DEEP LEVEL MINING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 170, 18 July 1907, Page 5

DEEP LEVEL MINING.

THE GOVIKNMENT SUBSIDY.

SBj;-Telegr*ph.4owii CraTeepohdent.>

THAMES, this day.

I understand on the best authority that the Government conditions regarding the sinking of the Thames-Hauraki shaft to a thousand feet are that £ 1 for £ 1 subsidy will be available up to six thousand pounds. Other companies will have * right to use the shaft subject to conditions that "will be decided by the warden. . Probably if the shaft is used below tEe present depth an arrangement -will have to be made for payment of a fair proportion of the cost. I understand the May Queen Company is well satisfied with the conditions, end, as the Borough Council will granf a subsidy of five pounds per foot for sinking, and it is hoped the County Council will act similarly, it will be seen that substantial assistance will be. available fox deep level development. The conditions include, that all work done and material used is to be approved by an officer appointed by the Minister for Mines, any pumping plant, machinery, and equipment stored on the pumping reserve shall be at the disposal of the party undertaking the work, for use in the shaft, but no plant, machinery, or equipment is to be moved from the shaft without permission in ■writing from the Minister for Mines: the cost of pumping all water encountered in the shaft, which shall exceed in. volume the quantity at present being raised, shall be included in the subsidised work. Timber and other material used in the shaft shall be of the same dimensions as heretobefore in the said shaft. .

The May Queen Company shall be permitted to make such drives and crosscuts as it may deem necessary to facilitate its mining operations, providing , that during the time such drives and crosscuts are being made, the work of sinking the shaft shall be continuously carried out.

Any mine owner or company desiring to work from the shaft shall be at liberty to do so at all times, but, in the event of any dispute arising regarding ventilation or operations in connection with the use of the shaft, etc., the dispute shall be referred to the Wajnden, and the Warden shall Teport his decision to the Minister of Mines,'. which decision, if approved by the Minister, shall be final.

A winding charge of one shilling and sixpence (1/6) per ton (of 22401b5.) shall be paid to the Thames Drainage Board by any mine, owner or company other than the May Queen Company, who shall require rock, ore, or other material to be raised in the Queen of Beauty shaft.

In the event of any mine owner or company desiring to conduct mining operations from the said shaft, such mine owner or company shall refund to the May Queen Company an equitable proportion of the sinking cost, as may be decided upon by the Warden.

These conditions are not in any "way to interfere with or abrogate any regu- , lations, etc., made with respect to the drainage of mines within the Thames Drainage area, but only refer to what may take place subsequent to and beyond the present depth on which the mines, contribute to the Drainage Board.

The Minister of Mines shall have power at any to amend or alter the condtion with refereace to the use of the shaft by any mine owner or company.