WAITEKAURA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 3

WAITEKAURA.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

PAEIIOA, this day

During the past four weeks the operations of this Company have been of a steadily progressive character, and the return for the month's cleaning' up, as shown in another column, is distinctly satisfactory. A fresh development has occurred at No. 4 level, from No. 1 shaft, where, at a point 3i?U feet in on the lode, a branch reef was discovered on the eastern wall going off in a south-easterly direction. More work will have to be done on this lode to thoroughly prove its value, but as far as driven on the payable ore appeal's to be from 'i to 'i feet wide. The ore for this width is of good grade, and as the exploiting of the iind will be vigorously proceeded with, its value should shortly be determined. The No. 1 shaft is down 510 feet, or 10 feet below No. 5 level, and men are now busy cutting out a chamber, after which the pumping machinery will be placed in position and crosscutting to the reef commenced. No. 4 level from this shaft is in GOO feet north from the main crosssuct, and at this point crosscutting to the west is proceeding to ascertain the width of the lode. Stoping is being done as usual at Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 levels, also at Corbett's level, and a regular supply of ore is being furnished from these points to the two mills. At No. 4 level from No. 2 shaft, the main crosscut has been driven 38 feet during the month, making the total distance from the shaft chamber 48 feet, The country in this crosscut seems more settled and solid than was met with at No. 2 level. The low level tunnel has been extended CO feet for the four weeks, and is now in a total distance of 20GG feet: The winze which is being sunk to meet therise at the lf>oo feet mark has been put down 42 feet for the month, making the total distance sunk 10S feet. About 12 feet more sinking- should enable connection to be made with the rise, and thus provide good ventilation. In the Te-Ao-Marauui section the work in hand is that of cuttingout a chamber on both sides of the shaft at No. 3 level, 300 feet below the .surface. When these chambers are completed crosscutting east and west will be undertaken to intersect the various reefs known to exist in that part. The Koraata low level, or eastern crosscut, has been driven 67 feet for the month, and the face is now in 111 C feet. At the old Waitekauri section of the Company's property a rise is being- put up from the western breach of the Queen level. This has been holed through and connected with the rise which is being put up above the smithy level, in- which some good grade ore was met some months ago. At a point ICO feet north from No. 2 rise at the Queen level, a crosscut was put in 28 feet west, which intersected the reef, and a commencement has now been made to drive

north on the reef from this crosscut, with a view of proving: its value. It is pleasing to be able to record that Mr Davey, the Company's energetic superintendent, who has been suffering1 from influenza since Christmas, and who was obligee! to take a week's rest, is again able to resume duty.