DEEP SINKING AT THE KAPANGA MINE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1802, 1 May 1874, Page 3

DEEP SINKING AT THE KAPANGA MINE.

The following remarks upon the present prospecting operations at the Kaptnga mine, Ooroimudel, aro from the Mail's report of Captain Thomas's speech in responding to a toast at the banquet which was recently given to the Kapanga mine employees. He said: — " This evening's entertaiumont has been given to tho employees of this company, to celebrate the setting to work on the mine of some of the finest and most improved mining machinery in the world, and,.ns the representative of this. companyftn Now Zealand, I will endeavour to give a few particulars. I see before me maiy of the old hands who formerly worked in the old mine—soma of whom are still omployed in our works. These and other gentlemen present knew this ground became forfeited, and hearing of tho late magnificent results and returns obtained by the most crude mode of mitring, pegged out the ground about 2£ years ago, and sent a few particulars of the mine to London. The result is, one of the most important and powerful companies in London ,have 'taken' the work in hand to deep sink and thoroughly develop the Kapanga mine, and to do so haveshippedherefromOomwallmaohinory of sufficient power to sink the new eugino shaft to a depth of I,oooft.- if necessary. The michinery just now completed comprises the smallest portion of tho machinery sent — which is a 24in. Cornish beam ■ engine of 9ft. stroke, that is now pumping the watoc from our new engine shaft, as well as draining away the water from the old levels and shafts of the old mine workings. I cm scarcely estimate the value and advantages of having the water drained off, or out of tho old mine, which completely and fortunately filtrates into the new shaft sinking, without having the dangerous operation of tapping such an immense body of water at the bottom cross-cut, as otherwise must have been done. To accomplish the work just finished, you all know there are many difficulties attending, from depositing the machinery on the mine, to its handling and fixing in position—besides the labour attending getting the materials, of timber and ereek stoue for the buildings and erections. Nouo of this could be done without the best assistance, and I have much pleasure in Bayin* that this mine possesses as good a staff of officers and workmen as any mine in New Zealand. Their work now accomplished will speak for itself, without further individual remark. The next part of our proceedings is to get down on the lode of gold that is well known to exist in the bottom level of the old mine. This I intend to do as fast as human aid and mechanical skill can drive towards that main object—when I believe tho Kapanga mine will very soon repay all that has been spent, leaving a good dividend for many years of prosperous working."