MINERS' INSTITUTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 210, 8 February 1872, Page 6

MINERS' INSTITUTES.

Mr. J. A. Miller, of Arrowtown, communicates the -following suggestions to a Dunedin contemporary, on the subject of Mining Associations : —

The formation of Miners' Institutes requires no great outlay, as will be seen from the following list of working models of machines, extracted from a priced catalogue of Mestrs. Newton and C 0. ,3 Fleet street, Temple Bar, London : — Appold's Centrifugal Pump, for raising water by means of centrifugal force, combined with atmospheric pressure -£4 4-0 Archimedes screw, for raising water to small heights, requiring little power - - 012 6 Barker's mill, for raising water - - - - - 010 0 Force pump ancl liffc pvjrnp, in brass barrels, showing the action of tlu pumps- - -300 Montgolfier's hydraulic ram, with brass and glass tubes, to show that by the momentum acquired from the flow of water through a pipe a column may be forced to a considerable height - - -. - - 4 4 0 , Water wheels, overshot, undershot, brand, and turbine (each) -. - - - - 115 0 Syphon, on Vehturi's principle - 0 10 0 To these may be added : Miner's compass, with folding ■sights for surveying - - 210 0 Clinomete for measuring the " " slopes of a hill - - - 17* 6 Sopwith's levelling staff, 14 feet long - - - - - 2 12. 6 Level for taking rough surveys for head races, &c. - -220 And also a boring machine, to suit the requirements of the district where introduced.

The last mentioned articles may become a source of revenue, by beitffj let out to parties about to open new claims.

The selection of suitable boo^s is a matter of some difficulty, and I would beg all who can add to those I am about to mention to do so. At the same time I would solicit all information on this subject from parties who have something useful to impart. Captain Baldwin's work, Dr. Eankine's Machines of Millwork, Box Hydraulics, and SimtnY Practical Miner, are the leading works that are of any use to the miner in these Colonies. '

The above-mentioned articles and books, with a few additions to satisfy local requirements or peculiaritas, would form a very respectable nucleus of a Miners' Institute in any district of Otago.