MINING SUMMARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4628, 3 November 1883, Page 4

MINING SUMMARY.

Though nothing very startling has transpired during the month, mining matters are looking more healthy, and if the new discoveries made in the Darwin, Koeky Point, and Dart mines tarn out good, which at present there is every reason to suppose they will, they will have the effect of stimulating prospecting in the neighborhood of the three creeks in which they are situated, and will also create a demand for miners. The sharemarket has been more active in one or two lines ; Darwins rose from a nominal figure to 10s 6d and are now firm at 9s; Darts, which receded to 2s 6d, in conse* quence of the dirt not shaping well, have advancedagain to 5s 6d, through the western drjve on the reef at the bottom level striking payable gold. Imperials have receded to 295, for which there is no apparent reason, as the mine is looking healthy all through. Darwin: This mine has come to the front with a rush, and promises to turn out a good gold-pro-ducer. A reef averaging two feet in width was cut in the shaft at a depth of 150ftfrom thesurface, and another smaller' leader, evidently a dropper from the first reef, was intersected 10 or 12ft. below it. The smaller reef showed colors of gold, but in the larger one colors and dabs of the precious metal have been freely seen, and about 201 bs of picked stone obtained in cutting out a chamber. Driving has been started, and the reef bo far is looking as well as ever. The reef is supposed to be identical with the Waiotahi No. 5, and the company has a stretch of 700 or 800 ft. on it, with backs of over 100 ft. from their present level. A winding engine, trucks, and other plant, has been purchased for £175, and poppet legs are now being erected, so that operations should be in full swing in five weeks': time. New Prince Imperial: This mine continues to look well all through, and the result of the month's crushing, which will be found in another column, will show how well the dirt has shaped. lOcwt. of specimens and picked stone have come to hand from the stopes on No. 2 reef, above No. 5 level, and there yet remains over 40 feet of backs to work out. No.. 1 reef at No. 4 level is in hand for 400 feet, and the bulk of the general dirt, to reduce which 52 head of stampers are employed, is obtained from here. The eastern drive is approaching the Hand of Friendship boundary, but the reef here is disturbed by the influence of a break which intersected it. This reef is also being driven on at No. 3 level, where it shows gold freely. The new machinery is working well, and the com-; pany have also purchased the Alburnia 23-head battery for the very moderate figure of £1200. Hand of Friendship: This company has obtained permission to work through the Imperial, and intend shortly to start a crosscut at No. 5 level to cut the No. 1 reef there, which should be done in about 250 feet of driving. Deep Level Cross: The return for the month, 2570zs from 157 loads quartz and 2cwt. specimens, more .than pays for the cost of getting it out, but will not of course defray the expenses of the Big Pump. The workings on the crossreef and No. 2 lode at the Imperial No. 5 level are looking pretty well. The winze to connect with the 640 ft. level is.down 80 feet, and is being sunk through the sandstone, the leader having been heaved into the hangingwall. Good country for gold is being pierced by the 640 ft. crosscut, but do well defined and,

solid reef has been cat yet. When the winze is through, which will be about ten weeks yet, the company will be able to haul all its dirt up the Big Pump shaft, which will be cheaper. Dart (Jffape Creek): The dirt has not been shap,ing well during the month, but in extending the western drive at No. 3 level,, to get under-where the best gold was obtained on No. 2 level, the reef, which is 18 inches wide, has shown gold freely through the quartz, and Blbs picked stone have come to hand. The block is well opened up, so the manager can start stoping without delay. Queen of Beauty: This company has been re-flpatedin 50,000 10s shares, and the money thus obtained has enabled the company to pay off all the debts, a good balance still being left in hand. The crosscut at Wo. 8 level to in- ! tersect the £ird«in>Hand and Vanguard j , reefs is still in progress, and both the i northern and southern|drives on the main j reef at Wo. 10 level will be resumed shortly. .Moanatairi: The good yield of I7Bozs gold was obtained this month from 110 tons general dirt and 1501bs picked stone I and specimens. Nearly all of this came from the No. 9 reef at the 132 ft level, the block opened-up on which promises to prove a good one. A trial lot from a leader about six inches wide in the Nonpareil section of the mine gave 2|ozs per ton. Some of the tribute parties are getting good returns. Kuranui Hill: The manager is driving on the Moanatairi No. 9 reef, which is 18 inches wide, and showing colors of gold. He has a large block to work here, and it should prove payable, as good gold was got 80ft over« head. Thames Golden Crown : Work has been confined to reefs near the shaft, on .account of the fumes from the fire in the old stopes filling the other workings. The staff of men employed is small, but

the dirt crushed is of payable grade. A proposal to open up the Mary Ann section of the mine, through which the reef cut in the Darwin strikes, is at present before the directors. Caledonian : Work in this mine has almost.been at a standstill since last mail, through a fresh outbreak of the underground fire, but this has now been extinguished, and stoping on the Eed Queen leaders is again in progress ; payable dirt is coming to, hand. Waiotahi:

A payable return has been banked for the month. Mariner: A crushing from the cross-leader being worked at No. 4 level gate ISdwts per load, bat the drive and stopes not looking quite so well, the manager has started to sink a winze where most gold was seen in driving. The dropper from No. 1 reef has been out in the Queen of England crosscut, and good colors of gold were seen. London : The winze on No. 1 reef at No. 3 level being down very nearly deep enough, it has been stopped till the drive has been connected with it, when the manager will no doubt be able to open up a payable block. The contractors for putting in No. 4 level are making fair progress, having driven over 120 ft out of the 330 ft estimated. A winze is in progress from No. 3 level for ventilation. Queen of England: The contractors are making good progress with, the crosscut at No. 4 level to intersect the London No. 1 reef.—Mdanatairi Creek : The Reuben Farr is driving on the reef, which is disturbed at present, and the Alburnia is extending two low level crosscuts.— Waiotahi Creek : This district is looking much livelier, and promises to again become a good gold-producer, as besides the Darwin discovery, mentioned in another part of this summary, two companies have started work, and several others are likely to do so shortly. The Moanatairi Extended has let a tender for sinking a winding and pumping shaft 140 ft, They have ordered machinery from England, and intend to thoroughly prospect the ground, which is situated in a good locality. The Darwin reef is ex-» pected to be met with in or near the shaft. The Empress is putting in a low level to cut a leader, which gave good prospects where the manager opened it upon the surface. The Cambria Licensed Holding, situated between the Darwin and Moanatairi Extended, was declared forfeited for non-working, and it will probably be sold by auction this month. Its prospects are good, as the Darwin shaft is within 15 feet o^ the boundary. The New Diamond claim has just been formed into a company, and another piece of ground, adjoining the Moanatari Extended, will probably be floated shortly. The Bright- Smile has had another good

crushing of 1630zs 15dwts gold from 43

loads general dirt and 2001bs specimens. The manager has discovered a new leader

in the footwall of the One he has lately been working. He has not done much on it, but the quartz has so far yielded 10)bs specimens. The New Columbia has effected communication with the Ruby tunnel, and is now taking out a trial crushing.—

Karaka Creek: The Seymour has resumed

work, but is not taking out crushing dirt yet. The Bocky Point have opened out on the reef cut at the low tunnel, 300 ft from the surface. It is 18 inches vide, shows

colors of gold freely, and will no donbt prove payable when crashed. This good fortune is well deserved by the shareholders, who have done a large amount of dead work. The Magnolia, situated between the Karaka and Hape creeks, is driving for a large reef, and should get gold when it is struck, as good gold has been fouud in parallel reins. Otunui; The New Eureka has crushed 30 loads of general dirt for the good return of 59ozs 6dwts melted gold. As soon as the weather dries up the road they expect to keep the mill going regularly. The mine is looking well, and the .directors have decided to:

put in a low level. One load crushed from the Anglo-Maori gave 46zs lOdwts gold. The other claims are not taking out crushing dirt at present. The Upper Country districts are progressing favorably. At Te Aroha the 40 head battery started yesterday, and is working satisfactorily. The Premier, Colonist, New Find, Werahiko, and Waitoki mines are crushing, and . from the

amount of gold seen in the stone the returns should be highly remunerative. Other claims are also reported to be taking out good crushing dirt, and we have no doubt before long other mills will be required. The tramway the mines with the battery is 3 miles long, and cost £17,000; the trucks are drawn along it by a locomotive, made by Price Bros, of the Thames. Karangahake: The crushing for the Hauraki mine was not up to expectations, 325 tons yielding only 106ozs gold, but richer gold has been struck in the reef at the low level. Other mines working have not had crushings yet, but are taking out good quartz. Waitekauri: Several tribute parties in this district are taking' out payable crushings. The Waitekauri No. 3 Company will resume work shortly, and the United- claim holders will commence crushing next week, and expect a payable result. At Waihi aud Owharoa

tho Martha Extended and Smile of Fortune companies are working.- The former is producing payable dirt, but the latter is looking rather poor at present, though prospecting is being vigorously pushed on. ' -' >• ■■••-■' ■■■■ -A>