NORTHERN COAL MINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15349, 9 July 1913, Page 11

NORTHERN COAL MINE.

DIFFICULTIES WITH WATER.- \ [nT TELEGRAPH. —OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] Whang Tuesday. The Northern Coal Company, at Hikiirangi, is meeting with a good deal of trouble, in the development of its new mine, on account of inrushes of water into the workings. During the past week further trouble has been experienced in thifi respect. In March last the mine was flooded, owing to the tapping of what eventually proved to be a large, butlimited subterranean reservoir. Since then a dip, which is being driven at an. angle of three in one to connect with the coal strata, located in the shaft, has been speedily pushed forward, but during the past week, when approaching a junction point in the lowest level, water broke in and completely submerged one of the pumps. -' The latest trouble is not regarded as serious by the mine officials, seeing that the water only rose at the rate of Bft in 24 hours, and unwatering operations are now in progress. It. is estimated that the task will speedily be brought to a successful conclusion, and. that the miners employed in tin's particular part of the mine will be able to resume work. According to the mine officials, an inrush of water at this particular stage of operations is not altogether a bad sign, as it is usually indicative of the near approach to a coal seam. Again, the mine is situated in limestone country, where crevices, fissures, and water pockets are liable to be met with at any moment. The site of the Northern mine is on a hillside, in proximity to the well-known Waro limestone rocks. Below is a small swamp, and the fact that the mine workings are now much below its level is probably accountable for thy water troubles that are being met with.

From the surface of the mine there is nothing indicative of the mine getting a set-back. The .pumps are throwing out some 8000 to 10,000 gallons of water a day from the shaft, but this is a natural inflow, for which every provision is made.