COROMANDEL.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 36, 17 November 1871, Page 3

COROMANDEL.

(from our own correspondent) November 14,1871. The mining news this week is nothing very startling or important, and there are no new finds to report. The crushing for the Tokatca at the New Zealand and Whak'aroa batteries is going on as favourably as could be wished. The New Zealand battery was cleaned up on Monday, and when I was there on Tuesday two large retorts had just been placed on the fire, from which the manager expected to get 150ozs. of gold. At the Whakaroa the show is equally good, and a considerable quantity of gold was expected down this morning, the result of the week’s crushing. The mine itself is turning out better than ever, and a large quantity of the finest specimens ever yet got from the workings have been taken out this week. I hear that they will be crushed next week.

The Nil Desperandum are crushing about 15 tons for the Venus Company. When I was at the battery yesterday there was a fair show on the plates. This claim has been steadily at work without making much fuss. A drive has been put in the spur adjoining the Green Harp and the Venus, and large leaders cut at a distance of 185 feet, so that now a largo block can be stoped out from the sea level, doing away with the expense necessary in working from the shaft. No. 3 loader has also been developed, and about 15 feet sent to he crushed. There are about 50 tons from tho same leader still on the ground. A lease of the ground has been applied for, and the prospects of the company are very good. A meeting of the shareholders of the John Bull was held on Monday night, at the Pacific Hotel. There was a fair attendance, and M. Silk was called to the chair. The rules were adopted, and Messrs. Jackman, Pidgeon, Hall, Snowden, and Dunster elected directors. Tho legal manager was instructed to advertise for a working manager, and a call of 44d. per scrip made, and it was resolved to commence working next week and endeavour to cut the Green Harp leader, which is said to rnn through the ground. The Nil Desperandum drive is now in upwards of 400 feet, and a shaft has been sunk 45 feet to join the drive with the tunnel on the other side of the hill. This will enable the quartz to be taken from the drive and carried to tho machine without the expense of carting. A crushing will be had at their own battery next week of about 20 tons, which is expected to give a large return. The Excelsior has come upon a little gold in a mass of stringers at the head of their drive. This shows that they arc in the run of the gold, and the Manager is in hourly expectations of coming on a good patch. The Conquering Hero are able to wash a good prospect from the stringers they have met with, and the men are expecting to see the leader in the face of the drive every day.