COROMANDEL.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 21, 31 October 1871, Page 3

COROMANDEL.

October 30. Mining operations are progressing steadily and satisfactorily; many new claims are being applied for, and all the battery power of the district is busily at work night aud day. The New Zealand Company’s Battery has been crushing all week for the Tokatea Company. About 80 tons of general stuff were put through the stampers. The stuff crushed was of the usual rich quality, and a large quantity of amalgam was taken off the plates. A general cleaningup will not take place for a fortnight or three weeks.

The Nil Desperandum battery has been at work on several small parcels during the week ; 20 tons from the All Nations leader gave a very small return ; three tons from the Waverley lease gave an excellent return of to the ton ; two tons of rich general stuff, and 3cwt. of specimens, are being put through for the Pride of Tokatea, from which a good return is expected; 40 tons have also been sent down from the Royal Oak, and will be crushed when the boxes are cleaned up. A return of 4ozs. to the ton is expected from this lot. The Whakaroa battery did not make a start on the Tokatea stuff until Wednesday last, since which lime about 40 tons were crushed. The show on the plates was very good, and a return of at least 4ozs. to the ton is expected. The claims on the Tokatea range are all in full work, and large paddocks of stone are being got ready for sending down to the batteries. The Pride of Tokatea are getting out rich gold from the upper main drive in the Rainbow End workings, and a winze is being put down to connect with the lower level, from which the stuff now being crushed was taken. The prospects of this mine are improving, and will be in a position, with good management, to pay dividends before long. The Royal Oak are not stoping out just now, the men being engaged bagging up the stuff aud sending it down to the battery. The main drive on the tramway level is being pushed forward vigorously, and it is hoped the leader will be in hand by the end of the week. The Tokatea have been getting out splendid gold from the stopes in the lower level workings on Friday and Saturday last, and have now a large lot of rich specimens on hand. The new main tunnel through the Bismarck ground has been commenced, and tenders for driving will be at once called for. The various drives and stopes look very well, showing gold freely. About 150 tons of quartz are being taken out weekly, with the prospect of being increased as the mine is opened up. The Peep o’ Day and Day Dawn are pushing forward their main drive, and expect to cut the Swedish Crown leader in a

week or two. The country being passed through is still very hard, and progress is rather slow in consequence. The Harbour View are stoping out their large leader in the upper workings. Some rich gold has been taken out during the week, and the general stuff now on hand (about 20 tons) is expected to give a return of 2ozs. to the ton. The new main drive is now iu 56 feet, and is being pushed forward rapidly. A small goldbearing leader was cut on Saturday, but will not be opened out on at present, the manager preferring to Keep on with the main drive. The Corornandel Company cut a large leader last week, from which some specimens are being taken. There are about 20 tons of general stuff iu paddock, and the manager is making arrangements to have an early crushing at the Whakaroa battery. The Golden Point Company, Driving Creek, are down with their winze about 50 feet. Water has not yet been met'with; rich specimens are being taken out every day, and the general stuff looks very well. A water-right and mill-site have been applied for on behalf of this company. The Beach claims are still progressing favorably, and shares in the different companies are in demand. The Green Harp are getting rich gold from their leader in the main drive, and have now nearly 100 tons ready for crushing. The Golden Pah have not yet cut the leader, but continue to wash out rich prospects from the stuff taken out of the main drive. The Venus, Neptune, Pacific, Golden Harp, and other claims in this locality, are all busily at work.