MONTHLY SUMMARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1880, 1 August 1874, Page 3

MONTHLY SUMMARY.

OUR GOLDFIELDS. Befoee referring to mining operations and their results since the publication of our last summary we may state in regard to the apparent falling off in the yield of gold shown in the annexed returns, that in the printed list there is little more than a fortnight's gold accounted for. In almost all instances the leading companies clean up twice a month 1 Oar last returns included the fortnightly retortings which were just to hand, but the returns which should have been included in this month's yield will not be to hand until to-day. The apparent decrease in the yield can only be attributed to this cause, and not to any falling off in the actual yield of the mines. The departure of the out-going mail necessitates the publication of our Summary although only a fortnight's returns are to hand since the previous one was issued. In referring generally to the operations carried on we have to notice particularly the great development of the mines in the Waio-Karaka, the works iu which district are now carried on with greater vigour than ever. Not only are the established mines turning out larger quantities of quartz and gold, but new ventures have been initiated which will further develop the resources of the district. The 1 confirmation of our predictions regarding the importance of the discovery of the new reef in the Mauukau mine, by the payment of a dividend of £1 per share or a total of £6,000 to the shareholders of that company is very _ satisfactory, but the effect which the discovery has had on the operations of companies whose mines adjoin is perhaps of even greater importance. The Pumping Association has overcome its chief difficulty, and is now in readiness for carrying on active operations by resuming the sinking of the shaft, and in other respects great progress has been made in many districts since our last summary was published. The question of drainage has recently been brought prominently before the public. The Pumping Association caused notices to bo served on all the companies they are supposed to benefit, claiming drainage contributions at the rate of £2 per foot for tho depth at which the respective claims are being worked below the sill of tho Association's shaft. Some of these claims havo been before the Warden's Court, and in soveral instances liability has been admitted. There are many yet to come on lor hearing, but no doubt such an ad justment of the payments will bo made that companion deriving benefit will not seek to retard tho operations of tho Association |>y throwing impediments in thoir way, In regard to the drainage of the mines on tho Waio.K.araka .{flat, notices claiming drainage contributions havo been issued jointly by thoAsfiociatio/i aridtim iJ/i^htfimiloCompany, These have not yet been adjudicated upon, but 7/o do not think any dilllculty will ariilo, Tlio principal mine ownerß have already admitted benefit from drainage, but while tlio Bright Smilo and tho Association wore each claiming to bo tho bonofactors, they felt a difficulty in dealing between the contending parties. Now that these have amalgamated their contribution claims this dilllculty cannot arise. We havo very few now finds to report, but tho fow which havo takon place are of considerable importance, and on the whole the aspect of mining matters is vory satisfactory, as our readers will observe from the following general summary of the various districts. Pumping Association and Adjoining Mines.—As wo previously stated, the operations of the Pumping Association have attracted considerable attention for various reasons, but chiefly on account of the influence which their mining works exercise oa the wiole/of the goldfield as

being the deepest workings, and therefore the great test of the gold-bearing qualities of the reefs at great depths. But there is another reason, and that is the importance of the operations of this company in draining the other mines, and thus allowing the companies to work them without the disadvantages of water. When our last summary was published the plunger pump had just been attached at the 400-feet level, and the pumps were started to work, On the 13th instant all the water and gas had been pumped out of the mine, and work was resumed at the 400-feet level to extend the drive towards the Tookey shaft, which was being sunk to this level in order to effect communication, and thus procure proper and efficient ventilation. On the 29th ultimo this communication was made, and there is no.w such a thorough draught that the manager has been enabled to discontinue tho artificial ventilation created by a pair of powerful steam fans, except when the carbonic acid gas lies so heavily in the bottom that it cannot be dispersed by a mere current of air. The sinking of the 1 main shaft has not been resumed, but tenders are now called for sinking 100 feet of the 300 to which it is intended to sink the shaft further. The good ventilation referred to will prove of the utmost importance in prosecuting the sinking of the shaft and in pursuing the other workings from the 400-feet level. The drive which has been broken into by the Tookey shaft will be continued to the southward, and the drive north towards the Albion shaft will bo immediately resumed. The double tunnel eastward which is being driven at the joint expense of tho Tookey and Albion Companies will also be resumed, for now that the mine is free from water aud thoroughly ventilated there will be no further impediment to the prosecution of these works.—ln regard to the Caledonian we have nothing of importance to report. The east cross-cut from the main level has been chiefly through hard country, in which the progress has been moderate, and no new discoveries have been made. Communication has been effected between the No. 2 and main levels by a winze, which ventilates the main level and obviates the necessity for tho artificial ventilation secured by the underground furnace.—The principal work of the Albion Company is the continuation of a cross-cut drive into their mine from the deep level of the Caledonian. This cross-cut is now in about 230 feet past the boundary, but although several lodes have been intersected by it, they were of small size aud poor quality. There is another cross-cut being driven from a higher level from the Hazelbank shaft, from which, however, there is nothing to report. We refer to these operations not because they are productive, but because they are of great magnitude and importance, and exercise a powerful influence on mining affairs throughout the entire goldfield. But there is no doubt the discovery in the Manukau mine to which we alluded in previous summaries has added immensely to tjje importance ofall the mines in this particular locality, aud indirectly to the whole goldfield. Tho lode in the Manukau mine has proved rich beyond expectation, and the most singular feature of the discovery is the vast extent which the shot of gold contained in it traverses. It has now been driven on upwards of 200 feet, and it would be difficult to say which portion of it is richest. There is good gold showing for the entire length, so far as it has been opened, and tho stopes which have been commenced show the reef to be richer and larger than it was in the main level. The result of the last crushing for the company, of which a portion was included in the returns published last month was 2,2350zs ldwt melted gold. This enabled, the company, with some funds which remained on hand from the previous crushing, to clear off all liabilities and to pay a dividend of £1 per share, amounting in all to £6,000, and from the prospects of the mine and the quality of the crushing, there is good reason to expect another dividend equal to the last during the prosent mouth. The reef has been followed at the north end to within a short distance of the Cure boundary, and at the other end, south, to within about 50 feet of the boundary of a portion of the Imperial Crown mine, which has been let on tribute. There will be a large section of it. in the latter ground, to work which a company has been formed, and the operations which they are carrying on will open the lode in an advantageous manner from the Imperial City shaft. The prospects of success are excellent, and the highest hopes are warranted by the richness of the reef which is being followed towards their boundary in the Manukau mine. —On tho 7th ultimo a lode was struck in the Cure mine in a cross-cut which was driven to intersect the Manukau reef. It proved to be of good size, and was heavily impregnated with the same class of base minerals which characterize the Manukau lode, but it was not until after it had been driven on for some distance that gold was actually visible. This was on the 18th ultimo, and since then gold has shown in fair quantity on several occasions. There appears to be no doubt but this reef is a section of the Manukau lode, which became split off from the main body, for it is not of sufficient size to form the whole of that large lode. It is now being driven on towards the Manukau boundary. The cross-cut which intersected this lode was continued beyond it, and on the 29th ultimo another lode, six inches thick, was cut through, but the vein is unimportant so far. Another important dis covery in regard to tho Manukau reet was made in the Waiotahi Company! mine, when on tho 22nd ultimo it was struck iu a shaft sunk to a depth of 112 feet, and a good show of gold was mot with.. Since then it has been sunk through, and shows a thickness of 9 feet of good quartz. Anothor discovory was made in this mino oji the 24th. Tho shaft in which the Manukau reef was cut is the No. 2 shaft. The No. 1 shaft, over which the winding-engine works, is sunk to a much greater depth, and tho manager was driving on tho course of a 3-feet lode from this shaft towards tho Manukau roef. On the day named a good rich sliow of gold was met with in this lode close against tho boundary of tho Imperial City mino. Owing to its underlie tho latter company will have the lode from tho Waiotahi level to its outcrop, but the Waiotahi Company by sinking deeper can obtain such backs for stoping as they may desire, 'l o the Imperial City Company, however, tho find is of very great importance, and adds' greatly to the prospective wealth of this mine, which also stands in a splendid position for a large extent of the strike and underlie of tho Manukau reef. Tho Golden Crown Compauy aro also working a section of the Manukau reef at a lower level, and have good prospects, although thoy have not yet met with visible gold. ' WAio-IABABi .Dismor.~la out last

summary we alluded to the great and increasing importance of the mines in this district, and the immense crushing power employed by the two principal claims, the Bright Smile and the Queen of Beauty. But large as the force then employed was, they have both employed additional stampers since, and at present the Bright Smile has 87 head of stampers capable of crushing 1,000 tons of stone per week at work, and the Queen of Beauty has 83 head employed. In both instances further additions to the crushing power are proposed, and will no doubt bo effected this month. The other mines in the district have made proportional progress, and are increasing in importance daily.—ln regard to the Queen of Beauty there is littlo fresh to report. The two large reefs opened in the mine are being worked to tho very best advantage under careful management, and out of the result of tho last fortnight's crushing the company, after paying off heavy liabilities incurrad by the purchase of a powerful crushing mill, found that they had a large'balance to the good, from which a dividend of £13310s per seventh share was paid to the shareholders. The result of the fortnight's crushing which will be completed to-day will pay a still larger divideud, for there are now no liabilities other than the working expenses to be liquidated.—ln tho Bright Smile there have been one or two discoveries of some importance during the month. The first and chief of those was tho fact that tho No. 2 reef was larger than was at first discovered. By a mistake the size of tho lode was supposed to be 5 feet. There was a soam of mullock in the lode, which was mistaken for the footwall, but on opening into the wall for the insertion of timbers, quartz was met with, and subsequently it was found that quite two thirds of tho reef had been left standing on tho footwall. Of course action was immediately taken upon this discovery, and the principal portion of tho stuff crushed during the last month was obtained, from this section of the reef. There was another discovery A reef, supposed to bo tlie continuation of the No. 1 reef was discovered at tho seaward or westward side of the slide by which all tho lodes in this mine had previously been cut off. There is a width of tram 20 to 30 feet of stuff in the neighbourhood of this slide which will pay for crushing, and which is intact from the main level to the surface. A force of 20 head of stampers is to be started on this stuff in order fairly to test its quality.—ln the early part of the month a good rich show of gold was met with in the Bird>in-Hand mine, in the workings towards the seaward boundary, and this show, in a great measure, still continues. The company employs 15 head of stampors constantly upon good payable stuff, and the manager is now actively engaged opening a new level. The engine shaft is being sunk, and has already reached a depth of about 45 feet below the present working level. When it reaches 70 feet the new level will be driven, and in the meantime winzes are being sunk from the present level, which will meet the new level, thus cutting the lode into convenient blocks for stoping, and affording at the same time ample ventilation.—The Vanguard Company have started operations since our last summary, and are now sinking a shaft in a convenient situation. In consequence of the immense quantity of stuff which the Queen of Beauty Company are now raising from their own mine, they are unablo to perform similar duties as hitherto for the Queen of the May and City of London Companies, and these have now to make provision for working their mines through their own shafts. The Queen of the May having connected their upper and lower levels by means of a winze, are now sinking (heir shaft to the same level, and have within the last few days purchased a good engine, which they are about to erect for winding. purposes. —In the City of London the manager is driving towards the junction of lodes near the City of York boundary on the No. l reef, in order to procure adequate ventilation, and in the meantime no crushing is going on.—The sinking of the City of York and Queen of the Thames shafts have made good progress during the month. The most important find which has occurred in this district during the month has been that of a reef in . tho Exchange Company's mine, which took place on the 28th ultimo. The lode, when first intersected, was only 15 inches thick, but it contained a good show of gold, and when driven upon for a few feet the reef increased in sizo without losing any of its qualities. The level at which this reef is intersected affords backs from 250 feet to 400 feet in height for stoping, and it traverses the company's claim for a length of 700 feet, so that the find is in every respect a highly important one.—The progressive works of the Crown Prince mine have been pushed ahead with all possible expedition, particularly the low level cross-cut in which, on the 17th ultimo, the No. 2 reef was intersected ou a rich shot of gold. It has since been driven on for a short distance, and showed equally good prospects. Meanwhile the cross-cut is continued, and it is expected that tho No. 1 reef will be in hand to-day. The winding-engine, which has been purchased by tho company, will be working on Tuesday next, and after that the operations of tho mine will bo carried out on a more extended scale, The whole of the reefs at this level are much better than they were in the upper level. Several winzes are already sunk the requisite depth to meet this new level and one on the No. 1 reef has for somo days past been turning out VBry good stono. Moanataiahi Creek.—Without any now finds or extraordinary returns, many of the mines on tliis creek and its neighbourhood have turned out well during the month, and somo important operations which are now in progress will still further dovolop tho resources of this locality. Amongst tho most important must be reckoned the Old Whau mine, which, although not producing such heavy yields as formerly, is nevertheless turning out a considerable quantity of gold. The principal source of supply is the old level, but the manager is now pushing forward operations from the adit level whicli are likely to exorcise an important influence on the future prosperity of this company. The adit has been pushed ahead 40 feet, and a rise has now been started which will go right through the junction of roefs where the shot of gold was richest, and thus open an important section of tho mine for a depth of 85 feet, making it ready for immediate sloping. An alteration in the strike of tho main reef, which has been discovered within the last few days, also serves to enhance tho value of this property.—The Alburnia mine does not present many important changes, but is being steadily and advantageously worked. Tho company have completod an arrangement by which they obtain permission to work through, the

Whau adit, which will give a most advantageous level, and enable the manager to start operations on a portion of the Whau reef, which is known to be of good quality, and is supposed to contain a section of the famous shot of gold recently worked in that mine.-In Dixon's No. 1 and Black Angel mines nonewdiscoveries have been made, but in the Sons of Freedom claim, where the manager has been prospecting a section of the ground previously untried gold was met with. A trial crushing did not yield very largely, but there is ample reason to believe that when the resf is cut into blocks for stoping out good payable yields will be obtained.— On the 22nd ultimo there was a good find in the Colibau mine in the main reef, and prospects have since been obtained from the same source.—The Moanataiari mine is being steadily worked with moderate results, which, however, pay handsomely, and leave good profits. Thß sinking of the main shaft is the only work now going on in that mine. It is now down about 330 feet, and when a depth of 350 feet is reached the manager will open out on the reefs previously worked at the higher levels.—l lie whole of the operations of the Central Italy Company at present are confined to working the three reefs in the bottom level. There are good prospects showing in the quartz, and a crushing which is now going on gives promise of a profitable return. Miscellaneous.—Amongst the outside mines we have to report favourably of the prospects of the Nonpareil. Work was recently resumed, and already gold has been struck. A prospect was found in a section of the mine in which no work has hitherto boon carried on.—The Waitcinata Company has only one prospecting drive in progress at present. — On the Karaka, the Loyalty claim, from which we have recently had some good orushings, is now being systematically opened for future permanent working. — The Una main tunnel is making fair progress, and the South British Association's shaft and adit level are also being pushed on as briskly as possible. The company have purchased an engine, which is now being fitted up for winding.—The old Tweedside claim on the Hape Creek is now in good hands, having been lot on tribute to a party of energetic men, who have purchased an engine, with the assistauce of which they will be able to clear the lower levels of the mine of water, and work the lodes to greater advantage. CoEOMANDBti.—The mines generally in this district are in a healthy condition. The Tokatea mine continues to turn out good steady gold returns, and keepß up constant crushing at their own mill.—fhe Royal Oak, Harbour View, and other mines in the same locality are all on gold. —The sinking of the Kapanga shaft is also reported to be making good progress, and several mines on the Beach are doing well. Amongst the most important operations now being carried on. in the mining district is the development of tlie Plutus claim, and the erection of the company's battery of 20 head of stampers, with tramways, &c.,< requisite for the active and vigorous work which is to be carried on. The prospects of this induced Auckland capitalists to take it in hand ; henoe the erection of the crushing mill, and .we have every reason to believe that they will succeed in developing the claim into a very valuable mining property. Other claims in the same locality (which is compatively new) have excellent prospects. The Gold Yield.—We append a list of the crusliings completed since our last summary. As we previously stated, the month is incomplete, and only represents a fortnight's crushing for some of the principal mines. There will be heavy returns to hand to-day from the Queen of Beauty, Moanataiari, and other mines, which, properly speaking, should have been included in the annexed list;— GOLD BBTUMS FIIOM JJLY 7 TO AUGU3T 1.

Claim or Compan?. Stone Crushed, Gold. , §11 »H tn o — o -a u Albion tribute (Kelly's) - 70 0 0 75 IS 0 Alburnia - « - - 200 0 0 21(1 0 0 Ditto 75 0 0 47 6 0 Bright Smilo - - - 400 0 0 333 10 0 Ditto - - - - 1000 0 0 754 10 0 Ditto - - - - 700 0 0 680 0 0 Bird-in-IIand - - - 300 0 0 289 0 0 Black Angel- - • - 181 10 0 82 10 0 Caledonian - - - - 8112 0 81 0 0 Ditto - • ■ - 68 11 0 CO 0 0 Ditto 79 4 0 62 0 0 Ditto - - - - 77 8 0 32 0 0 City of Auckland (Corom'dol) 123 0 0 309 0 o Central Italy - - - 200 0 0 m241 0 0 Dauntless! and Sluk-to-ltiae tribute - - - - 0 18 rolG 10 0 Golden Crown - - - 140 0 0 wG212 0 Inverness tribute - - - 40 0 0 27 0 0 Kuraii'ii - - - • 380 0 0 ml2!) 8 0 Lord Nelson - • - 2 0 0 2 0 0 llanukau specimens - - 1 0 0 845 0 0 Jlultunvin-l'arvo tribute - 0 2 0 wllO 0 0 JIcDennot's Claim - 4 0 0 0 17 0 Middle Star tribute - - 15 0 0 0 15 0 Jlorning Star tribute - 20 0 0 m21 15 0 Moanataiari - - - - 500 0 0 331 0 0 Moonta - - - - 10 0 0 ml 5 0 Old Whau - - - - 500 0 0 03110 0 Ditto - - - ' - - 225 0 0 490 0 0 Point Russell tributo - - 12 0 0 ti 11 0 l'acille - - ' - - 10 0 0 MS 7 0 Queen of Beauty - - - C50 0 0 714 0 0 Bed White and Blue tributo 22 0 0 m2110 0 Itose and Shamrock tribute 150 0 0 12(110 0 Bed Queen - - - - 8 0 0 ml 15 0 Sons of Freedom - - - 34 0 0 m25 (J 12 Sundries, including Gold from Tailings, about - - - 1000 0 0 Tierjian's Claim (G'oromamlel) 0 0 1 5 0 0 Twenty-third of Juno - - fi 0 0 GOO Xookcy - - - - 6 0 0 0 18 0 i ookeys (Lowe's tribute) - 15 0 0 0 17 0 Tookey (Long's tribute) - 18 0 0 mlO 17 0 I'okatea (Coromandel) - 300 0 0 349 5 0 United j- - - - *20 0 0 0 3 0 Una tribute - - - - 25 0 0 20 0 0 Ditto 10 0 0 7/tf 7 0 Wlw'd - Have - Thought - It (Coromandel) - - - 400 70 00 Total - - c,ooi 17 o 8,330 11 o Previous Month - 8,329 8 55 10,032 1 0 Decrease - - 2,327 11 40 2,290 10 0 m means that the quantity stated is iu melted gold. I