GOLD DREDGING.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 April 1901, Page 2

GOLD DREDGING.

A good many folks who have looked carefully into the dredging industry considers that next month will see a great improvement, as a good many initial difficulties will have been got over and a number of machines be at work. On the Buller there will be the Rockland’s, Duller Junction, Mokoia, Four River Plain, and Buller in full swing. At Reefton Reeves Preprietory and AT, while in the Grey Valley and aroumj the Waipuna, Erickson’s Reward, Ahaura, Ford’s Creek, Nelson Creek, Paetolus, Grey River, Dobson. New River, Leviathian, Maori Queen, Marsdon, Greenstone Junction and Greenstone Creek will all be in operation. It is thought that most of the above will clear expenses, and at least half have a fair balance of profit. The Waipuna should start to-day and better position than she lias yet been iti, v while the increased length given the elevators will enable the paddock to be kept clear of tailings. If this dredge could be kept constantly going, the ground now being worked would leave a fair margin of profit. Ford’s Creek is still doubtful, but Mr Wicks is very confident that with the lengthened ladder the dredge will more than clear her way.

Erickson’s Reward should start this week, and if former yields in the same locality are anything to go by this dredge should pay well. Ahaura is a pet dredge spot with miners who look forward in a fortnight to see a dredge or two going. Nelson Creek will continue to keep up her record, and possibly improve. The machinery works admirably. Pacfcolus is deemed certain to improve very much, and as soon as she gets out of her present position she may run Nelson Creek for pride of the place. Regarding the Grey River and Dobson No 2. there is but one opinion and that is, that larger and more powerful dredges are necessary for success. At the same time the present dredges may come upon shallow patches that will pay, but much time will bo lost in looking for such ground. New River is steadily improving, the ground getting. thicker and gold more freely distributed. Owing to the very bad weather experienced during the last week but little progress has been made with thd prospecting operations on the Mikonui River; both Maynard and Mr Brigans wore retarded from this cause.

The contractors for the Day Dawn pontoons are being delayed for want of some of the ironwork, which is not yet to hand. This dredge will be the first dredge to commence work in the Ross district.

Messrs Reynolds and Mcßeath arc pushing on witlx the building of tho pontoons tor the Kohinoor G.D. Company, and the damage, occasioned by the flood is not likely to cause delay in the dredge commencing operations.

Messrs George King and Wm, Rolhtt of Christchurch, chairman and Secretary of the Hokitika River G.D. Company are now in Hokitika on business in connection with the claim. The same gentlemen are interested in the A I.G.D. Company near Reef ton, and will visit that district so as to be present when the dredge commences work this week.

The Prince of Wales Company’s annual adjourned meeting was held on Saturday night when the balance-sheet and report was adopted. Messrs P. J. Perry and I). Yarworth were unanimously re-elected directors, and Aitksn auditor. The meeting was unanimous in their appreciation of the directors’ management, more particularity in their having secured the plant from England at the price they did, thus conserving the interests of the shareholders, who, by the way, are to be congratulated on having such capable and practicle men at the head of their affairs.