DREDGING THE MOLYNEUX

Dunstan Times, Issue 982, 11 February 1881, Page 2

DREDGING THE MOLYNEUX

. Mr Faucourt, a gentleman j nab arrived from England by the Orient liner Chimborazo, and who is the representative of several leading manufacturing firms in the North of England, is making a tour of Central Otago with the view of introducing of the machines of his principals. At Alexandra, on Wednesday evening, lie met a number of the residents and miners, and fully explained the capabilities of Priostman Bros.’ crane and selfacting bucket, the which, ho said, from what he had seen of the banks and beaches of the ilolyueux, was particularly adapted for dredging. He explained that the motive power could be either steam or hand, an 1 that tho size of the bucket, or what we think should be more properly called an excavator, was to be regulated by the extent of tho notive power, but they were made to lift from sowt. to 30cwt. Ho minutely detailed, by tho assistance of drawings and photos,, tho various uses to which the machine could be applied, and concluded by repeating what he had previously said that be was perfectly satisfied with the capabilities of the machine to aid in extracting the gold now hid in the bed, banks, and beaches of the Molyneux, and offered to take a considerable interest in a company if the capital was locally subscribed. Mr Facho, of Clyde, to whom he had a letter of introduction, and Mr John M ‘Kenzie, part owner of the Current Wheel Dredge at work just above Alex audra, he said, had kindly taken him over a number of the beaches of the River Molyneux, and fully explained how and whore the gold was deposited, and from the information gleaned from those gentlemen, he wao convinced that one of the machines would be more than remunerative. Mr Fancourt explained that the machines . are 'in use in Melbourne, Dunedin, and Lyttleton, dredging tho harbors, and that they are highly successful in removing mud, sand, gravel, clay, and other materials, and he had no doubt but they would he equally as successful in lifting tho golden drifts from tho bed of tho Molyneux. After the explanations given, Mr Pancouut replied to a number of questions ns to'the price ofmachines, saying that a machine capable of lifting on an average a ton each lift, or 50 tons per hour, could bo landed at Alexandra for between £7OO and £BOO, and that for building a barge for the machine, fixing necessary washing apparatus, &c.. he ahought a capital of about £ISOO would be sufficient, and that machines of a lesser power at a decreased ratio, while that laud machines to lift about scwt, at the time would cost only from £2OO to £250. He said the .machines were remarkably compact ; that one man was all sufficient to attend to the engine and crane and tho filling and emptying of the buckets. Tho explanation, as given, being considered satisfactory, end all present,unanimously agreeihg that the machine was not alone tho very one that was wanted, to release tho untold wrallh that was now lying in tho banks, beaches, and bed of tho Molyneux, but that the price brought it within tho means "of tho district .; that immediate-action should be taken to form a local company. Mr J. Simmonds, Mayor, occupied tho chair, and Mr Wro. Forrest, Town Clerk, undertook tho duties of Secretaiy. It was suggested that a part of the Capital should be sought for amongst the Dunedin merchants ; as it was equally the duty of the Dunedin merchants to

assist iu developing the resources of the goldfields as it was that of the residents themselves. To this, however, a dead ear was turned, as the undertaking was looked upon as a certainty* and it was said tin more such machines on the river Iho better, and if the Dunedin people desired they could put one up on their own iespon«ibility.

From the foregoing it may safely 1 0 assumed that the company is as good as formed, and that in the course of aVi y few months ono or more of Priestm a Bros.’ self acting bucket dredges will l.u in full play, and as a result of their labors paying handsome dividends to tl;" piuprictors. In giving our own opinions, nr in speaking of the merits or demerits < £ any undertaking started within the radius of our district, we have ever exercised thu utmost caution, never giving the faintest encouragement where there has been a possible question of failure. With regard to the Molyneux, however, we have held, and still hold to the opinion, that it will prove a mine of wealth to the proprietors of any machine that can not alone succeed iu recovering the gold from its bed, but that can follow it into the beaches and banks. Priestman’s spoon excavator is such a machine and success cannot but follow it. No system of dredging has as yet lieon tried but that has had to confine itself to tho stream, and has been elfected by its rising or falling either too much or too little water staying its operations, a mean regular depth being necessary. With the one under notice the depth of water is of no consequence, as it operates equall as well in 40ft of water, as in ono or two, or even in fact on dry land. A difficulty presents itself, however, and that is in disposing successful! that is in washing the enormous body of dirt it will lift when in full swing say 50 tons per hour or 1200 tons in the 24 hours, there is little fear, however, but that would be surmounted. The miles upon miles of beaches between Alexandra and Clyde already stripped by the sluices are admirably adapted for this kind of machine, whilst for working the deep claims in the neighborhood of Teviot, nothing could possibly be better. We shall again revert to the sudjeet as further information reaches us. Mr Fancoart is now at Cromwell, where lie should be able to push off one or two of his machines to dredge tho Kawarau between the bridge and the Gorge.