C—B

120

The following tabulated statement will show the receipts and cost of maintenance of the Waimea Race for the year ended 31st March, 1901, together with the approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from the race:—

Races and Dam, Middle Branch. The dam in the middle branch of the Waimea Creek has been repaired and a by-wash constructed, so that there is but little danger of any accident occurring during floods. The races are in good order for carrying a supply of water to the Waimea Main Tail-race, but an extension, 34 chains in length has been applied for, which will be constructed as soon as the owners of the private property through which it will have to pass have signed the necessary deeds, which are now prepared. The owners of the private property have now agreed to give a right to construct the extension of the race through their land without compensation, but the agreements have not yet been signed. Waimea Main Tail-race. The holders of two claims have constructed tail-races from the main tail-race to their claims, and a third is now in the course of construction. One of the claims has started to open out, but so far very little work has been done. Kelly's Terrace Drainage-tunnel. The dispute between the trustees of this drainage-tunnel and the former contractors caused very considerable delay in the prosecution of this work, but it is now being proceeded with in a satisfactory manner, and will shortly be completed. The total length of this tunnel now driven is 5,250 ft., or within 20ft. of one mile. A further length of 740 ft. has still to be driven before the ground proposed to be drained has been reached. A shaft (No. 3) has been sunk 10ft. by 3^-ft., and 106 ft. in depth; the tunnel has been driven a further distance of 492 ft. during the year, and the error in the levels made by the former contractors rectified. The main bottom has been showing near the face. Fair prospects have been obtained in some of the wash by the contractors, and there is a fair probability of a considerable area of payable ground being opened up by the drainage-tunnel. The best prospects obtained do not appear to be on the main bottom, but in a layer about 2 ft. above the bottom. Branch Race to Callaghan's. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £181155., and the expenditure for maintenance and repairs during the same period was £153 155., leaving a credit balance of £28 on the year's transactions. The average number of miners supplied with water from the race during the year was 762, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 475 oz., having a value of £1,852 10s. The sales of water are £58 ss. less than during the preceding year, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained was 17 oz. less, having a value of £66 6s. The number of miners supplied with water from the race was 3-38 less than during the preceding year. The expenditure on maintenance and repairs was £13 6s. 4d. more than during the preceding year. The result of the construction of the branch race to Callaghan's, which gives a constant and abundant supply of water to the Italian Gully and Callaghan's portion of the field, has been somewhat disappointing, as no new ground has been opened up, and the ground that has been worked during the year has been exceedingly poor. There has, however, been very little prospecting done during the year, although large areas of promising ground exist in the neighbourhood of the race, and are commanded by it. Parties of miners prospecting in the vicinity of the race have been supplied with water from time to time, but water was only given after all paying parties had been fully supplied, and it was principally given during wet weather.

Month. J Sales of Water. ! Cash received Outstanding Number " fo?Saleeof Fxnonditnrn Mone y s it the of Value of Gold w n f B r Expenditme. Endoleach Menem- , ,*/ obtained. Wa 6 ' >*»««■ obtained. 1900. £ s. d. 31 4 2 47 1 3 38 11 3 52 16 3 53 4 2 44 9 2 i 56 16 8 55 13 9 37 14 2 £ s. d. 32 10 0 33 16 6 43 18 3 52 6 0 47 17 3 42 10 2 53 12 9 55 9 1 36 18 0 £ 8. a. 65 15 8 52 4 2 53 19 2 69 18 2 56 14 2 52 19 2 56 19 2 55 0 2 76 19 2 £ s. a. 24 3 8 24 3 8 23 13 8 23 13 8 22 18 8 22 18 8 27 2 0 22 18 8 22 18 8 Oz. 110 153 97 161 162 135 171 172 119 £ 8. d. 429 0 0 596 14 0 378 6 0 627 18 0 631 16 0 526 10 0 666 18 0 670 16 0 464 2 0 April May June July August September October November December 30 33 31 30 35 29 35 29 32 1901. 46 2 11 43 7 1 52 19 7 55 3 3 34 3 9 51 1 6 January February March 133 1 11 51 16 2 68 19 2 18 4 2 22 19 2 23 11 9 32 2:2 29 143 132 162 557 14 0 514 16 0 631 16 0 otals 560 0 5 539 6 6 794 6 3 30'58 'average' 1,717 6,696 6 0