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36
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THE REDUCTION WORKS.
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of
cascades into the narrow gorge at the bottom of the valley. It is so
far below and so completely shut in by overhanging foliage, that no
glimpse of it can be obtained.
It
was no easy task to decide upon the most advantageous site upon which
to erect the crushing-mill and reduction works; but the decision once
arrived at, rapid progress was made in preparing for the buildings.
There had been considerable delay before these operations were
commenced, owing to the difficulties experienced in effecting an
agreement with the proprietors of the surface rights ; for it was
necessary to obtain their consent before any of the forest could be
cleared for building operations. This obstacle ceased to exist as soon
as the company became the owners of the surface, as well as of the
mining, rights. And it must be remembered that this great advantage was
not secured until the early part of the present year, when for the
first time it became possible to begin any important work that was not
actual mining.
The
site selected is a gently sloping space of open ground, at the edge of
a steeper incline, surrounded on all sides with magnificent timber. It
was necessary to build two retaining walls upon the lower slope to hold
the earth excavated in levelling the upper platform, upon which the
heavy batteries will be erected.* A lower platform will thus be formed
* Recent letters advise that heavy floods had damaged these
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