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or, if known, the means were not at hand to put such work into operation. One claim on the hill was distinguished from the others by having a whim erected on it, and was known as the Whim Claim, and was owned by Mr. Alexander McLean and three others. This claim had been sunk upon to the depth of something like 140 ft., but, through the continuous and rapid flow of water in the mine below, the party were compelled to cease operations for the time being, Mr. McLean at this time taking from the layer of washdirt a prospect which, after being panned off, gave the very handsome return of 2-Jdwt. to tha tin dish. This layer of washdirt in its richness would be about 50 yards in length, and running north and south, the dip lying east and west. Beyond the described length the wash became poorer each way, until it ran out altogether. All who worked out claims at a shallow grade on this now celebrated layer made a fair thing out of them. After Mr. McLean ceased working this rich ground lay idle for some time, until larger areas were granted, and miners putting in an appearance from the Ovens (Victoria) and California, these men, with their groundsluicing experience, commenced to operate on the alluvial drifts in the neighbourhood ; then the Whim Claim was again taken in hand and worked by Messrs. Stewart (now deceased) and Eeilly to the level of the St. Bathan's Channel. '•' Upon this change of operations Mr. John Bwing became interested in Kildare Hill by purchasing a one-fourth share in the ground known as Hart's claim. Mr. Ewing afterwards purchased at an auction-sale the other three shares at something like £700. After becoming sole proprietor Mr. Ewing continued to work this claim for some years. The speculation did not give adequate returns for the outlay. Ultimately he purchased all that was left of the Whim Claim (the amount of purchase-money has escaped my memory), which adjoined his previous purchase. Several other interests were bought out by him, while he acquired various other holdings that he deemed to be abandoned. He then applied for 20 acres as a special claim, and obtained it. What a contrast in a few years in the area that one man could hold. From this time forth fortune seems to have favoured Mr. Ewing, His perseverance and skill have brought this Kildare layer into celebrity." " After levelling the country in close proximity to the celebrated layer, he commenced to elevate, and continued to do so until he had reached a depth of 110 ft. below the level of his tailrace, this depth being obtained in three lifts of 46ft., 40ft., and 34ft. respectively. At this depth there was no diminution in the richness of the layer, a fact which is borne out by the very handsome returns of last season's operations, exceeding £8,000. There must have been over a ton weight of gold extracted from the layer alone from the time the Kildare men first tapped it up to date, " Mr. Ewing not being pleased with the system of three lifts for attaining 110 ft. in depth, he worked the matter out, and came to the conclusion that the same depth could be obtained through one lift. His conjectures have been demonstrated without a doubt, his ideas being brought to a successful issue on the 15th instant. Mr. Ewing commenced the work of erecting the new elevating plant in the beginning of October, and with five miners and a blacksmith, under the superintendence of Mr. H. Brown, and two carpenters under that of Mr. T. Wilkinson, the work was brought to a close on the date mentioned. The alteration that has really been made consists in one lift of 92ft., this being done with about 400 ft. of pressure, the operator having another 200 ft. at his command. "Many were the prophecies whilst the works were in construction that they would be a failure, the prophets basing their ideas on the theory of 10ft. lift for 100 ft. pressure ; but the prophets were doomed to disappointment. At mid-day on the 15th, the manager, Mr. H. Brown, had everything in readiness for the turning-oil of the water. A good number of miners, business people, and others had congregated about the exit end of the elevator, and when the water was heard rushing through the pressure pipes the cry arose, " Here it comes ! " Mr. Brown kept an eye to his work, standing by the shut-off valve, waiting and watching the pressure pipes until they were well filled. Then the command was given by him to open the valve, when a roaring and hissing was heard as the air was being forced out of the elevating pipes by the water. Eager did the eyes of the onlookers watch the discharge end of the elevator, and when the water and gravel were driven out of the elevator into the tail-race a spontaneous cheer burst forth from the numerous gathering, when it was seen that science, combined with practice, had prevailed over theory. As considerable skill had been shown by Mr. Wilkinson in the erection of the scaffolding three cheers were called for him, and this was heartily responded to. A hearty cheer was also given to Mr. Brown, who superintended and carried out the work of intricacy to a successful finish. Two days after the opening the whole construction was in danger of being wrecked by an enormous slip of pipeclay, but it pleases me to relate that all anxiety for the safety of the work has been removed." Ewing's Claim (Hydraulic Elevating). —During the year the two upper lifts have been taken out and replaced by one, to lift 92ft. vertical. This, with a pressure of 440 ft., has been found to work exceedingly well. The elevator used is of the bell-mouthed kind, the jet is 3-J-in., and the throat 7in., the uptake pipes 14in., and the down-pipe 15in., the latter continued that diameter to lower flange of jet casting. Mr. Ewing finds this class of elevator does much better work than the suction elevators commonly used in this class of mining. It lifts more water and material in proportion to the stream used in the elevating jet, and the castings last much longer. The difference, too, between the maximum and minimum power of this elevator —that is, during the time the rapidly wearing parts last —is not nearly so great. In suction elevators, with the material dealt with here, the intake nozzle and throat castings would not stand a fortnight's wear, and during half that time the power of the elevator would be reduced an average of 50 per cent. With the bellmouthed elevator there is no intake casting used, and the jet casting lasts two to three months. The throats last three weeks, and the difference in power is not 25 per cent, at the end of that period, and that only for a few days before it is advisable to put in a fresh nozzle or a fresh throat casting. This elevator is erected on very sandy ground, with thick seams of aluminous clay running through it. This ground is liable to slip or fret away if the least moisture gets to it. To prevent leakage getting to the ground on which the trestle-work carrying the plant is built, the uptake pipes are ,set nearly vertical, and