GOLD DREDGING.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 May 1901, Page 2

GOLD DREDGING.

The past week, as far as gold dredging is concerned, was a most unsatisfactory one. The weather was bad, and consequent thereon the somewhat swollen condition of the rivers retarded work seriously—hence the diminished and fewer returns. As to the-sharemarket it existed but in the name, the transactions being few and far between. If we add to the above the few break-downs that took place, we have sufficient to show why the week should be a trifle dull. If, however, we closed last week in dullness, it is pleasing to believe that the present week will show a marked improvement. Erickson’s Reward —Near the Aliaura the Erickson’s Reward dredge has been working fairly well, excavating sufficient room to allow of dredging operations to be carried on in an efficient manner. This initial work to actual dredging for gold will occupy another week.

Ford’s Creek —It would seem that the shareholders in Ford’s Creek are at length likely to reap the reward of perseverance. If there is a dredge on the "West Coast that was commenced on the “■ rule of thumb ” it surely was Ford’s Creek. Built of insufficient size, with her ladder 20 feet too short, the pontoon erected at the wrong end of the claim, the Company started truly enough under disadvantageous conditions. For months the dredge kept working Row among logs,

now aiuoug bonKl.iv.-i. but rarely touching bottom. An experiment was tried, the ladder was lengthened 8 feet, and the dredge moved up stream. Bottom was at length found at 32 feet with apparently good wash. Then bad weather set in and the river rose. The elements seem to intensify the misfortunes of this unfortunate Company. Perseverance, however, will overcome a good deal, and apparently perseverance is going to win for the Ford’s Creek shareholders. Last week’s return of 7Aoxs for 90 hours’ work is a very promising yield indeed, when the fact is made known that the ladder was only on the bottom for four shifts.

Grey Eivee —Owing principally to the condition of tho river did littlo or no work, and consequently there was no wash up on Saturday. It is much to bo regretted that this Company delays so long in arranging for tho erection of a dredge sufficiently largo and powerful enough to cope with the magnificent property they possess. The present mode of treating tho ground is absolutely injurious to the claim, and will involve when better machinery is obtained, the lifting a second time of the wash now treated in order to get at tho richer deposits of gold lying underneath, Pactolus with 26 ounces 12 dwts keeps up about the same average —and a good average it is showing a profit of £6O a week. From what can bo now learned it seems likely that this dredge will continue upon tho present run for two or three months after which she should got a much richer wash. Waipuna —'With 9 ozs 2 dwts is a decided improvement, and is equal to 15 ozsior tiie-week when wo remember that the flooded state of the river deposited a deal of silt in the paddock making dredging sluggish and difficult. We hope to see this dredge yet strike a good run of gold.

Leviathan. —-Through an accident to the machinery and difficulty with the pump hut two days work was got in last week and no wash up took place. The machine is now through the taiKngs and near the solid and should henceforth for some lime tb come render a good account of herself, Maori Queen —The return, 11 ounces 6dwts is quite as good as could be expected. The ground is tight and hard, the dredge a trifle weak. Until looser work is struck there is not much chance of material improvement. Nelson Creek— 69 ounces for the week is a handsome return, and again warrants the confidence reposed in this claim. We expect much larger yields from this property for the future, and fully anticipate from 400 to 600 ounces during next month. The Old Diggings dredge reached its ground safely on Saturday afternoon. During the first part of the journey the dredge was in charge of Mr A. Crumpton, and in the latter part the managing director, Mr G. Black, was on board.

The A.I. Dredging Company washed up on Saturday morning, but the return has not been made public. The dredge has now got a fine start, having worked out a good paddock, and will be started with three shifts to-day. The wash is reported to be looking well, and it is confidently expected that good returns will be received.

New Eiver dredge underwent considerable repairs last week and is now said to bo in excellent condition. She started dredging on Thursday and report states that this morning heavy gold is again appearing on the tables. The Rocklands dredge has not yet shown up to advantage, but will improve in the course of a week or two. Part of the ground to be worked shortly is expected to give good results. The pontoons for the Duke of Wellington Company’s dredge have been finished for a long time. The machinery was supposed to be completed by the middle of May, but is not yet. to hand. Mr E. Boberts, mining engineer from Dunedin, paid a visit on -Thursday to Perry’s Reward and Commissioner’s Plat claims and expressed himself thoroughly satisfied with the work on the Perry’s Reward dredge, performed by the contractors Messrs M’Millan and Thompson. Mr Roberts and Mr M’Queen, afterwards visited Ross.

At a mooting of shareholders of the Ross Flat Gold Dredging Co. it was resolved as a result of the report of Mr J. P. Smith as to the limited area of rich ground, to go into voluntary liquidation. When the directors informed the vendors they had determined to recommend the abandanmont of the claim they agreed to waive thleir right as paid-up shareholders. It is understood that Mr G. Cable, the well known engineer of Wellington, pays a visit to Lake Mahinapua to report on the cost of putting the Mahinapua Company’s property in working order. The Mosquito Na 2. G.D' Company has been registered with a capital of £12,000. The claim is situated next Mosquito Creek G.D. Coy. in the Waipuna district. Mr F, H. Cowan, of Hawera, is secretary. The Mokoia dredge, with its fine property, appears to be unable to do justice to it. As there is, however, an experienced dredgemaster on board, the dredge will yet gather in a good amount of gold. There is a good depth of wash on the claim, and the dredge, once it commences work, loses comparatively little time, as it does not require to be constantly on the move forward. The shareholders have experienced trying times but are likely at no distant date to see regular and good returns coming in. [OOE OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Kumaea, This Day.

Greenstone Junction— So far no improvement is shown in this claim, the return of 9 ounces Cdwts being scarcely sufficient to clear expenses. It is to be hoped that we have seen the last of the weather we have been experiencing of late. If our local dredges arc to give a satisfactory account of themselves this is necessary. The rain during the week resulted in good freshes in the Tcremakau River and the Greenstone Creek. Indeed, neither has recoded to its normal level for sometime back. I learn that, as soon as opportunity offers, it is the intention to pnt a wing dam in the Greenstone Creek to turn it from its present course out into the flat. It has been found impossible to work to satisfaction in the Greenstone Junction dredge owing to tho amount of silt and small gravel every fresh brings down. Tho work contemplated can bo done at a comparatively trifling cost when viewed in the light of resultant benefits. Tho directors of tho Greenstone Juncti m having failed to secure a marine in suranco over their dredge expressed an insuperable difficulty in securing from banks or private parties a sum sufficient to liquidate present liabilities on the security of the dredge. However, they showed their confidence in tho ultimate success of tho property by coming to tho rescue themselves and advancing the required sum on tho rejected security. Thus tho bogey—a further increase of capital—that seems to hold such terrors for the average shareholders, is for a time at least, disposed of. Tho action establishes one more claim on tho gratitude of shareholders—a gratitude that is in too many eases a negative quantity.

Mr G. Rankin, manager of tho Erin Go Bragh water-race, has been offered the superintending of prospecting operations on The Great Fox’s Claim, in the vicinity of Waimea. It is to he tested on behalf of tho Waimea Creek and Flat Gold Dredging Cj., as their first claim on prospecting proved valueless.

(per PEE&S association)

, WEtiMSGTON, This Day. Clause 83 of the mining regulations lias been amended sC follows: —(1) By repealing sub-clause 2 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the following “In every case where tthe warden or inspector notifies the ownta 1 or manager of a dredge that the stream in which the dredge is being constructed 01 ’ worked is deep or swift flowing, then in' addition to the foregoing appliances the d. "edge shall be kept provided with not less than two boats, inclusive of a boat requin to be kept under sub-clause one there ,an< i each of such boats must be continv loU . s ty furnished with a life-buoy, a light hue not less than 50ft m length, and a , boat not loss than 7ft long. Life-belts st a U he provided and each member of ti le crew of any boat shall wear a life-bel t when engaged in shifting the mooring lines of the dredge.”

[our OWN CORRESPONDENT.}