THE TALISMAN MINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 28

THE TALISMAN MINE.

5 - A good deal of surmise prevails - regarding the correct position of affairs at the > Talisman mine since the pumps were withi drawn to the No. 12 level, and it is . alleged tbat the "Shears " are taking ad- • vantage of the opportunity to circulate disi quieting rumours. A gentleman of large mining experience vrho has a thorough ■ knowledge of the mine hfts ventured <Se i opinion that the fall in the value of scrip ; is quite unjustifiable, considering that the j accumulation of water in the No. 13 level i , in nd way affects the working of the "mine, ■ as it has been carried on for months past > All stone put through the batteries, except1 ing a small quantity from the rises in the No. 13 l«vel, has been stoped from above , the No. 12 level, and there should be no falling off in the returns pending the com- . i pletion of the erection of the new large pump. As already .pointed out in this column there should be no difficulty whatever in preventing the water from rising above the No. 12 level, as by letting it rise to that level some 200 ft of pumping is saved, and the drainage into the mine will be considerably checked by the pressure of water in the shaft and rises. If, as it is said, the extra flow of water in the Talisman is the result of an acoumula* tion of water from the Grown mines since , pumping from their low levels w«8 disoon- ' ' tinued some months ago, surely arrangements could be made to have the Grown pumps started again, if it Was considered there would be an advantage in doing so. • The probabilities are that the un water i jag of the No. 13 level is not a source of serious concern at present. In connection with the question of the liability of the Grown Company in the matter the Thames Star makes the following ; statement in its issue of August 21: — "It ' will be remembered that as soon as the Grown mine, oeaaed pumping the Talisman level was flooded, and we believe it will be contended that this was a breach of ' section 251 of the Mining' Act of 1906, for which the Grown Company is liable to be penalised. The peculiar position in connection with the mines interested is •that j the Talisman Company has never con- | tributed towards the pumping expenses of the Grown, and the interesting point will ' arise as to whether or not this relieves the Grown from the responsibility of giving | the necessary notice of its > intention to cease pumping operations. Again it is stated that the- Talisman Company was quite willing to pay for the drainage had it been asked to do co, and the warden or a higher court will possibly be asked to determine the point as to how the act 6hould be interpreted under such circumstances and conditions aa we have d_etailed."