Notes from Wakatipu.

Otago Witness, Issue 1945, 4 June 1891, Page 14

Notes from Wakatipu.

(Pbom Oub Own Cobeespondent.) Abbow, May 30.— The flood of a few weeks ago ought to serve dredgemafiters as a -warning. Although no damage of any very aerioai nature was sustained by any of the dredges now afloat, thete were plain indications of the danger to which they are, one and all, exposed. Even the Sandhill dredge, which rides about the safeit part of any of our rivers, had a lest on taught it that should not be Ignored. Some of the guys gave way durtog the crisis of the flood, and for a time the ves>el waß in some danger of going down the river, with two men on board, to whom no assistance could -be rendered. Ac it was they escaped with a fright and a fast of 18 hours before they could be released. It appears th&t there is a disregard of the dangers to which the men aboard the dredges are exposed, and 8.0 far as I can learn, there is not a life buoy on board any of the dredges. Government should certainly step in and make it compulsory that a sufficient number of these buoys are kept on every one of the dredges. Mr Gordon, the inspector of mines, may be recommended to see to the matter, as evidence of the great need for life-saving appara* us has already been f urI niched in more instances than one.

The Kawarau dredge is now nearly ready for starting worJt again, and It is expected that in a week or two it will be upon payable gold. The dredge was righted in an inexpensive way, and without strain upon any part of tha structure. This reflects great credit upon Mr M'Donald, who came from Dunedin for the purpose, and upon Mr W. Jenkins, the dredgemasi er. Park's dredge, which pleo went upon her beam ends upon the Shotover. is now about to be righted ia the same manner. This dredge fared somewhat worap than the Kawarau. as a considerable portion of the gear and pold-saving apparatus has been washed away, the current and flood generally being much severer in this river than in the Kawarau. However, a few weeks will suffice to put things to rights again. Among the winter washings up of note is that of Torie Eros, and party at Cardrona, who yesterday lodged a handsome parcel of the precious metal in safe keeping.