OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3451, 16 January 1880, Page 2

OUR MINES.

ALBtJKNIA.

The mine manager's report for the week is as follows .-<-" 160 feet level, east—We are still driving on this level on a fine looking reef 5 feet in width; the. ground is rather bard, and, there only being two men, but slow progress is made. 160 feet level, west—Driving has also been continued here., Within the last few days we hare cut a leader, which I expect will prove to be the foot-Wall leader, and in the level above it was at this point we first came ou good gjld. ' Since cutting this leader, we have been stripping the reef, and I intend having a breaking down, on Wednesday or Thursday, when, I trust,, from the appearance of the reef that the result will be satisfactory. 70 feet level, east—Since last report two men have - been engaged in pushing forward this drive towards the New North Devon boundary. We hare still 62 fet to drive, and from the appearance of the reef on our side, and the good good prospects on North Devon end (they having a large reef averaging nearly 3oz* to the ton at last crushing) we have every prospect of a good payable block between us and that company's ground. No 2 winze, east— This winze is being sunk on the hanging* wall of the reef, as the ground is hard and the air bad, I was anxious to have it completed as soon as possible. No. 2 winze, west—Since last report a winze has been started in this level which is I now down about 8 feet. Ido not expect 1 this winze to be carried down with great expedition, as, in order to prove the reef as I go down, I have decided to take the reef with me. Since its commencement erery shooting down has given more or less picked stone, some of which is of a superior kind to any obtained in the ioveL above at this point, as I was-unable for the proper working of the mine to sink the winze at the extct place where the richest gold was obtained. Cross-cut: A cross-cut has also been let in this drive by contract at 12i 3d per foot, which, when complete, will prospect the country for 62 feet in the foot-wall, .and disclose any droppers or small leaders detached from main reef. Foot-wall leader—We have also been carrying on this drire. •' The reef is now about 3 feet wide, 10 inches of which containing good minerals is saved for crushing, the remainder being of a coarse white description of quartz, very hard, and which I consider poor. 70 feet level, west—This drive has now reached the boundary of the Whau G.M.Co. During the last fortnight we having obtained some rich stone 1, and a large amount of the return for last month was obtained from this drive and the leading slopes, tearing a good show in the floor of the drive, which I hope will ' prove at rich in the bottom level when we reach to that point. Slopes: Stoping operations still carried here. The reef at present does noi show so much mineral or yield so much picked stone ai it has done; and as the stopes approach the Whau level the reef is more of a mullooky nature, but still yielding good crushing dirt, as the return on Saturday last will show, there being 6490zs lOdwts gold from the general dirt alone. Battery: Fifteen head of stampers have been kept constantly employed.—l have, &«.» (signed) Thomas Kadfobd." . .«