45

C—3

The platinum won amounted in value to £120. The elevators for two years averaged each 69 cubic yards per hour, working three hundred days each year. Ourawera Gold-mining Company (Jas. Couling, mine-manager). —The deep paddock was finished about the end of the year, and the plant removed to the adjoining claim, where work is proceeding, stripping ahead some 20 ft. or more in depth, and sluicing on the high " bottom " approaching the terraces in Italian Gully. The surface ground had been previously worked by sluicing, but the rich layers of wash in the inequalities of the bottom had escaped notice, or the methods of working had proved inadequate, consequently this company, with its splendid water-pressure, is enabled to benefit considerably. The company continues on the consistent-dividend-paying list. Smith Gold-mining Company (D. Smith, mine-manager).—This claim is the furthest up the bed of the Ourawera Stream. Anticipations have not latterly been realised. The worked terraces were rich, and it was believed that, as in the case of the adjoining company, payable ground would be exposed by bringing in water at pressure suitable for elevating the sludge in the bed of the stream, together with virgin ground in the valley and at foot of terraces. Such, however, did not prove to be the case. The " bottom " rose consistently, and the irregular layers of wash present proved less rich than anticipated ; nevertheless, the company persevered, and a large amount of dead-work has been overcome. Jewett's Gully Gold-mining Company, Jewett's Gully (Joseph Thurgood, mine-manager).— Elevating suspended meanwhile ; stripping and sluicing proceeding up the gully. Pour men employed. Orepuhi. Unlike many other gold-mining centres in this district, the season has been an open one for watersupply, consequently work was fairly regular. Claimholders on this field are mainly parties of working shareholders, and the field continues to afford remunerative employment. Depth of ground usually 30 ft. to 40 ft. to false bottom. It does not appear, however, that any of the claims have been worked below the false bottom, probably owing to want of fall for ground-sluicing and there not being sufficient supply of water under pressure for elevating to depth. There is apparently no reason why payably auriferous wash may not occur in the false bottom, as in other districts. The claim latterly worked by Evans and party is exhausted, and the water will be diverted. Wallace and Whelan are driving in the terrace ; the seam of wash is above normal thickness (generally 4 ft.), and it is understood that good returns are being obtained. A. M. Dawson and party are sluicing and stripping on the old Undaunted Company's claim. Altogether, from forty to fifty European from twenty to twenty-five Chinese are employed on the field, which includes Tuanoa Creek, Falls Creek, and Sandy Creek districts. M. Mouat and Party. —A sea-beach hydraulic, elevating claim for treatment of auriferous beach and black-sand deposits at near the outlet of Tuanoa Creek. The claim is subject to tidal influences. Two heads of water leased from Kingsland and party are brought in a distance of about three miles from Waimeamea Creek. By 250 ft. of 11 in. pipes a fall of 70 ft. vertical is gained over the cliff, elevating 17 ft. Suction-pipes are laid along the beach and buried; the intake-pipe is movable, and kept clear of large stones and timber; the sand is then blown in by means of a small jet of water. A double set of tables is erected, each having a spread of 144 square feet. The gold is very fine, notwithstanding which by far the larger proportion is recovered on the first plush at head of strakes, cocoanut matting being laid at the lower ends to catch what proportion of fine float gold it may. Platinum occurs, and is being recovered. The heavier sands are saved for further examination, with a view to treatment if found payable. Several beach claims at near the mouth of Tuanoa Creek are being worked by beachcombers in the usual way—copper-plates quicksilvered on portable tables, water being led in in canvas hose. The material treated comprises auriferous black sands, which is constantly assorted by successive tides and the good layers treated by claimholders. Accidents : Hydeaulic and Alluvial Mines. Fatal. 20/7/1906: John Phillips, miner, Upper Waikaia, was accidentally killed by a stone from the face falling on his head. Non-fatal. 20/4/1906 : Arthur Hill, miner, Bluespur and Gabriel's Gully Mine, sustained a fractured leg through being struck by a piece of cement rolling from the face. GOLD-DREDGING. At the end of December, 1905, the total number of dredges in Otago and Southland in various stages was 172. At the end of December, 1906, this number had dropped to 159. During the year there was a decrease of thirteen dredges. Of this number six were dismantled and not re-erected in Otago, and three were removed from that district to Victoria and one to Southland. With regard to Southland, there was no difference in the number of dredges at the end of 1906 from the number at the end of 1905. Four dredges were dismantled during the year, but four were imported into the district and erected there. A noticeable feature of the evolution of the industry is the acquirement of dredgmgj'properties by parties of working shareholders or by small syndicates. There are now thirty-five dredges at work