Dredging and Mining.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 2203, 11 July 1910, Page 4

Dredging and Mining.

Hard frosts set in at the end of last week and the river is now falling fairly fast, and should soon be at a low level again. Hartly started dredging on Thursday and there is every prospect of the late tine returns continuing for some time yet. Both Shine dredges are doing very well, with improving returns, and if the present yields continue, the usual two shillings dividend a month should be forthcoming. Nothing definite so far has been done regarding the Punt dredge gett ing a start, but it is stated the directors are likely to bore the ground ahead with a view of proving the depth and the wash. Mr Peter Reid of Arrowtown has purchased the Clutha River dredge and intends shifting it further up the river, it is more than likely it may start working again later on. Mr Thornhill Cooper who has been appointed manager of the Bendigo mine, which has been recently floated arrived in Cromwell on Friday night on his way to Bendigo. In conversat ion with our reporter Mr Cooper stated that it was intended to start oper tions right away in driving the low level tunnel, but before anything was done in the way of starting the drive there would be several matters requiring attention, it will be gratifying news to everyone in this district to know that the ompany intend continuing this low level, and the general opinion is that this is the proper course to pursue. Keen interest will be manifested throughout the whole district if not throughout Otago in the result' of the operations, for it the returns are satisfactory it will he the means of giving a great impetus to reefing throughout Otago. Mr Cooper is a thoroughly practical man with considerable experience of reefing in the Auckland and West Coast mines, and in reply to the inquiry as to the cost of driving the tunnel at per foot he stated that lie thought 30s should cover it. Our representative expressed surprise at this as the cost of, the 400 feet that was carried out ran from four to five pounds a foot. Quite a number of the old residents wfio are conversant with the workings of the old mine made a point of having a yarn with Mr Cooper giving some information which they thought might be useful to him, as naturally it the mine turns out as successfully as is locally anticipated if will be of immense value to Cromwell from a commercial point of view. The dredgemaster of the Rising Sun reports for the week ending duly 2nd, as follows : —“ Dredged 127 hours and worked ahead 12 feet on a cut 140 yards wide. The depth of ground runs from 40 to 42 feet. No change in the bottom to report. Prospects continue fair and the machinery is running well.” During last month 20,705 ounces of gold valued at £ 105,033, as against 40,381 ounces, valued at X 185,2 17 in June last year. The quantity of silver exported last month was 175,318 ounces valued at £17,517, as against 177,295 ounces of the value of £17,758 in June, 1909. For the six months ending June 30 last, gold was exported to the value of £888,087 and silver £90,000. These figures show a decline of £58,084 in respect of gold, and £529 in respect of silver compared with the corresponding tix months of 1909. DREDGING RETURNS. Shine 11. .. ..77-1 Shine i .. .. .. 50 15 Rising Sun .. . , 50 3 Electric 1 .. .. 15 12 Rileys Revival ... 11 13