WESTLAND NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7923, 30 January 1904, Page 5

WESTLAND NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] •GREYMOUTH, January 30/ Tb-e first rain for the month fell on __ur_.day, and a steady downfall has ocntinued since. Tbe rain is proving beneficial iio mining, as it will enable ithe sluicing claim., whidh have been practically idle since Christinas togpt a fresh start. To-day. returns shou.d be an improvement, especially in the Nelson Creek and ' Mosquito divkon. The Mosquito is going well, breaking into much better country, and -hopes are entertained of shortly striking a lead that previously gave solid returns. Shares have ihardeied a good deal laitely, amd shareholders rema'ih firm. Mosquito No. 2is ail-so approaching better wash. The LeyiaOham dredg-e sank a comple of days ego, -and is now in .a bad way. The pontoons are supposed to be -broken, while the elevator _is twisted. A _ang of men is employed trying to drain the paddock,-but this will be rather a difficult job. Leviathan Freehold is now dismantled, and will be shipped to Five-mile^ Beach shortly. Tho tables will be enlarged 'and altered to suit _ beach claim. Notown shares have further, declined, the reason given being that the return cut will not be so good. West Coast sha.e___de_.s, however, hold right to their scrip. ■Blackwaiex Lagoons end Stoney Mosquito are both working, tbe rain having repi.nisbed supplies.' Prospects oi both claims -are very good. Alterations are now being effected to the Maori King dredge, recently purchased by a local syndicate, which 'anticipates having "the dredge in working order in a nlc—tOi. Black water should give _ solid yioi- to-day.