SLUDGE-CHANNEL AND WATERRACE DISPUTE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2008, 5 February 1883, Page 2

SLUDGE-CHANNEL AND WATERRACE DISPUTE.

[to the editor.]

Sir—ln your issues of Friday and Saturday last you published a report of the proceedings which took place at the interview held between a number of miners and Mr Gow, the water-race manager, re method of supplying water to the miners. The whole proceedings appear to me unique and peculiar, and many of your readers will be at a loss to understand the meaning of resolutions 1 and 2, and that some stern necessity must have arisen before a large number of intelligent miners would so far have humbled themselves as to pass resolution No. 1. In effect the resolution means that the miners present were all satisfied to have gauges placed in their tail-races, even though the contracts made between them and the Government were broken—thereby in the case of those miners present or represented who had used the gauges in their tail-races, no exception could be taken —they could speak from experience. But many of those present or represented had not, unluckily for themselves, had any opportunity of testing the gauges in the sludge-channel, inasmuch as they have not had water to sluice with as yet. And in this lies the secret of passing the resolutions, and upholding Mr Gow in trying to do “the greatest good to the greatest number.” Now this theory sounds very nice, but the sequel oft proves that the old adage “ Try to please everybody and you please nobody ” is correct, and may in this case be only too true. The manager of the race may ultimately be placed in a false position, and between the two stools fall to the ground. That his position is a most trying and difficult one, I at once admit with the sludgechannel too small, and an insufficient supply of water, if he gives satisfaction to all parties concerned I must at once pronounce him to be a veritable Solon, and as with the Loaves and Fishes miracle, history will repeat itself. Not being believers in miracles at this period of the nineteenth century, we—(for I am now writing for myself and party, and many other parties)—must at once boldly assert that it is impossible for anything like satisfaction to be given unless the carrying capacity of the head-race tunnel and sludge-channel be increased, and that at once. Twelve months ago the widening of the branch bead-races and that part of the main race to the tunnel was proceeded with, but what on earth was the use of widening the branch head-races unless the main head-race which supplies them was also widened 1 Now it must have been apparent to those in authority that the tunnel at the head of the main supply-race required widening, and so far back as April, 1881, Mr M‘Kerrow, the Secretary for Goldfields, had his attention drawn to it and £ISOO was voted for the purpose. That such an important part of the work had been neglected we regret, and who is to blame we cannot say. Still that blame

rests somewhere, we must confess. The miners have been steadily going on with the preliminary work in opening out their claims ready for the water. Now, when they are ready to commence sluicing, there is no water for them ; and they are consequently thrown idle ; their means are all spent, and in many instances the storekeepers have had to assist them by giving credit. No wonder they, under such circumstances, cry for a share of the bread given to their more fortunate fellow-miners who have opened out their claims at an earlier period, and who in accordance with the established custom have a first claim on the water and by contract have a first right to use the sludge-channel. Bishop Moorhouse, in Melbourne, is reported to have advised his flock that to build dams and thereby conserve the water that fell from the heavens was far safer and more effectual than to pray to God for rain when they were suffering from droughts; and so in this case. The very day the miners were deputationising the manager of the race and passing childish resolutions, sixty to seventy heads of water were running to waste down the Kapitea. Set to work at once and widen the race, and then all can have water during ordinary rainy weather. This would be far more satisfactory than to feel that in the manager using his unfettered prerogative and giving water at his will, he was taking

the same from those who could ill afford to spare it. Not only that, but unless there is some rule laid down for supplying water all sorts of abuses may creep in, and gross injustice in many cases be perpetrated ; favoritism might become the order of the day, and naught but dissatisfaction prevail. It is just as necessary to have rules for the management of the sludge-channel and water-race as it is to have “ The Mines Act ” and “ Regulations ” made thereunder. Now, having thus far given our views that regulations are necessary, we do not for a moment contend that under all conditions such rules should be like the laws of the Medes and Persians, unalterable. Extraordinary circumstances may arise, and power should be given in such cases to relax the rules to meet emergencies. Under ordinary circumstances it would be perfectly fair to give water every day to those who held first rights, but in exceptional dry weather to give them all the water and allow others to be idle would be objectionable. The only way we see the difficulty could be got over would be to have a sliding scale—giving a preference to first rights but not to the extent of six days per week in dry weather, or when from any special cause water was short, say for argument’s sake that the number of parties taking water from the Government Race be divided into three parts, according to dates of first taking water. The first batch to have water three-quarter time, the next half-time, and the next one-quar-ter time. If this rule should be adopted a preference is given to prior rights, yet at the same time those last on the list are not kept altogether idle. Some modification such as this is absolutely necessary until such time as the construction of No. 2 dam is completed. We next come to the question of the carrying capacity of the sludge-channel. This colossal work, which has cost the colony some £17,000, will never be reproductive unless the boxes be enlarged as far as the engine shaft, or to the end of Maher’s section. Taking the number of tail-races registered to run into it as thirty-six, and dividing the same by three, for the three four-hour shifts we find that there are just twice the number it was contemplated to take. Six parties working at one time are all that can safely sluice. Even six parties sluicing at one time means that six boxes averaging 20iu. x 20in. with a fall of Ift. in 12ft. and a bottom width as a total of 10ft., are discharging into the sludge-channel, the boxes of which are only 3ft. Gin. wide, and 3ft, deep adove the blocks, and the fall sin. to 12ft. Allowing that a volume of water is put in at the head of the sludge-channel to assist the discharge and increase the velocity of the debris whilst being washed down the sludge-channel, still the immense quantity of solid matter discharged into the sludge-channel must nearly till the same to overflowing, the force of the extra water is then lost, and a block or stoppage ensues. Another drawback, and one which decreases the velocity of the stuff washing down the channel, is that the debris dropping from the tail-boxes of the tail-races causes an eddy at intervals, and acts as a check upon the debris from above. Having now pointed out the defects, we will endeavour to point out the remedy. For some chains past the engine shaft the channel tunnel is 8 feet 6 inches in the clear ; on each side is a tramway. Now it has been conclusively proved that two tramways are not required; therefore by dispensing with

one tramway and widening the boxes, say 2ft. 6in., there would be then a box 6ft. wide by 3ft, deep in the clear, and the debris being less confined the water would have more power, and under ordinary circumstances blocking would be a thing of the past. It may be contended that to have a box narrower at the upper end than at the lower would never work. Practical experience proves otherwise. Besides it must be borne in mind that the volume of water and debris is increased at various distances down the boxes so that the widening at the lower end becomes a necessity and is in strict conformity with the true laws of hydraulics and hydraulic sluicing. As regards the financial phase of the question, that I think is easily overcome. Parliament voted for Kumara-Kawhaka Watersupply purposes some .£9OOO. The estimate for the No. 2 Dam was over £BOOO if we recollect aright. The contract is taken for £6500. Allowing £SOO for extras there remains a credit balance of £IOOO, This amount would go a long way in widening the boxes. Our advice is, therefore, for all pavtiee to unite, and, by representing the true facts of the case to the Minister of Mines through the District Engineer, it is more than probable that the work will be proceeded with without delay. It this be not done, the Kumara goldfield will be Just as bad when the new dam is finished as it was before. The widening of the sludge-channel and the construction of No. 2 Dam should be completed simultaneously. The widening of the main head-race tunnel requires immediate completion, otherwise hard times, loss of population, and depreciation of property must inevitably fall upon Kumara and its people.—l am, sir (for self and parties), yours truly, Progression. February 3, 1883.