GOLD DREDGING.

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

GOLD DREDGING.

Eockl.vnds —lt is expected -dredging will be commenced in a week. Nelson Cheek —The new screen has been placed in position, and operations wore again started to-day. Consolidated —The dredge is nearly ready to start, and should be on good gold two weeks after starting. There is likely (says the Westport Times) to be litigation in connection with the area taken up by the Britannia No 2 Company at Stony Creek, it being alleged that the No 2 reef is in ground over which the original Britannia Company hold rights.

/' Perky’s Reward Dredge. —This dredge (says the Times) continues to work satisfactorily and is gradually getting into deeper ground. The directors expect that it will be another fortnight before she is clear of the dun, and able to work continuously on the bottom. During the last few days the gold obtained is of a much coarser nature, resembling that obtained from the bore. The dredge is working in the direction of the bore, but it is estimated that It will take at least three months to reach it. No returns can be looked for until the dredge gets into deeper ground.

Gee ax’ Lead and Kapai. —A satisfactory arrangement lias been arrived at by the Kapai Gold Dredging Company and the Great Lead Gold Dredging with respect to the construction of a dredge on their joint account. A dredge designed by Mr If. W. Payne, of Dunedin, for the Great Lead Company is very nearly complete. This machinery is on the ground, and the pontoons are launched, and under the agreement with the Kapai Company the dredge is to be completed with the least possibly delay. It is expected that work will be commenced on the Kapai claim within three months. The Kapai Company’s claim has recently been thoroughly tested by boring, the work being entrusted to Mr P. W. Payne. He reports an average yield of 8 grains of gold per cubic yard, in an average of 18ft of wash and that all other conditions are favorable. He also gives an assurance that very good returns of gold will be obtained.