C.—3

68

Working Dredges Visited by Inspector of Mines, Dunedin.

Name and Situation of Dredge. Owners. Dredge-master. Eemarks. Lawrence. Lawrence Lawrence Gold-dredging Company .. A. Wakefield Regulations generally well observed; deck planking forward is somewhat rotten, and is to be renewed where required ; the pontoons through overloading at the stern have only 5 in. of a freeboard. The old dredge has been reconstructed, pontoons renewed and enlarged, and dredge is in good workingorder ; rules complied with except boat, timber for construction of which is on the ground. Everything generally in proper order; hand-rail requires to be extended to the end of tail-boxes. Fencing adequate ; other rules complied with. The dredge is working half the width of the claim ; the other half is being worked by hydraulic-elevating plant, and is saving a larger percentage of gold than the dredge from a given quantity of material treated. Not properly started work yet; opening up paddock ; rules observed. Generally in good order, and appliances in their proper places; fence required at the main drive, as pointed out to master. All appliances required by special rules in good order and in their proper places; fence-rail required at the engine main drive, and the projection of the main shaft in the travelling-way requires to be proteoted. Rules complied with, and dredge in good working-order. Gabriel (late Tuapeka Plat) Gabriel Gold-dredging Company J. P. Uren Tuapeka Golden Eise, Wetherstones Tuapeka Gold-dredging Company Smyth and party J. Donaldson R. Young Waitahuna. Manuka (late Adam's Flat) McCormac Manuka Gold-dredging Company McCormac and party W. T. McKenzie .. W. T. Thomson .. Havelook Havelock Gold-dredging Company .. Imperial Imperial Gold-dredging Company George Soott Waipori. Golden Point Golden Point Hydraulic Dredging Company William O'Brien, jun. Claim below Nardoo Creek includes Nardoo Flat. Bought Perry's old dredge at Waitahuna, and removing it to the claim at Waipori. It is proposed to drive machinery by Pelton wheel under hydraulio pressure. The water-pipes will be carried in paddock on small pontoons, an arrangement of universal points will allow the dredge to move freely while working, and the pressure will be continually maintained. Old rules only posted ; no boat-hook or light-line in the boat. I noticed one of the crew going ashore by travelling along the elevator while the dredge was working. I drew Mr. Thomas's attention to this, and subsequently wrote requiring him to have the practice discontinued owing to the risk of a serious acoident therefrom. Machinery undergoing repairs, and putting on new screen and elevator. Glenore. Gold Bank Gold-dredging Company .. A. Thomas Gold Bank Stirling Nelson and party J. Nelson Miller's Flat. Pringle and party Golden Gate.. Otago Pringle and party Golden Gate Gold-dredging Company Otago Gold-dredging Company J. Pringle D. Ballanfcyne R. Williamson Fencing and appliances in good order ; no rules posted. Dredge and all appliances in excellent order. No boat-hooks on board, and rules not posted; dredge undergoing repairs. Roxburgh. Gold Queen Gold-dredging Company.. T. H. Gourlay •In good order generally ; gangway across well too narrow and temporary ; no life-belts on board. Secretary written to requiring him to provide proper gangway and life-belts. Gold Queen Clyde. New Alexandra New Alexandra Gold-dredging Company Matau Gold-dredging Company D. McMath Old rules posted, and only one boat provided ; bows require to be cleared of timber and fenced. Thif is a bank claim on the east bank of the river. Dredge and boats fully equipped with life-saving appliances; fence required on the outside of the side shoot from the tables ; one chain only as fencing round the hull, instead of two chains as required by regulations. Dredge stopped for repairs; bows require to be fenced ; rules well observed. Face of work in the bank 60 ft. deep, of which 20 ft. is below river-level. Regulations generally well observed ; fence required at bows; the fence at stern unsafe, one of the stanchions being broken. The dredge is working on the up-river side of the Clyde Bridge, the after part being immediately under it. Matau H. Sanders Unity Unity Gold-dredging Company T.Barry .. Vincent Vincent Gold-dredging Company James Hewitt