C.—B

182

Carmody and Party. —After a long and uninterrupted period of successful sluicing the party had to take steps to secure more fall. They have been put to considerable expense through having to lower their washing-site, construct new tables and water-balance, and drive tunnels for tailrace, &c. Virgin Flat Company. — This company has been reorganized, and has resumed operations after a spell of idleness. A water-balance has been erected during the year, and some prospectingtunnels have also been driven. Gould and Party. —A good deal of dead-work has been done at this claim during the past year. A new branch tail-race has been completed, and a paddock for washing tables, 66 ft. by 46 ft., has been cut out to a depth of 30 ft.; new water-balance and tables have been constructed, and a tunnel driven to connect the washing-site with the water-balance. They have now resumed sluicing, and results so far have been satisfactory. Neil and Party. —In this claim also a large amount of preparatory work had to be done. For some time past sluicing has been resumed, and the party are supposed to be doing very well. In all probability they will now be able to sluice away the ground right to the end of their claim without being put to any serious expense for dead-work. McCann and Party. —This party has now secured ample fall, and, having a good supply of water, they are putting through an enormous quantity of wash which, it is generally believed, carries good gold. They should therefore soon recoup themselves for the heavy outlay incurred in dead-work for some time past. Addison's Long Tunnel Gold-mining Company. — The greater part of the past year has been taken up in moving and re-erecting the water-balance for lifting hopperings and in extending and boxing the tunnel tail-race, in order that the southern end of the claim can be worked. The south face, where previously worked, yielded substantial dividends, and shareholders therefore naturally look forward to having a good time again in the early future. Mokihinui. Bed Queen Gold-mining Company (Limited). — This mine is again in operation. It was taken up early last year, and a company formed locally to resume work. The mine is now fully equipped for working in a small way. A two-head Hendy battery (8501b. stamps), with a 6 ft. Pelton wheel, has been erected. Two level tramways and a wire-rope incline connect the battery with the upper workings, where a rich outcrop is exposed. Driving on the stone has proved rather disappointing so far, the gold being in patches and not in defined shoots. The reef is small, and should therefore be fairly rich to be profitably worked. The stone crushed last year yielded returns averaging 27 dwt. per ton. Waimangaroa. Britannia Gold-mining Company (Limited). —The principal operations at this mine consisted in prospecting. Another block of stone has been found between Nos. 3 and 4 levels, and the necessary connection for conveying stone to the battery is now being put in hand. Stony Greek Gold-mining Company (Limited). — Quartz-crushing was carried on for about six months at this claim, and then unfortunately the reef pinched out. The returns were disappointing, and the directors decided to stop active operations. Monthly calls are now being made to meet liabilities incurred, and the directors intend shortly to do further prospecting-work, and hope to have the battery running again during the present year. Island Creek Gold-dredging Company (Limited). —This company has gone into liquidation. The dredge and plant were sold to the Stony Creek Gold-mining Company, and removed to Ngakawau. The latter company were unsuccessful at Ngakawau, and recently sold the dredge and plant, evidently with the intention of discontinuing all further dredging operations. Wareatea Gold-dredging Company (Limited). — This company, having been unsuccessful in their dredging operations, sold their plant to the Waimangaroa Eiver Gold-dredging Company, and went into liquidation. The latter company nad not commenced dredging at the end of last year. Fairdown Gold-dredging Company (Limited). —This company, owing to want of success in adjoining claims, discontinued operations before completing the dredge, sold the plant, and went into liquidation. Old Diggings. Several small parties of miners are working on this field, but, so far as I can learn, few are doing more than making wages. The Wellington Company's claim is being worked on tribute. Hill and party are taking in a new tail-race, and expect to get better returns when it is finished. Bradshaw's Terrace and Creek. Several payable claims are being worked in this locality. Great difficulty is experienced at most of them in disposing of tailings owing to want of fall. The creek and lagoon are being gradually filled, and in the course of time there is no doubt sluicing will have to be abandoned for want of fall unless a large sludge-channel is constructed or some other method adopted for removing the tailings in a wholesale manner. Ahaura District. Beginning with the Moonlight Creek field, there is very little difference since last year. The population is about the same, and as no new ground has been opened there is no material difference in the number or class of claims. The completion of the Shetland Terrace Hydraulic Sluicing Company's water-race about April next will, it is expected, provide employment for a number of extra men. The water-race is being constructed from Fenton's Creek, and not, as at first intended,