GOLD DREDGING NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 January 1901, Page 3

GOLD DREDGING NOTES.

The past week so far as dredging is concerned has been one of “ repairs, alterations, and preliminaries,” and therefore the returns for the week arc few, notwithstanding this the tone of the market has been firm, although the number of transactions have possibly not been so largo as usual. Of course investors and speculator arc only just beginning to settle down to work after the holidays. This week, however, should sec the prosecution of the dredging industry more solidly proceeded with and including the Buller dredges sec ten dredges working on the Coast. Largo quantities of machinery continue to arrive by every steamer, indication that dredging is to have a solid trial. The local foundry too is full of orders and many more machines are waiting to bo placed. . Dobson No 2 was running intermittmgly last week, but should if no unforeoen circumstances occur get a fair run this week, Grey River only ran tor a couple of days last week and it was decided to continue on to the end of this week. The tables are looking well and a good return is expected. Nelson Creek dredge is still engaged cutting through the large deposit of tailings, the accumulation of years, but should soon get on to the solid. Hie machinery is not working as satisfactory as could be desired and some alterations may bo found to he necessary. The return from the Waipuna claim shows a little improvement, and it is lioped that the dredge has now got on an improving run of gold. The water in the dam at New River was four inches oil’ being sufficient for the dredge, but last night’s rain should have run in the necessary quantity, so as Work will he commenced forthwith. The Leviathan Company will have her tables completed this week, when steady work may bo looked forward to. The Clifton Company’s ground, near Maori Creek, is now being prospected, under the directions of Mr Jackson. Mr Crabtree, contractor for the erection of machinery on the Maori Queen Gold Dredging Company’s pontoons, landed the boiler safely on the ground on Saturday. He expects to have the machinery erected in about eight weeks time.

Mr Alexander Cowan, late dredgemaster of the Grey Hirer dredge, lias taken up a similar position on the Maori Queen, The directors arc to he congratulated in appointing such a trustworthy and capable man. Mr Hume, of Wellington, has taken an option over the Twelve-Mile Company’s ground, situated between Marsden and Maori Creek. Before putting the claim on the market the ground will be thoroughly prospected. Mr Geo. Russell of Marsden is evidently of opinion that dredging has come to stay in his district. A numberof men arc now busy under the direction of Mr Win. Barclay, in laying the telephone to his hotel. This should be ii great convenience to the residents of that locality, and especially to the dredging Companys. The main and winch engines for the Hokitika River Gold Dredging Company’s dredge have arrived at Dunedin, and will be forwarded to the claim immediately.

The secretary of the Red Jacks Gold Dredging Company states that the tender tfor the pontoons for the dredge lias been ...let to Mr W. MDiskoy, of Ngaherc, for '£sß9 10s. -The tumbler is already on the claim. The fifth progress payment of £324 on the machinery contract, Messrs John Anderson and Sons state that the machinery is well forward. Mining prospects on the West Coast may (says the Dunedin Star) be said just now to be more than hopeful. Those interested who have recently been down that way have been surprised and pleased. Some Otago mining men, who had not before been in the locality, were delighted with the general outlook and signs of activity. Messrs Jay and M'Gregor, contractors for the erection of machinery for the Ah aura Gold Dredging Company, expect to have everything ready within the next few weeks. The boiler is expected to . arrive any day. The Duller Junction Company’s dredge lias now been got down the river to about the centre of the ground. This is yet another fall—the Bull Pup—to be passed, and another rise in the river will be required before this can be attempted. The pontoons for the North Beach dredge arc being erected at Lake Ryan, Cobden. The dredge will bo ninety feet long, and the hull will be built of Kauri and blucgum, The Pocklands, the Premier and the Welcome dredges are likely to bo amongst the first of the other dredges that are to work on the Duller river. Thcso will bo followed by the Old Diggings, the El Dorado and others at an early date. The latest returns show that 111 new dredges are in course of construction in Otago.