OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3813, 18 March 1881, Page 2

OUR MINES.

ALBURNIA

The manager reports as follows :—Sons of Freedom new low level: Since last report contractors have thrown up their contract after driving a total distance of 35 feet; owing to this the drive has been standing idle for some days, pending the calling of fresh tenders. Middle Star

section : During the last few days I have had some men employed in cleaning out drive at bottom of winze sunk by the Middle Star G-.M Co. When this is completed I purpose taking out a crushing or two from the reef to prove its value. It now averages from 6 to 8 feefc in width, and apparently but little work has been done on it at this point. I also purpose driving west from bottom of winze to the Coliban boundary through a piece of ground which has never yet been prospected at this level: Nothing has been done here or on the same reef in 70----feet level during the fortnight, owing to the scarcity of water. Hangingwall leader, 70-feet level: Driving has been carried on here, 34 leet having been driven in the fortnight. The leader in face is small, and as the stopes are a considerable distance behind, I intend to allow the drive to stand for a time, when the present contract is finished, and push on the leading stopes, which will create good air in the drive. The winze has been carried down to a depth of 30 feet. No change in appearance of leader since last report. Battery level: Driving has been carried on over Christie's tribute. We see colours of gold still at every breaking down, but nothing very rich. Mr Bayldon yesterday made a survey of the Star- of the South reef in battery level and we have come to the conclusion that we will have to crosscut in the Wh^, level to reach it. la fact, I was so confident of what the result of the survey would be that I had already started the men to crosscut, and it is now in a distance of 12 feet. There are two other leaders we must cut before reaching the Star of the South, both of which were gold bearing on battery level.—Battery: We have only a few ounces of amalgam on hand for the month as yet, the battery having been idle the whole of the time with the exception of a few trials to prove the new motor. Thos. Badfoed.