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iron, laid on the fiat across the box, and placed about three-eighths of an inch apart, having under them, on the bottom of the boxes, cocoanut-matting. The water coming down these inclined tables forms ripples in each of the interstices, and there the gold is deposited. The first set of inclined tables are set across the dredge at an inclination from the outside towards the centre, where the tables from each of the revolving screens join on to another inclined table, which carries the sluiced material into the river at the stern of the dredge. The whole of the dredgingmachinery is worked by a vertical inverted compound steam-engine, having cylinders of 12in. and 22in. diameter respectively, and 18in. stroke, working under a pressure of 601b. to the square inch. A powerful double-cylinder steam-winch lifts and lowers the dredging-ladders, as well as works the mooring-chains, of which there are five in number—viz., three at the bow and two at the stern. Each chain has its own drum, which can be connected or thrown out of gear as desired. These are all under the control of one man. A plan of this dredge is annexed, so that a clearer knowledge can be obtained of the principle on which it is worked. Cromwell. —The principal workings here are in the vicinity of Smith's and Pipeclay Gullies, Bannockburn. These gullies were very rich in alluvial deposits when first opened, and some portions of them ha^e been worked over a second and third time. After the beds were partially worked, the terraces on each side were operated on by hydraulic sluicing, the tailings from which have been deposited in the gullies, which has raised the level of their beds to such an extent that at the present time a large quantity of ground known to be payable for working is locked up for want of fall. Carrick Range. — Star of the East Company. —This company has been at work for several years, having found on and near the surface several rich leaders or lodes of quartz. They have recently been driving a low-level tunnel with the view of striking the reef at a greater depth than has hitherto been worked. This tunnel is constructed for about 900 ft., and cut a leader of quartz containing a little gold; but there was not sufficient known respecting it at the time of my visit to tell whether it would be payable for working or not. There is a crushing plant on the claim; so that, if anything is found, they have the means at hand to properly test and work the ground. Royal Oak Association. —This is merely a prospecting association, formed for the purpose of prospecting the ground that was formerly held by the Royal Oak Company, and which contained near the surface rich auriferous quartz. This association has driven in from the face of the range at the head of Smith's Gully for a distance of 1,100 ft., and has cut several small quartz leaders, none of which contained gold. They have recently discovered an auriferousquartz leader on the surface, and were engaged in prospecting it at the time of my visit. New Cromwell Company, Bendigo.- —This company is engaged in sinking a shaft for the purpose of working the same reef that produced a large quantity of gold a few years ago. At the time of my visit this shaft was sunk to a depth of 187 ft. It has two winding compartments, each sft. by 3ft. 2in.; and one pumping- and ladder-shaft, sft. square. They were also engaged in the erection of winding and air-compressing machinery. The company contemplates sinking the new shaft to a depth of 600 ft. The reef has been partially worked from the surface down to a depth of 430 ft.; but the lode that is supposed to be stoped out is in many places only partially so. Indeed, on the principle hitherto adopted for working this mine, only rich quartz would pay for working. The average width of the reef is about 2ft. 6in.; occasionally it widens out to 4ft., and in some instances narrows down to 6in. wide. The bearing of the reef is 95°. It has an underlie or dip to the north, while the strike of the reef is westerly. The reef here can be traced in a westerly direction for a long distance, but on the easterly end it is apparently cut off by a slip from the main range; but probably it may yet be found here in the deep levels. This company has a battery of twenty heads of stamps, which is driven by one of Whitelaw's turbines. The ordinary quicksilver ripple- and blanket-tables are attached to the stampingbattery. This battery is idle at present, and it will take a considerable time before the shaft is down and the company is ready to stope out quartz from the deep levels; but the manager informed me that it is the intention of the company to crush a deal of the stone now lying on the surface, which was thrown away during the early workings as being too poor to pay. Judging from the formation of the quartz lode this company is likely to find a good payable lode at the deep level. Skipper's and Shotover and Lake Wakatipu. —This district includes the watershed of the Shotover River and the head of Lake Wakatipu, which has contributed largely to the quantity of gold obtained in the colony. In the early days rich finds were got in the beds of the Shotover River, Skipper's, and Moke Creeks. Latterly the auriferous-quartz reefs are getting developed, which still enables it to maintain its prestige as a rich field. Phcenix Quartz-mining Company. —This company's mine is situated on the north side of the right branch of Skipper's Creek, about six miles above the junction of this creek and the Shotover River. This property belongs to Messrs. Bullen Brothers, of Marlborough. They purchased this mine some years ago from the original proprietor, and have been working it ever since, sometimes getting a fair return, but generally, up to about twelve months ago, the work done was principally of a prospecting nature. However, the prospectors had every confidence that they would ultimately be recouped for the steady drain on their resources. They kept on vigorously prospecting the ground; but it was not until about two years ago that the