FLOODED COALMINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1041, 4 August 1930, Page 11

FLOODED COALMINE

MINISTER VISITS HIKURANGI STATE AID REQUESTED Special to THE SUN WHAN GARE I, Today. The Minister of Mines, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, visited Hikurangi yesterday morning in company with Sir Edwin Mitchelson, chairman of directors of the Hikurangi Coal Company. The Minister was met by Mr. C. Lomas, chairman of the Town Board, and members, who impressed upon him the urgent need for Government assistance in checking the inflow c/f water in the Hikurangi mine, the flooding of which had thrown about 250 men out of work.

It was stated that unless the inrush of water was stopped, Wilson's, the other large mine, would also be flooded and a further 200 men would be thown out of employment. These two mines had paid out in wages about £11,500 a month. In addition, the Government was particularly interested, in that it had considerable interests in miners’ houses mortgaged to the State Advances Department, while the loss of coal to the Railway Department would be serious, as the department was taking about 3,000 tons a week.

On behalf of the Hikurangi Miners’ Lnion, Mr. C. Latham the requests. It was further urged that in tho event of a complete failure of Arapuni. the Hikurangi coal deposits would be of the utmost importance in tho generation of electricity for the North.

The Minister, accompanied by Sir Edwin “Mitchelson and Mr. J. Mackinson, mine manager, then inspected the works and discussed the position. It was suggested to the Minister that a pump belonging to the Government should be loaned or hired to the company. If the pump could be put in operation within a week it would be possible to hold the water at its present depth, which is about 60ft, and so prevent Wilson’s mine from flooding. The water could thus be held until provision could be made for unwatering, proposals in reference •to which were made to the Minister, who promised to place them before Cabinet at the first opportuifity.

Once the mine is unwatered steps will be taken to seal it and so prevent any further 'occurrence of trouble. The water is at present coming in from two vents, but is now rising much more slowly, owing to the pressure from inside.

Tho Minister ' was informed that i over 1,000,000 tons of coal had already | been proved in this area, with every j likelihood of better deposits as the workings went underneath the Hiku- ! rangi Mountain. Wilson’s area also 1 contains large proved deposits. OPENING NEW MINES INVESTIGATION SOUGHT Special to THE SUN WHANG ARE I, Today. The position at Hikurangi caused by he flooding of the mine and the opening of other coalfields was -discussed at tho meeting of the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce. Mr. H. W. Crawford said that about •£2,0 0 worth of Hikurangi coal a week was used by the Railway Department alone. This meant a revenue of* £IOO,OOO a year from one purchaser. The Hikurangi company had suffered great hardships through the floodings. ' In the circumstances he thought the , Chamber of Commerce should urge the Government to determine by examination how much workable coal there was in the district. Mr. J. A. Finlayson said more information would have to be obtained beore any other company would take up coalmining. Mr. J. H. Holmes said the question was too vital to wait. They wanted to know if the Government was prepared o do something now with reference :o Ingr o Ida. Tl- sy ' va n t, ;i to get ad-i the information they the president interview - •TO IPOTI btali) lug the ' ■ 1 about the coal iepo-its in the ti;strict.