May 2018 Project Martha – Historical & Archaeological Background 44 Water Races A reliable supply of water was a significant part of mining operations in Waihi and played an integral role in maintaining power supply (i.e. to Pelton wheels and steam engines) and processing the ore (i.e. wet crushing, washing, slimes, separation, cyanide and other processes) (Figure 33 and Figure 34). 164 Waihi Low Level Water Race (NZAA T13/817) The Waihi low level (or low pressure) race was constructed by the Waihi Gold and Silver Mining Company in 1889 to deliver water from the Ohinemuri River to the Waihi Battery on Union Hill. It operated until 1913, when the battery was closed down.165 This source drove two Pelton wheels at the bottom of a 52ft shaft where the waste water was conveyed back to the river some 1200ft away.166 This provided sufficient power to run the mill and steam was relegated to a back-up supply.167 Details of the race were provided soon after its completion in the 1890 report to the Minister of Mines: ‘A dam has been constructed in the Ohinemuri River, and also another dam has been constructed in one of the branch creeks, as a supplementary supply. The waterrace from the main dam to the battery is about 212 chains in length [4.2km], and the dimensions of the ditch are, 3ft. 6in. on the bottom, 9ft. across the top, and 2ft. 9in. in depth. Assuming that it is capable of conveying water to the depth of 2ft. 6in., this would be equal to about twenty sluice-heads; the fall or gradient of the ditch being 1 in 2,000.’168 Waihi High Level Race The high level (or high pressure) race (also known as the Waitete water race) was completed by 1892 to deliver additional water to the mill from Waitete, Walmsley and Mataura Streams. These three races delivered their water to a penstock on Martha Hill, and then by pressure pipe to the Pelton wheel via Pipe Lane.169 Three Pelton wheels ran on this water and the races totalled 12 miles in length.170 Progress on the construction of the race was reported in May 1891 by the Thames Star: ‘The circular saw, which is humming away every day, is doing good work. Two experienced men from the Thames are working it, and they turn out from 5000 to 7000 feet daily. Five teams of horses are continually bringing timber from Waitekauri to keep the saw, going, the timber arriving in junks or flitches. There are no less than 12 pair of sawyers breaking down and flitching. After being cut into suitable sizes by the circular saw, the timber is carted away for miles in every direction for the purpose of constructing fluming, building dams; and erecting trestle work. The water pipes which are to convey the water to the Pelton wheels for the new 30 head of stampers, are arriving daily on the ground. Messrs Price 164 Clough, 2004, p.79. 165 Ibid. 166 AJHR 1890 C-03, p.41. 167 Clough 2004, p.79. 168 AJHR 1890 C-03, p.41. 169 Clough 2004, p.79. 170 AJHR 1892 C-03, p.46.
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