C—3

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Kanieri District. T.h'.Y. Syndicate.- —This syndicate completed their tunnel, 1,350 ft. in length. They have also erected a very substantial head gear, elevating plant, dam. and water-race. The result of a week's run was very satisfactory. G. Head is hastening operations ;it his subsidized tunnel. The gravels and sand therefrom, when washed, give fine gold. The Kanieri Water-raoe and Mining Company have one .shall 39 ft. deep. The gold obtained ! herefrom would be payable if the gravels oould be handled on a large scale. Marks and Kulsen for the past eleven months have been developing theii property. They had only a very brief run before their drainage-tunnel collapsed. Back Creek District. The last year has been satisfactory for the majority of the miners employed, the rainfall having been heavy during the greater part of the year. At the present time there are four low levels being driven, so that by the time the shallow levels are exhausted the claimholders should be in a position to maintain the present average of labour and gold-production. Humphries Gully. —This mine is being worked on tribute by twelve men, who arc making an average wage. Strict attention is paid to the maintenance of the water-races. Calligans. ---Cook and Honey having completed their subsidized tunnel (1,700 ft.), have opened up their claim, and, as the result of two successful washings, anticipate further profitable operations if water is available. J. Manzoni is at present putting in a low-level tail-race, which, when completed, will be about 3,000 ft. in length. The smaller claims in this locality are doing fairly well, except those in Mosquito Gully, the holders of which, owing to the scarcity of water, have been compelled to suspend operations for the present. To bring in water at sufficient altitude would be very costly at present owing to the configuration of the country ; but subsequently, when some of the claims on the higher levels are worked out, it will In , possible to excavate dams for the conservation of the water required. Cape Terrace. During the pasi vcar Loughnau unci Sons purchased the water-rights of Burr and Son, and, with the combined water-supply, the result of the year's operations has been satisfactory. Tansie and party, having a very good supply of water, have worked profitably during 1910. Teyson and party also have experienced a very successful year's sluicing, adequate rains having maintained their water-supply. Hayes Terrace. When water is available from the Erin-go-Bragh race, the miners sluicing on this terrace are able to work profitably, and they anticipate doing much better when the Government water is available by means of the Kumara Water-race extension via the Taramakau Valley, which work is now nearing completion. Stafford. \Yhe.d-oj-Fortune. —Work was suspended at this claim lor some time, until it was decided to dismantle one of the present elevators and re-erect it in a more central position. This necessitated the extension of the present drainage-tunnel 360 ft., also the relaying of two pipe-lines -viz.. the mainpressure line a distance of 1,100 ft., and the top tail-race 850 ft. A tunnel tail-race has been driven 90 ft. to allow the gravels to gravitate to the elevators. The sluice-boxes have been widened from 2£ ft. to 4 ft., and lined with angle iron and a set of perforated iron plates. For dealing with the larger stones Iwo cranes are to be erected, thus saving a very considerable amount of labour. With a favourable rainfall this party should be in a position to carry on sluicing and elevating on a large scale. The various other claims in the district have been worked fairly constantly. Mr. Carmine has completed his low-level tail-race and should be in a position soon to stari sluicing operations on a fairly large scale. Kumara. No. 4 Tunnel Company. —This company continue to employ six men. During the year the\ have been carrying out development, which should ultimately give improved returns. Shannon and party are still driving the No. 3 deviation. T. McGrath is working his Fug Hill section of the claim with twelve men. The pasi \ en's operations have been payable. On his 40-acre claim McGrath is driving a low-level tunnel —an expensive work, owing to the heavy nature of the pug encountered (a running seam of clay and gravel). This has now been successfully dealt with. Mr. Garner is pushing on with his subsidized sluicing-channel. The material dealt with is now very much more favourable for speedy progress than heretofore. Barrytown. With the exception of McKay and White this place is almost deserted by miners. It is only bj dealing with this extensive sand deposit in large quantities that it may be worked remuneratively. Maori Gully. The Maori Gully Company continue to work at a profit. A plentiful supply of water is much required.