Mining in the Upper Country.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3858, 11 May 1881, Page 2

Mining in the Upper Country.

(FBOM OUB OWN COBBEBPONDENT.)

WAITEKAURI.

Butler and party are still getting out first class stone ; they have some 50 tons to grass, and gold is to be seen in most of it. Their winze is now down 50 feet, and the rise about 20 feet, learing 30 feet to be driven before the upper and lower levels are conneted. When this is done there will be a fine block opened, as gold has been got over 40 feet on the course of the leader which averages 2ft 6in; from the prospects obtained, it ought to go 3ozs to the ton. Hollis and party, of the same mine have out 90 tons, and several bags ot picked stone, from which a large return may be looked for. Morgan and party have also out a fair amount of crushing stone. Mr CorJbett, the lessee of the battery, is having the tramway put in working order, and expects to start crushing in about two weeks. The late find in the Diamond is a good one, some of the stone being about half gold. The owners of mine are pushing on two drives, and are getting out a fair amount of stone, which tbey will forward as soon as the Welcome tramway is put in repair. Councillor Porter, the Foreman of i Works, and Mr Corbett have been making ' a careful survey of the tramway, which is in very bad order, and it will take the rote of £100 to make it passable. There are about 350 tons of stone out ready for crushing in the different mines in this district, which.is expected to yield BOOozs of gold. OWHAROA. The different parties of tributers in the Badicsl, are on "payable stone, and are only waiting for the battery to start to reduce the large amount of quartz they have on hand.

In the _ Smile of Fortune good stone continues to be got in the upper workings on the No. 2 reef. The Lucky Hit shareholders hare also out some 50 tons of stone, which they consider payable. The Golden Hill tributers are on good stuff, and are anxiously looking for rain to get in returns. There is room in this district for some of the idle hands about the Thames to set into work.

WAIHI,

The BhareholdeTß of the Young Colo, mal and Manahad ameetingon Monday, and let on contract for driving 200 feet This looks like business. They also made a call, and expect that all the shareholders will pay as soon as possible. A contract has also been let in the Waititi for driving.

The Dulcibel is still driving on the footvrall of the big reef, which still gives fair prospects. McCombie and party having now settled their disputes are pushing on work, and Macky and his Waikato backers speak in high terms of their prospects.

Messrs E. B. Praser and Co. have let the first contract—that of getting steppers for the tramway—to some of the natives, and they are hard at work. There is little doubt bat as soon as the battery is erected it will be kept going, and a large population will find work in this portion of the goldfield. The two worst pieces of the road from Paeroa to this place are now contracted for, and when these are finished the road will be open for drays.