THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1872. MONTHLY SUMMARY

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 90, 23 January 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY , JANUARY 23, 1872. MONTHLY SUMMARY

OUR GOLDFIELDS. Sixcrc our lust, summary published on the 211th of December, little work has been done in many of the mines owing to the Christmas holidays, which were this season prolonged much more than usual, and consequently kept hack all business, both in a mining and commercial point of view. Most of the batteries have only been working for a little over two weeks, and many of them have been compelled to cease altogether, as there is scarcely a drop of water in the creeks. In fact the only batteries that can work their full power arc those on the tint, which get. their supply of water from the deep shafts, and if anything happened to tlm Tookcy Company’s puni]> or the Imperial Crown, there would he an almost entire cessation of crushing for a time. The Government are now considering the best of two water races which arc intended for the supply of water to the field. One of them is intended to bring in the water at a level which would only he af use to the batteries out the fiat, leaving all those up the creeks ini the same predicament as they now stand. This scheme can be carried out at a cost of £30,000. The higher level would bring in water at a height of 500 feet above, the sea level, and would not only supplywater to the batteries already erected, but would enable claimholdcrs to erect others, a thing they cannot possibly do now, even though they may have a good payable reef in band, which will not pay to send down by tramway to the fiat. The, cost, of this race would he according to the estimates prepared, close on £100,000.. Since our last summary our leading mine,, the Caledonian, has not been turning out any large returns of gold, nothing hutgeneral crushing dirt having been put through the mill, consequently the month’s' jicld is a very poor one. On the 11th inst., in stripping down the reef, the old run of gold was touched, and about 3cwt. of specimens were broken out. Since then, different quantities have been broken out almost daily, and there arc now about two tons weight in the strong boxes, which, when crushed, will bring the month’s total up to a respectable sum. In the low level breaking down the reef is still going on, and though no sign of the continuation of the gold down has been met with, it is not at all decided that it has run out, as there is still a largo block of the reef to take down before the hanging wall is bared, and until that is reached, nothing certain can be known) Large quantities of stone are broken down, and 52 head are constantly employed reducing it. Sinking the main shaft is being carried on with a view to opening out on the reef at a lower level as soon as the one now in hand is sufficiently worked to admit of it. The pumps are working well, and easily keeping I he mine well clear of water. Jn the Tookcy Company’s ground working on the reef has been continued, and though the lode has

conic more together, and looks belter, nothing further than a few disconnected specks of gold have been seen. The Inverness have since last month got their communication between the different levels nearly completed, and have started crushing with 10 bead of stampers, which number will lie increased as stone becomes more plentiful. Their first fortnight’s crushing has given lOSoz of gold, mid the manager feels very confident that lie will be able to pay dividends regularly in a very short time, ns he has a very large, block of ground untouched, from wliic'/j r wherever tested up to the present, most excellent prospects have been obtained. The All Nations during the past few weeks have been crushing away as usual, with nu average return very nearly,though not quite, as good as for a while past.. The Kuramii has commenced the year with a good fortnight’s yield of 4290/..,. and the Moanataiuri also liavo made a. marked improvement, having banked! f)4ooz. in less than three weeks. The management of this mine has changed hands, Mr Iliggins taking the place of Mr Gribblc, who held the appointment

for a considerable period, and who was presented by the workmen with a handsome service of plate on his leaving them. The Sliotover, our “pioneer” claim, have sunk their shaft to a depth of 366 feet, at which distanco it was intended to open out and prospect in different direction#; but, on account of the vast improvement which has taken place in the character of the country down below, the directors have decided (and we think very wisely) to continue sinking to a further depth, when something good is looked for. The Flying Cloud have got on to some very good stone in their ground, and are crushing at the Manukau battery, with excellent prospects. Some first-rate specimen stone has been taken out, and a good return is looked for at the end of the month. The Sons of Freedom, in their middle level, ha%-c also got on to the gold, and commenced to take out good stone for crushing. Their main low-level adit is progressing well, being now in for nearly 400 feet, and the country is good for working in. The Black Angel is crushing away, and will clean up at the end of the month, when a fair return is looked for, a great improvement having taken place in tho appearance of the stuff for the last week or so. The Star of the Thames keeps up its character, and seems to be getting on very well. A crushing of 28 tons since the holiday’s gave the excellent return of 710 z., and the stone now coming out looks equally as good as the last. This line of reef promises to turn out well, having been proved auriferous from the Windsor Castle right up to the Black Angel and Whan, passing through some four or five different claims between them. The Alburnia do not seem to be getting on as well as was imagined, as they were found the other day to he over £2,000 in debt, in consequence of which the directors have called up the balance of the capital, amounting to £2,700, or 13s (id per scrip share. Since then a crushing of 80 tons have yielded 180 oz of gold, and the manager reports that there is a large quantity of good crushing dirt yet on hand, so that the prospects of the company do not look so bad as they might do under the circumstances. The El Dorado have had a crushing during the month of 93 tons, which gave the excellent return of 2430 z. of gold, and their prospects are still excellent. The Ruby, the next claim, are still driving,and ought soon to be in far enough to open out on the lode. The Multum-in-l’arvo have made great changes in their modus operand!, and good returns are shortly looked for ; 26 tons crushed yielded 132 (>■/.., with the specimens. The prospects in the Nonpareil are first-rate now. Their shaft lias been sunk 60 feet below their lower level, and a winze put down, which will be connected with the shaft, when they will have another good block of ground to work out. Good gold has been carried down in the winze, and the lode looks very well. The Central Italy machinery' is rapidly approaching completion, and in our next summary we oxpeet to have to chronicle tho starting of the engine and sinking of the shaft. On the flat the Bright Smile have started work from their low level, driving on the reef, and excellent prospects are -obtained. Gold is visible all through the reef, which is fully 3) feet wide, and the crushing now going on promises to yield richly. The Queen of Beauty, from the same reef, have just lodged 1430 z for the fortnight, and. will shortly be able to keep more stampers going. At present they have the whole force of Bull’s No. 1 battery employed, which gives them great satisfaction. In the Ilapw Creek nothing fresh has taken place. The George Stephenson and Black Forest claims working on the same lode, are taking out good gold, and are ready to crush almost immediately. The Locomotive, a claim lately pegged out on the same line of reef, are prospecting, and expect to cut the lode very soon. The United Bumping Association are getting on well with their large works. The foundations for the heavy machinery arc rapidly nearing completion, and down the shaft the cistern at the 200 feet level is complete, and the wind-bore for the plunger fixed. The Albion shaft is down to a depth of 160 feet, and sinking is still going on. The Imperial Crown have opened out from the 200 feet level of Tookcy’s shaft towards lhe Golden Crown No. 1 lode, which has been cut at a distance of 50 feet from the chamber. It has not yet been opened out on, but looks a good strong lode. At Tararu the only claim which has been doing much during the month is the Californian, which has paid another dividend of Is Oil per share, this being the second of the same amount within one month. These dividends have been paid out of tho per centage from the tributers who are working tlic mine. At the annual meeting of the company last week a very stormy discussion arose, owing to the directors —some of whom are, more or less, interested in the tribute —haring extended the time for the tributers holding the mine for six months longer. The meeting came to nothing, the chairman refusing to put a motion confirmatory of the action of the directors, and leaving the chair, thus breaking up the whole thing. The Coliban, on the Windsor Castle and Middle Star run of reef, whose stone turned out such a splendid yield last month, giving 4710 z from 60 tons of stone, are again getting good gold, this time at the other end of the mine, and at a different level. They will crush again shortly, and a rich return is looked for. The Great Surprise is the name given to a new piece of ground taken up on the Waiotahi Creek, which had been originally worked and abandoned. The present holders, whilst fossicking, found a nice-looking reef, about three feet wide, and well defined, from which good prospects were obtained. Upon driving for a short distance on it they found some nice specimens, one stone weighing 141b5., containing first-rate gold. They arc much elated with their success, and arc working vigorously opening out on it. Tapu.—Mining in this district is rather dull, though the few claims that are working are giving satisfactory prospects. A large quantity of gum is sent from there now, most of the miners having turned to that pursuit, but those who are on gold are satisfied with their prospects. Coromandel. —This district is every day coming into more prominent notice, and many of the claims are turning out good stone and gold. The leading mine, the Tokntea, continues to give magnificent returns, as will be seen by our gold list, and at the end of the month another good dividend is looked for. The Pride of Tokatea, whose last crushing gave 4500 z of gold from 8501 b of stone, are still on good stuff, and another rich crushing will soon take place. During the inonlh they paid a dividend of Is Gd per share, amounting to £1,500 altogether, leaving a good balance on hand. The Specimen Hill, Venus, Green Harp, Nil Dcspcrnndmn, and many other claims, are also on good gold, and their crushings all pay well. As soon as the mines get a little more developed, we expect to see large a-eturns of gold from this field, as most of the reefs have proved very rich where the gold was found at all.

Our return of gold will look very small indeed in comparison with that of the various months preceding, but there are many things to account for it. In the first place, at least ten days may he counted as lost for the holidays, and again the great scarcity of water has forced many of the mills to discontinue crushing, and taking everything into consideration, the total amount of gold is not so small, as it more properly represents a fortnight’s return than a month’s.

We append our usual list of crushings and returns of gold from December the 30th to January the 20th, inclusive :

CRUSHINGS AND RETURNS OF GOLD FROM DEO. 30th. 1871, TO JAN. 20th,

oGENERAL NEWS. Since the publication of our last summary the. returns from the leading mines have decreased, as will be seen from the return published in another column. The general feeling of confidence in the permanency and richness of the field however is not at all lessened, and the place presents all the indications of a growing and prosperous community. Buildings continue to spring up in all directions, and builders and carpenters at, all events cannot complain of the times. The work of extending the sea wall from tho foot of Haven-street, its present termination, to the Grahamstown wharf is being proceeded with, and Hie goods wharf at the loot of llurkcstreet, is rapidly approaching completion. The gas works are also being vigorously pushed forward, ami in a few months wo may look forward to having well-lighted streets. The townships arc already partially, though at present but inadequately supplied with water, but there is a prospect, and we trust not a distant one, of a very great improvement being made in this particular. There arc two schemes now in contemplation, one known as the high level scheme, and the other as the lower. The former would cost in round numbers about £IOO,OOO. and the latter about £30,000, but tlie high level plan would be by far the most advantageous, as it would supply claims at a much higher elevation than could possibly be reached by the cheaper plan, which would he quite useless to very many claims.. The high level race would start at a point on the Moanataiari, 500 ft. above the level of the sea, and its length would he 45 miles. The low level race would commence on tho same creek, at an altitude of 132 feet, and would be about 12 miles long. It. is understood that his Honor the Superintendent is in favour of the cheaper plan, on the ground, we presume, of its “ cheapness” for in that particular alone lias it any advantage over the other. The more expensive plan, we believe, would i>e in the end the most economical. Hundreds of claims which are now unproductive on account of the expense of crushing, would, with ample water power, yield rich returns. Indeed it is very generally believed, that no scheme whatever would be so reproductive in tho whole colony, as an adequate water supply to tho Thames goldfields. The undoubted facts of the case, when fairly laid before the General Government will, we should hope, induce them to carry out such a plan ns will adequately supply the wants of the whole field. The income derived from these goldfields is very largo, and with judicious and liberal management at the bands of tiic authorities, the revenue would increase enormously. Wc believe more wealth would be developed in this way in a year, than by any of the railway schemes now in progress or contemplation in the colony in half a century. Should the Government not see fit to carry out this work, wc should not be at all surprised to see a private company taking the matter up, and we feel well assured it is well worthy of the attention of the capitalist.

The preliminaries are now all hut completed for establishing ;i Municipality at the Thames, and if [no opposition he offered on the part of the Governor or Superintendent, which is not anticipated, the several townships eonipiising what is called the “Thames" will be united under one Corporation. The only opposition offered is as to the extent of the boundary, the residents on the Goldfield outside the townships objecting to be included, and we think for very good reasons. So far as the townships arc concerned the advantages to be derived greatly exceed the small additional taxation which may be caused, but it is not so with the occupier of a resident site up the creeks, who he would be liable to be taxed for water rate, fire rate, roads, &e., the benefits of which he himself would never enjoy. In all probability a compromise will bo arrived at as to the boundary question, and the matter amicably settled. A conference with a committee of residents of the outlying districts is to be held by the general committee to-day, and ns almost all are convinced of the advantages of a Municipality being established here—the only matter in dispute being the limits of the

Borough—we have no doubt the matter will bn settled to the satisfaction of all parties. His Honor the Superintendent, the non. Mr Ormond, Mr Garruthers Hie Engineer-in-Cliief, arid Mr G. 0 Neill, M.G.A. have paid a short visit to the Thames, and during their brief stay have visited the silo of the present water works, and gone over a portion of the ground over which the proposed water races are to he carried. The opinions of several of our leading mine manager have been taken as the best course to be adopted in respect of the water works, tho balance of opinion being decidedly in favour of the high level scheme. No definite arrangement has been arrived at as yet, hut instructions have been given for the marking out of the proposed water races, and the whole matter will be laid before the General Government, it is to be hoped at an early date.

For many weeks past there lias bean scarcely a drop of rain, tiie ground is parched and dry and in many places is cracking. The creeks are very low, and what little water is in them is bad, so that were it not for the supply of water by the pipes—inadequate ami partial as it is—the inhabitants would indeed be serious sufferers. As it is, those who are compelled to use well water complain very much, and not without reason. We hear of several eases of dysentery in the neighbourhood, but the general health is good. The unusual dryness and heat of the weather and the badness of much of the well water used, are doubtless sufficient to account for the prevalence of dysentry, which, however, in no case that wo have heard of lias resulted fatally. Market gardeners arc great sufferers from the want of rain, and so are their customers, for fruit and vegetables arc dear ami scarce and wanting in flavour in consequence. The large and handsome edifice to be used as a Church of England, in Marystreet, is rapidly approaching completion, and will he opened on .Sunday next. In the evening a confirmation will be held by the Bishop of Auckland. "Both the Theatres are open at the present time. Mr Hydes is giving us burlesque at the Academy of Music, and Mr B. N. Jones provides Shakespeare at the Theatre Royal, so that all tastes are suited. Two Regattas, one the Anniversary Regatta,” on the Ist oil January, and the “Thames Regatta,” on tho slli passed off very successfully. The weather was liur.-. the attendance large, and races such as afford good amusement to all lovers of aquatic sports. Considerable progress has been made with the telegraph extension from tiie Thames to tiie East Coast eta Ohiuemuri, and wc shall soon be in direct and uninterrupted communication with (lie. Eouth.. 'lhe Natives have cul the wire in one part, but the damage will be rectified, and steps will be taken to prevent a repetition of the occurrence. The opposition offered by the Natives to the stretching of the- wire across their land is rapidly giving way—in a great measure owing to the tact with which the matter lias been put before them by Mr Mack ay, and in several instances the natives have themselves assisted in marking out the lines, putting up the poles, &c. There is good reason to think that the long delayed opening of the Ohiiicmuii country will shortly take place. Two small steamers arc now plying regularly between the Thames and Paeroa, and the Maoris arc looking very favourably upon these frequent visits. The trade between the two places is on the increase, and the result must inevitably be the opening up of the country, an event which lias been anxiously looked forward to for some wars.

There has not been much law in our local courts here since the publication of our last summary. The only case which excited much interest was one of a class that lias frequently been tried in ti c old country between brewer and publican, to enforce an unconditional covenant by the latter, to' take all bis beer from the former. The real defence that the beer supplied was unmarketable was not gone into evidence to that effect, being held to be no answer to the action. Judgment was accordingly given for plaintiff. The annual general meeting of the Thames Hospital subscribers was held last Wednesday. The report and balance* sheet were of a most satisfactory character, and it was gratifying to find that the benefits conferred by this institution are becoming very generally appreciated.

1872. INCLUSIVE. Company. I H 1 i V - 4 1 i Albumin, SO 0 0 *180 15 0 “ (tribute)... 7 r, 0 0 •J!) 14 0 Black Aujel 24 0 0 *52 4 0 Caledonian 300 0 0 304 0 0 a 350 0 0 353 0 0 “ 2,SO 0 0 238 0 0 “ 280 0 0 220. 0 0 City of Dunedin ... 35 0 0 *17 12 12 Christchurch 1 0 0 *2 2 12 Californian 175 0 0 *108 18 0 El Dorado 03 0 0 *243 14 0 Flying Cloud 100 *37 5 0 Golden Crown (10 0 0 *70 7 0 (10 0 0 *42 10 0 Golden Crown tribate ... 35 0 0 *21 12 0 Grove’s Bank 40 0 0 *26 10 0 Inverness 80 0 0 IDS 10 0 Kuranui 350 0 0 *429 11 0 Moanataiari 450 0 0 *540 10 0 Mul turn- i n -Par vo... 20 0 0 59 O 0 Nonpareil 20 0 0 17 15 0 New Caledonia ... 0 0 0 3 10 0 Nil Desperandum (Coromandel) ... 12 0 0 19 0 0 Do. 33 0 0 33 O 0 Otago 10 0 0 *3 14 12 Prince Imperial ... 11 0 0 *13 8 0 “ •« 20 0 0 5 14 0 Pride of Tokntea (Coromandel) ... 0 7 00 *419 1 0 Poverty & Charleston 30 0 0 9 18 0 Queen of Beauty ... 140 0 0 *113 V 0 Standard ... 32 0 0 23 12 12 Star of the Thames 28 0 0 *71 12 0 Specimen Hill (Coromandel) ... 2 0 0 4 0 0 11 42 0 0 78 14 0 Shotover Company 40 0 0 ‘W 0 (1 Shotover Tribute... 0 0 0 *0 10 0 Sundries (from tailings, specimens, and unknown quarters), at least 1.000 0 0 Tokatca. Coromndl. 400 0 0 1.080 O o Tookcy Co. Tribute 14 0 0 *77 2 12 Una 150 0 0 *79 10 2 U 50 0 0 25 12 O Venus, Coxomndl... 20 0 0 20 0 u Victory M 0 0 *11 •> 12 Whan 1.40 0 0 *81 3 12 Total ... 3.8151 8 54 7,009 10 8 * represents melted gold.