C.—B

62

Charleston. Powell's Hydraulic-elevating Claim. —Operations at this black-sand elevating claim were suspended, pending various extensions and alterations, which were being pushed forward with eight men. Flynn and Party. —The cemented sand from this claim is crushed by a four-stamp battery, worked eight hours per day, with profitable results. Dublin City. —This party work their cement-crushing claim with an eight-stamp battery, but the results are discouraging. Golden Sand, Addison's Flat. —The results from the ordinary amalgamation treatment not being satisfactory, a 6-ton sample of the sand was bagged and sent to Sydney for special treatment. Ahaura. Nelson Syndicate. —On the north bank of the Ahaura a sluicing claim lately taken up by a Nelson syndicate is in charge of Mr. Bird, late mine-manager, Thames, who is taking out a trial washing. If the result is favourable, the proprietors intend to work the ground on a very extensive scale. The terraces and tributaries of the Ahaura River give employment to about twenty Europeans and a few Chinese. Orwell Creek. Dredge-construction is the principal mining news to note from this district. Nelson Creek. Bellhill Sluicing Company (Dr. Scott, of Kumara, secretary; Mr. C. Carison, mine-manager). —Since the present company took possession of this hydraulic-sluicing property their time has been chiefly employed in the construction of dams and extension of water-races, in view of working the claim on the most modern principle. The washdirt is of exceptional depth, and unless watersupply in large volume is applied success is doubtful. German Gully, near Callaghan's Creek. —This company has abandoned operations. Healey's Gully (Owners, the Republic Sluicing Company; Mr. Morgan, mine-manager).— Sluicing operations were much hindered owing to scarcity of water during the heavy frosts. The miners were engaged opening out a new face with a less depth of washdirt. The yield of gold was 1330z. 10dwt., valued at £527 6s. 6d. Eleven men employed. Montgomery Terrace. —With the limited water-supply at command, good prospects and progress were made. Three men employed. Three Jacks. —Charles Hellier, mine-manager, was notified with regard to the careless manner in which gelignite was dealt with in the claim. Four men employed. Scarcity of water has been very much felt in this district owing to the very dry season. Roaring Meg Gold-mining Company. —Operations have been suspended since Christmas, 1899. Twelve miners are sluicing the terraces and creek-bed with very profitable results. The gold is very coarse, and some very nice nuggets were found lately. No Town Creek. —This district was not visited. Grey Valley. Sulky Gully. —This claim is worked by a Chinese company, under a rental of £20 a year to the owners, F. Wills and W. King. Waiwhero Sluicing and Dredging Company (Limited), Barrytown (H. W. Young, engineer ; J. Morris, mine-manager).—This company is a reconstruction of the original Waiwhero Sluicing Company (No liability), which —owing to many unforeseen difficulties —it was found necessary to reconstruct, with stronger finance. The company is now on the eve of completing its main Canoe Creek water-race, six miles and a half in length, and calculated to carry thirty heads of water. Completion of the race was delayed in consequence of the unfavourable conditions of sea-transit from Greymouth of the large quantity of timber required. The company propose to work this terrace-face by sluicing and table-washing, and other adjoining flat areas by hydraulic elevating and dredging. The yield of gold for the year is nil, but the total value of gold produced up to date is £1,346 15s. Forty men are employed. Pactolus Sluicing Company (No Liability). —This company suspended active operations about the middle of June last. Barrytown No. 1 (Alexander MacKay, owner ; W. White, mine-manager). —The recent breakdown on the water-race is repaired, and mining operations on the blow-up principle are in full work. Fourteen men employed. Considering the limited water-supply, a few hatters make a fair living on the beach terraces. Hokitika. Humphrey's Gully Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —The works in connection with this extensive water-race scheme are not yet completed. A contractor named John Foster was accidentally killed while rolling a log over the terrace. Craig's Freehold. —Generally, with regard to timbering and ventilation, both sections of this property are worked in a practical and systematic manner. In the matter of mine-management, the company appointed Messrs. Goudie and Chesterman, the leaders of the respective tribute parties, to take the responsibilities under the Mining Act. The yield of gold for the year was 780 oz. 6 dwt. 12 gr., of a total value of £3,081 15s. 6d. Twelve men employed.