96 



Tronsactions. 



The vein thus appears to occupy the limb of a syncline ; but further 

 development is required to test whether the other limb exists, and whether 

 it carries ore. Owing to the great confusion of strike and dip of the 

 slate I was unable to find evidence of a sj-nclinal arrangement from sur- 

 face observations. The flattening observed may, indeed, be only a local 

 phenomenon, or an irregularity in the course of the vein. At any rate, the 

 evidence in favour of a syncline is not yet conclusive. 



In the development of this mine the diamond drill has played a con- 

 siderable part, sometimes with much success. Much care has, however, 

 been found necessary in interpreting its indications. Thus, in veins of this 

 interrupted type a bore may be put in and may miss a block altogether. 

 Again, it may pass through a block at such an angle as to give a 

 very exaggerated idea of its thickness. A bore was put down from a point 

 near the shaft-chamber in No. 11 level for a depth of 1,000 ft., or 2,500 ft. 

 below the surface : no promising indications were found, but the bore is 

 interesting as being the greatest depth reached in a New Zealand mine. 

 The results of other bores made have given no indication of the existence 

 of a synclinal vein. 



The deeper levels of the mine, as of all others in the district, are con- 

 spicuously dry and dusty, except for surface-drainage in the vicinity of 

 the shaft. 



(4.) Rainy Creek or Merrijigs Group. 



The Rainy Creek group, particularly the Inkerman, is noted for the 

 large size and low value of its quartz blocks. One block in the Inkerman 

 reached a width of 130 ft., but averaged less than 2| dwt. to the ton. The 

 strike of the vein is north-east, and it dips steeply to the south-east. It 

 contained several large blocks — the Big Blow, the Antimony Block, and 

 the Balaclava Block — which all showed a slight pitch to the north-east 

 along the strike. Antimony-ore is common in the Inkerman and in adjacent 

 claims. 



The zone of reefs in this part of the district follows an irregular north- 

 and-south line, with frequent divergences and irregularities in strike and 

 dip. Of the others, the Al and Golden Lead were worked for some time, 

 but returns were never encouraging, and mining at Merrijigs is now at a 

 standstill. 



(5.) Big Biver Group. 



New Big Biver. — This lies near the head of the Big River, about twenty 

 miles south of Reefton. It strikes north and south, and the main block 



or series of blocks pitches to the 

 . north. Fig. 13 shows the dis- 

 position of quartz in the vein. 



BlacJcwater. — This is a narrow 

 type of vein. It strikes north 

 and south, and dips to the west 

 at about 70-. The direction of 

 dip of the quartz blocks has not 

 yet been definitely ascertained, 

 as the mine is only being de- 

 veloped. The gold is free, evenly 

 distributed, and often coarse. 

 There are frequent blocks of 

 stone, mostly of uniform value, but a few patchy. The blocks have an 



Fio. 13. — Section, Bkj River Vein. 



