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43 ft., and the bottom was not then in sight. With such a small quantity of wafer the work was necessarily very slow, and the results proving unsatisfactory, operations were temporarily stopped, with a view to attaining a better method of working. Nelson and Mayo, Wahamarina. —These two men have carried on sluicing operations during the year, with payable results. It is proposed to turn the claim over to a company who will open out on a larger scale. CoLLINGWOOn. Quartz Ranges. —Five men were employed till Juno. 1911, since when no wort has been done. The yield of gold for the period was only 27 oz. Parti pa in Hydraulic Sluicing Company (J. Bassett, manager). —Operations have been steadily carried on throughout the year ; ten men were employed, and the gold won amounted to £2,475 13s. 6d. The ground being worked is very dec)), and the tailings have been elevated from 80 ft. to 90 ft. in one lift, using thirteen heads of water under a pressure of 350 ft. ; five heads additional water being used to sluice down into the pit. Mr. Bassett estimates that lie has been handling by this means 3,000 yards per week. and. taking into consideration the depth and nature of the ground, and the quantity and pressure of the Water, this is very good indeed. Aorere Hydraulic Sluicing Company (11. F. Logan, secretary and manager).—This claim of 87 acres at Slate River has given employment to live men for the year. Fourteen heads of water are used for sluicing From two nozzles under a head of 400 ft. The face is 50 It. high, wash tightly cemented, and bottom stones very heavy. The tail-race discharges through a tunnel driven 270 ft. through very hard schist rock. Quantity of material operated on for the year, 47,875 cubic yards ; average yield. '2.\(>(') grains per yard ; total yield, 216 oz.. valued at £848. Walker Maruia Sluicing Company.— This claim has been worked by the tributers, Mr. Dwan and party, throughout the year. The bottom wash is exceedingly heavy, and a tremendous number of stones have to be handled by means of a winch. The tributers are making fairly good wages. Horse Terrace Claim (R. W. Richardson and party). —Three men have been steadily employed for the year, and 60,000 yards have been put through the tail-race. The value of gravel in the claim does not exceed I I gr. per yard, but with a good water-supply and good methods of working, a payable result is obtained for the owners. Matakitaki Sluicing Company, Mammoth Claim. —Sluicing was carried on only for three months of the year, and 15,000 yards were treated for a return of 46 oz. 7 dwt. I2gr. of gold. Workis at present suspended, and it is proposed to extend the race live miles down the river, for the purpose of selling water to miners. Rappahannoc Claim (Dr. Warneford and party).—lntermittent work has been carried out during the year, with unsatisfactory results. Thompson Maruia Sluicing Company. —This company has acquired an area formerly held by Messrs. Thompson and sons. A water-race is being constructed nine and three-quarter miles in length. to carry thirty-five heads of water. It is hoped thai by treating very large quantities of material this property can be made to pay a fair interest on the capital involved. If this can be done, there is a big area of ground of a similar nature available. Buller River. Very little sluicing is now being done along this river. A few small parties are making wages, but no work of any magnitude is going on. What little gold is being obtained is extremely fine, resembling that found on the sea-beach. Addison's Flat. Millikiii anil party have worked throughout the year on their cement claim, and crushed 5.000 yards, with payable results. Addison's Long Tunnel Claim. —Four men were employed until August, when operations ceased, and the company went into liquidation. McKnigM and Party. This claim has employed five men during the year, and sluicing operations have given fair results. Cannoih/ and Party. —This party (of eight men) has been continuously employed in sluicing and elevating, and has had fairly payable results. McCann and Party, St. John's Terrace. —Sluicing has been carried on during the year, with three men. Shamrock Claim. —Eight men have been employed in driving the tail-race tunnel, which, when completed, will be considerably over a mile in length. This is expected to be finished and actual sluicing started in a few months' time. Charleston. No work of any importance has been carried on during the year. Powell's claim has been closed down, and only one or two fossickers have been at work. Grey Valley. Lake Hochstetter Water-race Syndicate. —The whole of the tights and properties of the syndicate have been under offer during the year to an English firm of brokers, and it was hoped a company would have been formed to construct the race, and that the large area of auriferous country in the Ahaura, Callaghan's, and Nelson Creek Valleys would have at last been brought under the command of an adequate water-supply. Unfortunately, the flotation has not been accomplished, and what appears to be a thoroughly legitimate undertaking is still awaiting the necessary capital.

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