SUPERINTENDENTS ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1919.
Waihi, N.Z. February 14th 1920.
The Chairman and Directors,
Waihi Gold Mining Company, Limited, London.
Gentlemen,
I beg to submit my Report on the operations of the Company for the year ended 31st December, 1919.
The Hora Hora Electric power plant has been purchased by the New Zealand Government, and we are now obtaining power from the Government; the new arrangement is working well.
To ensure adequate supplies of good mining timber, we have purchased about 500 acres of bush land in the Mamaku district; this is about 80 miles by Government railway from the Mine, and the timber will be conveyed to the railway over a tramway 4½ miles long, which we are now building.
Yours faithfully,
E. G. BANKS, Superintendent.
ENGINEER'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1919.
Waihi, N.Z.,
February 11th, 1920.
E. G. Banks, esq.,
Superintendent.
Dear sir,
I beg to report on the work carried out in the following departments for the year ended 31st December, 1920.
MINE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
Pumping.—The water pumped to the surface during the year was 340,749,675 gallons.
Practically the whole of the water raised to the surface was pumped by the electrically-driven pumps; the steam pumps were only run for the purpose of keeping the machinery in order.
Unfortunately it has not been possible to do any development work in the low levels, owing to (i) shortage of coal; (ii) non-delivery of the new turbine pumps, which have been on order a considerable time.
Air Compressing.—This plant, which has a capacity of 1,000 horse power, has run successfully throughout the year, supplying air for the Rock Drills, Winches, and jets for induced ventilation. In addition, it also supplies air for driving the Winding Engines at Nos. 2 and 5 Shafts.
Ventilation.—The Sirocco Fan at No. 5 Shaft has been in operation throughout the year, and a number of air jets for induced ventilation are in use in various parts of the Mine.
Power Plant.—The whole of the Power Plant has worked in a very satisfactory manner.
GENERAL.
Power.—From November 1st we started obtaining power from the Government, the Public Works Department having taken over the Hora Hora undertaking. As we are taking power on the maximum demand system, every endeavour is being made to reduce our Peak Load. With this end in view we are using water power from our races during the day shift (when the heaviest load occurs), and conserving the water during afternoon and night shifts.
At the Mine, we have designed and built an apparatus for cutting out the less important loads at times of peak, thereby reducing our power costs.
Timber.—Owing to the difficulty in obtaining timber in the district for mining and milling purposes, we have been compelled to acquire a " bush " at Mamaku, some 80 miles away. This necessitated a tramline from Mamaku Station to our bush, a distance of about 4½ miles, with the necessary sidings, loading platforms, etc.
The tramline has now been laid into the bush and timber is being-delivered. The work was handicapped owing to the New Zealand Government Railway restrictions, which came into force last July and continued until early in December.
Yours faithfully,
W. P. GAUVAIN,
Asst. Superintendent.