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QUARTZ-MTNES. POERUA AND WILBERFORCE QUARTZ-MINE DISTRICTS. Poerua Gold-mining Company (John Phibbs, mining-manager). —Throughout 1911 the leases have been further prospected with from six to twelve men, and, having proved sufficient quartz of payable grade, a ten-stamp mill was obtained and is now in course of construction. The method of treatment for the ore will be all sliming and cyaniding with air-agitation. During the year the Department, through the Grey County Council, has constructed a dray-road to the battery-site. All development-work underground is of a substantial character. The management is to be complimented on providing such excellent ventilation. King Gold-mining Company, Wilberforce (John Hewer, mining-manager).—The average number of men employed during the year is seven. 300 ft. have been driven, and fully timbered where required. Full ventilation has been maintained on a close day by the aid of a fan. Wilson Reward Syndicate (John Hewer, supervisor).—Two men employed in prospecting operations. Callaire and Bauke. —During the year, which has been a very unfavourable one, 110 ft. has been driven on a nice reef-track, but so far no gold has been found. Ross. Osmers and Party. —This party have been engaged upon development-work, and have not produced any ore of sufficient value for battery treatment. The subsidized tunnel at Jones Creek drivon br Messrs. Aitken and party has not as yet developed anything of a payable character, although on the surface the leader carries nice gold by dish prospects. DREDGE MTNING. There were only three dredges actually employed during the year. On the North Beach dredge the regulations have received strict attention. The year's production has been curtailed, owing to the shortage of water during the dry season. The Stafford dredge continues to yield a profit on the year's operations. At the Success dredge the returns have not been as large as could be desired, but have been payable, and as dredging is carried up the creek the gold returns increase. The Mining Regulations have been generally complied with. ALLUVIAL MINING. Gibbs and Friend, with two men, continue sluicing in their area at Omerua. As developments continue they prove very satisfactory. More capital is required for development. On Peter Hende's area, situated at an altitude of 3,500 ft., owing to the very inclement season and the owner's ill health, little or no work was done. Gallery Gorge. Only two miners ventured into this gorge this past season. They only remained three weeks, but were well repaid for their time, and intend returning next season if it is favourable. Five-mile Beach. Dominion Gold-mining Company. —For the first six months of the year this company had four men employed in preparing the pipe-line from the beach up to Lake Alfrine ; also raising the bank of the lake. For reasons best known to themselves, work was suspended, and a suit for cancellation instituted. The cancellation was in favour of the applicants. Other than three beachcombers, there is no gold-mining in the district. Okarito District. The three prospecting-areas recently held on the north bank of the lagoon have been surrendered, the holders having failed to form a company with sufficient capital to develop the areas. Okarito Forks, South Westi.and. Messrs. Tail and Munn. —This party, assisted by Government subsidy, have succeeded in opening what to all appearances is a new gold-lead ; they are now constructing a water-race thereto. Duffer's Creek. Two men have been prospecting in this locality, but they have not met with any payable results. Ross. John Smith and party, Cedar Creek, have had a more successful year for their sluicing operations. As developments are advanced the yield of gold per yard increases. The level from which they are now working is too high, so it is proposed to commence a low level. Luckie and party, after having sunk their shaft and driven 200 ft. (assisted by a subsidy), found the water so heavy that they suspended operations, and have not restarted. The Mont dOr Gold-mining Company obtained gold to the value of £3,493, of which £1,800 was paid in dividends. A very bad start was made at the beginning of the year. A very long tunnel that connects the water-race with the main supply-pipes broke down completely, and slid away into the

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