TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 825 



expenditure of 46,000^., making 116,000^. for the two districts; but this suggestion 

 was not followed, and the Bilston water overflowed into Tipton, so that the Tipton 

 peoplehad to work the Bilston engines to save themselves, without rates for the 

 coal raised there. In 1880 the districts were practically joined, and the arbitrators 

 suggested a scheme for the whole, now called Tipton district, including the almost 

 complete renewal of Stow Heath engine and putting down two large engines at 

 Bradley and Moat, which are completed. The final result, as was shown in a table, is 

 that the surface works have reduced the water to less than half, and the number 

 of engines has been reduced from 77 to 12, and the annual cost from 76,000Z. to 

 9,000/., or ^, and wiU this year be fui-ther reduced to 7 engines, and 7,000Z., or i of 

 what it was formerly, with a capital expenditure of 83,000/., instead of the 116,000/. 

 originally contemplated. 



(3) The Drainage of the Old Hill District. By W. B. CoLLis. 



The drainage of this district in 1871 was attempted by nineteen firms raising 

 If million gallons per day, besides much water within 70 yards of the surface by 

 small pumps. A limited company was formed for joint action, and when the Act 

 passed, in 1873, their system was adopted. They took several old engines and put 

 them in good order, and erected a very large one in the deep of the district, which 

 has been at work for some time, and such levels are being driven as will soon 

 enable it to do nearly all the pumping needed in the district. Interesting par- 

 ticulars of the engines were given. That at the Old Buflery had a wooden beam so 

 trussed with iron that 3^ tons were taken from it when a cast-iron beam was sub- 

 stituted. Another old engine at Windmill End has balloon boilers, the steam 

 ■being very low pressure, and always on one end of cylinder. An engine used at 

 the Fly (so called from a quick working whimsey once there) was a dii-ect-acting 

 bull engine, but is superseded by the new one at Waterfall Lane, an inverted 

 ^Cormsh, with beam below instead of above the cylinders. 



