OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4694, 23 January 1884, Page 2

OUR MINES.

NEW PKINOE IMPERIAL

The chief point of interest at present is the winze on No. 3 reef below No. S level. This is down 30 feet, and the reef is carrying more solid stone in the bottom than it has done since sinking was started, while the gold seen in breaking down yesterday is strong enough proof of its payable nature. The solid rib of quarts is from Q to 10 inches wide, and oontains an abundance of favorable mineral, while the country is also excellent for gold. In the eastern drive at this level the reef is somewhat pinched in the face, but the class of country continues good. The stopes here are looking about the same as usual. The contractors in the crosscut south on the break are making good progress in country which augqrs well for the richness of any leader wh.ich m.ay be intersected. The last stope west of the shaft was at the time of my visit within four feet of the break. A small parcel of specimens was secured here to day. West of the break two stqpes are going, but there is 10 feet of ground to take out for fully 40 feet long here yet. On the No. 1 reef the stopes are producing payable dirt; the men at the winge were erecting a windlass to day. The manager intends to resume work at No. 4 level eastward as soon as he can get rid of the water there, which will be done when the v Cross winze breaks through.

DEEP LEVEJj CROS§. Jt was e^pepted fpafc ti^e winzo beiow § level wpuld be pqnfle.cted with the rjse to-day, but up to this afternoon this had not been done. As soon as communication is effected, the pun^p will be stppped for a poupls o| days fpr an orerhaul. The seaward drive on the hangingwall branch qf the crossreef at No. 5 level is making good progress, but both Country and reef are disturbed, and no gold b.as been seen. In the jn termedi^te lpvel geaward from |ihe win^e on this ree c a brpak has b,een niet with, beyond which the lo4e has on|y just been picked "up. On thp other side stoping is in progress, and is yielding a considerable quantity of cruihiftg dirt. The stopes on No. 2 reef, and thp footwall branch of the crossreef, are approaching No. 4 level, there being only on 9 more large stope to take along the former body after the one in hand if

finished. The full force of the Herald* battery is engaged on company's quartz, which shapes payably.

HAND OF FRIENDSHIP.

The gold seen on Saturday last was in a portion of the reef which came in from the footwall of the drive. The reef in the face is now solid and of large size, the footwall especially looking well, though no gold was seen in shooting it down this morning. The men are cutting into the* footwall so as to get a dig ; the sandstone is much more favorable for gold than where work was commenced. ■■■

DABWIN

The winze on the reef at the 150 ft. level chamber is down nine feet. The reef is from 15 to 18 inches wide, of solid quartz, and the country on both walls is much firmer than a few feet higher op, though excellent for gold. In breaking down this morning colors and dabs of the precious metal were freely seen. The hoppers are rapidly approaching completion.

CAMBRIA.

The eastern drive has been advanced 70 feet on what appears to be the formation of the reef, though very little quartz indeed has been met with;- The sandstone in the face shows a considerable improvement; and if the reef makes quartz it should certainly be gold-bearing.

LONDON.

The crosscut at No. 4 level broke through into the winze from No. 3 level on No. 1 reef this afternoon. The body of quartz touched yesterday in the crossaut was the foot wall of the reef, which here is 4 or 5 feet wide, though split up. No gold was seen in cutting through it, but as soon as the drive is squared up, the manager will drive eastward, in which direction the shot of gold dips, and open up the block for stdping.