THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2515, 28 May 1902, Page 21

THE WEEK'S MINING NEWS

The dredgemaster of the Grey River Consolidated dredge (Mr J. C. Ray) reported for the week ended May 10 that he had another week of breakages. On the Tuesday a new casting snapped in two after only running two days. He managed to fish the broken pieced from out of the paddock and patched them ■together, and started again on Thursday night. He is taking a, cut up straight for the Chinaman's about two and a-half chains wide, and at the river rises enough he will pull straight xip. The "wash is fairly solid and good-looking, but carrying little gokl. The depth is about 10ft. The ground is getting much rougher, more rOcks appearing in the cut, but he may possibly get better gold ahead ; in fact, anyone can get the prospects (very good) on the side zip at the Chinaman's.

The repairs to the Nelson Creek dredge have "been completed, and work was resumed on Saturday morning.

The secretary of the Clyde Gold Dredging Company has received advice that the new dredge started working full time on Monday afternoon, 19th.

Our Wetherstones correspondent writes that the return from the Local Industry Company •last Saturday was 9oz odwt for 10 days' elevating.

The directors of the Sailor's Bend Gold Diedging Company have declared their first dividend, Is 6d per share. The secretary of the Riley's Beach Gold Dredging Company has received advice that the dredge was to lesume work on tho 20th at moon, the mam driving rope having been repaired. Mr L. Ryan (the secretary) informs us that (the correct return from the Molyneux Hydraulic dredge for last week was 330z 13dwt, and that rihese were the figures given in his telegram. .CPh» figures in the telegram we received fiom Hhe Dunedin Telegraph Office appeared rnoie Bike 53 than 33.

"The secretary of the Enterprise Gold Dredging Company received a telegram on the 20th stating that there was no wash-up from the No. ■3. dredge last week as repairs were being effected. Work was resumed at noon on the JEOth.

The dredgemaster of the Garibaldi dredge jmr.es that the machinery is working satisfactorily.

The erection of the machinery on the Prince 'Arthur dredge is now completed, and the contractors had a trial run a few days ago, when Jevery thing worked most satisfactorily. The Jflredgemaster (Mr J. F. Kitto) has arrived at the (Claim.

Th« directors of the Golden River Gold JDredging Company held a meeting on the 20t!i, fwhen they declared a dividend of 6d per share. 14a j&e gksuea iv ooiup&m* *;e only 5s each

this is equal to 2s in the pound, which must be considered very satisfactoiy in view of the short time the dredge has been working. There is still a good reserve in hand to provide for any contingencies.

The Golden Beach dredge was not working last week, but it is expected that another start will be made at an early date. The dredgemaster has been instructed to sink bores in various parts of the claim in order to ascertain if the wash is rich before taking the dredge into anything but good ground. The dredge js now lying in the river preparatory to being taken into the claim proper. Several prospects have already been obtained, and the results so far have been very satisfactory.

The Kia-Ora dredge stopped work on the Golden Vein claim on Saturday last, 17th inst., after testing it thoroughly from one end to the other without any satisfactory results. Though shareholders will probably feel disappointed at the property proving a failure, they will at least have the satisfaction of having had a run for their money. It is understood that a, meeting will be called very shortly for tha purpose of considering the question of voluntary liquidation.

The directors of the Sailor's Bend G.D. Company have declared v, dividend of Is 6d per share, payable on Monday next, 26th inst. This is the first dividend declared, and means a. distribution of £600 amongst shareholders. The directors have still more than £300 in hand, after providing for the payment of the dividend and all liabilities, in order to meet any contingencies that might arise. Should the returns keep up to the present excellent standard, there is a probability that another dividend will be declared in a fortnight. The centrifugal elevator (Messrs Pavne and Peck's patent) for the Earnscleugh No. "l dredge left Dunedin on the 20th for Alexandra, via the Otago Central railway, snd on reaching its destination its erection will be proceeded with immediately under the personal supervision of Mr F. W. Payne. Its dimensions are the same as that now at work on the Ngapara No. 3 dredge, tho diameter from tip to tip of tha beaters bring 3ft lin and that of the side plates being 3ft 6in. The elevator, which can stack tailings to a height of 30ft, is provided with two beaters, each of which is faced with four strips of manganese steel 3ft by lift. It will be driven off the main shaft of the engine, and its speed will be 250 revolutions per minute. The driving belt will be so aiianged that when the main engine slows down on heavy wash being struck the elevator will continue "to run by its own momentum until the engine, regains its normal speed, the idea of this anangement being to ease the strain on the belt 9. The elevator is expected to be leady for work by the beginning of next month.

The centrifugal elevator for the Island Block dredge, the construction of which has been delayed owing to the late delivery of the necessary plates, is almost completed, and is expected to leave Dunedin this week. Its erection will probably piocecd simultaneously with that on the Earuscleugh No. 1 dredge, under Mr Ppyne's supei vision. This elevator will be larger than that ou the Ngapara No. 3 dredge, the diameter from tip to tip of tho beaters bfing 4ft, and that of the side plates being 6ft. It will elevate to a. height of 35ft if requned, arid will be driven by a small vertical engine of fonr horse-power of Marshall's make.

As an inquny has been made as to whether the directors of the Point dOr Gold Diedging Company consider the dredge suitable for working the claim, we may state for the benefit of shareholders at a distance that the machine is considered quite capable of dealing with the river portion of the claim. It can work to a depth of 40ft with efficiency, and with a low river such as we have at present could work the whole claim. In consequence of the recent breakage of the tumbler it was necessary to send to Dunedin for a new one, and in the meantime the dredgemaster and crew took advantage of the opportunity afforded them to give the diedge a thoiough overhaul. The new tvmb'er has now- been despatched to the claim, and the secretary is waiting for a report from the d r / 0 1 igema<-ter as to when the repairs will be comnleted.

During the recent heavy thunderstorm in the Cromwell district the pontoons of the Grand Junction diedge were driven aground. Mr Payne, the company's consulting engineer, visited the claim on Tuesday, 13th, and after a, careful inspection found that the jjontoons had noi si'slsmed any serious damage, and relaunching operations are now in progress under the supervision of Mr RilUtone, who also has the contract for the erection of the machinery. Nearly all the machinery is on the ground, a shipment having just come to hand from Melbourne, and the erection will be pushed on as quickly as possible. When completed the dredge wj.ll be the largest machine above the Kawarau gorge, having a ladder with TGft centres and an elevator of 60ft. while the pontoons arc 105 it lo.ig with 26ft beams. The machinery was manufactured by Messrs Robertson Bros., Melbourne, and &o far as can be seen the work has been done in a most satisfactory manner. " The winch was made by Messrs J. M'Gregor and Co. (Otago Fcundry), and the engine and boiler were made by Messis Huston and Proctor. The contract time for the erection of the machinery is eight weeks. Claims against the Upper Clutha, Gold Dredgiiig Company should be forwarded to the liquidator (Mr L. G. R«ves) on or before June 4.

The dredgemaster of the New Halfway Hoirc dredge wires that he resumed dredging on Tuesday morning, 20th. The dividend declared by the directors of the Golden River Gold Diedging Company will be payable on "Wednesday, 28th mst. The directors of the "Waimumu Extended Gold Dredging Company have declared a dividend of 6d per share, payable on Monday, 26th infet. This is the sixth dividend declared, and its payment will make a total of 3s 6d returned to shareholders.

The dredgemaster of the Paul's Beach dredge rcpoited on the 17th inst. that he was on gold which will yield fair returns when the giouud is properly opened out. While the dredge i.as lying idle he had long headlined ru*, and v.-hoi he tried to pull ahead lie found the lines badly eilted over, but he pulled ahed a little, getting behind uheie the best returns v.-eie pievious'y cVtamed. The current wa 3 rapid owing to the m n bong confii'Cel. He stirtcd diedging, a = that would be the '^est means oi get:n>% thr headlines cl^ar, -w'i'lp at 1h» c .ilii'- tiu'e Ihe ground would be tc-'cd Thee vas .1 let of drift Tunning, l,ut rftc-i tlnoc .i.>\ .' '.oi 1 -- In. 1 succeeded, in tretuno tlie lines nc- Yi'itk i -

' ferei.ee to the ground now being worked he states that the full extent of the wash has never been worked. He is just above the island, and over past the middle of the stream, ar.d is of opinion that he has a laige face of good ground in front of him. The dredgemaster of the Unity dredge reports that he will not have a full week's dredging this week on account of having to rebxish the bottom tumbler shaft and repair the bucket string. The dredgemaster of the Upper Magnetic aredge reported on Monday that the prospects were still good, and there was every indication of their keeping so. The dredge was working veil. Mr Talboys, one of the directors of the Crom- ' well Gold Dredging Company, who is at present on a visit to the dredge, wired the secretary on the 21st that the ladder had been cut, and the lower part withdrawn 18ni from Ihe silt. Later information states that the cut end of the ladder was lifted Ail on Wednesday. The dredgemasteT of the Rise and Shine dredge reports that the bottom is dipping ahead, and is getting much softer. He expects • to Btrike soft pug by the end of the present veek, and thf» indications look more promising. He expects to get some good returns shortly. The dredgemaster of the Leaning Rock dredge reported on the 17th inst. Uiat ha shifted ahead on Monday week, and get bottom on tho following Tuesday night. He worked over to the west bank, but got hard reef and no gold, the drift proving very troublesome. He has now shifted ahead to where the previous dredgeraaater got good prospects, and intended to resume work last Sunday at midnight. The dredgemaster of the Vincent Extended dredge reports that last week w?.s an unsatisfactory one for work owing to the breakage of the pivot shaft bolts and the piston rings of the high pressure cylinder. The ground is getting very hard and rough, and has been severs on the bucket lips. During the greater part of the time worked last week the dredge was cleaning; out stuff that had got into the paddock, but what little bottom was obtained was not so good as previously. The indications were improving again on Friday, however. Ho does not expect a large return this week as ihe drift is somewhat troublesome, and he will lose- some time with the buckets, but when a steady run is obtained he expects good returns. The directors of the Haitley and Riley Beach Dredging Company have declared a dividend (ihe eighteenth) of 2s 6d p&r share. The- adjourned geueraJ meeting of shareholders in the Ross Day Dawn Gold Dredging Company will be held on Thursday next, 29tli inst. All claims, etc., against the Broad Cieek Gold Dredging Company should be in the hands of the liquidator, Mr N. M. Gunn, on or before July 12. The repairs to the No Town Creek dredge are not yet completed, and it is not expected that she will get another start until the beginning of next week. Mr Parfitt. of Greymouth, the local director, is at present on a \isit to Dunedin. The results obtained by the Upper Magnetic dredge on the Annie Queen claim for the past month have been very satisfactory, and the &urn received by the former company at ar settlement yesterday will enable it to liquidate a very fair amount of its liabilities. The result of the settlement for the past four weeks is that the Upper Magnetic Company received £671 18s 2d, and the Annie Queen Company £-335 19s Id after all working expenses were deducted. Shareholders in the Alpine Consols, Alpine No. 2, Great Central, and Kelly and Casey Beach Companies will be pleased to learn that arrangements are being made for blasting away I tho debris in the river caused by the recent i waterspout in the Cromwell distuct. An expert will probably proceed to Cromwell about Monday next in connection with the removal of the obstacles, and it is hoped that the dredges will soon be able to lesume work under favourable conditions. Shareholders in the Cromwell Gold Dredging Company will be gratified to loam that the trouble m connection with the 'dredge appears to be near at an end, and in the ordinary course of events it should soon be at work again. Mr Larnach received a telegram from Mr Talboys last evening stating that tho ladder has been safely lifted, and the dredgemaster will now turn his attention to the matter of recovering the buckets. This work will no doubt scoa be accomplished, and the diedge v. ill be able to make a start with a splendid low river and a likelihood of big returns. The pontoons for the Waikaka syndicate's diedge are getting on towards completion, and will probably be ready for launching in about three weeks should everything proceed smoothly in the meantime. The machinery, which was originally made for the Lady C'hr.rlton Company, but which was never erected is all on the ground, and the work of placing it on the pontoons will be put m hand as soon as possible-. The Waikaka field has now attained a, good leputation as a gold producer, the yieids from nearly every dredge working there at present being consistently good, and it is hoped that the new machine will obtain results good enough to keep up the reputation of the district. The dredgeniapter of the Central Electric dredge reported on the 17th inst. that he started work on the previous Tuesday, and bottomed in about 12 hours on the eat-t side of the river. He turd to work into tho beach on the west bank, but has so far failed to gpt close in on account of the water being too shallow. The pronnd is very rough, with a bar of high reef I just on the boundary. He f-truck some nice I wash on Satuiday near the middle of the river, and got some good prospects. There ib every indication of gold, and as the ground is getting | much deeper the dredgemaster is of opinion j that he will strike a good run of gold in ihp liver where the bottom is composed of soft lotten reef. In connection with the financial position of the Alpine Consols Go-Id Dredging Company 1 the following circular has been issued to shareholders — " Your directors are making ! n-ery effoit to obtain the necessary capital 1 with which to carry on operations. Only 12 shareholders were in favour of No. 1 proposal, a/id they applied for 242 shnies in the new cornpanv to be formed. The majority were ogreeable to a levy of 2s per share, bearing interest at the rute of 100 per cent, per annum, bul as a sufficient number have not responded "to the le\v yoar directors cannot see their way to cairy on Many shareholders are endeavcuriHg to lely on their fellow shareholders I to aave the cronerti from liauidfttion.. This,

however, will not do. and, unless you are prepared to as-Jsl, the company will go into liquidation and be lo=t. Tho B e shareholders who have not subscribed to the levy have this last opportunity of doing so by posting a cheque by return mail." Prom this the shareholders will recognise that they must subscribe to the levy, which, being only 2s per share, should not amount to a very large sum. When the dredge | stopped work last year on account of the rise j in the river she was on good gold, and when i once operations are started again it is fair to assume that the yields will be satisfactory. If shareholders intend to subscribe to the levy they should do so without delay in order that the directors may be prepared to resume work at the earliest possible momeni, as the season for dredging is not very lengthy under ordinary circumstances.

The first cake of gold from the. tributers who are working the Morning Star mine has been brought from Preservation Inlet to Invercargill by the s.s. Invorcargill. The battery worked 'four days (says the Southland Times), when 30 tons of stone were put through, yielding &2oz of retorted gold, valued at just over £4 per ounce. The party consists of six men, and they started work on Ist March. No crushing was done that month as there were repairs to be attended to. Two men- have been working in a winze sunk in the No. 2 level, and are down now 46ft, with stone all the way, and tho overseer's report says:— "We have stone in the bottom of the winze, still going underfoot, about 12in wide, and I think the quality is just as good. ' Four of the tributers are working on tne surface and getting some good stone in acreek a little way from the battery. The last return from the mine was in December, 1900 — viz., 460z from 102 tons milled. This was before the company was re-formed and the shareholders of the New Star Company will no doubt be hopeful over this latest return, which brings the yield from the mine up to 12,5580z, value £50,850, from 13,593 tons. As the tributers intend to have a crushing every month, future ie turns v.ill be looked forward to with interest.

The directors of tho Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company have declared a dividend (the tenth) of Is 6d per share.

The Matau Company's directors on Friday declared a, dividend of Is, and the same is payable now. The sum of £30 was added to the lCFcxve fund, which will now stand at £450, and a balance of £53 was carried forward.

At f. meeting of directors of the Upper Waipori Company, held on Friday, a dividend of 2s per shaie was declpied, payable on the 30th inst.

The dredgemaster of the First Chance dredge wnea that there- will be no v.-ash-up this week, '('he dredge is off the gold, and has been shifted 50yds up stream.

The secretary of the Royal Maori Gokl Dredging Company reports that there was no wash-up this week. The dredgemaster intends shifting again on Monday. The dredgemaster of the Leviathan dredge (Mr D. Sutherland) reported on May 19 that the return of 40oz 2dw-t 16gr was very gratifying, as he was fearing a slump in the returns. He reports an increase in the quality of the wash, which was much richer during the last day or two before writing. This gave him the Lope that the lead will run right through tho rising ground. The average f depth of wash is Bft, and the average depth of stripping 14ft. The dredgemaster of the Golden Glen dredge wires that he has got the buckets off, i>nd is fl'acharging the ballast in order to lighten the dredge as much as possible, and thus facilitate the operation of shifting. Last week Hie drsdgemaster of the Alpine No. 2 wao working the dredge at the top of the claim in order to see if, with the river dammed as it now is, it wa« possible to bottom. He fouiid that eren with the Tiver at its present low level the water is too deep for effective wcrk to be done, and the dredge was shifted again on Friday. The secretary of the New Halfway House Gold Dredging Company received a telegram from the dredgemaster on Friday atat'iig that hi had stopped work owing to a breakage to the headline. He bottomed at 40ft on a hard' reef, with a little gold, but will not wash up tl'ia week.

The dredgemaster of the Aldinga dredge has arrived on tho West Co»st, and the secretary of the company has received advice from him that the consulting engineer's representative rxpects the dredge to be ready for work jn three weeks' time. "

The new spur wheel and crossbrr for the hanger of the ladder of the Junction Electric No. 2 dredge were sent forward on Thursday night, and on arrival at the claim will be put in position a" soon as possible. The No. 1 diedge resumed work at 8.30 on Wednesday li'Ormng.

The dredgemaster of thp R.ver Uolyneux dredge- iound tlia drift too heavy for satisfactory working where he first started and accordingly shifted down the river, operations being resumed on Tuesday. 20th. A telegram received by the secretary on Friday stated that he had bottomed on one side of the river, ?nd a little gold is showing. The dredgemaster of the Ahaura River dredge (Mr TV. J. Sanderb) reported for week ended J 7th M.iy that the dredgp worked very well lin previous week, and shifted a large quantity of oirt. The wash was getting veiy tight, but the prospects were jbc/ut the same, and the <1( pth was from 35ft to 40ft in the deepest place. Owing to a rise in the river he was unable to bottom for a "couple of shifts. He was opening out on the north f=ide to see if the run goes behind Pompey's Pillar, where tho old liver bed appears to be.

The flredgemaater of the Thiee-mile (Greenstone Creek) diedge reported on the 17th inst. that work was suspended for two days last week while the 'buokets were replaced, the screen re-bolted, and the centrifugal pump overhauled. The ground was about the same as in the previous week, and although there were some very large boulders the wash was very thin, and there was more drift to contend with than he had had before in solid ground. The bottom was very clean and hard, and the deepest ground was near the creek bed, 20ft. The bottom waa composed of sandstone, blue, and old man bottom.

The dredgemaster of the Grey Eiver Consolidated diredge (Mr John O. Ray) reports for the week ending 17th May that the dredge ran 98 hours, when h« streamed down for lOoz of gold. On Friday ht washed all tho mats, and streamed down for 6ioz> and on Saturday morning got another BJoz. The bottom changed on Thursday, bud. ho t?>» giterwardd jrgrJoaK

on an old man bottom, -which is the only bot toro off which he can get any gold. Sc far the ground is - very patchy, but last wesk's sample of gold is a slight improvement. He had a defined vrash in the river, which is much tighter than anything he had come across before in the claim, and the ground was much rougher, and what little gold there was lay on the bottom. The depth ranged up to abou"; loft, and altogether the prospects ahead looked 1 brighter. During the week the river rose i> few feet, and as it was not safe- to depend! on the current he took a cut into the bank, as a safeguard. . , The secretary of the Gold King Dredging Company reports a return of 20os ldwt for IK hours' dredging. The dredgemaster is at present engaged in relipping the buckets. Accorc - ing to the agreement between this company and the contractor for the construction of this machinery, the latter was to be paid £500 of the amount owing to, him by the 19th July, and m the event of this being* done the dredge, was to 'be allowed to run for another sb: months at least. Shareholders will be pleased to hear that £400 of the required amount has already been paid, and as there is about two months' time yet to lun there should bo no difficulty in meeting the liability within the stipulated time,, and thus ensure another six months' work. The directors has still a fair sum in hand, sufficient to cover all repairs and liabilities except that to the contractor. The financial position of the Prince Albert Gold Dredging Compr.ny has, owing to thn small returns obtained, become rather strained and the dreclgs has been closed down in tha meantime pending a. meeting cf the debentureholders and shareholders, which has been called to -consider the- position. It is possible that the claim may be given a further trial as EOsno fair returns, up to 20oz, were obtained for a few weeks. The proposal to reconstruct" the Electric Extended Gold Dredging Company has, on tho whole, met with good support, 1000 shares hay- ' ing already been applied for, leaving 500 still available for application. There are still, however, a fair number who have not yot taken u]> their quota-, and to these a circular has been issued inviting them to send in their applications without delay. Those who intend subscribing to the new company should not lose any time, as the list' will be closed in a few days, in addition to which the dredge is ready for work, and the river was never more favourable, so that if work is started at once good results may be looked for. It is desired that none- but old shareholders should take up thenew shares, so that they may have the opportunity of recovering their losses in the old company. A half-yearly balance sheet for the period ended April 30 has been issued by the Cromwell Gold Dredging Company, showing theiinancial position. On November 1 the profit and loss account showed a. credit balance of £1938 7s 9d, and the gold won during the six months was worth £2551 10s 7d, while £20 0a 2d was received in interest, against which the expenditure reached a. total of £1621 19s sd, and - £1750 was paid in dividends, thus leaving a* . credit balance of £1137 19s Id to be carried forward. The cost incurred up to the end of ■ April in connection with raising tho ladder was. £155 13s 6cl, but the total cost of this work will, of course, amount) to a good deal more. The " dredge was at work for less than half the - period mentioned above, as operations were only commenced about the middle of January a,ud stopped at the beginning of April. The. company has sundry creditors to the extent of " £468 17s sd, against which there is a reserve fund of £1000, and sundry debtors tc the amount of £19. The return from the Champion Company's dredge last week was 18oz 9dwt 12gr of gold. The dredgema-ster reports that there is very; little change in tho character of the ground, the wa&h being nice and free, and the bottom, soft pug. The same company's hydraulic claim Also gave a return of 12oz lldwt 9gr of gold for four days' elevating last week, a slip in the race operating against full time. The secretary of the Stafford Waimea Company reports. that there was no wash-up last week, the dredge having only worked two and a-half days. The dredgemaster of the Grey River Consolidated dredge (Mr John C. Ray) wires that there was no wash-up last week owing to the floods having caused the paddock to be silted up. No damage was done, and the river is now falling. The dredgemaster of the Central Chailton reports that he is busy re-lipping buckets, and that there was i.o wash-up last week. The secretary of Ihe Olrig Company reports that tho dredge has been undergoing repairs during the last week, and that work would bo resumed again on Monday. Tho Clyde dredgemaster reports that he started ou worked ground a little too far astern, but expects to pick up the lead at any moment. The dredgemaster of the Gentle Aunie dredge reports no wash-up last week; bottom hard reef. Hie dredgemaster of the First Chance dredge wired on Saturday that he had stopped work owing to the crown wheel breaking. The necessary repairs will hi>ve to be effected in Dun-

An appointment will be made in a. few days. The dredge will be xeady to commence work at the end of next month.

The Blackwater Gold Dredging Company !has bought the Caledonia Company's dredge, subject to the engineer's approval. The price is £2250.

The annual meeting of the Grey River Dredging Company, called for last evening, lapsed for want of a- quorum.

The Kohikohi dredge was again stopped owing to the shallowness of the wash and the want of water. A dam is being made.

Repairing the North Beach dredge is in a. forward state. The dredgemaster is waiting ±he arrival of a new top tumbler. The dredge is expected to resume working early next week. Owing to the flooded state of the river, great •trouble has been experienced in conveying-coal to the Ruby Creek dredge. The risk to horses ia so great that work had to be stopped. The company let a contract for the supply of firewood, and resumed work with wood. The .dredge is steadily cutting her way to the " Blow-up," and should reach there in a fortnight.

The Hokitika. River dredge stopped work for 'c, few hours yesterday to allow repairs to the friction gear. The Gf reepstone Creek dredge .should give an jxmproved return this week, as things are lookTing 'better than .heretofore.

The Greenstone Junction dredge got a fresh start to-day, the necessary repairs iaving been ."effected and a new screen placed in position. The Heeche's freehold, bounding the Teremakau Gold Dredging Company's claim, on the southern side, was taken up on Tuesday as a dredging claim.

The Welcome reports a Teturn of 13oz for 92 hours. A rise in the river was the cause of the fall in the return.

May 23. The weather is settled, and is hard and cold. I Preparations for floating tho Maori Gully ' dredge are well advanced. It is said a new crew -will be engaged, and Mr Ray will be offered the position of dredgemaster. The Shellback Company's claim, is looking tetter

The Greenstone Junction dredge is, for the time, running well, and should have a good yield. _

The pegging-off of Keech's freehold, adjoir.ang the Teremakau Company's claim, is likely to be productive of considerable litigation. Both sides are strong financially, and, un)p^ settled otherwise, are likely to carry the mattto the higher courts. It will be news to mo', people to know that freeholds can be attackc . iv this way. However, it seems mining lav - are peculiar. The ground in question, thouc > a freehold originally, was cut into by the rrvr. and the contention is that, being now pan ot the river, it is no longer freehold.

Ma^ 25. There are very few returns to hand, and not many more are expected. .__ The Leviathan dredge gave 48oz 6dwt, which is better than was expected. The lead had thinned out, but made again. This indicates «. larger return this week.

. The Pactolus dredge was stopped for a day, "troubled with submerged timber. The yield as 28oz sdwt.

The Nelson Creek dredge had a good run, and is approaching the ground where she got big yields, but it will be a fortnight before she gets there. > The Hokitika River dredge obtained 220z fcr 100 hours. The official report states that the dredge is working on old ground operated on by a former dredge. I believe once over this she will get rich wash. The former dredge tvas unable to .treat the dirt, but what was got iivr-s very rich.

The Al dredge obtained 20oz for 124 hours. The Red Jacks dredge obtained 18oz'17awfc lor 110 hours' actual work. The yield repreBents gold got prior to stranding, as also a little since she got free. The ground looks much "bslter than the results yet given. The Shellback dredge obtained lloz for 112 incurs. The dredge is on a rising reef, and there is not much chance of an improvement till the top is reached in abcut six weeks, when better gold will be got on the dip. The No Town dredge is noi likely to get a start before Wednesday, as a good deal of repairing has to be done. It will then take a lew days to clear out the silt, when the machine should get on to 70oz wash.

The Callaghan'3 Cre°k dredge having got new mnches fitted up has again started. She had to clear out debris. The ground ahead is good, and shares are rising, some being sold on Saturday at Ss premium. The Erickson's Reward dredge has the new bciler alongside, and should get a start in. a fortnight. The Ahaura River is not doing much. Surprise is expressed that the machine docs not try to work back to where 40oz wnsh was found. The raising of the Totara Flat dredge is to "be proceeded with this week. The Garibaldi dredge got her bottom tumbler /broken, and will have to lay up for a week. £The wash in this claim suddenly deepened to £Oft. It is thought good gold will be got here. *The dredge is very much cramped for room. ■ The water in the Maori Gully dam has been ,C<nvered to the dock level. Pumping out the *V"Tllifflyilfl CQmjn.Sfi.Gfia on "MVtri ayj morning. It

is anticipated the dredge will be again working m 10 days.

The repairs to the North Beach dredge have proved rather a big order, tb.3 machinery in many parts being much worn.

The Greenstone Crsek cgain disappointed the gicat expectations formed at the commencement of the week, when she was reported to be on rich wash. During the week she is said to have dredged across through different tailraces, and her return of lloz 7dwt for 140 hours u^dcr such circumstances is good.

The Greenstone Three-mile return was 19oz 2dwt for 105 hours. The crew had a good deal of trouble during the week through the rivets in the screei becoming loose. Extensive repairs will bo required before long.

Tho Greenstone Junction dredge got a start on Friday, and is working well. She should have a good wash-up on Saturday.

The Garibaldi dredge has had a new tumbler put in, and is again working.

The ground in the Mosquito claim is changing, and is now very similar to the good wash worked in the. locality years ago. Her return last week was.27oz Bdwt for 88 hours.

The contractors for floating the Totara Flat dredge have got their tailrace completed for draining off the water.

The Nelson Creek return was 460z 4dwt for 136 hours. The dredge ia working 15 chains away from where tha large return, was obtained dredging the northern half of the claim crossing the creek. Tfie face on this line is 23 chains long, the width of the claim. Better returns are expected when tKe dredge reaches softer ground. . At present ths wash is very tight and rough. The bottom is the worst and hardest yet encountered, being very coarse and hard old man reef— ideal ground to test the best machine.