OTAGO NOTES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11084, 1 October 1901, Page 3

OTAGO NOTES.

. (snecxax. t6' 4 thb jnupe.'') . M ~ , ~" ,; ;DJJNE©ttT, Septtanbejr aSF Contrary to expectations,. to-daVa itwftet •was more hopeful than fast" week's returns warranted. One feature of the trend of speculation, » the increasing interest paid to West <3o*t stocks. It woaldS appear, however, that all the opinions expressed as to the sensational oharaofcer of the gold deposits there ore not going to be realised. Something nnder 200oz for e> week is about the record, and the great majority run from 20oz to iOot. Still, consistent retains up to the tatter figure must be regarded as payable: 'Xhe Waipori field ijd proving one of the most consistent dredging districts in the province, and demoDe'tr&tes what average grade alluvial deposits «re capable of when worked scientifically and uninfluenced by boom excitement. The Waipori flat, though, limited in area, at the present time supports tea modern dredges, and probably as many; sluicing claims. All these concerns are,spaying, and in 'some instances have- paid/'-dividends regularly for several years p&at. - Waipori else marks a new departure in the uifluiation of water as motive power for dredgo working. The maaterof the HftpgrcjTalley Company's dredge report* tb*t-the' dredge was stopped for tiie~greatr*r park ot the week ;owii« to the hangers haa started again. The'Matau Companys* dredge resumes work tfrdey. " ■'. i ' The Benilebuni Amalgamated Company's dredge has been shifted to the bottom oi the Lioness claim. • > : The Gold Deposit CoJtrtrany'e dredge etartcd to^d*y. Tfte looal director ot the Golden River Company writes on the 37th:—-"There are from 40ox to SOmt of gold: on th» boftrd to-day for 70 houm' dredginir. but we could not clean down for want of, a 'atreumatig down, box.' " ■ The latter has beep, forwarded to the. okim. General satisfaction was expressed at the annual .meeting of the Vincent Extended at all th« debenture* being taken up, and tbe feeling of those present was that the Company would soon pay off itik declare dividends. The lengthening of toe ladder is being proceeded with, and another" week will sco toe , dredge at work., The woxk will cost £100, ! whicn has all been paid. She will then be able to dredge close.on 60ft. It was stated that there was one vary rich pert of the. claim, called.the Coolgardie Beaoh, which hse not ' yet been worked. ' When the river is high the dr*dge will be able to work there without any xi«t. _ .

The Waimumu Central Company's dredge, dredge was pulled up ta the olaim to-d»y. ' The machinery of the Excelsior Company's dredge .pulled up to her olaim to-day. The Empire Nα.' 1 Company's dredge, owing to a breakage was idle all the week, and it will probably bo Wednesday next before dredging is resumed. At Sj meeting of dredging investors and" landowners" at Gore, ii was-decided to urge the Minister oi Mines to* send a Commission to have an enquiry made k> deal with the question of water pollution,, and to make a full investigation into the suggestion of forming a flood channel.

The returns this week are small, on account of most of the dredges finding* the drift very troublesome. An improvement may be expected this week.