OUR MINES

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5047, 17 March 1885, Page 3

OUR MINES

QUEEN OF BEAUTY. The- prospects of this mine have much improved since the discovery of gold at the bottom level, end the favorable appearance of the reefs now being driven on augurs well for payable gold being found. Interest now centres chiefly in the body of quartz cut in the western crosscut. This was passed through at a distance of about 95 feet from the chamber, and is now being driven on both ways. In the northward drive the lode is about 18 inches wide,, and appears to be opening out. It was broken down last night and ;to*day, and showed splendid minerals, . ithough no gold was seen. In the northward drive the lode is smaller, and more ■olid, but the mineral indications in the quartz are very good, and have "'hitherto . been' an unfailing aceompanyist of gold, ' wfcile: the sandstone is equally as favour--1 able as in the other drive. The crosscut *" is "still being pushed on, and at a point some 15ft. past .the lode just mentioned another lode was cut. It is composed of favourable, though somewhat mullocky, quartz, and, so far as can be judged, will ' strike into the other lode northward. They may,'in fact, be all one reef, as the country between them was full of small reins. Only one drive—the north one— it going on the reef cut in the east crosscut. This Z driTe has keen advanced ' 46ft. from "the flat-sheet, and in the face there is a compact heavily- ' ■ mineralised lode 18 inches wide. JSTo gold ' has been seen in it, but should another reef atrike into this one, the probabilities are that the* precious metal would be found. • The manager is of opinion that all the : reefs mentioned will junction in the neighborhood of the slide, and also that tbe black reef passed through in the chamber, and the Queen of May lode, will - also strike into the-others about that poiut. -Should tbrt theory prove correct, and appearances are certainly in favor of it, it is very likely that gold in remunerative quantities will be found. . CAMBEIA. "' There is rery little change to report in this mine. The output of quartz is large, „and ,20 head of stampers are now continuously employed on it, the show of amalgam auguring a good payable return. T&e principal portion of tbe dirt comes . from the itppes, in which gold continues tp be.seen pretty freely. From the east • drive very little quartz is now being obtainea,-the contractors only just break- - ing a foot or so into the hangingwall, but a capital class of country is being penetted. At the*intermediate level the ond stope is nearly finished, and a « third one will be started in a day or two. Arrangements are being made for con. ducting the water which has lately been running.into, the winze into the Darwin end, and it is probable sinking will be returned before, long. At No. 3 level the crosscut is in 90ft., and another 30ft. should intersect the No. 1 reef.

DAEWIN. """ The winze,"the only work in progress, -is down nearly 60ft. The whole width of the winze is now in the hangingwall of the «ef, which is not so solid as was the case ■bore. The portion being broken is com- ■' posed of Veins, intermixed with mullock. Gold is seen in breaking, and the dirt is being sired for treatment.