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weeks during that season. About 85,000 cubic yards of material were sluiced away last season and the returns were payable." Stevenson and Aspinall's Sluicing Claim, Skipper's Point. —Two men are employed in this claim ; breaking up the heavy stones and boulders in the wash keeps the men fully employed. Upper Shotovbr River. Smith and Son's River-bed Claim, above Skipper's Point. —The method of working this claim is by wing-damming the river and elevating the material on Smith's jet-pump elevator principle, a system originated by the holders of this claim. Rogers and Johnstone, above Skipper's Point. —This claim consists of 10 acres of the river-bed and 4 acres of terrace-ground. The river-bed portion is worked by a Smith's jet-pump elevator. Strahle and Helms, above Skipper's Point. —This is also a river-bed claim worked by the jet-pump principle. Two men are at work. William Palmer, Shotover. —Ground-sluicing. One man. Monk's Terrace Sluicing Claim, Upper Shotover (J. Lynch, manager).—This is a ground-sluicing claim situated on Monk's Terrace, Upper Shotover. An average of four men are employed in the claim. The gold obtained is of a very coarse nuggety nature. > Monk's Creek Syndicate, Upper Shotover. —About 5 acres of Cook's Terrace have been pegged out as an alluvial claim for this syndicate. Sandhills Hydraulic Company, Upper Shotover (Hamilton and Lynch). —This claim is situated at the Sandhills and has an area of 40 acres. Four heads of water are brought in from Stony Creek, and under a vertical pressure of 320 ft. elevate the material 18 ft. Four men are employed during the sluicing season. Davis Bros.' Claim, Upper Shotover. —This is a ground-sluicing claim on Guy's Terrace. Three men are generally employed. The ground is very rough and the face of material in the terrace is over 60 ft. in depth. Muddy Creek Sluicing Claim, Upper Shotover. —This claim originally belonged to a company, but the property was recently disposed of to Mr. H. Heideman who intends to resume sluicing operations. Four men are generally employed in this claim when in working-order. R. Anderson, Muddy Creek Terrace, Upper Shotover. —Ground-sluicing. One man. The ground is very deep. Dwan, Costelloe, and Cummings, Muddy Creek Terrace. —This claim is worked by ground-sluicing on the river frontage of the terrace. Three men are employed. Nevis. Our Mutual Friend Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Company (Masters and Adie Bros.). —Area of claim, 15 acres. The claim is situated at the back of Galvin's Terrace and comprises ground which had been previously driven out. Work is carried out on the usual lines under the supervision of Mr. W. W. Masters, the manager. Four men are generally employed. Robertson and Party's Hydraulic Sluicing Claim. —This claim adjoins that of Masters and Adie and is worked on the same lines. During sluicing seasons a good supply of water, under a vertical pressure of 400 ft., is brought on to the claim and the ground worked to a depth of 20 ft. This claim affords employment to four men. Keep-it-Dark Gold-mining Company, Galvin's Terrace (J. H. Robertson). —At the time of inspection operations were again suspended, but during the season a considerable amount of work had been done. A drainage-tunnel was brought up to the shaft to relieve the pumping-height. Some driving was done at the back of the terrace to strike the lead of gold, but the results were unfavourable and the property has been closed down indefinitely. Glenore Claim (Rip and Tear), Nevis (J. Ellis, manager).—A winding and pumping plant was procured and a shaft sunk 30 ft. Drives were then put in east and west to exploit the area. An air-shaft was also put down. Expectations were not realised, and the plant was at a standstill when the mine was visited for inspection. No expense was shared in making the winding-shaft and overhead gear of a permanent character. A larger pump is now required to cope with the increased water met with in driving. The members of the syndicate are actively engaged in dredging pursuits during the summer months, and took up this work as a means of employment in the winter months when the dredges are unable to work in consequence of the severe frosts. Thomas Shaw, Lower Nevis. —This is a ground-sluicing claim of 2 acres in which one man finds employment. Robert Ritchie, Lower Nevis. —This is a special alluvial claim of 19 acres worked by ground-sluicing. Upper Nevis. Upper Nevis Sluicing Claim, Cinnabar Flat. —After a long period of inactivity, it is understood that this claim has been let on tribute to Kitto and party. The company did very little sluicing on account of the poor supply of water, and evidently a large outlay would be required to bring in a suitable watersupply. Joe Park's Hydraulic Sluicing Claim, Upper Nevis. —Area of claim, 56 acres. Operations are being conducted on the usual lines. A fair supply of water is brought on to the claim under a vertical pressure of 220 ft. The gold is fine in character. Edward McMillan's Sluicing Claim, Cameron's Gully, Upper Nevis. —Area of claim, 3 acres. The method of working is by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Two men generally find employment in this claim. The ground is shallow and the sluicing plant light.