41

C—B.

McLean and Party's Claim. —This party have taken up the old Rip and Tear, or Glenore Claim. Drainage is effected by a hydraulic jet pump, which also elevates the washdirt. The auriferous wash is driven and blocked out. The existence of this payable ground was indicated by the operations of the Lower Nevis dredge. Dredging. —Five dredges were in operation early in the year, but only three recommenced operations this season. Upper Nevis. Joe Park's Hydraulic-sluicing Claim. —This claim was purchased by T. O'Brien and M. Drew, who continued hydraulic-sluicing operations in shallow ground. Two men employed. Bell and: Party. —A small company was formed in Southland to work ground in German Creek Gully by driving and blocking out the auriferous wash. Ben Nevis Sluicing Company (J. Robertson, manager).—The claims, water rights, and mining plant of E. McMillan were purchased by this company. The company continued on the usual lines, and was very successful while the water-supply was adequate. In order to improve the working-conditions of the claim, applications were made for larger water-supplies, and it is intended to carry on operations on a larger scale in the future. Eleven men employed. Ellis Brothers' Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating < 'laim (R. McDonald, manager).—The progressive owners of this claim have secured the claim known as Bailey's Hill. This property will be a valuable one when worked with a large supply of water. Operations were conducted in the present claim on the usual lines. The improved conditions consequent upon the greater pressure now available are much appreciated. Graham's Sluicing Claim. —The new proprietors have shifted the plant back to the head of the rich lead worked during the past few years. There is a large area of slip country here, which has evidently disturbed the auriferous lead. The plant is in good order, and work is well conducted. The auriferous deposits on the high ranges at the head of the Nevis and Nokomai watersheds are now receiving a good deal of attention. Several water rights have been secured. The shortness of the season is a drawback to this locality. Dredging. —The persistent efforts of the, owners of the one dredge here were rewarded this season, when, for one week's work, the yield of gold was 91 oz. The gold appears to run in rich leads in this flat, and, as the flat is wide and extensive, the leads are not easily picked up. Athol.. George Holloway and Party's Claim, Paddy's Alley (A. Greig, manager).—lt is reported that this claim would yield large returns of gold under better working-conditions. A larger and more constant water-supply is required. Three men employed. Nokomai. Nokomai Hydraulic-sluicing Company (Kum Poy, secretary, Dunedin). —The history of the operations of this company denotes progress. The two upper claims are well conducted, and operations were carried on as usual during the year. The Lion'water was brought on to the No. 3 claim and used for some time, but owing to the water-suDplies at the other two claims becoming short, the Lion water was used to augment their supplies and secure continuous working. The company is a large employer of labour, sixty men being engaged in connection with the various works. Victoria Gully Sluicing Claim (Selwood and Bourke). —Two men find employment in this hydraulic sluicing and elevating claim. Waikaia. Argyle Hydraulic-sluicing Company, Muddy Creek (J. Stewart, manager).—There is nothing fresh to report regarding the operations of this company. The water-power dredge driven by Stewart's system continues to work satisfactorily. Twelve men are employed. Winding Creek Hydraidic-sluicing Claim, Winding Creek (.). Shanks, manager ; Round Hill Mining Company, owners ; A. Reynolds, secretary, Riverton). —This property is held by the Round Hill Mining Company. A large area of ground has been top-stripped preparatory to taking up the bottom level by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Ten men are employed. Upper Waikaia Gold-mining Syndicate. —This claim is owned and worked by a party of Roxburgh shareholders, for whom H. A. Tamblyn, of Coal Creek Flat, is secretary. Muddy Creek Terraces. —A company has been formed with a large working-capital to bring in the water of the Dome Creek. The race will be an expensive work, but the large area of alluvial ground commanded by the race is expected to recompense the company for its outlay. The race is at present under course of construction. Forty men are employed in the race-cuttings. Dredging. —The field continues to maintain its position as a gold-producer. Certainly the operations of many dredges have proved that the rich wash runs in leads, and outside these leads the deposits are low grade. Seventeen dredges are now in operation on this field, and it is expected that the number will be added to. Gore. Charlton Valley. —Five dredges continue at work in this valley, and all secure payable returns of gold. The scheme to bring in the water from the Otamita Creek to work a claim in the valley is not yet an established fact. Mataura River Valley. —There are two dredges in operation on the Mataura River, but dredging operations in this valley have proved the material to be low grade.

6-C. 3.