ALBURNIA.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3790, 19 February 1881, Page 2

ALBURNIA.

The mine manager reports to the Directors, under date 15th February, as follows :—" Gentlemen, —I have the henor i to report as follows: —Sons of Freedom { new low level: Contractors made a start yesterday. Sons of Freedom tunnel: All work here is suspended, both on Sons of Freedom reef and 23rd June, owing to the scarcity of water at the battery. Dixon's low level: Since the reef was cut 67 feet have been driven. The reef still continues very poor and mullocky. We have now driven far enough to meet the winze coming down from Whau level. I purpose having a survey made before I tf'ork any more in this direction, as I fear the reef being sunk upon, and the, one being driven upon, are not identical. Intermediate level: I have put six men (removed from Sons of Freedom level) in the intermediate level, opened up from this winze some time ago, to break out the reef here, as it is smaller abd of better quality than the stufi procurable in Sons of Freedom level, so that, while the water is scarce, we may be working on better grade quartz. Intermediate level hang-ing-wall leader: Drive and stopes here and on Sons of Freedom reef on this level have also been suspended. 70 feet level: In my last I mentioned I was cutting a chamber, and starting to sink a winze from 70 feet level on hanging-wall leader. This winze is now down a depth of eight feet on a reef about eight or nine inches wide, showing colours of gold but no specimens. Hanging-wall leader. — Driving has been continued, and during the last few dayi we cut a leader which functioned with the hanging-wall leader. This, at first, had a very promising appearance, the first shot producing about lOlbs of good mineral stones, showing good colours of geld, since then the reef has enlarged in size, and carries a large amount of mineral, but does not show any gold. Stoping has been carried on as usual, but the reef has not yielded the usual quantity of picked stone as far as the month has gone. Battery level.— The crosscut being put in by tributers, assisted by the company, has now opened up the hanging-wall leader over Christie's tribute. I find a great deal of work has been done on the leader in this level by tributers. Mr Bayldon surveyed it yesterday, and I am of opinion, there is still a large block intact for the company to work, but will know more about it when I receive Mr Bayldon'g report. Battery.—l am sorry to inform you that the Thames County Council have broken their promise to the company re water as it was distinctly understood that if we took the water by the year, we and all other companies making similar arrangements should share alike. Our battery has lately been shut up frequentty, whilst the Golden Crown battery has been kept constantly at work, so that we have not been able to crush much quartz, and in consequence had to discharge 26 men, and as our quartz is of rather a low grade at present, 1 do not expect a good return this month unless an improvement takes place.—l have, &c, —Thos. Radjobd.