THE WEEK.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3125, 22 February 1879, Page 2

THE WEEK.

During the past week the hopes of anything practical resulting from the recent Pumping Conference at Auckland hare been dashed to the ground. There was a feeling at the conference that if the Government could be induced to subsidise local efforts at the rate of £1 for every £1 subscribed by the companies interested and the local bodies, there might be a prospect of pumping operations being resumed, and the exploration for gold at deeper levels than hitherto tried, commenced. A scale of the contributions it was proposed to ezaot from the com* panics was drawn up, and appeared to be a very fair-one on the whole, but so far the scheme has been knocked on the head by the Government expressing its inability to subscribe the subsidy required. Turning to the practical part of the subject of pumping it will be seen that during the latter portion of the week the effects of the stoppage of the pumps are becoming more,realistically apparent than hitherto. Dp to this week people could only theorise on what they supposed would be the effects of the stoppage; now they are beginning to assume a palpable shape. It has been discovered that the water in the Big Pump shaft is increasing at the rate of four feet per day, having risen between 150 and 203 feet since the suspension of pumping operations. The gas is also increasing with the water,-and during the past two days has affected the Caledonian No. 3 level to such an extent that the Old Golden Calf operations have had to be suspended, and it is a matter of opinion if they will ever be worked again until, as is hoped it will be, pumping is resumed. It is considered possible that a strong wind would beat back the gas, but it would be only temporary. So far, no other mines have had to stop, and the superior ventilation of the levels above No. 3 in the Caledonian shaft will probably enable work to be carried oh there for a considerable time. Time alone will tell. At the Waio-Karaka the water is slowly creeping up, but not to such an appreciable extent as formerly. It seems almost hopeless to expect any solution of the difficulty under present circumstances, as the Auckland shareholders appears to have made up their mind not to subscribe a shilling unless they see two •hillings contributed by the Government or the public bodies; and the only way of escape that can be seen is for the County Council to foreclose for back interest, and if that is not forthcoming, to dispose of the securities in the best market. The Auckland directors deserve no consideration; they have literally •" loafed" on the Government and the public bodies, and that long enough. ■