OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4833, 5 July 1884, Page 2

OUR MINES.

NEW PEINCE IMPERIAL.

: This mine, which has held the premier position on the field forltbe past two years, has greatly advanced in public favor daring the past day or two, owing to the discovery of specimens in No. 2 reef at the newly opened Np. 6 level. It will be remembered that in driving No. slevel, the hauls of stone obtained were not so rich as at No. 4, though the slopes were much .better, and in sinking the winze to No. 6 also the leader appeared mullocky, though always showing ;gold v ' These facts, while : they did not alter the firm belief of those^whowere at all acquainted with the mine in - the payableness of the block, caused some to doubt whether it would produce specimens in any quantity, and shares receded to 14s. The discovery of the last two days, however, has caused a much better feeling in the future of the mine, and shares last'night rose to 25s 6d. It is also somewhat strange that both the winae from No. 4 level and that from No. 5 should tie sunk within 5 feet of good deposits of gold. The reef is opened up alto*, geiher for about 15ft. in length. Its formation is over 3ft. wide,~but nearly all this is mullock, with a little gritty quartz. A clean, well-defined hangingwall is apparent, and it was in a vein of quartz lying alongside this that the first few pounds of pinked stone were found; This appeared at first to be the main body, but in open • iog out seaward, or towards the break, it became merely a seam of clay, with small bunches of quartz, while a tiny thread of quartz on the footwall opened out. It was 'in this that the specimens were found, aqd a capital show of gold for about 18 inches in length was visible in it at the time ofmy visit this mornißg.abore the point at which yesterday's haul was bagged. This lead is opening oat, being a, strong body/ six inches wide in the face, and it is gradually making across to the hanging* wall. The stone is somewhat dark, but the gold is coarse, and the country as favorable as could be wished, The work - ings here are perfectly dry. A. start; ;^s just been made to open out eastward, but the lead is not defined here. Of course the importance of the dj«oovery of speoi* mens on this level cannot be properly estimate^ till the drive is extended some distance further, and the richness of the deposits determinedwith more pertainty,, but it augqrs well, not only for.theprodttcU iveness of the block being opened np, but for that below, as yet untrie^l.r ;

OTUNUL,.. The maoager of the New Eureka has put all the meaioto the stopes aoore the top level, and quartz is now coming to hand faster than the dray can cart H to the mill. The reef is large, shorns a little gold, and is no donbt good payable dirt. Next week two meu will be employed in the low lerel to continue the drive on the .slide, iv order to pick up the reef. Two drays are also to be employed pemorinp the quartz, and the manager hopes to be able to keep the battery in full swing after about a week's time. The Oriental is crushing, and the return should be to hand at the end of next week. The dirt from the Bonanza section shaped well.