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Upper Waikaia. The claim of the Upper Waikaia Sluicing Company (Limited) is situated at a high altitude on the upper part of the Waikaia Eiver, and on the Southland side of the Old-man Eange. Captain Andrew, of Dunedin, who is largely interested in this property, reports as follows : — "During the last year most of the work done has been building a large wing dam to turn the river. This has been done after a good many difficulties, chiefly caused by floods owing to the rapid melting of the snow on the ranges, which are close to the property. The elevating plant has been re-erected further up the river than before, and is now in good working-order. Owing to the depth of the bed of the river (about 32 ft.), I find that the best method for future working will be to drive, as, owing to the drainage from the river coming through the loose wash, it compels you to leave a large batter or angle, therefore giving very little floor-space to clean up. Up to the present time we have not come across the heavy run of gold that is believed to be deposited on the bedrock, but I think it will not be long, as the indications are improving; and, as heavy deposits of gold were got immediately above and below this flat, I fail to see why they should not be got there. In conjunction with this property, I am now getting prices for an electric plant to be erected upon this flat for the purpose of generating power and transmitting it down the Waikaia Valley to supply the dredges (that are about to be built) with motive-power. There is only one dredge at work on the Waikaia —namely, the Nugget—and this one started work last week, and is getting very good gold. From the Nugget dredge right down to the Waikaia Township the whole of the flat is pegged off as dredging claims, and will be all worked in the near future. This electric power will in no way interfere with the working of the claim, as there is a very large supply of water available, and, with a reasonable outlay in enlarging the'race, 1,000-horse power could easily be obtained." Nokomai and Parrawa. The principal claims here are those of Messrs. Sew Hoy and Kuiti Poy, which have been amalgamated, and are now worked by the Nokomai Gold-mining Company (Limited), Mr. Kum Poy being secretary. Hydraulic sluicing and elevating are carried out on a fairly extensive scale. The ground being worked is in the valley of the Nokomai Eiver, and is deep and wet. A large proportion of the gold is rough, and easily saved. Some fine gold is carried in the upper part of the wash. The Parrawa Water-supply and Gold-mining Company (Limited), whose operations were unsuccessful, sold their claim and plant some time ago. From recent advices it does not appear that the present holders have been able to make a success of the property. A few diggers are to be found scattered over the district, some of whom do fairly well. Dredging is to be shortly commenced near the confluence of the Nokomai and Mataura Eiver s. Nevis. In addition to dredging and alluvial mining on a small scale in this locality, there is a hydraulic claim worked by Messrs. W. W. Masters and party, known as " Our Mutual Friend." This claim is situated at Galven's Terrace, at the base of the range of mountains which terminate at the Eemarkables and at the west side of the Nevis Valley. The wash is 50 ft. thick, with a trend almost north and south. The gold is got principally in the lowest 8 ft. of wash, which rests on a clay bottom, having a slight dip towards the mountain-range. Pieces up to -|oz. weight are often met with, the general character of the gold being rough and not much water-worn. A pressure of water due to a head of 300 ft. is used for sluicing and elevating, the wash being treated in sluice-boxes having a fall of -J in. per foot. Charlton Creek. Croydon Gold-mining Company, Croydon, near Gore (N. K. McLean, claim-manager).— The claim is on the ground formerly held by Mr. John Nicholson, and situated near the base of the south-east end of the Hokonui Eange. An elevating plant—the first in this part of Southland —has been erected. At my visit the first paddock was being opened out, but the depth of wash could not be fairly estimated. Eights are held for ten' heads of water from Whiskey Creek. The head-race is a mile and a half in length, terminating at a dam, which is much too small, only giving storage for eight hours' work per day. A pipe-line some 800 yards in length connects the dam with the paddock; pressure, equal to 400 ft. head. Tail-water is discharged into Charlton Creek, a barrier of stones and scrub being built some distance below the sluice-boxes to retain any solid matter. Five men are employed. Area held, 20 acres Crown land, 130 acres freehold; total, 150 acres. It is intended to work the lower part of the ground by a dredge, and the Charlton Creek is likely to be worked by some half-dozen dredges. One is already at work with satisfactory results. Bound Hill and Golac Bay. At my visit in August last the Bound Hill Gold-mining Company had five elevators in position, but owing to a spell of dry weather only two were at work. Mr. Lee, the manager, appears to take all reasonable care for the safety of his employes, numbering about forty. During the year this company has sluiced and elevated between 8 and 9 acres of ground, or, say, 500,000 cubic yards, obtaining 1,837 oz. 19dwt. 19gr. of gold; value, £7,260 Is. 2d. This is practically 3-Jd. per cubic yard. At the end of March three elevators were at work, and a spare one fitted up in reserve. A second pipe-line (of 27 in. and 18 in. pipes) has been laid to work the upper part of the property. A third line is also under way. The extra water-supply obtained from Granity Creek, together with the storage provided by the large new dam, enables the work to be carried on with greater regularity than formerly, and, now that the expenses of race-cutting and dam-construction are practically finished, the company should, and no doubt will, enjoy the results of their liberal