MINING SUMMARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4604, 6 October 1883, Page 4

MINING SUMMARY.

The complaint of ■" dull times," especially with regard to mining matters, has been general since our last summary, and as, might have been expected the sharemarket has been depressed. Very little business has been done in Thames stocks, though Te Aroha shares have been in fair demand. Some excitement was caused last Saturday by the Deep Level Gross* threatening to stop the Big Pump unless the Prince Imperial increased its monthly contribution to £150. The calamity was averted by the latter company agreeing to pay the amount, but had they not done so the consequences would have been serious, as all the best mines are drained by the Pump, and its stopping would greatly' hinder work, as each mine would then have to keep itself dry. The New Prince Imperial mine continues to be the favorite, and the yield last month was a rich one, 690 loads of general dirt and -18c wt of specimens producing 26270zs of gold. Ihe directors have declared a 5s dividend, making a total of 39s per share paid- during the past ten months. Operations in the mine have been at a standstill this week, while the upper portion of the shaft was enlarged, new and stronger machinery placed in position, and other alterations effected, but the manager expects to have work in full swing again next week. The No. 1 reef at Wo 4 level yields the bulk of general dirt, which shapes for over an ounce per load. The No. 2 reef in the stopes above No. 5 level is lopking well,, and rich gold has been obtained on the seaward side of the break, where the best ha,uls were bagged at No, 4 level. There is fully 50ft. of backs .to work out here, and it is likely that this block will prove very rich. A winze is being sunk at No. 5 level, but No. 2 reef in it ig pinched very small, though still showing gold freely. Thirty seven head of stamps are employed at present, but as the new eDgice will lift considerably more dirt

than the old one, it is Bot unlikely that additional battery power will be engaged shortly^, Deep Level Cross: The yield for last month was not '>SD good as the preceding return, but ifc averaged over an ounce per,load. The workings at No. 5 level on the branches of the No. 2 and crossreef are yielding payable dirt. Two winzes are in progress below No. 5 level. No. 1 winze, on the hangingwall branch of No. 2 reef, is down fully 40 feet. The leader averages 6 to 8 inches in width, and showed colors of gold at last breaking. No. 2 winze is on the footwall branch of the crossreef, and in this also gold has been seen as far as the reef has been sunk upon. The south crosscut is making good progress through excellent country for gold, and a reef may come to hand any day. A mullocky vein about 4 inches wide was cut last week. The Hand of Friendship has not been working for some months, but intend to make application to be allowed to work through the Imperial shaft. Queen of Beauty: This mine has been looking poor lately, and the return for the past two months was not nearly enough to pay expenses. It has been decided to reform the company, and an attempt will be made to float it in 50,000 scares of 10s each. Work is at present confined to the Vanguard orosscut and the northward drive at No. 10 level, but if the new company is successfully floated, more prospecting works will be carried on.j Dart: This company, after doing, a large amount of dead work in sinking the shaft and erecting machinery, now appears likely to reap the reward of these operations. The No. 2 reef has been struck at No. 3 level, and is being driven on. It is 10 feet wide, showing colors of gold pretty freely, and is shaping for a fair return at the battery. A winze is being sunk from No. 2 level to open up the block. The manager will have to drive some distance seaward before coming upon the good run of gold worked above. Moanatairi: This mine also promises to. come to the front-as a steady gold producer. A block of considerable extent is being opened up on No. 9 reef, and good payable dirt is coming to hand; 80 tons crushed last month yielding 120|ozs gold. Thames Golden Crown: Operations in this mine are for the present, owing to the smoke from the underground fire mentioned in another column pervading most bf the workings, ! confined to two leaders near the shaft at the 100 ft. level. Remunerative dirt is coming to hand, 80 tons crushed last month producing 116ozs. gold. Cale- [ donian : This mine has also been retardad considerably by the underground fire, but is now in full swing again. The stopes on the Bed Queen cross-leader at No. 1 level continue to yield payable crushing dirt. Good progress is also being made with the crosscut to intersect the reef at No. 2 level. Waiotahi: 160 tons of quartz gave the payable yield of 1960zs 6dwts gold for the month. Kuranui Hill : The manager is prospecting in a number of likely places, and is getting a little -gold. Crushing will take place this month. Mariner: The winze from Fo. 3 level has holed through to a crosscut put in at No. 4, and the leader is now being driven on seaward. It is about 9 inches in width, and shows gold freely. London: The winze on No. 1 reef at No. 3 level is now down over 60ft. The manager has been sinking on the bangingwall of the lode "for some distance, .'""but he pricked into the quartz at a depth of 45ft and found the main reef to be carrying good gold, 10 pounds of picked stone being secured from a small portion broken. This is encouraging, proving that the reef is getting richer downwards, as no picked stone was bagged from the main reef at the level. A party of contractors have started to drive eastward at No. 4 level to connect with the winze, and are making good progress. Queen of England: This company has been at a stand-still for the past month, but will make a fresh start next week, when a crosscut will be com~ menced at No. 4 level to cut the London No. 1 reef. —Moanatairi Creek: The Alburnia and Reuben Parr companies and tributers are working in this locality. Neither ■ company is at present taking out crushing dirt. — Waiotahi Creek: The Bright Smile Company is! taking out payable crushing dirt, and 501bs specimens have come to hand so far. The Extended and New Columbia Companies are prospecting, and should be taking out crushing dirt shortly. Good progress is being made with the sinking of the Darwin shaft in good country, and the manager will probably open out at a depth of 150 ft in about a fortnight. Two leaders have been passed through in sinking, both carrying excellent minerals, but showing no gold so far. The Empress Company will likely resume operations ! shortly—Earaka Creek: The Seymour stopped work on Saturday las£ but the directors intend to make a fresh start in a few-days, when the calls have been paid up. The crosscut for the Lucknow reef at the 180 ft. level failing to intersect that lode, the manager started to rise on the reef cut in the chamber, and a considerable improvement was noticeable in the quartz when work was stopped. The Adelaide and some other private claims are yielding payable dirt, and the Rooky : Point is pushing ahead the low level crosscut to intersect the Adelaide reef. A nice looking body of quartz was passed through last week. It is 18 inches wide, and, though showing no gold, is well worth prospecting.—Otunui: Several'--of the claims here are working. The New Eureka G.M.Co. is taking steps to open up their mine thoroughly, and are also sending quartz to the mill, where crushing will be started next week, A small parcel from the Anglo-Maori is also awaiting treatment.

The Upper Country mining districts continue to look well, that of Te Aroha especially being very favorably spoken of by all who have visited it. A large number of mines are taking out quartz in which gold is seen freely, and it is confidently expected tbatfphen crushing is in full swing, rich returns will come to hand. The tramway, which is 2| miles long, and constructed over rough country, is on the point of completion, and the battery is now engaged on some small parcels of quartz conveyed down the lower portion of it. Karangahake: Crushing for the Hauraki G.M.Co. is proceeding, and j cleaning up will take place in about a week. The other mines working are meeting with good prospects. Waihi: The Martha Extended has 20 head constantly running, and an additional 10 head are how being erected. The dirt is low grade, but payable. Owharoa: The Smile of Fortune return is not so good as usual this cleaning up, but a low level is being put in by the Company to intersect the reefs in hand, and the face is now within 40 feet of a leader, which yielded well where taken out above by tributers. Waitekauri: Work in this district is confined to tribute parties. '< „