THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1890.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8178, 13 February 1890, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1890.

The secret of success lies in constancy of purpose, if we are to accept the axiom of a distinguished authority whose career was a notable illustration of the truth of his own aphorism. We may, therefore, be permitted to cherish the hope and the belief that success will ultimately reward Mr. Brodie's persistent and patient efforts to have the deep levels of the Thames goldfields prospected and tested. He brought this important subject before the last meeting of the Thames Drainage Board, which, representing as it does not only local bodies but mining companies, is peculiarly fitted to deal with a matter of this kind. The proposals embodied in a resolution which Mr. Broclie submitted for the consideration of ""the Board were fourfold, namely : —l. That the Borough and County Councils of the Thames, conjointly with the Government, purchase a diamond drill, with appurtenances, capable of boring to a depth of between two thousand and three thousand feet. 2. That the drill when purohased, be handed over to a Prospecting Association, composed of the members of the Thames Drainage Board (or others) who will be responsible for its efficiency and safe custody. 3. That the companies represented on the Thames Drainage Board be asked to contribute half of the cost of working the drill, and the Government be requested to place a sufficient sum of \ money on the Estimates to provide for the other half of the working expenses. 4. That previous to boring operations being undertaken a committee, consisting of the members of the Thames Drainage Board, the Thames Borough and County Councils, together with the Inspecting Engineer of Mines and the director of the Thames School of Mines, be appointed to take the evidence of mining authorities as to the best position to carry on boring operations on the Thames goldfield. These proposals are eminently business-like and practical, and their principle was confirmed by the Board, which passed a resolution requesting the chairman to convene a meeting of all persons interested in mining to give an expression of opinion on the subject. There thus appears to be a reasonable prospect of this important matter being taken up in a determined spirit by those more immediately concerned in carrying it toa successful issue. This is a consummation to be desired" for many reasons. It appears to be the general opinion among those who are competent to form a reliable judgment on such a subject, that there lies, far

below the depths to which the present mining companies at the Thames have penetrated, a wealth of the precious metal almost undreamt of by those who have been slowly and ploddingly all these years "scratching the surface." Away down in the bowels of the earth, held fast in the quartz grip of their stony captor, are riches surpassing the dreams of avarice, and only awaiting the labour and enterprise of man to yield him a golden harvest. Such a picture pleasingly excites the imagination, but were it nothing but a picture it Avould lose much of its fascination. It is, when backed up by the mature decisions of science and experience, a prospect which dazzles without the certainty of disappointment. So far as human knowledge and the teaching of practical experience go it may be accepted as beyond all manner of question that rich gold exists at the deep levels at the Thames. In other parts of the world the precious metal has been brought from depths which by comparison make our shafts at the Thames seem mere water holes, and everyone interested in mining knows how successfully the deep levels have been worked in Victoria. There is no reason so far as we know why similar results should not follow operations of the same kind on the Thames goldfield. At all events, it is highly desirable that some attempt should be made to at least test fbe deep levels. This is a task which can only be done expeditiously and economically by means of a diamond drill, and there is at the present moment an opportunity for obtaining such a machine from the Inangahua County Council on favourable terms. In a work of this kind it is only fair that the Government should contribute its quota towards the cost; and no doubt, if proper representations were made in the right quarter, very little difficulty would be experienced in obtaining reasonable assistance. It is impossible to exaggerate the immense advantages which would accrue to the whole of this district from the successful opening up of the deep levels at the Thames. The mining industry—which is even now showing signs of renewed activitywould receive a stimulus, the influence of which would be felt throughout the whole of the peninsula. It would 'be, almost equal to the discovery of a new goldfield. We attach great importance to the development of the Thames mines at greater depths, and believe that the sanguine expectations of those who urge such operations will, to a very large extent, be realised. Such operations, however, require to be undertaken with great care, and to be guided by skilled experience. The proposal that the mining authorities at the Thames should be consulted before I boring operations are commenced, with the view to selecting the best and most likely position, is one that should be given effect to. Mr. Brodie is entitled to very great credit for the persevering way in which he has kept his scheme before the notice of mining and kindred bodies, and we hope that it is now about to be put to a practical and successful test.