THE THAMES WATER SUPPLY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 359, 21 January 1876, Page 3

THE THAMES WATER SUPPLY.

This undertaking for supplying the Thames Goldfield with a constant and large supply of water for mill purposes by the Government has now been in hand for a considerable period, and assumes the appearance of being brought to a successful issue before long. The race was let in three contracts, at different times. The first section, the smallest, and the most distant, consisted in the erection of a substantial piece of masonry on the banks of the Kauaeranga Creek, at an elevation of about 195 feet above high water mark, and distant by the coured of the race about 9 miles from the torminus at Waio-Karaka; though less than that distance by the ordinary road. The present road, however, can idea of the difficulty and danger that existed before and even after these works were taken in hand by the contractors, who have been compelled to make approaches to the different sites of their operations ; these have been improved partially by the Government, by the Shortland Saw Mill contractors, and others, who are following up the creek witlf stores and erecting depots, for the purpose of securing an interest in the kauri gum trade, laige quantities of which are obtained in the district; Europeans and Maories, both engaged in the search for, digging out, cleaning, and extension of the pursuit, peculiar to the North of New Zealand, as many as 300 being employed as gum diggers in the neighborhood of the Kauaeranga Yalley, at times striking a patch which pays remarkably well, but for the most part earning a precarious and laborious living. This claae, however, are true pioneer*, and owing to their energy have penetrated far into the bush, and been the means of many valuable discoveries. The road through these combined influ-

encea is now practicable for man or be»Bt| &:bti will foftn a pleas&nt ride or walk for those who may be disposed to view the water racfe; winding its way round the southern erne of Gentle Annie, and carried on trestle tfork over gullies and streams, and iti places Bkirting the banks of the Kaufaeranga, disappearing, and again making Its appearance to it emefgea from ft tunnel, of which there are several, abd continued by alternate lengths of open ditching, iron fluming erected oil timber trestlea, from 9 feet to 80' feet in height, till the head Of the race ie reached, Which can be accomplished comfortably in three hours' Walking; or with a view to enjoy the Bcerery, which will well r/spay thO.trouble and afford a pleasant' contrast to the old Maori condition of this valley by the few bright spots of grass, and other evidence of industry betokening the {>resence of a superior race, and ere ong destined to extend the triumphs of enterprise and prosperity into the open glades of fern-clad Terdure, the rich flats on the banks of the tortuous rivulet, and penetrating the forests, utilising the wealth that has been lying dormant for ages, and making the solitudes of an extensive district to ring with the echo of industrial pursuits. To return to the subject. The head of the water race is judiciously placed in a sheltered position on the left bank of the Kauaeranga, is a substantial piece of masonry, built up and fitted with valves for regulating the supply of water, the inlets being so arranged that a sufficient supply is anticipated during the summer droughts From the head 000 feet of tunnelling' through rock, the race continues partly through t : inbered and open ditching for 1200 feet, at which point a waste weir is erected of masonry, for the purpose of carrying off surplus water This portion executed under Meron's contract, has been completed many months, and has stood the test well. Messrs. Smith Bros., have connected their work here, which extends for seven and a-half miles, of whicli there are abput 17,000 feet fluming erected on trestles, varying in height from a few feet to 80 feet, with spans 22 feet I across most of the gullie*, but in I some instances of 41 feet, for the pur- ! pose of securing the erection against accident through timber or other material carried down the creeks in times of flood ; the fluming itself as supplied by the Government, imported from England, consists of three plates of iron, -Jths thick, firmly rivetted together on the spot, forming the half circle of 5 feet 10 inches diameter, and bolted together with strong angle iron, and calculated to run at the mean rate of two miles per hour; 1100 feet of tunnelling, in three Sections, with well secured approaches and exits. Ihe remainder of the work consists of open ditching, about 18,000 feet, a small "portion t)f which is timbered. The" most of this work has been done some months, and stood the test of the winter, proving that the cuttings (some of which are near 20 feet deep) are likely to stand. The most of the earthworks are in good firm ground, the exception being a few hundred feet on the Gentle Annie slope, from thence, by continuing through the Church Mission ground, the contractors are now busy in erecting their last trestle work, and they will be able to connect with No. 3 contract, undertaken by Mr. Foughey, who has all but completed his portion extending to the Waio-Karaka, and of which a notice appeared last week. The whole of the works, those contaacted for by Messrs. Smith, may be said to be in a state of unfinished forwardness; they have about 70 men at work, and with favorable weather should be in a position to conuect their workings, and allow the water to come down m seven or eight weeks. Provision is made all along the race for carrying off storm water, as well as the numerous rills of water that only flow in winter time; while there are two large creeks and several smaller ones that constantly run, whose waters will be conserved, and collected will form a supply nearly equal to that from the head of the race. Crossings at desriable places will also be fixed, and every precaution taken to preserve «-he water in the race from contaminating influences. The most part of the race iB constructed on land held by Government as goldfield territory, and part through private property, compensation for which has with a few glaring exceptions been fairly and amicably adjusted. On the final completion of the contracts, the subject may be again referred to, in the mean time they would study their own interest by pushing on the work, and finishing as speedily as possible. The gradual fall is neafly one foot to the 1000, making the meanjlifference from the head.to the terminus about 40 feet, and will give & fall of 150 feet as available power all over the township. The only provision for storing water iB the small datn owned by the miners in the Waio-Karaka; the bulk of the supply, until otherwise taken up (every drop will be Ultimately required), will be turned into the Karaka Creek.—Mining Boportor.—' Thames Star.'