OUR GOLDFIELDS Thames, October 28.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 312, 31 October 1888, Page 5

OUR GOLDFIELDS Thames, October 28.

Askham-Mulloy Company. — On Saturday I telegraphed you to the effect that the Askham-Molloy Co. directors had decided to close the works for the present. Sine the commencement ot operations a large tonnage of tailings, both from the Paroquet mine at Waiomo and the portion of the foreshoie owned by the Molloy Company, has been put through the pulveiiser and treated by this process, but the general cleaning up of the amalgam, which took place a few days ago, ha^, it ha? transpired, resulted most disappointingly. The exact teturn, however, and the tonnage of tailings treated, are kept a close secret. There is little doubt that the fault lies with the pulveriser and the amalgamating pans, as the wear and tear on the former is so great as to lender it practically useless, while the pans do not appear to have saved the gold. 1 am ciedibly informed that a^ays made of foreshore tailings both before and after tieatment show them to contain the precious metal in payable quantities, and the directors are of opinion that the gold has escaped. Mr Molloy is to be communicated with on the subject, and in the meantime the works have been closed indefinitely, with the exception that a man and a boy are to be employed in putting tailings thiough the ordinary berdans.

(Juißßiv. — The outlook tor this mine is nob as encouraging as could be desired, the piospecting woiUb at No. 4 level having so far, unfortunately, resulted disappointingly. In consequence of this, ten men were dischaiged on Saturday, but 18 or 20 are still employed by this Company, so that it will be seen they have a very fair staff. The majority of these will be kept engaged breaking out quartz from the scopes. The upual fortnightly cleaning rp and retorting takes place on Wednesday.

Saxox. — A few picked fcfcones occasionally come to hand from the stopes, but there is no change to report. The country in the winze continues bight, bub good headway is being made with the drive at No. 5 level.

MINER'S RIGHT. An interest/ing point was raised during the hearing of a casein the Warden's Court a day or two ago as lo whether a complainant having a share or interest; in a licensed holding tnu&t be tho possessor of a miner's, right, and in the event of his nob owning one, whether he would thereby be thrown out of Court. Tho case was that of \Y. Laurie v. Emily Richards re a disputed share in the Ostrich claim, Waiomo, and was aajourned toallo\v counsel to look into the matter, the defendant having claimed a nensuit. At the last sitting of the Warden's Court, the Warden remarked that he did not think the objection was fatal, and that the fact of complainant not being the holder ol a miner's right did not tluow him out of Court. The case Avas turther adjourned until the Bth ot November, when the evidence for the, defence Avill be taken.