MOANATAIRI.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2550, 9 March 1877, Page 2

MOANATAIRI.

At half-past eight o'clock this morning the directors, Messrs Stone, Clark, and Bleazard, having arrived from Auckland during last night, paid a visit to the mine in company with the manager, Mr Comer. The Visit was for the purpose of determining on the future working of the mine, and as it was of a private character the result is not known. Between: eleven and ' twelve -the mine was thrown open to the general public, and upwards of 200 persons availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing the reef which has created such a furore during the last few days^ Entering the long, tunnel the visitor proceeds a distance of Several hundred yards, until he arrives at^ the shaft by 'which he descends to the bottom. A little further walking brings him to an excavation about 14 feet square, which at about half-past eleven to-day was full of people — from the belt-

(oppered swell to the moleskin cladmner, all eagerly scanning the object of the visit—the No. 9 reef. As all the accessible parts of it were rather darkened with candle and powder smoke, the lode could not be seen so well as it otherwise cau. but what could be seen satisfied the knowing ones that there was something in the general excitement. The reef was pronounced by several who might be supposed to know about such matters to be very similar in appearance to the far famed Caledonian lode. The lode is of good lize, and shows gold and mineral impregnating the stone. Severalof the visitors seemed to wish to satisfy themselves more accurately of the quality of the reef by breaking off pieces of. the quart?, but whenever a hand was laid on it, a gruff "hands off, please" caused it to be withdrawn. At the termination of the visit everybody appeared satisfied, and on their departure the employes resumed work as before. There were some fine specimens on view at the battery to-day, which contained a considerable quantity of gold, and were evidently very valuable. The manager intends to erect a new changing house at the battery where all the men employed in the mine will be obliged: to change coming on and going off shift. The next retorting, which takes place on Saturday week, will be a large one.

Besides the crushing for the compan]', Forster and party of the Aiburnia, and Gavin and party, the company's tri'outers, are crushing at present. The crushing for the latter^ is supplemented bya parcel of specimens, which are being berdanned at present and will greatly.assist the total yield.