Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1901. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 August 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1901. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In dredging matters we are told there is a slump. And we are not surprised thereat. Indeed, nothing else could be expected. When the boom set in, ground was pegged out in all directions, quite irrespective of whether it contained gold or not. These claims were

floated into companies, registered and calls made, *and it is these “calls” that is causing the slump, which by the way is likely to remain with us for fome time to come. Of the industry itself there need bo no fear. Even now it has shown at this early stage and under disadvantageous circumstances, that it has a bright future before it. Only in one instance can it be said that failure has ensued through poorness of the ground, and that is at Waipuna whore work for the time lining has boon suspended. The Dobson dredge has been laid up and the company may go into liquidation, but this cannot be set down against the claim which has never been tested, the machine being too small to bottom. Last month the average yield per dredge per week was 191ounces, which fully demonstrates that the industry'is a bona fide one that will flourish. It is necessary, however, that more care bo taken in regard to “machinery and wild cats.” Better appliances and thorough prospecting before incurring heavy expenditure is all that is required to ensure success, and the somewhat bitter experience of the past is pretty certain to make investors cautious.