OUR MINES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5052, 23 March 1885, Page 2

OUR MINES.

QUEEN OF BEAUTY.

The manager reports to-day as follows: —" The reef which I telegraphed having cut a few days since I think we can safely say is the main reef which we have been driving for in western crosscut. In opening out on it, we have cut a very large stream of water, insomuch that the pumps cannot keep it down, the water having been rising on us since three o'clock on Saturday morning, and there being now 46 feet on the fiat sheet. The water at No. 10 level is now cut'down, which, I think, proves we have the main reef. It is most likely we will have a large quantity of .water to contend with now for a few days until we have drained the country around the reef, when I expect it will fall to its usual quantity. As the water in the race is falling short, I have started the engine to assist the turbine. I was intending to start a trial crushing at the battery this morning, but was unable to do so owing to the water falling, off so suddenly in the race. The water being now drained from No. 10, two winzes can now be sunk to ventilate the bottom level, which will be absolutely necessary. From the great increase of water, it would lead anyone to conclude we had cut a large loose reef. I have not seen such an influx of water since the days of the old Bright Smile, some eight or nine years ago, when it took over a week to reduce the water after cutting their main reef, and although our pumps have been working since Saturday morning at the rate of 18 or 19 strokes per minute, which means at least one-third more than could be done at that time, still, up to the present, the water has continued to rise.—Thos. Badfoed, Mine Manager." MOANATAIRI EXTENDED. The leader in the east drive from the northern crosscut* is still much disturbed, though a little gold was observed in break* ing it down on Saturday. Tenders are invited elsewhere for sinking the shaft. CALEDONIAN. The Red Queen leader was broken down to-day in the crosscut at No. 3 level, gold being freely seen, and a few picked stone bagged. A very promising feature in connection with the gold found here is the fact that it is accompanied by excellent minerals. The, manager reported on Saturday:—' 1 The contractors at No. 3 level came across a leader yesterday afternoon, very much like the Bed Queen leader, which they stripped, and this morning it was broken into. The quartz broken out showed strong dabs of gold, leaving gold showing in the face. I have no doubt of its identity with the Bed Queen leader. Where broken down it looks like a junction of two leaders, as the whole of the face is crushing dirt. However, there is so little done that I can hardly form an idea of it, but a few days will tell what it is like. Sp far there is no doubt of its payablenesi. No. 2 level: I broke down the quartz in the winze; the leader is about 12 inches in thickness, and well charged with minerals, but no gold was seen. No. 1 level: Stripping and stoping is being carried oh on Ellis' leader without any change since my last.—T.B. Hicks." ...-:.. i-- ■ :, : Saxon. :;;:■ ■'• , The chamber at No. 6 level being finished, the crosscut northwards is in progress, and should intersect the No. 2 reef within 18ft., while the No. 3 will probably come to hand some 40ft. further ahead. A winze has just been started at No. 5 level on No. 3 reef, to communicate with the No. 6 crosscut. * ROOKY POINT. Crushing is now in full swing at Bull's battery, and as the total quantity of dirt to be treated is about 70 loads, it will be the end of the week before the retnrn is to hand. A payable yield is expected. Excellent progress is being made with the crosscut at the Adelaide level. GOLD RETURNS, Adeiaide.—An additional parcel of Bozs 17dwts gold was lodged this morning, making a total of 95ozs ldwt from .117 loads of general dirt crushed. Lonehand.-—-.Eleven and party, tributes, have banked 2ozs 13dwts gold. Reuben Pare.—Gentles and party have crushed 8 loads of general dirt (from which the specimens had been separated) for the good yield of 39ozs 6dwts gold.. MoANATAißi.—Carter and party have banked 2ozs 12dwts gold, and Williams and party Bozs lldwts.