Notes from Sreymonth.

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 6 May 1903, Page 24

Notes from Sreymonth.

CFaou Oub Own Cosbespokdent.J

GRBYMOUTH, April 28. The Trafalgar dredge sank this morning 111 30ft of water. Her position is rather bad. The case of Laikin and party v. the Callagha'n's Company has been settled out of court. The dredge will now b© able to proceed, and is expected to get much -better returns a little further ahead.

The New Greenstone dredge has been stopped with the object of putting on stronger buckets, as those at present in use are found to be unequal to the work.

April 30.

The report of the Greenstone Junction Company shows that the dredge is still di edging in the creek, 30ft deep, with Ivttle or no gold Half a chain further will taifn her into good wash, but timber is very troub^some. The Noith Bfach dredge had a lot of stoppages during the week, and the return will bo sniaJl.

The Mahinapua dredge is working one shift, and is getting a good face on. Mr Tavlor says the wash is goocT, but further alterations wili require to be made to the dredge ere he will be able to proceed satisfactorily.

| The Dobson Syndicate have laid up their dredge, the wash not being payable The Trafalgar dredge is believed to be on an even keel. There is 14ft of water above the decks. A diver will examine the dredge tomorrow to ascertain the cause of the mishap. It is supposed that the pontoons struck a snag. Refloating the dredge is likely to be rather costly. May 3. The Leviathan dredge got a pi?ce of wash last week, and as a result obtained the respectable yield of 470z 12dwt. It " % s tfipught that there is a fair quantity of this wash iv front, but past experience shows that no i chance can be placed on theoretical suFmises in regard to this claim, waah being as likely as not to give out at any moment. If it lasts better returns will b3 recorded. The No Town dredge obtained 460z. The dredge came acioss a good dealof tiruber duiiiig the week that hampered operations. The Greenstone Three-mile dredge got 370z 2dwt. Th» ground 13 ncher thru the leturr.s would indicate, but, beiiig difficult to treat, tha quantity of wash got through 13 not very large. The Kohinoor diedge 6btiined 40oz 9dwt for 190 hours. The Blackwater River dredge obtained 220z lldr.-t. A good deal of timber and want of better winch appliances interfere with the success of this dredge. Th» Pactolus Conipanv's two dredges obtained 420z 3dwt. Both machines ivere off the main run of gold. The Maori King drodge obtained 15oz 15dtvt 4gr. The lead is narrow where it is now being wo iked. The Welcome dredge obtained 16oz Gchvt. The dredge worked intermittently. A diver is at present at work on the Trafilgai dredge. It is hoped she may be "aised without much expense or delay. May 4 The Buller Junction Company's claim — like other West Coast claims — is a trifle patchy, nq may be noted from the return o f 40oz for 180 hours , but it has some very rich runs, and may be regarded as one oi the dividendpßyere. The Nelson Creek dredge, with &Boz for the week, is not up to the average, but is expected to show an improvement this week. Tho rireenstone Junotion dredge did not ■wash np, as, in accordance with instructions from the shareholders' 'meeting, only a small cut is being taken. TBuch timber was met with during the week — in fact, one of the worst patches since dredging first commenced. As the solid bank will be readied shortly, this drawback will be only temporary. The New Greenstone -dredg* is laid up. and all hands paid off. I do not know what the directors propose doing in tli6 matter No further dredging can be done until a new set of buckets aro pi.i oa.

The Aiding* dredge got her 270z 2dwt in worked ground. The dredge is likely to get on solid in a fortnight. The Greenstone Creek dredge worked in broken ground last week, hence the decreased yield, o: 220z 6dwt. The Feddersen's dredge, with 220z, was off the mam lun during the week, but is likely to get an increased yield this week. The Reeves's Proprietary dredge only got in 97 hours for 17oz lOdwt. Time was lo3t through timber. The ground is tight. The Cornwall dredge obtained lOoz. The wash is good, but timber is troublesome. The Watterson's-Ahaura dredge obtained 7oz liJwt. The dredge was troubled with, silt.