CORRESPONDENCE CONDENSED

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

CORRESPONDENCE CONDENSED

J. N. suggests that, a3 it is well known that much gold is to be found in crevices on tha side of the Kawarau where it cannot be reached by dredges, a scheme should, if practicable, be devised for lowering the level of tha river, even for a. few days at a time, whereby; much of the precious metal could be' Secured effect this (he says) a strong conciete pier could be run out from each side of the laka outlet and floodgates erected that would keep out its waters 111 the winter time for a few days. Then, when it^ overflowed, the gates could be gradually opened until the lowest level was attained, when they might again be closed. J. N. has considered the difficulties, but does not regard any of them as insurmountable.

REPORTS FROM WORKING DREDGES. The secretary of the Electric Dredging Company reports that a wash-up on ThursdayYielded 218oz Sdwt for four days' dredging. The secretary of the Junction Ekctric Dredging Company reports a return of 60oz for four days' dredging. The Cromwell Gold Dredging Company's return is 14Goz lldwt. Prospects are good, but ground very rough. The secretary 01 the Inch Valley Gold Dredging Company reports a return of 20oz 6dwt for 143 hours. The Dunedin Stock Exchange report the following returns for last week — Otago Gold Dredging Company, 17oz for four days' work ; Golden ' Treasure Gold Dredging Company, I6o'. 12dwt for five days' work. The secretary of the Golden Gate Dredging Company reports a return of 360z lOdwt for six days' dredging. lUver steady. I The secretary of the Tuapeka Dredgmg Company reports a return of 19oz 14dwt for 120 hours' dredging during the week ended sth mat. Ihe secretary reports that the Magnetic Goldt Diedgmg Company washed up 18oz last week. The secretary of the Waikaka Forks Gold Di edging Ccmpay reports a return of 15oz for 120 hours' dredging. Tho dredgemaster of the Central Matnura No 1 duedge reports a return of 14oz lldwt amalgam for 89 hours' work. The secretary of the Waimumn Queen Dredging Company reports a return of 18oz for 123 hours' dredging. The secretary of the Meg and Annie Dredging Company reports a return of 430z 7dwt 12gr for 128 hours' work. The secretary reports a return of 13oz 13dwfc from the Ngapaia No. 3 dredge for 130 hours' drcdgnig. The secretary of the Empire Diedgmg- Company reports a return of 50oz lOdwt. The secretary reports that the return from tho Cardrona- No. 1 dredge i 3 7oz 16dwt amalgam for 60 hours' dredging. Mr Laurence Ryan, Alexandra, reports tlia following returns — Perseverance dredge," 6Coz ; Molyneux Hydraulic dredge, 9oz lOdwt. rlhar lha secretary of the Earns-cleugh No. 2 Dredging Company reports a return of 114oz Sdwt for 128 hours' dredging. The secretary of the Wairnunra Central Dredging Company reports a return of 230z 6dwt for 128 hours' dredging. The dredgemasier of tho Globe dredge, Waikakd, reports a return of Soz Tdwt 12gr for 126 hours' dredging. The secretary reports a return of 320z ldvi for 122 hours' work from the "VYaiinumu dredge. The secretary of the Golden Link Company reports a return of lOoz sdwt l'2gr for 112 hours' dredging. The secretary of the Mokoia Dredging Company leports a leturn of 360z foi la.= t week. The secretary of the Vincent Dredging Company leports a return of soz lOdwt for 131 hours' dredging. The secretary of the Golden Bed Dredging Company reports a return of 430z 17dwt for last week. The secretary of the Miller's Flat Electric Dreo^mg Company reports a return of 503 HrUvt for Si liOiu-3' work. Mr J. J. Chb=o~i, Lawrence, reports a icturn of 41oz Cdwt from the Success dredge for 131£ hours. The secieta.y of the Naumai Dredging Com--nany reports a return of 14oz 12dwt for 135 hrurs' dredging. The secretary of the Alpine No. 2 Di edging Company reports a return of 40oz 6dwt 13gr for 132 horns' drcrlg.ng Tho secie^Ary of 1110 Waimumu EdiencJpdDredging Company reports a return of 14ez 18° x for 125 hours' diedgmg.

Tho secretary icDort3 that the Shenh^rd's Creek dredge did not wash up last week. The secretory of the Blue Duck Dredging

Company reports that the dredge is opening cut slowly, and that the ground is very hard. The secretary of the Second Magnetic Dredging Company reports : — " No wash-up ; shifting lines. ' The secretary of the Gold Queen reports —

•' No wash-up for last week. The dredgemaster advises having had to stop work on Monday, the Ist inst., through the engine breaking down, ibut that he expected to have everything m rd working order by the end of the week and able to start work early on the Bth.

The chairman of the Ford's Creek Dredging Company reports that the dredgemaster wires that he has obtained Boz amalgam for five days' work.

Messrs Reeves and Co. report the following returns for last week. —

Enterpriss No. 1 dredge, 540z ldwt 3gr for 122 hours' dredging.

Enterprise No. 2 dredge, 230z 2dwt 12gr for 90 hours' dredging.

Central Electric dredge, lOoz 14dwt 4gr for 100 hours' dredging. The secretary of the Evans Plat Dredging Company reports a return of 18oz for the week ended 6th inst.

The secretary of the Enfield Dredging Company reports a return of 220z lOdwt for 126 tours' dredging. The secretary of the Clyde Dredging Company reports a return of 250z for last week. The secretary of the Nelson Creek pledging Company reports a return of 490z for 138 hours' dredging. The secretary of the Charlton Creek Dredging Company reports a return of 320z lOdwt for 129 tours* -work.