resembles the Hereujes block, and bas, a, better appearance for carrying gold than tbe generality of the LeJge stone. Some persops are of the opinion that this line of stone, although in close proximity to the old, Ledge shaft, is a, continuation of the, Hercules reef.- Doubtless those who were acquainted wilh tbe past workings will remember there were tvvo blocks ot stouc in tlie Hercules known as the surface block, and the lower one, and the ''slopes on reaching tho upper lend show a division of the two by a narrow horse of mullot-k, and the surface stone tmi.-h , inferior in quality to the lower block. The lode now iv course of operation is exceedingly well formed and altogether so different in appearance to the last Ledge workings that there is some probability of the assumption being correct. The. re« ports at the maceine-house aro very favourable, and the yield is estimated at from 12 to 15 dwts. It is contemplated to occupy five stamps for some time, and also to open another level from tho Hercules shaft whicb will command 150 feefc, of backs upon the. same block now being opened, and from the rich quartz boulders tbat were met sinking it is fully expected, that, however unprofitable the past developement of theso two mines bare been tbat they are yet to be made a gopd payable property, and from tbe fact of fair quality stone being shown upder fopt for, a very considerable distance in tbe southern working of the old Hercules, independently of the block, of stone aboey referred to, the opening of tbe shaft workings will unquestionably be looked forward to witb great interest.