DUNGANVILLE NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 April 1901, Page 4

DUNGANVILLE NOTES.

(our own correspondent.)

Dunganvillk, April 19. The Maori Queen dredge Iran made a start at last, the official opening of operations under the supervision of a number of the directors taking place on Monday loth inst. It was a very tame affair, not coming up to the expectations of our residents and visitors, and bore a marked contrast to the nice little turn out provided when the pontoon was launched, at -which everyone botli old and young enjoyed themselves. On this occasion (a more important one) the provision made was nil, and consequently the enjoyment did not reach a very high standard. Generally speaking, on special occasions like these, a spread of some description is given so that all persons interested in the development of this new order of mining might in some way wish the Co success in their venture. Not that the people of Maori Creek craved anything at their hands; picnics and dances can be got up at a very short notice hero, even though it is done on the Kentuckian principle.

The weather I must admit was not very favourable for out door enjoyment but there are roof-trees under which a little display might have been made with very little expense, I visited the dredge during the afternoon, and was shown by the contractor, Mr Crabtree, round the craft. He kindly explaining to mo the uses of the different parts of the machinery. Everything was working well and reflects credii upon him and his employers for the manner in which the work has been carried out.

Operations ceased for the day ai 5 o’clock, everyone wending their way homeward to get something to ward of a feeling, somewhat similar to sea sickness, caused by the plunging of the dredge. The directors visiting, and local—after building up the inner man—repaired to Mr Cowan’s (the dredgemastor) residence to hold a meeting, returning in a short time to host Mr McKcoknie ; and retired to his inner sanctum to liquidate their little bills, which I must confess is a commendable trait in their character.

This was the last 1 saw of those gentlemen and I am truly sorry they had not the forethought to make things go a little different, so that the reign of her dusky Majesty the Maori Queen would not have hid such an inglorious beginning. However, all the foregoing matter docs not affect the* future prospects which I believe to bo genuine. She is at present engaged in taking outa corner in the dam to give herself room to swing on to the future line of work. The dirt she is scooping up is very rough and hard to plough out and subsequently she is not passing as much stuff over the elevator as it is possible for her to do had she a fair face of washdirt ti deal with.

The tables may not look as well as they ought after such a quantity being passed over them, but it need not bo taken as n criterion of her capabilities or the value oi the ground she will bo taking out in a few days. Mr Cowan thoroughly understands what he is about, and witti the assistance of his well appointed crew when they turn on the proper run of dirt will try his best to post the record of the New River, if he succeeds in doing so the gents as is jus: left may come back and treat us differently. The Arab getting their osses to old with a andsome tip arterwards.