KAWARAU CLAIMS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1926, Page 4

KAWARAU CLAIMS

i I IMPROVED CONDITIONS REPORTED. CROMWELL, Sept. 3. The river at Cromwell at S o’clock to-day remains at yesterday’s level. “We are feeling much tnory Hippy,” stated Mr R. Powell, manager of rhe Consolidated Tvawnrau. His company holds sixty claims, and now lie is most optimistc. Already, he said, the company’s miners were getting very nice specimens and were down to the virgin ground lmt probably would not get deep enough by the date the gates were reopened. The company was now concentrating on ai few claims, to which all its men wore beng rushed, and day by day returns were improving. Altogether, conditions were much better, and he was very optimistic. The men also were more cheerful. The fall of the river on the first and second days was ri.ither disappointing, hut it was ridiculous to say the scheme was a failure within four days.

"‘After working extensively various parts of the river, we have no shadow of doubt that the gold is in the Kawarau,” Mr Powell went on. "•The miners are most optimistic and are working strenuously to accomplish las much as possible before the opening ot the gates six days hence. One claim lias secured at an average two ounces a day since commencing operations, and as the river has gradually receded, better returns are expected within t- he next few days.”

The Clutha Hirer at Balclutha has fallen l>v about a foot, and a considerable amount of the shingle on the bed is showing up. The decrease in depth has had the effect of preventing the running of the river steamer, which will be hid up until the gates at the Kaware.u clam are opened next week.