Rock Drill v. Hand Labour.

Thames Star, Volume xv, Issue 4767, 19 April 1884, Page 3

Rock Drill v. Hand Labour.

The following report frefm the mine manager of .the Caledonia! Low Level G-.M. Co. shows the cost of the two systems of driving:—The following particulars of cost of drive to present date will show, as near as L>can at present, the cost of work per foot. The drive was started on the 13th February, and was continued a fortright by baud labour, until February 26. DuriDg that time a distance of 26 feet was driven. On this date (February 2(5) the rock drill was commenced to work, which makes it to have been_ working six weeks to present date (April 8), but deducting the various stoppages of the pump (three in number) which prevented the men from working, and which was about a week's lost time, this leaves the drill to have been working five weeks full time. During that time a distance of 165 feet has been driven. This, you will see, makes an average for five weeks of 33 feet per week for the rock-drill. > I find it difficult to get at the exact cost, owing to the stoppages, not having had a clear month!s juS. But taking the last month's accounts and wages, it will stand as follows, exclusive of hauling account:—Wages, from March 8 to March 22, £52 10s 6d; ditto from March 23 to April 5, £66 15s: total wages/£llß 5s 6d. Accounts for month of March, exclusive of account of winding, £85 12s 4d; four weeks' rent of drill, £12: total cost of driving 132 feet (being four weeks' driving at 33 feet per week), £215 ltsTlOd, You will thus see the average cost per foot is about £1 13s; adding hauling account for four weeks, £34 2s (per foot about ss 2d), gives atotal of to 18s 2d per foot. This is exclusive of saving in drainage fees, whichis at the rate of £65 per month. There may be, ■ome items I have omitted, but they would increase the amount but little. For your guidance I/would state that I believe the lowest contract that has been let for driving at the'64o-feet level crosscut drive of similar description cost about £2 9s 6d Ser foot, not including hauling, airoxe?.: t timber, or rails and sleepers •f'inficejy cutting the ground and trucking;?mtillock to shaft. Their average driving per week about 12 to 13 feet. This shows the advantage of the rock-drill over hand labour, as you will see we have, as far as we can judge at present, been able to drive- nearly three for one by hand labour; and also as to cost, as, including timber, rails, hauling, &c, the cost is still less, and, as you know, time is a great consideration.