MINING SUMMARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4436, 24 March 1883, Page 1 (Supplement)

MINING SUMMARY.

The favorite-stock during the past month was Deep. Level Cross, though Imperial shares hare changed hands freely at adranoed figures, and a good deal of business has been done in Darts. Deep Level Cross: The retnrn for last month's operations was rery satisfactory, bnt this month's yield will considerably exceed it. The stopes on the cross-reef and .No. 2 above No. 4 level have yielded good crushing dirt for the whole length of the block, and nearly 4cwt of specimens and picked stone have also been bagged from here. The stopes are now about half way to No. 3 level, but probably payable ground will be found higher . up, as the crossreef was not worked there to any extent.' The hangingwall leader has been driven on. nearly to the Imperial boundary, and the manager has started to stope the block, which is about 60ft in length. The quartz from the drive has shown gold freely, and produced a few lbs of picked stone ; the reef is about 2ft wide. The south crosscut at the 640 ft level of the Big Pump shaft is in 1040 ft, and driving is still being carried on in a good class of country. The manager thinks he will have to drive some distance yet before intersecting the Imperial reef. No gold has been seen in the quartz from the Mariner's reef at this level. Prince Imperial: The reef* has just been cut at No. 5 level, in a good class of sandstone. At No. 4 level the Deep Level Cross hangingwall leader has been intersected in the crosscut for the Mariner's reef, and is being driven on to connect with that company's workings. Gold has been seen freely at every breaking down, and the quartz is shaping well at the mill. This reef, which is thought to be identical with the Mariner's, strikes right through the claim, so Mr Clark can open up very large blocks on it. The reef was only showing on one side of the crosscut, it having been heaved by the break, but the other portion was picked up to-day. The drives eastward on the No. 2 reef and foot wall leader are being continued, and good dirt is coming to hand. The stopes above No. 4 level are also producing good crushing stuff, with occasional hauls of picked stone. The amount of dirt treated last month was 300 loads. Dart: The shaft is down deep enough, to open out No. 3 level, and the well-hole is now being sunk. No gold has been seen in the leader met with a month ago, but . when breaking it down in a winze started at .No. 2 level, about 40ft. from the shaft good colors of the precious metal were seen, and a few pounds of picked stone bagged. The work of erecting pumping machinery has not Jet been started^ Queen of Beauty: The To. 10 chamber is not quite completed, the workmen having been delayed while the double column of pipes,and pump rods were carried to the bottom. The main reef has not yet been cut, though it should be to hand very »hortly. Mariner, London, and Queen of England: The machinery being erected by the Winding Association for these three companies is nearly completed, and a fortnight should see operations in full swing. In the mines, the only work in progress is cleaning up and ventilating old levels. Seymour: The winding machinery is in position, and sinking will be resumed shortly. Thames Golden Crown.: The crushing dirt is now coming chiefly from the No. 2 reef in the Care Motion, and is shaping for a better yield than last month. The crosscut at the battery level to intersect the Cure reefs is being pushed ahead.

Caledonian: The dirt from the Red Queen leader gave the good yield of 3ozs per load, and gold is seen frequently in the quartz now coming to hand, but work cannot be pushed ahead as rapidly as the | manager would like, owing to the air being I light. A new reef, about 2ft wide, has been cut in the northern crosscut at the 60ft level. o gold has been seen in it, but the quartz looks favorable for its existence. NewManukau: Both crosscut and winze are being pushed on in a good class of country. A number of lodes and reefs bare been passed through in the crosscut, but no gold has yet been seen in them. Moanatairi: A start has been made to place in position a wheel, to be worked by water power, to drive twenty head of stamps at the company's battery. This mode of working will be much cheaper than steam power, and low grade dirt will therefore be made remunerative. There is nothing fresh of importance in the mine. Kuranui Hill: The 80ft level has been connected with the winze, and operations are in full . swing on two leaders. The quartz does not show much gold, but is heavily mineralised, and should crush well. In the Moanatairi Creek the Reuben Parr and Alburnia companies are working, but neither mine is producing good crushing dirt at present. In the Waiotahi the Empress is clearing out an old shaft, from which it is intended to crosscut for the Imperial reefs; the Bright Smile is taking out payable stone and the Pinafore, Extended, and. New Columbia are prospecting. Otunui: The contractor for the erection of the New Eureka battery is making good progress. Several of the claims hare obtained protection, but others are steadily working. A company is 1 to be floated shortly to work the Oriental, Victoria, and Bonanza claims. A low level is to be put in, which will give a considerable height of backs. Mining in the upper country is quiet. At Te Aroha, the companies are all waiting till the tramway is finished to enable them to get their stuff to the battery. The Smile of Fortune, Owharoa, is looking well, but the damages to the supply pipes of the battery by the recent flood has retarded crushing operations.