MINING MATTERS AT THE THAMES.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 906, 28 December 1871, Page 2

MINING MATTERS AT THE THAMES.

There was great excitement lately in Auckland, owing to the Caledonian reef having, it was supposed, been struck in a drive of Tookey's claim. The price of Tookey shares began at once to rise, and the steamer Coomerang was chartered to proceed to Sydney, in order to buy up shares before intelligence of the discovery should get wind. On the other hand, an attempt was made to communicate with Melbourne and Ballarat, where a large interest in the mine is held, by telegraphing to the Bluff to catch the Claud Hamilton, so it is highly possible some smart business will be done. According to the Morning News, there is no lack ot sharp pactice at the Thames. A trial of five tons quartz, from the Sailor Prince claim, was made at the Manukau battery, but the tables gave no sign of gold. On cleaning out the stamper box, three sovereigns were discovered there, and three shilling and sixpence in silver, and some small pieces of retorted gold. How this got into the stamper box, or for what object it was placed there, is a matter of conjecture. The same paper says, that fictitious sales of Caledonian shares were made the preceding, day at £76, for the purpose of lowering the stock, by parties who were prepared to purchase largely when they attained their object. Advantage, it is said, was taken of the circumstance of the telegraph line being down to create alarm, by insinuating that something was wrong in the mine, and therefore no message was sent.