TELEPHONE EXTENSION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 24 December 1901, Page 3

TELEPHONE EXTENSION.

(2'o the Editor.)

Bis,—With your permission I beg leave : to offer s suggestion in connection with the “Star” of the 19th Inst, (viz), telephone extension to Westport and the intermediate centres, If tne residents of the Grey district will unite to form a company to pot a dredge on the Barrytown flat which is well known to be ideal dredging ground, you will. soon have telep! j’onlo communication between Greymouth and Westport. lam aware that owing to the unscrupulous actions of a few promoters and self-styled mining experts and engineers, the dredging industry has lem greatly retarded. But it must and will revive again, notwithstanding all the failures and frauds that bava crippled the enterprise, fora time. r/Lnd-the best way now to prove the importance and genuineness of the industry Is to first thoroughly prospeot, open up, and develops this• new ground, which is admitted by all experienced old gold miners (and they are the best judges), 'that Barrytown Flat is highly payable <fcnd most-suitable for dredging. There are many places as rich, if not richer, than the Nelson Greek, and Factolus claims, waiting to be opened up by the honest promoter, and investor, which were not pushed forward at the time Of the reckless rush to peg out and float everything and anything while the boom lasted. Xam aware also that Greymouth is heavily loaded with unsuccessful ventures, which has a very discouraging effect on speculation. But when we take into consideration the nature of the material to be shifted which is light and loose,, and no delays from flooded rivers etc., the smallest and least power- [ ful of the dredges on the Coast at present is capable of dealing with it successfully, therefore, a company would not require a great amount of capital for the undertaking. If Westport would combine with Greymouth there should be no difficulty in forming such a company, as it is quite obvious both towns would derive immense benefits from such an extensive field should it turn out as good as many people now prognosticate it will. There are, sir, many circumstances and facts one. could adduce relating to the “fiat” that, in support of my suggestion, must be postponed for the present, as it might encroach too much on your valuable space. Trusting that I have not already done so I am, sir, yours etc.,— Gold Mined. Monday, December 23rd, 1901.