OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5022, 16 February 1885, Page 2

OUR MINES.

QUEEN OF BEAUTY. The manager reported as. follow* for last week:—" We are making good.progress with the crosscut, having driven 40 feet daring the week, viz., 18 feet in the eastern and 22 feet in the western. I think in about another week, should all things go favorable, that the reef will be to hand in the eastern crosscut; the country is of a very favorable description, being composed of good blocby sandstone, all of which has to be broken with powder. There is a little water showing in both drives, but Ido not expect the reef in the western drive for about 100 feet of driving. This should not occupy much time if we go on as fast as we have done this last week, viz., 22 feet. I think when we get the reefs everything looks very favorable for their being good, as I believe there will be a junction at this level with the No. 1 reef, the Queen of Mej reef, and the black reef which crossed the shaft while sinking, with the main reef. The water is still very scarce for motive power, barely enough to keep the pumps going, but we are still keeping the mine clear of water with the assistance of the engine.—Thos, Radfobd." NEW PBINCE IMPERIAL.

The manager reported on Saturday as follows :—" The drive on the hangingwall lead at No. 7 level has been extended 20ft? There is still a good strong body of quartz^ -> in the face, but it is very white, and hai shown no gold yet. As the. battery wai getting rather short of quartz, I removed the men from here to the slopes for a/ few days. lam pleased to say that the atopei above the level are looking a great deal better, the lead being more solid and alto* gether of a better description. Gold has been pretty frequently seen during the past few days, and there has also been a few pounds of good picked atone selected. The western stopfe* above No. 6 level are still producing a fair.amount of good crushing dirt, and have also yielded 301bs of stone daring the week. Sloping on Nos. 2 and 3 leads above No. 5 level is in hand as usual, and fair crushing dirt M still being obtained. The winze on No. 1 reef, below No 4 level, will hole through to No. 5 level in a day or two.— Or. S. Clash." THAMES GOLDEN OKOWN. Good progress continues to be made with the shaft in the Mary Ann section; it is now down 100 ft., and is still passing through favorable sandstone. GOLD EETUENS. Colonist (Waiorongomai).—A parcel of 51ozs 2dwts melted gold from this claim was lodged to-day.