KAWARAU DAM

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1926, Page 1

KAWARAU DAM

CLAIM HOLDERS JiOPKI'TI

[by TELEGRAPH. —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.j * CROMWELL. Sept. 2. “Those interested in the claims ol the Ktiwarau River are in no way perturbed by the quantity of water in the river not being lowered to Hie extent expected. The following facts must be borne in mind:—The lateness of the season and that the Shotover, Nevis. Arrow j.nd other tributaries are discharging much .more water than during the past six week. While these facts have been a little disappointing to some, the olaimholders are convinced that when the gates are closed next winter the results will, in.view of present- prospects, be satisfactory.

This resolution was carried at a large and representative meeting ol Kawarau olaimholders to-night. Ihirtv were present, apologies being received from all others absent. The prospects of an extensive mining on the river during the period the gates will be kept closed are remote. The Shotover is carrying more than, its usifal quantity of water owing to the melting of the. snow on the ranges, and although certain minor adjustments carried out at the gates at the dam have made them completely water-tight, o great volume of water is flowing down the river, into which it is discharging from the tributary streams.

The conditions on the lake and the. rise in the level of the water are exactly in accordance with the calculations of the engineers. The flow of water from the Shotover is so great that it has receded up the river ami has ponded against the gates of the dam. The river now runs smoothly. save in the rapids between the narrow,tortuous bluffs, and the engineer states that the only solution to give freer flow still to the waters would be the blasting of the bars and reeks idistracting the course. Of the rock obstructions the “Natural Bridge is judged to be holding back the most water. “A few plugs ct gelignite will help the whole scheme, and the sooner it is done the better.” stated the ergi-

So far the receding river has not exposed any fresh country. All the banks are now 'showing and they carry signs of previous working. Old miners say that the Chinese mined even lower m days gone by unci consequently no rich finds are being made. Desoite the had luck this time the majority of the claim holders are far from downhearted. They, are determined to give it another go next year. All agree that it would have been better if the dam hid not been closed l.iis season. but left to the more ptopitious time next winter. On one chum 5 ounces were returned with a pan and cradle this morning, and yesterday a six pennyweight lump was picked up by a Cromwell syndicate. One party secured 4 ounces in two days. Everywhere pleasing prospects are being obtained the colours ranging from fine to coarse flakes. Where little success has been obtained and old miners have appeared on the scene they have got excellent prospects in the first few pans.

One party of Dunedin men comprised' a jeweller garage proprietor, land salesfti.m, plumber and man of leisure: They were amazed when an old miner showed colour after two minutes’ working, while they had been panning for hours. The fall to date has disclosed certain features of the river which gave a line to future plans. The large expanses of sand and gravel banks indicate the necessity of obtaining gravel pumps if the rivler is to he worked thoroughly. The bed is not exposed, so how much overburden still remains is guesswork. Certain machinery will be necessary. Observation at the Natural Bridge show that the river to-day is only lft lower than at the same time last yelar., DUNEDIN, Sept. 2. There was an improved tone on the Stock Exchange to-day, sales lieing effected at 2s Od and 3s, as against 2s 3d. 2s 4d and 2s od yesterday.