Notes from Waikaia.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 32

Notes from Waikaia.

(Fbom Our Own Correspondent.)

WAIKAIA, December 16. The opening ceremony in connection with the Lady Gordon dredge yesterday passed off satisfactorily. On the machinery being started the breaking of the customary (on these occasions) bottle of champagne was entrusted to Mrs P. Gordon, who ably performed the duty. In the evening a banquet, at which about 60 guests attended, was given by the owners of the dredge in one of the Waikaia halls. A long list of toasts were duly honoured, after which an adjournment was made to another hall freely provided for the public, where music and dancing were indulged in until an early hour this morning. The catering was carried out under the supervision of Mrs de Largey in a style that left nothing to be desired. The Lady Gordon dredge is a very compact and wellbuilt machine, and should prove suitable for the ground that the company holds for dredging. The claim adjoins the Lady Annie Company's property, which recently yielded some excellent returns. The latter company's dredge has been closed down for an extensive overhaul.

At present there are 11 dredges in active operation and one (the Argyle Company's) in course of construction in this district. In all piobability there will be several more built during next year, as the returns from the Lady Annie dredge, on the west side of the flat, open up great possibilities, and the success of the Lady Gordon dredge as a gold-winner will be watched with interest. On the east side of the flat there are six dredges at work, and two of these— the Duke of Gordon and Masterton Companies' machines — are on excellent wash. It is. expected that the latter company's property will yield some very large returns. The flat Is a fairly wide one, and it is more than probable that several distinct leads of gold will be found to exist between the east and vest sides. The wash In the Mystery Flat claim is expected to improve steadily now as tho dredge works ahead. The Fairdown Company's dredge is shut down owing to a. slight mishap to the engine. The ground in the company's claim is showing an improvement, and it is possible that the shareholders will yet get somp. return for thir outlay. The Waikaia Company's dredge is working well, and better returns should soon be forthcoming, as the claim is undoubtedly a good one. «£ The other dredges in tne district are work-, ing steadily.