Big Pump Meeting.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4047, 17 December 1881, Page 2

Big Pump Meeting.

A special meeting of the Directors of the Hauraki Pumping Association was held yesterday afternoon in Auckland. Present—Messrs Peacock (in the Chair), Larkins, Brodie, Bennett, Alexander, and Morpeth. :

After the minutes were confirmed, the Engineer's report was read. Mr Heighway stated that the water was decreasing very materially, no doubt owing to the Queen of Beauty being at a lower level, and he believed that if the latter Pump continued to go down, in time the Big Pump shaft would be almost drained altogether. Mr Bennett spoke next upon the desirability of the Kuranui and Southern Cross companies joining in defraying the cost of a drive to be put in from the Pump shaft on the Caledonian reef at 500 feet level. Mr Bennett referred to the prospects obtained many years ago by Mr Dewar from this reef in the old Tookey ground, now Southern Cross, and and although either test had not given as much as Mr Dewar obtained, sufficient gold had been secured to show that the reef was payable and well worth further prospecting. It was greatly to the interest of both the Kuranui Hill and the Southern Cross companies that the reefs at such a level should be prospected, and he believed if the matter was taken up the n suit would be highly beneficial, not only to the two claims mentioned, but to all the surrounding mines. The late excellent yield from the Caledonian was also encouraging, and calculated to give a fresh start to mining operations on the flat. v- ;

Mr Peacock remarked that before Mr Bennett's suggestions could be taken into consideration the far wider question of the future working of the Big Pump should be settled. * ,

Mr Bennnett said he felt convinced that the Waiotahi Company would continue contributing to the Pumping Association, aud Mr Alexander said the Golden Crown would also find its share of the cost. Both Mr Peacock and Mr Bennett said the same for the Kuranui and Southern Cross Companies. Mr Peacock suggested that before further steps were taken that all the contributing companies should be consulted as to their intentions for the future maintenance of the pump. Her felt confinced that a stoppage of the Pump would hare a Tery bad effect uponr the goldmining industry on the Thames, and also upon the future prosperity of the entire district.

In reply to Mr Peacock, Mr Brodie said His Worship the Mayor of the Thames (Wm. Wilkinson) Lad made public appointments, which prevented him being present at that meeting, but he felt sure Mr Wilkinson would be in favor of continuing pumping operations, and would use his influence with the Council in that direction. The Borough Council, it would be remembered, had not specified any time when its contributions would cease, which was not the case with the Couuty Council. In reference td ( his Council, Mr Brodie said that the late late elections had changed the personel of that body somewhat, and at present ho was unable to say how the subject of pumping would be treated by the new Council. Speaking his own views ho might say that from the first he had taken an active interest in the question of pumping, knowing that any stoppage of such operations would be most detrimental to the interests of the Thames. It was also unfortunate to himself that his actions at a late meeting, (binding the County Council to continue contributions to the pump till January 10th,) bad been used against him during the elections to his disadvantage, and that by a tributer in one of the mines benefited. Other persons had used the same means to injure him in the estimation of the public, and he now felt somewhat disinclined to take very active steps in the matter at present. The conduct of such persons; especially those benefited, waa anything but calculated to encourage public men to use their best exertions on behalf of the community. Therefore until the County Council oet and declared

its intention he was unable to express any opinion. Several gentlemen spoke of the ingratitude shown by the persons referred to by Mr Brodie, and endorsed the observation just made by him. After further conversation the following resolutions were passed:—

The question of further continuing pumping operations having been enter* tamed, and uncertainty prevailing as to the contributions being further continued. It was resolved "That unless in the meantime a larger amount of interest is evinced in the matter, by the Thames people, the notice of discontinuance of pumping on the 10th January, 1882, take effect." -

It was also resolved that the Engineer in charge of the Pump, Mr Heighway, be instructed to take all necessary steps, to secure the plungers, vnd prevent' injury to the property.