77
C— 3
William Foreman's Claim. —This is an extended alluvial claim of 4 acres, on which a considerable amount of work has been done by shaft-sinking and driving. Gordon and Rowe. —This party holds a special alluvial claim of 12 acres. The claim has been well prospected by sluicing and driving, but with unfavourable results. There is evidently a good area of auriferous ground on this terrace and on Gee's Flat, but absence of water on Mount Difficulty (on the western side of the Kawarau River) makes it impossible to work the ground to pay. The above claims are in an ancient river-bed on the mountain-side, at least 200 ft. above the present level of the Kawarau River bed. Higher up the Kawarau Gorge, W. Ritchie and party prospected a terrace opposite the Roaring Meg Creek. The shaft attained a depth of 100 ft., and a drive was put in for a distance of 100 ft. without striking the back reef. A winze was then put down 16 ft. only to meet with water. The party then abandoned the claim. George Cockburn is now prospecting on the same terrace. Cardrona. Walter Little's Hydraulic Sluicing Claim, Cardrona Valley (Edward Barker, manager). —This plant is now in full working-order and the claim is being well opened out. The ground is about 20 ft. deep with fairly heavy wash, but the stones are a convenient size for handling. About twelve heads of water are brought in having a vertical pressure of over 300 ft. The pressure-pipes range from 22 in. to 13 in. in diameter while the paddock plant consists of 9 in. pipes. The material is elevated about 40 ft. Last season, on account of scarcity of water, work was necessarily not continuous, but a better supply is anticipated this season and good returns are expected. Six men are employed. It is understood that the success attendant on Little's efforts, caused attention to be directed to the possibilities of other portions of the valley as payable properties worked by hydraulic system. Loft and Party. —This party is engaged driving out the wash in the bed of the valley above the township of Cardrona. Magnus Henderson and Party. —A party of three men holding a sluicing claim on Branch Creek. Edward Barker and Party. —This party having taken up an area of ground below Branch Creek, intend constructing a race to work the ground by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Courtney and Fleming are still sluicing on Criffel Face. Cardrona Valley. A large amount of gold has been obtained from the bed of the Cardrona River opposite the township. Recently it was understood that a syndicate would purchase the Cardrona Hydraulic Water-race which carries in ten heads of water from Cardrona Creek, and would work this ground. The race carries second rights and commands an extensive gold-bearing area in the locality. Luggate. Logan and Party have a small elevating plant at work in the bed of the Luggate Creek. White Bros, and Sheath. —This is a special alluvial claim of 12 acres on Luggate Creek. James Partridge's Claim. —The claim is situate on Mid-run, near Luggate. Harrington and Party also have a sluicing claim in this locality. Alluvial mining on Mount Pisa and in the various 'gullies affords employment to a number of fossickers. Matatapu. McLaren Bros.' Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim. —At the time of inspection the men were all away repairing the head-race preparatory to bringing in the water to resume this season's sluicing operations. The plant is well equipped and the claim gives employment to three men. Pressure-pipes are 11 in. and 9 in. with a paddock plant of 7 in. pipes. The material is suitable for elevating and is lifted about 18 ft. and discharged over a run of boxes fitted with gold-saving appliances. It is understood that the returns of gold are satisfactory. Arrowtown. King Edward Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Company. —The water-race belonging to this company was purchased by Mr. R. Pritchard of Arrowtown, and disposed of by him to the Arrow Falls Sluicing Company who have diverted it on to their claim on the Arrow River. Mining was consequently at a standstill in the immediate vicinity of Arrowtown until a claim was taken up in the bed of the Arrow River below the township by Messrs. Fealey and Hay Bros. Fealey and Hay Bros.' Sluicing Claim. —This claim is situated on the Arrow River about one mile below Arrowtown. Water is collected from the Crown Terrace, sufficient being obtained to work one shift of eight hours. The ground is from 10 ft. to 20 ft. deep, and under a pressure due to a vertical head of 300 ft., the material is elevated (on the Smith's jet principle) about 20 ft. There are 600 ft. of 7 in. pressure-pipes, the jet is 2 in. in diameter and the discharge-pipes are 9 in. in diameter. Most of this ground has been previously hand-worked, but it is understood that the three men engaged find remunerative employment in this claim. Arrow River. Arrow Falls Sluicing Company (J. A. Miller, manager). —This claim is now well advanced from the gorge and it is desirable that the work should be prosecuted more quickly. The Arrow Flat water-race was bought by the company enabling twelve heads of water to be brought on to the claim under a vertical pressure of 330 ft. 1,600 ft. of 18 in. pressure-pipes have been laid down and the sluicing plant installed. It is also proposed to instal a complete electric lighting and power plant. Eight men are employed. After, successfully overcoming exceptional natural difficulties the company should now be able to look forward to a season of prosperity. Since the claim was inspected the Arrow River has been visited by