GOLD DREDGING.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 October 1901, Page 2

GOLD DREDGING.

The Pactolus return prior to h'-r breakdown was 26|ozi for 63 hours. Owing to delays and an accident to her machinery, the Kobikohi Dredge had no return last week. She will probably rc-commence work next Monday.

The Mokoia washes up this week With the increased facilities for the saving of the gold the returns should show improvement on those previously received. The dredge is in excellent working order. Mr Lines’ coal bod up the Bullet river is opening out splendidly, and promises to supply the. requirements of the majority of the dredges, says the “ Westport News.” Coal is del.vorod to the Old Diggings Company at 13a 6d per ton, and to the Buller J unction at £1 per ton. The directors of the Grey River No 2 Company, after putting down several bore holes on the company’s claim (which adjoins the Grey River) last night decided to recommend the winding up of the company by voluntary liquidation, and a meeoingof shareholders has been convened for the adoption of the necessary resolutions. The depth of the ground was proved to be between 40 and 50 feet, but the prospects obtained are not considered sufficient to warrant the directors taking further steps in development of the property. Beyond 40ft the wash was proved tc bo barren, and nearer the surface only a few colours wore obtained.

A Rood deal of local interest, says the Westport News, in the dredging operations 0.1 the Fairdown pakihis, So far nothing but llie light surface gold has been obtained, but the Is’nnd Dredge is working mckdily in order to bottom where heavier gold is exp oted, and the Wareatea dredge is also working in the suruo direction. Tho ground where the Wareatea dredge is operating is very heavy, with largo boulders, and very tight but miners are of opinion that these conditions are favourable to the existence of gold. The Fairdown Company should profit by tho experiences of the other Companies, and place powerful machinery on their pontoons. The A.l. Company’s dredge continues working well in a ccmenty kind of wash which is entirely free from large boulders or timber. Last week the dredge did a lot of top stripping, and was two days off tho bottom, and also lost twelve hours on account of Labor Day, so that this week a slight.y increased return should be forthcoming.

The No Town Creek dredge is expected' to get a start in a few weeks time. I Mt A. Cowan has been appointed to the position of dredge master. The directors are to be congratulated on securing the services of such a reliable and competent man.

The. Reeves’ Proprietary dredge is in rather rough ground. The dredge continues to work well though much better work could bo done with more power-