LATE MINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 42

LATE MINING.

CENTRAL. OTAGO NOTES. (Fhou Oub Own CobhespondentJ Alexandra, March 25. — The MolyneuK rose a, little over lft in the beginning of last week, owing to heavy rains further up, but has subsided now to about 4ft 6in above normal. The returns, on the whole, are not up to last week's average, but no doubt the " fresh " was accountable for that, as the river was very dirty for three days, showing that silt, etc., was prevalent. Again the Earnscleugh No. 2 heads the local list of returns. — 113oz lOdwt is a return that will please her fortunate shareholders. The Earnscleugh No. 1 is still stripping. The Perseverance is consistent. This week's return "is a few ounces ahead of last week's. The shareholders must be pleased with 82oz odd. The contract for her second dredge has been let to Messrs Knewstubb Bros. May this dredge be as profitable as the Arst one is. The New Alexandra's return is good. This dredge deserves better times, as she has had hard luck all through. • The Enterprise's «eturns are not in, so I cannot say anything about them. Both dredges are working steadily The Moa dredge waa working steadily all the week.

The Mrnuheri'i 1 has not s-taited as ;vt. The Go'dcn Beach is expected to <-Uut dredging short]}-. The Molyneux Hydraulic is dredging sleadilv Her return is about her aveiage. The Golden Link's leturn is rot so large- as I expected. She is dredging steadily. The Olrig- keeps about her aveiage. The Manuheiikia River is not noted foi astonishingly high returns. The last week's return of the Vincent was very low, but "she is now woikmg ITeai micifctream, and better return* are looked for The Vincent Extended has been idle owing to the F.hatt being heated and sticking to the friction gear. The shnft was bi ought back on Wednesday, and is now in position. Diedgmg will probably be started to-day. The contractois are having the woik on the Cairnmuir and Monte Chusto pushed ahead rapidly. The Kelly and* Casey is neaily leacly for woik, as the pieces of machinery which they were •waiting for have arrived and aie being elected. Owing to want of timber, woik is practically stopped on the Alexandra Lepd pontoons. The River Molvneux pontoons are showing up splendidly. -Mr Rhodes has a number of men working on them, and I believe they are to be finished in about seven weeks. The Bendigo pontoons were successfully launched on Thursday afternoon last. Messrs A. and T. Burt are having the machinery erected with all possible haste on the First Chance. The G-olden Falls w>s dredging steadily last week, but I have not heard her return. The Golden Run has been repaired and is dredging again. The Golden Gate elevator is fixed up, and is now working. The Otago dredge has been laid up for repairs. The Majestic has had the steam pipe fixed up. and had a veTy decent return last week. The Golden Bed had a- new casting on the screen, and was dredging again lost week. The Gold Deposit pontoons arc nearly completed. A fair quantity of machineiy is on the ground.