Payable gold on the Dart River, one of the mountain rivers that feed Lake Wakatipu, was found in 1870 and its existence was not forgotten when the gold dredge was developed in Dunedin in the late 1880s. The Clutha river was dredged and fortunes made - why not the Dart also?
The first dredging claim on the Dart was filed in 1889, at Cattle Flat. It was quite a distance from the nearest road. Several more claims were filed, and companies formed, but no dredging actually done, until the year 1899.
THE DART RIVER GOLD DREDGING AND PROSPECTING CO. (LIMITED).
The directors of the above company have completed arrangements for the supply of a new and powerful dredge with all the latest improvements in gold-saving appliances — engine, boiler, pontoons, and everything complete, to be handed over to the company in working order by the 30th of June next. The builders undertake to place their engineer in charge of, and work the dredge for four weeks before the directors take delivery. One of the directors, who has just returned from visiting the claim, reported very favourably as to the probable future success of the company. The whole of the 400 acres he found to be good dredgable ground. The wash is auriferous, and can be very easily worked, there being no large stones or timber to contend with. The ground is of such an open nature that all attempts to bottom have failed, Californian pumps and other methods tried being found inadequate to beat the water, and, although the boring rods in all cases gave good prospects, it remains for the dredge to prove the actual value of the ground. Messrs Valpy Bros., of Glenorchy, recently struck some rich wash in the Dart River, about a mile above the top claim. The company's properties are in the heart of the auriferous country, and everything seems to indicate that they will prove valuable dredging claims. The County Council have granted a subsidy of £300 for the opening-up of a road to the Dart River. Mr Alexander Kyle has been appointed chairmain of directors, the other directors being Messrs Robert Lee, Allan S. Blackie, S. Crow, J. N. Lawson, and George Reid (of Queenstown). -Otago Witness, 14/12/1899.
Messrs A. and T. Burt (Limited) have the work in connection with the construction of the dredge for the Dart River Gold Dredging and Prospecting Company in a forward condition. The order for the engine has been cabled, and Messrs Ruston and Proctor undertake to have the engine delivered within four months from date of cable. Arrangements have been made for the sawing of the timber close to the company's claim, and the plant for this purpose is ,now being forwarded. This contract is to be completed within three months. Mr Wm. Burt, in company with two of the directors of the company, has just returned from a visit to the Dart River, and has made satisfactory arrangements for the delivery of the plant on the ground. Messrs A. and T. Burt (Limited) have prepared the plans and specifications of the company's dredge, and the whole erection and delivery of the dredge is under their direct supervision. The company will accept delivery after the dredge has been worked for one month. Messrs A. and T. Burt (Limited) expect to have the whole work completed by the 30th June next. -Otago Daily Times, 11/1/1900.
MINING JOTTINGS.
Messrs A. and T. Burt, engineers, Dunedin, and contractors for the machinery, etc., of the Dart River dredge, will have the whole of the plant ready for delivery in less than a fortnight. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 18/5/1900.
I am informed by old and reliable miners that the Dart River is going to turn out a great field for dredging. The Dart River claim is not in working order yet, but I believe the contract for the pontoons will be gone on with at once. The dredge was supposed to start in July, but some delay has been caused owing to the timber not being cut for that purpose. I understand that most of the machinery is lying at Kingston, but, once the pontoons are built, the machinery, etc. will soon be fitted up. If the Dart River turns out well, which I am sure it will, the Rees River will also come to the fore. Evening Star, 16/6/1900.
The machinery and other material of the Dart River Company is arriving at Kinloch, en route to the building site of the dredge, Kinloch being several miles nearer than any other point of Lake Wakatipu, with an equally good road. -Otago Witness, 28/6/1900.
DREDGING FIELDS OF OTAGO.
SOME NOTES BY THE WAY.
An esteemed contributor has favored with the following jottings from his note-book, embracing observations made during a tour of the Otago goldfields at the close of last year.
DART RIVER.
This is the main feeder of Lake Wakatipu, and extends over a width of probably a quarter of a mile. At low water its volume is about equal to that contained in the Mataura river. Communication with the Dart river country is made through Glenorchy, at which place, as may be generally known, the landscape is comprised in three hotels. Before the opening up of Milford and the Fiord country generally, Glenorchy was a popular tourist resort, Hence the three hotels. How these places make a living now is a first-class mystery, and as to their stocks, well, one man bent on painting the township crimson would drink them dry single handed — or, mote properly speaking, single throated. The Dart river enters the Lake at Glenorchy, and just above the township it is joined by the Rees. To explore the Dart the usual route taken is up the Rees for about six miles, and then across, branching off at Paradise, at which place there is an excellent accommodation house kept by Mr Aitkcn. A journey of four miles thence across country brings the traveller on to the Dart again. At this spot one is confronted with as nice a stretch of dredging country as he could wish to see, the characteristics being round boulders, bed and beaches of the river, all occupying a width of 400 yds. Most of the country in that locality has already been pegged off. From thence upwards the river is seen to run through a wide gorge formed by the Barrier and Cosmos ranges (8000ft) on one side, and Mount Earnslaw on the other. Good surface prospects of fine colors are to be obtained almost anywhere, and borings down as far as 25 feet through various false bottoms have yielded good prospects also. Viewed on its face the country hereabouts appears to be one of the nicest dredging fields anywhere to be found, but of course its merit remains to be proved by actual working. One syndicate has had more courage than the others and is giving a lead by commencing to erect a dredge. This should be ready shortly. The river being skirted by red birch, there should be no shortage of timber either for building or fuel. As to the past history of the field, it must be confessed that the digging done in the old times was patchy. But if the country is proved payable for dredging a splendid field will be opened up of close on 40 miles in extent. Of course, all the other companies are lying low in the meantime to see what luck attends the operations of the pioneer dredge just referred to. One drawback to the rapid development of the field is the absence of good roads and its distance from settlement. The locality I am dealing with.is 20miles from Glenorchy, and Glenorchy in its turn is 35 miles by boat from Queenstown. Even after arriving at the Dart it is necessary to meander up the river bed as best one can. here is a splendid opening for the application of electricity to dredging operations in that district, as the side feeders to the Dart, being practically mountain torrents, are capable of generating almost any force. -Mataura Ensign, 14/7/1900.
Notes from Wakatipu. (From Our Own Correspondent.
ARROWTOWN, July 28. — 1t may be claimed for dredging that it has done a good deal in the way of opening up outlying portions of the Wakatipu goldfield. Notably so at the Head of the Lake. What the difficulties to be overcome were may be seen from a brief summary of the following facts. About six months ago a start was made with dredge-building, it being intended to use the timber of the Dart for the pontoons of the Dart River Dredging Company. First there was some trouble in finding suitable timber in sufficient quantity; then there was no road to bring up the sawmill machinery. At last the machinery was got agoing, when the recent floods froze up the water race that supplied the motive power. In the meantime the dredge machinery was arriving at the Head of the Lake, and had to be carted to the building site of the dredge, when it was found that there was no waggon or other conveyance for the carting of the machinery, nor was the road fit for waggon traffic. In time this difficulty also was got over, and the dredge is at last in the course of being built, and is indeed progressing towards completion. -Otago Witnes, 2/8/1900.
The Glenorchy correspondent of the "Wakatip Mail" state's that the various contractors are making good progress with the Dart River dredge, and the machinery will soon be all on the ground. The timber is being turned out from the sawmills at a satisfactory, rate, and the pontoon builders have commenced work. -Lyttelton Times, 26/9/1900.
DREDGING ON THE DART RIVER.
TAKING OVER THE DART COMPANY'S DREDGE.
(From Our Special Reporter.)
The Dart River Gold Dredging and Prospecting Company's dredge, which made its trial run last week, opens up, if successful, an entirely new and very extensive field of dredging. The company's ground, comprising 400 acres, is situated on the Dart River, about 25 miles above the head of Lake Wakatipu, or some 15 miles beyond Paradise. As set forth in the prospectus, the objects of the company, which has a capital of £25,000, is "the prospecting for gold, by means of dredging, certain areas particularly 400 acres (more or less) situated in the Dart River." The dredge, which has thus been completed, is therefore purely and simply a prospecting dredge. It was designed and built by Messrs A. and T. Burt at a cost of some £4500, and with its capacity for dredging to 25ft with 3 cubic feet buckets, it will certainly give the river a fair test. The Dart River has long been known to be auriferous. Good indications are freely to be found in its beaches, and in the adjoining flats and spurs, but the problem to be decided was whether this gold was merely surface gold or if it extended to any depth beneath. On leaving Paradise, and proceeding up the river some splendid beaches are met with, which, if containing gold, would be easily dredgable. All this part of the river has been pegged out, but until the lower boundary of the Dart Dredging Company's claim is met the sides of the river are entirely devoid of terraces. Here rocks, scarcely affording sufficient sustenance to the bush and forest trees which cling to the narrow ledges, come down abruptly to the water's edge. As the lowest of the Dart claims are reached, however, terraces on either side are to be met with. In fact, generally speaking, the appearance of the river from a dredging point of view improves as it is ascended. The material of which the bed is comprised is loose gravel, and difficulties in the shape of large stones and submerged timber are absent. Doubts were expressed some time back as to whether the whole of the Dart Company's claims were dredgable, but a personal inspection of the property will immediately set aside all fears on this score. In a word, the claims may be described as ideal dredging ground, and any ordinary dredge may, so far as could be judged, cope with every inch of it. The only real question to be decided is the payable nature of the ground. Even those who know it best and have the greatest faith in it, do not look for anything big in the way of returns from the Dart. Indications of gold are ample, and if the gold proves to exist right through the wash in the same proportion as it is to be found on the surface good, steady remunerative dividends may be looked for. Although the dredge is situated so far out of the beaten track, fuel is to be obtained in abundance in the great forests which grow in the neighbourhood, and the expenses thus being light, moderate returns will pay. As already stated, the conditions of the river from a dredging standpoint vary considerably, and the Dart Company possesses undoubtedly the best portion of it. If the gold has come off the terraces, terraces alone adjoin the company's claims. If the gold has come down the river, the claims are at the highest dredgable point in the river. Beyond the topmost claim the river becomes confined, and runs between rocky gorges, in which it is impossible for a dredge to work. The whole of the river below has been pegged out, and holders are waiting to see the result of the dredging in the higher reaches; but even if the Dart dredge turns out a success it would not necessarily prove that the claims below are payable. Careful prospecting would have to be undertaken before the flotation of companies to work the lower reaches would be justified.
The course adopted by the promoters of the Dart Company will, generally commend itself as being one marked by prudence and sound business principles. The ground could only be properly tested by a dredge, and the dredge that has been constructed is destined to and will effect this work. If the river proves unpayable, the cost of the dredge, £4500, divided amongst 25,000 shares, will be comparatively light, especially as the dredge is a realisable asset. If the ground proves payable, then the company with its 400 acres possesses a splendid property, and may proceed with the construction of larger and more powerful dredges, with the confident assurance of reward for its enterprise and its business methods. In like measure it will be necessary to test the lower reaches of the river. The conditions, it must be emphasised, are greatly different from what obtain in the Dart Company's claim, and consequently distinct prospecting must be proceeded with to test the nature of the ground. If the methods pursued by the Dart Company are adopted all doubts will be satisfactorily settled.
On Wednesday last Mr Robert Lee and Mr Alexander Kyle, directors of the Dart Dredging and Prospecting Company, proceeded with Mr A. Morrison, consulting engineer, to Queenstown to take over the dredge from Messrs A. and T. Burt's representatives. At Queenstown they were joined by Mr George Reid, local director, and Mr J. D. Douglas, Messrs A. and T. Burt's inspecting engineer. The party proceeded to the Head of the Lake on Thursday, and on arrival there drove to Paradise. Six o'clock the following morning saw them all astir, and, mounted on horseback they set off, together with several visitors who were staying at Paradise, for the claims. The weather, although somewhat threatening, was favourable, and happily continued fine. Headed by the stalwart form of one of the town directors, the commando, as it was humorously termed by the local residents, set off at a smart trot, and were soon moving along on the wide, stony bed of the Dart as it wound its way about the base of the rugged Humboldt Range. Fortunately the river was low, and consequently the fords were negotiated without difficulty, although at a great many places the water was well up to the saddle girths, There is, of course, no road to the claims, and the whole of the machinery had to be carted up the river bed. The magnitude of this undertaking fully impressed itself on the minds of the whole of the party. How it was so successfully accomplished was indeed a mystery to some of them, as not only had the river to be crossed again and again, but the rocky and extremely uneven surface of the bed in many places, not to speak of the depth of water in some instances, must have made the work of getting the engines and boilers to the claims a very formidable one. Very few dredging companies are called upon to encounter initial difficulties so exceedingly taxing.
Under the guidance of Mr Reid, the party reached the claim, partly through travelling along the river bed, and partly through following bridle tracks in the forest. These tracks were chiefly notable for their precipitous declivities and for their almost perpendicular ascents, and the delights of travelling on horseback through such rugged country were fully realised by some of the visitors to the claim when they found themselves back at Paradise. However, after some three and a-half hours' riding, the dredge and the crew's huts loomed in the distance. On reaching the spot it was seen that steam was up, and the buckets in motion. Dismounting quickly, the party lost no time in getting on board, where they were received by the dredgemaster, Mr James Hay.
The dredge, it may be stated, was launched on the second highest, claim, for, although the top claim is regarded as being the one where the best gold will be obtained, it was decided to launch the dredge in its present position, as being the safest. Afterwards, when the crew become thoroughly acquainted with the river, a course for its higher claim may be shaped. Like some other Otago rivers, the Dart is low in the winter, but is liable to sudden rises in the summer. At the spot where the pontoons were launched the river bed is very wide, and the grass growing on portions of the adjoining flats is evidence that anything serious in the way of floods is not likely to be met with at this point.
As mentioned above, the dredge cost about £4500. It is fitted with a 12 horse-power Ruston and Proctor compound horizontal engine and a multitubular 16 horse-power boiler. The buckets have a holding capacity of 3 cubic feet, and can put through 40 or 50 tons an hour. The ladder dredges to a depth of 25ft. The dredge is also fitted with a specially-designed vertical worm winch. In place of a screen, a sluice box, 52ft long, with ripples and perforated plates, has been provided, but if subsequent circumstances make it desirable provision is made for the substitution of a screen and elevator. The stone shoot is 42ft long. The pontoons, which are 72ft long by 29ft broad, are built of red birch, and silver pine. All the wood was milled out of the adjoining bush, and the work was effectively carried out under the supervision of A. and T. Burt's representative on the claim, Mr John Ovens. This gentleman has been living on the claim for a considerable time, and his duties, it is freely admitted, have been of an arduous character. Under his supervision, all the machinery was landed on the claim. A great deal of credit is due to him for the energy and zeal he has displayed. The construction of the pontoons was entrusted to Mr P. Whinain, and of the machinery to Mr H. Movers.
The directors and the engineer, Mr Morrison, went through the dredge, and made a very careful inspection of everything. Although some alterations were pointed out an being necessary — which will doubtless receive immediate attention — the visitors were satisfied with the manner in which the dredge went through its trials. The machinery worked smoothly, and there appeared to be plenty of power. The depth of the wash in the river varies considerably, but the average depth is supposed to be between 20ft and 25ft. The buckets brought up material in the presence of the party from about this depth, and one of the directors, armed with a dish, took a prospect from some of this wash. The manipulation of the dish was watched with keen interest, as the result in some measure involved the question as to whether or not the gold penetrated below the surface of the lower wash. When the last streaks of dirt were finally got rid of, therefore, it was eminently satisfactory to find four or five specks about the edges. The gold was flaky and fine, but seemed to be of a character that will be easily saved. As soon as the alterations are effected the dredge will start work in earnest. It is first proposed to cut into a beach just alongside of its present position, where, in a sort of back-water, it may work secure from floods till a course is shaped to the top claim, It is estimated that if from 20oz to 250z is secured the venture will pay handsomely. The furnace is specially adapted for wood fuel. The dredge works on an even less consumption of fuel than was anticipated. Before leaving the dredge, a short visit was paid to the upper claim, where traces of gold can be obtained almost everywhere. A prospect was taken in one place with excellent results, the gold showing freely.
In the afternoon the directors and the others with them rode back to Paradise, very much encouraged with the future prospects of the company's property. The operations of the company to prove the Dart is being watched with the greatest interest in and about Queenstown, as if the river proves payable there is room for a great many dredges, and the result will be that the district will have an additional factor besides its scenic glories and grain-producing qualities to further its interests. -Otago Daily Times, 19/2/1901.
The local director of the Dart Diver Gold Dredging and Prospecting Company (Limited) wires from Glenorchy on the 20th inst.: — "Extraordinary flood in Dart, river falling now, dredge safe." -Otago Daily Times, 23/4/1901.
Some alterations, which were made necessary, by the requirement of the work, have been made and completed at the Dart dredge during the recent flood time, when the dredge could not get to work with advantage. The Dart River rose very high, and is keeping up in a surprising manner. The dredge, however, will be at work again ere this appears in print. -Otago Witness, 8/5/1901.
MINING JOTTINGS.
Mr George Reid, local director of the Dart River G.D. Co., informs us that owing to the extremely bad and wet weather the Dart river has been repeatedly flooded, thereby hindering dredging operations very considerably. The dredge is situated close to the current and when it opens out a paddock the river silts it up with drift. Very little progress is therefore made and any is almost impossible until the river goes down to its winter level. Several alterations have been effected on the dredge recently, including return tables to catch the fine gold. Everything is now in working order and it is proposed to make another start next week. The gold obtained up to date is 9oz5sdwt. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 14/6/1901.
More encouraging reports have been received from the Dart River Dredging Company's claim. The dredge has overcome all its troubles, and is steadily working, and good returns are expected. -Free Lance, 20/7/1901.
THE DART RIVER GOLD DREDGING AND PROSPECTING COMPANY.
The latest reports received from the claim on the Dart River at the Head of Lake Wakatipu, reports the secretary, state that the dredge is now in good working order, and has made its way across the river bed, where the best gold was got when the claim was prospected before the company was formed. The company has been most unfortunate since starting operations. When the dredge was finished it was very soon seen that it would not do the work that it was designed for. It was necessary to make alterations in the washing apparatus, to caulk the hull afresh. and to strengthen the machinery and the wood work in various places. Previous to the alterations being made it was necessary to take a cut into the bank of the liver in order that the dredge might lie secure while the alterations were being made. During the last three months there has been a succession of floods, which caused the dam that had been made to be silted up. The result was that a new pile dam had to be made, and water brought into it, and when the dredge was afloat it was at an elevation of 8ft above river level. It is contended that had the dredge when handed over to the company by the contractors been in the efficient state that it is in now none of these troubles would have been experienced. However, the dredge is all right now, working on the bottom, and it is hoped will soon give satisfactory returns. The false bottom so far worked on has been too rough to be properly cleaned up, but where the dredge now is a clay bottom is met with. The wash is very tight, and gets heavier as it goes down, and what gold has been won is of a coarser nature than obtained while prospecting. -Otago Witness, 17/7/1901.
HEAD OF THE LAKE.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
Glenorchy, Aug. 8. An accident occurred on the Dart River Dredge the other day to one of the employees named Wm. Paulin, which might have been attended with fatal results only for the prompt and timely assistance of Mr Daniel Mackenzie. Paulin, who was, I understand, out of curiosity, watching some part of the machinery in motion, happened to lean too near to the shaft of a revolving wheel, when some part of his clothes got caught, with the result that he was dragged round with the wheel, and would, undoubtedly, have been torn to pieces only that Daniel Mackenzie, who happened to notice him in time rushed to his assistance, catching him by the middle and pulling him out by main force, leaving two-thirds of his clothes behind on the shaft. However, he escaped with only a few light bruises. But I trust that it will be a warning to young men in future not to go examining machinery while in motion. Report of Glenorchy bachelors' ball is unavoidably held over till next week. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 9/8/1901.
THE DART RIVER GOLD DREDGING AND PROSPECTING COMPANY.
An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in the Dart River Company was held at the registered office of the company on Wednesday, 7th inst.
The latest reports from the dredgemaster state that after getting the dredge afloat again he opened out ahead, the ground being about 12ft deep, with a good stiff clay bottom. On going ahead the bottom dipped quickly, and the ground became so rough with stones that he could not keep bottom. He turned down stream and opened out a cut 100ft wide, but could not get down for rocks, although deeper than when he bottomed previously. There is evidently a channel down the west side of the beach, and at this place a slip of the hill has blocked it, and probably turned the river into its present course. The slip shows on the side for about 100ft down stream, and below that the solid rock comes to the beach. The dredgemaster is of opinion that when he gets the dredge 100ft to 200ft ahead he will come into much lighter ground, and that it would be a great pity to cease work before giving the dredge a further trial. The whole of the dredging done has been nearly all drift on top of slip stones, hardly any bottom having been worked yet, and now that all the hard work and difficulties have been overcome, he thinks it advisable to give the claim a further chance.
After considerable discussion, it was resolved that the prospects of the company warrant the further prosecution of the work, and that a further extraordinary general meeting of shareholders be called for Tuesday, the 20th August, for the purpose of receiving further reports. The shareholders present formed themselves into a committee, and discussed the financial position of the company, and will make a recommendation at the next meeting of shareholders that the directors be empowered to levy a sixth call of 1s per share, making 8s per share when paid up. The directors are in hopes that arrangements will be made with the crew to do further prospecting of the claim on tribute. -Otago Witness, 14/8/1901.
THE DART RIVER GOLD DREDGING AND PROSPECTING COMPANY.
An extraordinary general meeting of the Dart River Gold Dredging and Prospecting Company was held on Wednesday. Mr Alex. Kyle (chairman of directors) presided, and there were 12 shareholders present.
The Chairman said that since the last meeting they had had three communications — one from the dredgemaster (Mr Hay) and two from the local director. He was sorry that the anticipations they had at that time had not been realised. At that time they had strong hopes that the crew would work the dredge for six months on tribute. Under date August 15, the dredgemaster (James Hay) reported that he was dredging away to get the dredge in a safe place from the flood, and he would have her fast and moored well on next Thursday or Friday. He sunk a hole in the paddock down to 18ft, and could not get bottom. He believed there was gold further ahead of the dredge, and he was very sorry that the dredge had to be laid up. Mr Geo Reid (local director) wrote under date August 15. — "I have carried out your instructions. The men on the Dart dredge will not take tribute, so I arranged with the dredgemaster to work into a safe position, and then cease operations, probably about the 20th. The dredge failed to bottom in the channel mentioned in my last, got into drift under the top wash, went down about 18ft, which is about as deep as we can dredge. Washed up for 1oz odd amalgam per week." He also wrote under date 19th inst. that he had heard from the Dart that they were dredging shallow into a safe place. After he left they got the clay bottom again, a little gold showing, which the dredgemaster said was the best he had seen yet. If the shareholders decided to go on he would suggest that they try and improve the gold-saving apparatus before starting again, as he believed they lost fine gold. They would also require to get firewood cut. The dredgemaster was very much put out at having to stop just when he got a chance to try the claim. He (Mr Reid) could not arrange tribute with the men. Some of them were willing, but most of them were afraid of the expenses and the risk of breakdowns, which would cost them something for repairs. The Chairman said that in the face of that correspondence he thought it would be very unwise for the shareholders to continue operations. He was in favour of stopping altogether and realising all they had. It would be better to go into voluntary liquidation and save expense. Possibly the dredge and the call would prove sufficient to defray their liabilities, but be was not quite sure about it. It was a great disappointment to them all, but they were getting pretty well used to disappointments by this time. Mr Robert Lee said that, as the largest shareholder by a good deal, he did not quite agree with the chairman, but was not going to oppose him. The present difficulty was not altogether the fault of the claim, but partly that the dredge had been built on the wrong claim. They should have built the dredge for the second claim, and then, if that turned out trumps, they could have considered what size dredge was required for the upper claim. The dredge they had was anything but satisfactory; it had only dredged a little, and now required a good deal of repairs. He was under the impression that the dredge would work to a depth of 24ft, but from what he could learn 18ft was as much as she would manage. She had only bottomed once and got 9oz, and the dredgemaster still thought that there was a good prospect before the company. Their weak point was that they had a dredge that would not go as deep as it ought to do. He (Mr Lee) had led the directors to believe that the crew would work on tribute, and he had every reason to believe that they would do so, but the dredge was in such a state that if an engineer was appointed he would probably say, "Shut down until you can put it into proper repair." Thi<s had frightened the workmen. Mr J. Stenhouse (Queenstown) said that he endorsed what Mr Lee had said with regard to the dredge. The local shareholders were quite willing to go on with another call. The crew considered that the dredge was not capable of wdrking the ground; the ladder was not long enough.
The Chairman said that no engineer had been employed in building the dredge. The contract had been given to A. and T. Burt, and the company had had nothing but bickerings ever since. Messrs Burt had taken longer than the stipulated time, and when the dredge was built it would not work. Messrs Burt had made them an allowance of £75 to take it over as it was, and the new chute that was needed was put in at an expense of £80. So far as he (the chairman) knew, the dredge was in good order, and if it wanted repairing, then there was something radically wrong. The claim was a peculiar one to work, and the dredge would periodically be silted up. If they started repairing the dredge £200 to £300 would very soon be swallowed, up, and to save further expenses it would be better to go into voluntary liquidation. The financial position of the company was that their, debts amounted to £1460 on August 12, the arrears of calls £421 3s 6d, and the call now struck £1000, so that if the call was got in and all the arrears were paid up they would have £1421 3s 6d to pay £1450 debt. But only part of the call could be got in; one of the shareholders was in bankruptcy, and the call would only realise about £900. The dredge cost L4300, and should realise something.
Mr Lee said that the question resolved itself into this: Were they prepared to give the claim a proper trial or not
Mr J. Watson (Port Chalmers) said that it was quite clear they had made a miserable failure. Were there not any people in Queenstown who would make them an offer for the dredge and claim? The local people seemed to have confidence in it. It was unfortunate that they could not get a crew to work the - dredge for a while on tribute. It was the only hope the company had to get anything in return fors the .£6000 they had spent.
Mr Lee said there was nothing to be gained by hurrying into liquidation. It would be better to wait, and although no further expense need be incurred, the directors might devise some scheme of getting men to work the dredge.
Chairman said that Messrs Burt's account must be paid. He proposed that they should call up 1s or 6d to pay off their liabilities, and then try and get someone to take the dredge on tribute. The present call would not pay their liabilities. After further discussion, and the framing of a number of resolutions, it was finally resolved, on the motion of Mr Watson, seconded by Mr Blackie — "That the directors pay the liabilities of the company as far as possible out of the present call, and hold the balance of the liabilities over until a further meeting. The only further liability to he incurred by the directors to be in the event of tributers undertaking to work the dredge for six months, in which case the directors are empowered to spend up to L100 in effecting repairs and alterations. Another meeting of shareholders to be called, when a scheme far working the dredge or otherwise will be proposed." -Otago Witness, 28/8/1901.
MINING JOTTINGS.
The Dart dredge closed down on Saturday last and the most of the men who were working on her arrived in town by Monday night's steamer. The unfortunate circumstances in connection with this dredge are referred to in a report of an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on Wednesday, 21st inst. It provides very unpalatable reading for shareholders, of whom there are a good many in this district. We had occasion to report frequently on the prospects of the claim, basing our assertions on the reports of those who had tested the ground by boring, etc. In every instance these assertions were of a sanguinary nature. Now we have to report, not exactly that the claim on which the dredge worked was not payable, but that the dredge utterly failed to do the work for which she was designed. From the time she was supposed to be completed by Messrs A. and T. Burt up till the present, there has been a series of alterations and repairs and other mishaps to the dredge; and then on top of this she has been beached about seven times owing to constant freshes in the river. The ladder, which should have been 22ft according to the plan, was only 11ft. This made a great difference in the testing power of the dredge. Another great drawback, which was evidently unforeseen, consisted in the extremely rough nature of the ground; as a consequence, the machinery was too light to cope with the work and the buckets were too small to hold the large boulders. Mr Hay, the dredgemaster, says that he did all he could in the interests of the Company, not alone on account of the position he held, but because he was a shareholder. He is of the opinion that it is a great mistake to stop work just now, as the dredge was just commencing to get on to more workable and better paying wash. Also to show his faith in the ground he would be quite willing to pay up the 8th shilling per share and let anybody else, if the Company thought fit, be employed as dredgemaster. Mr Hay expressed a hope that the dredge, in the meantime, would not be left solely unattended, that is to say, that she would, at least, be kept pumped dry until further developments. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 30/8/1901.
PRACTICALLY UNRESERVED SALE
DART RIVER, DREDGE AND CLAIMS.
PARK, REYNOLDS, & C O. are instructed by the Liquidators to sell by auction:
Special Dredging Claims, Sections 4, Block 1 and I, Block XI, 3. Block VIII, and 1, Block VIII, Humbolt District.
Also, Steam Dredge, as she now lies on Claim, Dart River, together with all Plant, gear, etc.; boiler and engine (Ruston, Proctor, 16 and 12h.p;); (buckets 3 1/4 ft capacity), winches (6 barrel), Tangye l0in . pump, ladder (47 ft centres), wire ropes, etc., etc., of a working dredge.
This Dredge is for absolute sale. The Claims and Dredge will first be submitted as one lot, and, failing a sale, will then be offered separately. -ODT, 25/9/1901.
A company is being formed in Queenstown, with a capital of £750 to work one of the original claims pegged off by the Dart River Company. It is proposed to put the Dart dredge in good order, before she is worked again. -Otago Daily Times, 4/3/1902.
MINING JOTTINGS.
We hear that the Dart River dredge has had to close down on account of the frost. Nothing has been heard regarding the returns. Mr George Reid had charge of the dredge latterly. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 20/6/1902.
WARDEN'S COURT.
QUEENSTOWN, DEC., 9 1902. (Before F. J. Burgess Esq., Warden.)
James Douglas and others v. George Reid and others. — Suit for dissolution of partnership. Mr R. H. Turton appeared for plaintiff.
Counsel for plaintiffs stated that this was a suit for dissolution of a partnership which had been formed under the name of "The Dart Syndicate" to acquire and work the dredge and one of the claims previously held by The Dart River Gold Dredging Coy. A small party had bought the dredge and one of them had applied for the claim and the party had then extended its number and capital by the issue of shares of £25 each. A board of management had been elected, which from time to time made calls, and these, in the earlier stage of the syndicate's operations, had been regularly paid. Latterly, however, the majority of the shareholders had fallen in arrear, leaving, as was usual in these cases, those who had the interests of the venture at heart to pay the expenses and liabilities incurred. Several attempts had been made to get the shareholders to pay their arrears or consent to liquidation, but these were unsuccessful. The shareholders, and even one of the board of management, would neither pay arrears nor consent to liquidation. Under these circumstances some of those who had paid in full had now brought proceedings for a dissolution of a venture in which, at present, most of the shareholders declined to pay, and in which there was no means of recovering what had been paid in excess by the willing shareholders. He would like to say that Mr George Reid, although he appeared as a defendant, had always done all in his power to further the venture; his calls were all paid, and he was as anxious as the plaintiffs that the affairs of the syndicate be wound up. Evidence in support was then given by Messrs C. E. Gudgeon, secretary of the syndicate, C. D. Dagg, and P. McCarthy, two of the board of management.
His Worship said it was evident that the plaintiffs were entitled to the relief they sought. The evidence showed that the syndicate could not continue without the arrears being paid, and those in arrears would neither pay nor agree to liquidate. An order would be made out in terms of the prayer with costs against the defendants with the exception of Mr George Reid. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 19/12/1902.
JAMES DOUGLAS AND OTHERS V GEORGE REID AND OTHERS. SUIT NO. 33/02, WARDEN'S COURT, QUEENSTOWN.
The Dart Syndicate's Dredge, Claim and Plant
FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION WEDNESDAY
the 14th day of JANUARY, 1903, at Noon, at the Courthouse, Queenstown.
Pursuant to an order made by the Warden in the above suit, Mr Cyril E. Gudgeon will sell at the above time and place —
1. All that special dredging claim of 100 acres in the Dart River, Head of Lake Wakatipu, being section No. 2, block viii, Humboldt Survey District, held under license for special dredging claim, No. 479, 2.6.02 issued out of the Warden's Court at Queenstown to George Reid.
2. All that the dredge, dredging machinery and appliances, timber, plant, tools and effects of every description in, upon or about the said special dredging claim or belonging thereto or used in connection therewith.
Terms: Half the purchase money in cash on the fall of the hammer and half within a fortnight from the date of sale. Particulars and conditions will be read at sale and may be inspected at the Courthouse, Queenstown, on and after the 5th January.
Full particulars may be obtained at the Courthouse from
A. A. MAIR, Receiver in the above suit,
or from WESLEY TURTON & SON, Solicitors in the above suit,
or from THE AUCTIONEER.
NOTICE. — AII claims against the above The Dart Syndicate must reach me on or before the 14th day of January, 1903, or they will not be recognised.
A. A. MAIR, Receiver in the above suit. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 30/12/1902.
Tenders are invited for the removal of the Dart River dredge. -Otago Daily Times, 29/6/1903.
LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL (excerpt)
The Engineer said that the dredge up the Dart river was likely to be brought down the road shortly and the latter had slipped away in several places. It would cost £3 to put it in order. It was previously decided not to do anything to the road as no revenue was derived from that quarter. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 17/6/1904.
The Dart River dredge, formerly about twenty-five miles above the head of Lake Wakatipu, has been dismantled for some time, and is now being carted away from the scene of its failure. -Evening Star, 12/9/1904.
The Evening Star is being unkind when it refers to the dredge's "failure." It was plainly stated that it was a prospecting dredge, whose success would prompt a larger vessel and whose failure would not lose too much of an investment. Who knows - maybe better luck with river conditions, better placement of the dredge on the river, even a dredgemaster with better experience of the conditions faced on the Dart (if one existed) might have brought success.
Barnego Settlement.
NEW SELECTOR: MR ALEX. GUNN.
Mr Alex Gunn, of Ida Valley, has taken up the settlement recently vacated by Mr James Marshall on the Barnego settlement. With Mrs Gunn he arrived in Balclutha last week, per train, with a large string of young horses and his farm equipment, waggon, etc. Mr Gunn who is a native of the Waikouaite district has for many years been in the carrying trade in Central Otago, and had at the boom time, in dredging very many eight and ten horse teams on the road carting machinery and plant to the sites of the various dredges on the Molyneux and elsewhere. One of his noteworthy achievements in transport was the removal of a large dredge on the Dart River at the head of lake Wakatipu and its consignment to Melbourne. -Clutha Leader, 13/6/1905.
From a 1914 expedition, a description of the "Dredge Huts."
We got stores under cover and cleaned out the huts, which were put up when the dredge was working about 12 years ago. They now are the property of the Tourist Department, I believe. The roofs are in good condition and the walls fair, but the foundations are rotten. They could be made really comfortable with a little work. They consist of two buildings, the first being 24ft long, divided into two, one half kitchen and the other bunk room with spaces for eight bunks, but only three were in commission, the boards for the others having vanished. There is a fair chimney and fireplace now we have put it right. For very little the whole place could be improved, so as to make it a good base for people visiting the valley. -Otago Daily Times, 9/2/1914.
We decided to spend what proved to be the only idle day of our week’s trip and lay about enjoying the sun. A wager was won by a quick dip in the Dart, but the disappointing fellow was well splashed with stones before he had the courage to immerse himself. Towards evening the party moved on to the dredge huts.
These huts were built many years ago in conjunction with the unsuccessful Dart River gold dredge. Although all the machinery was carried by pack horses up the riverbed, a heavy rusted chain lying in one of the huts was the only reminder we saw of this profitless early venture. -Otago Daily Times, 17/9/1938.
The Dredge Huts are but a memory now, and even the Flat looks very different from those days. A large slip from the Cosmos Peaks, down the line of the aptly-named Slip Stream, has dammed the Dart and the Flat is smaller. The huts were rebuilt in the 1940s into one building and eventually removed when Daleys Flat Hut, near the next flat up the Dart, was built in 1976.
I have not been able to find an image of the huts or hut which is not under copyright, but a quick search will lead to the images I have found.
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