Notes from Wakatipu

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 20

Notes from Wakatipu

(Fsoii Our Oto Correspondent.) Arrovtown, November J 6.— Continuous bad weather has hindered mining and dredge-build-ing a good deal in all parts of the district. At present it would seem that a change for the better- has set in. KaWARAU DREDGING. There has been a veiy lively movement in Kawarau scrip during the pa&t few days. Last week rumour was busy v/itli the work done and results obtained by the newly-started Merrimac dredge, Inferences highly favourable to tho piospects of the dredg2 were drawn, and eveiybody was on the gui vive. However, there was also a great deal of contiadiction in the reports, and reliable information a& tc the amount of gold obtnmed cannot be looked for until the directors decided to divulge the secret. In the meantime the fact may be accepted that one more additional pi oof has been furnished that the Kpwarau above Victoria bridge is dredgable, and payably auriferous. Although dredge-building is being pushed on with all possible speed it will not be till the new year that one half of the diedges in course of construction upon the Gibbston portion of the ILav/arau can &tart actual woik. In the

delays to be faced, the bad weatlier for tha last two months counts for a good deal. The Ariow Junction dredge is amongst one of the most for waid boats, and during last week Mr David Robertson, widely and favourably! known in dredging and mining circles all over Ctago, arrived upon the sceno of action to complete the erection of the machinery. His well-known push and energy is sufficient guaiantee that no time will be lost in puttingeverythmg into working order. Sluicing operations will probably be favoui"3d in the end by the recent wet -neatheir m the shape of an improved water supply. Most of the parties delayed lor a time by the downpour are now agsin at work, all damages having been repaired. Since writing the above I saw the Merrhnae figuimg in the list of dredging returns credited with 9oz 7dv\-t 15gi as a first wash-up. This, considering the high state of theriver, is very encouraging, and taken together' with the information that the bottom is a soft one, easily cleaned up, a point on which expert opinion v/as nvuch divided, speaks well for the future of dredging upon the Kawarau.