DREDGING NOTES.

West Coast Times, Issue 11805, 22 January 1901, Page 2

DREDGING NOTES.

The Keystone Boring syndicate are now conducing operations on the Great Woodstock c'ainis, Mr Maynard Managing Director, iv charge. Already Bne l&\uch bore has been put down 52 feet, no less than 40 feet being djno in one day, another bore is now being pu* down on tho same company's claim <:lo>o to tho. river. Although the results of the first born a.ro not yet known it is understood good prospects have been obtained. It is understood that the Keystone Boring machine will be in this district for houio time* engagements havmg already made to test a nutnbor of claims. Although h-Jind boring has not been looked on with favor as a reliable test of tho quality of ground, there is a decidui difference between putting dowu a 2 inch j hand bore and a 10 inch hole with the.

, nracbine; the results from the operations of the latter ought therefore to give much niore reliable tests of the quality of the } gr^uud. .. . ; it is understood that au attempt will be jnade to launch the Hokitika River Company's pontoons to-day. The first portfen of machinery for this claim is expected to arrive during the week, the Sir Heijry with the balance should arrive in about three weeks. The contractors, Messrs Fraser Bros, of Auckland, are sending down a number of men to proceed with the erection as speedily as possible. The first portion of the machinery for the Kohinoor Company's claim arrived during the week. In the case of this Company machinery for the dredge is coming to hand before the timber for the pontoons has been cut. There appears to have been great delay in letting j contracts for this Company and from present appearance a good many months must elapse before the dredge gets to worir. ' Plans and specifications for Comtnis sioner's Flat Company's pontoons are now to be seen at the office of the local , director, Mr Beare ; the contract is for supply -of timber and construction of pontoon in one job. The purchase of Main and Party's claim by the Commissioner's Flat Company has now been completed. It is understood the price paid is £300. The directors of this Company, in seennng Main's claim, have acquired a valuable property, and the dredge when completed will commence operations on rich ground. The final portion of Perry's Reward Company's machinery left Dunedin by the Janet Nicol on Thursday. Mr Pearson, the contractor for tha Great Wood3tock Company's pontoons, is making splendid progress with the work and shonld r be finished befoie his- contract time. Mr D. Bringaus returned to tow a on Saturday from Canterbury and Otago. Mr Bringans goes to Ross to report for some investors on various dredging property, more particularly oa the Kohinoor Extended Coy's claim, and to advise as to tuture operations Mr Bringans also supervises some prospecting operations in the Kumara district for some Canterbury investors on his return from Ross. Another fortnight should seethe Greenstone Creek dredge at work, the first on the 4 Greenstone. Tno Greenstone Junction will be a few day's later in starting.