TAPU.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2503, 13 January 1877, Page 2

TAPU.

(by oue special bepobteb.)

Hastings, January 12.

The prospects of the few mines at work in this district are most promising. Mr Stephens, who has for the last eight years been in charge of Buckland's battery, lias purchased ifc from the trustees of the late Mr Buckland's estate, and has since made several alterations all tending to improve the efficiency of the plant aa a gold saver. The all nations, • ■': A portion cf the same ground worked by Auckland and party, aud some of an adjoining mine called by the above name, is at present worked ,by eight men, and has proved higlily remunerative since taken in hand by the present holders. Within the last four months £1100 worth of gold has been taken out, a return of over lodwts to the ton from the reef worked I upon, which averages 3? feet in thickness. Prom the level worked upon, there are backs of 185 feet, the stove from which, if it yields" at the above rate, and which there is every reason to suppose it will, must pay very handsome dividends. The stuft" ironi the mine is deposited at the battery at a very little cost. A well-laid iron tramway leads from the paddock at the mine to a shoot over the battery, and the stuff can be delivered at the rate of 25 tons per day for a very small outlay. The last return from the mine was 88Jozs, which was sold at the rate of £3 3s per ounce. Mr Stephens retorted and melted the gold at the battery, and gives an assay value for ifc. All the appliances for melting &c, are on the spot, and Mr Stephens having been for years connected with the assay department of one of our large banking coporations, is well qualified to prepare the precious metal for sale. The only drawback at present is, that owing to the late dry weather the supply of water for the turbine—the motive power at the battery — is' somewhat short, enabling only 5 head of the 15 head of stampers to be kept at work.

THE HOPE Is at present only employing three men, but within the last few days some very good stone has been taken out. The shareholders are in capital spirits at their prospects, and will at once take steps to have a good crushing landed at the battery. GEEAT REPUBLIC. Four men'are at present at work, but if the next crushing turns out as payable as the last trial of 5 tons put through the battery during the holidays, the ground will be well manned. Fmm the 5 tons mentioned an average of 15d«ts was obtained, which paid well, the cost of getting the stuff to the mill being very little. Within a short time a parcel otV 10 tons will be at the battery, which is expected to yield as well, if not better than the trial lot before mentioned. It is the universal opinion that on the Tapu Creek there is a large area of ground which would pay well if worked carefully, and by small parties of men. «