DEEP LEVEL GOLD MINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8799, 12 February 1892, Page 3

DEEP LEVEL GOLD MINING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, Having always felt great interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the lnames goldfield I was much pleased to see that Mr. Thomas Russell had made some suggestions as to working the reefs at lower levels than heretofore reached. Ihe scheme proposed by that gentleman is, however, a very large one, and will doubtleas have to be altered and amended in many of its details before it can be successfully brought into operation. The area of ground comprised in Air. Russell's programme is very extensive, and it is improbable that it will be piacticable to work it from one or two shafts only. Eventually it may be found * more feasible to divide the block, as defined by Mr. Russell, into five parts, and form a company for the working of each. Mr. Russell is entitled to credit for the action lie has taken in the matter, that is. for stating the manner in which he proposes to deal with the present mining interests in the upper levels, and in indicating the way m which he considers the scheme can be financed. I have no desire to detract from Mr. Russellis merits, or his present popularity, as being the supposed initiator of the idea that gold should be searched for at depths greater than lias hitherto been reached at the Thames." However, let honour be given to those to whom honour is due. In August, 1889, Mr. Alexander Brodie made valuable suggestions on the same subject, and at the same time compiled a plan illustrating his views on this important question. Mr. Brodie, therefore, deserves credit for first bringing the deep-level scheme prominently before the public, and Mr. Russell is merely following in his footsteps in that respect. Mr. Brodie, unfortunately, is not a capitalist, or a representative of capitalists, consequently he was unable to take furthei action to develop his plans. If Mr. Russell can make satisfactory arrangements with the present owners of the mines affected by his proposals, he, with his usual activity, energy, and finesse, will be pretty certain to form companies with sufficient cauital to further test the value and resources of the ihames goldfields. And his efforts ought to be encouraged, and not hampered by obstruction from, or the avarice of, the owners of the existing mines, as the question is one of too much public importance to be thwarted by the selfish ideas of individuals. If Mr. Russell accomplishes his object he will render a great public service, for which ho will be entitled to our commendation and thanks. At # the same time, Mr. Brodie's previous action and efforts as the promulgator of the deep-level scheme ought to be appreciated and remembered by the com. niunity at large. Some of the mining opera« tions will, if the scheme is carried out, come under land still owned by natives, and may require some further arrangements to be made with them. It is probable that to effectually and finally conclude matters with both mine owners and natives that legislation may be required.—l am, &c., . , , , „ , James Mackay. Auckland, February 11, 1892.