UPPER THAMES MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 15, 19 January 1898, Page 2

UPPER THAMES MINES.

WAIHI CONSOLIDATED

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

PAEROA, this day,

The Waihi Consolidated Company are losing no time in opening up the lower level on the new reef recently exploited, and the tender of Hayes and party has been accepted for sinking the shaft a further distance of 100 feet, after which a crosscut will be started to intersect the lode. With regard to the new development, driving north on the lode is in progress, and the reef maintains a promising appearance, about 4 feet of very good ore being carried on the hangingwail side. This is nil entirely new lode, and its importance to Waihi is great, as it clearly demonstrates the existence of auriferous country to the eastward of the Silverton reef system. This new lode is running north and'south, anil will traverse both the Silverton and Gladstone grounds. One pleasing and important feature in connection with this development is that the lode is gold-bearing, samples tested, both, in Auckland and Waihi, giving pretty uniform results, the value per ton averaging about £3.

GRAND JUNCTION

Pumping operations are being carried on at tin; Grand Junction mine, Waihi, without intermission, and the water has been reduced sufficiently at the Waihi West to allow enlargement of the shaft to be proceeded with, leaving at the time of my visit only about 30ft of the shaft to lie enlarged to reach the lovo.!. At fcho prospecting shaft on the Grand Junction section the bottom is down 197 ft, very soft country being at present penetrated. It is intended to crosscut for the lode at a depth of 200 ft.