C—3.

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By adopting this method of operations on a comprehensive scale, the management anticipates that the deeper gravels can be profitably worked to a depth of 80 ft, this depth being estimated to clear the marine bottom. The driving of the drainage-tunnel is estimated to employ six men for six months, the computed distance being 620 ft. Quartz Ranges (Owner, C. Y. Fell, Nelson).—William Diamond and party of six men work this property on tribute, the operations being chiefly confined to Debtors' Terrace. Water-races and other works are kept in satisfactory condition. Value of gold won, £1,537. Rocky River gives profitable employment to quite a number of miners. Slate River Sluicing Company.— -Sluicing operations are still continued with varied results, scarcity of water being the chief drawback. During the very dry season sluicing was suspended, and the men employed in tunnelling and trenching to divert the waters of the Bedstead Gully Stream into the company's dam. It is anticipated that with this additional water-supply sluicing operations will be more continuous. Westport. On the German Creek and its tributaries, mining is practically confined to the energies of some three or four old-age pensioners, whose homes are established in the locality. To occupy their time, these old men do a little digging, and a few pennyweights of gold are gathered from the creek-beds and terraces. Cook's Terrace, Fairdown.— Gardiner and party continue to earn average wages in their subsidised tunnel, which is located in the vicinity of the General Exploration Company's claim. Christmas Terrace.— Whilst Findley and Crawford were -extending an old tunnel in the vicinity of the Fairdown sluicing claim, they intersected an extensive lead of wet ground which ultimately compelled them to abandon this part of their work. Determined, however, to win the coveted auriferous vein, driving was commenced from the old sluicing claim. Giles's Terrace.—Hooper and party's subsidised tunnel has'been driven from peg 1,200 ft. a further distance of 585 ft. Values not yet decided. North Terrace, Mokihinui— Charles Stewart's subsidised tunnel, on being driven 100 ft, intersected a series of heavy washdirt, but not payable so far. Welshman's Terrace.—Martin Conradson (subsidised) has driven 290 ft. Lead not yet intersected. Mullocky Creek, Karamea— McHarrie and Case were authorised to prospect for three months under Class 1 of the regulations. Waimangaroa River.—ln the matter of mining, beyond a little driving with varied results there is nothing eventful along the banks of this river. Shamrock Lead and Virgin Flat continue as per former reports. St. John's Terrace, Addison's.— Brady and party (four men) : Mining on this terrace has been carried on more or less for the past thirty years, scarcity of water-supply and a suitable means of conveying mining-material up to the terrace being the chief drawbacks. However, with the increased supply from Back Creek, water for sluicing is available for the whole year whilst, with the natural facilities afforded for the discharge of tailings into the vicinity of Dirty Mary's Creek, dumping-ground is practically assured for all time. The various works in connection with the claim are substantially built. The gold-returns give a fair remuneration for the labour and capital expended. Long Tunnel, Addison's.— The party continue to maintain average wages. The gold earned was 326 oz. 6 dwt. 5 gr, valued at £1,289 6s. Carmoody and party.— Operations on this party's claim continue to be well maintained, both in condition and equipment, while returns show a good average. Cement-working. Halburg and party have suspended all work. Milligan and party have suspended cement-working, and recently commenced sluicing on Addison's. Charleston. Charleston Beach Sluicing Company.—This company was originally formed to operate on the continuation of the Charleston Beach auriferous black sands; but the auriferous values having failed to meet anticipations the property was finally disposed of, and prospecting commenced on the Croninville Plateau prior to laying on a water-supply. As a result of the prospects obtained by sinking and otherwise, work is now in progress to commence sluicing. Powell's Sluicing and Elevating Claim.— Respecting the working of this black-sand property there is little to note beside the ordinary routine of sluicing and elevating operations, which are not only consistently carried out but yield highly profitable returns. The Argyle Water-race continues to be let to Walsh and party under a maintenance contract at £1 per week for four years, with right of renewal for a further similar period at the same rate. During the past twelve months the upkeep of race and dam have exceeded the rents by £100, towards which the Mines Department has promised £1 for £1 up to £50. As another instance of the necessity for repairs, the lower gauge-box in the dam has shown considerable weakness for some time past, and unless repairs are early effected the consequences may be serious. Should the box burst away the occurrence will not only entail damage to property, but thirteen miners would be thrown out of employment. It is estimated that the cost of necessary repairs will be about £100. Beachcombing continues to be one of the principal factors in the mining industry of Charleston. Murchison. Walker's Maruia Gold-mining Company.— This company was recently formed with the object of constructing a more permanent and efficient water-supply (capable of dealing effectively with this