OUR MINES.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 19 December 1881, Page 2

OUR MINES.

(?bom oyit mining bepobteb ) Satubdat, December 17. : The following are the returns for the week : WELCOME— 79Bozs amalgam, from 90 tone of stone. UNITED ALPINE (Ljell)— l6oozs amalgam, from 180 tons of «+one. MURRAY C REEK. GOLDEN TREASURE. The chambers at the bottom of tbe winze are now completed, Bn<T driving is commenced botb north and south along the reef of 3 to 4 feet in thick ness, the «tone coming from the former direction appearing more valuable than that from the opposite side of the winze. All of it, however, is good payable s'one, (be exact value of which will be ascertained after the cleaning up on Friday next. Tise extension of the main tunnel ti not being proceeded with at present, ilia last contract having just been completed. Operations for extension in this direction will probably be resumed after a while. Those conversant with the run of the country hereabouts couskler it proctiea* ble to reach the old Dand of Hope line of reef by driving about 150 feet from the bottom of the winz**, should this assertion on further inquiry prove correct it is probable that the directors will pny due attention lo the project after works at the present bottom level have been a little further advanced. ENEBGETIC. The cross-cut is now driven a distance of 125 feet through changeable country with occasionally very tight driving, It is calculated that between 40 and 50 feet yet remains to be passed through before the line of reef is reached. This company is one of the oldest in the field and has re jdered good service in assisting to develop the resources of the district, but owing to the limited number of shares (6000), in which ihe company is divided any periodical depression in the affairs of the company ba<J been severely felt by the shareholders during times when prospecting and other progressive works requred heavy calls to meet tbe large outlay necessary. Jt is now iolended to alter the constitution of the company and an extraordinary meeting is called for the 6ih of January, ISB2, to discuss the matter, and to obtain tbe requisite con. sent of shareholder to the contemplated measure. KEEP-risDIHK. All i;r.-'paraiions c;« now coujplcied fur

siiikin.n through the distance intervening between the present workings anil the bottom of the vnnzv) iv the intermediate upper, level. This mode of procedure is considered ranra advantageous than raising, which .at first was contemplated, and the reasons assigned are, that ventilation will be more certain during the progress of the work, aDd that the connect on will be more" regular by following down the reef at the bo'.om of the upper winze. Crashing will be continued till the latter end of next week, when the general cleaning up will be made with results probably similar to those of the late returns. NIL DESPKEANDUM. After taking over .the mine from the tribulers, the securing ".the old working has been attended to previous to commencing sinking operations on apparently payable stone under»foot at the lower working. " • . PHCENIX. The uprise bas now attained a height of 70 feet through passably good country for working, and fair progress may be expected as long as it lasts. GQLftB^jTLEECE. SinUelast week's report, the reef wuieii was then being followed has increased to fully 4 feet in width carrying excellent gold, and as former experience has proved in the upper levels^hat the best gold was generally obtained about the centre of the block, and 4s ever; probability point to a similak result no surprise would be felt were I the atone yet to increase in value as .driving along it pro" gresses. The first indications of stone was first encounter* d as already stated about 65ft from he shaft and has now been followed for nearly 40 feet the length of the drip at present being 98ft and having gradually improved in value as the; work i* progressing. TENUS. One hundred and fifty feet of the contract for extension of the main tunnel has been driven, and the whole 250 feet will be completed by the end of February next. This will bring the work near the line of reef existing in a higher level, which proved moderately payable and giving dividends, and which was prospected for a depth of 50 feet by a wiuzs towards which the present operations are directed. The contractors have made a good speculation inasmuch as they agreed to take up 1000 forfeited shares at Is 6d as part payment. Tue stock is now changing hands at 3s 6d and 4s in a ris : ng market.