GOLD DREDGING.

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

GOLD DREDGING.

Last weeks returns show a very fair average increase, and unless the dredges yet unrecorded fall away, altogether the average should constitute the Coast record, and for eight weeks in succession tcp the Otago average. Pactoitjs 103 ounces, 17 dwts for 130 hours gave her second largest return last week. Her months yield of gold nearly 890 ounces is sufficiently solid to warrant the directors in putting on a second and larger dredge, which we believe is their intention of doing as soon as possible.

Bullkb Junction return for 128 hours was 47 ounces. This return makes the gold won by this dredge during November tote up to 222 ozs 5 dwts, and has enabled the directors to declare a dividend of sixpence per share, payable on and after Wednesday next.

Leviathan with 46 ounces 8 dwts shows a distinct advance and proves that un worked ground in that locality will pay handsomely, so long as the dredge continues to manipulate virgin ground. Of course worked ground can scarcely be expected to be rich. A 1 return is a trifle under the average but this was caused through the dredge having a good deal of dead work to do. She should show an improvement this week. North Bxaoh continues much about the same, the silt causing repeated stoppages to clear screen. The dredge master,, in our Saturday's issue, declares that little or no gold is being lost. A correspondent, in another column, deals somewhat caustically with this assertion. Kohikohi ground continues rough and difficult to work, the boulders being large and plentiful. The ground is rich enough to give large returns if the ground could be treated in anything like " dredging quantity." Hac Hau return is much about the same as last week. The tables on this dredfi e are good, but the pontoon herself is rather a " crank affair.'

Gbky Biveb shows do alteration in material. This portion of the claim is not coming up to expectations. Hokitika Riveb still among the boulders with occasional logs of timber to further trouble the dredgema3ter. The machine is a powerful one but her capacity is being tested. Bocelakss continues to disappoint her shareholders and fail to clear expenses. Gbbenstone Cbbek.—This dredge washed up for 34 ounces which is a dtstinct improvement on former returns. There is- now a good length of clear ground to work and if the dredge gets on to the old lead formerly worked by the Chinamen she should have some very profitable returns for some time to come. The gold got in the last wash-up was a fine sample and one piece is reported to have weighed over half an ounce. Gbeenstone Three Mile.—The dam for refloating dredge is well advanced and machine should get a start next week. THBBK-iN-OME.-The Duke of Weilington Company has agreed to make a proposal to the Major Eobin and Lord Nelson Companies to combine with them in the completion of the dredge now being built.

.Aldinga.—The directors of the Aldinga Gold Dredging Company, in accordance with the resolutions passed at the meeting of shareholders held dri the j 21st instant, have issued circulars to the j shareholders, urging them to take up debentures to the amount necessary to place the directors in funds and enable them to erect the machinery and equip the dredge, the pontoons of which are practically ready to launch. The directors are confidently led to believe that the company wall have a superior dredge, and as the claim stands high in reputation (borne out by the results of the Nelson Creek anl Paelulus companies), it is reasonable to suppose that shareholders will act wisely if they promptly place the directors in possession of the funds they require.

Foed's Creek will shortly resume work. The foundry is now doing the necessary repairs. The company are now inviting applications for a dredgemaster.

Noaiiebb Company figured as tiff in the Dunedin Magistrate's Court last week against six weh-known resi" dents of this district, the claims being for calls.

Greenstone Junction worked steadily all the week on average ground having no[timber. The return of 52 ounces 13i dwts for the week is her second largest return. The machine has a good deal of like work in front of her, and good returns may be looked for for months to come.