MINING NEWS. Thames, May 8.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 376, 12 June 1889, Page 5

MINING NEWS. Thames, May 8.

Lone Hand. —The prospects of this mine are very satisfactory. In the Lone Hand section two stopes are in progress on the Adelaide reef — one eastward and the other westward. The reef in both of these is somewhat small, being from three to four inches in thickness, but it is encased in a splendid channel of sandstone, and dabs of gold are discernible in the quartz every breaking down. Two stopes — No. 5 and No. 6 — are also being carried alone in the Manchester section of the mine. The reef varies in width from 15 to IS inches, and is composed of quartz of the most kindly ' nature, through which dabs of gold are ' irequently seen distributed. The low level on the course ot the Moa reef has since been extended a distance of Bft., and bhe lode will probably be broken down in a day or two. New Alburnia. — Contrary to expectation, nothing of importance has yet been met with in the drive on the Sons of Freedom reef. This drive is now in about 43tt. from the cross-cut, but the reef is still somewhat small It is 9or 10 inches thick, and composed of quartz of a rubbly nature in which colours of gold are observed, while it aUo carries excellent minerals. New Manukau. — No crushing took place as tho result of the past month's operations, in consequence of the manager having been engaged almost solely in doing "dead work." This has now been just about finished, and quartz is again to be broken out. Saxon. — This Company*) mine still maintains its position as our principal gold producer, although the reefs at No. 5 level have not been looking quite so well lately. As your readers are awaie, driving is being pushed ahead both eastaud west on the No. 1, or main reef. In the former, which is in about 100 ft ftom the ciosscut, the lode averages nearly 2ft in width, and in the vein on the hangingwall col outs ot gold aie still seen occasionally. In the western drive the country has not improved, and theieefh split up. At this level the drive along the course of No. 2 lode is now 87 t'eet beyond tho No. 1 " break," the leef here also being split up into two leaders, with a " horse " of sandstone some 18 inches or 2 feet in thickness separating them. Dabs and colours of gold are frequently seen "when breaking down the quartz. There is no change to report from the stopes over No. 2 level, which are yielding the usual supply of excellent crushing dirt Cleaning up and retorting for the past fortnight will take place on Tuesday next. The quartz has hardly been shaping so well lately, and tho teturn will probably be scarcely equal to the last. The Puriri District. — At the meeting of the County Council, a letter was read from Mr Alex. Hosg, in which he stated that the trial crushing of 7 tons of quartz fiom tho old prospectors' claim at Puriri had yielded over soz^. per ton treated by Fraser s process as a free milling ore. The parcel was selected. He had about 250 tons ot average crushing dirt broken out which had been proved to be worth from 12 to 15dwts. per ton, and three levels were opened up on the same line of reef, vaiying from 4 to Bft. wide. Arrangements were now being made to erect a batteiy on a site which would be available for the whole goldfield. He asked that the Engineer should be authorised to inspect the dis tiict and lay off a line of road to open up the mines in Puriri. — The Council decided to communicate with Government, and endeavour to obtain a vote of money for the purpose of constructing a road to the mines. Norfolk. — The manager reports that during the last fortnight two men ha\e been constantly employed in sinking the winze to connect with No. 2 level. The Teef looks very well, especially the last few feet. Gold is freely showing in the large reef which makes a junction with the Norfolk reef. The contractors have completed their contract with No. 2 level, but 20 feet more driving \\ ill have to be done to reach the winze. The drive is nice sandstone, interlaced with mineral veins, and if the reef is opened up at this level it is thought that it w ill prove remunerative. Lone Hand. — it has been decided to employ three shifts in extending the low level tunnel. May Qoeen. — The tender of Mr McDermott, at £80, has been accepted for the erection of this company's winding engine, poppet legs, etc. Lonk Hand. — There can be no question that the directors have acted wi.sely in deciding to push ahead the low level with all possible expedition, and to in future have three shifts employed on tins work, instead of one as heretofore. The manager has made arrangements for the putting on of the extra men, who will commence work on Monday. Colours of gold are freely seen in the quartz coming co hand from the slopes. Tkknton. — The successful contractor has started driving from the bottom of the Company's shaft, the allotted distance being 50ft. The country is tiyht. Cambria. - The manager has banked 41ozs lOdwt} of melted gold from 20 loads quartz.