GOLD DREDGING.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 15 April 1901, Page 2

GOLD DREDGING.

Our dredging returns do not improve, but no one appears downcast thereat. Dunedin investors especially ridiculing the idea of failure telling residents that the returns are better than they expected would have been the case at first, and , certainly infinitely better than was got in Otago for years after dredging was attempted. They hold fast to the belief that in two years from now the Coast in gold dredging will double Otago yields and give returns that will surprise all. Great complaints are being made ia regard to the delays in getting machinery, and in regard to the incomplete manner in which it too often arrives, a couple of weeks or so after some minor article short often delaying work. At the present time Erickson's Eeward and Ahaura dredges are hung up waiting the arrival of a few small portions of the machinery short shipped at Wellington. Of working dredges five—Grey River, ' Leviathan, Ford's Croek, Waipuna and Dobson No 2—are practically non-effect tive and are laid up indulging and alterations, or are about to De~*sw operated upon. Thus at the very start we have five out of fourteen dredges in- j capable of properly treating the dirt, j The offect. however, is not altogether bad, 7 as greater eare is now being taken in the / building of machines ; greater strength I and length of ladder being particularly j attended to. A

The Buller Junction is working admirably, and as sho dredges across stream from bank to bark she will show a considerable variance in returns when compared week by week. But when compared month by month little variance will be shown, further it is believed, thaD a gradual improvement, as the cut across can bo complete in four weeks. The returns, even if they do not improve will give fair dividends, but as there is an almost certainity of every now, and then coming across a rich patch the prospect is all the more assuring. The Leviathan is having her ladder lengthened. She lias not been able for weelcs past; to work to advantage, and has been trying old tailings and partially worked ground. "When alterations are completed she will be able to take the solid on a face without running the nose of the pontoon aground. It has been evident for a month past that the dredge has been off the run of gold.

Nelson Creek claim has been the most consistent claim since opening, and as a consequence stock stands high. The full breadth of the claim has been proved and found good. In mid-stream it is richest, but taking the average it will go at least 45 ounces per week. As 12 ounces will cover all expenses, the balance will give over a shilling dividend per month. If we allow for occasional rich patches the dividends will be larger New lliver dredge is now on good but shallow ground and is more than clearing expenses. If the wash thickens a little there will be a margin for dividends, ten ounces amply covering cost of working. She ought to average 20 ounces per week on present wash. Waipuna is laid up for repairs and improvements. This dredge has met with many mishaps, and the ground so far has been disappointing. The last wash-up of the tributors of the Craig's Freehold Gold Dredging Company amounted to 340 z ddwt 15gr. Of this amount Chesterman and party obtained 100/. 14dwt 15gr, and Goudio and party 14oz lOdwt. The dredgemaster of the Leviathan Gold Dredging Company reports under [ date April Ist, that the material he lias been dredging has been the same as the previous week—the top, all old strippings, with very little gravel. There is about 2ft of gravel on the bottom; very tight, but poor. He expects to be to the tailings where the dredge started very soon, where ho will pick up the run of .gold. The machinery for lengthening the ladder lias arrived, but owing to breakages ho cannot alter the ladder until the arrival of new pieces of angle iron. The first annual report of the directors of tho Golconda Gold Dredging Company states :—•• Tho class of dredge required to work the company's claim is similar to that of the Lcviathian, on which you are f no doubt aware many and expensive alterations had to bo effected. These facts were noted by some of your directors when on a visit to the West Coast just when tho Leviathan started, and they were of opinion that it would be better to await results from that dredge before ordcriug yours. Another causo of delay was the non-arrival of tenders from America, which your directors wore led to believe would be much below any other, but results proved tho reverse. The consulting engineer adviees that amended and modified plans are now completed, and tenders are expected in a few day 3.

The soreen for the Wareatea Gold Dredging Company's dredge is aboard the "Flora," which vessel proceeds to Westport to-night. Mr T. Naysmith has been appointed mine manager of the Big Biver Company, vice Mr T. Begley. The directors of the Beeves Proprietory are issuing to shareholders a copy of a report on the work done by the dredge, and the nature of the wash been treated, furnished by Mr W. Faitnful, Messrs Cutten Bros, representative on the Coast. From November 20ch to March 29th tho total yield of gold was 1470 z 7wt 19gr. The actual cost of working tho dredge per week (coal, labour, oil, etc.) is stated to be less than Boz per week. Mr Faithful states that the dredge is at present (March 20th) working about 30 chains below the top boundary, dredging diagonally across the flat towards to the creek bed, and in the direction she is taking the dredge should open out in the creek fifty vards ahead. A paddock 175 ft long by 12ft wide, by 20 feet deep, was lifted and treated by the dredge the previous week. This area contained roughly 1555 cubic yards for a return of 13oz iOdwts or equal to a fraction of over 4gr per yd' all through. la loose gravel a dredge of the same capacity should lift and treat 10,666 cubic yards per 120 hours. Mr Faithful considers the dredge is too light for the present ground. The head lines are also too short and should be at least 400yds long. He advises that should tho pug difficulty continue, the ladder should be lengthened so as to strip down to the gravels, his opinion being that tho best gold underlies the pug. The present bottom tumbler is worn down, and a new one should be placed in hand, and a reversing drum should be ordered at once, as this would greatly lessen stoppages, and would not be costly. Regarding the prospecting of the lower boundary of the claim, Mr Faithful recommends the sinking of three shafts—two just below Burke's' Creek and tho third in Whisky , Flat. The directors intimate their _ in- , tention to carry out the recommendations without delay, and state that tenders have been called for sinking the shafts.