A NEW MINING ENTERPRISE IN THE GREY VALLEY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1440, 13 March 1873, Page 2

A NEW MINING ENTERPRISE IN THE GREY VALLEY.

(from otjr own correspondent.) The formal inauguration of the works in connection with Borjerson and Co.'s gold-mining leasehold at Brandy Jack's Creek, and the christening of the waterwheel and pumping machinery, took place on Saturday, Bth inst. Invitations were issued by the Company to residents in the district, and by the time the proceedings commenced, the large number of visitors — a good proportion of them ladies — assembled abut' ut the works, evinced the general interest taken' in the success of the undertaking. The great rush to Brandy Jack's Creek took place nearly five years ago, but the lead, on which very good claims were worked at the upper part, came to an abrupt termination at the lower or northern end. Some prospecting was done in search of the lost run, but owing to a variety of causes, the chief of which was the occurrence, just at the time, of a long spell of most unfavorable weather, the work was not carried out in a systematic manner, and the place was gradually deserted, and has remained so until this company took the lease. The lead was known to be very good not far from the spot where it suddenly disappeared, and during the rush to the deep lead at Half-Ounce, the project of forming an association to prospect for the missinsf gutter was several times mooted. The nature of the workings at HalfOunce rendered the introduction of extensive and expensive pumping and lifting machinery a matter of every-day occurrence, so to speak, and what would in the earlier days of the district be considered a formidable undertaking, is now takeu in hand and proceeded with as a matter-of-courae. Still the work commenced by Borjerson and party is of some magnitude, even at the present comparatively advanced stage of alluvial mining in the district, and the results likely to come from .their efforts, if they be successful, are of sufficient importance to justify more than a mere passing notice of their enterprise. In the latter part of November last year the company was formed on the co-opera-tive principle, consisting of six non-work-ing shareholders, the latter contributing a proportionate share of wages expenses. They obtained a special grant of terraces of ground, running north and west from ;he point at the old workings where the fault in the continuity of. the lead began. Tliey, at the same time, secured water and other privileges necessary to carry out the work. Since December a well-constructed head-race has been made, and besides sinking a shaft to the main bottom, a large excavation had to be made in which to fix the pumping machinery. This latter, together with the appliances for raising the washdirt' and headings, are of the most complete description, and constructed on the newest principles. The debris from the underground workings is

raised to the Burface by means of perpendicular hydraulic balance lifts. The motive power for the lift is supplied from the head-race, and the arrangements for regulating the supply of water to the wheel and. tank ate simple, aud yet astonishingly efficacious. One m<m can attend to the whole of the gear, thus saving the labor of two extra hands, and except through gross carelessness an accident can hardly occur. The full truck is run nut from the workings below to a cage at the bottom of the shaft. The floor of the cage is a detached portion of a tramway running from the platform, built round the top of the shaft and the end of the shoots. When the truck is ready to be drawn up, the brakesman at the top allows the water tank to fill, and, as it descends, the full truck at the other end of the chain is raised to the platform. By means of an escape valve in the tank the water is allowed to run' off, when the dirt truck, being previously placed! in position over the mouth of the shaft, descends by the action of gravitation to the : bottom. This description of . lifting machinery was first, introduced into the Gjrey Valley by Mr Charles.Q'iE[ara while, last year, superintending the construction of the works in connection with the 'claim of his company on the Duffer Creek Deep Lead. Slight alterations and improvements, suggested by experience*' have been made in the construction of the machinery. The principal of these improvements is the application of a vertical brake of such power that the machinery, while at full speed, can be stopped instantaneously without causing any perceptible increase in the vibration or any danger of breakage. This brake, which a child could manage with safety, is understood to be the invention of one of the party, Mr Henry Wilson, who, with the co-operation of two other shareholders, Messrs Charles Christisen Brown, and Charles Lindblumb, made and erected all the machinery. Another improvement is the introduction of a third wheel at the poppet heads. This wheel is fixed between the ordinary bearing sheaves', and so placed that it presses the lifting chain which passes under it firmly on to the sheaves, thus preventing the possibility of a slip when the brake is suddenly applied. This improvement was made at the suggestion of Mr Alfred Borjerson, the working manager of the company. The contrivance is very simple, and willyetcome into general use, for it acts as an. eS&Mal preyentative against an accident ov Very frequent occurrence, and through which hundreds of lives have been lost, namely, the slipping of the lifting rope or chain over the poppet wheels, either through a snapping of the rope 6t when the brake refuses to V bite." There are other improvements to which it is not necessary to refer here, but which will, no doubt, be adopted by parties erecting similar maohinery in other parts of the district. With respect to the prospects of the company, it is of course difficult to express an authoritative opinion. It is genpraliy believed that the lead exists within the boundaries of the company's claim, and if it be only half as rich as it was higher up, they may expect to be handsomely remunerated for their enterprise. They will have to drive a distance of about 400 ft from the shaft before they cross the line of the deep ground, and, while doing so, they have the chance of meeting with any of the numerous feeders coming in from the Teviot ranges, which are now giving good returns to those working on them. At all events the progress of this undertaking will eventuate in the re-opening of a long-neglected district, previously proved to contain rich alluvial deposits,' and the extension of the area of old gold fields is always a good sign. As the visitors arrived, they were received by the shareholders and entertained at their huts, which are built on a terrace overlooking the claim. The superior appearance of the dwelling-houses as they stand, each surrounded by well? cared-for little gardens, gives a stranger a good impression of the character of the men who are willing to go in for such comparatively extensive operations, on what after all is a merely speculative inducement, for there is never an absolute certainty in gold-mining. At two o'clock in the afternoon the shareholders and their visitors assembled around the wheel, and Mr James Cunningham, of Half-Ounce, on the part of the company welcomed the Warden and the other guests in an appropriate speech, Mrs Anderson, the wife of Mr Q. W. Anderson, of Half-Ounce, then advanced,' and breaking the orthodox bottle of champagne on the axle' of* the wf£§? named the Association the "Union Pioneer Company" of Brandy Jack's Creek. The water was then turned on, and the huge machine commenced to revolve amid the cheers of the spectators, the band very appropriately playing " Put your shoulders to the wheel," although any such extra assistance was quite unnecessary, for the monster spun round "like a thing of life": when it felt the power of the water. The wheel is twenty feet in diameter^ and so accurately was it placed upon its bearers that it did not deviate a hair-breadth in its revolutions. Afterwards a number of the visitors ascended to the platform round the mouth of the shaft, which is raised some twenty feet from the ground, wfien Mr Wilson explained the working of the lifting machinery and the action of the brakes. Several ladies, accompanied by Mr Whitefoord and other gentlemen, descended in the cage to the* workings underground, where Messrs Lindlumb, Harris, and Glover went through the. process of taking out and sending to the Biirface several trucks-full of washdirt to show how smoothly every part of the lifting gear worked. When a thorough examination of the working and machinery had been made, the whole company adjourned to a marquee erected on the terrace, where a substantial lunch with the orthodox accompaneiments was provided by the share; holders. The Warden proposed < ' Success to the Union Company," and in doing so paid a high compliment to the pluck and enterprise of the company. Mr > James Cunningham replied for the shareholders, and attributed the success of the company, so far, to the exertions of the working shareholders, who went into their work with a will and energy which could not be too highly eulogised. He concluded by proposing the health of the working shareholders. Mr Alfred Borjeison replied, and gave the non-wor.king shareholders credit for being prompt with their contributions, and with cheerfully responding to any # call made upon the©. which was something to say in these hud times. Mr JY WHckini proposed the

health of "The Ladies," remarking that he did not require much persuasion to induce him to consent to do so when he was 'equeated to propose the toasV. N The ladies were an inestimable blessing, as they were all aware or should be, ancPhe could pity such of his hearers as were ignorant of the fact. Christenings of all kinds were ceremonies which always interested and attracted the ladies, and he was pleased to dee them muster in force on that occasion. Messrs Weiss and Henri Ericksen responded for the ladies, the former gentleman remarking that if similar gatherings were in future more frequently graced with the presence of the ladies in such numbers as there were there on the present occasion they would continue to be successful. Mr Cunningham proposed the health of " The Warden."

Mr Whitefoord, in responding, said — It was not often such re-unions were brought about on the gold fields, and it was seldom an opportunity was afforded speakers of addressing ladies as well as gentlemen. It was his privilege on that occasion to do so, but he would not detain them by dwelling on the merits of .the ladies for Mr Wilckens, had done the fair sex justice when proposing the toast of their health. He was glad to seethe friendly feeling existing and the interest taken in the success of mining enterprise as shown by the large assemblage of visitors present from all parts of the district,, and it would be welltoassiduouily cultivate thossfeelings. Notthattherewasotherthan a large amount of good feeling always existing among the residents, for, speaking as one who knew, he could say that as a rule they endeavored to deal equitably and in, a straightforward manner towards each other. With reference to the kind reception given himself, he would say that it was his sincere wish to meet those over whom circumstances had placed him in authority more frequently in friendly intercourse. He would wish that the miners especially should continue to treat him as a friend and adviser apart from the office of Warden ; that theyshould consult him in their difficulties, and he would always willingly afford them such information and assistance as it was in his power to bestow. They were aware of the difficulties attending the administration of the law in a district such as they were in, where so many varied interests were to be considered, but he would endeavor to conscientiously take his own view of matters brought before him, and to act uprightly and to the best of his ability according to his own opinion, impartially formed. Everyone was liable to error, but if a man acted fairly and conscientiously on the judgment with which he was endowed, he would be fulfilling the requirements of his position. He would again congratulate them on the successful termination of the inaugural ceremonies of this undertaking, and he trusted their efforts to develop the resources of the district would be crowned with success. (Cheers.) After luncheon, the marquee was put in order, and dancing was commenced and kept up until the approach of sunset warned' the ladies that they had a rough journey before them to reach their homes, and that it would not be advisable to postpone their departure until darkness came on. We omitted to mention that during an interval in the dancing, the leaker of the orchestra— the "piccolo" — reminded the company that they had forgotten to drink to the health of " Absent friends," which toast he would have pleasure in now giving, poupled with the name of Mr James Dorris, a gentleman who took a lively interest in the welfare of all of them occasionally. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, the band playing "Willie we have missed you." After drinking a parting bumper to the future success of the Union Company, the proceedings terminated, thus ending a day of genuine and thorough enjoyment to every ong who was present.