OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4992, 12 January 1885, Page 2

OUR MINES.

QUEEN OF BEAUTY.

The shaft is now down 83 feet below No. 10 level, and by the end of this week the well-hole will probably be finished and -, the dpenirig set for the chamber in position. ''■ The country continues of the same favor- ' able class for gold as hitherto, being a white sandstone, interspersed with mineral reins. The machinery is working smoothly, and notwithstanding the fact that all the rods required are now in position, the turbine drives the pumps at a speed which easily keeps the water under, while using less water than when only the single lift was in operation. It is now exactly twelve weeks since the sinking of the shaft was started,; and the fact of the distance: having been accomplished in so short a time, considering the size of the shaft and the difficulties to contend with in the way of water, reflects credit on "Mr Bedford's management, and on the efficiency of the workmen engaged. A contract has been ; let for the cutting out of the chamber, and a very short time should seen the reef to hand, with the probability, judging by the class of country, of its being gold-bear-ing. NEW PRINCE IMPERIAL. The manager reported on Saturday :— " Since resuming operations in the mine, work has been confined to driving east and west and stoping at No. 7 level; stop, ing in western section above No. 6 level; stoping on No. 3 lead above No 5 level; and sinking a winze on No. I reef below No. 4 level. At No. 7 level the western drive is in 72ft and the eastern drive 51ft. The lead in the western drive has been looking a little better during the past few days, the quartz being more solid and carrying a good deal of mineral, through . which some good strong colors of gold are seen. As there is 80ft yet to be driven to the boundary, I am in hopes of meeting with something better. In the eastern drive the lead has been from Bin. to lft. thick until to-day, but it is now merely a clay seam a few inches thick. The lead up t> now has been very well defined, but the quartz was very white and rubbly, carrying scarcely any mineral and showing no gold. Timbering in this level is now well in hand, and stoping will be pushed on as quickly as possible. There is not much improvement in the western stopes above No. 6 level/the lead being still a good deal split up. A little gold is, how* ever, seen occasionally, and the next stope, which is now being started, should prove much better. There is now good ventilation in the stopes on No. 3 lead since tbe winze from No. 4 level holed through. A good block of ground is now opened up on this lead, which is producing payable dirt. As soon as these stopes reach No. 4 level, I purpose extending the drive eastward. The winze on the No. 1 reef, below No. 4 level, is now down 50ft; another 40ft of sinking ought to hole through to the drive/: at No. 5 level. The winze is going down on the footwall portion of the reef, whioh is carrying down more vertical than tbe main branch. At the battery 12 head of stampers.are employed on our own dirt, and ten for the Darwin.—G. S. Clabk." .. SAXON. Crushing was: commenced with tea head of stamps at the Herald battery to-day; dirt from No. 1 reef is now being put through.