C—2.

30

Nevis Crossing Dredge, Nevis River. —This dredge only worked for one month in the early part of the year. The gold won amounted to 32 oz. 10 dwt. 15 gr., valued at £123 4s. lOd. Undaunted Dredging and Mining Co., Little Kyeburn.—The small water-power bucket dredge erected by tins company could not dig the hard clay which overlies the wash on the terrace where it was operating. Dredging ceased early in May, and the company has gone into liquidation. Golden Terrace Extended Gold-dredging Co., Lower Shotover.—The erection of the dredge for working the company's claim has been in progress during the year, and dredging operations should commence in March, 1930. Minerals other, than Gold. Tungsten.—The scheelite produced during the year amounted to 22 tons 13 cwt. 2 qrs., valued at £2,613 —an increase of 16 tons 9 cwt. 2 qr. in quantity and £2,181 in value over 1928. This increase has been brought about by the recovery in the tungsten market. The largest producers were the Glenorchy Scheelite Co. (13 tons 10 cwt.), and E. B. Gallery (6 tons 15 cwt). A number of licenses to prospect for the mineral have been granted to miners at Glenorchy and Macrae's, and a further increase in production may be expected in 1930. Cinnabar.—The Waitahuna Cinnabar Syndicate drove a crosscut a distance of 286 ft. from the surface and cut a small lode formation which was driven on 42 ft. to the west from the crosscut. Only traces of cinnabar were found. Silica.—The Southern Cross Glass Co., Ltd., Ashburton : The output of silica-sand from the company's silica license at Mount Somers amounted to 318 tons, which was valued at 10s. per ton at the site of the deposit. Platinum.—6 oz. 17 dwt. of platinum concentrates, valued at £35 12s. 2d., were recovered from alluvial and sea beach claims at Round Hill and Orepuki. Accidents. No serious accidents occurred in the mines or dredges during the year.