MINING AT THE THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11731, 13 August 1901, Page 3

MINING AT THE THAMES.

c,- ttr-,1 r ° THE EDITOR. ' _ ' Will you kindly lend mo space in 3 our paper to make a few suggestions re tha mode of working the foreshore at the Thames Considerable attention is again being drawn tow ards the western portions of our goldS 'nl ™-?? 6 , bee " Pegged and repeg'ged, yet no capital ims been obtained I for the orking °f the same. This is very remark-' able, indeed, considering the rich ground that has been worked in the east. This western ground has a great deal in its favour to com™e"d -K1 to , investors. First > it is perfectly -vhfr r I' -? a - P round - and near the -vharf. Second, it is properly situated for motive power being applied, to machinery, liiird, it , 18 close to batteries with the newest and most improved methods. Fourth i °~ ,lna l surface down to 500 ft or 600 ft deep it has been effectually drained for years. The difficulty the companies will nave to consider is how to overcome the temporary _ surface drainage. Any scheme advanced for any particular mode of working snould be seriously considered. A timber shaft may. necessitate pumping machinery. T would therefore advise the construction of iron shafts. This in itself is an effectual dam, and the first 60ft at least could be sunk without pumping machinery. .The iron shaft could be continued down to the bedrock, thus making a dry and durable shaft; no doubt the original rock itself will be found dry. I think, for the encouragement of mining here, the Government should give a bonus, say! £5000 or £6000, to the first company who will Inn* two working shafts to a depth of 500 ft or ouOfjfc. It is time that the erroneous ideas existing, that a large amount of capital and heavy machinery is necessary to'wort this ground, should be removed. From inquiries' made I have generally found that the supposed water difficulty, has\ frightened local investors and foreign capitalists. Being well acquainted with this class of work I am in a. position to assure any company intending operations on this large unworked area that mining with the iron shaft is thoroughly practicable, even were the ground covered with 20ft of water.—7. am, etc.. "• Foreshore. Thames, August 10, 1901.