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and the new proprietary are endeavouring to raise sufficient capital to put in a low-level tunnel by means of which the deeper portions of the mine (still intact) can be economically worked. The estimated cost of such a tunnel would be about £10,000. It is sincerely to be desired, in the interests of the whole district, that their efforts will prove successful. Clyde and Alexandra. The number of men employed in sluicing and fossicking in this portion of the district is diminishing year by year. In the outlying gullies, where a few years ago it was not unusual to find a few men in each doing fairly well, only an odd Chinaman may now be seen. Two or three parties, with their own water, are still carrying on operations on the west bank of the Clutha River, but not, I am afraid, with very profitable results. The bulk of the excellent water-supply from the Fraser River is being devoted to stripping off the overburden for the benefit of the working dredges and for keeping the river-bank dredges afloat. The water-rights of the Alexandra Bonanza Company are not at present being utilised, and that part of the Galloway Terraces which a few years ago attracted considerable attention has, from want of an adequate supply of water, become practically deserted, and the licenses for the many small claims which were then taken up have been cancelled. Since the cancellation of these titles a syndicate of Dunedin gentlemen has taken up five special claims over and adjoining the same ground, and men are now engaged in systematically prospecting with a view to discovering whether gold exists in sufficient quantities to warrant the expenditure necessary to bring water on to the field. During the year Mr. James Rivers extended his water-race from Tucker's Flat to a terrace near the Manorburn Creek. A considerable amount of sluicing was done, but as the season was, locally, an exceptionally poor one for water, the result of his operations was somewhat disappointing. He seems satisfied, however, that under more favourable circumstances the ground will prove payable, and intends to give it a further trial. Dredging. —The dredges above Alexandra, which, from their favourable position, have put in average working-time, may be said to have done remarkably well. The season for gorge dredging, however, was most unfavourable, and this has militated very much against the returns from these dredges, and also the aggregate yield of the district. The Manuherikia dredge, at the entrance to the gorge, had the longest run, putting in twenty-five weeks, during which time 1,714 oz. of gold was won, or an average of 68 oz. per week ; while the Sailor's Bend dredge only worked five weeks, for 139 oz. ; the New First Chance dredge, nine weeks for 474 oz. ; the New Golden River dredge, two weeks for 76 oz. ; and the New Bendigo dredge, six weeks for 129 oz. These returns, however, clearly indicate that the gold is in the river in highly remunerative quantities if the conditions are only favourable for winning it. These remarks also apply to the Fourteen-mile Beach dredge a few miles lower down the gorge. This dredge worked only thirteen weeks, during which time 1,763 oz. of gold was obtained, or an average weekly return of 135 oz. There are miles of dredgeable river between this and Coal Creek as yet practically untried, and there is every likelihood that this stretch of the river will in the future again attract the attention of investors who, profiting by past unfortunate experience, will be prepared to equip their claims with modern and adequate machinery. At and near Sandy Point the results for the past year may be set down as extremely satisfactory. . and although many of the claims have been worked for several years with profit, they exhibit no sign of being exhausted. The Earnscleugh No. 3 dredge, working some distance from the river-bank, has succeeded in reaching the level of the river, and for some time has been yielding very satisfactory returns. Indeed, so well have the results satisfied the shareholders that the company have pegged out and applied for fresh ground, intending to procure for employment thereon another equally capable dredge. For this purpose they have purchased the pontoons which were constructed for the Fraser Plat Company close by. At and near Clyde the Unity and Matau dredges are only machines at work at present. The Monte Christo and the Davis Bend No. 2 dredges have for some time ceased operations, and are in the hands of caretakers. The Monte Christo will, however, commence operations again when the river reaches its most favourable condition for dredging. The company has only a limited capital at its command, and desires to employ it in carrying out its operations only under the most favourable circumstances. The Davis Bend dredge has been idle for over a year, and it is the general impression that it will not start again under the present ownership. This is somewhat surprising and also disappointing to local people, because, when working previously, the claim proved highly payable even up to the time when operations were suspended. There are three dredges working on the Manuherikia River. The Olrig and the Manuherikia Syndicate are advantageously working, whilst the third, owned by a private party, is approaching the party's claim by means of dredging through adjoining ground. Bald Hill Flat : There are no workings of note to report in this locality. The Last Chance Sluicing Company had a fairly successful year, and Carroll and party did well, working Mitchell's claim on tribute. Quartz.— The Excelsior and White's Reefs are still being worked, but, from want of capital, Mr. Symes, the proprietor of the latter, is unable to properly develop the mine as he would like, but seems quite satisfied that there is a good run of payable stone close by, and has no present intention of relaxing his efforts to obtain it. Roxburgh. The Ladysmith and Roxburgh Amalgamated companies have been working steadily at Roxburgh East. The former is doing exceedingly well, while the latter, though not so prosperous, is turning over a large area of ground at no loss to the company.