OUR GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10300, 27 November 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

THE MONTH'S OPERATIONS.

The pasb month's operations have nob resulted in many important discoveries, bub steady development' work has been characteristic Of .the mining industry throughout the whole of the Auckland goldfields. ■ And as a consequence a number of good returns of bullion ' have been obtained, whilst in other instances several reefs have been discovered, thab will, when properly developed, still further tend, to swell the monthly output, . , .

A number of, new crushing, plants , are in course of erection in several, of. the 1 mining

districts, amongst which may be mentioned the Woodstock Gold Mining Company's 40 stamp battery and complete cyanide plant, situated ab Karangahake. This is now nearing ' completion, ' and will be ready for commencing the treatment of ore

early in the new year. - This plant is the only one advanced to such a stage, but the Waitekauri Extended and Komatf. Reefs Gold Mining. Companies . are. both pushing forward all the initial work connected with

the construction of their respective bat- j tones. And, now that the fine weather has fairly set in, there will be no further hindrance in getting' the requisite machinery to. the destined sites. Tho New.Zealand Talisman Gold Mining Company, at Karangahake, is also about to increase the size of

its battery .by an additional, ten head of stumps, and corresponding additions to its. cyanide plant, whilst the Waihi Gold

Mining Company is pushing ahead with all

expedition the foundation works of the extonsivo auxiliary plant that is to bo erocted at Oivharoa, which is to be connected with tho famous Martha mine—about five miles and a-half distant—by means of a tramway.

A3 far as tho Lower Thames is • con-

cerned, the only immediate addition to the present reduction works is the erection of a 10-stamp battery for tho Mahara-Koyal :

Gold Mining Company at Tapu, and the! replacing ! of, the Moanataiari Gold Mining.

Company's old 40-stamp battery, with anew 1 ono'of '60 stamps, and fitted.up with; all the latest improved appliances for. goldv saving, whioh work, itisexpected,willbecom ; menced after tho Christmas holidays. The Thames Hauraki Giftdfiolds Company also intend erecting a large and efficient crushing planb ab an early date. Additional plants are also in course' of erection, whilst others are under contemplation, in the Coroinandel district. The bullion returns from thab parb of tho Peninsula should be considerably augmented when all are completed and in full swing. The Success G.M. Co.'s new 10-stamp battery at Coromandel was com-

dieted during the month, and, on tho sth

inst., a commencement was made to reduce the supply of ore now available from that Company's mine. It will therefore be seen that when all the plants above referred to are turning out monthly yields of bullion, the returns from our goldfields will be swolled to a considerable extent. There is not the slightest doubt but that the newyear upon which wo are eo soon to enter will witness great strides in the bullion-produc-tion of many of our mining properties.

During the month the option of purchaso of several mining properties has been

secured on behalf of English syndicates. Amongst these properties are the Scandinavian mine, at Upper Tararu, Thames; the Mascotte and Limerick, at Hape Creek,

. Thames ; the West Derby, ab Coromandel ; and the Bank of New Zealand and National Bank 'special claims, at Whangamata. The balance of the purchase money for the the Britannia Gold Mining Company's mino, at Coromandel, viz., £1200, was received in Auckland on the 18th inst).

One pleasing feature of the past four

weeks' events was the declaration of a dividend of Is per share to the shareholders of the Waitekauri Gold Joining Company. This is the first dividend declared by the

company. Bub as the new plant is now running smoothly, find there are largo

odies of ore available for treatment, it is

confidently anticipated that the dividend just declared is only the forerunner of many more. The shareholders in the famous Waihimine are also tho fortunate recipients of a 2j dividend, which makes the fifteenth declared by that company, Tho whole of this company's share ipitul, it will be re-

mombered, was paid in dividends some time ago, so that the present distribution of profits will bo all the more gratifying to the shareholders.

With regard to the gold returns since last Summary, the WaihiGold Mining Company

nee more heads tho list, with a four-weekly

record yield of bullion, valued ab £13,143, thus making a total of £119,690 for the

preoonb yoar, or a grand total of £474,303 worth of bullion won by the company since

it commonced crushing iu 1890. These figures speak for themselves as to what can be accomplished with large bodies of ore such as abound in the Ohinemuri district,

and the brilliant success of the Wailii Company should certainly be an incentive to other mining companies to carry on operations in such a way that their ore can be treated in large quantities, and thus onsaro remunerative returns..

The Hauraki Gold Mining Company ab

Coromandel is also well to the front) with the excellent roturn of bullion valued at

£6233 17s, whilst the Waitekauri Gold Mining Company take a prominent place with £5670 worth |of bullion. The share-

holders of this lattor company are certainly to bo congratulated upon the fine return, as it shows an increase in value of £1401 upon the previous month. The .New

Zealand Crown Gold Mining; Company has also a good average yield, £2865 worth of bullion having beon extracted from the ore treated.

The above-mentioned returns are the

principal ones, but in a number of other instances smaller returns, but yet of » remunerative character, have been obtained, aud theso will probably be further improved upon us the new development works' proceed. Other interesting information regarding the works in progress will be found in our. raining correspondents' .' letters, which we .attach hereunder... : r OHINEMURL',, .< •' V " > • • ' Thursday. • The developments of the past month have not been of , a striking nature, though excellent work is being done. *'As the various properties are being opened up, new lodes are constantly being rovealod. The returns of bullion are 'up to the usual standard. The Ohinemuri mines have again produced over £21,000 in value. , ,

• KARANGAHAKE. Good progress is, being made with the opening up of the Now Zealand Talisman Gold Mining Company's property, and some highly remunerative < ore is being won from the different - works • on' the- • reef. * The directors are wisely going in for an increase in the size of the reduction plant, the present power to be supplemented by lp additional stamps and the requisite percolation vats, besides which'they will' be augmented by a rotary ore dryer. r.Thii will,' of courie, do away 'with the roasting kilns, and ; from what 1 can galther of tlie adaptability - of the machine, a wise 1 alteration has been made. ; . The dryer is! .extensively used in American ; mills, where a large amount of ore Is - handled. It - appears that the rotary ' ore ~ dryer consists of : a , coni.

cal c*sb-iron cylinder made in sections •'or convenience in handling,, and is of a larger diameter at the; fire end than that into which the ore is fed.'. The axis of the cylinder being horizontal, the ore gradually travels towards the fire end of the cylinder as; ib ■ slowly- revolves, ana is finally , discharged iuto bins ready for being crushed dry.in the battery. . Shelves running lengthwise are attached -to the 'inside of the cylinder, aud as ib revolves the shelves raise the ore and drop ib through, the flame assisting to quickly and thoroughly dry it. The drygr occupies bub a small amount of space, and one pleating feature is that ib is economical in consumption of fuel, and requires but : little power for its operation. The whole of the plant is to be lighted by elec- . trioity. ' : s. The Now Zealand Crown Mines continue to produce ore of good quality, and during the f past' monthly' crushing ■> period 1109 tons, of ore were treated for a return of 1602ozY' of bullion, the ■ value of which amounted to £2864. In the mine, the shoot of good ore recently intersected at No. 4 level lias now boen driven upon for a length of 40 feet, the lode at present being about six feet •in width. The ore body is looking, very well, ; . arid, striking an average, it is producing quartz worth about £6 per ton. The No. 6 level is also being pushed ahead in a southerly direction, and the face has just about; reached the point underneath .the place where the new run of good ore was:>; met with at No. 4 level, so that a higher grade quality of ore should soon be available ab this level. J Sinking below the No. 6 level is being continued as usual, a depth ot from '25 to 30 feet having been attained. - The reef here ,is of very large dimensions;, being about 16 feet wide, while another 'pleasing feature of the opsrations is , the fact that the ore is of good quality, being worth, the manager informs me, about £5 per ton. Driving at No. i 7 level is still in progress, and some fairly good ore is being won fr<Jm the reef, which ab proseub is rather smaller than usual, being only 18in in thicknem At No. 8 level all work is now completed, preparatory to opening out on the lode, and this will be commenced as soon as the necessary machinery arrives from home.

. Ah the Woodstock Company's property the No. 1 level, going southwards, has been driven 16 feet for the month, racking a total distance of 350 feet. The lode is about six feet in width, and is producing a fair quality of ore. - A winze has also been sunk a depth pf 110 teat" below this level, and will later on .connect with a' rise which is to be carried $6' on,the back 'of the intermediate level, prom'the level of the No. 1 adit a commencement has been made to drive on the .Talisman lode, which runs west of the Maria. ■ This drive is in a distance of 109 feet, and the lode, which is about four feet in "width, appears to bo improving .as tho drive proceeds southwards. At the intermediate crosscut the Maria lode has been opened up southward a further distance of 23 feet, leaving still 37 feet to go before the rise to connect with No.l level can bo commenced. ' The thickness of tho lode hero has nob yet been ascertained, though about four feet) of quartz has been broken out wit-out any sign of the footwall. The ore at present is low grade, owing no doubt to the facb that the lode formation is a little disturbed. A fine supply of good crushing dirt is being won from the Maria lode at No. 2 lovel, the ore body being about five feet wide. The crosscut, which is to tho westward of tho Maria, is being vigorously pushed ahead, and it is anticipated that tho VVaverley lode will soon be to hand. A rise is also being carried up on Shopherd's lode, above this level, a height of 35.feet having been attained. The reef is about 12 inches in thickness, and. is of a fair grade quality. There is, however, a short distance yet to be reached in order to meet the rich ore block left underneath the intermediate level. Stoping operations are being carried on on this lode over the back of the intermediate lovel, or midway between the Nos. 2 and 3 levels. The reef here is about 15 inches witlo, and is producing ore of high grade. At No. 3 level, driving, stopingj and rising, are in 'progress, and • from • each *of tlie wojUsgS gbod ore is being won. At No. 5 . level a reef, during the month was intersected south of the fault, but its identity lias not yet been proved, so that very little 1 can as yet be said about it. The crosscut going weetward is in a distance of 70 feet, and it is anticipated that another 100 feeb.of driving will intersect Shepherd's lode. In .the Ivanhoo section the Gorge tramline is being advanced speedily, 228 feet of;the work having now been done; half this' distance is tunnolling, and the other-half 1 scarfing. Another '25 feob of driviiig, should bring the lovel up to tho Woodstock' lode. The battery is nearing completion,'but ib will probably be towards the end of January before crushing will be commenced.

The Victor-Waihou, Ravens wood, and other properties are also being systematically developed.

OWHAROA.

The Owharoa district has assumed a very busy aspect. This is consequent principally upon the works being carried on by the \Vaihi G;.M.00. in connection with tho erection of new reduction works. Of course a good deal of actual raining work is being carried on in this district and fair prospects are reported from some of the properties. One of the most noteworthy events of tho past- month is the commencement of the new engine shaft for the Ohinemuri Syndicate (Limited). This syndicate acquired the Owharoa Co's property in addition to other adjoining claims; since the present proprietary became possessors of < the ground a very large amount of prospecting work has . been done. It was the opinion of the managor and other authorities that ono of the most effective and remunerative methods of doveloping the property would be to sink a shaft. This, ib was considered, would prove tho reef system downwards, and open up on .the lodes which yielded such fine returns of gold in the early days, at a greater depth than has yet been obtained. Seeing the reasonableness of this theory, the owners of the property have decided to pub it to a practical test, and instructions from Home nave been received to the effect that the shaft was to be commenced at once. These instructions were immediately givon effect to, and the preliminary work commenced. The site of the shaft is contiguous to the battery, and the size will bo 12fb by6ft. Thewindingand pumping plant has, I understand, been ordered, so that within a few months sinking operations should be in full swing. With regard to the other sections of the mine, the Elliot tunnel is being advanced as - expeditiously as possible, but as yet there are no important developments to chronicle. The face is now. in fully 1150 feet, and is passing through a fine channel of country. In the Madden's Folly section the old Government tunnel has been picked, up and repaired for , a distance of about 200 feet, so that the way is now clear for the commencement of driving, This will doubtless be -undertaken immediately the-surveys, etc) are complete.'..

A fairly large number of other mines are in full work in the. Owharoa district, and, though as yet none have taken a prominent place among the/ Ohinemuri . bullion-pro-ducers, it is anticipated that the systematic, explorations 1 now being ./ carried: on' will reveal many good gold-bearing lodes., : ' -' ' " WAITEKAURI. ' ■ The Waitekauri district has been brought into : great prominence lately by the fine yields of bullion from the Waitekauri Gold Mining Company's / property. There is uo doubt that the company will now reap to a greatextenb bhe.fruib of their industry and labour. . During the month the shareholders were rewarded by a Is dividend— first yet ' paid—and it is highly; probable this will be followed by many more. Indeed, there is no reason why this should not be;; the company are possessed of large goldbearing lodes, and a fully equipped plant. ■The/new battery is running satisfactorily,; and during the / past' monthly crushing period, . 1674 bong - were treated v: for , a yield of 5166 ounces si bullion, ' the value of which ■ amounted to £5670. [ This must be considered highly satisfactory. In the, mine there is no material change to report; a fine supply of ere being still won from Corbett's levol, the; battery level, and kiln level. ■$, 11 apfef» v <. 1 ■The ; -Waitekauri West Cross opera* tions are ptQving of an encouraging nature, a large lode having been intersected during the month.' The identity of the reef ie nob

yet 6xed, though it (is thought to be tho St. Hippo. '■: V-*-'- _ The Waitekauri Extended mine is opening : up well, and some good 'returns of bullion are anticipated when the new plant, which is shortly to be erected, has been pat together. - ' \ ' / ■ The development of. the Waitekauri United Company's property, is proceeding satisfactorily. ' The No., 1 ! tunnel has now been advanced a total' distance of 45 feet. The progress being' rnado just now is not quite so speedy, '.a' hard bar of country having come in some 25 or 30 feet back from the face. ' This country, however, is not an unwelcome guest, ' inasmuch as that the same class of'- rock encases ' Skein's reef. This latter body of ' ore is now oxpected to bo met with at any time. . Operations upon tho Point reef are being, continued as usual, and in the face, at the present time, the reef is i showing to ft,width, of sir feet, without any Bign ; of, the.hangingWall. The stone is impregnated with likely-looking mineral for, gold!;, An effort) is , also being made to get this same lode in a- crosscut which has been commenced on a level of the old tram road, or at a point about 'ninety, feet bolow the present working's on 'the reef. s The lode is expected to be met with at any time. The intention of the management is, I understand, to continue the crosscut, with a viow to intersecting what is known as the United " blow." This " blow" was worked on the surface many years ago. Nob having sufficient capital to prove the lode formation at a greater depth, however, work was abandoned, and the Waitekauri United Co. are now to prove the value of the same, by means of theJ'ow level working in question. The No. 2 tunnel, -which is being driven on the western side of. the range, is in a distance of . 231 feet,; and a fine channel of country is being penetrated. It is antici pated that, Christie's lode will be met with in about 60 feet more driving, A considerable quantity of surface work is also being carried out, and ev.ery effort is being made to get the , store-room , and engino-shcd erected as quickly as possible. The ,Waitekauri Union Company's property is being thoroughly prospected, and as soon as the purvey the country within the company's area has been completed, works of a permanent nature are to be undertaken. ... ' A large numer 'of other mines are also working. . , , KOMATA. In tho Komuta district a lot of systematic work is being done, but nothing of any moment has v - occurred during the past month. In the Xomata Reefs Gold Mining Company's proporty some fairly good ore is being broken out from the drive on Argail's lode, while a supply of payable quartz is also being won from the lode in arise which has been commenced at a point about 150 foet north of the main crosscut. The object of this rise is to connect with tho surface ' for ventilation purposes. Driving south from the main crosscut is also in progress, and about 9 feet of payable" ore is being grassed. Operations upon Lavington's\iode are being continued as usual, but though the quartz looks well, it is, of low grado. The size of the reef, however, is 25 feet, so that a large supply of crushing materia! is available. There is nothing fresh to report form the low level crosscut, which is in a distance of 142 feet. The country being penetrated continues to be very hard. In the Komata Queen operations have been confined to driving on Lavington's and Argyll's lodes. The former body of ore shows to 'a width of sft, and is an excellent looking body of stone. Tho latter, however, has been somewhat pinched,. though ' its appearance has improved considerably the 'last few shifts. , MAROTOTO. The principal work at prosent being carried out at Marototo is undoubtedly that executed by tho Hikutaia Gold Syndicate. For some considerable time past the proporty known as the Marototo-United has been in course of active development, under the supervision of Mr. J.E. Banks, and there is no doubt,that a visit to the mino is ,

ijnving south trotn the mam crosscut is also in progress, and about 9 feet of payable" ore is being grassed. Operations upon Lavington'sllode are being continued as usual, but though the quartz looks well, it is, of low grade. The size of the reef, however, is 25 feet, so that a large supply of crushing materia! is available. There is nothing fresh to report form the low level crosscut, which is in a distance of 142 feet. The country being penetrated continues to be very bard. In the Komata Queen operations have been confined to driving on Lavington's and Argyll's lodes. The former body of ore shows to 'a width of sft, and is an excellent looking body of stone. Tho latter, however, has been somewhat pinched, . though ' its appearance has improved considerably the last few shifts. , MAROTOTO. The principal work at prosenb being carried out at Marototo is undoubtedly that executed by tho Hikutaia Gold Syndicate. For some considerable time past the property known as the Marototo-United has been in course of active development, under the supervision of Mr. J.E. Banks, and 'there is no doubt. that a visit to the mino is convincing rif the fapt that the proprietary syndicate, possesses a valuable property; and one which will ero long take its place as a bullion producer. The property in comprises an area of something like 330' acres, and takes in a portion of the long-steep ridges which descend from the main range and divide between the Hikutaia, Komata; and Waitekauri watershed. A very large amount of work has been done on different sections of the property, but main operations at present are confined, to the development of the main, or Marototo-United reef; a lodo on the footwall of the main reef, and also the Payrock reef., In the Nos. 1,2, and 3 levels no work is at present being done, as the lode has been proved for a considerable distance in each of the workings, and until the new mill, which it is contemplated erecting, is constructed, the wisest policy, it is considered, is to leave the ore remaining where it is. There is, howover, enough ore in sight to keep a large plant continuously employed for a long period. In the No. 3 level especially the lode-is a splendid-looking body of ore, and would in itself produce a very large supply of good crushing dirt. The roef here has an average dimension of about 20 feet, though it is .divided into two portions, with a horse of. sandstone running between. These two branches are named the hangingwall and footwall reefs, and respectively measure about twelve feet and eight feet across. Though they run parallel with oach other there are several places where they converge and form one fine body -of ore.' According to measurements, this reef has now been opened up in different portions of the property for a length of over.l 800 feet, so that it will be seen the continuity of the ore body has been proved, and a basis provided tor future works, which, I!understand,areto be of a very extensive nature.- With regard to No. 4lovel, which is situated about 40 feet above the No. 3 level, and on the opposite side of a small branch creek, the reef has been driven upon for a length of about 250 feet. For the. whole of that distance ore of a fair quality has been broken oub. Several crosscuts hare been put through the reef, and the. average width stated of the lode proved to be maintained. In the Whare creek . the No. 7 level crosscut) is being pushed ahead with a view to intersecting the Marototo United reefs. From the commencement-of this work the rock was exceedingly hard, and as a consequence the progress made was very slow indeed. < However, about 40 feeb back from the face a change of country came in, and it is now more' of a jointy nature, so that tho face is now being more speedily advanced. This crosscut, it may be mentioned is in over 200 feet,-so-that in about another 300 feet of driving the. lode should be to hand. The No. 6 level, which is located about 90 feet above No. 4,' is now in a distance of about 280; feet, and ib is in this working that the best ore, so far Unearthed, is being' won. Abou 200 feet back from the fan a seam of rubbly ore came in on the hangingwall side, and its beneficial influence was at once noticeable, ;.' gold " being shed right across f the' reef. : This.seam accompanies the: lode, about up to.'. the' face, though ab present _• ibv seems •. to be making into solid quartz .. . again. :v One pleasing feature is.bhat the vein is larger in the floor than .• in n the ;baok"'df [ the . drive. This certainly nugure. well for. the •' lower blocks, . and the owners , of the property can there-' - fore- reasonably look - forward to the ;' remunerative , development of the ground underfoot. Four crosscuts have boen put through the .reef in; the .drive, and the ore body .would average from / ten ■ to ; twelve feet in width ; consequently the syndicate have here also a large and .payable lode to mine. /.There: is a very lbngftach on the strike of the lode, the", reef extending as ib does from one end: of bheMarobobo ! section to . the; other, /, and the' backs ; available are /also v considerable. ' Another valuable section/: of the .'Hikutaia "syndicate's property is '-the.'portion known, as the Payvock v where i the No. - 8 level - is being. driven. This ib,sibilated to; the north-east of the Marototo United; and during the first 80 feet of driving,no fewer than ;' four parallel bodies,of ore' were intersected, ' the Pavrock'lode itself -being, aboub seven feet wide. " Since being meb with over 200 feet) has been ; driven along .' its /course,-. and for the whole of the distance the lode has beon proved tr),be yteU dofined body of ore, the average width; of which' would be aboub five feet. - ; The quirtz is somewhat similar in character to that'of the main lode, 1 being friable and easily broken out, 99 that as far

(is actual mining on the lode is concerned, it could'be broken out at a ' very ! small : cost indeed.'« Combined with this, the quality of the -ore is also good, a little gold being carried - right : through. - The Marototo United reef also runs through this section at about 600 ; feet further to the eastward,• and in ay parallel course to the Payrock lode. A good deal of work is also "being done onthejPaiakarahi and Florence sections of the property. Water rights and an excellent'.'- machine site have also, been secured. ,'v '. 4$ WAIHI. The famous Waihi Gold Mining Company has again v--beaten its own four-weekly record 2940: '.t0ns this, month, having yielded 10,4090z bullion of the value of £13,143. ; During tho month the following have. been , the ; most ' important developments Marbha lode,' No. 12s level s' The level going; west has been ' timbered' 260 feet, 'and hoppers fixed' to • receive the ore from the stopes every 25 feet. On the eastern 1 side (if the crosscut the level has been timbered 174 feet, and hoppers builb the whole distanco. The first stope has not been widened out as yet to the ' full width; the" ore obtained has all been of good quality for the width broken—viz., 18 feet. ; Both ends of the level have boen at a standstill since tho beginning of August. Driving cannot conveniently be resumed until the lcvol has been timbered, close up to each face. Welcome lode, No. 2 level: Western end has been extended a total length beyond No. 2 shaft 287 feet. This level has produced first'dass ore during the month. : The correct width of the lode cannot be ascertained, as there is no wall showing for the distance driven. No. 1 level, Welcome lode: The western-end of No. '2 branch has been at a standstill since the 4th inst. v The face is 6274 feet west of No. 2 shaft; for the last 20 feet the lode has reduced in thickness to two feet, composed of a middling class of ore. The stopes in the contractor's block: 'The full length of the block is 492 feat. At the western end the lode is two feet in thickness. Stoping on the right hand branch; the lode is from six to ten feet wide, yielding ore of firstclass quality. Martha lode, No. 1 level: One of medium.quality has been obtained from the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth stopes. Welcome lode, adit level: In the face the lode is four feeb wide, composed of fair quality ore. No. 2 branch : Lode in face is five feeb wide, also yielding ore of fair quality. At a point 149 feet west of junction a rise has been put up and connected with wiuze sunk on this lode from end of Emily drive. The lode was payable throughout the whole depth, bub small for 40 feet: down , undor the Emily level, being from one to, two feet in thickness. Western adit level Jias been extended total length for month'of 701 feet. The lode is from three to five feet. The tonnage forwarded to kilns from all parts of the mine during the month was 2799 tons.

' The continued magnificent returns from the parent mine has meant, at Waihi and ! the surrounding country, vigorous pros- : pecting works. Quite a large number of 1 properties are being opened up. At the ; Grand Junction Gold Mining Company's property, and in the main shaft it will'be [ Christmas time, or after, before driving is 1 well under way. At present the chamber is being opened out preliminary to starting ' the crosscuts from the bottom of the shaft, it being intended to drive south-east .and north-west simultaneously. A short cross,, cut will also be driven north-east to provide a chambor to receive & large calibre T&ngye pump. With regard to the Waihi 1 West section of the lease, the southern '■ crosscut has now been extended a distance of 101 feet past the Martha lode, or a total distance of 532 feet. For the former distance the ground required to bo timbered all the way, the same being puggy broken sandstone. There are yet no immediate signs of the Welcome lode; in fact, the manager expects to have to continue tho crosscut a further distance of 120 feet before driving out the strike shown in the commencement of the Waihi Company's west adit. . Being a variable lode, however, it may bemie)>pth sooner. Driving on the lode wa§ cotrinfoircßd a-little over a week ago, but so far only "a short distance hasi been negotiated.-' One feature is that the appearance of the lode and the quality also is improving, the first assay being 6s 2d, while the next one taken proved the ore to be worth 9s 9d. The increase in value is certainly only slight, but it serves to show that a* development proceeds the lode is producing a little better quality of ore. The drive, it may be mentioned, is being carried in on the footwall side of the lode. The Waihi Silverton is reported in the HERAiD.'ordinary mining columns. Sinking;operations are being continued as usual at.the' Waihi Consolidated, a depth of 190 feet having been attained. It is the manager's intention to continue sinking a further distance of 20 feet before opening out, that is provided the water does neb prove too strong an element for the present pumping power. A nice blue andesite formation, . with bands of quartz varying frome one to 12 inches in thickness is being passed through, the strike of these veins being north and south. At the Ohinemmi, twelve men are employed in carrying down the shaft, but the water is found to be troublesome. As soon as the solid :is reached the manager intends to commence puddling, which should be the means of keeping back the surface water. > 5 . At the Union- Company's property, boiler sheds, ! winding sheds, etc., for the new winding and pumping machinery are being'speedily erected, and matters connected with the property bear a very busy aspect. • The sinking of the main shaft is also being continued, while several prospecting shafts are also being put down' on different sections of the property. A winze is also being sunk on the Amaranth reef, below the road. level, and some very good ore is coming to hand. The reef here is very large, being fully 19 feet in width, and four feet of this is very good. .; :, PUKE. V Mining matters are comparatively quiet at present, owing to the proprietors of Fleming!s Freehold having suspended operations temporarily until - permanent works are undertaken. Mr. Cheal, raining engineer, has been pub in charge as supervisor, and has laid off levels for a permanent low level, which is to be put in some 200 yards to the south of the presont workings. The works will be commenced above the river level, and this will give 150 feet more backs than at present. The intention is to cub thp reef by trenching, and then start a main drive well under where the present workings are situated, nd : at a depth that {r:>. will g thoroughly, and once for. all, tesb and prove, the reef V: in strong/ sandstone country. When work was suspended at the low ' level, very encouraging prospects were being met with, fully equal . to the rich sulphide ore above that carried visible gold. The operations at the low level go to confirm the theory, that the immense 61 feeb lode in .the top level was.the junction of two lodes. In one of the upper drives a section of mullock or. sandstone came in, and the low level works go to '■■■ prove that this ': really showed the junction of two reefs. "In the low level the solid reef was cut through at 27 feet, and at the south the reef ran off at' a ■ very obtuse angle, rapidly widening out. This, it is anticipated, will ultimately prove to be the western reef shooting ; off from the ; main lode. Duriug; •: the ■ past 't month several 'American mining experts have visited • the property, ; and they; were each favourably impressed with what they saw. The show is considered to : be a very good one, gold being plainly visible in some of the stone. It is all of such a nature as to be easily treated, besides having ■ the • best facilities for working. - ' .u- ~ The Te Puke and Hone, adjoining Fleming's freehold; on the west, are • being negotiated 'for by. an American syndicate. 1 ..' Several other.y properties are';.: being worked,' and it is generally considered that Te Puke will, be a fine bdHioii<prodaciug district) in the near futme. /; ? -...'■: THAMES. %•■*'s& .. • Thursday. Tne mining industry in this < district during the past four weeks. has been devoid of anything of a startling nature.' But, nevertheless, excellent progress has been made with permanent) development works now in progress, in many of our mining properties, ; particularly ; those, t being V opened up ;'. :£iSf.'i: ; . v 'v:- / ; ; ;.':; v.';,\- ; ■ 'v%;;< : 2 '■' ■j.

with the aid of English . capital.; : . Beside* "i \ this, a • largo amount of good '. and usofnl ;';■ prospecting work has also been accomplished in many new properties only recently v ■ taken up. _ In several instances new reefs - have been discovered, in which more or lest gold has been seen, and there is no doubt ; . but that;the majority of them will prove,'' remunerative whon thoroughly oponed up and systematically worked. . • ■ ,\v ; ■ • Our'monthly output of gold is still com- - paratively small and likely to remain to ' until some of the now exploration works'' now'in progress result in the opening up of : remunerative blocks. It must bo borne in mind that previous to the present revival ' of interest in. the mining industry things * generally had run to a very low ebb. .The system of mining then in progress was chiefly of a hand-to-mouth character, with little or no provision mado as- to the future. Happily, that state of affairs has now passed ... away, and instead more vigour , and energy is shown, so that in due course of time our ■ yield of gold must and will increase I correspondingly. . ; , The month has witnessed a still further falling off in the demand, that has existed for some time past, for tho acquisition ol now mining leases, the deaire instead being to man and develope leases already secured. During the four weeks ending with' the 21st " instart, only 37 applications wero lodged at tho local Warden's office as against 70 i during the previous four-weekly - period, , whilst tho total amount of money deposited on behalf of tho same amouted only to £1132 la 6d, or £563 17a lOd loss than during the previous month. ' ~, .•: ' The Thames-.Hauraki Goldfields Company is pushing forward with great celerity the preliminary works for the development of its extensive property. Already the enlargement and re-timbering of the Queen of Beauty shaft has been accomplished down to the present water level, or a depth of .422 feet from the surface. Further work at that point is suspended until the erection of the new pumping and winding plant, now on its way oub from England, is completed.. > A start is to be made at once with the ' erection of new poppet - legs over the shaft, and as soon as- they are " in position Mr. Dunlop, the company's manager, purposes dismantling the present winding plant and commencing to excavato around the shaft for the new concrete foundations to be put down prior to the new pumping and winding machinery being erected. Tenders liave already been accepted for the necessary supply of lime, coucrete, and bricks, whilst on ■ Saturday last tenders were also received for the supply of 1000 loads of gravel and 1000 loads of spauls, to be used in preparing the foundations. At the time oi writing neither pf tho tenders had been.'" accepted. A large shed, ltOft in length by 40ft in width, has been erected close to the shaft. In this it is purposed to store the shipments of machinery as they come' to hand, At the Deep Sinker section the erection ■ of the winding plant and Tangye pump was ; completed early in the month, and both are working splendidly and fully answering all expectations. Consequently sinking operations have been resumed in the shaft being pub down in this section; a total depth of 133 feet has been attained. A firm class of shooting country is now being penetrated, but the inflow of water is comparatively small as yet. In the Deep Levels Consolidated section, the surface prospecting crosscut, into what is known as the Mount Pleasant Hill, has been extended a total distance of 264 feet. As yet no very ' firm country has been passed through, although an improvement in this respect should take place as soon as the crosscut! enters more into the centre of the hill. Good progress is being made with the extensive prospecting works proceeding in the Moanataiari Gold Mining Company's • mine, under tho management of Mr. G. S. Clark. And as far as the prospects met with up to date are concerned there appears to be good grounds for believing that success will eventually attond the major portion of the new development works in progress. Ab the present juncture, however, it may be i said thab the whole of the operations it .,2 progress in the mine are of an opening-up ' ' as well as of an exploring' character, " . the ' object) being to thoroughly develop several large and well-known reefs that exist in the different sections of the property, prior to commencing crushing upon an extensive scale. It will take several months yet to carry out the scheme as now laid down. It is expected that by tho time tbe new 60-stamp battery, which the company proposes to erect in the place of its present plant, will be ready. for operalarge supply of ore will be available for treatment. Latterly very little ore has been broken from any of the workings in progress, except that come across in.coursa of developing the mine. All the works in progress for some time pasb'for re-opening the old Golden Calf section of the company's property, with the objecb of getting to work upon tho Caledonian Nos. 1 and 2 reefs, are now well advanced. The Just-in-Time shaft has been sunk to a depth of 56 feot bolow No. 2 level, and all tho connections effected with both Nos. 1 and 2 levels, and also with the surface main adit level. A most efficient winding plant, capable of winding from a depth of 2000 feet, has been erected upon this shaft. The winding engine is of the j double cylinder horizontal type. Its cylinders are 12 inches in diameter, with a 26-inch stroke, and ib is po werfully geared to two winding-drums, each 7 feet in •: diameter. The boiler is a multi-tubular one, 14 feet long by 5£ feeb in diameter, and' carries a working pressure of 1001b'oi steam per: square inch, it having been ' tested by hydraulic power to double this U pressure. Two steel winding-ropes are used, each of which are fitted with safety cages and other safety appliances. The whole of the machinery was manufactured and erected . by Messrs. E. and A. Price, the well-known local firm of ironfoundora, and the manner in which they have carried out their . contract reflects the' highest ' credit upon their skill as engineers. Operations in the May Queen Gold . , Mining Company's mine are being pushed :' forward with very encouraging results. The • V now prospecting crosscut penetrating the V south-eastern section of the company's property at'.No.' 6 level, has been advanced a total distance of 229 feet past No. 1 reof, and it is now just about arriving ab a point . where new ore bodies are expected to be interaocted. In fact, on Saturday last, a small two-inch leader was passed through, in :J'which colours of gold were seen; which would :; seem to indicate that there is every reason ''?[ for anticipating that something good will shortly, bo met with. The } prospecting o work proceeding upon No. 1 \ reef, rait, the . same level, has not yet resulted in payable' ore being found, but the reef, which averages' about two and a-half feeb in thickness, boars a : most promising appearance, and should improve in quality, at almost any moment/.' The works apon Clurken'a and Hay's leaders , have resulted ' in a, payable* : class of ore being wdn during the month. A v crushing, which comprised 68 loads 5f ore .. broken from these two last-named leaders, ; , and' 20 loads 7 from' No. ' 1 reef, was com-': \ pleted for. the remunerative return of 1290z' v 6dwt of melted gold, which realised on being sold a total value of £346 Bs'9d.-" The . coiriparty'a' manager, Mr. W. H. Burch, will • • probably commence the enlargement and re-timbering of the May Queen shaft'very ',', shortly, as the' necessary timber for thai ; , ' purpose has already been ordered, ''Pros- . ' pecting operations have ' been commenced , in the St. : Hippo section upon a reef twit s£ feet in : thickness, which runs parallel with : ..,;; the St.Hippo main lode, but situated about .',; 300 feeb in the hangingwall country of the'- > latter body.'' -..,.:••." ; ;.' In the ' Kuranui-Caledonian mine, the . • manager, Mr. M. Paul, has completed the ' ro-timbering of : the company's main shafb , , down to N0.'.2 level, and is how about bo ' replace the old Manilla winding ropes with two new steel ones, which have already been delivered : at the mine. The prospecting crosscut at No. 1 level still continues*to past u" through a hard class of country, so' that, no •.', payable quartz • has : yeb ; ; been ' intersected, jm Darby's leader and the croiia reef above No.' I level oontinUes^fco: yield a ; fair supply of | payable* ore, and : a; ! crushing has % yielded SI 230ozsfcom 60 loads. * :Activa i operation's are now in progress' in ;i the Alburnia mine, under the management of Mr. Robert James. In addition' to pros.-? v: pecting works in progress, a 'start has been made to oo'ntinuelthe sinking of ■ the com-: pany'B main shaft, with the object of openjog up ittlMowK-iQTflla;-besides which a '•.

""" 1 ' . " "" t•' -•.* . ; • •" considerable number of miners , #r» now; at !..■ work "driving - and stoping upon Dixon,* •X reof, from which body a considerable supply. y of crushing dirb ; is coming ,to hand.'/.The company's battery is engaged upon ltfl re- < daction. v.y \ • V. '■ ?< |®fAn' excellent class of crushing dirt has '■% be*!) won from the Victoria mine during the pasb month, a crushing of i 110 loads treated! a few days ago having yielded the • good return of 2340z 3dwt of ( melted gold, |§ valued at £055 12s 6d. : The prospects in the mine »contiuue of j' a : most: promising character, and the company's i manager, I Mr. J. A. Agnew, purposes commencing new prospecting works at No. 4 level very $ shortly, tho preliminary , operations in ' the i shape of getting the level ready having J ! already been initiated. v ■ - . : ' The Waiotahi Company also had another successful month's operations. This mine : has proved itself to be the steadiest goldproducfe of any mining property on the Thames goldfield for a period of about • r . 20 years, and, judging trom the present ' outlook, it is likely to maintain its reputaf tatlrn lor somo time to come. During the . month 190 tons of ore were crushed for a yield of 2440z of retorted gold. ; <• Of the other mines in operation, returns of gold have come to hand from the Cambria and May Queen Extended. The Cambria Company crushed 16 loads f0r.650z Bdwt, and the May Queen Extended Cora- - pany 30 loads for 13oz. The latter company's crushing was broken from a large feef varying in size from 10 to 15 feet in thickness, and as the oro treated was taken from its wholo width, the return is a most encouraging one, and proves that the reef would pay handsomely if it was only systematically opened up to allow the ore being treated in large quantities. The reef intersected iu the Adelaide mine, in its new low level crosscut, last month, has proved to be the one sought for, and it is now being opened up on both sides of the crosscut. So far, it has ranged in thickness from six to 12 inches. Bat colours of gold have been seen pretty freely in the ore broken, and there is no doubt but that it will prove to bo Of a payable character. In fact, the probabilities are that a groat improvement will be found in both the size and quality of the reef as it is opened up, for highly remunerative , yields of gold were obtained from it in tlie upper blocks.. In tho Albiiroia East mine the Vale of Avoca reel is to hand at the new low level, and nice colours of gold hate been seen in some of the quartz broken out. The new reef in the Orlando mine has been opened up for a length of about 170 feet, but as yet the ore obtained has boeu scarcely remunerative. The indications are such, however, as to lead to tho belief that an improvement will shortly he met with, A very fair class of crushing dirt is being broken in the Darwin mine, bub no crushing has taken p'aco during the month. _ The low level crosscut in the Magazine mine is still being continued, but as yet tho reef sought for is net to hand. A considerable amount of prospecting work is being proceedskl with in the Fame and Fortune mine, notwithstanding the fact that for some time past the operations carried on have proved unsuccessful in the discovery of payable ore. The owners of the property, however, are determined to spare no effort in thoroughly testing tho ( ground, and at the present time have, several drives in progress on different ore" bodies. And judging fiom tho prospocts obtainable in two or three instances something payable should shortly be dropped across. A good deal of useful prospecting work is also proceeding in many of tho other mines of this district, among them being the Moanataiari Extended and Moanataiari North (two properties of which chore is somo talk of amalgamating), the Nonpareil, City of London, Karaka Queen, Cumberland, Gloucester, Lincoln, Bellrock, New Whau-Clunc«,' Caspian and Occidental. Two special claims, known as the Mascotte and Limerick, situated in the Hape Greek district, have been taken over by the Thames Exploration Company, on behalf of the Austin Friars Syndicate, of London, and a low level is bsing driven through thorn, in order to test at considerable depth several large reefs that traverse the ground in question. Extensive exploration works are also in progress in two other, neighbouring special claims, known as the Anchor and Kedge, on behalf of an English syndicate, and so far the prospects met with have been of a most encouraging character. TARARU. ■ ' The Tararu Creek Gold Mining Company is still obtaining a good supply of payable ore from its Norfolk and City of Dunedin Flections, and I understand that a craning up is to take place at the company s battery some time during the present! week. , Good headway is being made with the extension of the company's low level in .the City of Dunedin sections, and with the.Sunbeam low level at the rear of the reduction plant. When a connection is effected between the two points mentioned, the company will be able to conduct its operations on a more systematic and cheaper plan than can now be done, but it will take some little time yet to accomplish that end. The City of Auckland Company continues to meet with good prospects in its development of the old Sylvia reef, and operations have also been commenced upon another large body of quartz known as the Raglan reef, higher up the hill, with a view to testing its value. Two levels are in progress in the Conservative mine, but as yet no payable ore has been discovered. Prospecting operations aro also proceeding in the Kaiser, Temple Bar, Argosy, and Scandinavian mine, but there is nothing particular to report in reference to them, with the exception that the last-mentioned property has been placed under offer to an English syndicate, and a Bum of £500 has been deposited on behalf of the option. PURU. Regarding this district, it may be stated ;that quite a number of newly-formed companies are now at work energetically prosecuting development operations in their various holdings, and on the whole the work is being attended with very encouraging results. The following are the names . of some of the most prominent companies so engagedPuru Consolidated, Waimea, Wonona, Digger's Dream, Queen of Puru, Bendigo, Waipuru, Grand Triple, Morion- : Puru, Ulysses, Big R«ef, and Boss. Of the abovomontioned companies the Puru; Con- . solidated Company employs the largest number of men, and is conducting some- % what, extensive works upon three or four large ore bodies, but the best,prospects are being, obtained from what is known as the Rimu reef, which is being thoroughly developed, and practical battery tests taken frem it prove the reef to be one of considerable importance. The whole district is now receiving a thorough prospecting at the hands of the various companies at work, but it must be borne in mind that the district is comparatively a new one so far as gold mining is concerned, ' and that the works now in progress are chiefly of an initiatory character, in order to test the value of the various lodes prior to the erection of crushing plants. - , / WAIOMO. ' ' ' There is very little that is of interest to report from this district this month, with the exception that Mr. A. S. Gabbs, the newly-appointed manager for the Monowai ./ Gold Mining Company's mine, arrived per : the last inward 'Frisco mail steamer, .and % on the following Monday he proceeded to the ' mine in company with Mr. Gordon French, when the latter handed over . the management of the same to him. Mr. Gabbs is now - making ; himself thoroughly acquainted with .the mine prior to, drawing ■; up a scheme of operations for developing ; the property. ' ,- • .. , TAPU. v," The, gold mining prospects in. this dis- ' trict continue of a most favourable; character, and a good deal of work is. now going , on in the various mines. f, Til J result of the recent brushing from , the. IJlieridau. mine was made known on the 2nd lost,, the net return being £380 0s M worth gold . from 87 tons of ore treated. - This was, made upas follows:—Retorted gold from,' specimens treated, 18oz 6dwt, value .£3 2* 7d per ounce, £57 5s 3d; from general'dirt," 108oz lldwt gold, value £3 Os 7d per ounce, £32215 a Id. The ore treated was obtained as follows:—From winze on the main reef, ; 50 tons, valued ab £517s 64 per ton, £294; from intermediate level on same re«f,lo tons, valued at) £3 lis 6d per ton, *3°, 15s; . from the Ophir reef, < 10 . tons, valued at £2 8s 6d per ton, £24 sa; and from the Juniper reef 17 tons, valued at £1, but be c " ton, £26. ''' This return . cannot hii considered satisfactory, aB it proves that the reefs operated upon are uabh of payable grade, as it is stated that with :ffloaern ftßpJuucea ib9flre<jattbeojiHd*ttd

■treated for 12s 6d per tori., Mr P. ;.Qoinlan has obtained the option of purchase of the property for a further period of iixweo*swlth a view to forming a strong local company to work the same.' In the meantime opera-, tion! : are being conducted upon the main reef, above - and below; the No. 3 level,'and the supply of quartz drawn from the same is being treatod. The low level is 1 also ' boing advanced with the object of cutting the same body :at a 'depth of 190 foot verticil below No.: 3 . level. if- In the Golden Point mine the No 1 reef is being dovolopod at both the 200 ft lerol and at an intermediate level recently , opened up 70 feet above the first-mentioned point. • At the intermediate level, and also in the rise above it, the reof averages; .about' 18 inches in 'thickness, and shown colours of gold pretty freely, but at tho 200-feeb level the reef is not looking quite so ; well. Very good prospects are being met with in" the Mahara-Royal mine. A reef, which averages about four feet in thickness, is being opened up in the Roy aV section ; this shows strong colours of gold, and there appears to bo every prospect of still further improvement taking place later on. The property is now being developed by an English syndicate, wuo purpose . erecting a tenstamp battery upon it shortly, the surveyor haying already prepared the lovoU for ib and the necessary water-race. A'good deal of work is also being carried on in the Golden Horn, Little Jessie, Comet, Club, Golden Band, Sheridan No. 2, and other mines in the district, whilst over in tho Mata Croek, on the opposite side of the spur, a little work is also proceeding. PURIRI, Mining matters in this district are rather quiet just now, but steady prospecting work is being carried on In the Puriri and Hit-or-Miss Gold Mining Companies' mines, and also in two or three other properties. TAIRUA. Tho Broken Hills Gold Mining Company hat completed the formation of the road leading from the Upper Landing on the Tairua River to the mining camp, and more vigourous operations are now in progress, in order to develop the company's property. Several crosscu are being driven to thoroughly test the various sections of the property, but nothing has been done for some timo past) on tho roof that the Hch assay results wore obtained from. .In the Albert Gold Mining Company's mine a new low lovol crosscut is boing opened up with the view of intersecting at greater depth the reef discovered some few weeks aifo, which yielded prospects eqnal to about ljoz per ton. Operations are also in progress in a large number of tho newlyacqured properties in the district, bub in most cases only a limited number of mon are employed at present, and the works are chiefly of a prospective character. The same remarks will also apply to the mines in the Ohui district. WHANG AM ATA. In this district, a large number of now companies are conducting prospecting operations, some of thorn with the aid of British capital. The Whangaraaia Proprietary Company has a largo staff of men engaged in opening up a reef, from which excellent assay results are obtainable, and tho Bewick-Moreing Syndicate is also carrying on extensive works in tho Golden Mount mine, over whioh it holds the option of purchase. The syndicate intends to give the reef a complete trial, before deciding upon a permanent scheme of operations, and, so far, very encouraging results have been met with. Among the other mines at work in this district, in which a considerable number of men are employed, are the Phoenix, Tutnahana, Golden Falls, Threo Star, Wairoa, lolanthe, Prince Charlie, Rothschild Extended, King of Whangamata, Whangamata Special, and St. Albans. In each of these mines very encouraging prospects are being met with. Tho Bank of New Zealand and National Bank special claims, comprising an area of 200 acres, were recently placed under offer to the Messrs. Seaver Brothers, with the result that the latter have decided to -take the option of purchase, the sale to bo completed by the end of December. Already a sum cf £400 has been paid on deposit}, the term' being that a working capital of £25,000 shall be provided, the shareholders to receive £3001) in cash and onefourth fully paid-up shares in the new company, .

COROMANDEL. J 1 Thursday, i' The excitement in the matter of pegging out new special claims his abated. A large amount of local capital Ins been locked up, but it is satisfactory to know that the work of prospecting much new ground is now going on and there has been no falling off in the monthly returns. Fromthogreabnmount of work going on and prospecting, fresh finds are almost sure to come to hand ere long. The Success battery has been at work during the month, Tho Hauraki Company's monthly return return of 20770z 19dwt of gold from the 320 tons of ore represents an avenigo of 6oz 16dwt 3gr to the ton, with a value of £6,233 17«. During the month new tables have been put in the battery. The Golden Pah Company have erected some of their preliminary buildings and have begun to strip and enlarge the old shaft. Machinery of a temporary nature will be at once erected, so as to drain the new shaft in the meantime from one of tho old adjacent shafts, probably the Union Bench. The permanent machinery is under order from England. The Albion Company are sinking, bat work is progressing under groat difficulties, pending thearrival of machinery. This company has lately been placed under Captain Hodge. Several now special claims have been taken up below the foreshore in the harbour. It is said that English capital has been invoked to work them. The Hauraki North have erected a new quartz reducing plant; a cylinder is used as crusher instead of the ordinary stampers. The Welcome Find have a - fine lot of general dirt paddocked. Tho Welcome Find, whilst continuing stoping and paddocking, are now engaged in sinking the shaft. For this purpose a Tangye pump and engine have been secured and will be ab work within a week. The New Go!conda and Wjnyardtonare plodding along, there being nothing special of note in regard to them. The Zealandia and Hauraki No. 2 may be similarly described. The Kathleen are driving on the 200 feet level, and at the same time the permanent machinery is being fixed into position. This should be ready in the course of another month. The Kathleen Crown are both sinking and driving, likewise Blagrove's. Preece's Point may now be said to be in full working order, and their fine machinery going well. Tho Kapanga are busy developing the mine at the lower levels; tho fact that a new class of gold-bearing country has been found is .very encouraging. Some very nice picked stone has from time to time been taken out, and the indications aro that a rich lodo may be mob with at any time. The mineral seams are unusually strong. Tho month's crushing has been 690z of gold. It is hoped that as the reef is opened out better -results will follow. The Southern. Star have had some very encouraging prospects from the lode on whioh they have been working, but they have had no jrushlng as yet. In the Hauraki Associate! Gold Reofs work is being pushed vigorously ahead by the English company, who now have ib in hand, Over twenty men aro now employed in the mine, in addition to which Mr. H. H. Ma teal f, C.E., ha? a gang at work erecting the 10-stamp battery which recently arrived from London. It is gratifying to know that, although tho low level, which has been started on the side of the Kennedy's Bay Road, some 500 or 600 feet from the summit, lias only got in 411 odd feet, they now haves reef in the face about three feet wide, the whole of the ore from which is being saved for crushing. Tho various workings in the upper levels are all looking very well, gold' being got in several places eaoh breaking down. There is a a .very large amount of ore in : paddock awaiting the erection of the new crushing machinery. The manager ha? considerably over'lOOlb of picked stone on ; hand. The prospects of the Golden : ; Tofsatea ; have decidedly improved, for during the J month I a v new leader, carrying some ; excellent ! stone, has been intersected, and a nice little parcil of picked stone is in hand. Scotty'a of Hauraki and the Tokatea Companies aro working on gold, but ar&aUo doitie ' a lot of dead; work. • The Conquest and Triumph have also : had '. encouraging prospects, although there is nothing special to report from tbem, except that the erection of the Triumph machinery; is ' nob yet : completed.'; Extensive works,willshortly be commenced at the Hauraki South' Gold Mining Compauy'g propertyan tensive plan of opera-" 1 lions hiring toeQ {>!Kpu«2L by Mr. A. P.

'Griffiths, milting engineer, ; instructed 'by' the Local Advisory Board. Specifications for sinking the shaft, erecting battery, etc., have been submitted to the London Directors, and how that ample 1 working capital is provided no - time - will -bo lost vby j the Board iii hurrying forward the ■ systematic development of , the property, .which immediately adjoins the famoUs Hauraki. TIKI. ■ The Progress Castle Rock , have, been doing good work during the month, gold being frequently seen in the stone. - There has been ,no crushing during the month, but a nice lot of stone liaq been paddocked. The Gem of Hauraki have 'opened 1 out a new ', reef, . but -it is not yet sufficiently developed to , report definitely ; upon. i The proposed machinery,at; the Pukowhau is not yet to hand. In the meantime step'uig is continued and a fins lot of stone is in the paddock. The Native Chief, and Coromah: del Freehold Proprietary have ; vera! nice reefs in view, but as is the i oase with so many mines in this,district increased capital to procure the necessary machinery is essential for their proper development and the treatment of known auriferous lode?. I MANAIA. *• This locality! Is'ln much stronger local favour than for some time'past. The Leading Wind are known to ,be getting out good stone, likewise. Golden Hill Extended and Golden Hill. ' The - prospects of the Princess May have also improved.' KENNEDY'S BAY. The Evening Star has been purchased by an English syndicate, and • some cash already forthcoming for the systematic development of the property. The West Derby have been working, oil a very nice gold-bearing leader, : and arrangements have been made for cutting the same at. another level. The A.J.O. is under new management. Tho Morning Star, Cadmau'a, and Rachel, also have good prospects in view. • .» CABBAGE BAY. The Criterion,' Bay View, Ladas, and Fortuna No. 2 seem to hold their own in popular favour.' Work is being carried on energetically in each mine with more or less encouraging results. The Austral Reefs have a well-defined ' lode' several feat in thickness, carrying gold all through. A fine lot of stone has been paddocked } tests and assays made point to tho lode being valuable. Tho mine is being worked in a thoroughly systematic manner; but no great developments oan be expected until machinery is ereoted. From these outside mines the cost of transit of oro is such as to prevent other than specimen? being taken away and treated, and yet possibly none of oUr most distant mines are more than ten to twelve miles from water carriage, so that to substantial companies or syndicates the cost of cartage of machinery of the class required for these mines would I not bo heavy.

KAURI GOLD ESTATES, LIMITED.

There has been steady development during the month on tho property of the Kauri Gold Estates Limited, At Opitonui, in Lanigan's and the Hilda minos, the levels havo boen thoroughly cleaned out, and driving proceeded with. In Lanigan's the reef formation is more broken and disturbed. The drive lias been extended 83 feet from the junction of the north-west reef, and although the formation is, at the inomont as stated, it is known that ahead it makes into a strong body of stone about eight feet; wide, in a first-class channel of country. At present the reef is between six and fovoit fecb wide, giving fair prospects. The shoot of gold being driven for is expectod to be got in a short distance, and, from tho size of the reef, there should be a largo tonnage of oro. The prospects are very hopeful. In the Hilda the drive has boon extonded to a point 93 feet from tho crosscut. The reef is about five feet wide, carrying a little gold, and is in a good country, also. Developments hero ore very satisfactory. The surveyors are at work in this Opitonui section making! working plans, otc., for tho better conduct of future operations. At Owera, in the No. 3 level, work has been prosecuted to crosscut the reof with a view to ascertain its size ; this has now been prove Itobe 12 feet. No. '2 level has been cleaned out and timbered to the face, where the roof is • about 15 feot wide. Driving in this will now be proceeded with as fast as possible, In the Ilazeldean section of tho mine good prospects of gold have been got, and there are surface indications which lead to tho hope that a payable shoot of gold will soon be in hand. Steps are being taken to let as muoh work as possible by contract. At Murphy's tho whole of the mine has been cleaned out and timbered, and driving operations have been begun in real earnest. The reof in this mine is from six to oight feat, and in some places larger. It is of a rabbly nature, and in a most kindly class of country. Crashiogs which were taken from it by the original owners returned satisfactory results, and assays of samplos made by the Estatos Company have determined them to open tho ground out thoroughly. Prospectors are out in every block, and though no finds of special importance have been reported, traces of gold and loose prospects, which are constantly being reported, are being followed up. Early next month Mr. Montgomery, who is to assume the position of mining engineer to the company, is expected. Under his guidance work will probably be even more energetically pushed on.

MONTHLY BULLION RETURNS. The yield of bullion for the several districts still show an increase on the prior fourweekly period, both in quantity and value. And this with the names ot several wellknown mines absent from the list, notably the Try Fluke, tho. Waihi-Silvertou, and the Talisman. The Moanataiari'ii return is small, owing wholly to the fact that tho only ore treated was that obtained in the course of developing the drive, It had been expected that tne Tararu Creek and Success returns would have been available •, such, however, has not proved to be the case. The Kapa -Vermont, however, has had two returns in since last summary. The following is the list to hand .— UPl'Klt THAMES.

; ■ WAIHI G. M. CO.;; , 2910 Tons Yield £13,143: Grand Total, ' ; ;> : ; £474,303. y For the past two 1 \ crushing , periods >.of ' the Waihi Gold Mining Company, prior to the present, ' it : has' been most pleasurable' to record the fact ' that at each four-weekly return the famous Waihi mine had beaten its own record; >. The October brushing was sogood that there seemed to be no limit to the capaoities fof the property. This ;is again bow out by the result of v tbelut cleanup,

which gives the third record consecutively broken. • During $ the four weeks v ending November! 14, 2940 tons were crushed ■ and treated for a / yield of i £13,143 ) worth of bullion'; being ,the largest four , weeks' return the Wailii Company has had. The ore shows an" average of £4 9* 5d per toil practically, being but 25s on the. whole ; £13,143 short of that, so slight a* sum being scarcely worth considering.: As has been stated, last month's return, "up to then, was " a:' record. This month, although 120 tons less were treated, the yield is £692 more. ; The present return makes 19.590 for the year, grand total won from the mine since 1893 being no less a. sum than £474,303. The following '.table shows the yield for the years named :— ' Bullion won— • _■ Tom. ; £ In 1890..' .. .. i. - .. > 20,930 ■111 1891.." .. .. ..Hi - " 543,934 In 1892 .. ■.. .. .. . 13,230 ... /' 44,888 111 1893 .... . .. .1»,805 ~ 4.U1,f1U0 In 1894 .. 24,8(14 .. 5i,827 In 1805 .. .. ;l " .. ■.. 33,070 "Toils tailings ' .. *,085 J" lw ' m Period ending— - ' , tv ,. February 8,1806 ~ - .. 8,080 1 . 10 L. Ton* tailing* .. i,240/-' ' 13,K5 March 7, 1890 .. .. 1,950 ,„,i Tons' Mailings ~ .' 282/. 7 ' 7 " April 4,1805.. ~ .. 2,220 .. 9,352 May 2,1890 V. .. .. 2,830 .. 11,848 May 31,1838 .. .. 2,760 - 9,831 June 27,1H(W .. .. 2,910 11,221 July 25,189' .. .. 2,970 ~ 9,821 August 22, 1890 .. .. 2,000 .. . 8,800 September 19, 1898 .. 2,820 '.. 12,048 October 17,1590 -.. .. 3,060 '.. 12,451 November 14, 1806 .. 2,940 .. 13,143 \ . 131,032 £474,303 Welcome Find.—lnformation has been received that 1320zs retorted gold has been banked by the. Welcome Find Gold Mining Company. This was from 1321b picked stone, treated at the Moanataiari battery. Victoria.—The 2370z Cdwt of retorted gold banked by the manager, tho result of a crushing of 110 loads of quartz, was reduced on molting to 2340z 3dwt, and this realised, on being sold to tho .] Bank of Now Zealand (at the rate of 56s 6(1 per ounce) a total sum of £655 12* 6d. Waitekaoki: £5670 for 1694 tons.— During tho past four weeks 1674 tons of ,ore were treated for a value of £5670 from 5166 oz . bullion. . Last . month 1247 tons yielded £4266, and during the prior four-woekly period 459 tons yielded £1734, the total for the eight weeks being 1706 tons for £6000. The new plant is thus working well. Hadraki: £6233 17s from 320 tons Avkraoe 6oz 16dwt 3or,—The Hauraki Gold : Mining Company crushed and treated 320 tons of ore for 20770z 19dwts gold, which, at tho usual rate of £3 perouuee gives a value of £6233 17s, the average being the high one of a Blight fraction under 6ozs 16dwt 3irr per ton. Last month 300 tons yielded £6257 2s, the average then being 6oz 19ilivt lgr. During the prior four weekly period 412 tons yielded 20390z 14dwts; the month previous 370 tons yielded 21650z 12dwt; the two months prior t» that being respectively, 20940z 3dwts from 350 tons, and 20390z 16dwt from a like tonnage. Kapai-Vkbmont : 2640z from 200 tons.— The result of the clean-up at the KapaiVermont Gold Mining Company's mine for tho past month came to hand on Oct. 30, the result being that 200 tons yielded 2d4oz, Last month 193 tons yielded 210oz, the value being about £2 8s per oz. A cablegram was re- ' coived by Mr. D. G. MaoDouncil,stating that > tho Kapai-Vormont now company had been , registered in London. | Shbridan : £380 'from 87 tons. — Tho result of the crushing undertaken at ' the Sheridan Gold Mining Company's pro- , perky gave a net return, as received from the Bank of _ New Zealand, of £380 03 4d, representing 87 tons treated. 1 The general dirt was treated at the Sheridan Company's old and dilapidated 10 stamp battery. Assays made of tailings » and slimes by Mr. J. Kitchener Wilson gave the following returns per ton Tailings, 9ilwt 3gr gold, silver 2dwt logr, valuo £1 16s 9d; from bordans, gold 13dwt lgr, silver 1 3dwt 22gr, value£2 l'2«Cd; from slimes, Odwt . 12ur, silver 6dwt 12gr, valued at £1 (J< 7d. ' Nkw Zealand Crown Mines.—lloo tons of ore wore treated at the Now Zealand Crown 1 Mines, for a yield of 16020z bullion, valued > at £2861.

Waiotahi : 190 tons for 2440z Gold, —After crushing 190 tons of ore won from all parts of the mino, with the result that the manager bankod tho excellent return of 2440z of retorted gold, the total value of which is £669 14s 6d. This is a deoroase on the previous month's return, when 3420z 15dwt of gold were obtained from 191 tons of ore treated, but this is due to tho fact that nob so much picked stone was secured during tho past month as was tho case during tho previous period, consequently there was a falling off in the richness of the poneral ore treatod. May Qoerx.— liighty-eight loads of ore from the May Queen Gold Mining Company's mine yielded 1290n 6divt bullion, of the value of £346 8s 9il.

Kuranui-Calkdonian.—The return for the Kuramii-Calcdnnmn (Hiizelbank) mine is of a most satisfactory nature, 60 loads yielding 'iiOoz melted gold. Moan »taiaki. — Development work is being pushed ahead at the Moanataiari Gold Mining Company's mine, At the end of December the old battery will bo dismantled and tho erection of tho new one proceeded with. No stopiug on any of the lodes is being done, all boing engaged in preparing for the new year's operations. The quartz obtaiucd iu the work now in progress, however, has been treated for 330z 10 dwt bullion valued at £171 3s Bd.

Gkbat Barrikr Goi/o and Silver Mining Com cany. — The return from one ton of ore from the Great Barrier Gold and Silver Mining Company's property has linen received from the School of Mines, Thames. The ore was subjected to a cliloridizing roast with the result that G9oz 10'lwt melted bullion was saved at a value ol £12 15s 9il per ton. This quartz was sent to the School of Mines as a check on the lot treated in Auckland some little time ago, and it is gratifying to know time they effected a saving of 90'4 per cent, of the gold, and 81 1 per cent, of the silver, and 85*2 per cent, of th« value of the ore.

Gold Purohasf.').—During the month of October last, the local branch of the Bank of New South Wales, purchased gold won from the under-mentioned districts as follows Thames Borough, 770z 4dwts ; Thames County, 360z 6dwts 12,'im ; Coroinandol County, 1646z lodwts: Total, 2780z odwti 12grs. Gold Export Retdrns.— During tho quarter onded September 30 last 76,079 ounces of gold, of She total value of £302,974, were entered for duty for export from the colony. This is a considerable increase, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. 1

Messrs. A. and G. Price, the well-known Thames firm of ironfoundors, are feeling tho effect of the increased vigour in the mining industry, and notwithstanding the fact that their present premises are of a most extensive character they find it imperative to onlarge the same. In ordor to accomplish this end they purpose extending their boiler establishment right through from the Beach Road to Owon-street, and to carry this out they have removed the dwelling-houses that formerly utood at the corner of Abraham and Owen streets. A large building is also boing ereoted in connection with the business at the back of Hawkos' Livory Stables, and facing Burkestreot. The firm is at presont employing a very large number of men, which in itself is of very great benofit to this community.

Pheasants are becoming fairly plontiful between Masterton and Mangamahoe. A nest with twelve eggs in it was found on Monday n«ar the roadside at tho latter place.

_ Who can say , the Maoris are nob getting civilised? Mr. Joliansen bus just completed to the order of the Waihireto natives, a nice streot lamp, to bo ereoted in front of the meeting-place at their settlement.

A Maori "prophet" from tho Bay of Islands is doing good business at Masterton just now by casting out the evil spirits by which some of his dusky brethren are aillictod. Where the evil spirits get to after boing cast out is nob related. ■ Tho statement iis ' made that . several of tho " knowing ones" at the Taratahi races took advantago of there being no telegraph communication between the course and the Empire City, and sent the results of five races _ by the aid of carrier pigeons, thus enabling their friends there to do big business with . the " bookies.".'/

ft The monthly meeting of the Birkenhead and Northoote, Fruitgrowers' Association was held in . the Zion. Hill schoolroom on November 23. Mr. W. : Thompson, vicepresident, occupied 1 the chair. y, There was a good attendance. : Seven' new: member# were elected;,-Mr,.W; Barker was elected secretary, vice : Mr. W. Wilson (resigned). The delegates .to the late conference in the Waikato read their report, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded them, v A vote of thanks was also given to Mr. A. , Taylor for. having aoted ;as ; secretary. pro, tem.— [Own Correspondent,] , .. There are ' at' present 1609 ; unmarried people over 65 years of age in the colony, l'hore are 7343 married < persons, including 4785 males and 2558 females, < ~

Bullion. Value, ozt, (hvts. £ o. il. Waihl O.M. Co., 2910 tons .. ' .. • .. 10,409 0 • .. 13,143 0 0 Waltek.'iuri O.M. Co., 1374 tuns .. .. 15,180 0, .. 0,070 0 0 New Zealiml Crown Mines, 1109 tons .. 1,002'0 .. 2,804 0 0 Total .. ., 17,177 0 . £21,077 0 0 LOWER T{IAMH3. Bullion. . Value. . ozh. dwts. . £ s. d. Cambria G.M. Co., 10 loads .. .. .. f.5 8 .. 152 7 0 May Queen G.M. Co., 88 loads 129 8 ... 340 8 9 May Queen Extended G.M. Co., 30 loads' .. 13 8 .. 37 14 0 Sheridau G.M. Co., 87 tons 124 IT .. 380 0 4 Victoria G.M. Co., 110, loads .. .. .. 234 3 .. 055 12 0 W&iotahl G.M. Co,, 190 ' tons . ... ■ .. ' 244 18 .. 609 14 6 Moanatalari G.M., Co. 03 10 .. 171 3 8 Kuranui-Caledonian G. M. Co., 60 loads .. 280 0 .. 032 10 0 Total .. ... ,. 1,094 17 ,. 3,045 10 9 • COROMANDHI,. • Bullion. Value. m dfftS. £ 8. d, Ilaurakl O.M. Co., 320 tons .. .. 2,07? 10 .. 0,233 17 0 Kapanga G.M. Co. ■ .. 69 0 .. , 207 0 0 Welcome Kind O.M. Co., ,, ,, 1321b .. .. " 132 0 .. 396 0 0 Total .. ' ;. 2,278 19 0,830 17 0 : KUAOTUNU.' • 1 ' Bullion.' * ■ Value, oxs, Uwts. £ s, d. Kapat .Vermont G.M, . Co., 200 tons .. ., '264 ,0 _ 923 12 0 Kripal • Vermont O.M. ! - Co.. 240 ton* .. ' .'." 286 0 .. '(134 0 0 Great Mercury ... , — .. 811 0 0 Total .. . .. I .I ; MO 0 ' .. ' 1,61812 0 GR»AT'BAaiUKB. 1 ,;J 'jj. . ■ ' n 'C-•; Bullion. . '', Value; *•'. V.\ ou. dwts. ; . £ 8. d. Groat Barrier Co,, 1 ton ;' 09 6 .. 12 15 9> >■ ■ Grand total ',. 21,109 . 2 .'.'. 83,190 15 0 Previous month' 21,052 14 .. 32,279 18 9 Increase ... ... >. 110; 8\V;%: 910 16 9