MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 143, 25 March 1872, Page 3

MINING.

Caledonian. —The crushing of specimens and picked stone turned out even better than could have been anticipated, the amount of gold obtained from them being 1,50G0z., which was retorted all in one

cake. To this has to be added 1770 z. obtained from the" general ctuff at their own battery, and G7oz. from Tararu, bringing the week’s return up to 1,7500 z. Some more gold was taken from the main vein in the N.E. drive towards the Otago on the main level. It was nothing very rich, but it is so far good that it tends to prove the reef still aurifcious in this direction. The sinking of the shaft has not yet been resumed, but not because the inflow of water was too great, as rumour with its many longues has been saying. It seems that when the pumps had cleaned the si)aft out there was a heavy stream of water rushing in through an opening in the reef. This was stopped whilst a largo set of bearers were being fixed, and this having been completed, the water was again let in. The pumps have been working since at 10 strokes a minute, and by to-day the men will probably be able to go down below to continue sinking. The winze is also being sunk with a view to working the next level. There has been a good demand for shares for the last few days, and prices in consequence keep firm. All Nations. —On Saturday the manager lodged GOOoz. of gold as the result of the past fortnight’s crushing. During this time there have have not been so many specimens obtained, and some of the stone crushed was not of the best quality. Tho return for tho* month is, however, a most satisfactory one., being 1,5890 z., which ought to enable the Directors to declare another good dividend. Everything in the mine is getting on satisfactorily,and the stone being grassed is of good quality. Waitemata. —A clean up took place for this company at the Criterion Battery on Saturday, and the return was only 28oz. 14dwt. of melted gold.

Ladybird and Hand-of-Friendship.— The tributers, botli Nos. 1 and 2 have had crusliings at Russell’s Battery. The former lodged lOoz. 7dwt. 12grs. of melted gold, and the latttcr 4oz. 9dwt. 12grs. The quantity of stone put through is not to hand, but the returns are not very rich ones.

Junction Tribute. —Another crushing for these tributers has taken place, and has yielded 570 z. 17dwt. of gold, a great part of which was from the specimens obtained.

Multum-IN-Parvo. —The tramway and shoots for the purpose of connecting this mine with the Vale of Avoca wire tramway will be completed now in the course of a week or ten days, when the manager will be able to send stone down to Westen’s at a far less cost than hitherto, as they have been obliged to bag it and

sleigh it down. Sinking the winze is being continued, and the lode looks well, showing gold. There are some 80 or 90 tons now in paddock, so that by the time the tramway is at work, they will he prepared to have Iltdeast 1.00 tons put through the mill.

UNICORN. —The tributers of the company sent clown a truck of stone to Souter’s, taken from the immense reef cut in the ground, and which is some 30 feet wide. The truck contained a ton and a half of stuff, which gave a return of 21dwt. 12gr. of retorted gold, which was reduced to one ounce when melted. The gold is of poor quality, but wp should think that from the size of tin: reef, 12dwt. or 14dwt. to the ton ought to pay handsomely for breaking down and crashing. This company’s stock has come a little into notice since the crushing which yielded so handsomely to the tributers. George Stevenson. —The crushing of about 30 tons of stone for this company is progressing at Souter’s Battery, and will be compeleted probably by Tuesday evening. It is shaping for about an ounce to the ton. There an? a few good specimens on hand, and small parcels are frequently taken out. The stuff now being crushed is from the block between the upDer tunnel and the surface.

Golden Calf. —According to instructions, the manager is driving u.i ilie No. 2 lode at the 352 feet level, arid breaking down stone for a trial crushing. Thereof has widened out considerably, and now fills the face of the drive. Some gold was seen when breaking down on Friday and Saturday, but nothing very heavy. In the stones brought out the gold was very showy, though the stone from this reef is much more likely-looking crushing stuff than that from the No. 1 lode. However, after the way in which the latter cut up when tesled by crushing, it is risky to hazard any opinion as to the vnlue of the stone, so we prefer to wait till after the crushing this time, and then we will bo enabled to make sure of it. Bright Smile. —What has been called the No. 2 lode in this mine was supposed to he simply a feeder from the main vein, but as it is followed in it has turned out to he a fine body of stone showing gold freely as it is broken down. It is running in a more westerly direction than the other, and is making about under St. George’s Hall. It lias been followed for a distance of 45 feet, and here it is split in two by a horse, one of the veins being about 12 jinches and tho other 18 inches wide. On the No. 1, or old lode, stoping is being carried on on the block betweon the main level and the suiface with good prospects. There are about 80 or 90 tons of stone now in paddock, and crushing will most likely he commenced during the week, and will ho kept up for some time at Vickery’s machine. A large quantity of the quartz iri the paddock lias been taken from the No. 2 lode; but in order to test its value thoroughly, as compared with that of No. 1, a few tons will he crushed separately as a trial.

Windsor Castle.— Communication between the upper and lower levels has at length been effected, and the shareholders will no doubt be well pleased to hear it. The lode has been driven on from the main adit to where the winze coming down would break thioiigli, and a rise was put up to meet it. They holed through at 8 feet above the drive and now they can commence to break down and crush almost immediately. The depth of the winze is nearly 140 feet, so that there are this amount of backs 1o work out on the reef. It is from two to three feet wide all through, and good gold has been found in different places as it has been worked on. As there is a tramway from the workings right to the battery, the facilities for working are very great, and we anticipate some good returns from this mine ere long.

Dixon’s No. 1. —The reef has been touched at a distance of nearly 700 feet from the mouth of the Rose and Shamrock tunnel, and within five feet of wheie it was expected by Mr Wright’s survey. The lode has not been cut through, hut simply broken into, so it is not known what its size is, except that it is large. Where it is struck it is between two shots of gold, and a good distance from both, so that no g..cat show was expected. Work will, we presume, be now resumed in this mine, and we trust with good results. Bikd-in-lland. —All the damage done down below by the slip has been cleared away, and work is again in full swing. Breaking down stone is being carried on, and a little gold is frequently seen. A tramway has been laid down in the drive, and trucks have taken the place of the harrow. A forge has also been erected, and everything about the mine is in firstclass working order.