19

G.—Ba.

Two special claims have been applied for since the Mammoth started, and it is believed the poorest of the terraces will yield at least 2gr., which is good enough to pay hydraulic workings. Cascade Ceeek. In this creek, which is about ten miles from Westport, on the north side of the Buller, Button and party have been working about two years trying to bottom. They expect to strike payable wash within a month, arriving at this conclusion from the result of a prospecting-shaft put down some distance above their present workings. The ground is held by licensed holdings. Immediately above this claim Foster and party hold an extended claim, and they also have started operations for bottoming the creek. A considerable quantity of rough gold has been won by fossicking on the banks of the creek. It is, however, anticipated that the best gold will be found in the creek-bed, as most of the terraces appear to have slipped into the watercourse. To open up this auriferous district, a track is required from the Nine-mile Ferry, a distance of about three miles. At present, if wet weather, it is not possible to travel to or from the ground. Collingwood. It is pleasing to be able to report that the future prospects of this district look more promising. There has been an increase of fifty-eight miners' rights and thirty-nine applications. As anticipated in my last report, a good many claims have been taken up in the Kaituna district, and the miners are reported to be doing well. The Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company. —This enterprising company have nearly completed their extensive works, and will soon commence sluicing operations, the result of which is waited for with great anxiety as of very great importance to the district. The first contract in connection with these works was let in November, 1893, and the works have progressed as fast as such circumstances as the importation of pipes, difficulties of transit, &c, would admit. The head-works of the company are situate at Bichmond Flat, on the Parapara Eiver. In this locality a concrete dam has been constructed, which diverts the whole of the river (except in time of flood) through a tunnel 24 chains in length, opening out at the head of Appo's Creek. From the tunnel outlet the water is conveyed by a flume, 19 chains, to the pipe-intake-penstock, and thence in wrought-steel pipes to the Parapara flats, junctions being fitted for service to the several properties held by the company along the route of the pipe-line. The normal flow of the Parapara Biver is estimated at twenty-five Government heads, and at the present height of the dam this is all there is at command; but provision has been made for storage, if found desirable and necessary, by building the dam with sufficient base to admit of the height being increased so as to allow of 20ft. of storage. In view of this, the tunnel flume and pipe have been proportioned for a fifty-head supply. As the work of raising the height of the dam can be carried on without interfering with the sluicing operations, it is deemed advisable to allow the existing work to thoroughly set and season before adding more weight. Johnstons United Mining Company. —There is very little alteration in this mine since my report of last year. To work the mine with any degree of profit another low-level tunnel is considered necessary, but it is doubtful if the prospects are sufficiently encouraging to justify the necessary outlay. Twelve men are employed. At West Wanganui about fifteen men are mining, and said to be making wages. Land-settle-ment is progressing, and there are three sawmills in the district, which are a great assistance to settlers clearing their land. Deedging. A small dredge has been placed on the Aorere Biver (Collingwood) recently, and on its first trial worked sixty-seven hours, and obtained 12oz. of gold. This being considered highly satisfactory, a company is to be formed to place a larger and better dredge on the river. The success of this dredge has also led to applications for several other claims on this river, and in a few months it is probable that two or three more dredges will be at work. The Cock Sparrow Dredge, which is working on the Buller Biver, near Three-channel Flat, has been doing well for some time past, and has recently paid a dividend of 3d. per share, being the first dividend paid by any dredging company in the district. The Hen Sparrow Company have applied for a special claim for a mile of the river adjoining the Cock Sparrow Claim. The Buller Dredge (formerly Alexandra), working on the Buller Biver, at Fern Flat, and the Matakitaki Dredge, working on the Matakitaki Biver, are reported to be getting gold, and doing fairly well, but they have a great many difficulties to contend with. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Alfeed Gbbbnfield, Warden.

No. 7. Mr. Warden Stratford to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Reefton, 10th May, 1895. I have the honour to forward to you herewith statistical returns for the year ended 31st March, and beg to submit the following report on the Inangahua district for the same period. The result of the year's operation shows a falling-off as compared with the previous year; the calls are less by £4,197, and the dividends less by £7,820, and the yield of gold from the quartzmines less by 4,9870z. The yield of alluvial gold, however, shows an increase of 5870z. From the