THE WEEK.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2900, 1 June 1878, Page 2

THE WEEK.

The report of the experts appointed to inspect and report on the reefs cut at the 640 feet level of the United Pumping Association's shaft with a view to the working of these lodes, has been published, and amongst other things the outcome of the united wisdom of these three gentlemen points conclusively to the desirability of continuing the southern cross-cut—ran object which has been several times advocated in this column. For a considerable period, it has been theorised by several who rrght be supposed to know somet ng of such matters, that the

limestpne formation ia which the 640 feet level is, is not at all favorable to the existence of gold-bearing quar*,z. As far as the Thames deep levels are concerned, this theory appears to be pretty correct in the main, as a few colors of gold obtained by the Kuranui Hill United is all that can be shown againat the vast amount of prospecting done on the northern side of the shaft. It appears, honever, that some 300 feet to the southern side of the shaft a new and more favorable channel of country commences, which fact Messrs Hall, Black and Hicks recognise by recommending that operations be started on the reefs in the favorable clpss of country by the companies through whose gronnd they traverse. But to return to the question at point—the extension of the main south cross-cut. The more favorable nature of the country- holds out the inducement that the lodes cut in the future may be gold-bearing, and it is likewise probable that the slide or barrier dividing the drainage systems, of Tookey's Flat and the Waio-Karaka Flat, would soon be pierced, and enable the gold in the latter locality to be raided at a much less cost than at present. It is to be hoped that now the companies immediately benefited by the Big Pump will make up for their | former remissness by vigorously prospecting the lodes recommended as holding out sufficient inducement to work by (.he experts. Anent the relations of the local bodies to the prospecting works at the United Pumping Association's shaft, the following legal opinion supplied by Mr Macassey, the eminent Otagan lawyer, will doubtless be read with interest, as being also applicable to the Thames district. Without commenting on it, it may be said that there are many here who think the same as Mr Macassey. The opinion is as follows:—As already intimated by telegram, I am of opinion that, a County Council has no power to appropriate any portion of its funds to the object of prospecting for gold. The revenues derived in t!ie goldfields are under the Financial A rrangeme -ts Act, 1876, and the proportion therein declared available for the purposes of County Councils within the goldfields districts. The Council of the County can, however, only apply them according to law, and as it (the Council) is a creation of statute law, the provisions defining its powers must be closely construed. During the week things on 'Change have been kept petty lively with the fluctuations of the Punga Flat mines all of which from Alburnia downwards seem to stand h;gh in public favour. The Watchman, a mine on the same line of reef as the Alburnia has risen greatly in price, owing to a find which promises to produce splendid results, discovered by a party of tributers. The Queen of Beauty has storied sinking, and with the fine pros* pects of the new level, turning out well, the old mine should soon come to the front again as one of the premier mines. Wilson and party, the tributers, the letting of whose tribute created such a " muss " some time back, are doing very we'l, and the section has paid several handsome dividends to its shareholders, so that the fact sticks out strongly now that the company might have fared better if they had accepted the tender for 30"per cent.