Notes from Waitahuna.

Otago Witness, Issue 2076, 7 December 1893, Page 12

Notes from Waitahuna.

A new phase in the mining industry has at length become an accomplished fact at Waitahuna. We have now at work on the Waitahuna river a large and powerful dredge, the property of a wellknown and enterprising gentleman, Mr J. R. Perry, who is working the venture entirely on his own responsibility. The dredge started work some three weeks ago, but owing to. the late freshets in the river had to suspend operations and ultimately be shifted higher up the river from where a start was first made. It has now been pretty steadily at work for this last week, and is getting through large quantities of stuff. The dredge is being worked on the suction principle, the works being driven by machinery of 40-hoi se power nominal. There has been no washing-up as yet, and I am therefore unable to state what success has rewarded the manager's efforts. I understand it is the owner's intention to work the bed of the river before going into the banks. lam doubtful as to his success in the bed of the river, but have none whatever when he goes into the bank?. I know of a long stretch of the banks that I feel confident would pay handsomely. The pluck and enterpiise shown by Mr Perry in undertaking the venture unaided deserves every success. If this venture proves as successful as it deserves, it will be an inducement for others to start ; for we have a long stretch of river that, I feel assured, could be made to pay if properly worked, and a good result would liven up this rather slow-going place. With regard to mining matters in general, there is nothing of a very startling nature to state. The late rains_ have provided the claimholders up the Gully with an abundant supply of water, which enables them to carry on operations during this usually dry season of the year with good effect.

Messrs Thompson and party, better known as the "Norweigan Party," are shifting a large amount of stuff by their hydraulic system of working, and with highly satisfactory results. The same may be said of Messrs Ferris, Trayes, and party. This party conduct their operations by heavy blasting, the result being the shifting of large quantities of cement, from which satisfacfactory results are obtained. Messrs Quilter and party and Messrs Kearney and party are all getting good returns from their claims.

Messrs Hagan and party are also busily at work sluicing down the Main Gully, with fair returns. There are also a few Chinamen working in the Gully, making about " tucker." On Havelock Flat mining is confined to two or three claims. Pearson and party are busy stripping, as are also Black and party. Both have a great depth of stuff to remove before reaching the washdirt. Nevertheless the claims are paying a fair wage, which is well earned ; for the work is of a most laborious nature. Both parties strip their ground with horses and carts, and have a considerable amount invested in the plant necessary for working their claims. A few paities of Chinese are working about tho Flat, but are not making more than bare " tucker."— Tuapeka Times correspondent.