THE NEW CROMWELL COMPANY'S MINE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7542, 20 April 1886, Page 2

THE NEW CROMWELL COMPANY'S MINE.

(Cromwell Argus.) Ever since the formation of the new Company who purchased the above mine and plant, naturally there has been a good deal of local interest in their proceedings, and not a little discussion in mining circles as to the wisdom or otherwise of the course decided to be adopted to again open up the famous mine in the hope of bringing to light its golde:. treasure. The course that commended itself to the proprietors was to sink a new main shaft to strike the body of rich stone reported on by Mr Todd (the former manager) as having been found by him just previous to the collapse of the old Company. The new shaft is some 150 ft north of that from which the mine was formerly worked. It was first intended to have the shaft put down by contract, but the offers were not satisfactory to the directors, and it was finally decided to do the work on wages. As manager, the services of Mr George P. Hilton —-an experienced Thames miner and engineer, who holds high credentials—were secured, and a start made with the work. This was proceeded with till 18oft was reached. The progress—some 7ft or Bft per week—was not deemed quick enough, and operations in the shaft were stopped pend-i ing the erection of machinery to work a rockdrill and to lift with celerity the heavy quantity of stuff from the shaft—a matter of great importance when its dimensions are considered, and also that every foot of additional depth added to the work and cost of raising the material to the surface. Sinking was stopped iv October last, and since that time Mr Hilton has been busily engaged fitting up the machinery, and even designing and making parts of it, and otherwise arranging the jilant with a view to the utmost efficiency and expedition in sinking when everything was prepared. The ultimate depth of shaft ; is to be 600 ft; the present depth attained is 185 ft. The machine site is in the vicinity of the main shaft. The winding machinery consists of two wrought iron drums, 4ft in diameter, worked by spur and pinion wheels, and each fitted with powerful port breaks, reversiugand clutch gear—the latter for disconnection and working r'ntermediate levels. The compressed air is stored in a large receiver, fitted witti, twin safety valves and pressure gauge, when a uniform pressure is maintained. The air is then conducted down the shaft by a two and' a-half inch pipe to within a few feet of the bottom, and thence by an indiarubber hose (and safety-valves), which is attached to the rockdrill. The latter is one manufactured by Messrs Sparrow and Co., engineers, Dunedin, and consists of a reciprocal and rotatory motion, and progressive as the hole deepens, lhe machinery is driven by a turbine of the Whitelaw and Stirratt type, formerly manufactured by Messrs Kincaid, M'Queen, and Co., engineers, of Dunedin. Regarding the advantages of the rock-drill over baud labour, of course there is no comparison, and in sinking deep shafts in Victoria and elsewhere the machine has altogether superseded the slower and more expensive process. At present the capabilities of the machine employed in the Cromwell Company's mine can scarcely be estimated until the workmen become more used to it; but there is no room to doubt that in a short time it will prove its adaptability to the work in hand. This is the first rock-drill used in Otago goldmining, and its success will most certainly lend a great impetus to prospecting where high-priced, labour is a barrier to vigorous and sustained effort in this direction. The results will therefore be looked for with wide and deep interest. Of course it is somrjwhat premature to speak at present of the i'.aipany's prospects. The reef they are sinking on yielded by test 3oz to the ton, with a full body of stone. Should this reef prove permanent and continuous, it is certain the shareholders will reap a rich reward for their courage and enterprise, They possess the great advantage of having everything uecessary on the ground for extensive and complete manipulation of quartz should the new line of reef be struck, besides having a largo area of unproved ground iv addition to that known to be capable of yielding payable returns. The battery, o f2oheads, with self-feeding hoppers, is one of thebestin Otago, in addition to which the house is provided with berdans and all necessary

gold-saving appliances. The motive power for driving the battery consists of a large turbine on the reaction principle; and in case of scarcity of water for same, steam can be substituted by means of a first-class engine. The battery will be in direct communication with the new main shaft by tramway, for which there is an easy gradient, thereby reducing cost of quartz-haul-age, &c.