THE WEEK.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1997, 29 May 1875, Page 2

THE WEEK.

The chief topic of the week with respect to mining matters, the "subject claiming an all-absorbing interest, has been the United Pumping Association. The consequences of a stoppage of the Big Pump—as it has come to be familiarly termed —have been dwelt upon by everyone, with more or less of the profundity befitting the nature of the subject, and the deductions arrived at all bore a resemblance, which, in this case, was not at all remarkable, since we have long had " in our minds' eyes," the dreadful things which would befall us in the event of our drainage scheme falling through. However, our ft ars and labored speculations were unnecessary —as it has since appeared, the Provincial Council having so far recognised the importance of the work as to pass a vote of £20,000, substantial securities to be given. This sum will enable the Association to continue their useful labors for some time ; and, taking into consideration the state of trepidation into which the Thames was thrown by the prospect of a different result to the deliberations of that body, we have reason to be thankful—though why, as the editor of this paper stated yesterday, the entire amount originally negociated for was not voted is difficult to determine. If substantial security be forthcoming for £50,000, the risk in passing such an amount can be no greater than that incurred in the lesser amount. The business is now settled, however, and perhaps it is not within the province of " Our Mining Beporter " to discuss the question. There seems no reason to doubt that the sinking of the Association's shaft will result in the discovery of payable reefs at levels hitherto unexplored upon the Thames, and in addition to the benefits arising from the drainage effected, this is the t great object sought. There are many reasons why it should be accepted as probable that gold exists in the matrix in the deeper depths —one is, that in Australia mining at deep levels has been prosecuted with eminent success ; and, according to good authori* ties, there are many points of resemblance between the geological formation of goldfields in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in the occurrence and behaviour of the reefs. With respect to the goldfields of Victoria, Sir Roderick Murchison, in his Siluria, advanced the opinion that the goldbearing quality of the reefs would decline in the downward course, and that the ore would run out at a limited depth:; but he was subsequently compelled to reject his own theory on observing the results obtained at a depth far below that j point at which he would doubtless have fixed his " limit." It is to be hoped that the same may be said of thi3 district in time to come, and that many existing companies, as well as those to be formed in the future s may find profitable work far below the greatest depth to which any of our mines have reached up to the present. ; We have maintained the even tenor with regard to general mining.. Toothing of great moment ha§ occurred, but in a general way mining has been progressive. The temporary stoppage of the Bright Smile pump caused some alterations in the arrangements of the Queen of Beauty mine, and one battery wag stopped ari&s& cleaning up took place, the result of retorting being 1520zs lOdwts of gold. There have been, also, a number of small returns to hand during the week, which will be found duly chronicled in our usual precis. , ; . {