THE WEEK.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2521, 3 February 1877, Page 2

THE WEEK.

During the week there liave been few mining events- of much moment. The uncertainty shading the result of the Owhavoa crushings has been cleared off, and the yields though not up to.the first expectation, yet are better than the more recently formed anticipations. The Smile of Fortune stuff, yielded slightly over an ounce to the ton, but the crushings from the Annie, Morning Light and Radical were considerably under that average. , The result, though it -has somewhat dis--heartened the shareholders, has not entirely shaken their faith in the mines. i' There have been several meetings adverI tised. for; the purpose of . winding,".up, on tribute, etc, but the Annie {directors, for one, have been sensible .enough not to throw up' the mine on the I<resu.lt of one trial.. The mine has not [ only been proved to be auriferous, but it | has been shown that the. average yield though small might be made to pay if I crushing was cheaper, and the mine was carefully worked. It is expected.that the 1 proprietor of the battery will see fit to reduce the crushing charges, and, indeed, it is stated that the directors of the several claims in tho vicinity are at present carrying on negociations with him for that purpose. At the Waitekauri mine the aspect of affairs seems to have very much improved. The crushing is currently reported to be looking well, \ though no definite information has been received.* The retorting was to take place either yesterday vor to day, and the yield expected is about €00 ounces. Eecent reports concerning the Welcome also speak, .hopefully, some good stone being obtained from the No. 4 reef.

- la the Tairua district the want of roads or means of conveyance for the quartz to the battery is felt pretty severely. The Golden Arrow has some 100 tons ready for crushing, and estimated to average l^ozs. to the ton, but it is not able to get it crushed for want of the appliances above referred to. The good state of affairs in the Ajax referred,to in last Saturday's article, appears to continue, encouraging prospects being obtained from the drive m the bottom level. With proper appliances there appears but little doubt but that some men could knock out good wages in alluvial mining there. -Some men are employed now, but with their present rough appliances, the work is hardly profitable, in consequence of the great loss of the fine gold. In the Waio-Karaka the stoppage of the pump has not yet made itself much felt, and perhaps it has done some good, as it has made, the parties interested come to a more definite understanding than hitherto. Mr Judd is proceeding as expeditiously as possible with his contract for repairing the damage, and perhaps | this day week may see the starting of the i pumps. The Queen of Beauty battery has stopped, partly for repairs and partly in anticipation-of the water rising and flooding tho lower' level of the mine. The amalgam in hand for the three first days Of the week was retorted, and a satisfactory result obtained. The water is now; beginning to make itself felt in the Queen of the May mine, though the men were able to work yesterday. The mine is look ing promising, and crushing is proceeding at Bull's battery with 27 head of stampers. Ec tor ting did not take place to-day, it being probable that the manager will not bo able to keep crushing for more than two or three days

after the men are out of the workings. It is therefore intended to hare a retort* ing about Wednesday next. No occurrence of any moment has occurred during the week in connection with City of London and Fiako mines. At an extraordinary meeting of the Crown Princess shareholders held at Auckland on Tuesday it was resolved to wind up the company. No mention is made of reforming it, though it is generally, understood -^that it Wilf" be"" reformed. The Mqanatairi mine. is looking well, gold being seen in all the fire leaden in the bottom level. Th«. Alburni* appear* now to have adopted the policy, as soon as a party ofejuoky tributewVtime « up, of taking over the ground and working it for themselves. Allen's section has been taken over in this way, and the company is said to be getting as good prospects as the tributers were. -Miners in the back districts t will- be glad ipieam that it is probable that, at,no distant period* the County Council will do''something for them inre.spect.to'rbads.. „ .-*.. The district'bf Tapu is now looking more prosperous than it has J^een for some time past. " .Sere'ral"'payable yields have been obtained during the weelc, one or,two.of tbem.being the result!^of. trial c^ushings.' Tho chief drawback to this M district appears to be the want of roads, but the miners..there ye hopeftil that when the" County Cojanc^gefs more funds it will lend them a nelping hand.' j Duriujrtfie wi6ek"seterar good yields' have, beeouobtained, by the JLuranui Hill United tributers,, and besides these there are .two or. three moderately lised- yields from other miriesv V l '■” \'' ,'^ X*K * "' [Since .the above was in type ih^ Union Beach and.yVaUekauri returns..kare been received,- and they are bpih excellent returns.] :-, -//.v. IoV-.a",.^