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Main development results were as follows : No. 14 North Level: 75 ft., all off reef. . No. 15 North Level: Total distance driven was 139 ft., 60 ft. being on reef averaging 7-81 dwt. over 34-6 in., and 79 ft. off reef. No. 15 South Level: Total distance driven was 286 ft., 262 ft. being on reef averaging 14-52 dwt. over 32-1 in., and 24 ft. off reef. No. 15 South Branch Drive at Co-ordinate 1790 : 73 ft., all off reef. No. 16 North Level: Total distance driven was 58 ft., 6 ft. being on reef averaging 20-61 dwt. over 25-5 in., and 52 ft. off reef. No. 16 South Level: Total distance driven was 77 ft., 11 ft. being on reef averaging 18-99 dwt. over 27-4 in., and 66 ft. off reef. The predominating footage off reef in No. 16 level was due to the necessity of leaving a substantial pillar to preserve the main shaft, which intersected the lode at the top of No. 16 plat, consequently driving north and south in country rock had to be carried out before reaching the lode. Alexander and Big River Mines, Big River.—On account of the scarcity of skilled labour, no attempt was made to reopen these mines, which are both fully equipped with .mining and treatment plants and in a position to employ a number of skilled miners and the necessary surface staff when available. Dredge Mining Inangahua County Slab Hut Dredge, Mawheraiti. —Dredging operations on the claim were fairly continuous for the period under review and a total of 815,530 yards of ground was dredged for a satisfactory yield, despite -the fact that a considerable amount of tailings was handled during the course of operations. Snowy River Dredge, Ikamatua—This dredge operated for a very high percentage of workingtime on ground varying in depth from 12 ft. to 27 ft., and the gold recovered from a yardage that exceeded the million mark allowed the payment of the usual dividends. Grey River Dredge, Ikamatua.—During the year this dredge worked 79-4 per cent, of the total digging-time of 310 working-days, equalling 5,910 digging-hours. Approximately 87 acres were dug •of an average depth of 29-2 ft., and the ground treated was 4,112,179 cubic yards, the maximum output per digging-hour being 675 cubic yards. The value of the ground treated was 6-sd. per cubic yard and operating-costs, excluding export taxes and realization costs, amounted to 4-13 d. per cubic yard, while the total cost of production equalled 5-27 d. per cubic yard. The dredge operated under normal •conditions during the year. Grey County Waipuna, Dredge, Waipuna (Ahaura Survey District). —This dredge operated for nine months ■of the year, and dug 200,638 cubic yards of low-grade ground before being dredged into a position where ■conditions were most favourable for dismantlement and removal. Redjacks Dredge (Associated Gold Dredges, Ltd.), Redjacks Creek, Ngahere.—During the year this ■dredge dredged 17 acres of ground and treated 920,305 cubic yards. The average depth of ground worked was 26 ft. and the percentage of possible hours worked was 69-7 per cent. A recovery of 1-15 grains per cubic yard was effected, and total working-cost per cubic yard was 4-4 d. Atarau Dredge (Associated Gold Dredges, Ltd.), Moonlight Creek, Atarau.—During the year this dredge dug 48 acres averaging 16 ft. in depth for a yardage of 1,115,420 cubic yards. Seventy-seven per cent, of possible hours were worked, and working-costs totalled sd. per cubic yard, to be expended from a return of 1-18 grains per cubic yard. Marsden Dredge (Associated Gold Dredges, Ltd.), New River, Marsden.—This dredge worked 27 acres of ground and treated 1,104,585 cubic yards for a yield of 0-75 grains per cubic yard. The total -cost of recovery was 4-23 d. per cubic yard and the hours worked was 76-8 per cent, of the total possible time. The average depth of ground dredged was 22 ft. Ngahere Dredge, Ngahere.—The area dredged during the year amounted to 11-74 acres of a maximum •depth of 107 ft. and a minimum depth of 84 ft. The maximum depth below water-level was 77 ft. and the maximum height above water-level was 431 ft. For a recovery of 1-84 grains per cubic yard, 1,864,733 cubic yards of ground were dredged. During June and July the original bucket band was discarded and a new one installed; a new stacker belt was also installed. During the stoppage numerous necessary repairs were effected, and since recommencing in August the dredge operated very efficiently, with a subsequent increase in output and gold return. Blackball Creek Dredge, Blackball.—This dredge operated steadily throughout the year with the usual stoppages for overhaul and repairs, which are essential on a dredge of the age and type of the plant in use. In fairly tight ground varying from 35 ft. to 40 ft. deep sufficient gold was recovered to enable the company to maintain a satisfactory financial position. Barrytown Dredge, Barrytown.—The following figures cover operations at this dredge up to 31st May, when dredging ceased. The area of ground dredged was 29-8 acres and the yardage of wash treated amounted to 798,000 cubic yards, not including the tailings, for a recovery of 1-04 grains per cubic yard. The dredge worked for 72-56 per cent, of the possible dredging-hours of 2,813 hours in ground of an average depth of 16-5 ft.

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