MINING NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 65, 30 August 1884, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

Battery. — Tlio usual wee Id v cleaning up did not take place on Saturday Jast, as the stampers hail been huiig up all the week owing to the want of stuff, occasioned by the slips on the tramway. These were cleared away, and the lino got into working order on Tuesday last, when a quantity of stone was forwarded from different mines and crushing commenced. Woru was again slightly interfered with on Thursday, when as large quantity of loose eaith and rock at the former slip, between the bridge and the tunnel 1, came down, and covered up the rails to some depth. A number of men were at once put on to remove the debris, and trafflic was resumed yesterday. Amongst the stuff crushed during the week have been some small parcels from outside claims, the returns from which are as follows :— Retorted gold, oz. dwt Vermont, 2£ ton 20" 5 Welcome, 3 tons 22 8 May Queen, 4$ , 15 7 Nbw Find. — There ib not much doing in the way of driving at present. The last contracts in the Arizona level and in the soutli end of the low level were recently completed, and tenders have not- yet been called for continuing these works. It is intended, however, that this shall be clone very shortly, and , befoie the close of next week it is likely that operations will have been resumed in these faces. In the north end of the low level an improvement is visible in | in the reef which had, for a short distance, bi'en considerably pinched. It is ; again widening, and the stone has improved in quality also. The stopes over | this level are yielding excellent crushing ■■.tuff, and the lode is there of the average size. Stuping is likewise going on vigorously in the blocks above the ! Vrizona levrl, and large quantities of stone of the usual grade are being got therefrom. The lode iv which good gold bearing stone was discovered a fortnight since in the upper workings continues to yield quartz ot highly payable quality, and will add considerably to the resources and the permanence of the mine. Colonist. — Operations in the low level are at preseut confined to the drive on the reel southward. As work pro- | gie&s in th.it direction, there appears to I be a gradual improvement both in the lode and in the country. The I former is assuming a more kindly kindly appearance tnat it ha^ had before, but the quartz is hardly yet sufficiently good quality to be considered payable. Some little distance has yet to be driven however before tae face it* carried under that part of the level above where the lode was richest and therefore as the drive is pushed ahead a further improvement may be looked for. There is nothing of more than ordiuary importance to record concerning the upper workings. Canadian. — Stoping operations are being vigorously pursued on Williams's lode, from which a fair supply of stuff, similar in quality to that last crushed, is being obtained. The cross-cut to intersect this lode in the low level has been discontinued, the drive having been extended some distance past the point at which it was expected, without showing any sign of quartz. Some work is now being done on a small vein that was cut nearer to the main reef, and in all probability it will prove to be identical with the one known as Williams's, in the level above. Premier. — The prospecting of the main reef is going on. Work so far has been confined to the 0.-»st side, and there the show is encouraging. Much of the quartz has a most promising look. Fair prospects can in places he obtained by pounding tin* >tone, and colours of gold I are occasionally zisible, but nothing payable has yi-t been dropped upon. The appearance of things, however, is sufficiently good to warrant a thorough trial of the reef. Diamond Gully. — Good payable stone is being got out m stopiny, but operations ji re »it present hampered and will be so until the shoot and hopper are erected, whereby the stuff can be sent to i t.ie battery. These are now in course of construction, and as sson as they an\ completed the manager will be in a pot-i-tion to forward regular supplies.

Wajokongomai. — Underground operations are just now confined to two small leaders near the .Wellington boundary, where some stone has been got showing a sprinkling of gold. The blocking of the tramway has prevented the sen-liny of the stuff obtained in this part of the claim to the bat} cry, 'but it is likely that an opportunity will be found for having it crushed next week. Yv"ork is, wo understand, about to bo resumed in the Virginia City section of the Company's ground, wnieh hns for a considerable time boon neglected. With the excellent :>rospeets got in the larjje roof formerly vorlvod upon thorp, it is somewhat stir • rising that nothing should have been lone ere now to have it thoroughly eslnd. May Queen. — The recent crushing coin this mine having given a highly satisfactory roturn, work will now be pushed vigorously forward. Both in that part of the reef opened up close to •he, trannvnj, nml in the winze, near the Lucky Hit boundary, goo 1 payable ston- 1 as been found, an 1 the distance between ■iese two points justifies the belief that considerable extent of the reef will be round to pny handsomely for working. Lucys y Hit. — Tiie winze from the >wace 1 1 rive is now almost through to the ntennediate level. Before the end of ■lext week things will be in readiness for oreaking o\ifc ami sending ilown quart/ from the upper workings, and a tri.-il lot will forthwith be sent to the battery. In t.iie intermedi >te drive hard country has come in, and the lode is at present almost pinched out, but is expected shortly to make again. As soon as things have ■ teen got into good working in this part of the claim the attention of the manager will be given to the May Queen loader in which gold has already been found in the Company's ground. Inverness. — Comparatively little work is being done at present, the staff having been [reduced until decisive arrangements have been come to with regard to the battery, which the Company have it in contemplation to erect. At the annual meeting of shareholders held in Auckland yesterday the matter was expected to be finally resolved upon, and we hope immediately to learn that carrying out of this work which is of vital moment to the prosperity of the claim, is about to be at once proceeded with. Phoenix. — The stuff got out in stoping during the last few weeks is now being hauled up to the tramway, and will be sent to the battery as soon as the stampers can be had. A payable yield is expected. Stanley. — A trial parcel of stuff has been forwarded to the mill, and is now in process of treatment. Should the return be as satisfactory as is expected, the development of the claim will be set about in a systematic form.