Fall in the Old Workings.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 9 July 1915, Page 2

Fall in the Old Workings.

Some anxiety was caused in the mining town last Friday when it became known that a huge fall had occurred in the Old South Workings in the Extended Mine. On Tuesday the situation became more precarious as it was discovered that water was filtering through the pumice formation and flowing into the mine, and the Manager after conferring with the checkinspectors deemed it wise to withdraw the men from the different workings. Th« surface round the locality of the fall had also sunk to a depth of 20 feet, and considerable damage had been done to the section upon which Mr Albert Green’s house stands. It was the general opinion that the water which was filtering through the disturbed ground was coming from Lake Hakanoa, but many were of opinion that it was soakage from the water-logged ground round about. In order to check the flow of water and sand, and to ensure the safety' of the mine, the Manager took immediate steps to plug the surface hole by filling in with fascines, bags of sand and clay, and other material, By midnight of Tuesday, this was accomplished, and work was resumed on Wednesday morning.

The region of the fall underground was worked under the management of Mr Tattloy many years ago, and a fireclay fault had been struck on top of a rise. It was at this point that the disturbance occurred. However, the manager, Mr Bishop, considers that there is no cause for alarm, and hopes to have the trouble permanently repaired in good time.