C—2

In the Southern District the Round Hill Mining Co., Ltd., worked throughout the year and was the largest plant in production. A number of small river, beach, and sluicing claims are also being worked throughout Otago and Southland, but no large increase of output is anticipated.

Men Employed and Output

DREDGE MINING During 1949 in the West Coast District four dredges continued to work throughout the year with good results, though delays were caused at times owing to short supplies of spares and replacements. Two other dredges, Ngahere and Arahura, were idle due to accident for part of the year, Ngahere being grounded from July to August when the pond was emptied through dredging into an old tunnel, and again from September onwards from a similar cause; On the second occasion serious damage to the digging ladder required repairs which stopped dredging until the end of the year. Only 50 per cent, of possible time during the year was devoted to dredging, compared with 72 per cent, in 1948. Dredging was resumed early in 1950. From causes still unknown, the Arahura Dredge capsized and sank on sth March at the change of shifts at 4 p.m., one of the employees on the incoming shift being drowned. Up to the end of the year no decision had been made regarding salvage, but the insurance claim has now been paid and it is understood that the salvage of the plant will be proceeded with. The Premier Dredge, transferred from Nemona Creek, has now been rebuilt on Caribou Creek, Big River, and a trial run has been made. Dredging will proceed in 1950. The Atarau and Marsden Dredges, belonging to Associated Gold Dredges, Ltd., have not worked during 1949, but remain fully equipped and are being kept in workingorder. In the Southern District the Austral-N.Z. Co.'s dredge at Lowburn Bridge and the Clutha River Co.'s dredge at Alexandra Flat ran continuously with good results, but the Molyneux Gold Dredging Co.'s dredge remained tied up throughout the year. A small Diesel-driven dredge belonging to the Rainbow Syndicate has been working at Charlton Valley since the begining of the year on shallow ground.

2—C 2

33

— Yardage. Average Depth. Men Employed. Gold. Value. West Coast District— Waitahu Gold-mining Co., Ltd. Sundry alluvial claims Totals Southern District — Round Hill Gold-mining Co., Ltd. Sundry alluvial claims Totals Ft. 12 2 51 Oz. dwt. 93 0 467 0 1 £ 1,116 4,352 53 560 0 5,468 6 41 327 0 555 0 2,888 5,050 47 882 0 7,938