REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS: WARDENS' REPORTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, C-03a

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1895. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS: WARDENS' REPORTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. Warden Kenny to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. S IBj Warden's Office, Thames, 14th May, 1895. 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: — COEOMANDEL. A really amazing revival has taken place in this sub-district during the past year. A rich reef was discovered by a party of tributers in the Coromandel Mine, and the Kapanga Company was in consequence induced to sink a new shaft to work the reef at a greater depth. This mine has been disposed of in England to the Hauraki Company, who now own it. The tributers' term expired on the 31st December, 1894, and up to that date 5,2070z. of gold, valued at £15,621, had been obtained by them; whilst since the Ist January, 1895, 9,7540z. of gold, valued at £29,262, have been won by the company. The Kapanga shaft has been sunk to a depth of 800 ft. A tunnel is being driven to cut the reef at that level, and a borehole is being continued in the shaft to ascertain the nature of the rock at a greater depth. Vigorous measures are to be taken to sink shafts at Blagrove's freehold, lying to the southward; and at Scotty's mine, to the northward of the Kapanga, extensive works are about to be carried on by companies incorporated in England. A shaft near the Hauraki Mine is about to be sunk by a local company in a mine called the Welcome Find. A company has been floated in London to work the Eoyal Oak Mine, in the Tokatea Eange. The other mines in this range are worked by tributers, who are meeting with varying success, but the absence of convenient crushing machinery prevents the treatment of other than rich quartz. Prospecting is going on at Waikoromiko, Pukemaukuku, Tiki, and other places in the main range ; which at any moment may lead to fresh discoveries, whilst at Manaia the Golden Hill Company has been formed to work the old Victoria Mine. Altogether, the developments in this portion of my district may be regarded as most satisfactory and encouraging, and it is interesting to observe the contrast presented here by the years 1894 and 1895 —between the full life now and the feeble flicker then—another instance of the surprising fluctuations of this important industry. Kuaotunu. There has, I regret to state, been a considerable falling-off in the yield from this sub-district. The Great Mercury and Bed Mercury Mines have been for a time idle, but operations have been resumed, and there is every indication that work will be carried on energetically during the current year. The Kapai-Vermont promises to add largely to the returns, as the reef is rich, and there is a crushing-mill with cyanide plant now erected at the mine. The Try Fluke has been steadily worked during the year. Very little work has been done in the outlying portions of this subdistrict. I—C. 3a.

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Thames county. Mata and Tapu Districts. In the Mata Creek district small quantities of nuggety gold are obtained at Gentle Annie Creek by sluicing, and at Tapu Creek the prospects from the Eoyal Mine in new ground are decidedly encouraging. The Sheridan- Mine is now being worked by a company, which has purchased Pepper's battery and put it in a thorough state of repair. Waiomo Distbict. The Monowai Amalgamated Company has erected a ten-stamp dry-crushing mill and a complete cyanide plant for the treatment of quartz from the Gem, and also from the large reef worked in the Monowai Mine. Several new licensed holdings have been taken up, and satisfactory prospects have been obtained from the reef discovered in the Broken Hill Mine. Taeaeu Ceebk. With the exception of the Norfolk, City of Dunedin, and Day Dawn, very little mining work has been carried on during the past year. KUEANUI AND MOANATAIABI CHEEK DISTEIOTS. The Hansen's, Comer's, Hazelbank, and Moanataiari Mines have been continuously worked. The Alburnia Company have effected substantial improvements in the workings of their mines. The battery and wire tramway from Dixon's Mine, have been purchased, and an engine-shaft sunk', whereby the quartz is hauled up from different levels and conveyed at a cheap rate to the battery, thus enabling the company to work low-grade quartz, which could not previously have been profitably dealt with. A considerable amount of prospecting has been done in other mines in this locality. Waiotahi Disteict. The Cambria has been steadily worked, and a large amount of prospecting done in the Fame and Fortune Mine, and the Waiotahi Company's mine still continues profitable yields. Several claims are being worked near the Old Candlelight, and some rich parcels of quartz have been obtained. Gbahamstown. The Victoria Mine continues to employ a number of hands, and on the old beach a large quantity of tailings have been unearthed and treated, and quantities of gravel washed down by the Moanataiari and Waiotahi Creeks crushed, giving employment to several parties of men. Waiokabaka. The May Queen has been steadily worked. The Saxon portion is chiefly worked by tributers. The drive for Saxon No. 6 level has now been connected with the May Queen shaft a distance of 2,502 ft., thoroughly draining a valuable block of country. The St. Hippo Mine yielded fair returns, but the company has given up the mine, and very little work has since been carried on. Kabaka Ceebk. This district still maintains a steady yield of gold, chiefly from small veins near the junction with Flinty's. Una Hill and Tβ Papa. The Pride of Karaka, Occidental, and North Star Mines are chiefly worked by tributers for moderate results. Large quantities of mullock have been crushed from the old Consols ground. Otunui. Very little work has been done during the the year in this district. Pueiei. Worth and party have been prospecting in this district, and some rich quartz has been met with. They have purchased the Puriri battery, and intend to put it in working-order again. A considerable amount of prospecting has lately been done in this district. Taieua. Very little has been done in the way of prospecting during the year. McLiver's returns have not been great. No further work has been done at the place where Davy made the discovery last year, and the ground is not yet open for occupation, being covered by a lease of the surface to the Kauri Timber Company. At Ohui, McGregor and party have done some prospecting-work, and a parcel of 2 tons of quartz crushed at the Thames yielded 240z. 13dwt. of gold. Whangamata. Attention has again been directed to this place, and some old ground has been reoccupied, OHINEMURI COUNTY. Kaeangahake Disteict. The Crown Mine has again yielded satisfactory results. Eich quartz is obtained from workings below the level of the Waitawheta Eiver, and provision has been made to sink a shaft and erec6

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pumping and. winding machinery to work the lower levels. The Woodstock has been vigorously worked. A new ten-stamp mill and cyanide plant has been erected, and the mine well opened up. The Talisman, adjoining the Woodstock and Crown Mines, has also yielded rich quartz: 4,084 tons gave 3,7720z. of gold and 5,9540z. of silver, valued at £17,500. The Talisman Company are erecting a ten-stamp mill and cyanide plant. The Earl of Glasgow has also done well, the fivestamp mill being kept fully employed. Several other mines are being well prospected, and this district bids fair to be a large gold-producer in the future. The Ohinemuri and Waitawheta Rivers furnish here a cheap motive-power. Owharoa. The Smile of Fortune, Cadman, and Burton Mines are now owned by a syndicate. A commencement was made to sink a shaft on the south side of the river, but this had to be abandoned, and it is intended to sink a main shaft on the northern side, near the Smile of Fortune workings. Waitekauri. The chief work done in this district has been in connection with the Jubilee Mine. A cyanide plant has been added to the battery, and crushing will shortly be commenced. Several other mines have been taken up, and much prospecting has been carried on. Waitekauri North. The Golden Cross Mine has once more yielded rich ore. The battery has been enlarged, and provision is being made to drive a low-level' tunnel, about 7,000 ft. in length, to drain the mine. Several other parcels of land have been taken up, and prospecting is being actively carried on. The Grace Darling returns of last year were disappointing, and a low level is now being driven to test the reef, as the surface blocks did not pay. A considerable amount of prospecting is going on all over this district, and several valuable discoveries, it is stated, have been made. KOMATA. The Komata Company's mine in this district has again yielded handsome returns. The Al Mine has been sold to Mr. Argall (who also owns adjacent ground), on behalf of the Komata Mines Company, who intend to expend a large amount of capital in opening up the reefs, and in the erection of suitable machinery for the treatment of the quartz. The Komata Company's mines at Komata, the mill and mine at Waitekauri, and also the Golden Cross Mine at Waitekauri North, are under offer to an English company with large capital. Indeed, it is understood that the bargain has actually been closed, and that the outcome will be an elaborate scheme for working several groups of holdings together, by the aid of a system of tramways and water-races, by which the large battery at Waitekauri will be connected with and made available for the whole of those holdings. A new reef discovered in the Alpha licensed holding gives excellent prospects. Waihi. The Waihi Company's mine keeps up its character. It has yielded the large return of £84,925 during the year. Thirty stamps have been added to the sixty-stamp mill, and shortly no less than ninety stamps will be fully and constantly employed in reducing quartz. The main shaft has been sunk to a further depth, and a commencement has been made to sink a second shaft, which is necessary for the better working of the mine. The Silverton Mine has been sold to an English Company, and preparations are being made to sink an engine-shaft to work the reef at greater depths. The Grand Junction, which lies to the eastward of the Waihi Mine, is likewise being actively explored, Mr. J. W. Walker, the experienced and energetic manager of this holding, being engaged 'in boring with the diamond-drill, to test the country previous to making a commencement by sinking a shaft. REMARKS. At the Lower Thames it must be admitted that every kind of mining is languishing, and that the future of this portion of the district must necessarily depend on what may be discovered at the lower levels. This is now fully recognised, and attempts are being made by the mine-owners so to combine their interests as to arrive at some scheme for working the reefs at levels much deeper than the present workings. ~-,... , , • On the other hand, the outlook for the coming year, taking the Hauraki district as a whole, is more than hopeful. The foreign capital -which is now flowing into the Coromandel and Ohinemuri Counties in a steady stream, attracted thither by the magnificent returns from some of the mines in those localities, must prove permanently advantageous by developing the resources of a large auriferous area. The reefs which required expensive works for their exploration, and which m the past have been barely scratched upon the surface, will shortly be tested more thoroughly and at greater depths, and improved machinery and the most modern process for the treatment of all kinds of ore will be introduced. ~-,„. ~.. \, ■ ,-, , I am pleased to be able to add that, notwithstanding a considerable fallmg-off m the yield from the Lower Thames, during the year* the value of the gold produced by the whole district exceeds ♦.Decrease, £33,310.

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the output for the year ending the 31st March, 1894, by no less a sum than £42,095; the exact figures being,— £ s. d. Year ending 31st March, 1895 ... ... ... 261,746 0 0 1894 ... ... ... 219,650 15 0 £42,095 5 0 I have, &c, H. Eyre Kenny, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Department of Mines, Wellington.

No. 2. Mr. George Wilson, Inspector of Mines, to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Thames, 21st May, 1895. I have the honour to forward the following report on mining in the northern districts of Auckland :— Great Barrier Island. Very little if any work has been carried on, and no report of quartz treated or silver obtained has been sent to me, Puhipuhi Mining District. Very little mining work was done in this district during the year. The shareholders of the Waipu Mine had two men employed for a short time, but no fresh discovery was made. A prospecting association, which proposed to employ a few men in prospecting, was formed, but work was not commenced. Manganese. Manganese is obtained in Waiheke and Kawau Islands, also at Otonga, Mangapai, Purua Bay, and Helena Bay in Whangarei district. Messrs. John Chambers and Son report their shipments from Auckland were —9th May, 1894, 50 tons; 27th November, 2J tons; 30th March, 1895,190 tons ; and that Mr. Thomson, of Waiheke, shipped in January last 150 tons : total, 392-J- tons. Cinnabar. Ohaeaioai. —The owners of the land have been carrying on prospecting operations near the hot springs in this district. A shaft was sunk to a depth of 110 ft, and, in consequence of the difficulties through influx of water and the high temperature, work was suspended at the time of my visit on 17th April last. Another shaft has been sunk to a depth of 30ft, but this was filled up. A third shaft was sunk to a depth of 75ft, and a drive put in about 17ft. An adit-drive was being put in at the lowest available level in the ground—this was in 115 ft.; but work was suspended until an air-shaft 35ft. in depth was sunk to ventilate the drive. A borehole, No. 1, was put down on the higher land to a depth of 105 ft, but hot water was tapped, and a geyser throwing up water to a height of 30ft. was the result. This borehole was destroyed by removing the tubing. No. 2 borehole reached a depth of 95ft.: this was also destroyed. No. 3 borehole was in hand, and a depth of 60ft. was reached. In several places open trenches have been made, but in none of the above workings was any valuable deposit of cinnabar discovered. I have, &c, George Wilson, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 3. Mr. Geobgk Wilson, Inspector of Mines, to the Undeb-Secbetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sib, — inspector of Mines' Office, Thames, 21st May, 1895. I have the honour to forward the following report on mines in the Hauraki District for the year ending the 31st March, 1895 : — COROMANDEL COUNTY. Tokatea Range. Tokatea Mine. —This mine has been worked on tribute. The chief work has been turning over old mullock-tips and picking out pieces of quartz, the best of which have been sent to the battery. Several surface-leaders have also been worked on. Seven tributers on the average were employed, and 11 tons 2cwt. 3731b. of quartz crushed for a yield of 990z. 16dwt. of gold. Boyal Oak Mine. —This mine has been worked by three parties of tributers. 2 tons 9051b. of quartz and specimens were crushed, for 3400z. of gold. Six men were employed. Bismarck Mine. —This mine was worked by tributers. 2 tons 15cwt. of quartz yielded 540z. 15dwt. of gold. Queen of the North Mine. —Prospecting-drives have been pat in by the owner, but little, if any, quartz has been crushed. Great Tokatea Mine. —The return from this mine has been small; scwt. of quartz yielded lloz. Bdwt. of gold,

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Several claims have been worked on different parts of the range. Harbour View : Wills and party crushed 121b. of specimens for soz. 2dwt. of gold. Boswell and party crushed 3 tons 4cwt. 1631b. for 640z. lldwt. ; and sundry other crushings yielded 107oz. 4dwt. from 27 tons 16cwt. 1,2831b. of quartz. There is every prospect of a revival of mining matters on the Tokatea Eange. Companies have been floated in England to take over and work the Tokatea, Eoyal Oak, and Great Tokatea Mines; and Mr. Francis Hodge, the manager, has informed me that operations will be at once commenced at the No. 7or low level in the Tokatea Mine to work the reefs below that level. It is also reported that other ground will be taken up by English companies. Try Again Mine. —This mine, which is situated near the top of the range and to the southward of the Tokatea Saddle, has been steadily worked during the year. Mr. S. James, the owner, has done a considerable amount of prospecting in the cross-cut put in to the northward of the old level. Upwards of 200 ft. of driving has been done on the reef, which is from 3in. to 2ft. in thickness. The gold occurs in patches of very rich stone, and 181b. of quartz crushed in a berdan yielded 690z. Idwt. of gold. Three wages-men are employed. Kapanga Distbict. Kapanga Mine. —The chief work carried on during the year was sinking the main shaft a further distance of 162 ft., opening chamber and driving a short cross-cut at the 700 ft. level, and also opening a chamber and driving a cross-cut at the 800 ft. level; this drive is in 500 ft., and it is calculated that the junction of Scotty's and Kapanga reefs will be reached in two months. Boring with the diamond-drill has been continued from the bottom of the shaft, 800 ft., to a further depth of 100 ft. Prospecting-work has also been carried on at the other levels, but not to any very great extent. 35ft. of winze was sunk, 102 ft. of.rising, and 65ft. driven on reefs, and about 30 fathoms of reefs stoped out. Three tons of quartz yielded 30oz. lOdwt. of gold. Thirty-five wages-men are employed. Scotty's Mine. —Very little work was done during the year, and no return of gold obtained. An English company has been floated to work this mine and adjacent land, and operations are soon to be commenced to sink a shaft and test the deep levels. Sunny side Claim (Bennett and Wells, owners). —The workings are chiefly on the surface of Murphy's Hill. The gold is found in quartz mixed with surface-clay; 47 tons were crushed for 420z. 19dwt. of gold. Kauei Block. Hauraki (late Goromandel) Mine. —ln the early part of the year work was entirely carried on by tributers. Their workings were confined to the portion of the mine above water-level. Several parties were working facing the sea, and also on the other side of the hill near the head of John Bull Gully. Eoss and party met with encouraging returns, and in following the gold downwards had sunk a shaft to a depth of 70ft. This shaft was condemned because they had allowed it to get into a dangerous state: they therefore decided to drive a cross-cut about 400 ft. in length to cut the reef worked in the shaft. In driving this cross-cut through Warner and Legge's tribute sections a reef was discovered showing rich gold. The two parties at once made arrangements to use Boss's tunnel, and immediately on commencing work on the reef obtained very rich specimens. Legge and party, up to the 31st of December, took out 3,9540z. 7dwt. of melted gold, whilst Warner and party got 3320z. The term of both of these tributes expired on the 31st of December last, and preparation was made by the manager, Mr. Argall, to at once take up the work on behalf of the company. The tribute parties had to leave off breaking quartz at midnight on the 31st December, and as soon as they left the company's men stepped into work on the reef, and no time was lost in working the reef up to the 31st March, 1895, during which period 180 tons quartz and 4,5271b. specimens were crushed for a yield of 9,9010z. 12dwt. melted gold. In order to be in readiness to work the reef on the expiration of the tribute a new engine with winding and pumping gear was procured, and a shaft sunk to a depth of 100 ft. A cross-cut was also driven 50ft. to cut the No. 2 or Legge's Eeef, on which driving was at once carried on, when the run of rich gold was found to extend upwards of 200 ft. along the line of reef. Eich stone was left in the floor all along this level, so there is every indication of a continuance of the run both upwards and downwards. In driving the cross-cut at the 100 ft. level another leader —No. 3 —carrying rich specimens, was cut about 30ft. from No. 2. The shaft has been sunk to a further depth of 52ft., and Mr. Argall's intention is to open out a new level at 160 ft., and drive a cross-cut to the reef. A block of country 60ft. in depth will then be available; and, as already stated, there is every indication that the run of gold extends downwards, therefore a continuation of rich yields may be expected. The channel of country from which the rich yields have been won appears to be the same in which the Union Beach rich reefs were worked. However, no drive had been put in from the Union Beach workings to test the country under the hill at the head of the John Bull Gully, and this portion of the mine remained untried until the time the tributers commenced working, when it was their good fortune that the rich discovery was made by Eoss and party. The lona. —This mine adjoins the Hauraki. A considerable amount of driving has been done, but so far without making any discovery of payable gold. Anderson's Claim. —This claim adjoins the lona. A prospecting-drive has been put in for about 300 ft., but so far no reef has been cut. Strongman and, Nyhan's Claim. —To the northward of the Hauraki a good deal of prospecting has been done in the hill, but so far nothing favourable has been found. Welcome Find Mine. —This mine includes the land formerly known as the Just in Time, on which a shaft had been sunk and a large amount of work done about fourteen years ago. The present owners have purchased the engine and pumping machinery which was on the Consols Mine,

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Hape Creek, Thames, and have let a contract for its removal and erection at a new shaft. All available land on Kauri Block has been lately occupied, but very little work has so far been done. Dredging claims have also been marked out on the foreshore, and attention is being directed to Preece's Point, which it is proposed to float in the English market. Waikeeomiko District. Lillis's Claim. —Two men are continuously employed in this mine, which is on the Kauri Timber Company's land. 2 tons 2cwt. 231b. of quartz were crushed at Wayn's battery for a yield of 640z. 18dwt. Several other claims are occasionally worked, and 2 tons and 1331b. of quartz yielded 240z. 14dwt. of gold. Cabbage Bay Distbict. No returns for the year. PtTKEMAUKUKU DISTEICT. A discovery of gold was made in this district at a place situated near the head of the left-hand branch of the Karaka Creek and about two miles to the southward of the track where it crosses the Whangapoua Saddle. Murphy and party had been working for a considerable time when it was discovered that the land was private property, and not included in the goldfield. One ton of quartz was crushed for 18oz lOdwt. of gold, but as no terms could be made with the owner, Mr. W. Aiken, the party had to give up possession. Power and party marked out a claim on the Crown land adjoining Aiken's property, and have met with encouraging prospects. Several other holdings have been marked out, but not much work done. This is an entirely new discovery, the land to my knowledge not being looked on as auriferous, although a few years ago a lease was taken up on a highly mineralised reef, but very little work done. Tiki Distbict. Very little work has been done in this district. Eccleson had a small crushing from the Castle Eock Claim: 211b. were crushed for 3oz. 2dwt. of gold. Mr. George McLeod is still prospecting in the Vaughan licensed holding, but no return of gold has been reported. Manaia Disteict. Euffin and party are still prospecting in the neighbourhood of Blackmore's old claim, but the reef for which they have been searching has not yet been reached. Upwards of 100 ft. of driving has been done. Golden Hill Mine. —This mine was formerly known as the Victoria. A great deal of surfacetrenching and prospecting was done by Barron and party. They afterwards induced other shareholders to join them. The old drive was cleaned out and the water baled from the winze ; a small parcel of quartz was broken from the reef, and the return was satisfactory, inasmuch as the shareholders took up a licensed holding of 30 acres, and had a survey made of a water-race and storagedam. In the meantime a Tangye's pump is to be used to keep down the water whilst further prospecting-works are carried on. Opitonui Distbict. Very little work has been done during the year. A small parcel of 11 tons of quartz was crushed from Little's claim, which yielded 14oz. 13dwt. of gold; whilst from the Maiden Mine 27 tons of quartz were crushed for 28oz. 15dwt. of gold. It is the intention of the owner, Mr. Noble, to lay a horse-tramway from this mine to Lanigan's battery. If this is done, there is a considerable quantity of low-grade quartz in sight that may be profitably worked. Both of these mines are on the Kauri Timber Company's land. Owbea Distbict. The Owera Mine was worked on tribute for a few months by Jennings and party. 230 tons of quartz were crushed for 670z. lOdwt. of gold ; but this return not being payable the mine was again abandoned. This is also on the Kauri Timber Company's land. Matabangi Distbict. Ocean View Mine. —Very little work has been done in this mine during the year. The battery, driven by steam-power, was erected by Mr. Charles Judd, of the Thames. Thirty tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 9oz. Bdwt. of gold. This not proving payable, the mine has been shut down. Parties of prospectors occasionally do some work on the reefs, and it is to be hoped that payable quartz may yet be discovered, especially when a crushing-plant has been erected in the district, and is now lying idle. Otungueu Disteict. A parcel of 31 tons of quartz was conveyed to Mayn's battery at Coromandel, and crushed for a yield of lOoz. Bdwt. of gold, which was not payable. Mahakieau Disteict. A considerable amount of prospecting has been done in this district, but the only crushing return was from Goonan's claim : Bcwt. of quartz yielded soz. 18dwt. of gold. Kuaotunu Disteict. Try Fluke Mine. —This mine has been steadily worked during the year. The reefs worked on are two in number. No. 1 varies from lft. to 12ft. in thickness, and No. 2 from 9in. to sft. 945fc. of driving has been done on reefs at the different levels, and 1,379 fathoms stoped out. 6,347 tons of

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quartz were crushed for a yield of 1,6620z. 19dwt. of gold, whilst 5,995 tons of tailings, treated by the cyanide process, yielded 1,9860z. lOdwt. of gold. Mr. Goldsworthy, the manager, has in view the driving of a fresh cross-cut to cut the reefs about 200 ft. deeper, and has already sunk a winze to a depth of 70ft. below the adit, or No. 3 level, the reef continuing about Bft. to 10ft. in thickness, and carrying payable gold ; but further sinking cannot be effected until the reef is drained by the low level. The battery now consists of fifteen head of stamps, and cyanide plant for tailings. The quartz is crushed wet, and as much as possible of the gold saved by amalgamation on copper plates. The tailings and slimes are saved in pits, and afterwards treated by cyanide. Thirty-five wages-men are employed in the mine and battery. This company now own the ground formerly held by the Mariposa Company. Kapai-Vermord Mine. —This mine has been worked steadily. The adit-level has been extended on the reef for 150 ft., and a rise put up 80ft.; also a cross-cut has been driven 150 ft., ventilation effected through the rise. The reef averages sft. in width; 98 fathoms have been stoped out, and 588 tons of quartz crushed for 1,0730z. of gold, valued at £2 11s. 3d. per ounce. The Otis orecrusher is in use, and answers admirably for the friable class of quartz obtained from this mine. The crushed quartz is elevated to a hopper, from which it is run into the cyanide vats. The quartz is conveyed along a tramway from the mine-hopper to the drying-kilns, and from thence to the hopper at the mill. Eighteen men, on the average, were employed during the year. Bed Mercury Mine. —Very little work was done in this mine during the early part of the year. Eighteen tons of quartz crushed yielded 7oz. 15dwt. of gold ; and, the company being in financial difficulties, the mine was shutdown until the 2nd October, when it was sold, and the new proprietors formed the Venus Gold-mining Company to work the mine. Operations were continued on the reef by driving from the winze, andstoping out a block about 40ft. in depth below No. 2 level; 180 tons of quartz crushed yielded 3070z. 17dwt. of gold ; value, £747 16s. Ocl. The slimes and tailings have been saved for future cyanide treatment. This mine will probably be amalgamated with the Try Eluke. An average of five men were employed during the year. Great Mercury Mine. —This mine has not been vigorously worked. In consequence of financial difficulties the mine was shut down for six months. On the company being re-formed, mining operations'were vigorously carried on. The reefs on the eastern side of the hill are worked from the Eed Mercury No. 2 level, whilst on the western side the Try Fluke reef is worked from the low level. 587 tons of quartz were crushed for a return of 5620z. ldwt. of gold, value £1,333 3s. 9d. ; and 523 tons of tailing?, treated by the cyanide process, yielded 3130z. 16dwt , value £662 7s. sd. An average of twenty men were employed in the mine and battery. The future prospects of this mine appear to be favourable, and the next year's operations should produce a large yield of gold. Just in Time Mine. —This mine has been worked on tribute. Sixty-nine tons of quartz yielded 82oz. 9dwt. of gold. Two tributers were employed. Irene Mine. —The drive through the hill has been completed, and tramways and connections made to convey quartz to the battery. The returns have not, so far, been profitable. Sixty-four tons of quartz yielded 420z. 12dwt. of gold. Five men were employed at the mine and battery. Otama Mine. —A party of three tributers have worked the mine. The quartz is obtained from small leaders. Thirteen tons yielded 940z. of gold. Try Again Claim (formerly Invicta). —This ground was lately taken .upiby Inglis and Peebles. They opened a tunnel on the opposite side of the hill from the old workings, and discovered a leader which promised to yield well. Thirteen tons were crushed for lloz. 12dwt. of gold, and a parcel of 2 tons is expected to yield a rich return. Waitaia Mine. —This mine has again been worked on tribute. The workings are on the block of reef at the intermediate level. A wooden tramway, 17 chains in length, has been constructed to convey the quartz to the county road. 120 tons quartz yielded 3290z. of gold. Six tributers were employed. Aorere Mine. —This mine is situated near the Waitaia, and has also been worked on tribute ; 58 tons of quartz yielded 620z. 6dwt. of gold. Four men were employed. Crushings—For the Three Star, 6oz. 2dwt.; Victoria, 4oz. lOdwt. ; Lucky Hit, 3oz. 7dwt.; sundry claims, 420z. 4dwt.; six men on the average being employed. THAMES COUNTY. Mata District. Kelly's Claim. —This claim is situated about three miles from the beach, on the Gold Creek, One , of the branches of the Gentle Annie Creek. A small water-race had been constructed and the bank of the creek sluiced, about 2,000 yards of earth and clay being washed down the tail-race, and 18oz. 15dwt. of coarse gold obtained. The intention of Mr. Kelly in sluicing off the surface was to lay bare the rock in order to see if the leaders from which the coarse gold was shed could be discovered. No gold-bearing leader has yet been found, but he intends to further persevere with sluicing off the surface, and for that purpose he has a project for bringing in a water-race from Gentle Annie Creek and using the water as a power to pump a sufficient quantity to wash the soil from a higher level than the race could command. The supply of water in Gentle Annie Creek does not appear to me to be enough for his purpose. Three men are employed. Campbell's Claim is situated near the top of the range, and is a portion of Baker's old claim. The owner is erecting a two-stamp mill near Kelly's claim for the purpose of testing the quartz from his claim. One man is employed. Tapu Ckebk Disteict. Sheridan s Mine. —There has been no return of gold from this mine during the year, although a considerable amount of driving was done. The shareholders have lately purchased Pepper's battery

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of fifteen stamps, and have put it in repair; a company has also been formed to work the mine, and there is every reason to expect that some of the blocks of reef opened by Mr. Sheridan will prove payable, and that the gold produced next year will increase the return from the district. A staff of about Dwerjty-five men will be put to work at an early date. Tapu Fluke Mine. — Work has been steadily carried on in connection with this mine. A battery of six stamps and three berdans, driven by water-power, and a series of tramways and shoots to convey the quartz to the mill were erected; the supply of water in the creek proved insufficient to drive the mill in ordinary weather, and it was only during and after rains that crushing could be carried on. Seventy-eight tons of quartz yielded 430z. 13dwt. of gold. This was rather disappointing, compared with last year's returns. Six men are employed. Royal Mine. —This mine is adjacent to the Fluke. A discovery of an outcrop of quartz was made by McMahon and party, and a drive was put in to test it. About SiOft. down in this drive three different reefs were cut, each carrying gold, and giving good dish-prospects. A company has been formed to work this mine, and the future outlook is very encouraging. Several licensed holdings have been marked out in the neighbourhood of the Eoyal, and no doubt this portion of the district will be well tested during next year. Several parties have been sluicing in No. 2 and No. 3 creeks, and small parcels of quartz crushed, the gold from which was 430z. Bdwt. Six men were employed in this way. Waiomo District. Monowai and Golden Gem Mines are owned and worked by the Monowai Amalgamated Gold-mining Company. A new ten-stamp dry-crushing mill, with complete cyanide plant, has been erected and at work for some time, but no cleaning-up has yet taken place. The quartz treated was chiefly from the Monowai section of the mine. A small parcel of 4 tons scwt. of quartz treated at the Thames School of Mines yielded from the cyanide process 370z. of bullion. An average of six men were employed during the year. Several licensed holdings have lately been taken up in this district, and prospecting is being carried on. .A reef about Bft. in thickness has been discovered in the Broken Hill, which is expected to yield payable quartz. Pueu District. Little or any work has been done during the year. Tababu Disteict. Norfolk Mine. —The chief work done in this mine has been driving in the low level and sinking a winze from No. 3 level 60ft. -This had to be discontinued, on account of having too much water to contend with. Thirty fathoms of reef were stoped out, and 73 tons of quartz yielded 70oz. 13dwt. of gold; 100 tons of tailings treated yielded 260z. 4dwfc. An average of six men were employed. City of Dunedin Mine. —This mine was worked on tribute; 73 tons of quartz yielded 16oz. 19dwt. of gold. Three tributers were employed. Day Dawn Claim. —This claim—three men's ground —adjoins the City of Dunedin, and was taken up in September last. The reef worked is from 2ft. to 3ft. in thickness; 64 tons of quartz yielded 470z. Bdwt. of gold. Three men are employed. Scandinavian (late Seddon) Mine. —This mine is situated at Upper Tararu, and is now owned by Messrs. Whitley. The erection of the battery and construction of 812 ft. of ground tramway were completed. 175 tons of quartz yielded 128oz. sdwt. of gold. Three reefs worked on were 6in., lft., and 3ft. in thickness. About 34 fathoms of reef were stoped out, and 50ft. of cross-cut driving and 320 ft. on reef were done. Six men—shareholders—were employed. Chicago Mine. —This mine is also at Upper Tararu, and is owned by Pearce and party. A battery of four stamps and a berdan is erected on the mine, but there is not sufficient water in the creek to drive it during the summer months. The quartz is obtained from a large reef 7ft. in width, worked opencast, and also from a smaller 9in. reef worked in a drive. 39 tons of quartz yielded 230z. 13dwt. of gold. Three owners were employed. Several other parties work occasionally in the district, and 520z. sdwt. of gold were obtained from small parcels of quartz. Highland Chief. —This is a claim taken up by C. Berry on the site of the Sylvia battery, which was removed. Two tons yielded 19oz. Bdwt. Shellback Disteict. The Nordenfeldt, Waitemata, and Mountain Flower Mines were abandoned, but parties of men fossicking about the surface crushed 126 tons for 85oz. 17dwt. of gold. KtiEANUi Disteict. Hansen's Mine.- —This mine is worked on tribute. The crushing-stuff is obtained from old stopes, and small stringers in the walls; 1,695 tons crushed yielded 3820z. 15dwt. of gold. Ten tributers were employed. Comer's Mine. —This mine is also on tribute, the tributers being principally assisted by the owner. The quartz crushed has been obtained from reefs and leaders, and also from surface-work; 550 tons yielded 6970z. 16dwt. of gold. Fifteen tributers were employed. Hazelbank Mine. —This mine has been continuously worked. The chief operations were driving and stoping on what is termed the cross-reef, and also on Darby's leader. The country is of a hard nature on both walls of the reef and leader, rendering it difficult to get out a sufficient quantity of quartz to pay; although it gives a return of more than loz. to the ton. The amount of work done by wages-men is considerable, upwards of 200 ft. of driving and 400 fathoms of reef and

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leader stoped out; 721 tons were crushed by the owners for 7890z. 7dwt. of gold, and the tributers crushed 1,944 tons, chiefly surface-stuff, for 211oz. 6dwt. of gold. Twenty-nine wages-men and five tributers were employed. MoANATAIAEI DISTRICT. Moanataiari Mine. —This mine has been continuously worked during the year. The outlet- or adit-level, known as the " Moanataiari tunnel," is 3,077 ft. in length, and the cross-cuts and levels opening from the adit amount to 2,960 ft. of driving; above the adit, on —first, the 200 ft. level, 220 ft.; second, the 100 ft. level, 1,410 ft.; third, Point Eussell level, 2,650 ft.; fourth, Dauntless level, 350 ft.; fifth, "Union level, 240 ft.; sixth, Eeuben Parr, or 23rd of June, low level, 650 ft.; seventh, Sons of Freedom level, 475 ft.; eighth, Dawn of Hope level, 280 ft.; ninth, Golden Age levels (three), 600 ft.: whilst below the adit there are the 150 ft. level, 940 ft.; and the 80ft. level 540 ft. These drives are fit for use, entailing large expenditure for timber to repair and keep them open. The cross-cut driven on the 150 ft. level from the main shaft to the Golden Calf shaft, a distance of 850 ft., was carried in parallel with, and about 70ft. on the western or seaward side of, the big fault or slide. The Caledonian Nos. 1 and 2 reefs will now be tested against the fault, and an effort made to pick up the eastern continuation of those reefs underneath the fault. If these reefs are discovered, and the extent of the displacement by the big slide determined, it would be of great importance to the carrying-out of future works at lower levels. The distance to the surface through the slide at the point where they now are will be close on 700 ft. The principal reefs worked during the year were the Jones leader, 18in. in thickness, the workings on which are at the 100 ft. level. The Dawn of Hope leader, 15in., and the Golden Age foot-wall branch leaders, comprising a series of ribs of quartz from lin. to 10in. in thickness, the whole reef formation being in some places 6ft. wide from wall to wall, are worked from Point Eussell level. During the year 940 ft. were driven in cross-cuts, and on reefs 520 ft.; 900 fathoms of reef were stoped out; and 10,038 tons of surface material from the Kuranui Hill section was treated at the mill for a yield of 5280z. 2dwt., whilst 3,407 tons of quartz yielded 2,2100z. 9dwt.of gold. The tributers' crushings amounted to 2,775 tons of quartz for a yield of 1,1520z. Bdwt. The main shaft was also opened up and repaired to the 150 ft. level, the winding-engine and machinery overhauled, and winding again carried on. Fifty-two wages-men and forty-five tributers were employed. Junction Mine. —Very little work was done in this mine. A party of tributers crushed 60 tons of quartz for 18oz. 9dwt. of gold, but the mine has been abandoned for the greater part of the year. Alfred Mine.—Three parties of tributers worked off and on during the year. Twenty-two tons of quartz yielded 17oz. 19dwt. of gold. Freedom Mine. —Two parties of tributers worked in the surface portion of this mine, which was afterwards surrendered by the company, when it was taken up by a party of miners. Ninety-three tons crushed for tributers yielded 84oz. 9dwt. of gold. Five men were employed. Orlando Mine. —A considerable amount of work has been done by this company in opening up the Carpenter's reef; a rise was put 112 ft., and 136 ft. of sinking winzes was done. The principal gold was got by tributers from the surface portion of the mine; 270 tons lOcwt. crushed yielded lOOoz. 13dwt., whilst 22 tons for the company yielded soz. 3dwt. of gold. Four wages-men and four tributers were employed. New Whau Mine. —This mine has been worked on tribute; 52 tons of quartz yielded 670z. ldwt. Three tributers were employed. Negotiations have been entered into to sell the mine, and a company is to be formed to work this and adjacent ground. Calliope. —This mine was given up by the company, and has been taken up by private parties. The quartz crushed was won by tributers ; 71 tons crushed yielded 51oz. 2dwt. of gold. New Alburnia Mine. —During the past year this company has done a large amount of deadwork in opening up the mine in a more systematic manner, in order that low-grade quartz might be worked at a profit; and for that purpose a shaft has been sunk from the surface at Punga Flat to a depth of 200 ft. A level was opened at 170 ft., and drives put in on Dixon's and other reefs. The aerial tramway is now constructed to convey quartz from the brace of the shaft to the battery at a cost of about 6d. per ton. A complete and suitable engine, with winding-gear, has also been erected, and it is intended to sink the shaft to a depth of 500 ft. Levels are to be opened at various depths. The shaft is now in progress, and the next level is to be opened at a depth of 300 ft. The company crushed 1,109 tons of quartz for a yield of 6570z. of gold, and the tributers crushed 1,441 tons for 3280z. sdwt. of gold. Sixteen wages-men and five tributers were employed. Caliban. —This mine was for some time idle, in consequence of the death of the owner. Twelve tons of quartz yielded soz. 18dwt. of gold. Londonderry Claim.' —This claim was taken up by the Fisher Brothers, near the outcrop of the old Nolan's Candlelight, and some rich quartz was obtained in working near the surface, thirty-one tons yielded 86oz. of gold. Two men were employed. A considerable amount of fossicking has been done in this district, and 85 tons of quartz and 550 tons of mullock yielded 2050z. Bdwt. of gold. Six men on the average were employed in this way. Welcome Mine. —This mine was taken up by a private party, and a considerable amount of prospecting done, but no payable reef has yet been found. 120 ft. of a cross-cut was put in, and 110 ft. of driving done on two leaders. Two men were employed. A licensed holding, called the Ailean, has been taken up at the head of Tinker's Gully, and a considerable amount of driving done, but no payable quartz obtained. Geahamstown Disteict. Victoria Mine.—The operations in this mine have been chiefly prospecting-work at the 400 ft. and 500 ft levels by the company's men,, whilst the upper portion of the mine has been worked by 2—C. 3a.

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tributers. Forty-five tons of quartz crushed for the company yielded 550z. Bdwt. of gold, and the tributers crushed 568 tons for 7090z. 19dwt. of gold. . Ten wages-men and eleven tributers were employed. Sundry parcels were treated from this district; 20 tons of quartz and 350 tons of mullock yielded 1420z. ldwt. of gold, and 10,455 tons of tailings yielded 1,9180z. 9dwt. of gold. Twenty wages-men were employed. Waiotahi Distbict. Waiotahi Mine. —Work is steadily carried on in this mine; from twenty-five to thirty reefs and leaders are worked, varying from -J-in. to 3ft., but the greater number about 2in. 400 ft. of driving cross-cuts and 500 ft. on leaders has been done, and about 800 fathoms of quartz veins stoped out. 2,611 tons of company's quartz yielded 2,6730z. 19dwt. of gold, whilst the tributers crushed 822 tons fpr 1440z. 13dwt. of gold. Thirty-two wages-men and two tributers are employed. Cambria Mine. —A considerable amount of work has been done in this mine. 260 ft. of driving was done on seven reefs and leaders, varying from 2in. to 15m. in thickness, at No. 2 and 3 levels; 250 fathoms were stoped out; and 490 tons of quartz yielded 788oz. 6dwt. of gold. Twenty-one wages-men were employed at the mine and battery. Fame and Fortune Mine. —A large amount of prospecting-work has been done in the mine. 850 ft. of driving on reefs and leaders and 600 ft. in cross-cuts did not lead to any success, and Mr. E. K. Cooper says there has been a loss of £3,500 for the year. 570 tons of quartz yielded 2390z. 3dwt., and tributers crushed 67 tons for 109oz. 2dwt. of gold. Twenty wages-men and six tributers were employed. West Coast. —This mine is worked by the owners. Two men were employed, and 54 tons of quartz yielded 770z. 9dwt. of gold. Neiv Fearnought. —Two men were employed on wages; 53 tons of quartz yielded 690z. 17dwt. of gold. The mine was abandoned by the company towards the end of 1894. Golden Age Mine. —Three tributers crushed 27 tons for 590z. 19dwt. of gold. Acme Mine. —Three tributers crushed 71 tons for 730z. 15dwt. of gold. This mine was abandoned. . Little Maggie crushed 90 tons for 470z. 13dwu.; Lavinia crushed 57 tons for 560z. 2dwt.; Diggers' Friend crushed 11 tons for 17oz. 13dwt.; Hurra's Claim crushed 23 tons for 87oz. 7dwt; Young Colonial crushed 125 tons for 330z. 2dwt.; Little Mirth crushed 34 tons for 6oz. lOdwt. ; and sundry other claims crushed 50 tons of quartz and 300 tons mullock for lOOoz. of gold. Fifteen owners and wages-men were employed in this way. Waiokaeaka Disteict. May Queen Mine. —A large amount of work was done in this mine during the year. The new cross-cut from the Saxon No. 6 level to the Queen of the May shaft has been completed, the distance driven being 1,337 ft. The rock-drill was used in this work. The shaft was cleared out and repaired as soon as the water was lowered, and when communication was effected a winze was sunk. The work of opening levels on the reefs was at once commenced. Very encouraging prospects were met with, and the extensive block opened promises to be remunerative. Some time will elapse before the reefs in this section are sufficiently drained to admit of another winze being sunk under the workings further to the eastward. In the Saxon section work was continued on the leader that yielded handsome returns to tributers, and the company has met with payable quartz. 982 ft. of driving was done on reefs, and 635 fathoms stoped out; 1,585 tons of quartz yielded 2,2990z. 16dwt. of gold; and from the tributers' workings 1,128 tons were crushed for 1,7100z. of gold. Sixty-four wages-men and thirty-four tributers were employed. Queen of Beauty Mine. —Work in this mine has been suspended pending the adoption of a scheme for working the deep levels from this shaft. Craiuford's Special or St. Hippo Mine. —The work done in this mine was in the Nana section, at Collarbone; 157 tons of quartz yielded 1720z. 9dwt., and tributers crushed 75 tons for 990z. 6dwt. of gold. The mine was abandoned by the company, but the land has again been taken up. Four wages-men and two tributers were employed. The Lucky Slip, Taylor's, and sundry other claims were worked, and 170 tons of quartz yielded 108oz. lldwt. of gold. Kakaka Disteict. Adelaide Mine. —This mine has again been worked on tribute; 102 tons were crushed for 106oz. lOdwt. of gold. Seven tributers were employed. Claremont Mine.—The owner, Mr. George Briant, crushed 1121b. of stone for 690z. 9dwt. of gold, and a tributer 301b. for 230z. lldwt. of gold. Lone Hand Mine. —This mine has again been worked entirely by tributers ; ten were employed, and 155 tons lOcwt. and 841b. were crushed for 3870z. Bdwt. of gold. Onehunga Claim. —This claim, four men's ground, was worked and owned by John Garland, J. Lynch, and party ;35 tons lOcwt. and 181b. were crushed for 184oz. lOdwt. of gold. Four men were employed. Karaha Claim. —The owners, four men, crushed 224 tons for 183oz. 3dwt., and one tributer obtained 390z. 14dwt. from 19 tons quartz. The Little Willie Claim, near the old Lucky Hit, was lately taken up, and 201b. of stone were crushed for 240z. 18dwt. of gold. Sundry other claims yielded 1460z. 9dwt. of gold from 88 tons of quartz. Thirteen men were employed. Una Hill and Tβ Papa Disteict. Occidental Mine. —This mine was worked by tributers. No new ground was opened, but six men crushed 80 tons and 2041b. for 1740z. lOdwt. of gold.

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Pride of Karaka. —This mine was worked on tribute ; 162 tons were crushed for 1760z. 3dwt. of gold. Six tributers were employed. Magnolia Mine. —This mine was not very energetically worked. The company crushed 75 tons for 40oz. lldwt., and the tributers 35 tons for 200z., of gold. One wages-man and four tributers were employed. The Magnolia Company surrendered the mine, but the land is taken up by other parties. Homeivard Bound and Bose Claim. —Thomas Boyle and party, three men ; 72 tons of quartz were crushed for 1620z. 2dwt. of gold. North Stars. —This mine was worked on tribute. Ten men were employed, and 241 tons were crushed for 3420z. 6dwt. of gold. Sundry other parties in this district crushed 104 tons 801b. for 990z. 15dwt. of gold; about five men were employed. Hape Creek Distbict. Parties of tributers and fossickers worked in the old Coo sols ground, chiefly mullock-tips ; 383 tons were crushed for 109oz. lldwt. of gold. Six men on an average were employed. Weymouth Claim. —No returns. Two men employed. Fogarty's Claim. —No returns. One man employed. Near Home. —Twenty-three tons for 260z. lldwt. One man employed. Hermit. —Forty-four tons for 21oz. 15dwt. One man employed. Sundry other claims: 64 tons of quartz and 250 tons mullock crushed for 550z. 13dwt. of gold. About four men were employed on the average. Otunui Disteict. Alpine Mine. —Ludwig and party crushed 200 tons for 30oz. of gold, the mine was then abandoned. A prospecting party has since occupied the ground. Average, two men in the district during the year. Matatoki Disteict. No mining during the year. Pueiei District. Hit or Miss Mine. —Worth and Greenaway lately took up the ground formerly known as the Puriri Mine. A considerable amount of prospecting was done. A level, 70ft., was driven on the reef, which is from 7in. to 18in. in thickness. Another level, 80ft., was driven, and a winze, 15ft., was sunk, and they are now engaged in putting in a low-level crossi-cut to cut the reef about 86ft. deeper. The battery is being put in order for crushing. The prospects of the mine are very good; 3 tons lOcwt. of quartz crushed at the School of Mines, Thames, yielded 114oz. of gold. Three men were employed. Burdett. —A prospector crushed 531b. of stone for 18oz. lOdwt. of gold, and another party crushed a small parcel of 101b. for 17dwt. of gold. Three men were employed. Several licensed holdings have been lately taken up near the Hit or Miss, but not much work has yet been done. Tairua Disteict. Bonnie Scotland (P. McLiver, owner). —Six tons crushed yielded soz. of gold. Several other parties occasionally work in the district, and small parcels yielded 250z. of gold. Tairua Eiver District. No mining-work has been carried on as title cannot be got for the land. Ohdi District. Several parties did prospecting-work in the early part of the year, but latterly McGregor and party only were employed. They had a parcel of 2 tons taken to the Thames, which yielded 240z. 13dwt. of gold. Whangamata District. No work has been done at this place during the year, but a party has lately marked out a special claim on the old ground. Wharekiraupunga District. No mining-work has been done during the year. OHINEMURI COUNTY. Maratoto District. Maratoto Mine. —This mine is owned and worked by William Nicholl and party. 508 tons of ore yielded 1,1420z. of bullion ; value, £376 15s. 9d. Three men were employed. Several parties have been prospecting in the district, but no returns have been received. The Betreat, a special claim of 100 acres, has been taken up, and a small parcel tried at the School of Mines, Thames, but the return was very poor, and work was suspended. Karangahaki District. Woodstock United Mine. —A large amount of work has been done in this mine, and a tenstamp dry-crushing mill, with complete cyanide plant, erected on the side between the Waitawheta and Ohinemuri Eivers. Mr. John McCrombie, the mine-manager, gives the following report on the mine : " During the year just passed the No. 3 level has been driven 300 ft. along the line of the

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No. 2 lode, which varied from 3ft. to 10ft. in thickness, and carried a high percentage of gold and silver throughout for the whole of that distance. Here this lode has now been opened out for a length of 450 ft. along its line, and about 160 fathoms of stoping has been done upon it. The height of the block now intact and available for stoping operations is 149 ft. for the first 250 ft. of driving along the lode. This is between the No. 2 and No. 3 levels, and for the last 200 ft. of driving the backs increased to 340 ft. before the No. 1 level is reached. The quantity of ore treated for the year was limited, owing to the fact that treatment by amalgamation was superseded by the adoption of the cyanide process, and the transition necessitated a stoppage of ore-reduction for a period of eight months. Prior to this innovation the ore was dealt with by amalgamation, and subsequent thereto by the cyanide process, with the following results : 300 tons, by cyanide, yielded 1,9720z. of bullion, value £886 9s. 6d., 70 per cent, extracted ; 246 tons, by amalgamation, yielded 7960z. of bullion, value £453 17s. 2d., 37 per cent, extracted. In the month of November last a cross-cut was started from the western side of the No. 3 level, with a view to intersecting the No. 3 lode, upon which it will afford 150 ft. of backs. This cross-cut is now in a distance of 275 ft., and the lode should be to hand in another 25ft. of driving. So far as present developments have gone this is the richest lode in the mine, and the result attendant upon the work in hand should be highly satisfactory to shareholders. A contract was let in December last for driving a level in the Ivanhoe section of this company's property. Since then a distance of 120 ft. has been driven, and a corresponding distance remains to be accomplished in order to bring the level up to the known shoots of rich ore that were worked upon so successfully some years since, and on which it will afford 200 ft. of backs. At present the company's new mill is running full time in the reduction of ore from the No. 3 lode, and the results are so satisfactory that the erection of an additional ten head of stampers, together with an increase of the capacity of the cyanide plant, is likely to be carried out very shortly. A self-acting wire tram-line, I,oooft. in length, has been erected for the conveyance of firewood from the bush to the kiln, and the average number of men employed during the year was forty-five—viz., contractors, sixteen men ; and twenty-nine wages-men." Woodstock United Mine, Bth April, 1895. Grown Mine. —Work in this mine has been steadily carried on during the year. The air-com-presser (a Hirnante, 40-h.p.) has been put in position, and eight rock-drills are used in the working of the mine. The mine is well opened up ; there are six levels on the south side and three levels on the north side of the river. No. 1 south is 550 ft.; No. 2, 470 ft.; No. 3, 600 ft.; No. 4, 800 ft.; No. 5, 120 ft.; and No. 6, adit-level, 1,120 ft in length. No. 1 north is 220 ft.; No. 2, 120 ft.; and No. 6, 160 ft. in length. A winze has also been sunk 70ft. below the adit on the south side. The total amount of driving on reefs in the different levels during the year was 793 ft. ; crosscut driving, 164 ft; 2,012 fathoms of reef were stoped out; and 4,084 tons of quartz crushed and treated by the cyanide process yielded 9,9260z. 16dwt. of bullion, valued at £15,456 16s. ; and 107 wages-men were employed. The appearance of the mine warrants the expectation of a larger yield for next year. No. 6, or adit-level, was driven through disturbed country, the reef being much broken; beyond these breaks solid country is found, and the reef a compact body of stone from Bft. to 10ft. in thickness, with gold showing freely in the quartz, and there are upwards of I,oooft. of backs over the end of the level. The winze sunk below the adit has also produced rich quartz. It is intended to sink a main shaft to the westward to work below water-level. This, however, will take some time to accomplish, and no extensive work can be done below the adit until the ground is drained by the shaft. Talisman Mine. —This mine, which last year was under offer to an English syndicate, was not disposed of, and the shareholders registered under the Companies Act, and formed a company in Auckland. Arrangements were made to have a trial crushing at the Crown Mine battery, and 280 tons were conveyed by sledge and trolly to the tramway leading to the mill. The ore was crushed dry, and treated by the cyanide process for a yield of 2,4210z. of bullion, of the value of £2,348 12s. The return being satisfactory, a commencement was at once made to drive a new level, and to erect a ten-stamp mill on a site adjoining the Woodstock Company's mill, on the Waitawheta Stream. The machinery will be driven by water-power, and a tramway is to be constructed from the new low level to convey quartz to the mill. Fifteen wages-men are employed. Earl of Glasgow Mine. —This mine was steadily worked. In the month of June last year they started to erect their battery of five stamps and a berdan. It is situated on a branch of the Waitawheta Btream, and driven by water-power. The battery is connected with the mine by two ground tramways, 13 chains, and a self-acting grade 11 chains in length. This work was completed about the end of October, when crushing operations were started. In the mine 240 ft. of cross-cut and 132 ft. were driven, and 80 fathoms of reef stoped out; 194 tons of quartz yielded 2970z. 12dwt. of gold ; 8 tons of ore sold to Mr. Wick were valued at £20 per ton. Eight owners and eleven wages-men were employed. The Imperial, United, Bonanza, Golden Treasure, and Marmion have been worked, and the prospects are encouraging. A number of new licenses—viz., the Royal Mail, Wealth of Nations, Tenakoe, Eed Gauntlet, Golden Fleece, Waverly, and Impulse have been lately taken up, and prospecting-work commenced. Owhaeoa District. The Smile of Fortune, Gadvian, and Burton licensed holdings are now owned by the Owharoa Gold-mining Company (Limited). The Smile of Fortune has been worked by tributers. 589 tons were crushed for 1320z. 13dwt. of gold. Five tributers were employed. In the Oadman section work was commenced on the south side of the river, and cuttings put in about 6ft. deeper than the old workings. The reef was a mass of sandstone, mixed with small veins of quartz. A winze was sunk about 30ft., but had to be dropped on account of too much water to contend with. It was then decided to sink a shaft to drain the ground; but after a commencement had been made, a

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fresh scheme was introduced, viz., to sink on the north instead of on the south side of the river, but this work is not yet commenced. The owners crushed 439 tons for 82oz. 9dwt. of gold. Four men were employed Maddens Folly Mine (Madden and party owners) —208 tons were crushed for 31oz. Bdwt. of gold. Three men were employed. Waitekauei District. Jubilee Mine. —This mine was worked by two men a portion of the year. A cyanide plant is being erected at the battery, and a large pit 150 ft in length for catching slimes. The mine has been floated in London, and no doubt operations will shortly be conducted in a vigorous manner. The Old Waitekauri, Young New Zealand, and Skene's Claims have been worked for very small returns. The Ellen, a new licensed holding, has been taken up near Diamond Gully, and the quartz is of a favourable description. Whakamobhad Disteict (Waitekauri North). Grace Darling Mine. —The ten-stamp mill and cyanide plant were completed, and a commencement made to treat quartz. It was, however, a great disappointment, 389 tons yielded 370z. 19dwt. by amalgamation and 350z. by the cyanide process. A level to cut the reef at a greater depth has been driven. Sixteen men were employed. Golden Gross Mine. —A large amount of work has been done in connection with this mine. The additions to the battery were completed, and it now consists of a ten-stamp dry-crushing mill, with cyanide plant. The low level was driven up to and along the reef, which maintains a thickness of 23ft. of payable quartz. A tramway from the low level connects with a shaft, where the quartz is elevated to the kiln by a hydraulic lift. The mine has been further opened by driving on the reef discovered up the creek. This reef also gives payable quartz. 850 ft. of driving has been done on reefs, and 80 fathoms of reef stoped out; 1,569 tons of quartz, treated by cyanide, yielded 5,3340z., and 200 tons of tailings 1,0840z. of gold. Twenty-seven men were employed. A fresh scheme is proposed in the working of this mine. A new low level of great length is to be driven to drain the reef, as according to the wet nature of the ground sinking a shaft and pumping water would be required to work deeper than the present adit. This mine, the Komata, and Old Waitekauri are under offer to an English company, and sufficient capital will be introduced to open up the different mines in what promises to be one of the most valuable properties in Ohinemuri County. The Progress and Portsea Mines have not yielded any returns for the year. The Taranaki and St. Hippo Licensed Holdings, to the northward of the Golden Cross, have been steadily prospected, and the reefs give payable prospects. The Alpha Mine is situated on the eastern side of the range, near the Komata tramway hopper. A reef about 2ft. in thickness was discovered, and a drive put in for 100 ft., the quartz giving good prospects, and the reef widening to about 2ft. in thickness. Other licensed holdings and special claims have been taken up, and it is reported that several reefs have been discovered giving good prospects. Komata District. Komata Mine. —The mine was steadily worked during the year ; winzes have been sunk to a depth of 120 ft. below adit-level, and cross-cut driven from the bottom to cut the different reefs. The results have been very favourable, the quartz in both reefs being richer, and the gold of good quality at the lower workings. 705 tons of quartz yielded, by amalgamation, 10,4070z., and, by cyanide, 9780z., and 200 tons of tailings, by amalgamation, 210z., and, by cyanide, 2,1080z. 12dwt., the value of amalgamated gold being £3,564 25., and cyanide £1,343. Six men were employed. The Komata, Al, and Queen's Birthday.- —Three licensed holdings are held by Mr. W. H. Argall on behalf of the Komata Eeefs Company, floated in London. A reef of payable quartz was discovered in the Komata ground, and the new company are about to undertake extensive works in opening the ground and in the erection of machinery. Waihi Disteict. Waihi Mine. —This mine has again been vigorously worked and large returns obtained. The Welcome and Martha Eeefs have been worked at the No. 1 level, 80ft. below adit, and also at the adit-level. Large quantities of quartz were also mined from the open cutting on the Martha Eeef. The stopes in this mine extend about 700 ft., the longest run worked on any reef in the district. 24,210 tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 61,1320z. of gold, valued at £84,925 6s. lid. Another cross-cut is being driven 90ft. below No. 1. This will open up a large block on the reef. A second shaft has also been commenced 600 ft. to the westward of the present shaft, and a cross-cut is being driven from adit-level to connect with the new one. Extensive additions have been made to the mill. Thirty new stamps will be ready in a short time, and additions have also been made to the roasting-kilns and cyanide plant. The company will be able to put through a much larger quantity of quartz during next year. In view of additional increase to the water-power, it is proposed to construct a large race from Waihi to Owharoa. The whole of the water in the Ohinemuri Eiver will be used, and also the water from the Waitekauri Stream. There are two ways in which this water-power may be used, either to lay a railway from the mine to Owharoa and erect another mill, or convey power by electricity from Owharoa to the present mill. This would give power to work more extensive machinery. Two hundred and thirty men were employed in the mine, mill, and bush. Silverton Mine. —The only work carried on during the year was sinking the new shaft to a depth of 108 ft. A small engine and pump were used, but work had to be suspended until fresh

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machinery is procured This mine has lately been disposed of to a Home company, named the Silverton-Waihi Extended Gold-mining Company, and Mr. H. H. Adams, the newly-appointed manager, has furnished the directors with a report with recommendation as to future working &c lhe scheme has been adopted and the work commenced. In the report Mr Adams says : ''The mam shaft is now down a distance of 108 ft. from the surface. This is 88ft. below your smithy level u t jecommend starting a cross-cut 100 ft. from the surface of the shaft; this would give you a well of Bft and a Hock of 80ft. below your smithy level. This cross-cut will require to be driven a distance of 180 ft to cut the lode. This work can be started at once if a small pump is got to keep the water out of the shaft, and a horse-whip erected to haul the stuff. This work would necessitate an extra.expenditure of £200. The work can be in progress, and will not interfere with the erection of the permanent pumping and winding plant. Your main shaft will require making larger, so that you can sink 2,000 ft. if required, and to do this you will reqnire a shaft 14ft. by 6ft., in the clear and timbered with 8 by 8 frame-sets, 2 ft. apart, slabbed with 9 by 2 slabs. This work can also be in progress during the erection of the permanent winding and pumping plant. The cost of this work will not exceed £225. Poppet-heads will require to be erected over your shaft 60ft high ™ all necessary bearings for winding-sheaves and guides; the cost of this work will not exceed £200. You will require a winding plant capable of winding 2,000 ft. I would recommend your getting a double-cylinder engine for this work, and of the very latest type; if this plant is got new it will not exceed £1,200. You will also require a pumping plant capable of carrying you down a distance of 2,000 ft I would suggest the Cornish system of plungers and drawing-lifts ; these pumps to be worked by a horizontal engine connected with the pumps with crank and crank-shaft the crank having different lengths of stroke, say, 7ft. to 3ft. This will put you in a position to cope with small or large quantities of water. The cost of these pumps and engine will not exceed £2 150 You will require also two multitubular boilers to supply steam for your winding plant and pumpingengmes. These boilers will require to be built on the very latest economising type, and sufficiently large so that either ot them will have sufficient capacity to find the steam for the engines These boilers, placed m position, will not exceed a cost of £750. Two kilns will require to be built to dry your ore to make it fit for dry-crushing. I would recommend these kilns being put at the mine Ihis will be a great saving, as you will only require to convey to the mill the dried ore. Tt will also save elevating the ore, which, if done at the battery, would require elevating twice The cost of these kilns will not exceed £300. A tramway will be required from the mine to the mill the distance being about one mile and a quarter. I would recommend 261b. rails being used, with sleepers 6by4, 3 ft. apart _ The cost of this line will not exceed £750. The battery will require to be made a dry-crushing mill. This alteration will necessitate new stampers and a complete new cyanide plant erected on the most modern principle. The cost of this work will not exceed £2 500 It you adopt the foregoing recommendations, I have not the least hesitation in saying you will have a complete plant, and, from information I have received from men whose opinion is of value you have a mine which warrants this expenditure. There will be required, extra to the above amounts £1,850 for driving cross-cut, opening up reef, supply of 2,000 tons of firewood, office, blacksmith's shop, and sundries. The Gladstone Mine was abandoned, but the ground is again taken up. Grand Junction Mine.— This is situated on the eastern boundary of the Waihi Mine Mr J W. Walker, the manager, says : " The company's operations to date (31st March, 1895) have been confined to erecting diamond-drill plant, sinking with same to 206 ft., and in building housing for manager and his men on the mine. The first 21ft. sunk in alluvial deposit, which rested on 91ft of rhyolitic rock, under which is a layer of 75ft. of soft whitish clay, resting on about 10ft of very' coarse sandy material. I may add that we are now (6th April) for the last 19ft. into a fine'healthy sandstone class of country, precisely similar to that which enclosed the Martha Eeef A great deal of attention has been directed to this district, and a large area of ground occupied under licensed holdings and special claims, but some time will yet elapse before permanent works are commenced in the new areas. The heavy deposits of rhyolite overlaying the bed-rock in this district renders the work of prospecting difficult and expensive. ™ . I Th i e .9. assel ' s Gold-extracting Company {Limited) have kept their plant for the treatment of Waihi tailings continuously employed. During the year 18,732 tons of tailings were treated for a return of gold bullion valued at £17,225 10s. 7d. It is expected that the stock of tailings will last another six months. b piako county. Waiobongomai Disteict. New Find Mine.— -Very little work has been done in this mine during the year • 23 tons crushed for the owners, 16oz. 17dwt., and 250 tons of tailings treated for 550z. Bdwt of'gold and for tnbuters 15 tons for 9oz. 17dwt. of gold. ' Loyalty Mine.—Four men have been employed during the year. Upwards of 200 ft of driving has been done, and 80 fathoms of the reef stoped out. 321 tons of quartz yielded 3420z. Bdwt. of Palace Mine.— This mine includes portion of the old May Queen ground. Nine tons were crushed for 290z. of gold. Two men were employed for about six months. New Premier Mine (late Neiusham's).— A portion of the large reef about 16ft. in width was taken out, and 460 tons yielded 1560z. lldwt. of gold. Two men were employed. Several prospecting parties have been working in this district, but no new discovery has been made. Tui Cebek Disteict. Champion Mine.— Very little work has been done, and there are no returns for the year Galena Mine.— Three men have been employed during the greater part of the year,' but no returns of gold or exported galena have been made.

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Thames Dbainage. Big Pump. Pumping operations have been steadily carried on during the year, the water-level being kept 493 ft. from the sill. The May Queen Company was thus enabled to continue the low-level to drain the new block opened from the Saxon workings. No other mine was worked at such a depth. The quantity of coal consumed during the year was 2,500 tons, principally from Hikurangi and Ngunguru Coal-mines. The working expenses were £3,300, or about £280 per month. A new exhaust-pipe was fitted to the top of the cylinder, at a cost of £50. A new 5-Jin. steel-wire rope (breaking-strain, 125 tons), 850 ft. in length, and costing £114, was obtained to replace the round hemp rope used on the capstan. A new pulley for the rope, fixed on the poppet-heads, cost £45. Six men are constantly employed. Genekal Bules. The ventilation of mines and the other rules are generally well complied with throughout the Hauraki district. Dividends Paid. Try Fluke Gold-mining Company, £1,250; Waiotahi Gold-mining Company, £1,500; Komata Gold-mining Company, £1,500; Waihi Gold-mining Company, £40,000. Accidents. No fatal accidents occurred during the year, but the following were reported : —■ Thomas Johnson received injuries about the head, and face from a blast in Victoria Mine on the Bth April, 1894. John Peat was injured by a truck falling over the tip at May Queen Mine on the 25th June, 1894. Fred Booth was caught in machinery at Waiorongomai Battery on the 20th August, 1894. Carlo Blusch was injured by piece of rock falling from hanging-wall ; Queen of the North Mine, on the 16th August, 1894. Thomas Paltridge : Leg broken by rock falling from side of drive, Hazelbank Mine, on the 29th September, 1894. E. A. Daldy : Fingers injured by explosion of a detonator, Hauraki Mine, on the 19th October, 1894. Mark Shea : Leg broken by fall from ladder, Eed Mercury Mine, on the 20th November, 1894. Herbert Eobinson : Injury to hip by fall of mullock on surface, Orlando Mine, on the 18th January, 1895. Edward Moore : Compound dislocation of the toe by foot slipping under connecting-rod of pumping-engine, Hauraki Mine, on the 19th January, 1895. Thomas Smith : Injured by explosion in a hole previously fired, Crown Mine, on the 26th January, 1895. John Egan : Collar-bone broken and severely bruised by fall of rock from hang-ing-wall, Maddens Folly Mine, on the 2nd March, 1895. Thomas Lynch was injured by fall from ladder, Waihi Battery, on the 27th March, 1895. With the exception of Thomas Johnson, all the others are able to resume their ordinary employment. Remarks. The returns show an increase for Coromandel of 11,5390z. This is due to the rich yield from the Hauraki Mine, otherwise there would have been a decrease, owing to the falling-off in the yield from Kapanga and Kuaotunu. In the Thames district there is a decrease of 11,8890z., the falling-off being chiefly in the mines within the drainage area and Moanataiari district. In Comer's, Kuranui, there is an increase of 2420z. sdwt., in the Waiotahi lOOoz. ldwt., and in the Victoria 2820z. 17dwt.; whilst Hansen's, Kuranui, shows a decrease of 7070z., Hazelbank 1,6680z., Moanataiari 1,2230z. Bdwt., Cambria 681oz. lldwt., and the May Queen 3590z. 15dwt., being a total decrease of 4,0150z. ldwt. There has also been a great falling-off in the return from the New Alburnia Mine, the return being 9850z. for 1895, as against 5,9910z. 15dwt. for 1894. In Tapu, Waiomo, Puru, Moanataiari, Waiotahi, Karaka, Una Hill and Te Papa, Hape Creek, and Tairua districts yields are much less than those of last year. The chief prospecting-work during the year has been in the Victoria, Moanataiari, Alburnia, Fame and Fortune, and the May Queen Mines. The ground opened up has not so far been productive, but the workings in the large block opened in the May Queen Mine already show that a material increase in the next year's yield from this mine may be anticipated. The workings lately opened in the New Alburnia will yield payable returns. The general indications in the Thames district are that, unless one of the rich patches for which the Thames is noted be discovered, there is little hope that the yield for next year will favourably compare with the past returns. The returns from Ohinemuri district, with the exception of the Crown Mine at Karangahake, show a material increase, and at Te Aroha the decrease may be attributed to a less quantity of tailings having been treated during the year. In Coromandel district there is every prospect of rich returns being maintained from the Hauraki Mine, and, although a large amount of English capital is to be expended in the Blagrove's, Scotty's, Kapanga, Tokatea, Eoyal Oak, and other mines, there may not be any great addition to next year's yield of gold, as the preliminary work in shaft-sinking, &c, will probably occupy a considerable part of this year. Extensive work in prospecting deep ground in country of a favourable character, but formerly inaccessible on account of water, will, in my opinion, lead to the discovery of a continuation of the rich reefs formerly worked, and there is very little doubt of ultimate success attending deeper exploration. At Kuaotunu, a greater yield may be expected, the Try Fluke, Great Mercury, and KapaiVermont having their mines well opened up, and the reefs yield good prospects of gold. In the Thames district it does not at present appear that there will be any great improvement, as, even in the event of a scheme being adopted to work the low levels, much time will elapse before

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the preliminary work can be done so as to prospect for runs of gold at a depth greater than present workings. However, if a commencement is made to test the deep ground, increased confidence will be felt, and ground at present abandoned again be occupied and worked. There is very little doubt that the Ohinemuri returns will not only be maintained, but that there will be a material increase during the next year. The addition to the plant will enable the Waihi Company to deal with a greater quantity of ore, when there will be a corresponding improvement in the returns of gold. The Golden Cross Mine, at Waitekauri, and the Komatu Mine, also promise to maintain their excellent yields. The Crown Mine, at Karangahake, looks better, and bids fair to give an increase in the yield, and the Woodstock Mine also is in a position to treat an increased quantity of ore, is well opened up, and the reefs give good prospects. The Talisman Company has in hand the erection of a mill capable of treating their quartz, and, as the parcel already crushed at the Crown Company's mill gave a highly remunerative yield, a continuation of successful results may be looked for. An extensive area of ground is being taken up for mining purposes throughout the whole of the Hauraki district, and no doubt other new and payable reefs will be discovered, but an immediate increase in the yields from this source is not to be looked for, as machinery is required, and the plants at present in the district are fully employed in extracting the gold from the mines to which they belong. I have, &c, George Wilson, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 4. Mr. Warden Allen to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sic,— Blenheim, 20th April, 1895. 1 have the honour to forward you herewith my annual returns for the period ended the 31st March last. I have nothing special to report concerning the gold-field under my charge. Ido not think the number of men actually at work on the ground has decreased during the year. I regret having to report that, notwithstanding the adoption of the cyanide process, the Bavenscliff Company have not found their present mine payable, and have ceased operations for the present. Several licensed holdings have been cancelled during the year, but this will not affect the prosperity of the district, for the reason that no work had ever been done on these cancelled holdings. Although I cannot report any improvement in mining matters, I am still of the opinion that there is a very large tract of payable alluvial and quartz country within the boundaries of this goldfield. I have, &c, J. Allen, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 5. Mr. Warden Heaps to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 13th May, 1895. I have the honour to forward herewith the usual statistical returns for the Wangapeka and Tableland portions of the Karamea Mining District. As the returns indicate, there has been little doing in mining matters in this district during the past year. An effort was made to get up a company to prospect in the Moutere and Eiwaka districts, but as yet nothing has come of it. The most hopeful direction in which to look for development is in the new country now being tapped by the track in course of construction to the Karamea Bend. When this is finished, I have no doubt considerable developments may be looked for in the country it will open up. I have, &c, Wilson Heaps, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Department of Mines, Wellington.

No. 6. Mr. Warden Greenfield to the Und£b-Secbetary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sic,— Warden's Office, Westport, 13th May, 1895. I have the honour to forward herewith the statistical returns and report on the mining industry of the Karamea Mining District for the year ended the 31st March, 1895, as follows, viz. :— Addison's. All the old claims have been doing well, though some of them have had to carry out expensive works. For instance, Moran and party have driven and boxed a tunnel tail-race over 1,000 ft., and repaired and completed 2,000 ft. of the old tunnel. The tail-race is now in good repair, and is one mile in length, all tunnel. Carmody and party have driven and boxed a tail-race 2,300 ft., and repaired their water-race from end to end, about six miles.

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The Addison's Gold-sluicing Company (Limited). —The above company was formed to work two leases, comprising 66 acres of virgin ground, north of and adjoining Gould and party's claim. About a mile of the lead has been tested by shafts, with payable prospects. The mode of working will be the usual method adopted at Addison's —by a tail-race tunnel and water-balance lift. The tunnel line has been surveyed, and a contract let for its completion at a cost of about £1,000. Its length is 1 mile 18 chains, and has an average fall of 7in. to the 100 ft. With the exception of one or two short tunnels, it will be on a lower level than any other race of the same description at Addison's. About 2,000 ft. have already been driven, and it is anticipated that this portion of the work necessary to open up the claim will be completed during the present year. The Piper's Flat Auriferous Cement Claim. —Since my last report this claim was let on tribute, the result of which proved so satisfactory that the owners decided to erect five more stamps, making a battery of ten. The paddock was also altered to permit the use of self-feeders. These are of the simple percussion type, and are found to act remarkably well, permitting from 65 to 70 cubic yards of cement broken to 4in. to be put through the ten stamps in twenty-four hours. Without such self-feeders it would be difficult to find a man able to shovel 22 cubic yards properly into two separate boxes in eight hours, and attend to the plates, cloths, &c, at the same time. Another innovation on this field was the use of muntz-metal plates in place of copper. This was also a success. They are much cheaper, the amalgam much more easily removed, and often gave a higher return than the copper. The tramways were laid with iron rails, and yet, in spite of all these improvements, the operations of the party have not been financially a success. The cause is attributed to the fact that the work has been in old worked out ground for the last five months. The future workings will be all in new ground. The Venttire Gold-mining Company. —This company has kept steadily at work with a twelvehead stamper battery crushing cement. They have a constant supply of water, drawn principally from the Totara Eiver, a distance of seven miles. Twelve men are kept constantly employed. The company has decided to register under " The Mining Company's Act, 1882." During the last twelve months considerable delay has been caused by laying down new roads to open out ground in three different places, and still further proving the ground for future operations. For the past twelve months 10,008 yards of cement have been crushed, which has averaged ldwt. per yard, with the satisfactory result of 25 per cent, on the original outlay. Now that the ground is proved beyond doubt, and steady and permanent work provided, even better results may be confidently expected in the future. Westport Prospecting Association. —The object of this association in the main is to prove whether any payable auriferous leads exist in what is known as the " Fairdown " district. With this in view, some of the inhabitants of Westport and adjoining districts have subscribed to cover the cost, and the Government have subsidised the same by grant under the regulations of the Mining Act for that purpose. So far, 1,410 ft. have been driven, colours of gold have been found, but as yet nothing payable. It is proposed to continue the drive to the foot of the terrace, where a shaft, known as " Gardner's shaft," bottomed on payable gold, but there was too much water to allow of the ground being worked. Should no fresh leads be found, the tunnel will serve as a drainage-tunnel to Gardner's lead ; but to reach that spot nearly 5,000 ft. more will have to be driven. Of this, 600 ft. is let by contract. The driving costs 4s. lid. per foot. Mokihinui. I have very little to say about this district relative to gold-mining. The Swanston Goldmining Company are erecting a battery to test the stone on their claim, and will probably commence crushing next month. Should the stone prove payable, other ground in the neighbourhood will no doubt be worked, and the result of the crushing is therefore being anxiously waited for. Charleston. I have nothing to add to my last report as to gold-mining in this district beyond the fact that the Four-mile Water-race has now been completed and connected with the Argyle Dam. It has cost about £5,000. It is about seven miles long —one mile of which is tunneling, one and a quarter miles iron fluming—and the race is capable of supplying twenty Government heads of water. This should prove a great boon to the district, and it is to be hoped the revenue derived from it may be sufficient to relieve the ratepayers from the heavy tax levied on them for its construction, which, up to the present time, has been severly felt by many who have a hard struggle to make a living. Ltell. The United Alpine. —This mine has been steadily worked throughout the year, and the battery has been kept pretty steadily at work also ; but, owing to the poorness of the stone and the quantity of water to contend with, only two dividends of 9d. and 6d. have been paid. Fifty-two men are employed, and the gold obtained amounted to 3,7810z., against 8,2550z. obtained last year. It is intended to sink on the incline-shaft a distance of 300 ft., with the view of striking the reef recently struck in the Lyell Greek Extended Mine, and known as the North Block. Should they strike this reef the prospects will be more favourable. The Lyell Creek Extended Mine. —The owners of this mine, which adjoins the Alpine, have driven a tunnel 3,700 ft., which has taken them about thirteen years to drive, and has cost, up to now, £11,800. About three months ago a reef was struck, 10ft. wide, showing good gold, which raised the value of the shares. Six men are now employed straightening the main tunnel, which will be finished shortly, when a number of men will be employed taking out stone. The reef struck is situate about 200 ft. perpendicular from the lower workings in the Alpine, and a few months' operations will prove the permanency and value of the mine, the prospects of which may be said to be very good. 3—C. 3a.

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The United Italy Mine.— This is a leader claim worked by six tributers. They had two crushings during the" year, and obtained 4840z. of gold from 140 tons of stone. They are now driving a low-level tunnel 600 ft., which will take about ten months to complete, when they hope to strike the leader which paid them for their labour three months since. The Tyrconnel Mine. —Another leader claim held by a party of three lessees. Six men are employed driving a tunnel. They have driven I,oooft. during the past eighteen months, and have struck several leaders, none of them payable. They have to drive about 350 ft. further, when they hope to strike the leader which yielded soz. to the ton eighteen months ago. The Grams Mine.— -This is also a leader claim, owned by the lessees of the Tyrconnel Mine. It is let to a party of two. They had two crushings during the year, but only obtained to the ton, and, therefore, not payable. With regard to alluvial mining in this district there is little to report. Very few miners are obtaining payable gold, chiefly owing to the long spells of dry weather during the last six months preventing the working of the claims for want of water. Muechison. The Mammoth Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —This company hold a special claim of_ 100 acres at Moonlight's Point, Matakitaki Valley. After prospecting the ground, and being satisfied as to its value, the company proceeded with the survey of the line of the necessary water-race. To insure a permanent and abundant supply, it was found necessary to tap the Matakitaki Eiver, and, as the terraces proposed to be worked are most of them over 100 ft. above the river-bed, the head of the race had to start some ten miles up the river to obtain sufficient elevation. After clearing the bush and surveying the line of race, in October last the first contract was let, and the first seven miles was rapidly carried on, when it was discovered that the line encroached on private property, and, as the owner would not allow the work to proceed unless the company paid what was considered an exorbitant demand, a block occurred. The company then decided to pick up the water from the side creeks along the portion of the race already cut, and proceed with the works, pending the settlement of the dispute. As some 70,000 ft. of timber was required for fluming, &c, it was found necessary to erect a sawmill. This was done on the 25th of January, and the timber- and earthworks were completed; but sluicing could not be started, as, owing to the state of the road, the carriers refused to convey the necessary plant to the site of the proposed commencement. _ After some delay the County Engineer had some repairs executed, so as to enable the lighter portions of the plant to be carted up, and slucing was started during the day only, as it was considered unsafe to work a new face at night. The company are now working three shifts. The length of the race constructed is seven miles; it is 6ft. wide, and 2ft. 6in. deep. Of this portion there are 52 chains of flume. At every section of flume there is a check-gate, by-wash, and overflow, so that no matter what quantity of water comes into the ditch there is no danger to the race, as all extra water spills at the checkgates. The flumes are sft. 10in. wide by 2ft. 10in. deep. At present only a 15in. main-pipe is being used, but as soon as the road is made passable an 18in. pipe will be used. The complete plant consists of 18in. diameter main of twelve-gauge riveted steel pipes and angle-iron flanges. _ Two lines of 15in. diameter sub-mains branching from these supply-pipes of llin. diameter. The sluice-valves are on the llin. lines, and are top-screw valves, single-faced, with revolving steel nuts outside. The hydraulic giants are lOin. waterways ; the body consists of two 90° bends, bolted through centres with a steel centre-bolt, the flange being fitted with a recessed swivel-joint; this combination gives a Ml circular sweep to the tool. In the outlet portion of the giant is fitted a socket-joint; into this is fitted a hollow ball-joint, to which is attached the water-tube of the tool. Thusthe whole combination gives a tool which, with full pressure on, can be swung round in a complete circle, and in addition can be raised and depressed to an angle of 75°. The water-tube has a threaded terminal, so that jets of any size up to sin. diameter can be screwed on. Two jets are being used, 4|in. and 3Jin. diameter, and in addition a head-race over the face carrying six heads of water. The sluice-boxes are 4ft. wide and 2ft. deep. The head-boxes are laid with angle iron ripples on cocoanut-matting. The lower portion of the run is laid with wood blocks 12in. by 12in. by Bin. Between each row of blocks is a lin. slot; thus the blocks have a space of lin. between the rows. These spaces being 6in. deep form a good catchment. The terrace now being worked consists of a varied class of drift. There are two layers of heavy wash, one on the top of the terrace and the other about 60ft. down. The top layer is about Bft. thick, and the lower about 6ft. ; between these two layers is a deposit of finer gravel. The two heavier layers carry much coarser gold, the other carrying a very fine gold, quite as fine as the Charleston black-sand gold. This very fine gold has not been found before by the miners in this locality, which is no doubt due to the fact that by their methods of working they cannot save it. The whole of the exposed face of wash seems to carry the gold very evenly right through. There has been no washing up yet, but from the appearance of the ripples and prospects tried from the blocks there is promise of favourable results. There are several claims ground-sluicing on the flats below the Mammoth Claim; and all appear to be doing well. On the other or south side of the river opposite the Mammoth Claim, is the Tyrone or White's Claim, which is worked on the hydraulic principle. The face of gravel is over 100 ft. high—very fine wash, in which one can scarcely see a colour when trying a prospect, in spite of which a good sample of gold is obtained on washing up. The race is 2ft. wide, lft. 6in. deep, and heads from Wheeler's Creek ; pipes, 16-gauge ; telescope-tubes, Bin. in diameter. ■ About a mile below the Tyrone Claim, McDowell Brothers are sluicing with water brought from the Glenroy Eiver, about two miles and a half. The race is 2ft. 6in. by lft. 3m. Their methods of working are somewhat crude, being too fond of shifting face, whereas the one necessity for working low-grade gravel profitably is continuous and systematic sluicing. Several small parties are working up the Glenroy Eiver, and there are a good many Chinese working the Matakitaki Eiver beaches.

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Two special claims have been applied for since the Mammoth started, and it is believed the poorest of the terraces will yield at least 2gr., which is good enough to pay hydraulic workings. Cascade Ceeek. In this creek, which is about ten miles from Westport, on the north side of the Buller, Button and party have been working about two years trying to bottom. They expect to strike payable wash within a month, arriving at this conclusion from the result of a prospecting-shaft put down some distance above their present workings. The ground is held by licensed holdings. Immediately above this claim Foster and party hold an extended claim, and they also have started operations for bottoming the creek. A considerable quantity of rough gold has been won by fossicking on the banks of the creek. It is, however, anticipated that the best gold will be found in the creek-bed, as most of the terraces appear to have slipped into the watercourse. To open up this auriferous district, a track is required from the Nine-mile Ferry, a distance of about three miles. At present, if wet weather, it is not possible to travel to or from the ground. Collingwood. It is pleasing to be able to report that the future prospects of this district look more promising. There has been an increase of fifty-eight miners' rights and thirty-nine applications. As anticipated in my last report, a good many claims have been taken up in the Kaituna district, and the miners are reported to be doing well. The Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company. —This enterprising company have nearly completed their extensive works, and will soon commence sluicing operations, the result of which is waited for with great anxiety as of very great importance to the district. The first contract in connection with these works was let in November, 1893, and the works have progressed as fast as such circumstances as the importation of pipes, difficulties of transit, &c, would admit. The head-works of the company are situate at Bichmond Flat, on the Parapara Eiver. In this locality a concrete dam has been constructed, which diverts the whole of the river (except in time of flood) through a tunnel 24 chains in length, opening out at the head of Appo's Creek. From the tunnel outlet the water is conveyed by a flume, 19 chains, to the pipe-intake-penstock, and thence in wrought-steel pipes to the Parapara flats, junctions being fitted for service to the several properties held by the company along the route of the pipe-line. The normal flow of the Parapara Biver is estimated at twenty-five Government heads, and at the present height of the dam this is all there is at command; but provision has been made for storage, if found desirable and necessary, by building the dam with sufficient base to admit of the height being increased so as to allow of 20ft. of storage. In view of this, the tunnel flume and pipe have been proportioned for a fifty-head supply. As the work of raising the height of the dam can be carried on without interfering with the sluicing operations, it is deemed advisable to allow the existing work to thoroughly set and season before adding more weight. Johnstons United Mining Company. —There is very little alteration in this mine since my report of last year. To work the mine with any degree of profit another low-level tunnel is considered necessary, but it is doubtful if the prospects are sufficiently encouraging to justify the necessary outlay. Twelve men are employed. At West Wanganui about fifteen men are mining, and said to be making wages. Land-settle-ment is progressing, and there are three sawmills in the district, which are a great assistance to settlers clearing their land. Deedging. A small dredge has been placed on the Aorere Biver (Collingwood) recently, and on its first trial worked sixty-seven hours, and obtained 12oz. of gold. This being considered highly satisfactory, a company is to be formed to place a larger and better dredge on the river. The success of this dredge has also led to applications for several other claims on this river, and in a few months it is probable that two or three more dredges will be at work. The Cock Sparrow Dredge, which is working on the Buller Biver, near Three-channel Flat, has been doing well for some time past, and has recently paid a dividend of 3d. per share, being the first dividend paid by any dredging company in the district. The Hen Sparrow Company have applied for a special claim for a mile of the river adjoining the Cock Sparrow Claim. The Buller Dredge (formerly Alexandra), working on the Buller Biver, at Fern Flat, and the Matakitaki Dredge, working on the Matakitaki Biver, are reported to be getting gold, and doing fairly well, but they have a great many difficulties to contend with. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Alfeed Gbbbnfield, Warden.

No. 7. Mr. Warden Stratford to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Reefton, 10th May, 1895. I have the honour to forward to you herewith statistical returns for the year ended 31st March, and beg to submit the following report on the Inangahua district for the same period. The result of the year's operation shows a falling-off as compared with the previous year; the calls are less by £4,197, and the dividends less by £7,820, and the yield of gold from the quartzmines less by 4,9870z. The yield of alluvial gold, however, shows an increase of 5870z. From the

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opening of the district to the 31st March last 640,933 tons of quartz have been crushed, from which 459,4230z. of gold have been obtained, representing a value of £1,794,175, out of which sum £562,593 was distributed in dividends. The total amount of alluvial gold raised for the same period is approximately estimated at 122,1210z., of the value of £450,740. The total gold-production of the district amounts to 581,5440z. of the value of £2,244,915. The following table will show the calls made, dividends declared, &c., by the various companies n the district during the year : —

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

* Yield from tailings treated by cyanide process. I submit for your information the following account of the work done by the principal companies in the district during the past twelve months :— Devil's Ceeek. Progress. —At the time of last reporting the No. 5 main level was in course of being opened up, a chamber having been constructed at the bottom of the shaft, and a cross-cut to the line of reef commenced. The reef was intersected at a distance of 400 ft. from the chamber, and has been driven on in this level a distance of 80ft., with stone showing in both east and west ends. Seven stopeshave been opened above the main level, not all driven home, and a new make of stone of a very promising character has come in on the foot-wall of the leading eastern stope, having at present a northerly course. The size of the main reef varies considerably, being from 4ft. to 16ft. in width, but it is payable throughout, and a lengthened period of profitable work, with regular dividends, can be looked for from the present level. A chamber has been constructed, and a winze will be started at an early date for the purpose of opening up another (No. 6) level, the directors fully realising the importance of continuing without cessation progressive works, which in the past were somewhat neglected. The winding-power of the company's plant has been supplemented during the year by the erection of a Tangye steel boiler of twenty-five-horse power, and this addition will make the plant complete. The amount of stone crushed during the year was 7,150 tons, yielding 3,6200z. of gold, or an average of slightly over lOdwt. to the ton, the value of the gold obtained being £14,663 os. Id. The total output of the mine amounts to 51,595 tons of quartz, which yielded 24,2710z. of gold, representing a value of £97,315, out of which the company have paid £17,400 in dividends,

Name of Company. Calls made. Dividends declared. Quartz crushed. Yield of Gold. Value. Wealth of Nations Exchange Sir Francis Drake... Sir Charles Russell Al Sir Francis Drake Syndicate Keep-It-Dark Globe No. 2 South Keep-It-Dark ... Golden Point Ingle wood Extended Cumberland Dillon ... Hercules... _ Gallant ... New Low-level Tunnel Golden Lead £ s. 300 0 600 0 600 0 a. 0 0 0 £ s. a. 812 10 0 Tons. 3,379 Oz. 954 £ s. d. 3,816 0 0 1,083' 6 900 0 8 0 1,550 470 42 350 936 4,445 50 155 250 722 530 294 374 35 334 1,372 12 43 70 785 2,073 17 10 1,168 12 1 1,520 4 3 140 0 0 1,336 0 0 5,556 12 0 48 0 0 172 6 7 280 0 0 3,183 1 1 50 0 1,800 0 500 0 300 0 50 0 70 0 1,800 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 600 0 0 1,200" 0 0 2,610 1,215 4,831 18 6 Progress ... Big River Royal 4,200" 0 0 4,200 0 0 341 7,150 1,760 108 114 3,620 2,560 53i 459 2 10 14,663 0 1 10,271 10 10 213 0 0 Private Co's and Tributers— Energy Frampton and another ... Golden Fleece ... Victoria Golden Treasure Fiery Cross Caledonian Boatman's Tailings 30 119 1,054 326 48 688 20 8J 17 397 98 10i 325 20i *177 33 0 0 68 0 0 1,588 0 0 392 0 0 42 0 0 1,300 0 0 114 0 0 238 19 0 Alluvial gold 10,153 6 8 11,012 10 0 26,603 13,4261 4,550 53,509 17,742 5 0 1 0 Totals... |17,976i 71,251 5 1

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Globe.— The reef in No. 6 level was struck after driving about 400 ft. from the bottom of the shaft. This reef has an average width of about 15ft., and it has been driven on 180 ft.—viz., 130 ft. west, and 50ft. east, where there was a blank for a few feet, when another block of stone, running south-east and north-west was met with. This block has been driven on 54ft., and has an average width of about 10ft. The main shaft is now down 825 ft., the depth of Nos. 5 and 6 levels being 200 ft., which will give about 275 ft. of backs on the reef. It is a matter for regret that the fine bodies of stone met with on No. 6 are rather poor, the gold apparently being of a very fine character, and difficult to save. An intermediate level between Nos. 5 and 6 levels was opened up, at a depth of 80ft. below No. 5, on the stone which had been sunk on in the winze. This intermediate level is now nearly worked out. In extending No. 5 level east another body of stone was struck, and this has been driven on 25ft., and there is sft. of payable stone. The company have from 60,000 to 70,000 tons of tailings stacked. The total output from the mine has been 71,808 tons of quartz, yielding 34,3210z. of gold, of the value £136,175, out of which shareholders have received £40,000. Mebbijigs. Golden Lead. —Prospecting has been steadily carried on during the year, the work being mostly confined to the upper levels. At the beginning of the year a tunnel was driven 120 ft. at the south end of the claim, and a gold-bearing leader was intersected at a depth of about 20ft. from the surface. Two small crushings from this leader proved scarcely payable. By steady prospecting and trenching on the surface another gold-bearing leader was discovered further north, from which a payable crushing has been taken. In order that this part of the ground might be cheaply and conveniently worked, No. 2 or lower level of the upper workings required to be extended about 100 ft. This work was taken in hand, and is now nearly completed. It is to be hoped the company will now have a profitable spell of work ; for the enterprise and perseverance displayed under adverse circumstances deserve success. The driving of the low-level tunnel, after reaching 670 ft., was discontinued, the company being unable (without assistance) to carry on so much prospecting. Prom small crushings the company have obtained 114oz. of gold during the year. Gumberland. —From the mouth of the incline-shaft a perpendicular shaft has been sunk a depth of 200 ft. Prom the bottom of the shaft a cross-cut was driven 150 ft. to the line of reef, but up to the present time the reef has not been found. Prospecting, however, is now being carried from the bottom level in the hope of picking it up. The sinking of the winze from the previous level was continued to a depth of 90ft. An uprise from the bottom level was taken up 65ft. to connect with the bottom of the winze. An intermediate level has been opened 80ft. from bottom of the lower level, and stone from this is now being stoped out. The stone is broken and disconnected, but is of good quality. The total output of the mine amounts to 12,272 tons of quartz, from which 10,5950z. of gold have resulted, the gold obtained presenting a value of £43,416 3s. Id., from which £13,800 has been disbursed in dividends. The company have from 5,000 to 6,000 tons of good tailings stacked. Big Eivbe. Big River. —-During the past year the sinking of the main shaft from No. 4 to 5 level to a depth of 120 ft. was completed, and, a chamber having been formed, a cross-cut was driven therefrom 160 ft. to connect with the winze which had been sunk on a strong body of stone from No. 4 level. This block of stone is 48ft. long, and has an average width of 12ft., and it is of very good quality. Stoping is now being carried on with splendid results. The reef in No. 3 level has been driven on 100 ft., but, owing to its being blocky and irregular, it will not average more than 3ft. in thickness. The quality of this stone is about the same as that on No. 5 level. "Very little stoping has been done on this stone, so that this block should last some time when operated on. A winze is being sunk on this block from No. 3 level, and it is now down 30ft. There is stone nearly all the way down in this winze, and it is evidently of large size, as only one wall has been carried down, and it is of good quality. Should this block live down to No. 5 there would be about two years' work in the mine without sinking the shaft further. In order to avoid delay in the working of the mine owing to shortness of water, the company intend erecting steam winding-machinery, and the boiler is now being sent out. The outlook of the mine at the present time is certainly very good, and the coming year should be a profitable one for shareholders. The total output of the mine amounts to 9,061 tons of quartz, which yielded 14,2020z. of gold, representing a value of £56,807 7s. 9d., out of which dividends to the extent of £27,900 have been paid. Painkillee. Sir Charles Russell. —For the past twelve months no work has been done in the low level, which is now in a distance of 1,200 ft.; it is, however, intended to resume operations in this portion of the mine at an early date, with the object of striking the reef at that depth. Inside the mine work has chiefly been confined to extending the intermediate level south and stoping above it and No. 1 level. The reef has varied in size and regularity, and the yield from the stone has not realised expectations, falling short of the test crushings at the Keep-It-Dark battery. A 10-head battery, driven by steam-power, has been erected and furnished. Cbushington. Hercules. —The trial crushing referred to in last year's report as being then taken out from the winze sunk on the reef from No. 7 level, near the South Keep-It-Dark boundary, was put through, and gave a return of 17dwt. to the ton for 31 tons crushed. No. 8 level was then extended to intersect this block, and after driving 225 ft. the reef was struck, and proved to be 120 ft. in length on this level, with a width of from 2ft. to 10ft. This block, between Nos. 8 and 7 levels, is now being stoped out, and the stone is averaging 12dwt. to the ton, enabling £1,200 to be paid in dividends to share-

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holders. About 60ft. of backs yet remain to be worked before this block is stoped out. With the view of proving the prospects of the mine, a winze is now being sunk from No. 8 level on this reef, and it is now down 50ft. on stone sft. wide carrying payable gold. The sinking of the main shaft has been commenced preparatory to opening another level. A considerable amount of work has also been done during the year in the north end of the mine, No. 7 level having been extended 150 ft. north, and an uprise of 124 ft. carried up to No. 6 level. A block of stone was intersected in the uprise, but it proved of very little value, being small and broken. No. 2 South Keep-It-Dark. —The principal work done by this company during the year has been driving and prospecting the No. 3or lowest level. The level has been driven north from the cross-cut about 400 ft., and small blocks of quartz were met with, but nothing of a payable nature. It was also driven 100 ft. south from the cross-cut. It is believed a payable block of stone will be met with by extending this level further south. A heavy expenditure has been incurred in the sinking of the shaft and the extension of the levels. Work has been discontinued for a few months to enable the company to get into a sound financial position. Keep-It-Dark. —ln last year's report it was stated that it was expected the reef on No. 6 level would be intersected in about 30ft. more driving ; no stone, however, was met with in that distance. Driving was continued west for a distance of 196 ft., with two cross-cuts, north 30ft. and south 29ft., with no better success. Work was then discontinued in this part of the mine. A winze was sunk 23ft. in the west end of No. 5 level, when the stone cut out, and a drive was put in north, 18ft., when a large body of stone was exposed to view. A second winze was sunk, and carried stone down to within 30ft. of No. 6 level. A rise was then put up to the bottom of the winze, and a small crushing taken out, which proved payable. No. 6 level was then extended 22ft., when the reef was met with, and it is at the present time being driven on, there being Bft. of stone in the face, showing gold freely. On the battery level several blocks of stone which were left in the old workings are at present being taken out with payable results. Eeasonable hopes are entertained that this wellknown mine, which, until about four years ago, gave regular dividends for so many years, will again become dividend-paying. The total output of the mine is 113,580 tons of quartz, which yielded 60,0600z. .of gold, valued at £233,866, from which £108,083 was given in dividends. Wealth of Nations. —The principal work in this mine during the year has been the opening-up for another level. Two winzes have been sunk on the reef, one 80ft. deep, on what is termed the South Block, and the other 140 ft., on the North Block. The quartz in the latter winze has improved as it got deeper —from sdwt. of gold per ton on the top to over lOdwt. at the bottom. The branch winding-shaft has been sunk 150 ft., making a total depth of 500 ft. below the battery level, and a level is at present being driven at this depth to intersect the reef sunk on in the north winze. Gold sufficient to meet the expenditure for the year has been derived from the crushing of the blocks above the 350 ft. level and from the quartz raised in the sinking of the winzes. The company expect to have the level now being driven connected with the winze in about two months. The size of the block at present being opened is 80ft. in length by an average width of 7ft., with 165 ft. of backs. General. During the year, as mines have reduced hands or ceased operations, in order to find employment, a number of parties of men have taken up and worked old abandoned ground, and others have taken some portions of other mines on tribute, but with one or two exceptions they have not met with much success. Work has been continued in the Welcome United, prospecting for a continuance of the reef worked in the old Welcome ground years ago, but so far without success. A company, known as the New Low-level Tunnel Company, has been formed, and it has acquired all the rights of the Venus and Inangahua Low-level Tunnel Companies. It is the intention of the new company to continue driving the tunnel driven by the late Inangahua Low-level Tunnel Company, and they are now clearing out and repairing the tunnel, which has been idle for the last two or three years. A contract is about to be let for the cutting of a water-race to work an exhaust for ventilation purposes, and when that is completed the extension of the tunnel will be commenced. In the Painkiller district the Dillon Company have sunk a winze, about 6ft. from the boundary of the Sir Charles Eussell Claim, to a depth of 110 ft., and for about 50ft. it was taken down on very fair stone, but after that stone became somewhat broken up. In the Merrijigs district the Sir Francis Drake Company were unsuccessful in their operations. A new make of stone was found, and at first it promised very well, but it only went a short distance over the low level, and was soon stoped out, and the company were unable to continue working. The property was sold to a party of men who had worked in the ground for the company. A crushing taken out by the new proprietors proved unpayable. They have sunk a winze 30ft. on the stone, and at that depth have opened an intermediate level, and are now taking out a trial crushing of 30 tons. They are also putting in a cross-cut from the bottom level in the hope of picking up another block of stone. In the Boatman's district, work on the tailings of the Tailings Company, by the cyanide process has been discontinued, and the Cassel Gold-extracting Company have withdrawn from the district. It is the intention of the Tailings Company to return to the berdans for the treatment of their tailings. Unfortunately the treatment of tailings by the cyanide process has not here been the success that it has elsewhere, possibly owing to the peculiar character of the tailings treated. It is a matter for regret that this process has not had a thorough and exhaustive test in this district, and it is still an open question as to whether or not tailings in this district can be successfully treated by it. It is beyond doubt, that under the present battery treatment a considerable amount of gold is lost, or, at least, not extracted. If the cyanide or any other process could extract 2dwt. or 3dwt. of gold more per ton, without any or but slight increase in the cost of treatment, than by the

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battery process, it would be a matter of the greatest importance to the district, as many of the claims have stacked thousands of tons of tailings, and thousands of tons of stone have been left in the Keep-It-Dark, Wealth of Nations, Globe, Progress, and other mines, as the yield by the ordinary battery process was unremunerative. Could these blocks of stone be made by any process to pay, they would give employment for years to a very large number of men. A prospecting association was formed here in February last, having as its object the work of prospecting for reefs under regular management and recognised plan of operations. Under this association two men are now prospecting in Big Biver district, one in Merrijigs, two in Murray Creek, two in Boatman's, and one at Larry's. Only men known to possess a knowledge of pro-specting-work are chosen, their pay averaging £1 a man per week, to which sum the Government give a subsidy of 7s. 6d. a man per week, the rest being supplied by weekly contributions from the public. This pay is not given as wages, but simply as an encouragement to prospecting, it being sufficient to provide food, whilst the prospectors are themselves entitled to the benefit of any discoveries they may make. The prospectors have met with several runs of quartz, but, so far, nothing payable. Prospecting will be continued so long as the weather and funds permit. The association have an energetic secretary in Mr. James Clark. I have to thank managers of companies and others for information kindly supplied. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. H. A. Stbatfoed, Warden.

No. 8. Mr. N. D. Cocheanb, Inspector of Mines, to the Undeb-Secbetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 3rd May, 1895. 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 during the past year. Wakamaeina. Umpire City Quartz-mine. — (11/6/94:) : Mr. James Wilkie was in charge of this mine, which is some 600 ft. above the level of the main road and not far away from the Golden Bar Claim, not now working. An adit runs in an easterly direction 140 ft. to the lode, the course of which is nearly north-west, and the width 9ft. Only 15ft. of driving has been done on the reef, which is a white quartz with some scheelite that occurs mostly on the hanging-wall. Work was intended to be in full swing in six or seven weeks after the arrival of the Otis crusher, which is on the way, and the driving of which is to be done by water-power. lam informed that work has since been stopped, as funds were required for the completion of the water-race. Waikakaho. Bavenscliff Quartz-mine was not working when I was in the district, but resumed work shortly after. Mr. C. H. Turner informs me that a cyanide plant has been fitted up, and 175 tons of quartz treated, but the return being very poor, only some 16oz. gold in all, work has been discontinued. This is to be regretted; but sooner or later rich shoots of ore such as supplied the gold to the Mahakipawa Creek will probably be found. COLLINGWOOD. Johnstons United Quartz-mine. —(15/6/94) : Mr. H. Cottier, without certificate, was in charge, only five miners and three truckers being employed in the two shifts; The Nos. 2, 3, and 4 levels have been abandoned, and work is now going on near the old workings to the south. The air returns through the old Decimal workings, and is very good. The old workings are to be blocked off and extra bars provided at the passes. Beport kept, and the Act observed. (9/2/95) : Mr. Johnston again in charge. Only three places working, employing a like number of miners singlehanded and three truckers in first shift. Eleven men in all employed at the mine, in two shifts, exclusive of the battery hands. The lode still lies very flat, and the quartz is poor and bunchy. One miner was working under a bad-looking part of the roof, and this, on my drawing attention to it, was ordered by Mr. Johnston to be taken down. A good current of air circulating. Plan properly kept, the last survey having been made three months ago. Eeport duly entered up. Beefton. Progress Quartz-mine. —(14/9/94): The blind shaft has now been sunk to a depth of 450 ft., and of that depth No. 5 level has been driven a distance of 310 ft., and is being continued to connect with the winze sunk from No. 4. Air poor, but Mr. Black, the mine-manager, stated that the contract provided the contractors were to take in air, the company supplying a fan, which had been done. I saw the contractors, and found this to be correct, and, as there was only a few feet to drive, I did not insist on the pipes being put in. Beport duly kept. Plan up to Ist instant, but not yet inked in. (16/3/95) : Stoping now going on about 35ft. above No. 5 level, employing fourteen men in the day and twelve in the afternoon shift. The length of the block of quartz is about 60ft., and it is very wide in the centre —about 30ft.—but narrowing in at the ends. Air in stopes not very satisfactory ; this is partly caused by the current being divided to pass clear of the engine, where it would otherwise be too hot. No. 1. level is being repaired, and extra-stoppings are to be put in at doors in shafts ; these should effect an improvement. Mine otherwise in good order. Globe Quartz-mine. —(11/9/94) : The only work doing is extending the No. 6 level to the east. The western end was stopped about a month ago on account of insufficient air, when it had been

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driven about 60ft. from the cross-cut, and, although the lode was very wide, it was poor in gold. The east end of the level is in 85ft. from the cross-cut; the driving has been on the lode all the way, and at the face there is about 7ft. of good-looking stone. Air very fair. Eeport kept. Plan not up to date. (9/3/95): The safety-catches I had requested to be provided have now been fitted on cage. The west end of No. 6 level is in a distance of 130 ft. from the cross-cut, and is still on stone over 10ft. in thickness, but which is not all payable. The distance from the cross-cut to the east end is 150 ft., but the lode is beginning to get broken. Six men are stoping, in one shift, 30ft. above No. 6. Four men are extending the level to east, in two shifts. Two shifts of four men each are stoping below No. 5 level. Air very good. Timbering all right. Sufficient filling is got from the lode. Owing to the poorness of the stone the prospects of this mine are not very bright. Wealth of Nations Quartz-mine. — (12/9/94): The blind shaft is at present being sunk; it is intended to go 150 ft., and is now down 80ft. Pour men are stoping below the 200 ft. level on a short block of stone, about 35ft. long by nearly 30ft. wide at the centre; two men are also logging up the pass below this level. Two men are stoping about 30ft. above the 350 ft. level. The air is good in the shaft, but rather warm where the men are working in the pass. I requested Mr. Lawn, the boss of the shift, to see that the men were lashed on to the rope when descending the shaft, as this was not being done, and he promised to see it carried out. Three shifts working, employing twenty-one men in all in the mine. (8/3/95): The blind shaft has now been sunk to a depth of 150 ft. below the 350 ft. level. A winze which was being sunk has been stopped, as the lode went away fiat and thin, while the yield was poor; but another block of quartz has been found only a few feet to the north-west, 80ft. in length, about sft. in width, and of fair quality. A winze is being sunk on this, and is down 75ft. on quartz all the way. Air is led along to the top of the winze in boxes. Timbering all right. 20ft. of driving will be required from the bottom of the blind shaft to strike the winze now sinking. The prospects of this mine, which at the end of the year were discouraging, are now rather better. Eeport and plan duly kept, and winding-ropes tested. Keep-It-Dark Quartz-mine. —(12/9/94): The only work doing is sinking a winze from No. 5. to No. 6 levels. This is just started, and. is on the west reef, the recent crushing from which taken out at No. 4 level gave only 2-Jdwt. to the ton, but it is hoped that it will improve going down. Air sufficient at present, but boxes are to be led in whenever the winze is far enough down for them to be out of the way of the shots. (8/3/95): A new block of stone has been found between No. 5 and No. 6 levels, the latter of which cannot have been far away from it. The length of the block is not yet known, but it is 20ft. in thickness below No. 5, and is believed to be payable all the way to No. 6. Having lately broken through to the latter the air is good. Six men, in two shifts, are breaking out quartz about 100 ft. above the battery level. Some of the timber is pretty far gone, but it is being renewed as required. The length of this block is about 40ft., and the average width 4ft. It was left by the company in the early days, as it was not then payable. Eeport duly kept, Hercules Quartz-mine. —(12/9/94) : Stoping from No. 7 to No. 6 level has just been finished, and now No. 8 level, at a depth of 564 ft., is being extended on the lode by three shifts of two men each. The last 20ft. of driving has been on good stone, about 6ft. wide, and there should be another 100 ft. of this. A good current of air in boxes which are being brought nearer the face. I drew Mr. Bray's attention to some loose pieces of wall-rock where the No. 8 level strikes the reef, and they are to be taken down or secured. Five men are taking out stone on tribute from the old No. 3 level, which was not payable formerly. In this latter part of the mine the air was dull, so I wrote the manager, requesting that the opening to the surface should be made as early as possible. Eeport kept. Eopes tested on 7th May. Eules with names posted. (7/12/94) : Having received a complaint about bad air, I at once inspected the mine. The ventilation in No. 3 level was now all right, but the air in No. 8 level was decidedly insufficient. This could easily have been avoided had the connection with the winze from No. 7 been pushed ahead. I considered it called for a prosecution, but, the contractors having signed to keep the air right, it was thought undesirable to lay an information. (8/3/95): Eight men stoping in day-shift about 60ft. about No. 8 level,'the face of which is on track of reef only. The air is now all right. Safety appliances not yet provided, but Mr. Lee again writes that they will be fitted up. Only two tributers working now, and they are driving north on a leader to connect with the old winze. I drew their attention, and also Mr. Bray's, to some bad places, which they promised to attend to. No. 2 South Keep-It-Dark Quarts-mine. —(12/9/94) : The only work doing is sinking a winze, which has just been started from No. 2 level in the old Pandora ground, at a point 370 ft. south of the cross-cut. Five men. in all working. Air not very good, so I requested the manager to have boxes led in, and this will be done. The sinking of the shaft which was previously going on was completed, and after driving to the reef a crushing of 70 tons was taken out, but did not prove payable. At the depth of 450 ft. the stone still lived underfoot, but the lode was only lft. in width. (8/3/95) : This mine is stopped for the time being, but the water is kept baled out. Mars Quartz-mine. —(7/12/94) : This is a prospecting drive which is being put in by Mr. H. Betts on the south side of the Inangahua Eiver, at Black's Point. The main tunnel is 230 ft. to the face, and there are four cross-cuts. Three leaders or tracks of reefs have been cut through, but only the one near the face of the western cross-cut was gold-bearing. Mr. Betts intends to continue driving although stopped at present. The Venus Extended and Royal Mines have not been working during the year, but are to be worked in conjunction with the New Low-level Tunnel as one concern. Work has not yet been started by the new company.

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Golden Treasure Quartz-mine.— (9/10/94) : Work has been resumed in this mine by a party of six tributers. Stoping is being carried on from the No. 2 level. Connection having been made with No. 1 level, the air is very good. The length of the block of quartz is 150 ft., and the width ofthe lode is about sft. Ladders in good order; rules posted. lam informed that this mine has since stopped working. Victoria Quartz-mine. —(10/9/94): No. 1 level face is in about 400 ft., and is being driven on a leader Bin. wide ; 150 ft. back from the face there is a pass down 70ft. to the intermediate level, which is working on 12in. of stone. Prom No. 2 level two men are working in an uprise, to connect with the workings above, on a leader which is only 4in. wide; they are up 50ft., and have 14ft. further to go. The air here is poor. I drew Mr. Knight's attention to some loose pieces of wallrock, and he will look after them. Inglewood Quartz-mine.— (9/10/94) : Work has been resumed at this mine by a party of four men on tribute. Stoping is going on 200 ft. above No. 3 level on a lode which will average perhaps Bin. in width, but the stone is very irregular and bunchy. Air very good. I drew Mr. Trembath's attention to some loose flakes of wall-rock in No. 3 level, and they will be attended to. lam informed that work has since been stopped, as it did not pay. Golden Fleece Quartz-mine— (10/9/94) : Covers have now been put on the cage, and the safetycatches will be on in a day or two. The relining of part of the shaft, which I had requested to be carried out, has been done ; but, owing to the terms of the agreement with the owner, the tributers had to do this at their own expense, and they inform me that, owing to the loss of time, the six of them made only about 10s. a week each for fourteen weeks. Work is now going on about 70ft. above No. 6 level, the lode in the north end being 3ft. and in the south end a little over 2ft. wide. This quartz was previously considered too poor to work. Sir Charles Russell Quartz-mine. —(8/9/94) : The old Supreme battery has been removed to the foot of the Russell Hill, and is now being fitted up by Mr. McQuillan. Only two men were working in the mine on the leading slope above the upper level. The lode is thin and bunchy ; in the level face its width is Bm, Timber right. Air sufficient. Sir Francis Drake Quartz-mine. —(11/9/94) : Workings from the old cross-cut have been stopped, and, at a point about 50ft. from the shaft, a short cross-cut has been driven to the lode, which at the south-east end is 18in. and in the stopes 3ft. wide. Five stopes are working 30ft. above the level, and a total of nineteen men are employed. A ladder was required going up to the stopes, and this was promised to be put in at once. Air not good. Signals and rules posted. Plan and report kept. Owing to the poor quality of the stone, this mine has since been stopped. (16/3/95): A party of working-men have bought this mine, and are stoping above the No. 1 level, on quartz about 2ft. thick. The lode continues bunchy. The length of the block is about 80ft. Ladders in good order. Eleven men in all are working, in two shifts. The engine-driver was winding without holding a certificate ; but a certificated engine-driver, being working at the battery, I requested that he should be sent up or another be employed. I was informed that the two men would change places. The prospects of this mine may be considered fair for a party of workingmen, although it did not pay the company. Cumberland Quartz-mine. —(4/9/94) : A vertical shaft has been sunk from the chamber in the No. 2 level to a depth of 220 ft. It had just been finished, and had not been opened out, which is intended to be done at 200 ft. A start is to be made in the beginning of the week, and it is expected that there will be 150 ft. of cross-cutting ere the lode is reached. A new cage has been made, with good safety-catches. Air all right. Ten men in all employed. The prospects of this mine are as yet undecided, but the stone in the winze sunk under No. 2 level is said to have been good. Exchange Quartz-mine. —(14/9/94): Work is now being carried on from a winze sunk from the Cumberland No. 2 level to a depth of 65ft., and from which two short drives extend. In one of these a lode had just been cut, showing 2ft. 6in. of quartz and the face not yet through it. Four men in all employed. Air very poor, so I requested the manager to have it improved. Some prospects were tried from the reef cut, and, no gold being seen, work was at once discontinued. It is to be regretted that this company cannot see its way to do further prospecting, considering that the position of the golden stone in the Cumberland Mine is so near at hand. Success Quartz-mine. —(14/9/94) : This is only a short drive—about 80ft. in length —which is being put in to cut the line of some quartz found on the surface. Air and timbering right. Work has since been discontinued. Golden Lead Quartz-mine. —(14/9/94): The work in this mine has been, practically, prospecting for the past five months. An intermediate level has been driven about 30ft. above No. 2. A cross-cut from No. Ito No. 2 leader is now being driven above No. 1 level by two men. The only other work doing in this part of the claim is a rise being put up on No. 1 leader at the extreme south end of the workings. Owing to its position, the smoke is,likely to hang after shot-firing, but if it is found worth continuing Mr. Sutherland will at once connect with the other winze for air. At another part of the claim, near the Al boundary, a drive running west has cut the Al leader at 115 ft. Only a few feet has been driven on it, and the prospects are considered fair. Seven men in all are employed. In the low level no work has been done for five weeks, as the company find that the other works are as much as they can do at present. The tunnel runs a little west of north, and has been driven a distance oi 656 ft. Two reefs were cut at 300 ft. and 360ffc. respectively, but neither of them was payable. Eeport duly kept. Al Quartz-mine. —(14/9/94) : The only work doing by Lloyd and party is driving an intermediate level to the north and extending the lower level, which is in 200 ft., but the leader in the face is not payable. The leader in the intermediate is about fin. in thickness, is sometimes on the one wall, and again on the other, and still gives good returns. Air very good. Timbering light, but sufficient for the present. Four men in all in this party. 4—C. 3a.

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Second Party of Tributers — (13/9 /94) : This party's work consists of a short drive running west, from which two levels extend to north and south. The leader is of similar thickness to that worked by Lloyd and party. Air good. Five men in all working. Big Paver Quartz-mine. —(13/9/94) : Mr. George Black, jun, in charge during the absence of the manager, Mr. Quin. The only work doing is driving, extending Nos. 3 and 5 levels. Two shifts of two men each were working in the former, the air in which was poor, so I notified the legal manager to have it improved, and he replied that the company would do all in their power. In No. 5 three shifts of two men are working. In both levels bunches of quartz occur, but in neither is there yet a defined lode. Blocks of highly-payable stone have since been struck. Caledonian Quartz-mine. —(8/10/94) : Work has been resumed at this mine by Messrs. Duffy Brothers, a crushing of 20 tons having been taken out, and packed over the track to Boatman's, where it was crushed, they inform me, for a yield of 28oz. retorted gold. No mining is being done at present, as work has commenced to erect a small battery. Lyell. United Alpine Quartz-mine was inspected in May and October. On the 21st February of this year Mr. J. Coombe was in charge as mine-manager. I drew his attention to some loose pieces on the side of No. 7 level, on the way in, and these are to be seen to at once. Stoping is going on under the 90ft. level, below No. 7, and will be finished shortly. The incline-shaft is still crushing in. This has been noticeable for some time, but other outlets exist, and retimbering is to be gone on with at once. Air good. From a cross-cut, 80ft. above No. 7, driving is being done on a block of quartz 3ft. thick. A winze has been put up on some quartz which runs into the same block. Two men are also working above this. Fifty-two men in all are employed. Plan and report kept. Mr. Coombe is getting the mine into better order, but the prospects just at present are not so good as formerly. United Italy Quartz-mine.— (4/10/94): Stoping going on below No. 2 level by four men, in two shifts, but this is nearly finished. Six men, in three shifts, have just started to sink a winze from No. 3 level, at a point about 600 ft. from the mine mouth. The leader in the bottom is about 3in. or 4in. in thickness. Air very good throughout the mine. (21/2/95) : No. 2 party of tributers are opening up the old prospecting tunnel, and are in a distance of 170 ft. Air good, but more timbering is required, and this is to be seen to. Tyrconnel Quartz-mine.— -(4/10/94) : The low-level tunnel is now in a distance of 865 ft, and the party expect to have 230 ft. further to go to cut the leader. A considerable flow of water is running. (21/2/95): The main tunnel cut a leader at 936 ft, supposed to be the one worked in the other levels, and it has been driven on for 125 ft, but as yet is not gold-bearing. It is believed that the shoot of gold is further to the south. A dyke, probably diabase, has been cut through just before coming to the leader, and the face of the tunnel, which has been driven 70ft. past the latter, is standing on a second similar dyke. Although the party are satisfied they are on the right leader, this does not appear to me to be certain, as the second dyke occupies the position of the one cut through in the upper level. Gmsus Quartz-mine. —(4/10/94): Only two men working between Nos. 1 and 2 levels on a lode in the foot-wall, perhaps 4ft. away from the one formerly worked. One stope working to north, and an uprise being put up on the lode, which is very irregular in width, but will average about 18in. I drew Mr. Foster's attention to the timber in No. 1 level and winze, which was requiring to be seen to; he says that the quartz is so poor they cannot do much, but if work is continued after this crushing repairs will be done. Lyell Greek Low-level Tunnel. —(2/5/94) : Two shifts of two men each driving on contract. The tunnel runs in straight for 3,430 ft, thence it bends to the left or south-west a further distance of 45ft. In this latter portion two or three small leaders have been crossed. Air fair for the distance in. (13/10/94): The lode has been struck at 3,554 ft. from the mine mouth. It has not been driven on to the south, on which side of the drive it shows about 3ft. of quartz. To the north, as seen through the head-laths, it is bunchy, and at the face it has pinched out. The distance driven is 47ft. At present the men are engaged putting up a new tank and air-pipes, as the air was getting poor round the bends. 20/2/95. —The face is now 90ft. from the main drive, and showing nearly sft. of quartz, which, however, is split by two mullock-bands. I drew Mr. Heaphy's attention to some loose 'slabs of rock on the hanging-wall, and these, he said, would be seen to that night. Four men in all employed. Black Ball. Minerva Quartz-mine.— (l-2/7/94) : This mine is worked from an incline-shaft, as the lode lies very flat. The distance from the mine mouth to the face is 250 ft, and the last 170 ft. of this is not steeper than lin 7. The quartz is sft. in thickness at the face, but at 80ft. from the mine mouth it was about 10ft. No copy of the Act. No " devil " used behind the full truck in hauling, and a stop-block required at the head of the incline, so I notified the legal manager to have these provided. Eleven men in all are employed, including the two at the battery. The yield latterly has been very poor, and at the date of writing Mr. Perotti informs me the mine has been stopped. Brunnerton. Julian Quartz-mine.— (l 2/3/95): The position of this mine is in Langdon's Gully, about two miles from Brunnerton. No. 1 level is not working at present. It has been driven about 60ft, on a leader all the way, but this has pinched out at the face. Two winzes, 35ft. and 15ft. in depth,

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have been sunk on the underlie. These were not covered, but Mr. Armstrong has arranged to have this done. No. 2 level has been driven a distance of about 270 ft., but work is at present confined to No. 3, where two men are driving. A leader was cut which has not turned out payable. Mr. Bland has delayed in sending in the returns from the battery, but they have only been trials of small quantities. Victory Quartz-mine.— (l 2/3/95) : This lode, which is said to be very rich, was discovered by Messrs. Curtis, who were contractors in the Julian Mine. The mine mouth is about half a chain distant from the Julian boundary, and about 30ft. lower in level than the No. 3 drive in that claim. The lode has been cut at about 60ft. in, and has been driven on for about 40ft.; but this could not be seen for the head-laths. In the face there is 13in. of solid quartz, but which shows no gold. A little further back it is said to be 3ft. in width. Copy of Act, but not at the mine. Air not too good, and a slight sound of gas being given off. As an accident happened near this mine a number of years ago through an explosion of gas in a stone-drift in slate country, I requested Mr. Curtis to examine the mine with a safety-lamp before starting work. Boss. Donnelly's Greek Quartz-mine.— (9/7/94): One man driving to east in No. 2 level, on a new block of stone showing about 4in. wide at the face, at a point about 400 ft. from the mine mouth. Timber sufficient, but air not very strong. One stope working below No. 1 level on a leader 2in. wide, and one man prospecting about 150 ft. in from mine mouth. Copy of Act, but no report kept. Pour men in all employed. Smith aud Party's Quartz-mine.— (9/7/94): This adjoins Donnelly's Creek Mine. A level runs in 110 ft., from which point a shaft is sunk 40ft.; thence No. 2 level runs in 140 ft. In this a leader was-cut at 115 ft., and driven on for 18ft., showing bunchy quartz 3in. or 4in. in width, and at one place nearly 2ft. Three cross-cuts have been driven, but none of these got anything. I drew attention to some loose pieces on the roof and sides, and these are to be taken down or secured. There is a good current of air in sin. pipes, but the latter are not taken far enough in. _ No_ copy of the Act, nor report, but these are to be kept in future. At date of writing no work is being done, but the claim is protected. G. Porter's Prospecting Tunnel. —(9/7/94): No one about, as work was stopped for the day. It is about 140 yards to the face, which is being driven in slate country. At a point about ninety yards in some timbering is required. I afterwards saw Mr. Porter, who agreed to attend to it. Zala's Quartz-mines. —(6/7/94): These are several drives which have been put in by Mr. Zala singlehanded during the past six years. Their position is inland from Boss, on Farmer's Creek, at a considerable elevation. The rocks are slates and indurated sandstones, and are probably an extension of the Beefton mineral belt. No. 1 tunnel has been driven about a chain, on two leaders all the way, both said to be auriferous. At the face only one leader is to be seen, which at the floor is 6in. in width, but it thins to lin. higher up, where it is bent over by a slide. No. 2 tunnel was driven on a leader which turned out barren. No. 3 tunnel has cut through a barren reef, and strikes the auriferous lode at 42ft., continuing on it to the face at 80ft. It there shows 6in. of solid stone, and various leaders; total thickness, about 20in. of quartz. No. 4 tunnel has been driven a distance of about 220 ft., and has cut through three leaders and the barren reef. Two of the leaders are said to be gold-bearing, and one of these, cut at 160 ft., is 6in. in width. About sixteen yards from the mine mouth a cross-cut has been driven for 95ft., the face of which is standing on a leader on which Mr. Zala intends to continue driving. Off this cross-cut there are three or four short drives. Mr. Zala has shown great perseverance under difficulties of no ordinary kind, but whether he has discovered a payable reef or leader is still undecided, as he has not crushing appliances to test a sufficiently large quantity. At date of writing he is making arrangements to have a small battery erected. Accidents. 1. Two miners, named George Moyes and Bichard Leggoe, working in the United Alpine Mine, on 9th April, after charging two shot-holes, retired to less than the ordinary distance, and, after hearing one go off, returned, in violation of the Act, almost directly, and, when trying to relight the fuse, the second charge went off, causing loss of sight to both, and otherwise injuring Moyes. 2. A miner named John Bray, working in the Wealth of Nations Mine, on the 16th August, attempted, in contravention of the Act, to draw a charge of gelignite which had missed fire, and, while doing so, it exploded, shattering his hand. 3. James Lafferty was killed in his alluvial claim at Kanieri, on the 24th September, by a fall of stone and gravel, to secure which his mate had just gone out for a cap-piece, as it was not considered safe. ALLUVIAL MINING. Mahakipawa. Hibernian Extended Claim.— (9/6/94): Mr. Darvil is now the owner of this claim, which is worked on tribute by two shifts of four men each, Mr. Law being still manager. As usual, the water is giving much trouble, the mine only having got pumped out three days ago after being flooded out for ten days, and is idle again to-day on account of last night's rain. There is still about 160 ft. of ground to work to the south and 25ft. to the north boundary, as well as two small blocks in the centre of the claim. King Solomon Claim,— (9/6/94): Mr. Barry was in charge, in the absence of Mr. Wearne. Blocking-out is now being done 50ft. away from the southern boundary ; there is about 3ft. 6in. of auriferous drift, and the lead is about 17ft. in width. Air rather poor, as the pipes are too far back. Some of the timbering requiring attention. Nine men in all employed.

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Davis and Garr's Claim. —(9/6/94): This claim was stopped owing to disputes about the shares of water, and work has only just been resumed.by a fresh party of tributers. The sides of the tail-race have been sloped, and a few stays put in, but I thought it desirable that a few more be put m before men work in it. This is to be done, and also some put in in the other race; but there is likely to be little, if anything, done there now. The top of the hill between the two faces has not yet been taken off. I requested Mr. Henderson to have this done, and he agreed to do so. CoLLINGWOOD. Parapara Hydraulic-sluicing Claim. — (13/2/95) : The tunnel through Eichmond Hill having been completed, a dam is at present being built on the Parapara Eiver, near Eichmond Plat. The tunnel, which is to serve as a waterway, is 24 chains in length, and strongly timbered throughout. The pipe-line below the tunnel is at present being laid. It is intended to work the claim both by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Westpobt. Fairdown Prospecting Tunnel. —(s/4/95) : During the year this tunnel has been visited a number of times to measure the distances driven. At the above date it was in 1,344 ft. An incline has been run out to-day at a point about 300 ft. back from the face, so the air is fairly good. Lately some running sand has been passed through, but no payable drift has yet been met with, although a few colours have been seen in the driving recently done. Beunneeton. Proposed Water-race to Sulky Gully. —(l 3/3/95): This was an application by Messrs. Wills and Griffiths for a subsidy to bring in a water-race from the same point that Messrs. Seaton and Fletcher intended to start from, but the line was very different, being much more suitable, and the scheme was definite and practical. The other features are as mentioned in last year's report. Boss. ' Boss United Company's Claims. —(9/7/94): Scott and Hunter are still driving, and are in about 200 ft. The are some signs of weight at the outer part of the tunnel, but lining-sets have been put in, and the building on each side should now support the pressure. Two men are also prospecting, but not driving near the old ground. Mr. Purvis has now started a new drive above No. 3 shaft; the timber is light, but there is no weight showing. Forty-eight men in all are employed, including those at the elevators, the water-race, and sixteen tributers at the Prince of Wales Claim. Mont DOr Claim. —(9/7/94) : Mr. McKay in charge. A face of 90ft. is worked off first, and, as seen, it presented a softer appearance than formerly. After the point to east is marked off, which will take four or five months, a drive is intended to be put through for the further safety of the men working in the tail-race. I have, &c, N. D. Cocheane, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 9. Mr. Warden Steatfoed to the Undee-Seoeetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, 17th April, 1895. 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 of March, 1895. The returns and report relating to the Inangahua division will be forwarded separately. Waimea Valley. Firstly, as to the outlying workings surrounding Goldsborough and Stafford, and which I dealt with separately in my last report, it will, I think, be sufficient to remark that there has been scarcely any change. The claims are still being worked by a few miners in each place, who seem to get a living, though I fear that in too many instances the earnings are very small. And now, coming to matters which hold out hopes of improvement, and the directions in which the industrial sphere is likely to be enlarged. I will first call attention to the proposed new main channel at Goldsborough, which is to be constructed from the right-hand branch of the Waimea Creek to the ground at each side of the Greenside Eoad, at the head, of the middle branch. A survey of the tunnel has been made, and the Government has granted a liberal subsidy towards its construction. The fall is limited, but sufficient to work the promoters' claim, and the success or otherwise of the enterprise will depend largely on the nature of the bottom of the ground when the tunnel comes in. If the reef falls away to the eastward, then the area commanded will be considerably limited. If, on the other hand, it rises, then, probably, a large area of ground will be available. It will also depend on how far the quantity of water flowing in the right-hand branch will be able to carry away the tailings. This can only be determined by trial. It is, I think, certain that there is a large area of payable ground, if it can be worked, a number of claims having been taken up in anticipation. In 1894 I reported considerable activity at Callaghan's. The long drainage-tunnel (subsidised by Government) had been completed, and many claims were at work prospecting in the hopes of finding the old rich lead which had been worked on the shallow ground in the early days. I regret to say that the enterprise of the miners in that district did not meet with the success it deserved. The party who brought in the tunnel have a very good claim, but all the others have left, except one who has taken up more ground to the northward, and is now driving a tunnel from the

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main tail-race into it, the idea being that, as the lead was not found to the southward, it took down to the Kapitea in a northerly direction. It is to be hoped their expectations may be realised, as they have done a great deal of work without remuneration. With regard to the efforts made to open up Gillam's Gully, near Stafford, referred to in my last report, they have been attended with only partial success. The ground has been opened, a water-wheel and pumping machinery erected, and payable gold found, the last washing giving nearly 2dwt. to the load; but the first party, with which the association agreed to work the ground, could not get on satisfactorily, and their disputes formed the subject of litigation in the Warden's Court, much time being lost before a second party attempted the undertaking, but without success, owing to the irregular supply of water for pumping, and the claim is now idle pending fresh arrangements. The mining association at Stafford, assisted by Government, is having a drainage-tunnel put into Kelly's Terrace and adjoining ground. A survey has been made which shows that it will be 3,600 ft. in length, and the cost £1,800. When connected it will give profitable employment for a number of years to a great many miners. The works in hand for promoting the mining industry in Italians' and Callaghan's Gullies and Waimea Valley may be summarised as follows : A branch of the Waimea Water-race is now nearly completed to Italians' and Callaghan's Gullies, and a contract has been entered into for the construction of an inverted syphon, 26 chains in length, to convey the water of the Callaghan's branch across the low saddle near the highest point of the Hokitika-Kumara Eoad. Arrangements have been made for the construction of a main tail-race from the middle branch of the Waimea Creek to the right-hand branch, where there is a large space available for tailings. The amount of ground likely to be sluiced in the middle branch is between 70 to 80 acres. A branch of the Waimea Eace will supply the claims on the middle branch with water, and about a mile requires to be constructed to make it available for that purpose. The timber industry has been steadily on the increase. The Westland sawmill is in full swing, giving employment to about thirty men regularly. There are a considerable number of men getting sleepers in different parts of the district, and thus employment is found for many who would not otherwise know where to find any. Another branch of this industry has just now been started vi Zi! the sending of timber to England for paving and other purposes. A trial shipment is now being sent Home, and if it is a success it will give a great impetus to this industry. On the whole, the timber trade is becoming of more importance to this district, where the supply is practically unlimited. Kumaba. Three extended claims have been worked out entirely during the year ended the 31st March, 1895. All of them have been sluiced for many years. Three other of the old sluicing claims on the field have ceased work, as the returns were not of a payable character. Three of the claims in which operations had ceased last year have been recommenced, and, although they are very poor, work will be continued as long as the claims will pay small wages. There are still a few good claims on the field which are likely to continue payable for some years to come. One claim changed hands in October last, and at auction was sold for the sum of £2,600. In this claim there is onlyabout five years' sluicing to be done before it is worked out on the level that has always been considered the bottom, but the present owners are now engaged in driving a new tail-race, about 1,500 ft. in length, on a lower gradient, with the intention of working the whole claim over again to a further derjth of from 20ft. to 25ft. If this experiment is successful, other claims maybe opened out in a similar manner. Although the probability is that most of the richest ground has been sluiced away, there is still a large amount on the Kumara field that will pay for sluicing on a large scale with the most approved appliances. The deep-level tunnel has been driven a distance of about 1,200 ft., and the face is now in about the middle of Dunedin Mat, near the shaft connected with the No. 3 channel. Very little prospecting has been done in the wash, as the tunnel is throughout (nearly its whole length) in the bluereef bottom. Very encouraging prospects have been obtained in several places, which will be followed up as soon as the tunnel has been extended to the point originally intended, about 100 ft. from the present face. No. 4 channel is approaching completion, the distance driven and timbered being more than 2,000 ft. The channel is being carried out by the holders of the ground, who intend using it, and a Government subsidy is being given to assist in carrying out the work. Arrangements have also been made to carry out a No. 5 channel, which the Government is also assisting by way of subsidy. The length of this channel will be about 4,300 ft., and work has been started on three separate sections. Two shafts are being sunk, from which work will be carried on in sections 2 and 3; waterwheels and winding-gear are being erected at each of the shafts to facilitate the work, and it should be completed within twelve months. When channels Nos. 4 and 5 are completed, a very great revival in mining should be the result. The water-supply has been several times short durino- the year, owing to long spells of fine weather, which caused considerable breaks in mining operations, and the total result is not quite as good as last year. Some new claims have been taken up on the Shamrock lead in connection with the main tail-race (called No. 5 channel) already referred to. This channel will command ground chiefly within the borough, with the exception of the claims alluded to. No new ground has been opened up for mining purposes within the past year, but mining operations have been steadily carried on with fair results, as far as can be judged, although the year has not been as favourable for sluicing (owing to the exceptional fine weather that has generally prevailed) as former years. The necessaries of life are now cheaper than in former years, owing to the railway communication. The road between Kumara and the railway is in a much better condition than it was a year ago. The road has been widened and metalled, and a width of the bush on either side has been cut down. The population of Kumara district, including Greenstone, is

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estimated at 2,500 persons ; of these, about one hundred are Chinese, who are mostly located at Westbrook and Greenstone. Greenstone. During the past year mining operations have been steadily carried on, but in an uneventful way. No new ground has been opened up, and nothing of any importance has occurred to bring under notice. The miners seem to be contented with their earnings., and the population remains much as at the date of last annual report. Eeturn of cases disposed of in the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, Kumara, for the year ending the 31st March, 1895 : Civil, 118 ; criminal, 53 ; Warden's, 37. The revenue for the year, amounting to £661 6s. 5d., collected in the Kumara Court, is made up as follows : Warden's department, £590 14s. 5d.; Magistrate's department, £70 125.: total, £661 6s. sd. Particulars of revenue collected in the Warden's Court for the year ending 31st March, 1895 :—- ---£ s. d. Miners' rights ... ... ... ... ... ... 302 0 0 Business licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 0 Water-races ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 Eegistrations ... ... ... ... ... ... 23 5 0 Eents ... ... ... ... ... ... 134 8 0 Fees and fines ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 0 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 92 1 5 590 14 5 Number of mining applications lodged during the above-named period, 275. Geeymodth. No change of any great importance, viewed from a gold-mining standpoint, has taken place in the prospects of this portion of my district during the past twelve months, unless it be the discovery by Messrs. Curtis and party of what promises to be a highly-payable reef on the Paparoa Eange, in the locality known as Langdon's. This locality, though, if I mistake not, at a higher level than that now being opened up, was the scene of quartz-reefing operations many years ago which were by no means of a profitable nature, not a few Greymouth residents having anything but pleasant reminiscences of the same. Messrs. Curtis and party have reason to hope that their find is possessed of that which was previously wanting in quartz-reefing ventures at Langdon's—viz., a well-defined reef of some continuity combined with richness of stone ; and it is to be hoped that their expectations will be realised. At the time of the discovery they were employed in the Julian Mine, which they held on tribute. Whilst putting the battery in order they noticed surface indications of a reef; these being followed up resulted in a reef from 2ft. to 4ft. in thickness being traced. A tunnel was then started by them about 30ft. below the outcrop, and after driving a distance of about 65ft. the reef was cut. Since then, they inform me that they have driven 45ft. along the reef, and have taken out three trial crushings, with the following results : No. 1, a parcel of 2 tons taken from the outcrop, yielded 17Joz. per ton ; No. 2, a parcel of 1 ton taken from where the reef was cut in the tunnel, yielded lloz.; No. 3, -J ton taken from the face at the end of the drive, yielded 15oz. Arrangements have, I understand, been concluded for the purchase of the crushing plant belonging to the Specimen Hill Company, at Boatman's, near Eeefton, and it is also intended to construct an aerial tramway. It is expected that this claim will be in working-order in about four months. Five other licensed holdings were granted in this locality, but little or no work is being done on them, I am informed. The Julian Company have had three men employed putting in a prospecting drive, the object of their search being Curtis's reef. This drive was started about 2 chains south of Curtis's tunnel, and is now in about 160 ft. Water was tapped recently, and, this being considered an indication of the presence of a reef, the company expect to strike one any day. This year's work includes the erection of a small battery, a small aerial tramway from the drive to the battery, and a large wooden water-wheel. So far as alluvial mining is concerned, there is nothing special to report. A slight improvement appears to have been noticed at Barrytown, where three new races have been brought on to some of the terraces, providing employment for twelve extra men. There has likewise been a slight increase in the population. A number of fresh claims has been taken up at Fiji Terrace and Coal Creek by miners from the Brunner Mine, who have been compelled to seek this means of obtaining a livelihood owing to the slackness in the coal trade and consequent dearth of employment. Maori Gully and its surroundings support about fifty miners, all of whom are old residents. This portion of the district has suffered somewhat from want of water, the races brought on to the low ground, which is now mostly worked out, being useless so far as the high terraces now being worked are concerned, and insufficient rainfall to make up for the want of a permanent watersupply. The terrace which was being prospected at Dunganville at the date of my last report proved a failure. There is no material alteration in the number employed mining, still a slight diminution in the gold-yield has been noticed. Marsden and surroundings report no very apparent change. A stationary population succeeding in earning a livelihood is all that may be said of it. The South Beach, Paroa, and Butherglen maintain between them a not very large mining population. The only claim worked on a scale of any magnitude is the Leviathan. This party has for some time past been engaged bringing up a tail-race, which is, I believe, about completed, and they expect to find themselves owners of a good claim.

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Coal-mining. Bmrwmrton -During the year under review the Grey Valley Coal Company surrendered the lease h™byt em for the Brunner Mine, and were granted a fresh one thereby securing a concession in the"matter of royalty, which is now fixed at 6d. per ton for the whole term of the leaseSat s o•fifty-six years from the Ist January, 1895. For the year ended the 31st December this company exportedll9,B3s tons of coal, 1,349 tons of coke, and 1,046 tons of fire-clay goods, making " tot Owtgto tie dXess in the coal trade, the prospects of this portion of the district are of a very eloomvnatae Numbers of those hitherto engaged in coal-mmmg have been compelled through tZII woXto go prospecting for gold, and there is every probability, I am mformed, of still further reductions being made in the number of men employed in the mine. BlacSl-Dmmg the year ended December, 1894, 24,400 tons of coal were exported from this mine The weekly output is about 800 tons. ;_ ~...., . .- 'i S'Crifc.-Two milesand three-quarters of formation and bridges, being the>centre portion of the Grey-Point Elizabeth Railway-line, have been completed, and pans are now being prepared for a bridge over the Grey River. Mr. Bishop has been appointed mine-manager of the company s coa SneTndTs engaged in prospecting on the lease preparatory to opening up the mine. As soon SaTSSspeotrng operations have determined the best place to open up the mine, the remaining at the top end will be put in hand. Mr ; Gillies, the engineer of this line, has employed, on an average, forty men a month during the year in forming the railway. _ SS -This is an industry that has assumed some proportions. During the year ending December 1894 6 766,865 ft. of white-, red-, and silver-pine have been exported. Of this quantity, 686 621 ft were exported during the last six months of the year to Australia. During the quarter ended 31st of March last, 1,661,334 ft. were exported. A trial shipment is now m process of being Sped per New Zealand Shipping Company's barque '« Rangitikei," to the London market Return of cases disposed of in the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at Greymouth for the year ending the 31st of March, 1895 : Civil, 337 ; criminal, 213 ; Warden s, 58. The revenue for the year, amounting to £1,428 0s 4d, made up as follows: Wardens denartment £1 130 Bs. 4d ; Magistrate's, £297 125.: total, £1,428 os. 4d P pStTculars of revenue collected in the Warden's Court, at Greymouth, for the year ending the 31st March, 1895:— £ s _ d _ . • I.+ ... ■- 313 11 6 Miners rights ... ••• •■• ••• 1 10 0 Business licenses ... ••• ••• ••• ••• 23 10 0 Water-races ... ■•• ••• ••• 25 2 0 Registrations ... ••• ••• ••• „„„ q Rents ... ••• ••• ••• 11 0 0 Pees and fines ... • • • • • • • • • •' g Miscellaneous ... •■• ••• ••■ ••■ "■ 1,130 8. 4 Number of applications lodged during the above-named period, 252. Ah aura. No Town and Bed Jack's Creek.— There are a considerable number of miners scattered about this district, mostly fossicking along and about old workings. _ Some few months ago a small rush took place at Cronin's Terrace, Sunday Creek, caused by Cromn and party and Nolan and party striking good payable ground. The difficulty in testing the ground is the length of tunnels. Cronin and party obtained gold after driving 600 ft., Nolan and party had to drive 1,200 ft, and McCarthy and party 1,600 ft, before striking the line of gold ■ . Nelson Creek.—This place always finds employment for a large number of miners, who generally work at sluicing with fairly good results. The Nelson Creek Gold-mining Company have sot their new plant in working-order, and will find employment for a good number of men when once the ground is fully opened, which, in the opinion of many, is an excellent mining property. Ahaura and Orwell Creek.—ln last report mention was made of a new find at Cariboo Creek. Erickson and party, after driving their tunnel 1,300 ft, found that they were at too high a level; conseauently will have to be driven over again before the value of Nicholas and party s find along the terrace higher up the creek can be gauged. This is now being done The find along the north bank of Ahaura River is receiving some attention from the miners about the locality. The difficulty in obtaining water for sluicing is the drawback. Two claims are on good payable gold the gold being coarse and heavy, showing a long continuance if it can be fol owed. Opinions differ as to which direction it has come from—whether a connection with Orwell Creek or from a place some miles uo the Ahaura River, where a similar kind of gold was obtained some twenty-eignt years ago. In either case it is an important find, and will be heard of again. No permanent supply of water could be obtained for the locality other than by the construction of a water-race from either of the " Big Gullies " or both, on the AhaUra River, a distance of about nine miles _ _ Blackball continues to find employment for a number of miners. Sluicing mostly is the kind of mining carried on. At the Upper Blackball there are some good payable claims, which will ast for many years to come. „.„ ~ Moonliaht— About the usual number of miners continue at this place. At Stewart s Hill there are three claims paying from £3 to £8 per week for each man. There are also three tunnels being driven for the same run of gold. The parties constructing them are m daily expectation of getting into the gutter, which is confined in solid slate. Very recently a nice nugget, weighing 360z, was unearthed in the left-hand branch.

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In Granville, comprising Half-ounce, Duffer's, and Noble's Creeks, there are about the usual number of miners, who generally seem satisfied with the result of their labour. No new find has been made in these localities lately.Eevenue received at Ahaura for period ending the 31st March, 1895, has been as stated hereunder :— s s. a. Miners' rights ... ... ... ... ... ... 265 0 0 Miners' duplicate ... ... ... ... ... ... 030 Water-races ... ... ... ... ... ... 23 12 6 Business licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 10 0 15 residence-sites (issued free) ... ... ... ... 7 10 0 Bents ... ' ... ... ... ... ... ... 129 7 0 Eegistrations ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 6 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 121 2 6 I have, &c, H. A. Stbatfobd, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 10. Mr. Warden Macfaelane to the Undeb-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Warden's Office, Hokitika, 13th May, 1895. I have the honour to forward herewith the usual mining statistics for the year ended 31st March,-1895, together with the annual report on mining matters in the districts under my charge. Hokitika. In this district the most noticeable features in the mining operations for the past year have been the magnificent gold returns from what is known as " Craig's claim," on the south side of the Hokitika Eiver, and the improved output of the Humphrey's Gully Company, thus emphasizing and further proving the extent and richness of our auriferous drifts. Craig's claim, in less than four years, has produced gold to the value of £18,000. The claim has been worked on tribute by a party of eight shareholders and two wages-men. The tributers' share of the gold was £12,849; that of the owner, £5,151: equals £18,000. The area of ground driven out for the above return is under three acres. The area unworked is large, and appears to be equally rich ; the last week's washing gave 50oz. of gold. The owners and tributers purpose putting up a small battery to crush the tailings, the cement in which will amply pay for further treatment. Independent of the rich layers that are being driven out, the overlying drifts would pay well for sluicing if water was available, and if the tailings difficulty would not prove a bar on account of the ground being so close to the harbour. The claim is situated on the terminal face of the line of terraces comprising Bads Creek, Seddon's, Eimu, and Brighton Terraces, lying on the south side of the Hokitika Eiver. The Humphrey's Gully Company is still without an adequate supply of water. This is to be regretted, as the returns from this claim are steadily improving. lam informed that negotiations are still pending for an increased water-supply. Boy's long tunnel, on the Arahura Elat, has proved a run of auriferous wash, skirting the base of the terrace; a number of claims are at work, having fair prospects, and recently a number of ordinary claims were marked off on the same run. The Kanieri Lake Water-race Company are now selling their water to the miners between the main and right branch of the Kanieri Eiver, where extensive hydraulic faces are being opened out with very fair prospects. Cadman's Terrace, that promised well in the beginning of the year, has not turned out much gold on the different levels driven on, but enough has been done to show that an immense body of auriferous drift exists that will pay handsomely for sluicing when water is made available for miners to work with. In Kanieri, Marks and party are about to sink a new shaft, the water from the old workings rendering their present working unprofitable. They have met with excellent prospects under the present water-level, hence the necessity for sinking a new and deeper shaft. This flat, like the old Kanieri Mat, has never been bottomed, its lower levels remaining an unknown quantity. The population remains about the same ; occasionally parties of men go on to co-opera-tive works, but, when finished, fall back on mining. During the year this Warden's district has been added to by the Davey Survey Block in Canterbury having been brought under the jurisdiction of the Warden in Hokitika. This was in consequence of an application having been made by a party for a special claim of 100 acres at the head of the Wilberforce Eiver, near Browning's Pass. The reef the company purposes working outcrops somewhere near the snow-line on the eastern slopes of Mount Harman, and is about 3ft. thick, and prospects 2-|-oz. to the ton; this is from a trial battery-test made of 2 tons in Auckland. The strike of the reef is in the direction of the Taipo Eeefs, having a dip to the west. No doubt more will be heard of this promising reef if work is not hindered by litigation arising, and of partnership disputes. Eeturns like the above should give encouragement to prospectors of the country between the Pass and the Taipo—the probable source of the gold now found in the auriferous drifts along the coast. Eoss. There is nothing new to report from this district in the way of new discoveries. The various sluicing companies show no improvement in their gold returns. This, no doubt, is partly due to the increased quantity of overlying tailings some of them have to deal with, and, in other instances, to the extraordinary dry season we have had. There is a little more stir in quartz-mining. The Donnelly's Creek reef is being worked on tribute. The lode has been sunk upon another 50ft.,

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with indications of a widening reef and payable stone. Antonio Zala, who for the last five years has been proving a reef, has at last satisfied himself that it will pay, and he is now erecting a small battery to crush the stone already taken out, and, if the results are as he anticipates, the regular working of the mine will be proceeded with. The owners of the William Tell, at Cedar Creek, are again at work prospecting for the reef: results unknown. In connection with this district, I would be doing it an injustice did I not call attention to certain facts that have come under my notice in my journeyings to and fro. The Great South Eoad that is being constructed by the Government passes over the western slopes of Mounts Bonar and Hercules. In the gravel-pits on Mount Hercules I noticed that the drifts looked gold-bearing. These auriferous drifts cover a large area on the western slopes of Mount Hercules, and extend in a series of broken terraces some eight or nine miles, terminating at Saltwater Lagoon and the sea-beach. They are entirely unprospected. The same applies to the great body of drifts lying to the westward of Mount Bonar, and extending down to the Waitahi beaches. In this block we have more positive data to go upon. Gold has been obtained at Duffer's Creek, between certain fixed points, both above and below, and a payable claim is now being opened out on a terrace on the northern shore of Lake lanthe. The gold is coarse, and similar to that obtained at Duffer's. Between Duffer's and the lake, a distance of over two miles, and extending down to the sea, lies an immense body of drift, practically unprospected between the points indicated. Okaeito. Mining matters in this district are unchanged—population and gold returns about the same as last year. Beach-dredging is developing very slowly, the Saltwater Welman dredge being again idle. The Try Again, at Gillespie's, after twelve months' experimenting and prospecting, is now in first-class working-order, having been converted into a bucket-dredge capable of dealing with 60 cubic yards of sand per hour. They are now on gold, and from returns received it is anticipated this claim will soon be paying dividends. In any case, it will solve the question of beachdredging. Dickens small Ball dredge, at the Five-mile, has also been converted into a bucketdredge, and is, I hear, on payable gold. The Five-mile Gold-mining Company, with a capital of £70,000, has hot yet commenced operations, but such are imminent, as the agents inform me that the company has been floated in London, and that their manager is now on his way out to the colony. This company's operations will be watched with considerable interest, as their prospectus indicates a somewhat new departure in mining. Jackson's Bay. This district, being at the extreme south-west of the provincial district, has received less attention from prospectors, than it would have done had it been nearer the centres of population and easier of access. In view of the probable increased demand for timber for paving purposes, I cannot close this report without calling attention to the extensive forest of black birch (Fagus fusca) timber in the valley of the Arawata. The quality of the timber is first class, many of the trees running up to 80ft. without a branch, and some of them of immense diameter. Water-power is available at various points along the ten or twelve miles of valley covered by this forest. From Jackson's Bay to the first of the forest will be about twelve miles ; there would be no difficulty in constructing a tramway or light railway, as the country is nearly all clear and level. I point this out as being a most valuable asset, that will, at no distant day, help materially in the settlement of the district. The export of gold from Westland proper for the year ended 31st March, 1895, as per Customs returns, was 29,6240z., valued at £3 18s. per oz., equal £115,534, as against 32,8510z., valued at £128,109, for the previous year, showing a shortage of 3,2270z. That this is due to exceptional causes the following extract from the meteorological returns for the years ending 31st March, 1894 and 1895, will show : 1894, 102'97m. ; 1895, 90 , 50 in., was the rainfall for the two periods. In the months of September, October, February, and March, 1894 and 1895, the average rainfall was 3'3lin., whilst the average for the remaining eight months was 9'BBin. The relation of gold production on the West Coast to the rainfall is as cause to effect, as is plainly shown by the above returns, hence the wisdom of conserving and making use of the immense water-supplies that are at present running to waste all over the country. . I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. D. Macpaelane, Warden.

No. 12. Mr. Warden Kbddbll, to the Undeb-Secketaby of Mines, Wellington. g IEj Oamaru, 14th June, 1895. I have the honour to forward herewith the statistical information respecting the Maerewhenua sub-district of the Otago Goldfields Mining District under my charge. Gold-mining in this portion of the district has somewhat languished during the past year, owing to the insufficient water-supply consequent on the slight rainfall compared with the two preceding seasons ; also a law-suit which, during its continuance (something like four months), of which the right of ownership to an important water-race, known as the " Mosquito," was the subject, delayed the work of a number of miners. The weather on the whole was exceedingly dry -—one party had no water for ten months ; but when water has been available the miners appeared well satisfied with their results. One party has brought in a new race, called the " Golden Hill," but so far it has not been a great success. The Hon. the Minister of Mines visited the field, and expressed himself favourably impressed with the work done constructing the Mountain Hut Water-race. This race is still proceeding, anticipating some Government assistance, of which they have been, I understand, assured. Many 5—C. 3a.

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miners look forward with hope to the completion of this race. On this subject I have previously reported. There are no new claims or any new feature or discovery to chronicle. The Naseby Eoad progresses, and is now within a short distance of the Saddle, and no doubt will be found to be of great convenience to the miners. Outside the sub-district there, have been rumours, I believe to a certain extent well founded, of the so-called "discovery" of gold on the Balruddery and Elderslie Estates, about ten or twelve miles from Oamaru, in the Kakanui Valley and Eanges. Discovery is not the correct term, inasmuch as the existence of gold in the Kakanui Eiver has been an ascertained fact for many years, and some isolated instances have occurred at intervals of the discovery of rich pockets of alluvial gold in its banks. The present find is that of a quartz reef, but I have no official information. The land on which it is claimed to have been found is, I understand, freehold. The prospector, named Cook, merely called at my office for a miner's right. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Jackson Keddell, Warden.

No. 13. Mr. Warden Hawkins to the Undee-Secebtaey of Mines, Wellington. TuAPEKA. Sir, — Warden's Office, Lawrence, 23rd April, 1895. There isvery little change in matters relating to mining since the date of last report. The number of mining applications have slightly increased, and in some few cases very successful results have been obtained. Two licenses for special claims, embracing 60 acres, and four licensed holdings, of 73 acres, have been granted in addition to the usual number of extended claims of small areas. The special claim granted to Donlan and party is being vigorously worked by means of the elevator process. The claim is owned and worked by four men, who have leased the water from BiddellVßace. It is said that the average earnings of this party are about £10 per week per man. Mining operations have been very considerably retarded during a portion of the year owing to the very dry weather. The Local Industry Company, which is working in Gabriel's Gully, was wholly or partly idle for nearly two months, and is still working with a reduced number of hands. The party has been working by means of an elevator plant, and using the water leased from the Phoenix Company, at Weatherstone's. The Local Industry Company, notwithstanding the small number of hands employed, obtained 4500z. of gold during the year. A licensed holding has been recently granted to Laurence Dalziel for a claim of 18 acres, situate near the mouth of the Beaumont Eiver, and, as a part to be worked is on a terrace not far from the Molyneux Eiver, it is generally believed it will turn out exceedingly rich. A good supply of water is obtainable from the Beaumont Eiver, which is available for the purpose of working this claim. The amount of prospecting done in the claim is but small, but is said to be satisfactory. A licensed holding of 16 acres has been granted to Messrs. Kitto and party in Munro's Gully. In this area is included a lot of ground they have continuously occupied for more than twenty years. The party is a most energetic one, all working miners. Finding that they could not work their ground to advantage owing to want of sufficient elevation for the race, they have constructed a race from the Waipori Eiver, twenty miles in length, at a cost of about £1,500, so as to enable them to deal with the whole of their ground to advantage. Messrs Mills and party have obtained a grant of eighteen acres, also in Munro's Gully. They have now erected their elevator plant, and appear to be perfectly satisfied with their prospects. The Blue Spur and Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold-mining Company, carrying on operations in the places indicated by their title, have done a very large quantity of work during the year. Although their mine had not at any time been completely shut down, it has suffered through a large amount of broken time. During the latter part of June, all July, and part of September Revere frosts interfered with the water-supply, and rendered the cement impossible to work. 'During December, January, and February continued drought again diminished the water to a greater extent than has been the case for many years. The months of May and November were the most productive of water, enabling the mine to be worked 741 hours and 712 hours respectively. In July only 453 hours of water were available, and in February 417 hours. The total quantity of water used during the twelve months was equal, it is estimated, to a supply of twenty gallons per capita per diem for a population of 8,246 people. The enormous quantity of 332,155 tons of cement have been blasted out of the working faces, broken up, and disposed of by three elevators in use, and have produced 3,7900z. of gold. The gold saved from each ton of cement being about 10d. in value, affords a forcible illustration of the wonderful saving-power of modern gold-mining appliances. Eoburite has been used exclusively for all blasting purposes. An average of forty-one men has been employed, to whom £4,175 has been paid in wages, the wages averaging from 12s. 6d. to 7s. per diem. The cost of roburite used amounted to £624. At Tuapeka Flat, Weatherstone's, and along the river to Tuapeka Mouth, there is nothing worthy of special record. Mining is being carried on in much the the same manner as it has been for the last few years, most of those engaged steadily at work earning fair wages. There is only one dredge at present at work in this part of the district—namely, that of McLelland and party. This party have been engaged working on tribute part of the ground in the vicinity of Horseshoe Bend, but they have now applied for a river-dredging claim of 35 acres on the Molyneux. Their application is not yet in a position to be finally dealt with. Considerable stir has lately been created by reports of payable gold having been found in the vicinity of Tuapeka Mouth, on the freehold property of Mr. James Smith, of Greenfield Station. This is about twenty miles from Lawrence. A number of men, from twenty to thirty, are prospecting

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the ground, but it is as yet too early to form an opinion as to the success of the field. The ground being prospected is a considerable distance back from the banks of the Molyneux, and it is by no means clear as to the possibility of getting a fair amount of water for sluicing purposes in the locality. The sinking is said to be about sft. to the gravel wash-dirt, which is said to be from lft. to lft. 6in. deep, carrying fine gold all through it. If water cannot be obtained within a reasonable distance, or if cradling has to be resorted to, involving cartage of the stuff necessary, the prospects of the new field are somewhat doubtful. However, it is yet, as stated before, too soon to speak positively. It is understood that Mr. Smith has made an arrangement with the men to deposit a small sum while prospecting the land, and a further sum after taking up a claim. These deposits will be held as security for the restoration of the surface of the ground prospected or taken up. A royalty of 10 per cent, is said to be asked for by Mr. Smith on the value of gold obtained. Waitahtjna. The mining population in this locality is estimated at 100, of whom thirty-five are Chinese The mining here has not varied much for some time. The principal claims are those of the Norwegian party, who employ six men; Ferris and party, four men ; Kearney and party, four men; O'Kane and party, five men; Quigley and party, five men; and Mr. Perry, six men. _ There are a number of others having small holdings. All the workings are alluvial. The Norwegian party are working the old tailings in the gully with satisfactory results. Mr. Perry is working the bed of the "Waitahuna Eiver by means of a dredge. As stated before, he employs six men, and evidently has faith in the venture, as he has now applied for a licensed holding a short distance below his present workings. The area applied for is 20 acres, to be also worked by means of a dredge. At Manuka Creek, Glenore, and Adam's Flat there are about fifty miners employed, of whom fourteen are Chinese. As stated, in last report, there is nothing special to relate as to these. Most of them do not devote their whole time to mining, but are engaged in agricultural _ and other labouring pursuits during some portions of the year. Messrs. Nelson and party are busily engaged with their dredge at Glenore in working the old bed of the river with most satisfactory results. Waipoei. The estimated gold-mining population at Waipori is 154, including fifty-four Chinese. Although high hopes were entertained for some time as to the prospects of quartz-mining here, and as the existence of reefs has been amply demonstrated, yet, at present, quartz-mining is in complete abeyance. There are about twenty alluvial claims being worked, the principle of these being that of the Amalgamated Deep Lead Company, which now employs about eight men, and works by means of an elevator plant. The Amalgamated Company have gone to considerable expense in developing their mine, but as yet have not paid any dividends. The claim of James Parker, which has been worked by means of tunneling for twenty years, has always paid very well. Most of the other claims, employing about two men each, are doing fairly well. The two dredging companies—the Jutland Flat Company and the Upper Waipori Companyhave been compelled to cease working for the greater part of the year, owing to an injunction obtained by the farmers at Berwick against the former company for polluting the stream of the Waipori Eiver. Both these companies, since the injunction, have spent considerable sums in damming back the river, and have recommenced work, I am informed, in such a manner as not to allow sludge or debris to go down the river. The Jutland Flat Company have gone to the Court of Appeal to have the decision given in their case reversed. Waikaia. Mining in this district seems to have revived a little during the last year, although the return of gold is not so great as during the previous year, owing to the flooding of the Scrubby Terrace Water-race, and also to the fact of the Argyle Water-race framing having been destroyed by a severe gale of wind. These accidents entailed a serious loss to a number of miners, as no work has since been done on Scrubby Terrace. Within the last few weeks the Argyle Company have repaired their race, and the owners of Scrubby Terrace are now having the race put in order. This work will be completed in a few weeks. A new dredge has been placed on Dome Creek Special Claim by Messrs. Munro and Company. It is understood that they have obtained very good prospects. At Nokomai mining seems to be improving. A number of extended claims have been applied for during the last few months, and a large number of miners seem determined to give this portion of the district a fresh trial. Twelve miners have taken up some 1,200 ft. of quartz reef in Commissioner's Gully ; they have obtained the right to construct three water-races in Victoria and Commissioner's Gullies, with the intention of thoroughly testing the Nokomai as a quartz-reefing district. There is also a good deal of activity in the direction of Paddy's Alley ; a good few miners are taking up claims there. Sue Hoy and Company have been actively at work bringing a water-race from Garston to the Nokomai Creek, and they have erected a very expensive sluicing plant on the said creek, near Victoria Gully, but they now find that they will not have snfficient water until they bring in their other race from Donkey Flat, the Nokomai Saddle. There are in the Waikaia district at present about 180 miners, of whom 100 are Chinese. The local bank has purchased about four thousand six hundred pounds' worth of gold during the year, and it is believed that a considerable quantity of gold is sold elsewhere. It is estimated that gold has been obtained altogether of the value of £7,500.

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Waikaka.

A few miners, chiefly Chinese, continue to make a living at the head of this valley, obtaining their water-supply by means of small dams. The European miners last year sent in a petition to have some auriferous land belonging to Mr. Patterson resumed for mining purposes, the old reserve being so far worked out as to afford no more profitable working. Mr. Patterson, who bought the land from Logan's trustees, was willing to exchange it for one of the old reserves better adapted to agricultural purposes, and more convenient to himself, and to give or take money for novelty of exchange, leaving the valuation entirely in the hands of the Department of Lands. I went to Waikaia and interviewed the miners there, and was satisfied of the desirability of the resumption and exchange, and reported accordingly. The miners had, even before Logan's sale, interviewed me, and informed me of the highly auriferous nature of the particular sections now proposed to be resumed. The good faith of the miners petitioning is shown by the deposit of money to cover expenses, and they are much disappointed that their money should have been taken, and that several months should be allowed to lapse without any attempt being made to meet their wishes. The resumption would have given employment to some thirty men, and the construction of a dam could have been proceeded with ready for the winter rains. _ It is said that a factious opposition has been stirred up by a person no longer resident in the district; but, if this is so, there is no apparent reason why the petitioners should have their just requests indefinitely set aside, and it is to be hoped the department will see its way to actively support the interest of the miners, and obtain an early decision on their petition. Tapanui. Mining in this part of the district is carried on by about forty men, of whom half are Chinese. On the whole, mining matters are looking up. Two dredges are being built on the Pomahaka Eiver, and a special claim of 80 acres has been applied for, and the application adjourned for survey. Several persons are prospecting in the Upper Pomahaka and Leitham, while others are mining on private land about Logan's Hill. This land has passed into the hands of several small-farmers, and they; with their sons, are getting small quantities of gold, but the want of water during the summer months has been a serious drawback to them. A few miners are cradling in the Pomahaka, between Conical Hills and the Clutha Eiver, and are said to be making fair wages. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Bobeet S. Hawkins, Warden.

No. 13. Mr. Warden Dalgliesh to the Undeb-Secbetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Warden's Office, Naseby, 30th April, 1895. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual statistics of the mining industry in the Mount Ida district for the year ending 31st March, 1895, and the following report of the various centres, for your information : — The year just closed commenced with great promise of an unusually good supply of water. Towards the middle and end of the year, however, the weather became, and has since continued to be, particularly dry. As a natural consequence, miners from one end of the district .to the other have been, if not actually compelled to stop work, at any rate very much retarded in their operations, and the general results of the year's work have not been so satisfactory as I had every reason to look forward to and anticipate at the commencement of the twelve months now under report. _ No actually new finds have been reported to me during the year, but revived attention is apparently being directed to several localities which have been, comparatively, dormant for a number of years, and, judging from what has come under my notice with regard to some of the places alluded to, I entertain strong hopes of a satisfactory outcome. I regret that, notwithstanding the greater inducements offered in the way of aid towards prospecting, very little has been done in this district during the year. I feel assured that if earnest attention were paid to this subject, and combined action taken, payable ground would be developed. I alluded in my last annual report to certain ground being opened up at Idaburn by Wheeler and party ; the anticipations then indulged in, I am glad to learn, have been fully borne out, the party in question having had a remarkably good return for their labour. This is a case in point, showing what may be achieved by even a little prospecting, and may well be held up as an example and inducement to many of the youths in the district, who, it is to be regretted, display little or no desire to prosecute work of that nature. I again express the hope that ere long energetic steps may be taken to insure further prospecting being carried out. As I have said in previous reports, it is a subject of the gravest import, both to the mining community and the business people depending upon the continuance of gold-mining as a permanent industry. Ophie and Vicinity. A little stir has taken place in the neighbourhood of German Gully, which is situated on the western face of Eaggedy Eidge, between Ophir and Manorburn. There are now some twenty miners apparently settled there, some of whom have done very well, and are continuing to do so; others are making, at any rate, wages, and there are a few new arrivals prospecting. The ground now being worked shows an average depth of Bft. The work is carried on both by stripping and driving. The gold is principally found on the rock-bottom, and even penetrating 6in. into the rock in crevices- it is of a bright colour and good standard. The scarcity of water, as usual, is the great drawback to the place, as some of the men now at work have to carry the washdirt a distance of half a mile to water. If a good supply were available, the returns would be extremely good, and I

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think quite a large number of men would find highly-profitable employment in many of the gullies about this place. It is the opinion of many experienced men that pretty well the whole of the slopes from Ophir to Galloway Station are sufficiently auriferous to pay if water were plentiful; but I fear the cost of bringing it to such a high level would be too great, at any rate, for the men now on the ground. A party of Chinese miners, ten in number, are engaged in turning the Manuherikia at a point in the gorge above Chatto Creek. They have had the advantage of the river being exceptionally low for a considerable time, and have reaped a good yield of gold. In consequence of the lowness of the river, Gallagher and party have been compelled to lay up their dredge ; but they are still fairly sanguine of success when they are again able to get to work. Mr. Green, who was here two or three years ago engaged in quartz-mining, has returned and taken up the claim which formerly bore his name. He has already done a good deal of preparatory work in connection with the undertaking, and is very sanguine as to results. There still remains about the same number of men scattered about fossicking, with but, I fear, very small returns. The same may be said as to German Hill. Tinkbe's (Matakanui) and Drybkead. The work at these places has been materially interfered with through the scarcity of water during the latter part of the year, and in some cases the ground operated upon has been slightly poorer, and in some the washings-up have not yet taken place, the Undaunted Company being one. It is anticipated a yield of about 700oz. will be obtained when the .company cleans up for the season. The Mountain Eace Company has not yet washed up their main paddock, but have secured enough gold from some shallow ground to pay expenses. This company, whilst engaged on the granite or old-drift formation, caused an immense slip, shaking the ground for hundreds of feet above, causing trouble and inconvenience to the Undaunted Eace. The Matakanui Company has not yet washed up, but a profitable return is quite anticipated. A fair supply of water has been used from the Lauder, and a large area operated upon. The elevating system is adopted, but the ground is very stoney, and necessitates the use of horses and trucks. The Sugar-pot Company have secured'some 2200z., and are working on very good ground, estimating the yield by the cubic yard; but it is also very stoney. The yield named, however, sufficed to cover all expenses, and a fair dividend. Messrs Simes and Morgan have taken up another licensed holding on Abyssinian Flat, which they are now employed upon, and have, I understand, obtained over 400oz. The future of this claim is very promising. Messrs. Ewing and Maconnochie, in spite of the dry season, have obtained 4610z. Unfortunately, they have only been able to work for a couple of weeks since December. Some of the smaller parties about here and Devonshire have done very well, considering all things. There is no doubt that to make the ground highly payable expensive appliances have to be used, and work carried on both very largely and systematically, then handsome returns may be quite relied upon. The question of erecting a large dam for the storage of water at Thompson's Creek is still engrossing the grave attention of many of the miners largely interested in the subject, and I sincerely hope that ere long the matter may take definite shape, and be proceeded with. The estimated cost at present is a.bout £10,000, and it is calculated by some that such an expenditure would about double the present water-supply by conserving what goes to waste in times of flood. Cambeian's. Work has been carried on during the year with fair results by the majority of those at work when water was available, the most noticeable undertaking being the new claim of Mr. John Ewing, who has again, in this, demonstrated his energy and ability. He began work at this place only in July last, washed up in the early part of Jannary, securing 2290z. of gold; this gave a profit of £400 over and above working-expenses. The ground is described as being sufficient to last for several years to come. A capital of £2,000 has been invested in the claim. St. Bathan's. The prevailing complaint as to shortness of water has been much in evidence in this locality during the latter half of the year, and has naturally very considerably lessened the returns of many of the larger claims at work. Mr. John Ewing's well-known and often-quoted Kildare Hill Claim again heads the list of gold-producing claims. 1,2740z. have been obtained for the year, the bulk of it being secured at a washing-up which took place at the beginning of last winter, and was part of the result of the previous year's operations. Mr. Ewing has removed the two upper lifts of his elevator, substituting a single lift of 92ft.; this, it is satisfactory to learn, is acting very well. It is, I understand, the highest single lift yet at work in the colony. The pressure is only 440 ft., but the parts being proportioned and fitted with such nicety, and the down-pipes being so large that there is but trifling loss from friction—a most important essential in plants of this description —grave trouble was experienced in opening out from this elevator, the ground being of a sandy and somewhat treacherous nature, with great liability to slip. All leakage from the pipes having to be carefully kept from the ground on which the elevator is built, the trestle-work supporting it was found several times to be in imminent danger, and only by the greatest care and the exercise of much ingenuity on the part of Mr. Ewing and his assistants was it saved. A second elevator will raise the wash 50ft. to this. The whole of the work on this claim is of unusual magnitude; it is carried out with great ability, and reflects the utmost credit on Mr. Ewing, as proprietor and general manager, as well as upon those carrying out the work so effectually under his direction. The United M. and E. Company have obtained 2300z. from their Blue Gully Claim. The shortness of water has prevented them doing much work at their claim at Surface Hill. The waterrights held by this company give but a very inadequate supply in seasons which are at all dry.

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The Scandinavian Water-race Company have not washed up this season. The company has a large area of ground stripped, and have erected an elevating plant, and a large yield may be looked forward to during this year. Their lift is at present 30ft.; but, with the apparent dip of the auriferous deposits, a much greater elevation will be found necessary. The water-rights held by this company are very good, permitting the company to sell water as well as supply their own necessities. The St. Bathan's Water-race Company has not been fortunate in the new ground they worked up to ;it has not proved at all equal to expectations. A melancholy and fatal accident occurred, by which the manager of the company, Mr. Hector Stewart, an old and very highly respected resident, was killed by a fall of earth in the tail-race. The company is now washing up, and I regret to hear that appearances for a good yield are not by any means promising. The St. Bathan's Channel Company have, I am informed, obtained 200oz. from a partial wash-ing-up, and a similar quantity is expected on the completion, which is now stopped through scarcity of water. The Muddy Creek Channel Company arc-now cleaning up and have secured already 150oz. ; about 210oz. is expected in all. This gold is principally lost from the various claims using the channel; about as much was obtained last year. The amounts so secured pay all cost of maintenance of the channel. There are about the same number of smaller parties working in the neighbourhood as hitherto, some with water of thejr own and some purchased. The men so employed, lam given to understand, continue to make from small to fair wages. At Vinegar Hill, Mr. Ewing has opened out in the new ground alluded to in my last report, and has proved it to be remunerative and probably extensive, though an unexpected fault in the ground, showing an extensive disruption of strata, has cut him off in the direction in which the ground made richest. At this point the quartz drift is cut perpendicularly, and thrown forward, a mass of decomposed schist-rock taking its place. Along the line of the fracture the rock is ground up into fine clay or " pug." Mr. Bwing is in hopes of being able to trace the drift on the other side of the fault, and with this object in view is prospecting some hundreds of yards. Further on, in the line of the drift formation, he has found the drift formation at that point with gold in it, but not yet in paying quantities. In the main workings in this claim he is elevating 32ft., but is preparing to put in a fresh elevator to lift 50ft. The gold return for the year amounts to 5280z., and that amount would have been considerably exceeded with a good water-supply. The shortness of it in this case has necessitated a suspension of sluicing for about four months. During that time the men have been employed completing extensive alterations and laying pipes, erecting dams, &c. Mr. Ewing's plant on this claim is one of the most complete and extensive on the goldfields. The main pipes are 22in. diameter. Messrs. Hughes and Morgan obtained 4200z., and would probably have had 150oz. more, save for an extensive slip coming into the paddock just as they were commencing to wash up. The quantity alluded to will go, however, to increase the next washing. Messrs. Watson, Thomas, and party have had a somewhat disappointing year after a series of really profitable seasons. They have obtained enough only, I believe, to pay something over wages. Messrs. Coulson and Bxcell, who have been sinking and driving on their claim at Vinegar Flat, lost their shaft through being unable to cope with water. They have now opened out from another, and, I am pleased to hear, are getting excellent returns. In view of the whole surroundings, I may say with confidence that this part of the field is in a satisfactory condition, and has a good future in sight. EOUGH EIDGB AND HILL'S CbEEK. This part of the district has not advanced during the year. There are but very few miners paying any attention to the alluvial workings, and I am afraid even the few remaining are but very poorly recompensed for their labour. The quartz lodes are still being worked, or, more correctly speaking, prospected, by Perry and party, who, during the whole of 1894, have been so engaged, and I have reason to believe they have accomplished a very considerable amount of work. They have won and crushed 200 to 300 tons of quartz, but the yield has not been good, the best only turning out Bdwt. per ton. For the last few months they have directed their attention and work upon the old Otago Central, in which they have further driven the main adit some 40ft., stoping the ground as they proceeded. The country driven on is described as very hard, consequently the progress has been but slow, and the reef only shows an average of about 4in.; the yield from it is estimated at about 15dwt. per ton. This main adit is now driven nearly 750 ft., giving about 90ft. of backs, but the next 100 ft. to be driven will give 120 ft. of backs. Perry and party have worked with perseverance, and deserve greater success than has so far attended their exertions. At Hill's Creek about the same number of men are at work, with probably the same results as heretofore. Hamilton's and Sowbuen. Little or no alteration has taken place at this place; there are about the same number of miners working as there were at the time of my last report. I have reason to believe that the returns have been more satisfactory than for several years. Nothing new has been reported, but I believe the majority have made, at any rate, fair wages. As in other parts of the district, the supply of water was good for the early part of the year, hence the improved returns. Work in the Perseverance Claim has been carried on in a manner quite in consistence with the distinguishing name of the company. They have been driving a tunnel for the last ten months, continuing it for a distance of 650 ft., and I believe have at last struck the lead again ; appearances indicate, at any rate, what is called wages-ground, and it is thought it will improve when fairly

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into it. The company have had many difficulties to contend with in the way of immense landslips completely burying their works. The whole face of the mountain side, where their works are situated, appears to be almost on the move—at any rate, liable to slip at any moment; this renders the work of the company not only very expensive, but hazardous to the men employed. There is every reason to believe that there exists a belt of auriferous ground of a highlypayable nature running below the township, but at a very considerable depth. Efforts have been made in past years to develop it, but the difficulties have ever proved insurmountable. It is believed to run to a depth of 100 ft. to 150 ft., and, from the drifty nature of the sinking, would require close timbering from top to bottom. The expense of such a work is entirely beyond the means of any of the miners at Hamilton's. At Sowburn work has proceeded in about the same manner as hitherto. No change worthy of any special note has taken place. The majority of the miners settled there appear to be perfectly satisfied; they have comfortable and permanent homes, and a number of them are taking advantage of the opening-up of the land—taking up holdings that will insure them homes for themselves and their families even should the yield of gold run out. There are a few scattered parties working between Sowburn and Hamilton's, including a few Chinamen, but I have not been informed as to their success or otherwise. The ground, as a rule, is patchy in this neighbourhood, but when a miner is successful in striking a run of gold it is, as a rule, very good, amply repaying for a considerable time spent in prospecting. I believe Poster's party, at the Three-mile, again obtained quite satisfactory returns, at any rate, during the earlier part of the year, when water was in good supply. Kybbuen. Work in this neighbourhood has been carried on during the year in the same persevering manner as hitherto, but since the very dry weather set in the majority of the miners have been very much hindered in their sluicing operations; but they have, I understand, been taking advantage of the enforced stoppage by cleaning out their water-races, dams, &c, and are now pretty well prepared for the much-desired and necessary rainfall. Smith and Donaldson's party are still elevating at their workings at White's Gully, with, I am informed, satisfactory returns. The old established miners pretty well all remain and continue in their old claims, and, if not acquiring riches, are, it may be presumed, fairly satisfied with the returns obtained, as I hear but few complaints. Some of the water-races have changed hands, but at what, prices lam not informed. McLellan and Son, who have been for some five years working a claim at the junction of German Creek and Kyeburn Kiver, have, I believe, nearly worked out. The fact that during the period named the area of ground dealt with hardly exceeds a quarter of an acre, and the system of work has been comparatively primitive, shows clearly what might have been achieved if the quantity of water and the pressure had been greater, and how really rich some of the deposits on the Kyeburn are if the more recent and scientific appliances could be made use of. Parker's party have completed their tailrace, and have added 300 ft. of llin. pipes to increase the pressure. They are now in a position to put through greatly increased quantities of wash, and anticipate good returns. Messrs. Brown Brothers are prosecuting their works on the Kyeburn Peninsula with praiseworthy energy and system. They are now constructing a large dam on the ground which was resumed by the Government a few years ago. They are also cutting water-races to connect with the main race and the pipes for the elevator. There is a considerable area of ground in and around the land resumed which runs pretty deep. It is fully believed to be payable, and Brown Brothers have determined to thoroughly test it with elevators. To this end they have added 1,400 ft. of large pipes to their plant. The elevator and all connections are to be on the ground at an early date. About the same number of Chinese miners are scattered about working in their usual quiet, yet pertinacious manner, principally in ground which has been, at any rate partially, worked by European miners in former years. Between this place and Naseby there is quite a large area of ground, believed to be auriferous, and which it is to be regretted is so little prospected. Maceab's and Nenthorn. No striking change has occurred at either of these places. The number of miners engaged remains about the same, both of European and Chinese. At Macrae's Flat some fifteen parties have availed themselves of the dry season, and have again worked the ground which in ordinary seasons cannot be touched on account of the water. A number of Chinese miners are reported to have done very well at Horse Hat, a locality apparently offering lasting attractions to Chinamen, to judge from the persistent manner they cling to it. I believe some exceptionally rich patches have been obtained by them at this place from time to time. Quartz. The Bonanza Mine has changed hands. The new proprietors have removed the battery to a lower site, intending to use water-power as soon as available. In the meantime, lam informed, some very promising stone is being brought to grass, and a successful future is predicted for the mine. Golden Point. —Work of a satisfactory character has been continued at this mine. During the early part of the season some 200 tons were treated, with satisfactory results. Considerable additions have been completed to the crushing plant —viz., a sft. Huntingdon mill, rock-breaker, and grinding-pans. The proprietors are very sanguine of the future prospects of the mine, and certainly the perseverance they have ever displayed entitles them to every possible success. At Mount Highlay a further attempt is being made, with, I fully believe, very good prospects of more favourable effects than attained hitherto. The management is now in thoroughly experienced hands, and it is the intention of the present proprietary to apply the most recent and improved appliances, including the cyanide process. A very large body of stone exists, which is easy to obtain, and is confidently believed to be highly payable when treated economically. If the present

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efforts are successful, I feel confident that quite an impetus will again be given to quartz-mining in this neighbourhood. Fairly good stone is reported to have been found between Macrae's and Dunback, but particulars are not yet to hand. On the whole, I think the prospects of this part of the field are certainly more promising than at the date of my last report. At Nenthorn there are a few men still employed in a somewhat desultory manner on some of the old claims. The only battery left on the field is the old Croesus, which has been crushing small parcels of quartz from the few claims still being operated upon. In some instances the stone has given good returns. Water has been very short lately, as in other parts of the district. So far as I can learn, some 200 tons have been treated at the Croesus battery, with a return of (approximately) 130oz. of gold. lam informed that there is a considerable quantity of quartz now raised awaiting water for crushing, which from indications should give a good return. Hyde and vicinity I think show greater indications of improvement, at any rate prospectively, than for some time. At the Pour-mile there has been a considerable amount of work done, consequent upon Kelly and party securing very good prospects; and, at what is known as the Deep Sinking, Mongavon and party are stated to be on very good gold. This party have taken up a lease, and intend to work the ground thoroughly. The depth runs from 120 ft. to 150 ft., the nature of the ground necessitating timbering, which is a very expensive item. More attention is being directed to the banks of the Taieri, where gold is found to exist almost anywhere where a trial is made, but not always in payable quantities. A number of the workmen employed on the Otago Central devote some of their spare time prospecting the gullies on the course of the railway and the river-banks. I have recently granted several claims, the result of prospecting by the parties alluded to. On the Bock and Pillar matters remain about the same. One or two claims have changed hands. Naseby and Vicinity. I have but little to remark with regard to the workings in this neighbourhood. The dryness of the latter part of the year has, no doubt, told against the individual and general success of all mining here, but I am glad to say the temporary want of water has not diminished the population to any marked degree, and work is being carried on by both the European and Chinese miners with as much energy as hitherto. At Coal-pit Gully Hewitt's claim is being worked at a depth of some 50ft. with, I am informed, fairly good results; the other claims lam not informed about. On Enterprise Terrace, being perhaps the most important locality to the west of Naseby, there are about five and twenty men at work, the average depth of stripping being about 50ft. Mr. Young has recently taken up an extended claim there, and has gone to an expense of £200 in taking water on the ground by syphon. In Main Gully there are nearly fifty men at work, the principal claims being those of Messrs. Guffie and party and the Extended Company. Both of these parties are elevating, with good returns I believe. There are a number of Chinese miners in the upper part of this gully and the smaller gullies running into it, the majority of whom are reported to be doing well, and, in some instances, particularly well. In Home Gully and Wet Gully there are about five and twenty at work, principally Chinese, all doing a little, one or two perhaps something over wages. A party of Chinamen are stated to have had a most successful season in Mulholland's Gully. At Spec Gully there are from twenty-five to thirty miners making, on an average, small wages. The Government water-race has been bringing a fairly good supply of water in until the latter part of the year, and I understand Mr. Murray, the manager, has had no difficulty in disposing of it. Settlement on the land is still advancing rapidly, notwithstanding the unprecedentedly low prices of all produce. For every new block thrown open there appears to be ever an astonishing number of applicants, and evidence is not wanting of permanent improvements being carried out all over the various blocks thrown open. The construction of the railway is no doubt attracting many to settle along the line, and, with a return of remunerative prices for stock and produce, I have no hesitation in predicting a prosperous future for the settlers in this part of Central Otago. The subject of conservation of water, although of such importance to the district generally, has not advanced in any way during the past year. This is much to be regretted. No doubt the initial cost would be large, but the benefits accruing would, I consider, be quite commensurate. In times of high flood incalculable quantities of water run to waste. Competent persons consider a large supply could easily be secured and kept in reserve if the necessary dams were constructed. I give herewith a summary of the business transacted in the Warden's Courts and offices: Complaints in Warden's Courts, 37 ; ordinary applications, 435; licensed holdings granted, 5; special claims granted, 4 ; miners' rights issued, 557; water-race licenses, 46; general registrations, 508 ; revenue collected, £1,545 18s.; approximate estimate of yield of gold, 15,0000z. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. S. Mead Dalgliesh, Warden.

No. 14. Mr. Warden Wood to the Undeb-Secbetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Clyde, 13th May, 1895. 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, 1895 :— " Clyde and Alexandea. Although the past season has been the most unfavourable one experienced here for several years, mining generally in this portion of my district has shown sure signs of improvement, whilst the number employed in this industry has considerably increased.

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Since my last report the Golden Gate Company has leased its water for a term of years to Messrs. Nicolson and party, who have pegged out a claim at Scrubby Gully, some two miles west of Springvale. A branch'race of considerable length has been cut, and all the necessary plant placed upon the ground for sluicing on a large scale, but it is feared that a start will not be able to be made until the spring, as the water at present is below a workable quantity. Messrs. Nicolson and party are thoroughly practical miners, and, it is believed, would not have gone to the heavy expenditure incurred unless the prospects fully warranted it; and, if such is the case, and the ground proves to be as valuable as anticipated, there are hundreds of acres of similar country in the locality open for application. Several fresh claims have been taken up on the Clyde commonage, most of which are being worked by tunneling. Fortunately the ground does not require timbering, or probably it would not pay by this method. As it is, however, good wages are being made, and where water can be obtained in sufficient quantities to sluice the returns have been much greater. At Springvale Messrs. Gartley Brothers are still profitably employed, and, being the possessors of a good water-right, they have incurred very little lost time during the past year. Manobbuen. About August last year some good prospects were obtained here almost accidentally by Messrs. Murray and McDonald, two strangers in the locality, and since then a considerable rush has set in, causing a large amount of prospecting to be done. The ground varies in depth from 3ft. to 60ft. and over, the gold-bearing wash being a half water-worn quartz gravel, generally called "granite." The lead starts from Messrs. Jackson and Campbell's claim, at Tucker Hill, and follows along parallel with the Manuherikia Eiver until the Manorburn is reached, when it shoots off in the direction of Ida Valley. About thirty claims have been pegged off, several of which are being worked, and returning fair to good wages.' There are a few fine colours through seams all the way down, but the best gold is found in the bottom layer, which in most places is lift, to 2ft. in depth. The claims are being worked under considerable difficulties, the washdirt having to be carried to the. Manorburn Creek, where a sufficient supply of water is obtainable for box-sluicing and cradling. Jackson and party, with their limited supply of water, managed to get about seven months' sluicing during the year. The result, however, was very satisfactory, enabling them to place on the claim about 580 ft. of additional iron piping. When water was not available this energetic party set their neighbours a commendable example by enlarging their dam, near Little Valley, which now, when full, covers an area of three-quarters of a mile in length by 10 chains in width, the wall being 25ft. deep; their race, which is seventeen miles and a half long, has also received a considerable amount of attention. The Molyneux Hydraulic Company are still working in their claim just above the Town of Alexandra. In May last they shifted to the upper part of their ground, and this necessitated an expenditure of a little over £200 in extra plant. The removal, however, has acted beneficially, as the prospects are very much better. Although operations had to be suspended at the beginning of November last, through the high state of the river and breakages in the race, 1470z. were obtained during the year, which probably paid all expenses. The banks of the Molyneux and the outside creeks and gullies are still being profitably worked, and, if there is any change since my last report, it is in the direction of more men being employed.' Dredging. This method of winning the precious metal still occupies a premier position in this locality, and from the present outlook it is likely to for many years to come; more especially is this future guaranteed, as the tailings elevator, which has been spoken of so long, is now by experience an assured success. There are five steam and two current-wheel dredges at present working between Clyde and Butcher's Point, and two steam and one current-wheeler being built. Hyde and party have had an exceptionally good year, one week alone returning them 1270z. Just before Christmas it was found that their tailings were blocking them, and steps were at once taken to procure and erect an elevator. This has now been completed, and is working very satisfactorily. The elevator consists of a wooden ladder, which is secured to the stern of the dredge, a train of boxes or trays running over tumblers at each end of the ladder, the upper one of which is driven by gearing and shafting connecting with the main engine. The ladder is constructed of timber, 12in. deep by 6in. wide and 34ft. long, having cross-pieces to stay it. There are two deckbeams of 10in. by 6in. bolted to the deck, to which the ladder is the beams projecting over the stern to carry the lower tumbler. There are also two uprights, Bin. by 6in. and 18ft. long, bolted to the deck-beams, the ladder being stayed by two stays of 2-Jin. by jin. iron running from the ladder to the top end of uprights, and from there to top of main tumbler frame, and also by two stays of fin. round iron from top of ladder to deck. The shafting and gearing for driving the trays consist of a 2in. shaft, running in bearings along the deck to the stern, where it is connected with four mitre-wheels to cross-shaft, thence to an incline-shaft running up the ladder, on the top end of which there is a bevel-pinion driving on to a bevel-wheel, 36in. in diameter, which is keyed on to an intermediate shaft, 2Jin. in diameter, across the ladder, on the other end of which is a pinion, llin. in diameter, driving on to a spur-wheel, 36in. in diameter, on the top tumbler - shaft, the tumbler and intermediate shafts running in brasses, the remainder in hard cast-iron bearings, the whole being driven by a friction-clutch bolted on the flywheel of the main engine. The trays, of which there are forty-one in number, are made of iin. steel plate, being coupled together with steel links riveted to the bottom, and steel pins and bushes. The lower tumbler is fitted with tension-screws for the purpose of taking up the slack as the pins and bushes wear. The trays are carried up by four rollers, running in hard cast-iron 6—C. 3A.

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bushes bolted to the ladder, the upper and lower tumbler-shafts being 3in. by 3Jin. respectively. Mr. Cutten, of Dunedin, was the designer of the elevator, Messrs. Stevenson and Postlewaite of the same city were the contractors, and Mr. Steel, of Alexandra, supervised the fitting-up. The total cost was something under £300. Spencer and party have also enjoyed a prosperous year, their returns being really little less than Hyde and party. Although they are working into the beach at Sandy Point, they have not as yet been blocked by their tailings. Very shortly, however, the necessity must arise for the elevation of their tailings. Since my last report, Mr. Gards has disposed of his two dredges and special claim at Sandy Point to Messrs. Finlay and others. The price, I am given to understand, was £5,000. Mr. Finlay, on taking possession, immediately took steps to overhaul the steam dredge, and, after effecting many necessary repairs, has started working steadily with good results. The Enterprise Dredge, a little lower down, and on the opposite side of the river, has been working pretty steadily, and with fair results. No large washings have been got, but the returns, I believe, have left a little surplus after paying working-expenses. This dredge is also assisted by an elevator, which was designed and erected by Mr. Cutten, of Dunedin, and is working very smoothly. Leijon and party are still occupying the same claim as last year, about a mile above the Alexandra Bridge, and, although their returns are not made public, it is generally supposed that they are doing remarkably well. Magnus and party, with their current-wheel dredge, are working steadily in their claim, about a mile below the Alexandra Bridge. The ground applied for by them having been the subject of considerable litigation, and not yet finally granted, leads them to keep their earnings to themselves; now and again, however, reports are heard of handsome washings-up, and their steady working, without breakage, is a proof that dredges of the bucket type can be used in the Gorge for procuring the precious metal, thereby practically opening many miles of the river which hitherto was considered unworkable by any present known method. Bald Hill Flat. The past season has been the most unfavourable one experienced here for many years, water having been exceptionally scarce. Despite this drawback, however, mining has been prosecuted with considerable vigour, and most of the claims have returned a fair margin of profit after wages and other expenses have been deducted. The Bald Hill Sluicing Company has been engaged sluicing and elevating some ground at the foot of the Flat, but, not having the command of a permanent supply of water, their operations have been much retarded, and probably the result of their labours has not more than covered expenses. Hesson and party, who possess about the [best supply of water in these parts, have been working continuously since the frost broke up in the spring with most satisfactory results. The amount of ground got over by the party is really a credit to Mr. McNiesh, their manager. At the same time, they have made every effort to straighten and improve their water-race, which is seventeen miles in length, and upon which three men are continuously employed. The party, consisting of all working-men, deserve great credit for the energy displayed by them during the past five or six years, and it is pleasing to be able now to report that they are being substantially rewarded for their perseverance. Carroll and Lynch, who only succeeded in getting their new elevating plant in position last October, have already had two very satisfactory washings, and, as they have six or seven acres of similar ground to get over, it is safe to predict for them a few years of well-earned prosperity. Mitchell Brothers (2) are working steadily and making fair wages. George Wilkinson, whose claim is at the upper end of the Flat, has lost very little time during the year, his returns keeping up to the average of past years, and, although work has been continuously carried on for twenty years, the claim is far from being worked out. Mcc Sing and others, a party of Chinese, finding from the workings of Mr. Wilkinson that a run of gold entered their orchard adjoining, determined to devote their energies to mining instead of fruit-growing. About eight of them are employed, but with what result I cannot say. The usual number are working about the gullies in a small way, and apparently making fair living wages. Quartz. There are three claims in active work on the slope of the Old Man Eange, employing about twelve men, but during the past year no large yields have been reported. The once famous White's Reef, now owned by Mr. Eobert Symes, is still being worked. A large amount of dead-work has been carried out during the year, and it is only just now that the proprietor is reaping the benefit. The claim known as "The Exhibition," owned by Mr. Henry Symes, has not yielded the quantity of gold that was anticipated from it, but the owner is still hopeful. The Excelsior, owned by Messrs. Crossan and Gray, has not been much heard of during the last year, the proprietors having been engaged trying to open up the mine from a lower level. The country met with, however, was very difficult to get through, and operations in that direction have been stayed for the time. Mr. Crossan, having left the district, has sold his interest to his partner, who intends to return and work from where Golden Stone was left, and is very hopeful of again bringing the mine into notoriety. The revenue collected during the year amounted to £705, which exceeds that of the previous year by £162.

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EoXBUBGH. The Eoxburgh Amalgamated Mining Company has iad a very successful year, having netted gold to the value of £8,848, which has enabled the directors to declare five 6d. dividends on 30,000 shares. The future prospects of the company are very promising, an old river-bed having been struck, about 4 chains in width, apparently leading up the Plat. During the year considerable additions have been made to the dam at Dismal Swamp, the result of which is the company is seldom short of water. The United Hercules Company's claim is now being worked on tribute, with, 1 am afraid, poor results. Ewing and party in the adjoining claim are working steadily, and are making a profit representing fair interest on the money invested. The Island Block Company, at Horse-shoe Bend, under Mr. Eawlin's management, is said to be getting payable gold, but, being an English company, very little information can be obtained as to actual results. The Island Block Extended Company are still working, but seem to be burdened with considerable financial difficulties. The gold—so4oz.—got during the year was apparently not sufficient to cover expenses. There are several claims on the river-banks from Coal Creek to the Island Block working in a smaller way, and all seem to be satisfied with what they are getting. Dredging. This industry is assuming larger proportions every year, the number of dredges now engaged being fifteen, with promise of an early increase. The Dunedin Dredging Company has not had such a prosperous year as the last, but the 9090z. obtained enabled the directors to return the shareholders £370 in dividends. The Eoxburgh Gold Steam Dredging Company was a little more fortunate, the shareholders getting £1,625 out of the 9900z. obtained. The Edina Dredge, just below, seems to be working steadily, and now and again 20oz. a week are heard of, but what the total for the year is I have not been able to ascertain. The Ettrick Dredge has been working about the same locality all the year. The ground, however, is not very rich, although, I am informed, the returns have been sufficient to clear the company of debt after deducting working-expenses. The Miller's Creek Dredge having failed for some time to clear expenses, this company has gone into liquidation. The assets and liabilities, however, have been taken over by a new company, and the dredge will not remain long idle. The Golden Eun Company, whose dredge is situated at the northern end of the Island Block, has been doing very well for some considerable time. During the year they netted 8140z., and declared dividends amounting to £1,076. The Golden Treasure Dredge, which commenced working about April last year, succeeded in striking good gold almost at once, and since then have been obtaining good, average returns, aggregating for the year 9010z., out of which dividends amounting to £360 have been paid. Pringle and party, Bennett and others, and Brazil and others are, and have been, doing well for some considerable time. The former party, finding their dredge too small to cope with the deep portion of their claim, have determined to build a new one. « Upper Waikaia and Potter's. About the same number are working in the gullies and river in this locality as last year, and with about the same results. The goldfields revenue collected during the year amounted to £826, or nearly £100 more than last year. Ceomwell. Speaking generally, there is very little that is new to record of mining matters in this district during the twelve months ending 31st March, 1895. Death certainly has been unusually busy among us, and, in addition to many less familiarly known, has carried off Messrs. J. D. Menzies, J. McKersie, Michael Larkins, and Charles Tippett, all of whom have been intimately connected with the mining industry from an early date. The summer being exceptionally dry, it followed as a natural consequence that sluicing was dull for a great portion of the year ; yet most of the old hands kept working away, with more or less success. Dredging has again been spoken of, and three new claims have been taken up on the Kawarau, and one on the Clutha. The old dredge (Kloogh and party's) on the latter river has, I understand, made fair wages for the year, although it has struck nothing of a startling nature. Bannockburn and Carrick generally are quiet, and it is feared that, unless a new sludge-channel can be carried up in the direction pointed out to the Hon. Mr. Cadman, many of the present miners will have to seek new fields for their enterprise. Lawrence Brothers, I am told, have done fairly well, whilst McCabe and Sons think they have got something good, which only requires developing. At the Nevis, Eobertson and party and a few others are reported to have done very well, but against this must be placed the fact that the Paetolus Company have thrown up their special claims. Several parties have done well at Mid Eun, but Criffel and 5 the Eoaring Meg are very quiet, whilst the Five-mile and Frazer Eiver are practically dead. The tributers of the Cromwell Mine, Bendigo, have had excellent results for the time they have been at work, whilst at Quartz-reef Point more than one party have had every reason to be satisfied.

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Wakatipu and Aeeow. There is nothing of importance to report with regard to this portion of my district, both alluvial and quartz-mining operations being steadily carried on with about the same results as for the last two or three years. The yield of gold still keeps up, and there is no falling-off in the revenue. The number of miners' rights issued during the year is considerably in excess of the average for the previous seven years, and the total revenue from them for the two preceding years. I have, &c, Nugent Wood, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 15. Mr. Warden Caeew to the Undee-Seoeetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic,— " Warden's Office, Dunedin, 15th May, 1895. I have the honour, pursuant to your circular, No. 1, of the 20th March last, to forward herewith the annual mining statistics relating to the Hindon portion of the Otago Mining District for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1895. The operations during the year in the district under my charge do not call for any special remarks, very little, comparatively speaking, having been accomplished either in quartz or alluvial workings. It has been found the cost of working the various quartz reefs in the district is too great to leave a profit, the whole of the proceeds being required to pay expenses. The several parties who hold interests on the field are, however, still hopeful of being in the near future able to work the mines in a more economical manner so as to render them remunerative. At Hindon, Sheppard and party are still working quietly, having crushed several small lots during the year, the average yield of which has been much about the same as before—viz., 7dwt. to lOdwt. per top. At Barewood, Wolter and party have done very little during the year, owing to the great expense of having to cart the quartz to the battery for a distance of several miles over a heavy road. What they have done in the way of crushing has given similar results to those reported last year. They have been hoping to come to some arrangement for the construction of a tramway for conveying their stone to the battery; and also, in conjunction with others, to obtain assistance from the Government for the purpose of thoroughly testing the Barewood Beefs by tunneling or otherwise. The party who lately took up the claim formerly held by the Barewood Mining Company have been doing a little in the way of prospecting their ground, and have crushed a small quantity of stone, which yielded, I am given to understand, about 9dsvt. to the ton. The cost of raising the stone, however, by the underlay shaft is too great with other expenses for profitable working. This party are also in hopes of being able to come to some arrangement for working the mine by means of a tunnel, so as to reduce the cost of getting out stone. Mr. P. A. Lyders has recently taken up ground on the portion of the Otago Museum Endowment Beserve in the Nenthorn district, on the opposite side of the Taieri Biver from Barewood, lately proclaimed subject to the Mining Act, and has opened up a reef which gives fairly good prospects of becoming payably auriferous if economically worked. Mr. Lyders has erected a battery, and has crushed about 90 tons of stone, the yield being equal to 7dwt. per ton, This line of reef is supposed to be a continuation of that of Barewood. With regard to alluvial workings, about the same number of men are still working in the old gullies with varying success, some of them barely subsisting on the results of their labour. The tail-race in Styles Gully has again been taken in hand, but up to the present time there has been no sluicing or washing-up in respect of the ground intended to be worked. Owing to the partial cessation of some of the quartz-workings, there have not been quite as many miners employed d"uring the year as formerly; but, in other respects, in relation to settlement, &c, there is no noticeable change to record. 1 have, &c, To the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. E. W. Caeew, Warden.

No. 16. Mr. Warden Bawson to the Undeb-Secbetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic, — Warden's Office, Inveroargill, 2nd May, 1895. 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 ending 31st March, 1895:— Oeepuki. Alluvial mining has been carried on in the district steadily during the year with about the same yield of gold as for last year. The Mining Association of Orepuki had four or five men out prospecting beyond the Waiau Eiver for several months during last summer, but nothing of any importance was discovered. Bound Hill. The Bound Hill Mining Company has been working all the year with, it is said, satisfactory results. The serious obstacle now to the exhaustive working of this alluvial field is the want of fall to get rid of the tailings, and it does not appear that this difficulty can be overcome. It follows that the higher ground only is available to the working miner with little or no capital. But unfortunately the richer alluvial deposits are found at a considerable depth below the present level of the main sludge-channel. The only way to work this deep ground is to drive up the tailings

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through iron tubes, by means of water at a great pressure, on to the higher ground, where the water can find a natural fall —similar hydraulic appliances as are used by the Eound Hill Mining Company. Some miners on the field have lately united together for the purpose of adopting a similar method, and have been granted a special claim of 20 acres. I trust they will succeed, and so lead the way to other co-operations of working miners. There are about the same number of Chinese on the field as last year, but I am informed they are not doing very well. Peesebvation. Inlet. There are now six registered mining companies in this district—namely : The Golden Site, the Hesperides, the Break-of-Day, the Triangle Extended, the Surprise, and the Morning Star. The Golden Site is the only company that has put a battery on as yet. The result of the crushings at first were highly satisfactory, but latterly obstacles have been experienced, owing to large slips on the surface interfering with the workings. The prospects in the Morning Star are said to be very good, and the company is pushing forward with the work, and hope to have machinery on the ground shortly. Cuttle Cove. Messrs. Cullen and Clark have taken up a special claim of 98 acres in this locality, and it is the intention of the proprietors to bring in a big water-race and work the claim with hydraulic appliances. The Crown, St. George, and Lizzard Beefing Claims are also said to be showing good stone. The alluvial find at Te Whara Beach caused some excitement, and a number of claims have been pegged out, some of the men doing very well. Wyndham. There is nothing worthy of report re this district, mining being practically at a standstill for the present. I have, &c, To the.Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. C. B. Eawson, Warden.

No. 17. Mr. John Gow, Inspector of Mines, to the Undee-Secbetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Dunedin, 6th May, 1895. I have the honour to forward herewith my remarks on the mines visited by me since my last annual report. Gold-mines. Sound Hill Mine, Orepuki. —A very considerable amount of material has been put through the elevator since about this time last year. The present position of the jet plant appears to me to be only a short distance from the original creek-channel before mining commenced, and, from the shape of the paddock sluiced away, I imagine the payable ground extends into the terrace only a distance of from sto 6 chains from the plant. At that distance back the depth of material sluiced away must be fully 50ft., all of which, however, is good moving stuff. The shallowest part of the paddock is probably 20ft. The water-supply is generally short at this time of the year, which was the case at the time of my visit, and consequently the plant was not working. The men were, however, erecting a second set of sluice-boxes at a slightly higher level above the old ones, rendered necessary, I presume, in consequence of the considerable filling-in of the tailing-site. All the low-lying flat where the tailings are being cast is fast filling up to a level much above what it has ever been before, and this filling will continually add to the height of the lift, and of the flat in the neighbourhood of mining operations, since there is neither fall or water to carry the tailings away as fast as they are sluiced there. The jet is now elevating the material to a height of 50ft., which may be considered near its limit. I did not see the manager on the day of my visit. Gallant Tip Quartz-mine. —(13/11/94) : At a distance of about 500 ft. in from the mouth of the adit, a cross-cut was lately put in to the eastward about 30ft., when a 6ft. lode was met with, carrying gold; but its value will not be known till a crushing be obtained from it. The new lode is being followed southward, in which direction it diverges a little to the eastward from a parallel line with the main lode. The new find, if payable, will give 300 ft. of backs. I visited all the workingplaces in the first and second levels, where the lode is generally sft. wide. The stoped-out ground is being filled with excavated material as the work proceeds, and the passes and partitions are being built up with round and sawn timber at the same time. The mine is in good order, and appears to be carefully worked. The air is good throughout. The Leviathan Beef is situated behind Johnston's Hotel. A few tons of stone are being packed on horses to the Gallant Tip battery to be crushed. All the stone as yet is being gathered from the surface. The Achilles Mine. —(l 4/11/94): There are now four levels being worked in the mine. The first is in the adit-level, and the others are worked from the shaft. The lowest one is on the best stone, some of which shows gold freely. I saw some good stone in this level, and was shown some pretty specimens, said to have come from the same level. Gold like small grains of wheat is also found, here in the laminations of the slaty schist several inches above the lode. I saw gold in the slate at the same place, and brought away a good specimen. I have also a piece of gold which I procured from between the slate. The lode is generally from 4ft. to 6ft. wide. Stoping is going on in several places, and is being well and closely timbered. Most of the working-places are very dry, and comfortable to work in. All the levels are well and strongly timbered. A Tangye pump, worked by compressed air, is fixed near the bottom level, and forces up the drainage to the surface. There is a very neat and compact winding-engine in the workings at the 200 ft. level, which is worked by compressed air and does its work well. The air is good throughout the mine.

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Bald Rill Flat.— (2o/11/94) : The Excelsior Eeef is still being mined a little near the surface. Since my previous visit, and during the winter months, an adit was driven from the face of the hill a distance of 280 ft. along the track of the reef, at a level to intersect the lode at a fair prospecting depth below the lowest workings from the surface. The distance driven is through country very much broken, and consequently heavy on the timber, so much so, that the inner 80ft. has been crushed in. The size of tunnel is 6ft. by 3ft., and 2ft. 10in. between legs overhead. There was no stone taken out of the mine during the winter. At present the men are sluicing away an old land-slip on the east side of the lode, where the hill-side is very steep at the head of a small gully. The slip consists of clay_ and a quantity of loose angular schist - rock, and some quartz containing gold. The quartz is stacked to one side for future treatment at the battery. The debris carries fine gold, which is saved in the boxes at the tail-end of the cutting. The men say they get enough gold to pay them wages. B. T. Symes's Quartz-mine.— (2l/11/94) : A new adit at 130 ft. below the previous workings is now being put in from the face of the hill on the line of the lode. Some gold-bearing stone is now in sight at the end of the adit (40ft.) driven. The lode has a loose sugary appearance, and varies from 6m. to 12m. thick. It has a rather flat dip at this level, and shows gold freely. The timber is properly fitted and apparently carefully fixed in position. There are three men at work. Mr. Symes is now sole proprietor of the mine. Bendigo Quarts-mine.— {27/11/94) : Examined all the winding plant, including ropes and cages, and found them in good order. A portion of the mining now in hand is near the outcrop, midway between the battery and engine-shed, where a part of the lode was left in the early history of the mmc as not worth taking out. This stone is considered fairly payable now, and the tributers regret very much that there is not more of it in sight. They are leaving no stone behind them in the locality of the old workings near the surface, and I fear the blocks of stone left behind many years ago will soon be exhausted. The last crushing is said to have paid the tributers very well. Day Dawn Quartz-mine, Garrick Bange.— (29/11/94): This mine is now owned and worked by Lawrence Brothers. The part of the mine being worked is known as the middle level, where the lode will average about 14in. for a distance of 280 ft. along the adit from the face of the hill. The walls are remarkably solid, and stand well. There is very little timber used in the mine, and the worked-out part appears to be filled with debris before there is any movement in the side-walls to come together. The workings are quite dry, and there is a good current of air going through the mine. The battery consists of four stampers, driven by a 4ft. Pelton wheel. The pressure of water equals 250 ft., and the quantity available is from one-half to a full sluice-head. The stampers, if kept going the twenty-four hours, are capable of crushing from 25 to 30 tons per week. All the plant is in good order. The three brothers do all the work in the mine and battery. Surprise Beef, Nenthorn. —This mine is not being worked at present. The country-rock is very hard, and the lode very thin. There has not been any water to work the battery for some months past. There are very few people left in Nenthorn, and those who are there appear to be doing a perish. Bonanza Quartz-mine. —I found the battery plant shifted from the old site to the bed of the creek, a short distance below the new adit-level, and fitted in position ready for crushing when sufficient water is available to drive the Pelton-wheel and plant. The portable engine is left standing in the shed at the old site. The wheel will effect a great saving should there be, when required, a sufficient water-supply to do the work. At the time of my visit the quantity was nothing approaching what is required. The mouth of the adit is several hundred feet above the battery, to which it is intended at an early date to construct an aerial tram-line to convey the stone. The site islaid out, and the plans prepared for the plant, so that at an early date a very complete little tram will be in full swing, there being on the surface a large body of stone to operate on. There are four or five men getting stone by stoping at 150 ft. above the adit, and immediately below the old workings from the surface. An opening has been made through from the new to the old workings to lower the timber to the men, and, at the same time, to ventilate the mine. The air is good in the workings, and the timbering is well done. W. and G. Donalson's Quartz-mine. —This mine is situated in Deepdell Greek, about three miles from Macrae's. The lode is being opened on top of a ridge .or knoll, not far from the creek, but at a considerable elevation. The lode, where exposed, has been very much disturbed at some time, and, although it is found lying nearly flat in places, it is also found standing at various angles, with several lodes close by running nearly parallel, none of which, however, as far as I was able to judge, were in line with what was pointed out to me to be the main line of reef crossing the Deepdell Creek, and traceable on the opposite side on the hill for some distance. It is said the main lode is large wherever tested, and of nearly equal value to the stone crushed from the crown of the hill namely, 4dwt. per ton. This is a small yield, but the two young men say it pays them small wages, notwithstanding their having to cart it down a very steep hill, and, in winter-time, a very bad road. The battery of ten stampers was the whole plant up to quite a recent date, when they purchased a second-hand Huntington mill of sft. in diameter and a rock-breaker, which are now being fixed in position by the side of the stampers. There are also two of Wheeler's concentratingpans in position. The Pelton wheel is 6ft. in diameter, and it is said the quantity of water in the creek in winter-time is from fifteen to twenty heads. When the battery plant is completed it will be capable of crushing between 3,000 and 4,000 tons of stone per annum, provided the required watersupply be maintained. The plant will be completed early in 1896. In order to secure a more lasting supply of water, the present head-race is to be extended and otherwise improved at an early date. There are said to be about 150 tons of stone ready to be carted to the battery. A quantity of scheelite is found in the quartz lode and in the bed of the creek below the line of reef. I suggested the expediency of constructing an aerial tram-line from the hill to the battery—probably a mile long—but was told that the necessary funds were not just now available. If hard work and perseverance will secure success, then these young men are bound to succeed.

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The Victoria Beef, at Nenthorn. —The Fowler Brothers have lately sunk a shaft, 34ft., on to a small leader—an off-shoot from the main reef—and are now driving on it. The stone proscects fairly well, and is thought to be payable. They will have to cart the stone to Weeks's battery, a distance of two and a quarter miles. The shaft is quite dry. The Eureka Quartz-mine. —Messrs. Mills and Sons are sinking a shaft close to the old workings in this mine. They are down about 30ft., and intend to continue it another 80ft., to see how the reef looks at that level. The Island Block Gold-mining Company. —The manager, Mr. Eawlins, was away from home at the time of my visit, therefore I had no opportunity of getting any details of last year's work, or the result of the washings in the several places sluiced away during that time. I was unable to recognise the exact spot where sluicing was being done twelve months ago, and therefore could not even guess at the area of ground put through the boxes. The tailings appear to be scattered all round, over solid as well as worked-out ground, apparently to avoid what is supposed to be poor places. By this plan of working there is a probability of leaving behind and covering some fairly payable ground. The depth of the workings is from 45ft. to 48ft., nearly all gravel. The last paddock washed out was about twenty yards square on the bottom, and yielded about 130oz. of gold. At the present time the jet raises the wash 18ft. into a sluice which discharges into the worked-out ground, at the lower end of which the water only is again thrown up to the surface by a second jet. The pressure-gauge registers only two-thirds of the calculated pressure, thus showing a loss of one-third in friction. Island Block Extended Sluicing Company's Claim. —Since my visit twelve months ago a considerable extent of ground, parallel to and including the main county road on the east side of the river, has been sluiced away. The length of the strip may be from Bto 9 chains. The sluicing plant has been shifted and fixed on the east side of the old line of road, and a new opening made on some purchased land. The road has been temporarily deviated on the solid ground, on the east side of the present workings, and the tailings are now being cast into the old workings on the line of the old county road, where the filling has to be made to the original level of the road, and again made fit for traffic. The new opening had not bottomed at the time of my visit, but was supposed might be' 25ft. The quantity of water generally used is thirteen heads ; but that quantity has not been available for some time past in consequence of the exceptionally dry summer. It is thought the land lately purchased may keep the men employed for the next nine months or more, if the ground proves to be payable. Fairly payable ground is believed to exist close to the land lately purchased. Mr. Ewing's Sluicing Claim, Boxburgh. —A very large block of ground has been sluiced away since Mr. Ewing commenced operations near the river. A very large block of the high terrace has been sluiced away for many chains back, where the wash carries a very great number of large blocks of schist-rock, most of which have to be broken up in order to remove them out of the way of sluicing operations. There appears to be very little explosives (if any) used to burst up the large blocks of stone. The most unweildy lumps are generally split up with gads to a handling size, and then hoisted to one side by a handy crane. The fact of there being so many large rocks in this claim necessitates the employment of from six to eight extra men to keep the sluice constantly going. On some goldfields the wash in this claim would be considered most promising-looking for carrying gold in payable quantity, but I am of opinion the bulk of the gold in the Clutha Valley did not come down with the earliest river-wash. ' I fear, therefore, notwithstanding the wash being likely-looking, the yield of gold is not likely to be what I could wish it to be for the sake of the enterprising owners, who deserve handsome returns. Back in the terrace the bed-rock rises in benches toward the hillside, and is, where now being worked, considerably above the ordinary river-level. There were ten men working in the claim at the time of my visit (February last). Since then I have heard that the manager has estimated the cost of his present sluicing operations at 1-J-d. per cubic yard. If this is only approximately correct, it shows what very poor ground can be made to pay under good management. The Hercules No. 1 Sluicing Claim, Boxburgh. —A strip 2 or 3 chains wide, and parallel with the course of the river, but some distance back from it, was being sluiced off at the time of my visit. The wash shows on the terrace side of the paddock many large blocks of schist-rock, some of which have to be broken up to a convenient size to enable the men to move them into the worked-out ground. The wash generally does not look so promising as that in Ewing's claim; most of it is too fine and sandy, and has generally a hungry look. The Amalgamated Sluicing Company, Boxburgh. —An enormous quantity of material has been sluiced away during the past year. There appears to be two jets constantly going, and, as the bulk of the stuff is very fine, one can readily understand how quickly the ground is passed over. One jet is working near the manager's residence, and the other is following the terrace not far from the river. It is said the claim has lately been paying fairly well. Ido not think the payable ground will extend very far toward the very high terrace. The Bald Hill Flat Sluicing Claims. —(2l/11/94): Alluvial mining on the flat is quite lively just now, in consequence of several sluicing companies having lately started the hydraulic-jet system of working the ground. The flat is now being worked on a face nearly its full width, from behind Kemp's Hotel up to behind Burton's Hotel, with very good results. The claim behind Kemp's was washed up yesterday, in order to shift the plant upwards to the face, and the yield of gold was lOOoz., which, considering the area of ground passed over, is very good. The gold may be classed as coarse, and easily saved. I was surprised to find the bottom on which the gold-bearing wash rests to be soft sandy clay, and the wash purely local, as is also the gold. I think this very remarkable, since a large area of the Clutha Eiver wash is to be seen on the ridge between Bald Hill Flat and the Clutha Eiver, quite handy, hundreds of feet above the flat and the present riverbed.

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Matakanui. Mr. J. Swing's Claim at the hillside is in much the same condition as it was at the end of December of last year. Very little sluicing, apparently, could have been done since my visit at that time. Since then, however, there must have beer a very great addition to the land-slip from the hill, which has greatly filled the open paddook close up to where the head of the sluice-boxes were. To remove this slip was too big a job even for Mr. Ewing to tackle, so he has removed the boxes, nozzles, and pipes instead to another claim a short distance to the eastward, in which direction he has diverted his main pipe-line, and is doing good work when there is water to do it. The great want here is water. GreenbanW's Sluiciny Claim. —When at this claim last year, a very large landslip had come in from the Bill. Since then the hill-side has broken at a considerable elevation immediately above the first slip, which is now carried forward into the head of the tail-race, which is very deep at this spot. To sluice away this enormous body of stuff would probably occupy two years or more, and very little gold could be expected from it. I did not see Mr. Greenbank about the claim. I saw that his sluice-boxes were lifted clean down his tail-race, and the latter looked as if it had not been used for some time. The Matakanui Sluicing Claim. —This claim is much shallower than its neighbours, and much more stony. The clay stripping, from 10ft. to 12ft., is run off direct to the flat from that level, and the wash, from 10ft. to 12ft. thick, is lifted about that height to the sluice-boxes by a hydraulic jet. The large quantity of stones from the wash is trucked up an incline-plane by a horse, and tipped at a convenient distance back on the worked-out ground. Although the usual water-supply was not to be had at the end of this year, this and two other claims were doing some sluicing at the time of my visit. The Undaunted Company's Sluicing Claim.—l think this company must have the best waterright in the Matakanui. In the dryest time of the year there appears to be enough water to keep the plant and men at work. A fair-sized block, 60ft. deep, has been sluiced away since my visit twelve months ago. The gold-bearing wash is confined to a few feet lying on a false bottom, so that the stripping may be classed as heavy, and, I may add, hard. Half the depth of the face is sluiced off through a tail-race at that level, and the other half, 30ft., is put through the pipes by the hydraulic jet. Notwithstanding this big and hard stripping, the claim is said to be paying remarkably well. The Sugar-pot Sluicing Claim. —Nothing has been done on the southern side of this claim since the wash-up at the end of 1893. I think the result of the year's washing was not quite up to expectations. It is also evident that the bottom of the padd"ock is at as low a level as can be worked by the tail-race as it now stands. This part of the claim would pay handsomely if worked by a hydraulic plant and a good supply of water at a serviceable height. Some sluicing is now being done on the northern side of the claim, and it is said to be paying well. Mr. J. Ewing's Claim, Welshman's Gully.— This claim was opened during the past twelve months, and is immediately opposite Beattie's Hotel, on the other side of the Gully, where a considerable opening has been made. The depth varies from a few feet in the flat to about 30ft. on the terrace side. The height of head-race is not great—no greater is required yet—but the pipes from the race are the largest, and therefore the best, in Central Otago. They are a size 23in. I thinkthat should be a pattern to other sluicing companies in the district. Mr. Swing's Claim, Vinegar Hill.— Since my previous visit the white wash has been followed to the north and north-east, where it is increasing in body, and dipping rapidly. It is also dipping to the north-west, in which direction some of the surface has lately been stripped off. On the same side, and beyond the stripping, a new set of pipes is being laid, forming a junction with the old and main pipe-line from the race. The new pipes are a decided improvement on the old, and will no doubt lead to the replacement of other old lines with new of a still larger size than any yet in use in the district. Much larger pipes must be got when approaching deeper levels, and the time is near at hand. In all hydraulic-mining improvements in this district Mr. Ewing is the leader, and no other ten men have done so much as he to develop this system of working in Central Otago'. Mr. Ewing's St. Bathan's Claim. —The hydraulic plant has lately been altered into one lift of 92 perpendicular feet, which, I understand, did the work admirably till a fall of earth came down from the east side of the high face and filled in round the bottom pipes to a height of 12ft. In order to get to the bottom again, a fresh jet had to be inserted at 80ft.—the top of the filling— at which level it was working at the time of my visit. The dimensions of plant at the 92ft. level are as follows : Jet, 3|in.; throttle, 6in. ; supply- and upcast-pipes, 15in. each. There are 18in. pipes from the head-race to the landing near the paddock. The total pressure, or head, from the race to the bottom of paddock is said to be about 500 ft. lam very much pleased to hear that there are prospects and indications ahead that promise some handsome washings in the near future Blue Spur Gold-mining Company .—The three working-faces, one 160 ft., one 150 ft., and one something less in height, are making a noticeable alteration in the great body of gravel ahead. The jets are being kept well up to the work, in order to do the most work possible at the least expense in labour. This plan is not generally followed in other claims in Otago I regret to say. Although the jets and sluice-boxes are being kept well up to the working-faces, the work is, I believe, being done with every care for the safety of the workmen. It is always a pleasure to me to visit this claim, and admire the systematic method with which all the work is carried out, so as to save time and money. Every detail is thought out in order to make it a success, and, if it does not in the end prove a success, it will not be for the want of good management. I believe some valuable time was lost this year through the failure of the water-supply. The claim and plant is in splendid order, and it is reported that the gold returns are much better this year. I have, &c, J. Gow, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

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No. 18. Mr. Alexandeb Aitken, Manager, Waimea-Kumara Water-race, to the Undee-Secbetaey op Mines, Wellington. g IB; Kumara, 21st June, 1895. I have the honour to forward the following report on the Waimea-Kumara Water-races for the year ending the 31st March, 1895 : — Waimea Wateb-bace. The total sales of water from this race during the year were £988 Os. 7d., and the expenditure on maintenance for the same period was £1,061 9s. id., leaving a debit balance of £73 Bs. 9d. on the year's transactions. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was sixtyeight, and the approximate amount of gold obtained was 2,4750z., valued at £9,652 10s. The sales of water are £59 4s. lid. more than for the preceding year, and the yield of gold 4230z. more, valued at £1,649 14s. The difference in the sales of water and the yield of gold between this year and the preceding year is not attributable to a greater number of men being employed, nor to any improvement in the yield of gold, but solely to the fact that less time was lost by the miners on account of breakages in the race and the quantity of water available during the past year was greater than during the preceding one. The increase in the quantity of gold obtained should even have been greater than it is had the supply of water for the year been up to the average of former years; but for a great part of the year, especially during the latter portion of it, the rainfall was exceptionally small, which not only prejudicially affected the sales of water, but also the gold-yield. The expenditure for ordinary maintenance is greater than for the preceding year by £142. This increase in the ordinary expenditure was incurred in repairing the fluming in the Stafford and Waimea sections of the race, and in retimbering some of the tunnels. The whole of the fluming on the Waimea Eace, with the exception of the high fluming at Kawhaka, is now in a good state of repair, and should require little or no expenditure for some years to come. Besides the sales of water., fr.ee water has been supplied during the year, to the value of £97 Bs. 6d., to severalof the claims the owners of which would have had to abandon them unless some assistance of this kind had been given them; and a considerable amount of waste water has been given away for prospecting at Gillam's Gully and other places with the view of endeavouring to open up new ground in the district. . . Besides ordinary expenditure on maintenance, £115 17s. 7d. was spent in repairs to the high fluming at Kawhaka. Only repairs that were absolutely necessary to render it safe have been done during the year. A survey has been made from the pipe-line, starting from a point 45ft. lower than the present inlet end, to upper end of high fluming at Kawhaka, showing that the whole of the high fluming can be dispensed with by adopting a grade of 4ft. to the mile for a new race between the above points. The length of such new race would be 2 miles 69 chains, and the whole length of the race would be in earthwork with the exception of 17 chains, where either fluming or syphon would need to be constructed ; but if fluming was adopted none of it would exceed 10ft. in height. An estimate of the expenditure necessary to construct this race has been furnished to the Inspecting Engineer. Bbanch Eace to Callaghan's. The whole of the work on this race is now under contract, and during the year the sum of £660 16s. sd. has been expended. A contract has been entered into for 1,700 ft. of 26in. wroughtiron riveted pipes for the construction of the syphon for crossing the low ground near the Hokitika Eoad; and, when this syphon is completed, water can be supplied in Italian Gully and Callaghan's. Bbanch Eace towabds Middle Beanch op Waimea Cbeek. No work has been done on this race during the year. An extension of about a mile will shortly be necessary to supply water to claims likely to be opened up in the Middle Branch of the Waimea Creek. A survey of an extension of this race has been made during the year (including the mile above referred to), the total length of which is about two miles and a half to its junction with the old Waimea Eace, near the Big Dam. Kumaba Wateb-bace. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £4,646 19s. 9d., and the expenditure for maintenance for the same period was £1,976 17s. 7d., leaving a credit balance of £2,670 2s. 2d. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was 108, and the approximate yield of gold obtained by parties using water from the race was 6,9610z., valued at £27,147 18s. " Besides the sales of water above referred to, water to the value of £1,054 12s. Bd. was supplied to assist claims having a succession of poor washings, and water to the value of £40 was supplied as the cost of deviations. In all cases where assistance was given to poor claims the gold obtained from and the expenditure of each was fully inquired into. The total value of water supplied from the race during the year was £5,741 12s. 5d., exclusive of water for flushing purposes in the sludge-channels, water for washing-down and fire purposes, leakage, and waste. For eleven working-days during the year no water was supplied from the race for sluicing, and for forty days there was no water for channels. Besides the above, the miners observed twenty holidays during One claim has been worked out during the year, using ten sluice-heads of water, and three claims have ceased work on account of poor washings, using thirty-three sluice-heads of water, making in all forty-three sluice-heads. During the same period three claims formerly abandoned aa being too poor have recommenced work. 7—C. 3a.

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During the past year water was lost over the dams on eighty-three separate days, and during that time the total quantity of water lost would have given a full supply for the field for seventyone days if it could have been impounded. The supply of water during the first six months of the year was more than sufficient for all requirements, and during that period a large quantity of water was lost over the dams. During the last six months the supply was very short—in fact, shorter during that period than it has been for years past. Considerable repairs had to be made to the head-race tunnel in May, and twenty-four sets of new timber had to be put in. A portion of the race between the inlet end of the head-race tunnel and the lower dam had to be timbered. The 30in. steel syphons have required constant repair, and a large number of them have had to be replaced by new iron ones. Portions of the steel syphons still in use are in a very bad state, and will require to be replaced by new iron pipes at an early date. In order to do away with the necessity of continuing to use the great length of steel syphon, I propose to supply the claims now being supplied from the tank at Dunedin Mat from the Kapitea Hill Eace. In the present syphons there are sufficient iron pipes to reach from the Kapitea Hill Eace to the vicinity of the claims now being supplied from the Dunedin Flat Tank. If this alteration is effected, about 2,000 ft. of the 30in. steel syphons can be done without, and, if any of the pipes are fit for use again, they can be used in repairing the single steel syphon which will be left. The Kapitea Hill Eace has been extended a distance of 38 chains, and from this race water will be supplied to six claims now at work, and will also be available for the supply of water to No. 4 main tail-race and the proposed No. 5 main tail-race. The No. 4 main tail-race has been driven and timbered a distance of 2,340 ft., of which about 2,000 ft. has been boxed and blocked and otherwise fully completed. A start has been made on the No. 5 main tail-race, which is intended to work about 60 acres of ground on a continuation of the Shamrock Lead, between the Long Tunnel Company's ground and the Hokitika Eoad. I have, &c, Alexandee Aitken, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Manager, Water-races.

No. 19. Mr. Eodbeick Mueeay, Manager, Mount Ida Water-race, to the Under - Secbetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Naseby, 4th May, 1895. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Mount Ida and Blackstone Hill Water-races for the year ending the 31st March, 1895 :— Mount Ida Wateb-bace. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £1,067 7s. 6d., and the expenditure on maintenance for the same period £1,008 145., leaving a credit balance of £58 13s. 6d. The total cash received was £1,287 9s. Bd., the difference shown being accounted for by payments made of arrears. On account of the system of payment in advance being adopted at the beginning of the year, free water to the amount of £236 Is. lid. was supplied. Free water was also supplied, to assist in opening new claims, to the amount of £38 19s. lid. The total value of water supplied from the race during the year was £1,342 9s. 4d. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was 6075, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from the race was 3,5740z., valued at £13,759 18s. On the 10th July the water was turned off on account of the frost, and turned on again on the 13th August; two more days were lost in cleaning the race at West Eweburn Sideling ; for the rest of the year the water was on continuous. During the time the water was off I had the East Eweburn Tunnel retimbered. The race for the year has been kept in good order by the maintenance men. The year has been extraordinarily dry, and from middle of December to the end of March there has not, on an average, been half a supply. No prospecting has been done in the district during the year. Blackstone Hill Eace. The total sales of water for the year from this race were £136 55., total cash received was £138 16s. 7d. This race, from where it crosses the Mount Ida Eace to C. Eose's dam, in Pegleg Gully, was cleaned out during the year, at a cost of £36 16s. Like the Mount Ida, this race was very short of water for about four months. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was seven. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. E. Mubeay, 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, 1894.

District. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses, Machine and Residence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Eees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Coromandel Te Aroha Thames Ohinemuri Puhipuhi £ s. d. 78 0 0 16 10 0 169 10 0 178 10 0 7 0 0 £ s. d. 21 0 0 564 0 0 78 10 0 169 10 0 3 10 0 £ s. d. 0 5 0 8 0 0 5 4 0 10 10 0 £ s. d. 389 11 0 23 10 0 600 14 3 1,208 0 9 12 10 0 £ s. d. 5 13 0 18 0 5 0 0 8 11 0 0 3 0 £ s. d. 3 15 0 1 18 0 19 0 0 4 5 0 £ s. d. 43 1 3 1 10 0 13 4 0 119 2 6 0 17 6 £ s. d. 541 5 3 616 16 0 872 2 3 1,713 4 3 28 5 6 Totals .. 449 10 0 836 10 0 23 19 0 2,234 6 0 20 15 0 28 18 0 177 15 3 3,771 13 3 Nelson. Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Reef ton Wangapeka Lyell .. Motueka Murchison and Owen's 69 10 0 160 0 0 95 10 0 275 13 0 215 10 0 12 10 0 33 10 0 10 0 49 0 0 2 0 0 32 6 0 1 10 0 5 0 0 8 17 6 17 7 6 11 10 0 27 5 0 14 7 6 10 0 5 7 6 153 3 9 309 5 0 36 18 6 131 1 0 866 0 0 0 5 0 89 4 0 9 6 0 10 19 0 7 10 0 34 3 0 10 11 0 0 15 0 2 13 0 0 2 0 4 10 0 16 0 13 8 0 0 14 0 5 10 8 15 0 37 5 1 276 17 6 4 15 0 154 2 9 15 16 0 0 9 0 2 5 0 280 18 4 820 3 0 156 17 6 628 15 9 1,135 19 6 14 19 0 132 19 6 12 0 151 7 6 9 0 0 8£>' 6 6 3"o 0 Totals .. 912 3 0 40 16 0 94 15 0 1,672 3 9 80 0 0 28 14 0 494 10 4 3,323 2 1 Mablbobough. Havelock Pioton 39 0 0 2 10 0 2 7 6 281 14 1 3 9 0 28 7 0 110 358 8 7 Totals .. 39 0 0 2 10 0 2 7 6 281 14 li 3 9 0 28 7 0 110 358 8 7 Westland. Hokitika and Kanieri Greymouth Eoss Stafford Kumara Jackson's Bay .. Goldsborough .. Okarito 178 0 0 284 11 0 53 10 0 61 10 0 307 0 0 0 10 0 64 10 0 31 0 0 7 10 0 4 10 0 8 12 6 27 2 6 4 10 0 7 12 6 5 0 0 49 2 0 53 9 6 84 12 0 37 1 6 165 13 0 9 6 0 19 2 0 7 7 0 3 3 0 22 19 0 2 10 0 2 3 0 4 18 0 25 13 0 70 15 2 176 6 10 17 0 67 8 10 67 17 3 325 15 8 565 1 10 153 9 0 181 13 10 607 12 3 0 10 0 84 11 6 106 4 0 13 10 0 5 0 0 10 17 6 10 0 64* 7 6 5 13 0 2 10 0 1.'8 0 3 11 0 0 18 6 Totals .. 980 11 0 30 10 0 64 15 0 454 5 6 70 0 0 36 12 0 388 4 7 2,024 18 1 Otago. Black's Tapanui Hindon Naseby Eoxburgh Alexandra 1 Clyde .. J Pembroke Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Waikaia Orepuki Riverton and Longwood Maerewhenua .. Wyndham Nenthorn 65 0 0 9 10 0 44 0 0 230 0 0 98 10 0 176 10 0 15 0 0 200 0 0 182 0 0 116 10 0 124 10 0 81 10 0 43 0 0 94 12 0 7 0 0 13 0 0 4 0 0 6 5 0 8 12 0 19 10 0 1 10 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 2 12 6 0 12 6 1 12 6 38 5 6 5 17 6 11 7 6 0 10 0 8 2 6 4 17 6 9 17 6 19 5 0 7 2 6 181 3 6 43 17 3 584 19 6 659 4 2 411 3 6 4 17 ' 0 356 3 8 645 6 11 358 8 8 313 18 2 134 18 0 5 4 0 0 15 0 13 0 19 9 0 7 16 0 15 5 0 0 7 0 18 15 0 11 15 0 12 2 0 13 8 0 5 17 0 5 10 0 0 10 0 19 18 6 6 17 0 15 13 0 1 12 0 13 0 0 14 14 0 18 7 0 11 5 0 3 12 6 18 6 3 3 6 1 15 6 43 14 0 69 10 0 0 10 0 13 0 25 14 0 2 4 0 13 8 0 7 9 6 267 18 6 10 17 6 94 6 3 907 8 0 825 18 8 705 14 0 22 7 0 605 6 2 903 17 5 518 19 2 499 14 2 244 19 6 43 0 0 603 13 0 10 10 0 12 10 0 476' 7 0 8 14 0 10 0 50 0 0 2 0 0 4 10 0 0 io 0 5 12 6 0 5 0 44 6 0 42 0 0 4 4 0 19 0 6 0 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 110 4 6 47 9 0 4 10 0 Totals .. 1,537 2 0 79 7 0 128 10 6 4,256 13 4 126 3 0 117 19 0 170 8 0 6,416 2 10 Grand Totals.. 3,918 6 0 989 13 0 314 7 0 8,899 2 8 300 7 0 240 10 0 1,231 19 2 15,894 4 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, 1895.

District. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses, Machine and Residence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, . &c. Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Coromandel Te Aroha Ohinemuri Thames Puhipuhi £ s. d. 29 0 0 13 10 0 92 11 0 77 0 0 1 10 0 £ s. d. 15 0 0 118 10 0 42 5 0 54 17 6 4 0 0 £ s. d. 0 10 0 £ s. d. 104 2 0 44 0 0 395 13 3 159 7 6 3 0 0 £ s. d. 1 11 0 0 17 0 1 18 0 2 4 0 0 6 0 £ s. d. 5 8 0 110 9 18 0 £ s. d. 4 19 0 £ s. d. 160 10 0 177 18 0 614 11 3 299 5 0 15 2 6 4 5 0 2 15 0 68 1 0 3 10 3 11 6 2 is' 0 Totals 213 11 0 234 12 6 7 10 0 706 2 9 6 16 0 19 2 0 79 12 6 1,267 6 9 Nelson. Motueka Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Beef ton.,. ... Wangapeka Lyell Murchison 2 0 0 26 10 0 46 0 0 21 0 0 54 0 0 59 10 0 2 0 0 7 10 0 13 10 0 0 3 0 1 10 0 10 0 2 10 0 3 10 0 2 10 0 4 0 0 3 2 6 130 0 0 52 10 0 6 11 6 36 14 0 162 10 0 0 2 0 2 14 0 3 3 0 2 0 0 7 4 0 2 11 0 0 12 0 3 2 0 0 11 0 13 0 0 12 0 4 4 4 14 7 6 0 18 0 9 19 9 1 18 0 0 4 0 0 7 0 15 0 2 2 0 166 10 4 122 15 6 33 10 6 114 10 9 231 3 6 2 4 0 46 12 6 21 10 0 0 7 6 3 2 6 37 15 0 2 8 6 0 ±3 0 14 0 Totals 232 0 0 2 13 0 19 2 6 428 9 0 19 11 0 6 0 0 33 3 7 740 19 1 Mablbobough. Havelock Picton 15 0 0 0 10 0 10 0 1 15 0 46 3 0 0 13 0 2 6 0 0 9 0 67 6 0 0 10 0 Totals 15 10 0 0 9 0 67 16 0 10 0 1 15 0 46 3 0 0 13 0 2 6 0 Westland. Hokitika and Kianieri Greymouth Boss Stafford Okarito Kumara Goldsborough Jackson's Bay 45 0 0 97 10 0 12 10 0 21 10 0 7 10 0 67 0 0 21 10 0 6 0 0 15 0 8 7 6 0 12 6 2 5 0 3 0 0 20 15 0 36 0 0 14 0 0 25 0 0 64 0 0 1 15 0 6 8 0 17 0 18 0 0 7 0 6 0 0 1 11 0 3 14 0 14 0 55 13 4 536 2 6 0 10 0 37 8 6 116 7 4 671 3 0 52 3 6 76 11 6 32 17 0 183 9 6 30 2 6 112 6 2 17 6 15 0 3 7 0 43 i2 0 0 17 0 Totals .. 272 10 0 6 0 0 17 0 0 162 15 0 18 16 0 9 10 0 676 3 4 1,162 14 Otago. Black's Tapanui Hindon Naseby Alexandra! Clyde ..} Boxburgh Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Orepuki Eiverton and Longwood Pembroke Maerewhenua Waikaia Wyndham Nenthorn 9 10 0 2 0 0 9 0 0 51 10 0 33 10 0 31 0 0 63 0 0 23 0 0 27 10 0 33 10 0 17 0 0 51 10 0 o io o 3 0 0 4 10 0 10 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 11 "l 6 1 12 6 15 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 17 6 4 2 6 22 10 0 311 0 168 2 0 66 19 0 107 18 6 95 14 10 112 7 5 19 17 9 38 15 0 1 17 0 0 2 0 5 14 0 3 14 0 17 0 5 18 0 2 14 0 4 0 0 2 19 0 1 10 0 7 10 0 17 0 0 9 0 1 16 0 1 10 0 8 18 0 4 2 6 10 0 03 6 428 7 0 21 9 0 0 3 0 16 5 6 3 11 6 11 10 0 36 12 0 2 12 0 12 14 6 673 1 6 132.11 6 142 19 6 173 2 10 160 6 11 66 4 9 95 9 0 17 0 0 206 18 0 1 '6 0 4 15 0 144 11 0 5 2 0 3 10 0 6 10 0 28 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 15 0 10 0 0 10 0 4 0 19 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 5 7 0 6 19 0 56 3 0 5 4 0 0 10 0 6 0 0 12 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 3 '8 0 Totals 391 10 0 25 11 0 28 15 0 795 16 6 35 5 0 31 0 6 485 17 6 1,793 15 Grand Totals .. 1,125 1 0 269 16 6 81 1 0 67 18 6 1,275 5 11 5,032 11 74 2 6 2,139 6 3

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No. 3. Comparative Return of Revenue derived from the Goldfields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1893 and 1894, showing Increase or Decrease under each Head of Revenue.

District. Miners' Eights. Business Licenses, &c. Waterraces, Sluices, &o. Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Miscel- Gold | m ntn1q Wardens' laneous. Duty. J °tais. Courts. Auckland— £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Year 1893 486 255 6 3,343 24 45 65 4,909 9,133 Year 1894 450 837 24 2,234 21 29 178 4,380 8,153 Increase 582 18 113 Decrease .. 36 1,109 3 16 529 980 Wellington— Year 1893 Year 1894 ■ Increase .. Decrease .. Nelson— 66 1,776 153 Year 1893 951 64 76 23 3,109 Year 1894 912 41 95 1,672 80 29 495 3,324 Increase 29 4 6 342 215 Decrease .. 39 23 104 Mablbobough— Year 1893 180 3 1 250 55 4 2 5 Year 1894 39 3 2 282 3 28 1 358 Increase 102 25 108 Decrease .. 16 1 2 Westland— Year 1893 940 64 593 28 412 2,123 26 60 Year 1894 980 31 65 454 70 37 388 2,025 Increase .. 40 5 1 10 9 Decrease .. 139 24 98 Otago— Year 1893 1,541 100 127 4,234 124 107 245 6,478 Year 1894 1,537 79. 129 4,257 126 118 170 6,416 Increase .. 2 23 2 11 Decrease 4 21 75 62 Total Increase .. 542 50 11 35 356 Total Decrease .. 55 1,227 529 817

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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 1893 and 1894, and the Quarters ending 31st March, 1894 and 1895 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, 1894, and Quarter ended 31st March, 1895.

Eobeet J. Collins, Accountant to the Treasury.

The Treasury, 29th May, 1895.

'ears am 1895. District. 1893. 1894. Increase. Decrease. 1894. 1895. Increase. Decrease. Auckland. Coromandel Te Aroha Thames Puhipuhi Ohinemari £ 567 505 2,040 132 979 £ 541 617 872 28 1,713 £ £ 26 £ 177 216 232 1 449 £ 161 178 299 15 615 £ £ 16 38 '112 1,168 104 67 14 166 '734 Nelson. 3 319 486 266 573 1,134 11 143 175 1 281 820 157 629 1,136 15 133 151 2 38 1 91 125 45 163 162 1 45 15 2 167 123 34 115 231 2 47 22 1 76 Motueka Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Eeefton Wangapeka Lyell Murohison and Owen's .. 334 56 2 4 109 69 1 2 7 2 11 48 10 24 Maelbobough. Havelock 250 358 108 108 68 40 ■ Westland. Hokitika .. } Kanieri Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Kumara Jackson's Bay Goldsborough .. 391 422 397 112 52 648 1 100 326 565 153 182 106 608 1 85 143 "70 54 65 244 83 117 33 45 74 202 116 671 52 77 33 183 33 554 19 32 "40 "41 19 "l5 "24 "30 6 Otago. 72 1,165 94 1,175 22 10 17 336 13 710 4 Hindon Naseby and Black's Alexandra .. } Clyde .. J Roxburgh Cromwell Arrowtown Queenstown Pembroke Lawrence Waikaia Tapanui Orepuki, Riverton, and Longwood Maerewhenua Wyndham Nenthorn 503 845 725 536 881 25 930 97 4 506 706 826 605 519 904 22 500 245 11 646 203 "23 19 120 17 3 430 177 144 112 114 295 8 126 25 1 126 133 143 173 66 160 5 95 56 3 207 '374 "61 44 1 48 135 3 31 148 7 140 31 2 81 93 84 13 110 47 5 17 "37 8 23 5 7 5 1 16 1 Wellington. Wellington Cantebbuby. Christchurch Totals 16,185 15,893 2,187 2,479 3,918 5,018 1,597 497 Net decrease 292 1,100

Local Body. For the Year ended 31st December, 1894. 'or the Quarter endei 31st March, 1895. Iounties — Coromandel Manukau Ohinemuri Piako .. Thames iOBOTJGH— Thames £ s. a. 577 7 5 2,070' 1 4 45 18 11 1,053 7 11 633 7 9 i j £ s. a. 485 19 11 0 11 8 2,006 10 5 5 12 245 16 9 245 16 9 Totals .. 380 3 4 2,989 16 8

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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, 1894.

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, 1894 and 1893.

Produce of the Goldfields in Dnain quaetee i Decembj ;g the snded 31st eb, 1894. Enteeed foe expoetatiok to the 30th Septembee, 1894. Total entebed foe expobtation feom hew Zealand to the 31st Decembeb, 1894. County or Borough. District. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. !ounty of Coromandel „ Thames „ Ohinemuri.. „ Piako 3orough of Thames .. ■ Auckland Oz. 1,475 1,410 11,645 36 1,529 £ 6,125 5,884 40,840 147 6,395 Oz. Oz. £ 1,828,934 6,885,840 Jounty of Hutt Wellington 16,095 59,391 1,812,839 6,826,449 188 706 188 706 !ounty of Marlborough Marlborough 694 2,776 80,489 313,082 81,183 315,858 !ounty of Gollingwood „ Waimea .. j- Nelson J 1 566 166 2,102 617 1,665,302 6,604,040 1,666,034 6,606,759 732 2,719 )ounty of Buller „ Inangahua.. „ Grey „ ■ Westland .. Jorough of Kumara .. „ Hokitika .. „ Ross -West Coast r 2,827 3,602 3,888 4,157 96 295 645 11,308 14,395 15,551 16,632 385 1,181 2,578 16,188,295 Canterbury 15,510 62,030 4,056,617 16,126,265 4,072,127 Jounty of Taieri „ Tuapeka „ Vincent „ Maniototo .. „ Waihemo .. „ Waitaki „ Lake „ Wallace „ Waikouaiti „ Bruce Fiord „ Southland .. Itewart Island -Otago r - 47 5,029 2,852 1,162 540 445 1,041 1,135 194 20,162 11,490 4,764 2,088 1,822 7,726 4,496 2 515 695 4,488 84 24 96 24 96 i 129 170 1,130 21 20,190,800 Jnknown 14,601 58,526 5,093,509 20,132,274 5,108,110 122 484 122 484 Totals 47,632 185,442 12,709,090 50,003,396 12,756,722 50,188,838

Pkoduob OF THE GOLDFIELDS IN THE DlSTBICT OF DuBING THE QUARTEB ENDED —■ Totals fob Yhab 1894. Totals fob Yeab 1893, 31st March, 1894. 30th June, 1894. 30th Septem- 31st Deoem- „ .. ber, 1894. ber, 1894. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. LUokland /Iarlborough.. Telson Vest Coast .. )tago Jnknown Oz. 13,933 625 1,227 27,315 22,737 Oz. 11,171 1,217 552 21,353 19,406 Oz. 11,717 349 22,772 19,609 Oz. 16,095 694 732 15,510 14,601 Oz. 52,916 2,536 2,860 86,950 76,353 & 211,974 10,123 10,634 347,464 307,644 Oz. 45,714 2,165 2,145 99,127 77,660 186,553 8,644 8,187 396,516 313,238 'otals for 1894 65,837 53,699 54,447 47,632 221,615 887,839 'otals for 1893 51,946 58,629 61,278 54,958 226,811 913,138 * Gold duty aboi Department of Trade ant Wellington, 10tl ished in the So I Customs, i January, 18i iuth Island on the 31st March, 1891, by " The Gold Duty Aboli W. T. GLASC 93. Sβ ition Act, 1890." SOW, icretary and Inspector,

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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, 1895.

No. 9. Comparative Return for the Quarters ended 31st March, 1895, and 31st March, 1894.

PBODUCE 03? THE GOLDFIELDS IN dubing the quabteb ehbbd 31st Mab., 1895. Enteeed fob ExPOBTATION TO THE 31st Dec, 1894. Total entered fob expoetation to the 31st Mab., 1895. County or Borough. District. Qu'ntity Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Jounty of Coromandel.. „ Thames „ Ohinemuri .. „ Piako Manukau Sorough of Thames j- Auckland ! Oz. 4,860 2,135 10,087 51 6 1,907 £ 19,822 8,877 36,825 211 23 8,006 Oz. Oz. Jounty of Hutt Wellington 19,046 73,764 1,828,934 6,885,840 1,847,980 6,959,604 188 706 188 706 'ounty of Marlborough Marlborough 81,183 315,858 81,183 315,858 Nelson 1,666,034 6,606,759 1,666,034 6,606,759 'ounty of Buller „ Inangahua .. „ Grey „ Westland iorough of Kumara „ Hokitika .. 'Boss' -West Coast 3,531 6,320 7,783 6,568 164 213 801 14,128 25,281 31,132 26,272 657 852 3,205 Canterbury 25,380 101,527 4,072,127 16,188,295 4,097,507 16,289,822 lounfcy of Taieri „ Tuapeka „ Vincent „ Maniototo .. „ Waihemo „ Waitaki Lake „ Wallace „ Waikouaiti .. „ Bruce Fiord „ Southland .. itewart Island Otago 250 7,000 5,734 3,294 117 323 2,931 1,332 229 118 286 1,140 23 1,020 28,264 23,207 13,429 477 1,325 11,868 5,389 915 473 1,140 4,695 92 24 96 24 96 22,777 92,294 5,108,110 20,190,800 5,130,887 20,283,094 Totals Unknown 122 484 122 484 67,203 267,585 12,756,722 50,188,838 12,823,925 50,456,423 * Gold dutabo! [iahed hi the South Islj ,nd on thi 31st Marc: 1891, b; "Thi Gold Dut: Abi >lition Act, 189( I."

Juan ier em 'arul (uar; ;er em llsi 'VlI-CS 1,181 District of Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland Iarlborough felson .. Vest Coast itago Oz. 19,046 £ 73,764 Oz. 13,933 625 1,227 27,315 22,737 £ 57,679 2,497 4,575 109,260 91,868 25,'380 22,777 1011527 92,294 Totals 67,203 267,585 65,837 265,879 Department of Trade and Custom: Wellington, 18th Ap: •il, 1895. W. T. GLASGOW, Seoretarj and Ins] lector.

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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, 1895.

Mining District. Price of Gold per Ounce. Price charged per Ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Remarks. £ s. d. £2 15s. to £3 8s. 6d. £2 lis. to £2 15s. 1 14 0 5s. to £2 15s. £ s. d. 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 10 0 0 8 0 £ s. d. Auckland— North Hauraki South Hauraki Ohinemuri Te Aroha Buhipuhi 3 '6 0 Mablbobo —Pelorus and Wairau 3 17 0 Nelson — ■ Wangapeka Motueka.. Charleston Inangahua Collingwood Westport Murohison Lyell .. £3 12s. to £3 15s. 3 14 0 3 19 0 £3 18s. to £4 Is. £4 10s. to £4 14s. 6d. 3 19 0 3 17 0 3 17 0 0 i 0 8s. to 10s. 2 S 0 0 7 0 Westland—Hokitika and Kanieri) Waimea .. .. j Totara and Boss Stafford 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 0 12 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 40in. by lin. 40in. by lin. 20in. by 2in. 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 Government head. 20in. by 2in. 40in. Otago— Hindon Tuapeka.. Longwood 3 17 6 3 18 6 3 10 6 0 15 0 10 0 40in. by lin. Orepuki and Boundhill Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) and Queenstown Mount Ida .. ] Macrae's, Hyde .. I Hamilton, Serpentine J Maerewhenua 3 18 6 3 17 6 3 17 0 12s. 63. to 15s. 0 15 0 1 10 0 40in. by lin. 20in. by 2in. 40in. by lin. 3 17 0 1 10 0 20in. by 2in. and 4in. pressure. Cromwell 3 17 0 0 6 0 16 0 Waikaia Tapanui Wyndham Eoxburgh .. ) Clyde and Alexandra J Black's 3 12 6 3 15 6 £3 10s. to £3 17s. 2 0 0 1 10 0 3 17 6 3 17 0 8—C. 3a.

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No. 11. Return showing the Average Prices of Provisions and Live-stock for the Year ending 31st March, 1895.

iIVE-STOCK. !bat. a 14 -gfc, 1 O .© o O is o "si o ■A o Elf CD CD o ! s a, i <c i IS i GO faC EH O 9 Mining District. ! i I Per 1001b. Per Im. bushel. Per head. Per head. Per head. "Per head. Per head. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per at. 1 Per' lb. ! I Per I lb. Per I lb. Per gallon. Per gall. Per lb. Per lb. | Per lb. Per lb.' ' Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per. hhd. Auckland — Ohinemuri North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi Mablbobough — Queen Charlotte Sound 1 Pelorus .. [ Wairau .. j Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Lyell Murchison Westport Charleston Ahaura Westland — Stafford Waimea .. 1 Hokitika and Kanieri f Boss Okarito Kumara Greymouth Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyde .-. 1 Alexandra .. ] Boxburgh Black's Queenstown Wyndham Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Mount Ida .. ) Nen thorn .. J Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood .. Maerewhenua 80/-100/ 95/ 90/ 90/ 120/ 27/ 27/ 28/ 27/ 42/ d. ii 14 14 24 /9 1/ 1/ 1/ /6 /10 /8 /6 /10 /6 P /9 /6 /5 1/10 1/10 1/10 1/10 2/ 10/6 10/6 9/ 10/6 10/6 2/9 3/6 4/ 2/9 2/11-3/6 £ 6 7-8 7 6 5 7/ 6/ 12/ £ 10 5-35 8-50 10 3-10 15/ 6/-12/ 15/ 15/ 10/ 35/ 15/-30/ 40/ 35/ 40/ d. 44 4 5 44 6 d. 4 4 4 4 4 a. 5 6 6 5 8 d. 3 4 4 3 6 d. 34 3 3 34 4 d. 1 1 1 1 14 d. 3 3 3 3 4 2/ 1/10-2/4 1/6-3/ 2/ 2/ 6/ 6/6 6/ 6/ 6/6 18/ 12/6-20/ 15/-35/ 18/ 90/ 28/ /8 /8 /8 1/8 10/8 3/ 3/10/0 10 6/ 10/ 2f 34 2/ 6/ 25/ 150/ 100/ 100/ 140/ 150/ 140/ 105/ 30/ 25/ 25/ 29/ 30/ 25/ 25/ 14 2 2 24 2 2 14 P /9 1/3 1/ 1/ /9 1/3 1/3 /6 /6 1/ /9 /y i/ P /8 /8 /9 /9 / 8 /8 /9 1/9 1/10 1/9 2/ 2/ 1/10 2/ 1/6 £12/10 8/6 12/6 15/ 16/8 8/6 10/ 15/ 3'/' 3/6 6/6 9/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 3-6 3 7/10/0 4/10/0 5/10/0 3 7-10 S/10/0 10/-40/ 10-20 10-18 10-30 5-22 5-25 10-18 5-25 10-25 5/-8/ 7/ 10/-12/ 10/ 9/6 7/ 15/ 13/ 10/-60/ 10/-60/ 60/ 10/-30/ 10/-24/ 10/-60/ 20/-60/ 40/-80/ 3 4i 6 4 4 41 *2 6 5 3 3 5 4 4 3 6 5 4 5 7 6 5 5 6 9 3 4 4 6 4 4 6 6 3 34 4 4 4 4 4 14 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 34 34 4 4 5 34 4 34 2/6 2/6 3/ 3/ 3/ 2/6 2/6 2/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 7/6 6/6 6/ 5/-7/ 7/ 7/ 21/-28/ 18/ 24/ 7/ 18/-27/ 18/ 10'/' 100/ 90/ 30/ 2 1/3 1/3 /8 /S /8 /9 /10 /8 1/6 15/ 11/ 6/ 4/6 6/ 7 10/ 10 10/ 8/ 40/ I ! 5 5 6 6 3 2 4 3/ 6/ 24/ 16/ 24/6 1J. 1/6 V 1/6 1/6-2/ 1/6 1/6 1/10 7-10 10/ 6-12 60/ 44 44 6 6 3 1 4 2/ 6/ 110/ 60/ 85/ 90/ 24/6 30/ 25/ 24/ 14 6 14 14 1/3 1/6 1/6 1/ 1/ 1/ 1/3 1/ 14/6 20/ 12/ 9/ 4/6 3/4 4-6 5-12 6-10 7/10/0 5/ 10/ 10/ 10-20 5-12 10-30 12/-16/ 15/ 12/ 8/6 40/-60/ ( 40/-50/ 40/-100/ 10/-15/ 6-8 5 5 6 8 5 5 6 8 8 8 6 4 6 5 4 4 6 3 3 2 2 2 14 4 5 5 3 2/6 3/ 2/6 2/ 6/ 7/6 6/ 5/3 20/-30/ 20/-30/ 22/ 16/ 90/ 90/ 100/ 110/ 100/ 110/ 110/ 26/ 24/ 27/ 14 ii ii 14 1/ /8-/9 /10 1/ 1/ P /10 /a /7 /6 /8 1/8 1/10 1/10 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/6 2/ 1/8 2/ 12/ 4/6 9/ 10/ 3/ 2/6 2/ 3/3 5 5 3 5-30 5 2-20 9 7/ 7/ 1/6-10/ 9/ 7/-35/ 10/-60/ 40/ 60/ 4 3 5 4i 4 24 34 4 6 6 6 6 4 2 3 5 3 3 4 34 3 2 ! 1 1 2 3-6 3 34 34 2/6 2/ 2/6 2/3 6/ 5/6 5/6 5/6 18/ 15/-20/ 18/ 20/ 18/ 21/ 16/-30/ 30/ 28/ 28/ 28/ 6 1/ 1/ 1/ 1/3 /9 1/3 1/ /8 14/ 3/6 3-5 4-26 3/-10/ 5 34 7 4 14 34 2/4 5/6 6 14 2 li 2 1/ 1/ 1/ /6 1/ P P /9 /6 /9 P /8 /6 /8 12/6 12/ 10/ 8/6 10/ 9/ 9/ 15/ 9/ 3/ 3/3 2/3 5/10/0 6 5-10 5 5-10 4-25 5-25 10-30 10 10-30 10/ 3/-8/ 10/ 3/-8/ 5/-7/ 50/ 60/ 20/-80/ 35/ 20/-80/ 5 6 4 6 34 34 5 24 5 6 7 6 3i 6 4 5 6 3 6 24 3 3 3 3 1 14 2 1 2 3 34 3 3 3 2/4 2/4 2/-3/ 2/ 2/6 5/ 5/ 6/ 5/3 6/ 5/-7/ 6/ 5/ 6/ 120/ 30/ 2/3 16/-30/ 100/115/ 120/ 90/ 25/-40/ 14 1/-1/3 /6-/10 1/4-2/ 3/3-3/10 3-5/10 10/ 14-20 40/ i 3-6 3-4 6 4 3 " 34 3i r 2/-3/6 24/-30/ 18/ 24/ 24/ 27/ 14 14 li /10 /10 /9 /8 /10 /9 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/4 3/ 2/3 4-6 5-8 5 20/ 6-20 8-16 12/10/0 5/-10/ 5/-12/ 8/-9/ 10/5-80/ 40/ 30/ ' 6 5 4 4 4 3 6 6 34 4 3 4 4 2 3 3 1 14 4 34 : 3 2/6 r 2/-3/ 2/6 •• •• •• ••

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No. 12. Table showing the Average Rate of Wages per Week for the Year ending 31st March, 1895.

Mining District. General Managers. Legal Managers. Mining Managers. Engineers. Enginedrivers. Stokers. Blacksmiths. Agricultural Labourers. Domestic Servants. Carpenters. Miners. Labourers. Boys. Chinese. Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri £ s. d. £5 to'£10 £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 £ s. d. £5 to £6 5 0 0 4 0 0 £ s. d. 3 3 0 3 10 0 £ s. d. 2 14 0 2 10 0 £ s. d. 2 14 0 2 8 0 £ s. d. 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 10 0 £ s. d. 2 14 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 £ s. d. 2 8 0 2 5 0 2 8 0 £ s. d. 2 2 0 1 16 0 1 16 0 £ s. d. 1 13 0 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ £ s. d. £ s. d. 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 16 0 6/ to 12 ; 5/ to 10; 10/ £5 to £10 1 "0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 io 0 3 0 0 2'*8 0 2 5 0 10/ to 15/ 1 16 0 8/ Mablbobough — Wairau .. 1 Pelorus 10 0 3 15 0 1 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 2 0 5/ to 10/ 10 0 8/ to 12/ Nelson — Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell .. Ahaura Murohison Wangapeka 5 0 0 £6 to £8 1 10 0 2 0 0 0 10 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 £4 to £5 4 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 £3 10/ to £5; i 2 14 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 2 '8 0 3 0 0 £3 10/ to £410/ 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 14 0 4 0 0 4 4 0 3 12 0 3 10 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 2 8 0 1 16 0 0 10 0 £110/ to £210/ 1 10 0 0 15 0 2 10 0 15 0 1 10 0 10 0 8/ to 15/ 15/ 10/ 10/ 10/ 8/ to 12/ 12/ 6/ to 8/ I 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 1 16 0 .. I '• 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 _ Westland — Waimea and Stafford .. Hokitika and Kanieri .. Boss Kumara Greymouth Okarito 4 'o 0 10 0 15 0 1 10 0 10 0 £4 to £5 5 0 0 3 10 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £i to £5 I 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 £3 to £3 10/ 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 12 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 £2 to £3 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 10 0 1 10 0 15 0 1 10 0 10 0 2 10 0 £1 10/ to £2 10 0 £1 to £2 2 10 0 0 15 0 15/ 9/ 15/ 7/ to 10/ £4 to' £5 2 5 0 1 10 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 15/ Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyde .. ) Alexandra Black's Eoxburgh Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood Arrow Queenstown Mount Ida Maerewhenua.. Wyndham 4 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 £4 to £5 5 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 3 15 0 12/6 to 21/ 4 0 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 £4 to £5 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 '5 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 10 0 3 5 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 10 0 3 15 0 2 8 0 2 5 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 18 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 8/ a day 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 16 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 £1 to £1 15/ 1 16 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 1 10 0 7/ a day 10 0 0 10 0 0 14 0 15 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 8 0 0 15 0 10/ to £1 0 15 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 10 0 15 0 15 0 15 0 10 0 1 10 0 £1 to £1 10/ £1 to £1 10/ 15 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15/ to £1 10 0 £1 to £1 5/ £1 to £1 5/ 10 0 0 17 6 0 8 0 15/ 10/ 5/to 12/ 9/ 7/6 to 15/ 7/6 to 15/ 7/6 to 12/1 12/ to 14, 8/ to 10/ 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ 7/6 to 15/ 8/ to 10/ 6/ to 10/ 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 £4 to £5 £40 a year 10 0 10 0 2 '6 0 4 '6 0 4 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 11 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, 1895.

jChiner; emplo; 'ed in Allir ial [iiiii 'g. LClti) iery era] >loyed ii Qui irtz-i iij Ling. Mining District. Steamengines employed winding, crushing, &c. 09 © 'a o O 0 10 - 2 SB CO Q O CD Tβ o tu M © c≤ o3 ©Q is a 1! si <>■§ CD <B 03 to 1 d o PQ Steamengines employed winding, crushing, © Pi % u to Cβ © ft a QQ © © © CM s ft Approximate Value of all Mining Plant included in this Beturn. AggreNo. gate h.p. CD a 3 ft I © I B v o AggreNo. gate h.p. I I f-{ O Auckland — Ohinemuri North Hauraki South Hauraki Tβ Aroha .. .. I Puhipuhi 4 10 12 170 260 350 12 11 27 1 194 122 392 10 18 30 230 Q & 40,000 33,000 50,000 15,000 I " 25 1 I .. Totals 26 780 51 718 45 281 138,000' Maelboeouqh— Wakamarina Cullen's Creek Waikakaho Other places 30 59 15 50 io 2 6 10 10 250 750 10,000 200 k Totals 154 12 14 20 11,200 Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Lyell Murchison Westport Ahaura 'i 40 1 82 750 53 1,630 2,515 Q g 2 30 10 2 23 575 o 1 1 2 o 44 1 22 17 443 o 21 Q 20 340 35 17 o - 2 3 65 25,390 149,085 1,600 14,000 13,500 3,000 4,500 "s 1 2 1 ] 22 1 '25 10 1 Totals 1 40 8 1 15 642 d 4 2 66 23 460 30 430 28 Of 211,075 Westland — Stafford Boss Hokitika and Kanieri Greymouth Kumara Okarito o "39 2 5 2 10 10,000 60 95 1,400 150 20 6 4 1 2 o 700 40 60 500 90 9 30 i) 1 12 6 30 5 1 1 5 1 1 5O,qoo 14,000 7,000 11,500 3,000 7,000 '2 6 1 145 13 O 18 Totals K 184 4 23 11,725 18 1,390 48 6 66 5 2 92,500 Otago— 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, &c. Maerewhenua Wyndham 2 1 "30 8 i 2 1 1 1 1 1 17 19 500 500 690 640 180 355 300 400 15 1 2 11 7 4 60 65 50 30 4 4 2 4 Q 1 8 15 1 1 2 1 'b 3 1 1 1 70 "'"as 4 8 pr O 7 Q 2 2 4 5 25 25 34 14 14 8 40 70 O 1 1 1 1 1 q 2 1 1 50 8,000 8,000 17,000 33,500 78,000 31,000 5,000 2,000 20,000 60,000 668 570 50 60 18,000 150 50 1 650 2,500 283,700 Totals 3 38 1 6 155 4,269 84 44 30 Q 1 11 155 33 290 12 g 787 sum: :aey. aickland larlborough felson Vestland )tago i 5 8 40 184 38 1 8 1 4 23 6155 18179 154 2,515 11,725 4,269 12 .. 14 15 642 ! 3 181,390 j 48 84 787 44 129 ! 2,819 109 4 6 30 66 2 66 '■'. .. 5 .. 3 .. 1 5 71 1 26 23 11 780 460 155 51 30 2 33 718 20 430 6 290 45 23 2 12 2! 3 's '3 5 6 1 281 65 138,000 11,200 211,075 92,500 283,700 Totals ! i 40 66 60 1,395 116 1,464 736,475 262 18,663 82 1 346

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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, 1895.

Wai ;er-races. Tail--races. ims. Ees. ;rvoirs. Grroui id-sluices. Approximate Total Cost. Mining District. Length in Miles. No. of Sluiceheads. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Coat. No. No. No. No. No. Auckland — Hauraki North .. Hauraki South .. Tβ Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri 20 13 4 6J 7 4f 35 45 16 £ 2,000 6,500 5,000 £ 2 9 £ 200 5,000 & £ £ 2,200 11,500 5,000 14 "lSf 99 14,550 1 1,000 "2 l',800 17,350 Totals 51 30 195 28,050 1,000 13 7,000 36,050 Marlbokough— Pelorus 200 4,450 23 40 52 4,000 15 250 13 Nelson — Wangapeka, Baton, and Sherry Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Murchison Ahaura .. Motueka 8 76 274 230 125 36 58 673 2 ii 82 196 225 126 27 06 634 16 568 1,859 470 900 124 277 2,253 2 300 86,400 46,195 11,600 19,214 5,400 13,120 108,972 1 6 134 468 166| 146! 9 43 763 650 2,130 26,228 4,000 16,527 400 1,120 71,140 2 37 517 333 290 20 42 643 50 3,410 19,378 5,500 15,262 1,129 1,070 19,870 2 1,500 1 1 26 50 200 1,200 1,050 92,140 91,801 23,800 51,003 6,929 15,310 199,982 1 Totals 1,482 l,360£ 6,469 291,202 1,735 122,195 1,884 65,669 1,500 28 1,450 482,016 Westland — Hokitika & Kanieri Boss Kumara Greymouth Okarito Stafford 335 117 195 311 40 800 270 83 110 292 30 500 411 243 380 722 34 1,500 15,000 24,580 24,600 25,050 100 ! 20,000 255 164 200 718 10 600 2,000 1,750 15,000 10,528 100 10,000 280 71 70 896 12 600 1,530 1,900 5,000 8,670 240 8,000 ii 7,000 50 45 620 900 18,530 28,850 52,500 44,248 500 43,500 50 2,500 600 60 3,000 Totals 1,798 1,285 3,290 109,330 1,947 39,378 1,929 ,929 I 25,340 61 9,500 695 4,580 188,128 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Clyde & Alexandra Black's Arrow Roxburgh Cromwell Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood Qucenstown Naseby .. Kyeburn & Clarke's Hamilton's and Sowburn Hyde & Fullerton's Macrae's, StrathTaieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Maerewhenua Wyndham 40 326 4 198 120 90 154 386 95 390 100 50 866 7 485 471 175 331 1,019 320 330 150 130 1,877 17 591 515J 225 973 1,276 435 610 450 6,000 16,700 721 26,810 36,500 14,000 29,100 70,727 19,000 18,800 50,000 13 392 2 127 118 175 75 225 155 150 125 700 7,900 10 8,650 7,500 4,750 6,000 11,250 2,100 6,700 4,500 27 272 2 79 85 25 65 131 100 150 I 30, 900 ! 5,440 I 15 I 7,240 i 7,600 i 1,400 i 3,840 . 9,170 I 2,000 I 2,000 I, 1,500 25 1 4 30 2,500 120 40 20 20 150 150 200 150 2,700 7,750 30,040 746 42,700 51,600 20,350 41,440 91,147 23,250 30,320 56,000' 407 1,390 1,221 116,200 478 12,100 170, 4,600 132,900 39 21 194 44 82 113 16,800 2,225 75 4 1,650 65 141 15,600 34,050 2,225 Totals '2,370 5,832 8.515J 423,583 ! 2,114 73,810 1,215! 61,305 60 2,620 230 3,200 564,518 SUMMARY. Auckland .. Marlborough Nelson Westland .. Otago 51 23 1,482 1,798 2,370 36 40 1,360 J 1,285 5,832 195 52 6,469 3,290 8,515 J 28,050 4,000 291,202 109,330 423,583 11 ] ,000 15 250 1,735 122,195 1,947 I 39,378 2,114 73,810 13 13 1,884 1,929 1,215 7,000 200 65,669 25,340 61,305 2 61 60 1,500 9,500 2,620 28 695 230 1,450 4,580 3,200 36,050 4,450 482,016 188,128 564,518 Totals 5,724 8.553J 18,521J 856,165 5,812 236,633 5,054 159,514 123 13,620 953 9,230 1,275,162

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62

No. 15. Return of Cases in the Wardens' Courts, and Costs awarded, for the Year ending 31st March, 1895.

Aggregate Amount of Value. ■1 §1 g §2 ii m P D O Mining District. Number of Mining Disputes adjudicated on. Claimed. Recovered. Amount of Costs Awarded. Auckland— North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri 18 42 7 6 31 £ s. d. 15 18 6 59 0 0 £ s. d. 13 8 6 54' 0 0 £ s. d. 1 19 0 20 3 0 4 7 0 3 10 0 26 9 0 1,566 14 5 1,56614 5 i Mablbobough 10 136 10 0 3 0 0 5 2 0 3 Nelson— Collingwood Inangahua Lyell .. Westport Charleston Ahaura Murchison 2 11 19 2 36 1 12015 0 139 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 100 0 0 90' 0 0 93' 0 0 0 8 0 7 14 6 IT* 1 0 2 0 10 5 12 0 35 Westland— Kumara Greymouth Hokitika and Kanieri Stafford Boss Okarito Goldsborough 37 49 5 14 4 1 6 225 6 6 241 10 0 40 0 0 40 15 3 64 6 0 72 3 4 0 6 0 45 7 0 38 18 7 4 17 0 10 17 0 14 0 0 8 0 6 13 0 3 0 0 10 0 '3 Otago— Tapanui Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Eoxburgh Black's Clyde and Alexandra Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood .. Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Queenstown Mount Ida Maerewhenua Wyndham 1 23 25 16 6 15 10 28 20 13 31 6 69 14 0 111 3 0 158 16 8 441 13 0 25 0 0 181 10 0 735 8 1 49'l7 0 83 10 6 70 9 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 601 8 1 9 8 6 21 0 0 4 7 0 11 1 0 36 10 0 7 13 6 117 18 6 21 16 0 8 9 0 33 10 0 3 16 0 i 2 1 8 1 5 11 495' 8 0 534 0 0 327 10 8 Totals 495 5,456 2 5 3,092 17 6 475 19 7 72

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63

No. 16. Return of the Number of Mining Leases or Licenses and Agricultural Leases in Force on the 31st March, 1895, the Extent of Ground Leased or held under License, and Rental per Annum.

H. J. H. Eeiott, Under-Secretary of Mines. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (2,350 copies), £48 4s. 6d. By Authority : Samuel Costald, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9s. Price Is. 3d.]

Mining Leases. .gricu iura] ceases. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. pe E |^i m . No. Gross Acreage. p6 E C a um . .UCKLAND — Hauraki North Hauraki South Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri 30 68 6 1 84 A. B. P. 555 1 12 1,232 3 11 114 3 12 20 3 23 2,944 3 9 £ s. d. 273 13 0 766 16 0 115 0 0 10 10 0 1,230 10 0 37 87 A. B. P. 1,121 0 34 4,021 1 13 27 3 6 52 11 0 si 1,550"0 0 114'16 6 Iablboeough— Wairau and Pelorus 17 1,137 0 35 216 10 0 Ielson — Collingwood ' .. Inangahua Charleston Ahaura Westport Lyell .. Murchison Owen's 4 16 9 54 2 18 213 0 31 62 0 0 56 0 0 219 0 0 38 10 0 1 7 1 3 38 1 25 169 0 0 50 0 0 263 0 0 3 18 0 5 8 6 5 0 0 28 0 6 Vestland — Okarito Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Stafford Greymouth Bobs 3 8 11 4 155 0 0 288 1 17 166 2 26 70 0 0 77 10 0 157 10 0 120 10 0 40 0 0 1 50 0 0 1 17 6 12 338 "0 0 188 10 0 )tago— Waikaia Cromwell Hindon Tuapeka Black's Clyde and Alexandra Boxburgh Naseby Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Queenstown Maerewhenua Tapanui Wyndham 'i '■7 41 89 0 0 218 0 0 818 2 27 56 6 8 109 "0 0 19 10 20 75 4 21 35 34 1 3 2,396 0 0 484 0 0 1,144 0 0 1,379 0 0 453 0 19 734 3 23 599 1 1 752 2 39 9 0 0 113 3 27 216* 9 11 26 0 3 92 17 8 86 7 6 56 17 6 39 17 0 32 12 0 64 14 0 42 5 0 72 0 0 431 io 0 Totals 325 8,529 1 21 4,107 5 8 390 15,330 3 21 968 16 4