MINING NEWS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11525, 6 March 1903, Page 3

MINING NEWS.

Writing under date March 3rd, Mr O. S. Cray, legal manager of the Mount Paparoa Gold Mining Company, states that the mine 'manager reports that the progress with' the contract was slow last week owing to bad we»«her. Otherwise a few adjustments and alterations ordered by the engineer would have been completed. It was reckoned that they would be finished by Wednesday, when a. start would be made with sending down stone. Men are already engaged to go up to the mine when required. The battery manager was to go up to the mine yesterday, and the battery is expected to start on Monday next. The Waipori correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times" that the Jutland Hydraulic Company's dredge has sunk in her paddock. The accident happened quite suddenly on Monday afternoon. Thia was quite a new dredge, having been launched only about nine months ago, and she was considered one of the most substantial and tip-, to-date machines ia the country. The leak which caused the accident has been located, and efforts are now being made to block it from the outside and to empty the pontoons by pumping. By using- the hydraulic plant, which is the motive power of this dredge, it should bo a comparatively simple matter either to pump the pontoons dry or empty the paddock, and in a short time the dredge should be again afloat. The new crown wheel for tho New Greenstone Company's dredge wss despatched by the steamer which left Duncdin for the West Coast yesterday. On arrival at Greymouth the wheel will be conveyed to the claim without delay, and no time will bo lost ia getting the dredge into commission again. DREDGING BETURNS FOR FEBRUARY. During the month of February the total amount of gold won by West Coast dredgee was 31620z 3dwt, as compared with 24160z ltjwt 23gr for the month of January. Tho following table shows the total yield each week, and tho average i>er dredge: — Average No, of Total per dredge "Week. dredges. 02. dwt. gr. per week. oz. FebTUsry 7th ... 2.5 737 14 12 29 February Uth ... 31 840 6 14 27 February 21st ... ftl 856 14 0 27J February 28th ... 23 727 8 8 26 The average number of dredsres per week during the month vrhich reported returns was 23. and th« average return per dredge per weak for the month was 270z. Tho total amount of gold won during the month of February by Otago end Southland dredges was 5800oz 6dwt 20gr. The following table e-hows the total yield each ■week and the average per diedgc: — Average No. of" Total per dredge Week. dredges, oz. dwt. gr. per week. or.. February 9th - <® 160-t 10 16 27 February 161h ... 55 1436 7 13 26 February 23rd ... 55 1357 12 6 21 March 2nd ... 60 1381 16 0 23 Tho avcritge number of dredges which reported returns per week for the month was 37, and the average return per dredge ,per week for tho month was 250z. The total yield for January was 48290z 6dwt 10gr. WEST COAST NOTES. (special to "the tress.") GREYMOUTH, March 5. The returns this week will show an improvement. Tho financial arrangements regarding the Notoirn No. 2 Company are not yet completed. The Maori King Company's dredge has a breakage, which delayed work for a, time. The run of gold the drcdjo is now on is likely to continue. Mr Faithful, the Company's engineer, states that the Pactolus Company's sunken dredge is in cood orcer, and adds that tho pontoons have iccn examined above end below the water line, and a diver, in order to obtain access to the pontoone. has cut holes in different parts. The pieces cent up have been in each case sound timber. The accident was caused by the dredge sitting down on a sharp snag, which pierced bottom planking, 12in x 3in. Delay has arisen in lifting the dredge owing to the awkward Tjpsition in which fhe lies, but when afloat dredging operations will commence within a week.