WATER SUPPLY ON THE GOLDFIELD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 180, 7 May 1872, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY ON THE GOLDFIELD.

MEETING WITH MR lIAUGHTON. A MEETING of battery managers and others inteiestedin public works on the goldfields met Mr Haughton,Under-Secretary of Public Works, at the Government Offices, Grahamstown, yesterday. Amongst those present, we observed Messrs Souter, Gibbons, Millett, D. Simpson, Carver, Swan, Sims, Masters, J. W. Walker, Laird, Woodward, Drake, Fletcher, Grove, and Darrow. Mr Grove (addressing- Mr Haughton) said the supply of water for the goldfields was a most important one, and one of old standing. At the last meeting, the gentlemen present were not prepared to go into the question, as Mr Haughton wished. They now met to hear an explanation from Mr Haughton on a proposed plan to act through the head of the Karaka. For his own part, he believed Mr Souter’s scheme of utilising the Puru stream was a good and practicable one. In reference to the Kauaeranga scheme, he would remind the meeting that private individuals had spent about £2OOO, and private individuals about the same to prepare plans. Neither Mr Blackett norMrCarruthers had been over the whole course, and they had only the plans of Mr O’Neil to go upon, of which they approved, according to their own reports. The public would like to know what position Mr Haughton occupied with the Government in reference to the matter. The people had held several meetings, and a great deal of money had been expended privately. Mr Haughton said he was here as a departmental officer sent by the General Government to make inquiry relative to the high and low level water schemes,and also to a third scheme if necessary. He had had professional assistance,andwaspresent to hear what the meeting had to say on the subject. He might say that areat difference of opinion had been expressed as to the different schemes, and the quantity of water which would he obtained. As these works would be undertaken out of borrowed money, it would be desirable, to know what quantity would be used. He should bo glad to receive any information on these points, for so far the evidence respecting them was very conflicting. Mr Sims said he had made the following calculation relative to the Kauaeranga scheme :—Eight miles of 24-inch diameter wrought iron pipes, I-inch thick, at £25 per ton, 1,320 tons—£33,ooo ; laying and jointing pipes at £SOO per mile—£4,ooo. Total, £37,000. Quantity of water discharged by the above pipes at Grahamstown, with 150 feet fall, would be about seven million gallons per 24 hours—the value of which, if retailed at 2d per thousand gallons, would he £18,248 per annum of 313 working days, or at one penny per thousand gallons, £9,124 per annum, or at the rate of two per cent, on the outlay of £50,000. By this the outlay would be calculated to be repaid in about three years. Mr Haughton observed that “similar pipes were much used in California. Mr Millett said the thickness was in excess of what would be required Mr Sims said he had purposely made it so. He believed by the scheme proposed a revenue of £9,000 would be derived, which would be ample guarantee for the Government or any public company to undertake it. Mr Souter did not think the Government ought to look upon this as a source of revenue altogether. He would advocate the introduction of the Puru scheme at a cost of £IO,OOO, until the larger one would be undertaken

Mr Haughton said from the report of the Engineer it would appear that there was not the quantity of water that had been stated, and there were considerable engineering difficulties. He should forward all the reports to the Government, and they would no doubt be laid before Mr Carruthers. A gentleman present suggested that the pipes should be bent and perforated in the Colony. Mr Haughton and others concurred m this being the best plan. There was a scheme which came to the Government through Mr Whitaker to act, through the range at a high elevation, which he did not think would be acted upon. Mr Gibbons sffid at the Spring V alley Works, iD California, the pipes were found tc be as good after ten years as when

they were first laid down. He would suggest that the Government should obtain every information. Mr Haughton said there could be little doubt the iron-pipe system would be far better adapted to the colony than fluming, and was being adopted in Otago. Mr Walker said he presumed there was no doubt as to there being a sufficient supply of water from the Kauaeranga. Mr Haughton.. said . might always bo depended on, according to the reports, aud in nine cases out of ten, 30 head. Mr Drake asked if the waters of the Waiomu could be made available for the Puru scheme.

Mr Millett said yes, but after Tararu was supplied, there would be very little left for the rest of the field. He thought there would be quite sufficient supply for all purposes from the Kauwaeranga. There were certain vested rights possessed by the Celt which could not be interfered with.

Mr Haughton asked if any gentlemen had considered the high level scheme. Mr Walker said the question of supply settled that.

Mr Millett said there would be a supply vf 30 or 40 head during eight months of the year. Piping or fluming would have to be used. The distance would be 45 miles, at a cost of £97,000. Mr Gibbons said there was no flume on the ground that had not been down, or met with some accident.

Mr Walker said the Government had better let the people have a low level scheme first, and see how that would pay before doing anything with the other. Mr Grove said that Mr Goodall,a highly respected surveyor, had stated that the low level source was a farce. No one had contradicted Mr O’Neill’s report in favour of the high level scheme. The low level scheme was only a shade better than the small tin-pot supply they had now. On other goldfields—the Ovens for instance —there were more than 1,000 miles of ditching and fluming. The high level scheme would make the contour of the whole field and supply all the machines, but he was quite willing to come into a medium scheme. He himself had been all over the ground, and prospected for a water supply in early days, but he did not wish to take any selfish advantage of this. There was a large supply of water which had not been attended to at all. He would support a medium scheme at a level of 300 feet above the sea level. Mr Gibbons said in California the expense of fluming was equal in five years lo the original cost. The objections to fluming for a short distance were not so great. Perhaps the most practicable plan would be to have part piping and part fluming. The fluming might be commenced ready for the pipes, which were to be sent out. He would utilise the water at the low level. Mr Carver said that at the Hiki Creek there could be a supply of 29 head, and the expense of open fluming would be about half that of piping. The timber could be cut on the spot. There would be a fall of 80 feet to the batteries. Mr Walker said there was a great difference between a volcanic and a schist formation. So far as he had seen, the country about here was not adapted to fluming. Even where there was no danger from timber, there was liability to landslips. Mr Carver said, if this goldfield were going to last 100 years, it might be as well to have iron pipes ; but ho thought it a pity, with all the timber we had in hand, to send to England for pipes. Mr Sims said if the Government would give him the contract he would have the pipes here in four months. Mr Simpson said the size of the pipes proposed was not of sufficient area to bring thirty head. Mr Masters said he did not suppose the field was going to stand still—it was only in its infancy, and would soon require a very great deal more water than was now used for crushing power. Mr Millett said it might be necessary to construct a large reservoir somewhere in the Kauaeranga to keep back the flood waters. lie had put flown the supply at 29 heads, or at the rate of about 350 horse power. Mr Haughton said as the field advanced it would be necessary to bring in all the water available. ile thought if they could get the Government to give them the low level supply as a beginning it would be a very good one, and next year more might be wanted. He would take care.that everything that had been said should be laid before the Government,and would, if they approved of what _ had been suggested, place it in professional hands immediately. As to the charge to be made for the water, he did not suppose the Government wanted to make money out of it; but, doubtless, they would be glad to recoup their expenses at what would be thought a fair price. Mr Swan said would it not be for the Government to say at what price they could supply the water ? Mr Haughton said no doubt they would; but as a general guide he should like to know what would be a fair price. Mr Masters said lie thought all would be prepared to pay such a sum as would repay the interest on the outlay. Mr Gibbons said the whole expense would.be paid in two years. In a large battery of forty stampers three engine drivers less would be required, besides saving expenses of coal, and the wear and tear of water wheels was less. Mr Millett asked if in all the water power Batteries was there not an auxiliary steam engine ? Mr Gibbons said by a proper water supply there would be no necessity for anv steam power at all. Mr Walker asked how many of the batteries on the Karaka were paying. A gentleman present said only one. Mr Walker said in crashing by steam power it cost from 2s 6(1 to 3s Gd f or coal, and expenses in connection with the engine. Mr Masters said it cost him £6O a month for coal. Mr Souter said 1200 tons of coal per month were used here., and then there was the expense of carting. They could take stuff to Tararu and crush it cheaper than they could on the flat. Mr Haughton said not many answers had been sent to the inquiries made by the Government; it would be well to make the returns as fully as possible, so that the Government might have as full information as possible to go upon. Mr Masters said he thought some proposition should be made as to which was the best plan to be adopted. He thought this would strengthen Mr Haughton's hands.

Mr Haughton said lie thought this was a proper course to pursue. Mr Swan was then voted into the chair ; and Mr Masters proposed that Mr Sims’s plan be approved of, and recommended as a good and practicable one. Mr Walker seconded the proposition, saying, however, that he had no doubt that eventually a high-level scheme tyould be required ; but, in the meantime, he thought Mr Sims’s scheme would supply.

Mr Grove moved an amendment that, inasmuch as the suggestion offered by Mr Sims only secures 30 sluice-heads of water, estimated to drive 336-horse power, and that there are no less'than 1,004-horse power at work on the field, it is desirable that a public meeting should be held to decide which of the levels the Government have surveyed is the most suitable. Mr Grove went on to say lie thought the low-level scheme would result in a monopoly, and in a few years a high-level scheme would be refused; therefore he thought the public should be consulted. The public were not aware that the whole supply of water was being dealt with. The mover of the resolution had done what very few men would dare to do on any goldfield.

Mr Drake seconded the amendment.

Mr Simpson said the low level scheme would only form a first portion of the high-level scheme. Mr Walker said he did not see why we should delay until the back part of the country was opened. Mr Gibbons said if the Government wanted to burk the scheme, which he did not believe, nothing would suit them better than for some one to propose that the high level scheme be adopted. He did not think this was a fit subject for a public meeting. He knew something about water supply, and did not think they could expect the Government to undertake the high level scheme by piping, and be equally objected to the high level scheme by fluming. He thought that they should be satisfied with the scheme as proposed. On the amendment being put, only twe voted for it. The original motion was then put and carried. The meeting then separated.