The Thames Water Supply.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2132, 3 November 1875, Page 2

The Thames Water Supply.

This s undertaking for supplying the Thames Gold Field with a constant and large supply of water for mill purposes by the Government has now been in hand for a considerable period, and assumes the appearance of being brought to a successful issue before long. The race was let in three contracts, at different times. The first section, the smallest, and the most distant, consisted in the erection of a substantial piece of masonry on the banks of the Kauaeranga Creek, at an elevation of about 195 feet above high watermark, and distant by the course of the race about 9 miles from the terminus at WaioKaraka; though less than that distance by the ordinary road. The present road, however, can give no idea of the difficulty and danger that existed before and even after these works 'were taken in hand by the contractors, who have been compelled to make approaches to the different sites of their operations ; these have been improved partially by the Government, by the Shortland Saw Mill contractors, and others,, who are following up the creek with stores and. erecting depots, for the purpose of securing an interest in the kauri gum trade, large quantities "of • which are obtained in the district; Europeans and Maories, both engaged in the search for, digging out, cleaning, and extension of the pursuit, peculiar to the north of New Zealand, as many as 300 being employed as gum diggers in the neighbourhood of the Kauaeranga Valley, at times striking a patch which pays remarkably well, but for the most part earning a precarious and laborious living. This class, however, are true pioneers, and owing to their energy have penetrated far into the bush, and been the means of many valuable discoveries. The road through these combined influences is now • practicable for man or beast, and will form a pleasant ride or walk for those who may be disposed to view the waterraco, winding its way round the southern side of Gentle Annie, and carried on trestle work over gullies and streams, and in places skirting the banks of the Kau'ieranga, disappearing,' aud again making its appearaiice as it ecaerges from a tunnel, of which there are several, and continued by alternate lengths of open ditching, iron fluming ..erected on timber trestles, from 3 feet to 80 feet in heighth, till the'head of the race is reached, which can be accomplished comfortably in three hours' walking ; or with a view to enjoy the scenery, which will well repay the trouble and afford a pleasant contrast to the old Maori condition of this valley by the few. bright spots of grass, and other evidence of industry betokening the presence of a superior race, and ere long destined ,to extend the triumphs of enterprise and prosperity into the open glades of fern-clad verdure, the rich flats on the banks of the tortuous rivulet, and penetrating the forests, utilising the wealth that has been lying dormant for ages, and making the solitudes of an extensive district to ring with the echo of industrial pursuits. To return to the subject. The head of the water-race is judiciously placed in a sheltered position on the left bank of the Kauaeranga, is a substantial piece of'masonry, built up and fitted with valves for regulating the supply of water, the inlets being so arranged that a sufficient supply is anticipated during the summer droughts. From the head 600 feet of tunnelling through rock, the race -continues partly through timbered and open ditching for 1200 feet, afc which point a waste weir is erected of masonry, for the purpose of carrying off surplus water. This portion executed, under Mr Heron's contract, has been completed many months, and has stood the test well. Messrs Smith, brothers, hare connected their work here, which extends for seven and a-half miles, of which there are about. 17,000 feet fluming erected on trestles, varying in height from a few feet to 80 feet, with spans of 22 feet across most of the gullies, but in some instances of 44 feet, for the purpose of securing the erection against accident through timber or other material carried down the creeks in times of flood; the fluming itself as supplied by the Government} imported from England, consists of 3 plates of iron, |ths thick, firmly rivetted together on the spot, forming the half circle of 5 feet 10 inches diameter, and bolted together with strong angle iron, and calculated to run at the mean rate of two miles per hour; ,1100 feet of tunnelling, in three sections, with well secured approaches and exits. The remainder of the work consists of open ditching, about 18,000 feet, a small portion of which is timbered. The most of this work has been done some months, and stood the test of the winter, proving that the cuttings (some of which are near 20 feet deep) are likely to stand. The most of the earthworks are in good firm ground, the exception being & few hundred feet on the

Gentle Annie slope, from thence, by continuing through the .Church Mission ground, the contractors are now busy in, erecting their last trestle wort, and they will be able to connect with No.'3 contract, undertaken by Mr Foughey,* •- vfho has all but completed his portion extending to the; Waio-Karaka, and of; which a notice appeared last week. The whole of the wotks, those contracted for by Messrs Smith, may be said to be in a state of unfinished forwardness ; they hare about 70 men at work, and' with favourable weather should be in a position to. connect their workings, and allow the waterst®com«tfownwsevemor eight weeks. Provision is made all along the race for'carrying off storm water, as well as the numerous rills of water that only flo# in winter time; while-there arc two large creeks and several smaller ones that constantly rtfn, whose waters will be conserred, and collected will form a supply nearly equal to that from the head of the race. Crossings at desirable places will also be fixed, and every precaution taken to preserve the .water in the race from contaminating influences. The most part of the race is constructed, on land held by Government as goldfield territory, and part through private property, compensation for which has with a few glaring exceptions been fairly and amicably adj ii steeL On the final completion of the contracts, the subject may be again referred to, in the mean time they would study their own interest by pushing on the work, and finishing as speedily as possible. The gradual fall is nearly 1 foof to the 1000,: making the mean difference from ithe toTthe terminus about 40 feety and will givee a fall of 150 feet as available power all over the township. The only provision for storing water is the small dam owned by the mines in the Waio-Karaka; the bulk of the supply, until otherwise taken up (every dropiwill be ultimately required), will bg turned into the Karaka Creek.—Mining Reporter.