UPPER MOLYSEUX.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 30

UPPER MOLYSEUX.

MINING. July 21. — The weather continuing favourable for dredging operations, the work goes on night and day without cessation, consequently the returns for last week aro equal to those for previous weeks. The Hartley and Rilc-y dredge still heads the list with 380oz for the, week. The Vincent has been undergoing some necegj>aiy strengthening' to the tumbler framing, which has always been considered by practical men to be too light for the rough ground the dredge has to work. However, the dredgemaster, with commendable foresight, has been able' to keep the dredge working at night, while the work of strengthening the tumbler framing wont on during the day. The wash-up for the week was 50oz. The Unity continues to do remarkably well, the return for last week reaching three figures for the first time, being 141oz. This is veiy gratifying to the owners of tho dredge, and they well deserve their good fortune, for most of them were hard-working fellows. The Matau, I see, has declared another dividend of 3s. This makes tho third dividend of 3s since the dredge commenced operations at the beginning of the year. None need be surprised at the company declaring such handsome dividends, for the dredge has been most successful. For last week the return came to 1460z. By the way, the name "Matau" seems to bo one to conjure by, for was not floated last week companies on the reputa-

tion acquired by the llatau? I wonder if the investing public know where the Matau No. 2 and the Matau "West are situated. -The Matau No. 2 lies inside of the New Alexandra, and extends from Muttontown Gully downwards for one mile, and consists of a flat 60 to 80 feet above the river level. The claim has a frontage to the river of a few hundred yards. At the same time I fail to see how this claim can be worked to advantage unless the company can get water to sluice off the top stuff, and water I understand they have not got. The Matau We3t I consider to ba a safer investment than the Matau No. 2. This claim i«s situated on the west side of the Matau, hence its name. It consists of 100 acres of high flat, and ha 3no river frontage, but the company has an ample supply of water available all the year round to &luice off the top stuff. By means of a deep tail race through the Matau claim the top stuff can easily be got xid of, thus relieving the dredge of much labour, so that she can operate on the seams of wash. As I have already given reasons why I prefer claims on the Earnscleugh Flat to those on the Dunstan Flat I need not reiterate them. Suffice it to say that in my opinion the seams of wash on the Earnscleugh Flat will prove richer than those on the Dunstan Flat, consequently the bottom will also prove richer in gold on the one than on the other. The pontoons for the New Alexandra are nearing completion, and will be launched during the week. The Molyneux Hydraulic has been somewhat unfortunate of late. About a fortnight ago the bottom tumbler was smashed, and early last week replaced by a new one which worked only 10 hours when it broke. The Moa washed up for last week 320z. Her returns are somewhat erratic, as might be expecttfd, seing that the ground she is working on was more or less paddocked in the early sixties. The Chatto Creek after undergoing the necessary alterations to the elevator early in the week commenced operations, but with what results I have not heard. GENERAL. Found Dead. — One of the old pioneers of the district, John Young, was found dead in his hut last Friday morning. It would appear that he had not been seen about by his neighbours for a day or two. On Mr Woodhouss entering the hut he found deceased lying halfundressed on his bed, but quite dead, and from appearances he had been dead a few days. The police were immediately informed of the finding of the body, which was taken to the Caledonian Hotel. It was deemed advisable to hold an inquest and post mortem examination of the body. The inquest was held on Saturday, and as the medical evidence showed that the deceased died from rupture of the heart, the verdict was " Died from natural causes." Mr Young was not by any means a poor man, but one in fair circumstances. He had no relations in the colony, and was a. bachelor. He was respected and esteemed by those wlio knew him intimately. Deceased was fur many years handicapper to the local jockey club, and I leavu that in this capacity he had few equals. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, and was largely attended. There being 1 no Presbyterian minister in Alexandra at the present time the funeral service was conducted by Mr Closs. Sad Accident. — A sad fatality took place on the Earnscleugh dredge No. 2 on Thursday, whereby a young man named James Smith lost his life. It would appear that Smith and another were the boat from one dredge to another when, getting into the strong current under the stern of the Earnscleugh No. 2, the boat swamped, and Smith being unable to swim he was swept away. From what I can learn this was a pure accident, and blame is attachable to no one. At the same time if Smith had had on a lifebelt according to the regulations in. working a boat on the river, his liie might have been saved. "What is the use of regulations if they be not enforced? The enforcing of the regulations should be attended to by the Government. Sickness. — The Alexandra school has been closed for a short time owing to a slight outbreak of measles. Weather. — The weather has been very severe these past few days. The snow lies thick on the low country as well as on the uplands. Indications are now favourable for fine frosty weather.