Page image

51

C—2

Roxburgh. Work, as usual, has been carried on by the Roxburgh Amalgamated, Ladysmith, and Commissioners' Flat Gold-mining Companies. The Roxburgh Amalgamated has suffered a considerable loss of time by breaks in the water-race, and also the Commissioners' Flat party by the continued high state of the river throughout the winter. Teviot Molyneux Gold-mining Company.— Race-construction has "been carried on during the year, and 2 miles 18 chains of ditching completed. There being 2 miles 10 chains of piping (siphons) the earthwork is therefore completed to the 4-mile 28-chain peg, and within 23 chains of the penstock to operate White's Flat Claim, and 1 mile 23 chains from the terminal point The dimensions of the race are 7 ft. bottom and 10 ft. top, 3 ft. deep, with a fall of 16 ft. to the mile, and the carrying-capacity is sixty-five heads. The diameter of the siphon-pipes is 3ft Several short flood-water races have been completed to carry the by-wash water into gullies where it cannot do any damage to property and roads on the flat below. .. i,txandra. Doctor's Point Sluicing Company.—This party was formed to test a high level run of gold at Doctor's Point, about nine miles down the gorge below Alexandra. The prospects are good but the ground is rough and difficult to work. Machinery to deal with the huge rocks will have to be erected. The claim is located on a level probably 600 ft. above the present level of the Molyneux River. Should satisfactory results be obtained, other parties may turn their attention to these higher levels along the bank of the Molyneux. Cromwell. Ballingall and Patton.—k claim situated in the bed of the Roaring Meg Creek at Plank Creek Junction is being developed by this party. A water-race, three miles in length, consisting of surface ditching 2 ft. by LJft., with a fall of 13 ft. to the mile, a siphon 2,000 ft. long of 13 in pipes, 250 ft. of iron fluming, and \\ chains of tunnelling, is in course of construction to bring water on to the claim. Ihe available pressure at the point of delivery will be 320 ft and the anticipated depth of ground 35 ft. The capital involved in the undertaking is about £2,000. Lug gate. The Galtee More Mining Syndicate still carry on operations, employing six men. Arrow River. .i u7° e S ! lmc J n 9 Company. -This company operated for the most part of the year in the bed of the Soho Creek, a tributary of the Arrow River. Results have been disappointing and work in the meantime discontinued. re ' Shamrock Sluicing Company.—A bad run has been experienced by the company this season shortl suspended. .It is, however, probable that a tribute party will recommence Shotover. The various claims in the banks and bed of the river have been carried on as usual • T\ d T?i° P aw th |. commencem ent made by the Staircase Sluicing Syndicate to operate m the bed of the Shotover River at the junction of Staircase Creek. Plant has been installed and the ground opened up. Mlu:u The Sandhills Syndicate in the Upper Shotover, is carrying out a large scheme to divert a portion of the river from its present bed. The deviation, if successful, will enable the com pany to work several chains of the present river-bed. enaoie me comthis ing " W ° rk g enerall y has been much impeded by the series of floods that have occurred Cardrpna. Criffel Lead Sluicing Company. are still made to work this ground, but owine to the shpping-m of the back reef country the task is difficult. g Matakanui. Undaunted Gold-mining Company (Limited).—Over the greater portion of the claim th* shallow ground to the false bottom has been worked, and attention will have to be directed to the deeper ground commencing at the foot-hills on the back reef. Seven men are employed Tinkers Gold-mining Company (Limited).—Progress on this property is slow due to the slippy nature of the back reef and great overburden. Great care has to hi taken In work ng to avoid accident. Eight men are employed. worsmg to Mount Morgan Sluicing Company.—Men, three. Depth, 20 ft. Sluicing and elevating. St. Bathan's. Scandinavian Water-race Company (Limited). -Overburden has been extensively removed on this property, permitting the main Kildare lead to be worked Safety 2r improved. The Surprise Hill section of the property has also beenwork S " TMstZ iTI ground-sluicing proposition. Fifteen men are employed. 8 a United Mining and Elevating Water-race Company (Limited) —Work hnc W„ a the deep levels during a portion of the year. The early part of the year was devoted to " abortion of the claim with a free outflow into the clTanmel, LpenSg willing toftTal