THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10013, 27 December 1895, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

ACCIDENT AT THE BIG PUMP. [BY TELEGRAPH.—'OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Thursday. A rather unfortunate accident occurred to the capstan of the winding machinery of the Rig Pump yesterday morning, which resulted in the new wire ropo, lately imported from Sydnoy, breaking away from the winding drum, and falling down the shaft. At the time the accident occurred the drop clack at the 500-feet level was being lifted, when without any warning five of the teeth on the pinion cog wheel of the intermediate driving shaft next the winding drum broke off. Thisofooursefreed the winding drum from all restraint, with tho result that the rope broke away at lightning speed and went down tho eltafk Fortynatolv, however, the rope curled in going down tho shaft, and caught in the timbers between the 300 and 400 feet level, so that very little difficulty was experienced in bringing it to the surface, and so far as can be seen it has escaped injury. Mr. Phillips at once gave an order to Messrs. Price Bros, for a new oogwheel, and that (inn expect to have it ready for use by tomorrow. The rest of tho machinery escaped all injury.

SOUTHERN MINING. [BI XELEUItAPH. —press ASSOCIATION. 1 Reefton, Wednesday. The following are tho Koefton mining returns: Big River, 4250z amalgam from 161 tons clean up ; Progress, 7570z amalgam from 222 tons clean up; Dark, 4300z amalgam from 152 tons clean up; Ulobo, 2930z amalgam from 200 tons clean up; Wealth, 108oz amalgam from 165 tons; Drake, 2550z amalgam from 225 tons clean up; Russell Tribute, 2Gsoz amalgam from 70 tons clean up; A 1 Tribute, 172nz gold from 12 tons; Bullet - Dredge, 460z gold for 184 hours; Cocksparrow, 4Goz amalgam for 119 hours.