Handwritten extract from the Bendigo Advertiser 20/8/1910 Page 8. ''New Chum Mines. Unwatering of the deep levels is being carried on as expeditionsly as was expected by the authorities. In the last four days, the water has only been lowered 14 feet at the Victoria Quartz Mine. The water stood at the 3,226 feet level yesterday. The slow progress being made this week is no doubt due to the large quantity in the workings at some of the levels.'' From the Bendigo Advertiser 27/8/1910 Page 9. ''New Chum Mines. Very slow progress being made. At Victoria Quartz, the water was lowered 32 feet for the week, and is now at 3258 feet. New Chum Railway lowered the water 17 feet and the present level of the water is at 1796 feet. The Lazarus are raising water from 2157 feet. The water has ceased flowing into the New Chum and Victoria through the connecting level with the Lazarus Mine at about 2,500 feet. As the Victoria Quartz is down 4,614 feet, there is still a considerable quantity of water to get out before sinking of the shaft can be resumed.''document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, new chum mines drainage problems 1910, bendigo advertiser 20/8/1910 page 8 & 27/8/1910 page 9, new chum mines, victoria quartz, new chum railway, lazarus, new chum and victoria

Handwritten extract from the Bendigo Advertiser 16/1/1911 Page 3. ''Mr P. McBride, Minister for Mines to visit Bendigo to-morrow, Tuesday January 17th. Suggestions made that the water be lifted by electric pumps. Bailing with tanks had been tried for six months. Now abandoned.'' Albert Richardson Mining History Collection.document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, new chum mines drainage problems, bendigo advertiser 16/1/1911 page 3, mr p mcbride

Handwritten notes from Bendigo Advertiser reports. (1) Mr J. H. Craig reports- Victoria Reef Quartz - Cleaned and tested No 3 boiler. Have bailed 3,905 tanks. Water now 2.953 feet from surface. At Lazarus - Bailed 4,828 tanks. At New Chum Railway - Cleaned and tested boilers and flues, effected repairs to machinery and shaft, and started bailing at 3 pm on Friday 29th inst, and bailed 965 tanks. Bendig Advertiser 3/8/1910 Page 2 Mining Intelligence. (2) New Chum Mines - Better progress is now being made in lowering the water in the deep level workings at the New Chum Mines. At the Victoria Quartz, the water which on Monday stood at 3073feet, has been lowered 70 feet during the past four days. The pumping service at the New Chum Railway was in operation yesterday, and the winding plant is fully occupied. There is a considerable quantity of water toraise, and the companies have a difficult task before them. Bendigo Advertiser 5/8/1910 Page 2. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, new chum mines drainage problems 1910, bendigo advertiser 3/8/1910 page 2, mr j h craig, victoria reef quartz, lazarus, new chum railway, bendigo advertiser 5/8/1910 page 2, albert richardson

3 Pages titled Victoria Hill. On one side is a sketch of W Rae's Home built in the early 1870's and Rae's Open Cut. Mentioned is a short history of Victoria Hill and the mine of Christopher Ballerstadt and his son Theodore. The remains of a 20 head crushing battery, which was originally the ten head crusher of the Little 180 Mine remains. It later became the twenty head New Chum Syncline Battery. Water became a problem and the New Chum Drainage Scheme was introduced and the cost of pumping and bailing was shared between the mines.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - victoria hill, gold mines hotel, christopher ballerstedt, theodore ballerstadt, ballerstadt's open cut, lansell's 180 mine, little 180 mine, new chum syncline battery, victoria reef quartz mining co, victoria quartz, new chum drainage system, w rae's home, rae's open cut

Photo of a newspaper article titled Water Continues to Rise in the Victoria Quartz by James Lerk. Article mentions William Abraham who was the mining inspector, who played a significant role in the flooding problem. Water levels had risen dramatically. Water flowed from one mine to another where they were connected. Article also mentions Abraham's birthplace, his early start to work at the age of 10 as a tin dresser at Ashburton, Devonshire, England and his working life after he migrated to Australia at the age of 19. His career in Australia is also mentioned. The article is accompanied by a photo of Abraham with his horse.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - water continues to rise in the victoria quartz, james lerk, william abraham, new chum reef, matthew stevens, south bellevue, new chum and victoria mine, lazarus mine, new chum drainage association, william abraham snr, mary kane, lady miltoa (ship), cricket reserve gold mine, ballarat freehold company, wallaby mine, richard grenfell, bendigo advertiser, bendigo school of mines, confidence extended mine

Handwritten notes from the Bendigo Advertiser 5/7/1910 Page 3. 'New Chum Mines. Yesterday, Mr H. V. Whetelaw, officer in charge of the local survey branch, Mines Dep't accompanied by Inspector Ross, made their first inspection. Water has reached the 3224 ft. level. Now 1530 feet of water in shaft, including the workings below the 3324 ft. level. Bailing been carried on at the Victoria Quartz, Lansell's 180, 222, and New Chum Consolidated. It will take a week or more to get the Lazarus plant in readiness. Then the shaft will have to examined. At Lansell's 222, the water is 18 ft. below the No 18 level, New Chum Consolidated - 18 ft. below, the 1910 ft. Plat.' Bendigo Advertiser- New Chum Mines - 5/7/1910 Page 3. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, victoria quartz drainage problems, bendigo advertiser 5/7/1910 page 3, mr h v whitelaw, mines dept, inspector ross, victoria quartz, lansell's 180, 222, new chum consolidated, lazarus, albert richardson

Handwritten copy of Bendigo Advertiser report 15/8/1910. '' Mining Intelligence''. 'return from New Shenandoah very poor. Crushing material drawn from eastern formation at 280 feet. Water - 'Bailing of water is occupying attention in the other mines, but very little progress is being made'. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, bailing of water, bendigo advertiser 15/8/1910 page 2, new shenandoah, albert richardson

Handwritten copy of reports from the Bendigo Advertiser regarding water in the mine. (1) The bailing of water is occupying attention in other mines (from Shamrock North) to the Victoria Quartz. The water despite the efforts of the companies engaged bailing, continues to rise. Bendigo Advertiser July 18th Page 3. (2) Victoria Quartz Half Yearly Meeting, Lapsed, No quorum. Directors' Report: Sinking of shaft carried on till 14th June, when it was 4,614 ft. deep. Progress very satisfactory. Progress very satisfactory considering increase of water. As water was interfering with work, made arrangements on 3rd May, that 180 Mine should bail, and Minister of Mines agreed to allow, expense to be charged against work subsidised by Government. Arrangements now made for Lazarus, 222 and New Chum Consolidated mines to bail to unwater line of reef. Victoria Consols, Ironbark, 83, and Hercules and Energetic Companies have undertaken to contribute to cost, and Gov't will allow this to be charged on grant. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, victoria quartz, bendigo advertiserjuly 18th page 2 mining intelligence, bendigo advertiser 20/7/1910 page 3, lazarus, 222, new chum consolidated, victoria consols, ironbark, 83, hercules and energetic, albert richardson

Two handwritten copies of a Bendigo Advertiser report 16/6/1910 Page 7. This is a longer version of 3600.14. It was thought that the rush of water was from a dam bursting in one of the other mines, but as the water showed no signs of slowing that theory was discarded. The temperature of the incoming water was much higher than the Victoria Quartz was accustomed to bail, and this circumstance is significent in view of the increased temperature of the water at the deep levels in the New Chum Railway. Some months ago, the water commenced to flow from the New Chum Railway workings into the New Shenandoah, which is the next mine north. The water rose so rapidly that a disaster was narrowly averted. The mines along the line were connected at different levels and with the cessation of bailing at the deep levels in the southern mines, it was only to be expected that the water would find its way north to the Victoria Quartz. The water raised from the operating mines under the direction of the New Chum Drainage Association, a yeart or two ago used to exceed six million gallons per month. At that time there were eight companies bailing water, and even then some of the plants, especially those at the deep mines, were severely taxed in coping with the water, and performing ordinary work. Since some mines had discontinued bailing, the water has been filling up extensive workings, and as was predicted in the ''Advertiser'' some time ago, the Victoria Quartz Company could not expect to succeed with its deep sinking project without making some special provision for raising the water, which ultimately would become a source of trouble. The Victoria Quartz Company was allotted a special grant of 10,000 pound to assist in sinking the shaft 1000 ft from the 4254 ft level. Under the conditions of the grant, the Company had to contribute half the cost of the sinking, and the raising of the water has also been an exensive item. For the present, all attention will be concentrated in lowering the water, and should the appliances prove unequal to the task the deep sinking scheme can only be accomplished by resorting to some comprehensive system of combating the water'. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, inrush of water at the victoria quartz, bendigo advertiser 16/6/1910 page 7, mine reports 13/6/1910, victoria quartz, lansell's 180, mr stevens, mr w abraham, new chum & victoria mine, new chum railway, new shenandoah, new chum drainage association

Six pages of handwritten notes regarding the New Chum Drainage Proposals. Extracts from the Bendigo Advertiser mentioning the rising of the water in the New Chum Mines. An Advertiser report 27/12/1910 mentions that deep mining will have to be abandoned owing to the absence of some proper scheme to cope with the water. An arrangement had been made by which the companies affected along the line should contribute to a scheme. Suggestions made that the water be lifted by electric pumps. Baling with tanks had been tried for 6 months and then abandoned. Directors Report Victoria Reef Quartz Jan 1911 mentions unwatering had been carried on with assistance of Government. On the 20th Dec, one rope gave out. Decided that replacing it and doing the necessary work could not be met in the present financial conditions. It was also considered that the costof trying to reach the bottom reefcut in the New Chum Railway could not be continued by baling as its cost proved too expensive, while it could probably be done economically & effectively by electric pump which is now subject to negotiations with the Mining Dept.' At the end of the report is a Balance Sheet. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, new chum drainage proposals, bendigo advertiser 11/1/1911 page 7, victoria quartz, victoria consols, bendigo advertiser 5/7/1910 page 3, mr h v whitelaw, mines dept, insp ross, lansell's 180, 222, new chum consolidated, lazarus, bendigo advertiser 6/7/1910 page 7, 9/7/1910 page 9, drainage troubles, bendigo advertiser 8/7/ page 8, new chum railway, south belle vue, eureka ext'd, bgo adv 25/7 1910, 27/12/1910 page 2, rae's machine, bendigo advertiser 2/1/1911, mr mcbride, mines dept, mr stanfield, mines act, bendigo advertiser 16/1/1911 page 3, victoria reef quartz half yearly meeting 1911, directors report and balance sheet, geo paynting

Handwritten notes from a Bendigo Advertiser report, Thursday June 16th 1910. Management had for some time been apprehensive that the flooding in the deep mines to the south would affect them. Lansell's 180 took the precaution of baling. On the Tuesday night the men at the Victoria Quartz had a sensational experience. The storage dam at 3324 ft level receives the overflow from the flooded mines to the south. The level connects with the 3310 level at the Big 180. The water flows uninterrupted into thestorage dam which has a capacity of about 270 tanks. The dam had been emptied on Tuesday morning and work continued until 10 pm that night. The platman noticed that the water was coming down the shaft in a regular torrent. They didn't take much notice as they thought it was a leakinig outlet valve on the ascending tank. At 11 pm the releiving shift came down the shaft and said that the dam at 3,324 ft must be overflowing. The velocity of the water pouring down the shaft increased and the men made a hurried exit from the bottom of the shaft which is down 310 ft from the 4.254 ft plat (a total depth of 4,564 ft). An inspection of the dam at the 3324 ft level found it to be overflowing. By morning (Wednesday) the shaft had filled, and the water rose to 7 ft in the plat at 4254 feet. Mining inspector hgave orders that men were not to go below the 3324 ft level. Baling continued without cessation at the Big 180 all day and could not lower the water. Drilling machines etc and a powerful air winch at the 4254 ft plat are under water. An inspection made of the 3100 ft level at the 180 mine where the workings are connected with the New Chum & Victoria showed that water was running strongly from that mine proving that the inrush was due to flooded water from the southern deep mines to the south. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage scheme, miners sensational experience at the victoria quartz, bendigo advertiser 16/6/1910 page7, lansell's 180, big 180, new chum & victoria

Handwritten copy of a report in the Bendigo Advertiser 12/7/1910 Page 2. New Chum Mines. Progress of Bailing Operations. The bailing operations at the New Chum mines have not yet had the desired effect of lowering the water. On the contrary the water continues to rise in the Victoria Quartz which is the mine most directly affected. It is expected that the necessary preparations at the Lazarus will be completed today when it is hoped that bailing will be commenced at that mine. The success of the bailing scheme will largely depend on the efforts of the Lazarus to cope with the water and the progress made during the next few days will be awaited with interest. It is generally believed that the great volume of water is coming north from the southern group of mines. The companies south of the New Chum Consolidated are not bailing, and the pumping service at the New Chum Railway which is installed down to the 550 ft. level has not been operated since that company abandoned work a few months ago. A perusal of the statistics of the New Chum Drainage Association shows that the pumps at the New Chum Railway were lifting on anaverage close on 1,000,000 galls of water per month in the winter. That great volume of water is now pouring from storage dams at 550 feet to the deep levels, and in the natural order of things will have to be lifted by the tanking system in vogue at the mines N.' Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, victoria quartz influx of water, bendigo advertiser 12/7/1910 page 2, victoria quartz, lazarus, new chum consolidated, new chum railway, new chum drainage association

Handwritten extract from the Bendigo Advertiser Jan 2nd 1911. ''In absence of Mr McBride, Minister for Mines in the country, officers of the Mines Department were inclined to-day to say much about unwatering the deep Bendigo mines, which is again a pressing problem. Owing to the breaking of the steel wire rope at the victoria Quartz mine, the trouble was intensified. An arrangement had been made by which the companies affected along the line should contribute, but two of the companies, it is stated, suspended operations. A scheme has been placed by Mr Stanfield before the parties interested, and the officers of the Mines Department expressed the hope that for the sake of the future of deep mining, some arrangement should be come to. Unless the companies show a disposition to help themselves substantially, the officers do not think it likely that the Government will co-operate. There are, it was added certain provisions of the Mines Act, and covenants in leases can be enforced, but there is no desire to compel the companies which have carried on in the face of great difficulties, to do anything reasonable.'' Albert Richardson Mining History Collectiongold, drainage problems, drainage problems, new chum mines the drainage question, bendigo advertiser 2/1/1911, mr mcbride, mines department, victoria quartz mine, mr stanfield, mines act, albert richardson.

Handwritten extract of the Victoria Reef Quartz Half-Yearly Meeting from the Bendigo Advertiser Wed 18/1/1911 Page 5. The meeting lapsed for want of a quorum. Director's Report states unwatering had been vigorously carried on with assistance of the Government. On 20 December, one rope gave out. After discussion, it was decided it was too costly to replace with the present financial condition of the Company. It was also considered that the cost of trying to reach the bottom reef cut in the New Chum Railway could not be continued by baling, as its cost proved too expensive, while it probably could be done profitably and effectively by electric pump, which is now subject to negotiations with the Mines Department.'' Also included is a Balance Sheet. From the Albert Richardson Mining History Collection.document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, victoria reef quartz half-yearly meeting, bendigo advertiser, 18/1/1911 page 5, new chum railway, mines department, balance sheet victoria reef quartz, ar

Handwritten extract from the Bendigo Advertiser 27/12/1910 Page 2. ''The Victoria Quartz, having deepened its shaft to 4,614 feet, had to abandon sinking on account of an inrush of water from the flooded mines to the south on the line. The influx occurred on the 15th of June, and notwithstanding that baling has been carried on almost constantly the company has failed to get the water out. It appears that the deep ground will have to be abandoned, owing to the absence of some proper scheme to cope with the water.'' Albert Richardson Mining History Collection.document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, new chum line drainage problems 1910, bendigo advertiser 27/12/1910 page 2, victoria quartz, albert richardson

Handwritten copy of Bendigo Advertiser reports of water in New Chum Mines. (1) 'The water rose yesterday, 9 feet in the Victoria Quartz mine and now at 3215 ft. Bgo. Adv 6/7/1910 page 7. (2) 'New Chum Mines. Futile attempts to cope with water. Despite the fact that bailing is being carried on steadily, the water has risen 55 feet in the last 24 hours, and is now up to 3160 feet. New Chum Consolidated has since last week raised 327,000 galls, but the bailing has made no perceptible difference. The Lazarus to start on Monday.' Bgo Adv 9/7/1910 Page 9. (3) Letter to Adv by A. L.N. Excerpts. 'Bailing should have commenced at New Chum Railway.' 'The bulk of water is at South end. 3.5 million galls per month, divided between South Belle Vue, Eureka Extended and New Chum Railway.' 'In black and white, the Railway in the wet season, July last year with the aid of the Cornish Lift, raised 2.25 million galls, besides attending to those employed below.' 'Safe to say that 3.5 million galls per month could be raised from the present water level.' 'The plant is strong with abundance of steam space which would allow the firewood to be used economically under the barborous Cornish Boiler or wood-eaters'. Bgo Adv 14/7/1910. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, water in new chum mines, victoria quartz, new chum consolidated, lazarus, new chum railway, south belle vue, eureka extended, cornish lift, bendigo advertiser 6/7/1910 page 7, bendigo advertiser 9/7/1910 page 9, bendigo advertiser 14/7/1910

Two handwritten extracts from the Bendigo Advertiser 17/6/1910 regarding the inrush of water at the Victoria Quartz Mine. 'When the inrush of water came on Tuesday night, the men had to make a hurried exit from the bottom of the shaft and 4254 ft. plat. The working equipment left below consists of three rock-drilling machines, air-winch, two trucks, about one ton of drills, while rails, air-pipes, etc, below the 3224 ft. plat are not likely to be recovered'. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, inrush of water at the victoria quartz, bendigo advertiser 17/6/1910 page 3, ar

Handwritten notes from the Bendigo Advertiser 22/6/1910, listing the mine, Gallons baled, Deepest depth baled from, Total amount Rec'd, ? ? Coy for Financial Year ended 30/6/1908. Mines mentioned are: New Chum Railway, Eureka Ext'd, New Chum Con'd, Lazarus, Garibaldi, Lansells 180, Victoria Quartz, Lansell's 222, New Chum & Vic., Shamrock and New Shenandoah. Note along the side: re - Vict Quartz Inrush Water. Adv. Wed. 22/6/1910. (b) Handwritten notes on the New Chum Drainage Ass'n 1905 - 1908 from the Bendigo Advertiser 22/6/1910. Listed is the Year, Water Raised (Gallons), Total Amount Re?ed and Amount Re? Coys. The New Chum Drainage Ass'n was formed in 1901 and practically ceased to exist in 1908. Victoria Quartz at time of inrush of water on Tuesday night, the shaft had reached a depth of 4,614 feet. Water has since risen in the shaft to above 4,154 ft plat & the large workings at 4,254 feet, and 4,154 feet have also been t filled. As there are no reef workings from 4,154 to 3,424 feet the water will no doubt rise rapidly until that level is reached. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage association, drainage 1905 - 1908, bendigo advertiser 22/6/1910, victoria quartz, new chum railway, eureka ext'd, new chum con'd, lazarus, garibaldi, lansell's 180, lansell's 222. mew chum & vic, shamrock, new shenandoah

Two handwritten pages naming the mine, the lowest connection and connection to the next mine for the proposed drainage scheme. The second page lists the mines, from South to North, the projected distances in feet and to the nearest yard. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage scheme, drainage 1905 - 1908, mines dept sheet 796/a/6 proposed drainage scheme, south belle vue, eureka ext'd, new chum railway, new shenandoah, shamrock, garibaldi, new chum consol'd, new chum united, lansell's 222, lazarus, old chum ?, new chum & vic, lansell's 180, victoria quartz

Handwritten copy of Bendigo Advertiser 6/12/1901 report detailing the number of gallons the mines had raised. Mines mentioned are: New Chum Consolidated, New Chum Rly, Eureka Ext'd, Garibaldi, Lazarus, Shenandoah, Lansell's 180, New Chum & Victoria, Young Chum, Shamrock and the Old Chum. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.gold, drainage problems, new chum drainage scheme, drainage report, bendigo advertiser 6/12/1901 page 4 mining intelligence, new chum consolidated, new chum rly, eureka ext'd, garigaldi, lazarus, shenandoah, lansell's 180, new chum & victoria, young chum, shamrock, old chum., albert richardson

Handwritten extracts from the Bendigo Advertiser 17/8/1910 Col. 2. Extract mentions Bailing Operations - A Week's Progress. Water at the Victoria Quartz lowered 139 ft for the week. Bailing carried out at Lansell's 180, Lazarus, New Chum Consolidated and New Chum Railway Mines. Cost of bailing about 200 pound per week and the Government is contributing half. The balance is being found from the Victoria Quartz, Victoria Consols, Ironbark, Hercules and Energetic and Lansell's Estate. Expenditure over 6 weeks has amounted to over 1200 pounds. ''Mr McBride, Minister for Mines,said work was to be continued for the present at all events. Mr Merrin, Chief Inspector of Mines, said the Dept's aim was to keep the whole of contributing mines on the New Chum line unwatered, and also to enable the Victoria Quartz to go on with its sinking. It was not however intended to introduce a pumping system for the present.''document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, bendigo advertiser 17/8/1910 page 3 col 2, victoria quartz, lansell's 180, lazarus, new chum consolidated, new chum railway, victoria consols, ironbark, hercules and energetic, lansell's estate, mr mcbride, mr merrin, new chum line

BHS CollectionPhotocopy of a newspaper article titled Water Continues to Rise in the Victoria Quartz by James Lerk. Article mentions the water problem in the Victoria Quartz Mine and where they believed it was coming from. Also mentioned is the mining inspector William Abraham. There is a short history of his working life up to the time of his qualifying as a mine manager after studying part-time for ten years at the Bendigo School of Mines. There is a dark photo of William and his horse.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - water in the victoria quartz, james lerk, victoria quartz, william abraham, new chum reef, matthew stevens, south bellevue, new chum and victoria mine, lazarus, new chum drainage association, william abraham snr, druid, mary kane, lady miltoa, ballarat freehold company, the wallaby, richard grenfell, bendigo advertiser, bendigo school of mines, confidence extended mine, george ellis