THE BIG PUMP.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2507, 18 January 1877, Page 3

THE BIG PUMP.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) jSib,—As I understand it, Mr Whitaker and the Government want the Big Pump shaft to go on, that the question might be jetted for the Thames whether gold is to be found at great depths or not. But this would not settle that question, for it might not be gold bearing at great depths in one reef and the adjoining reef might be gold bearing—or the same reef might bear gold in one place at great depths and not in another. So this one reef is of no more importance for the whole field than striking gold at the surface is of great importance for all other parts of the field at thte surface. Some people have sucK a strange notion about deep sinking, as though the fact of it being deep made any difference with the chance for gold; when it is possible that the same measures of rock at the bottom of the Big Pump shaft might be upon the highest hills a few miles off. For instance; they would have to go down mile's at London to reach the same measures as are at the surface in many parts of Scotland and England. According to my convictions, held in unison with many more experienced miners, the Big Pump is one great blunder from first to last.—l am, *c'» T tx J. HOEN. ! IJpper Albert street, Jan. 17, 77.