OPENING OF THE CENTRAL ELECTRIC DREDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 20

OPENING OF THE CENTRAL ELECTRIC DREDGE.

(Fron a Correspondent.) CROMWELL, October 4. The opening" of the Cential Eiectiic dredge was celebrated at 4 p.m. to-daj'. The weather was all that could be desiied. There were present upwards of 100 x^eople, shout half of this number consisting of the fair sex, vho generously supplied refreshments of all descriptions in abundance. The opening was one of the finest and most popular events that ha'j been witnessed in our district. Jvlr Jolly, a .popular resident oi Cromwell, and one or xhe largest shareholders, on behalf of the Central Electric Company, briefly explained the object of the gathering, and expressed himself us bei'ig highly satisfied with the diedge and the smooth way in vhich the Viliole of the machinery worked, reflecting gieat credit on the consulting engineer, the contractors for the machineiy (the Dunedin Engineering Company), and the constructing engineers (Messrs W. G. Mouat and party), who had beyond doubt cairicd out the work in a creditable manner.

Mr Mouat, who was then called upon, in o few well chosen remarks explained that the Central Electric dredge was one of the largest and most up-to-date dredges of the Molyneux fleet. Nothing had been spared by him and his party to turn out a complete and finished work, 'lhe machinery was strong and powerful, and ha was sure that ii, would work smoothly. The company had a valuable claim, and ho hoped thut ere long they would be able to have a word with their neighbouring dredge (Hartley and Riloy) in bumping returns. The success of the dredge was then drank, and Mrs Jolly then christened the dredge the Central Electric, which was done in the usual way by breaking a bottle of champagne. Steam was then turned on, and eveiythmg woiked with perfect smooihness. The ladder was lowered and dredging staitcd, the buckets coming up brimming full. This was kept going for iully an hour. It is seldom that a dredge starts off so smoothly as did the Central Electric, and the directors should feel olcpsed at having such a good and smooth-running dredge. The dredge was handed over to Mr J. Taylor, engineer, who will lun her for one month for the Duneclm Engineering Company, when she will be handed over to the company. The river is rising fast, and it is expected the dredge will be diopped down tho river on to the lower portion of her claim early next week.

Messrs Mouat and party are making good headway with the erecting of the machmeiy for the Alpine Consols and Alpine No. 2. Most of the heavy machinery is m position, and if the' balance comes soon to hand these two dredges will be completed early in November.