MR. THOMSON'S SELF-ACTING PUMPING MACHINE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 165, 6 April 1871, Page 7

MR. THOMSON'S SELF-ACTING PUMPING MACHINE.

The " Daily Times," of the 29th ult., say : — We are pleased to hear that the trial of Mr, J. T. Thomson's model of a machine for lifting water from rivers on Friday last was a success. It fully demonstrated the practicability of ap plyiug the principle upon a large scale for the purpose of gold washing, irrigating land, driving flax or flour mills, and supplying towns with water. We believe that whsre attempts have been made in this province to apply the force of a river current to machinery for raising water, the principle adopted has been that of the paddle wheel, to which there are great objections, not only on account of the expense, but owing to the weight and size of tbe wheel, and the danger of accidents from floods. It appears that a paddle wheel in h seven mile current requires forty square feet of floatboard to give a power of twel ve horses ; while one wooden screw eight feet in diameter, made and worked upon Mr. Thomson's principle, would give the same power. This screw, which is quite simple and inexpensive, can be easily m ide by an ordinary carpenter and blacksmith, the only addition being a force-pump aud indiarubber tubin '• The screw or finwheel of the model is fifteen inches in diameter. The blades are set to an angle of twenty degrees to the diso, and in a two mile current the revolutions vvould be one« per second nearly. Tbe pistons of the pump are worked by a crank, and propel its contends once per second, delivering 71-55 cubic inches per minute, equal to 3689 gallons per diem of twenty-four hours. This little model would therefore supply the wants of a large household, and irrigite a garden in dry weather. The cost of securing ths screw and pump would be quite trilling compared with the exp»ns3 of fl jilting a large wheel, and keeping it in position. Where the river is narrow, it could be held by a wire stretched across. If the banks are steep and rocky, a boom, secured by stays, might be used. Where the river is wide, a small punt or buoy wonld be sufficient to hold it. We have no hesitation in recora mending this very simple and inexpensive method of raising water to our goldminers and others who may desire to utilise the power to be found in all running streams. The subject is one of no little importance, seeing that the prosperity of our goldfields depends so largely upon ths supply of water.