FURTHER REPORTS UPON THIS GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1872 Session I, G-04a

G.—No. 4a.

FURTHER REPORTS UPON THIS GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THK Q-EOTRAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OJ HIS EXCELLENCY. WELLINGTON. 1872.

GK—No. 4a

AUCKLAND. No. 1. His Honor T. B. Gillies to the Hon. W. Gisboene. g IE _ Superintendent's Office, Auckland, Bth July, 1872. In compliance with the request of the Under Secretary for Gold Melds, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for presentation to Parliament, Eeports (2) upon the Hauraki Gold Mining District (North and South), for the year ending 31st March, 1872. I have, &c, Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 1. Eeport on the South Hattraki Gold Mining District, Thames, from Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872. The year 1871 will always be remembered favourably, owing to the immense richness of the Caledonian Claim. Its largest yields, occurring in the first six months of the year, gave to the latter six months a diminished return""; and although others of our leading mines, namely, the Long Drive, Golden Crown, and others, have shown a marked falling off, yet still others have yielded largely, as the All Nations Nonpareil, and Moanataiari, thus in some measure compensating for the falling off of those mines which have been so wonderfully productive, as will appear by the following—the Caledonian for the first six months of 1871 having yielded 198,144 oz., for the last six months in 187.1, 163,437 oz. , 111 July 1871 mining matters generally were prosperous, and new ventures were started. Caledonians ruled the market. On the 15th June shares were £175, on the 21st reached £212 ; for several days after this the returns from the mine were enormous, the fortnight's return amounting to 15 616 oz. On the 28th the shares began to fall, on the 10th July shares were at £110. The general stuff averaged from 6 oz. to 12 oz. per ton, while the specimens swelled the averages to 25 oz. per ton. Otao-os Cures, Belfasts, Kelly's, now pretty closely followed in the wake of the Caledonian, these with Tookey's, which is a continuation, being of the Caledonian reef, being all on the same line of reef, and dependent on its success for encouragement. The Albion now appears on the mining horizon, uniting Belfast, Kelly's, Poverty and Charleston, the whole block comprising 9 acres 1 rood 11 perches—twenty-eight men's ground. The Caledonian reef underlies this block. ' . The Vulcan start their battery, thus giving the Upper Tararu an opportunity of proving their In August the Caledonian still produced rich stone. Dividends declared since January last, £195 per share the mine having produced gold worth nearly half a million sterling. On the 28th August a good find occurred in the Central Italy. The Nonpareil also produced £9,323. The All Nations crushed 2 546 tons, giving three dividends during the year, amounting to £21,662 ; out of this £14,010 have been paid in dividends. In the Alburnia a rich parcel of stuff is found. The weather is nowstormy hindering mining operations; a want of powder is now felt, bringing some good mines to a standstill. Tailing machines are now in increased operation, 1,508 tons of Caledonian tailings having realized £4,414, prices'varying from 225. 6d. to 90s. per ton. _ In September, the Caledonian was the chief source of attention. The following report of crushings will show its true value :—Up to 31st January, 1871, 919 tons gave 2,392 oz.—over 2 oz. to the ton; from Ist February, 1871, to 31st July, 1871, the yield from 7,309 tons gave 154,828 oz., equal to 21 oz. per ton, making a payment of £144 per share for the last half-year. The mine employed 76 he d of stamps. , ,■ , _ . . . . By agreement, the Caledonian, Golden Crown, Imperial Crown, and Tookey s Companies jointly purchased pumping machinery from Australia, which, having a cylinder 81£ inches diameter, is the largest in the Australian Colonies, and will supersede the small pumps at present employed.^ This was called the United Pumping Association. The Nonpareil, Waitemata (amalgamated with the bcdan), and Central Italy are now meeting with good stone. The Twenty-third of June, having been worked on good stone, declare a dividend of 3s. 6d. per share. In October occurred the falling off of the Caledonian. Eichards, Sims, and Wright made their report, and confidence in some measure returned. The Albion, an important undertaking at tne time, started with a large shaft and plant of magnitude. The machinery of the United Pumping Association arrives, and active operations are commenced. The Nonpareil makes important progress. The important work carried out by the Kuranui Hill Tunnel Company is already driven 1,000 feet, with a double line of rails extending through the Long Drive, All Nations, Junction, and Inverness, eventually to reach the Moanataiari and more distant claims. The Inverness in the month makes

FURTHER REPORTS ON THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND.

EUETHER REPORTS ON THE

G.—No. 4a.

4

good progress. The fine weather of this month has vastly aided mining operations. The Multum in Parvo now steps in, and from 425 tons crushed, gives gold worth £2,432. The Una now appears with steady returns. The Karaka and Hape Creeks mines are improving. In November, a series of accidents occur to the Caledonian mine. Lower level flooded; in a few days entirely new gear is fixed, and the good return of 4,641 oz. results for the month. In Tookey's, improved ventilation was needed and supplied. The Nonpareil steps in and pays a dividend of 4s. per share. The Central Italy now makes strenuous efl'orts to carry on their work with spirit, and overcome their increased water, adding steam power. The United Pumping Association reach a depth of 240 feet, and are proceeding with the erection of their large plant. The Golden Age is now profitably worked. The Shamrock shows gold freely. The Brighton Company are carrying on vigorous operations, having started their battery of 20 head. The Alburnia now appears, having started their machinery. The Sons of Freedom and Flying Cloud are being worked with spirit. The Shotover shaft is sunk over 300 feet, and a reef of considerable size struck. The George Stevenson has got good gold. In November, the Caledonian was at full work ; the month's crushing gave 6,241 oz., which gave a dividend of £4. The next fortnight gave 6,393 oz. The Golden Crown now appears, showing up better. The Otago Company hits the No. lor Caledonian Reef, giving them great encouragement. The Albion United Pumping and Central Italy now appear erecting their machinery. The All Nations are crushing 2 oz. to the ton. The Bright Smile strike their reef, producing 1| oz. to the ton, in quantity. The George Stevenson here gives a yield of 1-J- oz. to the ton. In December, the Caledonian yielded, for one week, the magnificent return of 3,274 oz. A change in the system of working having occurred, rendering dead work necessary, the next week yielded but 338 oz. ; the week following, 512 oz. The Christmas holidays always seriously affect mining operations. The batteries also choose this time to effect repairs, hence stagnation occurs generally. Tookey's are now sinking their shaft deeper in order to cut the shot of gold worked by the Caledonian. The Nonpareil main shaft is sunk one hundred feet below adit level, a9O feet winze has cut a 3 feet lode showing gold freely. The "Waitemata are sinking and driving on a 4 feet reef giving payable quartz. The Shotover have attained 384 feet from surface, or 294 feet below high watermark, being the greatest depth yet reached in the field, open out. This is an important prospecting work. In the Moanataiari great increase in yield has occurred. oz. For the year ending 1869 the return was ... ... ... ... 3,941 In 1870 the return was ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,472 Four months ending April 30, was ... ... ... ... ... 5,130 May and June, was ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,324 July to December, five months, was ... ... ... ... ... 5,725 The want of water is now severely felt, the long drought having almost dried the creeks. Tho Red, White, and Blue have crashed 70-|-tons, giving 136 oz., nearly 2 oz. to the ton ; and 93 tons giving 129 oz., or nearly 1\ oz. to the ton. The Una Company, besides being engaged on dead work, have crushed 4,453 tons, yielding 2,505 oz., average 11 dwt. 6 gr. per ton; out of this they have paid £1,500 in dividends. In March the out-district mines show great improvement, in some measure compensating for the falling off of the Caledonian. A notable improvement is visible also in the Moanataiari Company. The Bright Smile declares a dividend of ss. per share, the result of three weeks' work. The Queen of Beauty yields good returns. Tookey's are sinking their main shaft to cut the Caledonian reef, which underlies their ground. A feature of the field is the formation of large low level tunnels with double rails, common to many mines, to be worked by horses, extending from the beach into the interior. These tunnels will cut the main auriferous belts, drain and prove the country. A remarkable improvement has occurred in the modes of working the mines of this district. The management is now intrusted generally to men thoroughly skilled in aiming details, and j&achinery only of the very best construction is erected, as a rule no expense being spared to render it complete. Henry Goldsmith, Mining Inspector, South Hauraki District.

| Return" showing the length of Tramways on the South Hauraki Gold Mining District, with the Rental paid for each Tramway by the Lessees. Hape Creek —Length of tramway, 81 chains ; yearly rental, £55. Te Papa—Length of wire tramway, 40 chains ; yearly rental, £25. Waiotahi—Length of tramway, 59 chains ; yearly rental, £65. Karaka—Length of tramway, 163 chains ; yearly rental, £150. Moanataiari—Length of tramway, 120, chains, double action ; ') Madman's Gully —Length of wire tramway, 26 chains ; ? yearly rental, £550. Shooting Star—Length of wire tramway, 7*j chains ; j Tararu —Length of tramway, 80 chains ; length of wire tramway, 7i chains ; \ yearly rental, Tinker's Gully—Length of tramway, 40 chains ; length of wire tramway, 7\ chains ; j £90.

Return of the Number and Tonnage of Vessels entered inwards at the Port of Thames, from the Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872, July 1, 1871, to December 31, 1871, 1,300 vessels ; 67,052 tons. January 1, 1872, to March 31, 1872, 655 vessels ; 31, 462 tons.

GOLD EIELDS OE NEW ZEALAND.

5

G.—No. 4a.

Eetttek showing the Eates of "Wages in the South Hauraki Gold Mining District, as also the Charge for Cartage. Labourers'wages ... ... 365. per week. Carpenters'wages... ... 565. „ Mechanical Engineers' wages 665. „ Engineers (Drivers) ... 50s. „ Stokers ... ... ... 50s. „ Miners ... ... ... 365. to 40s. „ Man, dray, and two horses ... 15s. per day.

RETURN stowing Amount of Customs Duties, Arms Fees, and other Receipts, received at the Port of Thames.

Bettjbn of the Price of Provisions and other Articles in general use in the South Hauraki Gold Mining District. Hour, Adelaide, per ton, £16 wholesale; £17 retail. Potatoes, „ „ £8 „ £9 » Bread, 4-|-d. per 21b. loaf. Butchers' Meat, per 100lbs., 30s. wholesale; 4d. to Gd. per lb. retail. Hams, English, per lb., lOd. wholesale ; Is. retail. Butter, in keg, 9d., wholesale ; 10d., retail. fresh, Is. 2d. wholesale; Is. Gd. retail. '„ Colonial, per lb., Bd. wholesale; lOd. retail. Coffee, per lb., 2s. wholesale ; 2s. 6d. retail. Sugar, per lb., s£d. wholesale; sfd. retail. Biscuits (Lamb), 21s. wholesale; 245. 6d. retail. Candles, sperm, lOd. wholesale ; Is. retail. Hay, per ton, £7 10s. Oats, per bushel, 3s. 6d. wholesale ; 4s. retail. Maize" per bushel, 4s. 9d. wholesale ; ss. to Gs. retail. Chaff, per ton, £8 ; per lb. Id. Bran, Is. 3d. per lb. ; 7s. 6d. per bag. Coals, Newcastle, per ton, 455. „ Bay, 245., slack, 18s. Timber, per 100 feet, 9s. to 13s. Shingles, per 1,000, 12s. to 15s. Palings, per 100, 12s. to 18s. Slabs, per 100, 40s. Props, per 100, £5 to £8. Powder, lOd. Bettjen of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, from first July, 1871, to 30th June, 1572, for the South Hauraki Gold Mining District. Births <>29 Deaths JJ* Marriages 819 Memo —This does not represent the actual number of births in this district, as many persons have neglected to register their children, having exceeded the time allowed by Act for registration, namely, six months old. 2

Date. . I Customs Duties. Arms Pees. Miscellaneous Beceipts. Quarter ending September, 1871 „ „ December, „ „ March, I £ s. 4,027 15 3,963 18 3,558 12 d. I 8 | i £ s. 112 15 87 18 91 18 I d. | 0 0 £ s. d. 25 15 3 7 8 0 02 4 1

G.—No. 4a,

6

FURTHER REPORTS ON THE

Hetties' showing the Quantity of Blasting Powder passed at the Custom House, at the Port of Thames, on which Duty was paid, during time from Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872. Quarter ending September 30, 1871 ... ... ... 68,604 lbs. December 31, 1871 ... ... ... 55,743 „ March 31, 1872 ... ... ... 55,123 „ 179,470 „

RETURN showing the Number of Mining Claims held under Miners' Eights in the South Hauraki Gold Mining District, Registered from Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872.

This return includes Tapu and Puriri, but not Coromandel. The total number of Claims registered to this date from the opening of the field is 2,425, of which it is estimated that not more than forty are now held and worked under miners' rights, or under the new Act. Many claims formerly held under miners' rights are now included in leases issued under the G-old Fields Acts, and there is now a strong tendency to exchange such leases, and to take up claims as " Licensed Holdings" under the new Act, but none of these have yet been registered.

Dividend-Paying Mines. The Number of Stamps given is that actually possessed by the Company ; practically a much larger number is usually employed, the requisite assistance being obtained from the public Crushing Companies. The number of Shares stated embraces in each case the unallotted and forfeited portions of the Company's capital.

No. Number of Men's Ground. Area in Acres. umber of claims registered under the Grold Fields Acts, and held under Miners' Eights 'umber of claims registered under Gold Mining Districts Act, the Miner's Eight not being an element of the title 74 292 100 5 26 9 Total 79 318 109

No. of! Shares. Paid and called up. Last Dividend. Total Dividend. Monthly range Closing of Prices. Prices. Name of Company. Extent. 1 3d Limit. All Nations Alburnia... Bendigo Independent ... Caledonian California Claremont Coliban ... Dauntless and Sink to Rise Dixon'sNo. 1 Golden Crown (new issue) Inverness Junction ... Kuranui ... Long Drive Multurn in Parvo Middle Star Do. (new issue) Moanataiari Morning Star Nonpareil Nolan's Candlelight Shotover ... Thames G-.M.Co.,Limited, Investment Association Tapu Great Republic ... Twenty-third of June ... Una Vale of Avoca Whan Acres. 4 30 is 4i 9 5 2£ 2! 24 3 2 2 19 5 3 2 5,400 4,000; 540 2,869! 2,952| 6,000' 7,500, 3,200 2,400 9,600 11,000 7,200 12,700 1,200 8,000 1,440 1,440 13,500 5,000 5,700 3,600 22,400 £ s. d. 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 10 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 25 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 £ s. d. 9 3 0 All 9 15 0 All 4 5 0 0 10 0 12/6 10/ 12/6 40/ 1/6 £ s. d. 7 4 6 10 0 0 12 6 195 10 0 0 5 6 £ s. d. £4 to £3 15/ I 3 15 0 £3 to £4 17/6 4 17 6 21 ■it; £18 to £27 i20 0 0 20/to 37/6 4 11 3 9 9 0 All 4 15 0 All 8 0 0 3 6 8 3 16 3 All 1 16 6 9 15 0 5 8 0 4 17 0 4 4 0 9 18 0 2/ 2/ 4/ 0 2 0 0 7 C 1 16 9 20 47 i/6 V 2/6 20/ V 10/ 0 2 6 0 2 6 2 7 0 69 0 0 0 19 0 15 0 26/to 10/ 10 0 s'i" ::: 24 2 6 7 2 25 11 5/ 2/ 4/ 1/ 2/6 0 5 0 10 0 2 3 6 0 3 6 0 13 6 i £4 to £5 5/ i 5 10 0 62/6to85/ I 4 "b 0 12 | 3 2 26 4 61 6,000i 1,152 3,000: 15.0001 9,500 5,000 10 0 0 8 0 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 10 0 5 0 0 8 0 0 7 4 6 2 0 0 4 10 0 0 18 9 All 10/ % li 15/ 32 7 6 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 2 0 0 15 0 £5 7/6 to £52/6' 5 2 6 15 ... j ...

7

G.—No. 4a.

RETURN showing Batteries Erected on the Thames Gold Field.

GOLD FIELDS OP NEW ZEALAND.

No. on Plan Name. Locality. I QQ %-> O r-t J a Nomin: Moi ;ive Po al H.P. •er. T o 6, 13 o a ,a I Ho Plant. ■se Po er. £ s £ H.P. Steam. H.P. Water. Crushing. Reducing Pumping. i 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 w 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 81 32 33 34 85 36 37 :j8 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 Vulcan Battery Scottish Chief Wild Missouri Russell's Flora McDonald Brown and Co. Tararu Battery Savery and Co. Partington'a Clarkson's Bleazard's Kuranui (Tailings) ... Kuranui Battery Shotover Herald Caledonian Prince Alfred United Pumping Association Brissenden and Co. ... Imperial Crown Mnnukau Tramway Tookey Golden Calf Central Italy Nonpareil Waitomata Morning Star Moanataiari Middle Star Wliau Alburnia Pioneer Ballarat and Clunes ... Weston's Brighton ... ' Criterion Cornstalk Waiotahi Souter's Golden Crown De Hirseh Eglington Spencer and Hall Prince Imperial Little and G-ood Viekery Bull's No. ] Una Perry's Coulabah Oneliunga Bull's No. 2 Halcyon Lucky Hit Captain Ninnis Itaithby and Muir Greenaway's Grove Judd and Co. Holdship and Co. Thwaite3 and Co. Price Brothers United Pumping Association Albion Gold Mining Company Saw Mill, Hape Creek Upper Tararu Tararu ,, Tararu Road Shellback Tararu Eoad Shotover G.M.C'o.,Lim. Beach Grahamstown Tookey's Mat ,, t. . ,, Moanataiari ,, „ ,, ... ji Tinker's Gully Waiotahi 9 6 21 31 30 30 40 15 12 48 12 20 62 21 40 41 12 12 25 8 10 20 9 30 i 30 i 20 ! 27 14 40 5 12 12 12 8 20 22 22 113 14 53 20 50 32 10 47 12 20 15 14 20 27 12 10 21 8 24 21 25 20 8 1G 12 70 16 6 6 10 6 8 10 16 12 5 2 30 40 20 40 40 5 2 30 40 34 40 80 5 12 12 12 8 20 22 22 113 14 53 20 50 32 10 47 12 20 15 14 20 27 12 10 21 8 24 21 25 20 5 2 30 40 34 | 80 12 12 12 20 18 12 | 50 j 14 50 32 10 12 15 12 10 15 8 24 21 25 20 40 5 "s 18 20 6 ... : ■" 10 35 86 35 i 10 10 18 12 12 20 15 14 8 12 i ... | ji 16 12 35 "» j> 20 16 20 16 12 70 35 ,, "6 6 16 2 1 6 6 ,, 6 16 20 28 10 Karaka ,, ,, 5 10 11 26 15 6 6 8 8 20 8 10 12 20 4 4 4 4 6 16 20 28 32 4 4 4 4 20 2 6 8 13 6 8 6 8 250 40 50 4 4 4 4 20 32 ,, ,, Hape Karaka 1 9 8 20 2 6 8 7 6 8 6 8 250 40 50 6 8 13 2 6 Grahamstown Tookey's Plat 250 18 40 Shortland Total 823 1,372 249 1,621

G.—No. 4a.

RETURN showing the Number of Mining Leases in operation in the South Hauraki Gold Mining District.

Eettjetj showing the amount of Miners' Eights issued in the South Hauraki Gold Mining District from Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872. From Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872 ... ... 1,481 £1-Eights. From Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872 £1,452 for Leasehold Eights.

RETURN of Gold obtained from the South Hauraki Gold Mining District for a period of Nine Months ending March 31st, 1872.

RETURN showing the Quantity of Gold obtained from Claims and Companies on the Thames Gold Fields, from Ist July, 1871, to 31st March, 1872.

8

FURTHER REPORTS ON THE

Leases. Number. Acreage. Men's Ground. .57 Leases 25 Licenses ... 1,219 2 29 182 1 G 3542 582

Result of Crushing. Tons. 59,844 Oz. 171,825 Remarks. i.uartz crushed

Claim or Company. Tons. Ox. Claim or Company. I Tone. Oz. Alburnia All Nations Ashley American Eagle Argyle Abraham Lincoln ... Albion Tribute Bendigo Independent ... j Berkeley Castle Beehive Best Wrinkle Brunswick Black Angel Britannia Bright Smile ... ... British Brighton Black Forest Ballarat and Rising Sun Bird in Hand Claremont ... ••■ > City of Chicago ... Caledonian Cure City of London Crown Prince ... ••• Christchurch Crystal Palace Cure City of Dunedin ... ... Cock-a-Doodle ... ... Courier ... ... City of Edinburgh... ... I Californian ... ... Coliban ... ... Crown Jewels Dixon's No. 1 ... ... Dauntless and Sink to Rise ... 2,188 3,103 186 67 105 56 90 388 41 79 170 lbs. 18 328 42 845 30 35 11 28 5 300 cwt. 56 lbs. 9,990 43 40 90 14 10 60 675 138 20 175 1,780 222 5 306 94 3,955 8,317 133 58 62 94 245 646 64 104 35 38 262 28 1,301 21 14 15 16 4 84 13 92,229 74 50 86 16 7 10 322 71 13 42 1,054 684 3 480 159 Don Pedro El Dorado Evening Star Eureka Eureka Hill Four Georges Friend in Need Felix Flagship Golden Anchor Flying Cloud Golden Lion Golden Age Golden Crown Golden Spur Golden Cable Golden Barque Golden Age Golden Phoenix Golden Spur Grove's Bank George Stephenson Goldfinch. Great Surprise Gentle Shepherd ... Golden Anchor Golden Calf Harbour View Hidden Treasure ... Hape Happy-Go-Lucky ... Highland Chief "... Half Moon Havilah Hape Creek Hercules Inverness Inverness Imperial Crown 52 185 34 80 51 80 5 20 62 212 30 142 2,406 69 10 4 126 5 184 248 64 18 25 78 60 50 54 119 145 11 44 44 170 30 lbs. 14 947 90 161 252 417 151 90 75 52 4 21 42 299 14 182 2,891 67 7 4 182 2 149 156 228 34 15 34 21 27 142 S6 92 8 49 10 104 15 6 1,292 170 342

GOLD EXELDS OE NEW ZEALAND

9

G.—No. 4a,

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Bepobt on the ISToeth Haubaki Gold Mining District, Coeomanbel, for the Tear ending 31st March, 1872. The Coromandel Gold Field was the first to be discovered in New Zealand, alluvial deposits having been found in the year 1851, and worked with different degrees of success until 1854, when the field was almost totally abandoned. In 1862, gold was found to exist in considerable quantities in the quartz lodes of Driving Creek, and several small claims were held in that locality until the formation, in 1864, of the Kapanga Company, with which they were amalgamated. The Kapanga Company continued to work the ground for about four years, during which time about £85,000 worth of gold was obtained from it; but the opening of the Thames Gold Fields, and the discovery there of gold-bearing quartz of great richness, again caused the abandonment of Coromandel. The discovery of gold in remunerative quantities on the Tokatea Range in 1869 gave a fresh impetus to mining in this district, which has been slowly but surely advancing since that time, with the aid of local capital only. Shortly after the Tokatea finds, important discoveries of reefs were made in the hills bordering Coromandel Harbour, followed more recently by successful prospecting in the township of Wynyardton, the Tiki district, the Courb House Creek, and the neighbourhood of the old Kapanga Claim, which localities are widely apart from each other, and scattered over a large extent of country. 3

jETTJEM" S. lowmj p,uair ainei :rom aims. iC. — continue!

Claim or Company. Tons. Oz. Claim or Company. Tons. Oz. Junction Jamaica Ivanhoe Kuranui Kelly's ... Little and Good ... Ladybird and Hand of Friendship ... Long Drive Little Angel Long Tunnel Lincoln Castle Macdonald Moanataiari Mary Ann Morning Star Middle Star Moanataiari Union Manukau Multum in Parvo ... Messenger's Moa Missouri ... Montgomery Brothers New May Moon ... No Name North Devon Nonpareil Nebraska Nolan's Candlelight Nautilus ... Ne Plus Ultra New Caledonia North Star New Claim Only Chance (Ecumenical Council Otago Prince Imperial Point Russell Poverty and Charleston Port Philip Pukehinau Pride of York Providence Permissive Bill Pride of Moanataiari 1,220 5 15 lbs. 3,625 158 20 460 497 7 20 27 73 8,453 30 86 665 159 1,150 276 3 40 180 11 15 4 110 2,170 2 32 50 1 12 15 80 5 82 10 235 291 478 10 118 43 31 51 11 964 74 2 3,218 413 24 113 355 23 24 27 33 8,705 7 168 652 213 932 897 2 23 54 72 18 25 55 3,901 1 78 32 2 24 17 59 3 17 4 130 217 647 8 56 56 107 36 4 Queen of Beauty ... Queen of May Queensland Quebec ... Eed White and Blue Rover Eed Queen Sir Colin Campbell Southern Pacific ... Shotover Savage Shooting Star Sundries (including tailings) Sons of Freedom ... Standard Sailor Prince Sir Walter Scott ... South Devon Star of the Thames Sons of Freedom ... Sink to Rise Shamrock Tookeys ... Twenty-third of June Thistle ... Tweedside Thames View Tichborne Una Company Unicorn ... Victoria ... Vulcan ... Vale of Avoca Victory ... Whau ... Wade ... Waiotahi Association Wanderer's Hope ... Windsor Castle West Coast Waitemata Yankee Doodle 1,360 15 23 1 673 5 9 5 20 1,133 15 32 4 101 5 10 5 120 120 40 24 872 183 1 24 21 9 3,246 10 5 272 64 69 1,536 16 954 11 182 80 104 35 1,857 5 22 6 780 4 21 4 44 777 11 34 16,000 15 132 3 6 4 269 174 40 45 2,004 555 1 22 17 10 2,635 141 2 431 85 36 1,620 15 646 6 120 62 51 34 Small parcels from various claims 59,844 171,825 621 lbs.

EURTHER REPORTS ON THE GOLD EIELDS.

G.—No. 4a

10

Energetic measures are now being taken to rework the Kapanga Mine, which has been taken up by an English company, who are importing powerful machinery for that purpose. Although the existence of gold in Coromandel has been known so long, but little efficient prospecting has been done, so that the resources of a gold field of such large extent may only be surmised. As may be seen, however, by an inspection of the tables which accompany this report, the result of the work done is eminently satisfactory, by comparison with the results obtained from other gold fields of Australia and New Zealand, among which it must ultimately take a first-class place. Its progress will be necessarily slow, as a large amount of capital and labour is required for the full development of a quartz mining district. At the present time, none of the mines are properly opened up for carrying on extensive operations, but preparations are being made to work such of them as have already proved valuable in surface workings at a greater depth, and by the improved systems of mining introduced by experienced managers. The tramway constructed by the Government from the top of the Tokatea Range to the New Zealand Company's Battery at its base, is a work of high importance to the mines in that locality. Quartz-crushing machinery is about to be erected on the Tokotea Creek, Kennedy's Bay side of the ranges, and about a mile of tramway, the work of private enterprise, is in course of construction to the site selected. Two other Government tramways, one in extension of the present Tokatea Tramway and the other intended to connect the Tiki mines with the Matawai Creek Battery are now nearly completed. The rapid increase of population within the past twelve months, and the marked improvement which has taken place in the different townships, are evidences of public confidence in Coromandel. Recent discoveries have drawn public attention to this district. The failure, accelerated by mismanagement, of companies formed here in times when comparatively little was known of quartz mining, caused a prejudice to arise in disfavour of Coromandel, which is now in a fair way to be removed. But, as in all other gold fields, seasons of depression must be anticipated in this district, until its prosperity is established on a firm basis. Increased energy displayed by proprietors of claims in the thorough prospecting of their ground, and facility of conveying and crushing quartz, will do much to forward the interests of the district. The following tables show the amount of quartz crushed during the past twelve months, and its yield ; the length and value of water races ; quantity of machinery ; and the area held in the district for mining purposes.

RETURN of Quartz Crushed, and Yield of Gold for the Year ending 31st March, 1872.

Thus averaging 5 oz. 13 dwts. per ton. Considerable quantities of rich specimens have been crushed in G-rahamstown, from which gold to the value of about £3,000 has been obtained, thus making total of upwards of 28,300 ounces, or £81,000. Wateb Races. Total Length. Total Number of Sluice Cost of Construction. Present Value. 300 chains. 15 £1,075 £2,000 CEUSHiNa Machines. Total number ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Total number of stamper heads ... ... ... ... ... 68 Driven by steam power ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 Driven by water power ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 Aggregate horse power ... ... ... ... ... ... 101 Total value of crushing machinery, £13,400. The area held under lease, license, and miners' rights, on the 31st March, 1872, in the Coromandel District, was 1,013 acres, exclusive of grounds situated and being worked on the Township of "Wynyardton and other private properties, the whole being dispersed over an aggregate area of 10,000 acres. The statistical returns in this Eeport are necessarily of an approximate character, as no returns are furnished by the managers of crushing machines or mines, as a means of accurate information. I have, &c, Alex. Aitkejt, Coromandel, Bth June, 1872. Mining Inspector.

Tons Crushed. Ounces. April, May, and June July, August, and September October, November, and December January, February, and March 724 1,059 1,713 1,310 2,754 8,008 9,698 6,825 Total 4,797 27,285