59

C.-3

Excelsior Mine, Bald Hill Flat (Thomas Holden and R. Gray, owners). — Two men have been engaged in this mine throughout the year. Work has been carried out on the usual lines, but with apparently unsatisfactory results. The mine is situated on the Old Man Range. The quartz is crushed in a three-head stamper-battery. Campbell's Gully, Obelisk Range.—Some attention was given to this locality recently. There are several known reefs on this range, but the inaccessible nature of the country for the greater part of the year hinders their development. D. H. Parker has applied for and been granted a special quartz claim of 100 acres. Alexandra. Conwy's Gully Reef, Alexandra.— Two prospectors, J. Robertson and M. Padgett, struck a small surface leader carrying good gold, and they are now engaged prospecting. A shaft has been sunk to a depth of 40 ft. on the leader, which at this depth has a thickness of 18 in. Gold-bearing stone can be picked up over the surface in the alluvial deposits. There was a battery on this line of reef some thirty years ago. Until farther development-work is carried out it is difficult to form an opinion regarding the permanency or value of this latest discovery. Rough Ridge. Rough Ridge Quartz Reef, Rough Ridge (F. H. Perry).—This mine and battery have been idle throughout the past year. Waipori. O.P.Q. (Waipori) Gold-mining Company (Limited).— This mine continues to be shut down. Lately a sale of the winding, pumping, and crushing machinery resulted in several lots being purchased and removed to other parts of the Otago District. It is understood that the property will be taken up by a smaller company, and the mine opened out on a scale of lesser magnitude than heretofore. The close proximity of electrical generating plant at the Waipori Falls should enable some of the low-grade reefs in the Waipori district to be worked at a profit. During the year quartz-mining in the Waipori district has been absolutely at a standstill. Milton. Last Chance Quartz-mine, Canada Reef (Thomas Park, owner).—The mine is situated about one mile eastward of that worked by the late Mr. Lawson. Some prospecting and shaft-sinking had been done several years ago, when the reef was pronounced unpayable. Recently Mr. Park and others took it up again when the quartz (which is highly oxidized) was proved to be very payable, battery results yielding 1 oz. to 3 oz. of gold per ton of quartz. A low level has been driven about 200 ft. on the lode, and a shaft sunk from the plateau affords ample ventilation. Timber in use in the level is too light, and may not be expected to resist the pressure which is bound to come as the result of stoping operations when the mine is more fully developed. However, an experienced mine-manager has been appointed, and improvement may be expected. A ten-head battery has been erected at the mine. Ten men are employed. Macrae's. Bonanza Mine, Macrae's (L. 0. Beal, jun., owner).—Mining operations at this mine were suspended during the year, but the owner informs me that the property will receive further development in the near future.' The results obtained from previous operations justify a further trial being given to this Mills's United, Macrae's (H. N. Mills and Sons, owners).—l 6/6/04 : The stone obtained from the reef on Horse Flat proved to be too low grade to pay for extraction of the gold by the ordinary quicksilvered battery-plates. Work was therefore discontinued, and the complete crushing plant sold for removal to a property near Mount Highlay. Matheson's Run Reef, Mount Highlay.—A syndicate composed of Hyde and Macrae s residents have taken up an area on the Mount Highlay line of reef. The reef is said to prospect well, both m regard to the gold-contents and to the scheelite associated with the quartz. Preparations are now being made to develop the mine and erect the necessary crushing machinery with gold-saving plates and concentrating appliances for saving the scheelite. Mount Highlay Quartz-mine.—Mr. Charles Munn is engaged prospecting on the line of reef to the north of the Moreburn Creek, near to where the battery is situated. The older workings are abandoned, and there is no present prospect of their being gone on with, although from indications there is no apparent good reason for suspension of the work. Gilivem Mine, Dunback Hill, Stonebum (Alfred G. Davies, owner).—ls/6/04 : Three men are employed quarrying surface stone from various points on freehold property. The quartz is carted to and crushed in a five-head battery, power for which is supplied by a Ransome portable steam boiler and engine. The tailings are still being saved with a view to their future profitable treatment by and Party, Dunback Hill, Stonebum.—ls/Q/Oi : A considerable amount of prospectingwork by driving was done on this area, but the results obtained did not justify further expenditure of time'and money. This party have now bought Mill's United Battery, which they intend to shift and re-erect on a lease taken up on the Mount Highlay line of reef. This plant should therefore shortly be in operation. . _~. Golden.Bar Gold-mining Company, Stonebum (D. Peddle, mme-manager).—ls/6/04 : 1 Ins mine is in good working-order. Timber is well used in the stopes and levels. Ventilation, good. Rules