Maori Gully Dredging Claim.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 February 1901, Page 4

Maori Gully Dredging Claim.

We now start upon the business part of our visit. An inspection of the Maori Gully Dredging Company claim. I have heard it said there was no_ dredging ground in the locality. Having an acquaintance of the locality in the early days, I was surprised to hear such a statement. After having again visited the spot, after many years, I am more surprised than ever ; for in many respects the Gully is an ideal dredging ground. The claim which commences near the school house just above the spot where the town formerly existed, extends down the bed of the creek for two miles. At the upper part and extending for nearly half a mile the creeks runs through a narrow gorge, on either side of which is seen the old man reef. On the top of this and extending a good way hack to some losing ground, splendid gold was obtained, and it is hut natural to suppose that in the bed of the creek where there is estimated to be about 25 to 30ft of wash, the heavy deposits exist, especially so as the creek is the only drainage for the entire area.

As evidence of the existence of good, payable gold at this spot, Mr Lord, in an official report some two years ago, says : “Several attempts have been made to work the Creek, hut the men were always swamped out with water, their pumps being of a primitive kind. In 1880 or 1881,1 surveyed a mining area for Schleisting and party. They set in just below the bridge with a small donkey engine aud elevators that had been used for lifting coal. They also brought up a tail-race through the reef, hut everything went wrong with them from the start; the machinery could not stand the strain of meeting a log or large boulder, and in the end a flood came and completely knocked them out. Notwithstanding they managed to work to a depth of 20 feet and obtained 60 ounces of gold from a piece of ground, say 40ft by 20ft x 20ft or 592 cubic yards. The stuff they worked, therefore, went a trifle over 2dwts per cubic yard. Every old miner will tell you of the richness of the Creek bed, but how to win the gold is the trouble.”

Desiring to verify this statement I interviewed two old residents of the district—men on whose word I could rely—and they informed me that the amount was understated, that the actual gold obtained was 75 ounces; and that not more than twelve feet square was bottomed for this amount. “Of course,” said one, “ there arc a good deal of tailings on top, but there is a good depth of virgin wash underneath, and “if dredges can do what is said of them, there is no doubt but that large returns will be obtained.” Of the capabilities of the dredges we need not entertain any doubt.

About half a mile down the creek widens out into long low-lying flats, on one side of which there has been but little deposit of tailings, and which should prove very profitable ground. On the opposite side a considerable quantity of tailings have been deposited, but underlying this is believed to exist at least 20 feet of rich wash.

At this spot a small island has been formed by the cutting through of the blue reef. The directors, on the recom-

mendation of their engineer intend building their dredge on this ground, and working down stream, across a former wing dam, and thus getting at once into unbroken ground. They intend of course to put several bore-holes down to ascertain the depth. Proceeding further down, the creek again narrows, but only for a short distance, as it immediately widens out to 200 or 300 yards in places, that from the very fact of lying low between lulls on either side, and being covered with water indicates as plainly as letters can print,— “ This is good dredging country.” Down to the end of the lease the same character is maintained, and so far as can be seen from personal observation and ascertained from information as to gold yields in former years and depth of wash, the Maori Gullly Gold Dredging Company have a fine property and a good time before them. Of course, the tailings will be a drawback, and possibly a good deal of sunken timber will have to be encounter, but this is comparatively little when the richness of the creek bed is considered.

Having got to the bottom of the claim we climbed the hill and on the way back to the township passed Mr. Ryan’s homestead the good lady of which supplied us with fresh milk, that needless to say was to now weary travellers exceedingly welcome. Mr. Hennighan who acted as our pilot throughout at length guided us back to his hostelry where having partaken of a parting glass and bidden goodbye to our courteous host and hostess wo started on our return journey pleased with our day’s outing and satisfied of the bonafides of the Maori Gully venture.