Thames Low-level Prospecting and Mine Drainage.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3069, 16 December 1878, Page 2

Thames Low-level Prospecting and Mine Drainage.

A deputation, consisting of "MeMrtJ Williamson, Laarie, ; Cockrane and Speight, waited upon the Minister of Public Work* yesterday for the purpose of recommending the Government-to gravt assistance in aid of a drivetfom the Thames Pumping Association's, 6aU>> feet level to the riako pump, by wliiflh considerable assistance would be given to deep-level prospecting,' and 'a large pro* 'portion of the minipg, area of-the.gold-field would be effect ually.ilrajoed. , ['> | Mr Speight acted as spokesman of the deputation/ He said that,the,Poking Association had sunk 840 feet; and tad driven, at that level,*: distance of 847 feet, in the direction of .the Piakp (Bright Smile) claim. Had their meanar permittisd,l'th'eV would hare driven the whole 1 disUnee; aided by the contributions which,the mining companies would make, .and these would, fee greatly benefited by the work, which would drain -a very ,«xteasiv£ mining district.,, The cost of keeping the big pump at work was £600 amonth, and that of the . Piako about ,£26o> Th© distance unaccomplished was,about, SpOQ feet. The gentlemen who; formed tb+ deputation,/and a great 7 many others interested in mining property, found/ tbat without some aid it would be impossible to complete the work, and the result of any stoppage could only be io delay indefinitely, the development of the mining industry of the district. r ,They, therefor^ came to the, Government to repire^eni'ttisj state of the case, in the hope that Wim-. portant a .matter might find some favour and,encouragement from the Minister of Public Works. Mr W.kefield had. visited-the district, and had expressed fo opinion favourable , to,. what ,wa»vnojr recommended. „ ' i. ,/, '(]••'' '■/•',-' \\ Mr Macandrew: I ■ think. Mr - Mac* donald mentioned this subject to me, bat I must inform the deputation that tbis.iv a matter, not within my department; •*>!%. will of course be glad to hear anything the members of the deputation^ have to say in furtherance of their views'; but I must remind them that I am not the Minister of Lands. I was so for some time. This is a subject that belongs, to that department. •" ' ■'-- ; ■■• •- '> .', 1 'Mr Speight: I believe that about £6000 or £6500 would put the whole thing, through. But of this -sum the companies; would contribute,' say, one-half. .Mr Macandrew: Ido not think there is a bright prospect of gettibg anything from the Government to aid the pumping operations, for that has been handed over to the County, and it' would probably be the opinion of the Government that a good deal of money has been expended in that direction already. . There is only one fund from which by any possibility' of construction of the language of the Assembly, money for this purpose could be taken. That is a, very small sum— £5000—which was voted rafter for the discovery of now. goldfields. Youcouldl hardly say this was a new goldfield. I! should also remind you that this is not the only olaim upon us. : . , r „ „ . f „ Mr Speight: I believe there is and'rfo Jr olaim in regard to the, other pump; but we now submit, if what we ask were done,, that claim would be obviated. . , • Mr Macandrew: I need hardly point out that it would be merely a speftuli.tian • there could be no aotual certainty as to 'results.' !-:.;.• >■■-, -. ; f ;,,,.,.,.„„,... } Mr Williamson: I would point cut to the Minister for Public Works the nature of the ground. Gold has been found at lower' depths in the ground through which the drive would pass than in any other part of the field. It is ground of a different character, and more likely to carry gold. J Mr Speight: Practically, it would b<y an aid to deep-level. prospecting. ; * 'Mr Macandrew: Unless you cortfi construe it as^coming within that vot* to which X have alluded, I dp not see haw we* could give you any aid. MrSpeigbt: Ineedhardlj^ m i n a yOII that the owners of property ' # ould«Ay be too glad to contribute *; tteir prQpOr tion, Mr Macandrew: they do tbatP I tellyoahonesti- y that unless upo*some such basis; I W' ou fd[ notf a , a ffl f mber of the Government, be disposed to give any money for this object. But it is a presumptio'a that, when people ar»«aadyand wilhD'g to put their hands u& their po^ets for such an object, they have faith ttiit. -I think the.best thing you could do would be to make a formal application to the Lands Department. I hare no doubt,, when you make the application, accompanied by some' definite proposal*, it will be attended to. What kind of a , country is it ? .What kind of ground to dn»e through P , Mr Speight: It is very food country for driving. I think it would cost ».t>out 35s a foot. I think about £3000 would be about- the sum required, the inhabitants and mining companies contributing the other half. Of course there, would, be other incidental expenses. . .. < < •, ': Mr ■ Macandrew: ■ I can only suggest that you should make your application to the Lands Department. You must not, however, run away with the idea, that I make any promise. I should not lik* hereafter to be told-that I bad made any promise, in this matter.,, Your Application will no doubt be attended to in ibs ordinary course. '" '- "• •"'• The deputation thanked the Minister for his courtesy and withdrew.;— Herald.