NEW RIVER NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 March 1901, Page 4

NEW RIVER NOTES.

[OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Twelve months ago the once flourishing township of Dunganville seemed to bo on its legs as gold mining in the district wa« at a very low ebb, but tho advent of the dredging boom at its very doors has infused new life into it, causing a revival thai is to be hoped will bo permanent. Since then a good Dumber a strangers have visited tho place, many of whom I believe were on the look out for dredging property. However, be that as it may, their coming brought new grist to the mill, cr rather I should say to the pubs, as they found it very dry work travelling up and down the river bed and "shandy" was in great demand when they roturncd to the township. It's an ill wind that blows no one good, and a little foreign capital being circulated makes things a bit brisker in a place where for months prior to the reaction the only sign of life to bo seen in the centre of the township was a dog or horse belonging to some of the business people, the poor old moko having that melancholy expression on his faoe which seemed to say, I wonder how much longer this state of things are going to last.

The scene has changed; the outcome of our visitors' peregrinations has made itself apparent. Parties of men have been sent to prospect the various locations that were pegged off. These men, coupled with those engaged in building the Maori Queen dredge, made matters a hit lively in the township. I have not heard what the results of their operations were, with the exception of Mr. Popplewell and party, who were prospecting the Maori King. This gentleman considered that results obtained by him were favorable for dredgv ery few local men have got employment at this work except in one instance, viz., Jackson and party, who have had fairly steady work for some months. They have recently prospected the Clifton claim with satisfactory results, and are now engaged boring the Marsden Lead.

The New Marsden is being prospected by' the Foley's Creek Company under the supervision of Mr. Bringams, who is now putting down the third paddock.

This style of prospecting is to my mind a mote reliable test than boring, as the gold in river beds usually keeps to a certain formation or channel, therefore boring rods may be put down in many places close to good wash dirt and yet find little indication of its being there. Gold bearing wash very seldom has a groat width inlts distribution in any river bed. Consequently boring in many cases is only a means of ascertaining tho depth of ground. Now by sinking paddocks you see the nature of wash you go through and the formation of the bottom which (even though gold has mt been obtained) to a man of experience is a guide to a site for others. I must admit that it is the more difficult system where water has to be contended with, but where there's a will there's a way, and with good pumping gear, pationco and perseverance, spiced with a little capital to keep things moving these difficulties may be surmounted and the actual value of ground got at. Taking a general view of tho matter I think the New Bivcr valley presents a fair field for remunerative dredging, and any reason for thinking so is this, running almost in a parallel line to it on the western side is an unbroken line of gold-bearing country stretching for moro than seven miles. This lino with the creeks intersecting it has all been worked and fairly rich gold found throughout the whole extent of it, many of the terraces being very lich. One would naturally infer that the number of creeks which cut through this tract of gold-bearing country would carry down a certain quantity of mineral into the deeper channel, hence my conjecture as to its probable value.

The Maori King and two other claims below it arc the only exceptions to the above, the creeks coining into the valley below them. These are from a different source, viz., the wash-over from (lie once famous New River lead. From a little above the top pegs of the Maori King claim for a mile and a-half the river-bed has been worked, very good gold being got in norne of the claims. Taking the position of this claim by the manner in which it is fed from other sources than those mentioned I consider it ranks high on flic list of claims taken up for its value as dredging property. Coming to the Maori Queen claim, which is held in Maori Creek—a tributary that is diverted from its course by the New Itiver Lend just below the position where (he dredge is floated—from what I hear oE the prospects obtained I think the Company stand well for getting good payable gold, and while the deep ground continues I believe the prospects wi'l also continue to hold good. The dredge is near completion, The contractor, Mr Crabiree, expecting to have her in readiness for work in about n fortnight when if all goes well, and I feel sure that it will, as the work has been carried out in a careful and effici eni manner, she will then be handed over to Mr Cowan as drodgemastcr. This gentleman came here with a good reputation for managing these .sorts of vessels, and I have no doubt when he does si art he'll make things hum abit and keep up the prestige of his name. Tlie people of the district are looking forward with eager expectancy to the day of her trial trip as it will be a gala day with many.

Some of the directors, I hear, arc coming up, and, if it is a fine day, along with visitors from Greymouth. Until that day arrives and he can find something more to talk about the "The Arab as olds the gents, osses " bids you good-bye.