Claims on the Kawarau. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 38

C laims on the Kawarau. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — Tt is not my intention -to mix myself up in the controversy caused by "Up-country Visitor's" letter, and the replies thereto, but in the interest of fair play I claim to make a few remarks regarding* the statements of Me John. Nevis Robertson, who claims that he knows the bottom of the Kawarau and Molyneux from one end to the other, and who says that every claim taken up is dredgable .with, the exception of the two Yoltaics. Ke heralds his advent by stating that he has had 36 years' experience on the Kawarau, and he knows every part of it, etc. Now, it is a. well-known fact that I was the first promoter of the Voltaic Company, and I may state another fact — that in my 'capacity as mining agent I last court day in Cromwell objected to an. application made by one John Nevis Robertson. Is there a possibiliiy of a relationship existing between the two namesakes? As for the gentleman's 36 years' experience in these parts, he may have been rabbiting ; in mining circles his experience has never caused him to shoT. up proinincullj". In fact, he is an unknown, quantity ; and as for telling what claims are dredgable, " Up-country Visitor " may be as near the mark as Mr Robertson, and, I believe, nearer. It yet remains to be seen what pait of the gorges'can be worked by the present system, so don't let us blind ourselves to the fact that it is yet a problem that only the future can solve. So far as the Voltaic Company's property goes, I may inform Mr Robertson that it does not contain two claims, as he supposes, bxit not less than five, and its length, is about two and two-thirds miles, and although, there are several bars and rapids in the claims, there is far more length of smooth water, dredgable, so fai as appearances go, thail in. the Central Electric, which is now quoted at £i 10s. The Voltaic also is situated in * far richer golden locality, so ,<iax as the banks have been worked. This is my statement, and I challenge anyone to disprove it. Furthermore, my honest opinion is that the richest claims on the Kawarau, barring the Electric claims, will prove to be the Second Magnetic and the Voltaic. How far they can be dredged I. can't say; but this I will say, that so far as appearances go the greater part should be dredgable, and if you expect to tap the bottom of the Kawaran in its richest parts yovi must expect tc risk something. — I am, etc., JOHN WERNER. Lowbum I>i'Ul. February 20,