THE FLOODED MINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15262, 28 March 1913, Page 8

THE FLOODED MINE.

STATEMENT BY MANAGER.

CHECKS TO PUMPING PROCESS

WATER CAVITY SUSPECTED.

£bt TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Whanqarei, Thursday. The manager of the Northern Coal Company's new mine at Hikurangi (Mr. W. Tattley), interviewed by a reporter this morning, stated that the progress in unwatering the mine was very alow- At ten o'clock this morning the total reduction of the water amounted to 21ft 10£ in. This is a fall of only Ift Sin since midday yesterday.

The slower progress is accounted for by the necessity for emptying the water cavity, which, beyond doubt, exists. The staff was also compelled to suspend baling operations yesterday afternoon to pack certain .parts of the engine, and while this was being done the water rose a considerable distance. The level of the water in the shaft must therefore be ; below the level of the water in the cavity, which is being drained. It will be necessary to reduce the level of the water another 59ft before the first pump in the shaft can be operated. Progress then should be much more rapid, and after reduction by another ilift another pump can be put into operation.

It is not practicable to lower pumps down the shaft and thus cope with the water at . various levels, as should ' one of them become chocked the water would gain rapidly, and throw the two of them out of action. Even a pump with a perfect vacuum will only lift water to . a height of 32ft, so it is noli possible to place one at the top of the shaft, and draw water by this means. A larger tank is in course of construction, and will be used for; baling as soon as completed. The water is not making faster than it was just previous to the rush. The level of the water this morning was 69ft above the bottom of the shaft. The idea that the Hikurangi Swamp or Wairua River has been tapped is considered absurd, as the swamp is over half a mile from the mine, and the river more than a mile and a-half away. The suggestion that blasting operations: were in any way responsible is also scouted, as no blasting has been done anywhere near the point at which the walls gave out. There has not been a trace of quicksand met with in any of the borings. The formation of the country from the surface to the ooal is clay, limestone, sandstone, shale, and then fireclay; all of whiich are recognised as coal measure country. When boring at the No. 1 bore hole mud cavities were met with, and this bears out the theory that there was a large water cavity in the immediate vicinity. The spot where the water broke through the wall is about half-way between the shaft and the working face, and it was only at this point that the timbers broke and the country was uneasy, the timbers on either side were undisturbed.

None of the men are leaving Halrarangi, though , four have secured temporary employment till the mine is ready for working again. The men are of course not pleased at being thrown out of work, but apparently do not view the matter as serious enough to justify flight.