NEW WHAU MINE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3624, 7 August 1880, Page 4

NEW WHAU MINE.

(To the Editor of the Etenin» Stab.)

Sib, —Fearing that my action would be misconstrued into an attempt to prejudicn the public in my faror, I have hitherto refrained from giving my reasons for referring to this mine as the "hitherto grossly mismanaged." Now, however, that the little difficulty which originated with the unpalatable paragraph has blown over, and from the fact that its truth has been most unhesitatingly denied by Mr Ferguson and a few of his friends and coadjutors, I feel I am only doing a duty to myself in giving my reasons for so characterising the mine, and the train of reasoningi that led me to the coaolusion contained in th« paragraph referred to. In the first place the mine was always in a dirty state, and locomotion from one portion to another was difficult. This I ascribed to neglect on the part of the manager—my opinion being strengthened at the change made in this direction by the present manager. The workings of the mine during the whole of Mr Ferguson's regime more resembled the fossicking style of working of a gang of hard up, inexperienced tributers than anything' else—there always appeared such a lot of work going on, while really so little was being done. More men than necessary were employed, and in consequonce were frequently in each other's way. Mr Ferguson's mistake was this : He thought a patch of gold lay in the block to the westward of the winze, and, anxious to reach the hidden treasure, kept the men constantly moving from one place to another to look for it, with the result as I have described to the workings of the mine. It was all along my opinion that the Whau mine was being worked for the market, and the system of operations, or rather the want of system, carried on convinced me that I was right in my surmise. I wrote the paragraph without having the least particle of animus to Mr Fergnson, and simply because I considered I was doing my duty to the public, and to my employer, for which I am paid my weekly, wages.—l am, <fee, MINIKG EePOBTEE OF THE STAB.