DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 21

DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Mr Charles J. Mathews, an old Wellington boy, and at present chief inspector of machinery and chairman cf the Board of Examiners in the Mines department of West Australia, has been on a visit to Wellington, partly for pleasure but principally in connection with the work of his department. In conversation with a New Zealand Times representative, Mr Mathews remarked that the great Western State of the Commonwealth is showing remarkable -progress, esnecially in regard to the mining iindustry, though considerable attention is being given to agricultural matters by a small though thoroughly practical Agricultural department. The conditions under which Government land can be taken up are exceedingly favourable, and every facility is offered in order to induce settlement. To this end an institution known a3 the Agricultural Bank has been established, which advances money on a nominal security. In reply to a question as to how the great Coolgardie water scheme is progressing. Mr Mathews said that the work is now well advanced, and that the head works, or reservoir, will be completed by about July. The capacity of the reservoir, which is situated in the Darling ranges, will be about 400,000,000,000ga1. This great supuly is to be used for mining purposes, as well as for the supply of water to Coolgardie and other inland towns. The water has to b6 pumped 340 miles through a pipe of 2ft 6m in diameter, and there are to be eight pumping stations between the reservoir and Coolgardie, each with a service reservoir. According to the estimate of the Engineer-in-Chief (Mr C. Y. O'Connor) the amount caoable of being pumped per day will be 5,000,000ga1. The pumping is rendered necessary on account of the elevation of the goldfields, which are about 15,000 ft above sea level. The gold yield of West Australia is, Mr Mathews says, on the increase, and even the older leases are still continuing to give

good jesiilts It is ger.eial'y ad mi Her! by lcrclht; mining authcuties, remarked Mr Mathe\\«, that the fields are .ill of a pcimanont naUue, and that up to the present they have only been snatched over Before returning Mr Mathews intends visiting the diffeient States of the Connrcn »vealth Ho lea\es to-do y foi Christchuich, and will spend about thiec weeks 111 1 the South Island.