THE WEEK.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2117, 16 October 1875, Page 2

THE WEEK.

No public step has been taken towards bringing about a resumption of pumping at the Bright Smile, but the importance of the matter has not been entirely, overlooked. This is well, because during the fortnight which has elapsed sinco the stoppage took place the results have been such, as to show that a very lengthened cessation of operations is certainly not desirable. Last Saturday the water had gained such a footing on the low levels of the City of London that the manager deemed it expedient to stop work and discharge nearly all the hands. This, coming so soon after the Bright Smile stopping, was severely felt, as it deprived a good number of men of employment, and entailed all the other evils of a sudden stoppage in an extensive work. The water is still rising, and unless speedy measures be taken, other mines will have to succumb to the force of circumstances. This is much to be regretted as the immediate district has long been the best gold producer on the field. But, as stated before, although no public step has been entered upon, negociations have been commenced to bring about a better understanding between the parties -interested, and ultimately they will be arranged. As time is all important, the greater expedition used the better for all parties. This temporary panic over the stoppage of one mine has had one good effect in directing attention to the limits which, the field has narrowed down ho, and the want of enterprise or energy which such a state of things displays. If the stoppage should result in some practical remedy being discovered, "the ultimale good will be something to remember. The district no doubt possesses unlimited resources, and it is not too much to say thatevennow the development of those resources is in its infancy. The great drawback has ever been the want of roads and tracks, and facilities and inducements for men to leave the circumscribed area in which active operations are carrried on for new areas. It would be unreasonable to suppose that the auriferous wealth of the Thames is confined to the few mines which have hitherto been the mainstay of the place, but experience shows that such a conclusion has been arrived at, as very little has been done towards extending operations. Tairua, as far as it has been prospected, has given most encouraging indications of the existence of auriferous wealth, and no doubt in time that part of | the field will become a most important j mining centre, but the same causes which have conduced to cripple mining here, now operate prejudicially to the development of that district. In our immediate neighborhood some of the old mines have been looking up* lately. The Cure has developed new riches, some of the stone exhibited the other day reminding one of the valuable ore produced from the Caledonian in its palmy days. The City of London has produced an excellent yield for fourteen days' crushing at the Kuranui battery, a cleaving up having taken place prior to a change of battery. The Queen of Beauty to-day will probably give another good addition to the usual returns, but subsequent crushings for a time will likely be influenced by arrangements yet to be made for resuming work at the Bright Smile.