Gold Dredging Notes.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 January 1901, Page 2

Gold Dredging Notes.

The Xmas holidays and consequent stoppage of work for the time being, caused dredging matters to almost drop out of sight, horse racing sports, pastime and pleasure occupying public attention. These, however, are Hot put on one side for twelve mouths, and the “ struggle to gel wealthy” again entered upon. In dredging there is much wealth —at least a great many of us believe so—and consequently our" attention is directed towards the Gold Dredging Industry, which with to-day starts in its first year’s trial on the West Coast; for the few weeks' already worked by a couple of machines cannot be regarded as a trial. It will be some months yet before a number of machines now in course of erection start work, but by the end of Mrcvch their should be about 20 dredgers in active work, and by th.o end of the year more than double that numbor. The Grey River Company started work this morning and will continue on till the cud of the week.

The Dobson No. 2 dredge has got out of its awkward position, and was to start to-day. It will under the most favorable circumstances lake at least a week to get fairly to work. The Waipumi started work on Thursday, and will continue running till Saturday, when it is hoped better results will be obtained. The Nelson Creek Dredge has notv got fairly into its own ground, and. a fortnight should be sufficient to get a reliable test. It is said that the engine is not as powerful as could bo desired. Ford’s Creek Dredge does not appear to be doing much, and it is possible that the machine will be moved to a different part of the claim. During the holidays a good deal of attention has been paid to the tables of tJho Leviathon Dredge, which so far have n (Ji wSrltcd satisfactorily. It is hoped tb.Vt the alterations made and to be made will; have the desired effect. The\Pactolus Company at Nelson Creek a>c being delayed by the nonarrival of bJic machinery, which is daily expected. Stymc folks declare that the whole will b'Cv in working order in a month. Wo gi'.ye it to the middle of March. The Grey Consolidated, Ahauva, and Erickson’s Seward We all awaiting the arrival of machinery which is expected any day. These throe'Vdaims should get a start about the cud of Felhcyiary. The New River Dredge is some trifling alteration to the machinery which is expected to be effected in a couple of days. This machine should get a trial run about the end of the week, and start in earnest next week. Tenders for the machinery for the Maori Gutty and Shellback claims close on the 9th inst. Beachcombing is proving a profitable industry at Ocepuki. One miner whoreceives a portion of the metal won is making up to JE9 a week, and two men who are working a claim together recently obtained £l2 for four days’ work.

Four dredging companies floated by the Zoakndia syndicate have accepted tenders for the construction of machinery by a now York firm at satisfactory figures. The dredges are expected to bo running wuhtn nine months. It is stated that the jNcw York pne-s wore much lower than the New Zealand and Australian mw,, tions. 1 Hardwood for the Woodstock, Hokitika Junction, Hokitika Extended and Great Woodstock Companies pontoons, is now at the Railway Station. There aro sonic 100,000 feet in all. The Keystone steam boring plant will arrive at Hokitika in a few days from Dunedin for the purpose of testing theGreat Woodstock G.D. Company’s ground after which it will ho taken to the Mikonui. This plant was imported from America and uses 6 inch pipes working a 9 inch hole. Good results are expected from the working of this plant. A circular has; been issued by tho Tucker Flat G.D. Company, Ltd, which states that Mr Leijon, one of the directors, who tor a number of years has been connected with some of the most successful dredging ventures in tho Colony, reports he has visited tho claim recently and that in his opinion the property is of a highly valuable nature for dredging purposes. As the Board consider his opinion of special value they have instructed their engineers, Messrs Cutten Bros, to prepare pie, ns and specifications and call for tenders for suitable dredge,