CONGRATULATORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1921, Page 1

CONGRATULATORY.

Tlicro was a very pleasant, gathering at the Overseas Club yesterday afternoon, of representative ladies and gentlemen, on the invitation of the County Chairman (Mr J. A. Murdoch) to meet Messrs R. A. Cranston and S. W. Ford, of the management of Itiinu Gold Dredging Coy., Ltd., in honor of the successful floating of the Company’s pontoon the previous afternoon. After afternoon tea had been handed round, Mr Murdoch said they had met for the purpose of congratulating Mr Cranston and Mr Ford on the successful launching the previous afternoon, and to wish the Company every success in tlie venture that they were engaged on. He would ask Mr Cranston to convey to the directors and shareholders in America the very best wishes of the community for their success. He trusted that the initial success in the launching the previous day will he only the omen of the main success in the future operations of the Company. As this function was taking place in the Borough he would ask the Mayor to

preside. Mr Perry read apologies from Messrs Coulson and Orr-Walkcr, and then referred to mining operations on Rimu Flat in the eighties, when much gold had been won by the primitive methods of those days. Then later a dredge had been placed there, but it had proved too light for the heavy nature of the ground. He was confident the gold is there, though the ground is heavy. One feature that is outstanding in the present operations was the introduction of electric power for goldmm iug. He trusted that the success that he f e lt sure was coming would prove an incentive to the Company to extend their operations. The manner in which the Company had gone about its operations, in making a thorough examination of all the conditions had removed it from a speculation and made it an enterprise, which he was confident would be a successful one. The community extended the best of good wishes to their enterprise, and trusted

the Company would have that measure of success it so richly deserves. (Applause'). Mr .James Park said they were on the ('ve of most important developments in Westland, and lie hoped and expected that this dredge which had been so successfully floated the previous day would he the harbinger of many others. It was a notable fact that the present Company had spoilt more money in prospecting the ground, than the whole |of the capital of dredges in former times amounted to. Jt would hr- a monstrous dredge, of monstrous powei ami monstrous ways of working, and with such management appeared the only way of making dredging a success. Mr Park referred at some length to mining matters and concluded with his hearty congratulations for success. Mr R. Wild said the Company deserved every success, and he thought they would have it because every possibility of failure had been guarded against. The Company had gone its own way not asking for anv help, but he understood the Mines Department would be glad to assist in any possible way. From every point, of view, self reliance, independent action, and honesty of purpose the Company deserved success, sufficient he hoped to enable New Zealand to. stabilize the exchange question from their gold returns. (Applause). Mr R. F. Perlinm said all were pleased to see an industry come along and the praise given lo the present Company was well deserved. The great factor was the wholehearted manner in which they were carrying out their operations. lie bad found Messrs Cranston and Ford good sports. They had started the right way and would thoroughly deserve success which he hoped would come their way. (Applause).

Mr R, A. Cranston on rising, was received with applause. He said he had not much to say, but regretted the absence of Mrs Cranston, caused by her having bad a severe fall the previous night in the street which bad caused her to be kept to her room. He thanked them all for their kind thoughts and good wishes, and hoped they were right ill their predictions. (Applause). Mr S. W. Ford thanked the assemblage ami the townspeople for the reception given in this country and their great assistance. All had been a decided help to them in their work, and such help had been much appreciated, and would greatly help ill any success achieved.

Mr Murdoch hoped that the present dredge‘would only be the forerunner of mnnv others and that they would have more such pleasant gatherings as the present one. suggesting one when the Company (list gets 1000 o?s for a week’s work. The Company has a large area ol 12,01)0 acres. It is a big has been systematically proved, and with <'i;■ * • at machine!,' and cd cimil management he bad every Dope ~f tlm Company attaining that success that 1 hey so well deserve. (Appiaus. -).

A verse ol the National Anthem was then sung and a very pleasant gathering concluded.