THE PUMPING QUESTION.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3295, 14 July 1879, Page 2

THE PUMPING QUESTION.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib,—l read the letter in this morning's paper on the pumping question by a correspondent signing himself " Practical." In his letter he practically demonstrated that he knows nothing of the subject he has tried to deal with. He' says: " Pumping from the 400 feet level will never do the field any good ; neither will more^men be employed than at present, unless the Pump is started on legitimate work, viz., t© pump from the 640 feet level, so that the Waio-Karaka district could be worked, the Thames Councils are not justified in spending more money, as it would be simply subsidising two or three private companies, viz., the Moanatairi, Waiotahi, and Golden Calf; you may say the Caledonian, but that company has been worked in such a manner lately that it need not be taken into account." I assert that if pumping were started; at the 400 feet level the Waio-Karaka mines could work from the 500 feet or deeper* as there is no connection in ; the drainage below the 403 feet level. Let us look! a t what the stoppage of the Big Pump has already done, and what it is likely to do yery shortly. The Old Golden Calf was employing 20 or 30. men at No. 3 level, and was working on payable quartz; it has had to stop. The Caledonian was employing perhaps a dozen hands at the same level, and fair prospects were obtained ; they also have had to stop. : I am credibly informed that if the water we?e down to the No. 4 level' the Kuranui Hill would do some prospecting work to try to find if the lode worked by the Calf runs into their ground. I also hear that the manager of the Moanatairi has sacked a number of hands, and ,in view of the rising of the water it is doubtful if they will be again employed. The Waiotahi mine is also affected. I'think the deductions to be drawn from the above will be pretty plain, and consider I have '• shut up " " Practical pretty well: I know a good practical man, who would be willing to take a contract for pumping, take respo&si : bility of all breakages, and keep the water below the 400 feet level for £250 per month, and am of opinion that it might be done for even less than that.-—I am, ' ■ \:;v. ;••- ,»;; ;■"■;": ;■ '':■■-■ Won Htr-INpsE. ■