THE DREDGING OUTLOOK OF THE COAST.

Evening Star, Issue 11667, 28 January 1902, Page 4

THE DREDGING OUTLOOK OF THE COAST.

The folio-wing is a continuation of our notes on the above :

The Pactolus Company's claim of 165 acres adjoins the Nelson Creek Company's on the lower boundary. This ground is undoubtedly rich, a considerable amount of prospecting having been done by tunnels, shafts, and bores, all of which went to prove the highly auriferous quality of the wash and aiso the difficulty of systematically working the ground by other means than dredging. The dredge started work early last year, but in consequence of the large quantity of tailings immediately under the terrace the returns for the first few months were not brilliant. A cut was taken out across the flat, and when once clear of the tailings from Try Again terrace improved returns were got, and, until stopped for the Christmas holidays, they were ' averaging equal to lOOoz per week. During the stoppage the ladder was lengthened and the machinery overhauled. The dredge is taking a cut right across the claim, which must be fully 500 yards wide at that part. The dredgo cut is semi-circular—done, I presume, with a view of cutting out the piece itf solid between the Trafalgar boundary and the dredge's old tailings. If the gold holds out right across the claim, then I should say the Pactolus Company have the finest dredging claim in New Zealand. The company have very wisely purchased another dredge, which will shortly be erected on the claim, and as the new machine is larger a.nd more powerful than the one at present working, shareholders may rest assured the results will be highly satisfactory. It was stated on the Coast that this dredge would probably be started on the top end of the claim at the mouth of Dry Gully, close to where tie Nelson Creek dredge obtained some large returns. Each of the two companies here referred to were fortunate in securing the services of two first-class managers. Although in some instances good claims make good managers, such is not the case with Mx Edmonds and Mr Cowan, who are thoroughly practical men, keen, and attentive to the best interests of their companies. The Trafalgar claim adjoins the Pactolus, on the lower boundary, and is considered equally as good groimd. The best proof of this is that the Pactolus dredge is working close along the Trafalgar boundary. The Trafalgar pontoons are launched within about 150 yards of the lower boundary, close to where good prospects were obtained by boring tests, and as the flat here is confined to a width of about 150 yardß, it is only reasonable to suppose that the ground will be rich in the precious metal that so manv strive after. The contract for the erection of machinery has been let, and the dredge is to be completed in eight weeks. The Victory Company's claim adjoins the Nelson Creek claim, on the top boundary. Surrounding conditions impress one most favorably, and the prospects of success are distinctly promising. Many years ago an effort was made to bottom the ground by taking in a tail race from a considerable distance down stream, but again insufficient fall proved a. bar, and the attempt failed. Before abandoning the tail race a shaft was put down, and good prospects obtained; but the quantity of water was too great to combat, and abandonment w?s the result. The pontoons are launched, (he whole of the machinery is on the ground, contracts have b?on let for the erection, and th p diedgo is expected to si art operations well within eight weeks. The machinery whs made in. America, and is strong and wellfinished. Mr Payne's representative on the Coast is supervising the erection, and shareholders may reckon o:i him doing them ample justice. The Aldinga adjoins the Victory, and is in the opinion of local lesi-Jcnts an equally good claim. Some predict large returns from parts of this company's ground, in consequence of the way in which it is confined. Here and there along the banks heaps of grass overgrown tailings may be seen, the ledges above the creek level having been worked by the old-time miners in a primitive way. The pontoons are completed, and the* machinery delivered on the site, while the erection contracts have been let and are to be completed in eight weeks. This work also comes under the supervision of Mr Wylie (Mr Payne's representative), and the pontoons, like the Victory, are built- of kauri and bluegum. and the workmanship is first-class.