LATE MINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 38

LATE MINING.

(Continued from page 22.) - NOTES PROM CENTRAL OTAG-O. (Fjiom Our Own Correspondent.) Alexandra, November 19. — The returns from the local dredges N last week are generally satisfactory, the pride of place among the 12 dredges reporting returns going to the Enterprise. The average per dredge is about 360z, and seven returns show a more or leffe noticeable increase over those of the previous week. / The Molyneivs Hydraulic Company's dredge was reported during the week to be on" very _ good ground, ap.d ( there was a sight improvement in the l'efrurn on Saturday. ' ' ; The Alexandra Eureka dredge increased her ■ return from 320z to 430z. The Sailor's Bend -dredge has been taken down to Her claim, but I understand' the intention is that .rlredg ing shall not be commenced until the river is lower. ' The Alexandra Lead pontoons will now soon .be ready for launching. The Dunstan Lead pontoons will soon be finished, there not being much more to dc to them. Tho erection of the machinery on the Golden Link dredge is now about completed. Mr ' George Pouter, an experienced dredgeman, has been appointed dredgeniaster. Messrs Baskett and Son have made excellent progress with the erection of the ftraming of the Bendigo Company's dredge. The planking is now being put on. There is very little more to do to complete the erection of the machinery on the Golden Falls dredge. The erection of the machinery on the First Chance Company's dredge will be resumed shortly — by the sprae Staff of men (undei Mr Stewart) that fitted ..up the G-oklen Link machinery. ' ' The housing is now" being put tip on the Vincent Extended dredge, which is now about ready for a'ti'ial run. - _ T-he Unity dredge had* a slight breakage on Thursday, but is now working again. A road is being made close to the Boxindary Creek dredge to allow of the machinery being taken foi erection. The Frasei Fat Company's pontoons were successfully launched early last week, and the erection of the-upper framework, which is very massive and weighty is being promptly pushed on. More machinery came to hand during the week. As there is at present a. plentiful supply of -waiei:, the stripping of ths bank has been lesunied. The Old Dunstan Company's diedge will probably be at work in April next. The pontoons will cost £1597, and will bobuilt by Mr James Ritchie, who has alien dy constructed the pontoons of several dredges near Cyde. The machinery contract with tho Austral Otis Company amounts to JE264O'; the boiler and engine (Marshall arid Sons), and th> Tangye pump, JEIO a ss. I have not heard anything aboiit the working of the Klondyke diedge for some time-

A start has been made to fit, up" the rnachineiy on 'the -Blue Duck Company's dredgje. Tiie Grey Duck, Company are patiently waifc ing to see how the other dredges in this district are going to fare. A stait was made last week on the Leaning Hock Company's pontoons. The Monte Chriato Company's pontoons will be completed this week. The erection of the machinery on the Cairrlrnuir dredge will be commenced shortly. Another week or so should see the Kelly and; Casey pontoons out of the contractor's hands. The Great Central Company's pontoons have been finished, and "preparations are being made "for the erection of the machinery. The erection of the machinery on 'the Alpine^ Consols dredge is expected to be finished this week. More machinery has arrived (for the 'Halfway, House dredge. The Pioneer Eureka Company' s.pontoons, on ■ the Lindis River, have ,been successfully , launched, and the laying of the decking and ' erection of the upper framework aTe being proceeded with! Same of the machinery has arrived. " - * " The upper framework and decking are being: put on the Gentle Annie dredge (Kawarau), launched last Wednesday. The Fourteen-mile Beach dredge cannot''commence -work until -some pulleys 'for 'the winch arrive. A load of buckets for the Golden Eivei dredge was delivered during the week. A load of heavy timber and several wire ropes for the Gold Deposit dredge came to hand last week. A part of the pump for the Long Valley Company's dredge was delivered last week. The pontoons are progressing satisfactorily. The Majestic Company's dredge will "be corrrpletecl in a few days. - A start will be made with the erection of the machinery on the Moa Mat Company's dredge as soon as enough comes to hand. The Golden Bed dredge should," barring accidents, be -ready to commence dredging by the end of this 'month. y The Miller's Flat Electric Company's dredge is nearing completion. The greatej part of the machinery for the Gibb s Beach' Company's dredge has beeh-landed on the claim. The upper framework of the Golden Elbow pontoons is being erected, and the decking laid. The Teviot Company's pontoons, being built by Mr W. Rhodes, were launched successfully to-day. Some more timber came forward last week for the Jubilee 'Company's .pontoons. A start has not yet been made with their construction. CROMWELL MINING- NOTES. (From Oub Own Corbespondeict-.j November 17. — The rivers are keeping about - the same level, falling very slowly. They are, however, very low for this time of the year, and there is every prospect of a good summer season. Generally it happens that the dredges are stopped work for a month or two owing to high river, but that does not seem probable this season. ' The Junction Electric return, though not-veiy high, is satisfactory, considering that, being afc the junction of two strong rivers, she has to combat against a lot of drift. " The Hartley is now on the ground where Ehe got her big returns. 'Last week's gold was got from old ground, and I dare say the same ground will pay to go over again: A' short distance a-head of her is a piece of untouched ' ground, from which she ought .to do well. . . The Meg keeps, getting fine returns. Last week's was for four days' dredging, I am told. The Electric Extended is a few chains below^ •the top of , her claim, and may" be expected ' to", get good 'returns when she gets properly at work. - The river here is very wide, and is' a really fine stretch. The old *Electric No. 1 'got it rich, about six- chains ahead, so J think the Ex■tended has a good thing before her for tho next six or eight months. She can then, if this piece is worked out, drop down to the bottom and work the narrower and rougher part of the river in the winter time. The Richards's Beach lies~"about 10 chains ahead of the Exterded, and is evidently pieparing to cut into a point on the opposite side, and a short distance abovo Cooper's coalpit. It is a very likely-looking spot, and I fancy ,she won't be long striking a return, as there is not so much cutting in as I thought. She can take away the end of the point and carry the rivei in by successive cuts, so that she j should get a good start without so very muck preliminary work.