REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS: WARDENS' REPORTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, C-03a

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1894. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS: WARDENS' REPORTS.

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Cadman, with leave of the House.

No. 1. Mr. Warden Bush to the Undee-Secbetaey of Mines, Wellington. g m Magistrate's Office, Auckland, 19th April, 1894. I have the honour to report that practically nothing has been done in the Puhipuhi Mining District with regard to gold-mining during the past year. No fresh discoveries worth working have been made. An expert, representing an English syndicate, has visited the field; but, so far, nothing favourable has resulted from his visit. All the licensed holdings have been forfeited, with the exception of three, and complaints are now pending in the Warden's Court for the forfeiture of those also. No mining has been done during the past year. _ A party has been engaged for some months prospecting for cmmbar, but their efforts up to the present have been unsuccessful in locating the lode. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. E. S. Bush, Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Kenny to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sm _ Warden's Office, Thames, 4th May, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns for the Hauraki Mining District for the year ended 31st March last; and also the following report on the mining industry for the same period:— . , The returns furnished by the Inspector of Mines show a material increase in the value ol gold and bullion won during the year ; and it is gratifying to have to report that, notwithstanding the decreasing yield of gold in some of the older portions of the district, mining operations have, on the whole, met with such encouraging results (vide the comparative return for the years 1893 and 1894 subjoined, by which it will be seen that there has been this year an increase in the gross production of the field of no less than, in value, £30,256). CoBOMANDEL. The Coromandel district, which is the northern portion of the Hauraki Peninsula, has, I regret to say, been dull during the past twelve months, and there has been a falling-off in the yield of gold, especially from Kuaotunu—situated on the East Coast, about nine miles from Mercury Bay. There is reason to believe, however, that mining at Kuaotunu will soon show an improvement. The Great Mercury Mine will probably commence with renewed vigour further prospecting works as soon as the company is reformed. , . , . , ... In the Kapanga Company's mine, at Coromandel, the shaft is being sunk with a view to testing the deep levels. This shaft is now 650 ft. in depth. At Tokatea the few mines still in existence are worked on tribute. Prospecting operations are being carried on in various parts of this district—namely, at Matarangi, Opitonui, Moewai, Mahakirau, and also at Tiki, Matawai, and Manaia; but no fresh discoveries have been recorded. The localities of Mata Creek, Tapu Creek, and Waiomo and Puru Creeks still attract the attention of small parties of miners and prospectors ; and, although they do not add materially to the years' output of gold, the yields are such as to encourage further working and prospecting. A small battery of four stamps has been erected by Tetley and party, about four miles up the Puru Creek, which will give an opportunity for testing the large reefs which are known to exist in the neighbourhood. I—C. 3a.

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Taeaeu Cbeek. This portion of the goldfield has been very dull since the suspension of operations by the Sylvia Company. The whole of their property was sold under writ of sale. Efforts were made by the purchasers to procure capital to open a lower level, and to resume operations generally in the mine. Having failed in their endeavours in this direction, they have practically abandoned the special claim, and their splendid battery and plant have been resold, and are now being removed piecemeal. The Norfolk Company have opened up their mine from the old Missouri tunnel, and the prospects met with are most encouraging. The City of Dunedin Mine has also been worked, but the quartz, owing to the difficulty of successfully treating it, has not proved payable. McDermott and party, with commendable energy, have erected a small battery at Upper Tararu, and expect to get payable quartz in the Seddon Licensed Holding. Shellback. Very little mining is being carried on here, and this portion of the field, with the exception of the Nordenfeldt, may be said, for the present, to be abandoned. Thames-Kueanui. The Hansen's, Comer's, and Hazelbank Mines are profitably worked. The latter company paid £2,100 in dividends during the year. The Moanataiari Mine still produces a large amount of gold, enabling the manager to conduct prospecting operations in various parts of this extensive mine. The New Alburnia Company has been very successful during the past year, and has paid £7,500 to the shareholders in dividends. The New Whau and Alfred Mines have also yielded well. In the Calliope and Orlando Mines a large amount of prospecting work has been done. Waiotahi. The Waiotahi Mine still continues to employ a large staff of men, and to yield profitable returns. £750 has been paid in dividends. The Cambria Mine has also yielded fairly well during the year. The Fame and Fortune Special Claim is again being vigorously worked. Mr. E. K. Cooper, the former owner, has disposed of the mine to an English company, and further prospecting works are now being carried on. Work is being carried on in the New Fearnought and Acme Mines, at the head of the Waiotahi, but not very profitably. Geahamstown. The Victoria Mine, which includes the New Prince Imperial, has been steadily worked, but with moderate results. The Saxon Mine, which is now owned by the May Queen Company, has been worked chiefly on tribute with satisfactory returns. Waiokaeaka. The May Queen Mine, which includes the Saxon and Trenton, has been vigorously worked. A new low-level drive is being put in from the Saxon No. 6 level towards the May Queen shaft. This will give 100 ft. of "backs" in the May Queen ground, and is the most important work at present going on at a low level. The St. Hippo (formerly known as Crawford's Special) has been continuously worked with fair results. Kabaka. Handsome returns have been obtained from the Claremont Claim, in the Karaka Creek. The Lone Hand, Karaka, and Ophir Mines have yielded a fair amount of gold. Una Hill and Te Papa. The Pride of Karaka, Magnolia, Occidental, Homeward Bound, and North Star have been steadily worked. The Consols Mine, at Hape Creek, has been given up by the owners, and the machinery sold. Otunui. Prospecting is being carried on here by Ludwig and party, who have also bought and repaired the old Eureka Company's battery and water-race. Matatoke. A new discovery was made at Matatoke by John Teddy, but the yield from the quartz obtained from the reef was very moderate : 11 tons gave 2oz. Bdwt. of gold. PUEIEI. A party of prospectors, who bought the battery erected some five years ago by Bedford and party, has been working since January last, but otherwise there has not been any work to speak of done in the district. Taikua. The Bonnie Scotland, Gentle Shepherd, and McLever's claim have been at work during the past twelve months. A fresh discovery has been made at Tairua Biver. Davys and party crushed 11 tons of ore at the Thames for a yield of 470z. of gold. At Ohui, which is situated about five miles south of Tairua Heads, a gold-bearing reef has been discovered. Eight tons of quartz from it were crushed at the Thames, and produced 17oz. lOdwt. of gold. On account of the promising nature of these finds, a number of licensed holdings have been applied for, both for land at Tairua Biver and at Ohui. At the former place, however, the claims are situated on Crown lands, over which the Kauri Timber Company hold a lease, giving them the exclusive right to the surface

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of the soil. It is possible that the land may be found to be included in the area to be acquired by by Government under the Tairua Land Act of last session. Until this fact is determined, very little work will be done on the ground, as the claim-owners naturally feel uncertain as to their tenure. Whangamata. This locality is practically deserted. Ohinemubi-Kaeangahake. The Crown Mines Company's mine and the Woodstock United are the chief mines worked in this district, and the yields are very satisfactory. The cyanide process is used by the Crown Mines Company, and their well-equipped battery of twenty stamps, with cyanide plant, is carefully erected, and works admirably. £3,886 9s. has been paid in dividends. The Woodstock Company still use the amalgamation process, but are about to introduce a cyanide plant into their battery. The Earl of Glasgow Mine is being worked by Fleming and party, who are erecting a small battery of five stamps on the Adeline Creek. The Talisman Mine has been steadily prospected, and rich returns are looked forward to in the near future. It is reported that this mine has been acquired by an English syndicate. Owhaeoa. The Smile of Fortune Mine has been regularly worked for fair returns. Waitekauei. Very little work has been done in this portion of the district. Waitekauei Nobth. The Golden Cross Mine has yielded rich gold, and a large amount of prospecting has been done in the surrounding district. The Grace Darling Company is erecting a battery of ten stamps, with cyanide plant. The Portsea, Star of Waitekauri, Taranaki, and several other holdings have obtained good prospects, and there seems every probability of this portion of the Ohinemuri Goldfield contributing largely in the future to the gold returns of the district. Komata. The yield of gold from the Komata Mine has been excellent. Several other holdings have been taken up in the vicinity. Waihi. The Waihi Mine still continues to be successfully worked and to employ a large number of men, both in the mine and battery. During the year a shaft has been sunk a depth of 80ft. below adit-level, and a tunnel driven from it to cut the reef. The shafthas been sunk a further distance of 93ft., to allow of another level being driven therefrom. The reef shows some diminution in size, but the ore obtained has proved in no way inferior to that obtained in the upper levels. About 1,600 tons of ore are crushed every month, for an average yield of bullion worth £5,500. During the past year the company have sold 25,000 tons of tailings to the Cassells Company, who have erected a cyanide plant for their treatment. During the first month 1,425 tons of tailings were put through, for a return of bullion worth £1,500. The Waihi Company have paid in dividends during the past year, as the result of their operations, the sum of £30,000. Te Aeoha-Waiobongomai. Very little mining has been carried on in this district. With the exception of Adam's Mine, the Loyalty, and Newsham's claim, this part of the goldfield may be said to be for the present almost deserted. At the Tui Creek, Broadbent and party have been prospecting the galena lode, and fair prospects have been obtained in a gold-bearing reef, on the track which has recently been cut on the eastern side of the range. I have no further remarks to offer. I fear that this report may show some defects and shortcomings. I can only hope that the circumstance that I have been acquainted with this district so short a time may be accepted as an excuse. I have, &c, H. Eyee Kenny, Warden.

Comparative Return showing Gold and Bullion obtained, and Estimated Value of the same for Years ended 31st March, 1893 and 1894.

1893. 1894. County. Gold and Bullion. Estimated Total Value. County. Gold and Bullion. Estimated Total Value. Oz. dwt. 12,945 0 35,319 12 41,925 10 1,177 14 £ s. d. Oz. dwt. 10,019 5 34,636 19 68,503 3 2,515 0 £ a. a. Joromandel 'hames )hinemuri 'iako | 189,393 18 11 Coromandel .. Thames Ohinemuri ... Piako [ 219,650 15 o Total value, .894 L893 £219,650 15 189,393 18 1 it Increase (1894) £30,256 16

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No 3. Mr. G. Wilson, Inspector of Mines, to the Undeb-Seceetaby of Mines. Sib,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Thames, 7th May, 1894. I have the honour to forward the following report on mines and yield of gold and bullion in the Hauraki District for the year ending 31st March, 1894 : — COKOMANDEL COUNTY. TOKATEA BANGE. Tokatea Mine (Seymour T. George, owner). —This mine is worked entirely by tributers, who are working on veins near the surface, and turning over the old mullock-tips, from whence rich specimens are sometimes obtained. Eight tributers were employed, and 5 tons of quartz crushed for lOloz. lldwt. of gold. The owner has in view a scheme of erecting machinery to crush the large quantities of lowgrade quartz at the surface, and profitably treat the portions of the reefs left in past years. Boyal Oak Mine (J. H. Witheford, owner). —This mine is worked by two parties of tributers, five men in all, and 5 tons lOcwt. of quartz was crushed for 1940z. 15dwt. of gold. Bismarck Mine. —Three tributers crushed 1 ton of quartz for 690z. 17dwt. of gold. This mine is owned by Dunn and party. Great Tokatea Mine (J. H. Witheford, owner). —One tributer crushed 13cwt. 141b. for 9oz. of gold. Harbour View Claim (Wells and party, owners). —Two men crushed 2 tons and 201b. of stone for 31oz. 4dwt. of gold. Queen of the North Mine (Carlo Blasch, owner). —A considerable amount of prospecting has been done. One reef was driven on for 103 ft. in hard rock. Two men on the average were employed, and 1 ton Bcwt. of quartz yielded soz. 3dwt. of gold. Try Again Mine (S. James, owner). —Three men were employed in this mine, and Bcwt. 141b. of quartz yielded 450z. 2dwt. 9gr. of gold. Several other claims worked in this district yielded lOOoz. Bdwt. of gold. The cost of conveying quartz from the Tokatea Bange to the flat is such that only small parcels of picked quartz are brought down to the mill for treatment. There is, therefore, a quantity of quartz left behind which would pay if convenient to a battery where crushing would be cheap. Kapanga Disteict. Kapanga Mine.— This mine includes an area of 68 acres 1 rood 33 perches (W. H. Argall, manager). —During the year prospecting was carried on at the 600 ft. level, and reefs worked on at the 300 ft. and intermediate levels. The shaft is also being sunk; and at my visit, on the Bth of March, they had reached a depth of 645 ft. It is intended to sink to 800 ft., and then drive to intersect Scotty's and the Kapanga Beefs, which are supposed to junction at this depth. The pumping and winding machinery work well. An air-compressor has also been purchased to work a rock-drill. 288 tons and 1801b. of quartz and specimens were crushed for 5120z. 12dwt. 3gr. of gold. An average of thirty men are employed. Scotty's Mine. —This mine was worked on tribute, one man only being employed. 7 tons llcwt. of quartz was crushed for 15oz. 12dwt. of gold. This mine has been held in hope of obtaining fresh/capital to work at a deeper level, as the upper levels have been exhausted ; but, as owners were unable to collect funds, the land will be surrendered. Kaubi Block. Coromandel Mine (Kapanga Company, owners). —This mine has been worked on tribute. The workings are on both sides of the hill. At my last visit, on 10th March, there were, eight parties employed —sixteen men in all. Average number for the year was, however, fourteen men. 32 tons lOcwt. 721b. of quartz was crushed at the Kapanga battery for 3480z. of gold. lona Claim (Sullivan and McDonald, owners). —4 tons and 41b. of quartz and specimens were crashed for a return of lloz. lOdwt. of gold. The quartz was obtained from the surface portion of a leader near the old lona shaft. A lower level is being driven, but as this mine is close to waterlevel there will only be about 15ft. of backs. Premier. —W. Anderson, the owner, obtained 38oz. 14dwt. from 16 tons 9cwt. of quartz. This mine is now abandoned. Cabbage Bay Disteict. Very little, if any, work has been done in this district during the year. Tiki Disteict. Vaughan's Mine. —A considerable amount of prospecting has been done by McLeod and party. 30ft. of driving was done on the main reef, and a winze sunk 56ft. to the intermediate level. 120 ft. of driving was also done on Vizard's reef. No return of gold was obtained. An average of four men was employed. A small parcel of lewt. for the Emily Claim was crushed for soz. of gold. Kopukaitahi Disteict. No returns during the year. Waikoeomiko Disteict. The gold obtained in this district is chiefly from leaders worked near the surface. Lillis and party have done a considerable amount of driving in their claim at a low level, but the gold does not seem to continue downwards, and they are again prospecting on the surface.

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The returns for this district are : Power's claim, two men, 19cwt. for 138oz ; Lillis's claim, two men, 3 tons lOcwt. 81b. for 630z. 19dwt. ; Kennedy's claim, one man, 2 tons lOcwt. for 380z.; and Neil's claim, one man, 1 ton for 15oz. 7dwt. of gold. Opitonui Disteict. Little's Claim, Kauri Timber Company's land.—Four men were employed. A new sledgetrack has been made from this mine to Lanigan's old tramway. About 50ft. of driving has been done on the reef from the creek level, which is from Ift. 6in. to 3ft. in thickness. 67 tons were crushed for 630z. 3dwt. of gold. At the time of my visit to this district, on the 14th March last, the Maiden Claim was again taken up, and 50 tons of quartz were in the paddock. One man was at work. Oweba Disteict. The Owera Mine is shut down, and there is no mining at present in the vicinity. Mataeangi Disteict. Ocean View Mine. —This mine is now owned by a syndicate, the original owners having disposed of their interests. During the year an average of six men was employed, and 38 tons of quartz were taken from the upper levels and sent to the Thames by sea. The yield from this was 31oz. 15dwt. A cross-cut of 150 ft. was driven to cut the reef at a lower level, and 40ft. on the reef. A battery of fifteen stamps, two Watson and Denny pans, and two berdans, to be driven by steam-power, have been erected at the foot of the hill, near the Mud-flat Boad. The water required for the machine is not yet brought in from a small creek, so that no crushing has taken place. Mahakieau. Bryce's Claim. —A parcel of 181b. of quartz, the result of washings from mullock and surfacedirt from this claim, was crushed at the Try Fluke battery, Kuaotunu, for a return of 6oz. lOdwt. of gold. Several parties occasionally prospect in this locality, but no return of gold has been obtained. Otungueu Disteict. Welcome Mine, Kauri Timber Company's land (W. McNeill and: party, owners). —82 tons of quartz were conveyed by sea to Coromandel and crushed at Mayn's battery for a return of 61oz. of gold. Two men were employed. Moewai Disteict. There is a small amount of prospecting done in this locality, chiefly by Maoris, but there is no return of gold. • Kuaotunu Disteict. Try Fluke Mine (Try Fluke Gold-mining Company, owners; John Goldsworthy, manager). —Thirty-four wages-men are employed at the mine and battery. The reefs worked are the main reef, Kuaotunu Beef, and two leaders. The main reef varies from 2ft. to 10ft. in thickness. The Kuaotunu also varies from Ift. to sft. in thickness, and the leaders are each about 6in. in thickness. The driving done on the main reef is 410 ft., and the distance driven at various levels on the Kuaotunu Beef is 458 ft.; 100 ft. of driving has also been done on small leaders, and the total distance driven on reefs and leaders is 968 ft. The number of fathoms of reef stoped out was—on Kuaotunu Beef, over No. 3 level, 880; intermediate level, north, 60; intermediate level, south, 100; main reef, over No. 3 level, 120; stope above No. 2 level, 160; stopes on western branch, 50; intermediate on main reef, 100: total number of fathoms stoped out, 1,470. The number of tons of quartz crushed was 6,304. The quartz was crushed wet, and as much gold as possible caught on the plates, the number of ounces thus obtained was 2,0590z. lOdwt., valued at £4,595 Bs. 4d. The tailings from this, including 1,204 tons of old tailings, were treated by the cyanide process, and yielded 3,0740z. 6dwt., valued at £6,652 10s., making a total of 5,1330z. 16dwt., valued at £11,247 6s. 2d. The company has erected another five heads of new stamps, and they work well; this makes up a fifteen-head battery. The company has also bought the Mariposa Mine, and is making a connection from there to the battery by means of a ground tramway, when it will be able to send quartz direct to the mill. The mine is well opened up, and carefully worked, the stopes being kept well filled up. Kapai Vermont Mine (Kapai Vermont Gold-mining Company, owners). —Three tons of quartz crushed yielded 17oz. of gold. Two men were employed. The principal work this year has been extending the low level to the southward 30ft., and stopes on the reef. The amalgamation of Kapai and Vermont Companies' properties is now completed, and an Otis orecrusher is expected to arrive shortly. Men are employed excavating and making connections from mine to battery-site. There has been about 40 tons of ore added to paddock, making, in all, about 200 tons ready for mill. Bed Mercury Mine (Bed Mercury Gold-mining Company, owners). —An average of fourteen men was employed. The new low level was driven 520 ft., a rise was put up for 74ft., and a winze sunk 70ft. in depth on the reef. This gives 144 ft. of backs. The reef, where driven on at the low level, is not payable, and an intermediate level has been put in to divide the block. The blocks on the east and west branch reefs being exhausted, the output of quartz from this mine was 1,648 tons less than that of last year. The total quantity crushed was 743 tons, for 7030z. 12dwt. of gold, valued at £1,563 4s. 6d.; whilst the last year's gold amounted to 2,3070z. 2dwt., valued at £2,875 65.; showing a falling-off of 1,6030z. lOdwt. There was, however, a parcel of tailings treated for this company at the Great Mercury's cyanide plant, when gold to the

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value of £246 10s. lOd. was obtained. The manager is of opinion that the run of gold will be picked up further to the southward than where he has yet driven on the reefs at the intermediate and low levels. Great Mercury Mine (Great Mercury Gold-mining Company, No Liability, owners).—Thirty men were employed. A large amount of work has been done during the year; new low-level crosscuts were driven to cut both the Try Fluke and the Bed Mercury reefs, a connection was made from the low level on the Try Fluke reef to the workings above, and it is expected that theblock of ground opened will prove payable. The low-level cross-cut to the Bed Mercury reef is not completed, and work has been carried on through the Bed Mercury workings and levels. The driving of cross-cuts amounted to 820 ft., through hard rock, and on reefs to 350 ft., whilst a winze was sunk 100 ft. on main reef, and a total of 755 fathoms of reef was stoped out. The quantity of quartz crushed was 1,894 tons, from which 1,0840z. 14dwt. of gold, valued at £2,407 15s. 7d., was obtained from the plates, and 985 tons of tailings treated by the cyanide process gave 3450z. 18dwt., valued at £738 4s. 4d. The cyanide plant works well, and a new pump-shaft has been sunk, and a tail-race, 180 ft., driven for the purpose of supplying the battery and engine-boiler with water from the creek. _ A ground tramway, 16 chains in length, has been made from the battery to a new hopper, which is connected by a wire tramway with No. 2 level. Another ground tramway, self-acting, has been laid from the entrance of the cross-cut in the main reef to connect with the line to the battery. Kuaotunu Mine. —This mine was worked for a short time by the Kuaotunu Company, who crushed 157 tons of quartz for 730z. lOdwt. of gold. An average of two men was employed. The mine has lately been purchased by the Try Fluke Company, and is worked from the levels of the Try Fluke Mine. Just in Time (Just in Time Gold-mining Company, owners). —A party of tributers, who employ three men, has the mine on tribute. 147 tons of quartz were crushed for 107oz. 19dwt. of gold. Irene (John Abbott, owner). —Bichards and party have taken the mine on tribute. Two men are employed; and 14 tons of quartz yielded 19oz. 4dwt. of gold. _ A new cross-cut is being driven from the east side of the spur, so that the quartz can be delivered at the battery without being carted. 51 tons of tailings yielded 21oz. 7dwt. of gold. Otama Mine (Otama Gojd-mining Company, owners). —A party of three tributers has been working the mine. 2 tons and 401b. of quartz and specimens were crushed for 520z. 15dwt. of gold. Waitaia Mine, situated on Comer's and McPherson's land (Waitaia Gold-mining Company, owners). —This mine was idle until the 22nd September, when it was let to a party of tributers. They drove a cross-cut to strike the reef 74ft. below the old workings, and stoped out a block about 60ft. in width for that depth. The roof is about 6in. in thickness. Sixty-three tons were crushed for 181oz. 2dwt. of gold. An average for the year of four men was employed. Aorere, Comer's land (Loram and party, owners). —A considerable amount of work has been done in this mine. 100 ft. has been driven on the reef, and a block stoped out. 113 tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 960z. 15dwt. of gold. Two men were employed. Black Jack Mine (Black and party, owners). —Two men have been employed. The quartz worked on has been chiefly from a drive of 80ft. on the reef, which is from 2ft to 6ft. in thickness. 102 tons were treated for 970z. 15dwt. of gold; value, £1 3s. per ounce. Several claims have been occasionally worked by small parties, about nine men being employed. The returns are : Lucky Hit, 21 tons, for 15oz. lOdwt.; Loyalty, 7 tons, Boz. sdwt.; Invicta, 19 tons,-220z. lldwt.; Perseverance, 31 tons, 41oz. lldwt.; Victoria, 30 tons, 8oz.; and sundry prospecting returns, 10 tons, for 12oz. 17dwt. The total returns for the Tokatea, Kapanga, and Kauri Block show an increase of 3660z. 7dwt. compared with the return for 1893, while the mines at Tiki and to the eastward of Tokatea Bange show a decrease of 2,0250z. 13dwt., chiefly owing to the Owera Mine being shut down. The total returns from Kuaotunu show a decrease of 1,4620z. 13dwt. There has been a general falling-off in most of the mines worked, with the exception of the Try Fluke, which has an increase of 2,3790z. 16dwt. The yield from the Try Fluke may be expected to be kept up, as five new stamps are added to the mill, making sixteen stamps in all, and the company, in acquiring more ground that has been opened up, will have additional opportunities of keeping the stamps going on profitable quartz. The stock of old tailings is, however, now almost exhausted, and the bulk of future returns must come from the quartz as taken from the mine. The Great Mercury Company has got into financial difficulties. Ail the present shares are fully paid up, and no funds are available to develop the mine. The work will probably be stopped for a time, until the company is reformed and fresh capital introduced. The Bed Mercury Mine does not promise to keep up, in the immediate future, returns equal to those of last year. The Kapai Vermont Company, however, has a very good prospect ahead, as the quartz in the paddock should prove payable, the most of it having shown gold freely where broken out of the reef. The Otis ore-crusher and cyanide plant will both be ready shortly, to be used in the reduction of quartz and extraction of gold. THAMES COUNTY. Tapu Ceeek Disteict. Sheridan's Mine (Daniel Sheridan, owner;.— This mine is continuously worked. The output of quartz was limited, being only 13 tons for a yield of 330z. of gold. A considerable amount of work was done on the three leaders—upwards of 100 ft. of driving, and a rise on No. 1 leader 80ft. Four men were employed.

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Fluke Mine (F. McMahon and party, owners) is situated about four miles from the flat. Three different leaders are worked on, varying from Bin. to 18in. in thickness. Four hundred feet of driving has been done, and 25 fathoms of the reef stoped out. The quartz had to be packed and carted to Pepper's battery. 42 tons were crushed for 128oz. lOdwt. of gold. Four men were employed. The owners intend to form a company to work the mine, and erect a small crushingplant near the workings. Great Bepublic Mine. —A party was formed to extend the old low level in this mine, which will give 65ft. of backs under the old workings. About 160 ft. was driven, but the reef is not yet cut. Centennial. —John Burk and party have been washing and sluicing the surface mullock; 5 ton lOcwt. of washings yielded 19oz. 15dwt. when crushed at the battery. This mine is now abandoned. Kelly and party have been working in the Little Jessie level of the Tapu Company's workings in the hopes of picking up the run of gold formerly worked, but as they were unsuccessful the mine has been abandoned. Several other parcels of quartz and mullock were crushed from parties prospecting at Tapu Creek; 90 tons yielded 20oz. 13dwt. of gold. Mata Ceeek Disteict. A settler named Campbell occasionally does some prospecting in the Gentle Annie Creek, and he intends to erect a small crushing-plant. Waiomo Disteict. The Golden Gem and Monowai Mines are under protection. The ore being of a refractory nature, fresh capital must be obtained for the introduction of an improved process of treatment before these mines can be profitably worked. Crocker and Tierney have marked out a claim, and are driving to cut the Paroquet Beef at a lower level. Mr. Andrew Manfred McMahon has also marked out a claim near the Golden Gem, and from surface-workings he reports crushing 7cwt. of quartz, which yielded 1430z. 9dwt. gold. Pueu Ceeek Disteict. Tetley's Claim. —This claim is situated about four miles up from the sea. The prospects obtained were such that a small battery of four stamps was erected. There was, however, a difficulty through insufficient water for power, and the mill could not be worked regularly. 136 tons of quartz yielded 21oz. 6dwt. of gold. Three men were employed. Two other claims were also taken vp —Campbell's claim : 1 ton yielded Boz. 12dwt.; and from the Tui claim 18ewt. yielded 7oz. lldwt. of gold. Tabaeu Disteict. Norfolk (Norfolk Gold-mining Company, owners). —The principal work carried on during the year was cleaning out and repairing the Missouri tunnel for a distance of 1,244 ft., and driving a further distance of 336 ft., making the total length of this tunnel 1,580 ft. A winze has been sunk from the surface to connect with the drive. The depth of the winze is 232 ft. The mine is now well ventilated, and can be economically worked. The reef is from Ift. to 3ft. in thickness, and 43 tons of quartz yielded 1470z. of gold. Six men were employed. City of Dunedin Mine (City of Dunedin Gold-mining Company, owners). —Two men were employed. The workings were chiefly in a block of ground near the surface; 180 loads of quartz were crushed for 15oz. 12dwt. of gold. The mine is now let on tribute to four men, who are sinking a winze from the intermediate level. Seddon Mine (McDermott and party, owners). —The average number employed during the year was six men. Three reefs have been worked on, one 3ft. and the others Ift. 6in. and Ift. in thickness. Mortar tests from each of these reefs give fair prospects of fine gold. About 260 ft. of driving has been done on the reefs, and a winze from the surface was sunk on the largest reef to a depth of 40ft. Mr. McDermott, one of the owners, says : " About a ton and a half of quartz was crushed at the Cambria battery, Thames, for lOdwt. of gold, and, after carefully testing the reefs with pestle and mortar, combined with the dish, prospects, although not rich, were yet fairly satisfactory. We then decided on the erection of a small battery at the claim to treat lowgrade quartz as close to the workings as possible. With this end in view, we took in for partners Messrs. Whitley and Sons. lam pleased to say that a start will shortly be made to test and crush these reefs, and we trust, for our sakes and for the welfare of the field, that they will turn out payable. Our ground is situated at from 1,500 ft. to 2,000 ft. above the sea level, thus putting water-power as a motor out of the question, there being only about sufficient water for the boiler and tables, and in slimmer time not that; so that storage-dams will be required to meet the demand if the claim proves a success. In the absence of water, we decided on the purchase of one of Tangyes' eight-horse power steel tubular boilers, for wood fuel, and that of long lengths of sft. This, with engine to match by the same makers, will give power enough to drive eight stamps and berdans. Our battery at present consists of one box of four stamps, 7001b. each, complete with tables and berdans. The cam-shaft, bed-logs, and columns are complete, so that another box of the same dimensions can be put in at the shortest notice if the ground will warrant it. The battery and engine are under one roof; the size of the building is 35ft. by 22ft., of rimu. This, and the construction of hoppers and tramways, has taken 10,000 ft. of sawn timber." Sylvia Mine. —This mine, after being idle for some time, was seized under writ of sale, and with the whole of the plant sold by order of the Sheriff. Messrs. Darrow and party purchased the

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whole for £600. They made efforts to induce others to join in working the mine by continuing the low-level cross-cut, but, as sufficient capital could not be raised, they resolved to sell the tramways, crushing mill, and concentrating and cyanide plants. These have been removed, and the special claim is to be surrendered. A cleaning-up of the battery resulted in 120 tons of stuff being crushed for 920z. of gold. Shellback Disteict. The Nordenfeldt, Waitemata, and Mountain Flower Mines were worked, but only in a desultory manner. 20 tons of quartz from this district yielded 330z. 4dwt, of gold. Kueanui Disteict. Hansen's Mine, Kuranui No. 3 (Peter Hansen and others, owners). —This mine has been worked on the co-operative principle, the owners and tributers making a division of proceeds after charges have been paid. The crushing stuff was taken from old stopes and stringers in the walls; 5,375 tons were crushed for 1,0790z. 15dwt. of gold. Four wages-men and fifteen tributers are employed. Comer's Mine, Kuranui No. 2 (Bobert Comer, owner and manager).—The operations were chiefly confined to working surface-stringers and mullock on the hill in the vicinity of the All Nations shaft. Three hundred feet of drives were put in, and rises put up 200 ft. in all. 3,450 tons of mullock were crushed for 2620z. 14dwt. of gold; and tributers crushed 190 tons for 190oz. 17dwt. of gold. Nine wages-men and six tributers were employed. It is the intention of the owner to join with the tributers in working on the co-operative system in the same manner as carried ont in Hansen's mine. Hazelbank Mine (the Hazelbank Gold-mining Company, owners). —Operations in this mine were carried on chiefly on Darby's reef. This was opened up by further sinking the winze 60ft. below No. 2 level, and making a rise 60ft. up from No. 3 level to connect. A drive was then put in at the intermediate between No. 2 and No. 3 levels, and large blocks of the reef opened. Stoping has been carried on here, and also at No. 1 intermediate. Two hundred and fifty feet of driving was done on reefs, and 1,700 fathoms of reefs stoped out. The company crushed 1,808 tons for 2,6130z. 16dwt., and tributers 410 tons for 550z. 7dwt., of gold. Twentyeight wages-men were employed. Moanataiei Disteict. Moanatairi Mine (Moanatairi Gold-mining Company, owners). —Fifty-eight wages-men and fifty-three tributers were employed. The chief works carried on were stoping on the blocks opened in the Point Bussell and Beuben Parr sections of the mine, and reopening of the 80ft. and 150 ft. levels from the shaft below main tunnel level. A large amount of work was done in connecting the shaft 150 ft. level with the Hazelbank No. 1 level. This was necessary to drain off the water that had accumulated in the workings from the shaft. The water was tapped in a careful manner, and without any mishap. 4,278 tons of quartz were crushed by the company for 1,8410z. Bdwt. of gold. 11,520 tons of mullock from the surface was sent down a pass to the main tunnel, and thence trucked to the battery. The return from this was 7050z. 7dwt., or at the rate of l-25dwt., or a value of 3s. 3d., per ton. Junction Mine (Junction Gold-mining Company, owners). —This mine is situated on the hillward side of the Moanatairi Slide. The workings are from a cross-cut driven from the Moanatairi tunnel. A large reef, Bft. in thickness, has been worked on, and a rise put up for 100 ft. on the hanging-wall of the reef. Two men were employed. Alfred Mine (Conway and party, owners). —The mine is worked on tribute, six men being employed. 286 tons lOcwt. of quartz yielded 2850z. 6dwt. of gold. Freedom Mine (Freedom Gold-mining Company, owners). —Work is confined to the surface levels. Two tributers crushed 73 tons and 71b. of quartz for 250z. 12dwt. of gold. Orlando Mine (Orlando Gold-mining Company, owners). —A large amount of prospecting has been done by the company ; 579 ft. has been driven on reefs and leaders, whilst upwards of 200 ft. of winze and rise were opened. The owners crushed 34 tons for 88oz. 19dwt., and tributers crushed 150 tons for 430z. 18dwt., of gold. Seven wages-men and four tributers were employed. Calliope Mine (Calliope Gold-mining Company, owners). —240 ft. of driving was done by the company, and a party of tributers crushed 100 tons of quartz for 150oz. of gold. Four wages-men and four tributers were employed. New Whau Mine (W. H. Lucas and party, owners). —The work in this mine was chiefly the old blocks on the Whau level, and opening up the old Lincoln Castle level for 400 ft., and making a pass to the Sons of Freedom tunnel. The owners crushed 80 tons for 930z., and the tributers crushed 1,300 tons, chiefly from old stopes on Dixon's reef, for 710oz. of gold. Four wages-men and six tributers were employed. New Alburnia Mine (New Alburnia Gold-mining Company, owners). —The principal works carried on during the year were driving on Dixon's reef at the 70ft. level, 300 ft. to the westward and 120 ft. to the eastward of the winze sunk last year. A block of 150 ft. has been stoped out up to the Whau level. The reef left to the westward is low grade—from lOdwt. to 15dwt. to the ton— and a large quantity of quartz can be mined cheaply. There are blocks of similar quartz in this and other levels of the mine, the reefs varying from Ift. to 3ft. in thickness. Owing to the cost of handling, in getting the quartz out of the mine and to the battery, there is not a sufficient margin of profit in working these blocks. This company is now in treaty to purchase the Dixon's battery, on Tinker's Gully. The Ballarat and Glunes adit will then be driven through the company's ground, and a shaft sunk in a suitable place from the surface at Punga Flat to this level. Levels will be opened from this shaft, and all quartz can be lowered down to the adit and forwarded to the mill by wire tramway at a

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cost of 6d. per ton. This method, if adopted, will enable the company to deal with many thousands of tons which have been left. The company crushed 1,800 tons of quartz for 5,8560z., and the tributers 205 tons for 1350z. 15dwt., of gold. The quartz mined by the tributers was from the Whau and battery levels. Twenty-eight wages-men and five tributers were employed. Dixon's Extended Mine (Dixon's Gold-mining Company, owners).— The work has all been carried on by tributers, seven men being employed. 1,283 tons of quartz were crushed for 3470z. 13dwt. of gold. The owners are in treaty to sell the mine and battery to the New Alburnia Company. New Chum Claim (Harmo and party, owners).—Work was carried on on a rich surface-leader, and 9 tons lewt. 501b. of quartz crushed for 970z. 2dwt. of gold. Two owners were employed. Several other claims were worked, and the quartz from mullock-heaps and surface-leaders crushed, for a return of 2050z. 16dwt. of gold. Geahamstown Disteict. Victoria Mine (Victoria Gold-mining Company, owners).—This mine is worked from the Tookey shaft. About 500 ft. of old drives have been cleaned out and repaired, and a cross-cut, 400 ft., driven at No. 3or 300 ft. level in the direction of the old Golden Gate shaft. Several reefs and leaders were cut, but further prospecting is postponed until the cross-cut is driven far enough to cut the Waiotahi reefs. The reefs and leaders worked on were at the 160 ft. level. 310 tons for 3520z. lOdwt. were treated for the company, and for the tributers 198 tons for 130oz. of gold. Sundry erushings from parcels obtained on the beach, amounting to 200 tons, yielded 1340z. 15dwt., and 13,220 tons of tailings were treated in the tailing-mills for 2,4110z. of gold. Waiotahi Disteict. Waiotahi Mine (Waiotahi Gold-mining Company, owners).—This mine is steadily worked. Driving and stoping is carried on on the reefs and leaders above No. 3 level in the main shaft, and driving is continued to the eastward. On the reefs in the Mary Ann section of the mine, 2,137 tons of quartz were crushed by the company for 2,6670z. 16dwt., and the tributers crushed 70 tons for 50oz. 15dwt., of gold. Thirty wages-men and two tributers were employed. Altogether, 900 ft. were driven on reefs and leaders, and 1,000 fathoms stoped out. Cambria Mine (the Cambria Gold-mining Company, owners) .—Work is confined to driving and stoping on leaders and reefs at No. 2 and No. 3 levels; 1,621 tons of quartz were crushed on company's account for a return of 1,4690z. 17dwt. of gold. Twenty-one wages-men were employed in the mine and battery. Fame and Fortune Mine (E. K. Cooper and owners).—Seven wages-men and twelve tributers were employed during the year. The mine was"chiefly worked on tribute, but the owners have latterly employed wages-men in driving eastward on these reefs—viz., the Golden Age Beef, 2ft., foot-wall leader 6in., and the No. 2 reef, called the Caledonian No. 1 Beef, Bft. in thickness, 2ft!' of which is taken out. The owners crushed 56 tons for 48oz. 9dwt., and the tributers 338 tons for 7990z., of gold. . Mr. Cooper informs me this mine has been sold to an English company during the past year with a capital of £50,000, and work will be conducted on a large scale. West Coast Mine (Carnie and Northey, owners).—Two men have been employed on tribute, and 42 tons and 441b. of quartz crushed for 78oz. 14dwt. of gold. Neiu Fearnought Mine (New Fearnought Gold-mining Company, owners).—Work has been carried on on the reef known as the Great Bepublic Beef, which is 18in. in thickness. Four wagesmen were employed, and 58 tons crushed for 91oz. Bdwt. of gold. Acme (Acme Gold-mining Company, owners). —This mine is situated at Punga Flat, adjoining the Alburnia. A slide, however, has disturbed the country in this quarter, and it is a difficult matter to trace the run of the reefs worked in the Alburnia ground. An old level, 600 ft. in length, has been cleaned out and retimbered, and a rise of 80ft. made for ventilation. The company has not yet crushed any quartz, but the tributers crushed five loads for 88oz. 15dwt. of gold. Four wagesmen and two tributers employed. _ , _, , Sundry claims were worked in the Waiotahi district—the Golden Age, Diggers Friend, Blanche, Mount Edwards, and others. There were also erushings obtained from picking old mullock-tips. The amount crushed was 294 tons for 3450z. Bdwt. of gold. Waiokaeaka Disteict. May Queen Mine (May Queen Gold-mining Company, owners). — This mine now includes the May Queen, Trenton, Hematite, Saxon, and Hand of Friendship. The workings in the May Queen section consisted of driving and stoping out large blocks of reef down to water-level. Three reefs are worked, each of which is about 15in. in thickness. About 550 ft. of driving was done, and 550 fathoms of reef stoped out, for 3,230 tons of quartz, which yielded 3,1390z. of gold. Thirty wages-men were employed. In the Saxon section the return of gold was obtained from tributers, who crushed 328 tons of quartz for 1,2300z. lldwt. of gold. Fifty-seven tributers were employed. Towards the latter end of the year the company cleaned up the No. 6 level, and made preparations to drive a level into the Queen of May section. The distance from the Saxon boundary to the May Queen shaft is 1,361 ft., and some time will elapse before communication can be effected. It was found necessary to pump the water down to the 500 ft. level of the Big Pump before No. 6 level could be used. This is the most 'important prospecting work at present going on at the Thames ; a large block of land will be drained, and the reefs in the May Queen section also drained to a further depth, giving 100 ft. of backs. 2—C. 3a.

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Crawford's Special, now known as the St. Hippo Mine (St. Hippo Gold-mining Company, owners). The low level was cleared, and driving done on the reef for a further distance of 182 ft. The continuation of the run of gold worked above was stoped out over this level; 328 tons were crushed for a yield of 4840z. sdwt. of gold. Fourteen wages-men were employed. Queen of Beauty (Thomas A. Dunlop, owner).— Several parties of tributers were employed for a portion of the year; 25 tons of quartz were crushed for 20oz. of gold. Kaeaka Disteict. Adelaide Mine (G. W. Bull and party, owners).— This mine is entirely worked on tribute. Six men are employed, who have confined their operations to stoping out blocks of the reef that had been left when the ground was worked by the owners; 112 tons of quartz yielded 89oz. of gold. Claremont Mine (George Briant, owner). —The quartz from this mine is chiefly from small veins and flinties. The owner crushed 7 tons lOcwt. 441b. of quartz and specimens for a rich yield of 7790z. 7dwt., and a tributer in the mine crushed 301b. for 14oz. 12dwt., of gold. Lone Hand Mine (Lone Hand Gold-mining Company, owners).—This mine now includes the Dives Licensed Holding. A cross-cut was put in for a distance of 320 ft. from the Occidental low level through the Dives in the direction of the Lone Hand ground. Stoping on the leaders_ in the Lone Hand section was carried on by the company, and tributers worked reefs and leaders in both sections of the mine. 17 tons were crushed for the owners, yielding 80oz. 15dwt., and 307 tons for tributers gave 301oz. 19dwt., of gold. Four wages-men and fourteen tributers were employed. Onehunga Claim (Murland and party, owners).— The party crushed 29 tons for 360z. 15dwt. Karaka Mine (Smith and party, owners).— This mine is worked by five shareholders. They have a battery of five stamps, driven by water-power, and have crushed 473 tons for 1440z. 14dwt. of gold. Ophir Claim. —This mine was also worked by five shareholders, who crushed 93 tons lOcwt. 341b. for 71oz. 13dwt. of gold. A considerable amount of prospecting and surface-working is done in this district. Parcels amounting to 139 tons 13cwt. 201b. were crushed for 2550z. 15dwt. of gold. Una Hill and Te Papa Disteict. Occidental (Occidental Gold-mining Company, owners).— This mine was worked by tributers, who crushed 124 tons for 2640z. Bdwt. of gold. Ten tributers were employed. Pride of Karaka (Pride of Karaka Gold-mining Company, owners). —In this mine there is a main reef which averages about Bin., and a leader averaging about 6in. in width. There has been about 380 ft. of driving done, 80 fathoms of reef stoped out, and 36ft. sunk in winzes during the year. The company crushed 25 tons for 660z. 4dwt., and the tributers 114 tons for 1270z., of gold. One wages-man and six tributers were employed. Magnolia (Magnolia Gold-mining Company, owners).— This mine lias been worked on tribute. The workings are in the surface portions, on the hill-side. 252 tons were crushed for a return of 104oz. sdwt. of gold. Six tributers were employed. Homeward Bound and Bose (Thomas Boyle and party, owners).—Five men are employed. The workings are on the surface portions of the leaders in Murphy's Hill. The two principal leaders are from 4in. to Bin. in thickness. 130 ft. of driving was done, and 85 fathoms of leader stoped out. 122 tons of general quartz were crushed for 2480z. 19dwt., and 1271b. of picked stone for 108oz. lOdwt-. The Just in Time and sundry other claims were worked. 59 tons lOcwt. yielded 560z. 3dwt. of gold. Hape Ceeek Disteict. Consols Mine (Consols Gold-mining Company, owners).— This mine was worked on tribute, both in the surface levels and in the shaft. Six tributers were employed, and 225 tons crushed yielded 1570z. sdwt. of gold. The mine is now abandoned, and the machinery sold. Several other parties work in this district —viz., Fogarty, Brown, Wallace Brothers, Lyes, and others. The quartz crushed from these was 83 tons 4cwt. 861b., for a yield of 85oz. 16dwt. of gold. Eight men on the average were employed. Otunui Disteict. The Alpine Licensed Holding of 30 acres has been taken up, and a little prospecting done. Four men are in this district, and 10 tons of quartz crushed yielded soz. lOdwt. of gold. Matatoke Disteict. Teddy and party prospected in this district. A reef containing a little gold was discovered, and a claim of 10 acres marked out. Two small parcels of quartz, 10 tons and 901b5., were crushed at Thames for a return of 2oz. Bdwt. of gold. Pueiei Disteict. With the exception of one party, that has been prospecting in this district since the New Year, no other work has been done, and there are no gold returns from here for the past year. Taieua Disteict. Bonnie Scotland (Finlay McLiver, owner).— The owner worked this mine for a considerable part of the year, but the returns did not yield sufficient to be payable, and he therefore obtained protection for the licensed holding; 57 tons of quartz yielded HOoz. 14dwt. of gold. Three men were employed.

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The Gentle Shepherd and McLiver Brothers' Claim were also worked occasionally ; 3 tons 2cwt. of quartz yielded 220z. of gold. Taieua Biveb. Golden Hill, or Davey's Claim, is situated between the main river and No. 3 branch on north side. The reef worked on is from 2ft. to 4ft. in thickness, of brown quartz, and rubbly in character. A soft seam of white pipeclay runs on the hanging-wall, and the foot-wall is a nice kindly brown sandstone. The reef runs nearly east and west, and dips slightly to the norths A drive was put in about 15ft. on the reef near the surface where gold was first discovered, a winze was sunk 15ft., and a cross-cut put in to cut the reef at the bottom of the winze. Driving on the reef was carried on to the westward for 25ft., and the winze sunk a further depth of 15ft., giving a depth of 30ft. from the surface, with gold all the way. An average of two men was employed. Golden Point, Gordon's Claim, lies to the west of Davey's claim. A reef was discovered on the surface of jointy white quartz, in hard blocks, and from Ift. to 4ft. in thickness. A clay seam on the hanging-wall side is worth about 50z., and the remainder loz., to the ton. About 40ft. has been driven on the reef, giving 20ft. of backs, and the reef maintains the same character; 80 chains of trenching was done before the reef was discovered. Two men were employed. Victoria Claim, east of Davey's, an area of 15 acres, has been marked out. No titles are yet obtained for the land taken up for mining in this locality. Ohui Disteict. A discovery of gold was made in this district on a hill sloping to the East Coast, about five miles to the southward of Tairua Heads. A reef or leader of 6in. in thickness was worked on by driving and trenching. A winze was also sunk for 12ft., and a parcel of quartz taken out. Another reef, about 400 yards further up the hill, and which is 3ft. to 4ft. in thickness, was also worked on. A portion of the quartz taken out was sent to the Thames, along with that from the smaller reef, and crushed, 8 tons yielding 17oz. lOdwt. of gold. McGregor and party, the prospectors, have applied for a licensed holding of 30 acres, and also for a water-race, to be used in driving crushing machinery. There are several parties prospecting in this locality, and three other licensed holdings applied for. I have not heard of any discovery, but gold is found on the surface in the adjacent ground. Whangamata Disteict. No mining has been done during the year. Whabekibaupunga Disteict. Parties of prospectors occasionally do a little work at this place, but on account of its inaccessible nature no claims have been taken up. OHINEMURI COUNTY. Mabatoto Disteict. Maratoto Mine (W. Nicholls and party, owners). —The workings of this mine are in the levels opened by the original Maratoto Company. Much of the ore that was then rejected has been found since to pay handsomely. The crushing-plant consists of grinding-pan and settler, and the bullion, which is chiefly silver, is worth only 6s. 6d. per ounce, and is obtained by amalgamation; 200 tons treated gave 2,3490z. sdwt. of bullion. Three men were employed. Kaeangahake Disteict. Woodstock United Mine (Woodstock Gold-mining Company, owners). —This mine, which now includes the Ivanhoe and Truro, has been steadily worked during the year. Mr John McCombie, the manager, gives the following account of what has been done: "Operations on the company's account have been confined during the past year to the No. 2 lode, which averages 4ft. in thickness wherever work has been carried out upon it. Since last annual report this lode has been opened out at the No. 3 level, which is located about 150 ft. below the No. 2 level, and about 250 ft. above the bed of the Waitawheta Biver, vertical measurement. The necessary connections between this level and the horse section of tram-line have also been effected by the construction of a complete system of hoppers and an aerial tramway. Here the No. 2 lode has already been driven upon for 150 ft., and it has carried a high percentage of the precious metals throughout for the whole of the distance. A winze has also been sunk upon it to a depth of 70ft. below the No. 2 level, and there the lode, varying from 3ft. to sft. in width, gives an average assay value of £6 per ton. Above the No. 2 level about 15 fathoms of stoping has been done, and about 5 fathoms of stoping has been done above the No. 3 level. At the lastmentioned level a cross-cut has been driven for a distance of 123 ft., and the whole of the workings have been secured with heart of kauri timber. For the year ending 31st of March, 1894,- the quantity of ore dealt with on the company's account was 568 tons for a return of 1,5170z. melted bullion, value £1,729. During the same period the ore treated for tributers amounted to 59 tons, yielding 71oz. melted bullion, value £173. About 60 per cent, on the assay value was recovered by battery and pan-amalgamation from both lots of ore. The average number of men employed was, sixteen wages-men and two tributers. Crown Mine (Crown Mines Gold-mining Company, Limited, owners). —The work done in this mine during the year has been confined to opening-up levels on the main reef on both sides of the Waitawheta Stream ; 800 ft. of driving has been done, and 790 fathoms of reef stoped out. The reef averages sft. in thickness. 4,544 tons were crushed, yielding bullion containing 4,8730z. of gold

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and 5,4540z. of silver. 112 men were employed in the mine and battery. Mr. John McConnell, the general manager of the company, says : "The nature of work done in the Crown Mine during the year has been driving, stoping, and general mining work. Above the mine, Eiley's dam has been repaired, and the water-race to the old battery site thoroughly renovated for the purpose of supplying power for driving a complete rock-drilling plant, which is being erected where the battery stood. This plant comprises one forty-horse-power air-compressor and four Hornaut drills. The compressed air for driving the drills will be conveyed to the mines, a distance of about 16 chains, by means of 4in. pipes, and carried from the main pipe into the drives by pipes of 2i-in. in diameter. During the year the machinery in connection with our new works has gone very smoothl}, and the treatment of the ore has been all that could be desired, the bullion recovered showing an extraction of 94 per cent, of the average value of the ore, and the percentage of cyanide of potassium used being 12 per cent." Earl of Glasgow Mine (Malcolm, Fleming, and party, owners). —This mine is at a high elevation, being situated to the south-eastward of the Karangahake trig, station. A considerable amount of work was done in opening up old drives and driving on leaders ; 20 tons of quartz were crushed at Owharoa for a return of 350z. of gold. Three men were employed. The party has been prospecting the ground a great deal on the surface, and has decided to erect a small battery, consisting of five heads of stamps and pans. The past month they have been engaged in the preliminary work of battery-site, water-race, and tramways, &c, from the mine to the mill. Diamond Mine (Tresize and Sheehan, owners). —A parcel of 9 tons of quartz yielded 38oz. of gold. Two men were employed. Talisman (A. Shepherd and others, owners). —A considerable amount of work has been done in opening up the reef, which is from 3ft. to sft. in thickness; 523 ft. of driving has been done. Four men were employed. The prospects obtained from the quartz are very promising, and the owners are in treaty with an English syndicate for the purchase of the mine. If the purchase of the mine is completed, a crushing-plant is to be erected near the junction of the Waitawheta and Ohinemuri Bivers. Without expenditure of capital, mines in this district cannot be developed. The Golden Treasure, Imperial, and City of Perth Licensed Holdings have been prospected off and on during the year. Owhaeoa Disteict. Smile of Fortune Mine (John Abbott, owner). —The chief work during the year was first stoping at the creek-level. The quartz from the reef at this point did not pay, and attention was then directed to crushing mullock-tips on the surface, and filling from old stopes. 1,023 tons were crushed for 112oz. gold. Six men were employed. Farmer and party : Three tributers worked a block of the reef near the surface, and crushed 230 tons, for 85oz. lOdwt. of gold. Maddens Folly. —Work was confined to driving the Government tunnel, which is now in 600 ft. Four men were employed. Gadman Mine (Alexander Mackay and party, owners). —This mine was lately taken up. The workings are on a mass of stringers of quartz and mullock on the south side of the river. A wire tramway was erected across the river, and a horse is used to draw the quartz over to the battery. 33 tons yielded 38oz. of gold. On an average, two men were employed. In the Success Mine, Jones and party have been driving on a reef, but have not discovered any payable quartz. Proceedings for forfeiture have been instituted. Waitekauei Disteict. Jubilee (E. K. Cooper and others, owners). —This mine was held by employing two men. During the year Mr. Cooper has been in England attempting to get money to further prospect and work the ground. He met with great difficulties, and had to leave England before completing the business, which he is endeavouring to do by letter and cable. Work has been occasionally carried on in the Young New Zealand, Mangakara, Welcome, and Skene's claims. Sundry erushings yielded 130oz. of gold. Whakamoehau (Waitekauei Nobth) Disteict. Golden Cross Mine (Golden Cross Gold-mining Company, owners). —A battery of five stamps, driven by water-power, was erected, and 600 tons of quartz crushed, yielding 1,6320z. of gold. The result was so encouraging that it was resolved to erect another five head of stamps and a complete cyanide plant. No further crushing will therefore take place until the new plant is finished. A low-level adit is also being driven from near the battery; this will give about 50ft. of a block below- the top workings. Twenty men were employed on an average. Grace Darling (Grace Darling Gold-mining Company, owners). —This mine is situated on the ■west branch of the Waitekauri Creek, on the spur leading down from the Komata Tramway. The reef in the surface-level was 4ft. to Bft. in thickness, and gave good prospects. A cross-cut was driven below No. 1 level for a distance of 190 ft., and the reef cut. A winze was sunk about a depth of 80ft., connecting the two levels, and the low level driven 50ft. on the reef, which is 7ft. in thickness. The quartz is generally of a friable character, and gold is freely seen in portions of the reef. The company is erecting a ten-stamp mill, with complete cyanide plant, to be driven by waterpower, and, as the dry-crushing process will be adopted, a large drying-kiln will be excavated in the solid rock. It is expected that the mill will be ready for crushing about the end of the month of June. The low level will be connected with the battery by a shoot 100 ft. and a ground-tramway about 8 chains in length. Five men were employed. Progress Mine (H. Hughes and party, owners). —This mine is on the same line of reef, and to the northward of the Grace Darling. A cross-cut was driven 100 ft., and the reef, which

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is 3ft. to 4ft. in thickness, has been driven on for 30ft. The quartz is of a brown rubbly character, and fair dish prospects are obtained. Two men were employed. Portsea (Portsea Gold-mining Company, owners). —This mine is situated to the southward of the Grace Darling, and on the same line of reef. A cross-cut was driven for 40ft., and the reef cut 6ft. in width. A low level, which is now in 60ft., is being driven to cut the reef 100 ft. deeper. Two men were employed. A considerable amount of prospecting has been done in this locality, and several licensed holdings have been applied for. Komata Disteict. Komata Mine (Komata Gold-mining Company, owners). —Work in this mine has been steadily carried on during the year. At the No. 3or low level, driving on No. 1 reef, which is Bft., and on No. 2 reef, 6ft. in thickness, were the principal works done. A winze was also sunk on No. 2 reef 48ft. down from No. 3, and a portion of the reef worked by underhand stoping. Throughout the mine 230 fathoms of reef were stoped out, and 169 ft. of driving done. There were 1,708 tons of quartz crushed and treated, for a return of 8,9960z. of bullion. The quartz from this mine is conveyed to the battery by the horse-tramway. The battery consists of thirty stamps, and the treatment is by the wet process. A cyanide plant, in addition to pan-amalgama-tion, is used, and it is probable that a plant for cyanide treatment of all crushed ore will be erected. Thirty men and four horses are employed. There have been no returns from any other mines in this locality, but other parties occasionally carry on prospecting work. Waihi Disteict. Waihi Mine (Waihi Gold-mining Company, owners). —The work in this mine has been confined to the Martha section. Driving on the reef at adit-level has been carried on, and stoping the blocks opened up. Stoping has also been carried on over the Smithy level, and the blocks near the surface worked from an open cutting. The average thickness of quartz worked was 22ft. The stopes are kept well filled with mullock, and the works have been safely carried on. A main shaft, 13ft. 6in. by 6ft., within timbers, has been sunk to a depth of 230 ft. The framed sets are 9in. by 9in. and 12in. by 12in. sawn heart of kauri. At the shaft a steam-engine, 24-horse power, with Cornish boiler, and machinery for both winding and pumping, has been erected. A cross-cut has been driven from the shaft 218 ft. to cut the reef at a depth of 80ft. below the adit. The first quartz cut at that point proved to be a reef about 7ft. in width, but in driving westward the reef increased in width. The quartz from the reef proved payable, being equal in value to that worked in the levels above. This body of quartz is evidently another reef, as the winze sunk from the adit-level proved that the main body is on the foot-wall side of the reef first cut. Additional kilns for roasting the ore have been constructed. A cyanide plant, with one percolating vat 20ft. in diameter, was first erected, and afterwards two additional vats were constructed; and 1,803 tons treated by this process yielded 3,6430z. of bullion. The results were so satisfactory that it was decided to adopt the cyanide treatment and suspend the amalgamation process. A plant of thirteen vats, with all other requisite tanks, &c, is now in course of construction, and will soon be ready. As very little power is required for this process, the whole of the power used for the pans and settlers will be available for driving extra stamps if it should be determined to increase the present plant of sixty stamps, and the prospects of the mine warrant it. This company treated 19,343 tons of quartz for 34,6610z. of bullion; value, £66,294 lis. Id. One hundred and ninety-five men are employed in the mine, at the battery, and in the bush. Silverton Mine (Silverton Gold-mining Company, owners). —Operations were confined to working portions of the reef at the surface, and 115 tons of quartz were crushed and 200 tons of tailings treated for 3210z. Bdwt. of bullion, valued at £424 10s. lid. A contract has now been let to sink a main shaft. Three men were employed. Gladstone Mine (H. Brett and party, owners). —Very litttle prospecting was done during the year, and the licensed holding is to be forfeited. Cassel's Company's Works. —This company has erected a suitable plant for treatment of the tailings and slimes which have accumulated at the Waihi Company's works. These tailings, estimated at from 25,000 to 30,000 tons, were purchased from the Waihi Company for £5,000 early in last year. Advantage was taken of the fine weather to get the materials on the ground and erect the buildings and necessary vats and machinery. A water-race was constructed to bring in water from the creek receiving water from the swamp, and also that flowing from the adit-level of the Waihi Mine. The plant is situated near the river, and below the place where the tailings are deposited. The cost of the plant, Mr. James, the company's manager, informed me, was about £2,500. The first month's run was very satisfactory : 1,425 tons of tailings were run through for 1,1260z. of bullion, worth £1,500. The number of men. employed is two laboratory men, two cyanide plant men, seven contractors to deliver tailings, one carpenter, one labourer, and the manager: total, fourteen men. PIAKO COUNTY. Te Aeoha-Waioeongomai Disteict. Te Aroha Mine (H. H. Adams, owner and manager).—Operations in this mine were carried on in the New Find section of the mine, where portions of old blocks of the reef were stoped out in the Old Coquette section, where the reef was worked near the surface ; and in the Silver King section, where a surface block was also stoped out. 1,284 tons of quartz were crushed and 592 tons of tailings treated, for 2,0010z. of bullion. 45 tons were crushed for tributers, for 31oz. ldwt. of gold. Fourteen wages-men and five tributers were employed. Neivsham's Claim. —In this mine the reef was stoped out near the surface, and 294 tons of quartz crushed for 107oz. lOdwt. of gold. Three men were employed.

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Loyalty Claim (Te Aroha Prospecting Association, owners). —A considerable amount of work has been done in this mine, which includes a portion of the Old Inverness ground. A large amount of work was done on the surface, and a cross-cut driven 35ft. to the reef, which is 18in. in thickness. 60ft. were driven on it, and 12 fathoms stoped out. A winze was also sunk 20ft. 55 tons of quartz crushed yielded 930z. of gold. Four men were employed. Tui Disteict. Champion Mine. —No work has been done on this mine by the company, but a tribute is let to Mr. William Comes, who has only just commenced work, with two men. Galena Mine (J. J. Broadbent, owner). —This mine was taken up to work a galena-lode, and a road has been made from the top of the spur to the workings on the eastern side of the range; 85ft. of driving has been done, but no galena shipped as yet. The owner has purchased half of Champion tramway for £300. The road was extended from the galena reef to a reef about 20 chains farther on, the appearance of which is very favourable, and a parcel of quartz taken to the Thames School of Mines assayed £9 Bs. per ton. Dbainage. Big Pump. The following extracts from the annual report of Mr. W. H. Phillips, the manager of the Big Pump, give particulars of the drainage :— " Pumping operations during the past year have been carried on continuously, the usual stoppages excepted. Pumping was resumed on the Ist January, and by the 6th the water was down to the 400 ft. level, at which depth it was retained until I received instructions to reduce the water a further depth of 30ft., to drain the May Queen, and on the 11th October to further reduce the water to the 500 ft. level. " Bepairs : A new drop-clack had to be obtained. This was lowered to its place on the 13th March; new pin and bearings of the balance-bob were placed in position, whilst the pumps were stopped for the annual boiler inspection in May last. During the stoppage the piston was also overhauled, and new springs put in where required. The pumps having been again stopped for the annual cleaning-out of the county water-race, advantage has been taken of the stoppage to take out a length of the bucket-rod, and replace it with a new one. " All the machinery has been overhauled, and one of the boilers cleaned out, in addition to two cleaned out in September last. The drop-clack has also been drawn, the valves changed, and other necessary repairs effected to place them in thorough working-order. The chimney-stack of the winding-engine having become shaky, I had scaffolding erected, and the bricks in the stack repointed from top to bottom. " The coal consumed during the past year has been principally Kamo, with a mixture of Newcastle. I estimate the quantity of coal required for the ensuing year, if pumping is continued from the 500 ft. level, to be about 3,000 tons. " The machinery and pumps are in good order, and working well. The manager, three enginedrivers, one stoker, and one pitman constitute the permanent staff, but occasionally outside labour is required." Dividends. £ s. d. Waihi Gold-mining Company ... ... ... ... 30,000 0 0 Crown Mines Company ... ... ... ... ... 3,886 9 0 New Alburnia Gold-mining Company ... ... ... 7,500 0 0 Hazelbank „ ... ... ... 2,100 0 0 Waiotahi „ ... ... ... 750 0 0 Try Fluke „ ... ... ... 2,500 0 0 £46,736 9 0 Accidents. Charles Kirby was seriously injured by a large piece of ground falling from the side and back of the leading stope, on the 11th April, 1893, in the Eureka section of the Moanatairi Mine. William Lang had his left leg fractured by a piece of ground falling on him, on the 3rd of August, 1893, in the old Newmarket section of the Moanatairi Mine. Harry Lough met with a serious accident, by which he received a fracture of the right arm and right leg, which afterwards proved fatal, on the 14th August, 1893, in the Moanatairi Mine. Samuel Stevens had one of his ribs strained by a piece of ground falling from the hanging-wall and fixing him down against the foot-wall, on the 31st August, 1893, in the Moanatairi Mine. William Jones, senior, had his right leg fractured while jumping from an old level into a stope, a distance of 3ft. 9in., on the 4th September, 1893, in the Waihi Mine. W. Christey met with an accident whilst working the windlass, through the handle slipping from his hand and striking him on the forehead, on the 9th September, 1893, in the Kuranui No. 3 Mine. William Johnstone met with an accident through a detonator exploding after being fitted on the end of the fuse, on the 21st September, 1893, in the Crown Mine. Thomas Fife had his collar-bone fractured by a piece of mullock falling on him, on the 26th October, 1893, in the Try Fluke Mine, Kuaotunu. James Clark was injured by a piece of ground falling on his back while putting in a set of timber, on the 3rd November, 1893, in the Moanatairi Mine. James Martin was injured in face and eyes by a portion of unexploded gelignite cartridge at the bottom of an old drill-hole, on the 18th November, 1893, in the Waihi Mine.

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Arthur Dance was injured through falling from the loop while being lowered down a winze, on the 24th January, 1894, in the Komata Mine. This accident proved fatal. It will be seen that two of the accidents were fatal. The accident to Lough, in the Moanatairi Mine, was caused by the rock giving way, without any warning, at a head of a slippery or sandy nature. No blame could be attached to any one. The accident to Dance, at the Komata Mine, was due entirely to the man himself not taking proper precautions to use the strap before descending by a loop. Geneeal Bules. The general rules for the regulation of mines are, on the whole, well observed by the managers in charge of mines throughout the district. Geneeal Bemaeks. The returns of gold show for Coromandel a decrease of 2,9840z. 14dwt., for the Thames district a slight increase of 31oz. 12dwt., for Ohinemuri district an increase of 26,6780z. ldwt., and for Piako an increase of 7370z. 6dwt. compared with the returns for 1893. The total increase for the whole district is 25,0620z. 9dwt., of an estimated value of £30,256 16s. Id. The area drained by the Big Pump at the Thames shows a decrease : In Comer's Kuranui, 3960z. sdwt.; Moanatairi, 1,8430z. lOdwt.; Cambria, 5310z. 6dwt.; and Waiotahi, 1540z. 13dwt.: while an increase is shown in Hansen's Kuranui of 4520z. 18dwt.; Hazelbank, 3400z. 17dwt.; Victoria, 2210z. 18dwt.; and May Queen, 3,5370z. 13dwt., making a total increase of 2,4270z. 12dwt. In the other portions of the district, the Fame and Fortune, Dixon's Extended, Lone-hand, Adelaide, Magnolia, and Consols show a decrease on last year's returns. The chief prospecting works in the area drained by the Big Pump are driving a cross-cut in the Victoria Mine from the 300 ft. level in the Tookey Shaft to cut several known lines of reef, and driving the cross-cut in the May Queen Mine from the No. 6 level of the Saxon Shaft to drain the mine to a further depth of 100 ft. The levels in the Waiotahi Mine are also being extended to the eastward in new ground, and in the Moanatairi line the ground near the No. 9 reef, at the 150 ft. level in their shaft, is being again worked after having been idle for several years past. In the Fame and Fortune Mine the low levels are also being driven to the eastward on reefs that have not previously been explored at such a depth. In the other portion of the district the New Alburnia Mine is being opened up with a view of working quartz of low grade, and, as the locality is famous for rich deposits, there is every prospect of occasional good returns. On the whole, the present outlook at the Thames is not so promising as it was last year. In the Ohinemuri district, which shows returns largely in advance of last year, there is every prospect of a further increase next year. The Crown, Woodstock, Waihi, Komata, Golden Cross, and Grace Darling will be large producers, and the plant erected by the Cassel Company to treat the tailings at Waihi will add to the next returns. An increased yield may therefore be calculated on for next year in the Hauraki district. I have, &c, Geoege Wilson, Inspector of Mines.

Names of Managers in Charge of Mines in Hauraki District during the Year ending the 31st March, 1894.

Name of Mine. Locality. Name of Manager. Name of Mine. Locality. Name of Manager. Tokatea Mine Royal Oak Kapanga Mine Ocean View Try Fluke.. Red Mercury Great Mercury Just in Time Black Jack Waitaia Kapai and Vermont Sheridan's Norfolk City of Dunedin Seddon Hansen's Kuranui .. Comer's Kuranui .. Hazelbank Moanatairi Alfred Orlando New Whau New Alburnia Drainage Association (Big Pump) Victoria Waiotahi Cambria Fame and Fortune.. New Fearnought .. May Queen Coromandel Peter Reid. A. McLean. W. H. Argall. Finlay McLiver. John Goldsworthy. Thomas Blair. H. Goldsworthy. A. H. Richards. A. G. S. Black. John Barrett. H. P. Hornibrook. Daniel Sheridan. James McLean. W. Hetherington. John McDermott. Peter C. Hansen. Robert Comer. James Coutts, George S. Clark. Darling Conway. Thomas Radford. W. H. Lucas. Thos. A. Dunlop. W. H. Phillips. Crawford's Special (St. Hippo) Adelaide Lone Hand Claremont Karaka Occidental Pride of Karaka .. Magnolia Homeward Bound.. North Star Bonnie Scotland .. Maratoto Woodstock Crown Thames Thos. H. Crawford. Matarangi .. Kuaotunu * Tapu Tararu Thames Talisman.. Earl of Glasgow .. Smile of Fortune .. Madden's Folly Jubilee Mine Golden Cross Komata Waihi Tairua Maratoto Karangahake George W. Bull. Thomas Moyle. George Briant. John Smith. Alexander Bruce. John G. Vivian. Henry Rabe. Thomas Boyle. John P. Carter. P. McLiver. W. H. Nicholls. John McCombie. George N. McGruer (John McConnell, general manager). Alfred Shepherd. Malcolm Fleming. Robert Reid. James Madden. John G. Ralph. H. W. Moore. William Morgan. Thomas Gilmour (H. P. Barry, general manager). E. M. Corbett. H. H. Adams. W. Newsham. Thomas Gavin. Ovvharoa Waitekauri .. Whakamochan Komata Waihi Thos. A. Dunlop. James E. Smith. William Baker. Henry Willetts. John P. Williams. W. Henry Burch. Silverton Te Aroha Newsham's Loyalty .. Waiorongomai

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Manganese. Manganese is worked on Waiheke and Kawau Islands, and also at Otonga, Mangapai, and Parua Bay, in the Whangarei district. Deposits of manganese have also been discovered in Helena Bay district. The quantity shipped for the year was as follows: —From Waiheke—Colonial Manganese Company, 86 tons; J. Chambers and Son (from Thompson's mine), 200 tons; J. Thompson (from Thompson's mine), 50 tons. From Kawau—J. Chambers and Son, 92 tons. From Parua Bay—• H. B. Cooke, 136 tons. Total, 564 tons. Geeat Baeeiee. Union Jack Mine (Sanderson and party, owners). —A considerable amount of work has been done, and quartz taken from the surface-cuttings. In the low level the reef has been driven on for 50ft., but it is very much disturbed, and evidently poorer than at the surface-cutting. The party were engaged during my visit, on 2nd January, in driving a level, in conjunction with the Silver Queen owners, on the boundary of the two claims. A leader about 7in. in thickness was cut, showing silver in the stone, but it did not appear to be sufficiently rich to prove payable. Two men were employed. Two tons treated at the Thames School of Mines yielded 2240z. silver, and 2 tons 17cwt. treated at Fraser's Stanley Works, Auckland, yielded 4910z. 3dwt. silver. No other work was being carried on at the time of my visit. Nothing payable has been discovered, although a good deal of surface-trenching, cutting, and driving had previously been done on the several claims. Puhipuhi Disteict. No work has been done in mining for silver during the year. Negotiations for the introduction of English capital proved unsuccessful, and the local people are not inclined to undertake further expenditure at present. Prospecting for cinnabar was, however, carried on during the year. Messrs. E. T. Firth and party commenced operations in the month of August, 1893, having previously arranged with the former prospectors to take over their interest in the prospecting area. (The work done by Firth and party is described in my report on cinnabar prospecting at Puhipuhi on 6th March last.) The Puhipuhi Forest was deserted during my visit, on the 24th February last, with the exception of the cinnabar prospectors and the licensee of the Comstock Hotel, which had been burnt to the ground a few days previously. There was also a party of sawyers cutting totara for railwaysleepers in the burnt-kauri bush near Wairiki. There were no gumdiggers to be seen, the forest being closed to them until the Ist May. Very little, if any, prospecting for antimony, cinnabar, or gold has been carried on in other parts of the district, although occasionally small samples of quartz are sent to me, which, when assayed, are of no value. Coal-leases at Kawakawa, Ngunguru, and Hikurangi have been applied for at the Warden's Office, Whangarei. Manganese. Manganese mining still attracts attention throughout the district, and a considerable quantity is shipped to England. I have, &c, Geoege Wilson, Inspector of Mines. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 4. Mr. Warden Allen to the Undee-Seceetaey op Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Blenheim, 19th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward you my usual report for the Marlborough District for the year ended 31st March, 1894. This can be summed up in one short general report of the whole district, for, unfortunately, there is nothing particular to mention concerning any of the subdivisions of the goldfield under my charge. The number of miners at work upon the Marlborough goldfields is about the same as last year. Alluvial miners are making a living, or no doubt they would have left the district to try other fields. A sluicing company has started work at Deep Creek, but the work is not sufficiently advanced to show whether it will be a success or not. The King Solomon Company, on Cullen's freehold land, has found payable gold, and no doubt the greater part of Cullen's flat will eventually be worked. A Wellington company has applied for 30 acres of land as a quartz claim above Deep Creek, but nothing has yet been done to require special mention. The manager is very sanguine of success, and he declares the reef found to be equal to any he has seen in this colony. In concluding my brief report there is not a richer mineral district in New Zealand than may be found in some portions of Marlborough. There are rich deposits of alluvial gold yet to be found, requiring in every case proper appliances, and in many cases deep sinking, and we have many miles of reefing country practically unworked. In this and in other districts our small farmers are desirous of availing themselves of the advantages offered to them under the system of perpetual leases, and are seeking to extend their holdings. In several cases in this district their applications, if granted, will seriously encroach upon known auriferous country, and this is certain to lead to complications in the future. I can only repeat suggestions formerly made : that certain blocks of land on the goldfields known to be auriferous should be set apart to be exclusively dealt with under the provisions of the Mining Act and regulations, and the Act and regulations amended in the direction of granting better tenure to applicants for occupation licenses. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Mines, Wellington. J. Allen, Warden.

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No. 5. Mr. Warden Heaps to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Nelson, 25th April, 1894. As will be seen by the annual mining returns for the Wangapeka and Tableland portions of the Karamea Mining District, which I have the honour to forward herewith, little mining has been done in the district during the past year, and I have not heard that what has been done has been of an encouraging nature. Further exploring has been done beyond the Wangapeka Saddle, in the watersheds drained by the Karamea and Crow Bivers ; but this past year it has partaken more of a scientific than of a practical mining character, the party of most interest having been accompanied by a professional geologist from England, who expressed himself to me as greatly interested by the discoveries he had made, and is determined to remain in the district some time longer, with a view to making further investigations, which he seemed sanguine would lead to practical results. Like previous explorers, he found his explorations greatly retarded by want of tracks, and by bad weather. If the present horse-track with dray-road grades from the Wangapeka Saddle to the Karamea Biver were continued it would facilitate the opening-up of a most interesting tract of country of which still little is known, but which is probably bound to ultimately contribute much good land for settlement, and steady employment for a number of miners. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Wilson Heaps, Warden.

No. 6. Mr. Warden Geeenfield to the Undee-Seceetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Warden's Office, Westport, 26th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith the statistical returns for the Karamea Mining District for the year ended 31st March, 1894. I have also the honour to report on the mining industry, &c, within that district for the same period, as follows : — Addison's. All the old claims in this district have yielded good returns for the year. The Shamrock Lead Gold-mining Company, referred to in my last report as a new company, has been very energetic during the year. The ground held by the company is 49 acres 2 roods, under a grant of special claim, situate about eight miles from Westport. Part of this ground was worked many years ago, when excellent gold was obtained, but the difficulty of getting the water away—although a considerable sum was expended on the attempt—caused the claim to be abandoned. The ground afterwards remained unworked for several years, until the present company was formed to work it. The plant of the Fair Maid Gold-mining Company was purchased, and removed to this ground, and the company next turned their attention to bringing in water. Mr. Bene Proust, mining engineer, was engaged, and a good supply was obtained from the Totara Biver by a race about five miles long, which is said to be one of the best in the district, and it is confidently expected that there will be a continuous supply of water all the year round. The ground is worked by what is known as the "jet pump," and Mr. Proust, having placed the piping into position on the slope of the hill, from the terminal point of the race to the flat ground below, commenced to sink a paddock, and, after many difficulties, eventually succeeded. Having surmounted this very difficult task, tables and other gold-saving appliances were erected. The depth of the paddock is about 35ft., and the pressure of water about 370 ft. Sluicing was properly commenced about the end of December last, and has been continued uninterruptedly. A good deal of the old workings had to be passed through before reaching virgin ground, but notwithstanding this fact the results have been beyond expectation. The inner lead is now being worked, and from what can be learned the washings are highly satisfactory. The greatest trouble the company has to deal with is getting rid of the tailings. It has let a contract for a tail-race, but this will be only a temporary measure, and before very long it will be compelled to construct a tunnel. There are twelve men employed on this claim, and the present company, it is said, has already expended about £5,000. Piper's Flat Auriferous Cement Company. —This is a new claim, containing an area of 10 acres of auriferous cement, situate on Piper's Flat, on what is known as the Virgin Flat Lead. The lead to the east of this claim was worked by ground-sluicing, but abandoned some eight or nine years ago on account of the cement met with. It is now proposed to crush the cement and sluice the wash-dirt below it. A five-stamp battery has been erected, with gratings of 175 to the square inch. From these gratings the crushed cement passes into a special distributing-box and apparatus, then over copper plates, blankets, and plush. The whole is driven by a sft. Pelton wheel, under 65ft. of pressure, only requiring about 30in. of water. The face at present shows 4ft. of stripping, Bft. auriferous cement, and 2ft. of black sand—very few stones. The battery works three shifts of eight hours each, and puts through about 35 tons per diem. As the claim has only recently started working no result has yet been ascertained, but the plates are said to be looking well. The Venture Gold-mining Company. —This claim has been worked all through the year crushing cement with very satisfactory results. An average of twelve men has been constantly employed. 8,372 tons of cement were put through the battery during the year, which yielded 6640z. of gold. Satisfactory dividends have been paid, and it is estimated that there is sufficient payable cement to keep the battery going for the next thirty years at least. In the Addison's district there are about a hundred and twenty miners employed. 3—C. 3a.

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Chableston. It is estimated that about one hundred and fifty miners are employed in mining in this district. On Charleston Flat, Candlelight, and the Black Lead there are about twenty-six claims, which employ about fifty-six men, whose average earnings are about £2 10s. per week. At Croninville there are three claims, employing six men ; these claims have a good supply of water, and are doing fairly well. At Brighton and St. Kilda there are about eighteen miners, principally working beach claims, which only give occasional work when there is black sand on the beach; at other times the men are employed in land-cultivation. In Darkies Creek there are five parties working creek claims, and they are reported to be doing extremely well. On the Nine-mile Beach there are twenty miners working claims when there is any payable sand to work. In former years these claims paid exceedingly well, but of late years the beach has been covered with a grey sand, which is not payable, and consequently the miners have had very small returns from their claims. Most of these miners are Shetlanders, a thrifty and industrious people, and, when not working their claims, they employ themselves in the cultivation of their small freehold homesteads. Cement-crushing. —During the year five new batteries have been erected in the district, making altogether twelve crushing cement, which are all said to be doing well. There is another battery in course of erection by Messrs. Turner and Calvert, at Brown's Terrace. They have been engaged for the last eighteen months in making dams, races, and tunnels, and they will soon be ready to commence crushing, and the claim promises to be a rich one. One hundred and ninety-eight miners' rights were issued during the year, and the total goldfield's revenue was £234 os. 6d. The total population of Charleston is estimated at 590. The Four-mile Water-race. —The Buller County Council raised a loan of £4,960 for the construction of what is called the extension of the Argyle Water-race. This extension is six miles and three-quarters long. Some 25 chains of the race would not carry water without fluming, and, the money being all spent, the race was not completed. It is estimated by the County Engineer that this fluming and other necessary repairs to the race would cost £300. Along the inside race there is a syphon some I,Booft. long, about 800 ft. of which requires renewing, and will cost about £400. Fourteen parties, comprising about thirty men, have been using water from this race. The cost of management and maintenance during the year was £455 19s. 2d., and the sales of water realised £451 Bs. 10d., showing a loss of £4 10s. 4d. The cause of a loss instead of a large profit is attributed to the frequent breaks in the long spyhon, and other damage to the inner race being very costly, and also to the loss of revenue from the water owing to these breaks, by the consequent stoppage of water-supply to the miners. Unless the extension of the race is completed, and the weak portions of the spyhon renewed, there will be no regular supply of water, as that in the dam, which seldom fills, only lasts six weeks. It is estimated that, if completed, a profit of, at least, £200 per annum may be fairly anticipated ; more ground would be taken up, and steady employment provided for many more miners. The non-completion of this race falls very heavily on the miners of the district, who are heavily taxed to pay the interest on the loan, instead of deriving a benefit from the race, as they would do if the work was satisfactorily completed and a regular supply of water secured. The Westport Prospecting Association. —This Association, which was assisted by a Government subsidy of £1 for £1, has been carrying on its operations in the Kawatiri district, near the Fairdown. About 360 ft. has been driven, which has pretty well exhausted the funds. The Association, however, expects to obtain further assistance to enable them to continue the tunnel and thoroughly test the ground. MOKIHINUI AND GeANITY CeEEK. There is nothing to report with regard to gold-mining in this locality. A great many applications have been received and granted for occupation licenses during the year, as shown by the annexed return. Very general complaints are made of the very unsatisfactory tenure of these licenses, and I am of opinion that some steps should be taken to have the question of tenure settled on a more equitable basis. At present the holders of town sections at Seddonville have to pay £3 per annum (business license) for quarter-acre sections, while the village settlers adjoining the township only pay 3s. per acre for 5-acre allotments. Then, at Granity Creek, there is another grievance: that people are unable to obtain Millerton sections excepting at auction. Now, as no one can hold more than one section, I fail to see any reason why, after the sections have once been submitted to auction, applicants should not be allowed to select sections at the upset price. As I before reported, there is a good deal of hill-land on the Buller Coal Beserve that is not coal-bearing, and which would, I believe, readily let if it could be obtained in larger areas—say, not exceeding 320 acres—and without compulsory residence. Possibly a modification of the agricultural-lease regulations might meet the case, but the rent would have to be altered to, say, not exceeding 2s. per acre. It has been suggested that the coal reserve should be again brought under the Land Act, and the land dealt with under the " village settlement " and " perpetual lease " sections of the Act, but it must be borne in mind that most of the land required at Mokihinui for small holdings is on the surface of coal leaseholds. It is also desirable that " The Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Act, 1887," should be amended, so as to give power to the Warden, with the approval of the Minister of Mines, to lease to coal companies certain surface rights within or outside the boundaries of their coal-lease areas for the erection of machinery, coke-ovens, managers' houses, &c. ; also for paddocks for horses used in connection with the mine. I think, also, power should be obtained to grant timber licenses to companies requiring mining timber, outside their lease boundaries. The regulations under the Mining Act seem only to apply to hand-sawyers and mill-owners. COLLINGWOOD AND TaKAKA. There has been very little change in this part of the Karamea district since my last report. The Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company has been pushing on its tunnel and pipe-line

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contracts, and has employed a good deal of labour during the year. The works were retarded somewhat by a dispute with the contractors for supplying the timber for the tunnel, but that difficulty has been settled, and the works have since progressed satisfactorily. Johnston's United Gold-mine. —lt is to be regretted that this mine does not look any more promising than it did at the time of my last report. There has been another change in the management, Mr. Johnston's services have been dispensed with, and Mr. Hugh Collier has been appointed mine-manager in his stead, several men have been discharged, and expenses generally have been reduced. An average of twenty men was employed during the year, and work was carried on fairly continuously. No dividends were paid, but the company's debts were greatly reduced. The quantity of quartz crushed during the year was 4,561 tons, and the yield of gold therefrom 9140z. The Bocky Biver works, referred to in my last report, undertaken by Messrs Beetham and party, suffered considerable damage by the remarkably high floods that occurred recently in that locality, and caused a suspension of the works for a time, and it is probable that very little work will be again attempted until after the winter. The loss is estimated at £300. Seven men were employed on the work. The Parapara Iron Lease. —The lessees have obtained some protection from the Mines Department, and nothing has therefore been done in the direction of developing the iron-ore. I think, when the protection expires, the lessees should be called upon to take immediate steps to carry out the conditions of their lease or forfeit their right to hold this valuable property. Some attention has been directed to the Kaituna district lately, when something like a small " rush " occurred, but nothing of any consequence has as yet been brought to light, although there is an impression among the miners that a good field will yet bo found in that locality. The number of miners employed in the district is estimated at 168, including two Chinese. It is gratifying to be able to report that, although mining appears to be somewhat on the wane, the occupation of land for agricultural and pastoral purposes is rapidly increasing in this district. Lyell. There are five quartz-mines at work in this district—namely, the United Alpine, the Lyell Creek, the United Italy, the Tyrconnel, and the Croesus. The first-mentioned mine, which has been the mainstay of the Lyell for so many years, has again done well during this year; and, although a number of men had to be discharged for a short time, the battery has been almost continuously at work, and put through during the year 9,669 tons of stone, which yielded 8,2450z. of gold, and the dividends paid during the year amounted to the sum of £16,800. The mine is worked by three shifts, and fifty-four men are employed. Lyell Creek Mine. —There are four men employed in this mine driving a tunnel, hoping to strike the Alpine Beef, known as the " North Block." 3,500 ft. have been driven, which has taken about twelve years. The miners are now so close to the Alpine boundary that the stone in that mine can be heard passing through the shoot, and it is expected that the reef will be struck in a very few weeks. The United Italy Mine is being worked on tribute by a party of six. They have had two erushings during the year, and obtained 5750z. of gold from 108 tons of stone. This is a leader claim, and it is anticipated that the leaders will soon be worked out. The Tyrconnel Mine is held by. a party of three, and there are seven men employed in the mine. About six months ago 60 tons of stone from this mine were crushed, which gave a return of Boz. to-the ton. This energetic little party has since started to drive a tunnel, which is to be I,looft. long, and it is already driven 450 ft. It is confidently hoped and expected that when they reach the I,looft. they will strike the leader from which they obtained the stone six months ago that paid them so handsomely. The Croesus Mine is held by a party of three, who are also the lessees of the Tyrconnel Mine. This mine is sublet to a party of two, who have about 100 tons of stone to grass. Crushing will be started shortly, and the prospects are said to be good. With regard to alluvial mining in this district, there little to report. There has been a decrease in the number of European miners, and an increase in the number of Chinese, the numbers being : Europeans, 34, as against 45 last year ; Chinese, 17, as against 7 last year. Muechison. There has been very little alteration in alluvial mining in this district during the year. An application of some importance has been made to bring in a water-race from the Matakitaki Biver, about nine miles long, to contain 100 Government heads of water. The right has been obtained, and also a special claim of 100 acres of auriferous land. This proposed scheme, if carried out, would be a great boon to the district, as the race would not only work the ground contained in the special claim, but would command a very large area of auriferous terraces, which are known to contain payable gold, and which cannot otherwise be worked. The proposal has been submitted to Mr. Bene Proust, a mining engineer of considerable experience, who has examined the country, and reported most favourably on the scheme, and there is a fair prospect of the work being proceeded with. There is one drawback to the progress of this important enterprise, and that is the want of a road at the upper part of the Matakitaki Valley. It is estimated that about four miles require to be made, and the cost would be about £1,000. It is said that this road would open up a large area of good land fit for settlement. In any case, the cost is not much, and if the Government will not find the whole of the money, the company might be subsidised with half the cost. Dbedges. There are three dredges at work in the Karamea Mining District—viz., two on the Buller Biver and one on the Matakitaki Biver, a tributary of the Buller. The Cock Sparroiv Dredge is working on the Buller Biver, about half a mile above its junction with the Inangahua Biver. It is held by a party of twelve at present, but they are about forming

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a limited liability company. The dredge has been doing fairly well for some time past, but has not paid any dividends. It is said that the prospects are improving, and very good results are now being obtained. The Alexandra Dredge is working on the Buller Biver, near Fern Flat. This dredge met with an accident in June last, and was sunk during a flood. It was floated about a month ago, and is now on good gold. Although lying idle about eight months, 201oz. of gold were obtained during the year, and it is said that the returns are now 30oz. of gold per week. The Matakitaki Dredge is working on the Matakitaki Biver, about four miles above its junction with the Buller Biver. It is held by a company whose office is at Dunedin. The amount of gold obtained during the year was 7700z. I am informed that there is every reason to believe that another dredge will be placed on the Buller shortly, and possibly one on the Aorere Biver, in the Collingwood district. I have, &c., Alfeed Gbeenfield, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 7. Mr. Warden Stbatfoed to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib ,— Warden's Office, Eeefton, 28th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward to you herewith statistical returns for year ended 31st March last, and beg to submit the following report on the Inangahua district for the same period : — Whilst unable to give a very glowing account of the past year's operations, it will, in some respects, compare favourably with the previous one, inasmuch as the calls are smaller by £4,450, whilst the dividends are larger by £1,932, notwithstanding the fact that the quantity of stone crushed and the yield are somewhat smaller. From the opening of the district to 31st March last 614,330 tons of quartz have been raised and crushed, from which 445,9970z. of gold were obtained, representing a value of £1,740,666 ; out of this sum £551,581 was paid in dividends. The total amount of alluvial gold obtained for the same period is approximately estimated at 117,5710z., representing a value of £432,998. The total production of gold will thus amount to 563,5680z., of the value of £2,173,664. In order that the result of the year's operations may be seen at a glance a statement is prepared showing the calls made, dividends declared, &c, by the various companies in the district, which statement is appended hereto : —

List of Dividends declared, Calls made, &c., by various Companies.

Name of Company. Calls made. Dividends declared. Stone y . ,, crushed. XleM - Value. Sir Charles Eussell Wealth of Nations Globe Keep-it-Dark No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark ... Supreme... Big Eiver Welcome United Golden Treasure ... Fiery Cross (private company) Exchange Cumberland Success ... Hercules... Homeward Bound Venus Extended ... Energy (private company) ... Gallant ... Golden Lead Sir Francis Drake... AI £ s. 1,100 0 2,000 0 1,700 0 233 6 d. 0 0 0 8 £ s. d. Tons. 11 3,875 7,330 450 105 Oz. 14 1,156 2,539 130 71 £ s. d. 45 1 6 4,624 0 0 10,156 0 0 520 0 0 284 0 0 3,006" 0 600 0 0 0 9,906' 0 0 2',660 3,9454 15,889 2 10 "384 191J 765 0 0 406' 0 0 100 0 1,100 0 50 0 0 0 0 2,400 0 0 3,968 2,068 8,825 2 4 1,500 0 0 1,092 785 3,174 1 2 300 0 900 0 1,800 0 0 0 0 309 525 55 2,435 1,722 6 30 137 170 8i 465 343 341 33£ 548 0 0 680 0 0 34 3 2 1,890 9 8 1,352 0 0 138 7 2 133 12 2 Lord Edward Dillon ... Specimen Hill Progress ... Golden Fleece (private comp'y) Victoria (private company) ... Inglewood Merrijigs... Eoyal Boatman's Tailings 200 0 350 0 166 13 0 0 4 27 8,400 406 195 149 7 10 20,594 16 10 668 0 0 456 0 0 4,800" 0 0 37 5,073 167 114 250 0 100 0 0 0 232 0 0 "533 493 440 1,995 10 3 830 0 0 Alluvial gold 14,350 0 0 18,832 0 0 34,518 18,413 3,972 73,752 14 11 15,489 11 6 Totals... [22,385 I 89,242 6 5 * 900 tons tailings treated by cyanide process.

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I submit for your information a short account of the work performed by the principle companies in the district. Boatman's. Welcome United. —The Homeward Bound and Eureka Companies having amalgamated under this title and, having purchased the old Welcome Claim, &c, started work. The water which had accumulated in the old Welcome and Eureka workings during the time these companies were idle has been bailed out, and a connection made between the Welcome and Eureka by a tunnel 60ft. in length, thus securing good ventilation. Thousands of feet of old tunnels have been repaired. The company has driven 267 ft. on the track of the reef from the bottom of the Eureka shaft, which is 250 ft. deeper than No. 9 level of the old Welcome, where payable stone was last found. A cross-cut has also been driven a considerable distance to the west from the low level, but without finding anything. The old Welcome block of stone, from which gold worth £330,000 was obtained, had a good strike to the north and the present company expect to cut it in about another 100 ft. of driving if it lives down. Devil's Ceeek. Globe. —Stone was driven on for about 165 ft. in No. 5 level, and stoping-out between this and No. 4 level has been carried on. Payable stone between these two levels is now nearly exhausted, and one shift only has been employed for some little time past taking out stone. With a view to opening a new level, the main shaft has been sunk a further depth of 200 ft. perpendicular. A winze was started on the reef from No. 5 level, and was taken down to a depth of 150 ft. A tunnel is now being driven from the bottom of the shaft to intersect the line of reef. This tunnel has already been driven 300 ft., leaving about 100 ft. still to drive. No. 1 level has been extended 200 ft. on the line of reef with the view of picking up a continuation of the reef. Stone about 2ft. 6in. in width has been found, but, so far, it is not payable. The character, however, of the country now entering is of a favourable nature. During the year 7,330 tons of quartz have been sent to the battery and crushed, yielding 2,5390z. of gold, valued at £10,156. Since the opening of the mine 67,363 tons of quartz have been crushed, yielding 32,9490z. of gold, of a value of £130,618, out of which £40,009 has been distributed in dividends. Progress. —No. 5 level is now being opened up. The main shaft has been sunk from No. 4 level a perpendicular depth of 155 ft. A winze has also been sunk on the reef a depth of 200 ft.; this, with the underlay, will be the same depth as the bottom of the shaft. A chamber having been constructed at the bottom of the shaft, driving from it to the reef, which at the bottom of the winze is of large dimensions, has been commenced. As the reef sunk on was of large dimensions on No. 4 level, and of good quality, it is fair to assume No. 5 level will provide profitable employment for the company's battery for a lengthened period. Fifteen heads of stampers are at present in operation crushing stone from what is known as the Foot-wall Block, over No. 4 level, and as the reef will average about 9ft. in thickness, and is of a payable quality, it is confidently believed it will return dividends to the shareholders until such time as stone is available to keep the battery going from No. 5 level. The winding-power of the company's plant will be supplemented by a Tangye steel boiler of 25-horse power, which will be in position in the course of two or three weeks. With this addition the company's plant will be complete in every respect, and of efficient description. The amount of stone treated at the company's battery during the year was 8,400 tons, yielding 5,0730z. of gold, or on an average of to the ton. The value of the gold obtained was £20,594 16s. 10d., out of which £4,800 was paid in dividends. The total output of the mine is as follows: 44,445 tons of quartz crushed; yield, 20,6510z. gold, valued at £82,652 ; dividends, £13,200. Big Bivee. Big Biver. —During the past year the main shaft has been sunk. 120 ft. from No. 3 to No. 4 level, and, the chamber having been cut out, a cross-cut was driven 100 ft. to intersect the winze which was put down from No. 3 level on a block of stone. This stone has been driven on 76ft., and has an average thickness of 6ft. Stoping has been carried on from this with the following result—viz., 2,660 tons crushed for 3,9450z. lOdwt. 18gr. of gold, which realised £15,889 2s. 10d., out of which dividends have been declared to the extent of £9,900, or Bs. 3d. per share. A winze has been sunk on this stone 84ft. from No. 4 level, and the stone continues about the same size and quality. A contract has been let to sink the shaft 120 ft. for another level, and it is now down 64ft. ; when it is completed it will be down 775 ft. from the surface. There are other blocks of stone between Nos. 2 and 3 levels being worked and prospected on, so that the mine has a promising future. The total output, &c, of the mine is as follows : 7,301 tons of quartz crushed, which yielded 11,6420z. of gold, valued at £46,535 16s. lid., out of which the sum of £23,700 has been distributed in dividends. Meeeijigs. Merrijigs. —The low-level tunnel, started in June last, has been driven 550 ft. The distance from starting-point to the perpendicular of the lode is 1,230 ft., but, should the underlay continue to the west, some distance further will have to be driven before reaching the lode. The nature of the ground, so far as the tunnel has been driven, is hard, solid rock, with alternate layers of slate and sandstone, having a regular and well-defined underlay. The tunnel is being driven at right-angles across the strata of the country. Should the two runs of stone worked in the upper level come together, as is anticipated, in the low level, and form into a permanent and payable lode, it will give an impetus to mining in this locality, and the company is certainly deserving of success for the enterprise displayed. Work is still being carried on in the upper level, but towards the surface the leaders are more scattered, and not profitable to work. A great drawback to prospecting is the great quantity of water which the ground contains, rendering it quite impossible to sink winzes; when, however, the low-level tunnel is in it will drain the ground and make it possible for this and other companies on the same hill to thoroughly prospect their claims.

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Cumberland. —During the year the stone between No. 2 and No. 1 levels has been stoped out. An incline shaft has been sunk to a depth of 78ft., at which depth considerable difficulty was experienced in finding the reef, left underfoot in No. 2 level. The reef was broken, and apparently did not live down to this depth. All the payable stone on this, the original, reef has been stoped out to No. 2 level. A cross-cut having been put in to the south from the bottom of the shaft, a reef was struck after driving about 40ft. This reef is small, averaging on the level about 18in., but is of good quality, and hat; been driven on for a distance of 109 ft. A winze has been sunk on the stone to a, depth of 45ft., the stone being of an average thickness of about 2ft. For the year 3,968 tons of quartz have been crushed for a yield of 2,0680z. of gold, valued at £8,825 2s. 4d., from which the shareholders have received £2,400 dividends. From the opening of the mine to date 11,550 tons of quartz have been crushed, for a yield of 9,8100z. gold, which realised the sum of £40,233 25., out of which £13,200 have been given in dividends. Painkillee. Sir Charles Bussell. —The low-level tunnel was driven about 690 ft., and rising from this point for about 60ft. the reef sunk on from the upper level was struck. On this intermediate level a tunnel has been driven on the line of reef for about 150 ft., but it has not been continuously on stone. A small crushing recently yielded a little over an ounce to the ton. The average width of the stone is about 18in. A contract has been let for the erection of a small battery. Cbushington. Keep-it-Dark.—The inside shaft has been sunk a further depth of 125 ft., which makes it 375 ft. in depth, or 850 ft. from the brace of the main shaft. A tunnel is now being driven from the bottom of the inside shaft to intersect the reef, which, if it lives down, should be struck in about 30ft. The country through which the tunnel is being driven is at the present time of a favourable character. In the No. 1 level from the main shaft a prospecting drive has been put in for a distance of 170 ft., but no stone of any consequence was met with. No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark.— -This company during the last year has been opening up a new level. The main shaft has been sunk 175 ft. The cross-cut from the bottom of the shaft to the line of reef (150 ft.) has been completed. The level is being extended. Up to the present time the north level has been driven 200 ft., but, so far, no solid body of quartz has been met with. As the reef, which was worked on the No. 2 level, had a strong northerly strike, some distance may yet have to be driven before it is found on the deeper level. South of the cross-cut the level is being driven into the old Pandora ground; the distance driven up to date is about 90ft. It is the general opinion that a good block of stone will be found in this direction, as some good stone was disclosed on the bottom of the No. 2 level, about 200 ft. south of the main shaft. If this block should live down, it would give over 20Qft. of backs from the level which is now being driven. Hercules.— After driving about 180 ft. from the bottom of the shaft on No. 8 level without striking the reef, an uprise was started and carried up 62ft., when the reef was found. . This block of stone was from 4ft. to sft. wide, and proved profitable to the company, enabling dividends to the amount of £1,500 to be declared. After this block was worked out, prospecting was carried on to find if the stone lived down between the point where it was first struck in the uprise and No. 8 level, but, so far, stone has not been found. A trial crushing of the stone sunk upon in the winze from No. 7 level near the No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark Company is now being taken out. This reef is between 3ft. and 4ft. wide, and if this crushing proves payable No 8 level will be extended to cut this block. Wealth of Nations.— During the last twelve months the 350 ft. level has been extended 70ft. north, and a connection made with the block of quartz which was found in an intermediate level 50ft. below the 200 ft. level. As there was some difficulty in finding this block in the 350 ft. level, a second winze had to be sunk on the reef, which proved the existence of a bar of hard sandstone rock throwing the reef a considerable distance out of the usual underlie. This reef has been worked for the last eight months. The average yield is poor, about 6dwt. of gold per ton ; but even this is payable, and a dividend amounting to over £800 has recently been given. A winze is at present being sunk on the reef below the 350 ft. level, and is down 66ft. on what is supposed to be a strong body of quartz. A cross-cut is also being driven east on the 200 ft. level to prospect for a reef which existed in that direction in the upper levels. This company is very properly pushing ahead the thorough prospecting and opening of the mine out of the proceeds of erushings. Geneeal. An effort is being made to amalgamate the properties of the Inangahua Low-level Tunnel, Venus, and Boyal Companies, and to form a new company to push ahead the old Low-level Tunnel. It is to be hoped that the promoters will be successful, as the striking of payable stone at this level would be of the greatest benefit to the district. The Exchange, which adjoins the Cumberland, is now at work, having obtained permission from the latter company to work from one of their levels. The Sir Francis Drake has been to great expense in opening a new level and erecting winding machinery. There have been a few erushings, but, unfortunately, the stone is very poor. The Fiery Cross Company sold their mine, which was purchased, and is now being worked, by a party of working miners, who are likely to give a good account of the mine. The treatment of tailings by the Boatman's Tailings Company by the cyanide process has not, so far, met with the success their enterprise deserved, but recent operations have been profitable, and will doubtless continue so as the peculiarities and refractory nature of the tailings become better known. The striking of payable stone, now being prospected for in the low levels of the Keep-it-Dark, Welcome United, No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark, Globe, and Hercules, would greatly tend to revive interest in the mining industry. In conclusion, I must thank managers of companies for information kindly given by them. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. H. A. Stratfoed, Warden.

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No. 8. Mr. N. D. Cocheane, Inspector of Mines, to the Undeb-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 30th April, 1894. I have the honour to report as follows on the mines worked under the provisions of " The Mining Act, 1891," in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland Districts for the past year, and to enclose summary of battery returns : — PICTON. Endeavour Inlet Antimony-mine.— {ll/12/93): Two stopes working above the No. 7 level, about 90ft. up, employing two men and trucker on one shift. Drew Mr. Wearne's attention to some of the hanging-wall laths requiring renewal, and he agreed to have them at once attended to. At other places the country is heavy, and much inclined to swell, but with no tendency to run, and Mr. Wearne is taking care to renew the timber where required. Air led in in sin. pipes. Ladders good and sloping. The width of the lode is very irregular, perhaps 20ft., but much the greater part of this is gangue. Strong foot-wall, but the hanging-wall is not so clearly defined. Work in No. 2 level has been stopped pending the result of the smelting, but is likely to be resumed. Manager's name not posted, and no report of the examinations of the mine ; but these will be attended to. Copy of Act in office. Fly-wheel and friction-wheel near stone-breaker not protected, but a bar will be put round them. Total number of men employed, including battery, seventeen. Waikakaho. Bavenscliff Quartz-mine has not resumed work, but Mr. Turner informs me that a start is likely to be made shortly, when it is to be hoped the fortune of the mine may prove more favourable than formerly. COLLINGWOOD. Johnston's United Quartz-mine was not inspected during the year, as other work prevented me from visiting the district, but the returns from the battery for the past few months have been very poor. Eeefton. Progress Quartz-mine. —This mine was inspected three times during the year. On the lastoccasion (13/2/94) Mr. George Black, formerly of Big Biver, was in charge. Air fairly good, timbering well attended to, and mine generally in good order. No. 4 level is being extended to the west, where the stone has pinched out. Two men are stoping, two stopes above this, in the foot-wall block, which will average sft. in width. Two men were stoping to the east of and 80ft. above this, where the average width of reef is about 3ft. From near this a winze is down 36ft., but it was stopped, as the air was not good, and connection with the stoping below is to be made by uprising. It is satisfactory to find the work stopped, and the men not having to work on in poor air. A winze is down 140 ft. from No. 4 level in the hanging-wall block, where the reef is nearly 3ft. wide, and payable stone. This will serve to connect with the next level, for the opening-up of which the shaft is at present being sunk. A miner named Bobert Annet had his leg broken in this mine on the 18th April. He had been taking down a loose piece of stone, and had taken his stand right in front of a " torn," which prevented his retreat when the stone came away. Forty-eight men in all are employed in the mine, in three shifts. Plan and report kept, the latter a little behind. Globe Quartz-mine—(lo/2j9±) : The shaft at this date had been sunk to a depth of 825 ft., and the No. 6 level opened out. 150 ft. of cross-cutting to south has been done, and it is expected that 250 ft. more will require to be driven before the line of reef is cut. Six men are driving, in three shifts. Timbering and air right. A winze has been sunk from No. 5 level a depth of 150 ft. on the underlie, in which the stone pinched out at 100 ft. 75ft. ahead of this another winze was started, but the quartz only lived down Bft. About 80ft. above No. 5 three stopes are working on stone about Bft. wide, but 6ft. of this does not contain gold. Seven men are employed here in one shift. In the No. 1 level there are four men driving, in two shifts, on quartz which contains no gold. This is at a point 500 ft. distant from the old Globe workings, and it is to be continued on the chance of meeting payable stone. Twenty-two men in all are employed. The prospects of this once prosperous mine are at present anything but bright. Wealth of Nations Quartz-mine.— (9/2/94) : Four stopes working 110 ft. below the No. 1 level. The lode varies from 2ft. to 18ft. in width, and is very irregular. This block of quartz is 70ft. long, and there is 60ft. of backs. Some loose pieces of stone in the stopes to which Mr. Watson's attention was directed are to be taken down. Five feet in the hanging-wall there is a second lode which will average 9ft. in width, and about 40ft. long; the amount of backs is unknown. From the No. 2or 350 ft. level a winze is being sunk, and at present is down 20ft. Air good. Plan and report kept. Act well observed. The prospects of this mine are improved, and, although the yield of gold is only about sdwt., there is now a fair prospect of its again paying, after fourteen years work without dividends. Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mine.— (9/2/94) : The timbering which Mr. Fitzmaurice was requestedto see to at my last inspection in November has been attended to, lining-sets having been put in, and the timber at the top of the winze renewed. The blind shaft, which was sunk a further depth of 125 ft., and which had been allowed to fill with water, was now being baled. Its depth is 375 ft., which, with the main shaft, makes a total of 875 ft. below the level of the brace. Directed the manager's attention to a bad place near where the men were baling, and he gave orders to have it at once taken down. A cross-cut is to be driven to west from the bottom of the blind shaft, in which it is expected the line of reef will be cut at 60ft. The No. 3or 500 ft. level is being extended to the north, on the track of the reef, some 300 ft. away from the Wealth of Nations boundary- No other work is doing at present. Air sufficient at date of inspection, but likely to be poor when the

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weather is unfavourable. Eules with names posted. Detaching-link fitted up and rope tested. Some tributing was done in the upper levels, but was given up, as there was not sufficient inducement to go on. Mr. McGregor, at the battery, informed me he was working without a license, but, on further inquiry, this proved incorrect. Hercules Quartz-mine. —(6/1/94) : Mr. Bray was now in charge, as when this mine was previously inspected in November last the number of men employed required the appointment of a first-class certificated manager, so Mr. McEwin, although he had the mine in first-class order, was compelled to resign. Seventeen men are now employed, in two shifts. During the year the main shaft has been sunk a further depth of 136ft., a cross-cut thence driven to the lode, and No. 8 level opened out, but the quartz did not live down to this depth. Some further cross-cutting is to be done in the hanging-wall to try to find the stone. The block of quartz below No. 7 level lived down 70ft., and was 50ft. in length, but this has been worked out, and at the above date no stone was being broken down, only filling-in being done. Like the Wealth of Nations Mine, there is a second lode in the hanging-wall, but in this mine it is only 18in. in width. There is another block of quartz 400ft. to the south, and two men have started to-day to extend No. 8 level to work it. Air good. Drew Mr. Bray's attention to some flakes in No. 7 level. Hand-grip required at winze. Signals requiring to be renewed at No. 8. Manager's name not posted. These are to be seen to. No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mine. —(6/1/94): The quartz above No. 2 level has been worked out. At the beginning of the year the adjoining Pandora Claim was purchased, and since then the main shaft has been sunk a distance of 176ft. ; total depth, 452ft. From the bottom a cross-cut has been driven to the west, and the load cut at a distance of 155ft. Thence the track of the reef has been driven on to north for 50ft., and driving is being continued. This is the only work doing at present, employing three shifts of two men each. Air good. Timbering very well done. A complaint was sent in shortly before the above date saying that the manager (Mr. J. S. Treloar) was not certificated, and was otherwise incompetent. In my report to you I pointed out that he did not require a certificate for the number of men employed, but that he possessed a first-class one. He is a bred Cornish miner, with experience in California and Nevada, and has formerly managed the Hercules Mine. Such unwarranted complaints occasion a loss of both time and money in making the inquiry. Energy Quartz-mine. —Has ceased working,'as the owners, a party of working-men, found it would not pay. Royal Quartz-mine. —(15/2/93) : A small stream of water was found running in at the north corner of the uprise, 170ft. above the No. 4 level. As this was from the old workings overhead, which were known to contain water, I pointed out the section in the Act, which requires boring-rods to be kept ahead, to Taylor and Williams, the tributers, who promised to carry it out. Next day I saw the directors in Greymouth, and the chairman returned with me to Eeefton that night to see that proper precautions were observed. The water was safely drained. (20/11/93) : Drew Mr. Williams's attention to some loose pieces in No. 4 level; these will be seen to. Owing to the connection made with the workings overhead the air is now very good. Six stopes and uprise working, the latter only following the walls of the lode. Average thickness of quartz, perhaps 6in., but even that is very irregular and bunchy. Nine men in all are at work. Venus Extended Quartz-mine. —This mine has ceased working, as the quartz was too poor to pay with so irregular a reef. The company has gone into liquidation, but arrangements are being made to amalgamate with the Inangahua Low-level Company, and if these can be carried out the lode underfoot in the Venus Mine can be worked with advantage. Golden Treasure Quartz-mine.- —(20/11/93): Not working. Ingleivood Extended Quartz-mine. —This company, which at date of last annual report intended to go on with prospecting, has not done so, and tributers have not been found willing to take it up. Victoria Quartz-mine. —(11/7/93) : This is worked by a party .of miners, who have taken up the ground, which has not been worked for six years. It is supposed to be the same line of reef as the Inglewood. About 500ft. of the No. 2 level has been repaired, and the pass to the intermediate level above, at a point about 900ft. in, is now being retimbered. Air very dull in uprise, but they expect to be through in a day or two. No copy of the Act, but one will be got. Six men in all are at work, in three shifts. Golden Fleece Quartz-mine. —(20/11/93): The tributers are now working in No. 5 level, at a depth of 600ft., retimbermg the crosscut; they have not yet reached the line of reef, but they expect to do so shortly. No cover on cage, no detaching-link nor safety-catches. These are, however, to be seen to, and some repairs done to the shaft. Sir Charles Russell Quartz-mine. —(21/11/93): The adit has now been driven a distance of over 1,000ft., and cross-cuts put in 40ft. to east and 50ft. to west respectively, in both of which tracks of a reef are showing. At present, two shifts of two men each are uprising to connect with the bottom of the winze which was sunk from the upper level. Air good, pipes being led right in. Drew Mr. Kassler's attention to some loose pieces of wall-rock in the level, and requested him to have them secured; and also notified the legal manager. Plan duly kept. The two levels have since been connected, and a trial crushing of 10 tons of stone has resulted in a return of an ounce to the ton. This ought to pay well if a large enough body of stone can be found. Sir Francis Drake Quartz-mine. —(12/2/94) : When this mine was inspected in November operations had just ceased, and the men had been paid off, as the crushings were too poor to pay. Since then work has been resumed, and Mr. Casley is now in charge. Six men are stoping, in three shifts, from winze 50ft. below the No. 2 level. The stone here is not very promising, and has pinched in the end. 90ft. above the No. 3 level two stopes are working, employing eight men, in two shifts. The stone has pinched in the south stope, but continues to the north. Prospects very undecided.

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Gallant Quartz-mine. —(14/11/93) : Not working, but it has been taken by tributers, who are going to sink from the surface. This tribute has since been thrown up, as the crushing turned out poor. The company is said by the legal manager to be on the verge of liquidation. Cumberland Quartz-mine. —(12/2/94) : A change in the management of this mine has again taken place, Mr. J. McCallum being now in charge. During the year an incline shaft has been sunk from the No. 2 level a depth of 86ft., and for haulage up which an engine has been fitted up underground. A short cross-cut has been driven from the bottom, of the shaft to the reef, which is, as usual, difficult to follow. The lode will run about 2ft. in width, but it seems inclined to get narrower underfoot. To the south the level face, where three shifts of two men each are driving, carries good gold. The northern end of the level runs right up to the Exchange boundary, with good stone all the way. Ten men, in three shifts, are stoping under No. 2 level; twenty-seven men in all are employed. The plan has been properly posted by Mr. Casley before leaving. Mr. McCallum, having been only recently appointed, had not got his name up as manager, but the report of the examinations of the mine was duly kept. On the sth March a miner named Bobert Woodhouse had his leg broken through not retiring after being warned that a shot was to be fired in an uprise which was rising to connect with the winze in which he was working. He has only himself to blame for such great indiscretion. He states he did not think the places were so near. The prospects of this mine depend entirely on how the reef being driven on turns out. Exchange Quartz-mine. —No work has been done during the year, but at date of writing arrangements have been made with the Cumberland Company to work from their mine. Golden Lead Quartz-mine. —(14/11/94) : Nine stopes, working from the No. 2 level, employing nine men single-handed in one shift. Timber right. Air good. Alow-level tunnel is being driven to prospect the country and cut the line of lode, which is expected to be done at a distance of 1,650 ft. At the above date it was in a distance of 300 ft., and was cutting through a lode which was supposed to be the barren reef met with in the Cumberland Claim. It was good-looking stone, but was said to contain no gold. Where seen it was bedded with the strata, which dips west about 35°. Four men, in two shifts, were engaged in this drive on contract. No timber needed so far, as it is all cross-cutting. Detonators on roadside to be shifted by contractors. The manager, Mr. Benjamin Sutherland, usually keeps the plan well posted, and has since sent me a copy dated 5/11/93. AI Quartz-mine. —(13/11/93) : Lloyd and party, four in all, have recently taken this mine on tribute for two years, and are stoping about 50ft. down the winze. The leader is under in thickness, and lies on the foot-wall, which is clearly defined. From 2ft. 6in. to 3ft. is taken out to allow room for working. As the winze is sunk from the surface to an adit 97ft. lower in level the air is good. Drew Mr. Lloyd's attention to some slabs or flakes on the hanging-wall of the level, and he promised to have them seen to. Dynamite is to be removed farther from the road. No copy of the Act; but one has since been supplied by Mr. Auld, the legal manager. Big Biver Quartz-mine. —(13/11/93) : A fatal accident occurred to George Poole, the boss of shift, on 9th November, in a drive below No. 2 level. He had returned from seeing after the men working in a winze, and had stopped to speak to a miner named Patrick O'Leary, when a block of the wall-rock fell off without warning, killing him instantly. When the mine was inspected further falls had occurred, as the place had not been interfered with, and it then presented a dangerous appearance; but the evidence at the. inquest went to show that the place had been sounded and found safe, and ordinary care exercised. Deceased was an experienced miner, and it was part of his duty to see that the mine was safe. Beport properly kept. Copy of the Act at the mine. No sectional plan. The depth to No. 4 level is 472 ft., and there is 80ft. of cross-cutting to the lode. The block of quartz is 70ft. long. Very good air coming up stopes. Timbering right, but some loose pieces in No. 1 level, to which Mr. Booney's attention was directed, are to be attended to. Twenty-five men in all are employed in the mine, in two shifts. Lord Edward Quartz-mine. —(13/11/93) : This mine has not yet opened out on a payable block of quartz. Two men are usually employed, and have lately been driving on the track of a reef in the No. 3 level, about 200 ft. from the Big Biver Company's shaft. Amazon Quartz-mine. —(13/11/93) : This is a short drive running nearly east with the strike of the country, which is similar to that in the Big Biver Mine. Mr. M. Cullen and another man are usually employed, but had left for the day. Mr. Cullen afterwards informed me that some further driving had been done at a higher level. Boatman's. Fiery Cross Quartz-mine.— {l 4/2/94): This mine was sold by auction, as the old company could not find any payable quartz. A party of six miners purchased it, and are doing moderately well. Twelve men are stoping, in two shifts, about 30ft. above the No. 1 level, on a block of stone that was thought to be too poor to work, but last crushing gave 7dwt. to the ton. Some flakes and old timber in the level are to be attended to. Mr. Lawn, the engine-driver, went forward to the last examination, but has not yet heard if he has got the certificate. Should he not have passed he will resign at once. Mr. Booney, one of the owners, is manager, having left the Big Biver Mine to take charge of this. Eeport kept, but a week behind. The prospects of this mine have decidedly improved. Welcome United Quartz-mine. —(14/2/94) : This mine was inspected three times during the year ; the first occasion on account of a lire having occurred in or near the chamber in the No. 6 level. A fall had taken place some 90ft. from the shaft, which prevented further ingress. At this point the timbering could be seen charred. The only other data bearing on the case were : (1) The manager and another man had been through the level, which was disused, except as a return air-course, a week before the outbreak of fire was noticed, and they state that then everything was right; (2) the chamber in No. 6 has always been very dry and warm, so that the timber would be very easily ignited. There was no evidence pointing to how the fire originated. Mr. Joseph Kilgour subse4—C. 3a.

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quently expressed himself desirous of a Government inquiry, but it is difficult to conceive what purpose could be served by such, unless the workings were reopened at great expense, and the whole question gone into exhaustively. For ordinary purposes Mr. Kilgour is just as capable of inquiring as anybody else. Some prospecting was done in a winze sunk from the old Welcome No. 9 level, now connected with the level from the bottom of the Eureka incline, and from which all work is now carried on, but this was abandoned. Prospecting is now going on from the No. 10 level, which is worked from a blind shaft 240 ft. deep from the level at the foot of the Eureka incline. The winding is done by an air- winch, which is worked by Mr. McKinney, the manager, who does not hold an engine-driver's certificate. Notified Mr. Fenton as to the requirements of the Act. At the above date, the No. 10 level face was following the track of a reef with quartz leaders in rather promising country. Air not too strong. Two shifts of three men each ; seven men in all employed. Three men were also getting out the machinery from the old Homeward Bound tunnel. Lyell. United Alpine Quartz-mine. —(20/9/93) : Beport duly kept. Plan up to position of workings three weeks ago, but undated. Some sets of timber in No. 7 level require to be secured. An inclined shaft is being sunk at an angle of about 45° with the course of the lode. Levels have been driven from it at 90ft. below No. 7to the ends of the block of quartz, which is 235 ft. long. The average width is about 10ft. Eight men per shift are stoping in this section. Air sufficient, but pipes requiring to be taken nearer face. A horse of mullock has divided the lode at the face of the incline, there being only about Ift. of clean stone and 2ft. of bunchy quartz on foot-wall. The stone on the hanging-wall has not been fully cut through, but it is over 9ft. wide. In the south block two men are usually stoping, but they were off to-day filling in. From the No. 4 level a pass is being put up for filling, which is to be got from a new face that ought to be much safer, for some time at least. (5/12/93) :In No. 7 level the timbering I drew attention to at last visit has been seen to. Drew Mr. Wilcox's attention to some pieces of the wall-rock, which he promised to have either taken down or secured. The incline is now down 270 ft., three men working per shift, one being required for baling. No "devil" on truck; Mr. Wilcox will have one put on by the end of the week. A fairly good current of air is led down incline in 6in. pipes. A new airwinch has been obtained, and is to be fitted up shortly. Fifty-eight men in all are employed by this mine. Prospects good. United Italy Quartz-mine. — (21/9/93): One stope working to north, just above No. 3 level. There is stone overhead for twelve stopes, but the leader has nearly pinched out at the northern end. To the south it has pinched out about 50ft. from the Tyrconnel boundary, but it is intended to drive a few sets further, to see if it makes again. The length of the block is 200 ft. in the No. 2 and 100 ft. in the No. 3 level. Two stopes are working to the south, about 40ft. above the level. The leader, which usually lies on the foot-wall, is here about 18in. away from it. Air good. During the year the company got some repairs done to a lower level with a view to starting work, but operations have not been gone on with. It was also intended to let the old levels, on the further side of the creek, on tribute, but, so far, they have not made a start. Tyrconnel Quartz-mine. —(21/9/93): The No. 5 level, where work was recently carried on, has now stopped, as the stone, though living underfoot, gave out in strike. The length of the leader worked was 230 ft.; so it would appear that these thin veins are not more continuous in their line of strike than the other lodes on the Coast. The high returns obtained —some 13oz. gold to the ton —have induced the owners to have a line surveyed for a lower level, which will require to be I,looft. long to cut the leader, and a start with which is just being made. Croesus Quartz-mine. —(22/9/93) : No. 1 level runs in a northerly direction about 200 ft. About 80ft. below this an intermediate level is being driven to south on )2in. of quartz, which lives down to No. 2, a further distance of 70ft. This is the only work doing. 20 tons were taken out of the north end of the intermediate level, giving a return of about 6dwt. to the ton. Air good. Drew Mr. Byrne's attention to some of the timbering, and this is to be seen to. Three men in all were working in this mine on tribute, but they have given it up since the above date, as it did not pay. Lyell Creek Low-level Tunnel. —(l 9/9/93): Driving is still being continued on contract, employing three shifts of two men each. The country recently has been hard sandstone, but a band of dark slate was now being cut. Air not too strong, but larger pipes are on the way. Some of the joints are leaking, a few sets of old timbering requiring to be removed. Mr. Byan informs me that these have been attended to. Boss. Donnelly's Creek Quartz-mine. —(15/12/93): This mine is owned by Mr. Yorwarth, and is worked on tribute. No. 3 level, after striking the lode, which runs a little west of north, and underlies to east, has been driven on it about 120 ft. In the level face there are two small leaders, each about 2in. in thickness, with a foot of country between, and occasional bunches of quartz. In addition to the level, two stopes are working. Timber right; air good. Wall-rock fairly strong, but does not stand the air well. As the stoping-sets measure 6ft. 6in. by 2ft. over all, more is taken down than is required for filling. No work is doing in No. 2 level, but it is connected with No. 3 for air. The length of the block in No. 2 level was 230 ft., and it lives underfoot in the lower level as far as they have gone. No copy of the Act; so I notified the owner to provide one. Dbedging. Alexandra Dredge, Fern Flat. —(24/4/93) : Not working at this date, as improvements are being made to the gold-saving appliances, the inefficiency of which was pointed out by Mr. Gordon in last year's report. The tables are being altered similar to those oi the North Beach dredge at

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Greymouth. A travelling flat screen of perforated plates, instead of the tailings-chute, is being fitted up, to be worked by chain gearing, and doing away with the tooth and pinion wheels and the man who was employed at the chute. Hitherto, ten men have been employed. About 18cwt. of coal is consumed per shift. This is carted from the company's mine at Longford, and costs at the dredge about 17s. 6d. per ton. The Whitecliffs Dredge, which was not fortunate in obtaining good returns, and which sank at her moorings, after being raised was purchased by a party of working miners, who rechristened her the Cock-Sparrow Dredge, but whether out of compliment to her builder, Mr. Sparrow, or otherwise, lam unable to say. A start was made at the same place at which little or no result was obtained by the old company, and Mr. Smith, the dredge-master, informs me that they made all expenses and more than wages. This throws some light on one of the dredging failures ; but Smith and party are men who know their business. As they were confident that better ground' existed farther up the Buller, they have taken the dredge up above the junction of the Inangahua, and are getting better results. Alluvial Mining. Alice Fell Claim, Mahaltipawa. —(9/12/93): Not working. The Golden Gate Claim. —Has not resumed work. King Solomon Claim. —(9/12/93) : The lower shaft has been re-lined and puddled. There was 2ft. of puddling, and then tongued and grooved lining 2in. in thickness. The most of the water was within 15ft. of the surface, but it has all been effectually dammed back, which is said to have greatly increased the water for the claims further down the creek. Ladders in good order. Air at face good. Timbering in general strong. They have just driven through a rise in the reef or bottom and got into deep ground, but no gold has been obtained for the past week. There is about 150 ft. of ground to work to the boundary up the creek, and 80ft. to work to the dip of the shaft. Three shifts, or a total of ten men, are employed. This mine has never been flooded out since the puddling of the shaft, for carrying out which Mr. T. Hearne, the manager, is entitled to some credit, considering the chronic floodings-out at the other mines. Davis and Carr Claim. —(9/12/93) : Sluicing is still going on on both sides of the small hill which stands out from the range. The faces were approaching one another, and were therefore rather dangerous ; I cautioned the leading man on both sides, and Mr. Carr, the acting-manager, agreed to have the top taken off. John Craig and three men working on north side; William Carr and three men on south side. These pay a tribute of 35 per cent. Two men working lower down pay 10 per cent. Prospects, fair. On the 27th February, William Carr was killed by a fall of reef while deepening a tail-race. The inquest was attended by the constable, in my absence. The evidence showed that the ground should have been secured. It was the duty of the deceased to have seen to this. No work was doing in that part of the claim, nor in any part of the reef or main bottom, when I inspected it in December last. Hibernian Extended Claim. —(9/12/93) : Flooded out. Prospecting Tunnel, Fairdown. —(l2/10/93) : This is an adit which has been driven from the western edge of the Pakihi towards the railway-line, in a north-easterly direction, a distance of 259 ft., exclusive of tail-race, which is about two chains additional. (21/12/93): Total distance driven, 504 ft. from mine mouth to face, which is standing in highly-ferruginous granitic drift. This distance entitles the association to the full amount of the subsidy. Frying-pan Prospecting Tunnel.— (l 7/11/93) : A second adit has been started a number of chains ahead of the first, at the foot of the second terrace, and 27ft. higher in level, according to Mr. McQuillan. It had been driven a distance of 537 ft., and, so far, had not required timber ; the last few yards of driving has altered from the granitic drift to sharp sand. These tunnels have been subsidised, with the view of prospecting the flat beyond. Boss United Company's Claims. —(l 4/12/93) : Work in No. 2 shaft had been stopped, as a youth named Michael Moye had let go his hold and fallen when descending the shaft, resulting in both his legs being fractured. Moye and his father had been working on their own account, but the ladder, though strong, being vertical, Mr. Grimmond was requested, not to permit work being resumed until a sloping way was provided ; this probably means cessation of work in that shaft. In the Boss United Claim the shadow thrown by the electric light, to which attention was formerly directed, had been done away with. Purvis and Copley were driving and blocking out on tribute near old ground. Air right. Timbering good. A little weight showing near mine mouth, but both sides of tunnel built up with stones. Scott and Hunter are not working from the shaft now, and only the two in place of five men as formerly. They are now taking out two sets abreast, and keeping building of stones well forward. No other underground work is being done on this company's claims, but eighteen tributers are engaged sluicing. Mont dOr Claim. —(15/12/93) : Mr. John McKay in charge, during the absence of Mr. Davie. The face is a high one, so that care requires to be exercised. Sixteen men in all are employed, including the manager. Accidents. The following accidents have also occurred in sluicing claims : — Owen Coll was killed on the 19th December, by a fall in his claim at Nelson Creek. Thomas Hughes was killed on the 2nd February by a boulder falling from the face of his claim at Kumara. Joseph McCredie was killed on the 17th February by a fall or run of the roof of a drive at Donoghue's. A list of fatal accidents published by the Kumara Times, entitled the " 801 lof Honour," shows that fatal accidents are less common than in former years,

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Legal. An information was laid in the Eesident Magistrate's Court, Westport, against Mr. Stephen Garvin, of the Venture Claim, Addison's, for not sending in returns from his battery. The case was heard on the 12th April, and a fine of 10s. and costs was inflicted. Watee-eaces. Proposed Water-race to Sulky Gully. —(l 4/6/93): This was an application by Messrs. Seaton and Fletcher for a subsidy to construct a water-race to Sulky Gully, near Brunnerton. There is a fair extent of drift, which would probably pay, though not very well, for sluicing. There is plenty of fall, but the bottom of blue marl dips south-west, so that as the face receded fall would be lost. (15/6/93) : At the point in the creek from which it was intended to lift the water, only about three sluice-heads were running. The line of the required race had not been surveyed ; but, after traversing the most of it, it was evident the expenditure would be too great for the small supply of water, even if a dam were constructed to allow nine sluice-heads per working-day. Argyle Water-race. —(9/3/94): Very frequent breaks have been taking place in the syphon in Ballarat Gully, the chief cause of which appears to have been the use of too thin plates for the piping in the first instance. About 600 ft. of this has been renewed with heavier pipes, leaving 1,200 ft. which requires renewal at the earliest opportunity ; for, although it had been repaired, and the syphon was in working order at the above date, a serious break might occur at any time. Nineteen miners receive water through this section of the race, and they complain of only a fortnight's work this year. (10/3/94): Much of the new part of the race, which has been constructed by the County Council from the Four-mile Creek, runs through limestone, and there is also a short distance through dark greensand, neither of which stand well. The blue marine beds and yellow sand, or sandstone, through which the rest of the race runs, are very good standing ground. 90 chains of galvanised-iron fiuming, which appears to serve the purpose well, have been constructed along the limestone, and more will require to be done at the numerous breaks caused by the action of the water on the calcareous and softer beds. The County Chairman was notified to provide an efficient by-wash at the dam, and lam informed it will be seen to. I also notified Mr. Butterworth, the owner of an adjoining dam, to have it strengthened, or the by-wash cut down. Licensed Holding. Grimmond and Davie's Application, Kanieri Forks. —(27/6/94) : This was for a licensed holding at Coal Creek, to be worked by hydraulic sluicing, and was objected to by the miners who were already working the adjoining ground. This holding was inspected in company with the Warden, Mr. McFarlano. The ground was described as patchy, and the private claims already working into the terrace would in time have to give up work if the full area were granted, and thus lose the benefits of a portion of their labour spent in bringing in water, and in other works. The Warden subsequently granted 20 instead of 30 acres, and this was refused by the applicants. This arrangement may be considered satisfactory. Messrs. Grimmond and Davie evidently know their own mind, and did not take what they did not want. The miners have now unrestricted scope for their workings, and the proposed company is saved from the unpleasantness of charges of monopolising the ground. I have, &c, N. D. Cochrane, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 9. Mr. Warden Steatfoed to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sik, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, 18th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith the statistical returns, and to report upon the district under my charge, for the year ended the 31st March, 1894. The returns and report relating to the Inangahua division will be forwarded separately. Wainiea Valley. —The population has decreased to some extent within the past twelve months through death, but chiefly by engagements on the co-operative works with the Government. In Italians' and Callaghan's Gullies there has been much activity. A long drainage-tunnel (subsidised by Government) has been constructed. A large number of double-area claims have been granted, which are commanded by this tunnel, and as soon as they are connected with it, and drainage secured, good results will follow, and mining in this locality will in the near future be active. Around Goldsborough the old terraces and gullies—viz., Maori and German, Fitzhenry's Terrace, the Left-, Middle, and Bight-hand Branches of Waimea Creek, Greeks' Gully, Hatters', Bed Jack's, Fox's, and Stony Creek—still continue to be worked, and, though the population is reduced and the earnings not so large as formerly, still most of the miners are making a living, with sufficient inducement to remain where they are. Near Stafford. —There is a tunnel terrace, supplied with water from the Government race, where there are a large number of miners working, and though the richest of the ground has been wrought they still continue driving into the terrace, and are doing fairly well. At Liverpool Bill's and Humphry's Terrace there is a good population, and though the best of the old lead is worked out the miners continue operations, pushing further into the hill, and seem contented. No doubt the rate of wages earned is very much less than of old, but it is better than travelling to find (as many have done) that they have gone further and fared worse. The two largest special claims, Wheel of Fortune and Kaye's Terrace West, demand notice. The former has been purchased by Mr. Batehelor, upon which he has erected an elevator, now in full work. He employs about eight hands, and his success will be of advantage to the district. He has recently built a Very large dam, which will enable him to work in all kinds of weather, and I have reason to hope

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he will be rewarded for his enterprise. Kelly's Terrace, I regret to say, has been abandoned. The drainage-tunnel collapsed, and the company were unable to meet the large expense of bringing a new one in. This is much to be regretted, as, while it lasted, it gave employment to a large number of men, and there is still a portion of ground on the lease that would pay very good wages. Some very rich ground within the area was worked by tributers. During the past year an attempt has been made to dredge the Waimea Creek. A dredger was erected about two years ago at a large cost, and was at work for about four months, giving a good deal of employment, but, unfortunately, the results were not sufficient to pay even working-ex-penses, and the enterprise was discontinued. This was caused, in the opinion of some, by the goldsaving appliances not being good enough, while others think the bucket-ladder is too short, and therefore not able to go deep enough to reach the best ground. At the last meeting of the Westland County Council an application to go under Piper's Bridge was made by the present owners of the dredge, who are preparing to make a fresh start as soon as an application of theirs for a licensed holding is disposed of. The lower part of German and Sebastopol Gullies, Fourth Terrace, Kapitea Creek, Lamplough, and Auckland Beach are the only other places where mining is carried on, principally by Europeans, with a fair sprinkling of Chinese here and there in the gullies. The Europeans working thereabouts have been located there for a long time, have permanent houses, and are not likely to remove, as most of them have a water-supply of their own, and seem to be doing fairly well. Sebastopol Gully is the only place where any new work to open fresh ground has been undertaken here. Pearson and party have brought in a tunnel from German Gully, which bottoms the creek, and they are now sluicing wdth a fair prospect of success. About twelve months ago the Waimea Prospecting Association let a contract for sinking a shaft 120 ft. at Gillan's Gully, near Stafford, where good gold is supposed to be untouched, owing to the wet nature of the flat. The contractors have now sunk that depth, and have also driven a jump-up 20ft. high, and then continued driving straight ahead. They have struck gold, also a large quantity of water, and the flat promises to become a goldfield of considerable size. There is another industry which has been largely extended during the past year—namely, sawmilling. Four sawmill areas have been granted, and the Westland Sawmilling Company is erecting a large, effective, and powerful plant to cut the timber. The erection of the machinery is almost complete, and within another fortnight the mill will be in full work. Already the company has given employment to a number of hands, and will continue to do so, much to the benefit of the district. Kumara. —Five claims that have been sluiced for many years past have been worked out during the present year, and there has been an entire cessation of work because the ground is no longer payable. During the year the holders of four claims have started sluicing ; of these two are new claims. There are only a very few claims on the field really paying well, and the remainder are poor, paying small wages, and others, again, very poor. The general opinion is that the best part of the good ground on this field is nearly worked out; but there are large areas left that, with improved methods of working, will still pay and eventually be worked. Sluicing operations will continue for many years to come. The attempt to prospect the deep ground on Kumara has not yet been successful, and, although the Deep Levels shaft has been abandoned, a new attempt to prospect the deep levels is now being made by a low-level tunnel from the tailing-site on the Teremakau to Dunedin Flat, one of the richest pieces of ground worked in the Kumara. This lowlevel tunnel is now driven between 600 ft. and 700 ft., and is in the blue bottom up to the present. A distance of 1,200 ft. will be driven before a rise will be put up to prospect the washes lying on the blue bottom. That gold exists in the washes lying on the deep bottom is certain, and the question as to whether it is payable or not will be ascertained within the next three or four months. A new channel (No. 4) is now being constructed, which will open up a large area of ground. It is being put in by private enterprise, but the expenditure is to be subsidised by the Government. Its length will be about 3,000 ft., and its cost, when completed, about £2,500. Another channel (No. 5) is being arranged for, which will open up a large area of ground between the Long Tunnel Company's workings and the Hokitika Eoad, but the Government has as yet made no promise as to subsidy. The population appears to be about the same as for years past. The railway being now open from Greymouth to Hokitika has considerably reduced the cost of travelling and the freight of goods from these places to Kumara, and although the station is four miles from the town the general public find it a great benefit and convenience. There has been an ample supply of water for mining purposes all through the past year, thus enabling the claims to be worked continuously. In the Greenstone portion of the district matters seem to pass along as they have done for years, and, as far as can be ascertained, those few working there are doing fairly well. Eeturn of cases disposed of in the Besident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, Kumara, for the year ending the 31st March, 1894 : Civil, 178 ; criminal, 65 ; Warden's, 24. The revenue for the year, amounting to £735 2s. 3d., collected in the Kumara Court, is made up as follows : Warden's Department, £601 18s. 3d.; Besident Magistrate's, £133 4s. : total, £735 2s. 3d. Particulars of revenue collected in the Warden's Court for year ending as above, as follows :— £ s. d. Miners'rights ... ... ... ... ... ... 312 0 0 Business licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 600 Water-races ... ... ... ... ... ... 576 Begistrations ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 4 0 Bent and royalties ... ... ... ... ... ... 157 18 6 Fees and fines ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 12 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 82 16 3 £601 18 3

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Number of mining applications during the year, 268. Greymouth and Surroundings. —This portion of my district includes Coal Creek, Cobden and its surroundings as far as Barrytown, on the north; and the Arnold, Dunganville, Marsden, Welshman's, Cameron's, Butherglen, and the South Beach as far as the Teremakau, on the south of the Grey Biver. Alluvial mining during the past year has produced nothing worthy of note; neither has the weather experienced, in so far as it bears upon the mining industry, been in any way exceptional. There have been no fresh discoveries of any importance, and, it would appear, no material alteration either for the better or worse in the prospects of the district. The older portions, although still sustaining fair populations, appear to become poorer year by year, and, indeed, throughout the district, the great majority of those engaged in mining simply make a living, or very small wages. Many have their little gardens and other such domestic conveniences, by which means they are enabled to make ends meet. On the South Beach the only claim reputed to be paying well is the Leviathan. On the deep lead, near Paroa, there are several parties at work on private land. They pay £5 per acre for the right to do so, and are said to be making from £2 10s. to £4 per week. These apparently are the exceptions. In the early part of the year there was a slight demand for ground on the cement lead at Butherglen, it being thought that a satisfactory and profitable method of treating the cement had been discovered in what is known as " The Cassel process," which was then being introduced into the Beef ton district. I am unable to say whether it was because of the unsatisfactory nature of experiments at Beefton or not, but the excitement here did not last long, and of three licensed holdings applied for and granted one only was taken up; and, although two rival companies were floated to work a special claim in the same locality, and litigation as a consequence appeared imminent, nothing ensued, neither company having proceeded with the working of the claim. At the Teremakau the Montagues are working on their own property by means of elevators, the motive-power being steam. Marsden, Cameron's, and Welshman's, between them, give support to a number of European and Chinese miners, who, however, only make small wages. There has been no diminution in the number of miners employed during the year at Dunganville, and a certain amount of prospecting has been done. Hopes are entertained of a terrace known as Fleming's, which has been set into, turning out well, but it has not yet been proved. The mining population of this portion of my district consists of about a hundred and seventy Europeans and sixty or seventy Chinese. In the Maori Gully district, which has a scattered population, there has been no change. Those who have water-rights make a fair living, the others barely a living. Goal Creek. —There are about ten men sluicing and driving. Cobden and Barrytown. —About a hundred Europeans and three or four Chinese engaged in mining, making small wages. Taylor's dredge has been working spasmodically, but its operations have not been successful. Coal-mining. Brunnerton. —During the year ended December last 134,105 tons of coal were exported, as against 178,000 tons the previous year. Hands have been reduced in the mine, which gave signs of being worked out, and, as a consequence, the population of the borough has suffered considerably. It would. appear that the Grey Valley Coal Company does not intend to incur further expense in prospecting the property, as it is proposed to give it up at the end of the year. A seam on the hill is now being worked, the Government having granted a subsidy to the company to enable them to construct a tramway to open it up. Blackball. —The Blackball Company's mine is situate on the Blackball Creek, and is connected with the Midland Bailway Company's line at Ngahere by an aerial tramway, three miles in length, and capable of delivering 50 tons per hour. This company only commenced to export coal last October, and up to the present time has been engaged in endeavouring to work up a trade; consequently, there is as yet no regular output. The average at present is, however, about 500 tons per week. Coal Creek. —It is understood that an English company has been formed to work the coal measures in this portion of the district, and Mr. Gillies, C.E., has been engaged to survey a line of railway. He informs me that he is at work on this survey, and has portions ready for contract. Timber. —During the /ear ended December, 1893, 3,355,933 ft. of timber were exported, in cutting which eight sawmills were engaged, as well as parties of hand-sawyers. During the quarter ended March, 1894, 1,406,500 ft. were exported, so it would seem that the trade is increasing. Eed-pine, for building purposes, and silver-pine sleepers are sent to the different NewZealand ports, principally Lyttelton. Several cargoes of white-pine have gone to Melbourne. General. —During the year under review 756 miners' rights have been issued, and 212 ordinary applications received in the Warden's Office. In the Magistrate's Court 377 plaints have been entered, and 199 criminal cases disposed of, the latter being principally petty offences—chiefly police cases for breaches of by-laws, &c. —the district being remarkably free from serious crime. Moonlight. —Mining matters have been very quiet in this locality during the past twelve months. The rush to Stewart's Hill has not turned out as was anticipated at the time when it first took place. The whole of the tunnels driven in were at too high a level, consequently abortive to test the ground. Within this last month three parties of miners have taken up the ground again. One of these sank a shaft in an old tunnel, and obtained 9dwt. off the bottom, and is now driving in at about Bft. deeper. There has also been a find of new ground at Garden Gully, which is thought to be a continuation of the gold from Stewart's Hill. Miners generally in this locality make satisfactory returns for their labour.

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Blackball. —There have been no new finds in this locality during the twelve months past. At Upper Blackball there are several parties of miners engaged, who make satisfactory returns. The ground in this locality is more than ordinarily difficult to work, in consequence of the wash being impregnated with large boulders. There are still a few parties of miners about Lingren's Terrace. At Ford's Creek the ground has paid about £2 weekly. Granville. —The miners in this locality have been doing fairly well during the twelve months past. A small terrace has been opened at the head of Barry's Gully, and given very good returns to those fortunate enough to secure claims. There have also been some finds of new ground of limited extent during the year. The Duffer's Creek Gold-mining Company has been actively prosecuting operations during the last six months. This company, after payment of all workingexpenses, shows a clear profit of £317 19s. 9d., with very greatly improved prospects in future. Ortvell Creek. —There has been a new find of gold in this district at the head of the Cariboo Creek. The ground is a large terrace. One tunnel has been driven, and will pay about £3 a man weekly. There is another tunnel being driven, and, should the owners get the same prospects as the former, probably others will commence driving. It is just possible that the find may prove to be a continuation of the Old Mosquito lead, in which case it may continue for miles. Nelson Creek. —There has been no new find here during the past twelve months. A large number of miners find work at Nelson Creek. In this district some special claims are being worked— notably, Law and party, Donnellan and party, and Larkin and party. All the above claims are remunerative. No Town. —A considerable number of miners find a way of living in this district. They are mostly engaged sluicing and working along the edges of gold-workings, which, sooner or later, must become exhausted, and unless something new breaks out the place will go down. There is a large stretch of terraces from Bed Jack's Creek to Sunday and Kangaroo Creeks that offer every inducement for prospecting. Bell Hill. —Mining has hitherto been carried on in this locality for a period of twenty-five years past by the ordinary method of sluicing and tunnelling. There is, however, something better in store by the introduction of capital, a special claim of 50 acres having been granted to Dr. Mcßean Stewart, of Christchurch, the capital proposed to be invested by Dr. Stewart being £3,000 in the construction of a water-race to his special claim, situate at Devil's Hole. The ground has been partly worked by tunnelling at different levels into a perpendicular face of an extensive terrace. It has for a number of years past been a favourite place for miners could they only have obtained the necessary water. However, this was an enterprise beyond the means, of a party of miners, consequently the matter has remained in abeyance until the present time. The proposed water-race will be through solid country. The cutting will be mostly through hard sandstone. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. H. A. Stbatfobd, Warden.

No. 10. Mr. Warden Macfaelane to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic— Warden's Office, Hokitika, Ist May, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith the mining statistics for the year ended 31st March, 1894, together with the annual report on mining matters in the districts under my charge. Hokitika. During the past year, notwithstanding the laudable efforts made by the miners' prospecting associations and others, no discoveries have been made in this district warranting special mention. The amount of gold won by the miners of Westland for the year ended 31st March, 1894, was, approximately, 34,8780z., as against 36,5970z. for the previous year, a difference of 1,7190z. against the year just ended. This shortage is no doubt partly due to the circumstance that a large number of the men engaged during the past year in the timber trade, procuring sleepers, &c, for export, were withdrawn from mining, and partly due to the falling-off in some of our large claims, where inability to deal with the same quantity of stuff as was dealt with the previous year tells in diminished gold returns and smaller dividends. The population remains about the same, and our most reasonable hope of improvement lies in the opening-up of new fields by the initiation by the Government of a liberal and comprehensive water-supply policy for the goldfields, to enable the miners to deal successfully with known auriferous deposits. The gold-producing capabilities of the great gravel terraces that form the coast-line of Westland are well shown in the following returns from one claim, known as " Craig's claim," situated within the Borough of Hokitika. This claim was prospected by Callaway and party in 1890. They found payable gold, and on the strength of their discovery a Christchurch company undertook to open up and work the ground. After driving a tunnel and crossing the runs of gold (for there are several in 'the claim) they finally abandoned it, and after considerable trouble a party of working miners undertook to work the ground on a 33-per-cent. tribute. This party —eight men and two boys—having worked out one run of gold, ceased working, having worked altogether some sixteeil months. In April, 1893, the claim was again taken by eight men on a 20-per-cent. tribute, and who are now at work. The total amount of gold won by the two parties was 2,6220z., of the value of £10,227 Bs. 3d. Their last week's washing gave 500z., and next week promises even better. The adjoining claims are also on highlypayable gold. The further development of similar runs of gold in our seaward terraces is, in the first place, a question of intelligent prospecting, and, in the second, the question of dealing economically with the immense quantities of overlying drifts that require removal before the gold can be reached. The prospector having demonstrated their value, it might be well that the Government

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should inquire into the best method of winning the wealth now known to exist in many of our terraces along the coast, and inland as well. The Humphrey's Gully Company has not yet made a move in the direction of extending their race, and thus getting a plentiful supply of water to profitably utilise their grand property. The value of gold obtained during the past year shows £4,005 4s. 10d., as against £2,809 ss. 4d. of the previous year—showing an increase of £1,195 19s. 6d. This improved return has resulted in inquiries from capitalists, which may mean a new departure, to be followed by results that might benefit the long-suffering shareholders. During the year the Kanieri Lake Water-race changed hands, and the new proprietors have shown commendable energy in piping their water across the Kanieri Biver, with the intention of opening up ground on the opposite terrace, where they have secured a licensed holding, and also of supplying parties on the right-hand branch with water for hydraulic purposes, where the whole of the water is applied for. There is a large area of good sluicing-ground commanded by this water, and both the company and the miners are likely to reap a fair reward from their several undertakings. About a couple of miles in a line with this terrace, and near where a number of quartz lodes outcrop—where, some years ago, several quartz-leases were applied for—a shaft has bottomed on what appears to be payable gold—2|flwt. to the load —with sft. of washdirt. The sinking is about 70ft. There is a large extent of ground, and, should the further driving in the prospectors' claim verify what they report, there is a likelihood that this find may lead to important results. The shaft was sunk under the oversight and by the help of the Eimu Miners' Prospecting Association. At Kanieri, Marks and party are on good gold—from 20s. to 30s. per day per man— having, after considerable expense and loss of time, overcome the difficulties met with in the shape of water. They are now working their claim with a water-balance, the water in the claim being kept down by a powerful jet-pump. Milner and party, further down the flat, are also on good gold; and I hear of other parties taking up claims in the near neighbourhood. Bimu, Back Creek, and Seddon's Terrace have not improved. A number of the claims that promised well when first opened have not, in many cases, realised the owners' expectations. Those having the command of a good water-supply are doing fairly well, but very little new ground is being opened. BOSS SUB-DISTEICT. Miners in this locality are earning very small wages, consequently everything is dull, and business-men are complaining of the scarcity of money. The Boss United Company's elevators are still at work, but the returns of late have been so small that, unless an improvement takes place soon, the work will be abandoned; the same applies to the company's claim at Donoughue's. To work the deep levels, where good gold is known to have been left, requires more capital than the company at present possesses, and before this is likely to be forthcoming an entire reconstruction of the company is necessary. Without increased capital nothing can be done at the lower levels ; but there is no hope of anything being done in this direction until the company either reconstructs or goes into liquidation. An efficient resumption of work on the lower levels promises large returns to the company, and a large measure of prosperity to Boss. The Mont dOr Company, notwithstanding an exceptional expenditure on roads, and the payment of balance of purchase-money to the Greenland Company, is still a dividend-paying company, and one of the best in the district. The tailings trouble is likely to be disposed of soon, the Government having given notice of their intention to proclaim the Totara Biver, from its junction with Donnelly's Creek to the sea, as a tailings-site. The only other matter calling for remark in connection with alluvial mining in this district is the recent opening of payable ground on a terrace on the shores of Lake lanthe, about twenty miles south of Boss. Allen and party, who hold a licensed holding, have, in prospecting their claim, obtained 98oz. of gold, similar in character to that found in Duffer's Creek, two and a half miles to the north of this place. A number of claims have been marked off in consequence of this discovery ; but, being in heavy terrace wash, a large supply of water is required to successfully work the ground. Neither the parties who are on gold, nor the others, are in a position to construct a race of sufficent capacity to supply water to w 7 ork these terraces. The water must come from Duffer's Creek. The terrace is unbroken between the old and new workings; a connection is clearly traceable, which, if verified, would open a very extensive field. In quartz-mining there is not much being done, the returns from the Donnelly's Creek Beef being 82oz. 7dwt. 18gr. for the year; the stone averages about loz. to the ton, but the reef being very thin and irregular the results are not quite satisfactory to the miners. Several prospecting tunnels are being driven in connection with this reef in the hope of striking a heavier body of stone. During the year an attempt was made to further prospect the Cedar Creek reefs by Mr. Perotti, of Greymouth, and a number of the business people of Hokitika and Eoss ; but, through some misunderstanding about the subsidy promised by the Government, the work came to a standstill. Another effort is now being made to carry on the work. That there are payable reefs in the near neighbourhood is the opinion of those best able to judge. The opening of a payable reef would mean renewed prosperity to Eoss, and it is to be hoped the means to prosecute the further search will be forthcoming. The veteran prospector, Zala, is still at • work on Mount Fraser, where he is driving and sinking on a 2ft. reef : he says it will pay to work, but, as no battery test has yet been made, it is premature to give an opinion on its value. There is nothing new to report about Eangitoto further than that Mr. Aitken, of the Government School of Mines, Beefton, spent some time in examining and testing stone from the mine, but we are not yet in possession of his report. Okabito Sub-disteict. In this district there are slight indications of a revival in mining, and a small increase in population. A small rush took place at Teal Duck Creek, but the gold, so far, has been found in the creek-bed only. There are only about twelve men left. Nothing was done in testing the terraces through which the creek flows. The best claim on the creek is paying at the rate of £1 per day per man. Payable gold is also reported as having been found to the eastward of the Saltwater

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Lagoon, and a number of extended claims are applied for in the Okarito Warden s Court. Both discoveries are in new and promising-looking country. At Lake Mapounka and the Waiho the miners are reported as doing fairly well, but many of them sustained heavy losses through the occurrence of phenomenal floods, that caused serious damage to their claims. At Gillespie s and the other beaches along the coast the usual number of men are at work, occasionally being well rewarded for their patient waiting. Jackson's Bay Sub-disteict. There is nothing new to report from this district in the way of mining, the usual vicissitudes that follow beach-mining being quite as apparent here as elsewhere; but settlement being combined with mining the miners are more independent. A large and promising tract of country lies unworked in this district, although known to contain gold and other valuable metals ; but from its remoteness and inaccessibility it has not yet received that attention that the prospects obtained warrant During the last few months a great many inquiries have been made about this district from able and experienced miners, but the difficulty and expense in getting at it is the great drawback, and the difficulty is that, although there are plenty of men, they have not got the money to go out for, say, six months, without assistance. The solution of this difficulty is in the hands of the Mines Department. Deedges. So far, our experience of dredges has not been financially profitable, the last failure being that of the Kanieri dredge, she having gone down at her moorings. during a flood in the river. The company went into liquidation, the plant being bought by Mr. Skene, who -took immediate steps to raise the dredge. This was successfully accomplished. The damage sustained was trifling. The owner is now in treaty with parties on the Matikatikarina, where, I have no doubt, she will do good work The machine has been proved to be admirably adapted for ordinary dredging, and can deal with an immense quantity of ordinary river-drifts. Her failure at the Kanieri was due to the fact that the wash-dirt was too tight, and contained too many large boulders, hence her inability to deal Mr. Welman, at the Saltwater, was reported to be on good gold with the Welman dredge, but a series of difficulties have been met with that require to be overcome before a profitable return can be looked for. The Three-mile dredge is still lying idle. At the Five-mile Mr. Dickens " Ball dredge is now fairly at work: returns said to be satisfactory, but I have no reliable data to guide me in the matter. Dieken claims to have made the Ball dredge a success. The Yon Schmitt dredge, at Gillespie's Beach, was sold some time in January to a party of twelve and since then has been converted into a light-bucket dredge. The whole plant has received a thorough overhaul, and in a short time we hope to see the machine at work, when the value of the beach will be fairly tested. The operations of this company are being watched with considerable interest and their success would certainly result in most of our beaches being reworked. The only other matter connected with our beaches calling for attention is the proposed establishment of extensive mining operations on the Five-mile Beach. Some months ago an application was made in the Warden's°Court, Okarito, by the agents of an English company, for a special claim of 100 acres- also water-rights from Alpine Lake, with an indicated expenditure of £20,000. The size of the claim being in excess of that usually granted, special conditions were imposed—viz., that the applicants should deposit with the-Public Trustee, in Wellington, the sum of £1,000 as a guarantee that their intentions were bond fide, the said amount to be available on the certificate of the Warden as the work progressed. The Minister of Mines consenting, and the company agreeing, sufficient time beino- given to them to get their plant on the ground, the application was granted. Eoads and tracks are being extended in various directions by the Mines Department—notably, the Bowen and Okarito Boad. The conversion of this into a good dray-road has been completed to the Little Wanganui, and by the end of next season we hope to see the connection made with the Okarito end The completion of this work will greatly benefit the settlers along the line, and is likely to materially increase the tourist traffic to the wonderful Waiho Glacier. A good horsetrack has also been made that will enable parties on horseback to ride right up to the terminal face of the glacier A comfortable hut is also available for the use of tourists who may elect to spend a few days in exploring the glacier and the scenery in the neighbourhood. Other portions of the mam south road and side tracks, are in course of construction; tenders are also called for a telephoneline from Boss to Okarito. This, when finished, will be a great convenience. The want of moro frequent communication by steamer is the cause of constant complaint, and is no doubt detrimental to the settlers Und the further settlement of the district. A considerable increase in stock has taken place during the year, one shipment of over a thousand young breeding ewes having been landed at Jackson's Bay for the Cascade country. The difficulties in driving through the Haast Pass track, on account of the badness of the road, necessitated transportation by steamer. A good many inquiries are being made about land, and applications are now before the Board for blocks of land for running stock, and for settlement. Altogether, the prospects in this direction are promising. 1 have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. D. Macfaelane, Warden.

No 11. Mr. Warden Keddell to the Undeb-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. gIE _ Warden's Office, Oamaru, 12th May, 1894. I have the honour to forward, under separate cover, the statistical returns, called for in your circular letter, showing the progress and condition of the Maraewhenua portion of the Otago Mining District. 5—C. 3a.

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There is no item of interest to report during the past year as having occurred in the district. There has been little or no variance of the population in numbers or condition, and very few changes in the claims. The Mountain Hut Bace, referred to in my former reports, has been discontinued for want of funds. This is a matter for regret, because the water it would bring on the field is much needed, and the race would command a large tract of country, and doubtless would profitably employ a number of miners. The proprietors have not relinquished the work entirely, but are seeking protection, at the expiry of which, if granted, they hope, with some outside assistance, to complete the work. Throughout the year, with very short intervals, water has been abundantly available for sluicing, and in consequence the return of gold has been satisfactory. There have been no new finds, nor any other new feature deserving mention. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Wellington. Jackson Keddell, Warden.

No. 12. Mr. Warden Hawkins to the Undee-Seceetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sib, — Warden's Office, Lawrence, 7th May, 1894. I have the honour to forward the usual statistical returns for the districts of Tuapeka, Tapanui, and Waikaia, together with a brief report of the state of mining in the said districts ; and also returns showing the business done in the various Courts, outside of goldfields, over which I preside. Tuapeka. There is very little change to record in mining matters since the date of last report. The number of mining applications dealt with is about the same as those of the preceding year. Eleven occupation licenses have been granted; also, two licensed holdings of 48 acres, and one special claim of 20 acres. The heavy rainfall of a few weeks ago caused much damage to mining in many parts of the district. In Gabriel's Gully the claim of the Local Industry was flooded; and had it not been for the foresight of the Blue Spur and Gabriel's Gully Company they also would have suffered considerably. As it was, during the year an obstruction in their underground tailrace put the latter to an expense of some hundreds of pounds, besides retarding their working. The Blue Spur and Gabriel's Gully Company have done an immense amount of work during the year. The cement treated by them (a very hard material) is estimated at 242,765 tons ; the quantity of gold saved, 2,1660z. The average number of men employed has been forty-six ; cost of explosives used, £613 9s. lOd.; and wages paid, £4,642 ss. sd. The Local Industry Company, whose total amount of paid-up capital is £1,050, has, during the year, paid £525 in dividends. This company has just applied to increase its holding in Gabriel's Gully to 23 acres. About six men are employed. Having leased the Phoenix Company's water, there is a fair supply throughout the year: and by means of the elevator plant they have put through 67,200 tons of tailings. Messrs. Kitto and party, who have been working steadily in Munro's Gully for more than twenty years, are now constructing a race exceeding twenty miles in length. They intend to bring in twelve heads of water from the Waipori Biver. This is a very heavy undertaking for a small party of working miners, and will entail an outlay of not less than £2,000 in labour and material. They are constructing the race themselves, and have already done a very great part of the work. They were compelled to go into this enterprise, as they had worked the portion of their claim commanded by their old race. John Donlan and party, at Weatherstones, have been granted, subject to survey, a special claim of 20 acres. They intend to work a portion of the flat by means of elevators. They are now busily at work erecting the plant. It is considered that the Weatherstone Flat affords a fine field for working by the mode they intent to adopt. At the Beaumont-Tuapeka Flat, and along the Tuapeka Eiver to the mouth, mining is being carried on steadily, but there are no finds of any importance to note. Waipoei. At Waipori a very large amount of work has been done during the year, and a considerable quantity of gold obtained. The Jutland Flat Company, dredging 313,974 tons of river-deposit, obtained 1,0270z.; the Upper Waipori Gold-dredging Company, dredging 435,075 tons, obtained 1,3700z.; the Amalgamated Deep Lead Company sluiced, by means of their elevator, 99,000 tons for a return of 510oz. These three companies have employed a total average of thirty men, besides a number of others employed indirectly by them in carting material, stores, &c, for their needs. The injunction recently issued against the Jutland Flat Company, at the instance of some of the Berwick farmers, has had the effect of stopping the work of the Jutland Flat and the Upper Waipori Companies, and, in consequence, at present a considerable number of men are thrown out of work at a time of the year when other work is not easily obtainable. The dredging companies, since they started a few years ago, have obtained gold worth about £30,000. The alluvial claims in the district are yielding, with a few exceptions, scarcely more than wages. A notable instance, however, occurred a short time ago, when two Chinamen found a nugget worth about £100 at the head of Lammerlaw Creek. The quartz workings are at present almost at a standstill. Gare and party have for the present ceased working their claim, while any other claims are being merely prospected.

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The Lammerlaw Antimony Company, which has been at a very large outlay in developing its antimony-mine, has been compelled to cease operations. The number of miners engaged at Waipori is estimated at 120 Europeans and sixty Chinese. Waitahuna. There are about sixty European and about twenty-five Chinese miners working in this part of the district. The total European population is given as 1,150, and Chinese thirty. All the workings are alluvial. The principal claims are those of Thompson and party, Ferris and party, Callanan and party, Quigley and party, and O'Kane and party. These claims employ, in the aggregate, about forty men. There are also two or three claims worked by Chinese. All the claims are doing fairly well. Thompson and party, who command a good supply of water, hold in the main gully a licensed holding of 26 acres, which they work now by means of an elevator plant, entailing the labour of ten men, and are enabled to work with profitable results ground that formerly was considered unpayable. The other claims spoken of are paying fairly, but, as stated in my former report, no exceptionally rich returns are received, nor expected. There are now no quartz workings in this locality. The reefs formerly worked—or, rather, prospected—were abandoned owing to their non-paying character. One person is still prospecting the old claim of the Waitahuna Quartz-mining Company, but with no successful result so far as is known. Mr. J. B. Perry, the introducer of the elevator system of mining to Gabriel's Gully, has, during the year, obtained a grant of a prospecting area, such area forming a portion of the bed of the Waitahuna Biver. He has, at considerable expense, put a dredge upon the claim. He is not yet in full work, employing but a few men, as it is understood he is altering the mode of working the dredge. At Manuka Creek, Glenore, and Adam's Plat there are about thirty-five miners at work, of whom fifteen are Chinese. There is nothing special to relate as to them, as most of them do not devote the whole of their time to mining, but are engaged in agriculture and other labouring pursuits during a portion of the year. Messrs. Nelson and party, after having prospected the old bed of the river at Glenore, obtained a prospecting claim of 8 acres. They have built a dredge upon the claim, and are busily at work. They employ about nine men. Up to the present their returns are said to be as satisfactory as they expected. Waikaia. At Waikaia about seventy Europeans and eighty Chinese are engaged in mining. There are about sixty alluvial claims being worked, and of these only two employ more than two men. There is no noticeable improvement in mining prospects here, although the amount of gold obtained is still, considering the population, far from insignificant. It is said that the bank bought during the year gold to the value of £6,758. None of the special claims taken up a few years ago are being worked. Two special claims were recently granted—to Sew Hoy and Kum Yok. In connection with these claims, work is being actively prosecuted, as about forty men are engaged making a water-race at Nokomai, which, when completed, will be used for the purpose of working claims. With respect to Nokomai, where formerly a considerable number of men were employed, with the exception of .the forty men spoken of above there are only four men now at work at mining. There are no quartz workings in this part of the district. Tapanui. At Tapanui there are about twenty European and twenty Chinese miners employed, but there is nothing to record concerning them. A rabbit-tinning factory in the vicinity affords means of employment to between twenty and thirty men. Very little mining is now going on at Waikaka. There is considerable difficulty in getting timber, and the gold is in deep workings, which require more capital than the miners in that district possess. The old miners, however, assert that there is payable gold to be got in considerable quantities. A great deal of gold was at one time obtained by Chinamen and others on land which Logan obtained from the Government. This estate has been recently cut up and sold. It is excellent agricultural and pastoral land, and found, as good land always will, ready sale at reasonable prices. There are still, however, several sections of Government land which are stated to be payably auriferous. The farmers and settlers, however, in the district are constantly applying to the Crown Lands Commissioner in Invercargill for leases of one and another of these sections, and for conversion of the leasehold into freehold. The provisions reserving mining rights soon become worthless in these cases. The leaseholders fence in these sections, and then if a miner attempts to prospect or mine he is soon worried or harassed off the land ; and in one instance it was stated to me that a Chinaman who began work, and had carried his box down to the creek to wash, had it all pitched into the creek. Naturally, the settler, once having fenced the land in, comes to regard it as his own, and resents all intrusion. The settlers at Waikaka indulge in the hope that owing to the cutting up of Logan's land, and large increase in settlement, the railway formerly contemplated will be carried there. A considerable field of employment exists in this and other districts if there could be such an organization of labour and capital as would enable the work to be carried on profitably at a lower depth. I have been much struck, in more than one instance, at Waikaia and elsewhere, at the steady and profitable mining done by the single miner and his mate at a small outlay. It is, as in most cases, the steady, sober man with good experience and practical knowledge and skill who thus succeeds—making a good wage, equal to £4 10s. a week.

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If the Government could be induced to make the experiment of establishing at Waikaia a house in connection with the Caversham Industrial School —making a draft of, say, ten or fifteen of the stoutest, fittest lads of fifteen or sixteen years of age, placing the home under the charge of a practical miner who has a wife and no children, and either starting a mining operation themselves, or letting the boys work, say, one or two, to certain selected decent miners, it would produce good results. This space will not allow me to work out the details, but the thing could be done at small cost. The condition of boys at Caversham is to be deplored. The State might be converting every one of these boys into farmers, fruit-growers, poultry-farmers, bee-keepers, gold-miners, dairymen, or any of the land-developing industrials. They might be brought up in the purest air, with all the glorious influences of a bounteous and loving Nature around them. A colony of separate houses near a place like Waikaia, not more than twenty boys in a house, with a carefully-selected married couple over every house, would work out a natural redemption for these waifs of poverty and products of criminal neglect. Their life needs expansion, not the contraction of a prison-house with its dreary round of hopeless task. The Stipendiary Magistrate goes monthly to Waikaia, and could well arrange to make an extra day and inspect and supervise the establishment. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. E. S. Hawkins, Warden.

No. 13. Mr. Warden Dalgleish to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Warden's Office, Naseby, 20th April, 1894. I have the honour to submit herewith the usual statistical returns for the Mount Ida district for the year ended 31st March, 1894, and I have to report as follows on the general aspect of mining at the various centres and subdivisions of the district : — Naseby. The supply of water has been exceptionally good throughout the past year, and miners have taken advantage of it most perseveringly; and, although no sensational yields have been brought under my notice, the returns have on the whole been fairly satisfactory. The claims at Mount Buster have yielded well, and from what can be gathered there is every probability of a continuance of good returns from that locality. At White's Gully, Brown, Donaldson, and Smith have displayed praiseworthy energy in getting their claim into working order; they have a water-iace seven miles in length from Deep Creek for three heads, and one of ten miles from Undaunted No. 3 for seven heads. The races are well constructed, and have involved considerable outlay. They have also made some miles of branch races from their various dams, of which they have four. The ground is worked on the elevating principle, necessitating the use of over a thousand feet of ironpiping, graduating from 13in. to 7in. There is a pressure of 110 ft. on the elevator, and 100 ft. on the breaking-down nozzle. The lift is now about 12ft., and the yield, so far, is very satisfactory. The party has applied for a special claim of 17 acres. There is a very considerable area of ground in this locality which is apparently of an exactly similar character, and it is thought would more than probably -be found to be equally payable if similar appliances were made use of. Messrs. Guffie and Inder's claim in Boach's Gully, practically within the Borough of Naseby, has been most systematically worked during the past year, with most satisfactory results, the yield being considerably in excess of anything obtained hitherto. In the main gully the Extended Company has had a more satisfactory return than has fallen to its lot for a number of years. The perseverance displayed by this company is certainly deserving of even better results. Becently quite a number of claims have been taken up in the main gully and the small gullies running into it. The prospects of these are promising, but definite results cannot be obtained, as the claims are only in an initiative state. Altogether, there is but little change to be noted in the immediate vicinity of Naseby, either in the workings or the number of men employed. Greater difficulties are now being experienced in making the old established leads or runs of wash remunerative, and it is a matter of deep regret that so very little prospecting is carried out where there are indications in so many directions of payable ground being in existence. A very considerable amount of work has been carried out on the Government water-race during the past year, and, although the work necessitated a considerable stoppage in the supply of water, the result has been compensatory. A large and constant supply of water has been brought in since the repairs were effected. On the westward side of Naseby matters remain in about the same condition, the only matter calling for remark in the way of new ground being operated upon is in the case of Wheeler and Fennessey's party, at the Idaburn, above the Government water-race. They have now got Perry and party's water on their claim, and the yield is, so far, satisfactory. Another claim has recently been granted there,- which will, it is thought, together with the ground now being worked, give a couple of years' work. This ground was found to be payable by Wheeler when employed repairing the Government race, and there is little or no doubt that a large area of the ground in that neighbourhood is auriferous, and, presumably, payably so; but little or no prospecting has been carried out in that direction for many years. The time has arrived when it has become absolutely necessary that serious attention should be given to the subject of prospecting on a systematic basis. There is no doubt whatever that, were the provisions of Part XV. of the regulations of the Mining Act taken advantage of to a reasonable degree, benefits would ensue to the district generally, and it is to be hoped that ere long steps may be taken locally in that direction.

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Blackstone Hill. There is no alteration to note of any magnitude in this locality; there are about the same number of miners employed, making small wages. Mr. B. Johnston is putting in a prospecting cut into the quartz drift near Hill's Creek, but, on account of immense quantities of pipeclay to contend with, progress is slow, and it will take another year to reach the ground where he expects to obtain the payable gold. Dillon and party are constructing a water-race from the river, with a view to working ground between the Manuherikia and Hawkdun. The Blackstone Hill Gold-mining Company has continued the construction of their water-race with great energy during the past year. They have now completed about ten miles of the race. The work has been most carefully executed under the supervision of the company's manager, Mr. W. Wall, who has employed for a considerable part of the year as many as fifteen men. A tail-race is now in course of construction in Flume Gully, and is in payable ground. It is said that the claim held by the company has been very thoroughly prospected, and the indications are most promising for exceptionally good returns when the claim is fully opened up. At present their race is bringing in ten to twelve heads of water, and this quantity will be increased shortly to sixteen or seventeen heads. This will enable the company to carry out really large operations, and if the energy hitherto displayed is continued in the future the success aimed at should be fairly assured, judging from the prospects which it is said they have obtained. As to the ultimate object of the company —to take the water as far as Ophir—the cost would be found to be quite beyond the grasp of the present shareholders, and it is somewhat problematical if the ground there is sufficiently rich to warrant the outlay which would have to be incurred; but there are known belts of auriferous ground, which will be well within the scope of the company's capabilities, much nearer to their present terminus. St. Bathan's. The water-supply in this locality has also been particularly favourable during the year, and work has been vigorously carried on by all. Mr. John Ewing's Kildare Hill claim has been worked with the same energy and skill as heretofore, but I regret to say that several adverse events have occurred, in the shape of slips of earth and breakage of plant, retarding operations somewhat. Notwithstanding this, close on l,ooooz. of gold have been obtained. Three elevators are now being used in this claim, lifting, in all, to a height of 110 ft. The wash is apparently as good as ever, and is dipping at an angle of 45°. The operations carried out in this claim are of great magnitude, and bear high testimony to the ability and ingenuity shown by Mr. Ewing. The United M. and E. Company are also obtaining fair returns from their claims at Blue Gully and Surface Hill. From the former the yield has reached 3500z., and lOOoz. from the latter, but that only represents the result of half the year's work ; the balance will not be obtained until later on. The Scandinavian Company secured some 3500z., but much of the ground operated upon was for stripping purposes, and elevating will have to be resorted to. St. Bathan's Water-race Company are pushing on well with their tail-race to work some new ground situated to the north-west of the old workings. The returns for the past year have not been particularly good, but better things may be looked for when they get into the place alluded to. The St. Bathan's Channel Company have had a partial wash-up, and obtained 300oz. At Vinegar Hill Mr. Ewing obtained 400oz. from his workings there since last winter, half of that quantity being secured from some new ground to the south of, and quite distinct from, the runs of gold worked by Mr. Ewing at this place for the last thirteen years. This new ground is a quartz drift similar to that operated upon at St. Bathan's. The ground is both deep and wet. It is worked on the elevating principle, and to permit of putting through large quantities of stuff with economy and expedition Mr. Ewing has laid down new main pipes of 22in., so that he will have the advantage of the full head of 300 ft., using as many nozzles as required, the quantity of water used being from seven to fourteen heads. The gold obtained in this new ground is pretty fine, and has the peculiarity of being coated with a blue oxide, which imparts to it a singularly steely appearance, which would be very apt to deceive a non-expert. After passing through the elevator this coating is to a great extent removed, but even then the gold has not the ordinary bright cleanly look, although it does not appear to affect i its value. There are eleven men employed at this claim. Hughes and Morgan's claim has turned out well this year. They are reported to have about 400oz. from a very limited piece of ground in seven months, the work of four men. The claim looks as promising still for good returns in the future. Watson and Thomas and party have had as good a return as for previous year, securing about 2500z. Couison, Excell, and some others continue to make, at any rate, good wages. Cambeian's. Operations continue to be carried on in this place with commendable vigour, and the water has been in good supply. Mr. Ewing has now got his extensive elevating plant nearly ready and in position to commence operations on the ground alluded to in my last report. He has a main line of 22in. pipes—I,oooft.—and some 1,500 ft. branch pipes 15in. to llin. He has available a large stream of water, but the pressure is not great, being only about 117 ft. The ground will have to be elevated 10ft. He proposes introducing the electric light to enable him to work continuously. The outlook of the undertaking appears satisfactory. In the neighbourhood of Station Hill, Davis and party, also several parties of Chinese miners, are working steadily, and, it is said, are doing very fairly well. There are also about the usual number of both European and Chinese miners working in gullies and old ground about the locality, with what results I can hardly say.

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Tinkeb's, Matakanui, Deybeead. At these places there has also been a good supply of water, and work has been kept up well; indeed, the full returns of the yields are not yet to hand. Some of the washings-up have been delayed to take full advantage of the water; and a very extensive slip in the hill at Tinker's has seriously interfered with one or two of the claims there. The granite wash known as the Deep Lead continues to show very good prospects, but the dead work necessary to manipulate the immense quantity of large stones accumulated on it prevents the actual returns being what they otherwise would be. The prospects are said to show an average of ldwt. to the square yard, which, if the ground were easy to run-off, would give magnificent returns. The Undaunted Company has had a good steady season's work. Their washing-up at Christmas time, which was only a partial one, yielded about 7000z., and judging from present appearances it is anticipated that a yield of 1,5000z. will be secured ere winter sets in. This company continues to employ about twelve men. The Mountain Eace Company continue operating on the granite wash, and appearances warrant the belief that they have several years' profitable work ahead of them. Their last washing produced about 5600z., out of which they were enabled to pay a dividend of £320, and in addition to make an outlay of over £500 on a new property. The Matakanui Company have been compelled to remove from the very good part of their claim near the Undaunted Company's boundary (being blocked there by the tail-race of the latter company) to the lower part of their ground. This alteration compelled the company to wash up earlier than was intended. The return—3sooz.—is therefore not a fair test of the value of the claim. Another washing-up will be made before the winter sets in. The company employs about nine men. The Sugar-pot Company are working in the same ground as last year. The prospects are always good, but the ground is hard to work, on account of the large quantity of stones, and a somewhat limited fall. The last washing amounted to 400oz.—seven men's work for nearly two years—so that, notwithstanding the good prospects at per yard, the wages and expenses absorb the greater portion of the yield. It will be found necessary to resort to elevating here. Similar ground is known to extend to a depth of 250 ft., the washdirt being in almost a vertical position. Simes and Morgan have been compelled, through a slip, to change from the ground they were working so profitably in, to some shallow ground at Abyssinian Flat. Their last washing gave a return of 4250z., an amount sufficient to cover all working-expenses and leave a fair margin of profit to the shareholders. Ewing and Maconnochie obtained about 2200z. in January last, being the result of over a year's operations. This, unfortunately, hardly paid expenses, and they are now employed on some shallow ground on the Spur to the north of Vesey's Gully. They have put through about five acres in the space of eight weeks' working, the depth being only about 2ft. It is expected to turn out well. There are a number of small parties scattered about the various gullies and terraces doing fairly well; also a few in the neighbourhood of Devonshire. Ophib, Ida Valley, Geeman Hill. No change has taken place at these places. There are a few miners scattered about, but it is to be feared their earnings from mining are very small. A small Welman dredge was placed on the Manuherikia Eiver, just below the Ophir Bridge, but it did not prove a success, and has, for the present, at any rate, been laid up. At German Hill matters have not improved. The supply of water, even with the copious rainfall which has been so beneficially felt elsewhere, has not been sufficient to improve mining at this spot. There are only about half a dozen men left, and their earnings are barely enough to give them a living. They seem to lack the energy and means to prospect at all. Kyebuen. The number of miners employed in this locality is about the same as last year, and they continue to operate principally on the deposits of the old river-beds at higher than the present levels. The nature of the work is somewhat difficult; a very large quantity of stones has to be removed by hand, rendering progress slow. These higher workings are showing signs of exhaustion ; but there remain the present river-flats, which are of great extent, and known to be highly auriferous. They will have to be worked on the elevating principle, or other process. The granite wash is also here in large deposits, and the general opinion is that if it were fully prospected it would be found to be auriferous. Some of the water-race holders are still suffering from the effects of the floods of 1892, which deposited incalculable masses of running drift or shingle in the creeks, rendering the races almost unworkable. Parker's party are busy on their new tail-race, which will, it is considered, give them some years' work of a profitable nature. Brown and party have worked away a considerable area on the mining reserve, and are now prospecting the deeper ground, where the indications are sufficiently encouraging for them to contemplate erecting an elevating plant, which they find will be quite necessary to work successfully. On the whole the general results of the operations in this part of the district have been fairly remunerative for the past year, although nothing in the way of large yields has been reported to me. Hamilton's, Sowbubn. This portion of my district suffered acutely from the dry seasons in 1890, 1891, and 1892, and, although the past year has been so good with regard to the rainfall, this place has not recovered the effects of the previous drought, which caused almost an entire cessation of work, and compelled not a few of the miners to seek other occupations. It is gratifying to add, however, that those who have remained have, according to my information, done fairly well; and there is no doubt that a continuance of the water-supply will attract some of the men back to the locality, where there is plenty of ground which in good seasons will pay good wages. It is said that Foster and party have had a successful season at the Three-mile, and that Griffiths is also doing very well.

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Scherp and party, working within a couple of miles of Sowburn, recently came on a very nice patch of gold'in a small rock-bound basin of a gully at the foot of the ranges. The extent of the basin is described as only being of the capacity of about three ordinary claims, full of sandy drifts, and about 60ft. deep. It is dipping in towards the hill, and the east reef overlays the wash, so that they cannot yet say how far the wash may extend. The prospects are remarkably good, so far, but their water has run short for the present. One of the party has also found very payable ground further down the spur; and good prospects are stated to have been obtained a quarter of a mile away. lam in hopes of being in a position to report favourably on this place in a short time, when the ground has been further developed. It is possible that this small find will lead to a little more prospecting being accomplished in this place. Hyde, Maceae's, Nenthoen. There is nothing of any importance to report from Hyde. Mining matters are in even a quieter state than when last reported on. The number of men employed in gold-mining is gradually becoming less every year in this locality. The opening-up of the Otago Central Eailway, by giving easier access from the sea-board, will lead to further prospecting. At Macrae's, also, mining is quiet, but there has been a plentiful supply of water, and it is stated that, for the number of men working, the yield has been up to the average. At Horse Flat there are a few parties of both European and Chinese miners doing fairly well. Attention is still directed to the quartz workings in this neighbourhood; also at Nenthorn. The Golden Point battery has put through some 1,600 tons, the result being fairly profitable. The Bonanza Company has been occupied putting in a low-level drive : the work has been both difficult and costly. No information has been given me concerning the prospects or the amount of gold produced during the year from Nenthorn. During the year there has been a little activity displayed by a number of small parties operating on the old abandoned leads, and a number of small erushings have taken place. The Surprise proprietors have not been doing quite so well lately, not having had a crushing for some months ; but they are about to have one at the Eureka battery. At the old Crcesus a little work has been accomplished by Mr. Wicks, who has erected a windmill for pumping purposes. He is sanguine as to the success of its application, and believes that low grade of stone will pay him, working with such an economical motive-power. He has had four small erushings, averaging about loz. per ton. Holden, working on the old Consolidated ground, has met with considerable success, the result of three erushings being really very good—viz. :26 tons, 80oz.; 17 tons, 22^0z.; and 46 tons, 440z. Other items of the yields supplied to me from various of the old claims, aggregating about 230 tons, show an average of nearly 15dwt. per ton. Probably, if the working had been more systematic, the yield would show a higher average. Even the result given shows that there is quartz which would, with modern appliances, pay well for extraction. In conclusion, the settlement of the land generally throughout the district has, thanks to the Government for opening up such largo blocks, been most encouraging. The crops for the year have been, as a rule, good, and the present state of the district is satisfactory, with every prospect of improvement in the future as closer settlement increases and greater facilities are afforded for the transit of the products of the land to the sea-board by the railway. I attach a return of the business transacted at the Courts in the district during the past year. I have, &c, S. Mead Dalgleish, Warden.

Warden's Court: Complaints, 44 ; general applications, 359 ; miners' rights issued, 537 ; waterrace licenses, 278 ; general registrations, 436. Magistrate's Court : Civil, 220; criminal, 125. Approximate estimate yield of gold for the district for year ended 31st March, 1894, 16,5200z.

No. 14. Mr. Warden Wood to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib— Warden's Office, Clyde, 2nd May, 1894. I have the honour to enclose herewith the annual statistical returns, and to submit the following report on mining matters in the sub-districts under my supervision, for the year ended 31st March, 1894 :— Clyde and Alexandea. During the past summer the rainfall in this locality has been greater than for many years past, and, as a consequence, the water-races have kept up a continuous supply. The ground along the banks of the river is year by year getting poorer, and greater difficulties are experienced in getting the heavy gravel away. The Fraser Biver is an excellent watershed, however, and the operators, with few exceptions, being owners of the races—about fifty—with the assistance of a little agriculture, manage to make a fair living, with a little to spare. The Molyneux Hydraulic Company, whose claim is situated within the boundaries of the Town of Alexandra, have not had the prosperous year that was anticipated. In February last year the outlook of the company appeared very promising, but the prospects did not continue, and since then, with the assistance of various experienced managers, the ground has been tested at different points, with disappointing results, the gross proceeds being only 115oz. Jackson and party have succeeded in completing their water-race from Gibraltar Creek to Tucker Hill, near Alexandra, and have commenced operations, but with what result I cannot say, sufficient time not having elapsed to form an opinion. Since my last report, Mr. John Allan has disposed of his property at Springvale, and removed to his farm at Frankton. The amount realised was £1,400, the purchasers being Messrs. Gartley

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Brothers, both experienced miners, possessing a considerable knowledge of the ground in the locality. It is rumoured that they expect to clear the purchase-money by Christmas. The Golden Gate Gold-mining Company are said to be doing very well on the Dunstan commonage, but as only two men are working no large returns are being got. Anderson and party, and John Lindsay—the only other holders of water here —are reported to be making fair wages, as also are half a dozen others, who, not being the holders of water, are confined in their operations to little more than fossicking. Conroy's, Butcher's, and Blackman's Gullies still maintain a fair number of Europeans, but the chief workers in these localities are Chinese, and now and again some very good finds are heard of. A company has just been formed to work some deep ground at Butcher's Point by elevating, and a plant is being placed on the ground to conduct the water from the west to the east side of the river. During the last twenty years several efforts have been made to work this ground, but its depth and wetness have invariably proved insurmountable obstacles. Some months will elapse before the present company will be ready to start sluicing. Dbedging. There are four steam dredges and one current-wheel dredge in active operation upon the Clutha, between the two townships ; and one steam and one current-wheeler are almost completed, which will probably be at work in a few weeks. This branch of mining seems to be attracting more attention every year, and there is little doubt that this industry is yet in its infancy. There are miles of river, both in the Clutha and Manuherikia, yet to be tried, in addition to a large extent of low-lying flats and beaches in the vicinity known to be auriferous and suitable in every respect for dredging purposes. This system of mining has a considerable advantage over that of hydraulic sluicing, inasmuch as that when a claim has proved unprofitable the plant is easily, and with a trifling expense, floated to another, and little, if any, depreciation in value takes place; on the other hand, with similar results the sluicing plant, in ninety cases out of a hundred, depreciates in value at least 50 per cent. Mr. Louis Gard's steam and current-wheel dredges are still working in the same places as when I reported last, and both have yielded steady weekly returns throughout the year, aggregating 1,2500z. Mr. Gard employs nine men continuously on the dredges, besides those connected with the lifting and delivering of the coal or lignite, of which he uses 25 tons per week. Messrs. Leijon and party, with a small steam dredge, are working in the river opposite Poverty Beach, and are doing remarkably well, with apparently some years' work before them. Hyde and party, known as the Clyde Dredge, after spending some months in prospecting, have settled down immediately above Mr. Gard's current-wheel claim, and are getting excellent returns. It is feared that their tailings, at no distant date, will interfere with continuous working during the time the river is low, and when this takes place it is intended to remove to another portion of their claim. Spencer and party, with their steam dredge, are working opposite Sandy Point, on the beach originally occupied by the Dunedin Dredging Company, from which they have averaged for some time a little over 20oz. a week. Their tailings, however, are beginning to be troublesome to them, and it is probable that as the river assumes its winter level they will have to shift to where the current is stronger. A Dunedin company or party are. just about completing the construction of a steam dredge at Clyde, known as the Enterprise, which was originally placed on the Kawarau Biver, at Horseshoe Bend. Mr. Joseph Sparrow, of Dunedin, is the contractor, and Mr. Cutten, of the same place, is supervising engineer. The company's special claim is in the Clutha, just below Spencer and party, and it is expected that dredging will be commenced within the next fortnight. Simmonds and party have completed their current-wheeler, and have floated down to their claim, about a mile below the Alexandra Bridge. This portion of the river was prospected by the pneumatic dredge last year, and found to be too poor for this slow method of lifting the wash, but sufficiently good if operated upon by the buckets. The following table shows the number of men employed actually dredging, the quantity of coal consumed, and the amount of gold obtained during the year ended the 31st March last, by the five dredges now at work : — Men employed actually dredging. Coal consumed. Gold obtained. 30 ... 3,350 tons ... 2,8780z. In addition to the number of men employed actually dredging, three teams are engaged carting coals to the respective dredges, averaging a distance of four miles, and at a cost of 12s. per ton to the consumer. Bald Hill Flat. Mining operations in this locality have been vigorously carried on during the past year, and gradually but surely all the claimholders on the Flat are following the example of the Bald Hill Company and Hesson and party in substituting hydraulic plants for the slow and primitive ground-sluice. The whole of Bald Hill Flat seems to be of equal value in its gold-bearing qualities, and, although a groat deal of it is freehold, the most of it will be worked, since it is discovered that fall is not an absolute necessity. The Bald Hill Flat Company during the year removed their plant from Butler's freehold to the claim at the foot of Obelisk Creek known originally as Webb's, and, after making suitable alterations and additions, cutting branch- and tail-races, &c, Mr. Donnelly, the energetic manager, got about eight weeks' sluicing with one elevator, getting away slightly over half an acre of ground for a return of 1630z., making altogether for the year 4200z. The company has expended a large amount of capital since its formation, but from present prospects it should not take long to get it all back.

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Hesson and party have got over a lot of groutid during the year, although considerable time has been lost by two large slips in their water-race taking place, necessitating the purchase of 4 tons of steel plates for flume-boxes, and a delay of over six weeks in elevating. This is a plucky party, and, although they have had their full share of difficulties to contend with since commencing work here, seem to be made of the right material to see it through. About ten men are employed continuously, including three of the party, and the year's operations gave a return of 511oz. Carroll and Lynch, after witnessing the advantages of the modern system, have procured, and are now erecting, a hydraulic plant. Under the old method of getting away the ground they have made substantial wages for many years, and it is confidently hoped that in the future their returns will be at least doubled. Mitchell Brothers have also erected a small elevating plant, and are highly pleased with the consequent increase of gold. Wilkinson has let his valuable claim on tribute, and is talking of investing his capital in and devoting his time to pastoral pursuits. Good returns are being got. Several other parties are engaged about the Flat, and on the side of the Obelisk Range, working in smaller claims steadily with satisfactory results, and a few have been engaged in prospecting during the summer months. Quaetz. Crossan and Gray's Excelsior reef seems to maintain its reputation for richness and permanency. The slow and costly method of lifting everything up the shaft has caused them to commence a tunnel, which will, on its completion, give lOOft. of backs. The last year's operations resulted in cakes aggregating 5040z. being recovered; and, although the party does not hide the results of their erushings from time to time, nobody has thought it worth while to prospect in the immediate vicinity. Bobert Symes and party, on what was known as White's Beef, have put down a shaft several hundred feet ahead of all the old workings, and succeeded in striking a splendid shoot of stone. A drive was started lower down the hill, when, at a distance of 400 ft., the reef was cut. Stoping has commenced, and the battery started to crush, and some large cakes are expected before the winter sets in. The Exhibition, on the spur lower down than White's Eeef, a claim once known as Wookey and Gavin's, was again taken up a few months ago by Hyde and Henry Symes, who immediately set to work to develop the mine, but the results were not satisfactory. Eventually Mr. Symes acquired the whole property himself, and shortly afterwards succeeded in finding a large shoot of stone, which shows excellent prospects. A three-head stamper-battery has been erected and is kept going day and night. Bald Hill Flat and the slope of the Obelisk Bange form the most prosperous portion of my district, and, considering the immense field for prospecting and the large quantity of gold both in alluvial and in quartz actually being got, the wonder to me is that so few people, comparatively, are allowed to keep possession ; but probably the chief reasons are that the good old pioneer digger is dying out, and that the rising generation is not favourable to the occupation, or inclined to suffer more privations and hardships than are absolutely unavoidable. In this portion of my district, generally, mining presents a go-ahead appearance ; there are more men employed in the pursuit, more capital invested, and more gold is being got than for many years back. During the year nine licensed holdings and special claims were applied for, embracing 301 acres, while twelve were granted, including 334 acres; 34 complaints were heard and determined ; and 159 ordinary applications were dealt with. The goldfields revenue collected, £543, exceeds that of the preceding year by £90, and the quantity of gold obtained, as nearly as can be ascertained, amounts to a little over 9,0000z. Boxbuegh. The Roxburgh Amalgamated Company, with two elevators going, is getting a fair amount of gold. The best ground appears to be nearest the river, to which part of the claim operations have been confined for some time. During the year 1,3580z. were obtained, out of which the shareholders divided £728, and a similar amount was spent in raising the wall of the reservoir at Lake Onslow, the additional water-supply from which it is hoped will enable the manager to keep two elevators working continuously. The United Hercules Company have not fared so well during the last year as was hoped, and for some time no work has been done. It was generally supposed that a lead of gold existed further back in the flat, but fruitless efforts have been made to trace it. 6650z. were obtained during the first nine months of the year, out of which a dividend of ls. was declared, amounting to £600; but, as against that, the contributing shareholders have been called upon to refund £275. Messrs. Ewing and McConnochie, who purchased the rights of the Hercules No. 2, have been working steadily, with fair results, but the ground is very stony, and difficult to get away, and probably the claim is only about paying expenses. Telford and party, on the east bank of the river, are doing fairly well, as also are Loudon and party in the adjoining claim. Haughton and party, who took up a portion of the Commissioner's Flat, originally held by the company of that name, are doing very well by ordinary ground-sluicing. When the river is high, as it has been for some months past, great difficulty is experienced in keeping the tail-box clear; but, despite this, the men are making good wages. Smith and party have lately taken up a licensed holding on the river-bank, near Baldwin's Ferry, which they are working with the Shingle Creek water. The ground is very rough, but the prospects are encouraging. 6—C. 3a.

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At Coal Creek Flat there are three parties ground-sluicing, and getting excellent returns for their labour. Mention has been made of one party making from £20 to £30 a man per week for some considerable time. The Island Block Gold-mining Company, conducted by Mr. C.C. Bawlins, managing director, has had some sensational returns during the year —as much as 200oz. a week at times. The area of ground to be operated upon is practically unlimited, and should the prospects continue the same the shareholders in England will shortly meet with a happy surprise in finding the company placed upon the dividend-paying list. Mr. Eawlins employs twenty-five men continuously. The Island Block Extended Gold Company, under the management of Mr. Weir, are still on payable gold. The 9900z. obtained last year did not admit of a dividend being declared; but the company has, I believe, nearly cleared its liabilities, and the time should not be far distant when the long-suffering shareholders may hope for a return of some of their invested capital. The company employs twelve men. There are three or four other parties engaged along the banks of the river in this locality doing fairly well, but as water is scarce they are only able to work in a small way. The Bise and Shine Company, at the Pomahaka, have not as yet succeeded in winning any of the precious metal; they are, however, still persevering and hopeful. The company's capital has long since been exhausted, and the expenses are now borne by a few of the most sanguine directors, Waikaia and Potteb's. About thirty or forty men are engaged in the gullies and river here, half of whom are Chinese. No large finds are reported, but most of them seem able to pay their way, and present a fairly prosperous appearance. Deedging. There are eleven steam dredges at present working on the river, between Coal Creek and the Island Block, and one nearly completed, which will be ready to start in a few weeks. Those in operation are more or less paying, employ a great number of men, and consume a large quantity of coal. The Dunedin Gold-dredging Company, unfortunately, cannot keep steadily at work, or their returns would be very large. The lead of gold follows a deep gut across the river, which can only be bottomed when the river is low. Some time ago the company went to considerable expense in lengthening the ladder, but it is yet insufficient to cope with the difficulty; a great deal of lost time, therefore, is the consequence. They have, however, made a start again, and probably will be able to continue work until the spring rain sets in. During the year 1,6020z. were obtained, out of which the shareholders received £2,610 in dividends. The company has another small steam dredge at work in the adjoining claim, which just about pays its way. The Eoxburgh Steam Dredge during the last few months has not been as successful as during the early part of the year, which can be accounted for by the large amount of running-drift during the summer level of the river, chiefly caused by the workings of the Eoxburgh Amalgamated Company about a mile above. The best lead of gold in the claim too is very deep, and can only be bottomed during the winter months. Taking the whole year's operations together, however, the company has a profitable claim, and one which will take years to exhaust. 5670z. were got during the year, out of which the directors paid £750 in dividends. The Edina Company adjoins the above claim, upon which they have got a steam dredge, known as the Talisman, and which was originally placed upon the Shotover, at Tucker Beach, and from there removed and erected at Gow's Creek, at the Waikaia. They have only just commenced work, but' from the first week's yield it is almost certain that the dredge has at last found a profitable occupation for itself, and the state of her present shareholders is better than that of her first. Dewar and party are working with a small steam dredge just below the preceding claim, and are burdened with rather more than their fair share of dredging difficulties. Being at the mouth of a gorge, the bottom is rough and stony, which renders progress slow, and the expenses of wear-and-tear correspondingly high. It is a small party, however, and, as the shareholders themselves do the work, probably the 200oz. obtained left a surplus about equal to wages. The Ettrick Gold-dredging Company is dredging in the Clutha, near the mouth of the Bengerburn Creek, from which place the dredge has been barely shifted since it was built. Now and again excellent prospects are obtained, but, unfortunately for the company, the ground has been dredged before, and the quality of the blocks left is consequently discounted by the old ground. During the last few months the returns have improved, and future prospects are more encouraging. The 5450z. obtained during the year did not enable the directors to declare a dividend, but a substantial profit was made, which went to pay off existing liabilities. The Miller's Creek Dredging Company during the early part of last year was engaged in prospecting, and it was not until about three months ago that payable ground was struck. Failreturns are now being got, and the manager, Mr. George Bennet, is very hopeful of a continuance. Eleven men are continuously employed, and during the past few months 300oz. were obtained, which, together with a call of £600 from the shareholders, about paid expenses. The Golden Treasure Company has just completed a steam dredge, with all the latest improvements in machinery, and intend working the river adjoining the preceding claim. It has not, however, commenced operations yet. Brazil and party, Bennet and party, and Pringle and party are working profitably in adjoining claims with dredges lately converted from current-wheelers to steam-power. The Golden Bun Company has had a very successful year's dredging in its claim at the head of the Island Block. The gold has been traced from the river into the bank, and is supposed to extend into the Island Block Company's claim. The company, having a water-right, are now

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sluicing the top stuff oft; and the directors in the meantime are considering a plan whichi is calculated to relieve the dredge of its tailings. 814oz. were got during the year, out ot which the fortunate shareholders received £1,175. _ Beneath is a statement showing, approximately, the number of men actually employed dredging the quantity of coal consumed if working continuously, and the amount of gold actually obtained, during the year ended 31st March last, by the ten dredges which were working on the Ist April, 1893 :— Men employed Quantity of Coal consumed during the Amount of Gold actually dredging. Year if working continuously. ""J g ot> 65 ... 6,050 tons ... 5,2080z. lii addition to the number of men employed actually dredging, ten teams of from three to eight horses are engaged carting coal from Coal Creek to the respective dredges, ranging from two miles to the nearest to nineteen miles to the furthest away, at an average cost (including pit charges; ot 17s. 6d. per ton to the consumer. Mmm« in this portion of my district still presents a prosperous appearance, and more particularly does "this apply to dredging. During the year six licensed holdings, embracing 85 acres were applied for, while three, including 43 acres, were granted and issued. During the same period eight special claims, aggregating 409 acres, were applied for, and six, including 306 acres, were crranted- 100 ordinary applications were dealt with; and thirteen complaints were heard and determined The total goldfields revenue collected, £742, exceeds that of the preceding year by ever £100. It is very difficult to get at even an approximate estimate of the quantity of gold obtained during the year, but I have ascertained that the quantity exceeds ll,ooooz. The increased rainfall has materially benefited the agricultural and pastoral interests, the crops having been very much above the average, while the native and artificial grasses are more luxuriant than for many years past. Wakatipu. This portion of my district is in exactly the same position as last year, and therefore there is little of general interest to report on. The revenue received at Queenstown and Arrow own collectively is about the same as during the previous twelve months-Queenstown contributing a little more and Arrowtown a little less. Although there has been no excitement caused by any exceptional find of gold, either in alluvial or quartz-mining, there has been a steady yield of gold, which brings the returns to about the same value as for several years past. Quartz.-The five companies that are now in existence are all prospecting, none of them being able to be classed as dividend-paying. The Bees Valley Quartz Company Limited old Invincible) is still searching for the reef. The Tipperaxy Gold-mine, Limited (Macetown) is opening out in several directions, and also putting in a low-level adit which, with all possible despatch, cannot strike the reef for eighteen months at the earliest. The Premier Consolidated Gold Company (Limited), which is worked by the same management as the Tipperary Gold-mine has proved itself a good payable mine, and would have proved a dividend-paying concern had it not been so heavily handicapped with management and other expenses, which appear to be so indispensible to all gold-mining company speculations. The Gallant Tipperary has, during the past year, been opened out, and payable stone is now being got. The Achilles Goldfields limited) formerly the Phoenix, has done little or nothing during the past year to swell the yield of gold, but the mine has been well prospected, and with very gratifying results, as the mine never looked better than at present. , ~ . .. . , Alluvial -There are no new finds to report, but the number of miners occupied m alluvial mining keeps about the same as heretofore. Occasionally a small find is made, which proves an ncentive to further prospecting and to further finds. Phenomenal finds and rushes are now things o the past, and it is not to be expected that anything of the kind will occur in this district. Dodging.-Tsvo companies only are now left-namely, the Sew Hoy Big Beach and the Sand-hills Gold-mining Company ; both are able to declare dividends, the former at regular intervals. The Sew Hoy Company is working a portion of its ground in the mouth of the Shotover Gorge on the hydraulic system, and is obtaining highly payable results. Unfortunately the water-supply at present available is insufficient for its requirements, and to bring m a further supply means an outlay of many thousand pounds. Even this may possibly be attempted and accomplished before the next report on this mining district is penned. Cbomwell. Although the past season has been a fairly moist one, yet mining in this district has not been an unqualified success. This has been owing in some measure to the water strike at Bannockburn, which lasted for eleven weeks, during which time mining in that locality was simply at a standstill The "round in the neighbourhood has been worked for many years and the miners averred that it can no longer be profitably worked with water at ss. per head and asked that it be reduced to 4s. Per head This the race-owners would not agree to, but offered to reduce it to 4s. 6d. As this was not deemed enough concession by the miners, they went out on strike, and remained ou for eleven weeks but finally accepted the terms of the'race-owners, and resumed work. The natural result of this is that, although water was more plentiful than for many years back, yet the yield of gold will be very far short of that of former seasons. , Another depressing cause was this: that expectations regarding the fall of the river last winter were unfortunately, not realised; and although the number of Chinese m the district remains pretty much what it was last year, yet they, in particular, have had a poor season. _ _ The dredge did fairly well in the prospecting area, but not sufficiently so to warrant settling down finally, and I notice it has again ascended to its old ground, near the Lowburn Punt.

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Business has not increased in the Magistrate's Court, which sat on twenty-nine days, disposing of twenty-seven civil and twenty-eight criminal cases, the revenue accruing (inclusive of births, deaths, and marriages registration-fees) being £59 Is., as against £98 7s. 6d. for last year. Things were slightly better than this in the Warden's Court, wherein sittings were held on twenty-one days, disposing of 226 mining applications, and twelve cases by complaint and summons, the revenue accruing being £807 175., as against £482 12s. for last year. Caeeick and Bannockbuen. Lawrence and sons, in addition to having done fairly well with their old claim, have taken up a new one at the head of Green's Gully, from which they have already had one satisfactory crushing, and are now busily getting out stone for a second crushing. Lehmann, who has a sluicing claim in the immediate vicinity, has found a very promising reef therein. McCabe and sons are busily working their quartz claim (originally the " Vale of Avoca ") on the spur, between the right and left branches of Smith's Gully, from which they have put through a crushing of 60 tons at Lawrence's battery, the result being considered very satisfactory. The Carrick still maintains a few of the old hands, who seem to consider their present workings as profitable as those of anywhere else, and do not seem inclined to shift elsewhere. As is elsewhere shown, the water strike has prevented the Bannockburn showing in the front, and as the strike occurred during the very time when, under ordinary circumstances, sluicers would have been most busily engaged, no one will now think of washing up while he can possibly keep going, and some weeks must yet elapse before much is known of the success or otherwise of their season. Nevis. Here McKersie and party have finished their new race, and set in to work with every prospect of doing well. Adie and party, having got their piping into position, are now preparing a large extent of ground for washing up before the frost sets in. The brothers Masters are working steadily in the same claim they have worked for so many years, and are meeting with sufficient encouragement to satisfy them. The Pactolus Company has now got its big race at work, but, as it only leads from the foot of the Lion Creek, the pressure is only about 70ft. above the level of the claim. They have worked a considerable area, but so far the yield of gold has not been up to the expectations of the promoters of the scheme, and only about five men are now employed by this company. The brothers Bitchie have taken up some new ground near the crossing, but nothing has as yet been heard of their success therein. Several smaller parties of miners are doing fairly well at the Nevis, but nothing of a startling nature has been reported. At the Boaring Meg no change has taken place since last year, the same parties being still there, but no exceptional finds taking place. At the Frazer Biver mining may be said to be defunct, through the action of the runholder relative to the tailings sent down. At Bendigo no change has taken place in alluvial mining. Several parties are doing fairly well; and the Jubilee party has done as well as in former years. In quartz-mining, the Cromwell Company has about twenty-five men at work, a portion of whom have been occupied in putting in dead-work, and the balance in taking out blocks in the old workings, with the result that from 688 tons of quartz the company has obtained 1,2770z. of amalgam, which yielded 4290z. of retorted gold. At Criffel some fourteen men have been employed during the season, but with what success is not yet known, as no party has washed up. Mid Bun has livened up very considerably, and there are now eighteen men engaged in opening some very promising land. Two or three new races have been brought in, and mining matters here look better than in any other portion of the district, although as yet there is no sign of anything like a rush setting in. The Five-mile shows no change, and the old hands are quietly working on, and some of them are obtaining fairly payable returns. Quartz-reef Point has quieted down very much during the year, and now only a few claims are paying anything like wages. A few miners are profitably employed in various parts of the Lindis Eiver, and a few also on the Molyneux, between here and Clyde, but none are doing well enough to call for special mention. Speaking generally, mining is quieter throughout the district than it has been for many years, and yet, strange to say, the gross yield of gold is 30oz. more than that of last year, while the goldfields revenue is £325 ss. more than it was last year; but, on the other hand, the revenue accruing from the Magistrate's Court and other sources is £39 6s. 6d. less than that shown for last year. I have, &c, J. Nugent Wood, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 15. Mr. Warden Cabew to the Undeb-Secbetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic, — Warden's Office, Dunedin, 3rd May, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual statistics in respect of the Hindon Section of the Otago Mining District for the year ended 31st March last, and in doing so have

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to report that little or no progress has been made in mining matters in the said district during the year. Quartz-mining in the vicinity of the Hindon Village has been still represented by Sheppard and party, whose output for the year has been about 150 tons, yielding a similar average to that of last year—viz., from 7dwt. to lOdwt. to the ton; while at Barewood, Wolter and party are still working steadily on a well-defined reef, having raised and crushed upwards of 900 tons of quartz during the year, the yield varying from sdwt. to 12dwt. per ton. The Barewood Company has been wound up, and the property is now in the hands of a new party, who are taking active steps to develop the mine; and it is expected that during the ensuing year favourable results will be obtained. Alluvial mining is almost at a standstill, although there are several miners making a precarious living amongst the old and abandoned workings. Harris and party, who were constructing a large tail-race in Style's Gully, as referred to in my last year's report, have for the present ceased working. Altogether there are fewer miners than there were, but the number of agricultural settlers remain about the same. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. E. W. Caeew, Warden.

No. 16. Mr. Warden Bawson to the Undeb-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic, — Warden's Office, Invercargill, 2nd May, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual returns, and to submit the following report on mining matters in the sub-districts under my charge, for the year ended 31st March, 1894 :— Oeepuki. In this locality there is nothing fresh to report, Alluvial mining has been steadily carried on as usual, and the yield of gold has been about the same as for the previous year. Bound Hill. Most of the Europeans on this alluvial field are employed by the Bound Hill Mining Company. The little natural fall there was on this field has, as stated in my previous reports, been mostly sludged up, so that very little of the ground can be now worked, excepting by means of hydraulic appliances such as the company possesses. A number of Chinese miners have left the field recently, probably for this reason. The company has sluiced a large area of ground during the year with satisfactory results. The yield of gold from Orepuki and Bound Hill for the year is over 5,3000z. Peesebvation Inlet. As none of the reefing claims taken up over twelve months ago have yet got a battery to work it is impossible to form any opinion as to what the future of this field is likely to be. Several very rich out-crops of reef, it is said, have been found on Crayfish Island —a small island close to Coal Island. On the former island, also, highly satisfactory results have been obtained from alluvial claims near the beach, but auriferous ground is very limited in extent. The Golden Site Quartz-mining Company is pushing on the erection of its battery. When this is in full work we shall be able to form an opinion as to the value of the Preservation Inlet quartz reefs. Crushing will commence in about a fortnight. Wyndham. Mining matters in this district have been almost at a standstill during the past year. The Waipapa Creek Dredging Company is in liquidation, and Dr. Burns, of Dunedin, has had the dredge on lease during the greater part of the year. Owing, however, to a dispute with the company operations have entirely ceased for some months. The Six-mile Beach Dredging Company has been bought out by Mr. E. S. Vernon, who has surrendered the greater part of his special claim. Mr. J. F. Brunton is managing the claim for him, and is actively prosecuting dredging operations. The only other mining of note is the the venture of Kirkness and party, who have started to make a water-race, nine miles long, at an estimated cost of £700, with the object of sluicing on the Waipapa Beach. Boring for coal has been going on for some time past at Waikawa, but, though a considerable distance has been bored, a payable seam of coal has not yet been struck. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. C. E. Bawson, Warden.

No. 17. Mr. J. Gow, Inspector of Mines, to the Undeb-Seceetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sic, — Dunedin, 2nd April, 1894. I have the honour to submit the following remarks on the claims visited by me during the past year: — Blue Spur Gold-mining Company.- —(18/5/93): It is now about two years since any reference was made to this claim in my animal report. At that time a tunnel was in course of construction and nearly completed from the level of the bottom of Gabriel's Gully through a ridge of rock between the gully bottom and the cement-hill, where the bottom forms a "pot-hole," 39ft. below the level of the tunnel. This tunnel, when completed, did good service by draining off a large

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body of water, much in the way of sluicing operations at a low level, and it will continue to be of great service as an extension of the main drain to the claim while it lasts. Since the construction of the tunnel, Mr. Jackson, the manager, is enabled to divide the high gravel face into two sluicing benches on the west side, and one high face to a low level on the sloping bottom on the east side of the claim. Very shortly he should be enabled to estimate the cost per cubic yard at each face, and arrive at a scund conclusion as to the advantages of high face over low ones, assuming the work in each face to be done so as to be safe for the workmen at the bottom. Mr. Jackson informed me that he had ascertained that the first 100 ft. from the surface down was the most valuable portion of the cement, so far as he had worked it. The lower part appears to be much the hardest, and therefore requires the expenditure of more labour to break it up. The highest place was fairly well sloped, with plenty of room at bottom for men to get away in case of a fall of debris from the face. It is a great pity that there is not a greater head or pressure on the jets directed on the cement, or much larger main pipes from the reservoir to the jets. These requisites, if applied, would expedite the work, and increase the returns very much, in my opinion. The first is available at a short distance, it is said, but the second means almost a new plant in pipes, which would cost more money than the company is likely to expend in that way for some time to come. Leviathan Quartz-mine, Skipper's Point. —Two young men, McPherson and Phillipine, gathered some 15 tons of stone from the surface up Sawyer's Creek—distant from Johnston's Hotel about a mile and a half—from which they obtained 240z. 12dwt. A tunnel was then driven from the side of the hill to the line of lode, which has been followed for about 50ft., but only a small block of stone has been found in that distance. The drive is being continued on the line in the hope of finding the lode below where the stone was gathered on the surface. I did not visit the work, because the men were not there ; one was ill and in bed in the township. Tokomairiro Dredge, Glenore. —(26/10/93) : A small company of five, including J. Nelson, who is manager, has nearly completed a dredge to work the bed of the stream from the Glenore Bridge upward first. The claim is said to take in two miles of the river, one above and one below the bridge. They expect to start mining operations in a fortnight. The dredge, it is said, is capable of dredging to a depth of 30ft., which will be about 20ft. below the old workings of thirty years ago. The engine is a double-cylinder, and said to be of sufficient power to do the work. The dredge measures 80ft. long by 20ft. wide, and the plant is all new except the engine and boiler. The buckets, thirty-eight in number, are calculated to hold 2h cubic feet each. The ladder is 60ft. long. The washing-tables are to be equal to 250 ft. on one side of the dredge only. The total cost of plant when finished is estimated to be £2,000. Bound Hill Gold-mining Company. —(24/11/93) : Since my visit last year sluicing operations have been continued a few chains higher up the creek on the same side, where a considerable quantity of ground has lately been sluiced away, with, Mr. Evans informs me, good results. The manager regrets his inability to have had two jets going all the time, by which he could have doubled the yield of gold at a small proportionate outlay in wages only. He is now making an effort to get two jets to work by laying a second length of pipes; but, as he has not the length required by 17 chains, he is constructing a wood box of 2in. planking, 22in. by 24in., for 10 chains, and a double box, 16in. by 12in., for the balance of the distance. Mr. Evans estimates the greatest pressure on the box at 371b. per square inch, and thinks by strapping the boxes well with wood straps they will withstand the pressure. The necessary quantity of water to work the two jets is not very often available. The ground how being operated on was driven out many years ago, therefore the gold now being obtained must be diffused through 30ft. of the 35ft. depth of face sluiced. Mr. Evans is satisfied he is not losing any gold worth mentioning. J. Ewing's, Matakanui. —(ls/12/93): A large quantity of ground has been sluiced away during the past twelve months, which has brought his open face close up to the schist-rock on the hillside, and close to Greenbank's south-west boundary on the other. The length of strip sluiced out is about 3 chains, and about 60ft. deep. The layers of gold-bearing wash appear to dip slightly into the hill. It is now very evident, from the rotten character of the schist-rock so close to the gold-bearing wash, that there is a limit to the depth it can be followed by open sluicing, and that limit, with safety to the workmen, is nearly reached in more that one claim in Matakanui. Greenbank's Blue Duck Claim. —(l 4/2/93) : This claim joins J. Ewing's north-east boundary, and, like his, the workings are hugging the hill-side very closely. A strip of probably 2 chains or 3 chains in length had been sluiced away, and the bottom apparently cleaned up to the level of the present tail-race, some short time before my visit; but the hill-side had recently broken several chains back, and slid into the opening, filling the same to near the head of the tail-race. Of course, this slip can be easily sluiced away, since it appears to be of fine material, but when it is sluiced away more will come in from the hill, till the water-race or -races are carried away. The present slide has nearly reached one race already. The low side of this open face is probably from 50ft. to 70ft. deep. The return from the claim for the past two years, or nine months' actual sluicing (the fifteen months were lost for want of water), was 5600z. There are seven men employed. Sugar-pot Claim.— (14/2/93): This claim and open face joins Greenbank's, and has been sluiced along the face of the hill in a similar way to the other claims referred to. The ground sluiced out to the level of the tail-race is probably 3 chains long by 2 chains wide. The layers of wash, which have a dip of ten to one, follow the side of the hill, and at this claim they are very distinct, in alternate layers of clay, sand, and gravel, all of which are said to carry more or less fine gold. The coarse layers yield the best prospects. A prospecting shaft was sunk in this open face to a depth of 240 ft., where the layers still exist at about the same angle and of equal value when prospected. The last washing was sluiced off to the level of the tail-race, and was being cleaned up at the time of my visit, but the result of the two years' work was not ascertained. The Drybread Claim. — (14/2/93): This claim was not working at the time of my visit, in

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consequence of a break in the race up the Lauder Stream. The washing-up was not finished when the water was cut off. Simes and Morgan's Claim. —(ls/12/93): This is the most southern of the Matakanui sluicing claims, where a considerable extent of surface has been sluiced away. Not much was doing. There is no deep sluicing. J. Ewing's Claim, Vinegar Hill. —(l 6/12/93): A large body of stuff has been washed away during the past twelve months. The depth of face where most of the work has been done is from 70ft. to 90ft., and much of this had to be lifted 25ft. to the main tail-race by a jet. There are now many chains square of ground stripped to a depth of many feet by the use of the nozzle, which stripping, instead of being put through the boxes as is usually done, is cast to one side and thrown on the side of the terrace by the force of the water, where it is not likely to be in the way of future operations. This is, I think, the only claim in Otago where the gravel stripping is so economically removed to such a distance from the face without boxes or jet. A large quantity of wash has to be put through the sluice within a given time to make it remunerative. On the same day Mr. Ewing's St. Bathan's claim was visited, when I found the manager drying and cleaning up the gold from the " Christmas washing." He said, "Itis a small washing-up of rubbish." If about 2500z. is the yield of the "rubbish " I would like to see a big washing from the good stuff. There is now a double-jet lift in this claim of 40ft. and 48ft. The size of bottom jet is ljin., with throttle, when new, of 4in. (now worn to 4fin.) and up-cast pipe 9-|in. Head nearly 500 ft. This jet lifts, say, 40ft., to No. 2, which has a nozzle 2fin. and a throttle, when new, of 6in., which is used till worn to BJin. in diameter. This lifts 48ft. to head of sluice-boxes, to which the up-cast pipe is 14|-in. in diameter. Attached to the bottom jet is a suction-pipe of 7in. diameter. It is intended shortly to start a third jet at the bottom, making three lifts in depth, but the height can be determined only after some experiments have been made. Mr. Ewing deserves every success in his mining ventures. Symes's Quartz-mine, Spcargrass-Flat. —(2l/12/93): A prospecting shaft was lately started in the hill above the old workings, and a reef discovered at a depth of 30ft. from the surface. The sinking is being continued on the stone, and 2ft. of its width is being saved to be crushed. A tunnel is being driven from the face of the old workings to reach the shaft at a depth of from 60ft. to 70ft. In order to do this the estimated length of tunnel will be 270 ft., of which 30ft. is now driven. The tunnel is inconveniently small—sft. by 2-|ft. The driving is in broken country, but fairly dry. The line of reef is nearly east and west, and the shaft is on the west side of the old workings about 270 ft. The battery consists of five stampers, driven by a Whitelaw turbine 2Jft. diameter. It is generally known as White's Beef, and has been working part of the past eight years. Excelsior Quartz-mine, Bald Hill. —(2o/3/93): This mine is south of White's Beef about a mile, and runs parallel with it. The workings have heretofore been open cutting up the face of the hill until last year. Stoping is now being done to a depth of 25ft. below the open cutting. The mine has been working during the past three years. During the first two years the surface was sluiced away to the reef. There are now four men employed in the mine, and the lode is from 3ft. to Bft. wide. The yield of gold is very good—over 2oz. to the ton. Some parts of the reef resemble rotten granite mixed wdth sand and clay ; in places hard stone is found, but the bulk of the lode is of the soft kind, as stated. The lode so far has been worked to a depth of 45ft. in places, but the surface stone is being removed as heretofore, and will be so mined for some little distance yet, after which an adit will be driven from the face of the hill, which is very steep, at a level to give about 100 ft. of backs. The probable length of the adit may be 500 ft. when under the old workings. The battery plant consists of a 3ft. Pelton wheel and three stampers, which crush about 15 tons per week by working twelve hours per day. It is intended to start the adit on the line of reef near the battery plant in the hope of finding some stone before reaching the perpendicular of the surfaceworkings. This mine was again visited on 21st December, 1893, and the workings examined, which are just now quite shallow, and by no means extensive. The lode is from 12in. to 18iu. wide. It dips south near the surface, but at a little distance down it gradually turns over and dips to the north. The timber used in the mine consists of planks only, of 7in. by 2in., each set spaced 2in. apart and held in position by nailing on lin. battens, instead of making a joggle. All this timber is generally taken out after the lode is removed, and the reef walls are allowed to close in. The depth of the present workings from the surface is about 30ft. only, but the lode is sunk on to a depth of 60ft. The workings are in good order, and the stone is of a sugary character. The gold returns are very satisfactory—about 200oz. this season. Eight months of the year only are the men able to work at this elevation. The Old Gladstone Quartz-mine, Hindon. —(s/4/93) : This mine is again being worked by a party of three men, two of whom took it up about two years ago. The reef is situated on the township reserve, and runs nearly north and south. The lode is about 18in. wide, and is being worked 100 ft. along the line of reef, 45ft. from the surface. At this depth the mine is quite dry. The crushing is done by the party, and the battery plant belongs to Sheppard and Todd. It consists of an overshot water-wheel and six stampers, at a distance of three-quarters of a mile from the reef. The stone yields about 6dwt. per ton, which means small wages to the men. Begg and Wilkinson's Mine and Plant, Hindon. —(s/4/93) : The battery plant has not been working during the past twelve months, neither has there been any work done in the mine during that time. A number of trucks full of quartz are standing at the battery, showing that the suspension of work must have been very sudden. A portion of the battery plant erected in the bed of a gully has been damaged and covered with gravel by floods and the breaking away of one or two reservoirs. The plant did not work longer than four months after its erection. Tipperary Quartz-mine. —This is my first visit to this old mine, which has been idle for some years. A fresh start was made a few months ago, and a large sum of money spent on the surface before testing the value of the mine ; but the mine is now being prospected. I went into the old high-level tunnel about 180 ft., and from there up a stope 87ft., where some good-looking stone is

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being followed upward close to some old workings. A sample of the stone was taken by Mr. Stanford, and crushed in my presence. It showed a few fine specks of gold, but not enough to excite an old miner. Gold was visible in some pieces of stone when wetted. Mr. Stanford is very hopeful of finding a body of this stone at a higher level, by which he could keep the battery going for some time. The far end of the adit was then visited, at 1,070 ft., which is not being extended at present, short distance back from the end a cross-cut is being put in on the south side about 18ft., but as yet no reef has been met with. The air is good, and the timbering is strong and neatly fitted. A very fine tram-line of steel rails is laid from the battery to near the tunnel mouth—a distance of three-quarters of a mile—following the sinuous and steep gully, at a gradient of from one in thirty to one in five, the steepest part being next the top, where a paddock is constructed capable of holding, it is said, 350 tons of stone. The tram-trucks pass under this paddock, and are filled through a shoot very quickly. The trucks are the best of their kind in Otago, are nicely fitted with brakegear, well and strongly made, and are so connected one to the other by chain and lever that a man riding on the last one of the train can regulate their speed to a nicety at every change of grade on the line. There are employed twelve miners, one trucker, and mine-manager. The latter is a very handy man—looks after the men and the mine, points picks, and keeps the drills in order. A low-level tunnel was started for the line of reef from near the battery, but, after driving it a short distance, it was stopped for the want of cash. It is a very substantial piece of work, but costly. I have not heard of anything known to exist in the mine to warrant the outlay. Phoenix Quartz-mine. —The lowest workings are at 224 ft. from the surface. The lode varies from a few inches to Bft. wide. All the working-places are strongly timbered, and in good order. Since my previous visit new cages, 6ft. 6in. in height, with automatic grips, have taken the place of the old cages, which were long out of date. The drainage from the lowest levels is forced up a height of 70ft. by a 4 x 3 Tangye pump, driven by compressed air. From this level two Tangyes — Bx4 and 9 x 6 —throw all the drainage to the surface; but there is not enough drainage to keep them constantly going. Of the thirty stampers at the battery, fifteen only are kept going at the present time. There are generally from seventy to eighty men employed on the work. Mr. Evans told me he had sent a sample of tailings and blanketings to Dunedin, to be tested by Cassel's Goldextracting Company, and the result was 14-|dwt. and 2dwt. per ton. Sew Hoy Dredges. —These three dredges are working very steadily, and they pass over a considerable area of ground in a year. No. 4 dredge is capable of dredging to a depth of 29ft.; but is now working to a depth of 144 ft., removing a strip 130 ft. long by 6ft. wide in twenty-four hours, at a cost in coal of about £2 14s. There are three men employed on each shift, or nine men on each dredge. This does not include four men constantly employed at the forge doing repairs. The forge uses Newcastle coal generally, but sometimes Westport coal. The three dredges use Kaitangata coal in preference to all others tried. The engine in No. 4is 40-horse power, which is considered powerful enough to do all the work required. The gold-bearing wash is lying on a bottom of sand, clay, and gravel, somewhat patchy, all over the Big Beach. No. 3 dredge is working three or four hundred yards lower down on the same flat, and is said to be dredging to the same depth, putting through the same quantity of wash, and using the same quantity of coal, in the twenty-four hours. It is supposed these two dredges have yet several years' work on the Big Beach. No. 1 dredge is, and has long been, idle, as it was found to be too small to work at a profit. No. 2 dredge is working above the Shotover Bridge, on a small flat known as the Morning Star Beach. The character of stuff treated is much coarser than that in the flat lower down. This dredge is working to a depth of 22ft., and the quantity put through is not equal to that of either of the other dredges, but the consumption of coal is about the same as on the others. Small specimens of quartz and gold mixed are occasionally found in the boxes, all more or less waterworn, which is a proof of their having travelled some distance. The dredges alone employ thirty-six men. The same company is also working a sluicing claim a short distance above No. 2 dredge, where it employs another twelve men. Sluicing operations were stopped at the time of my visit, but quite a number of men were cutting a new water-race by the road-side from Miller's Flat in the direction of the claim. Premier Quartz-mine. —Accompanied by the manager, Mr. Stanford, and Mr. Elliott, I followed the low-level tunnel to the first stopes overhead, on what is said to be a new reef making at the side of the drive, and which is from 10ft. to 12ft. wide, estimated to yield 18dwt. to the ton. This find appears to be the junction-point of two reefs, which at the present is lying very flat, but it is thought will shortly alter its lay to the usual angle of about 65°. The new discovery is on the right-hand side going in, and at 1,515 ft. from the mouth of the adit, which is now driven a total distance of 1,759 ft. At 1,555 ft. from the mouth of adit a shaft is being sunk at an angle of 62° on the left-hand side going in, and is now down 52ft.; it is to be sunk a further depth of 18ft., when levels will be opened out on the reef, which is in the foot-wall near the bottom. The end of the adit was visited, but there is no lode there. It is said, however, that stone is known to exist some 300 ft. ahead, at a higher level in the old workings. The mine is now well ventilated, and the workings are in good order. It is to be regretted that Mr. Stanford stated in his report (sth August, 1893) to the shareholders in London his belief that " the Premier Mine will prove to be one of the finest mines of the world." There is nothing in sight to justify such a wild statement, and, to say the least, the report will do much harm. The erection of the cyanide plant is being pushed on as fast as possible, and is expected to be completed in about three months. The present ten stampers will shortly be increased to twenty, and other important alterations to the battery plant are in hand. There are now thirty-four men employed in and about the mine. Bareivood Beefing Company (Limited). —This is the mine which was being worked by Hawking and Porter, tributers, last year, and abandoned by them shortly after the date of my visit. The manager for the new company is Mr. J. P. Smith, who has made some alterations and improvements on the old style (horse-whip and bucket) of getting the drainage out of the mine. The battery engine

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being only about 400 yards from the shaft is made to drive a pump by means of a small wire rope on a surging-druin. The pump is double-action, and by sixty strokes per minute is capable, it is said, of throwing 1,600 gallons per hour. It is at present fixed at 92ft. down on the line of the reef, where there is a small well to store the water for a short time. The discharge-pipe is 2in. in diameter. There are ten sets of pulley-stands and pulleys for the rope to travel on between the engine and shaft. The new company intend to thoroughly prospect the lode at a much deeper level; therefore sinking is now going on, and is to be continued for some time. The lode at the bottom of the shaft is now 2Jft. wide, and considered fairly payable. The dip of the reef is very flat, and the foot-wall carries blocks of scheelite in places, which are very noticeable. The company has not yet crushed any stone, but there are 25 tons on the surface ready. Donald Reid's Quartz-mine, Barewood. —l did not find any one there ; the shaft had caved in, and is apparently abandoned. The surface is more or less cracked near the shaft, and at some little distance back from the line of reef outcrop. There stands close to the shaft a small vertical boiler and crab-winch in working position. This plant has been placed there since my previous visit, but it has done very little work. Mr. Walters, the manager, is now driving a prospecting tunnel in a gully to cross the line of reef some distance south of the old shaft. While writing this I learn from Mr. Eeid that the shaft had followed the reef to a depth of 150 ft., where it was very solid, and 2-Jft. wide, of good quality. Surprise Beef, Nenthorn. —The adit has been driven along the reef a distance of 800 ft., where the lode still exists, but very small—too small to pay for trucking the stone that distance. A shaft was then sunk on the reef to a depth of 55ft. from the floor of the adit, and 200 ft. in from its mouth, where an opening was made in the lode, and driven along on it a distance of from 60ft. to 70ft.; but as the water, which has to be lifted by hand-power, was considered rather heavy, a fresh start was made on the lode at 25ft. only, below the floor of the adit, where the work is now going on. The lowest portion of the shaft and the tunnel therefrom now act as a sump, which is capable of storing several days' drainage, and a Tangye pump, of the smallest size, is used to throw the water out. There are four men working one shift only, and the reef is very small—viz., 2ft. 4in. and Bin. The country is very hard to get out, but stands well without timber, and the side-dressing fills up the stopes as the work goes on. The air is good. Bonanza Quartz-mine. —Since my last report a low-level tunnel has been put in a distance of 900 ft., nearly 400 ft. of which is along the line of reef following the " track," and about 200 ft. on the underlay, below the old workings. At 800 ft. an uprise of 75ft. has been driven on the stone all the way, and getting wider upward. The lode, so far, is small, but promises to turn out well. A considerable body of water was met with in the tunnel, near to and on the hill side of the lode. It was so heavy as to crush in some of the sets of timber, and rendered centreing others necessary A small tunnel was then driven into the hanging-wall, which tapped the water, and immediately relieved the timber so much that the centres were removed. A considerable stream is still flowing out of the mouth of the adit. A sufficient quantity of air is conveyed to the workings through a 4in. pipe from a tank, and a 30ft. fall of water therein at the tunnel mouth. The battery plant is still at the old site, to where the stone has now to be sledged up a considerable hill. It is, however, the intention of the party to remove the plant, and place it near the creek-bed, below the mouth of the present tunnel, after the mine is properly open from this level. North Prospecting Beef, Nenthorn —This line of reef is known as the old Consolidated Lease. About eight months ago J. Holden went into an old shaft, and after a careful examination started to get out a little stone, which he has followed down about 65ft. The width of lode varies very much—from 3in. to 18in. The part of the lode worked out to date might average 7in. only, but it has paid him remarkably well. The yield from several small crushings—in all 66Jtons —was 1590z, of gold. The lode still exists below the level worked out, but there will now be water to lift. At the time of my visit there was no one working in the mine ; Holden and his man were at the battery getting another small crushing of 47 tons done. Further operations depend on the returns from this crushing. Dunedin Dredge. —(l 2/9/93): This dredge is still on good ground, and doing very well for the shareholders. From 70oz. to lOOoz. per week were mentioned as the returns at the present time, but the yield varies very much, one week it may be 10oz. and the next 1560z. This last was the largest obtained for one week. About ten men are employed on the big dredge, No. 1, and six or seven on the small dredge. No. 1 consumes about 3-J- tons of coal in the twenty-four hours, at a cost of Bs. 6d. per ton, and can work to a depth of 42ft., but is just now working only 25ft. deep. The width of stream now being worked is about 58ft., while the width of the river at this spot is between 400 ft. and 500 ft., where the water travels seven miles or more per hour. Boxburgh Amalgamated Gold-mining Company. —(l 3/9/94) : This company has two jets constantly working, unless when short of water in the head-race, which, I am sorry to hear, is the case at odd times, by which several months in the year are lost to the workmen —about thirty of them, when the mine is in full swing. Sluicing operations commenced in this claim about October, 1890, since which time, it is estimated, there have been 13 or 14 acres of ground put through the boxes. The average depth of this area is estimated at between 50ft. and 60ft., but a large proportion of this depth contains little or no gold. The total yield of gold up to the end of 1893 is 4,5760z. The bottom is an uneven hard schist-rock, showing pot-holes and trenches, which have been scoured out by the action of water and gravel for ages before the valley became filled to the level at which we now find it, by a reduction in the body of water flowing seaward. The Boxburgh Dredge. —(l 3/9/93): This dredge is working steadily, and is said to be doing very well in the ground immediately above and close to the present workings of the Hercules No. 1. As this dredge does not appear to make rapid headway in the river the claim should last a considerable time. It is to be hoped it will do so, and that she may win a large quantity of gold for the shareholders. The yield of gold for the past year ended August is 8930z. There are three shifts in all, seven men employed. 7—C. 3a.

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Hercules No. 1, Boxburgh. —(13/9/93): The ground being worked for some time past is close to the river, into which the tailings have been cast during that time, thus leaving an open paddock in which the large stones only remain. This paddock is now probably 20 chains long, which allows a very large amount of drainage to percolate into it from the river, consequently valuable time is sometimes lost while this body of water is being pumped out. It is, however, intended shortly to build a rough dam-embankment in the worked-out ground to keep back the water, and then sluice into it. By this the length of sluice-boxes will be reduced, there will be less wear-and-tear, and little tailing labour required for a while. The depth of material removed is about 70ft., which is in layers of fine and coarse gravel, some of them carding a little very fine gold from a little below the surface to the bottom. From the line of the gorge, a short distance above the claim, and the general appearance of the flat and terrace on the claim, there may possibly be a run of payable ground between the present workings and the high terrace on the east side of the river. In order to test the ground the cost of cutting a narrow strip across the flat would be a wise expenditure before finally abandoning the claim. There are three shifts of men employed. J. Ewing's Claim, Boxburgh. —(13/9/93) : This claim is now in full swing, having any quantity of water in the head-race. I imagine there are at least 200 heads flowing from the Teviot into the Clutha at Boxburgh. The wash in the claim is somewhat coarse in places, and looks promising for gold, but it is all poor so far as it has been tested close to the river, where it was thought the best ground would be found. The bottom is very soft in places, and looks like clay; in others it is soft schist-rock. The clay bottom is said to be the best for gold. I should very much like to hear of a good run of gold-bearing wash being found in the big flat back from the river. No doubt this flat will be fairly tested somewhere at an early date, notwithstanding the opinion of some experienced miners that payable ground will not be found beyond a certain distance back from the river-bed. The Ettrick Dredge. —(14/9/93): This dredge is no longer the shower-bath it was when it first started to work. The high bucket-wdieel is removed, and the sluicing-water is now being forced up by a centrifugal pump, as is done by many other dredges. It worked about two years opposite the mouth of the Benger Creek, but, finding the ground very poor, and little prospect of improvement, it was shifted a little higher up the stream, where it has now been working a short time in ground little, if any, better than the first operated on. The gold obtained for the last twelve months ended August last was 4920z. The consumption of coal for the last six months was 259 tons. There are six men employed. Brazil and Party's Dredge. —(l 4/9/93) : This is one of the first dredges that worked on the Clutha Biver, just below the Punt at Miller's Flat, and has therefore been working about sixteen years. It was originally worked by a current-wheel, but two years ago was altered to a steam dredge, and is still working at a good profit, small though it be. The claim is likely to last another seven or eight years. There are three shifts of men in the twenty-four hours ; in all, six men are employed. The coal costs 15s. per ton, and the expenditure on that alone is from £12 to £16 per month. The bottom of the river is hard in places, but the bulk of it is soft clay, which is always the richest in gold, and the most easily worked by the dredge. The gold returns have been splendid during the whole time the claim has been working. The depth dredged is about 20ft. Bennett and Party's Dredge. —(l 4/9/93): This dredge is working the adjoining ground on the down-stream side of Brazil and others. It was also originally driven by a current-wheel, but some three years ago it was found impossible to get it to work when closely hugging either side of the stream, where they sometimes found some very good ground. Therefore, in order to follow the good ground wherever it was found, the current-wheel was removed, and a portable engine placed on board in its stead. Since then the dredge has worked steadily, with fair returns to the men. The claim is likely to last ten or twelve years yet. There are six men employed, in three shifts. The consumption of coal per month is about 12 tons, and costs from £9 to £10. Pringle and Party's Dredge. —(l 4/9/93): This is the first dredge that was used on the Clutha Biver. lam told it originally commenced mining operations above Boxburgh, but not finding much gold there it was shifted gradually downward, prospecting the river-bed as it went, till it reached the spot now held as a claim, immediately above the Golden Run dredge, where it has been working for about twelve years. The prospecting coming down the river extended over several years. The dredge is much larger now than when ib was built, having been altered and added to about three times, which additions have made it as large as some of the others in the same stream. The gold returns are said to be very good, and the claim is likely to last for some years yet. It employs about the same number of men as the others. Island Block Extended Gold-mining Company. —(14/9/93) : Quite lately the mining operations are being carried into the flat from the river, and towards the terrace, and the result is the finding of what appears to be a good run of wash, which yielded, in twenty days, 2500z. of gold. By this washing an open face of 160 ft. long on the terrace side was made, showing a fairly payable and good-looking wash along that side, on a level bottom. Possibly this may be the edge of a long run of good ground extending back from the river. A prospecting paddock was, however, lately opened about 100 yards higher up the flat, and nearly the same distance back from the river, but the bottom indicates a dip to the terrace, carrying very open gravel. If there be a deep channel filled with clean gravel it should be crossed as there is a good chance of finding fairly payable ground on the rise to the terrace. The same mistake has been made here in the size of pipes' as at other claims. The head of water is 800 ft., but the pressure-gauge only registers 2701b. to the square inch when the nozzle is working. It is said the jet carries the material up from 56ft. to 70ft. or 75ft. Parker's Special Claim, Waipori. —(23/9/93): There are 9 acres in this claim, to which there is a head-race cut, valued at £500. This claim has been working for the past twenty-nine years, during which time about 3,3930z. of gold have been taken from it. The claim is likely to last a lifetime. At one time it was worked by open-sluicing, till the hsight of face got up to from

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70ft. to 100 ft., and no fall for that amount of tailings. Open work then stopped, and tunnelling commenced, and is being continued a long way —2,000 ft. —under the hills. The height of wash taken out is about sft., and consists of very fine quartz wash. The tunnel is driven in nearly level, but not on the bottom. There is gold above the present workings to a great height, and below to an unknown depth, but at present there is no way of working or washing, the whole of the gold-bearing material. The width of the lead is supposed to be 200 ft., but the length is unknown. There is another claim ahead of this which is being worked in the same way. There is only a small supply of sluicing water in the locality. Parker has sometimes three or four heads. The Deep Lead Gold-mining Company, Waipori. —(B/9/93) : This company has not travelled over much country since my last report, but the ground has been tested to a greater depth —viz., 65ft. from the surface, where the returns have been about 20oz. per week. The wash at the bottom of the old channel is very remarkable when compared with the gold-bearing wash throughout the Waipori field. Large angular blocks of dark schist-rock, closely and very tightly packed with other stones and clay, take the place of the fine quartz gravel found all over the field. The gold is also a heavy and rounded sample, not at all like that found in other claims in the locality. I have not seen any similar gold-bearing wash in Otago. The gutter or channel is very uneven in width and depth; it is also rough, and very crooked. Some parts of the bottom, when cleaned out, form large pot-holes, 10ft. and 12ft. below the general level of the gutter. The 50ft. of stuff on the top of the wash consists of layers of hard clay of various colours, sand, and fine gravel, some of which contain fine gold. The south side of the gutter stands well when nearly vertical, but the north side is in places very bad standing-ground, when it breaks down and slopes to a great distance back. The giant nozzle, with a good pressure, makes slow progress in bringing down the vertical face, and still slower in reducing the coarse bottom-wash—in fact, the latter has all to be picked down and broken up by hand-labour. The tailings are now being sluiced directly toward the creek from the claim, and will soon fill up the old channel-bed in the immediate neighbourhood of the claim and township. A considerable strip of the company's ground has been previously worked to a depth of from 12ft. to 14ft., and from 3to 4 chains wide, following the direction of the creek. The deep lead or gutter follows the valley in a zigzag form. The Jutland Dredge. —(9/9/93): This dredge has turned over a considerable area of ground during the past twelve months; it is estimated at 14 acres, which will average 12ft. deep. The yield of gold is not as good as it was some time ago. It is at present yielding only lgr. to the cubic yard. The Upper Waipori Dredge. —(22/9/93): The larger dredge only has been working for some time past, but the area of ground worked during the past twelve months is considerable. The dredge is now approaching the narrow part of the flat, immediately below where the second dredge worked for a time. The manager thinks the run of payable ground will leave the present creek-bed a little distance ahead of where the dredge is now working and pass through a low saddle in the terrace, a few chains on the south side of the present stream. This terrace-saddle is composed of fine quartz wash, similar to that found in the creek-flats, and should be as easily dredged. The manager showed me a very rich specimen of quartz and gold found in the tail-box. The unworn appearance of this specimen and other small bits of mixed gold and quartz found suggest the existence of a rich reef at no great distance from the spot, and well worth looking after. The O.P.Q. Quartz-mine. —(8/9/93) : This mine has been idle for some time, but quite lately a party of working-men took it up, and they are now driving a new adit, which will be, when completed, about 600 ft. or 700 ft. long. The men expect to strike part of the lode at about 300 ft. in. At the time of my visit the adit was driven 40ft., and fairly well timbered. The men do not expect to find rich stone, but they think that it will be good enough to enable good workers to make small wages, should the stone yield from sdwt. to 7dwt. to the ton, as it did when previously worked. The lode was then from 6ft. to 7ft. wide. Bella Quartz-mine, Waipori. —(22/9/93): This lode was discovered four years ago last June. During the first two years and a half the surface stone to a depth of 30ft. was crushed, and yielded about 9000z., or -|oz. to the ton. An adit was then put in 362 ft., when it struck the line of reef, but no stone. Four hundred feet was then driven along the line, and a 15in. lode was met with. This is now being stoped. There are five men employed, one shift each day. A five-stamp battery is driven by a turbine-wheel, and crushes 50 tons of stone per week when running full time. The workings are very wet and dirty. The country is very hard, and the reef has well-defined walls. The air is good. The head-race is five miles long, and carries three heads of water. This party has not sent me any statement of stone crushed and yield of gold during 1893, as required by section 308, subsection (10), of " The Mining Act, 1891." I have delayed sending in my returns in the hope of getting them to send with this. I have, &c, J. Gow, Inspector of Mines. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 18. Me. A. Aitken, Manager, Waimea-Kumara Water-race, to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic,— Kumara, 22nd May, 1894. I have the honour to forward the following report on the Waimea-Kumara Water-races, for the year ended 31st March, 1894 : — Waimea Watee-bace. The total sales of water from this race during the year were £828 15s. Bd., and the total expenditure on maintenance for the same period was £919 9s, 4d., leaving a debit balance of £90 13s. Bd. on the year's transactions.

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The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was sixty-seven, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained was 2,0520z., valued at £8,002 16s. The sales of water are £186 16s. 7d. less than for the preceding year, and the yield of gold 4470z. less, valued at £1,743 6s. The great decrease in the sales of water and the yield of gold is attributable to two serious breakages in the high fluming at Kawhaka, the repairing of which took about one-seventh of the whole year. The expenditure for ordinary maintenance is greater than for the previous year by £61 9s. The increased ordinary expenditure was caused by repairs in a great number of places to the flumes throughout the whole length of the race, and one large slip in the right-hand branch of the Waimea Creek. Besides the sales of water, free water has been supplied during the year to the value of £91 7s. 4d. to claims that the owners would have had to abandon unless some assistance had been granted, and a considerable quantity of waste water has been given away for prospecting purposes, which in two instances will help to increase the revenue during the present year. Besides ordinary expenditure on maintenance, two extensive breakages in the high fluming at Kawhaka occurred. The first took place on the night of the 14th December, and repairs were not completed until the 15th January. The fluming at the point where the breakage occurred was over 50ft. in height. The second break took place on the 4th March, where the fluming was about 30ft. in height. Bepairs were effected, and the water was again turned on on the evening of the 21st March. Besides the cost of repairing the two breaks referred to (about £300), the sluicing parties at Fox's, Waimea, and Stafford could not be supplied with water for about seven weeks, and there were no sales of water during that period. Considerable repairs had to be made in the fluming at Greek's Gully and at Waimea, and during the Christmas holidays portions of the race were cleaned out and some of the tunnels timbered. Although the number of miners using water from the race is not decreasing yet the ground is apparently getting poorer year by year. After all the repairs that have been effected on the high fluming at Kawhaka it is now anything but safe. The total length of the high fluming is 70 chains, and it has now been erected nearly twenty years, and to render it absolutely safe it would require total reconstruction, J would, however, suggest that surveys be made for a new race from the pipe-line to the head of the high fluming, with the view of substituting a new race in the solid, which would entirely do away with the whole of the high fluming. The new portion of the race could be started from the pipe-line at a point 50ft. lower than the present head of the pipes, and the whole of the new portion of the race would be at a level of from 40ft. to 50ft. lower than the present one. The length of the deviation would be about three miles. If the Government could see its way, the deviation of Callaghan's branch race, down the middle branch of the Waimea Creek, should be extended into the right-hand branch of the Waimea Creek and join the present Waimea Bace there. This would do away with the necessity of maintaining the high fluming in Fox's Creek and Greek's Gully, and make the Waimea Bace more easily and more economically maintained than at present. The length of the extension would be about two miles and a half. Bbanch Eace to Callaghan's. The tank and gates at the discharge-end of the syphon on the Waimea Bace have been completed, and the whole or any portion of the water in the Waimea Bace can be turned into the old race or into the branch race towards Callaghan's as required. On the branch race towards Callaghan's three sections of ditching, each about 20 chains in length, have been constructed during the year, at a cost of £468 ss. 4d. The drainage tunnel from the Kapitea Creek to the shaft sunk on Callaghan's Flat, in which fair prospects were obtained, has been completed. The total length is 2,901 ft., and is answering well the purpose for which it was intended. A recent washing of thirty loads yielded a little over sdwt. to the load. Bbanch Bace towabds Middle Bbanch of the Waimea Ceeek. On this branch race three sections of ditching, having a total length of 43 chains, one section of fluming, 4 chains in length, and a tunnel 117 ft. in length, have been completed, at a cost of £533 4s. Certain tail-race rights that seriously interfered with this branch race have been purchased from the owner at a cost of £30. This branch race is the one I suggest should be extended a distance of about two miles and a half to the right-hand branch of the Waimea Creek, which would cut oft five miles of the old race, which contains a considerable length of high fluming and several tunnels, that cost a considerable amount annually to maintain. Kumaea Wateb-eace. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £5,582 4s. 7d., and the expenditure for maintenance was £1,917 Bs. 5d., leaving a credit balance of £3,664 16s. 2d. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was 116, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from the race was 8,3480z., valued at £32,557 4s. Besides the sales of water above referred to, water to the value of £39 4s. 4d. was supplied as subsidy on cost of race deviation. Free water to the value of £214 10s. was also supplied for opening up new claims, and to the value of £1091 10s. 3d. to assist claims having a succession of poor washings.

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In all cases where assistance was given to poor claims the value of the gold obtained from each and the expenditure on the same was fully inquired into. The total value of water supplied from the race during the year was £6,927 ss. 2d., exclusive of water for flushing purposes in the sludge-channels, water for washing down . and fire purposes, leakage, and waste. For two working-days during the year there was no water supplied from the race for sluicing, and for five working-days there was no water for the channels. Besides the above, the miners observed twenty-five holidays during the year. During the year five claims have been worked out, using forty-three sluice-heads of water, and four claims have ceased work on account of poor washings, using forty sluice-heads, making in all eighty-three sluice-heads. During the same period four new claims have been opened up, using thirty-seven sluice-heads. During the past year water was being lost over the dams on 157 separate days, and during that time the total quantity of water lost would have given a full supply to the field for 150J days if it could have been impounded. Except in long-continued dry weather and severe frosts the supply is largely in excess of the demand. To provide for working new claims, and to allow some of the old claims to continue to work, several extensions and deviations of races have been constructed during the year. One deviation, 16 chains in length, diverted the Kumara Bace from ground that was required for sluicing, and rendered unnecessary a portion of covered race passing through the State-school grounds, which was dangerous and expensive to maintain. Two considerable breakages took place during the year, and in these places ditching had to be replaced by fluming. In the month of August the Kawhaka Supply Race was blocked and considerably damaged by fallen timber. A tunnel 260 ft. in length had to be retimbered, and considerable repairs were necessary to flush-water flumes for Nos. 2 and 3 sludge channels. The 30in. steel syphons have given considerable trouble and require constant repairs, and there is but little doubt that in Kumara steel is unsuitable for pipes. While the iron pipes in use on the field for the last ten years are still in good condition, the steel pipes in use only four years are eaten through in a great number of places ; in fact, about 50 per cent, of them will have to be replaced at an early date. A start has been made in the construction of No. 4 sludge channel, and a distance of 230 ft. has been driven and timbered. A survey was made, and plans, sections, and specifications prepared for a deviation of Larrikin's Road about 100 chains in length. This work was let in five co-operative contracts, which were completed early in April, 1894, at a cost of £547 16s. 2d. A considerable amount of prospecting has been done on a continuation of the Shamrock Lead, between the working of the Long Tunnel Company and the Hokitika Road. The ground, which is about 28ft. in depth, has been driven in a few places, and the lower sft. or 6ft. give prospects of from -J-dwt. to 1-J-dwt. per load. Altogether, twenty-one shafts have been sunk, and I think the ground would give in sluicing about sgr. to the cubic yard taking the whole of the stuff, and would like to see three more shafts sunk and the whole of the stuff washed under strict supervision before giving a decided opinion. If the ground referred to proves payable for sluicing it would do a great deal towards extending for many years the life of Kumara as a goldfield. I have, &c, Alexandee Aitken, Manager Water-races. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 19. Mr. R. Mueeay, Manager, Mount Ida Water-race, to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic,— Naseby, 4th May, 1894. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Mount Ida and Blackstone Hill Eaces for the year ending the 31st March, 1894: — Mount Ida Watee-eace. The total sales of water from this race for the year amount to £1,422 9s. 3d., and the total expenditure on maintenance for the same period £1,015 10s. lid., leaving a credit of £406 18s. 4d.; and the total cash received £1,213, leaving a debit of sales of water over cash received of £209 9s. 3d. The average number of miners supplied from the race was seventy-six, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained was 2,8500z., valued at £10,876 ss. Besides the sales of water above referred to, parties of miners were supplied with free water to the value of £44 95., including water given to Guffie and Co. for damage done to their claim by a break in the race. Free water was given to help parties to cut up tail-races to new ground. The cleaning out of the race and staunching the creeks was finished shortly before Christmas. The beds of the creeks were trenched down until a solid bottom was found, and then puddled up to the level of the race with sods; and bywashes, pitched with boulders, with a fall of Ift. in 3ft., have been constructed, and gates put on the race immediately on the lower side of the by-washes to prevent the race being filled up in times

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of flood with shingle from the mountains. The by-washes are only raised about a foot above the bottom of the race, in consequence of which arrangement only Ift. of the race, where it crosses the creeks, can be filled up, enabling the maintenance-men to soon clean it out, the rest being carried over the by-wash. The season has been unusually wet; in consequence of this, coupled with the works done to the race, there has for the year been a sufficient supply to meet all demands. The whole of April, owing to the cleaning of the race, and from the 22nd June to the Ist August, on account of frost and snow, there was no water supplied from the Mount Ida Eace. Blackstone Hill Bace. The total sales of water from this race for the year was £105 19s. 4d., and the total cash received for the same period £97 17s. 4d., leaving a debit balance of £8 2s. Expenditure, nil. For the months from May to the 2nd August there was no water supplied, with the exception of £2 ls. Bd. to C. Eose in May. This race, where it crosses the Mount Ida Eace to Pegleg Gully, will have to be cleaned out in the spring. I have, &c, E. Muebay, Manager.

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APPENDIX.

No. 1. Statement showing the Revenue of the Goldfields collected in the several Districts, and the Gold Duty of the Colony of New Zealand, for the Period from the 1st January to the 31st December, 1893.

District. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses, Machine and Residence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining i Leases, Rents, i Registraand tion. Royalties. Fees and wSw Miscellaneous. Courts. Totals. Auckland. Coromandel Te Aroha Thames Ohinemuri Puhipuhi £ s. d. 138 0 0 22 10 0 158 10 0 155 10 0 11 0 0 £ s. d. 75 0 0 11 10 0 97 12 0 60 10 0 10 0 0 £ s. d. 4 8 0 15 0 £ s. d. 328 16 0 461 10 0 1,752 13 3 700 3 6 99 15 0 £ s. d. 9 11 0 2 13 0 3 10 0 5 18 0 1 18 0 £ s. d. 5 14 0 11 3 0 20 12 0 7 7 0 £ s. d. 9 11 0 6 10 0 12 6 0 34 19 0 2 14 £ s. d. 566 12 0 504 13 0 2,040 2 3 978 17 6 132 1 4 Totals .. 485 10 0 254 12 0 5 13 0 3,342 17 9 23 10 0 44 16 0 65 7 4 4,222 6 1 Nelson. Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka Lyell .. Motueka Murchison and Owen's 58 10 0 142 10 0 113 11 0 267 0 0 238 10 0 10 0 0 36 0 0 2 0 0 83 0 0 42 19 0 1 °6 0 20 10 0 5 10 0 9 4 6 13 2 0 16 10 0 12 2 6 0 15 0 2 14 6 0 10 0 6 0 0 243 10 0 235 9 6 122 4 6 160 18 0 833 5 0 9 10 0 10 0 0 8 18 0 29 7 0 11 8 0 0 5 0 1 19 0 0 7 0 4 2 0 0 19 0 8 13 0 3 11 0 10 °6 0 0 14 6 37 14 6 4 18 0 98 1 4 8 7 0 0 8 0 18 0 318 13 6 486 10 6 266 4 6 572 16 4 1,134 8 6 11 8 0 143 1 6 2 17 0 174 15 6 101° 0 0 80° 0 0 113 6 Totals .. 153 4 10 3,110 15 4 951 1 0 64 9 0 66 8 6 1,776 7 0 75 16 0 23 9 0 Marlborough. Havelock Picton 53 1 0 1 10 0 3 15 0 1 15 0 180 1 4 5 6 0 2 17 0 0 17 0 247 12 4 1 10 0 Totals .. 54 11 0 3 15 0 1 15 0 180 1 4 5 6 0 2 17 0 0 17 0 249 2 4 Westland. Hokitika and Kanieri 154 0 0 7 15 0 8 5 0 146 11 10 8 7 0 12 0 65 2 7 391 3 5 Greymouth Ross Stafford Kumara Jackson's Bay . .' Goldsborough .. Okarito 229 3 0 65 10 0 61 10 0 326 10 0 5 0 0 0 10 0 6 0 0 18 17 6 6 5 0 7 12 6 4 15 0 37 5 0 230 2 6 9 0 0 162 8 6 12 6 0 6 15 0 3 3 0 19 7 0 3 17 0 8 5 0 14 3 0 119 14 1 84 8 11 21 19 9 114 16 6 0 10 0 4 4 0 0 17 6 422 5 7 396 18 5 112 0 3 648 0 0 0 10 0 99 11 0 51 10 6 72° ia 0 31 0 0 0 10 0 6 0 0 14 °5 0 3 15 0 710 0. 7 14 0 2 6 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 Totals .. 940 5 0 25 15 0 63 15 0 592 17 10 59 18 0 28 1 0 411 13 4 2,122 5 2 Otago. Black's Tapanui Hindon Naseby Roxburgh Alexandra ) Clyde .. J Pembroke Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Waikaia Orepuki Riverton and Longwood Maerewhenua .. Wyndham Nenthorn 48 10 0 3 0 0 43 10 0 227 0 0 104 10 0 156 10 0 17 0 0 225 0 0 149 11 0 142 0 0 174 0 0 71 12 0 40 0 0 85 1 0 4 0 0 14 6 0 15 10 0 10 0 13 11 0 24 5 0 5 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 0 7 6 12 6 34 10 6 7 17 6 9 17 6 0 15 0 10 8 6 4 2 6 10 12 6 16 12 6 5 5 0 209 12 6 24 1 3 571 14 6 651 13 0 246 15 6' 4 17 0 429 5 5 647 2 9 319 10 10 695 2 2 5 3 0 5 19 0 0 10 0 0 16 0 16 9 0 7 3 0 11 9 0 0 9 0 17 11 0 10 8 0 16 6 0 11 8 0 8 9 0 4 10 0 0 6 0 10 10 0 15 16 0 20 1 0 9 4 0 0 2 0 7 13 0 12 3 0 1 15 0 0 5 6 2 14 0 4 19 0 58 13 0 42 7 0 0 18 0 19 19 0 39 11 0 34 0 0 16 4 0 0 8 0 283 7 0 4 3 6 72 9 9 882 3 0 845 12 6 502 10 0 24 19 0 724 18 11 880 17 3 535 12 4 929 19 8 97 2 0 40 0 0 465 12 6 12 10 0 16 17 6 322° 4 6 11 °6 0 14 15 0 2 - is 0 3S 0 0 3 0 0 13 0 0 0 5 0 4 2 6 0 5 0 40 7 0 63 13 01 4 14 0 1 11 0 3 19 0 0 10 0 19 0 15 2 0 92 16 6 84 1 0 13 0 0 Totals .. 1,541 4 0 99 11 0 127 6 6 4,234 2 5' 124 9 0 107 4 0 245 8 0 6,479 4 11 Grand Totals.. 3,972 11 0 448 2 0 264 18 0 10,126 6 4i 288 19 0 ;200 7 0 876 10 6 16,183 13 10

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No. 2. Statement showing the Revenue of the Goldfields collected in the several Districts, and the Gold Duty of the Colony of New Zealand, for the Period from 1st January to 31st March, 1894.

District. Miners' Bights. Business Licenses, Machine am Eesidence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining Leases, Bents, and Boyalties. Eegistration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Coromandel Te Aroha Ohinemuri Thames Puhipuhi £ s. d. 35 0 0 10 10 0 25 0 0 31 0 0 10 0 £ s. d. 28 0 0 18 0 0 10 5 0 £ s. d. o io o £ s. d. 121 18 0 204 5 0 358 2 9 178 13 3 £ s. d. 13 0 0 10 0 2 6 0 0 10 0 £ s. d. 0 6 0 8 10 0 0 8 0 £ s. d. 0 13 0 10 0 36 18 0 4 16 0 0 16 £ s. d. 177 0 0 210 5 0 448 16 9 232 2 3 116 Totals 9 4 0 43 8 6 1,075 5 6 92 10 0 62 5 0 0 10 0 862 19 0 4 9 0 Nelson. Motueka Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Reef ton Wangapeka Lyell Murchison 0 10 0 19 10 0 43 10 0 30 10 0 64 10 0 60 10 0 0 10 0 6 10 0 12 0 0 12 ii 0 1 10 0 0 15 0 3 2 0 4 0 0 7 12 6 2 7 6 0 5 0 0 12 6 0 17 6 65 15 0 44 9 0 6 19 0 38 8 0 94 0 0 0 2 0 1 10 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 8 10 1 19 0 0 10 0 13 0 0 17 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 3 11 4 17 8 0 1 13 6 43 7 6 1 15 0 0 12 0 91 5 4 124 16 6 45 7 6 163 9 0 161 19 6 0 16 0 44 19 6 15 0 0 18 0 36 15 0 0 18 6 0 9 0 0 7 0 Totals 238 0 0 14 1 0 19 12 6 287 4 6 18 8 0 2 8 0 68 11 4 648 5 4 Marlborough. Havelock Picton 10 10 0 0 10 0 2 0 0 0 15 0 86 12 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 107 3 0 0 10 0 Totals 17 0 0 0 4 0 107 13 0 2 0 0 0 15 0 86 12 0 10 0 0 2 0 Westland. Hokitika and Kanieri 48 10 0 4 10 0 10 0 5 12 0 2 3 0 0 8 0 20 11 4 82 14 4 Greymouth Ross Stafford.. Okarito Kumara Goldsborough Jackson's Bay 08 10 0 15 10 0 21 10 0 9 0 0 72 0 0 18 10 0 3 0 0 7 10 0 10 0 2 5 0 14 0 0 13 10 0 14 0 0 02 10 0 96 0 0 4 18 0 2 0 0 0 18 0 0 7 0 5 14 0 17 0 0 1 0 0 8 0 18 18 6 0 12 0 5 18 6 116 16 0 32 13 0 44 19 6 73 17 0 201 16 10 23 17 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 °7 0 3 0 0 5 18 0 19 °7 10 1 0 0 Totals .. 253 10 0 11 0 0 16 2 0 205 12 0 17 7 0 6 15 0 66 8 2 576 14 2 Otago. Black's Tapanui Hindon Naseby Alexandra 1 Clyde ..J Roxburgh Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Orepuki Riverton and Longwood Pembroke Maerewhenua Waikaia Wyndham Nenthorn 19 10 0 0 10 0 10 0 0 52 0 0 27 0 0 17 0 0 49 10 0 33 10 0 26 0 0 26 10 0 18 0 0 24 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 0 12 0 10 0 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 11 5 0 17 0 1 12 6 2 7 6 0 15 0 3 15 0 3 12 6 65 5 0 5 i6 0 169 6 6 140 4 0 123 10 0 50 3 5 242 11 0 79 8 3 89 15 2 1 15 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 4 16 0 4 0 0 13 0 5 10 3 16 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 7 13 0 3 0 0 4 7 0 3 11 0 1 15 0 2 19 0 0 5 0 0 16 0 5 0 0 14 0 90 0 0 0 13 0 16 13 0 246 2 0 177 1 0 143 16 6 112 0 11 294 17 0 113 18 3 126 5 8 13 0 0 112 10 6 0 10 0 0 9 0 3 0 0 2 17 6 79 °5 0 2 17 0 0 ii 0 7 0 0 11 10 0 18 10 0 10 0 10 0 i io o 2 0 0 1 15 0 10 0 8 17 0 17 0 1 10 0 0 2 0 0 7 0 15 0 0 8 0 0 9 0 10 0 0 10 0 10 8 3 0 22 15 0 24 16 0 4 9 0 10 0 oil 0 Totals 337 10 0 21 2 0 32 2 6 1,058 4 4 31 10 0 25 5 0 2 7 6 1,508 1 4 Grand Totals .. 938 10 0 110 8 0 69 2 0 3,915 19 4 2,500 11 10 72 14 0 43 14 0 180 19 6

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No. 3. Comparative Return of Revenue derived from the Goldfields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1892 and 1893, showing Increase or Decrease under each Head of Revenue.

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District. Miners' Bights. Business Licenses, &c. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining Leases, Bents, and Boyalties. Eegistration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscel- Gold i.-,.,.,. ' laneous. Duty. totals. .UOKLAND — £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Year 1892 567 411 51 2,512 25 25 166 4,616 8,373 Year 1893 486 255 6 3,343 24 45 65 .4,909 9,133 Increase 831 20 293 760 Decrease .. 81 156 45 1 101 Vellington— Year 1892 Y'ear 1893 Increase .. Decrease .. Ielson — 985 33 S3 2,188 91 38 3,640 Year 1892 222 Year 1893 951 64 00 1,776 76 23 153 3,109 Increase 31 Decrease .. 34 17 412 15 15 69 533 Xablborough— 199 14 319 Year 1892 94 3 7 2 Year 1893 55 4 2 180 5 3 1 250 Increase .. 4 Decrease .. 39 1 19 2 11 1 69 Vestland— 1,063 51 062 2,085 Year 1892 73 73 29 134 Year 1893 940 26 61 593 60 28 412 2,123 Increase .". 278 38 Decrease .. 123 25 9 69 13 1 )TAG0— 3,682 120 130 6,023 Year 1892 1,643 100 138 204 Year 1893 1,541 100 127 4,234 124 107 245 6,478 Increase .. 552 41 455 Decrease .. 102 11 2 23 Total Increase .. 883 148 293 653 Total Decrease .. 379 146 88 33 80

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No. 4. Comparative Return of the Total Amounts of Goldfields Revenue (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the Years 1892 and 1893, and the Quarters ending 31st March, 1893 and 1894 respectively, showing the Increase or Decrease in respect of each District.

No. 5. Return of Gold Duty credited to Local Bodies for the Year ended 31st December, 1893, and Quarter ended 31st March, 1894.

Eobeet J. Collins, The Treasury, 3rd May, 1894. Accountant to the Treasury.

Years 1892 and 1893. Juan :ers em ling March, 1894. 1, am [arc] District. 1892. 1893. Increase. Decrease, 1893. 1894. Increase. Decrease. Auckland. Coromandel Te Aroha Thames Puhipuhi Ohinemuri £ 632 790 2,187 150 £ 567 505 2,040 132 979 £ £ 65 285 147 18 £ 147 267 502 3 £ 177 216 232 1 449 £ 30 £ 51 270 2 °979 449 Nelson. 6 321 560 205 582 1,765 10 84 108 3 319 486 266 573 1,134 11 143 175 3 2 74 2 115 103 81 223 498 2 50 67 1 91 125 45 163 162 1 45 15 1 24 Motueka Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka Lyell Murchison and Owen's .. °°61 9 631 °°22 36 60 336 1 5 52 1 59 67 Marlborough. Havelock 319 250 69 75 108 33 Westland. Hokitika .. \ Kanieri .. J Srcymouth Ross Stafford Okarito 455 429 358 135 91 512 3 100 391 422 397 112 52 648 1 100 °39 64 7 94 112 49 29 11 247 83 117 33 45 74 202 5 11 °°16 °°23 39 °°16 63 Kumara lackson's Bay .. Goldsborough i36 45 2 "°34 °°24 "lO Otago. 170 1,607 72 1,105 98 442 22 344 17 330 5 8 Hindon Naseby and Black's Alexandra .. ) Olyde .. J Roxburgh Oromwell Arrowtown Queenstown Pembroke Lawrence Waikaia Tapanui Orepuki and Longwood .. Maerewhenua Wyndham Nenthorn 353 627 461 584 814 28 736 178 6 262 102 82 503 845 725 536 881 25 930 97 4 500 93 84 13 150 218 264 °°67 48 3 117 248 120 243 392 6 104 35 1 82 27 7 177 144 112 114 295 8 126 25 1 126 23 5 60 2 22 104 8 129 97 °i94 °°81 2 10 °244 °°44 9 4 2 2 13 Wellington. Wellington Canterbury. Christchurch Totals 15,812 16,185 2,494 2,121 4,459 3,918 746 1,187 Net decrease 373 441

Local Body. For the Year ended 31st December, 1893. For the Quarter ended 31st March, 1894. Counties— Coromandel Ohinemuri Piako Thames Tuapeka Borough— Thames £ s. d. 714 11 3 2,265 1 3 62 0 4 1,200 5 11 0 2 0 £ s. d. 149 13 5 689 7 2 11 6 11 372 12 1 667 10 0 205 1 7 Totals .. 4,909 10 9 1,428 1 2

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No. 6. RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty* for Exportation from New Zealand from 1st April, 1857, to 31st December, 1893.

Department of Trade and Customs, W. T. GLASGOW, Wellington, 17th January, 1893. Secretary and Inspector.

No. 7. COMPARATIVE RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty* for Exportation from New Zealand for the Years ended 31st December, 1893 and 1892.

Department of Trade and Customs, W. T. GLASGOW, Wellington, 17th January, 1894. Secretary and Inspector.

Produce op the Goldfields in During the Quarter ended 31st December, 1893. Entered for Exportation to the 30th September, 1893. Total entered for Exportation from New Zealand to the 31st December, 1893. County or Borough. District. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. County of Coromandel „ Thames „ Ohinemuri.. Piako Borough of Thames .. 1- Auckland I Oz. 657 3,005 6,972 217 960 £ 2,720 12,488 29,401 887 3,994 Oz. Oz. £ 1,776,018 6,673,866 11,811 49,490 1,764,207 0,624,376 County of Hutt Wellington 188 706 188 706 County of Marlborough Marlborough 200 800 78,447 304,935 78,647 305,735 County of Collingwood „ Waimea .. [ Nelson 1,663,174 6,596,125 1,663,174 6,596,125 County of Buller Inangahua.. Grey Westland .. Borough of Kumara .. „ Hokitika .. „ Ross r West Coast J 5,769 5,342 4,246 7,686 234 104 1,274 23,079 21,385 10,982 30,745 937 414 5,096 Canterbury 24,655 98,638 3,960,522 15,742,193 3,985,177 15,840,831 County of Taieri „\ Tuapeka „ Vincent Maniototo .. „ Waihemo .. „ Waitaki „ Lake „ Wallace Waikouaiti „ Bruce Fiord „ Southland .. 24 96 24 96 223 5,381 3,769 2,136 372 803 3,425 1,154 207 30 27 765 857 21,706 15,230 8,651 1,461 3,311 13,866 4,668 831 123 108 3,084 Otago 18,292 73,896 5,013,465 19,809,260 5,031,757 19,883,156 Unknown .. 122 484 122 484 Totals 54,958 222,824 12,480,149 49,078,175 12,535,107 j 49,300,999 * Gold duty abolished in the South Island on the 31st March, 1891, by " The Gold Duty Abolition Act, 1890."

Produce of the Goldfields in THE District of During the Quarter ended— Totals for Year 1893. Totals for Year 1892. 31st March, 30th June, 30th Septcm- 31st Decem1893. 1893. ber, 1893. ber, 1893. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland Marlborough.. Nelson West Coast .. Otago Unknown Oz. 7,221 528 1,193 27,512 15,492 Oz. 10,962 337 507 21,172 25,651 Oz. 15,720 1,100 445 25,788 18,225 Oz. 11,811 200 Oz. 45,714 2,165 2,145 99,127 77,660 £ 180,553 8,644 8,187 396,516 313,238 Oz. 45,555 3,898 2,535 103,106 82,933 52 £ 183,655 15,429 9,604 412,383 333,467 206 24,655 18,292 Totals for 1893 51,946 58,629 61,278 54,958 226,811 913,138 Totals for 1892 61,366 57,335 53,346 66,032 238,079 954,744 * Gold duty abolished in the South Island on the 31st March, 1891, by " The Gold Duty Abolition Act, 1890."

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No. 8. RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty* for Exportation from New Zealand from 1st April, 1857, to 31st March, 1894.

No. 9. Comparative Return for the Quarters ended 31st March, 1894, and 31st March, 1893.

Department of Trade and Customs, W. T. GLASGOW, Wellington, 14th April, 1894. Secretary and Inspector.

Produce of the Goldfields in During the Quarter ended 31st Mar., 1894. Entered fob Exportation to the 31st Dec, 1893. Total entered for Exportation to the 31st Mar., 1894. County or Borough. District. Qu'ntity Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. 1,497 3,053 6,894 109 1,780 £ 6,266 15,220 28,416 458 7,319 Oz. Oz. bounty of Coromandel.. Thames Ohinemuri .. „ Piako borough of Thames ■ - Auckland bounty of Hutt Wellington J.3,933 57,679 1,770,018 6,673,866 1,789,951 6,731,545 188 700 188 706 .ounty of Marlborough Marlborough 625 2,497 78,647 305,735 79,272 308,232 bounty of Collingwood.. bounty of Waimea I Nelson I 1,149 78 4,286 289 1,663,174 0,596,125 6,600,700 1,227 4,575 — 1,664,401 .ounty of Buller „ Inangahua .. „ Grey „ Westland 3orough of Kumara „ Hokitika .. Ross I West Coast J I 3,434 8,274 7,307 7,155 217 87 841 13,737 33,090 29,227 28,621 868 348 3,383 Canterbury 27,315 1109,260 3,985,177 [ 15,840,831 4,012,492 15,950,091 bounty of Taieri Tuapeka „ Vincent „ Maniototo .. „ Waihemo „ Waikouaiti ..j Waitaki ,, Lake Wallace Fiord „ Bruce „ Southland .. Stewart Island 24 96 24 96 Otago 103 5,451 5,580 4,203 524 51 691 3,491 1,390 72 76 995 50 421 22,029 22,557 17,309 1,971 200 2,836 14,101 5,634 283 302 4,025 200 22,737 91,868 5,031,757 19,883,156 5,054,494 19,975,024 Totals Unknown 122 484 122 484 05,837 1265,879 12,535,107 49,300,999 12,600,944 49,566,87! * Gold duty abo: lished in the South Isli snd on thi 31st March, 1891, by " Thi Gold Duty AI lolition Act, 11 >.'■

Quarter ended (1st March, 1894. Quarter ended list March, 1893. District of Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland larlborough felson .. Vest Coast Itago i Oz. 13,933 625 1,227 27,315 22,737 £ 57,679 2,497 4,575 109,260 91,868 Oz. 7,221 528 1,193 27,512 15,492 £ 29,220 2,104 4,621 110,048 62,804 Totals 05,837 265,879 51,946 208,797

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No. 10. Statement showing the Price of Gold per Ounce, Price charged per Ton for Crushing Quartz or Cement, and Prices charged for Water per Sluice-head per Week, during the Year ending 31st March, 1894.

Mining District. Price of Gold per Ounce. Price charged per Ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. • Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Eemarks, £ s. d. 2 15 0 2 12 0 6s. to £2 17s. 5s. to £2 15s. £ s. d. 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 7 6 £ s. d. .UCKLAND — North Hauraki South Hauraki Ohinemuri Te Aroha Puhipuhi 3 0 0 Govt, sluice-head. Iarlboro —Pelorus and Wairau 3 17 0 Ielson — Wangapeka Motueka.. Charleston Inangahua Collingwood Westport Murchison Lyell .. £3 5s. to £3 15s. 3 14 0 3 17 0 3 18 0 3 14 6 3 19 0 3 17 0 1 17 0 8s. to 10s. 2 15 0 Vestland —Hokitika and Kanieri) Waimea.. J Totara and Ross Stafford 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 0 12 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 10 0 40in. 40in. 20in. by 2in., one sluiee-head. Government head. 20in. by 2in. 40in. Greymouth Kumara Ahaura Okarito .. 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 0 10 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 i •tago— Hindon Tuapeka.. Dunstan.. Longwood 3 17 6 3 18 6 0 15 0 3 0 0 3 i6 6 10 0 Per Govt, head, 40in. by lin. Ditto. Orepuki and Roundhill Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) and Queenstown Mount Ida .. ] Macrae's, Hyde .. [ Hamilton, Serpentine ) Maerewhenua Cromwell 3 18 6 3 17 6 3 17 0 12s. 6d. to 15s. 0 15 0 1 10 0 3 17 0 3 17 0 0 12 0 1 10 0 17 0 At Criffel the raceowners take half the yield of gold. Waikaia Tapanui Wyndham Roxburgh Clyde and Alexandra Black's Waikawa and Fortrose 3 10 0 3 15 0 3 12 0 3 17 0 3 17 0 3 17 0 3 18 0

No. 11. Return showing the Average Prices of Provisions and Live-stock for the Year ending 31st March, 1894.

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Live-stock. Meat. 3 E 6 I « Q3> B3 I ■spa 3 10 3 ,2 o O 3 s I 93 'Ste is o o a. OQ a 02 43 3 3 o 3 u O a. s -0 O « O c Mining District, 41 n on i I I I \ I ' I Per 1001b. Per Im. bushel. Per head. Per head. Per lb. Perl lb. Per qt. Per lb. j Per. hhd. Pel gall. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per head. Per head. Per head. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per gallon. Auckland — Ohinemuri North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi Marlborough — Queen Charlotte Sound ) Pelorus .. jWairau .. j Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Lyell Murchison Westport Charleston Ahaura Westland — Stafford Waimea .. \ Hokitika and Kanieri f Ross Okarito Kumara Greymouth Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyde .. } Alexandra Roxburgh Black's Queenstown Wyndham Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Mount Ida Nenthorn Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood .. Maerewhenua 80/-100/ 95/ 90/ 90/ 27/ 25/ 28/ 27/ d. 1* li 14 li /9 1/ 1/ 9 6 /10 6 /6 /7 /9 /6 1/10 1/10 1/10 1/10 10/6 12/ 9/ 10/6 2/9 3/6 4/ 2/9 £ 6 6 7 6 7/ 6/ 12/ 7/ £ 10 4-50 8-50 10 15/ 12/ 15/ 15/ 35/ 9/-30/ 40/ 35/ d. 6 5 44 d. 4 6 4 4 d. 5 6 0 5 d. 3 0 4 3 d. 34 3 3* d. 1 1 1 1 d. 3i 3 3 2/ 3/ 1/6-3/ 2/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 18/ 6/6 15/-35/ 18/ •• ■ ■ •• 100/ 30/ 2 1/ /10 /8 2/ 13/6 ±1 3 20/ 10 10/ 20/ 2/6 6/ 5/6-25; ii! 150/ 100/ 120/ 120/ 105/ 130/ 105/ 25/ 25/ 25/ 25/ 26/ 26/ 25/ 1* 2 2 10 2* 14 2 2 /6-/8 1/3 1/-1/6 1/ 1/3 1/3-1/6 1/3 /7 /6 1/ 1/-1/6 /10 1/ 1/3 1/ P /8 /8 /8 /9 /8 /8 /9 2/ 1/9 1/6-2/ 2/ 2/ 1/9-2/ 1/6 11/-13/ 8/6 12/6 17/ 17/ 14/ 12/6 15/ 3/ 3/6 3/6 8/ 7/6 5/6 5/6 5/ 4-7 5 7-10 5 5-7 8 9 6-8 10/-40/ 10/-15/ 10/ 20/ 15/ 2/6 8-20 12-18 10-30 10-15 3-20 10-50 20-30 10-30 7/-12/ 9/-11/ 10/-12/ 12/ 10/-13/ 17/ 16/ 13/-20/ 10/-60/ 5/-40/ 60/ 45/ 10/-50/ 60/ 30/ 60/-80/ 3 5 6 0 4* 0 0 5 3 3 5 4 6 6 5 4 6 7 0 5 0 8 9 2 1 , 4 4 6 0 6 6 6 2 4 4 3* 3 5 4 14 2 2 2 2 14 l 2 24 4 4 4 'li 4 5 34 2/-3/6 2/6 3/ 2/6-3/ 2/-3/ 2/6 2/-3/6 2/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/6 7/ 5/6-8/ 7/ 16/ 21/-28; 18/ 61-12/ 24/ 16/ . 18 / 100/ 100/ 110/ 60/ 120/ 90/ 30/ 25/ 24/6 39/ 23/6 25/ 2 2 2 6 14 14 1/6 1/6 1/3 1/6 2/ 1/ 1/3 /10 1/ 1/ 1/3 1/ /8 /8 /8 /9 /10 /6 2/ 2/ 1/6-2/ 1/6 1/6 1/6-2/ 16/ 15/-20/ 16/ 20/ 18/ 9/6 6/6 4/6 6/ 6/ 5/ 3/3 1 10/ 512/ 4-6 7 7-10 7-11 10/-20/ 10/ 5/ 10/ 10/ 10/-15/ 5-20 6-20 10-20 10-16 10-30 3/10-18 15/-20/ 12/-18/ 12/-16/ 16/ 15/ 12/6-20/ 15/-80/ 30/-80/ 40/-G0/ 40/ 40/-100/ 30/-55/ S 8 8 5 5 0 8 6 7 5 5 6 8 8 8 0 8 7 6 6 4 0 0 4 4 4 4 6 3 3 3 4 2 2 2 1_ 44 o 4 0 5 3 3/ 2/-3/ 2/-2/6 3/ 2/ 2/ 6/6 6.-7/ 6/ 7/6 6/ 5/ 24/ 20/-30; 20/-30; 20/-30, 22/ 15/ 140/ 90/ 100/ 120/ 110/ 120/ 110/ 100/ 120/ 26/ 24/ 23/ 14 ii ii 2 1/ /9 1/ 1/3 1/ /9 1/ 1/ /8 /7 /6 /8 /8 /8 /9 /8 /9 1/8 1/6-2/ 2/ •1/9 1/9 1/9 1/6 2/ 1/9 2/ 12/-15/ 8/ 9/ 11/ 14/ 12/ 13/ 10/ 10/ 10/ 3/6 2/3-2/6 2/ 4/ 3/6 4/ 2/6 2/6 2/6 2/6 2/4 3/ 2/3 6 5/ 1 10/ 3 10°/' - 5-30 2-27 2-6 9 10/6 5/-30/ 2/6-14/ 9/ 5/-35/ 10/-60/ 50/ 4 4 6 4 4 4 4 6 4 6 6 4 3 3 0 3 3 4 34 2 li 1 2 4 3 3i 4 2/6 2/ 2/ 2/3 2/6 2/6 2/6 2/-3/ 2/ 2/-3/ 6/ 5/6 6/ 5/6 5/ 5/ 5/ 6/ 6/6 6/ 17/-25, 18/ 18/ 20/ 18/ 20/ 16/-30/ 16/ 16/-35/ 30/ 2 1/ 5 4-25 7/-20/ 60/ 5 4 8 5 3 14 4 28/ 30/ 28/ 25/ 30/ 14 7 2 14 2 1/ 1/ 1/3 1/ 1/3 1/ /10 /10 /8 1/ 1/ 1/ /10 1/ /10 /8 4 5 5 10/ 5 5 10/ 5/ 4-25 4-25 10-30 5-30 10-30 6/-15/ 8/-20/ 3/-15/ 11/6 3/-15/ 59/ 60/ 25/ 45/ 25/ 5 5 7 4 6 4 0 3 6 7 8 7 0 7 5 5 0 4 0 24 3 3 3 3 i* 14 2 1 2 3i 4 3 3 3 115/ 25/-60/ 1| /7 /8 /6 /7 1/4-2/3 1/6 2/ 1/9 9/ 10/ 12/ 9/ 4-7 10/ 14 10/ 40/ 3J 4 5 4 3 li 34 2/-3/6 2/6 2/-3/ 2/6 5/-7/6 6/ 6/ 6/ 26/-30/ 18/ 24/ 120/ 90/ 100/ 24/ 27/ 26/ 14 14 ii 5-7 5-8 5 20/ 6-12 10-18 12 10/ 10/ 8/-16/ .9/ 10/-40/ 40/ 30/ 0 5 44 4 5 3 G 0 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 1 3 4 3i 4 •• ••

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No. 12. Table showing the Average Rate of Wages per Week for the Year ending 31st March, 1894.

Mining District. General Managers. Legal Managers. Mining Managers. Engineers. Enginedrivers. Stokers. Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Miners. Labourers. Boys. Chinese. Agricultural Labourers. Domestic Servants. Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri £ s. d. £5 to £10 £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 £ s. d. 5 0 0 5 0 0 £ s. d. 3 10 0 3 10 0 £ s. d. 3 0 0 £2 10/ to £3 £ s. d. 2 16 0 2 8 0 £ s. d. 2 17 0 2 8 0 £ s. d. 2 14 0 2 8 0 £ s. a. 2 8 0 2 5 0 2 8 0 £ s. d. 2 0 0 1 16 0 £ s. d. 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ £ s. d. £ s. d. 1 10 0 1 10 0 7/ to 10/ 7/ to 10/ £5 to £10 i "o 0 4 '6 0 3 io 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 °8 0 2°°5 0 10/ to 15/ l'i6 0 8/ Marlborough — ■ Wairau .. ) Pelorus Nil 10 0 I 3 15 0 1 10 0 Nil 10/ a day 12/ a day 9/ a day 7/ a day 7/6 to 10/ Nil 15 0 8/ to 12/ Nelson — Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell .. Ahaura Murchison Wangapeka Motueka 5 0 0 £6 to £8 1 10 0 £1 to £3 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 3 10 0 £310/ to £5 2 14 0 3 10 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 £3 10/ to £410/ 3 0 0 3 10 0 4 15 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 £2 5/ to £2 15/ 2 14 0 £3 10/ to £410/ 3 0 0 3 10 0 4 4 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 16 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £1 10/ to £2 3 0 0 6/ a day £110/ to £210/ 10 0 10/ to 20/ 2 10 0 £1 to £110/ 1 10 0 10 0 £2 to £2 10/ 15 0 1 10 0 15 0 6/ a day 8/ to 15/ 15/ 10/ 10/ to 20/ 10/ 8/to 12/ 10/ 6/ to 10/ o'is 0 3 0 0 - j 3 io 0 3 0 0 1°10 0 .. 5 0 0 4 '6 0 3 0 0 3 °6 0 o'is 0 3/ to 5/ a day 1 15 0 Westland — Waimea and Stafford .. Hokitika and Kanieri .. Ross Kumara Greymouth Okarito 4 °6 0 4 10 0 10 0 15 0 1 10 0 10 0 £4 to £5 5 0 0 3 10 0 £4 to £6 4 0 0 5 '6 0 £4 to £5 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 £3 to £3 10/ 3 0 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 3 12 0 3 10 0 10/ to 14/ a day 3 12 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £2 10/ to £3 £2 10/ to £3 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £2 10/ to £3 8/ to 10/ a day 3 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 £1 10/ to £2 £1 to £1 10/ 10/ to 12/ 0 16 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 £1 10/ to £2 10 0 £1 to £1 10/ 2 10 0 2 10 0 l'io 0 £1 to £2 15/ 10/ to 20/ 10/ to 15/ 7/ to 10/ 7/ to 15/ 16/ £4 to £5 15 0 Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyde .. ) Alexandra Black's Roxburgh Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood Arrow Queenstown Mount Ida Maerewhenua.. Wyndham 4 0 0 £3 to £6 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 £1 to £2 10°/' 12/6 12/6 12/6 ' 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0| 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 £3 to £310/ 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 °6 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 io 0 2 °5 0 2 io 0 2 8 0 2 8.0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 10 0 3 5 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 £3 to £310/ 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £2 8/ to £214/ 2 8 0 3 10 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 1 16 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 10 0 5/ to 10/ 10/ to 15/ 17 6 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 10/ to 15/ 0 15 0 10/ to £1 10/ to £1 0 15 0 0 10 0 £1 to £1 5/ 15/ to £1 14 0 15 0 15 0 15 0 15/ to £1 1 10 0 £1 to £1 10/ £1 to £1 10/ 2 8 0 10 0 £1 to £1 5/ 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 £1 to £1 5/ £1 to £1 5/ 10 0 10 0 0 15 0 15/ 10/ to 12/6 8/to 10/ 9/ 7/6 to 15/ 7/6 to 15/ 7/6 to 12/6 8/to 10/ 10/ 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ 8/ to 10/ 10/ 15/ 10 0 10 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 £310/ to £4 3 0 0 6 0 0 4 '6 0 4 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 io 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 l'°0 0 3 '6 0 2 \5 0 2 io 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 ••

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No. 13. Number of Machines employed in Alluvial and Quartz-mining, and the Value thereof, for the Year ending 31st March, 1894.

64

■chi] iery emplo; ■ert in Alluvi ;al [Irjii 'g. Ml shil lery em] iloyed ii Qui irtz. ill ling. Mining District. Stcamengines employed winding, crushing, &c. CO s 3 In o ea a 3 *3 3 to CD m o to ft p T3 3 03 . o °-? ~o co ""2 CD P .23 a S CD A E« u CD P to 5 n o H »a CO ■a .2 3r3 So a a 3■ o o 3 S3 5 ~-i 33 3 3 flO 3*3 IB 0 fl a .9 'C o n Steamengines employed winding, crushing, &c. cd o o d to 3 2 CO 3 o to a CD ■5 a a DQ ™ O o ■ w oa p en <D Pn u c to ft P Approximate Value of all Mining Plant included in this Return. ~ I AggreNo.J gate I 11.Pto 3 3 P CO a, 3 3 oi 0 bp ■a (0 CO I CD n AggreNo. gate h.p. jj 5 P CO M o 'S u o n 3 3 ■3 ■- o n .UCKLAND — Ohinemuri North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi 4 8 12 1 171 20( 351 11 11 27 8 149 122 340 20 60 30 233 5 £ 33,000 30,000 60,000 2,000 •• Totals 241 720 57 631 40 328 125,000 Iarlborough— Wakamarina Cullen's Creek Waikakaho Other places 30 59 16 50 10 2 6 2 6 i 250 750 10,000 200 A Totals 154 18 S " •• 1 A 11,200 Ielson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Lyell Murchison Westport Ahaura 80 86 660 53 1,763 2,642 '2 12 "l 70 12 2 23 613 50 1 2 32 i 17 21 2 418 20 21 3 340 35 17 2 *2 8 86 2,300 148,760 3,000 *8 1 2 4 i 13 3 1 25 10 3 1 5,000 4,800 i Totals 8 21 721 2 53 45 1 38 420 48 410 23 2 8 65 163,860 Vestland — Stafford Ross Hokitika and Kanieri Greymouth Kumara Okarito h "39 2 4 2 18 10,000 60 95 1,900 150 20 6 4 1 2 6 1 700 40 60 700 92 1 3 30 1 o 12 '6 1 80 '5 " .. " I .. 5 i 50,000 14,000 7,000 11,500 3,000 7,450 "l 20 .. .. '2 '135 1 2 18 Totals 4 174 9 44 12,225 20 1,593 34 5 37 81 5 1 5 1 92,950 ITAGO— Tapanui Hindon .. Tuapeka Cromwell Clyde and Alexandra Roxburgh Black's Orepuki and Longwood Waikaia (Switzer's) Arrow Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's Hamilton's and Sowburn Hyde and Fullerton's Macrae's, StrathTaieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine St. Bathan's, Ida Valley, &e. Maerewhenua Wyndham 1 '2 2 "30 2 1 1! 1 1 1 25 20 500 460 700 750 170 200 300 400 15 3 3 2 3 2 11 ! 5 7* 9 6i 4 43 50 60 30 4 4 3 1 3 8 1 7 13 'i i 4 '2 i 1 "SO "20 4 8 6 2 6 8 2 1 4 7 35 25 31 23 14 2 10 100 2 1 1 2 i 1 3 '2 1 1 130 9,500 8,000 14,800 43,460 76,000 32,000 3,200 900 16,000 75,000 598! 380 00' 00 11,480 650 2,500 ••1 •• 150 50 I ~2 1 •I •• " | Totals 3 32 I 6' 154 4,123 80 572 i 45| 1 I 30 1 I 11 172 34 300 13 3 1 293,620 sum: ARY. lUckland Iarlborough Telson Vestland .. )tago I .. .. i! '.; i 4 176 3 32, i J 7 ! 208 I , I :: 's .. 9 ,1-1-..23 I 44 154 154[ 2,642 12,225 4,123; | IS '.. 8 21 721 .. 201,593 34 i 80 572 45 139 2,886 ' 87 2 53 .. 5 37j 30 30 ..; 1; 37 90 31 ! .. .. 24 45 1 38 5 .. .. ! 501 1 73 I 720 57 1 420 48 1 172 34 I 1 1,312141 631 40 ..! .. ..1828 A .. .. .. .. .. 410 23 2 3 ..! 65 5 1 : .. 300 18 3 1 .. .. 77' S' 4 ..393 125,000 11,200 103,860 92,950 293,620 Totals 198 636,630 19,144|

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No. 14. Table showing approximately the Number, Description, and Value of the Water-races, Tail-races, Dams, Reservoirs, and Ground-sluices in Operation during the Year ending 31st March, 1894.

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Wal Tail--races. LUIS. Eesi jrvoirs. Groui id-sluices. ter-races. Approximate Total Cost. Mining District. No. Length in Miles. No. of Sluiceheads. Approximate Cost. No. Approximate Cost. No. Approximate Cost. No. Approximate Cost. No. Approximate Cost. Auckland — Hauraki North .. Hauraki South .. Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri £ 1,750 5,000 5,000 £ £ £ £ £ 1,750 5,000 5,000 17 8 4 5 4| 30 34 10 'l2 ief 89 13',950 "l 1,000 "2 l'800 16,750 Totals 41 31 169 25,700 1 1,000 1,800, 28,501 Marlborough— Polorus .. 12 25 45 2,000 15 250 13 200 2,451 Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell .. Murchison Ahaura .. Motueka 12 82 242 150 86 31 62 641 4 12 104 182 80 104 25 60 602 li 32 526 1,778 80 747 114 268 2,157 550 89,051 44,285 12,000 15,513 5,232 9,146 104,972 10 136 446 176 132 11 47 713 2,000 1,950 25,273 5,000 13,422 430 1,446 09,340 2 42 500 257 260 22 40 630 3 60 2,955 18,723 6,000 14,207 1,140 1,050 19,170 2 'i 3,000 i 80 '5 3,000 2,610 94,501 88,281 29,000 43,142 6,802 11,642 193,482 2 Totals 1,310 1,170} 5,702 281,349 1,671 118,861 1,756 63,307 3,000 81 3,005 469,522 Westland —■ Hokitika & Kanieri Ross Kumara Greymouth Okarito Stafford.. 320 120 195 209 40 800 254 85 110 264 39 500 402 250 380 577 200 1,500 15,000 24,770 24,600 21,203 185 20,000 253 160 190 094 18 GOO 2,000 1,700 15,100 9,400 100 10,000 267 77 70 864 12 600 1,500 2,060 5,000 8,070 240 8,000 11 7,000 50 45 620 700 18,500 29,150 52,400 38,073 537 43,500 50 2,500 'i 600 12 3,000 1,890 24,870 096 4,332 182,700 Totals 1,744 1,252 3,309 105,758 1,915 38,300' 61 9,500 Otago:— Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Clyde & Alexandra Black's Arrow Roxburgh Cromwell Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn & Clarke's Hamilton's and Sowburn Hyde & Pullerton's Macrae's, StrathTaieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Maerewhcnua Wyndham 45 304 5 172 122 90 145 368 90 275 100 60 800 8} 463 474 175 326 985 265 320 150 145 1,777 10 547 518} 225 968 1,220 379 596 450 6,500 16,000 130 25,340 37,450 14,000 28,000 08,364 9,000 18,000 50,000 15 385 3 112 110 175 70 208 150' 150 1 125 750 7,700 30 7,400 7,000 4,750! 5,000j 10,400 3,045 6,600 4,500 30 265 2 65 80 25 62 124 101 150 30 950 5,300 30 6,500 7,500 1,400 3,590 8,680 2,000 2,000 1,500 1 25 1 3 30 500 2,500 100 45 20 27 150 175 200 180 2,600 8,375 29,000 190 39,740 51,950 20,350 39,090 87,444 14,225 29,300 56,000 374 1,270 1,125 115,700 448 ! 11,500| 150 4,300 131,500 29' 21 189 34 64 115 16,500 1,229 on 3 1,500 11 55 14 1,500 9 12/ 19,500 1,250 Totals ,140 5,519}| 8,139} 406,213 2,014 70,186 11,153 I | 45,250 60 3,110 242 3,155 527,914 SUMMARY. .uckland .. Iarlborough Telson Vestland .. Itago 41 12 1,310 1,744 2,140 31 25 1,170} 1,252 5,519} 169 45 5,702 3,309 8,139} 25,700 2,000 281,349 105,758 400,213 1 1,000 2 15 250 13 1,671 118,861 1,756 1,915 38,300 1,890 2,014 70,186 1,153 1,800 200 63,307 24,870 45,250 1 3,000 61 9,500 60 3,110 80 696 242 28,500 2,450 3,005 469,522 4,332 182,760 3,155 527,914 Totals 5,247 7,998 17,364} 821,020 5,616 |228,597 |4,814 135,427 122 15,610 11,018 |l0,492 1,211,146

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No. 15. Return of Cases in the Wardens' Courts, and Costs awarded, for the Year ending 31st March, 1894.

Mining District. Number of Mining Disputes adjudicated on. Aggregate Ami mnt of Value. Amount of Costs Awarded. f§«a GTS u a^ Claimed. Becovered. .UCKLAND— North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Pubipuhi Ohinemuri 30 42 8 £ s. d. 15 0 0 142 0 0 £ s. a. 15 0 0 142 0 0 £ s. a. 24 18 6 29 16 0 2 5 0 "u 12' G 0 50 0 61*13 3 Iarlborough 3 46 0 0 46 0 0 5 0 0 • • rELSON— Collingwood Inangahua .. ' .. Byell Westport Charleston Aliaura Murchison 1 3 1 9 3 11 200* 0 0 50 0 0 0 8 0 21 8 8 21 0 4 1 16 0 31 4 4 29 16 01 Nil. 15' 6 01 Nil. "i — Kumara Greymouth Hokitika and Kanieri Waimea) Stafford [ Jackson's Bay Boss Okarito 24 20 3 24 170 3 0 43 0 0 8 0 0 83 G 0 128 0 0 18 0 0 0 5 0 1 11 0 37 15 6 22 6 0 3 0 0 19 17 0 • f "g 16 0 0 20 0 0 60 0 4 0 0 810 0 2 16 0 i l Itago— Tapanui Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Boxburgh Black's Clyde and Alexandra Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood .. Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfiold) Queenstown Mount Ida Maerewhenua Wyndham 21 36 13 8 34 3 21 12 10 36 11 3 19 10 0 81 12 0 119 10 0 658 10 0 710 0 0 2 0 22 5 6 0 12 0 13 9 2 12 0 0 25 15 0 11 4 0 9 5 0 5 12 0 5 17 0 137 9 0 'a i 76 0 8 12 0 0 25 15 0 92 1 0 90 0 0 1,200 0 0 83 14 4 6 11 0 7 7 0 17 3 0 8 13 0 18 12 0 i 15' 0 0 Totals 430 3,210 9 81 477 15 8} 605 1 11 11

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No. 16. Return of the Number of Mining Leases or Licenses and Agricultural Leases in Force on the 31st March, 1894, the Extent of Ground Leased or held under License, and Rental per Annum.

Mining Leases. Agricultural Leases. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. per E |t n a um . No. Gross Acreage. Bental per Annum. .UCKLAND Hauraki North Hauraki South .. Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri 27 89 6 3 45 A. R. P. 436 1 36 1,639 0 31 114 3 12 110 3 23 1,986 1 33 £ s. d. 242 17 0 1,051 0 0 74 5 0 70 10 0 856 12 0 A. E. P. 31 1,550**0 0 114*16 6 Iarlborough— Wairau and Pelorus 15 975 0 0 178 0 0 Ielson — Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Ahaura Westport Lyell .. Murchison Owen's 4 88 2 4 54 2 18 444 8 22 10 0 35 81 0 10 56 0 0 465 0 0 11 0 0 50 0 0 1 1 2 3 38 1 25 9 0 31 149 0 5 263 0 14 3 18 0 10 0 15 0 0 28 0 6 Vestland — Okarito Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Stafford Greymouth Boss 8 8 12 U 155 0 0 288 1 17 194 0 29 434 0 0 17 10 0 157 10 0 139 0 0 204 0 0 ia 344 "o 0 .19510 0 )TAGO— Waikaia Cromwell Hindon Tuapeka Black's Clyde and Alexandra Boxburgh Naseby Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Queenstown Maerewhenua Tapanui Wyndham 9 14 27 10 19 33 64 200 0 0 314 0 0 1,171 0 0 264 1 6 576 0 7 1,135 2 4 1,527 1 37 100 0 0 211 0 0 771 10 0 133 0 0 282 15 0 551 16 0 596 10 0 19 1 5 2 G 5 17 25 1 2,377* 0 0 31 0 0 844 0 0 420 0 0 741 3 17 218 3 8 378 1 10 591 0 34 9 0 0 205*11 0 8 17 6 105 10 0 52 10 0 93 2 6 22 6 6 25 3 0 51 19 0 2 5 0 3 151*2 26 69 10 0 Totals 456 12,609 0 26 16,585 15 0 117 7,628 3 24 724 19

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No. 17. Return of Occupation Licenses held on 31st March, 1894.

H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secretary of Mines. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (2,350 copies), £64 7s. 6d.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lS94. Price Is. 6d.]

How Ei Clauses isidence ibserved. Name of District. Number held in District. Total Area held. Bent. Number residing. Number not residing. A. R. P. Puhipuhi Coromandel 30 1,228° 1 3 14 at 2s. 6d., 4 at 2s., 3 at ls„.l at 6d„ and 14 at 3d. 8 at Is., 1 at 5d., 61 at 3d. .. 1 at ls. 3d., 7 at Is., 1 at 7d., 78 at 3d. 1 at £1 Is., 1 at 10s,, and 1 at 3d. 29 *7 Thames Paeroa Te Aroha Wangapeka Motueka Collingwood Marlborough Westport Charleston Lyell Murchison Greymouth Ross Hokitika Okarito and Jackson's Bay Maerewhenua Hindon Clyde and Alexandra .. Cromwell 70 87 3 3,216 1 3 3,859 2 19 113 0 0 20 25 0 50 62 3 2 9 07 4 1 3 10 5 11 120 0 0 544 3 8 1,803 0 16 103 3 8 50 0 0 187 0 0 388 1 33 74 0 0 527 1 0 1 at 6d. and 1 at 3d... 9 at ls. 44 at Is., 22 at 6d., 1 at 3d. .. 1 at Is., 3 at 6d. .. .. ., 6d... 6d 1 at 2s., 6 at ls. 6d., 9 at ls. .. 4 at Is., 1 at 93. 7 at Is., 2 at 2s., 1 at 6d., 1 at 4d. 0 4 Notg 1 1 3 5 5 5 "2 5 iven. 3 ii 6 24 10 10 49 572 0 16 485 2 0 326 0 0 1,637 0 0 20 at 2s., 4 at ls. 1 at ls. 6d., 5 at ls. 3d., 4 at ls. 4 at 2s., 3 at ls. 6d., 8 at Is., 1 at 6d. .. 4 at 2s., 4 at ls. 6d., 20 at Is., 2 at 8d., 5 at 7*d., and 14 at 6d. 29 at 2s., 4 at ls. 6d., 1 at ls. 3d., 36 at Is., 1 at 6*d., 4 at 6d. 3 at 2s., 1 at ls. 8d., 1 at ls. 3d., 7 at ls. 22 at 2s., 4 at ls. 6d., 19 at ls. 7 5 11 20 17 5 5 29 Roxburgh 75 1,304 0 0 56 19 Black's Tuapeka Tapanui Waikaia Wyndham Orepuki and Longwood 12 45 181 0 0 535 0 20 9 23 3 22 » 87 428° 0 0 3,140 2 0 9 at ls. 31 at 2s., 56 at ls. .. 9 38 0 49 Totals 041 20,824 3 12 298 276