AUCKLAND NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, January 30.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 28

AUCKLAND NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, January 30.

Waihi shares hayS hrtely "been firmer.' Tha latest news from the mine is to the effect that the Edward reef, at No. 8 plan level, ia one of the most graitfying features of tha development works in progress at the present lowest worked level in this famous bullion producer. In the last report it was stated that a crosscut, projected at 150 ft in tha western drift on the Edward reef, had proved the ore body to be no less than 48ft in width, with highly payable sulphide ore right! across. The latest crosscut, . projected afc 200 ft. has penetrated sulphide ore giving equally gocd value fox upwards of 65ft.. In ordcT that the importance of the development! may be gTasped, a few comparative figures relative to the Edward reef may be given. At No. 7 and No. 8 plan levels -the lodo was drifted upon for quite 7Ooft, carrying pay* dirt for the full distance. In the lower workings the widths have -greatly exceeded those! at No. 7, and 'have increased as -^he drift, which is now in a total distance of 220 ft,, haa baen advanced. The first crosscut, put ia at 500 ft, gave a width of 27ft; the second, at 100 ft, a width of 28ft; the third, at 150 ft, a, width of 48ft; and the crosscut under notice, projected at 200 ft, a width of over 85ft. Throughout sulphide ore of good grade has been exposed" by sampling, and as there is good reason to anticipate a long-Zstretoh of ore ahead of No. -8 level, it i« evident that the development is going to add greatly to i&a company's already extensive- ore reserves. An electric turbine sinking pump, capable pf lifting 35,000 gal of water per hour, is being installed in the main shaft in the WaSii Grand Junction mine. The • installation will bo completed about & fortrngh* hence. The sinking of the shafi f,or the next level (No. 5), which had to be temporarily suspended owing to the inrush of water from the.,new reef recently intersected, will then be resumed. With the pump in operation jio difficulty should be experienced with thg waiter, aiid sinking will be pushed on with; all possible despatch. The pump ie the first of its type to be used in the Dominion fo* mining purposes, but similar pumps have been largely used in the mineo in England and other countries with satisfactory results. As the Grand Junction Company use eleotrical power extensively the pump will be installed at a small capital outlay, and should prove reliable and economical.