Our Mining Reporter.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2588, 24 April 1877, Page 2

Our Mining Reporter.

MOANATAIRI. The following is the mine manager's weekly report to the directors :—Moanatairi Goldmining Company (registered.)— Thames, April 21, '77. —The directors.—Gentlemen, —I beg to present my usual weekly report: —80 feet level, S.E. crosscut. No, 9 reef.—For-the last 15 feet driring has been much disturbed by "clay faults," one of which is now in the face, and looks as though the reef heaved to the left; we may, therefore, expect to pick it up in that direction. A cross-cut has been started south from this lode to communicate with winze sunk 100 feet on Heldt's reef. At the tunnel level Heldt's was parallel with No. 9, and 60 feet from it, but at 80 feet level they are only 20 feet apart, and will junction at a further depth of 40 feet. The cross-cut referred to is now in 12 feet, and two leaders have been intersected, both showing good colors of gold. Good progress has been made in driving west from cross-cut; the reef here has been heaved south 14 feet, but it will, I think, shortly be picked up again on west side of slide, as strong quartz is making in floor of drive. The new winze is down 5 feet in tight country. The reef has been broken down 1£ feet from floor of drive* and a little gold was. seen in west end. The cross leader has been driven on north from Wallace's, showing a thickness of one foot, and is payable crushing stuff. The stope south .on the same lode is also payable. N.W. cross-cut, All Nations load—During last week we have, been driving upon the left-hand branch; this is suspended now, and driving commenced on right-hand leader. I. think this will prove to be the main reef striking towards No. 2, Junction of No. 1 and 3 reefs — The drive east is tight, and slow progress is being made. The stuff obtained from this reef is of a. low average. Engine shaft is now down 45 feet below the 80 feet level, and in good country, as the shaft descends it makes more water, but it is very satisfactory to know that it is only the back water in ground. The general crushing has shown up well for the past week, and we have now 1500 ounces amalgam on hand, this •is partly owing to our having cleaned down stopes on No. 9 about where the late run of gold was broken. On Monday last fresh water from Thames Water Race was laid on for supply of tables and berdans; it gives satisfaction and reduces the consumption of coal. The battery will, stop on Monday for inspection of boilers, otherwise all the machinery is in good order. —I remain, yours obediently, E. Comeb. Work throughout the mine is being carried on rigorously. The cross-cut being put in from the No. 9. level to intersect the winze from Helßt's level, _nnd which is about 100 feet deep, is now driven 13 or 14 feet, leaving about 6 or 7 to connect it with the winze above refefre'd to. Several leaders have been intersected in this cross-cut, which are gold-bearing and their lay indicates that at a little lower depth they will junction with the main reef, when something good may be met with. Gold has been discovered in the west side of the winze which is being

sunk adjacent to the late run of gold, which is at present only 8 or 9,feet deep, and in very hard country. The winze rising from a continuation of the No. 9 reef, and which has been producing a good supply of quartz, is still looking well, and the colors of gold are occasionally seen. The battery is stopped to-day, the Inspector of Boilers having ordered the cleaning of the . boilers,: which, it appears, are covered with a thick, corroded scale, although it is only a short time since they were cleaned. The water recently used is, it seems, a combination of fresh and salt, and of rather a dirty nature. The battery will probably start again some time to-morrow. „-.-.. . PIAKO. , .. The manager reports that the various works at the bottom level are being pushed on with all speed. The No.-2 reef at this level' maintains its size, viz.,'from 18 to 20 feet, and a little gold is seen almost every day, while the ground is good working. A little danger is experienced by the workmen from the large , open face, the roof of which is rendered rather weak from the large quantity of water «|flAg down. At the battery the crushin^i^jyqking well; last week the show waa^swJbrfictory, but within the last 24 hour? itbasgreatiy improved. The prospect'of a fine yieid is before the shareholders. CALEDONIAN. In this mine a number of men are employed driving on the hanging-wall of the main reef, which is a good body of stone. No gold to speak of has been' seen. Two of the company's tribute parties are crushing at Bull's battery, namely, Herival and party, whose crushing, is , shaping for a fair return, and Mclnnis I and party. KUEANUI HILL UNITED. At this company's battery Sykes and party, from the Don Fedro, yesterday completed their crushing, of 6 tons of quartz, and obtained the very satisfactory yield of 55ozs sdwts retorted gold. Gilpin and party, and Skeen and party, Alburnia tributers, also obtained good payable yields, the former getting 20ozs from 10; lodes of stuff, and the latter 24ozs from 22 loads. The battery is at present employed crushing for the Golden Age company, and although the stuff had only been commenced on a few hours, the plates had secured a good show of amalgam. There is nothing fresh to report from the Big Pump low level.