MOANATAIRI.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3170, 17 April 1879, Page 3

MOANATAIRI.

The workings on the Point Eussell reef were visited today. The winze marked JNo. 1 on plan (not the main Point Eussell winze) is down about 50 feet below the creek level—the bottom therefore being some 220 feet above the tunnel level. The main Point Eussell lode runs across the bottom of the winze, only one wall of it being visible. It was at this point that the lode was broken into yesterday, and the specimens obtained. Although the face was much obscured with powder smoke, and water, good dabs of coarse cold were distinctly visible in the stone. The main lode is about 2Jfeet thick, and appeared to have but little underlie. At the time of my visit there was another lode in the winze on the side opposite the main reef, and as it had a strong dip towards main reef, will probably junction with it some distance down the winze. Altogether this lode has a promising appearance, but until it is better opened out it is impossible to say much about it. But little quartz will be broken here until a connection is effected with the main Point Eus3ell workings, when the oat-put can be sent down the rise and then 1;', transmitted, via the tunnel, 4o the battery. The manager informed me that this connection would

be made in about a month. No other work of any consequence is in progress in the Point Russell section. In the early days the quartz from the back of the drive over the winze produced 2oza per ton. When this section of the company's ground is well opened up and in good working order, it may be said the shareholders of the Moanatairi havo a new mine to work without any danger of operations being suspended through the stoppage of pumping operations, as the old workings are now circumstanced. There ! are close on 300 feet of backs on the j Point Russell lode, while the reef extends : right across the Point Russell claim.