LONG-TUNNEL TAIL-RACE COMPANY'S CLAIM.

Kumara Times, Issue 1495, 13 July 1881, Page 2

LONG-TUNNEL TAIL-RACE COMPANY'S CLAIM.

A short time since we gave an account of what is known as the Government or Kumara sludge-channel. Next in importance as a mining undertaking on this gold field (excepting, of course, the water-races) may be considered, we believe, the works undertaken by the Long-tunnel Tail-race Company. This company commenced, about three years since, to drive a tunnel tailrace from the Terematau river through the reef which crops up and shuts out the Shallow Lead and the Shamrock Lead from the, river. The Shallow Lead had previously been worked to a depth of about 15ft., and proved to be very rich ; but lower levels could not be reached on account of the quantity of water which had to be contended against; and this company was formed for the purpose of carrying in a tailrace at a low level and working the ground by sluicing. Very great difficulty was experienced at the outset of the work, owing to the tunnel having been driven through a mass of wet pug which was found to be on the river face of the reef. One tunnel, after being driven some two or three hundred feet, had to be abandoned ; and it was only after exercising the greatest perseverance and skill that the present tunnel was at last driven through the pug into the reef.. Indeed the difficulties encountered remind us of those which we read were met with by the great engineer Brunei, in driving the Thames Tunnel through the liquid mud below the Thames in London. For some weeks the progress trade by the company, although working night and day, only averaged four inches in 24 hours. As soon, however, as the reef was reached, no other than the ordinaly difficulties were met with, and the main tunnel was completed last Christmas, the entire length being 2200 feet. Owing to the length of the tunnel, the miners had to be supplied with air by means of an hydraulic blower, which forced air through pipes to the face of the work. After passing through the reef, a large body of water was tapped which continues to flow in undiminished quantity to the present time. Good payable gold was also struck after passing the reef, at a depth of 130 feet below the surface, being about 80 feet

lower than any previously worked or discovered. The shaft of the main tunnel at the Shallow Lead is 113 feet deep, but, for facility of working, a jump-up has been made, with a branch tunnel 60 feet below the surface,, and it in this 60 feet which is now being worked. We visited the ground a few days ago, and found ground-sluiciug operations in full .swing, a paddock about a chain square having been opened, from which the washdirt is being passed through the upper branch tunnel, down the jiimp-iip or shaft, and through the main tunnel to the river. The boxes through which the stuff is passed are 3ft. 6 in. wide, 3ft. deep, and are paved throughout with wooden blocks Bin. thick. A double or reversible water-wheel, with inclined tram-' way, has been erected for lifting large stones from the paddock j but this is not yet in work, so large stones (some weighing over half a ton) have to be passed through the boxes, causing unnecessary wear and tear ; but it is expected that in a few days the wheel will he at work. A long flume about 20ft. high has been brought at the expeuse of the company from the Government Race to work the wheel and supply water for breaking stone ', but the company has valuable water rights, dams, and races of their own, which, when completed, will supply 25 heads of water, and thus save about £75 a week, the price charged by the Government being £3 per head per week. The ground held by the company comprizes 18 men's double area allowances, or 360j000 feet, besides a lease of ten acres acquired from the Westland School Commissioners } and, aa all this ground is known to be payable, they have many years' work before them; They will deserve success, having kept the pick going day and night for nearly three years, and have expended about £7OOO on the work. They expect to wash-up for the first time in about a month from this.

The company is a private one, consisting of thirteen jnembers—miners and bnsiness men in the district, and employing eighteen menregularly..