A LARGE UNDERTAKING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 109, 4 June 1909, Page 3

A LARGE UNDERTAKING

THK KIVK-MIIjK BEACH. The following is from a recent ussue of the 1 lokilika Guardian:— On Tuexlav afternoon of la*i week a party consisting of Mr. James Park, representing llic West land Dredging and -Sluicing <'omjiany. and .Messrs Kaplev. chairman of Directors, a director of the Dominion Goldmining and Jro7it>and Company, left lJokitika. for South Westland, and they returned on Saturday morning .after a very expeditions journey. The objective of the visit was Waiho, where Mr. Park. «a behalf of his company, handed over possession of the Waiho properly, which includes a valuable water right of 100 heads., ■Some short time ago, consequent on the value of the property being brought under the notice of tfoo present purchasers 1W Mr. Park, 'who pointed out tile value of the water right for generating electric power, the engineer of the company, was' asked to report on tin' properly with a view of utilising the right for generating electric power a* a means of working the Five-mile Beach properties. This was given attention to 'by the engineer, and his report being favorsrble a deposit was made two monthis ago and the purchase ilater on concluded.

Tlu' company intend ti> work live fivemile lieacli claim, which hail been acquired some ,six months ago. It consists of 200 acres, which have been held by various parties' for speculative purposes for the past 14 or la years. Numerous attempts had been made to work the ground, which is reported to be exceedingly rich, but owing to its out-of-the-way position it >\vas exceedingly difficult and costly to get machinery on the ground, and so each proposal had fallen through in the past. The new management having ■purchased the whole of the Waiho Company's rights, whidli include the head race with two long tunnels and a long syphon that had been constructed under ,the supervision of Sir. I?. J. Perry at a cost of £13,000, (propose utilising it for generating the requisite electric ipower for working the Five-mile by uvea us of | blow-ups on somewhat similar lines t.o those in operation at Barrytown, the water available being sufficient to generate at least 2000 horse-power. During their present visit to Waiho, tile position of the power-house for the generation of electricity wasi decided upon, and further details of the proposed works were considered in connection with the proposition. Instructions ivere given for the necessary lines to be cut and the race and tunnels ,to be placed in thorough repair, and this wili at l once be given effect to. Arrangements .were also made for the removal of a portion of the plant, including the sawmill attached, from Wailio to tfoe Fivemile. Mr. Wilson, engineer to the companv. accompanied by Air. Park and Captain Richards, are going dbwn again to attend the next sitting of the Warden's Court at Okarito, which will be held on Thursday, the 28th inst., when matters of detail will be dealt with.. The proposed -works are expected to cost about £7OOO, of which about £4oo* will -be expended in tihe plant for supplymg the electric power.