Dewatering Progressing Slowly

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1938, Page 2

Dewatering Progressing Slowly

Slow but appreciable progress is being made with the task of dewatering the Hikurangi Coal Company’s mine.

Save for limited operations in. the production of sufficient coal to maintain steam for the mine’s electrical generating plant, the workings have been idle since a sudden inrush of water from the lime-rock inundated the new drive five weeks ago. Six men are employed taking coal from a shaft close to the flooded workings, and all other h'ands not required to assist with the dewatei'ing work are engaged either on public works or with the Hikurangi Town Beard on Scheme 13. Restarting Date Unknown. The level of the flood water is falling slowly under the united efforts of

three pumps, enabling the pumps to be shifted periodically to lower levels. There is still a great depth of water in the mine, however, and no indication can yet be given as to when full production will be resumed. Coal now being taken out is being stacked as a reserve , supply, for the mine machinery over the Christmas holidays. i

Personals

Miss Lorna Scott, Union Street, is spending a fe\y weeks in Auckland. Miss Jenny Cairns has returned to Hikurangi from Auckland. Mrs C. Atkinson and her daughter Glenda, Dargaville, are the guests of Mrs Atkinson’s mother, Mrs S. Hutchinson, Hill Street.