InfoSheet   THE TURBINE

Tuapeka River Dam Track            

1907: The Tamaiti Goldmining Co. has adopted a new system:(described as "A revolution in Mining" *) a weir constructed on the crib principle has been placed across the Tuapeka River at a point about nine miles from Lawrence. The whole of the river’s normal flow is conveyed by a flume, 8 ft. x 5 ft., on to a James Leffel horizontal turbine developing 200 h.p. using 70 Government heads of water; i.e. 437 gallons per second.

An application has been granted to the same company for another dam site lower down the river and a special claim has been applied for.

1914: April: The Tuapeka Mouth Sluicing Co. Ltd has been formed with a claim of 15 acres on the Tuapeka Mouth mining reserve having a capital of £900. A start has been made on building the dam and a race.

1916: April: The T.M. Sluicing Co. has erected a pelton wheel and pump. £65.11.11 of gold has been won from two paddocks.  October: £128.11.10 of gold has been won from three paddocks.