WAIPA COLLIERIES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1887, 23 October 1913, Page 5

WAIPA COLLIERIES.

A PROGRESS REPORT. DIRECTORS VISIT THE MINE, , Tlio directors of Waipa Railway and. Collieries, Ltd., paid a visit of inspection to the mine at To Akntea, Waikato, on October 14, 15, and 16. Tlio directors making the trip were: Messrs. W. M. Hannay (chairman), C. Stewart, J Wellington, H. G. Williams, Masierton. J. W. Ellis, Hamilton, and Maurice Casey, Auckland. They wore accompanied by tlio contractor for tlio rail- i way formation (Mr. Donald M'Lean), X Mr. Ashley Hunter, the constructing . engineer, and the secretary of the company, Mr. H, D. Vickcry. Tlio railway formation work from | Ngaruawahia to Te Akatea is practically completed, the rails having been a laid for the first three-quarters of a ; mile across the bridge over the Waipa P [ River,. which is now finished. The " lingo embankment between the bridge [ and the county road has been com- , pleted, and is now being levelled preparatory to laying the rails. The ganger in charge anticipates that tho rails will bo laid for tho first two miles within three weeks. A temporary engine shed and water ' supply have been constructed at the two mile peg to accommodate the loco» motive which has been imported by tho company from Messrs. Andrew Barclay r and Sons, Glasgow, and which' is now j being erected at Newmarket. It is anticipated that the engine will be available for ballasting purposes in three weeks' time. The company has been fortunate in opening out a quarry on its own propertv 011 the lino of route, which will provide all tho stone necessary for ballasting purposes, and later it is hoped will provide a supply of stone which will be available for sale e to surrounding local bodies. s The chief work yet to be competed bv the contractors. Messrs. Donald M'Lean and Co., is the viaduct^ crossing 0 Stoney Creek. This is an imposing structure with concrete foundations and huge iron bark supports. Tin's work is well forward and will be completed in about four weeks' time: tho company's ? officials hope to have the ske.pors and r rails' laid, and the plate-laving done 1 to this point by tho time the viaduct e is completed. ® Tho earth work at tho railway sta- '» tion yard at Te Akatea is finished, and except for a little levelling the earths work in the shunting yard beyond the 0 mine incline is also completed. Tho t shunting yard has been so arranged that >• tho empty trucks will gravitate under 3 the screens, and thus obviate the nee ccssity of providing power for haulage. 1 A gang of men has been put on, and 6 has opened out tho face of tli-o coal s seam at the head of the incline. Men >* are now engaged in providing aecom--0 modation for the power house and hydraulic brakes at the head of the inf cline. I- The contract for the necessary power y plant for haulage in tho mino, and for s- driving the mine fan for ventilation purposes has been let. 1- • Tho mine incline is completed and the x double line of rails 011 it laid, wliilo the it machinery for tho hydraulic brake is which is being supplied bv Geo. Fraser 1- and Sons, is being erected. The incline' will be worked 011 the end- *, less rope system, the loadod trucks de1, sccliding hauling up tho empties 011 the :r other line. The house to accommodate d the screening plant is being built, and d the screening plant from Edgar, 'Allen d and Co., Sheffield, is on the ground awaiting erection. t 0 An extensive workshop and store lias r' been built at the bottom of tho incline, if. .and the, construction'of tho mine tubs , a is being pushed ahead. All the machinery for tho company has either been delivered, and is now in course of erection, or is on the water. , While at To Akatea a directors' meeting was held, and Sir. .Thomas ThoniI" son, M.1.M.E., at present Inspector of ° Mines in Dunedin, was appointed mining engineer to the company. l '- The coal will be worked from adits, and tho development which has been dqne ; 0 gives a very good idea of the cheap and' ts economical \vay in which this mine- will 2r bo worked; 110 shaft-sinking will be required; the coal faces arc exposed on the hillside, and mining will be effected 15 from tunnels. The company's private "v line junctions with the Main Trunk line at Ngaruawahia, and tho Government v '" trucks will run riVht up to tlifi company's screens at the bottom of the inlt cline, and to within a few hundred yards of the mine mouth. ' Generally, the work is well forward. ™ Tho company expects to be getting out J '" coal early in 1914.