SOLD DREDGING.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 May 1901, Page 2

SOLD DREDGING.

The returns for the past week were disappointing to a good many, who had looked forward to an improvement on the previous week. Early in the term, however, it was evident to those who were a little behind the scenes that there would be a general falling off, and the reasons for such decline are many and varied, and come from causes that can be better explained in detail.

WArpuNA—5J- ounces show no improvement, and opinion is getting general 'that y the dredge had better be movfid to an- f ■other part of tire claim. Bttller Junction—ls ounces, for less than three days' work, is up to the average. The company was delayed in opening up the paddock to enable the dredge to work with greater ease.

Beeves' Proprietary—lß ounces 14 dwts. The dredge is still working on the same character of dirt. A'change for the better is expected.

Greenstone Creek —5 ounces is the most disappointing return of the week. Certainly the wash continues hard and close, and the dredge gets but little dirt on the tables, but it was expected that this belt would have been got through before now.

Greenstone Junction—B ounces 9 dwts. This dredge is now on the bottom and this week should,.if ground is any good, show a marked improvement. The machine is now fairly in the stream.

Grey River—l 6 ounces 10 dwts was obtained from the upper gravel, the dredge not having yet bottomed, the reef not rising as abruptly as was expected.

Pactoicus—22 ounces is less than was expected. The dredge, it is reported, got into a run of loose drift with a good deal of silt. This dredge should ere long get on better returns. Foed's Ceeek —Mr Wickes informs us that this dredge has bottomed on excel-' lent gold at a depth of 32 feet, and if the ' i river does not rise he anticipates good yield this week. Maoei Queen —15 ounces 4 dwts. The dirt is pretty hard and rough ground. It is to be regretted that dredge was not a more powerful, one. She will, we fear, on this account be frequently -stuck up. Leviathan—ll. ounces 1$ dwts seems a small return after the ; proceeding period. The explanation given is that the previous yield was obtained from a portion of the lead that extended further out than was thought, but which could not be followed up without getting rid of large quantity of tailings. As a matter of fact the 43 ounces 'obtained was a surprise, the Company not expecting to get on good returns for three or four week. Last week's yield simply shows that this idea was correct, and that tht solid will be reached in about a fortnight when steady returns may be looked for. New Rivee.—l3 ounces. The dredgemaster officially reports that the late wet weather had made about 20 chains of the road to the dredge so bad that the carters could not deliver coal to the dredge till it was repaired. Consequently he had been compelled to stop Thursday morning and put the men on to repair. This would take to the end of the week. In the meantime he is taking advantage of the stoppage to put a " save all" in, as good gold is being lost through not having it in. Nelson Cheek.—The return is not yet to hand, but it will not be much, probably about 20 ounces, as in addition to difficulty of cutting round the bridge, the ! machine had to stop for repairs, the tumbler of the ladder wanting renewing, while the screen is also showmg unmistakeable signs of wear. Dobson No 2.—To the Editob, —Sib, Allow me to inform you that you are entirely wrong in stating that the Dobson No 2 dredge is moored "silent and mournful" below an island. She is on the contrary working steadily along the side of the said island, prospecting the upper part of the claim, where she can bottom. She was only moored below the island for a couple of days during a flood said to have been four feet higher j than the " Old Man Flood " you speak about, and she might perhaps have been just as well off moored safely there as taking a trip down the river on her own hook. Yours faithfully, Fred. Berendsen. [We are pleased to learn that the dredge has again started and working steadily. When moored below the island, on Wednesday there was no flood, in the river,—Ed. E.S.] The Grey River Consolidated Dredging Company's dredge will be ready to start early next week, • A quantity of. machinery for the Welcome dredge is on the Westport wharf. The pontoons for this company are almost finished, and will be ready as soon as the machinery is on the ground. The A. I. dredge started operations on Friday last, 10th, and everything is working smoothly. Judging from the nature of the ground it will take soma'time to open up, and shareholders shoulcraot look for returns for at least three weeks. The dredge is suitable, and, under good management, shoald not fail to give fair results.

The directors of the Maori King Gold Dredging Company, whose claim is on the New River, West Coast, have purchased the machinery now building and nearing completion at the Otago Foundry for a suitable dredge. The engine and boiler are already landed at Dune Jin, and tendars for the pontoons will be called at once. It is anticipated the dredge will be nt work in about five months.

The Wareatea pontoons are far from finished, and I consider it will take |at least five weeks at the present rate. The engine, boiler, winches, ladder, elevator, buckets, pump, spur wheel, and mostjof the smaller parts of machinery are all on the ground wailing erection. The dam is completed, and can be filled in a few hours by turning the creek in: Tenders have closed for erection, which will be proceeded with as soon as the pontoons are finished. —Westport correspondent of Otago Times. The shareholders in the Island Greek would no doubt feel disappointed at the dredge not starting when expected. On putting the buckets together it was found there was not sufficient to complete, a space having been left for a grab, which, although sent for some weeks before, had not arrived. It was necessary to send away and get some extra links made to fill in the gap till the grab arrived, and tne links are expected to-morrow. As soon as these are put on the dredge will start. The balance of stores, wire ropos, etc., arrived, and have gone out to the claim. The dredge looks very well indeed, and as soon as bottom is reached returns will satisfy shareholders who have held on.

The Future of Gold Dredging. Dunedin, May 18. The Otago Daily Times oxpresses the opinion that when the process of weeding out and reconstruction is completed, the new system of gold mining will steadily develop until it becomras the most important part of the mining business of the colony. The article further states that thsre is a great future before gold dredg. ing in the colony, and when once public confidence is restored by the consistent earnings of the hulk of the dredges at

work a very decided forward move will be made. The pessimistic view taken by a number of people is-hardly justified, as the industry is one of great promise and capable of indefinite expansion. As for the West Coast, the same journal remarks that it is evident there is an enormous field there awaiting development.