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Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Com/pony. A new paddock was opened oui by this company during the year. This, although immediately adjoining tin c previously worked, has \.-n sncli good results. Elevating the auriferous gravels is being carried on bo a depth of 70 It. Eleven men arc employed. Gold won for the year amounted to 518 oz. \'l dwt. 18 m\. worth £1,990 6s. Bd. lorere Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited). —This oompany is working the ground formerly held by the Shite River Sluicing Company. Five men are employed, tmdei the managemeni of Mr. H. ¥. Logan. A tunnel tail-race 270 ft. in length has been driven. This will enable a back lead to be worked, and provide a good fall for tailings. The return of gold for five months' sluicing amounted to 151 oz. 5 dwt., valued at £586 2s. 6d. MURCHISON. Walker Maruia Gold-shiioing Company. Sluicing operations Lave been conducted during the year by the tributers, M. Dwan and party. The heavy nature of the wash prevents the profitable working of this claim. Horse Terrace Claim. —Richardson and party arc continuing their ground-sluicing operations, with successful results, which arc attained by the methods adopted for handling large quantities of material. Matakitaki Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited). —This company was formed to work the old Mammoth Claim, in the Upper Matakitaki district. Twenty men have been employed during the year, under the managemeni ol Mr. C. S. Beilby. A water-race has been constructed from the claim to the Matakitaki River, a distance of about ten miles. The carrying-capacity of the race is equal to SO heads, which are delivered on the claim at an elevation of 90 ft. above the bottom of the sluicing-face. Rappahannock Valley. — Terril and party have been successful in locating and opening up a payable lead at an elevation of about 100 ft. above the level of the creek. Driving and blocking out is the working-method adopted. The wash carries payable gold over a width of 10 It. Several parties arc engaged in prospecting in this locality. The indications appeared Favourable for the existence of a large area of payable auriferous country. Butter River. —Several small parties are engaged in sluicing the river terraces, with varying results. \\ ESTPORT. Kin Ora Gold-extraction Company. A small crushing and cyaniding plant, comprising 10-horse [lower oil-engine, disintegrating-maohine, pump, and leaching and solution vats, was erected by this company at Bradshaw's Terrace to treat the auriferous cements of that locality. A trial of the plant did not give satisfactory results, and operations were suspended. Witimangaroa River.- The Waimangaroa Miners' Prospecting Association's subsidized shaft bottomed on the reef at a depth of 35 ft. The wash passed through only contained a few colours of gold. Addison's. M illikin and Parly. —Six men find profitable employment mining and crushing auriferous cement. Addison's Long Tunnel Gold-mining Company (Limited). —Widening of the lead in this company's ground has enabled work to be carried on at a profit. The depth "| the sluicing-faces varies Erom Bft. to 12ft. The yield of gold for the year amounted to 260 oz. 7 dvvt, 3gr., worth £1,063 1 Is. McNeighi and Party. —To provide fall for extending the workings this party is driving a tunnel tail-race on a level. 10 ft. below the eld race. Six hundred feet (if driving will be required to effect Ihe desired object. Sluicing operations conducted during the year have shown highly payable results. St. John's Terrace.- —McCann and party, having repaired and deepened their tail-race, were enabled to work continuously and with a fair amount of success during the year. Carmody and Party. -Sluicing and elevating are carried on continuously by this party. The depth of wash operated upon exceeds Mil ft. [Sight men are employed, Slunnrock. —Operations are confined to driving the tunnel tail-race, (lood ventilation of the workings is provided by shafts sunk from the surface at intervals of 1,000 ft. Four men are employed. Charleston. PoweWs Elevating Claim. —Large quantities of beach, sands are turned over by this party. The methods adopted comprise hydraulic elevation and subsequent treatment over a wide stretch ol amalgamating-tables. By these means the greater parl of the gold, which is very line, is saved, and profitable results obtained. Eight men are employed. Grey Valley. Lake Hochstetter Syndicate. — Efforts are being ma.de by this syndicate to raise capital to construct a water-race from Lake Hochstetter to the head of Sullivan's Creek, a, distance of about six miles. The race, if constructed, will command an extensive area, of auriferous alluvia,! country, and should give an impetus to mining in the Ahaura district. Bell Hill Si/ndicate. —This syndicate is operating on a face of wash approximately 100 ft. in height. Want ol a. good high-level water-Supply greatly hinders the work on tins claim. (lon's Creek Sluicing Company. —This company is driving a, tunnel tail-race through the spur between (low's Creek and the [eft-hand branch of Nelson Creek to provide fall for working the bed of the former creek from free level. The length "| the runnel when completed will be 2,800 ft. Yen tilation is provided by water-blast. The water is broughi into the tunnel at :i point 700 ft. in from

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