Moanatairi Extended G.M. Co.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4854, 31 July 1884, Page 2

Moanatairi Extended G.M. Co.

OFFICIAL STA-BT OF MACHI- ■-..■■. ; NJEEY. ;,■. „ . . ■;-. . A considerable number of persons wended their way at 11 o'clock this morning to the site of the Moanaiairi Extended G.M. Co.'a shaft, Waiofuhi creek, to wit« ness the official start of the new winding and pumpiug machinery 'recently, erected by that company. Amongst those present we noticed His Worship the Mayor (W. Frasen, , Esq., M.H.K.), Mr Brcdie (County Chairman), Messrs Spratt (director), McLaren, E. W./HoIHs, J. If. Heighway, Gr. S. Clark, A. j. Allom,and many others who take, a lively interest in ! mining matters. Several ladies were also 'present. .."'■' ■:-; -: '■;"..■ .- ::\'[ .- .. }:i--:. '. '

As we hare already given, a description of the machinery it is needless to say more dow. than that the plant is a very compact one, and withal easily managed, and economical. The new system of iron poppet legs, as well as- the smoothness with which everything worked, was universally Edmired. The boiler, has beec tested up to a "pressure of 2001bs per square inch, that allowed by the Inspector being llOlbs, while the pressure this ; morning was only 60lbs. The total cost of placing the plant where it stands his been about £1750. - :.

.Everything being in readiness, at 11 30 o'clock Mr Hilton turned on the steam, and Miss Brodie dasfied- the orthodox bottle of wine against the flywheel." After the tiiachinery had been running for a few rr»(butes, it was.stopped, and . JBis the Mayor addressed those assembled. He said he was glad to ccc so many present, showing that' an interest was taken in the prosecution "of the mining industry. The ground: they were standing on had long been unworked for want of capital, but was now in a fair way to get prospected. He traced the floating of the company^ and hoped that at least one < bona fide venture was on the way to prosperity; He congratulated the Auckland shareholders on the energy they bad shown, and he - felt :Eure all desired that their efforts would meet with success. He must a?k them tol) depart from the usual custom of drinkingto the success of the venture, but irould ask them to give three cheers instea&v 5 After three hearty cheers had-l»een> given, Mr W. It owe said he had been thoroughly conversant with 1 t\xe piece %i ground cow included in the Moanatairi Extended frem the?eailiest of the field/ Plenty of gold had been; fi bm the iurfaco portion of it; in eerly" ia^B, but the proprietors had never mQntj^eadugt to overcome ther water difficulty, -iHe had for many: years regarded>thig ■ piece of ground^as likely to produce good? gold, and he was heartily glad to see a company

sUru-d by men whom ho felt, sure would genuinely prosppct. It was very cheering tc> see men preparing to develop what was really virgin ground, and he joined with the previous speaker in wishing tbe company the success which he felt sure would in lime be theirs. Mr Brodie called for cheers for the directors (ftho had shown great enterprise in pushing the company ahead, and with whom tie coupled the name of Mr Sprati), Mr Heighway (theengineer), and Messrs Hilton and McDermott (the contractors). . . Three cheers were heartily given, tbe persons named briefly returning thanks, Mr Hilton paying a high tribute to Mr lleighway's efficiency, and expresiing his opinion that the plant stood unequalled, on the field for economy in primary cost, durability, and strength. Chf era were given for the ladies, His Worship the Major, and the Press, after which the machinery was again set in motion, and the assemblage dispersed. The work of deepening the shaft was commenred to-day by the contractors.