C—3.

66

Patearoa. Patearoa Hydraulic Sluicing Claim (D. C. Stewart, Manager).—This claim is owned by a private syndicate, and has been worked steadily during the year. It is intended to work the flat portion of this claim by dredging. Recently some very rich wash has been struck in this claim. Area of claim, 18 acres. There are a few other parties sluicing in this district in proximity to the Taieri River. Upper Taieri River. Canadian Flat Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim. —No movement has been made in connection with this property during the year. It is quite probable, however, that the works in connection with the development of this claim will be completed in the near future, and sluicing operations commenced. Messrs. McColl Bros, have discontinued working their hydraulic sluicing claim on the Upper Taieri. Fortification Hydraulic Sluicing Company, Red Swamp, Lammerlaw Ranges. —The necessary plant was erected on the claim, and an area of ground was worked. The results obtained did not come up to expectations, but I understand further prospecting-work has been gone on with. Serpentine. Mining matters in this district are very quiet. I understand that Messrs. Gunton Bros, have discontinued working in their sluicing claim. There are a number of fossickers scattered over the Lammerlaw Heights during the summer season. Deep Stream. Deep Stream Amalgamated Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited), Deep Stream (A. C. Buckland, Manager).—This sluicing and elevating claim continues to be systematically worked, with results which are satisfactory to the shareholders. Fifteen men are employed during the year. Sutton. Hibernia Claim. —The claim has been sold, and is now being worked by a party of working-miners. The reef is rising, and water-pressure available is a gradually decreasing quantity. Rock and Pillar. Rock and Pillar Sluicing Company (N. Maloney and party).—Three men are employed in this alluvial sluicing claim. Idaburn. Wheeler and Party's Sluicing Claim. —Ground sluicing. Two men. Blackstone Hill. Blackstone Hill (including Ida Valley.) — About fifteen men find employment in various parts of this district. The wash is usually highly auriferous, but the water-supply is poor. Dredging.— The Cairntrodlie dredge, owned by the Wallis Syndicate, Gore, is the only dredge in operation in the Ida Valley. St. Bathan's. Eagle and Gray's Sluicing Claim. —No work has been done on this property during the year. The claim is, in the meantime, held under protection, awaiting the deepening of the main sludge-channel. Scandinavian Water-race Company, Surface Hill (N. Nicholson, Manager).—The various claims held by' this company comprised a total acreage of 100 acres. Sluicing operations are conducted on an extensive scale. An average of twenty men were employed during the year. United M. andE. Water-race Company (P. T. O'Regan, Manager).—Area of claim, 24 acres. Nine men are employed in this claim, in which sluicing operations are conducted on an extensive scale. P. Hanrahan's Sluicing Claim.— This claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating with water rented from the Scandinavian Water-race Company. Shamrock Gold-mining Company, Hawkdun Station.— The claims had been sold, and operations are being continued on similar lines to heretofere. Kildare Hill, St. Bathan's. No work has been done here for some time, owing to the sludge-channel not being deep enough in the meantime to carry away the tailings. Cambrian's. Shepherd's Flat Claim.— This claim and water-race have been rented by the proprietor (Mr John Ewing) to Messrs. P. McCarthy and Gilbert O'Hara, who are working on a small scale. Cambrian's Claim.— This water and water-race have also been rented by the proprietor (Mr. John Ewing) to two small parties—Owen Jones and party and Rees Hughes and party, who are working on a small scale. 6 R. Jones and Morgan continue ground-sluicing at the Lauder. G. Jones and Son are ground-sluicing at Cambrian's. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Company, Cambrian's (T. Morgan, Manager).—Area of claim 62 acres. This company still continues operations at Vinegar Hill. A large body of water under high pressure is brought on to the claim, and a considerable amount of material is treated. Since the commencement of work at this claim the results have not been satisfactory, but recently an improved seam of wash has been opened out. Seven men are employed.