MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 88, 20 January 1872, Page 3

MINING.

Prince Imperial. —The retorting of amalgam obtained from the recent crushing of 11 tons took place yesterday, and gave the very satisfactory return of 1 3oz. Bdwt. of gold, or at the rate of loz. 4dwt. Bgr. to the ton.

The Criterion Battery is at present at a standstill for want of water.

AVajotahi. —The shaft being sunk on the boundary of the Alanukau claim is down to a depth of GO feet, and the loader which is 15 inches wide, shows gold as it is broken down. They arc now commencing to open out a chamber with the intention of driving along it and thoroughly tasting its value. Wo saw some nice gold in nieces of quartz washed out of the mullock. On Thursday night an accident which was very near being fatal,happened here. One of the men engaged below was suddenly rendered senseless by a rush of gas from the bottom of the shaft, and the man at the windlass having gone away for something, lie lay there for sonic ten minutes altogether before assistance came. A man named Richards, who lives close by, very pluckily went down with a rope and managed to get the unfortunate man up, to all appearance quite dead. Dr Trousseau, who had been sent for, quickly arrived just as the man was coming tc>) and administered restoratives. The poor fellow was very ill for some time, hut is fortunately now in a fair way to recovery. Yesterday morning anothormineron going down was seriously affected, but managed to get up before becoming quite senseless.

Alanukau Battery. —Tins battery continues fully employed. Fifteen head are at work for the company. 10 head for the Whan, 5 for the Flying Cloud, 5 for the Black Angel, and 5 for Lowe’s (Tookey’s) Tributes. The Flying Cloud plates arc looking very well, and 2oz to the ton may he looked for. Lowe’s parcel of stone will yield very well, and., with the addition of sonic 350 z, the result of the crushing of about GOlb of stone, which look place at Spcuccr aud Hall’s, 3'cstcrday, the return ought to he somewhere about 4oz to the ton from tho 14 tons being crushed. The general clean-up will take place today. Star of the Thames. —The crushing of 28 tons of stone for this company was finished at Partington’s battery yesterday, and gave the good return of 370 z 12dwt retorted gold. The specimens crushed the day before gave 340 z 12dwt 12gr melted gold, and the whole was melted together, giving 71oz 12dwt, or an average of 2oz 7(hvt to the ton—a first-class yield from a reef of the size.

Riiotovf.li. —Repairs to the machinery and boiler having been completed, work will be started again this morning, and sinking resumed. AVc shall watch the progress of this work with great interest. Great Surprise. —AA'c saw last night some very nice specimen stone, taken from the reef recently opened in this mine. The reef is three feet wide, and very well defined, and runs very nearly perpendicular. AYhen oponed out on a little more, we shall he better able to judge of the value of the find. Rome of the neighbouring claims arc turning their attention towards this reef, which seems to be something at present unknown.

Caledonian.. —Breaking down is being steadily proceeded with in the different parts of the mine, and large quantities of quartz are brought to the surface. The run of gold in. the main face continues to show well, rend the reef at this point is still increasing in size. Yesterday morning gold was seen away from the main run, about eight inches nearer to the hanging wall than it has been got lately. There must now he within a few cwt. of two tons of specimens on hand, and every day brings more to light. In the market yesterday shares were firmer,

witli a fair demand.