Kawaran Notes.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 23

Kawaran Notes.

(Feom Otjb Own Cobhespoxdent.) May 8. ! The sharp frosts experienced here lately have teduced the river to as low a level as it was last winter during the month of July, and it is j now in splendid order for dredging. i The Meg and Annie dredge is rapidly working out the block of solid ground adjoining the old rich ground, and when he has it worked will lay up for a little while to effect some necessary repairs, such as Telippiug the buckets, etc. I believe it is then intended to liaul the dredge up to the special claim, just below where the Upper Magnetic has been getting such rich returns, and as these 15 chains have been proved above and beloWj no | doubt very good returns will bs got. Last week the Upper Magnetic dredge struck a bar of hard reef, which accounted for a. falling oft in her usual weekly big return to 450z — itself a by no means despicable yield. As she has 3iow crossed it, and is again on splendid soft, bottom and good-looking wash, a Teturn to the ■old order of things may be looked for. Early i this week the ladder line gave way, and con- '< Bequently a couple of shifts were lost while ; Repairs were effected. The Gentle Annie dredge promises to do her share in upholding the renown of this portion •f the Kawarau as a, gold-producer. Her handsome return of 320z last week would have been Toetween 50oz and 60oz had she not had the , misfortune to break one of the hangers of the ladder on Thursday afternoon. As it will le to-day before a- new one is fired, there will lje no wash-up this week. From the fact that the soft bottom and wash were opening cut when she had to stop, I fully expect this dredge to get as good returns as are being got by the Meg and Annie and Upper Magnetic. It also proves that, the big stretch of liver etill unworked in the Meg and Annie claim at the lower end is likely to be as rich as »ny of the gTound worked. Messrs Mouat Bro3. are the successful tenderers for the erection of the machinery on the Grand Junction dredge. Mt Gilbert Mouat ■Was here on Tuesday, and returned to Dunafcn to f oiward the necessary staff and plant

so work wil! be commenced very shortly now on ths ponto«ai. I am lniornica that the Eclipse dredge, at Gibbston, has closed down.