STARTING OF THE NONPAREIL G.M.C.’S WINDING ENGINE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 171, 26 April 1872, Page 3

STARTING OF THE NONPAREIL G.M.C.’S WINDING ENGINE.

At the hour appointed yesterday morning for the ceremony of starting the engine at the Nonpareil mine, a large number of visitors had assembled at the machinehouse, among whom, we were pleased to notice a number of ladies, wives and friends of shareholders and others interested. Shortly after noon, all being in readiness, Mr Dewar, who had been appointed chairman for the occasion, made a few remarks touching the purpose for which all were gathered there on this occasion. He then asked the Engineer if steam was ready, and the answer being in the affirmative, Mrs Mcßoberls came forward and started the engine, at the same time smashing a bottle of No. 2 on the fly-wheel, and christening the machine the “ Princess.” The engine is a 13-inch cylinder, working up to 15-horse power, and was manufactured by Masefield, of Auckland. It was all erected under the supervision of Mr Davidson. Everything worked well and smoothly, and after it had been going for ten minutes or so an adjournment took place to the outside of the house, where an al fresco spread was in readiness,everyone being allowed to partake of refreshments in the shape of P. 8., beer, champagne, &c., &c., ad. lib. All being ready, Mr Dewar, the chairchairman, said that lie had a programme of toasts before him which had to be gone through, so he would not keep them waiting. "He then proposed the usual loyal toasts, “ The Queen,” “ llis Excellency the Governor,” and “ The Superintendent,” and these having been disposed oi, he then came to the toast of the day, ,l Success to the Nonpareil Gold Mining Company.” In proposing this toast the Chairman made some very pertinent remarks, stating that he was glad to see the company starting to work in a systematic manner to develop the resources of the ground they possessed. Nothing could be done without machinery, and he was pleased to see that the directors of this company had thought fit to economise labour bv erecting an engine to do the work which had hitherto been performed by manual labour. Mr Brodie, in returnig thanks on behalf the company, said that he was sorry that such a short notice had been given to him that he was to respond to the toast, or he would have .been better prepared, and might have given a few interesting facts in connection with the mine. However, he would thank the company present I for the cordial manner in which they had

iexpended to the toast. The Nonpareil mine had been well woiked fio.n (he commencement, and had paid dividends, which, lie hoped it would long continue to do The /engine which was just eret-ied, he had heaid some one say, was meant to lift a few hundred tons of qoailz from the mine ; but he hoped it would yet lift tons of gold. The development of the mines on this field, ho said, was not only advantageous to the district, but to the whole Province, and he might perhaps say Colon}'. He hoped that the stone about to be brought oat would amply lepay the company for all the expense they had gone to. A voice here exclaimed: I hope the paddock will be a specimen-box. Mr IIonsBr.UGH then proposed the health of the Directors of the Company. From the number of ladies and gentlemen present he could see that a great deal of interest was taken in the starting of this engine. The directors had had a hard time of it lately in this company, as a great depression had set in, and they found it necessary to mane a call, which is never a popular thing, more especially in a mine that had been paying dividends. Numbers of the shareholders had lost confidence in the mine, but. notwithstanding so much up-hill work the company were now in a good position, and ready to prosecute work underground vigorously. They had a large block of ground ready to break out, and lie bad little doubt but that dividends would again be paid to the shareholders. At one time, the eyes, lie might say, of all New Zealand were fixed on one mine on the field, the Caledonian, but now such was not the case, arid lie was glad to see more than one mine coming to the fore, amongst others Lie Nonpareil. The reef in the mine had undergone many changes since first worked on, but now it was well defined, and had been proved to bear good gold. Everything ho said seemed to be smiling on them, even Jupiter Pluviushad ordered Aquarius to put up his watering pot for the occasion, and had given them a fine day. lie called for bumpers for the directors of the Nonpareil Co. The toast was drunk with musical honours. Mr Mcßoberts responded on behalf of the directors, and said that he thought it was rather a mistake to call on him, but he was glad to return thanks. They had before them the result of the wont of the directors, and lie felt confident that though they had perhaps spent a lot of money on machinery, the increased economy in working the mine would much more than repay the shareholders, as so much manual labour in raising the stone was now saved. Mr F. SOMERFIELD proposed the health of the legal and mine managers in a neat and appropriate speech. Mr Flictciier said that he had always endeavoured to do the best for the interests of the shareholders, and would continue to do so. Mr Bortiiwick, the mine manager, felt great pleasure on the occasion. He said that many mistakes had been made by companies in erecting machinery on their ground, hut he felt confident that this engine would prove of the greatest value to the company, and that the block aboyt to he worked would amply repay them for all the money spent. Mr Brofie proposed, “The Mining Interests of the Field.” and said that they were the paramount interest in the Province of Auckland at the present moment. Mr It. Harris responded, and said that one great drawback to the advancement of the field was the jealousies existing between neighbouring claims, but he hoped to see them in future go in and work together hand-in-hand and develop the ground, lie wished to see a thorough understanding and agreement between directors and managers, employers and employes. Mr Fletcher proposed the “ Contractors and Engineers." Mr Davidson thanked them for their kindness in drinking the health of the contractors. Mr William Stephenson said that ho was not much accustomed to public speaking, but whatever he did say was 1o the purpose. He thanked them for drink-’ ing his health, and begged to inform all the gentlemen present that if they had a job to be done at his trade he was open and ready for an engagement. Captain Beveridge proposed the health of the “ Ladies,” of whom he was pleased to see a goodly number present, lie did not know very much about ladies, but Imped that some day or other he would do so. Mr John Brown responded on behalf of tiie fair sex in his own happy manner, and the sentiments ho expressed were much applauded. 1 “The Press” was then proposed and responded to by Messrs Jackson {Herald), Perrier {Evening Star), and Sarnies {Guardian). The representative of the Advertiser , Mr W. Robinson, was called on, but failed to put in an appearance. He was, however, detected on the hill side, gwhere he was lying down comfortably in the scrub, and lie strenuously refused to come down and return thanks on behalf of the “fourth estate,” in spite of the great desire evinced by all present to hear him do so.

After the talking work was all over, a candle box full of specimens was brought out to be inspected by the ladies, who thought a great deal of the golden stone.