THE LYELL.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1076, 30 May 1873, Page 2

THE LYELL.

The following are the latest items of mining news received from the Lyell : Excelsior.—This company is waiting for the result of the crushing by the Alpine battery, and confidently expect a return of from one to two ounces per ton. The reef is still dipping to the eastward. The gold is very fine, but well distributed in the stone. Alpine.—Now crushing good stone. The opinion is still maintained that this claim will prove, under good management, as valuable as any other in the district. O'Brien and Blair are driving along the leader lately struck, and supposed to be a continuation of the Little Wonder. A good patch of gold was struck therein last week. A drive is now being put in to ascertain tbe true direction of the dip. Oriental.—Now sinking shaft 20ft deeper to follow quartz leader. Also opening new face near to north eastern boundary of the Monte Christo. Good specimens have been found in the face, and a leader five inches thick has been discovered within fifty feet of the Lyell Creek Company's ground, with good indications of gold. Monte Christo—The tunnel connecting the three levels is completed, and a large face opened for getting stone, already seventy tons of quartz have been brought to grass, the stone looking well. The company will be ready to crush as soon as the Alpine tramway is completed, which will be in about six weeks' time. Maruia.-—The main tunnel is still being driven to the south, and stone equal to previous yield being got out. Every set of timber gives on an averago three quarters of a ton of stone. Tho body of quartz, from eighteen to twenty-five inches thick, struck a few days sinco is supposed to be tho first indications of tho main

reof. Tho stone found in this claim is splendid, some Laving prospected at tho rate of from four to six ounces per ton. Long Drive Claim.—The tunnel hero is in about 100 feet, and it is anticipated that the leader will be struck on a level thirty feet below their shaft. Tho party is driving at the rate of sixty feet per week, and the approximate distance to be got through before getting underneath the shaft is calculated at 280 or 300 feet. Break o'Day.—Still driving main tunnel, 250 feet. The leader is looking well, being from nine to ten inches thick on the face. Gold is visible in the stone, proving that the leaders 'on the Lyell extend in depth as well as laterally, the level in this claim being fifty feet below the Maruia, and dipping at an angle of 45 degrees. Maloney and party, Eight Mile, prospecting claim.—ln the two tunnels, about seventy feet apart, they are driving on leaders five to six inches thick, with prospects equal to anything yet found on the Lyell. They have about twenty tons paddocked from the eastern lead. William Tell, —This company will start operations shortly. A meeting will be called at an early date, a call made, and line of action decided on. Central.—"Will start afresh next week, a tender having been accepted for sinking the shaft fifty feet deeper. Little Wonder.—Now driving tunnel at twenty feet deeper level to work deep ground, and catch the dip. The new tramway for carrying quartz and timber will be completed within three weeks, and the machinery will then be transferred to the new site. _Messrs Carrol and Cairns expect to be ready for the first crushing about the end of August.