GOLD DREDGING.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 25 November 1901, Page 3

GOLD DREDGING.

Contrary to expectation last week’s returns were a good deal better than was anticipated. The weather and flooded rivers were much against full and efficient. work. Yet a number of dredges gave substantial yields, while only one— Reeves’ Proprietary—so far has gone under the estimate. Unless other returns yet to come in fall very low, the average will be 30 ounces per dredge, which will constitute a West Coast record.

The week has seen two dredges—lsland Creek and Waratea at Eaindow’s shut down. Those acquainted with the ground express no surprise at this result, the prospecting notwithstanding. The prospecting of such properties as the Island Creek, Waratea, Marsden No 1, and one or two other claims, should bo enquired into by directors, for the results obtained by dredges have not verified Ihe correctness of the bore hole tests

Ractolus, though 40 ounces below the previous week, has still an excellent result for the week. The dredge has now thoroughly proved the ground, and G 3 ounces, the last return, is ample evidence of the worth of the double area. Like Nelson Creek certain portions are richer than others, but as the poorest part has given substantial returns there is no longer any reasonable doubt ns to the whole area being highly payable.

Greenstone Junction which was working under Haye's Terrace in a sheltered part of the creek had a good run of 130 hours for 46ozs 12dwts. Lika the Pactolus, this claim is being proved well across stream with most satifactory results, and already can be safely stamped as another of ths good things in dredging, A good sized piece of greenstone was dredged up during the week. Judging by the appearance of the break, it must have been torn from a large boulder probably a ton weight or more. Those who know how hard it is to break a greenstone are sceptical as to the power of a grab hook or bucket to do it, so several theories have been advanced to account for the pi ce obtained. A ton of greenstone at the present market value suggests a new and remunerative source of revenue for this company. It may interest the curious to know that Saturday’s wash up brought to light an interesting momemto of bygone days, in the shape of a much worn and somewhat battered coin to wit, a shilling. Judging by the profile and the superscription, that of George IY (the date was obliterated) it must have been coined in the early years of last century. Thh Leviathan is on good ground, and a better return’than 31 ounces 14dwts for 113 hours was expected. The dredge is, however, scarcely yet fairly into the ground, but this week should see her into material which if anything like what was said of it or approaching in richness what was obtained their by former owners, should give at least double last week’s yield.

Hokitika River gave 21 ounces for 117 hours work. The machine is close to the side where the boulders are large and numerous, in addition to this, timber is also about. So far the amount of material treated by this dredge is very little indeed for the time worked, and if the claim when well opened up will admit of treatment on anything like a scale which dredge is said to be capable of treating their large returns are capable. The ground isjrioh enough if it can bo treated in bulk.

Greenstone Three Mile —Owing to the flooded state of the Greenstone Creek during the week past, the returns have suffered from at least two of the dredges. It will be some weeks yet, so experts say before the Three Mile dredge is back into her native element. Meantime several necessary repairs will bo effected and there will be no need for the projected stoppage for this purpose again at 'Xmas.

The Greenstone Creek did not wash up owing to loss of time due to the floods. We learn that this dredge is now on gold of a splendid sample, very similar to that obtained by the Greenstone Throe Mile just above it. Let us hope that the quantity obtained will show a corresponding improvement.

Buli.be Junction though much hampered by flood gave 38 ounces 4dwts for 99 hours. The ground continues free and easy to work, and is reckoned to be worth under favorable circumstances 10 ounce per day wash. Reeves Proprietary could only work on golden wash for 75 hours for which 20 ounces was obtained. For time worked this is up to average of claim.

North Beach with 21 ounces 11 dwts is an improvement of six ounces on last week, and strengthens Mr Taylor’s assertion that ground is much richer outside the lagoon silt boundry which the dredge is approaching. Opinions differ as to whether the tables are saving all the gold. A practical engineer and miner who_ inspected the .dredge last week affirms positively that a good deal of the yellow metal is being lost.

Red Jacks from which but 20 ounces was expected, gave 25 ounces 5 dwts for 75 hours. The dredge was unfortunate enough to strike some heavy timber, and really was but two days only actual gom dredging. Not having the appliances for dea ing with timber much time was lost. These appliances are now being sot up. The present ground with fair run is good for 60 ounces, and Red Jacks is likely to become a dividend-payer. Ericksons Reward, return of 21oz 7dwts for the week is confirmatory of former reports that the was thinning out while timber being on top is easily disposed of. An improvement is looked for and 40 or 50 ounces is predicted before many weeks. If the company had the extra power on this dredge they have been talking about she would get through nearly double the work and of course get double the yield. The Ahauba River Company’s return for the week ended on the 16th Nov was Boz 15dwts for 90 hours’ dredging. The dredgemaster reports: “Paddock now clear of silt; strong fresh in river this morning.” It is understood that last week the dredge struck a “boil up” at a turn in the stream but that there is good work immediately ahead. Grey Consolidated.— The dredgemaster of the Grey River Consolidated (Mr D. Marshall) in his report for the week ending November 8 says:—“ The dredging time for the week is 108 hours. The dredge was stopped all day Saturday to turn liner bars in droop shoot and repair winch engine. The depth of ground from water level is 20ft, with a face above of 6ft, the width of the cut being 2J chains. The dredge advanced 18yds. The quantity of material treated wes over 9000yds. The gold got was all drift gold. The wash is easily dredged, bus Jnot easily treated, as there is a lot of sand in it. The dredge is wotking well, and putting through a ot of stuff.” A VERY SEVERE COMMENT.— This IS a conclusion of a somewhat vitriolic article on mining company _ promotion in Taupeka Times : —“lf the inner istory of the rings and conspiracies could be known it would be found that some of the most promising companies have been deliberately ruined and put into liquidation so that they might afterwards be acquired by the wreckers, The provention of such offences as the dredging boom has given pise to is possible only by the

knowledge that the law is far-reaching ®nough to meet the unscrupulous at every turn, and so inflict exemplary punishment when their guilt has been brought home to them. Were it possible to make such as law retrospective Dunedin goal would not hold all the boom swindlers that might easily be rounded up in that City, as well as up and down through the province.