C. 2

56

Waipori. Bakery Flat Gold-mining Company (Limited) (J. T. Johnson, manager).—The change of weather supplying the much needed water has enabled the bottom (deep lead) to be taken up. Elevating has been carried to a depth of 90 ft. The deep levels have been uniformly remunerative throughout. The Golden Point Company's plant and water-race were purchased and added to the efficiency of the plant at this claim. The water-races in connection with the lately acquired rights have been completed to the Burnt Creek dam. The construction of the outflow-race from the dam is in progress, and will be completed during the autumn, when a permanent supply of about twenty-five heads is expected to be available. Lammerlaw Flat Hydraulic Mining Company (Knight Bros.). —Owing to the continuous spell of dry weather during the first five months of the ypar, the output of gold for 1911 fell short of that for the previous year by £269. Fourteen paddocks, 17 ft. deep, and averaging 1 square acre each, have been taken out since operations were commenced on this property. Three other plants are at work in this district. Island Block. Island Block Dredging and Sluicing Company (R. T. Stewart, manager).—The supply of water being too low to permit of work being carried on at the claim during the early part of the year, an extensive overhaul of the races, flumes, and dams was made. The principal sluicing operations were carried out on a strip of unworked ground lying between the old workings and the main road. The depth ranged from 40 ft. to 51 ft., the deepest ground being found nearest the road-line. The bottom, composed of a soft schist, continued to dip in the direction of the road. There still remains untested a width of 4to 5 chains between the limits of the workings and the foothills. The gold is obtained from a thin layer of wash lying almost on the bottom, in many places not more than a few inches in thickness. This company hold the mineral rights over a very large area of freehold, and have entered into an agreement with the New Golden Run Dredging Company to work a portion of this area on a royalty basis. The use of the Keystone boring plant was obtained, and with it some very rich ground was located a short ilistance ahead of where the dredge now lies. The dredge, which was driven by water, has undergone, the necessary alterations for the use of steam power. Roxburgh. The large claims in this district continued to be worked as they have done for many years. Last year, however, did not prove so profitable, owing to the slackness of the water-supply. This is evidenced by the much reduced quantity of ground treated by the Ladysmith Gold-mining Company. The amount removed in normal years averages 5 acres, while only 3 acres were removed during the last period. The normal water-supply required is twenty heads. The gold won by this company for the year was valued at £1,883 4s. 6d., and the expenditure in wages totalled £1,131 15s. Galloway. The Little Valley Sluicing Company have undertaken the construction of a water-race over five miles of very rough country ; some three miles is about completed. The company was floated during the year. Cromwell. The Quartz Reef Point Company went into liquidation owing to a shortage of capital with which to carry on, and the claim was purchased by a private syndicate in September. One or two wash-ups have taken place, and, though nothing sensational has been struck, the results are considered very encouraging. LUGGATE. The New Luggate Hydraulic Sluicing Company (H. Ravenwood, manager) was brought into existence during the year, and acquired the Luggate Creek Sluicing Company's claim and plant. It is expected that operations will be successful. The wash is very rough, and the consequent cost of removal high. Electric light is installed for use in night-work. The face is 36 ft. high, and the bottom is rock. Pressure used, 250 ft. Seven men employed. Arrow River. b Arrow Falls Sluicing Company (J. Hamilton, manager).—This claim and plant were at the end of the year put up to auction, and found a purchaser. The new party have not vet commenced operations. New Arrow Gold-mining Company (Robert Mclntosh, mine-manager).—This syndicate has brought water on to a claim situated in the river Mosp to Arrowtown. Prospecting has been vigorously carried out, and an elevating plant, erected. Arrowtown. Shamrock Sluicing Company (A. Hamilton, manager). —Sluicing operations are conducted on the usual lines. The face is 60 ft., and the available pressure ; s only 120 ft., as the claim is situat°d at a hisrh elevation. Macetown. Macetown Sluicing Company (T. Reid, manager).—Face, 43 tt. ; pressure, 150 ft. Four men. Other small alluvial claims are worked, more or less, in the district.