0,-3.

Caliari and party (two men) have by surface trenching exposed a reef showing from 12 in. to 18 in. of stone with fair prospects. Ross. —Osmcrs and party, who are mining a small vein by means of opencut, have had regular and remunerative returns. During the year 185 tons of quartz was crushed for a yield of 230 oz. 8 dwt. gold, valued at £931 Bs. 2d. Five men were employed. Mount Greenland. —With the exception of a little prospecting conducted by Mr. John Petrie, no work has been done in this district during the year. General Remarks. The returns furnished for the year by the owners of quartz-mines throughout the whole inspection district, when compared with the returns for 1907, show an increase in the number of miners employed of 138, while there is a decrease in bullion-values amounting to £376 18s. lid., and in dividends paid of £12,575. The falling-off in the latter may reasonably be attributed to the low-grade ores at present being worked by dividend-producing mines of former years, notably the Progress and Keep-it-Dark. Pleasing features of the year's operations are the satisfactory results attending the opening-up of the deep levels at the New Big River Mine, and the entry of the Blackwater Mine into the list of goldproducers. HYDRAULIC and alluvial mining. Marlborough. Top Valley. —Porter and party (three men) find steady and lucrative employment in sluicing the high terrace-gravels below the junction of Arm Chair and Top Valley Creeks. Mahakipawa and Wakamarina. —Mining in these districts is now confined to small parties, who, when water is available, for sluicing, contrive to make a living-wage. Takaka. The Takaka Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —This company ceased operations in the early part of the year, and disposed of their plant and mining privileges to Mr. Charles Campbell, who has commenced work on his own behalf. Four men are employed. Collingwood. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Company. —The work of elevating the auriferous gravels from that section of the property known as West's Freehold is being attended with very satisfactory results. The yield of gold for the year, 1,118 oz. 14 dwt., shows an increase on the return for J907 of 131 oz. A good supply of water is available, Ten men are employed. Quartz Ranges. —Owing to total failure of gold, operations on this claim have been suspended. Murchison. The Walker Maruia Gold-sluicing Company. —Sluicing operations are being conducted under the management of Mr. M. Dwan. The introduction of an improved hydraulic winch for handling large boulders has enabled the company to profitably work this exceptionally heavy ground. The yield of gold for the year, 270 oz. 12 dwt., shows an increase on the previous year's return of 173 oz. 11 dwt, An average of six men are employed. Hunter's Claim. —Owing to shortage of water this claim has only worked intermittently during the year. Horse Terrace. —An average of six men are employed under the management of R. N. Richardson, sluicing from free level with moderate success. Six-mile Sluicing Claim. —Mr. T. V. McNamara has obtained a lease of this claim, and finds employment for three men. Buller River. Newton Flat Claim. —Messrs. Beilby, Kane, and Clerk, owners of this claim, are working on the usual lines with fair results. A good supply of water is available under a head of 230 ft. Preeble and Fairhall. —This party is engaged in constructing a low-level tail-race, which, when completed, will enable them to work the deep ground lying in from the river. A further subsidy of £50 was granted towards this work. Conradsen's Claim. —Water for sluicing purposes is being brought on to this claim from Dec Creek, and, when available, remunerative returns are expected. Ryan and Alborn. —This party have completed the construction of one and a half miles of headrace and two storage-dams. A regular supply of water for sluicing is now available. Westport. Bradshaw's Terra.cc. —Lowther and Butterworth, whose sluicing operations extend over a number of years, continue to find steady and profitable employment. Jamieson's Claim. —This party works intermittently at driving out and. crushing auriferous cement, Giles Creek. —A few parties are carrying on sluicing operations with varying results. Addison's. Carmody and party (eight men). —Owing to loss of fall, sluicing operations on this claim are suspended, and work directed to extending the main drainage-tunnel and re-erecting elevating plant.

41