WAIHI MINING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 35, 10 February 1903, Page 5

WAIHI MINING NEWS.

WAIHI, Monday,

Waihi Grand Junction.—l am informed that the following important developments in the Waihi Grand Junction mine are •contemplated at uo very distant date, wit'i the Intention of prospecting the present : lodes in sight:—A cross-cut will be opened out at 130 feet below the No. 2 (500 feet) level, main shaft, and a further cross cut _50 feet below the 500 feet level, which will make the depth of the shaft at which developments operate 750 feet. These extensive developments, when earrie. oaf, should provide sufli.i..at ba-___ to the pre scut lodes, if such lodes prove themselves at the greater depth, to enabUT tbe management to put into imme.lidte operation the surface plant, battery, etc., necessary to deal with the output of ore. The west section of the Junction property is being well prospected by the cro_,. cut new in tht course of operation by the Waihi South Company. The existence of lodes bas already been proved, consequently the Junction Company may be well said to have a good* footing in the south, as well as the northern portion of Waihi. Martha Hill Claim.—l am informed by the owner of this valuable claim that it is UDdev offer to an English syndicate. The claim embraces an area of 13c. acres, and is located north-west: of and next to the Waihi Consols and Extended mines, and the range of hills where the claim is situated is the north-west continuation of that upon which the workings of the Wuihi G.M. Company's mine are centred, and is the Same class' of country, viz., decomposed andesite. The value of this .claim is well known to experienced mining, engineers and others in Waihi. The developments on the sine of the Martha lode, hitherto unexplored, prove the extension iv this direction of the reef system itself, hence tlie probability of meeting such ore bodies at ;< fair depth in the adjacent properties, such as the Martha HiP Claim. Waihi G.M.'Company.—Since the recent alterations in the management and the resignation of Mr Gilmour as mine manager, extensive changes are taking place In the general management of the mine itself. These changes, I am credibly informed, arc of a more comprehensive nature and of greater magnitude than is generally known. I understand that sonic seventeen hands engaged in the various blacksmiths' shops are leaving this week, owing to retrenchment iv this department, and that centralisation of work, mostly on a contract basis, ls the object i» view. This scheme, I also am given to understand, is to be applied to the winding shafts, and that it. is the intention of th* management to confine winding operations to two shafts only, and to increase the capacity for lifting the quartz by alterations. in the construction of the cages. This practically means fne conversion of certain shafts into air, or ladder, ways, and will mean a removal of the winding plant. Underground, I am Informed, alterations and centralisation are also being introduced, certain works discontinued, etc., and generally an all-round change of method or application. As far as the opinions of the miners themselves are concerned, there seems to be a certain amount of apprehension, and a feeling of unrest among them.