C.-3.

livan and party drove the drainage-tunnel, the construction of which was commenced many years ago, a further distance of 858 ft., and cut through a valuable body of wash. This work was subsidised to the extent of two-thirds. Dredging. —The Dominion Gold and Ironsand Company took up the dredging claim formerly held by the Montezuma Gold-dredging Company (Limited), on the sea-beach, to the north of Hokitika, and erected an experimental plant for treating the black sand by electro-magnetic extraction ; but the results were not at all satisfactory to those interested in the venture. Reefing. —The only parties at work at the Wilberforce were a syndicate who took over Baucke's and Fidde's claim ; also Messrs. Caliari and Baucke. A distance of 70 ft. was driven along the reef by the syndicate, when a fault was found which extended for 12 ft. The reef was then traced beyond the fault for another 40 ft., and although the body of stone was not so large (the average width over the 70 ft. being from 2 ft. 6 in. to 4 ft.), still gold could be distinctly seen in the stone, and the prospects for the future are considered hopeful. Messrs. Caliari and Baucke prospected to the north of this claim on the same line of country, and the results were stated to be encouraging. Ross Subdistrict. Sluicing. —The Mont dOr Gold-mining Company (Limited) was as successful as usual, and the shareholders received regular dividends. Two special claims of 100 acres each were granted to the Ross Goldfields (Limited), and the company also acquired the old drainage adit. The adit was cleaned out and retimbered at a cost of £1,300. The old shaft of the late Ross United Company, the previous owners of one of the claims, was also cleaned out and retimbered as deep as the 90 ft. level. A large portion of the electric line required to transmit the power for the working of these claims from the power-station near Kanieri Forks was erected. Some sixteen prospecting licenses, over 1,040 acres of Crown land, were granted. Messrs. Ford and Coughlan, asssisted by a Government subsidy, drove a tunnel 700 ft., and struck old workings, as a consequence of which they made little more than wages. Mr. Antonio Traversi, also assisted by the Department, put in a tunnel in the same locality. Dredging. —Messrs. Robertson and party continued working during the year with fair results, and applied for and obtained a further special dredging claim of 21 acres. General. —Town sections were much in demand, and leases were granted of sixty-seven. Six residence-sites were also taken up. Okarito Subdistrict. The only mining operations consisted of the desultory washing of patches of black sand. I have, &c, R. Acheson, Warden.

Mr. Warden Kenrick, Lawrence, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. ■Sir, — Warden's Office, Lawrence, 13th April, 1909. I have the honour to present herewith my annual report for the year ending 31st December, 1908 :— Weatherstone and Bluespur. In Weatherstone only two claims are being worked—viz., The Golden Crescent Sluicing Company (Limited), and Messrs. Smyth, Adams, and Donlan's special claim, known as the Golden Rise party. These claims both had a fairly good run of work, the water-supply being good for the greater part of the year. The value of the gold won by the former claim was about £1,500 for the year ; the latter being a private concern, the returns are not made public. The manager (Mr. J. Howard Jackson) of the Bluespur and Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold Company (Limited) has kindly supplied me with the following details of the year's work at the Consolidated Mine at the Bluespur : Average number of men employed, 28 ; quantity of cement treated, .223,460 cubic yards ; gold won, 1,634 oz. ; cost of winning gold, £4,175 ; amount paid in wages, £2,871 ; amount paid for explosives, £181 ; amount paid for upkeep of races, £632. The water-supply was far better during the year than it was for the two previous seasons. In Munro's Gully three special alluvial claims are being worked —viz., Messrs. J. Kitto and party, P. P. Thomas and party, and E. C. Browne and party. Water has been plentiful at each claim, good work has been done, with returns satisfactory. The dam constructed by Messrs. E. C. Browne and party at the head of the Tuapeka Bush during the yearfjhas proved a great benefit, and insured a continuous supply of water for their claim in Munro's Gully. Tuapeka Flat. On account of the returns ■ not being satisfactory during the past year, the shareholders in the Tamaiti Gold-mining Company (Limited) decided in December last to let the claim and plant on tribute to Messrs. R. M. Murie and A. Norman Wakefield, who have overhauled the pumps and improved the plant, with the result that the yield of gold from the mine has considerably improved. Waitahuna. The Havelock Sluicing Company, mentioned in my last year's report as a new venture, is now in full work. The construction of the water-race, which carries fifteen heads, was of considerable magnitude, involving a very large expenditure. It is nine miles in length and takes its rise from the Waitahuna River, a little above what is locally known as Waitahuna Falls. In the course of the race are

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