Our First Half-Century Part 31

LATER INFORMATION.

Since 1902 until this year annual reports at length have not been furnished by the Hydraulic Engineer; but this year the work has been resumed, and advance information supplied in a condensed form.

In the foregoing epitome of the Hydraulic Engineer's reports extending over twenty-five years, no particular mention has been made of the failures inevitable when either the Government or private persons were engaged in deep boring for water exploration. The following particulars show some of the obstacles encountered in tapping the subterranean springs of our arid western country:--

In his report for 1902 the Hydraulic Engineer mentioned that a contract had been entered into with Mr. W. Woodley for the sinking of a bore at Eromanga to a depth of 2,000 ft. for the sum of 1,438, but that work could not be prosecuted in consequence of the prevailing drought in the West. The contract depth was reached on 29th August, 1903, without finding water. A further contract to carry the bore to 3,000 ft. was subsequently entered into, and on 30th June, 1904, at a depth of 2,612 ft., the work was suspended until the arrival of casing, which was delayed by rain. It was not until November, 1904, that the casings reached the bore site, and that work could be resumed. A suspension of work occurred on 4th March following for want of a competent driller. Boring was resumed in August and continued till March, 1906, without success. The only water tapped up to that time was a supply of 10,000 gallons per diem at a depth of 1,640 ft.

The casings were allowed to remain in the bore, the gross cost of which had been 4,480. In May, 1906, a new contract with Mr. Woodley, for sinking another bore to a depth of 3,000 ft., was entered into. At 1,660 ft. a supply of 12,000 gallons a day was tapped; but, this being considered insufficient, another contract for deepening the bore to 3,500 ft. was entered into with Mr. Woodley, the additional cost being 1,000. On 9th March, 1908, the depth of 3,500 ft. was reached without any additional supply. Then a contract for sinking a further 500 ft.

was entered into. At 3,980 ft. a small flow was tapped which dribbled over the surface, and the 4,000 ft. depth being reached arrangements were made for sinking another 100 ft. At 4,050 ft. a small flow of 110 gallons per hour was struck. At 4,135 ft. the flow increased to 250 gallons per hour. Delays occurred after this, until January, 1909, when boring was resumed, and at 4,270 ft. a flow of 306,234 gallons per diem was struck. The water was then brought under control, and found to have a pressure of 219 lb. per square inch, with a temperature of 198 degrees F. The water was fresh and drinkable, though having a slightly gaseous taste; but this was not noticeable after it had stood exposed to the air for a little time. On completion of the surface fittings the discharge was measured, and the flow ascertained to be 256,825 gallons per diem. The cost had not been adjusted at the date of our information, but it will be understood that a work extending over five years, and then yielding a comparatively small supply, makes bore-sinking a highly speculative industry, even in what the geologists declare to be artesian water-bearing country.

[Ill.u.s.tration: COOKTOWN AND ENDEAVOUR RIVER, NORTH QUEENSLAND]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PEARLING FLEETS OFF BADU ISLAND, TORRES STRAIT]

At the Kynuna bore, work had been suspended at the time of the last annual report at a depth of 2,221 ft., the flow being 807,608 gallons a day. When cased to the bottom the flow was 880,154 gallons per day.

It was handed over to the Winton Shire Council, the total cost having been 2,610, half of which was granted as a loan to the council by the Government, and the other half as a free gift.

Another unsuccessful bore was at Windorah, where, under contract, a depth of 4,000 ft. was reached, with no water save an insignificant spring touched at 103 ft. below the surface. The total cost, including casing and supervision, was 7,508.

A bore at the joint expense of the Booringa Shire Council and the Government was started at Mitch.e.l.l in January, 1908, and on 18th May, at a depth of 1,405 ft., the work was stopped, the supply, equal to 205,000 gallons a day, being considered sufficient. The cost of the bore was 1,935.

SUMMARY BY THE HYDRAULIC ENGINEER.

Summarising the information supplied in the accompanying tables, Mr.

Henderson writes:--"The total continuous yield from 716 bores--the flows from which have been estimated by various persons, not connected with the department, and communicated to me either directly or through the public prints, for the accuracy of which I cannot vouch, and measured under the hydraulic survey which was suspended in 1899 and not yet resumed--is now estimated at 479,268,000 gallons per diem; hence the average flow per bore is 669,369 gallons in the same time.

"These figures do not include the flows from nine sub-artesian wells the flow from which is artificially produced by cutting down the outlet, but which it is understood have since ceased to flow, nor do they include the yield from 215 sub-artesian wells which are pumped more or less regularly during periods of drought, and which are estimated to yield 8,600,000 gallons per day, or an average of 40,000 gallons per well if pumped continuously night and day; but as it is impossible to form a trustworthy estimate of the daily volume raised I have put it down at what I think is approximately true--namely, 1,720,000 gallons.

"I may also mention that owing to the suspension of the departmental hydraulic survey previously mentioned, I have obtained no official data relating to perennial springs. The last data to hand are given in my summarised report for the year 1902."

WELLS SUCCESSFUL AND ABANDONED.

The following table shows the progress of boring and artesian supplies to end of 1908 [but it must be stated that only part of the data for the years 1907 and 1908 is to hand]:--

----------------------------+----------+-----------+--------------+-------- Artesian Pumped Progress Sunk by Flows. Supplies. Abandoned or Total.

Uncertain. ----------------------------+----------+-----------+--------------+-------- [g] Government 32 10 76 118 Local Governing Authorities 16 0 24 40 Private Owners 668 205 315 1,188 +----------+-----------+--------------+-------- Total to end of 1908 716 215 415 1,346 ----------------------------+----------+-----------+--------------+--------

[Footnote g: Pioneering bores sunk to explore and ascertain the artesian possibilities of new country.]

AGGREGATE MILEAGE BORED, AND AVERAGE FOR EACH WELL.

For comparison with former years I may mention (writes Mr. Henderson) that the total aggregate number of feet bored in search of artesian water in Queensland up to end of 1908 is estimated, from the best information at hand, at 1,498,700 ft., equal to 28384 miles. The average depth per bore is 1,113 ft. The total aggregate depth bored is as follows:--

-------------------------------+-----------+-------------------------------- Date Miles. Increase in Each Year.

-------------------------------+-----------+-------------------------------- Up to the end of October, 1894 8275 " " " 1895 9221 946 miles in twelve months " " September, 1896 10243 1022 miles in eleven months " " June, 1897 11102 859 miles in nine months " " " 1898 [h]13585 [h]2483 miles in twelve months " " " 1899 15961 2376 miles in twelve months " " " 1900 [i]18498 [i]2537 miles in twelve months " " " 1901 20201 1703 miles in twelve months " " " 1902 21504 1303 miles in twelve months " " " 1903 22187 683 miles in twelve months " " " 1904 22504 317 miles in twelve months " " " 1905 22953 449 miles in twelve months " " " 1906 23641 688 miles in twelve months " " " 1907 [j]27366 [j]3725 miles in twelve months " " December, 1907 [k]27650 [k] 284 miles in six months " " " 1908 [k]28384 [k] 734 miles in twelve months -------------------------------+-----------+--------------------------------

[Footnote h: This includes a considerable number of old bores discovered and added to the 1898 year's list.]

[Footnote i: This includes thirty-four sub-artesian wells and bores in the Dalby district, representing an aggregate of 3,500 ft.]

[Footnote j: Data collected by Police Department at the beginning of 1907, which include a number of old bores not previously heard of.]

[Footnote k: Only a small part of data to hand, which was chiefly compiled from newspaper reports. It is a fact well known to this Department that never before was there in any year so much boring done as during the years 1907 and 1908.]

FLOWING ARTESIAN BORES--1908.

Number of artesian flows of various magnitudes to end of 1908:--

Under 10,000 gallons per day 49 From 10,001 to 150,000 gallons per day 151 " 150,001 to 750,000 " " " 296 " 750,001 to 1,500,000 " " " 129 " 1,500,001 to 2,500,000 " " " 57 Exceptional flows of over 2,500,000 gallons per day 34 ---- Total flowing bores 716

The continuous yield of water is estimated at 479,268,000 gallons per diem, equal to 1,76322 acre feet, or 2755 square miles of water 1 ft. deep, in the same time.

The average flow of the 716 bores is thus 669,369 gallons per day, and their average depth is 1,575 ft.

The estimated value of 1,346 borings is 1,873,375.

ARTESIAN WELLS OVER 3,000 FEET DEEP.

The following is a list, compiled from the latest available information, of the Artesian Wells of the State over 3,000 ft. deep, in order of their depth:--

---------------------------+------------------+-------+--------------- Name of Bore. Date of Depth. Date of Completion or Commencement. Suspension.

---------------------------+------------------+-------+--------------- Feet. 1. Bimerah Run, No. 3, 11 Aug, 1898 5,045 June, 1900 Whitewood 2. Bimerah Run, No. 1, May, 1895 4,860 July, 1897 Bothwell 3. Elderslie Run, No. 2, April, 1900 4,523 Sept., 1902 Cathedral 4. Ruthven Run, No. 1 1 Aug., 1905 4,515 April, 1908 5. Ayrshire Downs Run, Jan., 1895 4,438 Sept., 1897 No. 1 6. Warbreccan Run Jan., 1894 4,333 22 April, 1898 7. Manuka Run, No. 1 Aug., 1896 4,310 April, 1898 8. Bimerah Run, No. 2, Oct., 1897 4,310 Jan., 1900 Munjerie 9. Eromanga (Government) 16 July, 1906 4,270 Jan., 1909 10. Rockwood Run, No. 1, 15 Dec., 1891 4,220 15 July, 1897 Glenariffe 11. Albilbah Run, No. 1, 1 July, 1889 4,205 Sept., 1902 Cable End 12. Ruthven Run, No. 1 1 Aug., 1903 4,105 22 June, 1905 13. Lorne, No. 1 ... 4,057 In Progress 14. Minnie Downs Run 11 May, 1899 4,040 30 April, 1902 15. Malboona, Manuka 18 Feb., 1899 4,032 7 June, 1900 Resumption 16. Winton (Government) 16 July, 1889 4,010 25 June, 1895 17. Darr River Downs Run, No. 4, Overnewton Feb., 1892 4,006 28 Mar., 1894 18. Thornleigh (Kargoolnah May, 1901 4,003 15 Sept., 1902 Shire) 19. Windorah (Government) 1 July, 1902[l] 4,001 24 May, 1905 20. Vindex Run, No. 2 Oct., 1898 4,000 June, 1900 21. Ayrshire Downs Run, Sept., 1899 3,983 Sept., 1902 No. 3 22. Katandra and Stamfordham Runs, No. 1 8 Oct., 1892 3,980 -- 1896 23. Evesham, No. 1 ... 3,970 In Progress 24. Malvern Hills Run, 1 July, 1890[m] 3,942 10 May, 1894 Gowan 25. Darr River Downs Run, No. 2, Fairlie 1 Nov., 1899 3,890 May, 1891 26. Talleyrand, Camoola ... 3,870 -- 1898 District 27. Burenda Run, No. 3, Gidyea Creek 16 Oct., 1895 3,840 Sept., 1898 28. Oondooroo Run Jan., 1900 3,800 1 April, 1901 29. Mount Abundance, No. 2 -- 1907 ... -- 1908 30. Albilbah Run, No. 2, 21 Dec., 1889 3,800 -- 1893 Jackson's 31. Greendale, No. 1 ... [n] 3,799 In Progress 32. Vindex Run, No. 3 24 July, 1901 3,795 6 Sept., 1902 33. Muckadilla (Government) 21 Oct., 1889 3,762 24 Dec., 1898 34. Redcliffe Run, Jan., 1893 3,750 20 Mar., 1895 Redcliffe 35. Clio G. F., Ayrshire Downs Resumption -- 1901 3,745 April, 1902 36. Katandra and Stamfordham Runs, No. 2 ... 3,723 -- 1896 37. Ayrshire Downs Run, 11 April, 1898 3,721 Sept., 1899 No. 2 38. Roma Town, No. 2 28 June, 1899 3,710 17 Oct., 1900 39. Nive Downs Run, No. 2, The Ironbarks 1 Jan., 1893 3,710 5 Sept., 1894 40. Roma Mineral Oil -- 1907[o] 3,702 Dec., 1908 Company 41. Wellshot Run, No. 4 Sept., 1901 3,698 -- 1902 42. Elderslie Run, No. 3 Mar., 1900 3,680 18 May, 1901 43. Kensington Downs Run -- 1897 3,650 June, 1898 44. Wyora, Winton District 23 May, 1899 3,650 12 Mar., 1900 45. Darr River Downs Run, Jan., 1890 3,650 Aug., 1891 No. 3 46. Darr River Downs Run, No. 1, Nine-mile 23 Dec., 1888 3,600 Mar., 1899 47. Longreach Town, Aramac April, 1897 3,590 10 Dec., 1897 Shire 48. Noondoo Run, No. 2, Nov., 1897 3,586 July, 1899 Dareel 49. Manuka Run, No. 2 Feb., 1899 3,581 June, 1901 50. Fairbairn, Dagworth -- 1900 3,579 Sept., 1900 Resumption 51. Wellshot Run, No. 3, 27 Oct., 1894 3,561 17 June, 1895 Totness 52. Barcaldine Downs Run, No. 1, Twenty-mil e -- 1889 3,533 21 Jan., 1896 53. Lansdowne Run, No. 3, Oct., 1894 3,529 Jan., 1896 Downfall 54. Jericho (Government) Mar., 1902 3,518 15 June, 1903 55. Lerida Run, No. 1 Sept., 1897 ?3,511 16 July, 1898 56. Katandra and Stamfordham Runs, No. 4 ... [p] 3,510 -- 1907 57. Wellshot Run, No. 1, 16 Nov., 1892 3,504 2 Nov., 1893 Bradnich 58. Elderslie Run, No. 1, Oct., 1896 3,500 July, 1898 Farewell 59. Lerida Run, No. 2, 12 July, 1898 3,500 3 Mar., 1900 Glenullen 60. Westlands Run, No. 2, 18 April, 1893 3,480 13 May, 1896 Buffalo 61. Acacia Downs G. F., Feb., 1897 3,480 20 July, 1897 Bowen Downs 62. Hamilton Downs Run, No. 2, Campsie July, 1898 3,457 Jan., 1900 63. Tintinchilla Run, Milo Before 1895 3,411 Mar., 1895 64. Dagworth Run, No. 2, April, 1898 3,400 Dec., 1898 Pinnacle 65. Adavale Town 27 Dec., 1899 3,398 8 Nov., 1900 (Government) 66. Westbury, Camoola ... 3,340 -- 1900 District 67. Dagworth Run, No. 1, Crescent Creek April, 1892 3,335 July, 1893 68. Arabella Run 13 April, 1896 3,335 16 May, 1897 69. Jacondol G. F., , Campbell's Barcaldine Mar., 1895 3,333 -- 1905 70. Thomson Watershed Aug., 1891 3,319 July, 1893 (Government) 71. Burenda Run, No. 2, Nov., 1894 3,315 14 Sept., 1895 Burenda 72. Bowen Downs Run, No. 4, Muttaburra road Aug., 1891 3,308 Oct., 1894 73. Hamilton Downs Run, ... 3,301 April, 1895 No. 1, Clio 74. Noorindoo Run, No. 1 Mar., 1901 3,300 -- 1904 75. Cooinda, Winton North 7 June, 1898 3,298 20 Jan., 1899 District 76. Portland Downs Run 14 Aug., 1897 3,280 14 June, 1899 77. Chatsworth Run, No. 1 ? 1894 3,266 5 Feb., 1895 78. Sesbania Run, No. 2 May, 1898 3,252 19 Sept., 1898 79. Alice Downs Run, 11 April, 1898 3,248 Dec., 1898 No. 2, Norwood 80. Mount Cornish Run, ... 3,219 4 June, 1907 No. 2 81. Sesbania Run, No. 5 5 June, 1901 3,186 Mar., 1902 82. Sesbania Run, No. 6 ... 3,179 -- Aug., 1909 83. Terrick Terrick Run, -- 1907[q] 3,140 -- 1908 Lorne 84. Sesbania Run, No. 4 Feb., 1899 3,103 Jan., 1900 85. Noorindoo Run, No. 2 Feb., 1903 3,103 2 April, 1904 86. Noondoo Run, Narine -- 1896 3,098 Nov., 1897 87. Birkhead Run, No. 1, 29 June, 1898 3,095 -- 1906 Macfarlane 88. Authoringa and 1 Jan., 1896 3,086 June, 1898 Riversleigh Runs, No. 2, Rocky 89. Llanrheidol Run, No. 2, June, 1896 3,085 3 April, 1897 Acacia 90. Hughenden M. C. 3 Jan., 1894 3,069 July, 1898 Town Bore 91. Muttaburra District, ? 1895 3,065 April, 1895 Brookwood 92. Authoringa, No. 3, Aug., 1898 3,060 -- 1899 Spinifex 93. Muttaburra District, Weewondilla ... 3,060 Dec., 1903 94. Albion Downs Run Oct., 1897 3,033 Sept., 1899 95. Muttaburra District, -- 1906 3,030 27 July, 1908 Crossmoor 96. Barcaldine North District, Fairview ... 3,028 20 July, 1907 97. Myall Plains, Boombah Feb., 1907 3,024 Dec., 1908 98. Lansdowne, No. 2, Nov., 1889 3,005 Feb., 1892 Narambla 99. Yarrawonga Run, Ada ... 3,000 June, 1898 100. Tarra Grazing Farm, ... 3,000 -- 1906 No. 4 ---------------------------+------------------+-------+---------------

[Footnote l: Abandoned or suspended at 4,001 feet.]

[Footnote m: Abandoned at 3,942 feet.]

[Footnote n: In progress at 3,799 feet.]

[Footnote o: In progress at 3,702 feet.]

[Footnote p: Abandoned or suspended at 3,510 feet.]

[Footnote q: In progress at 3,140 feet.]

The hydraulic survey, suspended some years ago, has not yet been resumed; therefore the foregoing return, furnished by the Hydraulic Engineer in advance of his report, has been compiled from unofficial doc.u.ments which have not yet been verified, and is given for what it is worth.

STATISTICS SUPPLIED BY WELL-BORING COMPANIES.

In order to make the record of artesian boring in Queensland as complete as possible, the following information has been obtained from the two princ.i.p.al drilling firms at present engaged in the State.

It will be noticed that the list of the Intercolonial Boring Company includes three bores in South Australia:--

LIST OF BORES OVER 3,000 FEET IN DEPTH PUT DOWN BY INTERCOLONIAL BORING COMPANY, LIMITED.