MINING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 273, 23 August 1872, Page 3

MINING.

Caledonian. —The find of gold in the No. 2 reef, at the low level, seems upon consideration to be a fact of greater importance than was at first thought. The seven or eight stones which were brought out when gold was first seen may be called specimens, the metal being very freely distributed through them. The cross-cut in which the gold was found is going through the No. 2 lode, just behind the shaft, to the south-east, and has already intersected the lode for a distance of 17 feet, without any signs of the other wall becoming apparent. It is quite possible, and also probable, that this find may turn out to be nothing more or les than the

continuation of the run of gold now in hand in the Cure Company’s ground, as it is just about the right direction for it to come, if, as it is probable, it continues down through the reef, into the Caledonian mine. There was a very fine show of gold yesterday in the Otago run stopes, and one very nearly as good in the No. 2 stope, on the main reef. The stuff being taken from the branch leader, which is being risen on from the branch drive, at the No. 1 le el of the mine, is looking remarkably well, the lode turning out a large quantity of black mundic, and other good indications being visible. This lode is now called the No. 3 reef, and will ho so for the future. A third winze is being sunk from the low level down on the reef, it being started between the old Otago winze and the spot where the low level drive on the specimen leader broke into the main workings. This winze is going down at what is considered to be

the most likely spot to pick up the run of gold again. When the large pumps drain the country thev will be able to get down with it to a good depth. At present they have a nice lode in hand about 2 feet 0 inches thick, and on Wednesday night gold was found in the stone, and by far the best show yet seen below the floor of the 270-feet level was obtained from it. Altogether the general appearance of the mine is better than we have seen it for many months past, gold not being confined to ony one part, but being taken from many different workings. The financial position, too, of the company is improving considerably day by day. For many months past the company had enor-

I 1 */ mous expenses to pay. What with the erection of the battery and the payment to the United Pumping Association, and again the erection of a large and expensive tailings plant the outlay has been indeed immense. Now, however, the big pumps are erected and at work, so that the payment in that direction is not much. When their shaft is drained now by these pumps they will be able to work their own mine so much more economically, as not half the steam power will be necessary that is now employed for lifting the water. The crushing at the battery is shaping again very well this week, and we believe that the yield will be larger this week even than it was last, and this independent of the yield from the tailings on which, as we yesterday reported, there are six pans at work at present. United Pumping Association. The large pumps are now steadily at work pumping and getting the shaft empty. On Wednesday, at six o’clock p.m., the water had been reduced to a depth of 20 feet in about seven hours’ pumping, and at present there is about 70 feet of water still in the shaft. The machinery, of course, cannot be worked too hard at first, so that the process of emptying the shaft will be rather slow. It must be borne in mind that it is not merely a case of emptying a shaft of 80 feet of water, but the whole country round about is now charged with water, and all this has to come out as well as what is merely in the shaft. Five strokes a minute is about the speed now worked, but this will he increased by degrees. The cataracts are now fixed to the gear, so that the huge machine does not require any hard work to start her now, but everything works as smoothly as possible. The air in the shaft is so bad that they cannot go down more than to a depth cf 150 feet below the surface. For the purpose of remedying this two air boxes are about to he put down the shaft, three feet by eighteen inches, and these will lead to the start of the winding engine, so that a good draught of air can be sent down, and the shaft kept clear. Inverness. —The crushing for this company has been finished at the Kuranui Battery at last, as far as the stampers are concerned, lrit the tailings will not be all treated until to-morrow, or probably not until Monday, so that the return will not be to hand for a day or so yet. In all about 70 tons of stone have been put through, but the yield cannot yet be estimated. Nonpareil. —The news from this mine is most satisfactory, gold being obtained every shift, more especially from the new leader, which is now 18 inches thick, and consequently turns out a good quantity of stone for the mill. The manager informs us that ”hc wants another ten head of stampers to crush with, as lie lias such a quantity of stone on hand. He cannot at present get more than ten head at the Manukau, as the Bright iSmile have got 20 head going, and the other ten head are engaged for several weeks ahead by tributers, principally from Tookey’s Com-

pan}'. Arrangements arc, however, likely ta bo made, by which the Nonpareil will get the use of the stampers they require. Dauntless Tribute. —A crushing of about 28 tons of stone for Helclt anil Co., tributers of the Dauntless, was finished at the Tramway Battery yesterday, and gave a return of 19oz lldwt of melted gold. Cure. —The manager reported yesterday morning that there was a good show of gold in the face of the reef for a distance of 25 to 27 feet, and this was correct. Yesterday a parcel of specimen stone was broken down, though not a very large one, and more may be expected to-day. In all, there is now about a ton of specimens and picked stuff in hand, and the crushing of general stuff at the battery is looking up for over 2oz to the ton. Bendigo Independent. —The tributers yesterday crushed about half a ton of specimen stuff, some of which was very rich indeed. The amalgam, of which there is a large lot on hand, will be retorted to-day, when a capital out-turn may be expected. The crushing of the general stone will not be finished for some time to come. Pride of York. —A crushing of 12 tons of stone for this company ot Greenaway’s Machine has resulted in a yield of soz 16dwt of melted gold, or very nearly half an ounce to the ton. Windsor Castle. —Good prospects continue in this mine, and the reef is showing remarkably well, both towards the Coliban and White Rose claims. The latter company are driving through the Windsor ground, and the stone is looking well. The battery is kept constantly going with a satisfactory show.