OUR GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11877, 31 January 1902, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

REVIEW OP THE YEAR.

The year 1901 has been a very prosperous one for the .gold mining industry of the Auckland province,' the gold output having reached was anticipated in last Summary—a total of over three-quarters of a million sterling. The exact figures are £758,600 14s lid, as shown in the table of returns from all districts given in another column. Comparison demonstrates that this total is the highest recorded for ' very many years. The next: highest output of recent- years was that of. 1899, when the total was £641,150, or £.117,440 less than that of the year. just closed. The increase ;is even .more marked as compared to the year 1900, when, the value of the output amounted to £635,033, or £123,567: less than! that of 1901. It was estimated at the beginning of .the past year that an increase upon its predecessor would be the outcome of the additional plants then getting to work or in the course of erection, and to a certain extent these anticipations have been borne out, though the result.* from the extra reduction works have not in all cases been free from disappoint; ment. In this . category the Woodstock. Union-Waihi; Talisman, Barrier Reefs, Chelmsford, Tairua Broken Hills, Welcome Jack, and ( Kapowai mills have all added their quota to the returns, but none have worked full time. Again, the closing down ■of the Woodstock . (after two crushings), and the Union Waihi batteries were events of the latter part of the year which told against the output of the Ohinemuri district. . The Coromandel district as similarly affected by the cessation of crushing by tue Barrier Reefs Company, which is at present idle and likely to be reconstructed. At the _ same time there has been active prosecution of operations by the majority of the established bullion-producers of the province, so that despite the disappointments in some directions the gross output of bullion has steadily increased,' with the highly encouraging result abovementioned.

Once more it is possible, in forecasting the prospects for the current year, to base anticipations upon a sure foundation of promised prosperity, of which there is every sign. The Waihi Gold Mining Company alone (far and away the largest contributor to the past year's returns) may be looked to for a still higher output this year, for not only is the value of the ore milled maintaining its quality, but the company by their absorption of the UnionWaihi propertya matter which seems practically assured become possessed of a further 40-head of stampers (making a total of 330-head), which must necessarily affect their monthly output advantageously. The reconstruction of the Woodstock Gold Mining Company' being apparently near its consummation, offers another '•■ ground for assuming that the prospects ahead of the Ohinemuri district are healthy,' whilst in all directions there is a hopeful tone—even at the Thames, where the deep level question promises to be set at rest at an early —which augurs well for what the year 1902 has in store for the industry.

Before leaving the question of the bullion output the following figures may be quoted as'showing the returns for the past five years, for the purpose of comparison: —1901, £758.600: 1900, £635,033; 1899. £641,150; 1898, £531,584; 1897, £393,595. . The total for 1901 is made up as follows : —Ohinemuri, £635,004 17s 2d Thames, £54,504 2s 8d ; Coromandel, £69,091 15s Id. Compared .with the totals for 1900, these figures show -an increase for Ohinemuri of £143,284 10s 6d, and § for Coromandel £7491 5s 5d.« The Thames district' (mainly responsible to tributers for its output) reveals a- decrease of £27,209 0s 3d.

Amongst the chief incidents which have occurred in connection with the industry during the year the mining dispute claims attention. At one time the demands of the men for increased wages and other concessions threatened not only a stagnation (which partly happened), but an upheaval which would have been disastrous in its effects. In April the Conciliation Board heard the evidence of both sides, and ultimately gave a decision somewhat, in favour of the men.. The latter were not satisfied ; nor were the employers, and the Arbitration Court was had recourse to by both parties to the dispute. Sitting three weeks in September the Court went carefully into the evidence, and as a result upset the finding of the Board and gave an award which practically left the matters in dispute as they were before the Miners' Union took action. Naturally this result was a disappointment to the employees, but the majority. of them settled down to work again under the old conditions, satisfied that to do so was better after all than to be dismissed from employment contingency which an increased wages schedule would have forced upon a large number of the companies. The leading spirits in the union did not take the award so philosophically, even going so far as to ask the Minister for Mines (the Hon. James McGowan) to remove Mr. Justice Cooper (president of the Arbitration Court) from his, position. This extraordinary demand met with a dignified refusal- from the Minister. The award of the Court is now working well, and so far as is known there is no real cause for dissatisfaction on either side. In some dis tracts the Court's award allowed of a reduction on what had been the usual standard of pay, but in no such case have the mine managers taken advantage of that fact.

Coming now, to the development of the various fields a glance at the year's operations shows that efforts have in no wise been relaxed, and that results have in the, main been satisfactory and,in many instances remunerative. There is little doubt also that the concerns. working have for the most part the stamp of genuineness upon them. If the last has not been heard of so-called " wildcat" speculations there has at all events been a very considerable weeding-ont process at work, in consequence of which the percentage of properties with definite prospects ahead of them has increased. These facts will not, it is to be hoped, be without their due effect upon investors, thus tending to remedy the " lack of capital" cry which has cropped up in so many directions during the past year. Ohinemuri is once more the chief factor in the progress of the industry, both as to developments and gold production. In the latter respect it is worthy of note that the gold returns for-the district total £635,004, or almost as much as the whole three districts "yielded in 1900. At Waihi the continued and ever-increasing prosperity of the Waihi mine is the most encouraging feature of the whole industry. The exploitation of the low levels is pro ceeding with eminently satisfactory. results, the lode system having revealed its presence there as definitely as in the levels above. Large bodies of ore are being continuously intersected at No. 6 level, and the reserves of quartz show every sign of being increased as work proceeds. The. only problem which seems to be ahead of the owners of this great property is that of securing sufficient crushing power for the speedy reduction of their ore. The taking over of the 40-stamp mill of the Union-Waihi Company offers a partial solution of the problem, but it would ap pear almost certain that' Still further stampers will, be requisite in order that full advantage may be taken of the enormous rmantity of ore contained in the mine. During the past year the company s output of bullion amounted to £454,386, (this amount -is subject to ah increase, as the corrected totals for the last five months of the year have still to be dealt with), making their total output to date only some £25,000 short of two millions sterling, and the first return for the present year should easily wipe out that difference. The amount disbursed in dividends to date is £795,551 0s Id, of which £164,687 3s 4d represents the amount paid in' dividends during the past year. . In addition the company disbursed in December last a payment at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum on the new issue of shares. iX---.--.-v -■■ . "'■' ' - ■'■■'„ -.-.'*■."■'- '■!:'"■:.' '-'' >:'.V" ■~ :.•": '.-■-'..

In. all 35 dividends have been distributed amongst shareholders up to the present time. ' : ■'.. ";■'",'■.

The Waihi' Grand Junction Company have during the year continued their persevering; efforts to open up the reef discovered at the 500 ft level. After a series of almost heartbreaking incidents, which incessantly occurred to hamper their operations, they have at last succeeded in overcoining all obstacles, and during the latter part of the year entered upon, the most encouraging stage of their work. Gradually the water at the level was reduced, until from being an. an but insuperable hindrance to operations it is now kept under easily by the effective and powerful pumping plant in use. The lode has been tested for a good distance both east and west, ' and at latest reports was holding its course well. It has been found to be both larger and richer going west from the point of intersection towards the.Waihi mine than on the eastward extension, and there is no reason to fear .but" that the average quality of -the lode is of a payable "degree. The Grand Junction ground undoubtedly carries the Waihi reef system on both sides of the Martha Hill. It will not be at all surprising if. after some further definite: discoveries which are likely to result from the other development works in hand, the company put up a "crashing plant and become important.,.;: contributors'" to the bullion output ' of the district. It is ' the opinion of move . than one person of experience in the field that the Grand Junction will in the course of time turn out to be, a second Waihi. In the meantime the -operations are being watched with much interest.

■'. The Waihi Extended, Gold Mining Company, whose prospects are considered to be next- :in importance to those of the Grand Junction, have prosecuted a steady scheme •of development during the year. The shaft initiated after the. discovery of quartz in the bore-hole has been carried down to a depth of 420 ft, and is at present being continued a. further 100 ft. This work will in all likelihood occupy some two or three months. In the meantime the country being penetrated is of a favourable class and comparatively dry. The Waihi Consols Company's area has been subjected to several tests during the year by means of bore-holes sunk upon the probable line of reef, but no practical discoveries have followed so far. The Waihi South mine has not- been worked, and is still shut down pending negotiations for its flotation. Given a sufficient working capital and an efficient pumping plant the property offers some hope of producing results of. a favourable character.

• Since the amalgamation of the Silverton and Union-Waihi Companies (both being absorbed in the latter), the property was worked with more or less fluctuating results. The initial returns from the ore crashed did not leave much margin after paying expenses, but latterly the output showed signs of improvement, and during the year bullion worth £31,591 was obtained. The need, for reconstruction arising out of the company's financial position, however, has ended in its absorption by the Waihi Company. It is reasonably to be hoped that the new owners will continue to develop the mine in order to thoroughly test its value, and in any case the 40-stamper battery included in the property should easily be fully employed in dealing with the.Waihi Company's surplus ore. It does not, therefore, seem as if the amalgamation will prove hurtful to the district concerned in the light of depleting the list of its bullion-producers—-rather it would appear that, under its new sponsors, the Union property will be favourably heard of again. The Waihi Gladstone mine is being steadily developed, and certain ore-bodies have been unearthed which have given encouragement to the owners to proceed. The Pride of Waihi and Waihi Consolidated have been practically idle, the latter being still under an option, the term of which lias, it is understood, recently -been extended. A new claim has just been taken up iu the neighbourhood of the Waihi South, an endeavour to float which is to be made at Home.

At Karaugahake mining has been carried on steadily with varying results. The New Zealand Crown Mines, Limited, have again been the leading contributors to the bullion output, their gross returns totalling £68,073. an increase of nearly £2000 upon the total for 1900. The company has moreover maintained its reputation as a dividend-payer. The Woodstock Company, which resumed crushing operations in September, unfortunately fell short of water-power sufficient to keep the machinery at mine and battery both going. This caused the directors to shut down the battery. Shortly afterwards the financial aspect had to be considered, and the mine was not reopened after the Christmas holidays, pending the submission to shareholders of a scheme of reconstruction. The latter, according to private cables received here recently, seems to be in a fair way of being effected, and that being the case the property should in a few-months' time be once more on a solid footing. During the year the two crushings yielded bullion valued at £4775.

The result of the Talisman Consolidated Company's operations have so far been of a disappointing nature. The outcome of the crushings put through on the completion of the company's new mill, did not by any means come up to expectations, the ore yielding less per ton than, was anticipated according to the assay values. The returns for the year from 12,023 tons dealt with, totalled £16,765 an amount which was not payable. A change was made in the minemanagement at the end of the year, Mr. Goldsworthy's place being now filled by Mr. Deane Mitchell (recently of West Australia), appointed by the Home directors. The Talisman Company have, it is understood, added to their holding by taking over the property until recently owned by the Imperial Gold Mining Company, and which the latter sold at the end of the year to a private buyer. ■:••_. , At Waitekauri the properties under development have received careful attention, and some of the results have been satisfactory in proving the existence of auriferous belts of ground. The Waitekauri Company succeeded town the end of the year in the intersection of the lode sought at No. 7 level. It has proved a good strong body, free from calcite, and operations are now centred upon the extension of the level being driven upon it towards the point where the run of gold made in the levels above. On reaching that point the value of the lode is confidently expected to show an increase. The eompanv's output for the year was less than that of 1900, totalling'£4s,s47, as against £70,749. In taking over the (New) Waitekauri Extended property the Waitekauri Company have secured a mine which has given very fair results in the past, and which they will, it is expected,-exploit from their own deep levels. Work in the New Alpha Company's mine has been systematically carried on, and there are not wanting signs that the reefs in hand are likely to prove payable. The Jubilee mine is in the hands of Mr. E. Kersey Cooper for notation at Home.

The new company formed towards the beginning of the year to carry on the operations in the Maratoto mine have since then been engaged in putting in a crosscut for the opening up of the lode system*. Latterly the prospects have been good. At Komata the Komata Reefs Company resumed their place early in the year amongst the bullion-producers of the district, and since that time crushed and treated 8670 tons of ore for bullion worth £11,092, showing the stone to be of low grade still. By the addition to their area of the Waitekauri Gold Mining Company's Komata section the company have an extra piece of ground to develop which holds out fair prospects. ■ . At Owharoa the Rising Sun Company have driven 150 ft upon a lode which shows gold freely, and gold has also been seen in the stone taken out froln a winze in progress. The Ohinemuri Syndicate have been engaged in the driving of Elliott's tunnel, which has been kept going continuously, and has been extended a further distance of 581 ft, and is now passing under the gully where the large deposit of quartz boulders is lying on the surface. At this point on the surface there is nice kindly sandstone country-showing, which may be met any time now in the tunnel. There has been a good deal of retimbering done in the old portion of this drive at intervals during the year. • ■ : Te Puke has assumed some prominence in the district owing to the favourable reports as to the value of the Te Puke Gold Reefs

mine. '; Large ore-bodies are traversing this 1 property; and five ton's"of the product milled' during the year as a- trial parcel yielded the payable return of £171 10s.; This property is under negotiation ; for flotation, which if effected, 'should quickly see the field included amongst the contributors to the gold output. ' The Thames district lias not yet recovered from the blow- inflicted upon it by the failure of the Standard Exploration Company, which, by implicating. tie Thames Hauraki Company," has led to the cessation of pumping by that company's plant, and kept other companies idle. The district is just now in a • somewhat critical state as to its prospects, though recently a glimmer of hope has attended" its; history in the news that there •is a reasonable expectation of the Thames Hauraki Company being shortly able to resume, operationsa : contingency depending,'of course, upon he successful re-construction-of; the Standard Company.

That this contingency.is one devoutly to be wished for ■' is beyond doubt, for the past year has seen the prestige of the Thames proper almost entirely upheld by tributers and private owners, and meanwhile the companies have for the most part done nothing. Now it is becoming apparent, from the fact that the available sources of ore supply are rapidly giving out, that the deep levels problem will have to be solved in some way or another. The. Thames Hauraki Company have succeeded; partly on the strength of encouraging cables from Home, in obtaining the '.Warden's consent to recommend to the Minister for Alines the granting to them of a further six months' protection, and it is to be hoped that, this term .being granted, it will suffice to enable the company to man their ground and get, to work once more. Should they do so the", companies dependent upon them for the pumping requisite to enable them to go down to the deep levels will be able to proceed and a good deal of the existent depression will be lifted. ■,'■

Doubtless the Thames Hauraki Company, in their own interests, will not lightly let their property and its fine pumping plant go without strong efforts to retain it, but, as has been pointed out, a critical time, has arrived and some action is imperative, whether it be on the part of the company named, of the neighbouring companies interested, or of the Government. Our Thames correspondent goes fully into the pros and cons of the case in his review of the Thames field published in another column. ' "

Considering that the bullion output from the Thames district has been the result chiefly of tributers' operations, the total of £54,504 attained is by no means unsatisfactory. Still there is no doubt whatever that had the various companies themselves contributed their usual quota there would have been an increase over previous years to record instead of the present decrease. It should be recorded that two of the few divi-dend-paying mines in the peninsula are included in the Thames district, namely, the Waiotahi and the Eclipse— latter having recently paid its first dividend. The Waiomo district has been the source of an encouraging output during the year, the Monowai Gold Mining Company's operations having been of a profitable nature so profitable indeed that it is intended to erect a new 20-head battery in the immediate future, and to make other improvements on the property. > The Hon. James McGowan, Minister for Mines, who recently visited Waiomo, has stated to an interviewer that he visited / the Monowai Company's ground and was struck with the extent of the reef.. The manager was, he said, taking out the full width (30ft) and getting a highly mineralised refractory ore. This ore was being concentrated), and. the concentrates sold to a company at Dapto, New South Wales. It contained gold, silver, copper, iron, etc. Outside of the Waihi district the reef was one of the most permanent Mr. McGbwan had seen.' ■ . ,

The Tairua district has passed through its initial stages of. progress during the year, and enters upon the present 12 months with : brighter prospects than before. The Tairua Broken Hills property has been productive of a class of ore which lias considerably im-, proved of late. The Blucher reef in the. mine is the chief source of the improvement, and this is being opened up as rapidly as; possible. A'good deal of time lias been occupied in making various connections in the mine and effecting facilities for , the economical handling of the ore, and a series of regular monthly crushings ,is to be inaugurated immediately. The Chelmsford Gold Mining Company, though not responsible during the year for particularly payable returns, have nevertheless put through a fairly profitable class of ore. Operations are in hand with the object of thoroughly opening up the four reefs contained 'in the property, which, in the opinion of two of the directors who recently visited it, is of sufficient value, judged by present prospects, to warrant the erection of an increased plant. Whangamata has largely, had to depend for its development during 1901, upon the Man ami Gold' Mining Company, as early in the year the Whangamata Gold Corporation applied for protection (leaving in abeyance their scheme for systematic development for which the requisite machinery has been supplied), and have been shut down ever since. The Mananu mine in the meantime has been exploited to some purpose, for though only possessing a small crushing' plant at present (additional stamps are about to be erected), it yielded bullion worth £8617 during the year. Some of the ore, of which there is a good supply in sight, is of a high value, so that with the extra milling power that will be available during the current year, an increased output, may with: some degree of certainty, be looked for.

The Coromandel field, has come forward with an increased output of bullion as the result of the operations during 1901. At Coromandel proper the chief factors to this end have been the Royal Oak of Hauraki (with a yield of £10,550), the Hauraki Gold Mining Company (with a yield of £6089), and the New Four-in-Hand (with a yield of £4112). The remaining mines have been more or less successful in their contributions to the total returns, but no marked signs of increased prosperity .have been forthcoming. The increase in the bullion yield is accounted for by the output from the Great Barrier, •.■ Kuaotunu, and ' Gumtown having exceeded that for 1900. Coromandel proper ' shows a decrease, as does Opitonui. At the same time it should be mentioned that certain properties in Coromandel, which yielded fairly well in 1900, have not. contributed during the year just closed. Of all the properties on the field the Royal Oak offers the best encouragement, and. further development will, it is expected, bring it still more prominently to the front. v

At Opitonui, the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates have spent a large portion of the past year in the prosecution of development work, mainly in the Rangatira and, Maiden sections. Both mines are now being rapidly opened up,, and the stock of ore in hand and in sight is increasing, so that continuous crushing operations are likely to be put in hand this year, with a corresponding increase in the gold rettims. During 1901 the company obtained bullion valued at £12,723 from the various parcels" of ore and sands treated.

The Kuaotunu district, which in 1900 was given up almost entirely to tributers, has during the past year regained some of its former prestige, and is now in a fair. way to a more prosperous future. This change was effected -by the amalgamation of the Mariposa and Kapai-Vermont mines, under the title of the Kuaotunu Syndicate.' The new company lost little time in getting to. work, and after draining out the water in the Mariposa shaft : and lower workings, commenced driving towards the Kapai boundary. This and other development work has met with a fair measure of success, and .the joint property is steadily being opened up into a profitable concern. Two small erushings during the year resulted ■in a gross return of bullion valued at £867.

The Waitaia Company was the chief bullion producer, so far as Kuaotunu is concerned, with £2884 from f 500 tons; fdealt with. This shows that the ore in the property named carries rich and highly payablo' values. ■ The privately owned claim, known: as the Hands Worth, yielded £1053, whilst tributers obtained from .the;, Great Mercury mine bullion , worth £865. : The Irene tributers won gold of the value of £538, and those working in the Juno mine added* £140 as their quota.'

: The Gumtown field, though showing an'; increased output, has not- so far borne out the hopeful anticipations formed. for it. The new batteries of the Welcome Jack (with £•782) and the Kapowai (with £370) worked'; on a fair margin of profit;' especially the former, but; it would appear that though: payable ore is obtained it does not at the: present levels exist in very large quantities. It remains to be seen what fortune will tittend the owners as the deeper levels come to be exploited.: The Big Beetle claim had a crushing of 20 tons, and a parcel of picked stone, for a yield valued at £170." : ■/' '" The Great Barrier field, like that of Gumtown, has so far failed to come up to expectations. The Barrier Reefs Company, which at the commencement' of ; the year seemed to have entered upon a promising career, produced a series of payable returns, but these gradually tapered off. In October- crushing operations were suspended, and shortly afterwards the mine was practically shut down. A' committee was then set up ' by: the shareholders to ■': devise a scheme of reconstruction, but the'year closed: without any such scheme being p£t for-; ward. It is probable, however, that in the near futureshareholders will be called upon to consider ways and means, and should a reconstruction scheme go through, doubt--less renewed efforts will be made to prosecute the development of the mine until it has received a thorough testing. The gross output ; of bullion for 1901 amounted in value to £24,659, the company receiving some-£1155 less in actual cash, the differ-, ence being accounted for by charges on concentrates shipped away to Australia'for treatment. ■ • > ~.■.-. i

The year 1901 lias thus been shown to' have had both its disappointing and its en-' couraging features. ■On the . whole the latter may be said to have overshadowed the former, for certainly good progress has been made, and what has been proved about the Northern district fields is that they contain the elements of a legitimate future. One has only to glance at tile state of mining in -Ohinemuri. to see there the promise of a prosperity which never presented itself so definitely before. As with the preceding two years, so with the year just passed* the assiduous perseverance which has marked the efforts of the majority of the mining companies, has undoubtedly borne fruit. One of the results has been to place the industry upon a sounder footing than ever (though its area of prosperity may be temporarily limited), and in consequence it is with a degree of confidence that the outlook for the present year is set down as a most encouraging one. Basing anticipations upon what has gone before in the year 1901, and upon the aspect of affairs now, it would not be surprising if at the close of the current year better results than ever have to be recorded as the natural sequence to operations now in hand. : .During the three weeks which have elapsed since the publication of last Summary little of importance has occurred the mines, which were closed down during the holidays, have- resumed operations and shortly the returns should be to hand' showing the results of the first month's crnshmgs for the present year. The following are our goldfields.'correspondents .reviews of 1901: • •

OHINEMURI. At the commencement of the year 1901 there were few to be found who did not consider that before its end it would, disclose an advancement such as hitherto had not obtained during the • history ;of the Ohmemuri field. Unfortunately; however just when prospects seemed brightest the Miners Union made certain demands upon the mining ■ companies carrying on? operations at Wailu for a general increase in wages, and as the companies opposed the demands the result was a dispute, which, before being definitely settled by the Arbitration Court, lasted for the greater portion ot the year, and involved the whole Northern mining district. In view of this dispute, some of the companies slackened, hands, no new works of an extensive character were undertaken, and operations were limited to necessary works, as it was felt that i before proceeding with any large and vigorous scheme of development, the basis of mine expenses would have to be fixed. Happily the mining dispute is now a- matter of historv and at the close of 1901 a better and more: hopeful feeling prevailed over the whole district than was the case for months ..pre-' . viously. ■■/,. - ■ . „ l Wailii, with its magnificent gold return* naturally maintains this. feeling, and gives to the district in general a permanency which must bear satisfactory, 'results/Every month the Waihi Company heads the list of Uninemuri s bullion contributors with close upon £40,000 worth of bullion, or £10 000 more per month at the end of the year than was the case at the commencement. The ?J*n/uv? Crown Mines ' with .its £68,000 for the year, also stands as substantial evidence of what can be achieved by the combination of capital and labour when judiciously handled, whilst the Waitekauri follows closely with nearly £50,000 tor the 12 months. ' • Notwithstanding the depression, therefore and the limitation of exploitation work, the year has been a successful one in bullion production, £635,004 17s 2d bavin" been procured from the several contributors of Ohmemuri. This shows a -big advancement SSoiTOft P revious . ear 's output,' when £491,720 was obtained, and also when compared with the six preceding years, as will be observed' by the following comparative statement : — 1895 ' £169,134 :< 1896, £195, ; 1897. £301,429; 1898. £447 918 ; 1899, £510,931 : 1900, £491,720 -1901' £635,004. ■ ' '

There seems to be a desire on the part of several.of the big companies to increase their respective areas, this being especially applicable to the Waiiii Gold Mining Company and the Waitekauri Company.'.' In connection with the former's action in this respect it may be of interest to know that the company for several years carried on operations in the Union property, the Union and Amaranth reefs having both been proved to be good bullion-producers. However, .results proved that the Martha Hill,which also belonged to the company,"possessed immense possibilities, and so after a time the Union works were abandoned and attention directed to the exploitation of the Martha and Welcome reef system;, Subsequently a subsidiary company;was formed to take over and work the Union section, and after a time the Unioii-Wailii. Company, as it was called, being in want of a battery successfully carried out negotiations for the absorption of the Waihi Silverton. Company's mine and battery.-. The operations of the company resulted in over £36,000 worth of bullion being recovered, but reconstruction of some sort becoming necessary it was decided to close down the property. It is pleasing to note, however, that during the early part of this year the Waihi Gold Mining Company lias considered its offspring's condition of affairs, and as a result has decided to take over the property again. When the amalgamation is completed the whole of the Union-Waihi property will be absorbed by the Waihi Company, and all outside interests will be extinguished. This, of course, gives to the Waihi Company an additional 40 head of stamps, making in all 330, of which 200 head are at Waikino and 130 head at Waihi. . Even this addition to the crushing power of the company may be found too small. On the whole, however, the new arrangement will be of considerable moment to Waihi and there appears to be every prospect of an.- unpreeedentedly successful year ahead of the district. The wages' tariff awarded by the Arbitration Court is unalterable for two years, and it seems as if in the meantime both miners and mineowners are going to do their best for the industry in general,,and under such : favourable conditions great things should be accomplished. ..' -, •'• .'";• The Waihi Grand Junction Company, too, has reached an important stage during the past 12 months, inasmuch as the development work at the 500 ft level has removed any doubts that existed on the subject as to the permanency and continuity of the Waihi reef system outside the Martha Hill."; The lode where operated upon in the Grand Junction workings has proved that good grade ore is to be found there, and as operations are now being vigorously carried on there is every reason to believe that the company will during the coming year .assume great prominence on account of the crude wealth unearthed within its mineral regions. .it Other adjacent properties promise well, and going further-afield.the Te Puke, districtalso bids fair to attract more than or-., dinary attention; / Already a large amount . of ' useful work—both of a prospecting and ]

■development character— been accomplished, and that some rich deposits of precious metal exist there has been demonstrated by the crushing of two small parcels of stone "at the Thames School of Mines.. The first parcel treated from the Te Puke Gold Reefs property consisted of two tons,. which gave the > handsome yield of bullion valued ati £81 15s. . A second parcel of three tons:was treated for bullion valued at £80, • lid, or at the rate of £28 38s 4d per: ton. Such, returns speak volumes the; richness of our resources, and it is unques- ■; iionably" only a matter of time until the number of our best; -producers will :;■ : be largely increased. \_ ' - • • The area of auriferous country on this * : portion of the '''peninsula i is most prolific, and when .over £630,000 worth of bullion can be extracted in one year, even with thefew: batteries in operation at present, - it serves to show that the mining industry, so far as Ohinemuri is concerned, is in its infantile .■ stage, ; and at the same timd:::, gives some idea as to the immense possibili- , ties for the future. ,'. Waitekauri has also witnessed the amalgamation of its parent mine with the New ; | Waitekauri Extended; Company's "property, „•' at Marototo. and with the fine:area now at ■' _, "', its command : it will be: strange indeed if '.' the company is not a. profitable one. The probable intention is:to:concentrate; all the work on the Waitekauri: side of the range, , and work towards the Extended property bv means of northern levels from the main shaft. Taking the district as a whole, every- ~ thing points to a very successful year, as already indicated, and one of the. 1 -great features associated with the mining operations of the future will; bellow level development. 'Already the New Zealand Crown, Woodstock, Waihi, and Waitekauri mines have proved the occurrence of pay- , able runs of ore on the downward continuation'of their reef systems, besides the fact that the. lodes do not diminish in size, nor are. they weakened as regards their oreproducing capabilities. ""-,The companies in question are setting themselves out to proceed with exploration work at the lower levels, and in order ; that they may not be defeated in their object, powerful pumping and winding plants ; are operating.' ' - :■'> With regard to ' the: past three weeks' operations, there is very little fresh to record other than the ■ amalgamation of the Waihi and Union-Waihi,' Company's properties at Waihi. and of ; the Waitekauri • ' and Waitekauri Extended Companies' pro- ■ perties : above . referred to. KARANGAHAKE. The Talisman Consolidated Company's . ■<■'■'■ property is now under the resident man- ; agership of Mr. Deane Mitchell, who was for some time manager of the. East Slur- ■ . chison Gold Mining Company, Limited, West Australia, under Messrs. -." Bewick, Moreing and Co. Mr. Mitchell assumed control in the early ''.part-""of the month. The yield of bullion for December, 1901,, was £1980 12s 6d from 1871 tons of ore,' thus making the total output for the year £16.764 19s Bd, or a gross output of £120,602..'. :., '. /;;:; ■ ;■ ;;:':. ', ""■ The Woodstock Company's property has. closed down pending reconstruction, and according to latest reports there is every reason to believe that the scheme will be successfully . accomplished at Home. Already a very large sum of money has been expended in the erection of a. powerful air-compressor plant, as well as in conducting low level, operations, and as the mine has been thoroughly tested, and highly-encouraging results have been ob- | tained in the lowest levels, there is every inducement, to reconstruct as quickly -as possible, and continue the .operations, which were unfortunately brought to a termination a few weeks ago. The battery was only crushing three months when it had to be closed down in consequence of the shortage of water for motive power, but during the crushing period 3089 tons of.ore were treated for a yield of £4775. The New. Zealand Grown. Mines "■ property is,. next to the Waihi, the most consistent bullion-producer ■' of the district, and its splendid yield of £68,073 for tha year stamps it at once as a large contributor to the resources of the country. ; The deep level .'■■'-'■ , works now being earned on are opening up ■• a new mine below the Waitawheta, and the company can look forward to years of successful and remunerative operations. During' the ' month of December the' company. treated 2254 tons of ore for a return "of bullion valued at £5595. .'•-,:

/'vf ?,' : '-' . OWHAROA. , - .; At Owharoa the only mine that has been, ; persistently worked during the past 12 months :is the Rising : .Sun, and the pro- ;\ spects obtained are of a very encouragingnature. Lately the footwall reef has received \ special attention, and for a distance of 150 ft opened up on the lode ! gold has been seen the whole length. A prospecting winze was commenced recently, from- which quartz showing free gold was taken out last week. WAITEKAURr. • " At Waitekauri the amalgamation of: the Waitekauri and Waitekauri Extended Com-": panies' properties will, it is believed, yield good results. The Waitekauri Company, • during December, crushed and treated 1613 tons for a return of bullion valued at £2998, thus making the aggregate from the mine to date £340,117. : ' .-. ',-

The Waitekauri Cross Company recently commenced operations again, but it has' been found that the pumping plant is inadequate to meet requirements,' and the mine, is temporarily under partial protection, but iris intended I understand, to thoroughly and vigorously develop the property. Several other properties, more particularly the New Alpha, Young New. Zealand, and '~ New Zealand Jubilee, have been steadily worked. Mr. Kersey Cooper is at present in England with the object of raising additional capital to further exploit the Jubilee.

MAROTOjO.' Marototo has lately received a good -leal of attention, and Mr. J. McCombie has.taken up a piece of ground for ah English cate. . ' ..;; , '„:'■:.;'-:;■/■ r' :V' : : :;•■";■ v£.

The Maratoto Company and Hikutaia Gold Syndicate are also carrying on operations there. Tim latter have erected a splen-didly-equipped five-stamper mill, comprising stamps of 9001b calibre, Dodge stonecrusher, two amalgamating tables, one spitzkasten, for separating the: slimes from the, sands, and three sand vats (16ft diameter by 6ft; deep), capable of treating 38 tons of , sand each/ The latter are fitted with revolving distributors. There are, of course, . also the usual extractor boxes and cyanide fixings, and altogether a splendid little, plant, capable of crushing on an average 20 tons of ore per day. is now-in operation on the syndicate's property. Crushing is ipw • proceeding, and an interim 'clean-up has resulted in the manager banking 470z sdwt 6/ • ':; bullion valued at £118. , ■ '•' ■ ; ' . ' KOMATa. ; ■ ..;■■■"■• - : " . At Komata the Komata Reefs Company's ;; property, during the past 12 months, produced £11,092 worth of bullion. The mill was not running all the time, as several lengthy stoppages, owing to labour troubles and a breakage of the race, were occasioned. Several new discoveries have been made in the Komata district, and it is believed that they will turn out well if sufficient capita! is forthcoming to develop the same. / . .waihi. '•■;.: The Waihi district has already been k» ferred to above, but it may be mentioned | that in the Waihi Grand Junction mine the lode at the 500 ft level is holding its course well at both the east and west ends. The water has been again reduced, and the pump I has been working half a stroke less -. since j last week than previously.: Work .in the ' Waihi West section is proceeding .as expeditiously as possible. .«■ ■ .-..■.■■■ As regards the Waihi Gold Mining •Company's operations, during the holidays actual work in the mine was suspended for 12 days, but there were 52 men employed most of that time pushing on with urgent work at No. 6 (the lowest) level. The north-west crosscut at No. 6 level is now in a total'of 304 ft from No. 2 shaft. The last 54ft were turned north-west for the purpose of cutting the Martha lode as nearly at right angles as possible. At 260 ft a channel .; of oxidised country, intermixed with quartz, 13ft wide, was passed through, after which a compact body of quartz came to" hand again striking at right angles across the face. Up to the holidays this lode—whiclr corresponds with the Martha—was penetrated 31ft,' with ore partly mineralised still •in the face. The level on the Magazine lode is now id 181 ft. from the north-west crosscut. The lode widened out to §& -°> -* W

■ i übbly ore of low gradet The level on the Albert lode -is- in 85ft from the , south-east crosscut. At 57ft the lode widened ' out to ft 9in, and at present it is the full width - of the level, and shows several cross veins, running at right angles across the ~,- face., The ore coming to hand from here "in of fanquality. The west crosscut from No. 2 shaft, north-west chamber-, is in a total of t-7ft. 'At 47ft a lode Bft wide was cut through, composed of medium quality ore., no 5* level on the -Martha lode is now in 656ft-eavt from No. 1 shaft.- At 600 ft the lode is 31ft wide,: composted of 6ft of fairly rich sulphide ore on the no.rth side, and 10ft ' of oxidised or© of good quality. The balances, on the south side is of low grade, broken, slidv country showing on lie south wall. In the south section of the Welcome " D " •lode, No. 11a pass is down 66ft on payable ore all the way. At No.; 4 level the Juno pass, on the Martha lode, is down the required ; depth of 86ft, on rich sulphide ore' all the way. Five stopes are in hand on this lode. Several stopes are also in opera- : tion on the Welcome and Empire lodes. : ' At No. 3 level No. 2 level crosscut still requires to be driven 70ft to connect with No. 4 shaft. During the holidays a chamber -■-• .was opened in the shaft to correspond with this level, so that the crosscut is now being . pushed on from both sides, and should soon be connected. The end of the adit level on the Regina lode is now in 156 ft east of the Welcome junction. The lode is 2ft wide, and of good quality ore. No. 1 shaft has attained a depth of 34ft below No. 5 level. The countrv is a ijrra blocky ands- --; site, showing email veins of quartz, and -', there is no water. -:■';;.. /.THAMES. ;..' . <

The year 1901 was not an entirely satisfactory one as regards the gold mining industry in the Thames district, for neither in respect to the amount of work accomplished nor in the total output "of gold were : . . anticipations realised. In fact, there was a distinct falling-off in both respects, compared with previous years, and had it not been for the work carried out by tributers avid priv vate claimholders, and the consequent output of gold attending their efforts, matters ■would have been much worse. For the chief cause of this state of affairs, especially with respect to development work, one has not to look far. There is little doubt but that the cessation of pumping and sinking operations by the Thames Hauraki Company, at the very commencement of the year (which thus prevented anything being done in the mutter of opening up and testing the lower levels of the field) played a very prominent : part. One of its effects was that it prevented the May Queen Hauraki.Company from doing anything to open up and develop their low levels, although apparently anxious to do so. Consequently that company simply • ■"'■:•■ threw open the levels that were available : in their mine to the operations of tributers, and did no work themselves. Neither did the New Moanataiari, Kuranui-Caledonian, New Alburnia, Victoria, Hauraki Fortuna, ; and several other companies of less importance, carry out any works on their own ac- -' . count. What work was accomplished in these last mentioned properties, with the attendant yields of gold from the same, were solely the result of tributers' opera % tions, and they in turn were limited to what may be termed the surface levels. Recent , news from Home to the effect that the .;. Thames Hauraki Company stands a reasonable chance of being reconstructed awakens, ~; {however, the hope that pumping' and other operations in that property may be resumed before long, and this will" inevitably have a ..-good effect. That a change in this state of affairs is much needed in this district, if it is to keep up its reputation as a goldfield of any importance, no one will deny. But before this change can be brought about it would be well—nay, necessary— the different companies to undertake some permanent scheme, having for its object the opening up of lower levels than, those which exist now. The present levels are -fast becoming exhausted, even for tributers, and unless something is done in the line indicated, it will only be a comparatively short time before .■;-■■. the field will be''duff ered." What is wanted is immediate united action on the part of the companies interested in devising and carrying out a scheme which will provide for the proper testing of the Thames frftt at a depth of at least 1000 ft to 1500 ft, if not to 2000 ft. , It cannot now be said that such a thing is impossible on account of the drainage question, for in the Thames Hauraki Company's • pumping machinery the field has a plant capable of pumping "from any depth that is likely to be attained for years to come. Of course the chief obstacle in the way of - . carrying out such a scheme would be the raising of the necessary capital, which would require to be of substantial character, but there is no doubt that even that difficulty could be overcome, for such a work deserves and would probably receive substantial recognition from Government, inasmuch •as the successful carrying out of the scheme would be beneficial to the colony as a whole. It is also advisable that a scheme should be .undertaken having for its object the extension of the Moanataiari main adit level, with , the view of providing deeper levels to prospect in connection with the mining proper- . ties lying on the hills at: the back of the township, and also of providing cheap tran- ' sit for the ore from the mines in question to the batteries the flat. ..-•"- ' It is also essential that our public gold mining companies should be conducted on ■'. strictly commercial lines. If this Lad been done from fhe commencement of gold raining operations in this district, matters would have been in a much more satisfactory state than they now are. For instance, suppose : the Shotover, Tookey's, (Caledonian, Golden Crown, Prince Imperial, Alburnia, Moanataiari, Cambria, and other successful mining properties, all of which v. -have worked on rich shutes of gold in their time, and paid large dividends to their shareholders, had been worked on similar lines to • those upon which the well-known .Waiotahi Company's mine has been • worked for the last 25 years, what would have been the result'/ The majority of them would probably have been successfully working to this day, and employing large numbers of miners.' Not only that, but ~'" the deep levels would long ere this' have ■'-:'■ been tested, and the gold mining industry in this district would have been in a prosperous condition, instead of the state it is now in. Tho mistake in the old days was that the companies rooted out the gold as ; quicMy'as possible with the view of paying dividends, and did not establish reserve : funds whereby to carry out development works which were required for the discovery of other rich runs of the precious metal. : Another serious drawback which the gold •'.-. 'mining industry has been subjected to for several years past has been the expenditure of large sums of money in the erection of crushing plants and ma<Jainery, without, first ascertaining whether or not the mines - for which these plants were erected contain;cd any or sufficient payable ore to warrant such "an .outlay. The" result has been in several instances that the properties in question have been closed down, because there has not been sufficient capital left with ■ which to properly exploit them, and in one or two cases even the machinery has been sold before it has ever been used. But, although the mining industry has during the past 12 months, had its dark side, so far as the Thames mines are concerned, there is reason to hope that the settlement of the affairs of the Thames Hauraki Company may lead to better results this year. It is pleasing to be able to chronicle that in the immediate outdistricts, such as Waiomo, Tairua, and Whangamata, the year's operations have been of a much brighter and more : hopeful character, and although the goldyield from those districts is not as yet Very o large, the general probability is that from henceforth there will be a steady increase in '■'. the returns.' "v : WAIOMO. : At Waiomo the Monowai Gold Mining Company, are operating on a large body ol ore that averages 33ft in thickness, from ' which excellent results are forthcoming, bullion to the value of £4055 lis 7d, tho result of the treatment of 2845 tons of ore, ; having been obtained as the result of ten ■ months' operations during the past year. The ore is of a complex character, and somewhat difficult to treat, but; by concentrating it and shipping the concentrates to smelting works in Australia, with the cyanide treatment of the slimes and tailings, at the company's own reduction plant, the ( difficulty that at first existed in successfully dealing with the same has at last been overcome, with the result that the company is now making preparations to work it on a p:^ f 4 much, larger scale than they have hitherto t°esr JJSX -" ir t3 ™ company have limited terv &TS °P era t>i°ns to a 10-stamp batS 2 inviSdfe SeQt V ncture tendera are 20 stW. ~™ the erectioll of ah additional acquked P fvZ° n + i? Uew . site ' «>at has been -• ' waere also a wharf is in, course of

construction : for the purpose of providing '-. accommodation for the shipment of the concentrates. ; An aerial tram : will connect the new battery with the mine. "A new low ■■ level is also being opened up in the mine, , and other' development works are in pro- ; gress so "that in a matter of a few months hence the company's output of ore and treatment of same will be considerably increased. '-. ,'-"'-- -/•■.:;■■'. , " : -' ; Several other claims in the vicinity of the Monowai mine are also being exploited, notably the Broken Hill and 'Victory, from each of.which the probability is that something will be heard in the shape of bullion returns • during the current year. i The last-mention-ed claim has already secured £145 9s .7d from nine tons of ore, shipped for treatment to theDapto Smelting Works. .' ; * ..-.• ~'.:;""'.' TAIRUA. ' . ' ' At Tairua the years operations have shown a decided improvement, as is evinced by the results now attending the works conducted by the Tairua Broken Hills and Chelmsford companies. \~ ; The first-mentioned company, by, means of a new low level, has just opened up a large block of ground, with several hundredfeet \of backs, upon a reef which whilst being exploited gave a yield of bullion, valued at £1793 from 455 tons of ore, an average of nearly £4 per ton, or an increase , of £302 upon the previous year's output. This block is now being subdivided into sections with the view of vigorously working the same to the best advantage, and it is confidently anticipated that regular and remunerative returns of bullion will be forthcoming from the same during the current year, crushing being already in progress. It is also probable that considerable attention will be devoted to developing other sections of the company's property, which is looked upon as being a valuable one. The Chelmsford, Gold Mining Company during the past year erected a 10-stamper battery, and accomplished a good deal of development work in its mine, and during the last six months of the year, 1260 tons of ore were treated for a yield of bullion valued at £1430 12s 4d. The ore treated, it will be seen, is of comparatively low grade, but the facilities that prevail for breaking out and handling the same, together with cheap crushing, enables it to be dealt with at a very low cost, and the general opinion is that as the development .of the mine progresses, an improved class of ore will be found. • Another mining property in the Tairua district which is thought considerably of, and which will, no doubt, come more prominently before the public during the present year, is the Taniwha, in which a considerable amount of work is already in progress. WHANGAMATA. . Operations in the Whangamata district have chiefly been confined during the year, apart from a certain amount of prospecting by private parties, to those conducted by the Mananu Gold Mining Company. This company's operations have, however, been attended with a considerable amount of success, for during the year they treated 2677 tons of ore, and 258 tons of tailings, for a yield of bullion valued at £8617 14s 9d, which is an increase of £4776 lis 8d on the previous year's return. It is probable that this company's output of ore and bullion will be considerably increased later on, as it is understood that the crushing plant is being increased by a further 10 head of stampers. Very little work has been accomplished in the Whangamata Gold Corporation's mine during the year, fop during the greater part of the period it has been under protection. It is understood, however, that a new scheme of development works will shortly be instituted, which will have for its object the opening up of new levels from a shaft which is to be sunk, the necessary winding and pumping machinery for which has already arrived in the colony. .". tafu. ■ Mining operations at Tapu were very slack throughout the whole of the past year, consequently the return of gold from that source was comparatively small. The Mahara Royal Company did very little work, but treated 415 tons of tailings that had accumulated from previous crushings for lOloz lldwt of gold, valued at £300 15s 7s. Tributers in the old Bullion claim secured 181oz 3dwt of gold, valued at £566 Is 4d, as the result of 24J ; tons of ore crushed, and one or two private claim holders also secured a few ounces of the: precious metal. -: , ■ • ■ PURU : , In the Pun; district, very little work was accomplished, but a party of tributers in the Puru Consolidated mine have latterly been at work, and won gold to the value of £254 123 2d from 171 tons of ore. TARABU CREEK. In the Tararu Creek district, the one company which conducted continuous and systematic mining development was the Eclipse (Limited), and the operations were attended with such a fair measure of success that shareholders were recently rewarded with a small dividend. Altogether,. the company in question crushed during the year 3987 tons of ore for a yield of gold, valued at £6280 lis 4d. ■• This was a very satisfactory result, especially when it is considered that the company only possess a 10 stamp battery. Judging from the present outlook, the company's prospects for the current year are even better, and it would not be surprising to see increased returns coming to hand in the near future. The Tararu Creek mine, which at.the present time is held in private hands, was idle for the greater part of the year, but certain prospecting works are now in progress in it. The Ironcap mine has also been to a great extent in idleness, but, it is understood that a new scheme of works is shortly t;> be instituted. PUHIEI. A certain amount of prospecting work has also been in progress in the Puriri, Omaha, and Kirikiri districts, but comparatirjly little gold has come to hand from the same. 1 There are, however, one or two private claims at Puriri, viz., the Miners' Right and Union Jack, which are considered to have very good outside shows, but more will probably be heard from them later on. BULLION OUTPUT. The total value of the output of bullion during 1901 from the entire Thames district (which includes Tairua, Whangamata, Puriri, Waiomo, Tapu, and Thames), amounts to £54,504 2s Bd. This return, it will be observed, compared with the value of the output for 1900 (£81,713), shows a decrease of £27,209. The cause of this somewhat serious falling-off, as has been mentioned, is solely due to the majority of the mining companies having tailed to contribute to the gold returns during the past year. The value of the output for 1901 for the Thames district alone, which includes the country lying between Tapu and Puriri, was £42,576 6s lOd ; Whangamata district, £8617 14s 9d ; and Tairua district, £3310 Is Id. Tho largest decrease took place in the Thames district proper, which showed a felling off of £23,723 14s 9d, as compared with the bullion output for 1900, when the value produced stood at £66,300 Is 9d. Whangamata district also shows a decrease of £5304 3s 6d, as compared with the return for that district for 1900, but Tairua district shows an increase of £1818 18s 2d

A careful scrutiny of the value of the gold output from the Thames district only, also shows ! that tributers and private claimowners were responsible for more than threefifths of the total amount, viz., tributers and ckimowners' secured gold valued at £26,790, whilst the companies' total output amounted in value to £15,785 18s 9d only. This in itself shows that the output of gold for the Thames proper would have been comparatively small had not tributers come forward and worked the mines. Of the companies' gold, still keeping to the Thames district, three companies alone contributed the bulk of the value of the same, viz., Eclipse Limited, £6280 lis 4d ; AVaiotahi* Cold Mining Company, $4109 6s Id ; and Monowai Gold Mining Company, £4055 lis 7d. the Eclipse Company's return shows an increase of £3145 10s 3d, when compared with 1900 return, and the Monowai Com* pany return an increase of £2224 15s 4d but the Waiotahii Company's return shows a decrease of £704 15s lOd. The only other companies' returns were as follows New Gloucester, £306 ss; Mahara Royal, £300 15s 7d; Tararu Creek Company, £260 4s Id • May Queen Extended Company, £159 143 4d ; Puriri Gold Estates Company, £130 • New Whau, £110 13s 3d ; Ironcap, £55 16s; Thames Talisman, £17 Is 7d.

Of the tributes' returns the highest was that forthcoming from the May Queen Hauraki Company's outers, who secured gold valued at a total of £9600 12a 7d, which is an increase of £535018s Jld, compared with

their return for 1900 next come, the Moanataiari tributers, with gold valued at £625112s Bd, which is ah increase of £1270 5s 3d"; then the Kuranui Caledonian tributes with gold valued ;at £4154; 18s -4d, which, however, is a; decrease on their return for 1900 of £2071 19s 4d.S; The value of the other returns under this heading was as follows :—Claremont Claim t £1210 10s ; Nonpareil Tributers, £935 10s 4d; Bullion Claim Tributers, £566 Is 4d; Union Jack Claim, £372 5s 8d; Hauraki Fortuna Tributers, £272 16s lid Fame and Fortune Tributers, £258 12s 3d Puru Consolidated Tributers, £254 12s 2d ; New Albumia Tributers, £224 lis 3d; Victoria Tributers, £150 3s •5d ; Victory Claim. £145 9s 7d ; Kuranui Tributers, £142 10s 9d; Miners' Right Claim, £97 14s 4d; Thames Special Tributers, £80 8s 9d; Golden Drop Claim, £39 5s ; New Gloucester Extended Tribute, £24 9s"; May Queen Extended Tributers, £8 3s 8d; sundries (which includes tailings, plants, etc.), £2000.

During the past three weeks,: no new development works have been undertaken, and no very big returns of gold have come to hand. In fact very little crushing has been accomplished in this district since the holidays, but matters are gradually righting themselves in that respect. The Thames Hauraki Company made application" at the Warden's Court about ten days ago for another six month's period of protection, and the same was referred to the Minister for Mines by the Warden, who will probably sanction the application, as it is felt that the company are deserving of every consideration after expending such a large sum of money in the erection of their large pumping plant. The solicitor for the applicant company mentioned that he was in receipt of information from London which was favourable to a probable early reconstruction of the Standard Exploration Company, in whose hands the Thames Hauraki Company are. . ' ■ . At the sitting of the same Court the New Alburnia Company was granted permission to work with four wages men for the next six months, and the Ironcap Company to work with six men for a similar period. The annual election of the Thames Drainage Board resulted in the return of all the old members, and Mr. J. M. Lennox has again been re-elected as chairman. At a meeting of the Board, held on the 23rd inst., the following schedule of drainage assessments was submitted and adopted to be levied against the contributing companies named for the current year:—Victoria, £170 ; Kuranui-Caledonian, £334 ; Kuranui, £95 ; New Moanataiari, £468 ; Waiotahi, £339; May Queen Hauraki, £1235; Thames Hauraki, £986. These rates were all made subject to a rebate of five per cent, for all contributions paid within 14 days of due date. A special meeting of tho Board is to be held to-morrow (Saturday) to hear any appeals that may be lodged against the assessment.. The following returns have been banked since last Summary was published: —Monowai Gold Mines, £511 lis 2d, which amount was made up as follows: 20 tons 14cwt of concentrates (treated at Dapto, N.S.W.), £306 13s 9d; 18cwt picked stone, £100 5s sd; and 217 tons of tailings (treated by cyanide), £104 12s. Two parties of May Queen Jlauraki tributers crushed a total of six tons of general ore, and 16 pounds of picked stone, for 28oz of melted gold, valued at £77 2s lOd; six .parties of the New Moanataiari Company's tributers crushed 27 tons of general ore, and 26 pounds of picked stone for 760z 15dwt of gold, valued at £208 18s; Puru Consolidated tributers, 40 tons for 18oz 17dwt of gold, valued at £50 2s 2d ; Gloucester Extended Tribute, 2 tons, for 3oz sdwt of gold, valued at £10 os Id. COROMANDEL. The year 1901 proved somewhat uneventful as far as gold miniug in Coromandel County is concerned. There were not any new finds of importance recorded, but in most instances where systematic development works have been undertaken the results have been of a satisfactory character. The excellent returns during the past few months from the Royal Oak of Hauraki are the outcome of systematic work, and go to prove that if known auriferous ground is turned over on a well-matured and properly-defined plan, gold is to be won.

The Hauraki Freehold Company inaugurated a scheme of works for the development of its property some months ago, and the result is that a large and promising block of ore has been opened up. Unfortunately, lack of capital has necessitated the temporary suspension of works, but in view of the fact that most of the dead work has been accomplished, and the mine brought almost to the stage when regular returns might reasonably be looked for, it should not be a difficult matter to raise a little additional capital to complete the scheme of development. .Although the Hauraki Gold Mining Company's mine has produced a moderate amount of gold during the year z the returns have not been what they were a few years ago, which result is by many attributed to the small amount of development works and exploitation that has been going on for some time past. The directors have, however, been considering a scheme for a more extensive development of the mine, which they have recently authorised to be put into execution. Should the proposed programme be fully carried out, there will be new ground to explore which should bring to light fresh discoveries and further ore reserves. The year now entered upon should see the Hauraki in its former prominent position. The company treated during the year 1030 tons of ore, yielding 19840z Sdwt melted bullion, value £6089 5s Bd. Amongst the smaller Coromandel mines worked by local capital, the New Four-in-Hand and the Progress-Castle Rock have more than paid their way during the year, and shareholders in tho former have had a dividend. Some of the private-owned mines, and tributers have also had satisfactory results. * ' Operations in the Progress-Castle Rock mine during 1901 have been confined to driving and stoping on Reynolds' reef. The lode varies in size to lft in thickness, showing an excellent class of minerals and gold occasionally. The company crushed 82 tons 1981b oi ore for a yield of bullion valued at £574 7s sd. Crushing is proceeding at the company's battery. During the year little or nothing has been done to prove the deep levels, which is a cause for regret. The Kapauga, the deepest mine in the district—or, in fact, in the colony—is' lying idle. The shaft was sunk to a depth of 1000 ft, and rich golden stone found at that depth. The result of boring operations for a further distance of 200 ft revealed the fact that the country was of a highly favourable description, and gold was obtained from the cores. In the face of such highlyencouraging results, one would think that further work would be done to prove the property. The indications are such as to lead to the assumption that rich gold exists below 1000 ft, and there is every probability of a practically new goldfield being opened up at the deep levels. The work is one of more than local importance, as it has not yet been proved whether our reef system is better or poorer at the deep levels than near the surface, but tho existence of rich gold has been demonstrated. The work being one of colonial importance, there should be little difficulty in securing Government aid towards carrying out a properly-devised scheme for testing our deep levels. The present Government are favourable to mining enterprise, and the Minister for Mines is a shrewd and practical man, which is certainly something towards attaining assistance, towards proving the value of the deep levels of New Zealand mines.

The Hauraki Mines (Limited) property is situated on thq Tokatea range, adjoining the Royal, Oak of Hauraki and Harbour View mines, and comprises an area of 68 acres. After a period of protection work was again resumed in May, 1901, and continued. Since that date operations have been conducted on the eastern side of the range from adit levels Nos. 2 and 3, No. 3 level being 400 ft below the top of the range, and 750 ft in length. The principal ore -bodies upon which development works are proceeding, are the footwall and cross reefs. An intermediate drive on the footwall leader between Nos. 2 and 3 levels has been driven 115 ft. Systematic stoping is being proceeded with. The country encasing the leader is hard, making boring difficult and progress slow. The leader has been a consistent gold-pro-ducer in the higher levels, and is apparently carrying the gold • downwards,, as the precious metal is frequently seen and specimen stone for the bag is occasionally coming to +v?xt The cross reef is being worked above the No. 2 level, on which a rise is in progress preparatory to stoping being commenced. This leader is also opening up well, as from the 70ft of driving, just accom-

plished £92 worth of bullion has been .won, and gold' is being carried up in the rise, indicating that something good may yet eventuate from this work, as the leader is almost wholly intact.V ;i Since the resumption ;of work two tons of general ore and 2cwt 'of selected stone have been: treated, 7 realism;-' £217 5s 2d. 7 ; The milling machinery in connection with the mine is driven by a SmithVaile turbine, when water is available, and a 25-h.p. engine and boiler used as an auxiliary in the dry season. There is a modern up-to-date crushing plant consisting of 10heads of stampers, four berdans, ore-crusher, and automatic ore-feeders, also a two-stamp mill for treating specimen stone." The Bunker's Hill mine, which adjoins the famous Hauraki mine, from its infancy always produced specimen stone, but unfortunately not sufficient to meet current expenses, consequently the capital became exhausted, the company became embarrassed, and after an unavailing struggle against the inevitable, and in order to give shareholders breathing time, the directors obtained protection. The mine has been closed down during the past six months, still there are those in the district whose faith in the property is as robust and unshaken as in the early times. During the last six months in which the company worked, 82 tons of general ore and 1631b of picked stone were treated, resulting in a return of 2280z 17dwt melted gold, valuing £640 73 9d, the product of 180 ft of driving, 70 fathoms of stoping, and 20ft of sinking. The mine is worked from a shaft 285 ft deep, from which four levels are opened. The deepest workings below the surface are 330 ft. Several reefs and leaders have been cut and operated upon, all of which are carrying specimen stone. Some marvellously rich stone has been won from the Finch leader, going 7oz to the pound, and upon this leader the mine manager (Mr. Moorcraft) has recommended the company to resume operations. The machinery at the mine consists of a 20-h.p. colonial tubular boiler and a 25-h.p. Tanye engine. . OPITOXUI. The improved prospects and increased yield of the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates mines at Opitonui is another instance of the wisdom of thoroughly developing a property that has yielded gold in the past. The results go to prove the foresight of the directors in adopting Mr. Alex. Montgomery's proposals for the systematic development of the mines, and the consensus of opinion is that the company has a good future before it. . During the year ended December 31, 1901, the company's work has been mainly development, opening up the lower levels of the Rangatira and Maiden mines, and up to August no stoping was done, except leading stopes over the levels, for the purpose of testing the blocks and having them ready for stoping. Since August crushing has been carried on with from one to two shifts only per day at the battery, pending the opening of the low levels in the Maiden mine. In the Maiden mine the main shaft has been sunk to Nos. 3 and 4 levels, 120 ft and 225 ft respectively below No. 2 level. The total depth of the shaft from the surface is 387 ft, including the sump, 17ft below No. 4 level. Chambers have been cut at Nos. 3 and 4 levels, in readiness to commence driving to the reef. At the No. 4 level a large compound duplex Dow pump has been fixed, with steam cylinders 14in and 24in diameter, and water plungers 10.5 in diameter; stroke 18in. These are capable of raising 900 gallons of water a minute when working at 80 strokes per plunger per minute. The pump is supplied with a Worthington condenser. During the year the No. 2 level has been full of water, a dam having been fixed in the crosscut rem the shaft to keep the water in the mine while the sinking was in progress. It is expected that work in this level will be resumed at the end of January. Iu the No. 1 level the principal work of the year has been driving and stoping on the Geraldine reef. This has proved rather poor, but appears to be improving in depth, there being a marked improvement going downwards from the No. 2 adit level to the No. 1 level. In the Rangatira mine the No. 3 level has been opened during the year, showing a greater length and width of goldbearing stone than in any of the upper levels. Stoping has been carried on with fair results in the blocks over the Nos. 2 and 3 levels. A Dow pump, exactly the same as that above described at the Maiden mine, has been obtained for this mine, but is not yet in position, being intended to bo fixed at the No. 4 level. A large Babcock and Wilcox boiler, of 159 i.h.p., has been erected on the surface, and a new smoke stack 100 ft high put up. In Lanigan's and Hilda mine very little work has been done for the year, a few men being kept working in the extension of No. 1 level and in stoping above No. 1 level and above the Hilda No. 2 adit.

At the battery considerable additions have been made, rendering the treatment very complete. The slimes separated in the spitzkasten from the battery pulp, and those overflowing from the receiving vats in the cyanide plant, are elevated . into a pair of settling tanks, where the slime is precipitated with the help of lime. From these settlers the sludge is run out into a pair of agitating tanks, provided with paddles, which keep the slime in a constant state c£ agitation. From these it passes into a montejus, from which it is forced by compressed air into a pair of 50-chamber Dehne filter presses, each capable of handling about four tons of dry slimes at a charge. At first the slimes were treated with cyanide solution in the agitators, the filter presses then serving simply to separate out the gold solution, but later it. was found best to use no cyanide in the agitators, but simply to separate out the surplus water from the slimes in the filter presses, and then treat the cakes in the presses themselves .with cyanide solution, followed by washing. The exhausted cakes of slimes dropped out of the presses are removed by sluicing. In order to increase the output of the stamps 20-mesh' wovenwire screens are now used, and the coarsest sand resulting is separated from the tailings in spitzlutten, and elevated to a Huntington mill, where it is reground to pass through a ' 30-mesh screen. When the coarse screens are on the battery, and the Huntington mill is working, the output of the stamps rises to slightly over four tons per stamp per day.

During the year 9781 tons of ore have been crushed, and 5296 tons of tailings therefrom .treated in the vats by cyanide; 4740 tons of slimes also have been treated, about 3000 tons of which came from the ore crushed in the period, the' remainder being old slimes from the tailings pits. s The total bullion recovered was of the gross value of £12/722 17s lOd. It is expected that the battery will work full time by about the end of March, when ore will be available from the Maiden low levels.

KUAOTUNU. At Kuaotunu extensive development works have been in progress in the Kapai and Mariposa mines at the hands of the Kuaotunu Syndicate (now owning both properties), and the outlook is of a most encouraging nature. There is every prospect of these properties again entering the list of regular bullion-producers. Although operations in the Waitaia mine have not been on a very large scale, the property has produced a respectable quantity of bullion, and there is now every prospect of the shareholders reaping the benefit of money expended upon opening up the property in the past. During the year the company crushed about 500 tons of ore for bullion worth £2884 16s Id. The ore was treated at the Irene battery..