Sluicing.

This method requires not such hard labour as does shovelling. Sluicing is adopted usually in areas where there is a face commanded by a water supply that will give an adequate pressure. There must be a slope or “fall” at the base, to allow the tailings and water to run off. The usual system adopted is to bring the water, by race, to a point above the claim. This water is brought to the required point by a hose with a nozzle attached. The water, forced through the nozzle and directed towards the face breaks down the wash, which is forced by the water (extra water flowing in from the race if required) down to and over the box. It is obvious that much more wash will be worked with the nozzle, and that it will be put through at a faster rate than by the manual method. The actual work required, after the preparatory work of race-making and setting-in, is in keeping the “tail-race” clear, and in keeping the nozzle directed. It is somewhat monotonous work in the winter (when one has the water) as actually the miner usually has to stand by the nozzle.

One ingenious miner suggested to me the building of a cage, large enough to sit in; a heater would be installed and hey presto! sluicing was a gentleman's job.