35

C—3.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Ounce, Maritana, and Golden Bar reefs, around Macrae's and Stoneburn, were all idle during the year. Barewood. Barewood Quartz-mine, Barewood (H. S. Molineaux, mine-manager),—Operations at this mine have b -en of a decidedly progressive nature during the year. In order to reduce cost of crushing, the oil-engine was replaced by a 29 B.H.P. Campbell producer-gas plant. This was installed, and has since been in successful operation. As the stone in the mine was proved good below the 230 ft. level, the main shaft was sunk an additional 50 ft. This work was carried out without mishap, and stoping operations are now being proceeded with on the block of stone opened up. The mine is generally in good working-order. Ventilation good. Rules posted. About twenty-two men are employed in and about the mine and battery. Scott's Gully Mine. —An area around No. 1 shaft on the Barewood line of reef has been taken up by Louis Murray and party, with the intention of forming a company to work the property. Riley's Shaft Workings. —-This was No. 2 shaft area, and it has been taken up by Buckland and Ewart. Scheelite exists on the property, which, I understand, is under offer to a syndicate. Southland. Preservation Inlet. Crown Quartz-mine, Cuttle Cove (William Tood and others, owners, Invercargill).—A great deal of work has been done about the surface on numerous rich small leaders. A low level has now been driven to crosscut the mineral belt and gain several hundred feet of " backs." The work is being well carried out. Timber is plentiful and well used. Suitable magazines provided. A five-head battery, formerly on the Bella quartz reef, Waipori, was shifted to Cuttle Cove and re-erected there. The first crushing was expected early in 1908. Tarawera Galene Lode, Isthmus Sound (D. McKenzie and party).—This lode contains an admixture of iron, copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver. Tests made prove that it requires special treatment for the extraction of its precious metals. Previous workings were too close to the water's edge, and heavy drainage had to be contended with. Morning Star Quartz-mine, Longbeach (Joseph Holloway and others, Invercargill, owners). —This company has taken up the old property, and men are employed getting the mine and battery ready to resume active operations at an early date. In addition to the ordinary quartz-mining operations, a large area of ground adjoining Longbeach will be worked by hydraulic sluicing. The company holds rights for seven heads of water for this purpose from McNamara's and other small creeks in the neighbourhood. Alpha Mine. —-I understand that this mine has been taken up by Mr. Louis Longuet, who has an intimate knowledge of the resources of this district. Golden Site Quartz-mine, Wilson's River. —This mine, which has long remained neglected, is now owned by Mrs. Webster, of Invercargill. I was informed by the owner that the property may be reopened at no distant date. lam pleased to report renewed activity in mining pursuits in this district. Quartz areas are being taken up, and applications are being made for available water-supplies. Glenore. Although mining is at a standstill in this district, strenuous opposition was offered to the proposed sale of the mining reserve known as Adam's Flat. It is recognised that this large flat is payably auriferous, provided a suitable method can be found to work it. There arc a few fossickers still in the vicinity. The operations of the Gold Bank dredge were unsuccessful, and the dredge was closed down. Manuka Creek. Manuka Gold-mining Company (Limited), Manuka Hill (A. McCorkindale, manager ; R. Pilling, jun., secretary, Lawrence). —Ground-sluicing operations are being carried on with a limited watersupply. Three men employed. Waitahuna. Frank Whelan's Sluicing-claim. —The proposed scheme of raising water for sluicing by means of electrically driven centrifugal pumps has been abandoned. It is now proposed to bring in a waterrace with a carrying-capacity of fifteen Government sluice-heads of water, and work the claim by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Waitahuna Flat.— -The bringing-in of Whelan's water-race will enable a trial to be made of the deep ground, and the subsequent working thereof if proved payably auriferous. There is a large extent of ground which can be worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Upper German Flat Hydraulic-sluicing Claim (Frank Bell, manager).—This privately owned sluic« ing-claim continued in operation during the year. Three men employed. Dredging. —This form of mining was represented by two dredges—viz., the Imperial and the Havelock. Waitahuna Gutty. The various hydraulic sluicing and elevating claims continued to work on the usual lines throughout the year. With the exception of the Waitahuna Company's claim, these claims are working in (he cement-deposit. About sixteen men find employment in the five claims at work here.