123

C—3

The following tabulated statement shows the revenue, cost of maintenance, number of men employed, and approximate quantity of gold obtained from claims supplied with water from WaimeaKumara water-races (which also include Callaghan's branch race) for the year ended the 31st March, 1901:—

Kumara Deep Level. No work of any kind has been done in connection with the Kumara Deep-level Drainagetunnel during the year, but miners are still prospecting the deep levels by independent drives from the face of the terrace fronting the Teremakau River. Wainihinihi Race. This race was completed and the water turned on in September last, but on the 22nd November a slip occurred in the ditching round the steep rocky siding, between 21 and 23 chains from the head of the race. An examination of the ground after the slip had occurred showed that it was caused by a fault in the rock that was not observed during the construction of the race at that place. It was found necessary to abandon that portion of the ditching, and construct a tunnel 360 ft. in length to avoid the dangerous ground. Of this, 220 ft. was driven on the 31st March, 1901, leaving 140 ft. still to drive. As soon as this work is done, and boxing where necessary completed, the water will be again turned on. The dam at the head has stood very severe tests, as the river has been in flood several times, and the by-wash is acting well. There is still a little work to do at the by-wash before it is completed. I have, &c, Alex. Aitken, Manager, Water-races.

[For tabl» showing the result of working the Kumara Water-race for seventeen years, see page 124 a.]

MOUNT IDA AND BLACKSTONE HILL WATER-RACES. Mr. R. Murhay, Manager, Mount Ida and Blackstone Hill Water-races, to the UnderSecretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Naseby, 17th April, 1901. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Mount Ida and Blackstone Hill Water-races for the year ending the 31st March, 1901: — Mount Ida Water-race. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £1,552 145., and the expenditure on maintenance and repairs for the same period £1,246 12s. The total cash received was £1,553 2s. 9d., a credit balance in favour of the race of £306 10s. 9d. On account of payment in advance, free water to the value of £61 7s. Id. was supplied. Free water to the value of £3 6s. lOd. was supplied to assist in opening up new claims, and free water for washing up was also supplied to the value of £108 3s. 9d. The total value of water supplied from this race during the year was £1,725 lis. Bd. The average number of miners supplied with water was 48-54, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from this race was 2,491 oz., valued at £9,590 7s. To meet the extra demand for water the race had to be widened from the Eweburn Reservoir to Coall-pit Dam, and to do this the water was off during the whole of April and to the Bth May, when the water was then on, but only to those supplied from Coal-pit Dam, as, on account of S. Hewitt's tail-race in Coal-pit Gully collapsing, necessitating the shifting and lengthening of the head-race siphon crossing the same ; until this was done the miners on the east side of Coal-pit Gully could not be supplied until the 24th. During this period there was only sufficient water allowed along the upper portion of the race to keep the rabbits from burrowing into it, and allow the maintenance-men to do whatever repairs required to be done. The winter set in very early—l6th June, twenty-two days earlier than last year, continuing up to the 22nd July, when, a thaw having set in, a start was able to be made with the cleaningout of the race on the 27th. After getting as far as the Idaburn with the cleaning-out the water

Month. Sales of Water. Cash received for Sales of Water. Outstanding Expenditure. of each Month. Number of Men employed. Approximate Quantity of Gold obtained. Value of Gold obtained. 1900. £ s. d. 139 12 8 342 8 3 205 15 6 295 17 0 342 6 6 264 16 0 340 10 10 209 11 2 164 4 3 £ s. d. 329 12 6 290 11 6 197 18 3 309 1 0 218 6 9 314 9 2 244 7 9 258 4 1 116 18 0 £ b. d. 284 3 10 298 12 9 287 7 1 314 0 8 307 15 11 225 8 8 203 2 3 208 9 3 247 6 8 £ s. d. 338 6 8 376 18 8 389 12 11 375 18 8 493 19 6 442 10 9 539 13 3 496 6 0 532 18 8 Oz. 381 703 390 598 678 531 682 453 343 £ . d. 1,485 18 0 2,741 14 0 1,521 0 0 2,332 4 0 2,644 4 0 2,070 18 0 2,659 16 0 1,766 14 0 1,337 14 0 April May June July August September October November December 106 108 106 116 115 101 110 104 102 1901. 193 10 6 239 9 2 185 4 7 195 13 3 178 14 8 211 1 6 263 18 10 199 19 6 185 13 8 538 6 4 591 7 11 564 5 6 95 77 83 416 487 407 January February March 1,622 8 0 1,899 6 0 1,587 6 0 Totals 2,923 6 5 2,864 18 5 3,025 18 1 10191 (average) 6,069 23,669 2 0