GOLD DREDGING NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 January 1901, Page 3

GOLD DREDGING NOTES.

The past week hag to some extent been one of surprises—pleasant and unpleasant. The Grey River, tcom which little or nothing was oxpceted, gavo the good returns ot 37038 lOdwts for 186 hours dredging; while on the other hand, the Waipuna

which was expected to give at least 20 jounces, gave but 16ozs 13dwts for 113 dredging. Yot when all is considered both returns were satisfactory. General complaint is being heard regarding the tardiness of some Dredging Companies in giving their weekly returns. The Dunedin folks are to blame, and they would be the first to protest if West Coast Companies treated them in a like manner. It will be remembered that a good deal of trouble was occassioned through like tactics being adopted in dealing with Hartley and Riley's claim, the Dunedin folk getting the information on Saturday and the Alexandria residents, where the dredge worked only on the Monday. We trust.a similar course is not going to be followed here. The slightest secrecy begets suspicion. It is infinitely better for" all concerned to supply returns quickly, let these returns be good or bad. If they are good it is all the better for the district, and if bad the sooner it is known the better for legitimate investors. During the past week the Grey Dredge was going through difficult material, where little or no gold was expected, and the return of 370?.9 lOdwts came as a bit of an agreeable surprise. The ladder of tins machine would have been more effective if it had been four feet longer. From Dobson No 2 there is yet no roturn made public—why we can't say; suffice it to say that it seems exceedingly stupid. All that can be said is that the ladder was too short to bottom, and the dredge was shifted further over where tho drift was not so deep, and the prospects better. Mr T. Jones who was the local director in this claim got so dissatisfied with the way things were going on that he resigned. As Mr Jones is a practical man his resignation indicates a good deal. Ford 3 Creek Dredge machinery is being altered, so as to give increased pumping power. This is another " foreign " controlled dredge about whicli very littlo information can bo obtained. Nelson Crook Dredge had the misfortune to have a slight break last week which delayed work for a day. So far we have no returns from this claim beyond what we gain through an Otago paper which says :—The Secretary of the Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company has reesceived a letter from tho dredge-master, dated January 5, reporting that ho had oh that date washed up with a result; of 21oz Bdwfc. This was obtained, during llio broken time worked in the holidays. The New River Dredge had a trial run last week, but tho machinery is not working very well and alterations are being made. At present the dredge, winch is in an artificial dam that might carry away at any time, is engaged excavating a paddock where, under any condition, she can float in safety. She will likely commence "dredging for gold" next week Tho Waipuna return 16 ozs l"dwt for 113 hours dredging though not up to what is expected shows an odvanco of the past week, and as the dredgo is on the same run a farther improvement may be looked for next Saturday. During 1900 thero woro 153 dredging oompanios registered in the colony, winh an aggregate nominal capital of about ,£1,400,000. Cutton Bro 3 have had a party of men engaged during tho past fortnight in sinking on tho Devil's Creek Flat to prove the value of the ground for dredging purposes. We understand that the prospects obtained are highly payable, and that those engaged in tbo work aro greatly pleased with what they have seen. The directors of tho Old Diggings Gold Dredging Company (Limited), have issued a ..circular to their shareholders in which

thoy state that as a result of two bores made by the engineers, Messrs Cutten " Bros., at different points of the claim, very satisfactory prospects were obtained The bores show that prospects exist in the gravels right down to the bottom. The building of pontoons for the Premier Company's dredgo (Buller River) is in active progress, and the whole of the plant will bo fitted up by the end of next month. The Consolidated Dredging Company's property on the Bullor Eiver is to be sold. Mr Carter, Secretary to tho Waiman garoa Eiver Company, met tho shareholders, and discussed the position of tho Company. It was docided to recommend tho Directors to put down a shaft in the claim and effectively test the bottom.

The Beeves Proprietary Gold Dredgind Company ha 3 washed up 14 oz gold for 120 hours dredging. The statutory meeting of the shareholders of tho Kapai Gold Dredging Com-pany-was held at the registered offices of the company, No. 5, Panama street on Tuesday, when there was a large mimbcr of shareholders represented. A balancesheet was submitted to the meeting, which showed that tho financial position of tho company was in a satisfactory condition. The following directors were elected by ballot: — Dr Mackezie, Messrs Fear, Cedorhoim, Harris, Crichton. Messrs Hood and Stace, of Greymouth, were appointed an advisory board to tho company. Mr Eember was appointed auditor, and Mr Payne engineer for tho company. Id was decided to hold the annual meeting on tho second Friday in February, 1902, and to list the company on tho Duncdin Exchange.

(our own correspondent.) Kumara, This Day, Tho contractors for the building of the pontoons for tho Greenstone Gold Dreding Company have arrived and intend to commence work immediately. It is somewhat in keeping with tho dilatoriness displayed by this company that now tho builders aro hero no material is as yet on the ground. One can never say with certainty in tho case of a dredgo being butlt when it will bo ready for work. That being so, ono can only tell you what is expected. Tho Greenstone Crock Go's dredgo is tho farthest advancod or-""*ho Creek, and with no untoward delays . d expected to bo finished in about three weeks. The Greenstone Junction will bo closo behind. Both have been somewhat hampored for want of material. Tho Greenstone Three-Milo is very woll advanced also, and should be chae up in wishing. The dredge-masters for the Junction and Greenstone Croek Company's aro on spot and preparing for operatious.