LARGE GOLD VENTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20978, 15 September 1931, Page 11

LARGE GOLD VENTURE.

DREDGING NEAR HOKITIKA. MODERN VESSEL CONSTRUCTED. \ • GREATER PRODUCTION POSSIBLE. [BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT."! HOKITIKA, Monday. 'A great increase in production will be possible with the Rimu Goltl Dredging Company's new dredge. The work of construction is practically complete and the vessel, which will cost in the vicinity of £55,000, is expected to bo ready for operation by September 21. A const ruction crew of 55 has been required, but the operating crew will consist of only four men—a winclunan, a motorman, an oiler and a labourer. Approximately 1,780,0001b. of steel has been used in building the dredge, the hull of which is 110 ft. long, the beam being 56ft. When fully equipped, the dredge will draw Bft. of water. There will be more than 400,000 rivets in the vessel, 18 air riveters having been used in the work. The hull was assembled in Wellington, the work beginning in February, 1930. After being dismantled, the hull was shipped to Greymouth and transferred by road to the site of the company's operations. Steel for the general construction was obtained entirely from England and the hull was launched on March 24 last. A huge digging ladder, 103 ft. long and weighing 80 tons, is to be fitted to the bow. The company's old dredge has been in use throughout the ten years of operation except for one week. In that period, 16,261,990 cubic yards of gravel have been turned over, the amount of gold won being to the value of £457,294. Eighty per cent, of the ten years was occupied in digging, three shifts of eight hours each being worked on the days of opera tion. The area dredged has been 237 acres and nearly 1000 acres remain to be worked. Fine gold is taken principally, but nuggets are also found, the gold value being about 6d a cubic yard of gravel. TUAPEKA DISTRICT DEPOSITS. ENTERPRISE CAUSING STIR. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUXEDIX, Monday. The arrival of Dr. F. Marshall, Government geologist, in Dunedin, and his visit to Lawrence in company with the representatives of a powerful mining group, have caused a stir in goldmining circles. Representatives of this mining group lately have spent a considerable time in and around Lawrence, and have conducted exhaustive tests in up-to-date and economical methods of treatment of the cement conglomerate deposits in the Tuapeka district. The utmost secrecv is being observed by the parties connected with the new company. It is stated, however, that a sum of £200,000 will be involved in the purchase and erection of the comprehensive plant necessary to deal with the cement conglomerate. In an interview this morning one of the company's representatives slated that Dr. Marshall was exclusively engaged on tho company's project. Any scheme for the effective treatment of the conglomerate would cost not less than £150.000. 'Experts would arrive from Australia within the next fortnight to advise the company on the opening of its mine. In order to assist Dr. Marshall in his investigations, and also to provide the necessary data for tho Australian experts, test holes .are now being sunk on the property.