FLOODED COALMINE

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1930, Page 9

FLOODED COALMINE

INSPECTION BY MINISTER. STATE ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. • The Minister of Mines, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, visited Hikurangi on Saturday morning in company with Sir Edwin Mitchelson, chairman of directors of the Hikurangi Coal Company. Upon arriving at the township the Minister was met -by Mr. C. Lomas, chairman of the Town Board, and members, who impressed upon him the urgent need for Government assistance in checking the inflow of water in the Hikurangi mine, the flooding of which has thrown about 250 men out of work. It was stated that unless the inrush of water was stopped, Wilson’s, the other large mine, would also be flooded and a further 200 men would be thrown out of employment. These two mines had paid out in wages about £11,500 a month. In addition, the Government was particularly interested, in that it had considerable interests in miners’ houses mortgaged to the State Advances Department, while the loss of coal to the Railway Department would, be serious, as the department was taking about 3000 tons a week.

The Hikurangi Miners' Union, represented by Mr. C. Latham, supported the requests.* It was further urged that in the event of a complete failure of Arapuni the Hikurangi coal deposits ' would be of the utmost importance in the generation of electricity for the North. The Minister, accompanied by Sir Edwin Mitchelson and Mr. J. Mackinson, mine manager, then inspected the works and discussed the position. It. was suggested to him that a pump belonging to the Government should be loaned 01 hired to the company. If the pump could be put in operation within a week it would be - possible to hold, the water at its present depth, which is about GO feet, and so prevent Wilson’s mine from flooding. The water could thus be held until provision could be made for unwatering, proposals in reference to which were made to the Minister, who promised to place' them before Cabinet at the first opportunity. Once the mine is unwatered steps will be taken to seal it and so prevent any further occurrence-of trouble. The water is at present coming in from two vents, but is now rising much more slowly, owing to the pressure from inside. The Minister was informed that over 1,000,000 tons of coal had already been proved in- this area, with every likelihood of. better deposits as the workings went underneath the Hikurangi Mountain. Wilson’s area also contains large proved deposits.