C—3.

GOLDSBOROUGH (oil MIDDLE BRANCH). William Hanrahan and party of three still continue to sluice on very payable returns. Shannon and Party (four). —The returns from this party for the past year have been most satisfactory. Carmini and Party. —Works are all of a development character. Stafford. Linklater and party of six are energetically working their three small claims, with profitable results. The returns, since they have used Government water, have improved. Mitchell Bros, have two small claims worked conjointly by five men. The returns are most sat isfactory. Morgan Urns. (tiro). -This party has been working under favourable conditions during the last yea I . Wheel of Fortune Syndicate (Mr. Samuel Perry in charge- eight men). —This property is worked on the hydraulic sluicing and elevating principle. In carrying out these works, auriferous ground formerly driven upon was exposed, thus very materially reducing the gold in situ. Kelly's Terrace. In the early part of the year Sullivan and party (five) worked a portion of their claim very successfully. Owing to a breakdown in the drainage-tunnel operations wore suspended. Since then trustees have been appointed, and it is anticipated a large number of claims that were dependent on the tunnel for drainage will now resume work. In some id' the small tributaries of Stafford Creek there are a number of aged men and a fewChinese miners fossicking in the creeks. Arahura. Humphries Cully (Consolidated Goldfields of Xew Zealand; Mr. W. Greenbanks in charge; ten men employed). —Total value of gold won during the year was £1,519 lis. sd. All workings are in a most satisfactory condition. Mrs. S. Harcourt is the owner of a 12-acre claim in this district. All work done consisted of development. Two men working intermittently. Minerals. —Three men employed intermittently, owing to the shortage of water. Blue Spur. Sweeney nuil Purty (four). —This party still continue to obtain payable returns by hydraulic sluicing. There are also a few aged men working singly in some of the gullies, obtaining a few pennyweights of gold occasionally. Tucker Flat. Hutchenson Bros, are engaged hydraulic sluicing and elevating auriferous gravel. The returns are very satisfactory. There are several one-man claims in the various gullies in this district. Back Creek and Seddon's Terrace. Hartwidgen and party (three), Brooks and party (three), Spence and Knight (four), Spence, Clifton, and Oniel (four), Cooper and party (four), Sloop, Dean, and Boyd (four). These parties continue to earn a remunerative wage driving out. All workings in good order. Wells and Mcßcart continue to carry on hydraulic sluicing profitably. Rimu Sluicing Syndicate (Herman Hartake in charge; nine men employed).—During the year this property has been worked, giving satisfactory profits to the shareholders. Clifton and party (four) are also working with satisfactory results. Governor's Terrace Tunnel (two men at work intermittently). —This tunnel has been driven 2,396 ft. with the assistance of the Government subsidy. Owing to a disagreement amongst the shareholders work has been suspended indefinitely. There are other parties working in the locality intermittently. Lake Mahinapua. Under the management of Mr. Robert Williamson, development-work on an extensive scale has been carried out. Gentle Annie (or Mount Graham). This once flourishing district has dwindled down to the employment of two men —Messrs. Irwin and Jones —who have driven on a nice body of washdirt. Work is now suspended, pending arrangements to cut races and the construction of a dam for hydraulic purposes. Ross. Mont dOr Gold-mining Coin jinny. —This company's operations still continue to be of a very profitable character. The gold won this year amounted to 1,015 oz. 14 dwt. 18gr., valued at £4,012 2s. 3d. Dividends for the year, £2,400: total to the end of the year, £48,000. Mining plant and equipment are well maintained and in good order. Fourteen men employed. Development during the year : Starting a low-level tail-race to enable the auriferous gravels on the deeper strata to be successfully operated on.

31