CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2480, 10 May 1909, Page 5

CROMWELL.

(From our own correspondent.)

Owing to frosts the volume of water in the rivers is gradually growing less, and with the exception of the Alpine Consols, the gorge dredges have resumed operations. This dredge has made several attempts to pass a nasty rip that exists in the gorge, but so far without avail. It is a pity that valuable time is being lost, as the dredging season in the gorge is so uncertain. In being warped against the strong current both head lines have parted more than once, and the main engine had not sufficient power, it having been stuck up. The Hartley is on another patch of solid ground which may last for some time. It is scarcely credible that this portion of the claim has been so perfunctorily worked "before. The Cromwell Syndicate’s Dredge had a narrow escape from foundering during the week. A big stone got wedged between the ladder and side of one of the pontoons in the wellhole and crushed in a portion of a plank. Before it was noticed a large quantity of water that took several hours to pump out had got into the pontoons. Had not the ladder of Shine 1 broken down on Wednesday 1 believe she would have got her record return. The dredge is now stopped to effect repairs and put new buckets on the elevator, which will occupy a month. The Rising Sun is still dredging away the Point, and I expect it will be away in another month, when she will drop into her old cut, which yielded over 50 ounces weekly pretty regularly. Apparently there is no improvement in the Punt ground. Electric No. 2 had a fair return. No. 1 is being shifted higher up the Kawarau,

Should Mr Wragge’s “ Millar ” storm strike this district the rivers are bound to rise, which would stop the gorge* dredges again.