GOLDFIELDS REPORT.

Kumara Times, Issue 3033, 23 July 1886, Page 2

GOLDFIELDS REPORT.

From the annual report of Mr H. A. Gordon, Inspecting Engineer, to the Minister of Mines, on " Goldfields, Roads, Water. Races, and other works in connection with Mining," we take the following on the Kumara waterrace and Sludge-channel:— KUMARA WATER-RACE. The results of the working this portion of the Waimea-Kuinara watersupply are given separately; but, strictly, the Kumara Water-race has to be taken in conjunction with the Kumara Sludge-channel, as that work was constructed to enable the water to be uti'ized from this race. The whole of the works in connection with the supply are in good repair, and the race is capable of carrying about a hundred sluice-heads of water. The tunnel fiom the Kapitea Greek has been partially enlarged, but a small portion of it still remains to be completed. A f-ilding-gatn has been constructed by the manager across the bye-wash Ht the upper dam at Loopline Road, raining the sin face of water in the dam 15in., which increases the carrying-capacity of the dam considerably; but, in the event of a heavy flood taking place, this gate should always be opened) as the embankment and outlet-box fiom the datn are not constructed to stand additional pressure. Indeed, dnting a recent flood the outlet-box showed signs of weakness, and had to on stiengthened; so that great care and strict supervision must now be exercised to prevent any accident occurring. The sales of water amounted to L 9.788 16s 8d for last year, while the previous year they amounted to L 9.696 8s 2d. The actual cash received for water last year was L 10.381 lis Id, while the previous year it was L9,3H 16s 4d; thus showing an increase on the sales of water of L 92 8s 6d, and of actual cash received, L 1,069 14s 9d. The expenditure on maintenance haß been L 1.454 19s 5.1, against L 1.656 Os Id of the previous year 3 thua showing decrease on last year's expenditure of a £2Ol 9s Bd. The actual profits on last year's transactions were L 8.926 11b Bd, while the previous year they were L 7.665 16s 3d; thus showing an increase of L 1.260 15s sd. This result is very satisfactory when it is borne in mind that the price of water was reduced 10s per head last year. The value of free water given to assist the miners during last year in opening out their claims was L 221 3s 2d; and the outstanding moneys for sales of water on the 31st of March last were L 2,064 15s. The average number of mi'ne.s employed in working mining-claims with water from this race has been 236; and the approximate amount of er o ld obtained by them 13,8560z5., representing a value of L 52.653 3*. Deducting the cash received for water, the average earnings of the miners have been about L 3 10s 9d per week, The total co3t of construction of this portion of the Waimpa-Kumara water-supply has been L 37.400 2s lid, and the profits derived from the working of the race L 8.926 lis 8d; which gives interest at'tin* rate of about 23| per cent.. on the cost of construction.

KUMARA SLUDGE-CHANNEL. The stone paving of this work, which was at first objected to by the miners, is now found to work very well, and is infinitely oheaper than the woodenblock pavement. It has been found that one set of 14-inch stone blocks lasts without scarcely any repairs for twelve months. A source of expense now in maintaining the channel ia the extension of the various branches. The tailingß-site i* getting filled up to that extent that the extensions have to be continually carried on at a rapid rate in various directions. The tailings opposite the end of the channel have entirely filled up the place where the Teremakau River originally flowed, and have forced the river against the opposite bank, and are gradually filling up the bed of the river for some distance below the bridge on the Greenstone road. The miners have constructed another sludge-channel with the assistance by subsidy from Government, which when connected will relieve the present channel to a considerable exteDt, and enable the whole of the claims to be worked more advantageously, and also allow a greater scope for the deposit of tailings. The value of channel fees for the past year has been L 2.219 18s 7d, while that of the previous year was L 2.163 16s 4d. The actual cash received for channel fees has been L 2,366 Is 3d., against L 1,732 15s Id for the previous year; thus showing an increase in channel fees of L 56 2s 3d, and of actual cash received L 633 6s 2d, over that of the previous year. The expenditure on maintenance has been L 6,215 13s, while that of the previous year was L 6,161 14s 7d ; thus showiug an increase of L 53 18s sd. The actual loss on the working of the channel has been L 3,849 lis 9d, or, in other words, the cost of maintenance has been L2 12s 2d for every LI received for channel fees. The average number of miners using the channel during the past year was 161. The outstanding moneys due for channel fees on the 31st March laat were L 149 Os 9d, and value of the free use of channel given to parties during last year was Ll2 12s Bd. The total cost of this work up to the prosent time has been L 17,200 12s 6d.