THE OLD WHAU.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1747, 8 August 1874, Page 2

THE OLD WHAU.

Go and see for yourself, was the order when I reported, as I had been informed, that a heavy find of gold had taken place in the TVhau. I obeyed, and visited, the mine this morning. I find that the arrangements for working the mine hare

been, so far aspracticable, much mv, proved, more especially as to the drainage, the watercourses being opened and the tunnel comparatively dry, the foot boards kid down, and ventilation -well attended to. The time occupied in noting this brought mo to the face of the drive from which the stone was taken that caused last night's rumour, and rumour has in, this case as usual, given truth a rather wide berth. The fact is that the lode that was expected to run into the Alburnia has changed its course, and has doubled or bent back into the Whau ground; this is ascertained by the work carried on in the main drive, which has, I think, unexpectedly cut a leader. The crushing stuff that will have to betaken is about 18 inches thick. I must confess I saw no gold in the face, but I did see* about the palm of a hand full of very nice specimens, that the mine manager, Mr. Dakin, assured me had been taken out of a dishful of stuff from the »ame leader. This leader evidently carried gold down with it from the level ifc has been worked on above. There is clearly eighty-five feet on the run of the lode in the Whau ground, and from the fact of gold having been obtained in apparently the same lode in the workings above and the low level, enhances the prospects of the Whau mm« materially; still there is nothing sensational to report as to finds. There are many alterations to be maue in the main tunnel tramway, tho particulars of which I noted ; great improvements will be made, the Alburnia, Black Angel, and Whau companies having agreed to pay for certain works necessary in the stopes. The stuff sent to the mill is from the big reef, and as expected, is lurning out rather poor. Taking the mine right through, I have more confidence in it from the prcient appearances, and from the straightforward way in which information is given, and the way in which works are being carried on..