CAMBRIA.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5213, 1 October 1885, Page 2

CAMBRIA.

Considerable interest is evinced in the operations now being carried on on tbe orossreef at No. 3 level, owing to the recent splendid hauls of rich specimens which have come to -hand from here, and the magnificent yield of gold banked yesterday as the result of the past fortnight's operations. It will be remembered that a leading stope was first commenced on tbe orosireef on the western side of the break, from which several good hauls of specimens were ob« tamed, but on the manager shooting down the mullock which intervened, or " break," he found the present reef on the eastern side. It will thus be seen that the previous hauls of stone were obtained from the western side, whereas the specimens are now coming to band from tbe eastern side, where the reef is much richer, having produced 12001 bs of specimens in the last two breakings down. The fact of rich gold being obtained here is of considerable importance, as nothing to correspond with this reef has yet been met with in the upper levels, and it therefore ascends into virgin ground. At present only a leading stope is in progress on (be reef, and the show of gold in tbe roof and. fape is ocr tainly the richest that has yet been seen in the mine—or, in fact, in any of our mines for some time past. The reef appears lo be about a foot in thiokness, and there is a splendid show of heavy gold now risible, extending in greater or less regularity for some 10 or 12ft. in length, the precious metal being in the form of a bund some* 3 or 4 inches in thickness. The quartz carries an abundance of pyritems minerals, and is of an excellent character. Some nice mineral is thomoji iv the bangiDgwall of

the reef in the winze being sank from No. 3 level, and good colors of gold are teea when breaking down the quartz. The reef in the eastern dri?e at this level appears to be jeering somewhat to the right at present; the quarts is of a Terj kindly description, though no gold has been obser?ed during the last day or two. In the western dri?e the reef has been somewhat disturbed lately, owing to the influence of a break, but is again making more compact in the face. The quartz carries fayorable minerals, and oplors of gold are seen when breaking down the reef. A leading stope is being carried alone on the crossreef on the western side of the break, from, the western drive, but the quartz only appears to run upwards for about 20ft until it strikes the break. A leading stope is also in progress on the Darwin reef on the western side of the winze, and gold is frequently seen here. There is no change to report from the intermediate level; good crushing dirt is coming to hand from the third stope westward, and colors of gold are seen ia the quartz when breaking it down. There is no noteworthy change to report in the other portions of the mine, which continue to produce payable crushing dirt. It is not improbable that the Darwin company's shaft will be sunk I another level, as arrangements are now in progress with this view, but we understand that nothing has yet been definitely decided. The manager has taken over the Herald battery, and crushing opera* tions will be commenced here to-morrow, thus making a total of 55 head of stamps I employed by the company. DARWIN.

The drive at No. 3 level has now reached the Meanatairi boundary, and work has consequently been discontinued here. The crosscut into the foot wall of the reef is now in full swing, and the quwrtz being penetrated is of a rery kindly description for gold, while some favorable mineral is showing in places. There is no change to report from the stopes; colors of gold are seen when breaking down the reef. SAXON. The No. 1 reef in tke drive at No. 3 level continues to look well, and carries excellent minerals, while colors of gold are seen when breaking down the quartz. Stoping operations are in progress here as usual, and colors of gold are seen in the quartz, the indications being very favorable. Two men are employed on No. 2 reef at No. 3 level, and are rising on a break, where a little gold is showing. Strong colors of gold are seen when breaking down the new leader on the hangingwall of No. 3 reef below No. 5 level, and a trial crushing of one load from here produced over an ounce of gold, which is certainly satisfactory. The manager is now within 10ft. of breaking through from where he first discovered this leader to the crosscut below ; while he has also driven some 8 or 10ft. on the leader here, which is fully 10 inches of solid stone, showing colors of gold, and carrying excellent mineral.