MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 41, 23 November 1871, Page 3

MINING.

Lincoln Castle.—' The drive from the Duke of Edingburgh shaft, is being continued towards the Middle Star boundary, the ground still keeping good and easy for driving, a little Avater has been coming in at the face for the last feAv feet, Avhicli looks well, and they expect soon to be on to a reef. The drive on the leader knoAvn as the Tradesman’s reef, coming from the 23rd of June claim, is still being carried ahead to the northern boundary of the claim, and gold is frequently seen ever since they took out the specimens a feAv Aveeks back. In the upper level the Son’s of Freedom are entering through their ground, and breaking down their leader for them, this being the under Avhicli they have obtained the use of the tunnel. They have still some 20 feet to drive before getting to the boundary of the two claims. The leader, as far as Avrought on up to the present, is looking very poor indeed, but the country is improving in the face of the drive, and it will doubtless improve as they folloAV it in. Flying Cloud.— The manager is Avorking on the reef cut in the adit entered to tap the Avorkings, of Avhicli he has a slice across the corner of the ground. There are oA’er 20 tons of stone in the hopper ready for sending to the mill, hut lie intends to get out more before crushing. The reef is being broken down towards the soutli-west end, and looks very Avell in the face Avliere it is about 18 or 20 inches wide, and gold is to he seen in. it as it is opened up. Yesterday some nice specimens Avere taken out of the face. The gold Avas got not far from the boundary of the Sons of Freedom, which shoAvs well for their chance. This promises to be a valuable block of ground to the company though it is a small one. The specimens are to be seen at the legal managers office. There will be as much as 20 feet to sink in one place before the reef runs out of the ground, and from the drive to the surface Avill be at least 70 feet, so that if the stone turns out anything like what AA’as crashed for the Sons of Freedom the block, small as it is, will b* a valuable one.

In the main tunnel the work of clearing out the dirt has just been completed. The drive was completely filled from floor to roof, and the timber in many instances had given way, so that it was no light work to get everything in working order. Now that this is completed more men have been put to work, aud breaking down the block still standing will at once be proceeded with.

American Eagle. —Work is being carried on systematically in this claim, and the manager is preparing the mine for breaking down down stone for the mill. In the main adit he has pnt up a rise some 15feet, and is then driving along the reef towards the Middle Star ; he has already gone some 40 feet, and when he gets 30 feet further on he will commence his stopes. The country has been very hard indeed for some distance, but a much softer and kindlier run is now coming in. There is a long strip of the reef now ready for breaking down, and as the last specimens were taken out just where they knocked off,

the manager fully expects to see good gold as soon as ever lie goes to work on the quartz. There are some 200 feet of the reef from the main adit to the Middle Star boundary, and about 100 in the opposite direction, towards the Sons of Freedom, and the average width is from eighteen inches to two feet, so that a good quantity of stuff can easily be got at. This reef seems to be turning out well all along its course, wherever it is in hand gold having been obtained, the run and appearance being the same all through. 23rd. of June. —The reef right throughout the claim looks well wherever it is being worked on, but as it approaches the surface coming towards the creek it seems poorer,whilst as it gets in under the hill it improves in quality and appearance. Gold is still being taken out from all the stopes in small quantities, and a few specimens are often brought to light. The lode in the stopes runs from one foot to more than two in width, and as it approaches the winze sunk from the upper drive for air, it is 4 feet wide. The old shareholders had worked on the reef up to this point and never could make it pay, so stopped short just at the wrong place, as had they continued a little further into the hill they must have come on to the gold. The management intend now to start to work from the low level on the old Trac.esman’s lode, which has been taken out from the upper drive right to the boundary of the Lincoln Castle, and they expect to be breauing down stone in a few weeks time. They arc now busy making their tramway to join the main line. As soon as this is complete, they will have a good crushing, there being now about GO tons to grass, and more is being brought out daily. New Caledonia. —The crushing for this claim going on at the Criterion battery was looking very well, but the machine is now at a stand-still, owing to the Nonpareil not having stuff enough to keep the 14 head employed. Highland Chief. —The drive being put in has cut the reef looked for, and a very good show has been obtained. The tramway is new being pushed ahead quickly, and the claims up this creek will soon get a chance of being thoroughly tested. Lion. —In the Lion drive, a leader about six inches wide has been cut, dipping from them, and towards where the reef is expected to be cut. No gold was visible in the first lot taken out, though the stone looks very kindly, and carries metal plentifully. Golden Lion. —Water is now coming in pretty freely in the face of the drive under the creek, and, from other indications, the reef is now close at hand. Bird-in-lland. —Driving, in order to prospect the ground at both sides of the shaft, will be commenced to-day, the shaft having been sunk to the required depth. Nonpareil. —Yesterday some splendid specimens were taken out of a branch leader being followed from the main reef to the right, going towards the Central Italy ground. The stone is some of the best ever taken out of the mine.

? Golden Calf. —The shaft is uoav nearly through the hard dyke. A couple of shots put in yesterday blew doAvmvards, instead of raising the stuff. Moanataiaui Union.—Some time ago, the tributers, in driving, cut asinall leader, Avliich was left. They have started to open out on it, and, after going a few feet, got a fine blioav of very good gold, in tAvo or three bucketsfull of stone brought out. Morning Star.—The loavci- Avorkings of this mine are flooded Avitli Avatcr from the leader lately cut. The pumps arc Avorking very fast, and they expect to get clear of Avater in a day or two.