MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 25, 4 November 1871, Page 3

MINING.

Red Queen. —The report that gold had been struck in this company’s ground thb day before yesterday, was confirmed upon the arrival of the managing director from Auckland, It seems that orders had been left that no one was to be allowed down the mine, consequently the men working there were not to blame in refusing permission to the reporters to examine the workings. The fault lay with those from whom the order emanated. The leader in which the gold was struck was cut in the main drive, towards the Otago, at about 70 feet from the shaft, which is 170 feet deep. A cross cut was put in and the leader followed for a distance of some 25 feet, at about 20 feet a small clay seam passed through, and the lode was very much improved in appearance on the far side, and seems to be getting better as i goes on. It is about a foot wide in the face, and dips towards the Waiotahi Creek. The country looks kindly, having got much softer than in .the main drive. At present it is hard to estimate the value of the find, but a short time will prove it. The manager intends to get stone out soon and test it, and from appearances it will yield well. The leader seems to be changing its course slightly as it goes in, so it is impossible to say exactly where it strikes for, but whichever way it goes the Red Queen will have a large run of it. The manager intends as soon as he gets air to open out on the low level, in a line with where the Otago struck their golden leader.

Caledonian. —The main reef in the low level was touched at a distance of 48 feet from the chamber on Thursday, and the footwall was stripped and a small portion of stone taken out at the top of the drive. From the point where it has been cut to No. 3 winze is about twenty feet. Driving towards this winze will be started directly, and as it is down to a depth of 86 feet from the main level communication may soon be expected to be opened. When this is effected all the stone from the reef instead of being hauled up to the main level as is now done, will be passed directly out to tho engine shaft, and thence to the surface without a second handling. The manager intends also to open out on the specimen lode at the low level and get stone out as soon as everything is in readiness. In the main workings the block between Nos 1 and 2 winzes is being fast taken out, the whole of the stone being passed down to tho bottom level through No 1 winze. Some very good stone has been taken from this block, which will not take long to work out. A drive is going in from No 1 winze at about forty feet from the main level, towards the junction of the specimen leader with the main reef, and here the lode is looking very well indeed, gold being plainly visible all along the drive, this is where the greater part of the specimens have lately come from. As regards the main face there is not much to be seen, but gold is still there, though nothing like what it used to be, yet the presence of it shows that it has not run out. Another leader about a foot thick, above the hanging wall of the reef, has been uncovered, and the manager showed some very nice stone, containing goad gold, taken from it. This leader may prove to be a valuable addition to the already immense wealth of this claim. The distance of the No. 3 winze from Tookey’s corner peg is some 25 feet, leaving a nice block of the reef on the south-weßtorn side still in the company’s ground right across to the far side of the Moanataiari Creek. The air in the mine seems to be rather bad, even with the constant current pumped down the shaft. Ballarat and Rising Sun. The manager reports that gold was struck yesterday in the winze going down on the leader in the Rising Sun ground, close to the Shamrock. This winze has yet to be continued 40 feet to reach the low level tunnel, when there will be backs of 100 feet to work out. AVe cannot say whether the find is very rich or not, but the runs of gold formerly in hand on this reef have been exceedingly so. Tookey Company (Willis’Tribute). — The result of the crushing of 18 tons of stone at the Manukau battery for this tribute resulted in the 'very handsome return of GB4ozs. retorted gold, an average of about 3£ozs. to the ton,

Whau. —The usual fortnightly cteurup for this company gave'a'return of 1440z5. 13dwts. from 180 tons of stone put through, partly at tlieir own battery, and partly at 1 the Manukau mafchine. Standard^ —A crushing of 10 tons of stone for this company was completed at Partington’s battery yesterday, for a return of 20ozs. lOdwts. retorted gold. To this has to be added the proceeds of the specimens on hand, which will increase the total yield to about an ounce and a half to the ton. This will pay the company well, as the stuff was taken from different leaders. Another crushing will take place as soon as there is a sufficient quantity out, and it may be expected to yield better than this one, as the good gold was only got out latterly; arid a very small portion of the stone crushed has come to grass since. 23rd June. —A meeting of the directors of this company was held last night, when it was resolved to put a tramway from the drive to the main line. As soon as this is done another crushing will take place, a good paddock' of stone being already on hand. Otago.— The contractors are driving towards the Caledonian boundary on the reef, and gold can be be seen in the stone as it comes up, but the men being on contract work do not of course delay picking the stone over for gold. Golden Sruß.— The crushing going on at Bull’s for this company is making a pretty good show on the plates. The crushing will not bo completed this week. Mary Ann. —Sinking in this company’s ground will be finished this week, when the manager intends to open out on the reef. Gold has been often seen whilst going down, and a crushing will take place very soon, which is expected by the directors to yield well. From the present level there will be backs of 100 feet ready for working out. The mine is now getting well opened up, and a reward for work done is looked forward to. There have been good crushings formerly from this mine. Tokatea. —An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Tokatea Goldmining Company was held on November 1, at the Pacific Hotel, Coromandel, for the purpose of amending the rules of the company. Mr Coupland, chairman of directors, occupied the chair. The following amended rules were agreed to: — “ That the annual general meeting of the company be held on any convenient day, to be named, in October of each year, instead of the ,first Monday in October as heretofore.” “ That fifty shares be the qualification for the office of director, instead of an indefinite number as heretofore.” “ That shareholders be entitled to a vote for each share, instead of one vote for fifty shares as heretofore.” In answer to a question, the Chairman stated that it was not the intention of the directors to erect machinery at present, the directors being quite satisfied with the accommodation afforded, and the prices charged by the batteries now employed by the company. The Chairman in an swer to further questions stated that erecting machinery by the company meant also making new roads, erecting shoots, and constructing new tramways—expenses the directors did not feel justified in entering upon, while they got the work of the company done so satisfactorily as under present arrangements. — D.S. Cross.