Notes from Westport. (From Our Own Correspondent)

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 20

Notes from Westport. (From Our Own Correspondent)

' WESTPORT, November 23. Twenty men have been engaged under Messrs Cutten Bros, to launch the Mokoia dredge. A good deal of the machinery will have to be dismantled in order to handle the pontoons successfully, and no doubt before commencing it will be necessary to have a thorough overhaul, as the pontoons are leaking and considerably ■strained,, It will take about three or foui

months to get ready for work again if cjis-t mantling has to be done. The river has gone down to normal stage, and its looks incredible how the Mokoia has got so >far from the water level. Tenders are being called for a supply of timber preparatory to building the Old Dig* ging's pontoons. This will be one of the besfi on the Buller. Dredging has commenced on the Pour Rivers Plain, and as soon as the dredge gets clear of the Buller Junction's claim," the ladder "will be adjusted so as to reach the bottom of the river* The wash is easily treated, and the gold at pre*, sent showing is fine. The Reeves Proprietary Company's dredgei has also, started. The machinery is running very smoothly, .and in the course of another; week bottom should be reached, and a, paddock opened up. Some nice samples of gold have been got from this locality, but what is stowing) at present on the mats is fine. It was expected that the Island Creek ponf toons would be floated on the 22nd, but owing to the non-arrival of the intake pipe this could! not be done, although everything "else has been, in readiness over a month. The pontoons look very well indeed, and will stand a great deal longer than wood on this claim as there is no current to contend with or drifting silt. About Boz per week should cover the expenses of this" dredge, , and, _ seeing full time - can.- easily be worked, ar^brilliant future is "before this company. A sample of fairly coarse golct \s&s sho-wiii ' me that -'came from "near the surface about a. chain from the higher terrace,' and on_a test ' being made in_ the shingle .bank a return of * 2|dwt was got to the yard. This is about "foup " chains -from where the pontoons are being launched. When out .to sea ,the pontoons I~ visited the place, and was'shown a- good prospect in an ordinary dish, the shingle being close, to the surface. • • -' . - - The Mokihinui coal mine is heing worked! very successfully by Messss Lomas and party, who deserve great credit for their enterprise. A record output of coal for Westport was reached, " over 14,000 tons," the following week being over 10,000 tons. The depth of fairway is better in the river now than at any time previous. Wharf extensions are being pushed on, and, when completed, Westport will -be able to boast one of the longest wharves in the colony. The Leviathan dredge started operations in Greymouth on Monday, and many are watching keenly its result, as there are a great many; similar claims showing wonderful prospects,' the difficulty being the quantity of sand and the saving of the fine gold. Revolving mats are to be used. This plan was tried, but was not successful, some 20 years ago by a local M.8., but no doubt some improvements have taken, place since then, and it is to be hoped with, ultimate success, as the dealing with these kind of claims means a big thing to all the West Coast.