ALBURNIA.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3561, 26 May 1880, Page 2

ALBURNIA.

Since my last visit to the mine about 2OOlbs of sbecimens and picked stoae have been obtained from the intermediate level stopes. Some of the stone was being crushed at the battery this morning where there are on exhibition about 301bs of exceedingly rich specimens, worth perhaps two oas per pound. They are well worth inspection. - The general crushing keeps up, 15 head being employed on company's dirt. Dabb and party, company's triputers, are crushing 3or 4 loads. Mangan and party Yyield, reported yesterday was the produce of 15 loads. This lucky party will bank several ounces more from the blanket* ings. The fortnightly report of the mine manager is as follows:—" Sons of Freedom tunnel: Driving has been carried on here during past fortnight. Contractors making fair progress, having driven 28 feet. The reef for the last five or six feet has greatly improved, being now a nice compact lode 3| feet wide full-of good looking minerals with a promising country, full of stringers of quartz and mineral veins which I consider a good indication for gold. The quartz broken out here is now being sent to the battery, and crushed with the other general dirt. 160* feet level east: In my last I mentioned having a party of men cutting through the reef. We have now reached the footwall. A great portion of the reef has a very good appearance with every indication of being payable. I have now started the men to strip down the reef up to the present face, which when completed we will carry on the whole reef with us in the drive. The contractors here have,driven only 11 feet owing to the delay caused by cutting through the reef. I have every reason to believe that taking the upper level as a guide, and the present appearance of the face that there will now be a good payable block from this to the New North Devon boundary. Stopes west: Stoping has been carried on here during last fortnight on footwall portion of the reef. When we first started stoping here we were only saving about 10 inches of the reef. It has now opened up to about 2| feet of good crushing dirt, and within the .last few days we have obtained some good specimens. I may mention that where we obtained these specimens is directly under where we are getting some rich specimens in the intermediate level, and under where the good gold was got at Christmas last at the 70 feet level. Should this block continue as at present, or improve in going up as it has done since the commencement, there will be a fine block of ground 50 feet high and 60 feet long to work out. Intermediate level east.—Driving has been carried on here, and the reef has greatly improved since we commenced, frequently showing colors of gold, and I intend to drive this level as long as it keeps its present appearance, as it will give a much larger block to work out here than was at first expected. Stoping has been going on over this level, and during the last fortnight some good specimens and picked stone have been obtained, with a good supply of crushing dirt. Intermediate level, west—Stoping has also been carried on over west drive, and some good specimens and picked stone obtained leaving a good show still in stopes. Footwall leader—Stoping has been carried on here. No change to report. Hanging wall leader—Driving has been carried on here, but the leader has not looked so well for the last 10 or 12 feet »s formerly, but now again seems to be changing for the better. Stoping has been carried on over this drive with the same satisfactory results as last reported. Stoping is being carried on on the Sons of Freedom reef from this junction to New North Devon boundary, and we have obtained some good specimens within the last few days, with a good supply of crushing dirt from these stopes. Dixon's lower level.—We have commenced to clear out and repair crosscut running towards Dixon's and North dunes' reefs. When this is completed I purpose con* tinuing the drive to cut these reefs. I retorted on Saturday the amalgam accumulated during the week, and from which I obtained 4400zs retorted gold, which with the former retorting gives us 850ozs lOdwts of gold now on hand. I purpose cleaning up for the month on Saturday, and retorting on Monday next, when I trust the result for the month will prove satisfactory. The battery and all machinery connected therewith working well.—l have, Ac, Thomas Radfobd, manager."