C—3.

38

Baldhill Flat. Last Chance Mining Company (Limited). —The original company went into liquidation during the year, and the property was purchased by a smaller company. Operations were resumed in the terrace ground. Six men employed. Duntulm Hydraulic-sluicing Party, Fraser Basin (William C. Nicholson and party, owners). — A plant formerly in operation on Baldhill Flat was purchased and removed to the claim during the year, but sluicing operations were not begun. Dredging. —The new Fourteen-mile Beach dredge operated for portion of the year, when the riverlevel was favourable. Naseby. Miners on this goldfield met with a serious reverse during the year, consequent upon a dry season following upon a previous drought. When water is available the usual number of claims are at work. Most of these are now worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating, the water being obtained from the Government water-supply. There are, however, several private water-races brought on to this field. Some attention is again being devoted to the possibilities of auriferous beds lying at a lower level than hitherto worked. During past years attempts have been made to test these beds in depth, but the attempts failed, chiefly through lack of suitable appliances. The advent of the Keystone borer as a reliable means of testing deep alluvial deposits should furnish a means of satisfactorily testing the deep levels at Naseby Goldfield. Patearoa. Patearoa Hydraulic-sluicing Claim (D. C. Stewart, manager).—This claim has from time to time yielded large returns, but, unfortunately, the water-supply is unreliable. Consequently, during summer seasons operations are not continuous. The mode of working is by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Seven men employed. There are several smaller claims in this district. Upper Taieri River. Taieri Falls Sluicing and Electric-power Transmission Company (Limited), (John Tyson, manager ; Edward Trythall, secretary, Dunedin).—The work of completing the water-race and erecting the mining plant is now being gone on with. The claim will be worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. It is worthy of note that a good deal of attention is now being given to alluvial deposits lying within the higher reaches of the watershed of the Taieri River. Serpentine. John Wilson's Hydraulic-sluicing Claim.— This claim has been bought by Neil Duncan and M. Can. About five heads of water are utilised, under a vertical pressure of 200 ft. The material is lifted about 15 ft. This water commands a good area of ground, but the supply is unreliable. Two men emJohn Cogan's Hydraulic-sluicing Claim.— Tnia claim is situated in Long Valley. Five heads of water are used, under a vertical pressure of 80 ft. The material is being lifted 12 ft. There is deep ground in the claim, which has been proved 40 ft. in depth in places. There is a large area of ground in Long Valley, but the water-supply is poor. Two men employed. J. P. Weatheratt and George Banbury's Hydraulic-sluicing Claim.— This claim is situated at German Jack's. The claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. The ground averages 30 ft. in depth. F. Adam and John McDonald, Claimholders, Serpentine—Those men are sluicing between Puketoi and Serpentine. ...... , , , », T j George McLeod's Claim.— The race formerly known as Garngal's is being cleaned out by McLeod, who intends to work his claim by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. There are several fossickers—James Shepherd, George Parker, William Storey, — Lanmgan, Ah Gbw, and Young Han—working in various places. Deep Stream. Deep Stream Amalgamated Sluicing Company (Limited), (J. Cartwright, manager).—Sluicing operations were continued on the usual lines, with moderate success. Six men employed. Lammerlaw Range. John Girrun. ('/unitholder, Lammerlaw.—This claim, formerly known as IVttigrew's, is worked by ground-sluicing wilh canvas hose, and is situated ten miles from the Serpentine. William I!. Iloutledge and Thomas Reid, Claimholders, Lammerlaw. —Ground-sluicing, with canvas hose. St. Bathan's. Scandinavian Water-race Company, St. Bathan's (Neil Nicolson, manager).—This company continued operations in the olaims at Surface Hill and Kildare Hill, but operations were considerably hampered through the long drought. The operations are carried on in a systematic and safe manner. Sixteen men generally employed in the company's works. . United M. and E. Water-race Company (Patrick O'Rcgan, manager ; William Pyle, legal manager, St. Bathan's).—The claim adjoins thefamous Kildare Hill, and is working by hydraulic sluicing and elevating on a large scale. Operations are conducted in a safe manner. Nine men generally employed.