MINING NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 490, 19 July 1890, Page 4

MINING NEWS.

Kuaotunu, July 12. The continuous heavy rain has had the effect of considerably retarding work on the field ; in fact, many of the claims have suspended operations completely until the weather takes up and the surface water has subsided. Tho roads are next to impassable. Hopes are entertained that during the present session our member may induce the Government to vobo a further sum for the improvement of the main road. What is wanted is a tramway from the landing to the site of the proposed new battery, and from thence to the claims beyond. The wholo distance is libtle over two miles, and the road a very good grado for a tram line. The Government have plenty of old railroad iron, which, I understand, ono of the Ministers stated was available ; timber for sleepers is abundant; it only wants a little push and we should have the tram-line. Golden Streak. —Work for the present has been entirely suspended owing to bad weather.

Vulcan. —The shaft is now down 62fb., the last thirty being in a splendid class of country. Two small leaders have been cut, both giving good dish prospects. Hero, too, work has been discontinued for the present. Regret is expressed that this course had to be adopted ; another few feet ot sinking and work would have been commenced opening out to intersect the Otama reef. The promoters of this venture, all local men, deserve to be well rewarded for their pluck. Otama. —There is nothing new regarding this claim.

Lady Carrington. —Pushing ahead the low level is being continued. Irene. —A very nice-looking leader has been uncovered on the eastern sido of tho hill. The stone gives first-class dish prospects, and occasional colours of gold are seen in the quartz. A level is being put in to intersect the lode at about 30 feet from the surface, and it should soon be in hand.

Just-in-Time. —After very groat delay the low level has been advanced and the reef cut. The stone is of good quality and prospects well. Red Mercury. —Twenty tons of ore are being packed to the beach for shipment to the Thames, and it should give a handsome result.

Great Mercury. —Twenty tons from this claim is also being packed to the beach. This should also give a good return.

Carbine.— There is nothing now to re porb re this claim.

Try Fluke. Everything in connection with this mine looks well. Underhand stoping is being continued, and although the advisability of this course has been questioned, tho greatest confidence is expressed in the present manager's good judgment to carry out the work in the best interests of all concerned. The shot of gold has a very great dip towards the south ; the lower level will have to be extended some thirty or forty feet to pick up the run. The battery is working but one shift, and it is with the greatest difficulty that ore has boen sleighed to keep the stampers at work. The return for this •week should give an average surpassing last week’s icturn. The wire tram will bo finished in about three weeks. The paddocks are now full of ore, and the battery in first-class order—with these there should be no stoppage for a considerable time to come. It will be necessary that the management get some more berdans or pans, as at present the tailings are accumulating. Victoria. Work has been commenced to connect tho upper and lower level. This is a claim that should give a good account of itself. They have some very good reefs and an unlimited amount of stone easily worked. A small trial parcel tested at Frazer’s lately gave a good return at the rate of £l4 14s per ton.

Waitai. —Mr 11. Bennett has assumed tho command of this valuable claim. A start will be soon made with the low level, when something good may be expected.

Victory. —This claim is situated on the Waitai side of the field, and is in close proximity to Wilson and Woodcock’s (Waitai) and Bonanza claims. Graham and party are working the ground, and have several nice-looking leads opened up. This claim, from the position alone, should prove a valuable piece of ground. Midas. —Tenders aro out for extending the level another 100 feet. It is to be hoped that ere this is completed something good may be gob. Maori Pa. Work has been recommenced on this extensive block of ground. Considerable work has already been done with good results, and (ho owners are censured for pushing matters forward. The Black Jack reef crosses the ground, and trenching is now being pushed forward to pick it up.

Thame?, July 15. Dives.— A further haul of 271 b of picked stone was obtained to-day from No. 5 stope west. A good show is still left. Trenton.—ln No. 7 stope the lode is being stripped. It averages 15 inches, and shows dabs and colours of gold.

Trv Fluke. —The reef at tho south end of the winze is not quite so solid as it has been, but up to the present the face has crushed splendidly, andgoodgoldcontinued the whole distance underfoot. Overhead it also shows in the stone. It is best at the bottom. At the north end tho reef is getting wider as it goes down, and fine crushing dirt may be expected from the two stopes. In consequence of tho state of the roads not more than five tons of quartz per day can bo got down to tho battery.

Red Mekcurv. —The contractor is making good progress in packing quartz to the beach, 13 tons being now delivered. It will probably be shipped about the 19th. The low level is in 31 feet, and four or five weeks should see tho reef in hand. During tho past week one man has been engaged trenching on the reef south of the present workings with good results,. Almost every stone gives splendid mortar and dish prospects. Carbine. —Good prospects can be obtained in the winze, and it is expected that a considerable portion of tho reef now stripped will prove payable. In the low level tho vein is rather small, but the quartz bears a strong resemblance to the Try Fluke reef. The show of gold has improved of late. Otama. —The b ; g reef is four feet thick and gives a fair show of gold when pounded. It should prove payable when crushed.

New Moanataiari. —TI e quartz from the cross reef Cambria level is kindly looking. Reuben Farr reef maintains a promising appearance, and picked stone is obtained at every breaking down. Freedom. —Nice dabs of go d are left along the back of the eastern drive, and on the floor 25ft of- the reef has been stripped ready for breaking down. New ALBUKNU.--The crosscut on the break at the battery level has been extended a further distance of 20 feet. A body of quartz has been intersected, which corresponds with Dixon’s reef. It is 18 inches thick, and kindly-looking friable quartz. A few strong colours of gold and other favourable indications have been met with. At the Whau level there has been a decided improvement, and gold may be ox] noted at any breaking down.