DREDGING THE MOLYNEUX.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1279, 3 September 1886, Page 2

DREDGING THE MOLYNEUX.

TO ‘THE EDITOR. Sir. —Sires the rumour has been afloat of the London Dredging Company being formed a great deal ot opinions have been expressed as to whethor it would be a remunerative speck or nut. My opinion is that it would pay handsomely, providing there is machinery suitable. The matter requires ereat consideration as to the principal tiie dredge is built on. It is well-known that the principal part of the gold from this out will be obtained iron the banks of the river, owing to the bed being Wot ked before, / therefore the dredge would have to be constmeted to suit the said workings, combined with the present system. The difficulty that exists at the present time is that they cannot work into the binks' owing to the accumulation of tailings, which after a few days work has actually to lift her tailings a second lime, which is not remunerative. This ditfienlty is easily overcome by delivering the wash high enough to give fall for sluicing, boxes to b - carried by small pout ions chained aft, or in another way, to use barges, which would be more effectual in two ways—First, the dirt would be clear of the craft; second, you could debosit it iu position to assist the working of the ground. Say you wanted to work a certain beach, you could deposit the dirt in an angular direction, causing the current to flow that way, which would clear the top part of the beach away. Certainly it would necessitate the erecting of a wire rope across the river so as you could work the barges quickly and cheaply ; one man with tire assistance of two small current wheels on the barge to work her in position ; also crab winch to lift gates after you deliver the dirt. With this system ot working t am positive the banks of the river could be worked for any distance in, and prove remunerative. It is plain enough to be seen that the present system is wanting, out not defective to any extent, but wants the above addition made to make it a success. These few hints may give new ideas, which are wanted to make dredging remunerative Observer.