39

C.-3.

Matakanui. The four large hydraulic sluicing and elevating claims in this district continued to operate on the usual lines during the year. No change worthy of mention has taken place, except that in common with other parts of Central Otago the drought caused a serious diminution in water-supplies. About thirty men are employed in mining in this district. Ophir. Mining in this district is practically represented by the operations of the Black's Flat dredge, which has met with success. Alluvial mining is dormant, awaiting the hringing-in of a suitable supply of water from the Alexandra Water-race. Alexandra South. There is not a great deal of sluicing being carried on in the vicinity of Alexandra, hut several claims have been started on the Galloway Terraces. There is a large extent of alluvial country in this locality, which is commanded by the Alexandra Water-race. The dry season curtailed sluicing operations. Dredging. —Four dredges continue to operate in the gorge of the Clutha River below Alexandra. The results obtained last season warrant the continuation of operations. There are nineteen dredges between Alexandra Bridge and Clyde, fifteen of which are in continuous operation. The Earnscleugh Gold-dredging Company have extended the use of electricity to the No. 5 dredge. * Clyde. Mining pursuits are not brisk in this district now, and more attention is being devoted to fruitgrowing. There are a few parties working in Blackmail's and other gullies on the footslopes of the Obelisk Range. The Monte Christo dredge hasjbeen'removed from Clyde to the Alpine Consols Claim, about eight miles up the river. Cromwell. This district maintains its position as a chief centre of the dredging industry. Certaiidy the dredges on the Kawarau River are becoming fewer, and do not yield such large returns as formerly, but the successful operations of several large dredges working in the Clutha River Basin have proved the existence of an extensive dredging-field. There are now two dredges below Cromwell, three on the Kawarau River, and eight are in operation in the Clutha River Basin. Sluicing operations have been hampered through the want of sufficient water, but negotiations have been in progress for the flotation of a company to work a large alluvial deposit at Quartz Reef Point. Cardrona. Criffel Lead Sluicing Company (Limited), (A. C. Buckland, manager ; Edward Trythafl, secretary, Dunedin). —The operations of this company during the year have been surrounded with difficulties. The nature of the deposit, with the heavy broken material overlying it, demands a constant large supply of water. Opening-out operations were more than usually difficult, owing to the huge mass of rock overlying the auriferous wash. The work has been carried on in a systematic manner, but the watersupply has been inadequate during the greater part of the year. The average number of men employed during the year was ten. Lone Star Gold-dredging Company's Claim (G. Heideman, manager).—The company acquired the water rights and mining plant of Walter Little, and sluicing operations were commenced on shallow ground bordering the area already worked by the company's dredge. The ground was too shallow to be "worked by the dredge. The company employed sixteen men in connection with the dredging and sluicing claims. Branch Creek Hydraulic-sluicing Company (Dugald McGregor, manager ; E. C. Hutton, secretary, Dunedin). —A water right from the Cardrona River was purchased and put into order. It was then extended about four miles to command a claim at the foot of Branch Creek. A large number of men were employed in the construction of the race. The claim has been equipped with a suitable plant for hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Little and Party's Sluicing Claim. —This party secured the right to eight heads of water out of Back Creek, a tributary of Branch Creek, and it is proposed to carry on hydraulic sluicing and elevating operations in Branch Creek. Dredging. —Two dredges continued in operation during the year. Lafranchi's dredge has been secured by a party of working shareholders. Luggate. Luggate Creek Sluicing Claim (Robertson and party).—A right to five heads of water was granted from right-hand branch of Luggate Creek. It is proposed to work a large area of ground in the bed of the creek by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. This ground was prospected by boring, and proved to be payably auriferous. The greatest depth was about 20 ft. Fatboys. —Farther up the range several parties continue sluicing operations with poor water-supplies. The material treated is somewhat similar to that of the Criffe\ lead. Dredging. —The Albertown dredge was in operation the greater part of the year, apparently with satisfactory results.