THE ISLAND BLOCK GOLD MINING COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1970, 22 August 1889, Page 11

THE ISLAND BLOCK GOLD MINING COMPANY.

(From the Tuapeka Times' Miller's Flat Correspondent.) Having an afternoon to spend, I paid a visit to the Island Block Company's work on Thursday last. The company lift their water at the south end of Fruid Flat, about three miles from the river, and seem to have a capital I supply. On reaching tha Flat, " I was surprised to eeo the amount and importance of the work already completed. The dam from which the water supply comes is about a chain in length wikh a height of 20f b, and is built of massive rock, set in concrete, presenting in every respect a most substantial piece of work. The race is ia two sections — the first, or earthwork portion, being about a mile in length, and running along a sideling till it reaches the top of a spur. As the level above the river is still very high, the water flows down pipes for about 80ft until the earth formation, or second section, again begins. This section of the race is carried along for close on a mile until it reaches the top of a hill, overlooking Craig Flat, at an altitude of 680 ft above the river. From this point, the pipes are laid to the river, which, it is needless to say, has been a work of much difficulty. When they reach the flat — that is, at the foot of (he hill where the pressure is sure to be very great — a double row is laid right down to the river. The company have commenced operations on the east side of the river, as the pipes are uot yet in position across the Molyneux, but will be this week, when Mr Rawlins expects to be able to keep four jets constantly in play — two at the Ibland Block and two on the east side of the river. When these arrangements have been completed, the work will be carried on night ami day, with three shifts working eight hours' each. The company intend to use the electric light in order to facilitate operations during the night shifts. The machinery is already in position, and will be set to work as soon as the water has been brought across the river. The company's engineer informs me that th 9 cost of light per uighb will be only Is 6d — an extremely moderate expense, it will be admitted, when the great advantages and illuminating power of the light are considered. The power of the hydraulic elevator now at work fairly astonished me. The lift is 46ft at present, but I bjlieve it will eventually be as high as 90fb. The quantity of gravel pumped up the elevator, with one jet in the paddock driving the stuff forward to the elevator, is estimated at about two tons per iniuufce. They had just taken out a large paddock after eighidays' work, the surface being laid bare for a very long distance. Without exaggeration ifc would take a party working with the ordinary appliances about two yi'ars to get through the same amount of work. Tracking out beside this method is mere child's play. The gold, I noticed, is remarkably lino, bufe the saving appliances are all that can bo desired. When 4 the gravel passes through about six boxes, with the very best rippks, all the black c sand and gravel that has passed over the ripples drops into a box underneath, which conveys it on to a double row of boxes covered with cocoa matting, and in this way every contingency is provided against. Of course the very coarse stuff never leaves the first lino of boxes. I should have mentioned the boxes are 3ft iv width, which, I need hardly say, gives greater facilities for securing the fine gold. I may say that I consider the Island Block Gold Mini g Company's plant the best of its sorb south of the line. Up to the present there have been no breakages of machinery, or wrong levels, aa has been the case in the past with companies in New Zealand when first commencing operations. All over the company's works there is evidenco on every hand of great engineering skill and superior workmanship, and groat forethought rau6t have been used in making provision for the various difficulties that have been met and successfully overcome during the course of the work. I should have mentioned earlier that the lelephoue has been laid on between the dam at Fruid Burn and tho works, which must be found of great, convenience in regulating and commanding the water supply. I predict a very successful' future for the Island Block Company, and there can be no mistake but they deserve it for the manner in which they have set to work. The enormous quantity of stuff they can shift with the splendid modern appliances on the ground is bound to make the property a remunerative one. Of course water is the very soul of the undertaking — without it they could never exist ; but the company have got it, and at an altitude, too, that it would be hard to get at any other part of the river.