OHINEMURI.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2595, 2 May 1877, Page 3

OHINEMURI.

(IEOM OUR OWtf COKBESPONDENT.)

Waitekatjbi, April 30th. Waitekatjbi G-.M.Co.—The prospects of this mine are rapidly improving, better stone coming to hand from all portions of the reef worked. On Saturday evening I was shown a candle-box full of very rich stone taken from the face of No. 1 stope going south intermediate level, and the manager assured me there was plenty

more of the same kind left in the face,

and upwards of a ton already broken out. The stone I saw had been broken out of a large block, aid they are similar in appearance to the stuff from the No. 2 winze-^-sold, hardvrock, full of small b\ne veins running through, with cracks and crevices in the middle of it, and in these the gold is to be scon strewn most thickly; some of the stones were almost worth exhibiting as curiosities,- as I don't think stone of the same class or quality has ever been seen in any other mine but this. In the stopes going north there is a really fine body of stone about 20ft thick and gold is frequently seen, and as it has all the usual characteristics of gold- bearing stone, will, no doubt, turn out well at the mill.

At the low level the reef also looks well, anybody who is acquainted with the appearance of the stone in this mine would, upon seeing it, reckon it was better quality than that in the 160 ft., although there, is not so much gold to be seen. There is not much news from the battery. The manager allows the stone being reduced is shaping fora good return, but by the time this reaches you all doubts on the subject will be at an end, as the cleaning up will likely take place to-mor-row, although it is not known yet for certain. The wet weather we have had the last couple of days has made a material difference in the quantity of stone reduced every 24 hours, as in the early part of last week 8 head were hung up, and the others working about half speed, tut. since. Saturday the full force has 'been going at the rate of 80 strokes* per 'minute. There is nothing .known as io . the probable yield for the month's operations, but Jifancy there will be something j like JLSOQozs of retorted gold. If so it will average considerably over loz to tlie ton, as-there .can't have been much over 800 tons reduced this month:

/ Welcome Gr. ML Co. —The No. 4 lode is improving in size and quality, some nice stone coming to hand therefrom. Two shifts are now at work "in the drive going in to connect with the winze sunk on Js6;'2 cross lode, which has been sunk the requisite distance, and carried a fine body of stone down with a marked improvement in the latter portion sunk. When the j connection is made the mine .will be thoroughly ventilated, and opened up sufficiently to enable the manager to break out a large tonnage of good quality ore.

1 The. manager of: the Perseverance G-.M.00. is pushing ahead with the low-. level. At-i present the country is hard, necessitating the use of powder, but he expects tc get into a better, channel of country in a few feet more driving. Shannon and Febots Gr.M.Co.r-The contractors are driving on No. 1 lode, which is a nice looking leader, and if it continues in the same class of country as; at,present, should increase in value when; it gets into a little deeper ground. . : I think: if ; shareholders in the Union and Great Republic were to follow the ex^ ample set them by the Leahy No. 2 and Queen companies, and intersect their ground with good low levels,.something good would be found in either one or the other before long, as some of the best loose gold discovered in the dis"^ict was found in a gully which runs through a portion of both claims. . TeamwAt.—Downesand party, contractors for No. 1 section, have nearly finished alloutside work; and have 40ft of the tunnel done, sq rexpect to finish about the "end of this week. Sorrensca and party, who have No, 2 section, are getting along slowly, as they have met with some hard country in the tunnel going through the lower portion of- the -Young Colonial. About 130 ft is already driven, but as there is 270 ft altogether it will take a few weeks to finish unless the country gets more kindly with them. Kelly, and party; contractors for No. 3 section, are making good progress with their tunnel, and, a"M"it is Only 120 feet in length, should finish in the course of, a fortnight. Other sections are ready to let, but, there are no.men available, or the prices offered are not sufficiently^ tempting to induce them to take them.

In anticipation df the better timeff expected, Mr. Brown, from the Owharoa, has shifted his hotel and store from there to close beside/ the Waitetauri mine. The business doing is not very heavy just yet.,,: .-■■"/ - . "■■■■'■:.- ■-.- ;■•■■ ■:.-■ -■i :.< •-'s