MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 147, 29 March 1872, Page 3

MINING.

STARTLING DISCOVERY,

Cadedonian. —Yesterday a discovery of rather an interesting, and we may say, startling description was made in the Caledonian mine. A parcel of rich specimens, about forty pounds in weight, were found—not in the ordinary course of affairs in the reef or leader worked on, where most miners would have .L l that they would exist, but stowed away*, “ planted” in tlie engine shaft behind the first cistern between the wood work and the solid ground. How did they* get there ? A question which we must leave our readers to guess as best they* can, we cannot inform them; but we can guess that they* were, as we have already observed, “ planted.” Notwithstanding the £SO reward that was off.)red in such a confident manner, we are of opinion that amongst the list of men signing it there

must have been more than one who was glad that it was not claimed. This find will perhaps serve to show to a small extent that the accusations made against the Caledonian workmen '-ore not quite unfounded. Forty pounds weight of specimens, and those rich Caledonian ones, arc worth a lot of money, and this parcel, which lias so strangely come to light, is not the only* one that has been found in tlie mine, “ planted,” since the change in the method of working lias been made, though this is by* far tlie heaviest find of the sort up to the present. We say* up to the present, as no doubt further

research into some of the convenient holes

and corners may reveal more hidden treasures of this sort. We hope that tlie man or men who put by the present find are not much disappointed at its being taken away* ’oy* other bands than their own, as perhaps they* may have entertained tlie hope of some day obtaining possession of them, though under existing circumstances the bringing them out of tlie mine would be attended with great difficulties. By the way, before concluding we might offer a suggestion to the manager. We think it might pay* the company* to put on a gooil fossicker to search for further plants, as one or two finds would well repay them for the expense. Arrangements have just been completed by* the company* for the use of tlie Hazclbank shaft, which is at present lying idle. The lode cut at a depth of 135 feet in this shaft overlies into the Caledonian ground, and Captain Richards intends to start to work on it at once and test its value. It is supposed to be a continuation of the Young American lode, and if so it should prove payable. The news from the mine is satisfactory*, and a good week’s return is looked for from the stuff taken from the small leader which yielded so well last week, as well ns from the general stuff, which is improving in quality, there being already 800 oz. of amalgam on hand at the battery, and some lßowt. or perhaps a ton fro n the specimen leader, which will crush richly*. Imperial Crown (Golden Hill) Tribute.

—A crushing of about 18 tons of stone for these tributers was completed and cleaned up at the Maiiuknu Battery* yesterday, and including about 1001 b. of picked stone taken from the parcel, gave a yield of 81oz. 13dwt of melted gold, or an average of 4oz. to the ton, a very* satisfactory return indeed.

Shamrock. —The gold obtained from the crushing of five tons of stone for this company at the Criterion Battery* was melted yesterday, and gave Goz. 17d\vt. IGgrs. Waiotahi Tribute.—A lodgment of 230 z. 18dwt. lSgr. was made yesterday* on behalf of this company’s tribute. This is tlie result of the crushing of about 50 tons of stone. Ten head arc still at work for

the tributers at the company’s battery, and the other ten head arc idle. Imperial Crown Battery.— This battery is in a very forward state, and it will not take long before they will be enabled to make a start. The boilers are just finished being built in and laying down the tables, fixing the berdans is being proceeded with. A largo reservoir about IUO feet long and GO feet wide is in course of construction outside the reclaimed ground, on which the battery stands. This will be dug out to a depth of four feet, and is enclosed by a wall, which is formed by planking 3 feet apart, and filled in with sand and tailings, &c., which will hold the water well. From this reservoir a large flmno is being carried in to the building, and the water will be pumped up into the boilers. By this means there will always be a constant supply on baud. Everything about the machinery and the building is finished in a very nice manner, and the whole, when finished, will reflect great credit on the contractors. Caledonian Battery. —This company’s battery of 40 bead of stampers is also drawing near completion, and will, in the course of perhaps a couple of weeks, be ready for starting. There are nine berdans in addition to the stampers, through which tlietailings will be passed. The workmanship of the whole, both inside and out, is first class, and the building makes quite a grand appearance in that part of the town. It is to be hoped that when ready that a constant supply of stone will be available for keeping the battery employed. Work’s Tribute (Tookcy Company).— A trial crushing of about 8 tons from a new leader in this party’s tribute ground is now going on at the Prince Alfred battery. The stone contains large quantities of metal, but no very rich return is looked for.

Manukau Battery.— Crushing is now going on with ten head at this battery, on stuff taken from the main reef which is being broken down towards the Cure boundary. There was a very poor show on the plates at first, but it is improving now, and the stone seems to be improving in quality as the boundary is neared. This is certainly favourable, and will serve to show that the run from which the Cure crushing took place is not confined to such a small space as many thought. Ten head are crushing a parcel of stone taken out of the leader worked on by the No. 1 tribute party on the Waiotahi side of the mine. Ten iiead are still crushing mullock for the Poverty and Charleston (Albion) tribute, without making very much of a show. Moanataiari. —A parcel of about la cwt., or possibly more, of specimens are being treated at the Kuranui Battery, and are making a first-rate show for a rich return. The clean-up for the fortnight, the result of which will he in on Saturday, is expected o turn out well, and over fiOOoz. are looked for. If these good returns continue, we ought soon to see this company amongst the list of divi-dend-payirg claims.

Cokonkt. —The cross-cut which is going in from the shaft to open out communication with some of the old workings is expected to hole through in about a week. M lien this is done the mine will he thoroughly drained, and the reefs, which have been cut, will be worked on at once.

! This company certainly deserve a return for all the time and labour they have expended in endeavouring to open up their ground. Kuranui.—A decided improvement has taken place in the appearance of the crushing during the current fortnight, and as there is a good parcel of specimens on hand, which will be treated to-day, a far better return than the last may be confident!}' looked for. City of London. —The crushing going on for this company at the Prince Alfred Battery is looking up for a payable return, but as only 15 or 20 tons have as yet gone through, it would be quite impossible to say what the yield will be. There is plonty of time for improvement, as the paddock is still nearly full, the stuff coming out very nearly as fast as it is carted away. It is very satisfactory so far to see that the reef is proving good and proves the value of the line of reef. Queen of the May. —Work is being pushed ahead on the reef at the 150 feet level, and as it is driven on gold is frequently seen. There are some 30 tons of stone already to grass, and the quantity is increasing day by day. j Central Italy. —The sinking of the shaft is proceeding most satisfactory and rapidly. The contractors have ceased to use powder, as the country has so much improved that more can be done with the pick and gad than by blasting.

Dixon’s No. 1. —The reef in the Rose and Shamrock tunnel has been cut through, and proves to be six or seven feet wide. There is a portion of mullock between the veins, but this was expected as the reef was touched where the break had occurred. The manager reports that lie has obtained a fair show, and has seen gold in three or four stones. Work will he commenced almost immediately on the reef. The water has commenced to drain out of the winze ever since the footwall of the reef was cut through, and no doubt it will soon he empty. There are 130 feet of baeks to work out, and 400 feet along the line of reef, so that with more than one known arid proved rich shot of gold, there is a' fine prospect before the company for a long time to come.

Queensland. —The result of the crushing of lon tons of stone at the Criterion Battery for this company is lOoz. lldwt. melted, or over an ounce to the ton.

Pukeiiinau. —We perceive that action has at last been taken in tiie matter of the disputed ownership of tin's claim. Kidd and Party, who have been working the ground regularly ever since they pegged it out, were served with an injunction at the suit of Mr Robert Davidson and Party who, it seems, are again interested in a disputed piece of ground. They have of course ceased work, and the case is to come before the Warden on the 4th day of April next. In the meantime the ground takes care of itself. Golden Calf. —The stone being brought to grass from the No. 2 lode seems to he good crushing dirt, looking more like the proper thing than the last crushing dirt put through, and we will not he at all surprised to see the next trial crushing redeem the last one. The company’s stock have become much firmer in the market, and arc now better held than for some days past.