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Progress Mines, Beefton. —(8/12/99): A miner named Patrick Sweeney was killed by a fall of mullock in his working-face." Progress Mines. —(21/3/1900): A trucker named M. Connors had his arm broken between a truck and set of timber. ALLUVIAL AND HYDRAULIC MINING. Mahakipawa. King Solomon Mine (Alexander Campbell, mine-manager).—(B/2/1900) : According to the mine-survey at date, the main tunnel had been driven in the auriferous gutter a further distance of 206 ft. towards the old shaft: thus a solid barrier of 97 ft. is left between the old and new mines ; but, as data relating to the old workings was of doubtful character, and the ground not suitable for carrying forward reliable boreholes, the company was notified to unwater the old mine, which course they have decided to carry out previous to further encroachment, and preparatory works are well advanced for that purpose. At present operations are confined on a westerly lead, 80 ft. back from the face. The drives are all well and securely timbered. Eight men employed, five at new mine three at old mine. Mahakipawa. —(8/2/1900): Edwards and Riley are sluicing the Cullensville Creek bed, about a mile above the old King Solomon shaft. Good results were obtained on a bend of the creek. Near the caves on the right-hand branch seven miners are sluicing a section of old ground when water is available; also on the left-hand branch a little gold is found. Wakamarina Gorge Claim (J. A. Sloane, mine-manager).—(9/2/1900) : In consequence of the flood-waters bursting the tail-dam, the syndicate has decided to construct a new one previous to further mining operations, as all efforts to pump out the water were futile. Eight men employed. Takaka. Waingaropupu Creek. — (22/2/1900) : This creek is locally named the " Bu-Bu Diggings," and twelve men generally find employment. Mr. Barney has taken up a large area for hydraulic purposes, but, beyond pegging off the ground, nothing has been done to develop the property. There are two miles of this creek-bed pegged off for dredging purposes. Collingwood. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Area, 150 acres; William Peters, mine-manager).— (16/2/1900) : Sluicing operations have been continuously carried on at the Hit-or-Miss; but scarcity of the water-supply has confined operations to the work of two nozzles operating on the main creek-bed, preparatory to further extending the north-side workings when water is available. In consequence of the very dry season the hydraulic-elevating plant was idle. The works and appliances are in a satisfactory condition. The main pipe-line is being thoroughly overhauled and tarred. Quartz Banges Sluicing Company (Area, 230 acres ; P. G. Mace, mine-manager).—(l 3/2/1900) : For the half-year ended March 220,000 cubic yards of gravel was washed away for a gold yield of £1,160. No. 2 face is the chief centre of operations, and three nozzles, discharging twenty-six heads of water, were operating with satisfactory results. The development of Nos. 1 and 3 faces are well advanced, but scarcity of water tends to retard operations. In connection with No. 3 face a tail-race tunnel, driven on a gradient of 6 in. to the 12-ft. bore, is within 80 ft. of the washdirt; also a branch pipe-line is being laid from the main. The works are in good order, and are carried out in a systematic manner. Twenty-six men are employed. Bocky Biver Excelsior Sluicing Company. —(l 3/2/1900): Progress on this property is of a slow character. When visited, work was ceased, owing to Mr. A. Trent, mine-manager, receiving a riding accident. Maruia. The works on the Maruia Plains were not visited during the year. Westport Distict. The Wellington Old Diggings, Buller Biver (Area, 60 acres; owners, Wellington Gold-mining Company, Limited; 0. S. Watkins, legal manager). — This company has carried out extensive developments in the construction of water-races and other works to completion, and active sluicing operations are now in full swing. Muckle and Party. —(26/2/1900): The Caledonia Gully tailings-deposit still yields remunerative returns to the owners. During a necessary extension of the flood-tunnel, sluicing operations were suspended for three months at the commencement of the year. Active sluicing is now resumed. German Greek. —(26/2/1900) : Along the terraces and tributaries of this creek there are twenty miners employed, who discharge mining dibris into the Orowaiti River. The Bendigo and Fairdown properties, which were owned by the General Exploration Company, are shut down, and all work has ceased. Waimangaroa Biver. —Four parties found profitable employment by tunnelling on the banks of this stream. Halligan and Party, Addison's Flat. —(27/2/1900): This sluicing and elevating claim continues to yield very favourable returns. The party consists of six shareholders. Garry Owen Claim. —(27/2/1900) : This sluicing and elevating property is worked by Carmody and party of eight shareholders in a workmanlike manner. The working plant is substantial and well cared for. The gold returns are very satisfactory. 13—C. 3.

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