BULLER JUNCTION DREDGING COMPANY, LIMITED.

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

BULLER JUNCTION DREDGING COMPANY, LIMITED.

The site of this Company's operations, as indicated in its name, is (says tho Herald) situated near the confluence of tho Inun<mhua with the Buller, and extends for aonio mile and a half up tho Buller and of both banks, which have been

proved to bo highly auriferous. In earlie days the banks gave profitable employ" meat to large numbers of diggers work" ing with cradles and sluicing with very limited and intermittent water supply. Indications of their labour abound along the Company's special claims, and on these the Company have sunk prospecting shafts which, although not reaching the main bottom, enabled them to test the upper layers of sand and gravels (wash dirt) which proved very payable. As it is invariably found that the sands and gravels show better results as tho main bottom is approached, the tests were held to conclusively prove the payablcness of the ground for dredging. Satisfied on this point the directors decided to equip the property with the best and most suitable dredge procurable. They entrusted the task of proparing plans to Messrs Cutten Brothers, as the Company's consulting engineers, and it is disputable that the outcome of theirefforts is the best dredge yet in operation in the colony. There are more expensive dredges, owing to the nature of the ground to be worked in other places presenting greater difficulties for dredging, but none possesses superior equipment to that of tho Buller Junction. Imporied kauri enters largely in the construction of the pontoons, which are of vast capacity and most substantial, while the buckets, winches, elevator, screen and all machinery aro the best and strongest procurable.

Saturday last was a red lotter day in the Company's history, as dredging operations were to be started, and in consequence the directors, some of the local shareholders, and other well-wishers visited the claim to be present at the, start. After the machinery was started and found to work satisfactorily, Mr Free, as chairman of directors, gave a short address stating he had been entrusted with the task of giving a name to the dredge, and that selected as embodying the highest prosperity was that of our Sovereign Lady " Victoria. " Tho orthodox bottle of champagne was broken. After inspecting all the machinery the company adjourned to M'Kay's Hotel, where a well served, substantial banquet had been prepared, which it is ncedlejs to say was done full justice to. After the toast of Her Gracious Majesty other toasts were proposed and responded to: —''Tho Buller Juuction Company," responded to by Messrs Free, Pearce, Aitken, and Noonan, directors; the consulting engineer and dredgemaster, responded to by Mr Hiiilips; the manager, Mr Kingswcll, who responded in a very neat and instructive speech; tho local governing body, responded to by Mr II Bctts, County Chairman ; the press responded to by Mr M'Carthy and Mr Mirfin ; and the caterer Mr M'Kay, and Mr W. Cochrane, for tho stylish turn out which had carried tho company to the scene of operations. Both gentlemen having acknowledged the toast, the company returned to town arriving in Beefton shortly beforo eight o'clock.