NEW GOLD-SAYING MAT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 June 1901, Page 4

NEW GOLD-SAYING MAT.

(Otaro Datt.y Times.)

A number of gentlemen interested in mining visited the reclaimed ground on Thursday to witness a trial of a new patent gold-saving mat, known as the Ileriot patent non-sihablo mat. The water and material coming from the Harbour Board's pipes attached to the suction dredge were utilisad to exhibit the working of the mat, but the water was so dirty that it was impossible to sen the mats in operation. The patent mat and ordinary mats wora placed on trial, and when they were taken out it was found that the Heriot mat was practically free from silt, whilst the others were covered wi',h it. Tho new mat, 'it is claimed, can he used on any dredge without alteration to the tables or other gold-saving apparatus at present in use. It is placed under the cocoanut matting or any other material, such as plush, etc., that may be used. The action of the water and gravel passing over it creates a movement, making the gold-saving material '-living," as it lias been described. The result of this movement is that silting is prevented, and a free surface is obtained. Tho water and wash are kept in a continuous boil, and a s ries of gorges or rivulets can bo mado to run in a serpentine foi'm or in any direction that may be desired. There is also a continuitv of movement, one section of the contrivance working in conjunction with tho other. In addition to these features, the top material (cocoanut matting, etc.) is made to assume the exact shape of the contrivance. In fact, the mats assume the shape of a river bed. There is also a sucking down motion continually going ou. Further, the use of the patent mat does not involve a greater loss of time to shift the material than at present. In fact, it is not necessary to remove the contrivance from the shoot at all, as washing down can be done just the same as if it were not in the shoot. The Cost of construction is infinitesimal, and a mat can be supplied which can be guaranteed to last several years. It is claimed to be just the thing where there is a large quantity of black sand, and that not even the finest of gold will bo lost. The mats have been used on the Ardmore dredge, Kelso, and the dredgemaster speaks very highly of it. It is understood that the patent is to be tried on several of the Otago dredges.