WALLSEND MINE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1921, Page 3

WALLSEND MINE

PUM PING A SUCCESS

Mr Sidney Fry, engineer for the Wailsend Colliery Syndicate, has just completed very successfully the work of pumping the mine to such an extent as to decide whether the workings were being inundated through the breaking in of the Grey River. The result lias been to demonstrate that the river is not the cause of flooding the mine, and lias not broken into the shaft. The shaft is about 670 feet deep. Tho collar of tho shaft is 34 feet above the level of the river. The pumping, for which tho plant used was comparatively

light, lias easily succeeded in lowering the water level in the shaft to a distance of 42 feet below the level of the rivgr. This result has settled all doubts to the satisfaction of the Wailsend Mine Syndicate. Mr Fry, who organised and directed the whole pumping process, informed an “Argus” reporter that there is now only seven gallons per minute of an inflow of water into the shaft, and that manifestly the permanent unwatering of the mine will he really an easy matter, and will not require a large plant. The pipes of the old pumping plant are still in place, being worth about £6OO. Resides this there is also about £SOO worth of rails that were used as guides for the cages in the winding shaft. This material is all in perfect condition. The Wailsend Syndicate will now hasten the formation of a company to work tho mine, which formerly was credited with producing tho host coal in the Dominion. The temporary pump-

ing is being dismantled, as tho water will remain at tlie present level until permanent pumping machinery is put in to reduce it another 600 feet. The result of the preliminary work should augur the further industrial envelopment of the district.