G.—B

98

Shamrock Claim (Philip Mclnroe, owner) .—(27/2/1900) : Operations on the north face have ceased. The sluicing and elevating plant is removed to the south side of the property, where a new face is developed, and active sluicing has been commenced. Six men are employed. Virgin Flat Gold-mining Company (Limited). —(22/9/99) : On this property developments are steadily pushed forward, but, as the water-race scheme comprises extensive tunnel-drivings and open-channel cuttings, a large amount of work yet requires to be done before sluicing operations are commenced. The following shows the works commenced and not completed in the construction of head-race and tail-race developments : Head-race—Completed, 3 miles 10 chains ; tunnelling not completed, 103 chains. Tail-race—Tunnelling completed, 40 chains ; tunnelling not completed, 15 chains. The sawmill for cutting mining timber and the head-race for driving same are completed. Twenty-two men are employed. Lucinda Claim, Fools' Terrace. —The line of water-race from Nile River has been surveyed, and about 800 ft. of tunnel has been driven to prospect the property. This area is under protection pending flotation. Ahaura. .(25/1/1900) : In connection with mining matters there is little change to note in this district. About twenty Europeans and a few Chinese find employment. Orwell Creek. (25/1/1900) : This mining village still retains its prosperous appearance, although mining does not improve. Nelson Creek. (14/3/1900) : Along the terraces and tributaries of this creek twenty-five Europeans and one Chinese miner find favourable returns. Bellhill Hydraulic Company. — (7/3/1900) : This property is now owned by a Kumara syndicate. Dr. Scott, of Kumara, is secretary, and Mr. C. Carlson is mine-manager. Since the present company has taken over this property extensive developments and alterations have been carried out to simplify operations. German Gully, near Gallaghan's Greek (Fred. Berendson, secretary). —(26/10/99) : There has been no defined work done beyond prospecting. Healey's Gully (Owners, the Republic Sluicing Company; John Balami, mine-manager).— This company employ nine men in connection with sluicing operations and water-race maintenance. Considerable alterations were carried out on the water-race during the year. No Town Greek. —(3o/11/99) : This old mining locality still gives employment to about forty Europeans and an equal number of Chinese, who are reported to make good wages. Grey Valley. Sulky Gully (F. Wills and W. King, owners). —Since the subsidised water-race was completed sluicing operations have so far been a complete failure. A party of Chinese have taken up the property. The Grey Eiver and Barrytown districts were not visited during the year. Hokitika. Humphrey's Gully Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —Operations have been chiefly confined to repairs and renewals to the water-race. This gigantic water-race scheme has involved extensive developments and alterations to be made in regrading, retimbering, and cutting of tunnels and open channels; also the siphon system has been substituted to replace expensive and elaborate flumings, in order to insure an abundant and relible water-supply for all practical purposes in connection with the profitable working of this auriferous area. Craig's Freehold. —(8/3/1900) : Since this auriferous area was reopened, developments have been successfully and systematically carried out by both parties of tributers, who are now reaping a fair harvest in recompense for their arduous undertaking. On the north side the main drive has reached the rise boundary of old workings, and direct air-connection is made with the original airshaft. On the south side an air-shaft was sunk on the terrace, from which a reliable air-current is established. Both parties have tapped the old workings at several points, which nullifies the danger of noxious gases being met with as the old ground is approached. Twelve men are employed. James Main and Party, Kanieri. —(6/2/1900) : This subsidised drainage-tunnel, which was started from the Kanieri River, and driven 1,400 ft. to prospect and unwater the deep gravels in Commissioners' Flat, has been successful in striking the auriferous drift in payable quantity. The ground is worked by driving, and hoisted up a vertical shaft by means of water-balance gear. Ross. Donnelly's Creek Drainage-race. —(7/2/1900): The contractors ceased operations at the end of last year, and nothing further has been done. Boss United. —(7/2/1900): This property is still worked on the old principle—viz., by eight tributers, who make a bare living. Mont dOr (Charles Davey, mine-manager).— (7/2/1900): This property yielded gold to the value of £6,529 18s. 6d., and paid in dividends £3,600 to the shareholders ; workingexpenses, £3,578 15s. sd. The Greenland section of this property, which dips south-east from the present workings, has occupied the attention of the management to develop and work the faces on the lowest possible levels. In order to carry out this work most effectively,