Summary of the Year.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4675, 31 December 1883, Page 2

Summary of the Year.

Another year has passed, and the Thames still shows signs of progress as a goldfield; and the result of the past 12 months' operations is very encouraging in many ways. la the first place the yield of gold is the largest for the past four years, and notwithstanding the fact that more than a third of this has conic from one mine, it is a proof that the dullness which has o'erspread our district for a long time past shows signs of giving place to a more healthy state of affairs. Again, there is the discovery of gold in the low level of the Big Pump, which has already done good by stimulating the floating of the Caledonian Low Level Tribute Company, and which promises to give new life not only to the Deep Level Cross Company, but to the field in general. The year has not been noticeable for rapid rises in scrip, but more for steady application to work, and that chiefly by, companies. Perhaps this latter fact has not had a good effect on the field, as a great deal of the money disbursed in dividends goes to Auckland, which, if the gold had been more evenly distributed, would have remained on the field, but it must encourage speculators to risk their money in floating new companies, and thus keep our mining industry active. The rich block at the No. 5 level of the Imperial, from which the bulk of the splendid returns month by month has been obtained, is now nearly worked out, but the mine's prospects are still second to none on the field, and we venture to predict that some good dividends will be given in the coming year. Then the Deep Level Cross also should come to the front, and with the facilities for working which the 640 ft. level affords this claim in the way of backs, it will not take alarge percentage of gold to pay. On the northern end'of the field the Moanatairi has remunnerative work for a number of months yet, and the Kuranui Hill is energetically prospecting. The Caledonian also, when the No, 2 level is put in to the Red Queen leader, should prove a steady producer, and the block will be a large one. The Golden Crown has yielded much better lately, and as for the Waiotahi, its steady returns are too well known to need comment. The Moanatairi Creek has been dull, but its neighbor, the Waiotahi, is again active, and the fine returns from the Bright Smile, with the recent discovery in the Darwin, have done much to attract attention to this district. On the Flat the prospects of the London are good, and as the block on No. I reef at No. 3 level will be opened up within a month or two, payable returns should come to hand shortly, which will give more money for prospecting. The Queen of Beauty also is carrying on an important work, the crosscut for the Vanguard reef at No. 8 level, and the expressed intention of the directors to drive seaward at No. 10 level until under the rich shots of gold worked above is received with satisfaction by those who best know the ground, that being considered a likely place for finding a deposit of gold. Id the JKaraka Creek mining has not been so brisk for several] months past, but the good returns obtained by the proprietors of the City of Manchester

ad Adelaide claims, and also by priratd parties higher up the creek, prove" that there is plenty of gold in the district, and it only wants searching for. The Dart mine, Hape Creek, having a good block open on the No. 2 reef, should in the coming year yield well. The out»districts of the field also look well. Otunui has its battery, and will shortly have a good road to it, when there will be no excuse for the claimholders not pushing on work. Karangahake has had up hill work, but should manage to keep the' mill more fully employed in the future. Waihi it now turning out payable returns; with *«n abundance of work in view, and the yields from Owharoa and Waitekauri for the year should stimulate further prospecting. Te Aroha also has obtained a fair start, and the result of the first six weeks' crush* ing with. one battery~224Oozs goldaugurs well for the prospects of, the field when more batteries are erected, which will undoubtedly be done ere another' New Year comes round. Subjoined we give in tabulated form the yields of gold for the year from the principal Thames complies and tributers, and also that from the out* districts :—

r oz. dwt. jfr. Adelaide Claim ... .., 650 0 0 Do. (Tributers) ... 246 4 0 Alburnia Company... ... 218 6 0 Do. (Tributera) ... 573 14 0 Bright Smile Company ... 1400 8 "0 Caledonian Company ... 807 0 0 Do. (Tributers) ... 331 19 0 Deep Le?el Cross Company 4307 10 0 Dart Company ... ... 482 19 0 Do. (Tributers) ... 184 14 0 Kuranui Hill Company .1. 194 19 ?' 0 Do. (Tributers) ,\. 666 6' 0 Karangabake District 1 ..', 164 11 ?0 Moanatairi Company ... 1763 14" .0 Do. (Tributers) ... 1686 12 0 New Prince Imperial C 0.... 20,623 14 0 Otunui District ... > ... 253 2 0 Owharoa District 1197 18 0 Queen of Beauty Company 2011 13 0 Do. (Tributers) ... 557 8 0 Sundry Returns- ... ... 6757 18 0 Te Aroha District 2405 3 0 Thames G-olden Crown Co. 1177 13 0 Do. (Tributers) ...' 21 ,8 0 Waiotahi Company ... 2795 16 0 Waihi District ... ... 1105 19 0 Waitekauri District ... 1145 19 0 Total. ...53,832 7 0