MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 24, 3 November 1871, Page 3

MINING.

Red Queen.— lt was rumoured yesterday' morning in town that gold had been struck in the "Red Queen Company s ground, in a leader cut in the drive going in towards the Otago shaft. Our reporter immediately' repaired to the claim to ascertain the truth of tire report, hut although he was allowed down the shaft, arid was the hearer of a written order from the legal manager, the “boss” of the shift steadfastly refused to allow him to inspect the workings, simply giving as a reason that he did not think lie would be right in doing so, and that perhaps the manager might not wish any reports to appear in the newspapers concerning the reported find. He did not even say whether gold had been struck or not. From what we have been told by' different parties who did go dov,*n and see the leader, it is impossible for us to form any estimate as to the value of the find, some saying that it was very good, and others stating that it was nothing much. One tiling, however, is certain, that a large number of shares changed hands at a far

higher rate than they have done for some time past. The fact of the press reporters having been prohibited from inspecting the mine naturally creates great suspicion that all is not right, for how are absent shareholders to obtain correct information, if not through the medium of the papers. Surely the manager cannot bo expected to inform each individual shareholder that gold has been found, consequently some reason ought to be given for the exclusion of the press. To say the least of it, the whole, thing looks very suspicious ftnd ought to be explained by those in l charge of the mine, and also in charge of the shareholders interests. The leader, as seen by our reporter from the mouth of the cross cut, which looked to be about sixteen or twenty feet in, was about a foot wide and rather broken, the stone being very good looking quartz, but of course nothing can bo said positively as to the appearance in the face of the drive. Eureka llill. —The shaft and drives have now been thoroughly cleaned out, and the manager has commenced to open out on botli leaders in hand. The main leader, which is about eighteen inches wide in the face of the drive, is being followed towards the Ivuranui boundary, from which it is distant about thirty feet, and looks very well, being well find clearly defined, and the stone looks to be very likely. The Ivuranui Company have worked this leader up to the Eureka boundary at a lower level, and are now rising and stoping it out. The small leader, which is about four inches wide, and from which some rich gold was formerly taken, is being followed both ways from the end of the drive. This leader was originally worked from the Teutonic company’s shaft at a level thirteen feet below the present Eureka workings, and as a rise was put up on it for a height of seventeen feet the manager expects to cut into the old- workings at almost every moment, which will give a good current of air throughout the mine. The main leader will be followed up the hill as soon as the manager can get the drive fresh timbered, the present timber being quite unsafe to work near. Moanataiari. —A winze is being sunk on the No. 9 reef sixty feet further to the westward than the one at present down, and it is going down perfectly dry, whereas the other is full of water. The lode looks very well. The company’s battery is at present idle, the boiler being refixed.

All Nations. —The night before last' about 401bs of specimens were brought to light, increasing the amount on hand to close on GOOlbs, and again yesterday afternoon a lot of about 901bs of very good ones came up. This will help to materially increase the month’s yield, which promises to exceed the last by some considerable quantity. The specimens will be crushed to-morrow, and on Saturday the general monthly clean up will take place. Lincoln Castle. —The workmen in this mine came on to a nice run. of gold in the 23rd June leader, on which t\iey arc driving towards the Flying Cloud ground. About lolbs. of very nice golden stone were picked out yesterday morning, and gold is still in hand. In the upper drive they are shortly going to work on the leader which was cut by the Flying Cloud low level drive, and from which such an excellent return was obtained the other day. This part of the field seems to bo looking, up now, and in a-short time we expect to see some good returns from the claims in the locality.

Brighton. —The trial from the TwoFingered reef at this company’s battery turned out at the rate of about 13dwls. to the ton. If this yield continues, it will pay them well, being so easily got at. Caledonian. —About 17cwt. of specimens were sent down to the battery yesterday to lie crushed. They are not extremely rich, but will make a barge addition to the week’s yield. The reef was struck yesterday in the lower level, but it is not yet known what it contains. Good stone continues to come from the winzes, and work is going on satisfactorily. Interlude. —A meeting of the shareholders of the above company was held at the Pacific Hotel,last night,when it was resolved to wind up the present company and re-form it under fresh rules.