NEW QUARTZ BATTERIES AT PIPECLAY GULLY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 157, 12 November 1872, Page 6

NEW QUARTZ BATTERIES AT PIPECLAY GULLY.

Yesterday afternoon we had the pleasure of witnessing the starting of the crushingmachine just erected by Mr Thomas Logan, on the Robert Burns Q. M. Company’s claim, in the upper part of Pipeclay Gully. The road leading to this comparatively new quartzheld is a continuation of the old track through Doctor’s Flat to the right-hand branch of Smith’s Gully, and begins to ascend the spur dividing that gully and Pipeclay about three furlongs northward of Quartzville, with which it is connected by means of a winding cartul'cvCxv tlluit crosses wllC gvt tt ill VPjIT nf the township. The first mile is an almost unbroken ascent, and in some parts the grade is so steep that one wonders how anything on wheels can be guided safely either up or rection. On attaining an elevation of about 500 feet from the foot of the hill, locomotion becomes less toilsome, and the remainder of the route, although in places decidedly rough, presents no difficulties worth mentioning. Half-a-mile from its present termination, the road crosses the narrow backbone of the Pipeclay Spur, and trends considerably to the right, following the contour of Pipeclay Gully until the locale of the batteries is reached. Both machines are situate on the right-hand or lower side of the road, the sites having been chosen with due regard to facilities of water-supply and easy transit of quartz from the various claims in the vicinity.

Mr Logan’s battery is beyond question the most complete and improved quartz-crusher in the district, if not in the Province. It combines strength, stability, and thorough efficiency with all the useful auxiliaries to the art of gold-saving which Mr Logan’s practical knowledge and long experience could devise. The live stampers each weigh over 52' cwt., and are driven by an engine capable of being worked up to twenty horse-power. A multitubular boiler —the most effective steam-generator, we believe, as yet invented —supplies the motive-power ; and some idea of the capability of the engine may be gathered from the fact that with a pressure of 52 lbs. of steam to the square inch, and with eight inches drop, each stamper made 100 blows per minute, and at the ordinary rate of speed will strike more than 80 a minute. The engine has power to drive twenty head of stampers if required ; and in this important particular it contrasts favourably with most other engines employed in the same kind of work in this district. A self-acting feeder is to be attached, whereby a saving of two men’s wages will be effected. But the chief distinctive feature in the battery is an ingenious contrivance—designed by Mr Logan —for supplying the stamper- boxes and tables with 1 warm water heated by steam from the cylinder. This is the first instance, wo believe, in which the hot-water principle has been applied to a quartz battery in Otago. The I advantage of warm water is that the mercury acts much more freely than where cold water is used, and consequently a much larger quantity of gold can be saved thereby. The boiler and battery were supplied by those | well-known Dunedin makers, Messrs Kincaid, j ! M'Queen, & Co., Vulcan Foundry. The “Solway,” as the new battery was I 1 christened yesterday, will start immediately | ! on a paddock of 100 tons from the John Bull ! claim. We hope to be enabled to chronicle a handsomely payable yield. The Nil Desperandom machine, erected by Messrs Alves and M‘Ardell, and completed about fourteen days ago, is a very compact and effective battery iff five stampers, driven by a low-pressure engine of twelve horsepower. The stampers weigh over cwt. each, and the whole of the machinery is of the most approved description. The frame-work of the battery is a model of strength and solidity, and the substantial character of the structure is exemplified in the fact that while the battery is in full operation, hardly any vibratory motion is perceptible. The stone is hard as adamant, and the average quantity crushed per week is estimated at about fifty tons. A noticeable feature in this machine is the improved plan of supplying water to tho stamper-boxes by means of two pipes, one at either end, instead of the usual single tube in the centre. This method is I said to have the effect of equalising the flow of water through the boxes, and thus facilitating the work of the stampers. Attached to the machine is an amalgamating-barrel and shaking-table, which are set in motion, when required, by a belt attached to the ! cam-shaft. The machinery, with tho exception of the engine, which is an imported one, was manufactured by Mr W. Wilson, of the Otago Foundry, who has for years enjoyed a favourable reputation in connection with quartz-crushing appliances. Mr M‘Ardell, manager of the Nil Desporandnin, informed us that he intends keeping the battery at work until next Friday fortnight, when another cleaning-np will take place. Vve trust the company will meet with all the success to which their perseverance and indomi- ; table energy entitle them.