Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/192

150 of large slips from the range above, in no place has the work hitherto given, in the slightest degree. Very great care was directed to the works while in progress, to obtain or make solid foundations for all structures, and on the designs of these structures for strength and durability. Between the lower and upper inclines there are about 100 ft. of sidings, arranged with reversed grades similar to those described at the terminus of the railway. The full waggons when unhooked from the upper incline run forward to the place where it is hooked on to the rope connected with the lower brake drum, and the empty waggon, on arriving at the brake head of the lower incline, runs back to the foot of the upper incline to be there hooked on. There is something positively “uncanny” in the appearance of these huge waggons moving about apparently of their own accord, especially if you do not see the man on the brake steps. The waggon is lowered on the upper incline in about two minutes, and on the lower incline in about four and a-half minutes; but when the exigencies of the company’s trade demand it, the brake machinery will be altered, so as to lower in about three minutes. At present there is a hydraulic brake attached to the drum, which is very safe and excellent in many respects, but which exercises too great a deterrent influence on the waggons, and prevents a sufficient rate of speed in working this incline. Hitherto the upper incline has been worked with a single band brake on the drum, but now a new drum is being got ready with three band brakes in the centre, which is necessary for greater safety, and for preventing the heating of the bands. The brakes are worked in both cases by a small horizontal wheel and a screw, similar to a guard’s brake in a railway van. On the upper brake head, which is about 40 ft. below the level of the chain plane from the mines, there is a very complete and comprehensive system of sidings, constructed also with reversed grades similar to those at the middle brake head and the foot of the incline. At this place there is a small stationary engine placed at the tail of the sidings, so that when the empty waggons run back on a reverse grade, after having been released from the incline rope, they are pulled up a short direct grade, until they reach a level sufficient to enable them to run forward under the screens to be loaded, and then to their place before the drum at the upper brake head, where they are hooked on. The empty ones from either side can be switched on to the coal shoot line, or the small coal or “nut” siding. The arrangements for screening and loading the coal are very perfect and complete. The wire hutches or tubs are delivered by the endless chain at the “Top House,” a long building roofed in and lighted by a row of windows, and having the floor covered with sheets of iron, so that the tubs can be easily handled. There are two large 6-ft. shoots, with screens, at present in operation, but the increase of the output will soon render it necessary to add others. At the top of each of these shoots, and level with the Top House floor, there are “circular cradles” or “tiplers,” into which the loaded wire hutches are rolled by a man stationed at each cradle. The weight of the loaded tub causes these cradles to swing round, so as to turn the tub upside down, and to deliver its load into the shoot. While in the shoot the coal passes over a screen, which is a number of parallel bars placed half an inch apart, through which the nuts and slack drop, while the coal passes on to the bottom of the