OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3038, 9 November 1878, Page 2

OUR MINES.

The part few weekß hare been exceed* ingly quiet in respect to the mines, but still some important measures, which nay be greatly to the future advancement of jtbe place, have been brought before the public—The first of these is the Hauraki Prospecting Association, a "spec"of Auckland origin, which has already commenced prospecting operations between the Thames and Coromandel, which comprises a large stretch of auriferous country—almost a terra incognita to the: gold miner—though why no systematic plan of prospecting has been heretofore commenced is "a mystery considering the inducements offered. The Association referred to have funds enough on hand to keep the prospectors working for a twelvemonth, during which time there is every prospect of unearthing something.—Another scheme, which has been brought recently under the notice of the public, is the Tararu and Karaka Tunnel, to carry out which a company will bs formed so soon as the committee appointed at a recent public meeting on the matter have completed their report. The scheme is a very feasible one, and one which is expected to be crowned with success, and Mr Otto, the prime mover in it, deserves credit for the manner he brought it under the notice of the Government, and also for obtaining the valuable concessions granted by the latter.—The third affair which has attracted public notice is what is known as Scanlau's lease, being a claim pegged out on the line of the proposed water race tunnel, between the Waio-Karaka and Waiotahi creeks. The water race tunnel will prospect the ground at no cost to the shareholders, and as very little work has been done in the locality, it is to be hoped the extension of the tunnel will develop payable stone. The lease has been formed into 40 promoters' shares at £2 each, and the gentlemen who were appointed mto canvass for shareholders have been'very successful.—The proposed sale of the Big Pump securities hat been fully dealt with elsewhere, and do not require much comment here.—The only mine doing anything grand at present is the Queen of Beauty, and it is really shaping splendidly and is yielding at the rate of 80( ounces per month. It is believed bj many experienced men that the next level will be even better than this one, and that if the Piako shaft was put down anothei 100 feet that company would also be abU to operate on the same run of gold.