OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4485, 21 May 1883, Page 2

OUR MINES.

CALEDONIA N.

Communication has not yet been effected between the workings on the cro3B-leader and the .'Red Queen shaft, though a distance of 17 feet has been driven since the men were able to hear each, other speak from the two drives. The manager now does not expect to hole through for a day or two The drive on the leader is at a staudstill, the men being employed carrying along a leading stope and timbering up the drive ready for stoping. The quartz looks well, and gold is seen freely in breaking.

MOANATAIRI,

The manager reports as follows: — "Rising and stoping is proceeding above SO feet level on No. 2 reef, and about 2ft. in width of the hangingwall portion is be» ing broken, mostof which is of a very promising nature anJ shows occasionally strong colors of gold. The hangingwall leader here continues to produce a little picked stone. The reef in drive west of crosscut has not shown gold during the week, but it maintains its usual characteristics for it. I have commenced to tet No. 9 reef above SO feet level, Redan section, and preparations are being made for stopiDg same reef above tunnel level, where there is an abundance of likely-look-ing quartz, much of which I think should pay to crush with water-power. The battery is working well, making 60 blows a minute—J. Gr. Vivian."

MARINER

'The water having all been baled from No. 5 level, the men are vow cleaning up the slush. Mr Waite on Saturdey found a watercourse at No. 4 level, and directed the stream of water which bad been goiog down to No. 5 into it, when it soaked away in the country. How effectually this has done away with the flow at No. 5 may be judged from the fact that 20 minutes' baling this morning took out all that had accumulated since Saturday evening. The men will finish cleaning up to-night, and to-morrow morning will start to enlarge the crosscut, which is too small to work through comfortably. The winze from No. 4 to 5 is clear, so ventilation is secured. The reef is from 9 inches to a foot wide, and is only about 5 feet from the chamber. As soon as the crosscut is enlarged, driving with three shifts will be started east and west on the reef, the manager being desirous of testing the ground here with all speed.

LONJDOi*.

The tributers' drive on the No. 1 reef has been cleaned out, and a body of stone •bout 3|ft wide is showing ia the eastward end. Driving, vrill be started ou this as soon a3 a pass has been cleared up to No. 2 level for ventilation. This is now up about 12ft, leaving another 50 to go before holing through to the level above.., The manager thinks he will be able to finish the pass by the end of this week, and start work on the reef in the beginning of next.