MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15650, 2 July 1914, Page 5

MINING NEWS.

PROPERTIES AT WAIHI. MR. J. W. WALKER'S RETURN". [Ny TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL COnJIESrOSXENT.] Wei.i.ivgtos', Wednesday. An old identil;. on the Auckland gold fields, Mr. J. \\. Walker, popularly known as "Long-drive Walker," who has just arrived in New Zealand from England after an absence of over four years, lias been spending a day or two in Wellington. He leaves with Mrs. Walker fur Auckland by this evening's express. Despite the fact that lie is now in his 87th year, the constructor of the Long Moanataiari drive is still hale and hearty, and as movant in spirit as ever. "I hav. had over 60 yearn' experience nf mining, including 45 years in connection with the. New Zealand g)ldfields," Mr. Walker said to a Heraj.li reporter this evening, "and I have not. finished with the business yet."

During his last visit to England, Mr. Walker was engaged in bringing several mining propositions in the Waihi district under the notice ol British capitalists. He holds 14 leases of a hundred acres each between the mining properties now being worked and the sea coast. Plenty of capital for the development cf these properties, Mr. Walker states, in available in London provided that the values are proved, and that satisfactory regulations for the working of them can be obtained. Ho Bays that, tho present conditions constitute tho greatest drawback of all to the successful flotation of the properties in question. These regulations, in his opinion, are of such a character as to militate against the investment of capital on any largo scale ".They were made in the days of small tilings, said Mr. Walker, "and we have not yet got awav from them." Mr. Walker will proceed shortly to Waihi. where he will lay all the information he has gathered before tho business community and the Miners Union. He will then endeavotr to get them to move for such alteration in the mining laws and regulations as will tend to encourage the inflow of capital on a large scale for mining development at Waihi. "Nothing on a small scale is of any use to us," said Mr. Walker, adding that r.s soon as sufficient encouragement was forthcoming he intended to take prompt steps to prove the value of his leases.

GRAND JUNCTION. The following is a copy of a cablegram sent to the head office in London of the Waihi Grand Junction Gold Company, Limited:—"New 20-stamp mill running most satisfactorily. From to-day shall bo able to increase the output of ore to 2500 tons per week.

ROSS RETURNS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —rBESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington", Wednesday. The Ross mine superintendent telegraphs that the week's gold return is 370z 16dwt, from 1337 trucks of wash. NEW WAITAIA. The manager of the New Waitaia mine, Kuaotunu, reports that the rise from the north end of the intermediate level is up 53ft. and ho expects to connect with No. 5 level this week. A leading stope can then bo taken out over tho back of the intermediate level ready for timbering and Btoping tho block. In the stopes at the north end of No. 2 block the formation is very mullocky at present, and will continue so for another sft or 6ft. when it gives place to clean ore. In the centre of the block a nice reef is showing, m which strong dabs of coarse bright gold were visible at last breaking-down. Tho stope wrath from the main rise, where tho ore lias been low grade lately, is now giving better prospects, the ore being I more than payable.