WEST COAST NOTES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11083, 30 September 1901, Page 3

WEST COAST NOTES.

(SPECIAL 10 FBSSS. ,, ) GRBYMOUTH, September 29. Last week opened with heavy rain and flooded rivers,- that boded $1 for dredging and few and poor returns -wei» expected. The condition* improved as the week advanced, and when all the returns are in it is likely that the yield will be about the largest yet obtained on the West Coast. The North Beach Company's dredge gave

a return of 17oa 16dwt for three and a half days' work, with steady improvement towards the end, indicating better wash. The machine •topped for two and half d»y» through some trifling breakages; otherwise the yield would have been over 30o_. Although a little silt im still p-resent, co marked is the improvement that the local director tips 350z for this weekHie Grey River Company's dredge ie now on good ground, near the mouth of the Stillwater Creek, as will be noted irom the return of 20os for 86 hours' work. This* ground is shallower than moat parts of the claim, and the dredge for some weeks will give 30o_ per week. When this spot is worked out the ladder is to be lengthened and efforts will be made to work the deeper drifts. -The Greenstone Junction Company's dredge, as predicted, gave an improved return of 21oz 16dwt. This claim, which has got over a good many difficulties, is now on a good run and is expected to give good, average, yields for some tame.

The Greenstone Creek Company's dredge, operating in worked ground, got 80* for 115 hours' work. Ido not anticipate much improvement for some time; indeed-this ground has been turned over in many parts where solid ground was expected, so that it would be difficult to form an estimate of the future wash, beyond stating that where unworked ground is come across good results will follow.

The Maori Queen Company's dredge, with 12oz lldwt for 128 hours' work, shows little variation.

The Pactolna Company, dredge, which earlier in the week promised better, only got 16oz for 134 hours' work. Of course, where timber is'struck the quantity of dirt cannot be put through, and this is the case with the Pactolna.

The Grey River Consolidated .Company's dredge has given at length some evidence of the staunch faith reposed in it by those knowing the ground by giving 18oz lOdwt for the week. When the machine - gets on the run of gold that the old miners declare runs through this ground, big returns may be obtained.

The Buller Junction Company's- dTedge got a fine return of 220z 6dwt for 140 hours* work during which she was engaged opening out at the lower end' of the claim. When the face ia opened much larger yields are expected.

The Al Company's dredge gave a record return of 450z 17dwt. The steady increasing returns from the claim are very assuring when ifc is remembered that those increased yields are obtained in tight ground, in some places as hard as the Maori Queen Company's

The return from the Erickson's Reward Company's dredge will be about the same as last week. Mr Erickson rafonns mc that the ground is rich enough, and the timber difficulty being got over, if;the quantity of dirt treated were increased there should be excellent returns obtained, but the dredge bucks and jumps wh__....-r any extra strain is put on.

DUNEDIN, September 28. The machinery for the Duke of Wellington and Garibaldi companies' dredges is all finished, and is lying in the yard awaiting shipment.

The winch an. ladder for the Aylmer Lead Company's dredge are ready; the rest of the machinery will be proceeded with at an early date.

The ladder, buckets, screen, arid pumps for the Maori King Company's dredge are finished, and the gearing only requires fixing on the elevator.

Good progress is being made with the machinery for the Sullivan's Lead Company's dredge. The ladder and screen are being rivetted up, while the elevator and buckets are nearly complete. The elevators on the North Beach Company's dredge are being repaired. The latest reports from the master of the Leviathan Company's dredge state that the dredge is all right, and everything has been examined by Mr Wylie, who reports that there are no injuries. Dredging will not be resumed for about another week as the necessary dam, which had been carried away, haa to be rebuilt. The primary cause of the trouble was through the dredge striking the old- tail race, and the consequent outflow of the water leaving her: partially stranded.