MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 59, 14 December 1871, Page 3

MINING.

Cyclops (Upper Tararu), —Work is being vigorously prosecuted in this mine now in spite of there being no roads to the district, and consequently no chance of getting any stone down or any machinery up there for some time to come. They are at present putting in a low level drive to cut the reef which is in hand on the surface, and are making good progress through first rate working country. The drive i.s now in a distance of about 100 feet, and has to go in as much fariher to catch the reef. They wifi then have hacks of 100 feet to work on. A winze has been sunk on the lode to a depth of 35 feet, at which the water came in too heavily for them to contiuue sinking. All the way down excellent prospects were obtained, improving as they went deeper. Some stone is to be seen at the manager’s office showing gold freely, and from prospects washed as they worked some very good gold was obtained. This reef is the same as that from which such a good show has been obtained in the Vulcan, and runs through the whole length of their lease area. They can at any time put in a tunnel at a much lower level than the one at present worked in, and a machine site and water-race have been laid out close to, so that if the reef shows well at the lower level, they fully intend to erect a machine of their own. If this and several other claims in the same locality were only at a convenient distance from the beach, there is little doubt but that they would be looked on as good investments, but being where they are, there is very little inducement for carrying on any expensive workings. Inverness.—Crushing was started yesterday morning at the Prince Alfred battery, on stuff from the Kuranui tunnel level, and will be carried on continuously, .the manager feeling sure that he can obtain a sufficient supply of stone to enable him, to do so. The stone now going through is not expected to be very rich, as the lode having been broken very much near the boundary, there is a large amount of mullock mixed with it. The reef, as driven on, is beginning to improve in appearance, coming in more solid than it lias been up to the present, and gold can be seen in the face and roof of the drive. Specimens continue to be broken out in small quantities every shift, and there are now a considerable quantity on hand, which will help to swell the yield from the general stuff to a respectable return. Stone is being sent down from the other end of the mine as well as the whole lot beingcrushed together. Junction. —Crushing the stone from the upper level stopes has been discontinued, it not being payable. Sinking the winze is being continued, aad until it is down to the required depth, and connected with tlie shaft, no more stone can lie sent to the mill. The manager reports that the reef is looking better r they get down on it, and a promisin looking branch leader has been met w- . Moanataiari. This company b

now employed extra crushing pov, , which was very necessary, as the stone lias been accumulating so that it was ’ i the way of the working of the mine. Tne Herald Battery has been engaged, and is now full swing on their stuff. Specimens continue to be brought to light in greater or less quantities every day, and we look for a better fortnight’s yield than the last.

Queen of tue May.—At a depth of 155 feet they have cut a mullocky leader, containing good-looking quartz, about 10 inches Avidc, ancl dipping towards the sea across the shaft. It is not knoAvn yet Avhat lode it is, but the directors intend to open out at 160 feet, and prospect for the City of London reef. Ashley Tribute.—A crushing for tliese tributers Avas finished at tiie F.M.K. battery yesterday, and gave a total yield of 22ozs. 2dwts. of melted gold. Queen of Beauty.—Yesterday the result of a Aveek’s crushing at Bull’s No. 1 Machine, and lodged in the Bank of Ncay Zealand, and amounted to 105ozs. 19dA\ s. of melted gold. This is an excellent return, and is a decided improA-cmenton the previous crushings. Providence.—Yesterday nervs AYas received by telegram from Auckland that the appeal against the Warden’s decision bad been disalloAved, so that the ground remains in possession of the party who jumped it from the Company. Another crushing is noAV going on at Partington’s machine for the present OAvners, and is looking up very well for a good return. A specimen crushing of about SOlbs. of . stone from a lately taken up claim on the Hape Creek took place yesterday, and gave the excellent return of 15ozs. of melted gold. We believe that the party are the late tributers of the Moanataiari Union G.M.Co. We are glad to see another claim in this district likely to turn up trumps.