WAIHI GRAND JUNCTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14301, 22 February 1910, Page 3

WAIHI GRAND JUNCTION.

IMPROVEMENTS AT No. * LEVEL, [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waiu'i, Monday. Development works at No. 5 level in tho_ Grand .Junction mine have disclosed a further improvement in the ore bodies during the past few days. The mineralised ore recently reported on the Martha reef, going west, is being carried along with the drive, and in the drift on the course of the lode, where nothing of value had been previously met with, the last two or three rounds of holes fired have brought in a marked im-' provement in the appearance of the' ore over a good width. This will assayed and the values made known in a day or two. On the Royal, going cast, where the " break came in a week or two ago, crosscuts put on either side of the drive penetrated bands of mineral ore, striking north and' east. The north section is, now wider than the drive, and in the eastern drift " 'the mineralised portion shows a width of 12ft. ■ From appearances the ore should be payable, and as a long stretch of unexplored country has yet to be opened Tip before the \ boundary is reached, the development pro- ! mises to be one of considerable importance. The identity of the make of' quartz mei with in the /drive north to cut the No. '<! reef will lie determined with the firing of, another round or two of holes. At. a corresponding point overhead (No. 4 level) the No. 2' reef was comparatively small, but as driven upon going east a good block oi: payable ore was opened up. and it is quiteV probable that similar conditions will apply ''£ at No. 5 level with this lode.

WAIOTAHI G.M. CO. - ; Tlio manager reports for the week as follows - • • • ' . ' No. 6 Level; The stopes on the dropper are. being continued as , usual, and a few dabs of gold have been seen. No. 5 Level: The sixth stopo on the Cum reef has been carried west of the rise for a distance of 44ft,' (he reef being about 12in l in width. ■ *

Intermediate Level: .The drive west from the rise is in a distance of bsft, but no gold has been seen. He ! intends to stop further driving here for the "present, and commence stoping operations. No. 4 Level: The second stopo on the hangingwall portion of the main reef has been in progress, and during the week a few small colours of gold have been seen. The stopes on the. hangingwall loader aro being continued as Usual. Tho .fifth stopo has been carried west of tho rise for iv distance of sft, the leader here being about. 6in in width. The fourth stone has been carried west of the drive for a distance of 34ft. and good colours of gold have boon, seen. These stopes east from the crosscut are also in hand, and good colours of gold are seen. The prospecting crosscut north , from the hangingwall leader is now in hand. Mary Ann, No. 2 Level: The cleaning out of the crosscut from the'shaft is now completed, and this crosscut is being continued on to see if the main reef and hangingwall leaders can be picked up at this level.

. MAORILAND. [by TELEGRAPH.OWN correspondent. . Waihi, Monday. The manager of the Maoriland mine, in his report for the week ended February 17, says that the winze in (he north drive on tho Young Now Zealand reef is now down 30ft, and gold is seen in the ore broken every shift.. After cutting into the footwall and hanging-wall to prove the width, and values of the ore, work in tine winzo will Ik> discontinued until "the reef is cut in the low level, which will drain the water off. The manager expects to strike tho reef with a short crosscut from the. head of an old drivo 140 ft below the winze, and now in 240 ft. It is anticipated that practically the whole distance to be driven in this level will boon tho reef. .' ' ;

NOTES. Strong dabs and colours of gold were procured in tho winze under No. 6 main level of the Royal Oak mine last week, but nothing was obtained that could bo classed as picked stone. At the Thames mine last week the driv« on the Cambria reef was advanced 7ft. The reef still .maintained its size, and was composed of much harder quartz than hitherto. Progress was consequently slow. Good indications were still met with, but no gold was seen.' The manager of the Old Kapanga mine, Coromandel, reports that the Cameron pump has been lowered into position in the main shaft, and is now pumping below No. 3 level. The pumps and machinery are working first-class, and the water 1 in the shaft is being lowered rapidly. At tho Golden Pah mine, Coromandel, last week tho winzo was sunk 4ft, ' making, its total depth below the 80ft - level 21ft. The reef was about 18in in width and was a tine looking body of On Friday there was cut the, footwali portion ?in the winze, it being composed of blue pug and qjiartz. ■ _ 1 .