REEVES' PROPRIETARY GOLD DREDGING COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 21

REEVES' PROPRIETARY GOLD DREDGING COMPANY.

The directors are issuing to shareholders a copy of a report furnished by Mr Faithfull on the company's claim and dredge, and state that is is intended to carry out the recommendations made without delay. The results of the wash-ings-up from November 26 to March 29 are given, the total being 1470z 7dwt 19gr. The actual cost of working the dredge per week for coal, labour, oil, etc., is said to be less than Boz of gold. Mr Faithfull, in his report, dated March 20, says : —

" The dredge is at present working about 30 chains below the top boundary, dredging diagonally across the flat towards the creek bed, the port corner of the cut being about 12 yards from the creek, and in the direction she is heading she should open out in the creek 50 yards ahead. Taking last week's work as an example I find that the dredge has lifted and treated a paddock 175 ft long by 12ft wide by 20ft deep, containing, roughly, 1555 cubic yards, for a return of 13Joz, or equal to a fraction over 4gr per yard all through. As the present face shows 3ft of surface gravel and silt, then 3ft of stiff pug, we have 14ft of payable wash containing 1089 cubic yards, which brings the value of the gold-bearing gravels up to nearly 6gr per yard. A dredge of the same bucket 'capacity in a loose gravel face should lift and treat 10,666 cubic yards per 120 hours — i.e., five days per week, — but taking the present cementy nature of the wash and layer of stiff pug into consideration, a properly 'designed machine should average at the least 5333 yards per week of 120 hours, instead of the present output of 1555 yards. I attribute the difference m the amount treated to the following reasons. The present dredge is too light for the present hard ground. For instance, our design for a machine of similar capacity pTovides for 6m s 2m bucket connecting links, with with 2-fcin pins. On your dredge the links are 4in x ljin. with ljin pins. Both head and side lines are too light and should be replaced with lines of heavier make and better quality. A head line should be at least 400 yds long to allow for lead and necessary spring. Your head line is too short and of inferior quality. I would recommend 400yda of 3Jm rope, Smith's B quality, 6 strands 19 wires, for the head lines, and two 200 yds coils of 2£in line, 6 strands 19 wires, for breast lines. " Present indications seem fa-vourable to the belief that tha dredge is cutting past the mud difficulty, and no sign of this or cementy wash was met with in the paddock sunk by the Boatman's Sluicing Company at your top boundary, or in the workings of the Al Company, near your lower boundary. I am of opinion that the best gold underlies the pug in the starboard or right-hand corner of the face, and continues up the Tight-hand bank, but at present I would advise the continuation of the face into and up the creek bed. Should the pug difficulty still continue with the present dredge, I would recommend that the ladder should be lengthened so as to first strip down to the gravels. The sample of gold obtained is excellent, and I do not think it is passing the perforations in the screen, but if this happens it is an easy matter to cut certain holes into slots and thus catch the gold. The present bottom tumbler is worn down, and a new one should be put in hand. A reversing drum should be ordered at once, as this would greatly lessen stoppages and would not cost a large sum. The boiler and engine is steaming well, but the superheater requires a new copper coil. The steam pipes from engine to boiler also require covering with asbestos, preferably " Argus covering." By paying attention to the foregoing items stoppages will be reduced and better running obtained, but at the same time, if the master holds the light dredge too hard up to the work breakages will result, no matter how careful he is. I also examined your lower boundary re prospecting same, and am of opinion that it would be wise to do so. I would recommend three shafts, two of these to be sunk iust below Burkes Creek and the thrid in Whisky Flat. Mr Reeves, Scott, and I consulted regarding this, and we have drawn up specifications and advertised for tenors for sinking these shafts, so that an estimate may be laid before you re cost of same. We have arranged that tenders will close with your dredpemaster on the 30th mst., and he will then wire you the results. This will prove your lower area, and if equally good results are obtained, then I say you have an excellent trroperty if worked by a properly designed and managed machine."