a—2.

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Waitahuna. Norwegian Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Company, Waitahuna. — This party fortunately possess a good water-supply, and have commenced operations in the cement depo it, which rests .on a schist bottom dipping at an inclination of 23° east from the horizontal. Previous prospecting has proved that a considerable depth will have to be Hunk before the gutter is reached. Elevating is proceeding from a depth of 50 ft. under a water-head of 300 ft. The cement is broken up by blasting previous to being sluiced into the elevator. Light for night work is supplied by a modern electriclight installation, water-driven. Sailors Gully Sluicing Company; Waitahuna. —Operations are conducted in the cement formation, dipping in this claim at an angle of 30° east from the horizontal. The face is 60 ft., and elevating is necessary from a depth of 30 ft. The working of this cement proving payable gives to mining a permanency in this district not previously anticipated. Three other plants are worked in the district. Island Block. Island Block Dredging and Sluicing Company. —After opening out a large paddock 50 ft. in depth work was suspended, due chiefly to the defective state of the pressure pipe-line. It was necessary to lift 68 ft. to provide a clearance, for tailing, and with a large percentage of pressure lost on the main line the work was slow and difficult. The plant was removed to the opposite side of the river to try a paddock there. A considerable area yet remains to be worked in the Island Block Claim, but more efficient plant is necessary to work it successfully. Roxburgh. Amalgamated Gold-mining Company. —An area of 3 J acres, of an average depth of 40 ft., has been treated for the year, with thirty-five heads of water at a head of 450 ft. The bottom worked to is coal and clay. Twelve men employed. Ladysmitlt God-mining Company. —About 5 acres, of an average depth of 65 ft., was dealt with. The ground is very rough in places. Eight men employed. Commissioners Flat. —The ground is rougher here than in any of the other claims in the district. Being a low-pressure proposition, work has often to be suspended owing to the level of the Molyneaux being higher than the bottom worked to, and no water available at suitable pressure for pumping. Teviot Molyneaux •Gold-mining Company. —Active construction-works have been commenced on this property. Water is being brought in from the Teviot River to operate at White's and Anderson's Flats, The undertaking, though extensive, presents no engineering difficulties. When completed the plant will be both extensive and modern. Galloway. Little Valley Sluicing Company. —Race-work was completed and water brought on to the claim at the end of the year. Sluicing operations were commenced, but it is understood the prospects were not too encouraging. Cromwell. Roaring Meg. —BaKingall and Paton are making preparations to work ground located at the junction of the Plank Creek and Roaring Meg. Plant has been purchased from the Quartz Reef Point Company now defunct, and is in course of transit to the mine. Three miles of race has been constructed, and 300 ft. of pressure is available. The anticipated depth of the ground is 35 ft. Luggate. The New Luggate Hydraulic-sluicing Company went into liquidation, and the property was purchased by the G-altee More Mining Syndicate. Six men are employed, and the average depth of the ground is 35 ft. Arrow River. Arrow Falls Sluicing Company. —The new owners have continued operations on the same lines as the old company. Work is going-on in the bed of the Arrow River. Baird Mining Syndicate. —■ Prospecting operations are proceeding on that stretch of country extending from Arrow to Crown Terrace. The water belonging to the defunct New Arrow Gold-mining Company was purchased by the syndicate, and commands the ground. Arrowtown. Shamrock Sluicing Company. —The material sluiced is very low grade. The result of the year's work was 170 oz. 5 dwt., valued at £662 ss. With a larger volume of water and greater pressure the claim would be highly payable. Face, 100 ft. Macetown. Macetown Sluicing Company. —Face, 60 ft. ; pressure, 150 ft. Shotover. Forty men find employment mining in the bed and terraces of the river, and produced last year 1,600 oz. of gold.