THE BRIGHT SMILE COMPANY'S NEW BATTERY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2101, 22 July 1875, Page 3

THE BRIGHT SMILE COMPANY'S NEW BATTERY.

Thh erection of a now and powerful crushing plant for tlio Bright Smile Company has been one oftlio leading features of tho present year. That tlio Bright Smile mine 'was one of tlioss which of itself was sufficient to afford material to supply a large crushing power with quartz, was;a faot which was amply demonstrated by the previous career of the company, and tho numbor of stampors which had been kept at work by tho mino previously. It became evident to the'directors that as tlio quartz from tho mine was generally of n low grade, tho returns would be much inoro remunerative could they provide a crushing' plant of their own, so as to do away entirely with the heavy item of carting in their expenses, and they boldly resolved on the. erection of,a 40-stamper battery, supplied with all the latest appliances, although the necessary outlay neco»sitated the negotiation of a largo overdraft., The plant has been erected, and will be started to work to-day, and we take this opportunity of giving our readers a somewhat detailed account of this powerful and important addition to our crushing batteries, The site selected is on the flat at the north side of the Karaka Creek, and'the building itself has been so constructed as to form quite an ornamental addition to our street architecture. The situation ha 3 been well chosen. It is convenient to the. mine, and has a discharge to the Karaka Creek.

! '• • THE BUILDING ' '' '■ has a frontage of 100 ft to Mackay-streot by a depth of 95ft and is 24ft high. The design of the frontag6 is sufficiently ornamontal to' take away the heavy appearance which an' ordinary . weather-board structure- would, present, and consists of pilasters,; string coufsea,, and, cornices, which have a neat effect. '1 ho main roof fronts Mackay-street, and jfrom this six roofs spring;at right. angles, covering in the building which .contains the battery, the . engine, and _ boilers., The batteryhouse is 75ft x 95ft, the engine-house is 26ft x 24ft and 12ft high, and the boilerhouse is 66ft x 26ft and 18ft high. To these we shall subsequently havo to make referenco in our notices of the various portions of the plant. .

THE BATTEBY, < as we have already staled, is contained in the main building, as well as the berdans, and all other appliances for the treatment of-quartz. The battery itself consists of 40 liead.of stampers, which are driven by a main shaft 10 inches in diameter, and a counter-shaft, the ; diameter of whioh ranges from Cin to Sin. This runs in front of the battery in plnmmer bearings, which rest upon'brackets boltod to the columns, affording facilities for adjustment, lateral or parallel, such as it ia not B'fforded by any other battery on the field.- In this" respect the plant ii different, from any other here, and we have, no hesitation in saying that it is an improvement, It . causes no loss of strength,"quite tho contrary, for by .this arrangementgreater stability is given to the column in consequence of. the great , length of the base. • Beneath the brackets iron rests are bolted on to (he columns to support tho water supply pipes, which run the whole length of the battery, ■with discharges into each gtamper-box. 'There is an arrangement for throwing sections of the battery out or into gear by means of ratchet clutches, arranged in nests acting upon 10 head of stampers, and these ratchets are so constructed that in caso of tho engine reversing no damage can be sustained by the battery, as the wholo plant will be thrown out of gear. The stamper-boxes are 8 in number, cach containing 5 head of stampers. They aro

the largest 5-head boxos whioh have yet been brought into .uso on this goldfield, and they are .firmly bolted and stayed between the column?, and bedded on sheet-lead, so that, there is no possibility of any motion.' They aro fitted with tho necessary grating, t, splash doors, &o. Tho stamper.-shoes are 11 inches in diameter, thus affording a largo crushing surface, arid tho stamper-shanks are 3Jin in diameter, and are fitted with screw discs and jam nuts. Tho total weight of each stamper shank is 8701bs. The whole weight of Ibis structure rests upon a

I MABSIYB FOUNDATION. | When the erection of tho battery was first mooted trial holes wero qunk on the site, and it was found that it would bo necessary, to excavate to a depth of Id feet to insure a good bottom. In tho prosecution of this work great difficulty was experienced from tho inflow of water, caused by the' porous nature of tho ground, in the vicinity of the Karaka Creek, ono of tho requirements being that the concrete must be laid on a dry bottom.' By pumping and other means this difficulty was overcome, and tho bottom was prepared for the reception of the foundation proper, which consists, in tho first instance, of strong planking laid transversely and longitudinally over an area of 75 feet in length and _ 12 feet in width, so as to secure solidity, and a good bearing surface for receiving concrete. This, was then thrown in from a considerable height, and well rammed until tho layer was 6ft thick. After this bed of concreto had become sufficiently hard. and transverse logs wero laid, two immense kauri logs weighing 15 tons and 80 feet in length, .werelaunched into position and:bedded in tho concrete. These formed tho bed logs. The top surface was then dressod level for the entire, length,,and .upon, it were placed vertically 32 logs, each '28in by 2din, and about 10 feet long. These wero dressed; and dowelled, and drawn together with glands and strap bolls, and had waling pieces running tho ontiro length to prevent lateral motion, and when finished this presented the appearance of a huge massive structure of infinite strength and solidity. Tho horses for the support of _ the columns consist of cap and solo pieces, and improved diagonal bracing, in tho wholo of tho foundation .arrangements have been mado to prevent any inequality of settlement or sinking,' and for_ affording facilities for securing rigidity in every part and at any timo. THE TABLES. There are two wide copper tablos to each 5-head, with two ordinary ripples and one improved parabolio ripple to each. At the bottom of these tables aro leading on to the blanketstrakes, which are 20 feet in length,'and Having a delivery into tho settling tanks. I THE QUARTZ PLATFORM is 8o feet long and.2o feet wide, and consists of two thicknesses of flooring laid crosswiso and carricd by longitudinal girders the whole length, and supported by columns beneath. The floor is raised to A height level with the hoppers of.tbo stamper-boxes, in order, to facilitate the feeding to tho, stampers.. We may add that the whole of tho space underneath this platform is utilised, and contains tho Various workshops connected , with tho battery. . : i ■ .THE BEBDANS, . . ... Twelve in number, are placed below tho blanket-strakes, six of which aro ; drivcn by a pulley on tho engine-side of ; the oonnter'shaft, and tho other six from tho end> of tho battery counter-shaft, by means of bell gearing and clutch pulleys., Tho framework for tho berdans is so constructed as (o give strength, combined with a neat, light appearance. Each basin ia four feet Bis inches in diameter overall, and .is provided with hoavy drag-ball, tablos, &o.j and aro so fitted with clutches- that each ono can be thrown out of gear or worked independently of ( the others, and tho whole can bo thrown out of gear instantaneously from tho engine, without stopping any other portion of tho battery, by means of the olutch-pulloy, which is much more speedy in its action than the ordinary mothod of loose pulleys. Below the berdans, the wholo length of the building is occupied by tables for panning off, Ac,, fitted with catch-wells for the' retention of loose silver. Tho wholo'of tho'berdan floor is composod of concreto which is an innovation, and in our opinion is'very .much superior to tbo ordinary boarded floorings. , ; Tho wholo interior of tho building is, wo may add, supported by columns,, and there is an absenco ofheavy braces or. other massive timbers overhead, bo that the place has quite a light airy appearance, and yet there is no deficiency of strength or substantiality. It is lighted entirely from the roof by 3d skylights, and another feature is that there is only ono entry to the battery-house. ; THE ENGINE ' ' house is 24 feet by .26 feet, and is 12 feet high.. It is -lined in tho interior, and finished off with coved ceiling and pierced with windows so arranged that the engineer, can command a full view of the whole of the interior of the battory and the boiler-house.' The foundation for the engine consists , of a bed of concrete 24 feet x 14 feot, and 3 feet thick, Upon this is built the 1 engine-bed and loading for carrying the crank and counter-shafts, This consists of large blocks of stone procured from the Karaka Croek, well bonded and built to. tho_ necessary height for receiving tho massive bed-logs upon which the ongino is placcd. Tho engine itself is of tho beam typo, with a 30-inch cylinder and 4 feet stroke. The.fly-wheol is 18 feet in diameter. Tho beam is of cast iron, 1 14.feet in length,.and of great sectional strength. This .works in gudgeons resting on a moulded entablature, and supported by sis fluted columns with moulded caps and bases, and bolted to tho sole-plate. The engine in the first instance was intended for high pressure, but on tho engineer's reoommeridation it was decided to attach a condenser, which will affect an undoubted saving in tho consumption of fuel, provided it is properly managed, tfo far. this haß fully answered. expectations, for, in : the trial start the other day it gave a constant vacuum of 264 inches. Tho condenser consists of delivery and foot valves, every part being accessible for repairs. It is well constructed and finished, and will, we have no doubtj well repay tho outlay in' a short time. Tho gearing for driving ' the whole battery and berdans .consists of two large wheels on the counter and crank-shafts, tho spur being 6 feet in diameter, with a 12-inch face, and the pinion-wheel 3 feot 6.inches, with 12-inch face. From the engine-room a gangway leads to . THE BOILEB-HOUSE. " ' This is 56 feet long, 26 feet wide, and contains tiro double-flue boilers, of tho Lancashire type. Tbo shell of each is 30 feet long, and the diameter 6 feet 6_ inches. The flues, aro 29 inches in diameter, and fire strengthened by angleiron rings. Tho front plates of the tubes are of the best Lowmoor iron, with lap ' joints for tho purpose of preventing

injury by tho action of tho fi.ro in tho orowns of the boilers. Tho domes also nro of Lowmoor iron, and tho man-holes aro strengthened by 11 it-iron rings melted to tho sholl. A steam-chest is bolted on tho top of each dome, fitted with screwdown valves, rendering tho boilers independent of each other, so as to allow of repairs being effected. Tho steam • pipo leading to tho engino is fitted with oxpansion joints, and is 8 inches Jn diameter. Tho boilers aro fitted with all tho necessary appurtenaucos j feed valves aro placed in the side of each, with a segment arch thrown over oachso as to prevent damage and render them_ easy of access. These boilers aro certain to prove good steam producers, on acoount of their great boating surfaces aud tho double furnaecs, which boaides will admit of even firing, tho acme of economy and of groat importance in all steam machinery.

THE BBICKWOBK. Tho boilers are all built in brickwork, and havo return flues, split drafts, which lead to the chimney, which is situated at tho end of tho boiler-house, Tho tops of tho boilers aro also paved with brick, and at the lower end are tho two retort furnaces leading into. tho chimuey. Tho baso of the chimney is 13 feet square and 12 feet high, and it tapers in that height to 11 feot squaro, Upon this is placed an ornamental baso course ifom which springs tho shaft. Tho sides of tho shaft aro panelled to within ton feet of the top, and finished with a semicircular arch'and key-stone. Abovo this ■a necking course is placed, after which projecting corbels aro carried out, and support a series of 12 semi-circular arches. On.these rests the cap, consisting of dentals,and siw-looth courses, tho whole, having'a highly-finished appearance. Tho chimney in all is 90 feot in height, and is, wo believe, tho finest and most ornamental in tho colony, being quite an ornament in bricktvork. THE QUABTZ DELIVERY to the battery is effected by moans of' a tramway, 600 feet in length, which leads to tho battery hoppers from tho brace of the mino shaft, and is carried on substantial trestle-work. THE WATEB SUPPLY ' for tho battery and other portions of tho plant is brought in in two parls, ono by fluming from tho mino, which is corried along tho trestle-work undor tho tramway already alluded to, and the other by fhmo from tho Karaka Creek. Tho.lattor is delivorcd. by pumps driven from the counter-shaft of tho battery into a large tank erected at the Bouth end of tho battery-house. This tank is 24 feot long, 12 feet wide, and 10 feet high, and. is divided into compartments for clear and sedimentary water. Tho water from tho condenser runs into another tank, from which it is pumped into (ho large lank. gas, ■ Tho interior of tho building is woll lighted: with gas, two largo reflectors being placed one' at each end of the quartz-room and other jets being diffused through tho various portions of tho build- 1 iog in suitable situations, and all fitted with universal reflectors. Flexible tubes, with gas jets, aro also provided, to bo used as moving lights instead of candles. ' THE CONTBAOTOBS. Tho engino was purchased for tho company in Melbourne by Mr Walter Sully, but tho rest of tho plant is. of local manufacture. Tho boilers wero mado by Mr Soagar, and completed on tho ground, tho battery andcondenser wero constructed.by Messrs Judd and Co, tho berdans by Messrs Price and Co., tho concrete foundation was laid by Mr .Tames liedfern, tho bed-log foundation and erection of bordans by-Mr John Mice, tho interior completion of tho battery by Mr John Somervell, tho- house by Mr T. Oolcbrook, tho masonry by Mr Frank Simpson, and tho brickwork by Mr George Ginn j tho gaslittings were sup--1 plied and fixed by Mr Georgo JVi cCaul, and tho painting of tho battery and ironwork and tho finishing touches to tho engine wero performed by Mr Pricker. This shows plainly that 1 for workmanship and construction of machinery thero is certainly no noed to go from home, and wo venture to say that both aro equal tothoso of any part of the Australasian colonies. THEBNGINEBB, | The wholo of tho plans and specifications for this largo and important work wero prepared by tho company's onginecr, Mr G. P. Hilton, and tho works wero carried out under his immediate supervision, and tho timo occupied, from the time tho drawings wero first commenced until tho completion of tho battery is just ten months. This is, wo believe, tho shortest' timo that has ovor boen occupied on this field in tho erection of such a largo plant, Everything connected with tho plant is of the most substantial character, and wo believe that tho strictest economy was exercised at tho sarno lime that nothing material was omitted. ■ Mr liilton has been associated with 'tho Thames almost sinco its opening, und during his residence liero he has been connected with the Pumping Association and other important engineering works, as woll as with tho Auckland waterworks. His success in this his latest undertaking is a proof of his high ability as an engineer. ' THE COST. Some interest will no doubt bo folt in the question of tho cost of this extensivo plant. We havo ■ ascertained from the legal manager, who has gono carefully into the figures, that tho total cost of tho new battery, exclusive, of course, of the tramway which is carried to tho mino account, is £11,8000 or in round numbers £12,000, making an allowance for extras.