Notes from Greymouth.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 27

Notes from Greymouth.

CPaoit Oto Oto Cobhestondext.)

. GREYMOUTH, December 6. lJuring the time the Moonlight dredge was laid up a new screen was put in position and the machinery thoroughly overhauled, so that the dredge resumed work practically as good as new. The shareholders in the New Feddersen Gold Dredging Company with the next dividend will have received a return of 3s 6d since registration in June last, with every prospect of good returns continuing. Last week's yield •was 70oz, 'and the dredge is in a very good sample of wash. The Nelson Creek dredge obtained 320z. The face was the same as for the three previous ■weeks, but the wash is showing an improvement. The Greenstone Junction dredge got 13oz 6dwt, with rather discouraging prospects. The Rocklands dredge obtained 31oz 12dwt for 105 lours. ,The New Kohinoor Company is now taking active steps to get the" dredge in active commission. Mr Johnston, of the Nelson Creek dredge, has been appointed dredgemaster, and % the work of putting the dredge in commission has been entrusted to Mr Nees. - 'The- export of gold from Greymouth last month was 47810z 13dwt 9gr, of the value of *19,127. December 8. A. meeting of the Buller Junction Company is called to consider the question of going into voluntary liquidation or the issuing oil debantures not exceeding £2000, with interest at, the fato of 331-3_per cent per annum. The dredge owned "by this company secured record returns for the* Buller Eiver, scooping up in cne week, after a series of good weeks, 2720z r but since then the returns have steadily declined, and a long run of bad luok placed: the company in its present unfortunate position. Should the dredge pass into 'the hands of asmall party, in a similar manner to many other dredges "which were erected by the money of an over-confident public. Ihe reward of the party should far exceed the amount they are likeßy to pay for the dredge and claim. The Welcome dredge, at Inangahua Junction, sank yesterday in 10ft of water. The accident "was caused through striking a snag. The National Bank shipped for Wellington last night £13,000 worth of gold. ' The New Kohinoor Company has been floated with a capital of £2500. , The Christchurch syndicate which has taken up the Nigakawau coal area, in tlie Buller district is apparently well satisfied with the prospects before it. Yesterday an application ■was / lodged for" a second block of land, one square mile in extent, on the north-west boundary of the present lease. . :Tie Stony-Mosquito dredge has lately met with a good deal of misfortune. The wash, -ijhich for some- time had been gradually thinning out, is -now very thin, and a- poor sample- at that. Breakages, too, have run, away with nearly £1000 during the last few months, and altogether the company is in lather- a bad position. Advices "from Mcntgomerie's sluicing claim ehow- that 'the mine is 'in full swing on a geod Bzmp],e of- dirt, and that good returns can be expected-when the waeh-up takes place on the Priday .before Christmas. An- extraordinary general meeting of the 2?«vr 'Scotia Mining Company is called for the 23rd inst. to consider the' position of the company and -future-prospects, and, if thought advisable, to wind the company up voluntarily. A , r December 11. About Thursday week: the dredges on the" West Coast will mostly close down tiil after the holidays. Their closing returns are likely to be better than was anticipated a fortnight ago. The Nelson Creek division will certainly show aff improvement. The share market has »t present no real existence, andrt is not likely that there will be any revival muoh before the end of January. , The return from the Bignell'a No Town dredge for 119 hours was 85oz 12dwt. Tiie dredge is now square around, and has a- dear run for a. good many weeks to come. During the .holiday stoppage the machinery wilt be thoroughly overhauled. The Pactolus No. 2 dredge got 40oz for 124 hours' work. No. 2 dredge was not working. Both machines, it is reckoned, will be in firstclass order for the recommencement of work in January, and as both have been working into amproving ground for some time past it is thought that the new year will be a particularly good one for- the company. The Jtfoonlight dredge is still on very rough ground: The.machinery is working very well," notwithstanding- and the dredge got 330z for j 160 hours' work. She will run on till Christmas Eve. I

The Callaghan's Creek dredge obtained 2Soz for 129 hours- work. The dredgemaster doe 3 not look for the big improvement in the wash that miners some time ago predicted would be found, but anticipates from 250z to 350z right throughout.

The North Beaoh dredge washed up 21oz 15dwt for. close upon a fortnight's run. A slight improvement was showing towards the end of the week, but the prospects are none too bright.

The Mokoia dredge continues to disappoint expectations. It was thought a month ago that she was coming upon SOoz to lOOoz ground, but the material now being operated -upon is rather grey and poor drift.

The New Woodstock dredge obtained 16|oz for 117 hours' work. The wash continues very rough, -with an uneven, rocky, bottom, rendering proper cleaning up almost impossible.

The Jamieson Reward dredge got 340z for s, -week's run. The dredge for a considerable part of the time was. in silt, belts of -which appear to run across the ground. The Prince of Wales tributors have had two washings since starting work after the accident to the tumbler. The yield was 18oz 15dwt for four days and 19oz Bdwt for a week, or 38oz 3dwt for 10 days' clear work. Owing to scarcity of water, the Wheel of Fortune claim at Stafford has had to suspend operations till rain gives a fresh supply. Owing to a breakage in part of the new race at MacLeod's terrace a deviation tunnel will liave to be driven. -This will cause a delay at least of one month before sluicing operations can be started.