The Phoenix gold mine at Skippers had a problem. It wasn't a lack of gold-bearing stone, it was a lack of power to crush it. Water power from the nearby stream was used, but it was unreliable, with low flow in dryer weather. The next stream over had more water and a more reliable flow. But the hauling of mined quartz over to it, and the building of a haul road, would raise the production cost and erode profits.
Mr Jas. Evans, Mine Manager at the Phoenix claim, Skippers, has been on a trip to Dunedin for the purpose of obtaining an electric light apparatus which is to be used in the machine house. The machine procured lights, 10 incandescent lamps of 20 candle power each, or an arc light of 2000 candle power. The incandescent lamps will be used, and should the trial prove a success, there is every likelihood of the whole of the Phoenix mine being lit by electricity. -Lake County Press, 20/11/1894.
Mr Walter Prince, electric engineer to the Union S.S. Co., paid a visit to the Phoenix mine, Skippers, on Monday, accompanied by Mr J. H. Evans, the mine manager, with a view to having the workings lit up with electricity, and, if possible, to drive the battery by the same power. The latter is said to be quite a new application, but we hear that Mr Prince is rather sanguine that the thing can be accomplished. We hear that Mr Evans already has a small dynamo battery, with which he lights up the machine-house. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 5/12/1884.
Our local founders, Messrs Price Bros., are now making two Pelton wheels six feet in diameter, to be used at Skippers, Otago, in connection with the project for driving a 20 stamp battery there by electricity. The wheels will supply the power for driving the dynamoes. -Thames Star, 14/3/1885.
Upper Shotover.
(FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.)
I would have given you an outline of how things were progressing at the Phoenix mine, but it has been put off from time to time on account of the many mishaps in connection with the getting up the machinery for, what may be fairly called for this district, so gigantic an enterprise. There has been much cold water thrown on the affair, owing to the almost impossible difficulty of transit, and the novelty in the application of electrical power; but, now that the thing is assuming something in the shape of a reality, the doubts are being cast to one side and wonder and astonishment take their place. As your readers are aware, the whole of the Phoenix mine is to be worked by electricity and steam combined. The steam engine is already a genuine fact, and, as for the mine, the output of gold for some time past, under serious disadvantages, proves it to be one of the richest mines in the Southern Hemisphere. Of course, to put this property into a really good shape — so as to even defy the elements as it were — water alone, on account of the altitude, or steam power, on account of the fuel required, was entirely out of the question. So the spirited proprietor came to the conclusion — and adopted the idea at once — that electricity should do the work, not only as a motive power, but also as a gold saving power, and to light up the machine house — in fact, to do many other things of which I am not competent to speak at present. To carry out all arrangements in connection with such an enterprise, required an amount of energy and study on the part of the manager, Mr F. Evans, more especially as the work had to be carried on during most unfavorable weather, with bad roads to contend against as well as blindness and stupidity on the part of the County Council, who can scarcely see an inch beyond their noses, but will, nevertheless, pocket an immense revenue each successive year, and if anyone from Skippers dare to ask for an item of expenditure there, the indefatigable members for Cardrona, Frankton and Arrow are up in a moment. However, I have no doubt but Skippers district will have their revenge in the long run. After all this trouble and anxiety the machinery has been landed at its destination pretty safely, and Mr Prince, electrician, of the firm of Fletcher and Co., is now superintending the erection. The electric wires are put up from the battery to the machine house at the Left-hand Branch — a distance of two miles. There is also communication by telephone from one place to the other, and Mr Evans intends, I understand, to continue the wires to Skippers Point at Mr Bullen's expense, so that communication can be carried on with any part of the globe — and this much from a district when no foot track exists from Skippers to the reef, and where the oldest pioneers of the country had not had the opportunity of even tasting a Lake trout until last Saturday, which article was introduced, as a venture, at the modest sum of 1s. per pound — the same sort of fish we read about as being sold in Dunedin for 4d. and in London for 10d. Your correspondent speculated 4s., but if I never taste fish again he will never more pay 1s. per pound. I think Mr Editor, you must, if you are right-minded, consider it one of the greatest injustices, when it is known that the fish are, or were, actually eating one another, and it was deemed a crime to see a fish on a poor man's table.
The Phoenix Co. are still crushing with twenty heads of stamps, and the results have been shown, and will be further shown by the cakes of gold which will come down weekly after Christmas, if everything goes on as anticipated, and of which I have not the slightest doubt the mine is looking as well as ever, and is like a bee hive. Some are at the electrical works, others making beds for the stone crusher, others cutting chambers for hauling and winding gear, others cutting out timber for mining and building purposes — the last mentioned being carried on extensively. Mr, J. H. Evans has made additions to his house; Mr H. A. has also built a new house of some pretentions; Mr Bullen has also ordered to be built for the use of his men a large and beautifully designed building as a library, and not only so, but he endowed it by a handsome gift. There is a stir also amongst the business people. We have two butchers shops, besides a large and commodious accommodation house, kept by an old resident amongst us, viz., Mrs Anderson, formerly of Sandhills. Master James Johnston — who was born amongst us, and who is a special favorite amongst all classes — has also built a large and beautifully finished billiard room, and he intends to erect a bakery as well so I suppose it will not be long before your readers will hear of a grand ball at Skippers reefs.
Mr Southberg is crushing up for a Christmas cake — and the Company which is being floated as a Melbourne Co., will soon be in full swing. Their agent, Mr Pearce leaves to-day for Melbourne to see the directors personally on the matter, and on his return we may expect a start to be made at once and under the most favorable auspices. Lake Wakatip Mail, 11/12/1885.
The lighting-up of the Phoenix battery at Skippers by electricity is now an accomplished fact. A correspondent supplies the Wakatip Mail with the following particulars Mr J. H. Evans on his visit to Dunedin, some four months ago, brought up a dynamo such as is used for lighting up mail steamers. It had been tried here many times unsuccessfully, but it was at last found out that the turbine which came along with it was not capable of driving it; also that the water available was not sufficient. Under those circumstances the thing had to remain idle until Mr F. Evans heard of the wonderful results of the turbine now known as the Pelton Wheel, patented by Messrs Price & Co., of the Thames, Auckland. Consequently a small wheel of 16-inch diameter was got from that firm; the result is that the water, which would not previously light up two lamps with the other turbines, now lights up with eight lamps the battery-room, which is a very large building, making it as light as day. The trial was a perfect success and an agreeable surprise to all concerned. I hear that the cost of the whole concern will be saved in 12 months in candles and kerosene alone. -Cromwell Argus, 22/12/1885.
The proposed new application of electricity as a motive power which will shortly be put on its trial at the Phoenix Quartz mine, Skippers Reefs, is one which has already created considerable interest amongst some of our miners. Personally, we know little of this modern appliance — electricity — but understand that the undertaking now in hand is quite new, inasmuch as much smaller wire is to be used than hitherto for great propelling power, and it is intended to put on speed, as it were, at a high pressure never before attempted. But the direction in which it is of special interest to many is that by its means there is a probability (if successful on the forthcoming occasion), not only of the power of our present water supply being thereby greatly increased, but also that by means of the connecting wire that power may be transmitted up hill or down from any stream so as to work auriferous terraces or other ground that have, from beginning of these goldfields, lain comparatively idle, simply for want of greater and cheaper facilities on the spot. Such a consummation has, to a certain extent, to be worked out, but so far as many of our quartz mines are concerned, one of the most difficult questions will have been solved for the holders of rich mines hitherto unprofitable. Some remarks made by us last week pointed in that direction, and we cannot perhaps better conclude this article than by quoting some very pertinent remarks on the subject, made by an esteemed correspondent, so far as the Macetown reefs are likely to be affected. After speaking of the electric current being conveyed from a distance to the site of the mine, he says "Gold has been proved to exist, for instance, in both the Mountain Maid and Keep-it-Dark quartz mines at an average of 15dwts to 2oz to the ton. Unfortunately, however, the price hitherto paid for carriage to the foot of the mountain by sledge, and then re-carriage to the battery by dray, costs more then the whole of the stone is worth, and, instead of giving any returns to the shareholders, enacts a debt upon them. Consequently the mines lie idle, and are likely to do until some more economic means of reducing the stone are introduced. Let us take the Keep-it-Dark, Mountain Maid, Main Lode, Lady Fayre, Premier and New All Nations. Here six companies have literally no crushing power, saving by the sparse amount of water supplied during a few summer months each year, and in no case can ten stamp heads be driven for any lengthened time, as the supply does not exceed two heads at best. Here then a dynamo motor could be driven by 20 heads of water from the Arrow River all the year round, and this power could be easily conducted to and manipulated by the six companies alluded to, each having a motive power of at least 3 1/3 heads to drive their respective batteries. They would save tramways, shoots and wear and tear of all description of appliances now resorted to, and be enabled (if ever) to give dividends, and keep their respective mines clear of debt as far as crushing power is concerned. It will thus be seen that the great drawback to all mining companies has hitherto been the want of a cheap expeditious method of crushing payable stone, and saving the gold after it has been crushed. There are few good amalgamists on the goldfields, and, however good and careful a man a battery manager may be, he, as a rule, is deficient of the very qualifications that is most essential to the saving of gold — that is, a thorough knowledge of the chemistry associated with the proper conservation of gold after it has been expelled from the stamper boxes." -Lake Wakatip Mail, 1/1/1886.
OUR DUNEDIN LETTER (excerpt)
The first heavy fall of snow has taken place. The weather generally settles again after it. Until Tuesday we had a week of sultry weather and hot winds from the west. Now-a-days, from some cause or another, no one seems able to make a correct weather forecast. It spoils, however, apparently to some extents the grand Skippers gala day and night at the Phoenix mine. The ladies don't like the look of it "you know" but they will venture — many of them — nevertheless, be the consequences what they may. There are a good many promising batchelors rusticating in that part of the district. Their peace and happiness is therefore a matter of concern to our kind feminine friends and sympathisers. Fancy trooping through a mine lit with electricity and tempting specimens for shawl pins, etc., all around. The attraction is very great it must be confessed. The electric system at the Phoenix mine is a success. Experience will no doubt give more practicable results. These are, however, all arrived at upon a limited scale so far. -Southland Times, 12/5/1886.
OVER THE SKIPPERS TRACK TO THE PHOENIX MINE.
——By Our Special Reporter.
Thursday afternoon found us again in the saddle and following the tortuous windings of the Skippers Creek en route to the dynamo machines. Before leaving the battery, however, we had an opportunity of witnessing a practical demonstration of the transmission of power by electricity. In the batteryhouse, mounted on a strong wooden platform, was one of the Anglo American Brush Company's Victoria dynamos, which had been fitted up as a motor. Standing by this machine, awaiting the starting of the generators situated at a waterfall two miles away, we were speculating on the wonders of electricity, when, suddenly, as if by magic, the wheels of the motor began to move and then to buzz round with marvellous rapidity. The current had been switched on, the electric transmission of power at the Phoenix mine was an accomplished fact, and we were among the first to witness the success of what was perhaps the first experiment of the kind on a practical scale made in the Southern Hemisphere. A minute scientific description of the motor would be rather out of place in an article like this but an idea of the manner in which it is worked may be given in a few words. As already stated, the electric generators are situated at a distance of two miles from the battery, and the current is conveyed over a hill 800 feet high by means of a No. 8 copper wire. The current having arrived at the motor, passes through its magnets and the armature coils by way of the brushes and commutator, and then back along another wire to the generators. The field magnets of the motor are made highly magnetic by the electricity, and so also are the coils of the armature, which consist of about three miles of wire. A mutual attraction is thus set up between the two, with the result that the armature is pulled round towards the magnets. On the coils of the armature arriving at the point opposite the magnets, the direction of the current in them becomes reversed, so that the coil opposite and the magnet repel one another. Each coil in the armature wheel thus receives a pull when approaching one of the magnets and a push when leaving it. The result is that they wheel is sent flying round with considerable velocity, and 850 revolutions in the minute are easily attainable. The amount of electricity passing through the motor can be regulated by means of a switch, or turned off altogether at a moment's notice. In the latter case the electricity is sent into a number of coils of common iron wire, and the current which a second before worked the motor will then be expended in heating the wire coils. A little distance from the battery-house are two little dynamos, driven by small pelton wheels and used for generating the current for lighting purposes. The generators are situated about five miles by track in what is called the left-hand branch, but more correctly speaking the right branch, of the stream which has now been appropriately christened Dynamo creek. It is a wonderfully pretty little stream, its waters beautifully clear, and the surrounding scenery of the most romantic character, reminding one somewhat of the rugged slopes of Earnslaw. Here and there clumps of birch trees nestle on the steep glens or cluster under the shelter of some rocky promontory where they are comparatively safe from the winter storms. The slopes of the valley are very steep, and in most places there is just room enough for the ever winding creek. The best view is obtained from an eminence not far from the generators. On the right the slopes are covered with a fine forest of birch with here and there a jagged pinnacle of rock rising above the treetops. On the left the slopes are treeless but of bold formation, and right in the foreground there is a fine waterfall embowered in the greenery of the forest; while away in the distance, high above all the surrounding peaks, rises the snow-capped summit of Mount Aurum — a fitting background to so romantic a scene. A sharp canter over the terrace brings us to the dynamo-house, and we at once proceed to make an inspection of the wonderful machinery, but before entering the building we take the precaution of leaving our watches outside. It is not that we are afraid of pickpockets, or we would not leave them unprotected in a wheelbarrow; but the fact of the matter is that the electric machines play the very mischief with watches. Inside the building we met Mr Fletcher, and found him in possession of the latest news from Dunedin and Queenstown, he having just heard by telephone of the recovery of Mr Prince, the electrician, and the safe return of Mr Dewar, the missing postmaster, to Queenstown. There was general rejoicing over both items of intelligence. We spent an hour or so in a very interesting way, watching the machinery and noting a few general facts in connection with it. The two large Brush dynamo machines were at work generating the electric current which was travelling over the intervening hill to the motor in the battery-house, Mr Fletcher having just that day completed his momentous undertaking. His task was by no means an easy one, for some of the parts had been damaged in transit over the Skippers track from Queenstown, and the workmanship of others did not reflect much credit on the Home makers. In addition to all this, difficulties that were never dreamt of cropped up, but one by one they disappeared under Mr Fletcher's indomitable perseverance and skill, and the work which has at last been brought to a satisfactory issue may now be regarded as one of the triumphs of modern engineering. The dynamos are situated in an iron building at the foot of a perpendicular cliff about 200 feet high. An open ground race about half a mile in length brings the water from the creek to the top of the cliff, and it is then conveyed to the pelton wheels which drive the generators in a couple of wrought iron pipes, 22in in diameter at the top, and tapering down to 6in at the bottom. An almost perpendicular fall of 180ft is obtained, and the four or five heads of water coming down the pipes send the pelton wheels round with great velocity. These pelton wheels are of simple construction, and Mr Evans' great faith in their efficacy seems not to have been misplaced. A two and a-half inch nozzle throws the water into the buckets of the wheels, sending them round at the rate of 370 turns to the minute. Each wheel is capable of exerting 50 horse-power, though at the present time they are working at much less than that. The power is conveyed to the generators by means of a new kind of belting known as the link belting. It is a very ingenious invention, consisting of small pieces of leather an inch and a-half long, five-eighths wide, and a quarter of an inch in thickness joined together by means of wire rods, the width of the belt, passing through their ends. There are about 550 of these little leather links in a square foot of the belting which possesses many advantages over the ordinary kinds of belting. But to return to the generators: they are the wellknown Brush dynamos of a large size, and are capable of being driven at a speed of from 700 to 800 revolutions per minute. If used as lighting machines, they would generate enough electricity to maintain 80 powerful arc lights. In other words, they would be sufficient for the lighting of the city of Dunedin, or for the purpose of driving the whole of the city and suburban trams. Their power of magnetising was illustrated in our presence by Mr Fletcher, who took up a common bar of iron four feet long and by holding it at a distance of two yards from the machine it was so magnetised that it sustained a heavy iron spanner of nearly a pound weight. The two generators are coupled together so that each delivers its current into the same circuit. The current then passes to a switch board by means of which the machines may be connected to or disconnected from the circuit in a few seconds. There is also an instrument which shows the quantity of electricity being generated by the machines, so that the machines can be regulated until the desired of current is obtained. The peltons are also thoroughly under control and can be worked together or independently of each other. The machine-house is about 8000ft above sea level, so it may be judged that it was a matter of no small difficulty to get the heavier parts of the machinery to their destination. The greatest skill is required in driving the little trollies over some of the steepest gradients of the Skippers track, and no matter what amount of care is taken it is impossible to prevent accidents. One of the trollies, carrying a piece of iron of nearly a ton weight, fell over the track for a distance of 50 or 60 feet, dragging the four horses attached to it down the embankment. Horses, trolly, and driver were nearly precipitated into the Shotover, and it is a wonder that there was no loss of life. Another heavy piece of machinery sunk in the gravel of Skippers Creek and remained there over a flood. Mr Evans was occupied a whole lay with six men digging it out and getting it on the trolly again. The difficulties of transit, however, are not nearly so great now as they were a few years ago, when only three horses could be yoked on the zigzag and from 10 to 20 men with levers and screwjacks were required to move a trolly 200 yards in the course of a day. But even at the present time considerable danger is attached to the work, and the drivers standing on the trollies guiding their teams round some of the sharp declivities, with only a few inches between them and a giddy precipice, must frequently have their hearts in their mouths. Some of the fly-wheels weighed as much as 35cwt, (1,778kg) and at one point in the road they had to be taken off the trollies, rolled over a suspension bridge, and then put on trollies again on the other side. On our way back we saw several of the teams at work, and now and again a packman driving half-a-dozen packhorses before him was encountered. These packhorses have very trying work to do, but though sometimes carrying very heavy and awkward loads they may be seen toiling along over the steep slopes without showing any great sign of distress. Altogether there are upwards of 30 horses at work in connection with the mine. When that portion of the road round the zigzag is finished the journey will be made much easier, but there will still be some places where the greatest care will have to be taken. The great difficulty all along has been the want of a road, but it appears that of late years the Government have begun to recognise that it is a necessary thing to have roads leading to the inland quartz mines. A great deal, however, might still be done by way of encouraging the mining industry, and a little judicious expenditure on road works in Central Otago and on the West Coast might be the means of opening up mines that would prove a source of considerable wealth to the colony. But instead of this judicious expenditure the industry has been hampered to a great extent by taxes and duties of one kind or another, so that one of the most important of our resources is almost neglected for want of a little encouragement. The absurd ideas of the Protectionist party are fully apparent to the miner who has to pay a tax on nearly everything requisite used in connection with his calling. The Protectionist, no doubt, would say that by imposing these duties he is encouraging the manufacture of goods in the colony, but the miner can reply that he is raising up factories in the large towns at the expense of the more legitimate industries in the interior. Fuse, powder, steel, candles, and all the little odds and ends used by the miner are taxed, and in addition to this there are license fees, county rates, water rates, miners' rights, and property taxes to pay. For full 17 years Mr Bullen struggled with the Phoenix mine, and after spending £50,000 in its development he is now called upon to contribute £800 to the County revenue and pay a property tax on the full value of the mine, set down at £50,000. This, with the addition of the gold duty and the various other taxes, was enough to make any man give up all hope of success. But Mr Bullen struggled bravery against all adversity, and under the able management of Mr Evans he is now about to reap the reward of his labours. Regarding the future success of the mine there can be little doubt. Up to the 31st March last the total quantity of gold produced since Mr Evans took charge in 1867 was 14,9340z. During the last year the yield had increased considerably, and for the thirteen months previous to our visit the crushings had produced 69000z. Since the electric machinery has been set in motion the yield has been daily on the increase, and when the erection of the air compressors is completed and the lower levels of the mine tapped, the returns will be larger than ever. The electric machinery has proved an unexampled success; and though the cost of erection has been between £4000 and £5000, owing to the unexpected difficulties that had to be met and the defective construction of the machinery, the success that has already attended the undertaking has proved that the manager was fully justified in giving it a trial. There can now be no question of the utility of the electric principle, and so far there seems every likelihood of a saving of between £3000 and £4000 per year being effected as the result of its introduction at the Phoenix mine. There can be no doubt that electricity will, before many years, play a very important part in the development of the quartz reefs in the Wakatipu district. Reefs abound, and in many cases gold can be seen in the stone with the naked eye. Power in the shape of numerous never-failing streams is daily running to waste, and the only question seems to be the formation of suitable roads or tracks so that machinery can be taken to the reefs at a minimum cost. Now that the problem has been solved at the Phoenix mine, other companies will no doubt soon follow in the footsteps of Mr Bullen and his able manager, Mr Fred. Evans, and the result cannot be other than beneficial to the district and the colony at large. It was with feelings of genuine regret that we shook hands and parted with our genial host at the junction of the Dynamo and Skippers Creeks and pursued our journey once more in the direction of Skippers Point. -Otago Witness, 25/6/1886.
For gold mining, the transmission of electricity was the beginning of a new era, and coincided with the invention of the gold dredge which mostly used coal but with a few notable, electrical exceptions. For the nation of New Zealand it was the beginning of a technology now essential to modern life.
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