Four In Hand Mine (New Four In Hand), Waikoromiko, Coromandel peninsula, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Four In Hand Mine (New Four In Hand)	- not defined -
Waikoromiko	- not defined -
Coromandel peninsula	Peninsula
Thames-Coromandel District	District
Waikato Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

Historic gold mine. The Four in Hand Company was formed in 1895 by D.G. Macdonnell on behalf of several original shareholders, finding rich specimen stone, paying two dividends, but with no crushing facilities was always doomed to failure. The lease covered 30 acres.

Initial development was on the No. 1 level where rich specimen stone was found. The reef averaged 6 feet thick, consisting of a solid quartz Hanging Wall portion 3 feet thick, the richest gold found in oxidised quartz. In the middle of the reef was a horse of mullock, 2 feet 6 inches thick, containing numerous auriferous quartz stringers. Lastly a Footwall portion of one foot thick auriferous solid quartz. At one point the reef turns at right angles, before resuming its north-south trend. The company then worked a low level, 300 feet beneath of the spur ridge line. Gold was likely found as free, and within electrum, based on specimens seen at the Auckland Museum from the location. A complete list of species is needed.

The New Four in Hand Gold Mining Company was formed in 1898 to take over the lease. There was no money to develop the mine sufficiently and was soon in debt. With rich specimen stone found, the debt was paid, and it became a dividend paying mine for three years.

A new five stamp battery was opened in 1899. The lease was 220 acres, consisting of the old Four in Hand, Cuirassier, Surplus, Tainui, and Tainui Extended leases. Most development work had occurred in the first two, with four working levels in total. Ore was transported to the battery by a Boullivant's automatic tram. The first crushing of 60 tonnes of ore yielded 100 ounces of gold.

Development occurred along the reef in a southerly direction, however the rich shoot was eventually lost. In 1903, more capital was raised, which financed a new low level tunnel, near the stream, which intended to go from one side of the spur to the other. No gold was located, and the company went into liquidation around 1906.

In 1907, a new syndicate took over, and spent eighteen months exploring the northern section of the reef, before forming another Four in Hand Company in 1909. The only information found after this was the company seeking protection from the warden in 1912, and is thought to have abandoned the lease shortly after.

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