LATE MINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 30

LATE MINING.

(Continued from Page 19.)

UPPER MOLYNEUX MINING NOTES. (Fkoji Oue Own Correspondent.)

Alexandra, Mat 23.— The dredging industry is gradually assuming proportions of considerable magnitude, and proniises in the near future to be the leading mining industry of Otago. There cau be no question but that the briskness of the iron trade in OunecUn'ia mainly owing to the dash of energy that has been put into the dredging industry of late. It would be wise policy, therefore, on tha part of ironmasters not to damp the ardour of dredging speculators by advancing their prices for machinery. It is acknowledged by dredgi-owners that the pvice3 for iron work in Dunedin have, within this pas^t year, gone up 25 per cent. One naturally trusts that the quality of the material and workmanship \vill keep pace with the advancing prices. Dredge-owners feel somewhat chagrined at the time lost in waiting for the manufacture of their machinery, and are led to the conviction that they must go to foreign markets for their requirements. This the majority of dredge-owners do not wish to do. However, I hear that an Alexandra company that has a dredge on the Nevis and. holds a large area of payably auriferous ground contemplate puttiug two move dredges on their Nevis claim. . These dr.edges with all appliances complete the company intend to import from England. I hear that the Ngapara dredge is doing remarkably well on. the Molynsux. The company being a private one,' the members of it are as silent- as the grave in regard to their returns. In fact, all private dredging companies are most reticent as to their returns. The feeling is gradually but surely becoming more pronounced that all dredging companies, whether public or private, should ba compelled by law to make known their returns at stated periods. As this is not the time, however, for discussing the publishing of dredging , returns I shall leave it for a future note. ,

The Moa is not doing much at the famous Italian Bend, where it is commonly reported miners got in the early sixties almost fabulous returns of gold. This story, like many othera, is a fanciful creation, as the Moa ia provia* to her cost. Doubtless a few chains above wherfeshe has been working of late she will strike 'the rich lead from which she got such handsome returns last year. The Molyneux Hydraulic Company's dredge is working well into the bank aneMias a vast amount of stuff to move.

I The Island Basin Company's dredge Victoria will drop down tO'her. claim this w>eek. lam not one to contend that there is any luck in. a name, I but this dredge Victoria has had nothing but' ill , | luck since she was launched. The directors I should rechriaten her and perhaps change her i luck. • " | The dredges on the Manuherikia are steadily working:' The Nil Deaperandum, being about finished, will make a start in a week or 10 days. j Good progress is being, made with the dredges -under construction. The Earnscleugh No. 2 was successfully launched last week. This dredge, f i having heavy work before her, will'be one of the ! most powerful of the- dredging fleet. Tha Vincent Company's contractor for the port--touns make 3 a start in a few days to build. This. comnaEy's claim iacou^klereti by many competent f,o form i> f&irjy accurate opinion to bo as good as i any on the river. ! The. Unity Company's claim, just below tlie I Vincent, is also considered a good one. i ' Mr Nees is making capital progress with the 1 i>on:toona- fov tbe Unity. "Thesa t"vvo.-claima have I practically baen prospected by spoon, dredges, and'as this primitive 1 method o£ dredging paid" fairly I well, there c&n be, no doubt about the paying | capabilities of a powerful steam dredge on such 1 gvOimtu

DIIEDGI.\a REGULATIONS.

The new dredging regulations issued by the laapector of Mines have caused quice a little stir in dredging circles. The Mayor of Alexandra, Mi Kelnian, convened a public meeting, which was well attended by dredge owner* and their haads. The. dredge-owners appeared to rule the meeting as they desired, as when a motion was put very few of the employees held up their hands for or against. As a rule the majority of dredgemen approve of the regulations, and are of the opinion that they are fair and just. The result of the meeting was that a committee of IA, consisting of seven dredgeowners and. seven dredgemen, was chosen tv meet the inspector to draw up suitable regulations. The question now crops up, "Will tho dredgemen who are on the rommJttep, and who approve cf the regulation?. g«> against the opiaioa of their employe's? Tlie committee v lopsided— seven ia to form a quorum, acd the. weaker seven foes> uri'ler. The Inspector of Mines knows his uiy ; lot. him see that he does- it without-the aid of a. committee.