C—3,

60

Messrs. Thomson and Mitchell (four men) were engaged cutting a water-race for the purpose of sluicing the terrace which rises on the opposite side of the Maruia Valley. When visited (25th September, 1903), the party expected to commence sluicing about the end of the current year. Six-mile Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —The varied works, comprising water-races and pipe-line connections, having been completed in a substantial and workmanlike manner, sluicing operations during the preceding nine months have been satisfactory, considering the limited water-supply occasioned by the excessively dry season. Lyell Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Thornhill Cooper, manager).—When this property was visited (27th July, 1903), operations were suspended owing to a large break on the water-race ; the manager and staff of six men being engaged in putting the race in repair. New Creek Syndicate. —Adam Mahr and party are carrying out a series of surface prospectings to define a recently discovered lode. The lode has been intersected by a low level, and a few tons of stone await the completion of a road for transit to the battery. Boatman's. Mining in the Boatman's district is now principally represented by the dredging industry. Alluvial mining is confined to a few old-age pensioners who had established small holdings along the creek-banks in the former palmy days. Grey Valley. Blackwater. —The increased activity recently developed by the introduction of the Blackwater and Greymouth Lagoon dredges, has again given to this old mining settlement quite a tone of prosperity. The Chinese section of the community having recently carried out extensive works to drain the deeper ground, some rich yields are expected. The Miners' Association was granted Government subsidies on Craighead's and O'Flaherty's prospecting-tunnel. Leading from the main Grey Road, the Blackwater Track has been widened and graded suitable for heavy wheel traffic. Ahaura. —So far as alluvial mining is concerned on the Ahaura River, Orwell Creek, and Callaghan's Creek, the European has practically transferred his lot to the Chinese, and from what little information can be gathered, the returns are varied. Red Jack's and Kangaroo Creeks continue to afford employment to ten Europeans and thirty Chinese. No new developments have arisen. Republic Hydraulic Company. —Sluicing is regulated to suit the other parties who use the water from the subsidised water-race. The water-race and pipe-line connections are well maintained. Seven men are employed. Moonlight. —There are five parties employing sixteen men in all, whose earnings attain a high standard. Grey Valley Sluicing Company. —As the result of a large fall of massive rock, caused by the removal of pillars in the Blackball Colliery, the water-race in connection with this property -received extensive damage near its upper reaches ; consequently sluicing was suspended pending the necessary permanent repairs. The Montgomery's Terrace Hydraulic Sluicing Works have been seriously delayed, owing largely to a huge slide from the broken hillside which carried away a considerable section of the newly constructed water-race. Roaring Meg Gold-mining Company. —Meagher and Jamieson have reopened this claim on tribute. The work so far done is chiefly the effecting of repairs. Sorenson and party (three men), and Giacomo Rissa and party (three men) are hydraulic sluicing the same terrace adjoining Jamieson and party. Faulkner and party are ground-sluicing the creek adjacent to Minerva battery during low water ; also during the excessive dry season there were quite a number of fossickers taking advantage of the opportunity to clear out the gorge section of the creek below the battery. Minerva. —All work continues to be suspended on this claim, and when visited there were two heaps of loose rails lying by the side of the tramway ready to be loaded and taken to the Roaring Meg ; both properties belonging practically to the same owner. Garden Gully. —When visited two men were engaged laying out a road from the Roaring Meg waterrace to the mine. This was the only work in progress. No Town Creek and tributaries furnish employment to sixty Europeans, and thirty-two Chinese. There has been no fresh development in alluvial work, dredging being the chief branch of activity. KUMAEA. The sludge-channels and deep levels connected with the various properties were duly inspected, and found to be maintained in an efficient condition and good order. In the No. 3 channel, certain repairs were satisfactorily effected during the year. Kelly , s-terrace Drainage Tunnel. —As the result of a recent inspection, stoppage of considerable extent was discovered, caused by a fall in the incline shaft. To remove the obstruction and effect the necessary repairs, authority has been issued to the Westland County Council for the expenditure of £100. Wheel of Fortune Hydraulic and Elevating Mining Company. —The water-races and other mechanical appliances are giving general satisfaction, but operations were much hampered through- dearth of water. When visited in April last, sufficient water was available to work one elevator only. A notice signed by James Park and D. E. Thornton, attorney, and published in the Hokitika Guardian, dated the 12th July, 1903, stated that they had seized all property belonging to the Wheel of Fortune Hydraulic and Elevator Gold-mining Company (Limited) on behalf of the mortgagees, and that future mining carried out by D. E. Thornton would be on behalf of the Golden Links Gold-mining Company. Back Creek. — Since Johnston and party's subsidised tunnel was completed the authorised distance, mining has been continuously and profitably carried out by eight men on a wash averaging