UPPER THAMES MINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10013, 27 December 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

UPPER THAMES MINES.

A TOUR OF INSPECTION.

[from OCR special REPORTER,]

THE WAIHI DISTRICT.

Makiho Waihi a starting point on my present tour of the Upper Thames, I visited all tho principal mines, noting gcnorally audi changes as had occurred since my former visit in February. It is noedloss to say that I observod many and important changes, and groat developments. THE SILVERTON. In none of the Waihi mines, oxoopfc that of tho Waihi company, has there been such important changos as aro manifest in tho Waihi-Silverton Company's mino, and tho discovery of an important new reef, which is likely to provo a great factor in the future of tho mine, is just now attracting a great deal of attention. In Fobruary last contractors wero endeavouring to sink an ongine shaft undor great difficulties, in ordor to afford means of working the Silverton roof advantageously, but tho inflow of wator was too great for tho little Tangyo pump, tho only appliance then on tho mine, and they had to discontinue operations, the company having no funds to oroct necessary plant. But soon after this tho mino was successfully floated in England, and an instalment of capital was at vice forwarded on receipt of a plan of operations prepared by Mr. H. 11 Adams, tho mino manager, and Messrs. Pond and Kidd, the local coinmitteo representing the Engsish dlroctors in Auckland. This included stripping and enlarging the shaft to make it suitable for cages and pump. It is now 14 feet 6 inches in longth and of proportionate width, and nt a depth of 108 feet a clumber was excavated and a drivo Btartod for tho reef, the present dopth boing SO feet below the workings which had previously been carried on from 4 winze until the water stopped further progress in that direction. Suitablo and powerful pumping and winding machinery has been erected, to which 1 shall refer presently, and no time ws9 lost in unwatoring tho mine and driving for tho Silvorton reef, the only lode hitherto worked in the mine. A crosscut of 190 feet readied and intersected tho Silverton reef, and it has since been driven on for a total length of about 1158 feet. Ib is 14 feet wide at intersection, and thodrive which has boon entirely along the liangingwall, has given good payable oro for the whole of that distance, Mr. Adams' assay books showing an avorago value for tho entire distance opened of £3 and £4 a ton. Tho crosscut was continuod north with a viow prospecting the country beyond tho lode, and tho manager was rewarded by finding at a distance of seven feet from tho Silverton lode a splendid body, the promising appearanco of which at onco attracted attention, although at first it was naturally supposed that it would provo to bo a branch or dropper from tho Silverton reef. But when penetrated it was found to be a strong lode, and eventually proved to bo 15 feet thick. It was first struck on the hangingwall side, but after the lodo was cut through to the footwall, a drive was startod on the footwall, taking oro tor the whole width of the drive, and from this source, although tho drivo is only 58 feot Ion?, there aro 70 tons of ore paddocked. The two lodes unmistakeably junction on tho eastern end, but become entirely distinct in their westerly courses, tho divergence being so considerable as to leave little reason to believe that they will ever converge towards each other in that direction. Tho ore of the new reef is of what old miners would a nice sugary quality, that is to say, it contains a good deal of white silica, but is freo from crystals, and is freely interspersed with black veins, which aro looked upon as rich indications. From an inspoc tion of the assays made by Mr. Adams as to the quality of the new lodo where intersected, 1 find that tho best orj is undoubtedly on the footwall side. Tho first six feet averaged in value £4 10s per ton, then a poor section of from a foot to 18 inches intervened, but on the footwall tho Rjsay value increased to £6 per ton, and some ore taken off the footwall went as high as £45 per too. These, Mr. Adams explained in answer to a question, wore picked samples, and did not purport to be general assays. It is not often in this district that gold is visible in the large lodes, bub in this caso a littlo could bo tracod right through the reef. That the find is a most important ono is beyond question, and its possibilities aro great indeed, for tho prospects are much richer than those obtained from the Silverton reef at this level, and it is intact in the whole of the mine.

A3 already stated tho mining raachinory is a very complete, effective, and adequate plant. Motive power is to bo supplied by a large multitubular boiler, capable of working forty horsepower, and room is left for an additional similar one to meet futuro requirements, and its erection will take place in the near future, as tho contract for ib is already let. The engine-room is well and adequately provided for. In the first place there is a little steam donkey engine for feeding tho boilers, and this is entirely detached from the other onginos. The pumping engine is a2O inch cylinder with throe feet stroke, and will work at high pressure, and is erected on massive brick and coment foundations. The pump, 1 may add, is not yet started, nor induod is tho column in position, but it is a 12-inch pump, and tho wind hoso, clacks, etc., are on tho ground. In tho meantime a Worthington steam pump is found sufficient for present requirements. The winding engine is a Tangye of 40 horfe power, and tho gear is efficient. The winding drums are six feet in diameter, and tho ropes aro 2s-incii steel, while each spider has a separate foot - brake, thus bringing both under instantaneous control. A very noticeable provision for tho prevention of casualties is made in the construction of the engine house itself, for the front facing the brace and poppet heads is all of glass so that the engine diivor in charge of tho winding engine lias these important positions in lull view. Another feature worthy of note is that there is no crowding of machinery ; there is ample room in the engine house and therefore less liability to accident.

To connect the mine with the battery erected on the Ohincmuri River, on the site of the old[one a tramway, one and a-half miles in length is in course of construction, and has so far advanced that for threefourths of the distance the rails are already laid, and probably by Christmas, at all events early in the now year, the whole will be completed. The grades aro good, tho steepest being only 1 in 45 and that only for empty trucks, and instead of horses a small locomotivo, which is now being tested, will be used on tho tramway. I may add that in addition to the 70 tons in paddock from tho now reef there aro 540 tons of good quality oro from the Silverton reef ready for milling, and ore is now coming to hand at the rate of 10 tons por day, but when it comes to actual breaking out of oro for the mill tlio output can bo incroused to any required quantity.

In regard to tlio battery and its appliances, they are still in an incomplete state, but tho plant should for its capacity equal the best in tho colony, for all the latest appliances and innovations have been adopted. The system is automatic, and almost exclusively on the gravitation syßtom, There are three largo kilns, two of which are already completed. They aro each sixteen feet in diamoter, at tho top and 4*2 feet in depth, the shape being that of an inverted cone, and they will be capable of containing 300 tons of ore. Here the raw oro will be delivered from the main tram line and from tho kilns the roasted ore la trammed to the " grizzly." and all that does nit readily pass through its scrcans is passed on to two stonecrushors, one by Blake and the other Gates' well known crusher. From this tho ore is received into a hopper capable of holding -")0 tons, and from thence by the same gravitation system it passes to the selffeeders of the 40 stamper dry-crushing battery ready for treatment. The plant is in sections of 5 heads to each box or 10 head to oach battery, and oach stamper weighs 9cwt. From the front of the stamper screens the crushed oro is elevated by four bucket elevators to dust bins which will hold, if required, IGOtonsofthepowdercd ore, and from there it, is passed into the leaching vats for treatment by the cyanide process. There is very little hand labour required, in fact, the whole of the work is done by machinery, from tho tipping of the i trucks to t.he filling of the vats. These leaching or percolating vats are in them- ; selves a specialty, and the first of the kind

ever introduced into the colony, for in- | stead of being of wood, thoy aro built of steol. They aro 10 feet in diameter, capable of holding SO tons each, and they have the advantagoof a six-inch concavity in tho bottom, And aro sluiced through tho contro. Of course, I cannot judgo yob whether tho adoption of steel vats is, or is not, an advantage, but I am informed that tho interior of tho vats will bo coatod with some siibstanco which will prevent corrosion. The usual addition of vacuum pumps, concrete sumps, etc., aro provided. The battory building, which is 106 foot in length, and 85 feot in width, is wood framowork, covered with ton tons of corrugated iron, and the motive power for tho battery is 1.0 Fell's turbino wheels, 4 foot (] inches in diamocor, driven by tho Ohinomuri P.ivor, which is takon up aftor ib passes through tho Waihi battory and conveyod in a race 600 foot in length to tho wiiool pit, which is constructed of solid masonry. Tho well is 10 foot in diameter, and 16 feet in depth. Thoro is a socond additional forco takon from a dam in tho river oloso to tho battery, and ib is expected that the united force will give an olliciont powor oE 80 horses. Mr. Adams expects that tho reduction works will bo roady for operations by tho end of January. GRAND JUNCTION.

Some timo ago boring operations wero started in the Grand Junction initio, oloso to the eastern boundary of tho Waihi Company's mine, bub as they did not prove sua cessful they wero discontinued, and a start was nmtlo to sink a shaft for tho purpose of developing the continuation of the Waihi roofs, more especially tho Martha lodo, tho course ot which certainly appears to trend through tho company's ground. Ib was determined to muko tho shaft a baso for pormanont operation, and accordingly its dimensions were such as to make it suitablo for an engine shaft, Ib is 14 feet long and iivo feet wido, and it is at present at a depth of 150 foot, being unwatorcd by a duplox Tangya pump fixed on the siirvlt, but as this is now being found insufficient n second has beon procured, and it will bo fixed in position in a few days. Mr. Jainos has charge of tho operations. Aftor gotting through a mixed surface requiring tho puddling of tho upper portion of tho shaft, a bolt of hard rock was mot with, but this has been ponotratcd during tho lust woek, and Ims civon place to a soft decomposed rock. Tho formation is in itself not very peculiar, ami Mr. Gilmour, of tho Waihi Company's mine, who was present with mo, said it was similar to what had been passed through in tho Waihi shaft, and that it would probably be succeeded 1 by a pipeclay formation beforo tho solid sandstono was reached.

In what is known as tho Waihi West, situated, as its namo indicates, on the western boundary of tho Waihi mino, and which, I am given to understand, belongs to the Grand Junction Company, another shaft is going down nearly opposite tho Waihi township, and o! this Mr. Jamos also has charge. It. is now down 1(10 feot, and for tho last 10 feet has gone through a very nice class of sandstone, heavily mineralised with mundic, and somo quart?, veins nro running through it. Altogether, the indications are promising for any lodes that may bo met with. 1 am informed that it is intended to continue tho shaft to a depth of 175 or 200 feet, beforo starting to drive. The shaft, which is intended as a prospecting shaft, is only i) feet by 5 feet, and it is unwatered by a Tangyo pump and engine.

No. 11. THE WAIKI COMPANY'S MINE. It was a pleasure to mc, after an absence from tho district of noarly a year, to renew my acquaintance with the Waihi Company's mine, its unique reof system, and to follow tho now and important developments which had taken place in the interval. As before, the main source of supply of ore is tho No. 1 level, but tho No. '2 is now being opened up at a depth of 2i;G feet from tho surface, or 70 feet deeper than tho No. 1 levol, and the operations carried on hero, although watched in tho first instance with some anxiety, have only tended to prove, if further proof was necessary, tiio permanence of the lodes in the company's mine. Tho shaft having reached the requisite depth and a chamber opened a crosscut was started to intersect tho lo le system, and nt a distance of fi'Jli feet driven in a northwest direction the Welcome lode, which had proved such a valuable auxiliary to the Martha reef in the No. 1 level was reached. Its formation was peculiar, for at the point of intersection it was a conglomerate of quartz and mullock, occupying a width of 31 feet between tho walls of tho lode. It has since been driven on In a westerly direction a length of 110 foot and tho lode lies come within its normal demonsions, varying in size from 7 or 8 feet to about r>7j feet. "Only driving on it," said Mr. Gilmore, when I asked him as to tho proposed future operations. At presont Ido noi intend starting stopini;, and it will be many months beforo 1 shall require tQ slope from this level, but tho ore from the drive all goes to tho battery." The drive eastward on this lode has been continued for a length of about 00 feet. The lode is neither so well formed nor so promising in appearance. It has become dig integrated, and tho vein body in the faco is not more than two foot in width, but Mr. (iiltnore informed me that he was only continuing tho drivo as an experiment to ascertain whether any change may occur. His opinion is that tho lode will probably •lie out in this direction at this level. The ore seam known as the right-hand branch, which forms a connecting link between the Welcome anil tho Martha reefs has hardly been opened up at this level. Tho crosscut was continued, and after parting with tho Welcomo reef a two-foot ore vein was intersected. This is evidently a dropper from the Welcome to tho Martha lode, and as the ore gave an a?s ly value of 2oz to the ton, it will provo of considerable value. At a distanco of '22$ foot from tho Welcome lode the first quartz of tho famous Martha reof was reached, and when driven through it showed a width of 1!) feet, tho oro proving to bo then and sinco equal in value to what it was in tho upper lovels in tho B.UIIO positions. A drive is now being carried on by contract in a westerly direction on tho reef. It is not confinod to either wall. In fact it is bu pposed to go through tho centre of tho reef, but to maintain that position the manager requires that at distances of 50 foot apart a crosscut shall be put in from wall to wall to define the thickness of tho reef and tho position of the drive, and to mako a fre»h start for the next 50 foot of driving. .So far these crosscuts have proved tho reef to be an average width of 18 feet. Nothing Ins so fur been done in an easterly direction on the Martha reef at theN'3. 2 level. .1 may mention that for tho purposo of ventilation as well as for opening tho ground for toping, two winzes connect the No. 1 and No. '2 levels on tho Welcomo lode, whiloono communication has been effected on tho Martha reef, and a socond is now in progross. Of course the most important feature in the future of tho mine is the sinking of tho new engine shaft. This was under consideration when I previously inspected tho mine, but nothing definito was fixed. Since then tho location of the now shaft was fixod on a sito GOO feet from tlio present shaft in a westerly direction, and it has now reacliod a depth of ( 2/0 feet. Its sizo is regulated with a view to tho further requirements of tho mine, for it is 1-1 foot 2 inches long and 7 feet in width, the pumping compartraont being 7 feet by 6 feot, and the winding compartments 3 feet by 7 feet each. Tho sinking of this shaft is being continued by contract. The country in the bottom at present is i.omewhat tough, and does not yield readily to tho explosives. Tlio contract prico, however, is not exorbitant, £7 a foot, r.ad there is just sufficient water making in tlio shaft to provo embarrassing. Communication botweon this shaft and tho No. 1 shaft has been effected at all the levels as they were reached, so that all the winding is done through tho old engine shaft; and all tho water is pumped from . tho same shaft. A small underlie shaft is also being sunk on tho side of tho hill 130 feet further to the westward on the side of tho hill on tho Welcomo reof. It is already down 40 feet, and a rise to meet it is up 40 feet, the total depth between tho level and the surface being 175 feet. The oro is of good quality, but the main object ot the shaft is for ventilation, and to provide a pass for filling up the stopes on the lodo.

After a thorough inspection of No. 2 level, Mr. Gilmoro took me into tho No. 1 level to enable me to see the progress which had been made there, and considering tho great quantity of ore required to keep 90

head of stampers it) constant operation and to maintain a supply in excess of tho demand, I was at first somewhat astonished to find that a groater quantity had not been worked out, but when in going through the atopes on the Martha roof I found that the lode was boing taken out for a width of 37 foot, and that all this was being forwarded to the mill, and further when I found that throughout tho whole extent of this great excavation Micro was scarcely ft trace of a timbor supporting the roof, then it was easy to understand how tho supply was kept up, especially with such a valuable auxiliary as tho Woleomo roof. Tho Martha roof has been opened for a total length of 1150 foot. It has maintained its strong position from tho first, and has producod payable ore for the entire length, some sections, of course, being riohor than others. Comparatively little has been done on the Welcome reof at thin level, but a loading stopo is now being carried on which afiords a width of 10 feet of ore of good quality. With this intact to the surface, and a large section of the Martha roof also solid, it is not surprising that the manager should nob think it necessary to start stoping operations from No. '2 level for many months to como. There are now about 200 men employed in tho mine, including contractors, although not nearly that number would bo required bo koep up tho ore supply for tho 90-hoad battery, but tho instructions aro to push on the opening-tip works, so as bo bo ready for any emergency, including tho erection of an additional 100-stainp battory. This is a matter which has to be providod for in tho near futuro, for tho now plant is not only projected, it is pro. vided for, and somo important works in connection with it aro now in progress. Tho plant which, as already stated, will consist of 100 stampers, and an adequate cyanide plant, is to bo orectod on what is known as Thorpe's flat on tho south bank of tho Ohinomuri river, east of Otvharoa. To provide wator as a motive powor for this immenso plant, and to bring it and tho inino into communication lias occupied the attention of Mr. Barry, tho company's genoral manager, for some time. A waterraco which will convey a rivor of tho dimensions of tho Ohinomiiri is nob a small undertaking, as will bo seen from tho following figures. Tho Waihi Valley race (tho main supply) will bo six miles in length, and it will bo 12 feet wido on the surface, and 4 foot 0 inches dcop. In addition to this race tho whole of the Wait ekaiiri River will bo takon up below the Waitokauri battory and convoyed in a raco which, including branches to convoy minor streams, will be nine miles in longth and six feet wido, it may bo readily understood that operations aro not intended to bo on a limited scale. Tho tramway to connect the mino with the kilns of tho now battery will hesovon miles in length, tho gauge being two foot nino inches, and it will bo constructed of 401b rails. I may just mention that during my visit a now sot of Krons rolls crushers arrived, ami will bo orcctcil at tho old battery as an experiment.

UNION COMPANY. This cpmpany's mine includes what was formerly an integral part of the Waihi Company's property, and included the Union. Ivosemont, Amaranth, and other mines, extending from the battery site towanis tho Silverton, hut which has now been cut off and formed into a separate mining property, although owned practically by the sumo shareholder.". Operations are started with a view to developing tho Union reef, on the strength of which tho Waihi Company was first formed, and many other well known gold-bearing lodes in tho vicinity. I need hardly remind many of your readers that the Union reef was formerly worked from a shaft over which now stands thehydraulicelovator ~\tio Waihi battery, and by moans of which the dried ore is conveyed from the kilns to the stone breakers, A start has now boon made to sink a new engine shaft on the si Jo of the hill to the eastward of the battery, audit has already reached a depth of fj'j fc-et, its si/.e being 14 feet by 0 feet, and it is timbered with 9by 9 square kauri. Tho propant contract is for 100 feet of sinking, which will tako it only to the depth of the buttery yard, but tho first point of opening will bo at ii depth of 140 foot from the surface, at which point a crosscut will bo driven south to intersect tho Amaranth reef. A contract li.is also been let within the last few days for driving or, tho Amaranth roof from tho S. W. end of tho property towards the new shaft, in ordor to prospect tho lode. A crosscut will also be driven north for tho Union reef, but at the 140-feot level tho Union reof is workod out, and it will bo necessary to go SO feet below tho 140-feot level, or 220 feet in all, to roach a main lovel driven from tho old ongino shaft, whore the Union lode bus been oponod for a length of 501) foot, and whoro it remains intact, no stoping being done on it, as operations had to bo suspended through an influx of water. For many months, or indeed for yoars, tho Union reef was the mainstay of the Waihi mine, and during tho time Mr. Dalo was manager he devoted a groat deal of attention to it, and obtained from it a sories of excellent returns.

.MISCELLANEOUS MINES. (lenerally speaking, operations in most of the other mines in tho district-other I moan than those I have already referred to —aro only progressing on a limited scale, while in many cases they may be said to be suspended ponding negotiations for the disposal of the properties in tho English market. In tho Waihi South, or rather the Waihi Proprietary, a bore hole is being put down near the sido of tho main road about a mile from tho township, and it has already reached a depth of 310 foot, but no solid sandstono formation lias yet been reached, nor aro tho cores saved.

Tho Waihi Monument are driving on a quartz formation about SO feet under the crown of the hill. There aro only a few men working, and it has not yet been absolutely ascertained whether the formation is a reef or only a blow, and this can only bo settled by fuither explorations. Tho Waihi Consols and tho Quoen of Waihi companies are both sinking shafts, and are considered to havo good prospects, tho latter especially being held in considerable favour in the district.

No. 111. waitekaurTo.m. CO. Of courso tho chief interest in tho Waitekauri district continues to centro on tlio operations of the Waitckauri Company, whore works aro being commenced and carried out on an oxtensive scale, involving ihe expenditure of largo capital in exploration works and in machinery. Tho amalgamation of the Golden Cross and Komata Companies, and tho successful flotation of tho joint properties in London, and the adoption of an expansive schemo of operations such as I havo alluded to, makoa the Waitckaari at present ono of tho most interesting scones of development in tho whole of tho Thames Peninsula.

In the (ioldon Cross section of tho Waitekauri Company's mine thero liavo boon some important dovelopinonts, but operations liavo for the most part boon confined to tlic Golden Cross reef, en what is known as Corkett's lovol, that is of course bo funis work on the lo:los is concerned. When I last visited Waitekanri in February this fine reef had been driven through, and it showed a width of 25 feed of fair class ore from wall to wall. A drive on tho hangingwall sido had also beon commenced and carriod I think for about 50 feet, with highly encouraging indications and good assay averages. Since 1 last saw tin? lode tho drivo has been extended along tho hangingwall for a total length of 701 feet, but at intervals of SO feot crosscuts have been carried through tlio roof from hangwall to foottv.'ill, mid it lias given an nvormro width of 20 foot. For tho purposes of ventilation us woll as to opon blocks for sloping three rise have been carried through from Corbetfs level to tho surface, i. .r heights ranging from 10S to 141) feet, and all are of course on tho hangingwall sido, whore also a loading stope has been carried on for a length of 200 feet, as much for the purpose of providing ventilation as for ore. Only about six feet of I ho lode has so far been taken out, but the fact that tho whole of tho ore treated at tho battejy during tho last I' 2 months has come from this ill ive and stops affords an ample test as to its value. Its quality . was £f> 10s per ton up to the last 100 feet of driving;, ami for this distant* tho oro has been cf lower (jrade, and is not milled at. present; for although it .'.ay prove remunerative whon the larger reduction works aro in operation, it would not do to put it through the 10-stnmpor battery now at work on the ; Golden Cross section of lho minis, moro

especially whon there is very much better oro to operate on. In the battory lave operations have for the present been buspended, although the lode at this point has been extensively opened up, having been driven on for a length of 520 feet, the course of the lode being generally northeast and south-west. Sloping was also carried on for 100 feet, and the ore was worth £6 per ton, bub as it got poorer going into tho hill work has been discontinued on it for tho present. A promising-looking now roof, found at this level, did not meet expectation!), and the assays, not being satisfactory, its development was deferred until the futuro plan of operations enables tho management to devote moro time to it. Having thus referred to the actual operations in progress on tho reefs at present-, I may now explain tho works in progress, and the schcmo of future development of this vast and important proporty. To begin then at Corbctt's level, a main engino shaft has been started. It is 14 foet by 7 foot cloar of timbers, and is already down 60 foot. It will bo conbinuod to a depth of 120 feet, to what is known as the kilnS lovol, which will afford 100 feeb of backs on tho lode. Suitable machinery has boon ordered, and tho boilera lino multitubular—is already on the ground, and land is being oxcavalod around tho shaft, for tho requisite buildings and appliances. At tho kilns lovol a crosscut is going through country to connect with thooneinesliaft,nnd it is already inn distanceof 2'23 foot, but thore still remains 080 feet to drive, bofore the shaft and drive aro in communication. Of courso the sinking of the shaft will bo continued, to meet what will ultimately bo tho main lovol, and to which I shall presently rofor, but whon the shaft and kilns drivo aro connoctcd, all quartz will be sent out through tho adit, and tho water from the shaft will only bo pumpod to this height. With the exception of tho ore reserved for treatment at tlio Cross 10 stamper mill, tho retnaintl will bo forwarded on a ground tramway to the mouth of tho low lovel tunnol, a mila and a quarter distant, and tlicnco to tho battery (on tho old Waitokauri battery sit.o), a further distance of two miles and a-half, to the kilns abovo tho battery. Tho intention is, when tho main level connects with tho shaft, that tho whole of the creek, after being used as a molivo power at the prosoiifc battery, on the mine, will be so lit down through tho shaft to the main level, which, giving a fall of ,101) feet, will provO an effective forco for driving pumping or other machinery. Tlio main levci itsolf is a Initio undertaking. It will bo more than a milo in longth —the actual length from tho mouth to the shaft being (1200 foot, or 0100 foot to tho roof. It is seven feet high, six feet wido on tho lloor, and live feet oil, tho root, so that horses can be used in it if necessary. That was tho idea of Mr. T. It. Rus*oll when the work was fir«t projected by him, and it is being given effect to. Tho water-raco for tho now battery will commence at tho mouth of tho now low level, It will bo iivo foot wide, two foot and adialf deep, giving 1110 feet of fall. Tho old battery has boon dismantled as it is to bo replaced by an entirely new plant of 40 head of "tampers weighing IUUOIb o<ich snd equipped with a cyanide plant of 19 vats, each 22 feet 0 inches inside diameter. The excavations necessary to provide for these vats are in a forward stage, and aro boing pushed on vigorously under the instructions and direction of .Mr. Purchas, tho company's gonoral manager, while Mr. Moore, tho mine manager, devotes his attention to the mining operations. CRACK DARLING AND PORTSEA. These two mines boing under tho control of one manager may, 1 think, bo treated together, more especially as there have been no recent -discoveries in either of them, and tho works in both aro on a limited scale. In tho Grace Darling there aro only four mon employed putting up rises to the niirfaco, one to be used as a buso of operation? for sloping should tho oro prove payable, and as a mullock pass to fill the ■-topes. Another has been started south of tho flatshcet in tho crosscut at tho sumo level. At this level the draco Darling reef lias been altogothor oponed for a length of 300 feet (the lovol from which tho ore already treated has been mined). Its courso is somewhat west of north, and taken generally it would give an average width of 4 or 5 feet of ore, but in ono .section it almost disappeared, it bocatne broken up and almost disappeared north of tho ground worked out for tho crushings, but •10 feet further on it inado again as a compact, solid lode, regaining its old size of 5 feet, and this width it maintains in the north rise at. a height of 20 feet abovo the level. Tho manager informs mo thai lie intends to fix passes and arrange for a supply of quartz, but nothing can now bo done before tho termination of tho holidays. Tho battory is just standing as I last saw it, and there aro no alterations.

'Lho i'ortsoa people are sinking on tho race Darling reef from tho Upper level. At the starting print there was a conglomerate mass of quartz from '-'0 to 2") foot •.vide, causod by (.lie junction ot two lodes, ami tho winze was started on lie hangingwall sido. Tho winzo is down HO feet. Thoro was fair class oro to start on, but nothing is yet known about, its quality in Ihe lowor level. The second winze i* down HO feot, and tho reef is a well dolined body about 4 foot (i inches, and portions of it tlio manager informed me, carried nice gold. Thoro are 7- feet of backs between tho two levels, and from the uppor level to ho smfaro the depths would vary from 15 to SO feet. Thoro are now about) .'lO tons of oro rea for treatment, when a suitablo opportunity oders. JUBILEE. Tho Jubilee mine, which, in a groat measure, owes its present existence to the persistent endeavours nf Mr. Kersey Cooper to revive tlio prestige of tho district, and develop tho resources of an important miction of tho goldfield, is now under tho control of Mr, Knithby, as general supervisor, but Mr. W. Cliri«tie has charge of mining operations. Tho newost development in tho mine was the discovery of a new lodo throo feet thick, and following tho general course of tho reef system of the district N.E. and 8.W., but contrary to tho general rtilo it underlies to the west. It has been driven on already for a length of 50 feet, and I am informed it assays well, but no crushing will bo started at tlio battery bofore the cyanide plant is completed. Meanwhile the now low level of tho Jubilco has been started from tho north side of the spur overlooking tho Waitckauri township at a lovol which will givo 300 foet of backs under the existing lowest level of the mine known as tho Home level, and put in from tho same sido of the range. In tho new level a reel, supposed to be the main Waitokauri reef, was followed for a length of 50 feet or thereabouts, but at this point a slido intervened, and the quartz was cut out. Then tho course of tho level was altered to east and west with a view to pick up the lode agiin, but, it has not been reached yet, although tho drivo is now in .100 feet, and at tho faco it is 900 foot vertically under the outcrop of tho reef. No proper working plan of this extensive mine has ever been prepared, long as the propcrty lias been before tho public, but Mr. Adams is now preparing a survey plan and details of tho whole -nino, which will onablo tho managers to decide on a proper basis of operations, and to define tho position of tho reef. This, I may say, is a drive which is being put in for the public benefit, as well as in tho interest of tho Jubilee Company, nix! iiio Government subsidise it by cont -uniting J.'7< towards the cost. No subsidy will accrue until after 1000 feet of driving, but at least ,'IOOO feet, will havo to be driven bofore the main lode need bo looked for. Mr. Christie has sunk a winzo on tho Homo level directly under the winzo on the old Waitckauri lode, but when a depth nf 30 feet was reached ho was beaten out with water. Tho lodo was four foet wide and auriferous, but tho bast oro is on the hangingwall, where, for a width of IS inches, it assayed for £3 to £5 a ton. Tho only other mine working in the district at present is that managed by Mr. Seover, in which a prospecting drive is going to intersect a reef found in thogroiind on the surfaco.

No. IV. TIIE KOMATA DISTRICT. A good deal of interest is now being manifested in tho development of the lodes in the Jvomata district, and somo vory important discoveries have been recently made which give considerable promise for tho future. TIIE WAITER 0.M.C.-KOMATA •SECTION. Hitherto there has been very little work done in tho district outside, the ; operations

carried on by the Koinaba Gold Mining Company, and since the amalgamation this company with tho Golden Gross and the absorption of both by tho Waitekauri Gold Mining Company the works at Komata have boon tin a limited scale ponding a schomo of permanent operations which is under consideration. Tho lodo haii proved to bo a valuable ono, but tho cost of transit to tho battery over a steep and difficult tramway absorbed such a large proportion of tho profit that it was absolutely necessary todovlso some other scheme than that in voguo, for the transit charges alone amounted to 10s per ton. Tho operations in tho mine are now under the supervision of Mr. Mooro, mine manager of tho company, but Mr. Tooltey haschargoof the workings. Taking advantage of the opportunity afforded mo I accompanied Mr. Mooro on his weokly visit of inspection, and on tho mino wo mot Mr. Purchas, tho company's general manager, and Mr. 11. P. Barry, general manager of tho Waihi Gold Mining Company, who wore, I understand, making observations with a vlow to recommending a scheme of works. The only work/going on is the continuation of the drive on iho Komata reef on what is known as the low level (although it does not represent the deopest workings), and since starting operations recently it has been extended a length of 01 foot, tho reof maintaining all its characteristics until within about n woek ago when an extraordinary thing occurred. Tho drivo broke into a great cavern in tho lodo, .10 foot high and 20 feet wido. Such ft cavern has never previously boon found in any reef on tho Peninsula, and it certainly is a curiosity. Ib of course interferes somewhat with present progress but whon the cavern is secured or explored the drive, which has already followed tho courso of the lodo a length of 400 foet, will be continuod. Winzes havo been sunk below tho main lovel to a doptli of 130 feet, and a section of tho roof litis boon stopod out, in fact a good deal of stoping has been done, for tho oro being richest in tho deeper levels tho main battery supply wasobtainodfrom this source. It is not intended at present to operate from those winzes, but a project) is on foot to put a main tunnol through the hill from tho Graco Darling, so as to obtain transit for tho oro to tho battory. This will give a depth of ;i()0 feet bolow tho lowest lovol hitherto worked in tho mine, and boing 130 foot under tho main working level, there will be thus acquired an additional depth of 430 feot. The proposed tunnol is by no moan? a light undertaking, for its total length will bo about 3800 feet. It seems, however, to bo absolutely required for tho development of the mine. Tho company's property in Komata comprises about 200 acres, and givon communication with the battery by cheap transit, the results already obtained from tho reef are so rich and satisfactory that, tlioro seems to be almost a certainty of futuro profitable returns.

THE KOMATA REEFS G.M. CO. This proporty, comprising nn urea of 80 acres, is situated south of the Komata mine, and owing to the steep declivity in the gully, the minim; operations now in progress are at least 401) feet under the deepest levels of the Konata mine, from which they nro about li'OO foot distant, and they tiro about 1000 feet under the top of the ridge, Kecont developments liavo stamped tho property ns of grant importance, for not only has the rich Komata roef been opened up for a considerable distance, but other largo and important lodes have been discovered, and tlieso not only £ivo pood prospects, but they are largo and strong, and have every appearanco of permanenco. Mining operations aro being carried on under Mr. John Bc-nney, a well-known mine manager at the Thames, almost from the opening of the field, but the plan of operations is under the supervision of Captain Argall, who with Mr. Adams, surveyor, 1 wa» fortunate enough to meet on the ground at the workings. All the main workings are so far concentrated on one level, although not in one drive, for in ona of these the Komata reef has been followed from the creek, where it was picked up, for a distance of 220 feet. For about 200 feet it carries strong quartz, and varies in size from two to '20 feet; but it is very mullocky, and in the face at present the lodo is split into two parts, lining divided apparently by a "horse "of country. Both branches are beinir followed, and a rise is being put up on the hangiiigwall side of the lode, for the purpose of cutting out soino blocks, and generally making ready fur crushing when the battery is erected. On the same level a crosscut has be' ii put in in an easterly direction, and at 90 iVet from the mouth of the tunnel a vary .-tio:ig ore body was interseeled, and this, which has sinco been named Argall's reef, proved to bo IS foot thick, splendidly formed, and containing vory promising ore. Its course appears to bo parallel with the Komata reef, and it underlies to tho west. On the footw.all side the lodo was impregnated with iron and manganese, and Ciptain Argall stated that assays from this section gave an avetago value of £14 per ton, while the hangingwall portion was worth £7 a ton, and thy last, two assays taken right across the face yielded CC ISs to JL'7 Ms respectively. He therefore en;,si tho lode a most 'valuable one, and so no doubt it is, and it evidently is a strong one, as there is a very strong flow of water from it, showing that it must be draining a great extent of country. This lode, however lias not yet been opened on, and tho crosscut is being continued east with the object of intersecting two other lodes, the outcrops of which liavo been opened on tho surface. One of tlieso is known ns Lavington's roef (named after tho secretary of the company), and at tho outcrop it shows a width of 14 feet, the ore, I am informed, giving an assay value of ,t'4 us per ton. It is 150 feet east of Argall's reef and still further to tho oast is the Black reof the outcrop of which is seven or eight feet wide, bub that remains to be tested. It is expected that Lavingt.on reof will be reached when tho crosscut is driven a further (50 feet, an I the level will give backs of 300 to 500 feet on each of them.

Water rights and a battery site on the Komata Creek lower down have been secure 1 and water races aro already in course of construction, Iho site for the battery being fixed and a 'JO-head battery is at the Thamos ready for removal to tho site where it will bo fitted with the most recent appliances including a cyanido plant, tlio oro in this district showing itself to be especially amenable to treatment by cyanide. The water available will, it is expected, give sufficient power to drive 40 head of stampers, but as already stated a start will be made with 20 head, provision being added for the extension of the plant when required. THE OWIIARUA DISTRICT. The operations in this district aro not at present very extensive, and although there aro a good many men employed, they aro scattered over a large extent of ground. Tho Owharoa Company employs 14 men. Of these, two aro employed in what is known as the Nut tunnel, where two men belonging to tho Ophir Company aro also working on the same lode, but this is much broken up and split into stringers, although the country is very promising. Six men oro employed in a shaft in Thorpe's freehold. It has reached a depth of 60 feet, and tho men aro now crosseutting east and west from it. There is vory good sandstone, and it promises well for any lodes which may bo discovered in this class of country. Six men are also employed in Elliott's tunnel, driving near the Waitekauri boundary. Two men nro crosscut-ting in tiio J. 0. Ward mine, to intersect tho continuation of tho Nut reef. Four mon are employed in the Inglowood, three in tho Rising Sun, and two in tho Fern Spur, all engaged prospecting. In lleitman's mino a shaft is being sunk at the junction of the Waihi and Waitekauri roads, but nothing ha 3 yet been discovered. The Asteroid Company's property is between Waitekauri and Karani;.".hake, and at contains ■SG acres. Mr. James Lidtllo has boon appointed managoe, and he has started a main tunnel in which bo expects to havo to drivo 400 or 500 feet to reach somo reefs of which indications are apparent on the surfaco. It is now in 30 feet, so that it may bo said to havobeen only commenced.

KARANGAIIAKE DISTRICT. A good deal of steady progress has boon made in this mining district sinco my previous visit, consequent largely on the onergetic manner in which operations in the leading mines have boon carried on, and the fact that the most important aro owned by wealthy English companies, who have capital to expend on machinery as well as mine dovelopmont. The class of work is of a permanent systematic character, although in many of the mines more recently taken up, a good deal of useful prospecting work is in progress, which cannot fail to lead to good results in the future. Here, as elsewhere, there aro large areas

proctically represented by pegs, or at the most, by a few men, but on the «hole very oncotiraging progress is being made.

WOODSTOCK UNITED G.M.CO. I was glad of the opportunity of renewing my acquaintance with this mine and with its energetic managor, Mr. J. McCombie, [or when I last visited it there were important works in hand for tho oponing up of the ore bodies at the deeper levels, and I was of courso somewhat curious to see results, I found the mine oxtousivoly manned, and works pursued on a system which had in view future as well as immediate works, or rather that tile latter were carried out with a view to the former. To make myself familiar with tho now developments I started on what is known as the upper, although it is really the No. '2 level, and worked downwards. On this levol the main workings have been on tho Maria lode, and tho drive south on it is being continued by throe shifts, that is to say, continuously. For tho last 20 feet of driving the ore has been disturbed and broken, but it is coming together in the face now and is forming a more compact body. This reef has been opened now for a length of 380 feet, and a section of it, '200 foet long, has been stoped to a height of (it) feet, tho rest being intact to tho surface, that is to say, with 210 feet of backs to tho old No. 1 lovol. The lode, like all others, has been a varying quantity, for whilo it was somotimes as small as IS inches or two feet, at othor places it was us largo as nine feet between tho walls, but it* general range has been from three to four feet. Tho object of pushing on this south drive so energetically is to get as quickly as possible under tho H.iuraki or No. 1 level shoot of rich oro, but there is still at least 70 feet to drivo for this point. A crosscut west from the Maria reef has intersected Shepherd's reef (the rich loilo which first attracted attention to tho mine when it was worked by Alfred Shepherd and party on tribute). From this block abovo the No. 2 lovol 230} tons of ore -hipped to Freiberg, in Germany, realised £ 10,11)0, and this is independent of the largo tomingo treated by tho battery and pan amalgamation process. A winze has now been sunk from No. 2 level on this lode, which runs parallel to tho Maria reef, and which connects with a riso from the No. 3 level, connection being effected last week; tho depth between the two levels is 140 feet vertical. It is apparent that the rich oro is nob exhausted, for in the last SO feet of rising from No. 3 lovel the assay value of the oro has been, Mr. McCombio states, £20 per ton, and tho lode itself, which gives an average width of IS inches, is nearly vertical. Up to the prosunt there has been no money available for tho exploration of this lode, but now that the property lias been taken over by an English company, and that ample funds aro available, it will bo opened up thoroughly. Tho crosscut also will bo continued a further 300 feet, to cut into another large ore body known as No. 1 reef, which varies from eight to twonty feet in width. A large quantity of oro from this lode was dealt with in tho early days with very satisfactory results, although the treatment was by battery process only, but recent experiments havo shown Unit tho oro is very amenable to cyanide treatment, the extraction being over 90 per cent, with a low consumption of cyanide. Vet, strange to say, the oro from this lode gave lower results as per assay value than any of tho other lodes under tho battery and pan amalgamation process, and it was its high away valuo and low bullion extraction which brought Mr. Lamont to New Zealand, and resulted in the erection of Lament's furnaces for the treatment of the ore. Tho failure of that treatment is a m.it'cr of history. The ore was not a smelling ore at all, and the process was entirely unsuitable. I may add that tho Nos. 2 and 3 levels are connected on the Maria lode, a winze from the former having broken into the «topes above the latter, and the ventilation is now excellent. In tho No. 3, the pre a main working level, the Maria reef has been oponed for a total length of 520 feet, anjl 400 feet of it has been stoped, tho lodo averaging 4 feet in thickness, and there has not been a single break in it for the whole length of tlieso stopos, which are now up 05 loot abovo the level. The November month's return gave an average of £"> 9s per ton, and the whole of the oro taken from these stopes has uvoragod .£5 per ton. There still remains 70 feet to stope to the No. 2 level, and tho block is likely to prove a very valuable one. Here also the drive is boing extended towards too Hauraki shoot of gold southwards, and it is anticipated that it will be reached in a further distance of about 40 feet. In the No. 1 level this run of gold aried from 15 to 20 feot in width, and if it improves downwards as the others have done, there should be a splendid body mot at this level. A crosscut driven 300 feet has intersected Shepherd's lode at this lovol, and it has been driven on south 113 feet, the ore body being of a similar average width to what it was above, namely 18 inches. It is intended to split tho block in two bv an intermediate level so as to be ready for an ample supply of ore when the new mill of 40 head of .-tampers (including tho present IS-head battery) is ready for a start.

The manager has already selected starting points for two now levels between No. 3 and the Waitawlieta river. Tho first will be 80 feet below No. 3, and the other 100 loot beneath that, giving 186 feot additional backs, and tenders for driving both will be called immediately after tho holidays. In the Ivanhof- section on the north sido nf the river a drive is no.v in 300 foot) and Mr. McCoinbie anticipates that 00 feet further in lie will reach the Ivanhoo shoot of gold at a point which will give 160 feet nt backs on tho lode beneath the Ivanhoo workings.

Active preparations are in progress for the erection of the additional crushing plant., 30 head of stampers in addition to the 10 now at work, the immediate erection of which has been authorised by the English directors. The sito is being excavated, and it will extend from tho present pite to the junction of tho two rivers, that is to say, it will bo a western extension. The foundations, being blastel out of almost solid rock, will be very firm. The present plant, with the exception of the stampers, will all be done away with, and fresh arrangements inado in every particular. The whole battery of 40 head will be driven by Pelton wheels, there will bo a double row of circular percolating vats, 6 in each, and the present square tanks will bo used as storage vats for solutions. Tho plans of the plant, which have been prepared by Mr. H. H. Adams, show that it will bo in most respects similar to that nor erected for tho Silverton Gold Mining Company, and outside thoso will be electro-silver plates, six in number, with blanket strakes, and six berdans to save the heavier gold contained in the ore, which is not readily taken up into solution by cyanide. Tho water rico is to be 40 inch iron pipe, the distance from the dam to the mill being 25 chains, and it will be constructed of 3-10 inch wrought iron. In most respects this will be proferablo to open Homing, and loss liablo to accident, and it is expected that the power obtainable from the race will be equal to 100 h.p.

TALISMAN G.M.C. In this mine operations for some time have been carried out on a limited scale, as tlio property is under offer to an English company, and there boin<; a constant expectation of a clone of negotiations at any time, the local directors do not feel justified in expending any largo amount until the negotiations aro terminated one way or the other. For tlio samo reason, although their crushing plant of 10 head of stamper?, with adequate appliances for cyanide treatment, has been completed for some timo past, they hare not /alt justified in starting crushing, as about £700 would be required to equip the battory with cyanide, wood, etc., and the property may go out of their hands before they have time to recoup themselves. Bub the operations in the mino although not oxtensivo are in pursuit of a well-laid plan for working it advantageously when ore is required, and this object is kept steadily in view by the mine manager, Mr. Wm. Goldsworthy, a man of very large experience. The men are at present employed extending the low level drivo on the course of the reef, and already it has been opened for a length of 220 feet. Two winzes have been sunk from the upper level and connected, thedopth between the two levels being SO feet, and the total depth from the surface to tho low lovel is 250 feet. Tho reef being extensively opened on two levols, there is a large supply of ore already available for the mill when crushing commences, the reef varying in nizo from two to five feet, and I am informed that it gives a very high assay value throughout, This I am quite ready

to believe from tho splendid result obtained from a crushing at the Crown battery rae months ago, which not only returned a high average, but enriched those who took up and treated the tailing, which had been sluiced from tho cyanido vats into th« river.

No. V. NEW ZEALAND CROWN MINES. On visiting the New Zealand Crown mines I found that tho new general manager, Mr. Daw, had takon chargo of tho company's mine and plant, but no alteration was made in tho staff, Mr. McGrucr being still in chargo of tho mine, Mr. Hutchinson of tho battery, and Mr. Napier of tho cyanido and assay plants. I was courteously receive by Mr. Daw, who, although a comparatively new arrival, having only taken charge on tho 27th of November, J found had taken a thorough grasp of the details, and had already inaugurated a system of operations for thefutureuovelopmentof the mine. In future all works aro to bo by contract. There will bo no day labour either (or permanent) works or sloping, and this system, which has already been commenced, is bei.iiwatched with great interest, and 1 under" stand it will be adopted by several nth' r mining companies in the district at tho commencement of the year. It is tho plan which Mr. Daw says is uniformly adopt-d in tho large mines with which he h is been connected, as, for instance, in tho l'io Tinto in Spain, of which he has had tho management beforo being sent to New Zealand, and it has been found to work well. Mr. Daw is not only a mining engineer; ho is also a geologist and meta.hugist, and was for many years connected with tho famous firm of Vivians at Swansea, and in Canada as mining and metallurgical engineer. His selection fur the management of the Crown mines property is apparently a most suitable one.

In the mino itself, beyond tho ordinary progressive works, I found little alteration, The main or No. (i lovol is now in over 1003 feet, and stoping is going on nob only on this level but also on No. 4, and tno class of oro coming to hand is of about tho usual average. Operations beneath this lovol aro for tho present suspended, as the system of working from winzes and hauling upors by means of a windlass did not commend it»i>if to Mr. Diw, and iio lias ordered a smill pneumatic engine which will arrivo nex; month, which will do all tho hauling from tho underground workings, and to facilitate operations a hopper will bo constructed i:i I ie drive (an excavation to be mado for it--reception), and tho trucks will bo loaded from it in the usual manner, A second imilar eng ina will bo placod at tho far end of tho drive, where operations beneath the level will also be commenced, but a still larger scheme is now under consideration, and has, I understand, been already submitted to tho directors, This involves the construction of a waterraco, which with a volume of 30 sluice-head? of water will havo a fall of 74 feet, thus giving an effective force equal to ISO horsepower. With that it is proposed to work a compressor and convey it to an engine of the samo power erected in tho mino itself, about mid-distance in tho main tunnel, and by its aid to sink an underlie shaft on the reef to any depth that may bo required, or which the engine power may bo sufficient for.

An extension of tlio reduction works i? now not only contemplated, but started, operations being in progress for the erection of an additional 20 head of stampers, with the necessary cyanide plants. Ono building, now in course of erection, is 140 feet in length. This will be occupied by the sumps and percolating vats, and there is a second building, 90 feet in length, for tho same purpose, and when completed the new system will comprise a largo plant cf 12 circular vats. There will also be two additional drying kilns and an extension of the old buildings. The squarotank? or vats now in tiso will be removed to the north end of the building, where they will bo used principally for the treatment of tailings. Price Brothers of tho Thames ba»o the contract for tlio battery, Brown Brothers for tho buildings, and Ueorgodinti for tlio furnaces, and all tho works are being pushed ahead as speedily as possible. With tho additional crushing power and increased facilities, the output from the New Zealand Crown mines should be largely increased in the near future.

EARL OF GLASGOW. This mine, which has beon acquired by $■ wealthy English syndicate, is now being developed under the management of Mr. Thomas Shepherd, the plan of operations being, I understand, supervised by Mr. Duffiold, who also has charge of another ol the sarno company's properties at To Aroha. Tho operations at present consist of two drives almost on the same level, but 300 feet apart. That at tho north end is now in 2S'J feet, going in a westerly direction to cut any lodo formation which may exist in its course, but its principal object is to intersect the Crown mines' reef, for which it is anticipated the drive will be 1400 feet in length. The other tunnel which is nt already stated 300 feet further south, is also going west, and is now in 198 feet, its purposes being similar. Of course the idea of two parallel crosscuts at the same lovnl, and with the samo object in view, did no') commend itself to me, but Air. Shophord explained that the idea was to endeavour to intersect tho lode in both drives, and eventually, if they did not succeed in tho;« tunnels owing to not having sulficionß depth, they may eroct machinery and sink a shaft. .MISCELLANEOUS MIXES. At tho north side of tho Ohinemuri Rivor contractors aro driving on a reef in tho Shotovcr mine, which is about two fie: thick, composed of blue quartz full nr mineral, but no gold has yot been foiln l in it. On tho south sido of the river th"? aro four uion employed in the Woodstock Extended, an area of 2d acres, driving ci the main Woodstock reef, but although SN lodo is J,> feet wide payable ore has not vt 1 : been reached. In the Excolsior, alto, th« r « aro four men at work driving a fr'-i tunnel to intersect what is known as the Specimen Hill leader. There are a few men also prospecting in tho Mariner °-.l Eileen claims, under tho direction cf M r . John Bowler, but nothing payable lis 6 y?t been discovered. In tho Kurangal-akc, an area of 30 acres, a contract has been Ist f o* driving 200 feet to intersect the Spsciinci Hill lode, and tho South British started a prospecting drive to get order » point at which some loose, gold-bearing stono, apparently a portion of the cap of a reef, was found on the surface. In tho Wealth of Nations, contractors aro driving a low level. In tho Keys! Mail and other adjacent holdings, of which Mr. Soever has charge, no work is going on at present, a* they aro under offer o* floated in England, To tho oast, and sot;'.!) of tho Crown, and adjoining the Earl cl Glasgow, extending down to the river, ij the Imperial, in which operations are in progress in two parts of tho mine, and two strong lodes are boing driven on. One is about four feet wido, tho other varying from eight inches to two feet. On the fall towards Rotokoliu, beyond the trig station and Talisman, the Golden Fleece properis located, and hero several reefs aie beinj; driven on and prospected.

WAIORONGOMAI DISTRICT. Tho principal interest, so far as mining is concerned, is centred in tlifl operations now being carried out by what i* known as tho To Aroha Synditato, under tho supervision of Mr. DulfieM, on bohalf of the English capitalist*, who hare taken up the old Waiorogomai claim and adjacent property, comprising in all an area of 200 acres. Yes," sai l Mr. Duflield, "it was a serious business t.ikinf! over a property which had made a failure, but wo took it up on the ground that the property was a good property, and that tho failure was caused by bad management. Mr. Duffiold look cliargo in July, and at) once obsorred a largo outcrop containing some two million lons of ore which, it it) contained ljdwt of fine gold to the ton, could be worked with profit. He drove a tunnel through tlio outcrop, but the result was disappointing, the average value not being greater that; 10 grains to the ton, He then started operations in some of the old workings, and driving is now going on, but so far they have been only prospecting on what is locally known as the Premier lode, and hitherto these operations have been without results. In the meantime a start lias been mado to upon up oro in the old company's ground in what is known as the Colonist section, and just underneath a block which had been sloped out, to the surface the manager had the satisfaction a few days before my visit of coming on a good class of ore in which gold was visible.

mm _ , fj r .=t gold which ' 10 had seen in the |i| Lrict, and he felb . gratified and onfig , ura;C ,i The ' o( '° is of courso a conMm f-aailon of the Premier reef south of the Ppf p rc iiijer workings, and where this gold was jM Ln-i it is a ? 0011 s ' ron " body of oro eight) PP Lt' thick- Where first opened ic gave an ||| ', 1V value <>f -oz to the ton, and taken Wm '^ h ; through it assayed 17dwts. Mr. ||||n j",].,,11 'i! once set to work to mine out 10 j||n| , • lT i> to he treated at the battery as a 111 in order to ascertain whether it was mi w " irt ]i tlit- expenditure required for putting 1|« in.l " l * v ''' tunnel to intersect and work |js| j, 1,111 uii! rtunately just as crushing was llfr '^. u - to r ■mimeiiee the water-raco, which ||i vli hi i r.itten condition, pave way, and H§ .'i»<-!i>ny hid to be deferred until PH rf| ,,i: " mil'effected. . further prospecting Iff j 0 «in progress, and if the ore is found to || j,,, |':t\ aba. machinory most suitable for its 1 irf , 1,1 will be erected, and a low level 3 ; ' rlT , »11 In' at once started. § l 'j, i..(• Loyalty mine, Mr. Gavin lias a 3 [ ( » ;r.t 1 working on a lodo which produces |j |- i;V jT'..| r«suits, but otherwise Micro P j« >..n little doing in the district, 4 t.'f 1 , i::.jn and other mines having susH :• ' juration* pending negotiations for H| J; _• ;.,f properties in England,