MONTHLY SUMMARY

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 70, 29 December 1871, Page 2

MONTHLY SUMMARY

OUR GOLDFIELDS. During the past month mining affairs have been very generally dull all over the field, and the market lias, in consequence, been very dull indeed. Before going into the doings of the past month, however, we think it may be interesting to give some idea of the progress of the field for the past twelve months. Last year, at this time, everything was remarkably quiet, and dull, many of the good gold-yielding claims having fallen off greatly in their returns, and something fresh was anxiously looked for, which would give an impetus to the field in general. This came in the month of January, when gold was come on in tbe Caledonian mine, which, since that time, has produced the enormous amount of 220,800 ozs. of gold, of a total value of £594,800 or 9 tons 3 ewt. 90 lbs. of the precious metal, a tiling unprecedented in the annals of goldmining in the whole world. Good returns still continue to come from the mine, and it will most likely be a paying mine for many years to conic. Amongst Ih6 other claims producing gold, the All Nations, Moanataiari, Kuranui, Nonpareil, Una have given good returns all through the year, and still continue to do so. The total amount of gold produced on the field for the year 1871 lias been about 352,000 ounces. The yield for March was the largest, being 45,200 ounces ; June coming next with 40,300 ounces. The principal feature in the past month's mining has been the cutting of the reef in Tookey’s ground from the Caledonian workings. Great tilings were expected, and shares went up to £45 as they got near the lode, but it lias been cut through, and no gold got as j’et. This caused a tremendous re-action in the market, the shares dropping quickly to below £2O. The reef has also been broken into from the other end of the mine, .and a trial crushing has taken place, but the result was not payable. In the Caledonian mine a change of management lias taken place, Mr Win. Rowe having retired from the management, and his place supplied by Captain Richards. An entire change has taken place in the method of working the. mine, and the consequence is that the returns have been small for the past three weeks, amounting in all to about 1.150 ounces. Larger may, however, be looked for, but not for a time, as there is a large body of stone to be broken out before they again get to work on the rich run of gold in the main reef. This run has not yet been picked up in the lower level, but the reef is being broken down in both directions, and we ought soon to know where it lias gone to.

The Golden Crown arc pushing ahead their works in their low level, and will shortly be able to keep a large number of stampers constantly employed. The Otago has been doing a lot of work during the month, opening uj their two lodes. The No. 1 lode has turned into a good looking reef, from which good gold has been taken. The No. 2 lode lias been followed for some distance, and gold seen all the way. Stone is being brought out, and by next month we fully expect to have to chronicle the result of a crushing. The United Pumping Association have been making good progress with their very extensive works, and are still going down with the shaft. The Albion also are getting down well. A small engine has been erected for the present winding, and preparations are being made for the erection of a larger engine and boiler for the future working of the mine. The Central Italy have got all their machinery over from Australia, and first-rate progress has been made with the erection of it. It will, in all probability, be finished in less than six weeks from this date, and operations can then be resumed in tho mine. The Golden Calf, next to the Central Italy, cut through some leader containing good gold, but did not prospect it. The low level tunnel going into these two claims from the Moanataiari is making good progress. The Waitemata have resumed operations in their ground, and are going to prospect it thoroughly throughout. The Nonpareil are still sinking their shaft, in which good gold was got, and will soon be ready to open out another level in the mine. The Multum-in-Parvo has been tuning out some good stone since work has been resumed. and several good crushings have taken place from claims up on the Punga Flat, and in that neighbourhood. Ths Oolib.m (late Providence) lias turned out some vpleiidid' stone * during tbemnonth' having yielded magnificently to the new shareholders; who have already bad h. dividend of £IOO per share out of thb ground.' The Inverness has made a st|lrt

during the past month. All tho dead work has been completed, and now the manager has started to break down stone, and will be enabled to keep the battery constantly employed. The reef in the low level has carried good gold since it was first started on, and stoping will be comtnencd forthwith. Good returns for some time may be confidently looked forward to. The next claim, the All Nations, continues to crush regularly with good results, and another dividend is expected almost immediately. Tho Hape Creek, too, has looked up during the month. The George Stephenson have had a very rich crushing, their 801bs. of specimens giving 1290z5., in addition to the gold from the general stuff. The next claim too, the Black Forest, aro on the gold, and are getting good stone out. On the flat the claims are working ahead. The Bright Smile have got down 50 feet with their shaft, and another block of ground will be immediately ready for blocking out. The water is rather heavy, hut can be kept down to the present level with the appliances on hand. The Red Queen are getting good gold from their smaller lode, and the first crushing which took place has proved payable. The Flying Cloud have been crushing with payable returns, and some splendid gold has been taken out during the past week or two. During the next month we aro confident that several claims on this line of reef will make some good returns. At Coromandel, mining matters are in a very healthy condition. Their leading claim, the Tokatea, still jrives splendid returns, and the Green Harp, Pride of Tokatea, and others, are shaping well. At Tararu, the Californian claim has been turning out some first class stone, and the Cock-a-Doodle and Missouri are crushing with good results. At Tapu, not much change of consequence has taken place, the same only being at work, and turning out about the usual quantity of gold.