DREDGING ON THE WEST COAST.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 39, 24 December 1901, Page 3

DREDGING ON THE WEST COAST.

In spite of misfortune, miscalculation and, in eases, something that may be designated by a harsher term, it is now undeniable that the gold dredging industry on the West Coast, although as yet only in its infancy, is establishing itself on a lucrative basis. This is the conclusion that must be arrived at after consideration of the November returns. Following are the details of the month’s work :

Total ... ... 83 2351 16 The list gives us 22 dredges, working 83 weeks and returning 2,351 ounces of gold.-* This gives an average of 107 ounces per dredge. Taking it by the weeks we have an average of 28 ounces 6 dwts per dredge per week. As 12 ounces per dredge per week will coverall working expenses, it will be easilv seen that a fair prospect is before the industry. Westport Times.

The New Zealand Times’ Dannevirke correspondent says :—-Business is not so brisk in Dannevirke this month, eompareh with the corresponding period of last year-. There is a scarcity of money and indications of a severe depression in the near future.

A witness at the Auckland Supreme Court said in evidence that in Waihi it was not considered to be stealing to take firewood that was another man’s property, but it was considered to be “jumped.” Ihe smile that appeared on the faces of the witnesses from W'aihi, sitting in Court, testified in degree to the truth of the statement. The writer of a sketch in the Christmas number of the Bulletin states that the New Zealand woman is not so‘goodlooking for a woman as the New Zealander is fora man. He has the temerity to sign a name, too, The Times of 17th October is informed that the Right Hon. C. J. Rhodes, who is the holder of the largest share in the De Beers Consolidated Mines, intends permanently to retain the deferred shares to which he may be entitled, and that he has directed that after his death . the income derivable therefrom shall be devoted to public and charitable purposes. “ This is my future wife,” said the young man proudly turning to paterfamilias, who was a canny Scot of the true kailyaird type. “ New father, tell me candidly what you think of her.” The old man eyed the blushing brideelect critically for fully two minutes, then answered with deliberation —Well, John, I can only say you have shown much better taste than she has.”

The official results of the contests among the dairy breeds at the PanAmerican Exhibition had not been announced when the mail left, but indications are that the Guernseys won in profits on butter fat, and the Holsteins in profits on solids. On the other hand, the cost of feeding the Holsteins was greatest of trie 10 breed, the polled Jerseys footing the list.

Dredges Weeks Gold Won Worked ozs dwts Pactolus s 385 8 Buller Junction 222 5 16 Greenstone Junction 5 204 Neison Creek • 4 197 0 Ai. ... • 5 176 16 Leviathan Mokoia Red Jacks 5 5 • 5 154 127 101 19 12 6 North Beach 5 97 92 87 IO Hokitika River 5 - 2 Reeves Proprietary 4 O Greenstone Creek .. 4 74 Q Hau Hau Kohikohi • 4 3 70 63 55 7 19 8 Grey Consolidated.. 4 8 Grey River ... ■ 3 52 5 Erickson’s Reward Ahaura 3 3 50 39 14 to Stafford-Waimea 2 36 A 3-Mile Greenstone .. I J v 24 TO Roeklands 2 21 8 Old Diggings 2 19 to