THE ISLAND CREEK DEEDGE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 March 1901, Page 4

THE ISLAND CREEK DEEDGE.

The balance of machinery for the Island Creek dredge arrived at Westport on Saturday by the Corinna. The machinery is all perfectly new. The engine—a llustor and Provitor—is 13 h p. The winches from Lucas Bros., of Christchurch, is one of the consulting engineer’s (Mr Roberts’) own design and a capital one. The pontoons arc of steel and were used by the Sandhills Co., near Queenstown. The dimensions are : —length 87 feet, breadth 21 feet, brackets having been added to increase the width so as to get round the machinery. The ladder is 47 feet long and will dredge to a depth of 25 feet. There not being a screen or elevator to start with, a sluice box 48 feet long has been put on, which extends considerably over the tailings to a few feet above water line.

Mr Poppalwoll, tho dcedgemastor, has arrived from tho Grey and will now take charge. The operations of this dredge will bo watched with keen interest, as it is tho one nearest to Westport and easy for access for sight-seers. The ground was tested by Mr Pcppelwell, and proved very good. It will take two or three weeks after starting to open up a paddock properly; after that the dredge will have plain sailing. There is a splendid supply of water, and coal can bo got very cheaply on to tho ground. Tho working expenses should not average more than 9 or 10 ozs per week. Tho Company lately increased their capital by a new issue of 1000 shares, and it now stands at 5000. Tho consulting engineer for the Company Mr E. Boberts, Dunedin, has ably carried out tho alterations and designing of the dredge generally. The machinery that was on the Sandhills Dredge was all condemned and replaced by now ; consequently tho dredge is an up-to-date machine. Tho last pu-ts wore made by A. and T. Bury Dunedin. Wo believe the Company will have a long and prosperous career which will prove a great boon to Westport.