Mining Retrospect.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3748, 31 December 1880, Page 2

Mining Retrospect.

The mining operations carried out on the Thames Goldfields daring the past twelve months, although not nearly so satisfactory as could be desired, nevertheless show that " there's life in the old dog yet," as the return of gold found this year is a trifle larger than that of 1879. On the 2nd of January, the Alburnia Goldmining Company announced a dividend of £1 per share. During the month of December, 1879, this Company con* tributed 3,8570z8 out of the total yield of 8,874f?*5. On the 6th, the Thames Goldmining Company declared a dividend of 2s 6d per share. On the 16tb, the Old Whau Company tributera consented to relinquish their tribute on receipt of 200 shares in a new company and a small cash remuneration. , On the 27th, the County Council offered by auction the remainder of Big Pump securities, when fair prices were realised. The gold returns for the month showed a total of 3,2600za, showing an increase of 1032 ounces over, the retold of the corresponding period of 1879. On the 2nd February the Alburnia GJI.Co. declared a dividend of 10s per

share, and on the 16th the Moanatairi followed suit with a dividend of 2s 6d. The total gold returns for the month were 31890z5, or an increase of 37ozs over the corresponding period of last year. On the 20th March the first retorting for the New Whau took place, and yielded 8350z5. The gold returns for the month of March were 5,1990z5, an increase of 1429. On the 13th of April the Alburnia battery, which had been built from plans h- . specifications provided by fit. Crump, Esq., was openec;. On the 22nd the New Golden Crown G.M.Co. was formed. The gold returns for the-month were 3,8240z5, an increase of 4460z5. On the 14th May the Thames County Council voted £40 towards maintaining the Big Pump, and on the 27th the new pumping machinery at the Queen of Beauty battery was started. The monthly gold return—4,ssOozs — showed an increase of 9970z5. On the Bth of June, the Waiotahi Goldmining Company declared a dividend of 2s 6d, and total gold obtained during the month j was 6,3610zs —an increase of 2,58^0z5. | On the 7th July, jMr John Wileox was appointed manager of the New North Devon mine. The gold returns for the month were 4,3300z5, or an increase of 7070z5. There was nothing of interest during August. The gold return was 38850z8, or a decrease of 115ozs on the amount obtained in August. 1879. On September the 9th, the Alburnia Company declared a dividend of 2s 6d. The gold return was 4,036 zs, or a decrease of 8970z5. On th« 27th'October, the first trial crushing of lOOlbs quartz from Te Aroha was treated at the Herald Battery, the return being equal to loz 3dwts per ton. Gold returns, 3,4010zs — a decrease of 4340z5. On the 22nd of November it was resolved by the shareholders in the Prospectors' claim at Te Aroha to form a company. The shares were divided into 12,000 scrip of which 6,000 were placed in the market at 7s 6d each. Considerable uneasiness was felt by the mining fraternity at the company being so soon formed. Oh the 25th the Warden proclaimed the goldfield opened. The gold returns for the month were 3201 ounces, or a decrease of 2,6250z5. The gold returns for December up to the present time amount to 5,728 ounces, which shows a considerable decrease on the return of last December, but this can be accounted for, because the Alburnia came upon their good gold towards the close of last year. The prospect altogether is encouraging, and we may look forward to a more prosperous mining return next year.