C—3.

Ross Goldfields (Limited) (area of claim 200 acres). —During the year the old Ross United main shaft has been timbered and repaired where necessary to a depth of 300 ft., leaving another 90 ft. to clear out and repair before reaching the bottom. On the surface electrically driven pumping and winding machinery have been erected —viz., two Worthington centrifugal sinking-pumps, with a capacity of lifting from 500 to 700 gallons per minute per unit, at a speed of 1,730 revolutions per minute. Pumping was commenced in August, 1909. As soon as the bottom is reached the two stationary pumps are to be installed. These stationary pumps are also of the centrifugal turbine type, with a capacity of 1,250 gallons of water per minute each unit, travelling at the rate of 1,160 revolutions per minute. The motors of the stationary pumps are of 220-horse power each, and the motors of the sinking-pumps arc of 120-horse power each. The winding-machinery is driven by 75-horse power motor, and two powerful winches are installed for the raising and lowering of the pumps. Over the shaft, headgear has been erected, together with feeders and 50ft. of sluice-boxes. The adit (90ft.) level has been cleared out and repaired. 300 ft. at the shaft is boxed with sawn timber, to prevent any Soakage. Engine-shed, blacksmith's shop, office, store-room, and change house his been erected. Trans-mission-line and all electric plant has lieen completed at the mine and at Kanieri forks, distant twenty-two miles apart; also a water-race. A subsidiary water-race has also been made, with the exception of the pipe-line, which is to be completed early in 1910. This race connects with Johnston's flume, on the main water-race, about a mile in length from the penstock. The Prior Bios, (three) are still working their claim in Donnelly's Creek, with payable i (SllltS. Sharp and Scott were successful in unearthing some very nice nuggets of gold during the year. One, christened the "Hon. Roderick," is supposed to l>e the largest nugget ever found in the Dominion ; weight. 90 oz. 12 dwt. 12gr. Ellis and party have also been very successful in their sluicing operations when water was available. There are also a few miners working singly up some of the branch creeks when water is available. Okahito. A few miners-raise a little gold occasionally by combing the black sand on the beaches. 0 AMARU. Nicholson and party (four) have made extensive alterations in their water-races. When completed a much larger quantity of the auriferous gravels may be dealt with. Waikukupa. Hende and party are now making steady progress in the erect i >f a hydraulic-sluicing plant towards the head of the Waikukupa River. The penstock will be situated about 2,500 ft. above the bridge, or 3,500 ft. above sea-level. Waikukupa Beach. —Messrs. Gibbs Bros, still devote their attention to the removal and treatment of all the auriferous black sand available upon the beach after the tides have deposited the same. DREDGING. The total number of dredges working in this district is five. The value of gold won for the year was £9,154 Bs. Bd. At present there are two dredges standing idle —viz., Perotte's and the Prince of Wales. Negotiations for their dismantling and re-erection in another locality are now taking place. A new dredge, one of the largest on the West Coast, is being built in the Shallow Rush Flat. The ground to lie dredged was thoroughly tested by boring. QUARTZ-MINING. Ross. Osmers and Party (five). —This party has a small quartz-mill (water-power), five stamps. The returns have been remunerative. During the year 123 tons was crushed, for a yield of 170 oz., valued at £680. The work has been carried on in a most satisfactory manner. Mount Greenland. With the exception of the clearing-out of two tunnels ami ret hollering of same (under the supervision of Mr. S. Evans), little or no quartz-mining has been done in this district for the year. Wilberforch Reefs. The principal developments have been those carried out on the ground formerly held by Bauke and Feddis. During the year 232 ft. has liecn driven on a lode that will average 15 in. in width. Assay values are encouraging. Work is suspended at present, pending the formation of a company, to erect a quartz-mill. Callaire and party (two) have erected the necessary hut accommodation and started the tunnel on the outcrop of a lode. Hewar and party have taken up that area known as the Wilson Reward, and now employ two men in clearing out the old workings, and retimbering where required.

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