37

C—3.

Beaumont. Buchanan's Sluicing Claim, below Beaumont. —Mining in this district at one time attained large proportions, but is now represented by the one'claim, which, having a intermittently. Dredging. —The new Paul's Beach dredge was shifted to Balclutha and dismantled. Island Block. Island Block Gold-dredging and Sluicing Company, Island Block (D. Weir, manager).—Hydraulic sluicing and elevating operations have been steadily conducted on lines during the year, with moderate success. It is considered that, owing to the present position of the claim, some improvements are required to be effected to the plant in order to obtain a greater efficiency. An average of fourteen men were employed during the year. Tallaburn Hydraidie-sluicing Company, Curries Flat, Tattaburn (H. Redman, manager).—The ground being operated on by this company does not present any great difficulties, and the work is carried out on good lines. The possession of a good water-power enables a large amount of ground to be treated. Five men employed. Cooper and Party's Hydraulic-sluicing Claim, Horseshoe Bend. —Operations in this claim are not on an extensive scale, as the party depend for water-supply on by-wash water from the Island Block Company. Two men generally employed. Gunton's Beach Hydraulic-sluicing Claird (Maddon and Myers, owners). —Continuous working of this claim is hindered through a totally inadequate and unreliable water-supply. Two men employed. Miller's Flat. Dredging. —All mining operations in this locality are carried on by means of dredges.' The dredging industry in this district has proved of a permanent and successful character. Seven dredges continued in operation during the year, while one was removed to the Waikaia district. The majority of these dredges are working the bank portions of their claims and obtaining payable returns. Kelso. Duntulm Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim, Pomahaka River. —The water rights for this claim are not drawn from the Pomahaka River, but from small tributaries ; hence the supplies are uncertain during winter and summer months. The ground is not payably auriferous throughout. Three men generally employed. Dredging. —The Ardmore continues to operate on Ardmore Estate, at Scrubby Flat, near Kelso. Campbell's Gutty. The auriferous deposits on the high country of the Whitecombe Range and Mount Benger have received considerable attention during the year. Several applications have been made for water rights for hydraulic sluicing and elevating purposes. Hitherto this back country has been prospected by " hatters " and fossickers, but the ground will in future, be worked by up-to-date sluicing;'plants. Dumbarton. Anderson's Flat. —This flat was extensively prospected during the year on behalf of a Dunedin syndicate. The Keystone machine-drill was used, and is stated to have proved its reliability and superiority for testing deep alluvial ground. It is proposed to work this flat by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. The water is to be drawn from the Teviot River, but as the available supplies from this river are taken up, progress is hindered until to raise at Lake Onslow, and thus conserve a largely increased supply of water. Roxburgh. Roxburgh Amalgamated Mining and Sluicing Company (Limited), (J. H. Waigth, manager).—Operations are carried on in this claim on somewhat extensive lines. The claim is well and systematically worked. The company holds large water rights from Teviot River, and during dry seasons is enabled to keep the supply up to requirements by drawing on the storage-water in Lake Onslow. Fourteen men are employed. Ladysmith Gold-dredging Company (Limited), East Roxburgh (W. Donnelley, manager).—The operations in this claim are conducted on systematic and successful lines. The mode of working is by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. River gravels forming the bank of the Clutha River are being treated. Nine men are employed. Commissioner's Flat Sluicing Claim (Coulter and party ; R. George, manager). —This is a privately owned claim, worked mainly by shareholders. Operations continue to be carried on with success. Five men employed. Pleasant Valley Hydraulic-sluicing Claim, Coal Creek Flat (McPherson Bros., owners ; F. Swanwick, manager).- —Auriferous gravels lying on a terrace above the present level of the Clutha River are being worked. Dredging. —Five dredges continue to operate on this stretch of the Clutha River, and their operations are attended with success.