OUR GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10417, 15 April 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

THE MONTH'S DEVELOPMENTS. The development of the mineral resources of the Hauraki Goldfields Districts haa been carried on with great vigour throughout! the whole of the past month. As a result great advancement has been made with the preliminary works in progress in connection with many of the English-owned properties, such as the erection of new reduction works, winding and pumping machinery, etc. In many other cases the opening-up works proceeding in many of the mines have been attended with very satisfactory results, and in many instances new reefs have been discovered from which excellent proepectß are obtainable. The full benefit of all these, however, will not be realised for some time to come, as a considerable period is still required to complete the works.

Ono of the most important! developments of the past month's operations has been the successful finding at No. 2 level in the Waihi Gold Mining Company's mine of the eastern continuation of the famous Martha lode past the point where it is supposed to givo out in the upper levels. This, however, is dealt with elsewhere. The discovery, certainly, is one of the utmost importance to the future welfare of >the Waihi district, for it not only considerably enhances the value of the Waihi Gold Mining Company's property, bub it is also of great significance to adjoining mining properties situated on the same level of reef.

Considerable attention is being paid to tho mining prospects at the Great Barrier Island. A leading export recently visited the island at the instance of ono of the best known Anglo-New Zealand financiers, and reported most favourably upon it; in fact, some of the smaller seams in properties visited were found to be very rich. The owners of a large freehold were paid £3000 cssh for the same, besides retaining a considerable share interest in a mining company which is to be formed for developing the property. Good stone from the Aotea and lona mines have also been brought to Auck. land recently, while for the latter property several offers havo been received. A trial parcel of one ton of ore from the Great Barrier Company's proporty, treated at the School of Mines gave 2oz lOdwt gold and 530z 13dwt siNer value £12 10a. Another parcel was forwardod to Dunedin a shorb time ago, and its treatment resulted in a return equal to £19 per ton. Dr. Helms, of Sydney, is at present engaged experimenting upon quartz for the same proporty.

The past month has been very slack in the mutter of company formation, very little having been done in that) respect owing to the great; dullness existing in the local market. Tidings are to hand, however, from London that a strong English company has been formed for tho purpose of taking over tho Scandinavian Gold Mining Company's property in tho Upper Tararu District, and it is understood that a substantial money deposit has been lodged on behalf of the same. Considerable advance has also been made in connection with the disposal of other mining properties that have been under oiler to English syndicates for some time past, but these are not yet definitely settled, The AfricanAustral Syndicate have abandoned all their options upon New Zealand mining properties, with tho exception of their interest in tho Brokoii Hills Hold Mining Company's properly at Tairua. Messrs. Bewick, Moroing and Co,, have thrown up their options upon the Komatus Chief, Proprietary, King, and Royal mining properties in the Komata District of the Upper Thames Goldfields. On the property of the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates (Limited) excellent progress is reported. The company are taking steps not only to develops their valuable property, but to locate a large body of men thereon, a most convincing evidonco of permanency. A now gold discovory, which may possibly turn out to be a valuable one, and one which will no doubt open up a new field for prospector?, has been made near the head of the ililii Creek, which is one of the branches of the Kauaeranga River. The bullion returns to hand from the several districts during the past month are quite up to the usual average, but particulars regarding these, and also of the works in progress will bo found in our correspondents' reports, which aro attached horeunder :— OHINEMURI. Outside new developments • chronicled elsewhere, there is nothing fresh to record beyond ordinary operations. The market has been somewhat) dull lately, and as a conscquonco very little has been done with regard to the transference of properties. In the case of the Grafton-United (Waitekauri) the option holders forfeited the sum of £2000 deposit money. Information to hand shows the position to be that the African-Austral Syndicate have decided to withdraw altogether for tho present from raining speculation in New Zealand. There has been no disappointment) on development of the Grafton property, but on tho contrary the engineer and representative of tho option holders, on whose recommendation it was taken up, are more than ever convinced that the property will prove exceedingly valuable. KARANGAHAKE. The New Zealand Talisman property is now looking bettor than ever before, since placed in the hands of an English Company. There .ire six adits, and crossciitting the lodes in proceeding at different levels. The depths between Nos. 3 and 4 levels is 80 feet; between Nos. 4 and 5, 100 feet; and between 5 and 6, 100 feet. In these workings the reef varies from about one foot to eight feet, and the assays for each, generally speaking, have proved payable, that is to say from 103 to £7, and, in the case of a rich shoot in No. 4 level, as high as £50. The assays on the average went at least £3 103 per ton. The only real test of the ore up to the present time, however, has been a crushing of 285 tons, which before treatment went £5 17s 6d per toil, the actual extraction being £5 7s 6d per ton. This was with the old ten-stamp mill, before that was shut down for reconstruction works. Last week there was an interesting development in the No. 4 level. What appears to be a new shoot of ore was found; this contains a good deal of visible gold, and is altogether of far higher grade than the average hitherto met with in the mine. It is thought probable it will run considerably over £3 per ounce, as against 19s per ounce, which is about what the bullion has averaged up to now. Of course over loz of gold per ton has beeu obtained all along, but there is a distinct improvement in the value of the bullion itself. At the present time the 'shoot mentioned is from one foot to 18 inches, and is independent ot the main reef in course of exploration. Constantly these subsidiary bodies are being met with alongside the reef. The new battery it is anticipated, will not be started for another couple of months owing to the delay in getting timber; when once started it is expected an average of nearly £5 per ton will be approached. All the ore hoppers in the hill aud the kiln formerly used for drying the ore are filled (about 500 cons being m readiness hero), while the paddocks at the mouths of the adits are assuming a large size, go there will be no scarcity of ore. When the mill is working there will be 20 stamps, of which 10 will be 8501b each and 10 10001b each. The mortars to be used for the latter .will hare doable discharges, which will bring the output up to 30 tons a day. _ A parcel of ore has been sent, home for decision as to treatment;.* , . Thiaoume from the No, 4 level, but it has been found that at the No. 6•. level fi the , : quartz i'•«;'■; purer .than in the upper levels, containing far less clayey matter. tit is therefore likely that the Talis- ■ ;■'.:■:■'j * "'.',■'".- "v'-i''• 1 ,:.. , -v.T'..i ■..'

man will be able to adopt wet crashing at no distant date, certainly when the Nos. 7 and 8 levels are in. Additional to the work referred to above, a Krupp mill is on the spot, but not erected; this will fan put up when circumstances justify it. A 4-inch diameter pipe line has beeu put in from the Talisman" dam, and also two Victor turbines, capable of developing 120 horse-power effective. There will be also an electric light iustallatiou. A revolving air dryer is being substituted for the kilns; this is now ready for running, and will mean considerable economy, and probably a better extraction. The prospects of the Woodstock Gold Mining Company continue to be encouraging: and the works in hand are of a remunerative character. This is especially the case at No. 4 level where tho rich shoot of ore operated upon at No. 3 level has been intersected and is now in course of development. Consequently a high grade character of ore is being won, and as the reef is about four feet wide the present run will doubtless prove of great value to the company. The intermediate level, Noa. 4 and 5 levels are also exploiting the Maria lode, while '.be No. 5 level crosscut) is being pushed ahead westerly in order to iuterseot the Woodstock lode. Operations are now also being conducted in tho Ivunhoe section of the property, and the gorge tramline having intersected tho Maria reef, a cominencinent has been made to open up and prove it. Tho exploitation of this section of the mine will doubtless bo carried on in a most active manner, especially in view of the fact that such a lot of now ground will be opened up; on this northern side of the Waitawheta there will be something like 400 feet of backs available in addition to a great stretch on the line of reef. The battery is working in a most satisfactory manner, but it has not yet boon decided as to tho exact time of cleaning up. Tho New Zealand Crown mines continues to develope well, and the various works on the reef are producing paynblo ore. The month's yield was £3185 from 1150 tone. A commencement has just been made to open up tho No. 3 level, which is located abouo ten fathoms above the No. 4 level, and at) a point south of tho big fault. Where operations have been commenced, the reef is from three to four feet wide, and gives a value of from £3 to £3 10a per ton. The rise further north is also underway, and it) is hoped that) iu a fow months time Coward's workings will bo intersected. For tho histi three months five-head of stamps have been runniiiir, with Mr. Daw's improvement on the wet process, and with great success, It is claimed that double the work can be done, which of course means great economy in establishment charges. Large quantities of new machinery continue to arrive, and at the battery a staff of mon is busily engaged erecting steel tanks for the wet crushing process, and when three of these aro completed, ten head of stamps will commence crushing under the new system, which will bo fctondod to the whole mill. The construction of the large flumes for the conveyance of water to tlio largo Peltou wheol to be used in connection with the new development) works in hand at No. 6 tunnel, lias been commenced, and ovor 300 feet of the fluming has been partly completed. The Kauri Timber Company has delivered about 80,000 feet of timber for this work out of a total iiuantity of about 280,000 feot. The excavations of the chamber for tho pumping plant, are completed, while Che excavations for the compressor and winding ongino are very nearly so. Hi will therefore be seou that Mr. Daw, the Company's superintendent, is not letting the grass grow under his feet. OWHAROA. The OwharoH district) has not been f.he scene of any new discoveries, though the Ohinemuri Syndicate r.ro advancing tho Elliot tunnel as usual. The boiler for the pumping plane has been fixed in position and bricked in. . At Wuikiuo the Waihi Gold Mining Company are employing a very largo staff of men at tho erection of the now 100-head stamp mill; full particulars concerning this company's operations will ba found in another column. WAITEKAUKI. Tho industry at, Waitokauri is still in an active state, and exploration works are being conducted with vigour on all tho proportion The Waitokauri Gold Mining Company's operations are being carried on as usual, and the various works on the lode are contributing a good supply of crushing dirt. The extraction by the cyanide, however, has nob boen up to the usual standard, and as i consequence the past month's return has suffered, the bullion yield boing much lower. For the four weeks ending March 27th, 1916 tons of ore were put through the mill for bullion valued at £3845. Attention is now being directed towards securing a higher extraction ; the cause of the lowor percentage has been ascertained, and stop? taken to remedy it. The Waitokauri Cross Gold Mining Company aro active in developing the various parts of their property. Steps are now being taken to ventilate the drive on the Taranaki reef, and as soon as a good air pervades tho working a winze is to be sunk on the lode to prospect ib to a greater depth. The sinking of the shaft has been retarded somewhat owing to the quantity of water to bo contended against, bub a whip is being fixed in position, and it is hoped that sinking will bo resumed by the end of the week. A good staff of men are also being employed on the water-race. At the Waitekauri Extended Gold Mining Company's mine the development) of the large lode is being continued as usual, whilst the erection of the battery is now well under weigh, and excellent progress is being made by the contractor. At the Waitokauri Union Company's works two crosscuts are being pushed ahead, one being driven on the eastern side of the western section, anil the other on (ho E.M.C. portion. The low level in also being vigorously dealt with, and about 80 or 90 chains of road above the Grace Darling have been completed, so that the now rock-drilling plan*, on its way from San Francisco, may be conveyed to the site without any difficulty. Matters in connection with the mine are very active, and quito a largo number of men are employed cutting timber ready for the mine, and building purpose?. At tho Alpha the crosscut is still being carried ahead to intersect; the large lode unearthed at the surface, and the desired ore body should soon be to hand. It is hoped that tho necessary capital will soon bo available to thoroughly develop this property, which, by many competent authorities is held to bo one of the beat &i Waitckauri.

The New Zealand Jubilee and Waitokauri United companies mines are also busy exploiting the lodes traversing their respective properties; in both case? crosscuts are likewise in progress for the purpose of proving the country and unearthing bodies of stone. At the latter named properby, and in the low level to crosscut the Point reef a splendid class of sandstone country is being traversed, and the reef is expected ab no great distance. The manager reports thab there has beon a good deal of cold gob on the surface from leaders striking into what is known as the old "United blow." In another 100 feet of driving he expects to be underneabh where the gold was gob in the early days of the field. KOMATA. The Komati district is nob affording work to so many men as ib did a ehocf time ago, owing to the suspension of operations on the part of a numbor of No-Liability Companies. Still, however, a large amount of good practical work is being carried on, and preparations are being mnde to develop, on a very largo scale, the Te O'Marama property, which wae recently part of the Waitokauri Gold Mining Company's ground. The development of Argall's and Laving* ton's lodes at the Komata Queen's property haa been proeecuted during the paab month, bub both pre bodies seemed to be subjecb to a disturbing influence, and as no improvement asserted itself the manager has now commenced driving for the reef system furbher down the hill, or ab a point about 400 feet south of the workings. The country here h much firmer and moro favourable for deposits of the precious metal. Operation) upon the Komata Reefs Qold Mining Company's property are at present of a limited nature, and the main attention ia being directed to (he extension of the low level; also rising on the footwall of Argall's lode, and driving on Hartridge's leader. It ia from the latter that tbo richest on ii

being obtained, and the only change noticeable in the lode since my last visit is that it is a little larger, the present face c""?' ing about 12 inches of stone instead 3f 6 inches, as was the case last month Tne quartz still maintains its rich quality and a very nice tail of gold was secured from the sample of stone brokon out during my visit last week. This leader has now been proved for a distance of about 63 feet, and there is no doubt that its consistency as a good bullion-producer has beeu well maintained, ana should ib continue its present character until ib junctions with Lavingtons lode, some distance ahead, highly remunerative results should follow. Good ore has also been broken out from the No. 2 rise for a height of 64 feet. Another 30 feet should see this working connected with an intermediate crosscut in progress. A contract has just been let for driving a further distance of 100 feet in the lower level, the contract price being £110s per foot. Ac the battery the work of construction is proceeding satisfactorily. It is expected that the battery will be completed in four months' time. The Komata Triumph is situated to the westward of the Komata Reefs, and embraces the Triumph Extended. Ab presenb the mine is under option to Messrs. Bewick, Moreing, and Co., and it is undor that firm's auspices that the works now in hand are being conducted. Already a large amount of work has been done, and several promising-looking lodes discovered, whilst attention is now confined to the development of two lodes, one in tho Triumph ground and one in the Extended, the latter being a short distance from the Komata Reefs works. With regard to the former, the ore body has been opened up north and south for about; 190 feot, the reef being, apparently, of large size ab all events, where cut through, ib presented about 11 feet of quartz, but since driving was commenced on its course, its exact size has nob been ascertained, the drive being simply carried along on the footwall side. Going north, the lode looks much better than it does in tho southern face, whore ib now seems to be much disturbed and broken, and consequently nob of much value. In the northern ond, however, the quartz boars a promiaing-looking appearance, and should 1 a shoot of good ore be met with, a valuable and extensive block of ground should be opened up, especially as going north the backs gradually increase to a great height. In connection with operations in tho Extended section, the lode in the face is about three feet wide, bub so far the stone does nob seem to bear much value. WAIHI. The Waihi district; continues to contribute the largest share of bullion, and during the past month something like £11,594 worth of the precious metal has been saved from the Waihi and Silverton mines. The Waihi Gold Mining Company during tho ionr weeks past treated 3150 tons for 858Soz bniliou, valued at £10,033. A special report on this company's property appears elsewhere. The Waihi-Silverton Company has, it is stated, been successful in intersecting the Silverton and No. 3 lodes. I understand preparations are being made to continue sinking a further distance of 100 feet. This company treated 760 tons for 7620z, valued at£is6l. Tho English owners of the Waihi-Glad-stouo are now developing their property under the management of Mr. J. Langford. At pro-font a small prospecting shaft ha 3 been sunk to a depth of about 120 feet, ab which point a commencement has been made to drivo east r.nd west for the purpose of thoroughly prospecting the country within tho company's area. An adit drive is also being carried through the hill eastward _ ol the Waihi-Silvertoii Company's tramline, with a view to intersecting a large reef, the outcrop of which has been discovered on the hill. The future prospect* of this company are considered by many competont authorities to be of an encouraging nature, inasmuch as it is contended the prospecting works now •in hand will pick up the Amaranth and Silverton roef system. At the Grand Junction Gold Mining Company's mine, operations have again been commenced on the courso of the Martha lode, the nature of tho work being a crosscut with a view to ascertaining if the reef has gob branched. It the quart? is not found on either side, driving will be resumed on the course of the lode, though ab presenb there is no encouragement in the shape of stone showing in the face. The south crosscut that; was being driven to intersect the Welcome has passed through from the sandstone to a pumice formation, so that ib would appear as if the Grand Junction is nob to be favoured with the desired lode in bins portion of the mine. Ad all events, this is so as regards this upper working, and this perhaps is due to the fact that the level is too shallow, and has nub yet reached the valley level. In consequence of the disappointment received in this direction, the manager now intends coming back to a point about 650 feet) from the shaft, and to open out upon some irregular stringers of quartz which had been passed through during the progress of the level. This work will then determine whether or not the formation intersected is a disturbed body of stone. In connection with the works in the Grand Junction section, the south crosscut has been stopped for tho present, whilst the advancement of the northern face is being pushed ahead with vigour. The new development in the Waihi Gold Mining Company's property should givenewcourage to the shareholders of tho Grand Junction, inasmuch as that it has now boen proved the famous Martha lode li» in a most healthy state beyond the point north-eastward, where ib was thought; it died out. At the No. 2 level it is as masterly as over, so that the Grand Junction should reach its downward continuation in about another 300 feeb of driving. At the Waihi Consolidated Company'* works the erection of machinery is being continued under the superintendence of Mr. Milner, an engineer from Homo. The Waihi Union are also conducting operations on a large scale, the works being under the able management of Mr. Woarne. The Amaranth reef at No. 1 level is being opened up, and ib would seem as if the ore body is increasing in value. The lode is also being crosscutbed from tho bottom of No. 2 winze, which is down about 50 feet billow the No. 1 level. Other underground explorations are in progress, whilst at the surface good headway has been made with the erection of the new pumping plant. This work is now completed with the exception of the sweep, and the pump rods down the shaft being fixed in position. When this has been accomplished pumping with the permanent machinery will be commenced. TE AROHA AND WAIORONUOMAI. Mr. Gordon French arrived ab Te Aroha last week to make an inspection of the Inland Reefs.property, on behalf of Messrs. Porter and Hampson, of Auckland, who intend reporting on. Ib in London. This property is a combination of five claims, all adjacent to each other, viz.. Hot Springs, Hot Springs No. 1, Hot Springe No. 2, Wellington, and Golden Crown. Work has been carried on intermittently for some time, but no great development has been done. That there ore some good reefs on the property is evidenced by the fact that ounce stone was gob from the old Morning Star workings. Ib is understood thai) Mr. French (who is on his way to London) will recommend the property there as being worth an outlay of money for prospecting and systematic development work. At the Aroha Gold Mines, Limited, the large Pelton wheel and other portions of the now plant have been delivered, and a big staff oi men is busily engaged excavating for the large compressors which will bo worked by the Pelton wheel under an effective head of 630 feet fall. The large tunnel is now in over 300 feet and very, satisfactory progress is being made. The management is also pushing forward with all speed the water-race formation level to the Army Creek, and ib is expected that this section of work will be completed by the end of the present month. THAMES. :•',., Wednesday, Good progress lies been made with all development works in connection with the various mining properties of this district), baa do important duftgveries hav» taken

place, the results obtained being of the usual character. The general outlook, however, is a good one, and it is an assured fact that when the works now in hand, with the view ot more thoroughly opening up aud developing the most important; of our mining properties, are completed, there will be a greatly increased outpitt of ore, and a corresponding increase in bullion return;. Until then the yield from this district will be somewhat meagre. Considerable interest) is still being taken in our resources by prospectors and others. During the month applications have been lodged at the local Warden's office for 16 special claims, four licensed holdings, 10 water-races, three machine sites, and one prospecting license, and on behalf of these applications the sum of £632 23 10d was deposited. This intimates that a lot of prospecting work is being carried on. Whilst that is proceeding there is always a probability of fresh discoveries being made.

The fine weather has enabled the Thames-Hauraki Company to make good headway in connection with all the excavation, concrete foundations, and other works upon the Queen of Beauty shaft site. Throughout tho works are well advanced, and should the dry weather continue for a month or two longer everything will be ready for the erection of the new machinery. The concrete foundations far the boilers has been completed and also the concrete foundations for the winding and capitan engines, while the building over the latter is now in [a most forward stage. The erection of the new poppet legs over the shaft has also been finished. At the present time bricklayers are at work building a large chimney stack and flues, and also preparing the brickwork for the reception of the flues, whilst a concrete foundation, ISfb deep, is being placed round the collar of the shaft in order to make ib firm for the strain it will have to, bear when the new pumping machinery is in operation. The new draw lifts have been placed in position in the Deep Sinker shaft and pumping operations resumed on the Ist inet. The shaft) was clear of water by the sth, and on the latter date sinking was resumed. Everything is now proceeding very satisfactorily in that section. In the Deep Levels Consolidated section the rise from the back of tho prospecting crosscut, in order to connect with the surface for ventilation purposes, has been completed, and the driving of the crosscut commenced. Development works in the Moanataiari Gold Mining Company's mine have been steadily continued, and the prospects met with have been, upon tho whole, of a very satisfactory character. The water difficulty at No. 3 level from the Just-in-Time shaft has at last been overcome by the direction of its flow through old workings to the Caledonian ehafb; this has consequently done away with the necessity of baling. A large chamber has since been cut out at this level adjoining the shaft, and a start made to develop the new leader recently discovered, from which picked stone was obtained when first intersected. A new crosscut is also to be driven for the purpose of intersecting No. 2 reef at the same level. At the surface main tunnel level good prggresa is reported as to its extension, whilst the same remark applies to the development works upon the Reuben Parr and other reefs in tho upper sections of the company's property. The contractor for the erection of the new reduction plant has got all the preliminary works well in hand in connection with the concrete foundations and the additions to the present building, and is confident of having everything completed well within contract time. In the May Queen Gold Mining Company's mine the principal works at present; are the enlargement of the old Queen of the May shaft, and driving upon the two reefs recently intersected in the new southern crosscut at No. 6 level of the Saxon section. The first-mentioned work is proceeding vory satisfactorily, a depth of over 200 feet having now been attained with the enlargement. With respect to the development) of the two reefs at No. 6 level, a length of 68 feet is opened up on No. 1, and 62 feet' on No. 2. Both bodies are about ono foot in thickness, and show a little gold, whilst the country encasing them is of a very favourable character. A trial crushing of 8 or 9 loads from the firstmentioned body is at present undergoing treatment at the company's battery in order to ascertain its value, and a trial parcel from No. 2 will also be treated shortly for the same purpose. Sloping upon Clai'ken'a leader above No. 4 level is still being continued, and a crashing of about 50 loads is now under course of treatment from ib. The prospecting work in progress in the St. Hippo section has nob yob revealed anything of importance. Very encouraging prospects are being met with in the Kurunui-Caledonian Gold Mining Company's mine as regards development of Darby's leader and the cross reef above No. 1 level. From these bodies a sufficient quantity of remunerative grade ore has been won during the month to keep the company's 20-stamp battery employed one shift per diem of eight hours. A start has been made to clean up No. 4 level, with the view of commencing new prospecting works at that point, and ib is also probable that prospecting operation* will shortly be undertaken in the Kurunui section as well. Operations in the New Alburnia Gold mining Company's mine have been attended with fair success, 304 tons more of low grade ore obtained during the course of the development works in progress, having yielded laOoz lOdwt ot bullion, the total value of which was £396. In the Victoria Gold Mining Company's mine operations are confined wholly at present) to a block upon the now reef between Nos. 2 and 3 levels, from which point) a somewhat limited supply of good ore is coming to hand. A crushing of 75 loads from this point this month yielded 1640z lOdwta retorted gold. The Cardigan Gold Mining Company has had considerable difficulty in getting its new main shaft started owing to an inflow of water from the surface soil. but this obstacle has been to a great extent overcome, and when the solid sandstone formation is entered upon (ib now appears to be coming in the bottom of the shaft) ib is thought) that no further trouble in this respect will be met with. The Adelaide Gold Mining Company completed its first crushing from the main reef at) the new low level for a satisfactory return, the quantity of ore treated being 54 loads for a yield of 630z 17dwb of melted gold, valued at £18716s 6d. The mine still continues to look well. The Nonpareil Gold Mining Company is alto meeting with considerable success, bub no crushing has yeb taken place, although there is now a considerable tonnage of ore on hand, in which gold was seen pretty freely whiliti breaking it out. Nothing of importance has yet) been discovered in the New Whan Gold Mining Company's property, bub a good deal of work is in hand. A large amount) of useful prospecting work is also proceeding in many of the other mines, a number of which have very fair prospects, noteworthy among which are the Occidental, Albumin East, Karaka Queen, Mclsaacs, Kuranui, Waiotahi, City of London, Karaka Mines, Cumberland, Gloucester, Moanataiari Extended, Moanatairi North, Hauraki Anchor, Mascotte, Magazine, and May Queen Extended. The last named mine is at present being developed with the aid of English capital, £100 per month being available for that purpose. A good deal of work is being accomplished, but what is wanted to thoroughly develop the property is the sinking of a shaft'; until that is accomplished the mine cannot be worked to advantage. . TARARU. A large number of miners 'are now at work developing the various mines in this district, but the" one in which the largest number is employed is the Tararu Creek Gold Mining Company's mine. In this mine the extension of the battery low level is being steadily pushed forward through an improved class of sandstone country, but at present tho drive is being carried along on the footwall side of the lode, so that no quartz is broken. At the.City of Dunedin low level a little interruption has been experienced lately with regard to the supply of ore from the reef operated upon, owing to a "break" or "fault" in the country crossing it, thus having the effect) of greatly disturbing it. The defect, however, has been nearly overcome. Bab it was the cause, together with the work of Baking the necNury connections at the cyanide

plaut with the new vat recently constructed, of suspending crushing operations for a period of nine or ten days. The return appears elsewhere. Good prospects continue to be met with in the Kaiser, City of Auckland, Temple Bar, Eaglehawk, Argosy, Silas, and other mines iu the ?ame district, and a trial crushing from the first-named property is now under course of treatment an the Alburnia Company's battery.

PURU. Prospecting works are proceeding vigorously in this district, and in many instances the development works undertaken are both systematic and of a practical character. The Puru Consolidated Company has opened up on the line of the Kimu reef ab No. 1 level, a distance of 340 feet, and colours of gold have been seen for nearly the whole length, the reef averaging about 3 feot in thickness, A b No. 2 level a length of 250 feet has been opened up with similar results. The Big Reef Gold Mining Company is also meeting with encouraging results. The Wenona, Ulysses, Grand Triple, Bendigo, Orion, Puru Junction, Mariner, Boss, Trojan, Kurera, and Daphne companies are extensively opening up their properties, and in moat instances hopeful prospects are being met with.

WAIOMO AND TAPD, Good progress is being made with the advancement) of the two low level tunnels and other prospecting work in the Monowai Gold Mining Company's property, and in the Broken Hill mine. A fresh contracb for driving a distance of 200 feet eastward upon the course of the main reef has just been jet on behalf of the Anglo-Continental Syndicate, which .holds an option over the latter property. In the Sheridan the low level is being pushed ahead as fast as possible, bub the country is rather against speedy progress. A new company just formed in Auckland is about to take over the Golden Point mine, and to initiate a new scheme of operations. Work is proceeding in the Club, Hawke's Freehold, Band of Hopo, and other mines, bub there is nothing of importance to chronicle from them. The Mahara-Royal Gold Mining Company continue to meet with most favourable prospects in the opening up of the main reef on the Royal section, and there is nob the least doubt bub that a large and valuable block will shortly be available upon it for stoping. A 10 stamp battery and a water-race is now in course of construction. PURIRI. There is nothing particularly new to report from this district, but the prospects in the Hit-or-Miss mine, Dover Castle, and other properties continue favourable. WHANGAMATA. The Whangamata Proprietary Company is carrying on extensive development works upon the Luck-at-Last lode, and so far as these works have advanced the results met with are considered to be of a highly satisfactory character. At) No. 1 level the lode has been opened up on its southern course for a length of about 500 feet, and similar good prospects have been obtained from it for this entire distance, as was first obtained at various points on the surface. The lode averages about 12 feet in thickness, and tho backs available from this point will be about 80 feeb in height. No. 2 level has been extended upon the sumo lode a distance of about 90 feet. At this last mentioned level, which is about 80 feet lower than No. 1, the lode is only about five feet in thickness, bub is composed of a good class of ore, and as the drive advances its size is expected to increase. The Ptolemy Company is pushing on with its works on the north end of the Whangamata Proprietary, and the Triangle, Inca, Mikado, on the south end, all of which are supoosed to be upon the same line of reef. In most of these properties the prospects met with are encouraging, thus showing that the Luck-at-lasb lode is likely to prove one of great value. On the south-east the Newton mine has a very fair prospect in a parallel system of lodes, whilst ab Upper Whangamata the same may be said regarding the Prince Charlie, Marco Polo, King of Whangamata, Rothschild, Herald, lolanthe, Wenbworth, Three Star, Wairoa, Sybil, Golden Mount, Phtenix, Tumthana, York, Zone, and others. OOROMANDEL. Wednesday. The returns from many of our most promising mines have nob yeb come up td expectations, but this must not be taken as an indication that such claims have been worked out. The fact is that although a vast quantity of bullion has been taken oub in the past, yeb there never was any certainty when returns would fall off and then spring up again. Take as an instance the Success Company's mine. The Success haa ever been a surprise mine. Many years ago some heavy hauls were made from ib, then returns fell away, and the ground was abandoned. Mr. S. James eventually took it in hand, and in due course some magnificent stone was takeu oub, and on the representation of Mr. Northcrofb (Wardeu) the Government purchased several pieces owing to its phenomenal richness. Several heavy crushings were made by Mr. James. Then it was taken over by the presenb company rather more than twelve months ago, since which time another unlucky period would appear to have set in. So however great is Mr. James' faith in the ground, that although he could have realised a good round sum on his scrip in the company he has nob parted, with any of bia interest, At presenb the ground is being tested by a band diamond bore drill which is capable of testing the ground to a depth of at least 200 feet, with vory little expense. The sludge is brought up by a pulaouioter pump. There are six carbon or black, rough, uncut diamonds, aud a self-acting rod-lifter. This drill should suffice to go through the sedimentary belt, and a number of tests may possibly be made on various parts of the mine. The machine, if successful, will possibly be largely used in prospecting on various parts of She field. The Hauraki mine has been pumped dry, and the winding gear connecting with the lowest levels completed. A lot of mullock that had accumulated has been hauled up out of the way. The mine may be said to be now in its normal state, so tar as working capacity is concerned. For deeper sinking, however, the new machinery now on the way is indispensable. The return for the monbh was HKilozs 4dwts, valued approximately ab £3093 12s. The temporary machinery ab the old UnionBeach shaft is unable to cope with the water, therefore the arrival of their new machinery is looked forward to with interest). The concrete foundations are in an advanced stage, and the poppet heads erected so thai no delay will occur from that. The advantage of this operation on the Hauraki mine will be very great, for all the old workings of this property on the west side are full of water, consequently any attempt to approach that portion of the mine from the present workings is fraught with danger. When the machinery is up on that tide, not only will the old workings be drained, but the continuation of the work (abandoned on the peremptory order to remove machinery some years ago) will be resumed.

The Uankari main lodes aro making excellent progress with their main shaft although they have bub temporary machinery. In the meantime, however, Messrs. Chambers and Son are pushing on with tho foundation*, and also with the construction, for erection, of the poppet legs which are much larger and heavier than usual. The Golden Pah have just erected their poppet legs, and now hare a party of men busy excavating a site for the new machinery, which is expected in a few weeks.

The Hauraki Golden Bay having gunk as deep as they can with band labour, about 100 feet, work has been euspended for the present. The Freece's Point battery machinery has been landed on the ground, bat nothing has yet been done with regard to its erection. Very few men are working at thePoinb just now, so nothing much can be expected there. This is a pity because a nice reef was discovered carrying really good dish prospects a few daya prior to the discharge of the men. The reef ihould be vigarouslj followed.

The Hauraki North had a nice little crushing of 105 tons of ore, treated by Robinson's patent oro crueher, which yielded ' 1770z 17dwts retorted gold, which at the Jate of £2 16s 7d gives a value of a little over £500. The winding and pumping machinery appear inadequate, and a fortnight since the boiler had to be senb to Auckland for a new bottom. In the meantime the mine has been idle. Men are busy preparing for sinking. During the month at the Wynyardton a very nice reef fully a foot thick was intersected in a prospecting drive about 40 feed from the surface. The reef shows gold distinctly in the stono and should turn out a fairly payable reef. The Kathleen have been troubled with water, but an additional column is being put down which it is thought will relievo the machinery. The indications for gold in the mine are of the most favorable description, the ground in reality being a junction poiii for most of the valuable lodes in the locality. The new Wynyardton lode has a sharp, underlie to it, as likewise the famous Legge'a reef in the Hauraki, also the Kathleen Crown's main reef (Argall's) runs right through the middle of the ground. The water of course follows the reef;, and must' be expected as they are approached. The machinery seems to be up to its work, but in view of other reefs being intersected ahead, with possibly more water, it i> deemed advisable to put down another column in order to ease it. Things seem to be working smoothly at the Kathleen Crown; sinking is going on apace. A month or two of dead work is before the company, then the tost of intersecting the lodes known to exist will bo made at the lower levels. Good work is being done at the Welcome Findjboth in sinking and driving, possibly another nice little crushing may eventuate during the coming month. Great things are expected when the reef is cut beneath the well-known run of gold so recently worked upon in the higher levels. At Blagrove's Freehold the temporary machinery continues to do good work, permitting as it does prospecting in the higher levels. The reefs continued to look encouraging, but so far no such find hat been made. Scotty'e Hauraki had a small crushing of 20 tone for a return of 20oz of gold, valued at £60. The block from which the rich patch was taken out soino time back has nob yet been stoped out. That will follow in due time. The preparatory winzes are being sunk. A nice lode found near the battery site is likely to turn out a valuable reef; some further work is necessary to *'. prove its real value. In the Britannia of Hauraki operations are being carried on systematically, and will bear the most thorough inspection, * both in regards construction of shaft and scientific work in the drives. No reels of any note have yet been intersected, bub one oi the old gold producers of a higher level is expected to be cut at an early date. From its locality the Britannia should make a name for itself in the future. At the Tokatea Consols good systematic work is being done. This is one of the famous Tokatea group, being in the heart of them, that may at any future time strike it heavy. The ground is now being thoroughly explored. At the Tokatea and Royal Oak of Hauraki good reports come from the low levels. The Hauraki Associated battery is now in a forward state. The Four-in-Hand are at present engaged in putting in a lower level so as to cut the main reef and thoroughly prove its value ere erecting machinery. In the meantime a battery site has been secured. It is expected that the reef will continue to carry gold on this level. If it does the mine will be a really valuable one, as about £1000 was the recent result of a small parcel of picked stone taken from a threefoot reef, and selected out of a lot of about seven to eight tons. The reason the lot was not crushed was because there are no roads as yet leading to the mine. In duo course roads and battery will follow. In the meantime the mine can only be tested. So far the tests are mosb encouraging. The Cuirassier, a neighbouring mine, ha: at present about 20 tons of ore on hand. From this, 1001b of picked stone have been taken, and sent to Auckland for treatment, the road and battery difficulty bein? a bar to conveying a large quantity at the present time. Possibly the Hauraki Associated Reefs battery may bs availed of for a trial crushing, in the not distant future. The Waikoromiki special claim is ac present being worked under the auspices oi a syndicate. Several goldbearing reefs have already been discovered, of which more will be heard anon. The Forest Queen being under offer, very little work is being done, but that little is with evident effect. A email crushing of 19cwt, sent to the nearest available public battery, namely, the Thames, gave a return of- 9oz to the ton. Another even richer crushing is now just upon ready. The road and battery difficulty, here again, prevents larger quantities being dealb with, The Kapanga Company are pursuing the work of developing their mine with unremitting energy, directed with skill. Since the new discoveries of gold-bearing reofs at the lowest levels a new mine has practically been opened out. And there is no reason why the valuable outpub of the higher levels in former years should not be repeated twofold. So far gold has been seen at almost every breaking down. The work oi opening out blocks ready for etoping from these lower levels is a question of time, but, in due course, these reefs will be exploited, and there is 'reason to believe the result will be satisfactory to shareholders. In order to show the nature of the workings, and the amount of science and labour necessary in developing such mines, a model wa3 prepared on a small scale by Mr. Rugg, showing a<l the leading drives, together with the shaft. This will probably be on view in London. The model was constructed under the direction of Mr. Hartridge when he was here. The various reefs on the 900 and 910 feet levels are promising very well just now. The machinery, battery, in facb all the plant, seems to be in fine going order. The Triumph battery and aerial tram are now well in hand. The work in the mine is also proceeding with energy, so as to be ' ready with ore when the battery is com- . pleted. « KENNEDY'S BAY. In this locality the mines are looking very well. The Bay View, A.J.C., Morning Star, and West Derby'have all got gold bearing reefs of more or less value; the work is, however, chiefly confined to' prospecting. The Killarney, a most promising property, has been offered to an outside syndicate. A reef of proved richness has been intersected and followed foe aome distance. CABBAGE BA7. The White Star group of mines has been doing good work the last fen months, and some rich gold-bearing rosfc have been intersected. There is, however, no battery in the bay; the difficulty of giving a good test is therefore rery great. The Austral Reefs propose to erect oue at an early date, to this end the County Council is now having a road constructed, by means of which the machinery can b< conveyed to the site. Tho Jersey have a nice reef, from which a few specimen! have been taken; the manager is now tracing these, and is of opinion that the mine will turn out to be a good gold producer, Vigorous operations are being waged on the Doris. This claim lies immediately to the north of the Austral Keefs, and gets some of its moat valuable reefs. A large amount of prospecting is being done on the the Queen Victoria. Thii is a proved mine,, and only waits the introduction of capital for a battery, to become a dividend paying concern. TIKI. Progress-Castle Rock have just tent * nica parcel of picked atone to be crutbari, The result should be a welcome addition tc the working capital of the company. A paddock of good crushing ore, taken from the same reef as the picked stone, is now on .. hand. There is a drive on the main reef extending about 500 feeb with.an avertga of 100 feet or more backs to higher level/, all ready foe blocking and stoping out. It may be mentioned that the higher levels were exploited years ago when very rich crusbings njere taken out. There is every reaion to believe that the reef in the lower ltTCli now opened out will give returns

equally valuable. At the laeb meeting of the County Council a sum of money was /" voted for the purpose of constructing ff a road to the mine and battery site. A battery is to be erected so soon as machinery can be got to the site. Unlimited water power is available, so that crushing will be an inexpensive item. This may be looked upon as a probable dividend-paying mine in the early future. The Pride of flauraki have been working on their lower level with the view of cutting a specimen leader that was met with above. They have a large gold-bearing lode of about four to five feet through. Work is confined to following up for specimen leaders. The Native Chief and Fukewhau are driving on their main reefs. Gold continues to be seen in the stone at almost every breaking down, but only a few men are employed. The directors of the adjoining mine, the Coromandel Freehold Proprietary, have received a cablegram from London from Mr. Marshall, who has had the negotiation for the sale of the property in hand. This contained a price offer, not for option only, but for the property, on the following terms:—Present shareholders to receive £7500 in cash and 45,000 shares of £1 each fully paid up in a company of £175,000; the new company has to provide a cash working capital of £20,000,jand reserve 20,000 shares for a like purpose. The offer has been definitely accepted. With such a capital the necessary machinery can be put up and the mine properly developed. The property is a large and valuable freehold of about 500 acres, and situated within four miles oi Coromandel. WHANGAPOUA. All is life and stir on the east side of the Coromandel main range. The Kauri Freehold Gold Estates, Limited, have determined on the development of their immense and valuable mining properties in that locality, The sum of £150 has already been spent upon road improvements necessary for the transport of the heavy machinery now being landed, and when the road work now under construction is finished every facility of easy access to these mines will be provided. A great future lies before this little district. It is about six miles from Coromandel by horse road. BULLION RETURNS. WAIHI G.M. CO: 3150 TONS YIELD £10,033. The Waihi Gold Mining Company, during the past four weeks, crushed and treated 3150 tons of ore for the satisfactory yield of £10,033 worth of bullion, viz., 85S8oz. Last month 3120 tons yielded £10,585. The present yield brings the product from the mine since 1890 to the grand total of £526,118. The following show the returis from the date

KAPAI-VEfiMONT 0.51. CO. The Kapai-Vermont Gold Mining Company duriag the last crushing period created 242 tons for 184az. Last lii&ntn 26d tons yielded 158oz. WAITEKAURt O.M. CO, . For the four week?' eliding March 27tli the Waitekauri Gold Mining Company crushed and treated 1911 tons for bullion valued at £3845. The extraction by the cjatiide department lias continued low, the remedial steps mentioned last month not yet hafiflg been perfected. The last return Was £4143 . from 1712 tons. SEW ZEALAND CROWN MINES. The quantity of ore takes from the mine was 12M tons; quantity crashed 1150 tons, giving a return of £3135. The average assay of the ore milled for the month was £3 3s9d. The previous month 1161 tons *3re tteated, the return being £2873. VICTORIA O.M. CO. The Victoria Gold Mining Company crushed and treated 75 loads of. quartz, for a yield of 1640z l§d#t retorted gold. Last inohth, 140 loads yielded lß2oz Bdirt. Nfitf ALBfjßlilA. Three hundred and four tons of the usual low grade ore obtained in the Hnirs'e of fievelopment work rfere tfMted lor i return of lStfJozbullien, valued at £396. Last month 215 . ton's yielded lffldz, Gained at £277 6s. HAORAKI NORTH. On. April 2 Mr.. 0. G. MafiDonajd posted the following Hauralci North: 105 tons of general ore (including picked stone) treated by the Robinson patent ore crhsner have yielded 5980z amilgutri." A later' telegram stated that this fcate 1770z 17dwts retorted gold which at the rate of £2 16$ fid wofild ' give a value of a little over £500, This It is stated will give a Very considerable margin of profit. ' HAORAKI O.M. CO) £3093 FROM 350 TONS. TheHaurakiGold Mining Company crushed and treated 350 tods for ayieldof 1031oz4dwt,> valued .approximately at £3093 129/ Last month 300 tons yielded £3990 125..OTrtt's fiAORARI; At Scotty's Hauraki 20 tons 6f or# Wefe treated for 20oz gold, Valued at £60. WAIHI-SILVERiON. (The Waihi-Silverton Gold. Mining Com- > pany . crushed .and treated 760 torts of ore for 7620z bullion,- valued at £1594, Or slightly" over £2 per tori. lit Fslifuary 660 tons yielded £1561, and in January £1034 was obtained from 581 tons. Thd mine is looking very well. Preparations are being made for the construction of the * Dew kiln, and all operations in coutieclion with the sinking of the shaft are being pushed 1 forward < Owing to our going to press a day earlier than usual, oil atcotjiifc 6f GMd Friday, several returns are hot available for compilation, amongst them being the May Queen and the Kuranni-Caledonlan< Had these been to hand the returns for the month Would have brought) (he total up td about what it frag for the cortMpbndiilg period last year. As it i?, however, the total comes to within about £120Q of it. And that 1896 total, it should be remembered, included returns from the WoSdstock, Cambria, May Queen, Moanataiari, Waiotahi, Try Fluke ( Great Mercury, Irene, etc.; at some of these new machinery is now in course of erection, and in others the result of the crushing! will be known in a few dayii thus there has been a considerable increase. The following show the returns to hand s-i

named Bullion won— Tons, £ In 189J.. 20,930 In 1891.. .. „ .. - „ 23,934 In 1892 18,236 .. 44,888 In 1893.. .. „ .. 111,805 .. 01,910 r ' In 1891 24,884, „ 82,827 111 189.?.. .. ,, •« 33,6701 190404 Tons tailings .. 2,095 / " " 1 Period ending— February 8, 1890 .. .. 3,0601 Tons tailings .. 2,240 1 " "' slJ March 7, 1896 .. „ 1,9501 . ,v, Tons tailings .. 282/" '' iu April 4,18% .. „ 2,220 .. 9,352 May 2,1896 2,850 ,. 12,053 May 3'i, 1896 .. .. 2,760 .. 9,704 June 27,1S9S .. .. 2,910 ,, 11,427 July 25, 189 .. .. 2,970 ,. 9,047 August 22,1890 .. .. 2,900 .. 8,7ftC September 19, 1890 „ 2,850 12,265 October 17, 1S9I! .. .. 3,0011 .. 12,1,60 NoTeniber 14.1890 .. 2,940 .. 13,143 December 12,1690 .. 8,030 .. 13,059 December 19,1896 ,. 930 .. 3 ( 2la February 0 4,140 ,< 13,877 March 0 .. .. ., 3,1 ., in,685 April 3,150 .. 10,053 140,002 £624,118

Ml UPPER THAMES. !• Bullion. Value, V 02. (hit, £ s. (1. 6 Waibi G.M. Co., 3150 g Jons 8.5S8 0 .. 10,053 2 0 if waitekauri, 1,910 tons.. — .. 3,845 0 u %i. Witihi Silrerton, 760 tons 762 0 .< 1,(61 0 0 , New Zealand Crown Mines, 1,150 tons .. — .. 3,185 0 0 |fj. Total £i8,«24 £ 0 LOWER THAMES. .* Bullion. Value. ; 01. divt. £ id. Adelaide, Glloids .. 63 17 .. 187 10 6 New Albunii.i, 304 tons 150 10 ,. . 390 0 0 Tararu CrMk, (approximate) ., 300 0 0 Victoria, 75 loads .. 16410 .. 462 0 0 Hibi Creek, 8761M „ I i ,. 8 0 0 Total £1,353 10 6 COROMANDEli, Bullion. value, oz. dwt. £ s. d. Hauraki, 350 tons .. 1,031 4 3,033 12 0 Hatirakl North, 105 tons 177 17 « 500 0 6 Scot ty's, 20 tons.. .. 20 .0 ,. 00 0 0 fnrest Queen, 19cwt ,. 8 10 <• 25 (0 0 ffalkororaiko, 1 toil .. 8/10.. »110 0 Pr6tresi - Oaslle Rock/ .fcwfc 4, .. .. 28 7 7511 8 Hinemoa • Hauraki, 3 . tons 3 9J .. 1 CO Total .. .. 4,024 9 8 KUAOTUNU. Bullion. Value. 61. int. £ 6. d. Kapgi-Vetoont, 242 tons 184 0 ,< 483 O 0 Juno, 14 loads and 57Jlb , , specimens .. ,, 79 11 ,, 209 10 0 WaiotaM, 981b .. - 40 10 9 Total „• £783 0 6 orbat Barrier. Bullion. Value., s M „ at, dwt. £ a. d. I-. : Great Barrier 0, and S. j.-". Co., 1 ton - • 18(9 0 |y. . Grand total ... .. . u .. £24,748 7 I A;".. . Corn»»Mtias pwlod. 1W6 „ , „m, 08412 I , -i 0.^.0,