STARTING THE BRIGHT SMILE BATTERY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2102, 23 July 1875, Page 3

STARTING THE BRIGHT SMILE BATTERY.

The lime fixed for starting the Bright Smile Company's new battery (a detailed which we published yesterday) was 12 o'clock yesterday, and from the large numbers which could be observed wending their way to tho battery, houso it was evident that there was to be an immense concourse. The engine-house was gaily decorated, A pendant ribbon from a beam over head suspended a bottle' of champagne, which was decorated with ribbons and flowers, against tho. outer rim of the fly-wheel, and the wheel'wbich turned on the steam in the engino was likewise decorated with ribbons. By tho time everything was ready for starting, the engine-room, which was to bo tho principal scene of operations,, was densely thronged with ladies and gentleman; the payed brickwork of the boilers was also occupied by' a large '-'crowd, and the battery-house was filled by crowds who wero eajjer to witness the start. At the last moment the men on shift in tho mino marched in along the tramway and ranged themselves along tho platform overlooking tho stampers. In all there could not have been less than 1,000 people present to witness the start.,

Uia Worship the Matob presided over tho proceedings, and when ererything was ready, he said that the occasion on which thejr were assembled was ono of very great interest to all connected with the Thames goldfield, especially at a time when thero was so . much said about dull times. But when thoy saw a beautiful battery like that before them just erected, and about to start work, who could say that these were dull times ? Tho event was possessed of more than ordinary interest to them, j tho inhabitants of the Thames, as it was a purely local battery. When they looked around on the promoters and proprietors, they found them fellow-citizens, who were identified with them in the goldfield.. No other battery which had ever been.. erected on • the Thames possessed the same local interest.' The ponderous iron-work before thorn was manufactured on tho'lJiames, and was put in position by 'Thames men. (Cheers.) Tho engineer who made the drawings and erected the battery was, he was proud to. say, a Thames man. (Cheers.) He trusted that the battery would be a successful ono, and he congratulated the Bright Smile Company upon the possession of such a magnificent machine, and trusted that it would prove beneficial to themselves and to tho surrounding claims. It seemed only a comparatively short timo since an. old-fashioned windlass was working over the Bright Smile shaft, where now powerful winding and pumping-machinery were working, and at the present moment they were assembled to put in motion ono of tho finest batteries ever erected in the Southern hemisphere. They had good reason to be proud of the enterprise of auch men—(cheers)—and he trusted that many of the surrounding mines, which were now idle, would take example by the Bright Smilo Company. Ho trusted the starting of this battery would add to the success of the field, and prove beneficial to the people by whom it was erected. (Cheers.) i The Mayor .then called upon i Mrs Bichard Kennan, wife of the chairman of directors, to turn on tho steam, and name the battery.

MraKENNAN stepped forward,and having tamed on the steam, the engine was set in motion; she then , broke a bottle of champagne on the fly-wheel, and named the battery the " Bright Smile battery." Binging cheers were giren by those present, which were taken up by those outside'and those in the adjoining portions of tho building. Only the engine was set in motion at first, the clutches being allowed to remain out of gear until such time as the ceremonial proceedings terminated. While the engine was running, Mr Bowe stood forward to address the assembly, but.in. consequence of the noise made by the engine, we wero unable to take an accurate report of his remarks. Ho was understood'to say that he quite agreed with the remarks of the Mayor, that he looked upon the occasion of their present meeting as tho most important which had ever occurrcd on the 'i hames.' He looked upon it as evidence, at all events, that tho Thames people possessed as much confidence and as much enterprise and energy as any other portion of the Anglo-Saxon race. _ (Cheers.) He should regret exceedingly that there should be any evidence of deterioration, but that day's proceedings proved that they still possessed confidence in themselves aud energy to carry out wliatihey desired. They saw that day that when onergy, sacrifice, and devotion were required in the accomplishment of jm object they had men possessed of these qualities. He trusted that these elements of the British character would be perpetuated as long as the Thames lasted, and that would be longer than any of those present. Whilo they had men possessed of determination like the Bright Smile Company—Cheers) -there was no fear of the i hames. He was sure that the toast he was about to propose would receive their hearty support. Itwa3 "Success and prosperity to the Bright Smile Gold Mining Company. (Cheers.) They deserved success, . and unless they were successful it would be a blow to the Thames interests. He was sure that all their efforts would be to conduct their operations on the best principles, and with economy, and they had a guarantee of this in the large interest which

the directors themselves had in the mine. Mrlfowethen made some remarks with regard to deep mining and gold in deep levels,'wbioh wo were unable to catch, and went on to say that he had a word of ndvico to give them. Ho was an older man than many of them, and had' seen more mining. than some of them. Ho had seen many a good concern go to tho. bad for want of proper economy and unity of action. He trusted that there would be no division among thorn, that the directors and managers would concur in conducting operations upon the best principles. They had his best wishes, and ho would rejoice in their prosperity, and he hoped the Bright Smile Company would turn out more gold thau over the Caledonian did, and that Mr Benney would get more oredit than he (Mr Rowe) did. (Cheers.) Ho concluded by proposing the toast of "Success and' Prosperity to the Bright Smile Company." (Cheers.) During tho latter part of Mr Rowe's speech the steam had been turned off and the engino stopped. ' Mr R. Rennan, on stopping forward to respond to the toast, was greoted with loud He said it was with mingled feelings of prido and pleasure that ho saw so many present to wish them success on the. opening of thoir new battery. Thoy had used every endeavour to make the matter a success, and ho thanked theji all heartily for having come to assist. Mr Rowe had remarked that they would have to work in unity. It was merely by union that they had accomplished what they had done, and he would say that never from tho first starting of the Bright Smile Company, about four years ago, where tho interests or success of tho company was concerned, had there been any disagreement. From the many bright smiles, bright eyes, and shining faces which he saw around, lie felt assured of succoss. Tho li'tle infant just named' would not require to be hushed to Bleep by the soothing influences of tho ladies. He hoped it would keep awake day and night, and make as much noiso and uproar as it could. (Cheers.) Ho thanked them all for tho kind interest which they had. displayed in the success of the Bright b'mile Company, and annouueed that as soon aB the speeches were over they would partake together of a cheery glass of wine. (Cheers). Mr S. E. Kiceabds proposed the toast of the engineer, Mr G. P. Hilton, tho gentleman who had designed and erected the splendid battery now befo.ro-them, and who was deservedly respected by them all. He had been thinking during the ereution of this battery that hitherto Mr Hilton's light had been hidden under a, bushel. He had been, as it were, playing second fiddle, but here ho had an opportunity of displaying his ability and talent. Ho (Mr Richards had been connected with machinery for.the last thirty years, and intimately connected with this class of machinery for the last twenty years, and ho, might therefore consider himself a judge of such. ' Ho had watched the progress of this battery from first to last with great interest, and was free to confess that in general, design and execution it was superior to anyho had seen in tho Australian Colonies, and to compass that tho engineer must have great ability. He had very great pleasure in proposing the health of Mr Hilton, and would couplo with it that of 'Mr Somervell, tho contractor, (Cheers:);'. ; Mr Hilton expressed his satisfaction with the manner in. which tho toast of his health had'been proposed and responded to. He had'done,liis utmost in tho interests of the company, but he considered great praise was duo to tho directors for tho manner ini which-lliey had acted. He hoped the Bright Smile. Company would be prosperous in their undertaking, aud that the valuable resources of their mine would be developed, and afford them' satisfaclion.

Mr Sombbvell also responded, and referred to the difference which existed between the Thames seven yearsjigo and at present. Then the Maori pas and other relics of barbarism existed, where now they had telegraph wires, and splendid buildings, and powerful machinery, showing that tho talent'and genius of their race was forcing itself ahead. He wished tho Bright Smilo Company every success. ' 'J hey had all done their best, and wero prepared, if necessary, to do so again. 1 Captain Goldsmith then proposed tho toast of tho "ladies," in a humorous speoch, which was greeted with prolonged cheering, and was, suitably responded to by Mr J. WflimmD, The company present then regaled themselves with the creature comforts so liberally provided for them, after whioh the greater jiumber esßembled ia the battery-house' to witness tho start of tho stampers and see the crushing commenced.

Tho engine being still in motion, each nest of ten head of stampers was put into gear successfully by the ratchet olutchos, until the whole 40 were iu motion. The berdans were then thrown into gear by the use of the pulley clutch, and tho whole plant worked splendidly, and to the admiration of all present for some time. The steam pressure was 25lbs, as indicated on the guage, and the vaouum varied from 25 to 26 inches. The speed was good, and there was not the slightest vibration or jar perceptible in any part of the building or machinery. When tho 'stampers were stopped, Mr Bowe said that an omission had been mado in the toasts, and he proposed the toast of Messrs Judd and Co., who had supplied the splendid crushing plant beforo them, and Messrs Price Brothers, who had supplied tho berdans. Cheers wero given for these gentlemen in succession, after which the battery resumed crushing, and the visitors dispersed, apparently highly gratified with the success of tho day's proceedings.