OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4374, 10 January 1883, Page 2

OUR MINES.

NEW PRINCE IMPERIAL,

The contractors for the shaft expect to have it down the stipulated depth in three weeks'time. The winze to open up No. i 5 level is down about 12ft; the: reef was broken down yesterday, and 151bs ,ot' picked stone bagged. It is a nice compact lode in the bottom, carrying a large percentage of a white chalk-like substance, which was suoh a good indication at No. 4 level. The drive north-east on the reef lately met with in the crosscut is in about ISft. The leader was heaved by a break 4ft back from the face, but will probably be picked up again on the opposite site of the drive. The country in the face is of an excellent class for gold. The sr.me may also be said ;Of the crosscut for the Mariner's reef. The reef in the stopes west of the shaft looks well; close to the Southern Cross winze it is fully two feet wide, compact, and well mineral: sed. The fourth stope is now nearly up to where good gold was left showing in the roof of the third stope. The reef in the face looks well, and a little gold was visible at the time of my visit. SOUTHERN CEOSS. The reef in the drive going west has again been heaved about a fcot into the footwall, but is showing in the face 18 inches wide. The quartz looks very promising for gold, and the country is also favorable, being a good white sandstone. Two men are engaged stoping, the block in hand being about 30ft. long. Colors of gold are seen in breaking down the reef, which in places is three feet wide. The winze on the boundary is down 25ft. The reef split intotwo portions about 10ft up from the bottom, the largest portion being still in the foofcwall. The haQgingwall portion is 6 inches wide, and shows colors of gold. It is quite possible that the reef will come together again a few feet lower down t HAND OF FRIENDSHIP. This company haß decided to start work on the Beech reef at No. 3 level of the New Prince Imperial shaft, and two men are now engaged cleaning up a drive put in upon it eastward. As soon as solid ground is met with, tenders will be called to drive to the boundary, a (distance of about 140 feet. The work will be superintended by Mr G-. S. Clark. KURANUI HILL. The manager reported on Monday as follows: —"Oddfellows, Shotover level: A fair amount of crushing dirt is coming to hand from this quarter, and the leader maintains the same favorable appearance

as formerly. Main tunnel: Two bands are driving on a fine strong lode in Kelly's crosscut towards the Poverty; a few colors of gold were seen in breaking down on Saturday.' The nature of the country in the drive is of a very good description for a golden reef. One shift is also working at this level getting out a trial from a small leader in the footwall of No. 1 lead. However,.

if nothing good shows in it during the present week the men will be shifted elsewhere. Poverty, beach level: The winze is going down in first-class country. The leaders are" somewhat split up in.one end of the winze at present, the hangingwall portion'going away rather flat. However, it is probable they ■ \»ill -.- come together again. The winze is down 40ft below the level. Albion: The drive ajfc 80ft level from crosscut towards tfie Poverty winze has been extended 76ft' during the past three weeks, or *a total of 96ft from crosscut. This progress is par« ticularly satisfactory, as I believe if let by contract it would not have been taken under 18s per foot. The ground at pre? sent appears to warrant the same dis^ patch for the remaining distance.—T. H. -. Ceawfobd."