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ments, to be engaged in deep dredging. The principal dimensions of the dredge are : Length of pontoons, 120 ft. ; breadth over all, 30 ft, 6 in. : depth, 7 ft. ; width of well, 5 ft. 6 in. ; length of ladder, 89 ft. (c. to c.) ; height of poppet from deck to centre top tumbler, 24 ft. ; freeboard, 3 ft. 3 in. ; size of buckets, 7 ft. ; number of buckets, 45 ; horse-power of Marshall's compound condensing-engine, 25 ; total weight of ladder when in working-order, with buckets, belt, &c, 66 tons. This dredge will be capable of dredging to a depth of 55 ft. below water-level, and is well lighted by electricity. Messrs. McGeorge have been engaged boring to test deep ground in Peterson's Freehold, over which they hold an option, with n view to working the ground if prospects warrant. Boring prospecting hiis also been extensively carried on with the Keystone drill by the Golden Bed Dredging Companj at Ettrick, and some rich ground lias been located ; also at the upper end of the Island Block Flat. The new Golden Run dredge is being converted from water-power to a steam-power dredge,with a view to commencing to work this ground on a royalty basis agreement with the Island Block Company, who hold the mineral rights over the freehold. A dredge was placed on the Dome Creek, Waikaia, during the year, but after a short run closed down. The Mystery Flat dredge, floated by race-water, lias, by a system of locking, successfully dredged up the slope of the rising reef, elevating itself to a height of fully 35 ft. The very determined efforts to raise the sunken Rise and fthine dredge No. lat Lowburu have failed. The company are now considering a proposal to place another dredge on the claim. Probably the most noteworthy incident of the year was a return from the Electric No. 1 dredge, on the Kawarau River, of 326 oz. 18dwt. for I] 7 hours' work. Taking the industry as a whole, the regulations have been well complied with, and there has been no serious accident in actual dredge-work. During the year there were in active operation throughout Otago and Southland eighty-three dredges, affording direct employment to 640 men. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. SCHEELITE. The production of scheelite for the year amounts to 85 tons, valued at £8,034. Glenorchy and Macrae's districts are the main sources of supply. Copper. Some little attention has been paid to the lode occurring at the head of Wet Jacket Arm, Dusky Sound, but no work has been done. Antimony. The Antimony Mining Company's mine at Alexandra South was kept unwatered until August, 1911, when pumping was discontinued, and the water permitted to rise. Since then the company have realized on the property. Limestone. 51,100 tons of stone was produced from the Milburn Lime and Cement Company's lime-works at Milburn and Dunback. Marl. This is chiefly obtained from Burnside, near Dunedin, and the quantity produced during the year was 6,600 tons. Phosphate. The Ewing Phosphate Company treated 10,000 tons of this mineral during the year. ACCIDENTS. Hydraulic and Alluvial Mines. Fatal. 17th April, 1911 : Joseph Bates and Francis George Smith, miners, accidently drowned in Round Hill Mining Company's claim at Round Hill, through Bates's foot being caught in suction-pipe at elevator. Non-fatal. 9th March, 1911 : Martin Trainor had his leg broken by a rolling stone striking him while walking down the face at the Arrow Falls Sluicing Company's claim at Arrowtown. Gold-dredges. Fatal. 10th January, 1911 : Diver Tood, engaged by the Rise and Shine Gold-dredging Company to examine the sunken Rise and Shine dredge at Lowburn, lost his life while making an examination of the pontoons. The Coroner's jury brought in a verdict of " Death from natural causes (heartfailure)." GOLD-MINERS' RELIEF FUND. Since the commencement of this benefit, the amount of £120 3s. 2d. has been recommended for payment as relief to miners and dredgemen who have met with accidents. I have, &c, Thomas Thomson, Inspector of Mines.