Boring for Water in Australia

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 101, 2 March 1889, Page 3

Boring for Water in Australia

The Federal Boring Company secured the proprietorial rights to a new patent boring appliance, introduced to Australia by an American capitalist, Mr J. 5. Longhead, and they have seven machines now in work. It is curious to note, before stating the result of the company's operation, that when Mr Longhead first came to Australia, only twelve months ago, there was not a squatter who would even allow the patentee to put down a bore, owing to their experience of well-boring. Nothing daunted, Mr Longhead proceeded, and he made this statement — to which he still strongly holds — that he would strike an abundant water supply on aiy spot pointed out to him on Australian soil. The success achieved in actual work seems to demonstrate that this statement is not niere talk. Sixty-four wells have been sunk, and not in a single instance has there been a failure to find abundant water. Mr Longhead said he would find water from the south-western border of the Gulf of Carpentaria. And this he has done. One hundred miles west of Bourke he has struck water. At Kerribree, the outflow from about 560 ft is 550,000 gals, per 24 hours. His last strike in Central Queensland, at Barcaldine, the terminus of the Central Railway, is a signal instance of success. At 769 ft a subterranean river was struck, and an outflow of 772,000 gals per 24 hours was secured. The result is of great advantage to the Queensland Treasury, as a new township has sprung up, and blocks of land which previously could not be given away are sold at the price of Brisbane suburban lands. It may be stated that the Longhead principal is not the Diamord drill, but a steel rod or drill, which makes a bore any depth with a diameter up to lft or lift ; in fact, a bore of 2£ft can be made.