DREDGING AND MINING.

Cromwell Argus, 2 March 1908, Page 4

DREDGING AND MINING.

The heavy rain of yesterday, which continued at intervals throughout tht V night, has caused the rivers to rise considerably, and the weather has yet a very unsettled appearance. Shine I. shut down on Saturday for repairs which will occupy about a fortnight. The Clutha River company hai abandoned the] idea of turning a larger stream of water into the high face owing to the scarcity of gravel at the required spot. The dredge was moved up stream about a quarter of a mile last week, where operations will be resumed on some maiden ground.

As the returns from the Hartley have not been very good for some time the dredge was pulled ahead a short distance on Saturday. The Punt has still a couple of weeks work ahead of her before she reaches the ground where good returns were being obtained. The dredge will be stopped for a few repairs as soon as the necessary material arrives

Shine II is on top of the list with the handsome return of 71/17 for the week.

The returns from the Electrics have not been very payable of late, and so far show no sign of improvement. What will probably be the largest dredge afloat is at present being built for the Burma Cold Dredging Company, of Myitkyina, Upper Burma, in whose employ is a great number of men from Otago. The dredge is to be 140 ft. by 38ft., and will curry 10ft. buckets, and will make the largest of our colonial machines dwarf into insignificance. It is at present in course of construction.

DREDGING IN BURMA

We have been permitted to make a tew interesting extracts from a letter received from Mr J. Frewen, a former well-known resident of this district, who left last .spring for the above fields.

The company which Mr Frewen is working for has three dredges at work, styled respectively, the Shamrock, i Rose, and Thistle. Highly payable returns are being obtained, and for tho month prior to writing the respective dredges obtained 5900z5., 5000z5., and 400ozs, making a total ef 14900z5. for the month by the fleet. The btst individual return was that obtained by the Shamrock, viz,, 2460z5., for one week. The are working very wide cuts, and piospects are the same throughout. All the machines are much the same size, and are fitted with 20 h.p. engines, 40 h.p. boilers, and 6ft. buckets, with separate engines attached to the pumps. The writer speaks in flattering terms of the company's managers Messrs Fache and Sanders, formerly residents of Central Otago. The company is increasing its fleet, and another dredge is now being built, which will probably establish a record in this line. The hulls will measure 140 ft. by 38ft. and 10ft. buckets will be fitted, the power being obtained by means of gas engines. Among other things, Mr Frevren states that he likes the country, which is full of interest. Tigers, elephants, black bears, jungle cats, etc., are numerous, and are frequently encountered. We are, he concludes, all volunteers, ami a sergeant comes up and puts us through. We are supplied with rifle, uniform, and ammunition, and of course spend a lot of time shooting.

DREDGING RETURNS. Shine 11 . . .. 71 17 Sun .. 63 10 Electric I. .. 21 10 Riley's Revival .. .. 20 11 Shine I. .. 18 1 Punt .. 17 8 Hartley .. 8 11