THE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10222, 28 August 1896, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

[BY telegraph.—own correspondents.] : Thames, Thursday. Sharemarket.—City of Dunedin, sales 3s 4d, sellers 3s 6d; Clunes, sellers Is; Darwin, sales le,sellerslß3d,buyerslld; Fiery Cross, sales Is, Is Id; May Queens, sales 9s 6d; May Queen Extended, sales 9d, sellers lOd; Moanatairi North, buyers. 7d; Monowai Amalgamated, buyers 6s; New Alburnia, sellers 6s 3d ; Ohinemuri, sales.6d ; Rangatira, sales 6£d ; Sheridan, sellers 2s 2d; Victoria, sellers 4s; Waitekauri Monarch, sellers 9d; Welcome Find, sellers Gd. Paeroa, Thursday. Komata Qoeen.— Operations during the past month have been principally confined to the opening up of the levels on Argall's and Lavington's lodes, near the south boundary of the Te Kooti section. These drives will go north on these lodes, and will be about 300 feeb below the crown of the hill. Excavations were made in each placo for the mouth of the drive, and on Argall's lode a distance of 24 feet was cub in before driving was commenced. . The drive is now in 12 feet, and as pug and clay is being penetrated the ground has to be securely timbered. On Lavington's lode tho outcrop is very large. An open putting has been carried in 21 feet. The ore broken out from here is of a kindly nature. The other works have been trenching to the eastward, where Lavington's lode has been picked up in two trenches averaging about four feet in width. Besides this a smithy has been erected, and a road cut in order that a better mode of ingress and egress ovor the property might be provided. A contract has also been let at £53 8s for making a horse track about 77 chains in length and four feet wide, which will effect connection between the low levels and a track on the main spur about a quarter of a mile above the water-raco. Komata Reefs.—The development works on this mine are being pushed ahead with expedition under the management of Mr. J. Benny, and since my last report the bottom of No. 1 drive has been up a distance of 30 feet, averaging three feet high. The lode widens out ab this poinb though the ore is nob of as good quality as heretofore, but ahead of this again a higher grade character of stone is known to exist. In the southern end the lode maintains its width, bub only the footwall portion is being driven on. The ore is nob so good here as it was a short distance back. The face of this drive has now been extended 55 feet; and. as the ground is becoming heavy, timbering is found to be necessary. Nob much has been done as far as extending the main crosscut is concerned. Two men have been employed altering and repairing the tramway, also putting in air pipes, as the air was becoming light at the face. The fan machinery is now complete, and everything is in good working ordor. The low level has been advanced 29 feet; and, though the country has been rather tight here lately, a change for .the better has occurred, and the progress made is more speedy. The water-race was completed early in the month, and after the maintenance term had elapsed the engineer (Mr. E. F. Adams) examined it and passed it, being as he was well satisfied with the construction and workmanship. The country this race has passed through is welladapted for carrying water. Komata Reefs Extended.—The main works' undertaken here have been commenced—driving southwards on three of the outcrops discovered on the southern side of the creek. These places show very good formation, with strong bands of quartz, and look very promising in each place. An excavation was made for driving, and two of these drives are in respectively nine feet and five feet, while the other is just being'commenced. Lines have also been cut.on the course of the lodes, to facilitate intrenching, and every effort is being made to get matters ' ready for a thorough and systematic trial of the property, which, according to general prospects, should prove a good one. WAIRI-SILYERTON. THE MONTH'S- CRUSHING. > £1400 FROM 800 TONS. A NEW LODE CUT. The clean- for the four weeks just ended in the Waihi-Silverton mine resulted in £1400 worth of bullion being extracted from 800 tons of ore. Last month £2417 value was extracted from 1075 tons. The present return, though not as large as. could he desired, is highly payable, the lode being very large and cheaply worked. One very satisfactory feature in the cable that has been forwarded to the home directors, is the fact of a new lode having beeu cut in the level driven upon the No. 3 lode, the average assays from which give a value of £6 5s per ton. It is considered very probable that this may be the Rosemout lode, which should junction with or cross both the Silverton and No. 3 lodes. Should this be the case it will prove a very valuable find, the Rosemont and Union lodes having produced high grade ore in the Waihi Company's mine. TRY FLUKE. PURCHASE-MONEY PAID. £50,000 RECEIVED IN AUCKLAND. Yesterday the balance of the purchase money paid for the Try Fluke Gold Mining Company's property, namely, £40,000, was cabled out to Auckland and duly received, making in all £50,000 which has been paid. The Try Fluke shareholders are to be heartily congratulated upou the excellence of the sale made and the promptness which has characterised it, while there can be no doubt but that the purchasers have acquired a really valuable property, and one which should yield them handsome returns upon their investment. WAIHI G.M. CO. CAPITAL MORE THAN REPAID. ■ The dividend of 2s per share declared by the Waihi Gold Mining Company makes 21s per share paid in dividends, up to the present, on every £1 share in the company. Fortunate shareholders therefore havo received, in full, the whole of their original investment*, and more to boot, not to speak of tho gre'itfy enhanced value of the shares which the continuance and regularity of dividends in the past, and the sure prospects ot the future have more than amply warranted. TEUTONIC G.M. CO. The annual general meeting of the Teutonic Gold Mining Company was held at the olllce of Mr. William Clarke (manager) yesterday afternoon, Mr. W. Barnes, chairman of directors, presiding. The directors' report showed that some thousand feet of driving had been done, and as the' country was first-class for this mode of working, the whole lot had been done by contract at a very small outlay. So far no reef had been met with. The statement of accounts showed .eceipts to be £679 33 3d, and expenditure £641 3a 3d, leaving cash in hand £37 105. The report and balancesheet was adopted as read. Messrs. W. R. Bloomfield and W. Barnes were re-appointed to the directorate, and Mr. E. Way mouth to the position of auditor. ALBURNIA EAST G.M. CO. The statutory half yearly general meeting of the Alburnia East Gold Mining Company was held yesterday afternoon at the olhco of Mr. H. Gilfillau, jun. Mr. Jas. Maofarlane, chairman of directors, presided, and there was a large attendance of shareholders. The directors' report referred to the operations in the mine, and stated that for some time past, the miue had been under the management of Mr. ilohu Bowler, who had an intimate acquaintance with the section of the coin-1 pany's proporty where work was now being | carried on, and he was sanguine that excellent ore would be found when the reefs already opened in other parts of the mine were intersected. The profit and loss account was as follows :— Dr. : Mine wages, £321 69 6d; supplies, £28 18? 9d • general charges, £13093 1(1: total, £48014s 4(1, Cr. : By balance profit and loss account 31sc January, £lll.s 17s 4fl: proceeds of dial parcel of ore, £1 lis 10(1: forfeited shares sold, £1 On 9d; balance, £360 4a 3d : total, £480 Ms 4d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Colonel Burton and Mr, A. Kidd, Hie retiring directors, were reelected, and Mr. A. H. Taylor was re-appointed auditor. AUCKLAND SHAREMARKET. The Sharemarket was somewhat better yesterday. At the calls of the Stock and Share Brokers' Association investment stocks were in request, particularly lines in gas and insurance. In mining stocks, Adelaides were done at Is 5d and Is 3d. Broken Hills hardened slightly, there being transfers a\ Is sd, with further buyers at Is 4d, while Par wins .(contributing) saw exchanges at .from \ lid itQf Is, with still a demand at the lower figure. Golden Horns.

firmed, and Golden Points' wore exchanged at 2s Id and 2s, with, however, no buyers in theafternoon. Moanataiarisweakened. Monowais were firmer in ' the morning, and thero were sales at 6s 9d, with buyers at that. At the afternoon call there wero sellers at 7s, but no declared buyers. * Norfolks saw transactions at6s : lod, and Puru Consolidated at 5s 4d, both closing firm. Golden Anchors and Golden Links were steady. A parcel of Jupiters was sold at 5s 6d, but there were no declared buyers during the day. Kapai-Vermonts were exchanged at 93 3d, and Maorilands at Is 7d. both being firm at the end of the market.' Upper Thames stocks were in better favour. Centrals hardened a point, and there were sales at 3s , sd. There were steady buyers of Try Flukes at previous day's rates. Germauics advanced from sales at 9£d to Is, with further buyers at lljd. Hercules were practically unchanged. Ivanhoes were done at Is 4d and la 3d, with unsatisfied orders at Is 4d. Talisman Extendeds. hardened anoint, For Waitekauris £5 8s was offered. WaihiSilvertons were not quoted either in the buyers or sellers lists. Buyers of Woodstocks offered 46s without meeting the views of sellers. There was not much done in the Coromandel list. Bunker's Hills saw business at 8s 6d, ASSOCIATED STOCK AND MINING BROKERS. ' The following sales were recordedyesterday by tho above Cardigan, Is 9d; Darwin, contributing, lOd, ll|d. Is; May Queen Extended, 9Jd ; Monowai, 6s lOd, 6s 9d ; New Alburnia, 5s 3d ; Sheridan, 2s: Victoria. 3s 9d ; Alpha, 8s 6d ; Byron Bay, Is Id ; Central, 3s 6d, 3s sd; Chelt, 4jd, sd ; Germanic, lOd ; Grace Darling, 4s, 4s Id, 4s 2d; Imperial, 2s 2d ; Ivanhoe, la sd; Mangakara United, Is Id ; Nil Deaperandum, 5Jd ; Pandora, 8d ; Rising Sun, 5Jd, 6d; Roseberry, 3d; Sovereign. Is 2d; Stanley, Is sd; Waihi Consols, Is ; Waihi Pinnacles, paid up, s|d ; Waitekauri Monarch, Bid, 9d, Bsd ; Waverley, 2s; Woodstock North, 3Jd ; Young Now Zealand, Is 4d; Bay View, 2s, 2s 2d, Is Hid; Buffalo, 9d ; Four-in-hand, 2s, 2s Id ; Golden Lead, lid, lOd; Hauraki North, paid up, 9s 6d; Madge, 7d, 7|id ; New Golconda, 2s Id Welcome Find, 5s Id, 53 2d; Brilliant, 6d: Golden Anchor, lljd; Juno, 26.; Maori Dream, Is 7d; Maonland, Is 7d; Trv Fluke, 13s 6d; Waitaia, 3s 6d; Fiery Cross, Is; Ptolemy, lOd ; Sybil, 8&d; Prince of Whales, 7d; Albert, Is sd. MINE MANAGERS' REPORTS. Stanley (Karangahape, August 25).— with a largo bodv of quartz on the hangingwall side of the, No. 2 reef, and which is of an extremely hard nature. Some of the stone coming from the face has a very promising appearance, being of a flinty nature, and containing excellent minerals for gold. Rialto (Waikoromiko, August 26). — Started driving along the footwall of a 4-feefc reef, which crops out on the eastern Bide of the creek. The reef is heavily mineralised, and though I cannot see any gold in the stone, I can get a heavy tail of gold in every prospeot from the rubble on the surface. We have also picked up a nice 6-inch leader, crossing an old tunnel, from which they are reported to have obtained a nice specimen. The leader has evidently been overlooked, as they have driven right through it without opening it on either side of the drive. It is of a nice rubbly nature, and I can get a little loose gold in prospeots from it. Sterling (Karangahake).—Still continuing to push the drive ahead on the haogingwall of the large reef, and continue to get fair prespects by pounding. The country is all that can be desired for gold and of an extremely hard nature. Crossont: I would suggest that this level be discontinued for the present on account of the unfavourable nature of the country, which during the past week has become very alidy and broken. Low level: The country gone through during the past week has been an excellent brown sandstone ot a very tight nature, difficult for working, but favourable for gold. Ivanhoe (Karangahake, August 22).—The drive on the reef in the Ivanhoe section : The country has been very tight, but It appears to be coming in softer in the face. The reef is rather pinched for the past 12 feet, but it carries very good walls. Shotover section: The reef here is fully four feet in thickness, very promising looking ; a few colours can be obtained with the mortar.. CiTYOFLoNDON(Thame3).-DrivingonVale of Avoca leader, whicn is 6 inohes thick, and composed of quartz of a kindly appearance. Driving in intermediate level : The leader, though small, looks _ well, being of a soft nature, and full of silica. Pride ofTokatea (Coromandel, August 22).— second stope on the footwall leader going east, is along 37 feet in good mineralised country. The lead has not been broken down since last report. The drive from top of rise is along 28 feet in fine looking\country for gold. The lead on the right hand o£ the drive has widened "out to 2 feet of crushing dirt, carrying very good prospects of loose gold. The lead on the left hand side has not been broken down since last report. The winze is down 58 feet in very favourable country for gold. A total of 941b of specimens and picked stone on hand. Gold is showing freely in the general dirt. Comstook (Thames, August 22).-The lode has now opened out to three feet in thick* ness, and is producing nice-looking ore. Broken Hill (Thames, August 22).Tapped a water-course, which broke away a lot of ground, and filled the drive up for 20 feet. I have now got it timbered up and the level cleaned out ready for a fresh start,' The water is now eased off. Talisman Extknded (Karangahake, Au* gust 24).—The low level crosscut has been advanced through a good class of sandstone country. May Queen (Thames, August 24).-No. 6 level: The work on Hayes' leader consists of driving eastward aud sloping east and west of_ the crosscut. The lode is three inches thick, and colours of gold are seen in the quartz broken. The crosscut at thislevel on the No. 1 break to intersect No. 1 reef. The reef should be to hand in about 12 feet more driving. No. 2 reef, No. 6 level: The leading stope has been taken along 25 feet, and the second stope 10 feet, the reef being two feet in thickness, showing nice mineral, but bo far no gold has been seen. _ At No, 4 level Clarken's leader is being driven on westwards in the drive and stopes. The lode is small, but shows strong dabs of gold when broken down, although it has not produced so much picked stone as it did in the levels overhead. Cambria (Thames, August 24).—50 far I have not succeeded in finding anything I consider payable. The small leader we have, been working between Nos. 6 and 7 leaders has just about died out. Have put the men to try another small lode. The leader going back towards the Cambria section has also gone small, and has shown no gold for the last fortnight. ' Moanatairi North (Thames),—The reef has been somewhat disturbed during the last few teet of driving, as it has been passing through a soft slideycountry. The ooilntry in the face of the drive is now of a good description tor carrying gold. Yodsg New Zealand! Waitekauri, August 24).— N0. 3: The country is much harder, interlaced with nice mineral veins. By this day week I expect to be working on a very good leader about nine inches. If we do not get quantity we will get quality. Sybil (Whangamata. August 24).—N0. 1 prospecting tunnel: The country we are passing through is a blue sandstone, very tight, and intermixed with leaders, some of which are charged with the right class of mineral. No. 2 prospecting level : I took advantage of the favourable class of country and of the fine weather to do some important trenching on the northern portion of the mine, where I obtained some loose quartz which gives a very fair prospect in the dish. There is abundance of loose quartz on this part, and of a fair quality. PAEROA WARDEN'S COURT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Thursday. EXPRESS SPECIAL CLAIM. The Warden's Court resumed its sitting: last night after the evening's adjournment, when Mr. Parr addressed the Court in support of Ronald's application for the Express special claim, and in the course of his address he dealt with the vexed question of the miners' rights. First of all, he said that the evidence tendered by his client as to the marking of the ground was conclusive, and the objection on this head must fail. In nearly every case, particularly in bush : sountry, thero must be an overlap, and it . hud never yet been contended that because an applicant had overlapped his applica- , , turn was invalid. The applicant had to ' satisfy the Court that the i pegging was a . substantial compliance with the spirit of the \ Act, and he submitted this had been done. Mr Parr stated with regard to the question of miners' right" necessary for an application I for native land, that a 10s right was suffi. , cicnt. The object of section 25 of the Mining • Act was to preserve the rights of the natives [ under the agreement ceding the mining , rights, and it was only necessary to take out £1 rights when the applicant had got»title J and started to mine upon the ground. For the purposes of application merely a 10s right was sufficient, because native lands [ came within the definition of 'crown lands,' which may be marked with an ordinary 103 right. Nowhere in the Act was there any clauxe making it a condition precedent to r applying for notiyo lands that the applicant I must have a£l right, and there were no sect tions from which such a condition could be i fairly inferred. On the other hand an appli- , cant per se had no title, and could not mine . till he obtained his license. The obligation I to take out a£l right for every man working t . on native lands only arose after tho license • ' was granted. His Worship said the question x wa an important 0110, and he would reserve 5 judgment in order to consider it,

• APPLICATION FORFEITURE. _:-'"'"' ' Another, oaae was then commenced in which a large amount, of interest Was centred, namely, an application made by J. McLellaud, of Auckland, for the forfeiture ot the Ravenswood special' claim/ at Karangahake, on the grounds-of hon-wprking. Mr. Baume appeared for the complainant McLellaud, while Mr. Parr appeared for Elijah Brokenshire, the licensee of the claim, which, it may be mentioned, was recently acquired by a Home company with a working capital of' £30,000. A large amount of evideuce was adduced, showing that about 600 feet of driving and about 800 feet of' trenching had been accomplished; the expenditure in connection with -which amounted ; to over £700. Three men had been regularly employed in carrying out the works undertaken, but a greater number could not have been profitably employed. Mr. Parr, for the objectors, addressed the Court at some length, pointing out that after spending about £600 in wages, etc., and finding that operations were not of a remunerative character, efforts were made to secure English _ capital. The result of these negotiations was the actual sale of the property in London during the month of January, since when word has been expected every day that the present holders were to hand over the property to .the' new company. • These negotiations were'concluded so far that a sum of £3000 was at present awaiting the shareholders at the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland, while according to the terms of sale a working capital of £30,000 had been provided for tho systematic development of the property. Now, after all this had beeii done, said Mr. Parr, McLelland comes along and says, ' I want the property.' Mr. MbLelland's action he designated as a great piece of impertinence. He submitted 1 it if this were tolerated by the Warden, incalculable harm would bo done thereby to the district, namely, by the driving away of the capital so much desired for the development of our fields. He contended that the syndicate, or holders of the ground, could not have profitably employed more than two men, and as a consequence it was not a case for a decree for forfeiture. The new English company had now issued instructions that more men should be employed, and though a breach of the regulations had been committed, he maintained that a fine would meet the case. Mr'. Baume, in the course of his address, submitted that the ground had been held by Brokenshire merely for speculative purposes, and the whole affair was simply a gamble, fie deprecated the holding of ground with such an object in view, and he contended that where ground was held and not worked according to the regulations, an example should be made of the delinquents. If His Worship did not forfeit then he should inflict such a fine that would bo a punishment to the company, and a warning to others. The Warden said that he would like to consider the matter, and would reserve his decision until next Court day. At 11.20 p.m. the Court adjourned until next morn The Court resumed at 9.30 this morning, when a good deal of business was transacted by Mr. Bush, Warden. APPLICATIONS GRANTED. J. H. Fleming, Fusilier special claim, at Waipaheke; J. F. Fleming, Privateer special claim, at Waipaheke; F. G. Kitchenam, residence site, Karangahake; Nathaniel Clotworthy, six months' protection for Great Britain special claim; Frederick Smith, six months' protection for Fifty Feet Reefs special claim, Waihi; Michael J. Gannon, three months' protection for Traviata licensed holding, Waitawheta; J. H. Fleming, six months' protection for Fortunatus licensed holding, Waitekauri. PLAINTS FO&FORFEITORE. George Eraser v. witsey : Plaint for the forfeiture of the Waitemata licensed holding, Mr. Moss appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Porritt for the defendant. Mr. Moss briefly referred to the circumstances of the case, stating that from the time the ground was granted, on the 3rd December, 1895, until the plaint for forfeiture was laid on the 9th July, no work had been done. Mr. Porritt admitted the offence, after which His Worship forfeited the ground, and declared complainant the first applicant, to whom fourteen days' protection was also granted. J. Simpson v. J. Schischka: Plaint for forfeiture of the Retreat special claim, at Marototo. This case was adjourned until next court day. MINING TRANSACTION. Daniel Allen v. Alfred Sargent : Claim, for one-sixth share in the Waitekauri Prince special claim, at Waitekauri, and £10 cash. After hearing a considerable amount of evidence His Worship dismissed the prayer for one-sixth interest in the ground, but said that as it was owing to Allen that Sargent got a good claim, he would allow Alien £5, with costs, £4 18s, This concluded the business. THAMES WARDEN'S COURT. ; . . .;*• Thames,' Thursday. The following business was transacted by Mr: H. Eyre Kenny, warden, to-day :— „,.< SPECIAL CLAIMS. The applications for special claims were dealt with as follows:—Charles B. Thoruo, Sir George, Neaves Valley, adjourned to September 10; E. C. Smith, VVeuooa, Upper Puru, recommended ; John Brady, Prince of Wales, Waiomo, recommended; J. Robertson, Broken Hills, West Tairua (objected to by the Kauri Timber Co.), adjourned ; James Dehar, Fenian, Whangamata, recommended on condition that the name be altered to Phoenician; Jas. Corbett, lona, Whangamata, recommended; R. Young, Mclsaacs, South Karaka Creek, recommended ; W. G. Nicholls, the Kruger, Whangamata, objected to by F. W. Abbott, and adjourned to September 10; C. L. Kerry, the Rand, Whangamata, recommended to be granted in the name of the Whangamata Peninsula ; Scandinavian Gold Mining Company, special claim, recommended; Thos. McDonough, Elsie, Tairua, adjourned to September 24; Jas. Welmau, Windsor Castle Wo. 2, Puru, adjourned to September 10; F. H. Whalley, Toulouse Exteuded, Waiinoa, adjourned to September 24; James Welman, Clarendon Extended, Puru, recommended; Lewis vou Rotter, Golden Star Extended Mo. 1, Tararu, recommended; E. C. Beale, Golden Star Extended No. 2, Tararu, recommended; John Churtou, Stoneyhurst, Tairua, recommended; William Elliott, Whangamata Consolidated, Whangamata, recommended; C. D. Wright, Tidal Wave, Thames Fareshore, adjourned to 24th September; V. T. Weymouth,Te Mata, recommended; R. McGregor, Tairua Consolidated, Tairua, recommended ; W. S. Styak, Golden Point Extended, recommended; G, Cuff, Tairua United Extended, Tairua, recommended; Oscar Olsen, Comstock Nos. 1, 2, and 3 special claims, Tairua, recommended; Stephen Cataran, Morning Dawn, Tairua, adjourned to September 10; G. B. Wither, Bonanza No. 1, Tairua. recommended: R. R. McGregor, the British Tar and Royal Marine special claims, recommended; Geo. Wiggins, the Tapu Gold Mine Foreshore claim, Tapu, recommended; A. Campbell, Tairua No. 2 special claim, Tairua, withdrawn ; J. Welman, Tairua No. 1 special claim, Tairua, withdrawn. SPECIAL CLAIMS AT TAIROA. A number of other applications for special claims at Tairua were objected to by the Kauri Timber Company, but in order to save time it was agreed that the various titles under which the company claimed should be submitted by the company's solicitor to the applicants' solicitor, who would then decide whether he would proceed with the applications or abandon them. The applications which wero adjourned to allow of this arrangement were as follows :—J. A. Robertson, Broken Hills West and Mauritius; James Welman, Glenooe, Glcnelg, and Bourbon; William Elliott, Gaelic and Rob Roy. LICENSED holdings. The following applications for licensed holdings were dealt with:—The Londonderry Gold Mining Company, Londonderry No. 2 licensed holding, Punea Flat, adjourned to September 24 ; S. H. Lees, Nellie, Whangamata, granted ; F. H. Whalley, Windsor Castle No. 3, Puru, grunted; W. Calloway, Black Bess, Whangamata, adjourned to September 10 James Kernick, Waipuru Extended, Puru, granted ; R. H. Abbott, Ptolemaic Extended, Wlurekawa, granted; A H. Howe. Renown, Puhoi, granted; William Goldsworthy, Melrose, Tairua, adjourned to September 10; W, H. Buckley, Eclipse, Tararu, granted. protection. Applications for protection were disposed of as follows:—L. A. Cuff, six months' protection for the Peruvian special claim, Whangamata, granted; R. J. Hastings, six mouths' protection for the Captain Cook and Success special claims, Puriri, granted; E. C. Beale, six months' protection for the Clarendon special claim, Waiomo. adjourned to September 10; Thomas Millets, six months' protection for the Golden Star special claim, Tararu, adjourned to September 10; Thomas Millet, six months' protection for machine site, Puru, granted; the Monowai Amalgamated Gold Mining Company, six months' protection for two water-races, Waiomo, grained; the Sheridan Gold Mining Company, six months' protection for Conference special claim, Tapu, granted; A. W. Smith, six months' protection for Standard special claim, Tairua, granted; H. W. Moore, six months' protection for the Cascade and Rapid special claims. Whangamata, granted; the May Queen Gold Mining Company, six months'protection for Lone Hand licensed holding, Karnka Creek, granted; Jas. Coo, six months' protection for Day Dawn Extended special olaim, Puriri, grohted; John Childorhouso, two months' protection for the Mnscotte and Limeric special olaims, Hapo Creek, adjourned to September 10th; Jas. Browne, six months' protection for water-race, Tararu, granted; Tararu Creek Gold Mining Company, six

months' protection for, water-race," ; Tararu,' granted; E. Targett. two, mouths'protection for Young Australian licensed Holding, Karaka, granted. / ■ff t PERMISSION TO WORK WITH LESS MEN. Applications for permission to work with a less number of men were disposed of as follows:— McLean, permission to work the Prince Charlie special claim, Whangamata, for a period of four months with six,' instead of 33 men, granted; R. C Greenwood, permission to work the Telegraph special claim, Whangamata, with three instead of IS men, for four months, granted; R. C. Greenwood, permission to work My Sweetheart special claim, Whangamata, with three instead of 33 men for 4 months, granted ; W. J. Pearce, permission to work the Chicago licensed holding, Tararu, with one instead of four men for three months, granted ; L. Melhose, permission to work Mutaura special claim, Tairua, with four instead of 33 meu for four months, granted; J. H. Harrison, permission to work the Last Chance special claim, Ohui, with three instead of 10 men for four months, granted; J. H. Harrison and H. Gentles, permission to work the Golden Hill special claim, Ohui, with six instead of 33 men for months, granted ; J. P. Ward, permission to work the Golden Hill No. 2 and Golden Hill Extended licensed holdings, Ohui, with two men each instead of 10 men for four months, granted; Day Dawn Gold Mining Company, permission to work the Day I town licensed holding, Puriri, with two men instead of more men for four months, granted; D. McLeod, permission to work the Malua special claim. Boat Harbour, Tairua, witn two men instead of 33 for lour months, granted; Robert Inglis, permission to work Old Harbour Right special claim, Bout Harbour, Tairua, with two men instead of 33 men for four mouths, granted ; Wm. Burton, _ permission to work the Collingwood special claim, Tararu, with two men instead of 32 men for four mouths, granted; F. McFlynu, permission to work Moa special claim, Whangamata, with 2 instead of 25 men for four months, granted ; J. Owen aud J. Bowen, permission to work the Conservative special claim, Tararu, with 4 instead of 33 men tor four months, granted. MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS. The following miscellaneous applications were dealt with:—A. E. Plummer, waterrace, Mata, adjourned to September 10 ; L. Lewis, machine site and water-race, Puru, granted; J. W. Ryan, water-race, Wharekawa, adjourned to September 10; J. A. Robertson, water - race, Tairua, granted (subject to the Kauri Timber Company's floatage rights for a period of two years) ; George Lorain, residence site, adjourned to September 10; J. W. Civil, water-race, The Wires, granted; E. Molloy, residence site, Tairua, adjourned to September 10, for amendment of plan: John Murphy, water-race, Puru, granted ; Charles Laycock, residence site, Tairua, adjourned to September 10; R. J. Farrell, residence site, Tairua, adjourned to September 10; P. C. Hansen, residence site, Tairua ; James Marsland, residence site, Tairua, granted; H. .Say, residence site, Whangamata, granted; James Marsland, residence site. Tairua, grauted; John Audrade, residence Bite, Whaiigamata, granted; James Say, business site, Whangamata, adjourned to September 24; Henry Holterman, residence site, The Wires, granted, subject to cutting off certain portions of the ground applied for; A. Thompson, residence site, Waiotahi Creek, granted; A. Long, residence, Whangamata, adjourned to September 24; R. Ticrney, residence site, the Wires, adjourned to September 24 ; A. Kummerta, residence site, Whaugamata, granted. PLAINTS. The following plaints were dealt with :— A. Thompson v. J. Bowler, plaur for forfeiture of Caspian licensed holding, withdrawn. J. McGuire v. McFlynn, plaint for forfeiture for the Moa special claim, Whangamata, for non-working, fined £10, and £2 10s costs. Inspector of Mines v. Freedom Gold Mining Company, plaint for not taking out as many miners' rights as there were men employed in the defendant company's mine. Mr. Miller appeared for the company, and explained that it was purely a mistake. Fined Is, and lis costs. Inspector of Mines v. May Queen Extended Gold Mining Company, plaint for forfeiture of May Queen Extended special claim, Thames, for failing to employ ' the full number of men. Evidence was given by Mr. W. Ledingham, a director in the company, to the effect that about £900 had already been expended on the ground, aud a further sum of £1200 had been spent in the purchase of a battery, and in addition to this information was hourly anticipated from London announcing the formation of a company there to take over the property. The Warden stated there had been a systematic breach of law committed, but as a considerable sum of money has been expended on the ground he would inflict a fine of 40s and costs lis. Inspector of Mines v. the Bell Rock Gold Mining Company, plaint for forfeiture of Ml Rock Special Claim for failing to employ the requisite number of men. Mr. S. C. Macky deposed that between £700 and £800 had been expended, and six men employed all the time. Fined 10s and costs lis. Inspector of Mines v. E. McDonnell Targett, plaint for forfeiture of Young Australian licensed holding, Karaka Creek, for non-working. Fined £10, and costs lis. The Warden remarkod that the defendants had simply defied the law ever since the granting of the lease in September last, but as they had disposed of their interest, he would give the new licensees an opportunity of proceeding with the raising of the necessary capital to develop the ground. Inspector of Mines v. James Brown and J. Owen, plaint for forfeiture of the Conservative special claim, Tararu, for failing to employ the requisite number of men. Fined Is, and costs lis. Inspector of Mines v. Percy Speucer, plaintfor forfeiture of Ulysses No. 3 Exteuded special claim, for failing to employ the requisite number ot men. Fined £3, and costs lis. Inspector of Mines v, M. McMahon, for forfeiture of the Sheridan No. 2 special claim, Tapu, for non-working. Fined £2 and costs, £1 3s. James McCormick v. H. Brett, plaint for failing to continuously work the Shotover No. 2 spec ial claim, Hape Creek. Fined Is and costs, £3 17s. Inspector of Mines v. M. McMahon, plaint for forfeiture of Dark Horse licensed holding, Tapu, for non-working. Withdrawn. Inspector of Mines v. F. McFlynn, for forfeiture of the Moa special claim, Whangamata, for non-working. Dismissed. AERO A CASES. The greater portion of the afternoon at tho Warden's Court was taken up in the hearing of the plaint E. K. Martin v. John Falvey which had been adjourned from Paeroa. The short facts of the case are as follows:—It appears that Martin had applied by plaint for the surplus grounds of the Waiatarua special claim at Waitekauri.and had obtained an order of the Waiden declaring him first applicant and authorising him to take possession, which he did, and called it the Waiatarua Extended. Falvey pegged out the same ground, but without an order of the Warden, and the question at issue was /wnich of the two parties was entitled to it. Mr. Baume argued that the Warden's order in favour of Martin was invalid (1) as it was not a judgment in rem and (2) was made without jurisdiction. Mr. Miller, in reply, contended that the order was good, and that the Warden had power to determine the several nutters at issue, and whether it came within Rule 217 or not. The Warden said the point was an important one, and reserved judgment, A similar case, viz., the licensee of the Crosscut special claim v. the licensee of the Morris special claim, was allowed to stand over, pending the Warden's judgment in the previous cases. THE NAMING OP OLAIMS. During the course of to-day's proceedings, the question of the propriety and good taste exhibited sometimes in the naming of claims was commented on by the Warden, and in two or three instances where questionable names occurred a change was made. His Worship, whilst speaking upon the subject, referred to an application which would come before him shortly for a special olaim that had been named 'Rock of Ages.' This, he considered, was a very improper name to give to a claim, and ouo likely to givo offence to a great number of people. Such a designation would not, in his opinion, be creditable to the goldlield, or enhance the value of the property if sent homo under such a title. Consequently he should insist upon a change of name before he finally dealt with it. GENERAL MINING ITEMS. The resolutions necessary to the voluntary winding-up of the Star of Wynyardton Gold Mining Company in view of amalgamation with the Hauraki North Gold Mining Company have now been passed, and Colonel Burton and Messrs. J. Kncebone, H. Gentles, T. Keesiiiß, and H. R. Cook have been appointed liquidators. The mine manager of the Darwin Gold Mining Company telegraphed yesterday ;— Broke down No, 1 reef; eight inohes wide ; strong dabs and oolours of gold showing. The manager of the Royal Sovereign has brought up to town some stone (taken from a big reef) showing gold. Stone from the Pandora assayed by Mr. W. Douglas Littlcjohn gave gold 19dwt. 14gr, silver lozfldwt 9gr, value £4 03 4d per ton. This was a bulk assay (three samples) taken from different loaders and reef. _ Half-yearly general meetings in the Victor Gold Mining Company and the Imperial Gold Mining Company, which wore to have been held yesterday afternoon at tho office of Mr. H. Gilfillan.jun., lapsed for want ot a quorum. The annual general mooting of shareholders in the Goideu Fleece Gold Mining Company, ' called for yesterday at the office of Mr.

Win. Clarke (manager), New Zealand lusur- L ance Buildings, lapsed for want of a quorum.' I The directors' report for the outgoing year' I showed that theprincipal work carried on had I been surface prospecting, driving, and putting . in a level, the result of which operations had . disclosed several reefs traversing the property, averaging in sizo from 18 inches to 14 feet in width, and also an outcrop of , leaders some 70 feet wide. The Talisman South property had been acquired, and the company's property now comprised a block of 60 acres. The mine, manager's report gave details of the work, and the statement of receipts, and expenditure showed the former to be £691 lis 2d, and the credit balance in the bank was £3 7s lOd. All shares in the Wealth of Nations, Pnriri, Golden Opportunity, and Imperial Gold Mining Companies, on which the call due and payable has not been paid, have been forfeited, and will be sold by auction as notified elsewhere. An extraordinary general meeting of the Deep Lead Gold Mining Company will be held at the New Zealand Insurance Buildings, on the 21st September, at three p.m. A general meeting of the Evening Star Gold Mining Company will be held at Hobson's Buildings on the 18th September, at three p.m. : •