59

C—3

Upper Anatoki. —Owing to the flooded state of the river, inspection of this property was quite impracticable when the district was visited. Inspection of Bartlett's Creek and Onamalutu districts was prevented by the same cause. CoLLINGWOOD. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing Company (James Bassett, mining-manager).—On the Glenmutchkin section of the property, sluicing operations continue to be actively pushed day and night under a constant water-supply of twenty heads, but unfortunately when the gold-bearing deposits are washed out from underneath the steep elevated terraces, huge slides of fragmentary rocks not only impede profitable operations, but the removal of these accumulations necessitates considerable expenditure. The Glengyle claim is worked only with' the spare water during wet seasons, and large slides of earth are also of frequent occurrence. Quartz Ranges (owner, C. Y. Pell, Nelson). —Sluicing operations are confined to the Debtor's section, and worked by a tribute party of six men. Water-races and other plant are kept in good order, while the remunerative returns obtained are satisfactory to both parties concerned. Rocky River. —All mining operations on this mine continue at a standstill. Slate River Sluicing Company. —The water-supply for the development of this property being limited to the rainfall conserved at considerable altitude, operations were consequently hampered and unsatisfactory even though the auriferous values, if continually worked, are highly remunerative. The company having determined to effect further increased storage-capacity, have meanwhile ceased sluicing operations ; and at the close of the year thirty men were employed in raising and strengthening the main dam, which when completed, will largely increase the conserved area. FilleuVs Freehold, Puponga. —Forbes and party of four men, having obtained the right from Mr. Pilleul to work a section of his property, have constructed one mile of water-race with storage-dam attached. It is proposed to extend the race a further 38 chains to pick up a much larger stream. The wash so far opened out is 10 ft. in thickness, and the results obtained from ground-sluicing a small paddock were considered satisfactory. Mr. Duncan Corby is sinking a series of shafts to prove the auriferous values in Te Hapu Flat : while samples of a white clay are also being taken from a cretaceous bed situated in the same locality. Should this clay be suited for commercial purposes, a syndicate is prepared to develop the property. Karamea district was not visited. Westpoei. Mining on the German creek and its tributaries shows a gradual decline ; operations being chiefly confined to a few old resident miners who have acquired small holdings, and reap the fruit of the old-age pension. Fairdown. —There has been no further effort made to reopen this property. Girder and party have been engaged for some time driving a prospecting-tunnel. Waimangaroa River. —Mining on this river is confined to a few resident parties with variable results. Golden Basin Prospecting Association. —Since my report of last year, nothing further has been done to extend the drive. Bradshaw's Terrace. —Mr. Gillow, having failed to extract gold in payable values from the auriferous sands, after persistently carrying out a prolonged series of mechanical and other tests, has withdrawn his interest in favour of a private party. Halligan and Party. —Since sluicing and elevating operations were commenced on this property, further development has been unimportant, other than the ordinary working which is kept steadily pushed and in good order. Drainage and table-construction were permanently effected in the first instance. Shamrock Claim. —This once sluicing and elevating property, lately owned by Phil. Mclnroe, has been at a standstill and lying under water during the past two years. No efforts are being made to resume operations. Golden Sand. —It would appear that this syndicate has abandoned the property. Addison's Flat. —This sluicing and elevating claim, owned and worked by Carmody and party, is kept in thorough condition, and is actively pushed with lucrative results. Drainage and other operative developments connected with the claim, having been permanently constructed prior to opening the ground, alterations outside the ordinary routine of operations are not important. Charleston. Charleston Beach Sluicing Company. —This company recently purchased the water-rights of the Croninville watershed to work and develop a beach-area north of Powell's property. When inspection was made, the various races and pipe-line connections were completed, while the tables and other accessories were under construction. The various works were in an advanced state of completion, and sluicing was expected to commence early in April. There were nine men employed. Powell's Sluicing and Elevating Claim. —This established sluicing and elevating beach property continues to be persistently and systematically pushed. The main pipe-line having recently been increased and relaid, it is anticipated that the results from the increased volume of sands treated are likely to supersede any past records. Argyle Water-race. —Urgent repairs to this race having been somewhat neglected, alluvial mining in the Charleston district has to a very large extent been hampered. When recently visited, four parties, comprising nine men were using the water when available, but owing to the very limited supply, other parties, who would otherwise avail themselves of the water, did not consider it prudent to open fresh claims. Crushing the auriferous sands is confined to five parties employing twenty-two men. The mills vary from five to ten head of stamps, and work with varied results. Murchison. Maruia Sluicing Claim. —The water-races and pipe-line connections are well maintained, but owing to dearth of water, which is chiefly supplied by rainfall, operations have been much hampered. There are six men employed.