SUCCESSFULLY FLOATED

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1921, Page 3

SUCCESSFULLY FLOATED

RIMU DREDGE PONTOON FURTHER PARTICULARS. The. launching of the pontoon yesday for the Rimu Gold Dredging Company was carried . out without leitmotiv. As one of the management stated previously when mentioning the fact that tlu« launching was taking place, “We shall just slip her in.” The efficiency of' the work of preparation was thoroughly evinced as the huge pontoon slid along the skids and took the water making one wave as she entered the ,dam, side on, and then settling down into its element in such an easy manner that it made the work of launching look a very simple matter indeed. \s is well-known the Rimu Gold Minim', Company is an American financed concern, Mr R. A- Cranston being the local manager, and he has gathered together a large and efficient staff. Tho scene of operations is on Rimu Flat, about 31 miles from Hokitika, access being obtained to the claim by the South Hokitika road, past Perry’s sawmill, along Adair’s Road, which connects through with Rimu, the site of the claim being about half-way between the Ross railway and Rimu town ship. The present site of the dam is where the old Rimu Dredging Company carried on operations for some time with a smaller dredge which was found to be too light to deal with tbe very heavy wash that lias to be handled. Re fore the old dredge was dismantled tlie present paddock was dredged so as to provide a resting place for tbe pontoon that made use of the excavation yesterday. Tho present pontoon is one of the largest structures of its kind, ,-asilv the largest erected ill New Zealand'. It fs—llsft. in length and 50ft. wide at the bottom, the deck being 56 feet wide, while the depth is 10ft. Bin. Yesterday the pontoon drew 2ft. as it lay after launching. The timber used in the construction is mainly Oregon pin,., with some totara, and hardwood. Tho 'whole has been put together m a manner that speaks for solidarty and strength, which of course will be needed to carry the machinery for tbe powerful dredge that will bo placed on if. This machinery is practically all on the ground ready for'erection and this will now be gone on with as rapidly as possible, a large staff of men being engaged on the ground. The Company lifive gone about the work of erection in a most systematic manner and to this end have, substantial shops erected, together with a, handy sawmill for cutting up the timber required, the Oregon pine having lieen brought in bulk and cut up here. Tn this connection it might be mentioned that the County Council gave permission to erect a tramway along the centre of the road from South Spit. This while | proving of great advantage to the Com- ! puny in the carriage of their material to the dredge site has also proved most advantageous to tho Council as the tramway has prevented the cutting up of the road by tho otherwise exceptionally heavy traffic that had to take place while it must have saved the Council a substantial sum in the upkeep of a new road, which is now in very fair order. The power for the driving of the dredge will bo electric power, derived from Kanieri Lake. This lias already been installed at tbe works and is in use for driving the sawmill and other works, simplifying and assisting considerably in the general progress. The venture is a sub-