THE MASTERTON DREDGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10251, 30 May 1911, Page 5

THE MASTERTON DREDGE.

MR HESSEY'S INVESTIGATION.

THE IMPROVED RETURNS." '*

On the occasion of Mr John Hessey'<s .recent, visit- to the South. Isr land, he was asked by tihe Board of Dd'reobors, of tine Master'ton Dredging Company to make an investigation into the condition of the dredge and its future working, and also to 'bore the ground with a view to ascertaining the depth and value off She uncorked portion of the claim. For some time prior to this the returns had not been satisfactory, and the directors came*to the. conclusion that if Mr Hessey could be induced to make a thorough, test of the cilaim, Ms l expert knowledge would be of great assistance. Mr Hessey promptly got to work with his boring plant, and after a period of arduous, testing of the claim, came to the conclusion that by avoiding certain, areas of the claim, and altering the course, the returns could be improved. These suggestions were embodied in a report which the directors carried into effect, tihe result of which was an immediate improvement in returns, which must be very gratifying to the shareholders. ( In view of this, the following extracts from Mr Hessey's report should be of special interest to Masterton .shareholders:—

Face of Workings.— I advised tie dredge-imaster to "' drop about 3 chains on the eastern boundary, and from 2 to 3 chains on the. western boundary, as the ground is very poor.

The face of the workings, is at present from Bto 9 chains in width. The; deep ground is of no value. The stripping consists of blue and yellow '■ clay, and goes from 12 to 15 feet in ' depth. - . -,■■■•. <c * Worked Ground:- I instructed the dredge-master to consult with Mi* ■; John Milne, and make an application ' to surrender the worked out portion. ; , of the claim, also when convenient | to .do, so, to taJkei np undiec a miner's right any available ground ahead of ; the dredge. Saving of Wages.— I looked into < the question of reducing the number of men employed, but found it could not be done in the-best interests of the Company, that is with a view to economy. Boring.— During my stay I supervised the putting down of 8 holes ahead of the present face of workings. These are numbered and shown on the accompanying sketch plan. Tlie results were as follows, viz.— No. I. 3-1 feet deep, 5 fine colours at 16 feet, nothing below 16 feet. No. 2. 24 feet deep, 8 fine colours at 20 feet, nothing below 20 feet. No. 3. 22 feet deep, 6 fine colours. No. 4. 24 feet deep, 20 fine colours. No. 5. 25 feet deep, 20 fine colours. No. 6. 28 feet deep, about 20 fine i colours at about 21 feet to 24 feet. No. 7. 23 feet 'deep, no gold at all. No. B. 27 feet deep, 2 fine colours. The foregoing will give the Directors my views as to the future working of the dredge, but as they will understand, the whole question deLpends on the value of the returns obtained.