Notes from Cromwell.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 22

Notes from Cromwell.

(Fbom Ora Own Cotihestoxbzht.)

CHOMWELrL, August 19. The weather is fine, with heavy frosts, and the river failing shghtly.

The Riley's Beach diedge is working steadily, and 13 still on rich ground.

Tho Alpine Xo. 2 Company's ground is not rough now, aaid the dredge is said to be an rich wash.

The Cromwell No. 2 dredge is repairing", and will have to wait till the river rises tq get to the claim. The Rise and Shine dredge has not started yet, but will likely do so to-morrow. Aypust 21. ' The weathsr ig fine but very mild to-da£« The river is fa]lir>£j fihjj'iljy

The Rise and Shine diedge made a starfl yesterday afternoon. The Cromwell dredge h?3 been stopped, pntj* ting on a bottom tumbler, but started agaifli v.-sterday. The Electric Xo. 2 dredge started dredging on Monday If she cannot bottom now sh& 15 not iilroly to tier have th^ ri^er lower. The ladder of the Alpine Consols dredge has been cut, and they should soon have the new vi tee kefe W sut o».

August 22. The weather is fine, with light frosts, and Che river is falling slightly.

Shareholders here think the proposal to wind tip the Halfway House Company ridiculous, as 87 chains, by measurement, of ihe top part of the claim are untouched, and I think it is almost certain to yield payable, if not big, retnrns.

The Riley's Beach and Alpine No. 2 dredges »t« working steadily, and both on very rich wash.

I think the Hartley and Riley dredge will Cut into old ground next week.

The Junction Electric dredge is now working in the Kawarau, and will likely soon shift to the- lower end of the claim, where there is about 100 yds to work, as the dredge could not bottom it through the high river when there. August 25.

There was great excitement here about 4 o'clock, when it was found the Junction Electric No. 2 dredge was sinking fast, but at present (5 p.m.) it seems as if they have stopped the leak. The cha rman of directors (Mr Tal"boys) is on board, and plenty of assistants. So tax there are no other particulars.

[Tie Junction Electric Company have already had misfortunes, and it is to bs hoped Ihe leak was stopped, as indicated by our correspondent. The No. 1 dredge sank on May 29, tind almost a month was occupied in getting "the TieoesE*ry repairs effected in order to raise Jier again, but when everything, was ready to •commence pumping a. big slip came down from the hill on June 22, a^d altered tho course of 'the river, the dredge being silted up to such •an extent that it was impossible to refloat her. Fortunately the princ'pal machinery was after-"V.-»rds recovered, but the expense would prcl>ab!y urnount to a considerab'e sum.]

Considerable rain fell on Saturday night, ■with snow on the hilltops. Tlie river is rot up much. The weather is fine, with a hard frost last night.

Tho Junction Electric dredge had a narrow escape from sinking on Saturday ns I wi'.ed you, but is now little the worse. B3ing daylight, and assistance handy, no doubt saved tho dredge.

The Riley's Beach splendid return was coneiderably more than expected. It is a great claim, with, it is believed, years of work before the dredge.

The A'pine No. 2 dredge is expected to put up some good returns as she is now on good •wash.

The Rise and Shine dredge is working steadily. I believe the ground is very rough.