131

C—B

Waipori. Success Gold-dredging Company (Limited). —This company took over a special claim of 84 acres from W. Hanley, and built a dredge at a cost of £2,900. It has been working since January last, and the directors are well satisfied with the results so far. Empire Gold-dredging Company (Limited). —This company took over the special claims of Messrs. McKinlay and Pilling. The claim is situated on the Waipori Flat. The dredge is now being built, and will be equipped with all the latest appliances by Messrs. Morgan and Cable, of Port Chalmers. The company expects to make a start dredging about the month of June. Messrs. McNeil and Party. —The returns of this company are not published, it being a private company, but from what I can hear the returns are exceedingly good. Jutland Flat (Waipori) Gold-mining Company (Limited). —This company has been working steadily during the year, and has won 1,151 oz. of gold for the twelve months, and has paid dividends amounting to £1,875. Upper Waipori Alluvial Gold-dredging Company (Limited). —This company has also been working for the greater part of the year. The yield of gold was 1,169 oz. Dividends declared amount to £600 for the year. Perseverance Dredge. —Messrs. McNeil and company have been at work with this dredge for the past thirteen months, with fair results. The dredge is working in practically dead-water. New Sandhills Dredge. —Operations have been continued during the year in this dredge, which is situated on the Upper Shotover, about seven miles above Skipper's Point. The returns are said to be satisfactory. Island Block. The Golden Lead Company's dredge is to be moved up opposite Craig's paddock. The Golden Gate dredge is working in the river, below Island Block. The Golden Eun Company is about to construct a new and improved dredge for working at the head of Island Block. Miller's Flat. The Otago Company's and Golden Gate Company's dredges have both done very well dredging from the bed of the Molyneux. The Golden Treasure dredge has done very well near Kerr's Creek, the returns in dividends to the shareholders having been very large. This dredge is working the river-bed. Pringle's dredge is working on the Molyneux Eiver, about nine miles below Miller's Flat Ferry. Roxburgh. The Bengerburn dredge is now working on tribute at the mouth of the Benger Creek. The Ettrick dredge has been working profitably in the river near Ettrick Township during the year. The Edina dredge has been prospecting the river above Eoxburgh, but frequent stoppages have been occasioned by breaksdown in the machinery. The owners, having purchased the Eoxburgh Gold Steam-dredging Company's dredge, are now prospecting Mr. Youngman's claim, opposite Roxburgh. The Dunedin dredge is working in the Molyneux River, near Coal Creek Flat. Eight men are employed. The Eoxburgh Dredging Company has gone into liquidation, but the dredge is now working in the river with fairly satisfactory results. Alexandra. The prospects of the dredging industry have never been so good as at present. Thirteen dredges are working within four miles on the Clutha River, and another three on the Manuherikia, an additional five being now under construction on the Clutha, and three on the Manuherikia. The Manuherikia Gold-dredging Company's dredge has been working in midstream on the Molyneux River, just below the mouth of the Manuherika, but is now laid up for repairs. The Molyneux Hydraulic Company's dredge is perhaps the most efficient at present working on the Clutha River, and it is gratifying to find that the returns have paid the cost of the construction of the dredge, and dividends will shortly be paid to the shareholders. The Enterprise Company's dredge has been working now four years and a half on the claim opposite Sandy Point. The returns during the past year have been very satisfactory, dividends to the extent of £1,250 having been declared. The Moa dredge, at Frenchman's Point, did exceptionally well, the return for one week being 288 oz. The Eureka No. 1 (Leijon and party) and Ngapara (Ross and others) dredges have been at steady work, and have apparently done well. The Eureka No. 2 dredge (Leijon and party) is working near the side of the river, and is of a modern description. Seven men are employed. The Clyde dredge (Dr. J. C. Hyde and Co.) is working on the bank of the Molyneux Eiver, away from the current. Six men are employed on this dredge. The Chicago and Earnscleugh No. 1 dredges, both working at Sandy Point, have done remarkably well. The Perseverance No. 1 Gold-dredging Company is working with three men in the bed of the river. The Perseverance No. 2 Gold-dredging Company's dredge has been at work for some time in the bank of the river, away from the current, but is now laid up for repairs. Manorburn Dredging Company (Limited). —The Victoria dredge is at present undergoing repairs at Alexandra, prior to being taken further down the river. The whole of the Manuherikia River and adjoining low flats from Alexandra, to the mouth of Chatto Creek, has been taken up, and it is believed that the flats will return satisfactory yields for work done. The Manorburn dredge, which is working near the mouth of the Manorburn Creek, although of an old-fashioned type, has done very well.

18—C. 3.