WATER STILL RISING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 78, 2 April 1932, Page 7

WATER STILL RISING.

DANGER TO WARO MINE. HEAVY TASK AHEAD. MORE PUMPS WORKING. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. Conditions are still bad at the Waro Co-operative Collieries mine at Hikurangi, and a report from the managing director, Mr. J. Scott Davidson, this morning, stated that there was still a big fight ahead of the miners. The water is still gaining 011 the pumps, although it has still some distance to go before it reaches the No. G level. The third pump was installed yesterday afternoon, but with tlie three going, the water still has the upper hand, and it has been decided to fit a temporary frame to the fourth and get it into commission.

The company could not wait with any degree of safety for the frame being made at the Portland Cement Works, and decided to go ahead with a temporary one. The work will proceed to-day, and it is hoped to have the pump going by midnight.

"Black damp" in tlie area below No. 6 level, has prevented the men from going down to measure the rate at which the water is coming in, but Mr. Davidson stated it was fairly rapid, although diminishing. The black damp is not causing a menace to the men working the pumps, and, up to the present, they have not concentrated 011 getting air to the men, as there is plenty where the pumps are situated. Arrangements are being made for the men {.o work in six-hour shifte, and many of those who were 011 the job last week have been relieved to get ready for the coming fight during the week-end.