THE KAWARAU DAM

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 16

THE KAWARAU DAM

CLOSING THE SLUICE GATES. CROWDS ATTEND OPENING CEREMONY WATCHING THE WATERS RECEDE. QUEENSTOWN, August 30. To-day, the day of the closing of the sluice gates of the Kawarau dam, the day that has been so long and so eagerly anticipated in many quarters, has come at last. It is true that Queenstown, the nearest centre to the scene of operations, had been regarding the scheme somewhat oddly and critically. The decision to close down the gates to-day came somewhat suddenly, and as something of a surprise, but Queenstown, both the place and the people, rose to the occasion magnificently. The day broke as perfect a Queenstown spring morning as could be imagined, and the still morning sunshine touching the snowclad peaks that look down on the blue lake was a sight to treasure as a lasting precious memory. The brightness of the day was accepted as a favourable omen for the enterprise, and Queenstown was astir early. For days past motor cars, bringing visitors from as far afield even as England, have been steadily converging on Queenstown, and Cromwell, too, has had its full share of visitors/ The Gorge road in parts is in a deplorable state, but happily there was no record of any serious misadventure to the multitude of parties that made the trip. A big White Star service car with a load of a dozen passengers from Dunedin broke down on Sunday about seven miles beyond Roxburgh, but this mishap had nothing to do with the state of the road. The number of well-known Dunedin citizens to be met at every corner about Queenstown suggested that to-day business must be practically at a standstill in the big city.

KAWARAU DAM BOARD. FIRST MEETING. CLUTHA MEMBER’S PROTEST. The first meeting of the Kawarau Dam Hoard of Control was held in the Lake County Council Chambers at 9.50 a.m. All the members- were present, with the exception of Mr Josenh Moslev, the representative of the Clnthn Countv Council, from whom the following telegram was received : Protest ae-einst meeting of board of the Kawarau Falls dam. first as notification of fhp meeting was too short to allow members to attend: secondly, ns there was not sufficient notification to River Roards before closing down. On the motion of Messrs A. C. Deary fCluthn River Board', and A. Simon (Oueenstown Borough it was resolved that Mr -T R Marks. district engineer to the Piihh'e Works Department nt Dunedin, he appointed chairman. Mr O Scott, clerk to the Take County Council, was annointed clerk pro tern. Mr Marks said the main purpose of the meeting was to p°«s a resolution in regard to the closing rf fke "ntes of the dam that morning. Re would suggest Ihnt no contention* matter he dismissed in the meantime. That could como Infer. Accordingly was resolved, on fkn motion of ATessrs L*»o (Lake Gountv ' f7>unc ; l' and Tenrv: *That the hoard annrove of the or»r»i>nv'g «pnratine the rmfo-j on the present data Rrt'l further notice.” It was at first suggested that the motion be to give permission to close the gates, twt on Mr Hanlon taking exception to the Use of the word permission, the motion was passed in the form of approval. The meeting then adjourned till 2 p.m.

A FESTIVE AIR. SCENE AT THE DAM. Queenstown and its visitors began to move out towards Kawarau dam after breakfast, and by half-past 10 quite 2000 people had gathered there, a large number coming from Cromwell and from all the neighbouring centres and districts. Several launches took out loads from Queenstown, and the hundreds of motor cars gathered on the gently-sloping hillside bore eloquent testimony to the wide interest that was being taken in the event. The festive air about the smartlydressed crowd led someone to ask jocularly if it were a race meeting. Camera men, including a party from a Dunedin theatre with a moving picture outfit, were there in abundance, and doubtless found the whole gay scene very much to their liking. “ A GREAT NATIONAL WORK.” ENGINEER TNG SKILL EXTOLLED. BRIEF, BRIGHT SPEECHES. Tfie platform, arranged and Reflagged for the occasion, was occupied by Mr A. C. Hanlon (chairman of directors). Messrs -T. O. Neil, R. Dunn W. Annan. F. J. Hocking. J. R. Fairbarin, J. A. Hopcraft (directors). A. L. Hempton. W. P. ITartstongc. R. Gilkison, O. V. Kcddell, C- Ornickshanks. M. J. R. Marks. A. (mining inspector), and others.

Mr Hanlon said they had received a large number of apologies, a few of which, he read to show the interest that was being taken in this venture by people from far and wide. Among these were telegrams from the Minister's of Mines (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) and Public Works (the Hon. K. S. Williams), the Under-secretary of Mines, and the Under-secretary of Public Works. Other messages came from prominent Dunedin citizens and others wishing the venture every success. Mr Hanlon recalled that on November 22, 1924, a large number of them had met there to fire the first shot for the erection of the dam. Since then they had been et by many difficulties, some of which were believed to be insuperable, but by the skill, ingenuity, and perseverance of their engineers they had gradually overcome them all. —(Applause.) The Kawarau Gold Mining Company was not a gold mining company in the ordinary sense, but its purpose was to dam back the waters of the Kawarau River so as to enable mining operations to be carried out. By the completion of the dam they had accomplished the purpose they had set before them. Mr Viokerman, their consulting engineer, and Mr David their resident engineer, had done splendid service to the company and its shareholders. —(Applause.) It only remained to wish the' claim-holders who had entered the venture every success. He would call on Mr Cruickshank, the warden m charge of mining in that district, to address them. Mr Cruickshank had granted their application under the dam site and it was fitting that they should call on him to say a few words. He would also call on Mr Grimwade, of Auckland, who was well fitted to represent the claimholders, and Mr J. R. Marks, who had that morning been appointed chairman of the board that would control the use of the dam. Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., said that their thoughts went- back to that other large gathering 20 months ago when they laid, or rather mislaid, the foundation rock that marked the beginning of the construction of this dam. He remembered, and they might also, how he spoke of Sir Julius Vogel’s vision, of his great prophecy of this very work being done, how he spoke of the damming of this lake in his book, of the aeroplanes, the dance, and the gold. He was right about the aeroplanes and the dance, and he might be right also about the gold.—(Applause.) Well, here they were now long months later. Had they altered <heir outlook? Months ago the thing was in the future, and looked gpfden rosy; now they were clo c e up against it. but their hope and faith were just ns strong.—(Applause.) Since then, much water had run under the bridge, or over this outlet. The water had been churned to spray or gas. There had been indeed a lot of gas.—(Laughter.) Apart from the gas attacks the venture had been completed under various adverse circumstances. The gates, as they knew, worked in a counterpoise np and down. It was the same with the rest of the dam. Last winter the lake was very low—never lower in the memory of the oldest inhabitant, and the shares were never higher also in the memory of the oldest inhabitant.—(Laughter.) Then in September the lake rose till it was many feet above the sill, and the shares fell till they wore only seven shilings above the till.—(Laughter.) In Yorkshire they said: “Never swap horses when crossing a stream.” Now this was a very turbulent stream, yet the company swopped not "houses,” but bosses. All through it had been an anxious time for all. No wonder the head of his friend (Mr Hanlon) was getting silvered with hunting for gold.—(Laughter.) Tie had always taken a sympathetic view of the enterprise. It was so bold tlmt it appealed to the imagination, and he had stretched the Mining Act on occasions, os it was no ordinary proposal The'Mincs Department had also generally adopted his point of view. As an engineering feat it was wonderful to see the completed dam. It gave no idea of the many difficulties encountered. Some of them had seen the process of erection In all Its stages. .They had seen the divers at work clearing the bottom 27ft under the water, nrd they had seen the sandbag cofferdams built and the concrete coffer dams and sills set under the water. He congratulated the company and its engineers on the successful completion of this unique engineering enterprise, and

he wished them the greatest of good fortune gnd success—(Loud applause.)

Speaking on behalf of the claim-holders and the Consolidated Company in particular, Mr E. E. Grimwade (Auckland, a director of the big company) said it appeared to him that many present were athletes toeing the mark, waiting for the gun to fire, and realising that there was not a moment to lose. For that reason much talk would be out of place. On behalf of the claim-holders, he heartily congratulated the chairman and directors of the Kawarau Gold Mining Company upon the completion of what might well be regarded as a great national work—how great might be demonstrated by the fact that 12,000 tons of concrete and over 20 tons of steel girders were n the dam and the bridge, and from 80 to 100 men had been employed during the three to four years since the first shot was fired by the Minister of Mines. It might be expected that huge difficulties would be met, but he believed there was available sufficient brawn and muscle, brains and skill, capped with indomitable perseverance to wrest from the tight grip of Nature the un told wealth wrapped up in these hard rocks and stones. It had been said “There is a tide which-, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.” Such an opportunity was now theirs. He was no pessimist, and he believed in the future of this great undertaking, which, if successful, was the very thing needed for the prosperity of New Zealand.— (Applause.) Mr J. R. Marks, district engineer of the Public Works Department, said he would like to take the opportunity, as the representative of the Public Works Department, to add his tribute of admiration and praise for the engineering' skill shown in the construction of this work. It had been carried out faithfully and well, and was a credit to the undertaking. The gentlemen appointed to the board controlling the dam were men of sound judgment and experienced public men, and he believed they would be able to safeguard the interests of all affected without in any way restricting the operations of the company. SLUICE GATES FALL. A SPEEDY OPERATION. Mr Hanlon then, at 11 o’clock, gave instructions, as he was authorised to do, for the closing of the gates. A whistle’ was blown, and the winches that worked the great 40ft iron shutters, each weighing about five tons, were steadily lowered into position, Mesdames Viokerman, Hanlon, Oruickshaiik, and J. G. Neil taking part in the lowering of the nearest four sluices, while the workmen completed the task with the whole 10. Hearty cheers were given by the assembled crowd for the Kawarau, for the directors, and for the engineers. The whole operation occupied only about a minute. Before the sluice gates were in position everybody hurried to a point of vanage to watch the effect. A considerable trickle of water c ti!l found its wav through below the gates, but. the waters were quickly seen to be falling, and leaving at the margin an ever-increasing strip of wet rock and shingle to show where the previous water level had been. BY WAY OF PREPARATION. WHAT CLAIMHOLDERS HAVE DONE. SOME CAUGHT NAPPING. The Consolidated Kawarau Claims (Ltd.), into which 60 claims have been amalgamated under the general managership of Mr R. Powell, is by far the largest of the companies, holding as it doe s nearly half of the total claims. It is an amalgamation of ,tvvo companies floated in Sydney together with certain of the companies registered in Auckland, Wellington. Timaru, and Dunedin. It is the furthest forward with preparations to take advantage of the fall in the river for immediate prospecting work. It has established eight camps on the river, has put several chairs across it, and made tracks down to various interesting spots the different claims. It has erected 38 huts, a number that is being rapidly increased, ana had about 40 men in camp awaiting prior to the closing of the gates. The operations at the present time will be confined to prospecting work, as the period of the closing of the gates is too short to permit of anything else. It is impossible to tell exactly what plant will be required until the river has receded sufficiently to enable the nature of the bed to be dealt with to be examined. The present 10 days’ closing will be taken advantage of to enable an exhaustive report to be prepared by the company’s consulting engineer, Mr H. Vickerman, of Wellington. On the data he gathers will depend the plant that will be obtained for the operations next season. . In certain areas which are looked upon as purely dredging areas the Consolidated Company is at present engaged upon dredging operations. It has a very compact little boring plant under the charge of Mr G. E. D. Seale, and these operations are expected to continue for several months as the company has sufficient area in its lease to keep at least three modern up-to-date dredges working for several years.

This season it will be mostly cradle and tin dish work, but the company has standing by ready for use wherever it can be effectively used the following plant:— Two three-inch Gwynne centrifugal pumps direct coupled to Ford engines and capable of delivering 4fV) gallons a minute, lifted50ft; also two dynamos direct coupled to Ford engines, capable of supplying 25,500 candle nower lights. These will be used for nignt work, and to make the tracks to the river safer at night. The company has also ttwo Anderson 6 h.p. geared winches, which will be used for lifting material and hauling it to sluice boxes for treatment, and also for hauling big boulders out of the way to enable the deposit beneath to bo reached.

The Vogel’s Vision Company is further forward with its preparations than any of the other remaining claimholders. TOs company has thrown chairs across the river and has erected huts, and it will bo treat-

ing its material in the same way as the Consolidated Claims, except that ut one part it proposes to lift the material to the top of the cliff and treat it at its convenience after the sluice gates have been opened again. At the Natural Bridge Company’s claims 43 and 44, the directors and shareholders are taking up prospecting. The four Wairarapa gold claims are managed by Mr Pettigrew, who has had huts erected, and the men are ready in camp for the prospecting. The Hidden Treasure Company, managed by Mr M‘Gel, is in the same position. The Golden Gorge, Golden Bed, and Temuka Companies also have their hut 9, with men on the spot ready, and various claims held in Cromwell are being looked after personally by those interested. This practically exhausts the account of preliminary work done on the claims, and it seems to indicate clearly that a large proportion of the claim-holders have been caught napping by the closing of the sluice gates, and are not in a position to take real advantage of the brief opportunity afforded them for gaining information about the nature of their claims. Whether they will be able to take advantage of the information gained by more enterprising and wideawake neighbours remains to be sepn. Of a list of claim-holders of the 128 claims into which the Kawarau River is divided, beginning the numbering from Cromwell t.) the Shotover Junction with the Kawarau, no fewer than 60 are now held by companies that have amalgamated into the Consolidated Kawarau Claims (Ltd.). It holds the following:— Nos, Ito 6, 8 to 12, 15 to 19, 28, 29, 34 to 52, 64, 65, 69 to 72, 76, 77, 81, 82, 87, 91, 92, 94, to 97, 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 107 to 113, 118 to 128. The next largest claim-holder is the Vogels Vision Gold Company, Wellington, with 11 claims, and claims 20, 20a, and 21 are held by the Lady Ranfurly Gold Mining Company (Kawarau), Ltd. Apart from the Consolidated claims already specified, other claims are registered as follows: 7. A. Reynolds, Dunedin. 13. Empire Mining Partnership (T. Ritchie, Dunedin). 14. New Era Gold Mining Company, Dunedin. 23. Put and Take Company, Christchurch. 24. Bruce Gold Mining Syndicate, Milton. 25. Vogel’s Vision Gold Company, Wellington. 26. A. F. Robertshaw, Cromwell. 27. R. W. Capstick, Milton. 30 and 31. Vogel’s Vision. 32. Good Fortune, Dunedin. 33. \V. A. Judge, Dunedin. 35. Cromwell Gold Company, Cromwell. 36. Gold Crevice Syndicate, Gore. 37. Gold Chance, Cromwell. 38. Vogel’s Vision. 39. New Era, Dunedin. 40. J. R. Fairbairn, Dunedin. 41 and 42. Vogel’s Vision. 43 and 44, Natural Bridge, Cromwell. 45. Temuka Gold Mining, Temuka. 46. A. F. Robertshaw, Cromwell. 47. James Ritchie, Cromwell. 48. Hidden Treasure, Auckland. S' 'y airara P a Gold Claims. Masterton. 50. C. R. Mazengarb, Tuatapere. 51 J. Hislop, Auckland. 53. G. L. Johnston, Dunedin. 54. E. G. Johnston, Dunedin. 55. R. Tosswell, Christchurch. 56. Vogel’s Vision. 57. Wairarapa Gold Claims. 58. D. Cronin, Gore. 59. H. Credgington, Dunedin. 60. W. Bell, Cromwell. 61. A. Tidey, Cromwell. 62. Nevis Gold Mining, Christchurch. 63. D. Campbell, Dunedin. 66 and 67. Golden Auckland. 71. Vogel’s Vision. 70. Amalgamated Kawarau, Sydney. 71. Vogel’s Vision. 73 and 74. J. A. Brown, Dunedin. 75. J. R. Fairbairn, Dunedin. 78. Golden Gorge, Auckland. 79. 11. Crawford, Oueenstown. 80. E. J. Wills, Cromwell. 83. H. Credgington, Dunedin. 84. G. Mearns, Dunedin. 85. A. P. Armstrong, Dunedin. 86. Central Treasure, Dunedin. 88. -Golden Gorge, Auckland. 89 and SO Vogel’s Vision. 93. Golden Bed, Auckland. 98. Central Treasure, Dunedin. 99. Golden Bed. Auckland. 103 and 106. Wairarapa Gold Claims, Masterton. 114. J. A. Ilopcroft and H. Credgington, Dunedin. 115 to 117. J. D. Rea, Dunedin. CONTROLLING THE SLUICES. IMPORTANT DECISION REACHED. The adjourned meeting of the Kawarau Control Board lasted almost all the afternoon, Mr J. R. Marks being in the chair. All the members, excepting Mr J. Mosley, were again present. In respect of the wire received from Mr Mosley protesting against ile short notice given, the clerk was instructed to inform Mr Mosley that he had been given the same notice as the other representatives, but that in future as long a notice as- possible would be given. The Chairman said the main business before the meeting was to regulate their procedure and discuss the powers conferred upon the board bv the Order-in-Council constituting it for the purpose of controlling the gates of the dam. The first of these powers included the fixing of a quorum of members (rot being fewer than three). Mr A. C. Leary suggested five as a quorum, but the chairman thought that on occasions when it was necessary to act quickly it might be difficult to get that number together. Mr A. Simson said he thought the quorum might be represented at the Lakes District end os being closer to the conditions requiring to be dealt with He would suggest that a small sub-committee comprising Mr Lee and himself, together with a representative of the Kawarau Company. he set up to advise irt regard to local conditions. Their chairman could then bo communicated with, and any urgent circumstances arising within, say, 24 hour* ' could he dealt with. Mr A. Renton said the difficulty wa9 that they never knew when a

flood might occur. Floods in the back country coming on a high lake would endanger Clutha district interests, as experience had proved on more than one occasion that it took them all their time to pass normal flood waters out to sea. He would suggest that when the lake rose to the top of the gates the lake water be allowed to flow over them instead of their being released. That was in the event of the river being already high down country. He was prepared to admit that the dam should be of great benefit to Clutha when a flood was threatening from other quarters. Mr Simson pointed out that in times of flood the gates would have very little influence on the height of the lake or river, as the Shotover was the controlling factor. In the 1919 flood the lake rose 6ft in 30 to 36 hours That was causod not altogether by the water coming in, but bv the fact that the Shotover was in flood, and it dammed back the Kawarau to the lake. Mr Marks agreed that when there w r as an ‘‘old man” flood in the river the lake was contributing very little to the bulk of it. He consideerd it very improbable that conditions would ever be such that the up-country and down-country interests would conflict in the manner suggested. In any event, all the conditions would have to be considered on their merits. Mr Simson asked if the Queenstown district people were not entitled to ask that natural conditions be retained. He thought it might be wise to come to some arrangement with the Kawarau Company that people on the waterfront be compensated for any damage resulting from the operation of the dam. Mr Hanlon retorted that the company did not want anyone to suffer. If they did the company had to pay. There was a fund deposited with the Public Trustee for compensation if damage were proved. If any parties had legitimate claims against the company it was prepared to pay. He drew attention to the fact that all the company was required to do in regard to the dam was that for the purposes of flood prevention the licensee should close the gates whenever the river reached a dangerously high level, and should open the gates in order to lower the lake and make storage available when floods threatened. Mr Hanlon moved, and Mr Renton sefonded —“That the quorum be four, inclusive of the chairman.” * Mr Simson said he was of the opinion that the control was being handed over to a small quorum. He would move as an amendment —“That the quorum be four, exclusive of the chairman.” The amendment failed to find a seconder, and the motion was carried. It was further resolved, on the motion of Messrs Hanlon and Leary—“ That two advisory sub-committees be set up representative of the up-country and of the down country interests, the one consisting of Messrs Lee and Simson and the other of Messrs Mosley, Renton, and Copland.” The Public Works Office in Dunedin was appointed to be the registered office of the board, with the chief clerk there as chief clerk of the board. Mr Hanlon said that there would always be a caretaker at the dam, and he would supply readings to the board. It was resolved, on the motion of the chairman and Mr Timson, “That the following regulation be submitted for approval to the Minister of Public W T orks: That the company shall supply the board with a record of every movement made to each gate, with the date and the hour.” A deputation of the Mackenzie family, of Walter Peak, waited on the board to point, out how their sheds and wharves at Mt. Nicolas might be prejudically affected by the operation of the dam. They anticipated trouble when floods came on a high lake. The board later arrived at the following decision in committee: The board approves of the licensee closing the gates as from 10 a.in. on the present date (August 30) until the level of Lake Wakatipu has reached 6ft on the gauge at Queenstown wharf, or until otherwise instructed by the board in case of emergency, but in any case for not more than 10 days from 10 a.m. on the present date REACHING VIRGIN GROUND. SATISFACTORY FALL RECORDED. PROSPECTING OPERATIONS. * Once the gates were dosed all interest, of course, centred on the question, how would the river behave further down? It was astonishing the number of car loads of excited people who made their way backwards and forwards along the winding ways of the gorge. Claims 100 and 101 form one of the headquarters of the Consolidated Claims (Ltd.), and a large number of visitors gathered there during the course of the afternoon. This point is about nine miles below the dam. seven miles below the Shotover, and a mile below the Arrow. At 4 o’clock-five hours after the dam had been closed, it was found that the waters had dropped as much as 6ft. They dropped more rapidly at first, but were continuing to drop at the rate of an inch in 10 minutes. At 5.16 they had dropped 6ft. At a rough guess almost half the volume of water seemed to have disappeared, and one old miner declared that there were places at which he could wade across. All this was very satisfactory and somewhat exceeded the expectation of most of the experts as to the rapidity of the subsidence of the waters. The majority were of the opinion that the waters at that spot were at least as low as they had ever been known to be, and that, therefore, any further drop would lay bare quite virgin ground from the mining point of view. The Shotover is carrying a considerable volume of water at the present time, but the contribution made by the Arrow is almost negligible. There is every reason to expect that prospecting will begin in earnest to-morrow, and it is quite possible that some definite results may be reported. There are no fewer than 16 huts at this camp, eacli made of a 10 by 12 canvas over a wooden frame with fireplace and wooden floor. Each hut has but one bunk. They are most convenient-looking little cribs, and many a jaded city man cast longing if somewhat fanciful glances on them.

To-day the occupied claims were very closely watched, and casual visitors were not by any means necessarily welcomed.

One party was brought to a halt to-dav with a lusty shout, “You can’t go there.” The foreman explained, politely but firmly, “I’m sorry, but I have strict instructions to allow no one about.” There was a pause till one of the party mildly asked, “Are the directors not allowed on? There are three of us here.” The dutiful foreman admitted that that might make a difference. QUEENSTOWN GAUGE. The gauge that marks the height of the lake at Queenstown was being watched with great interest to-day. For the last few days it has been dropping slightly, but to-day there as a barely aopreciable rise between the 4ft 3in and 4ft 4in marks, a rise to which it seems likely that melting snow on the mountains around the lake contributed at least as much as the closing of the Kawarau outlet. It is generally recognised that no harm is done to Queenstown with the lake at the 6ft Bin level, and in fixing 6ft the controlling board seems to have left a fair margin of safety. A late thaw is as a rule a sudden thaw, and that contingency has to be provided against. The tops of the sluice gates are about 4ft above the present water level, so that if they remained closed they could allow the water to rise to the Bft Gin mark or higher. The present indications are for fine, clear, frosty weather, and as the lake scarcely rose during the first six hours’ use of the dam it does not seem likely, apart from a sudden thaw, that it will reach the Oft mark before the* allotted 10 days have passed. RIVER SLOWLY FALLING. “WAIT AND SEE.” CROMWELL, August 30. At 5 o’clock the Kawarau at the Natural bridge, 10 miles from Cromwell, had fallen 2ft. At Cromwell, at 6 o'clock, the river had just commenced to recede. On the Lake Wakatipu side of the gorge it was reported to-night that the river had fallen about 4ft or sft. The d<im was closed shortly before 11 a.m., and it was not until 3 o’clock that any appreciable difference was noticed in the height of the river at the Natural bridge, 25 miles away. Cromwell is 34 miles from the dam. The slowness of the fall does not disconcert the claim-holders, who poipt out that the river had to clear an enormous quantity of lake water lying between the dam and the Shotover River, and that it also has to deal with the flow from the Shotover, the Arrow, the Nevis, apd smaller creeks. The experts point out that this water had first to be run off before the river could be expected to fall. The claim-holders stoutly maintain that the river must fall considerably, and they certainly have logic on their side, as the £90,000 dam is holding back the water from the main feeder—that is, Lake Wakatipu—of the Kawarau. With the lake waters cut off, and still allowing for the flow from the Shotover, the Nevis, and the Arrow, which are not carrying a great deal of water at this time of the year, the Kawarau, one would naturally expect, must fall considerably. Whether she will remains to be seen. To-morrow should decide this point. IN THE LAP OF THE GODS. It is now just a matter of “wait and see.” The rest is in the lap of the gods. Right along the route of the river were parties connected with the claims, of which there are 126. The men were there with their shovels, their sluice boxes and their cradles, waiting on the tide of fortune. Some stood on the side of the Gorge road eagerly watching the river. Others had taken up a position at the edge of the fast-rushing Kawarau. As the afternoon wore on, however, the workers were forced to realise that nothing in the way of goldgetting could be done that day. At the Natural bridge, where your representative spent some time (and the river showed a greater drop in th 9 vicinity of the spot where the Shotover debouches into the Kawarau), the river had not got to within 3ft or 4ft of the very low depth recorded last year, so that it has to fall some distance yet before the claim-holder 3 can get to work with a reasonable hope of obtaining remunerative returns. OPTIMISM OF THE GOLD SEEKER. The treasure caves of the Kawarau have not yet been disclosed to the eyes of man, but the optimism of the true gold hunter is hard to quench, and he is full of faith that he will be able to peer into them tomorrow. There can be no question that there is gold in the Kawarau, and plenty of it too. ihe party who owns the claim at the Natural bridge spent some time on the riverbank this afternoon trying out the silt with a pan and searching the crevices. They found two or three small pieces of gold, and are cheered at the unexpected rewards when they can get lower down on the bank sides. Not only is the compulsory “wait and see” policy being adopted in regard, to draining off of the Kawarau, it is also in evidence in regard to the methods to be adopted to secure the precious metal when opportunity comes. With the exception of the Consolidated Gold Mining Company, which controls a number of claims, and Vogel’s Vision, few arrangements have been made by the owners to work the claims on an extensive scale. Even these companies have not gone to any great expense beyond building huts, thus demonstrating, however, that they are prepared to go on with their activities on a more than average scale if they are given the opportunity. The other claimholders are content to rely on the cradle, the sluice box, and ordinary fossicking to meet the situation. In many cases, moreover, it was noticeable that the claimholders had not oven gone to this trouble, and that there was not one on the claims. To-day’s operations, in fact, were of an emergency nature. Had the river fallen it would have been a case of make hay while the sun shines, so to speak. Once the bed is bared and indications of gold discovered, the claimholders will be able to lay their plans to meet future operations. Of course no one knows how many years these operations may continue as the lake cannot be dammed for any recognised period. The circumstances of the lalce level control the opening and closing of the dam gates, and if the present* venture proves a success no one can tell when the river may be cleared up.

CLAIMHOLDERS’ DIFFICULTIES. The position of several of the claims is going to cause the holders some hard thinking when they come to work them. Any of the gold miners who delved into the banks of the Kawarau in years past deserved all the riches which came their way. . The banks in many places are hundreds of feet high. They are rough, with huge rocks, and the water running between the precipitous cliffs h ice cold.. Those claims, which are situated the high cliffs, and in which an overburden will have to be taken off before the gold can be reached, present a difficult problem. Then where are the tailings to be placed? It seems apparent that the non-expert mind that in these circumstances the owners are going to have an impossible task when they try to get down to the gold. Of course, in the less rugged parts of the river, there should be no difficulty in placing the tailings on the banks and laying bare the bottom. Several of the claimholders maintain, however, that in the narrow, rugged portions of the river the speed of the river will have cleared away the overburden, and that in these localities all that will be necessary will be to work into the crevices and U 36 the sluice box and cradle. The whole scheme, however, is in its initial stages. The all-important point is to see how much the river can be lowered and how much water will still run along the course of the Kawarau from the Shotover. the Nevis, the Arrow, and the other smaller streams. Another important point is whether the gold is there and in payable quantities, taking into account the cost of obtaining it. IDEAL WEATHER CONTINUES. GREAT ACTIVITY AT THE GORGE. QUEENSTOWN, August 31. To-day was another day of glorious weather for the gold-seekers and everybody else. There was a sharp frost to hold the snow on the heights and the Queenstown gauge this morning did not show a rise of more than half an inch since the gates of the Kawarau dam were closed. For the sake of those not closely acquainted with the position, it may be as well to make it quite clear that no real goldmining can possibly be undertaken down the Kawarau during the present 10 days, the maximum allowed by the board for the closing of the gates. All that can be done in that interval is to prospect the ground and acquire information to determine the nature of the plant required to work the claims when, as is hoped, the waters are shut off for a considerable period next year. It is on prospecting only that the various claimholders are concentrating their activities during the time that now remains to them. The Kawarau Gorge was again a scene of much activity to-day, and there was a constant stream of cars passing up and down. A large touring motor bus took a full load of passengers from Queenstown down to Cromwell and back, making stops at the dam and at many other points of interest on the way. The forces of workmen at the dam are only about half strength to-day, as some of them are down the river visiting claims in which they are interested, and others have not yet wholly recovered from the celebrations of yester- - day’s most successful closing ceremony. There will be about 40 workmen occupied there for some weeks to come at any rate. There is a stone rubble protection wall to be built 50ft above the No. 1 pier to hold the road approaches, and 50ft below it to join the present stone wall, which was put in to protect the bank from scour. The fitters will be engaged for the next week or 10 days putting in the remaining seven counter-balance boxes. A little obstruction to the inlets has to be cleared away above the Nos. 6 and 7 gates, and the wing dam in the old channel above these will be blown awav shortly. To-day men are adjusting the duice gates so as to reduce the escaping water to quite negligible proportions. There is several weeks’ work to be done in clearing out channels through the loose rock below', the gates of the dam, so that each will have a clear channel. At present the central sluices have not much outlet, but the channel will he taken down to two or three feet below the level of the sills. Even just immediately behind the dam the water was still falling slightly this morning. There are many deep holes about there, and the fall to the mouth of the Shotover, some two miles away, is very slight. It is so slight indeed that in time of heavy flood the Shotover has been known to dam the waters of the Kawarau right back to the lake till the falls ceased to exist. The deep water immediately below the dam cannot, therefore, be expected to drain away completely. PROSPECTORS AT WORK. NICE SAMPLE OF FLAKY GOLD. Anybody who expected sensational returns to he reported from the very first day’s prospecting was inevitably doomed to disappointment, but nevertheless It may be said that those who have been busy in fhe river bed to-day are quite satisfied with the progress made so far. There were not nearly so many visitors about to-day as yesterday, and indeed the usual sightseers have been definitely warned off the claims by advertisement. The claimholders have been busy surveying, taking depths, and ascertaining the character of the bottom with a view to choosing machinery for future use, and this prospecting work is likely fully to occupy the time at their disposal. Nevertheless, though gold-winning was not the immediate object, many of them did not fail to find satisfactory traces of the previous metal. In one claim where men were working all day they did not wash up a single dish without some nice samples of flaky gold. Several other claims have reported very good prospects with the tin dish, though the district was thoroublily combed beforehand by experienced miners. There is only a sprinkling of really experienced men among the workmen, and results cannot therefore he obtained ns quickly as they might have been by a band of experts.

The behaviour of the river has been a little puzzling. The total drop this morning just below the junction of the Arrow River was between Bft and 9ft; at the Roarlug Meg (about 18 miles further down) it was about 10ft, while four miles further on still just above the Cromwell Develop-

ment Company’s weir it was in the neighbourhood of lift. Why the fall should thus increase in the low’er reaches is not quite clear, but possibly the explanation is to be found in the narrower width of the bed lower down. Since this morning, in all the upper reaches at any rate, the river has been practically stationary, 'and no further appreciable fall is to be expected. The large volume of water in the Shotover at the present time is the chief difficulty with which the prospectors have to contend. IN THE GORGE. SUCCESS OF SCHEME NOT PROVEN. CROMWELL, August 31. The cold facts of the Kawarau scheme have to be faced, however distasteful it may be to have to give them to the public. At half-past 8 this morning the water in the river at Cromwell had dropped 3ft, and at 6 o’clock it had dropped only an inch or two more. Again hn eager body of treasure hunters made their wAy to the various claims in the gorge. The river had dropped sufficiently to enable them to

fossick along the sides of the banks, and in some instances encouraging prospects were obtained. The river, in fact, in the gorge had fallen a foot or two below the depth that was recorded last year during the winter period, when it was below any depth recorded during the past 25 years, but there was still a great volume of water racing through the gorge. The result was that the claim-holders had to confine their attentions to fossicking on the banks and, as stated, some of the searchers secured encouraging prospects, going to show that there was gold in the river. The Kawarau scheme, however, to lay nearly bare the bed of the river has so far fuiled, aud it seems hardly possible that the prospects can now be improved. The optimism with which many of the people in the locality regarded the project is no doubt praiseworthy, but they condidly admit now that they acs disappointed. After the river haß been given over 36 hours to clear itself in the gorge a great volume of water is still coursing along,and the claimholders have absolutely no chanoe of getting anywhere near the bed. llow deep the river niav be in the gorges can only be estimated. In the narrow parts thero can be no doubt it is many feat deep.

The oosition really is that the prospectors may be able to fossick along the banks of the gorges for gold, but they have no chance of getting into those parts of the river which they had eagerly anticipated would be bared to them. A common question amongst the claimholders on the banks to-day was, “where 19 the water coming-from?” This question is so far unanswerable. Home suggest that there is a seepage from Lake Wakatipu in the vicinity of the dam. Others say that the Shotover is solely to blame for the volume of water in the Kawarau. The exnerts say that there can be little seepage from the lake, and that Shotover River is primarily responsible for the fact that the Kawarau is still carrying a great volume of water to the Moiyneux. Whether the claimholders are prepared to consider the cost of also damming the Shotover River cannot, of course, be ascertained at the present moment, but there is no question judging by the condition of the river to-night that the damming scheme has not yet provod successful. Manv of the claimholders in the gorge make no secret of their disappointment. Fortunately most of them took the precaution of restricting their expenditure and adopted the “wait and sea” policy, and thoy will not therefore be fuced with anv severe future expenditure. In the gorge the river had fallen below the lowest period of last year, but even then the claimholders could not get to work. The holders of many of the claims have also made the disconcerting discovery that the banks dropped sheer down into the hidden depths below, thus preventing their doing anything until a Sreater area of level river bottom can be. isclosed. The depth of the river which is at present flowing through the gorge goes to show without any shadow of doubt that

the calculations of some people have been sadly astray. The expenditure of claimholders in the gorge, so far as can be seen. i s not going to be retrieved, and the scheme will have to be strengthened in particular aspects before they can get a return for their money. The whole story of the claimholders in the gorge is summed up in the question: “Where is the water coming from?” Until that question can be answered and the remedy provided to lower the waters —the Kawarau scheme, so far as the gorge is concerned —cannot be deemed to be a success. Of course, the scheme is in its initial stages, and measures may yet be discovered to reduce the flow of water in the gorge. SHARES DROP IN PRICE. RECORD NUMBER OF SALES. Never before during the period that Kawarau shares have been quoted on the Dunedin Stock Exchange has there been such activity in the stock as there was on Tuesday. During the last two weeks the shares have changed hands in large numbers at constantly fluctuating prices. Tuesday’s great activity, however, did not brinsr with it an improvement in the value of the shares, and the final sales were effected at 6s 3d, a decrease of lOd on the lowest sale on tluj previous day. Rumours of unexpected developments brought about by an underground river and seepages at the dam were current during the day, but whether these reports were taken seriously enough to effect the price of the shares is a matter regarding which the man in the street can only speculate. Business began at the morning call at 5s 9d, four sales being effected at that

price. Three drops of a penny followed, six parcels being turned over at 5s Bd. nine at 5s 7d. and two at 5s 6d. The first transaction in the afternoon was made at 5s 4d. The price immediately settled at 5s 3d, and 17 parcels changed hands. Altogether there were 39 sales during the day. It may be added that the paid-up value cf the shares is Is. THE “GOLD COACH.” LEAVES FOR*" RIVER FIELD. Mr R. J. Bennetts, mechanic in charge of the various engines operated at the Kawarau dam, arrived in Dunedin by train late on Tuesday afternoon and took over a new “Gold Coach” in which he started for Cromwell about 10 p.m. last evening—an all-nrght drive. This important vehicle is essentially different from the “Gold Coach” of other days, being the latest model single-seater “Ford,” with long back specially spot-welded for carrying the precious metal. Mr Bennetts will, with an armed escort, visit at set times the various claims, collect, weigh, and seal up the bags and transport them to tho appointed bank.

FINE WEATHER HOLDS.

PRESENCE OF GOOD GOLD INDICATED. CROMWELL. September 1. Ideal weather, with every prospect of its continuance, still holds for all interested in the Kawarsu venture. So far as the mere spectators are concerned the “gold rush” seems to b« practically over

now, and large numbers who had come from a distauce made their way boulevards yesterday and to-day. If the shades of the tough pioneers who made their resolute way into this bleak, trackless region in the early sixties could look down on this gold rush of with its rushing motor cars, its joyous holiday throngs, its electric lights, and camps with a hut to each man and a fireplace to every hus, their comments on the luxuries of modern life would be worth hearing. The gauge at Queenstown was still below 4ft 4in this morning, so that the rise 6ince the gates were closed i.s still something less than an inch. The unusually low condition of the Rees and Dart Rivers is believed to be contributing to this result. It may be well to repeat again that no clairuholder is attempting to see how much gold can be won in the 10 day 8 allowed. The object in every case is to gain necessary information about the claim for future use. Nevertheless, some are already getting encouraging results. At Queenstown this morning our representative was shown three very nice little town this morning an Otago Daily Times reporter was shown three very nice little nuggets that were found yesterday. Their total weight was 3dwt or 4dwt, and they were worth only about £l, but they are of some value as indicating the presence of good gold in the vicinity. They were picked up©n the No. 86 claim belonging to Messrs Burton and Clark, of Dunedin. At Cromwell the river has dropped another sin to-day, hut claimholders in the lower reaches of the river can scarcely expect on this occasion to see any more of the river bed than they do now. SHARES AGAIN WEAKEN. SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN PRICE. The insufficient fall of the river and the lack of encouraging reports of prospecting brought about a substantial drop in the price of Kawarau shares on Wednesday. In the face of transactions at 5s 3d on Tuesday the news that buyers offered only 2s on the Stock Exchange on Wednesday morning, and that sellers were prepared to take 3s, created not a little excitement in the city, and many were inclined to regard the weakening of the shares almost as a sign of the failure of the enterprise. Though that view of the position may be regarded as over-pessimistic, the drop in price must be taken as a sign that the result of the present operations has not come up to expectations. The margin between the quotations in the morning left no indication regarding the actual value of the shares, as there were no transactions. In the afternoon, however, business began at 2s 3d, and six sales were effected at that price. Seven transactions at 2s 4d followed, and then one parcel changed hands at 2s sd. The two final sales, however, were made at 2s 4d. There were altogether 16 sales compared with 39 on Tuesday. . There were no offers for shares m the companies holding claims on the river, although sellers were asking a reduced price. THE DISTURBING RUMOUR. “TALES” OF "THE KAWARAU NONE TOO TALL. Mother Rumour is working overtime in Dunedin just now. The Kawarau dam is many miles away from this city, but all sorts of wild and improbable tales wing their way into town in the space ot a tew short hours, and their effect is often disturbing. Whether the share market has been affected by the tall tales it is hard to say, but it is said that quite a number of those interested can be identified by their strained expressions and by the general sensitiveness at any adverse reports or rumours regarding the Kawarau. No rumour is too wild, no tale is too tall to be swallowed, hook, line, and sinker, by a few' of those who are wondering whether they come-within the category of frenzied financiers or men of vision. . . Thus it is that mild panics sweep the town occasionally, and one man who had got thoroughly sick and tired of hearing “ reliable . reports ’’ prefaced with such vague terms as “ They tell me that . . . .” is said to have promised that they “will get a ‘blinkin' good hiding as soon as I can lay hands on them.” But “ they ” are too übiquitous.

“On reliable authority,” it was stated in town the other day, that six men had .been drowned in the Kawarau. Another alarmist asserted that the dam had burst. It was even reported that the river had made a sudden and mysterious appearance from under the ground a few miles below the dam. And specious though some of these tales are, they go down, and the news flies round like an epidemic until it is distorted out of all possibilities of recognition by the individual who, tongue in cheek, concocted it. In the meantime, we shall have to take the advice of the scriptural Fourth Beast, and “ wait and see.” WATERS OF THE KAWARAU A PROBABLE SOURCE. An old resident of the Cromwell district has pointed out to us that one probable source whence the Kawarau derives its water is Lake Hayes. This lake has ao visible outlet, and our informant says that it was generally believed when he was a resident of the district that the waters of the lake escaped through an underground channel and found their way eventually into the Kawarau. Even if this belief be well founded, the Shotover must still be considered as the greatest source of the water still flowing in the Kawarau.

ON THE CLAIMS.

GOOD SAMPLES SECURED. CROMWELL, September 1. To-day has been the first full day for prospecting with the river at its minimum level, and results are therefore highly significant. Apart from the interesting fact that the Shotover has hacked the Kawarau up some 9in, right to the back of the dam, there has been no variation of aoy consequence. As far as can be ascertained the best results obtained on any of the claims so far came from the Natural Bridge claim, which is a Cromwell concern, close to the water’s edge. The workers there secured with the . dish some 2£oz, or £lO worth of gold of a nice sample. The largest piece weighed as much as 6d\vt. Good samples, amounting to |oz, are reported from several other claims, including one of the Lower Consolidated claims. This latter sample was grot out of a small crevice. Another jjoz of nice shotty gold got on the golden bed was obtained by paddocking. The Vogel's Vision Company, working at the mouth of the Roaring Meg. has diverted part of the stream through a likely looking wash which they are putting through a sluicing box. The actual results will not be known for a day or two. Some experienced men are undoubtedly disappointed with the whole position. One, whose name would be accepted as authoritative anywhere in Otago, declared emphatically that no virgin ground has been uncovered by the present lowering of the river. A curious confirmation of this statement is given in the finding of an old knife in the silt near the water’s edge on one of the claims The disconcerting thing is that when the pioneer miners had the river at this very low level they had no overburden to contend with, whereas now the wash is overlaid with tailings and the silt of ths 1878 flood to a known depth in some places of as much as 40ft. It seems that one essential to the success of the venture is more power, and that should not present any insuperable difficulty. THE LIGHTER SIDE. Fortunately, even a gold rush hasp its lighter ’side, and some visitors thought they had found it this afternoon when they came across a fair prospector—or should one say prospectress?—clad in gumboots, joining eagerly in the search for the precious metal. She has graced many a social event in Dunedin, and her father is one of the mainstays of the Kawarau venture. At the last progress report she was stoutly clasping a dainty pocket handkerchief to which she had just proudly added a fourth speck of gold. NOT DOWNHEARTED. MEETING OF CLAIMHOLDERS CROMWELL, September 1. A meeting open to all holders of claims on the Kawarau River was held in the Cromwell Borough Council Chambers this evening to consider future plans of action and possible combination in working the claims. The meeting began at a quarter past 9, following a dairy company meeting. Mr D. C. Jolly. Mayor of Cromwell, presided over an attendance of 30. The Chairman suggested that the meeting be held in committee, and a statement afterwards given to the press. There might, he said, be things said that it would not be wise to publish throughout the country. One claimholder suggested leaving it to the discretion of the press. Mr John Ritchie expressed the opinion that it should be left to the Kawarau Company to give a lead to the claimholders but the chairman did not agree with this. The motion to go into committee was carried. The following resolution was afterwards communicated to the press: “That those interested in the claims on the Kawarau River are in no way perturbed by the quantity of water in the river not being lowered to the extent expected. The following facts must be borne in mind—the lateness of the season and the fact that the Shotover, Nevis, Arrow, and other tributaries are discharging much more Vater than during the past six weeks, and while these factp have been a little disappointing to some, the claimholders are convinced that when the are closed next winter the results will, in view of present prospects, be satisfactory”. It is understood that >rc question engaging the attention of th* meeting was tne securing of a stronger representation of claimholders on the directorate of the Kawarau Gold Mining Company and the appointment of a Dunedin committee of ihareholders was considered. SHARE MARKET QUOTATIONS. AN IMPROVED TONE. Kawarau shares improved on ff'o Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, sales being effected at 2s 9d and 3s. In the afternoon business started at 2s 9d, at which price there were five transactions. Four sales at 2s lOd followed. COMMITTEE OF CLAIMHOLDERS. A committee of four Dunedin claimholders, including Messrs T. T. Ritehio and J. M‘Donald. has been appointed to represent the claimholders in laying certain matters before the directors of the Kawarau Gold Mining Company. WEATHER STILL HOLDING. PROSPECTING WORK CONTINUES. QUEENSTOWN, September 3. The weather is keeping up well. Yesterday the sky was rather overcast and rain threatened towards evening. The altered conditions were accompanied by a slight thaw, bat the atmosphere became cold again at night. To-day the snow on the mountaina ' holding, eo that the rivers are not carrying anv more water either to the Kawarau or Lake Walutipu. The riee in the Litter is averaging aboat one inch per day.

Prospecting is being continued on the sfeme lines along the river bed, and nothing eventful has been reported id the laet 24 hours. At the Natural Bridge vdaim 43, where a Teturn was two and a-half ounces on Tuesday, a further two ounces were washed up on Wednesday, and one ounce yesterday. Something better is expected aa the result of to-day’s efforts. OBSERVATIONS AT BALCLTJTHA. DROP IN THE RIVER. Captain Tsukigawa, of the Molyneux River 6teamer service, was a close observer of the result of the closing of the dam at Kawarau on the Molyneux at Balclutha. On Monday morning before the dam was closed the river stood at sft 9in at the steamer wharf near the frail way station. The level remained stationary until Tuesday, and from 12 noon on Tuesday till Wednesday morning there was a drop of one foot. On Thursday the river had fallen two or three inches more, and was evidently still falling. To the casual observer the fall in the river appeared much greater, and a great expanse of gravel beach has been exposed beneath the traffic bridge. One result of the fall is that the steamer service lias been suspended until the Kawarau gates are opened. PROPOSED AMALGAMATION. DIRECTORS AND CLAIMHOLDERS CONFER. At a meeting on Friday of the directors of the Kawarau Company and a committee representing the general bodv of the claimholders on the Kawarau River appointed at the meetincr held in Cromwell on Wednesday night, it was suggested that it would be in the interests of all cpnnected with the venture if an amalgamation of all the companies and interests concerned could be brought about. The gU"*restion was favourably considered by the directors of the company and the by the directors’ representatives, and a committee representing both parties was set up further to consider the _ details of such a scheme for the presentation of a report to the shareholders in the various companies. , . ... The feeling of the meeting was that, provided the amalgamation of both the claim companies and the parent company could be brought to fruition, the undertaking would be on a more sound foundation to carry out the necessary works to ensure the success of the scheme. The meeting agreed that the Kawarau dam was a complete success, that it had performed the functions. for which it was designed and constructed, and that the valume of water at present passing down the Kawarau River was due to the melting snows and consequent freshes on the Shotover, Arrow, and Nevis River watersheds.

THE POSITION SUMMARISED.

OPER ATIONS ON THE NEVIS FIELD. CROMWELL, September 4. The excitement which attended the dosing of the gates at the Kawarau dam on Monday last has gradually subsided, and again there is a return to normal conditions. Summarising ths week’s operation it must be admitted that the closing of the gates has been successful . ;> far as the lake waters are concerned, but it is admitted that the effect on the water in the Kawarau is not sufficient to enable, the untold wealth to be investigated. The fact must be admitted that the closing was too late in the season at a time when the spring freshes are apparent, and even without tne Shotover controlled the level reached was far from as low s would be the case in the ordinary winter months. Early in the week the banks were lined with anxious claimholders whose dreams of an easily-won fortune were apparent, but, as with the pioneer miners, the obstacles and disappointments came early. The knowledge ot many regarding mining was negligible, and in some cases their operations were humorous to a degree. After a couple of davs they gave it up, and there was a general exodus trora the scene of the operations. At the close of the week only .a few concerns were operating, with satisfactory prospects, thus giving encouragement for next season. The Consolidated Company. Vogel’s Vision, the Cromwell, and the Natural Bridge report good prospects, the lastnamed securing some splendid samples of rough gold. There waa little movement in the river until Friday, when the mild weather caused a rise of one foot hi the gorge, and this

put tho river almost to tho level it was at in 1925. , , . It is interesting to note that- while in some places the closing of the gates caused a drop up to 10ft in the river, it was only one foot lower than during part of last winter. Claimholders, who take a reasonable view of affairs, are content to look forward to next season, and they confidently anticipate that before next season more will bo heard of the damming of the Shotover. Controlling the feeders is a matter which must be considered, and during the next few months this will be the principal question in connection with the great scheme. It. is too gigantic to materialise in a day. Claimholders definitely point to the parent company's .proposals as outlined in the original booflet, and are anxious to know what the next move will be, especially in regard to the Shotover. Tie gold won from the limited area of virgin ground laid bare conveys an indication of the undoubted wealth of the river. As' every additional foot lower will prove that the gold is there, the only question is that of controlling the big feeders. The frost last night will cause the river to fall again. Operations on the Nevis field are on the point of being resumed, and the crews for several claims have gone out. For years the Nevis lias been the principal gold producer of the district, and will probably remain so for many years. Unfortunately, the water supply is limited, otherwise many additional areas would be developed. It is authentically reported that a large electrically-driven dredge will be operating on the field before next season, and preliminaries to that end are now in hand. A large area of land has been secured, and the intention of those interested is to place on it one of the biggest dredges in Central Otago, with 7ft buckets. The locality is at the Upper Nevis, and local opinion is that once in operation it will add very appreciably to the great gold output of the field.. Its success would undoubtedly lead to other dredges being installed.