KAWARAU CLAIMS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1930, Page 2

KAWARAU CLAIMS

SMALL AMOUNT OF GOLD WON

DufsEDIN, July 10,

In order to enable the Cromwell Development Company to strengthen the weir which forms a part of its irrigation scheme, the gates of the Kawarau Dam were closed a week ago. This weir was erected for the purpose of diverting the water to the company’s power • house, whence it is pumped out to irrigate the Cromwell flats. Owing to n spell of dry frosty weather the river reached a very low level, and on Thursday of Inst week, advantage was taken to this circumstance to close the gates of the Kawarau Dam.

Since the closing of the gates the river has receded daily and at present : t is lower than it has been at any time since the big mining scheme was inaugurated. As' a result - several of ‘he claimholders in the neighbourhood of Cromwell have taken advantage of ' lie position to test the value of their claims, and it was reported to-day that one party had secured £6 worth of gold, hut whether this was obtained from the bed of the river or, as is more probable, from “pockets” in the sides of the bank, has not vet been ascertained. If present conditions continue it is probable that serious work will lie uudevtnken on nt least one or of the larger claims. Early in the year it was reported that an amalgamation of the interests +be Ivawarau Company and the claimholders’ companies was to be effected, but up to the present no information on this matter has been made public.