THE KUAOTUNU GOLDFIELD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 481, 18 June 1890, Page 4

THE KUAOTUNU GOLDFIELD.

Kuaotunu, June 13. The Try Fluke G.M. Company's battery made a successful start to-day, and without the usual humbug of champagne suppers. It is just as well to dispense with all those unnecessary ceremonies and devote what such luxuries would cost bo something more beneficial to the Company. The plant is a very neat and substantial one, and reflects the highest credit on the Messrs Fraser Brothers' systematic workmanship. The plant comprises 11 head of stamps, 3 serviceable berdans, with a firstclass engine to drive them. At the rear of the building large commodious tailing pits have been erected capable of holding all the refuse bailings. The Company intend devoting strict and careful attention to the bailings, and have men now engaged excavating a large tailings paddock capable of holding a few hundred tons of tailings, if necessary. In the event of the tailings proving to be of fair quality, the Company intend oreeting a tailings plant separate from their present mill. The contractor for sleighing the quartz from the mine to the battery is making excellent progress. About sixty tons is now awaiting treatment, and if the teams can manage to keep up what they have been averaging, viz., 11 tons per diem, they may keep the battery running one shift. There is nothing fresh to report from the mine. All hands are busy bagging the ore for the teams to sleigh to the battery. This system of work will be continued for some time, probably all winter. At present there i-t no prospect of the Company having the aerial tram in work this winter. The roads are really bad, and therefore it is absolutely useless to attempt to get the wire rope up while the roads are in their present state. Lady Carrington G.M.C. are making excellent progress with their low level tunnel, having driven 30 feet for the week through a splendid channel of country. A cross-lode made its appearance at the commencement of the tunnel and is being driven on with the tunnel. The reef is fully eighteen inches thick, and yields fair dish prospects. This lode may eventually prove to be~ of great value to the Company, and if it should keep its present course will junction with Nos. 1 and 2 reefs worked on in the upper level. Secret Claim.— Driving on the reef is being continued with very fair progress. The quartz coming to hand from the reef is of a most promising description, the mineral indications being good, with also a little gold showing. Hope Claim.— This ground is situated on the south-east side of the Great Mercury. A level is now being driven to intersect a reef 2ft in thickness on the surface, and known as the Puzzle reef. The reef has given splendid dish prospects wherever operated on. 30ft more driving should see the reef in hand.

Vulcan G.M.C. —Good progress is being made in sinking the shatfc. So far the sinking has been really good. The country passed through is of an excellent description for gold. A depth of 50ft has now been attained, and it is the intention of the Company to sink another 30ft preparatory to opening out a level north from the shaft. This level will intersect the Otama reef with about 40ft of driving. Mariposa. —The low level is now in a distance of 118 ft.

Red Mercury.— The manager is engaged breaking out a 20ton parcel, to be sent to the Thames for treatment, Blotches of exceedingly fine gold are freely distributed through the quartz, and should yield handsomely. Tenders close to-day for driving the low level a further distance of 100 feet.

Morning Star. —A reef showing excellent prospects has been intersected in the low level. This,Company has done a great amount of work under the supervision of Mr Black. A number of other prospecting levels and trenches have been put in with varying results.