C—2

Westland County Maori, Gold Dredge, Callagkans.— After an unsuccessful period of operating in the previous year, this dredge did not resume work in 1948, and it was evidently considered by the proprietors that the equipping of the dredge with a new bucket line was not warranted when the future prospects o. the claim had been summed up. , ' • , . " Bimu Dredge, Bimu.— This dredge dug throughout the year m low-grade gravels on the south side of the property and the operation of the dredge has been impaired more or less throughout by the difficulty of obtaining replacement parts. The following figures summarize the chief features ot the year's operations : Working-days j*os Working-hours .. ..- •■ J,i-U Hours digging .. •• •• •- •• •• qo a Percentage time digging .. • ■ • • • • • • 07 asq Area dug, in acres .. . • • • • • • • • ■ qi « Average depth, in feet .. V- •• •• . • • •"•.» Cubic yards handled .. -• •• •• " ' laiX Cubic yards handled per day .. .. •• •• ,o> Cubic yards handled per digging-hour.. .. . • •• J Ounces bullion produced (crude ounces .. .. •■ -Jt'Zka Value of product .. .. .. •• ™ Value of product per day .. .- •- •• •• * aih Value of product per cubic yard .. .. • - • • o-4ld. Kaniere Dredge (Gold Mines (N.Z.), Ltd.), Kaniere.—Foi a yield of 784-45 crude oz gold the company dredged 2,670,346 cubic yards ground, recovering 1-41 grams per cubic yard. A total ot 22 024 acres was dug to an average depth of 58-9 ft., and 80 per cent, of running-time enabled 5 770 hours to be worked and continuous employment was given to 38 men. Apart from the collapse of the top tumbler shaft which entailed a stoppage until a spare tumbler could be obtained from the Ngahere dredge and placed in position, the year was uneventful until the reduced price for gold was ann °4raLro Dredge (Gold Mines (N.Z.), Ltd.), Arahura,.— This dredge continued operations in the deepest ground so far encountered in the claim, the average depth being 118-975 ft Acres dredged amounted to 15-079 and the turnover was 2,863,684 cubic yards from which 9,839-25 oz. (bullion) were recovered for an average of 1-65 grains per cubic yard. Owing to a shortage of water m the early part of the year a considerable amount of time was lost. The total hours worked amounted to 5,569, equal to 75-92 per cent, of the possible dredging-time. During this interval a lull statt ot M men were kept continuously employed on the dredging claim. Alluvial Mining Inangahua County Waitahu Sluicing Claim, Waitahu, Beefton.— This claim was worked during the year by a party of 3 men who have leased the ground from the Waitahu Gold Mining Co. and 61,216 cubic yards of ground were treated for 144 fine oz. gold. The average depth of ground was 20 feet, and 43 cubic yards per hour were run through the sluice-boxes with four heads of water available delivered under fairly high pressure from the storage reservoir. Grey County Moonlight Sluicing Claim, Blackball— On account of the tribute terminating at the end of 1947, work in the claim was resumed by the company, which operated for a short time with 3 men m employment and sluiced 30,000 cubic yards of gravel through the boxes for a return of 62 oz. 15 dwt. 11 gr. (fine ounces), which realized £482 16s. 10d., before finally closing down and going into IClUl Golden Sands Sluicing Claim, Barrytown.— After a few week's work in the early part of the year, the tributors recovered 39 fine oz. gold, which realized £365 17s. 2d., before operations were suspended, chiefly on account of all the available ground within the company's boundaries being worked out. Marlborough County Waihakaho Deep Lead, Deep Creek. —Following upon the installation of a Pomona pump and the draining of the workings, a crosscut through country rock was commenced to reach No. 1 Bore, situated at a computed distance of 80 ft. from the level. The objective was reached, but through either an underestimation of the difficulties when working wet and loose ground or incapacity of workers and management to deal with the problem, a run of ground took place immediately the wash was tapped and no further progress towards opening up the mine could be made. Expenditure on reopening the mine up to this period has been in excess of the estimated cost, consequently financial difficulties arose which the directors could not overcome, and the mine was shut down.

39