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Pages 1-20 of 140

Pages 1-20 of 140

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Pages 1-20 of 140

Pages 1-20 of 140

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1907. NEW ZEALAND

THE GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND: REPORT ON MINES, ROADS, WATER-RACES, AND OTHER WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH METALLIFEROUS MINING.

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

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Page. Accidents and Fatalities .. ~ 2, 23, 34, 45, 46 Alluvial Mining— Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast .. 6, 29 Otago and Southland .. .. .. 6, 37 Antimony .. .. .. .. 8, 34, 46, 87 Battery Supeiintendents— Kxainination Papers, 19tf ~ .. 124 Holders of Certificates .. .. .. 128 Blucksanding .. ~ .. .. 33 Building-sand .. .. .. .. 48 Cinnabar .. ... .. .. .. 24 Copper .. .. .. .. .. 7, 33, 4(> Development of Goldlields, Expenditure on 99 Dividends . . .. .. .. .. 3 Dredge Mining— Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast .. 5, 33 Otago and Southland .. .. .. 6, 45 Holders of Dredge-master's Certificates .. 129 Examination Papers, 1906— Mine-managers .. .. .. .. 126 Battery Superintendents .. .. .. 128 Dredge- masters .. .. .. .. 129 Fireclay .. .. .. .. .. 48 Fuller's Earth .. .. .. .. 24 Geological Survey (Director's Report).. .. 76 Gold-dredging (see Dredge Mining). Gold-mining .. ~ .. .. 3 Government Water-races ~ .. .. 68, 72 Greenstone .. .. .. .. 48 Haematite .. .. .. .. 34, 47 Hydraulic Mining— Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast .. 29 Otago and Southland .. .. .. 37 Inspecting Engineer (Report) .. .. 1 Inspectors of Mines (Reports)— Northern District.. .. .. .. 11 West Coast District .. .. .. 25 Southern District .. .. • .. 34 Ironsand .. .. .. .. 8. 34, 46, 51 Limestone .. .. .. .. .. 4" Marl .. .. .. .. 47 Mine- managers— Examination Papers, 1900 .. .. 120 Holders of Certificates .. .. 126

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Fag« Minerals other than Gold .. .. 7, 24, 33, 46 Persons employed .. .. .. .. 2 Phosphate Rock .. .. .. .. 47 Platinum .. .. .. .. .. 46 Production of Gold .. .. .. .. 2 Production of Minerals .. .. .. J Prospecting for Gold .. .. .. 3 Quartz-mining— Northern District.. .. .. .. 3 West Coast District .. .. .. 5, 26 Southern District .. .. .. 34 Inspectors' Reports .. .. 11, <J4, 34 Machines employed .. .. 88-91, 110 Quartz crushed, and value.'. .. .. 92-96 Reports— Inspecting Engineer of Mines .. .. 1 Inspectors of Mines .. .. 11,25,34 Wardens .. 48, 49, 50, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 84 Directors of Schools of Mines 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68 Water-race Managers .. .. 69, 72 Director of Geological Survey .. .. 73 Roads on Goldfields, Expenditure on .. .. 96 Roads constructed by direct Grants .. .. 9, 96 Roads and Tracks subsidised .. .. 8 Scheelite .. .. .. .. .. 8, 47, 85 Schools of Mines (Directors' Reports)— Thames .. .. .. .. .. 63 Coromandel .. .. .. .. 62 Karangahakc .. .. .. .. 64 Waihi .. .. .. .. .. 66 Nelson . . .. .. .. .. 65 Reefton .. .. .. .. .. 65 Westport .. . . . . .. (58 Expenditure on .. .. .. .. 10 General .. .. .. .. .. 9 Statistical Tables— Gold Duty credited to Local Bodies .. 104 Gold exported, 1857 to 1906 .. .. 106 Gold exported, Comparative Return, Years 1905-1906 .. .. .. .. 105 Gold exported. 1857 to 31st March, 1907 .. 106 Gold exported, Comparative Return for Quarters March, 1906, and March, 1907 .. Hlti Goldfielrls Revenue. Quarter ended 31st March, 1907 .. .. .. .. .. 102

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Statistical Tables— continued. PageGoldfields Revenue, Comparative Return, Quarters 31st March, 1906, and 31st March, 1907 104 Goldfields Revenue, - Comparative Return, 1905 and 1906 .. .. •• •• 104 Goldfields Revenue, Year ending 31st December, 1906 K>l Gold purchased by Banks .. .. • • 9>> Machines employed in Alluvial and Quartz Mining JIO Mining Leases .. .. •• •• l '- i Price of Gold, &c. Prices of Provisions, &c. .. . • • ■ 108 Quartz crushed .. .. • ■ .. 93, 95 Quartz-crushing Machines .. . . 88-91, 110 Rates of Wages .. .. • • • • 109 Statements of Affairs of Mining Companies .. 114 Summary of Works constructed .. .. 96 Wardens' Court Tables and Cases .. .. 112

Statistical Tables— continued. P««»-Water-races, &c, Number, Description, and Value.. .. ■• •• •• Ul Subsidised Roada and Tracks .. .. 8 Wardens' Reports— Auckland District .. .. • ■ *8 Thames District .. .. • • • • * 8 Tauranga District Blenheim District .. • • • • 5° Nelson District .. .. • • • • 60 Westport District .. .. • ■ &* Hokitika District .. .. • ■ 55 Dunedin District .. .. .. • • 56 Naseby District .. .. • • • • 57 Queenstown District .. .. • • 83 Invercargill District . . . • • • 59 Water-race Managers' Reports— Kumara District .. .. .. • • 69 Naseby District .. .. ■ • • • 7S£

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The Open Cut on the Martha Reef, looking East: Waihi Gold-mining Company (Limited).

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Victoria Mill, on the Ohinemuri River, Waikino, one of the Three Mills of the Waihi Gold-mining Company (Limited).

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EEPOET.

Mr. Feank Rerd, M.Inst. M.E., Lie. Surveyor, Inspecting Engineer of Mines, to the Hon. James McGowan, Minister of Mines. Sir, — Mines Department, Wellington, 24th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit the annual reports of inspection, together with those of Wardens and other officers, accompanied by statistical information in regard to the goldfields and metalliferous mines of the colony, for the year ended 31st December, 1906. In accordance with the usual practice, the tables showing expenditure through the Mines Department on roads, bridges, tracks, prospecting operations, &c, are for the period covered by the financial <-ear—viz., from the 1st April, 1906, to the 31st March, 1907. The reports, &c, are divided into the following sections :— I. Production of Minerals. II. Persons employed. III. Accidents. IV. Gold-mining— (1.) Quartz. (2.) Dredging. (3.) Alluvial. V. Minerals other than Gold. VI. State Aid to Minintj. VII. Schools of Mines. Appendices.—Reports of— (a.) Inspectors of Mines. (&.) Wardens. " , (c.) Directors of Schools of Mines. (d.) Water-race Managers. (e.) Director of the Geological Survey of New Zealand. (/.) Mining Statistics. (g.) Examinations'under " The Mining Act. 1905." I. PRODUCTION OF MINERALS. The value of the production of the metalliferous mines of the colony is still increasing rapidly. The appended statement shows the value of the outputs from the various metalliferous mines and guiiifields in New Zealand from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1906 : —

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Classification. 1905. 1906. Increase or Decrease. To'.al from the 1st January, 1853, to th ( 31st December, 1906. iolA lilver £ 2,093,936 120,542 17 £ 2,270,904 143,572 £ 176,968* 23,048* 17+ £ 69,501,488 921,267 18,228 38,002 61,831 52,598 439 158,852 13,443,017 Jopper-ore ... Jhrome-ore ... fanganese-ore Lntimony-ore Isematite ore lixed minerals [auri-gum 165 40 125+ 8,136 561,444 18,241 522,486 1O',1O5* 38,958t Totals 2,784,240 2,9S5,243 171,003 84,195,722 * Increase. f Decrease.

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Production of Gold. The following comparative statements show the quantity and value of gold entered for exportation for the last two calendar and financial years : —

11. PERSONS EMPLOYED. The appended statement shows the number of persons ordinarily employed in or about the metalliferous mines of the colony during 1906 : —

III. ACCIDENTS. The following is a classification of fatal and serious mining accidents that have occurred during 1906 at all mines other than coal:—

Name of District. Year ended 31st December, 1906. Quantity. Value. Year ended 31st December, 1905. Inorease for 1900. Decrease for 1906. Quantity. Value. .uckland Felson ... Vest Coast )tago Oz. £ 295,417 I 1,195,541 2,944 : 11,746 104,743 J 414,292 160,739 ! 649,325 Oz. 232,215 6,469 109,704 172,098 £ 935,602 25,862 438,258 694,214 Oz. 63,202 Oz. 3,525 4,961 11,359 Totals 563,843 2,270,904 520,486 2,093,936 43,357 1; Year ended 31st March, 1907. Year ended 31st March, 1006. Increase for ! Decrease for 1 Qfl7 1 QH7 Name of District. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland Marlborough Nelson ... West Coast Otago Oz. 298,188 110 3,584 96,783 153,607 £ 1,202,975 438 14,329 381,874 620,901 Oz. £ 248,031 ! 1,000,954 4,421 i 17,650 110,996 443,089 162,752 J 655,913 Oz. 50,157 110 Oz. 837 14,213 9,145 Totals CRO 0*70 bo a, Hi 2,220,517 526,200 2,117,606 26,0721 * Total net increase, value £176,968. t Total net increase, value £102,911.

Inspection Distriot. Classification. Total. Northern. West Coast. Southern. Gold and silver Antimony ... Copper Haematite ... • 2,706 4 19 3,459 25 31 2 19 2,386 12 4 8,551 41 54 2 19 11 38 Iron Platinum Scheelite 11 38 Totals 2,729 3,536 2,451 8,716 The number of diggers engaged upon the kauri-gum fields varies bi ,ctual number is not known. jtween 5,000 ,nd 7,000; the

Explosions allso , f ' Ground. MisoellaneIn Shafts, oua Underground. Surface. About Dredges. Total. Inspection District. I - 3 — 3 "3 .2 * .2 "S S 3 s CQ J CO i 1 1 Cβ g Cβ fo aa fci .2 "E CO flj ■a k as D • 3 o I o "C "2 "C CO R £/) Northern West Coast Southern 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 4 ... J ... 2 4 1 1 6 3 5 7 3 3 Totals 3 3 4 1 1 1 1 4 6 2 14 13 Being at the rate of 1*6 fai ;alitii Iβ per l,i pen ions e: iplo; ed.

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V. GOLD-MINING. Gold occurs in New Zealand in two forms —viz., as contained in quartz veins or reefs, and as alluvial gold ; and the prosperity of this industry may be gauged by the fact that the gold-export for 1906 was the highest for thirty-six years. The dividends paid by registered companies amounted to £790,020, which represents the high proportion of 34 - 7 per cent, of the value of the total production from all goldmines. The profits of the privately owned mines would, if known, materially increase this proportion, as the dividends from 110 dredges and 71 hydraulic-sluicing plants privately owned are unascertainable. The following statement shows the value of the gold-production and the proportion of the same paid in dividends in this colony during 1906 : —

For comparison, the value of the production and the proportion of the same paid in dividends in New Zealand and the various States of Australia is here given : —

(1.) Quartz-mining. This, the most productive branch of gold-mining in New Zealand, continues to increase in prosperity, as shown in the following statement : —

Northern District. The principal quartz-mines of New Zealand are situated in the Ohinemuri and Thames Counties, in this district, and mining operations on the Waihi and Karangahake goldfields, in the former county, have proved the strong veins or " reefs " to maintain their dimensions and ore-values to the greatest depths yet attained, and with every indication of permanency. On the Thames Goldfield, and also at Coromandel, at a depth of about 500 ft. a change of country rock has apparently caused an impoverishment of the veins, and but little work has been done to prove the deep levels, notwithstanding that

Production of Gold, Dividends paid, 1906. 1906. Percentage of Production paid in Dividends. Number of Persons ordinarily employed. •uartz-unning ... >redge-mining .,. lluviai mining £ 1,494,087 501,199 275,618 £ 653,972 103,722 32,326 Per cent. 43-5 20-6 12-6 3,715 1 I 4,836 Totals, 1906 2,270,904 790,020 34-7 8,551 Totals, 1905 2,093,936 617,201 29-4 9,362

State or Country. Production of Gold, 1906. Divide ids paid. Percentage of Production paid in Dividends. New Zealand, 1906 West Australia, 1905 Victoria, 1905 ... Queensland, 1906 £ 2,270,904 8,305,654 3,175,875 4,198,647 £ 790,020 2,167,639 454,431 626,957 Per Gent. 34-7 26-1 14-3 14-9

Tons of Ore treated. Value of Bullion. Dividends paid. Inspection District. 1906. 1905. 1906. 1905. 1906. 1905. J or them Vest Coast iouthern 464,237 '■■ 408,197 100,207 116,901 9,877 12,259 £ £ £ 1,312,720 1,023,027 590,135 169,929 196,368 63,837 11,438 17,058 , Unknown £ 418,222 55,192 Unknown. Totals ... 574,321 537,357 1,494,087 1,236,453 653,972 473,414

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at the Thames there is available for this purpose a shaft, the property ot the Government, already equipped with winding-engine and cage, and pumps capable of dealing with 2,000 gallons of water per minute. The following is a statement showing the quantity of quartz treated, the value of bullion yielded, and dividends paid by the principal quartz-mines during 1906 : —

At the Waihi Gold-mining Company's mine, the most productive gold-mine in Australasia, a continuously increasing output at an increased yield of Is. per ton has to be recorded, but it is not apparent whether this increased yield is due to richer ores as depth is attained, or a higher rate of extraction at the mills and cyanide-works. The total quantity of ore treated at this mine during 1906 was 328,866 tons, of which the Martha leef contributed i 46,409 tons, or 44-5 per cent., the balance being obtained from fifteen other reefs on this property. A description of the workings of this mine unaccompanied by plan and sections would be somewhat complicated, as the Martha reef, which averages over 90 ft. in width, and is developed to a depth of 800 ft. or more, and for a length exceeding 1,400 ft., forms but one of a series of interlacing veins, the workings of which are often connected. The only data upon which to base deductions as to the maintenance of values by such great ore-bodies is the evidence disclosed by the development of somewhat similar ore-deposits elsewhere, which information is more accessible to and as "well understood by the intelligent and travelled miner as by the professional geologist. In magnitude there is nothing analogous known to the vein system here existing ; but as evidence upon which to form an estimate of the continuity in depth and ore-values of such strong quartz veins, we have the Beaconsfield and Golden Gate reefs in Tasmania, the Great Fingall reef in Westralia, and several instances in Western America all known to the writer. The evidence unfolded by mining operations at depth on all these veins is extremely favourable to the permanence of the Waihi reef system : beyond this no one can speak. Quartz veins are profitably mined in Victoria at a depth of 4,175 ft., and the "Martha" reef is stronger than any vein in Victoria. The total production from this mine to the end of 1906 was £5,355,254, as a result of treating 1,921,670 short tons (of 2,000 lb.) ; and £2,271,753 has been paid in dividends. During the year the number of feet driven, risen, and sunk at this mine amounted to 19,347, or 3-66 miles ; and 1,465 men were ordinarily employed. No further addition has been made to the milling-power of 330 head of stamps and six tube mills, but to add stability to the batteries heavy anvil-blocks have been placed under the mortars throughout. The substitution of the vacuum slimes plant (with rectangular tank and basket) in place of the filterpresses has proved a success. It is proposed to increase the number of tube mills, and in connection therewith to erect a 1,000-horse power (Crossley) producer-gas plant. It is also proposed to equip the No. 5 shaft for winding " skips '•' to facilitate rapid discharge by an engine of two cylinders, 30 in. diameter, with 6 ft. stroke. The two Cornish pumps employed on the drainage of this mine raised during the year a total of 697,707,996 gallons. At the Grand Junction Mine, which adjoins the Waihi property, operations are being carried out upon an extension of the same vein system which has been here proved to a depth of 811 ft. It is pro-

Name of Mine. I Tons of Quarm treated 1(2,000 lb. to a Ton). Value of Bullion. Divider Average Value per Ton. , 1<Joe ads paid. Total to End of December, 1906. Number of Persons ordinarily employ* d. ' Northern District — Waihi Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) ! Grand Junction Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) Waiotahi Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) Talisman Consolidated (Ltd.) Komata Reefs (Ltd.) New Zealand Crown Mines (Ltd.) New May Queen (Ltd.)... West Coast District— Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Company (Ltd.) Progress Mines of New Zealand (Ltd.) Consolidated Gold-fields of New Zealand (Ltd.) Big Eiver Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) Other quartz-mines 328,866 8,144 £ 781,553 13,794 £ s. d. £ 2 7 6 347,135 1 13 10 £ 2,271,753 1,465 238 18,002 223,678 12 8 6 j 183,000 274,800 155 49,573 20,490 22,080 3,333 152,011! 45,448 40,735! 10,715 J 3' 1 341 60,000 i 2 4 2| 1 15 0|' 18 4 3 90,000 26,664 70,000 ! Unknown 275 160 142 39 13,300 18,8871 ' 1 6 10 9,000 ; 154,666 50 59,100 91, 200 l : 1 14 5 34,375; 261,250 330 19,401 36,307 1 ' 1 17 5 ! 12,119! 137,606! 182 2,037 7,904! [ 3 17 7 I 2,332 49,698| ij 28 41,965 71,855 >; ... 6,011 Unknown 651 Totals, 1906 586,291 1,494,087 2 10 11 653,972 3,715

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By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer.

2500. 6/07. 3OS

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posed to increase the milling-power from 40 heads, as at present employed, to 100 heads. The whole of the milling plant and the greater part of the other machinery at this mine is electrically driven. During the past year 2,600 ft. were driven, risen, and sunk. The Talisman Consolidated Mine has shown a marked increase in production, and the amount of dividends paid during 1906 amounted to £60,000, being double those paid the previous year. Developments during the year have proved considerable ore-reserves, and 5,920 ft. have been driven, risen, and sunk at this mine. On the Thames Goldfields the Waiotahi Mine has again maintained its reputation by producing during the past year 18,002 tons of ore, with an average yield of £12 Bs. 6d. per ton, and as a result has declared in dividends £183,000. Mining operations are conducted upon three separate veins or "reefs," all of which produced very rich ore ; the greatest " bonanza," however, occurs between the 4th and sth levels, and it is from this that the enormously rich specimen stone is obtained, which so greatly increases the average yield per ton. During the year a cyanide plant has been erected, and the extraction obtained thereby is claimed to be 95 per cent. Operations at the New May Queen Mine, also situated on the Thames Goldfield, show encouraging indications of a continuance of the ore-values with depth, recent developments in the low levels at this mine having proved the deepest payable gold yet obtained on the field. During the year this company acquired the adjoining lease known as the " Queen of Beauty," upon which is situated in a small reserved area the shaft and pumping plant of the Thames Drainage Board previously referred to, and it is proposed by this company to continue the said shaft to the 1,020 ft. level preparatory to driving a crosscut to intersect their lines of reef. West Coast District (South Island). At the Progress Mines of New Zealand (Limited) development-work during the year failed to open up any new ore-bodies except in the No. 11 level, where a discovery of value was made. Notwithstanding generally unsuccessful developments, this company have succeeded in maintaining their dividends, the amount paid during the year being £34,375, which equals that of 1905. A diamond drill has been employed in prospecting, and 4,500 ft. have been risen, driven, and sunk. The average value of the ore treated was £1 14s. 5 - Bd. per ton, the working-costs 17s. 10d. per ton, leaving a profit of 16s. 6d. per ton. At the properties of the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited) a considerable amount of exploration, both underground and by the diamond drill, was carried out, but without developing anything of much importance. During the year 1,506 ft. was driven, risen, and sunk at these mines. This company also maintained their dividends, paying £12,119 during 1906. The Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Company, after thirty-three years' successful operations, continues to maintain its output, and has recently declared its 177 th dividend; the total amount so paid at the end of 1906 was £154,666. The total amount of capital called up only amounts to £6,208, or 6s. 2d. per share, against a profit of £7 14s. Bd. per share —a remarkable record. During the year a further reduction of 6d. per ton has been effected in the cost of cyaniding, which is attributed to the introduction of caustic soda as a more economical and efficient solvent in treating antimonial ores, thus reducing working-costs to 10s. 9d. per ton, which will compare favourably with those at any mine in the world. The Blackwater Mines (Limited): This property, which was discovered in 1905 by a party of prospectors subsidised to the extent of £200 by the Government, was sold by them to Mr. P. N. Kingswell, who in turn sold it to the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited), who recently turned the same into a subsidiary company with a capital of £250,000, and during each change of ownership the vendors' profits were not inconsiderable. Systematic operations are now being carried out on this property, and a considerable amount of driving and prospecting has been done. A main shaft is in course of being sunk to a depth of 500 ft., a tunnel is being driven to meet if from a creek at a lower level, also another low-level tunnel to connect with a winze for drainage and other purposes. A great amount of work will be necessary to bring the property to the producing stage. (2.) Dredge-mining. This system of alluvial mining, which had New Zealand for its cradle, although now adopted in other countries, has probably produced about seven or eight million sterling of the total gold-pro-duction of this colony, and it is to be regretted that there has to be recorded an annual decrease both in the number of dredges at work and in the gold-production. To enable dredge-mining to be carried out profitably, even when the ground to be operated upon is payably auriferous, it is necessary that a number of favourable conditions shall exist, the absence of any one of which may render unprofitable the undertaking. The presence of snags, or of large boulders, the hardness of the matrix surrounding the same, a hard and rough bottom from which the dredgebuckets are unable to clean up the gold, and in connection with paddock dredges the limited space of operations causing the gold to be stirred up and held in suspension in the muddy water, are all causes any one of which may render unprofitable an otherwise promising proposition. There is therefore no cause for surprise that the system of alluvial mining by hydraulic sluicing and elevating is now being applied whenever practicable in preference to the bucket-and-ladder dredge.

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The following statement shows the number of dredges, the gold produced by them, and the dividends paid during 1905 and 1906 : —

During 1906 the average yield per working dredge was £3,013, and the expenditure thereon £2,200 ; the average time worked per year was forty weeks, with working-costs at £55 per week ; therefore the net profit per dredge was £813, less depreciation. The future prospects of this branch of mining depend upon the further reduction of working-costs to enable the low-grade drift to be rendered payable. How this reduction is to be effected is in many cases a difficult question to solve ; but in cases where water-power is available it may by its direct application, or by its use in the application of electricity, materially assist in reducing costs. At the Earnscleugh No. 3 dredge the application of electricity has proved a saving in the cost of power of 50 per cent. The disadvantage of hydro-electricity is its initial cost, which would bear heavily on one dredge. This might be avoided by the formation of power companies, but such undertakings would be subject to similar treatment and labour under similar disadvantages as water-race companies have experienced in the past. In the Southern District eight dredges are now operated by hydraulic power, and this number will probably be increased. The following is a statement regarding the most productive dredges the property of registered companies during 1906 : —

Of the 136 dredges at work in the Southern District, fifty-two are owned by working shareholders or small syndicates, many of which are highly successful. (3.) Alluvial Mining. During 1906 the production of gold by alluvial mining amounted to £275,618, the greater proportion of which, was obtained in the Southern District, from the Provinces of Otago and Southland. The method adopted in working the alluvial deposits depends on the depth of the superincumbent strata, the elevation at which they occur, and the water-supply available. If all these conditions are favourable, the systems mostly employed on account of their economical application are those known as " hydraulic sluicing" or " hydraulic sluicing'and elevating." By these methods a yield of 1 grain of gold (value 2d.) per cubic yard will often pay working-expenses. Sluicing and elevating is being substituted for dredging on flats in several places for reasons already stated. In connection with this system of mining, some interesting statistics have been supplied by the Round Hill Gold-mining Com-

Inspection District. Nnm cr of Dredge». 1905. 1906. Idle. At work. Idle. At work. Yield during 1906. Average Yiald per Dredge, 1906. Dividends paid. 1906. 1905. Vest Coast Southern 5 40 145 7 23 31 136 £ 86,082 415,117 I 2,777 3,052 £ 24,086 79,636 & Totals ... 32 185 30 167 501,199 3,013 103,722 123,648

Dividends paid Name of Dredgp. Production during 1906. n .■ „ ion« To ;:ilst December, During l'JOb. 1906 West Coast District — Pactolus (2 dredges) No Town Creek Southern District — Masterton Mystery Flat Otago Sandy Point ... Waikaka Syndicate Waikaka United Argyle 158 other dredges £ 24,305 7,153 £ 16,875 3,000 & 37,813 16,775 11,515 5,888 9,835 6,030 13,739 14,240 6,364 422,130 8,500 2,480 3,125 2,000 4,200' 8,120 2,892 52,530 15,000 8,268 13,500 7,200 7,000 19,040 6,492 Unknown Totals 501,199 103,722

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pany, in the Southern District, which have been obtained by a practical working-test as a result of treating 2,250,000 cubic yards of material, the average depth of which was 45 ft., for a return of £22,164, being at the rate of 2"363 d. per cubic yard. The cost of mining was 1 - 75d. per cubic yard, which includes depreciation on plant; the net profit per cubic yard was therefore 0 - 61 d. In this case it has only taken 0 - 88 of a grain of gold per cubic yard to pay expenses. The two elevators which were employed averaged each 69 cubic yards per hour, working 300 days each year. The above figures may be of service as showing an extensive working-test. During 1906 the average cost in the Southern District was about lfd. per cubic yard, and on the West Coast about 2d. At the present time there are in active operation forty-four hydraulic-sluicing and elevating plants and forty-eight hydraulic-sluicing plants, all the property of registered companies, and it is probable that these numbers will be increased during the current year. In addition to the above, a large number of plants are privately owned, and the returns from these are not obtainable. The amount of ground-sluicing in New Zealand is insignificant. The only black-sanding or " beachcombing " in the Southern District is at Orepuki, where twelve men are intermittently employed. On the West Coast a decrease of £18,709 in the production of alluvial gold by registered companies has to be recorded, the total production during 1906 being £86,082. There are at work fifteen sluicing plants and three hydraulic-sluicing and elevating plants. The black-sanding or "beach-combing" in the Charleston district has given profitable returns, one group of fourteen men obtaining £800 in nine days. This kind of mining, however, is very uncertain, depending as it does on the tides and elements, for after storms the best returns are obtained. Alluvial mining in the immediate locality of the once famous diggings of Hokitika and Kumara is dormant, but at Ross a movement is on foot for the purpose of draining and reopening the mines at Ross Flat, which field, formerly known as the Totara Diggings, was first rushed in 1865, and produced large returns from the shallow workings, and later from a shaft sunk by Mr. Cassius, 300 ft. in depth, until in 1872 the accidental tapping of old workings flooded the deeper levels. In 1882 operations were recommenced, but in 1887 the workings were again inundated by the same cause. A shaft sunk by the late Ross United Company to a depth of 392 ft. passed through eight separate auriferous layers and never reached bed-rock. That the ground is very rich has been proved beyond all question, but the working of the same and the winning of this hidden treasure will require skilled management and adequate working-capital. In such a proposition as the reopening of these mines the employment of insufficient capital will spell disaster, for it is impossible to form a correct estimate on the data available of the quantity of water which will be encountered. The late Mr. T. J. Waters, M.A.1.M.E., estimated that pumps capable of discharging 1,900 gallons per minute would suffice, and other engineers in later reports have accepted these figures. This estimate was based upon th rainfall over a given area of 1,000 acres, but is mere conjecture V. MINERALS OTHER HAN GOLD. Copper. The high market price ruling for the metal copper has caused increased attention to be given to the cupriferous deposits of New Zealand, and several mines which have been closed down for a considerable period have been reopened. At Pupuke, near Whangaroa Harbour, three syndicates are engaged prospecting ; but although nodules of chalcopyrite have been found in a much-broken lodelike formation, the results obtained hitherto are far from payable. The old Maharahara Mine, near Woodville, has again been reopened, and a company are obtaining a parcel of ore for shipment. A large siliceous hasmatite lode containing chalcopyrite, and bornite in small shoots is being developed by two tunnels in the slopes of the Ruahine Ranges, but as yet there is not sufficient work done upon which to base an estimate of this property. The Maoriland Copper Company, near Nelson, are reopening the old Champion Mine and the surrounding properties, which have now lain dormant for so many years. A shipment of 500 bags of ore has been recently made from this property. With improved methods and an increased market price obtainable these properties may have a more promising future. During 1906 the discovery of a promising copper-field was made by Messrs. J. and R. Johnson at Mount Radiant, which lies at the head-waters of the Mokihinui and Little Wanganui Rivers, a distance of about twelve miles south-east of the Port of Karamea. The cupriferous veins, which occur in a grey porphyritic granite, have a general north-east and south-west trend, and have been traced for several miles. The outcrops expose strong quartz and feldspar veins, the mineral contents of which are copper, in the form chiefly of chalcopyrite, also molybdenite, and iron-pyrites, the latter carrying small quantities of gold and silver. Insufficient work has been done to pronounce upon the width of the veins or of their " economic possibilities," as no importance should be attached to the results of a fire assay from a picked specimen of outcrop ore, and as yet no tests in bulk have been made ; but

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owing to the fact that the veins are strong, and contain payable iron-copper sulphides when first encountered their continuance to a considerable depth with comparatively slight alteration may be reasonably looked for ; therefore the proper method to prospect this field is by deep trenches or open cut in preference to shafts or adits. Chalcopyrite occurs in every copper-field of importance ; it is the most common ore of copper, and the source of nearly 75 per cent, of the world's supply of the metal. Until development-work is carried out, no one can speak with any degree of certainty regarding this field," but'as a prospecting proposition it is most promising. A number of claims have been pegged out, and a track is being constructed to Mount Radiant from Karamea. Timber for mining purposes is plentiful. Antimony. Antimony lodes are very plentiful in New Zealand, the most important deposits being situated on the West Coast and in Central Otago. Mining operations in connection with this mineral have not, however, been very extensive, the total value of the output amounting only to £52,598. During the past year a revival of this industry has taken place, due, no doubt, to the high market price ruling for this mineral. The Alexandra Antimony-mine, after several years' idleness, has been reopened, and preparatory to resuming active operations a winding and pumping plant are being erected. Old mines are being reopened at the Carrick and Lammerlaw Ranges, and at Nevis Bluff a small quantity of the mineral has been found. At Endeavour Inlet three separate parties are engaged prospecting for antimony. Scheelite. Considerable attention in the Southern District is being devoted to this mineral, which is principally used for hardening purposes in the manufacture of steel. During the past year, from the Macrae's district, 94 tons, value £5,520, were exported. The Grlenorchy syndicate, which has resumed operations, obtained 14 tons of concentrates. Operations on a small scale are also being carried out near Glenorchy, Bucklerburn, and Lake Wakatipu. Iron. The development of the Parapara iron-field has been confined to the formation-work of a short railway connecting the field with the ocean-beach. Upon this work £1,200 was expended, and then protection was obtained. Itjis understood that this property is under option in London. The Geological Survey staff have recently conducted an exhaustive survey of this field.

VI. STATE AID TO MINING. Subsidised Eoads and Tracks. The expenditure (as subsidies) and the liabilities on outstanding authorities for the year ending the 31st March, 1907, are as follows :—

Name of Local Body. Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1907. Liabilities on Authorities on 31st March, 1907. Sunbeam Gold and Silver Company Coromandel County... Public Battery, Kuaotunu Thames County Buller County Inangahua County ... Ross Borough Westland County Contingencies Compensation for accidents ... £ s. d. 71 16 6 15 0 0 419 5 3 25 0 0 215 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 6 15 0 158 1 9 19 2 6 £ s. a. 78 3 6 358 0 0 155 0 0 18"5 0 Totals 1,055 1 0 1,055 1 0 609 8 (i

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BOADS CONSTRUCTED BY DIEBCT GRANTS. The following statement shows the expenditure and liabilities on authorities issued on roads from direct grants to the several local bodies during the year ending the 31st March, 1907 :—

Prospecting for Gold. The following statement shows the expenditure and liabilities on authorities issued in subsidies to prospecting associations and parties of miners in the different counties for the year ending the 31st March, 1907 :—

VII. SCHOOLS OF MINES. The schools of mines, which have now been established twenty-two years, continue to contribute to the education of mining and metallurgical students at the principal mining centres. As showing the beneficial results of these establishments, it may be stated that many ex-students of the various schools hold responsible positions in connection with mining in all parts of the work.

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Name of Local Bod}'. Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1907. Liabilities on Authorities on 31st March, 1907. Whangarei County Great Barrier Island Coromandel County Thames County ... Thames Borough... Ohinemuri County Pelorus Eoad Board Takaka County ... Colling wood County Waimea County ... Buller County Inangahua County Grey County Brunner Borough Westland County Tuapeka County ... Vincent County ... Lake County Southland County Wallace County ... Stewart Island County Roads Department Public Works Department... £ s. d. £ a. d. 100 0 0 100 0 0 2,660 7 9 1,450 2 2 210 0 0 1,628 11 6 3,090 0 0 3,857 18 8 100 0 0 2,243 14 3 717 16 3 1,009 1 6 788 0 0 1,322 8 11 3,400 0 0 1,673 19 2 1,125 0 0 204 17 0 342 5 0 212 6 9 2,532 12 10 100 0 0 210 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 3,163 12 3 1,366 6 3 1,251 10 .4 1,105 18 3 5,168 0 0 3,254 18 7 1,625 0 0 95 3 0 1,982 13 6 445 11 0 944 18 8 513 0 0 1,250 0 0 300 0 0 180 0 0 10,975 12 6 1,406 19 9 Totals ... 37,914 13 3 26,593 12 7

Name of County. Expenditure for Year ending 31st March, 1907. Liabilities on Authorities on 31st March, 1907. ]oromandel Thames )hinemuri... £ s. 314 14 26 8 51 0 8 2 118 2 148 17 573 16 914 11 150 0 413 0 239 10 a. 2 0 3 0 0 3 0 8 0 5 0 £ s. 304 8 d. 0 55 2 9 Fauranga ... Pakaka 3ullcr 135 8 291 13 409 18 250 0 150 0 353 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 nangahua Westland ... )ollingwood ?uapeka ... Jrey Totals 2,958 1 9 1,949 9 9

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At the New Zealand University Examinations held in November, 1906, mining students obtained the following distinctions: Honours in Science, 1; Masters of Science, 3; Senior Scholarships, 1 ; Final B.Sc, 2 ; Final 8.E., 2 ; First Section 8.E.. 2 ; and for the fifth successive year the Sir George Grey Scholarship has fallen to a mining student. During the past five years the following open scholarships have been obtained : Two Rhodes Scholarships ; three 1851 Exhibition Scholarships ; four Senior Scholarships, New Zealand University ; and six First-class Honours in Science, all by mining students. Expenditure on Schools of Mines. The following table shows the expenditure by the Government on schools of mines since their inauguration, exclusive of subsidies paid to the University of Otago towards the School of Mines in connection with that institution : —

The above statement shows the amount expended on the different schools of mines throughout the colony ; but, in addition to this, the sum of £12,053 6s. 2d. has to be added, as that has been paid to the school of mines attached to the University of Otago, £500 being paid last year towards maintaining the school, which makes the total expenditure up to the 31st March last to be £46,582 18s. This expenditure has extended over a period of twenty-two years. The schools of mines examinations were held in December, 1906, and eighty-five students presented themselves for examination in some of the twenty subjects on which papers were set, the result of such examination appearing in the New Zealand Mines Record of 16th January. Only one student — viz., Mr. W. M. Durant, of Reefton—succeeded in obtaining first-class passes in the requisite number of subjects to entitle him to one of the four Government scholarships at the University of Otago, of the annual value of £50, tenable for three years. I have, &c, Frank Reed, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

Financial Years. Chemicals Subsidies towards ! and Apparatus, the Erection of also Mineralogical ScholarSchools of Minos, and Specimens . ships. Maintenance. supplied to Schools of Mines. Salaries of Teachers, and Travellingexpenses, &c. Total Sum paid by the Department towards the Schools of Mines. 1885-86 1886-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 1900-1901 1901-1902 1902-1903 1903-1904 1904-1905 1905-1906 1906-1907 ... ... £ s. d. 257 16 6 253 15 9 42 10 0 142 2 0 217 6 6 181 14 0 312 3 4 197 0 5 390 0 0 820 0 0 352 14 11 1,089 18 6 740 15 2 990 3 4 866 10 11 1,155 12 3 1,379 15 6 1,575 15 3 1,401 2 11 1,806 19 5 1,836 6 6 £ s. d. 36.19 9 409 1 4 253 14 1 6 12 9 181 14 10 54 8 0 45 10 10 58 18 6 29 19 9 32 19 7 24 3 8 56 3 4 63 5 1 134 18 8 88 18 8 17 3 0 87 2 1 11 15 8 £ 50 100 100 50 50 98 49 158 92 100 49 100 £ s. d. 1,223 9 10 2,716 9 3 1,714 9 6 1,139 4 1 716 3 10 620 9 9 689 5 9 670 1 0 858 19 4 773 17 8 849 3 0 834 12 8 780 19 0 729 10 11 52 16 3 77 7 10 69 16 4 111 0 0 109 15 10 362 19 6 440 9 4 388 18 5 £ s. d. 1,260 9 7 3,383 7 1 2,221 19 4 1,188 6 10 1,040 0 8 892 4 3 870 19 9 982 4 4 1,055 19 9 1,209 8 6 1,719 3 0 1,346 6 1 2,00Q 17 3 1,553 5 8 1,117 3 3 1,098 2 1 1,337 13 8 1,783 14 2 1,866 9 9 1,881 5 5 2,383 10 10 2,337 0 7 Totals ... 16,010 3 2 1,593 9 7 996 15,929 19 1 34,529 11 10

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APPENDIX. (a.) REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF MINES. Mr. James Coutts, Inspector of Mines, Thames, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Thames, 6th April, 1907. I have the honour to furnish herewith the returns and report on the gold-mining industry in the Hauraki District for the year ended the 31st December, 1906. Before commenting on any particular mines, it may be interesting as well as instructive to apportion the values of gold obtained to each respective county and borough, so as to afford an opportunity of contrasting each total with the previous year's, thereby enabling us to see where the most progressive operations have been carried on during the year. 1900. 1905. £ c. d. £ s. (1. Great Barrier Island .. .. .. 4,812 5 11 1,844 111 Coromandel County .. .. .. 8,406 11 8 7,46110 7 Thames County and Borough .. . . 263,191 14 8 105,212 16 2 Waihi Borough .. .. .. 795,347 18 4 693,933 18 6 Ohinemuri County .. .. .. 239,088 17 7 208,231 2 6 Tauranga County .. .. .. 13 14 2 Piako County .. .. .. .. 1,859 7 6 6,343 16 9 It will be perceived that, with a couple of exceptions, substantial increases are recorded, which gives great encouragement for future operations; and although districts with small returns, such as Coromandel, have made very little headway, still the prospects have always been of a reassuring nature, stimulating the people who are with limited means with a keen desire to carry out exhaustive prospectingwork, entertaining as they do bright hopes that rich finds will yet be discovered. Waihi. Waihi Gold-mining Company (Limited). —This company continues to improve the various appliances used for the extraction of the precious metals, with a view to increase the output and quantity of ore treated. Tube mills are being erected, which will be capable of pulverising the quartz from the stamps to the fineness required for the cyanide process, and by using coarser gratings a larger quantity of ore will be treated, therefore the object will be accomplished without having to erect more stamps. During the year 30,335 tons more was treated than the preceding year, and it is fully expected that for the year now entered upon a much larger increase will be obtained. The development-work in the mine is kept well in advance of present requirements by sinking the shafts, and by driving to open up the various lodes at the bottom levels ; by this means there is a much larger reserve (or ore in sight) at present than there has been since the commencement of the company's operations. No. 6 shaft being sunk in the foot-wall of the reef system will be free from any movement in the country that may take place through the working out of the reefs. This shaft is close to the mother lode, the Martha, and it is intended to use it exclusively for raising ore, and arrangements are being made so that a large output per day can be attained. The usual methods of raising the ore will be dispensed with, and a more up-to-date plant installed. The winding-engine is a direct-acting one, with two 30 in. cylinders and 6 ft. stroke, with automatic cut-off gear and other improved appliances. The winding-drums are 12 - 5 ft. diameter. Instead of the ordinary cage with truck for raising the ore, a large self-tipping oretruck and cage combined will be used. This will, it is claimed, be a labour-saving and economical system, and a greater amount of ore can be raised per shift. Arrangements are being made for a largo storage-hopper adjacent to the shaft at No. 7 level, into which the ore will be tipped as it comes from the miners ; here it will be weighed, &c. On the surface adjacent to the shaft there will be erected a large storage-bin, into which the ore as it is raised from the mine will be deposited and taken away as required for the mills. The mine was frequently inspected, and from time to time the manager's attention was directed to several matters providing for the safety of the men which had been overlooked, but were promptly rectified. I regret, however, to say that one accident happened in No. 2 shaft, whereby two men lost their lives through the neglect of the man in charge. The company are anxious to do anything within reason to prevent accidents, and, apart from the case mentioned, accidents are not greater than could be expected considering there are 1,465 men employed. The return for the year far exceeded the utmost expectations of those connected with the management, and the prospects for the future are brighter, whilst after continued steadily increasing outputs shareholders are beginning to realise that money is safely invested with most gratifying results, clearly instanced when the company was able to pay dividends to the extent of £347,134 18s. for the year, making a total of £2,271,752 14s. 6d. to the end of 1906. Waihi Grand Junction Gold Company (Limited). —The work pushed forward during the year was chiefly the sinking of winzes every 80 ft. along the Nos. 1 and 2 lodes; these were put down to water-level in each case, with the object of being met by rises to be put up from the No. 4 level when driven. The shaft was carried down to a depth of 811 ft., and the No. 4 crosscut level pushed ahead

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for a distance of 360 ft., in the course of which the No. 1 lode was intersected and driven on for a distance of 20 ft. both east and west on lode. In addition to the foregoing, a mullock-shaft was commenced at a point between the company's air-shaft and the electric-power station, and was carried down to a depth of about 50 ft. It is the intention to carry this shaft down about 130 ft. further to connect with No. 2 rise from the No. 2 level, which rise has been put up a distance of 300 ft. The following is a summary of work underground : Driving, 675 ft. ; sinking, 1,182 ft. ; rising, 550 ft.; crosscutting to prove lodes, 193 ft. During the year the company pushed ahead the erection of the fortystamp mill, and on the 20th August had the pleasure of letting the stamps fall for the first time. From that date crushing has been carried on with several slight stoppages not worth mentioning, and up to the end of the year recovered bullion to the value of £13,793, with an average of twenty-three stamps, the balance being idle owing to the filter-presses not being able to deal with more slimes. In January the company erected additional filter-presses, so that the forty stamps will soon be able to operate. Since crushing, however, it has been decided to add a concentrating plant to the present forty-stamp mill, and a plant consisting of ten concentrators has been ordered. This plant will arrive very shortly, when it will be installed with all speed, and it is considered will be most advantageous, as it will give a much higher extraction than hitherto. It is the company's intention to increase the crushing plant by the erection of another sixty head of stampers, and this plant is now on the ground. The erection of the new plant will be pushed ahead during the coming year. A new electric winding-engine has been installed for the purpose of winding in the shaft; but as it is not yet completed, no opportunity has been afforded of testing its value, but its winding-capacity will be about 1,200 tons from a depth of 2,000 ft. in twenty-four hours. The foregoing is the work carried out on the Junction section; but during the year the company acquired the Waihi Consols Company's properties, also the Waihi South, and on the Consols sections carried on the old upper and lower drives for some distance with a view to further prospecting that company's claims. Work was also commenced on the west section with a few men, and they are getting the shaft in thorough repair ready for working, and it is anticipated that further mining operations will be carried on there in the near future. During the year the company employed on the average 205 wages-men and thirty-three contractors per month. Waihi Extended Mine. —The operations carried out in the early part of the year were confined to driving on No. 2 lode at No. 3 level from the point of intersection to the Grand Junction boundary and workings, a distance of 200 ft. Since then three winzes have been sunk on the lode from this level, No. 1 having been sunk 142 ft., No. 225 ft., and No. 3to a depth of 50 ft. In sinking, the quartz assayed from time to time gave highly payable results. The main shaft has been sunk to a depth of 155 ft. below No. 3 level, and a chamber formed from which a drive is to be pushed on with all possible speed to connect with No. 1 winze, which when accomplished will give good ventilation to this part of the mine. As the shaft was extended in depth it was found that more power was required to raise the quartz, &c, out of the shaft, and to meet the case a 60-horse power multitubular boiler was installed, also an 8 in. double-cylinder steam-winch for sinking purposes. As depth is attained the prospects met with are said to be most encouraging, and the manager is hopeful that in time it will become a goldproducing and payable mine. Fifteen men were employed. Waihi Syndicate (Limited) (Waihi Consolidated). —The syndicate having an option over this property commenced sinking a prospecting-shaft in the last week of 1905. This shaft (11 ft. by 6 ft. in the clear) has up to 31st December, 1906, been sunk to a depth of 395 ft. From the surface down to 314 ft. the shaft was good sinking, being mainly in pumice sediment; from that point to present depth a stratum of boulders is being penetrated, which has retarded progress and gives a lot of water. Two 16 ft. by 6 ft. multitubular boilers have been installed, the last one in October, the pumping plant being a 5,000------gallons-an-hour Tangye in the bottom, and a 1,200-gallons-an-hour Worthington at 250 ft. lodgments. The winding-engine consists of a pair of 10 ft. cylinders, with 18 in. stroke, and is of ample power for extent of intended operations. The intention of the syndicate is to carry the shaft down to 800 ft. or over before opening out for crosscutting, provided ore is not struck in the sinking. The average number of men employed during the year was twenty-one. Walker's Gigantic Mine. —Work was commenced on this property towards the close of 1905, under the management of Mr. Alfred Newdick. A shaft 8 ft. by 8 ft. in the clear was started on the approximate strike of the Martha reef, the intention of the proprietor being to sink until favourable country was met with and then to crosscut for the reef. Eight men were employed sinking with hand-windlass, and a depth of 63 ft. was attained. At this point water was making so rapidly that it was thought advisable to drive a drainage adit to tap the shaft at about 120 ft. Work was then started on this and a distance of 300 ft. driven, when operations were suspended and protection sought pending the introduction of further capital. A further distance of 50 ft. is required to get under the shaft. A total of £800 was spent during the period under review, the greater portion being expended on wages. An average of three men were employed during the year. Waihi Beach United Mine. —During the year this company has vigorously continued driving on the reef, which has, unfortunately for them, proved of low-grade ore. As the drive was extended along the line of reef, samples were taken from time to time and assayed at the company's mine office, which, taken on the average, would be too low in value to work at a profit. It was hoped that as the reef was driven on better values would be met with. As the mine was opened up water from the country rock drained into the mine ; this proved troublesome, and for a time hindered the progress of development. The shaft has been renovated during the year and the bucket dispensed with and the much better system of cages installed. An average of twelve men were employed during the year. Katikati. The Eliza Claim. —This claim is owned by a syndicate of Waihi and Katikati workmen, who have for some time been carrying on prospecting. A few years ago this district was prospected and some

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rich stone found near the surface. On this company's claim a reef outcrops, and from the ore on the two walls some good prospects were obtained ; this gave them encouragement to put in a low level to cut the reef at a depth, which when cut unfortunately did not prove to be much improvement. The reef between the walls is about 3 ft. wide, but only a few inches on each wall carry values. The centre of the reef being mostly mullock, application for assistance to put in a lower level was made to the Mines Department and granted; but the company did not proceed with the low level, but continued the No. 1 level through the reef into the country for some distance without meeting with anything of value. Two men have been employed during the year. Owharoa. The Rising Sun Claim. —During the year this company has done a good deal of work in driving on the reef, and at several points along the line of reef good values have been met with. Nothing has been done in the way of stoping out on the reef, and I am not aware of any ore being sent away from the mine for treatment. The company has stuck well to this mine, and it is to be hoped that they will meet with something better in the coming year. An average of four men were employed during the year. There are two other parties prospecting in this district, but they have not discovered anything worth mentioning ; indeed, very little has been done by them during the year. Waitekauri. Waitekauri. —Very little has been done in this district during the year. Several parties have been prospecting, but nothing much has been done by the way of discovering any new reefs. Collins and party duiing the year crushed some picked stone for a return of £272 13s. 6d. This ore is from a small leader. A considerable amount of work has been done on this claim, and when last visited the mine was in good order, two men being employed. The New Waitekauri Gold-mining Company. —This is the ground formerly held by the Old Waitekauri Gold-mining Company, and known as the " Horn and Queen levels," and is now being worked by Pierce, Grace, and party, who have during the year been employed in clearing out and retimbering the various old levels, and a rise has also been commenced from the Horn level to connect with the upper or Queen level. Two men have been employed during the year. The company has purchased the Old Waitekauri Gold-mining Company's big battery, and intend to connect the mine and battery with an aerial tram-line, so that when this work is completed the work at the mine will be vigorously proceeded with, and it is hoped will prove a profitable venture. Maoriland. —During the year this company got its nine head of stamp battery completed, with an up-to-date cyanide plant attached. The mill is driven by water-power. The pipe which leads from the mill to thc ; dani is 750 ft. long and the head 150 ft; in an ordinary season there is a good supply of water. The mill is connected with the mine by an aerial tram-line and a short line of railway ,_ the aerial line being about 600 ft. long to the mine. Since commencing crushing at the mill 325 tons have been treated for a return of £382 15s. 3d. The work at the mine has been mostly stoping on the No. 4 and No. 1 reefs over the low level. No development-work has been done during the year, but it is the intention of the mine-manager to sink on the reef to prove its thickness and value below the present low level, and should the results prove favourable a new low level will be put in to prove the value and thickness of the reefs at a greater depth, about 300 ft. below the present workings. It is hoped that this new work when completed will prove of great value to the company. An average of sixteen men were employed by the company during the year. Huanui Gold-mining Company. —This claim has been held and worked by a syndicate men. It is situated on the eastern side of the Waitekauri Eange, between Komata and Waitekauri. The reefs are from 1 ft. to 2 ft. thick, and at times very encouraging prospects have been ; a good deal of development-work has been done to prove the value of the reefs at a depth. The No. 1 adit level was driven a distance of 500 ft. before the reef was cut, and the reef was then driven on for a considerable distance along the line of the lode, and then the No. 2 adit level was constructed and the reefs cut, the length of this drive being Gsoft., and the reef driven upon for a distance of 300 ft., and a connection made by a rise with the No. 1 adit level. A trial sample of several tons was sent away for treatment, and I understand the result was considered satisfactory. Early this year the No. 3 adit level was commenced, and after driving 735 ft. a reef was cut. It is intended to drive along the line of reef until a point immediately below a winze from the No. 2 level is reached, and then connect with that winze by a rise from the No. 3 level. A considerable quantity of water is coming from this low level out of a cross reef which has been cut. The mine when inspected was in good order, and two men are at present employed. Neiv Zealand Jubilee Mine. —This mine had five men employed for the greater part of the year, the operations being chiefly confined to prospecting at the low level; but as nothing important or of a payable nature had been discovered, all work is to be stopped for the present. Kaeangahake. Talisman Consolidated (Limited). —The work in this company's mine has been directed to driving and stoping between Nos. 8 and 13 levels. The No. 10 level south has been extended to a point 2,106 ft. from the main underlie shaft, which has proved the Dubbo rich ore-shoot continues to carry payable values down to this level. On No. 11 level in the Bonanza section a branch reef has been driven on for a distance of 300 ft., which has proved highly payable, and rising and sinking on this reef confirms the results found in driving, therefore this work has opened up large blocks of remunerative ore. At No. 12 level the south drive reached the rich ore-shoot in the Bonanza section of the mine early in

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the year, where it was found that the high values found in Nos. 10 and 11 levels were fully maintained at this level; in consequence, a large reserve of payable ore has been opened up. The No. 13 level was pushed ahead during the first part of the year; but owing to a larger quantity of water being met with than the pumping machinery could cope with, this drive had to be stopped until additional power was procured, which has now been done by a new Ingersoll Sergeant compound air-compressor having been installed at the Woodstock Battery to meet the requirement, and has done so admirably. The water was at once pumped out and the extension of the drive resumed. The country at this level has been more broken than at the other levels above, but no doubt as the work proceeds the country will improve. The following figures will show the development-work done during the year : Driving, 3,025 ft. ; rising, 1,241 ft. ; sinking winzes on reef, 302 ft. ; crosscutting, 1,352 ft. This company is to be congratulated on the success met with during the year, having treated 49,573 tons of ore for £152,011, which, after all expenses were paid, enabled the directors to pay to the shareholders the handsome sum of £60,000 in dividends. An average of 275 men were employed. New Zealand Crown Mines (Limited).— During the year the development-work undertaken at the mines consisted of the sinking of the main incline shaft, and a contract was let for sinking another 100 ft., and when completed the shaft will be 600 ft, below the Waitawheta tunnel level. This shaft is sunk in the foot-wail of the reefs, and at each level a crosscut has to be driven to intersect the lode. The shaft was sunk on the reef to a considerable depth, but as the reef took a different underlie it was deemed advisable not to follow it with the shaft, but to continue on the same grade as it had been carried down to No. 4 level, and in consequence the reef is a few feet in the hanging of the winze at the bottom. This with the sinking of the shaft is in a measure hindering the opening-up of the mine, as the developmentwork (sinking, &c.) on the reef is ahead of the shaft, which must add considerably to the cost of the ore produced. The work of opening up the mine on the reefs has been vigorously pushed on, and a contract has been let to sink a winze on the reef 240 ft. below the No. 5 level (No. 5 level is at present the deepest level). In this section of the mine at No. 4 level the reef has been driven on for some length, and the width of the reef and its values ascertained. Towards the end of the year an important discovery was made in the cutting of a reef in the southern extension of No. 5 level, which has proved to be over 5 ft. wide and highly payable. This is supposed to be the old Welcome reef worked on at and above No. 4 level, but enough work has not been done to prove this definitely. The New reef section (above the Waitawheta level) : The No. 1 rise has been extended in the reef to a height of 475 ft. ; the reef is only 1 ft. wide, with a value of £1 9s. 4d. per ton. No. 1 level has been driven north and south of the No. 1 rise, making a total length on the line of reef of 723 ft., with an average width of about 2 ft. and a value" of £1 10s. per ton. Early in the year some difficulty was experienced in getting sufficient ore from the mine to keep the mill going full time, but in the upper levels a little prospecting was done, with the result that several small ore-bodies were discovered of good values, and this with the ore from the other parts of the mine has kept the mill fully employed. The company's water-race on the Ohincmuri River has for some time been leaking and in much need of repairs. During the year a new bridge at the junction of the Ohinemuri and Waitawheta Rivers has been erected to carry the race over ; this is a good piece of work, and when the race along the banks of the Ohinemuri River, recently destroyed by the heavy floods, is restored and other sections repaired, the water-supply from this race will be available for use at the company's mill. During the year 22,000 tons of ore was treated for a return of £40,735. An average of 142 men were employed. The mine when last inspected was in good order. ' Comstock United Gold-mining Company.—ln the early part of the year a company was formed to raise capital to carry on further' development-work, and to enable this to be done a larger supply of fresh air had to be forced into the face of the low level, and to do this a small dam was constructed some distance up the small creek adjacent to the mine, and from the dam water-pipes were laid down to the mouth of the level, ] which conveys sufficient water to be used for a water-blast to force the quantity of air required through an 8 in. galvanised pipe, there being now abundance of air in the drive. The work carried on is chiefly development-work, and although it is said several reefs have been met carrying gold, yet no large parcels of ore have -been treated at the mill, and as the mine has been working for a number of years it is reasonable to expect some of the ore should be treated to prove its value. An average of seven men were employed. Te Akoha District. Hardy's Mines (Limited).—This company has done very little work during the year in the shape of development. The mine was protected for six months, and any work done by the six men employed was directed to breaking out what was considered payable ore that was in sight, amounting to 651 tons which when treated, gave a value of £532 11s. 9d., and this, together with the concentrates from 139 tons shipped to England, gave a total value of £1,859 7s. 6d. The bullion returns obtained from the quartz treated and the quantity obtained has proved very disappointing to the shareholders of the present company, which they were led to believe would be a payable concern if only a limited amount of capital was expended in opening up the mine. Komata District. Komata Reefs Mine.—The chief work carried out during the year was driving north on No. 2 reef at No 8 level, but this did not open out as well as expected, being small and of little value. A crosscut was driven at No. 8 level from No. 2 reef to intersect No. 1 reef ; this was also disappointing, as the quartz treated proved to be of little value. A quartz pass has been completed from No. Bto No. 4 level which was much required to give better facilities for passing the quartz down and saving handling. The No. 2 reef at No. 4 level was driven on for some considerable distance, the quartz obtained from here in places being highly payable, but in places there were blanks where it was rather poor.

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The No. 1 reef at this fevel varied from 10 ft. to 14 ft. in width and produced good payable ore. In driving north on Nos. 1 and 2 reefs at No. 3 level the reefs maintained their usual thickness, from which a considerable quantity of payable ore was obtained. Stoping operations were carried on over the back of the levels named on the Nos. 1 and 2 reefs, and from here the greater bulk of quartz treated was obtained. Further additions have been made to the crushing plant so as to bring its capacity to 100 tons per day. The additions consist of al6 ft. by 4 ft. tube mill, four new tall slime air agitation tanks, and a Tangye 14|- in. by 28 in. horizontal engine. The company's operations from a financial point of view were not as successful as the preceding year, but this can be accounted for by the cost of additions to the plant and minor details, also the country rock at the No. 8 level is much harder than at the upper levels ; this means increased cost in the production of the ore. 20,490 tons of 2,000 lb. was treated for a value of £45,448 9s. Bd., and an average of 160 men were employed. Hikutaia District. New Maratoto Mine. —During the year very little active mining was carried on, the work consisting chiefly of prospecting, hence no quartz was treated by the battery. In the early part of the year the company bought the Waitekauri Extended battery of forty stamps, with cyanide plant attached, deeming the old battery too light and small to treat the ore satisfactorily. An aerial tram has been erected to convey the quartz from the mine to the new mill, a distance of 60 chains. During the coming year it is the company's intention to carry on operations on a large scale by working both the Maratoto and Payrock reefs, and by this means endeavour to place the mine on the list as a dividend-payer. Six men were employed. Silver Stream Mine. —This mine, which comprises 100 acres, was worked by two men, Young and Booth, who stoped out a leader on the side of the branch creek above the Waitekauri Extended mill. The quartz was of unusual quality, and different from other lodes in the district (carrying silver mostly). A quantity was shipped and treated in England for a value of £103. Omahu District. Omahu Mines (Limited). —When the ten-stamp mill with cyanide plant, which were in the course of erection in the latter end of the previous year, were completed, crushing operations were commenced, but proved very disappointing to the shareholders, as by the assay tests they were led to believe it would be a payable concern. After treating 758 tons of the ore for a value of £442 Bs. 8d. —an unremunerative return —the mine and plant were closed down. Twelve men were employed in the early part of the year. Pubiri District. Miners' Right Claim. —This claim comprises 60 acres, and is held by John Mclnnes and was worked by two men. During the year the work was directed to the various small veins that outcrop on the side of the hill above the Hit or Miss battery, from which 23 tons was treated for a return of 64 oz. 14 dwt. of gold ; value, £174 Bs. Bd. Champion Mines (Limited). —This property comprises 205 acres, and is situated on the face of the hill about three miles above the Miners' Right claim. The work during the year was confined to prospecting and driving what is termed a low level to intersect the reef about 100 ft. lower than where it was driven through in the upper levels. Should it be found to be as good as in several other places tried, the company intends erecting a small crushing plant to treat the ore, which will be conveyed from the mine to the mill over an aerial tram-line. The construction of the county road leading to the proposed battery-site is well advanced, but no preparations are yet being made as to the excavation of a battery-site ; this is to be regretted, as the machinery should be got on the ground during the dry season. Six men were employed. Kerikeri. Kerikeri Mine. —The operations in the mine have been confined to driving and stoping at the low level. The drive on the Horse-shoe reef has been driven for a distance of 400 ft., carrying gold, its average width being 14 in. The leading stope over the level has been carried along 46 ft., and the second stope has been advanced 12 ft. The width of the reef here is about 2 ft., gold being freely seen in the quartz in breaking it down, and 5 lb. of picked stone was selected. The country rock on each side of the reef is all that could be desired for gold, and the manager is hopeful of making the mine a payable concern, the greatest drawback being the shortness of water during the dry weather, there not being sufficient for the mill. A five-stamp battery with two berdans, together with other necessary appliances for the treatment of free milling ore, have been erected. Two wire tram-lines have been constructed to convey the ore from the mine to the mill; one is 1,525 ft. in length and the other 870 ft. There are no returns yet to hand. Six men employed. East Coast Mines. Auckland (Mananu). —This mine was considered to be what is termed " worked out " by a former company ; therefore it is pleasing to see that by the changes in the management the present company has been able to obtain sufficient gold to pay all expenses incurred in breaking and the treatment of the ore, besides doing a considerable amount of prospecting and opening up new ground at the lower levels. 1,545 tons of ore was treated during the year for a value of £5,230 7s. 4d. Six men were employed. Waimanqu Mine. —A good deal of prospecting was done in opening up the reef in this mine, but as sufficient gold was not obtained to warrant the erection of a battery it was decided to cease operations and wind up the company, which is being^carried^out.

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Taihoa {late Chdmsford Gold-mining Company).—Mining operations on this -property were resumed in June, and consisted in prospecting on the surface and underground. Several trial crosscuts, drives, and winzes were put in, and the low level repaired and extended 115 ft. The results so far have been considered satisfactory, and a contract is to be let.to rise from the low level to connect with a winze sunk from the level above the distance being risen, approximately 150 ft. Two men were employed. Golden Belt. A large amount of work has been done on what is termed the main reef above the low level, and some of the reef was stoped out between the level named and No. 2 (or road level); but as the ore from here proved disappointing, operations were directed towards opening up the reef at No 2 level, which was extended with favourable results, and a large block of ground over these levels is being stoped out. The forty-stamp mill has not been kept fully employed, but when the mine is further opened up it is expected that sufficient quartz will be obtained to keep the mill crushing. 2,466 tons of ore was treated, valued at £5,590 9s. 6d. An average of twenty-four men were employed. Tairua Broken Hills.— The company's attention in the early part of the year was directed to driving and stoping on the Blucher, Night, and Punon reefs, both above and below the mam-adit level, where a large amount of high-grade ore was obtained. But when the payable ore on those reefs became exhausted it was found necessary to extend the drives on the reefs at the adit level, and crosscut into the foot-wall of those lodes to make new discoveries. In so doing an important find, lam informed, was made in the shape of a new reef, which it is considered will be highly payable, as good assays have been obtained from the quartz tried from the reef as the drive has been advanced on it; therefore the prospects of the mine are more encouraging than they have been for some time past. 2,571 tons of ore was treated, yielding gold to the value of £7,603 4s. 2d. An average of forty men were employed. Coronation Claim.—The operations in this mine were confined to driving a low level from the bed of the Tairua River under a low-lying piece of land. The drive was put in over 200 ft., but as nothing _was met with to induce the shareholders to proceed further with the drive it was stopped. Two men were employed. Tairua Triumph (late Taniwha).— This ground has again been taken up and work commenced in the mine. In the latter part of :the year a crushing of 1 ton was treated for 25 oz. 10 dwt. ; value, £70 15s. 3d. The present owners are sanguine that it will, when further opened up, be a payable concern. Gumtown. Kapowai and Golden Reefs Mines.—Prospecting operations were carried on steadily with two men in the Golden Reefs section of the mine. In one of the drives a body of ore was met with carrying gold, and energetic prospecting was pushed on in the Kapowai section, which was owned by Mr. O'Connor ; but latterly an Auckland syndicate purchased this mine, amalgamating the two, and forming them into a company now known as the Kapowai Gold-mining Company. The company is now confining the operations to the Kapowai section by driving a new low level, which will give 130 ft. of backs from this level to the one above. The other levels which were in progress at the time of the formation of the company are also to be pushed ahead, with the intention of prospecting and opening up the mine. 700 tons of ore was treated from the Kapowai section for a value of £1,125 ss. 3d. Twelve men were employed. Thames Disteict. Waiotahi Mine.—During the past twelve months the operations in this mine have been directed to driving and stoping on the main, the foot-wall, and Cure reefs, all of which produced very rich ore. Vigorous prospecting was carried on in the shape of driving on any leader or body of quartz met with, whether gold was seen or not, and crosscuts were driven into the walls of the reefs at the different levels with a view to making fresh discoveries, and met with a fair amount of success. At No. 6 level all the reefs mentioned have been driven on for a considerable distance, and large payable blocks of ground opened up ready for stoping. At No. 5 level similar work is being done as that at No. 6 level, but in the stopes between this level and No. 4 level a large quantity of very rich ore has been obtained, which has been the means of greatly increasing the output of gold. At No. 4 level a fair amount of driving has been done from the stopes. Over the back of this level a large quantity of payable ore was produced. The Mary Ann shaft has been sunk from No. 4 to No. 6 level, and connections made with the various workings put in from the main shaft. When this connection was made it gave good ventilation, also better facilities for handling the quartz and trucking it direct from here to the company's mill. Additions have been made to the crushing plant. A cyanide plant has been erected, consisting of four vats and agitators for the treatment of the slimes, which are doing excellent work. An average extraction of 95 per cent, is said to have been obtained, and more vats arc; being erected. The Old Waiotahi battery has been thoroughly overhauled by taking out the old bed-logs and uprights and replacing them with new ones, thereby making an important improvement. The prospects of the company continue to be exceedingly encouraging, and shareholders are looking forward to dividends being paid for some considerable time to come. 18,002 tons of ore was treated at the company's mills for the excellent return of 82,640 oz. of gold, for a value of £223,678 4s. 3d., of which £180,000 was paid in dividends to the shareholders. An average of 155 men were employed. Kuranui-Caledonian Mine.— Work has principally been confined to testing the Cambria Nos. 4 and 6 Cure reefs; the former has now been proved to be identical with what is known in the adjoining mine as the " Waiotahi main reef," and from which splendid results are still being obtained. A considerable amount of work has-been done by means of driving, rising, and sinking, and although at different points this quartz contained a very favourable class of mineral, amongst which strong colours of coarse gold could be seen, this especially applies to a drive driven from the bottom of a winze sunk to a depth of 50 ft. below No. 4 level, which is the lowest level, and would represent a depth of 450 ft.

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below the collar of the Old Pump shaft. On the Cure No. 4 a distance of 300 ft. was driven, but the reef was very irregular and the country disturbed, consequently no gold was seen ; however, in the Cure No. 6 reef, in a winze sunk on the boundary, gold was carried down to a depth of 75 ft., also in a drive driven from the bottom of this winze for a distance of 80 ft. This is just about the depth the pump is draining this mine, therefore sinking could not be continued. The quartz won from this lode yielded 4| oz. to the load. A drive has also been recently started on the Specimen leader between Nos. 2 and 3 levels, underneath the point where the famous Caledonian patch was discovered in 1871 ; so far the indications met with are of a favourable character. From the above it will be seen the best results have been obtained from the winzes sunk below. Under this level it is all virgin ground ; consequently the directors are most anxious to try the lower levels, for which purpose they are conserving the funds, only sufficient men being employed to comply with the labour conditions as set down in the Mining Act. During the year 37 tons of quartz was treated, for a yield of 139 oz. 12 dwt., valued at £401 75., whilst an average of sixteen men were employed. Moanataiari. —The work carried on in this mine during the past year has been solely of a prospecting character. The main drive or south crosscut at the 400 ft. level was continued, and is now in a distance of 700 ft. from the foot-wall of the Cambria reef, and a total distance of 1,640 ft. from the main winding shaft. The country passed through is all mild sandstone, but no solid quartz of any kind was intersected. The crosscut will probably be further extended, with the hope of meeting the eastern continuation of the lode system from the Waiotahi and Victoria Mines. A winze on the Cambria reef was sunk to a depth of 100 ft. below No. 3 level; in this work it was hoped the downward continuation of the rich mineral ore-shoot worked so successfully on and below the level would be picked up. So far nothing of importance has been found, although gold has been seen in the solid stone, and from small veins of quartz on the hanging-wall a few pounds of picked stone has been secured, showing the existence of the precious metal even at this depth, 750 ft. below the surface. Direct communication has been obtained through the upper workings with the Cambria shaft, thus securing thorough ventilation for the further development of that section of the mine when capital is obtained. There has been no ore treated by the company during the year, but the tributers have mined and crushed 43J tons for the return of 86 oz. 3 dwt.; value, £233 18s. 4d. During the year twelve men were employed. Old Alburnia. —The work in this mine has been confined to extending the Moanataiari main tunnel, and a distance of 680 ft. has been driven, making the total distance from the starting-point driven by the present company 2,107 ft. During the year a reef 4 ft. in thickness was intersected and driven on 16 ft. on the right-hand side of the tunnel, but it proved to be of very low value and work was discontinued on it. Two other small formations of quartz and clay mixed were passed through, but nothing of any importance has been discovered yet. The tunnel is still being continued in the same direction with a view to intersecting the Alburnia and other reefs that traverse through this part of the property, and from which a large amount of gold was obtained in the upper levels. The company treated for the year 134J tons, for a yield of 350 oz., valued at £899 3s. sd. The average number of men employed during the year was ten wages-men and fifteen tributers. Kuranui Mine. —The principal operations carried out in this mine during the past year have been the connecting of the top workings with the battery through the Teutonic level and testing some of the reefs east of the main slide, also prospecting some of the leaders at the battery-level. So far the results of the crushings taken from the reefs east of the slide have not proved payable, although a good deal of fine gold was seen in the stone when breaking it out, yet assays made of the ore when going through the mill proved that there is very little weight or value in this fine showy gold. Latterly the operations have been confined to prospecting at the battery-level on what is known as Barry's leader, but so far no payable ore has come to hand, although the leader looks promising in places and is in a very good channel of country. The other work in hand is prospecting a leader north-east of the Shotover shaft, not far from where Hunt and party obtained their rich patch of gold. The company has now got the battery in working-order and is trying some of the old stopes and surface dirt, as some of these old stopes have proved payable in the past. Summary of work done during the year : Total distance driven on leaders and reefs, 275 ft. ; crosscutting, 278 ft. ; rising and sinking, 214 ft. ; and about 70 fathoms of stoping. The company treated for the year 140 tons 2 qr. 4 lb. of ore, for a yield of 32 oz. 16 dwt. ; value, £87 3s. 9d. Victoria Mine. —The principal work done during the year has been the extension of the crosscut at No. 4 level for the purpose of intersecting the various reefs worked with such great success in the Waiotahi Company's mine at the levels above, but unfortunately for this company no reefs of a payable character have been met with in this drive, which was driven a total distance of 1,100 ft. from what was formerly known as the Prince Imperial shaft. Driving and rising were carried on on Nos. 1, 2, 5, 6 reefs without success, and development-work is still proceeding with a view to finding a new shoot of payable ore, the work at present being chiefly confined to the No. 1 reef at No. 4 level. Communication was effected with this No. 4 level and the No. 3 level in the Tookey shaft, which has given excellent ventilation and also made an outlet should it be required. At No. 3 level stoping was done on the Victoria reef west of the crosscut, but after a considerable amount of work had been done nothing payable was found and operations at this part were suspended. In stoping on the No. 1 Victoria reef above and below the intermediate level a fair amount of highly payable quartz was obtained. A total of 175 tons of quartz was treated for 252 oz. 12 dwt. of gold ; value, £706 6s. Bd. An average of thirteen men were employed. Thames Gold-mining Comfany (formerly Fame and Fortune and Nonpareil). —The operations in this company's mine were first directed to opening the various reefs and leaders from the Moanataiari main tunnel. Some years ago a crosscut drive was put in 300 ft. from the tunnel towards the Nonpareil, where a large reef was intersected, and the first work after taking over the above-named mines

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was driving east and west from the cross-cut on the large reef for a distance of 200 ft., but as the quartz was low-grade ore, with no appearance of improvement, work here was discontinued. A start was then made to open out and drive on a leader 90 ft. west of the big reef, which was driven on 52 ft. north and 126 ft. south, also a rise was put up on it to a height of 73 ft., and for the first 50 ft. the prospects met with were most encouraging, as some rich assays were obtained from the stone broken out here from day to day ; but in stoping out the block from this rise the rich ore as met with in the rise could not be found. This proved very disappointing, and as the quartz broken out was not of a payable character the work here was suspended. The extension of crosscut towards the Nonpareil section was then started, and has now been driven a total distance of 289 ft., and nothing yet of importance has been discovered. During the year 230 tons of material was operated on, yielding 69 oz. 9 dwt., for a value of £203 12s. Fourteen men were employed. New Saxon. —The work in this company's mine has been chiefly directed to the Cardigan section of the mine, where two winzes were sunk on the No. 1 reef from No. 4 level to a depth of 40 ft., where drives were put in on the reef named'; then the reef was stoped out from those drives up to No. 4 level. The ore obtained from those blocks was high-grade ore, but the quantity was only very limited ; 295J tons was treated for 406 oz. 12 dwt. ; value, £1,185 9s. There is a block of ground on this reef over the back of No. 4 level which is said to be intact up to No. 2 level, and this is now being operated on with a fair amount of success. The company contemplates directing development operations to the deep levels with a view to proving and opening up the untried ground, which, in the event of payable gold being found, will considerably enhance the value of their property. An average of nine men were employed. New May Queen. —During the year work has been principally confined to opening up the No. 6 level on No. 4 lode, north-west lode, and a branch leader in the foot-wall of No. 4 lode, and stoping on the same. The No. 4 lode has been driven upon for a distance of about 356 ft., and has averaged a width of from 12 in. to 18 in., the quartz being of good grade, and frequently yielded picked stone. Stoping is proceeding in this block, and a height of about 65 ft. has now been worked out. The northwest lode has been driven upon for about 175 ft., and a block of about 25 ft. high has been stoped out upon it, the lode averaging in width from 3 ft. to 7 ft. It is a well-defined body of quartz, and frequently shows strong colours of gold. The branch leader striking into the foot-wall of No. 4 lode has been driven upon for about 150 ft. The leader varies in width from 4 in. to 8 in., and frequently yields some very good picked stone. The block on this leader is stoped out to a height of about 50 ft. As far as the company has gone the richest ore was obtained from the drive and leading stope. From the first crushing of 156 loads of general quartz and 200 lb. of picked stone from No. 4 lode a return of over £1,800 was obtained : this looks well for the bottom blocks. Prospecting has also been carried on at No. 5 level. A crosscut has been put in for a distance of about 330 ft. for the purpose of intersecting the St. Hippo lode and other lodes that are now being worked by the Southern Queen Company. The distance yet to drive to reach the St. Hippo lode will be about 220 ft., and the vertical height to the surface about 600 ft. The prospects of the gold continuing down are most encouraging, as the gold obtained at the present low level in the company's mine is the deepest payable gold that has yet been found in the mines in this part of the goldfield. This has given renewed confidence, which is to be hoped will encourage the various parties interested in and around the Grahamstown Flat to exert their utmost influence in promoting some scheme for the development of the deep levels, which in all likelihood may prove advantageous to all the companies concerned. During the year 3,333 tons 9 cwt. 6 lb. of material was treated for a return of 3,769 oz. 7 dwt.; value, £10,715 os. 2d. The average number of men employed was thirty-nine. Vanguard Gold-mining Company. —In taking over the Deep Sinker machinery, shaft, and drive a large expense was necessarily incurred in putting the machinery, shaft, &c, in a fit state of repair to enable the work of extending the drive at the low level to be carried out. When the water was baled out to the low level the north drive was cleaned out and repaired, and a tram-line laid in for a distance of 1,310 ft., and from the face of this drive a contract was let to extend the crosscut, which was driven a distance of 800 ft., or a total distance of 2,110 ft. from the shaft. Several leaders were cut through, varying from 6 in. to 10 ft., and some of.the quartz carried excellent mineral, but no gold was seen in breaking it out. The Moanataiari main slide was cut at the end of the 800 ft. in the drive mentioned, where a heavy flow of water burst in. After pumping and baling for a time it was found that the water was more than the engine could cope with, and all work had to be abandoned in this part of the mine for the time being. The company then decided to sink a shaft on the northern end of their property, alongside the Karaka Road, and when this shaft attained a depth of 40 ft. water was met with, and to cope with it the winding-engine, &c, of the Eclipse Company's mine was purchased, and is now being erected. An average of nine men were employed. Trafalgar Mine. —During the year all operations in this mine were confined to the development of the reefs discovered on the surface in the early part of the year. A level was put in to intersect the ore-body known as the Shamrock reef at a vertical depth of 90 ft. from the outcrop, and the reef where met with at a distance of 120 ft. from the mouth of the tunnel proved to be a well-defined body of quartz, varying from 3 ft. to 5 ft. in width, the stone being well mineralised, and showed nice blotches of coarse gold occasionally. After driving about 50 ft. on the eastern trend of the reef some very fair ore was met with, and, as it appeared to improve towards the floor of the level, it was decided to test its value downwards by sinking a winze on its underlie. This work was carried on till a depth of 30 ft. was attained, when a heavy influx of water was met with, and operations had to be suspended. Since ceasing operations in the above-mentioned winze, a low level has been put in at a further depth of 132 ft. vertical from the named level, and a reef about 2 ft. in width followed along its course for a distance of 200 ft., when a deviation from the mouth of the level was made to the eastward with the object of inter-

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sectmg the reef carried down in the winze, and after driving a further distance of 120 ft. the reef'was met with, and has up to the present time been driven on for a distance of 30 ft. The reef at this level maintained its width, being in the face at the present time fully 5 ft. wide, and although no gold has been seen in the quartz at this point yet it looks promising. A crosscut has recently been put in at the low level to open up a block of ground on the Empire lode, and has been cut at a depth of 50 ft. below its outcrop, and being driven on its course to get to a point directly under the place where assays from £4 to £9 were obtained. The reef in the face of the level at the present time is a compact body of solid quartz, about 2 ft. in width, the stone being highly mineralised, and looking very promising. An average of five men were employed during the year. New Una. —In the early part of the year operations were confined to the Loyalty, German, and McKenzie's leaders at the low level, from which 123 tons of quartz was treated for 21 oz. 5 dwt. of gold ; value, £58 14s. As this was not sufficient to pay, work here was abandoned for the time being. The company then directed its attention to driving a surface level to intersect what is known as the Duke's reef, which was worked in former years with satisfactory results. This drive is now in 270 ft., and another 230 ft. of driving, it is said, will reach the reef. There are other reefs in which payable gold was obtained on the outcrop; these will be met with as the drive proceeds. An average of four men were employed. New May Queen Extended. —As the work on the various leaders above the main adit did not prove payable, operations were directed to opening up the mine at the 100 ft. level of the company's shaft, and as the water had to be contended with here, an oil-engine was purchased, and erected in a chamber in the adit level at the shaft. The engine is capable of meeting the requirements of both pumping and winding. The shaft and No. 1 level being in a bad state of repair cost a considerable sum of money to put them in working-order, and in consequence little has yet been done on the reefs formerly worked, in which, it is said, good results were obtained. The shareholders are sanguine that payable gold will be met with to pay for the outlay. An average of seven men were employed. New Dart. —The works in this company's mine have been chiefly confined to the extension of the adit low level, which is now connected with the old workings formerly worked from what is known as the Dart shaft. As the water has now been drained off to this level, the operations are now directed to repairing the drives, with a view to opening up the leaders and reefs that are said to contain payable gold. The tributers crushed 3 tons of quartz for 14 oz. 15 dwt. of gold; value, £41 6s. An average of seven men were employed. Occidental. —Work in this mine is directed to driving an intermediate level above the main-adit level, with the object of cutting the reef successfully worked by a previous company from the low level. The country rock passed through in this drive -has been of a very hard nature, and consequently the progress made has been slow. During the year four men were employed. Lord Nelson and North Star. —The work in this mine has not been confined to any particular'kader, but to breaking out quartz from the various reefs on the outcrops which traverse the property, and, considering the quantity of ore treated, the results should be highly satisfactory. Thirty loads were treated for a yield of 76 oz. 17 dwt. of gold; value, £212 lis. 3d. Two men were employed. Summer Hill Claim. —This party has done a considerable amount of work in the shape of driving and stoping on small leaders, and has met with a fair amount of success. Although the quantity of ore treated is small, yet 1 cwt. 1 qr. 11 lb. treated gave a return of 89 oz. 7 dwt. of gold ; value, £213 4s. Bd. For the year two men were employed. Daisy Mine. —This is a portion of what was formerly the Anchor Mine. The work during the year was directed to driving a crosscut to intersect a leader that was worked with success in the upper levels. When the leader was met with in the drive, good specimens were obtained, which correspond with the rich shoot of ore worked in the levels above. The backs over this level are limited, but the gold obtained has paid handsomely for the amount of work done in opening up the mine. 2 cwt. 1 qr. 10 lb. of stone yielded 132 oz. 12 dwt. of gold, for a value of £318 4s. Bd. During the year an average of two men were employed. Weymouth. —This is a claim which has been held by Wallis Bros, for a number of years, who have continued working on some of the small leaders on the surface level, and at times with a fair amount of success. During the past year 49 lb. of specimen stone was treated for 32 oz. 12 dwt. of gold; value, £76 16s. Bd. Two men employed. Reliance. —This is a claim lately taken up, and from which a ton of ore was treated for a yield of 11 oz. 5 dwt. of gold, for a value of £25 lis. lOd. Claremont. —This is a claim of one man's ground held by George Bryant for a number of years. When last inspected there were no indications to show that any work had been done on the mine for some considerable time past, yet by the returns from his crushing plant 3 cwt. 14 lb. of stone had been treated from his claim for the large yield of 367 oz. 9 dwt. of gold, for a value of £987 2s. One man was employed. Arrindell. —This mine is held by an English syndicate, who have expended a large amount of money in the development of the property and the erection of a crushing plant. It is to be regretted that they have met with little encouragement. 13 tons 10 cwt. of ore was treated during the year for the return of 12 oz. 10 dwt. of gold; value, £36 10s. 6d. Four men were employed. Southern Queen. —This mine is situated on the Collarbone Spur, and formerly known as the Karaka Mines. The present company has opened up the mine from the levels put in from the side of the hill by previous companies and has met with a fair amount of success. The operations have been chiefly confined to dr.ving and stoping on the Blue reef and small leaders striking into the hanging-wall, from which forty-seven loads of quartz were broken out and treated for 118 oz. 14 dwt. of gold, for a value of £325 12s. 3d. The company contemplates extending the Atlantic low level for the purpose of open-

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ing up the block of ground under the present workings, and "should this prove as good as anticipated it will considerably enhance the value of the property. Six men were employed. Highlander. —This mine has only been worked for a short time, the owner's attention being directed to fossicking on small leaders on the surface, and judging by the returns obtained he has met with good results, having treated 68 lb. of stone for 22 oz. 14 dwt. of gold; value, £54 9s. 7d. Ballarat. —This claim is owned by Mr. Britt, who has held it for a number of years. The claim was under protection for six months, and, unfortunately, the owner found very little gold during the other six months of the year. Seven loads were treated for a yield of 10 oz. 7 dwt. ; value, £29 3s. 9d. West Coast. —There is little new to report from this mine, the work being confined to trying small leaders cut through in the intermediate level. 10 tons yielded 8 oz. 12 dwt. of gold ; value, £21 10s. Golden Drop. —This mine has been worked by one man, who extended a low level to intersect a leader worked in the upper levels with payable results, but after driving on it for some distance he did not succeed in rinding sufficient gold to pay him for the outlay incurred in opening up this level. 3 tons was broken out and treated for 7 oz. of gold ; value, £18 11s. Moanataiari Extended. —Since commencing operations a distance of 300 ft. has been driven on what is known as the Moanataiari Cross reef from the Point Russell level, and, although favourable indications were met with, nothing of a payable character was disclosed. A crosscut was then driven for a distance of 660 ft. through very tight country for the purpose of testing a large reef worked in the upper levels with satisfactory results ; when this lode was intersected the quartz had a very promising appearance, but after driving 70 ft. upon it very hard ground was again encountered, and the ventilation being unfit for men to work in, it was decided to try a large reef found outcropping on the surface. Up to date, a distance of 258 ft. has been opened up, and this lode will average fully 10 ft. thick. From time to time strong colours of gold have been seen in the quartz, and as this reef is heading to where a considerable amount of gold was taken out in the early days of this goldfield, there is every reason to believe that a payable block of ground will be opened up in the drive now being extended in this direction. During the year the average number of men employed was four. Mascotte Mine, Otanui. —The owners of this mine erected an oil-engine to pump the water and hoist the stuff out of the shaft, which has been enlarged down to a depth of 50 ft., and from the depth named the shaft is being sunk a further depth of 50 ft., where another level is to be opened out. The prospects met with in sinking have been encouraging, as the country is all that can be desired. A little gold was obtained in one of the leaders cut through in sinking. An average of three men were employed. Day Dawn and Norfolk Mines (Limited), Tararu Creek. —There has been very little work done in this mine during the year ; it has lately been reconstructed, and the name changed in the early part of the year. 182 tons 20 lb. of ore was treated for 76 oz. 5 dwt. of gold ; value, £170 14s. Bd. An average of four men were employed. Neiv Eclipse. — : Very little work was done on this mine during the past year. A party of tributers worked it for a time, and after treating a parcel of 2 tons for 1 oz. 3 dwt. of gold, valued at £3 2s. Id., operations were stopped, as this yield was not sufficient to encourage their proceeding further. Two men were employed. Waitangi Mine, Shellback Creek. —The first work undertaken was directed to extending the No. 2 level on the reef for a distance of 180 ft.; a crosscut was then driven through the reef to the foot-wall, where it was found to be 24 ft. in width. The prospects met with are said to have exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the company ; consequently this drive on the reef, which was very crooked, was straightened, and a low level commenced with the object of cutting the reef, which will give 125 ft. of backs to the No. 2 level. The low level will be connected with No. 2 level by a winze, where the quartz will be put down and trucked direct to the hopper at the road-level, and from here the quartz will be carted to the battery. A level to be known as No. 3 level has been commenced 100 ft. above No. 2 level, and from here to the surface there will be 120 ft. of backs on the reef. Samples of ore assayed from the reef as it was driven on at No. 2 level have, I am informed, given assay values of about £3 per ton, which is considered will pay handsomely when the mine is opened up. Six men were employed. Sylvia. —This company has continuously carried on operations during the year. In the early part work was directed to driving on the reef from a winze immediately under the rich shoot of ore worked by a former company. The prospects met with were most encouraging ; but as all the stuff had to be hoisted out of the winze and trucked about 1,000 ft., and water had also to be contended with, the company decided to drive a low level, which will give 100 ft. of backs on the reef. This drive was in a distance of 300 ft. at the end of the year. Six men were employed. The Bonanza and Watchman have lately been formed into companies to work the ground in the neighbourhood of the Waitangi, but the amount of work done on these mines at the end of the year was very limited. Monowai Mine, Waiomo. —The company's operations have been confined to extending the low level on the course of the large reef for the purpose of prospecting or discovering any payable shoots of ore, also with a view to connecting with the winze sunk to a depth of 60 ft. on a rich run of ore by the previous company. This work has now been accomplished, and has opened up a block of ground of 180 ft. between the two levels, and as a rich run of ore passed through in the low level 800 ft. outside of the winze named, the prospects may be considered highly encouraging. The crushing plant has been thoroughly overhauled, and tenders called for the carting of 600 tons from the mine to the battery; should the ore when treated give anything like as high a percentage of bullion as that obtained by assays, a large number of men will be employed in the mine and mill, to the mutual benefit of the shareholders. Nine men were employed. Waiotahi East, Karaka. —The principal work done in this mine was directed to extending the No. 2 level a distance of 240 ft. As the country passed through was of a favourable description, it was

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fully expected that gold would be found in the reef in payable quantities, but this proved disappointing. Then a rise was put up on the reef to No. lWevel to a height of 35 ft., which gave excellent ventilation, but very little gold was seen in breaking out the quartz. There were also some stoping and driving done at No. 2 level, but as nothing of an encouraging nature was met with the mine was closed down at the end of the year. Two men were employed. Magnet (Thames Talisman). —This company's operations have been directed to the extension of the low level, which is now in a total distance of 1,300 ft. This level is being put in for the purpose of intersecting the Grand Trunk and other reefs in which rich gold is said to have been obtained in some of the upper levels in the early days of the goldfield. Six men were employed. Halcyon. —This company was formed for the purpose of working this ground, which has been lying idle for a number of years. The first work undertaken was that of repairing the low level driven from the level of the Karaka Creek, a distance of 350 ft., which has since been driven a distance of 50 ft., where the Halcyon reef was met with and driven on for 180 ft. The ventilation not being good, a winze was put down on the reef to a depth of 42 ft. to connect with the drive ; unfortunately, it was found that the winze had been sunk to a point 140 ft. from the face of the drive, and before a connection could be made it was found necessary to put in pipes to drive the air in to enable this work to be completed. Gold has been frequently seen in breaking out the quartz in sinking and driving on the reef, and the manager is sanguine that a block of ground has been opened up which will pay to stope out. Four men were employed. Mahara Royal. —In the early part of the year work was directed to stoping out a portion of the Royal reef over the back of the low level and driving on the course of the reef, and crosscuts were also put in with a view to discover shoots of payable ore hitherto unworked, but not meeting with encouraging prospects the mine was stopped for the present. 225 tons of ore was treated for 117 oz. 19 dwt., for a value of £288 2s. Id. COROMANDEL DISTRICT. Old Hauraki Mine. —During the year the work in this mine has been principally done by tributers ; but, unfortunately, the returns have been low and discouraging. From 19 tons of ore treated, £334 10s. 9d. was obtained. In the early part of the year ten men were employed, but towards the close of the year only three men were at work. At the close of the previous year (1905) it appeared that the negotiations for the amalgamation of this claim and the Bunker's Hill Claim would be effected, and that the unwatering of the mines would be undertaken, and this would allow the deep levels to be opened and further prospecting done at a greater depth. But, unfortunately, the hopedfor amalgamation has not yet been arranged—most unfortunate for the district, for, whatever may be said to the contrary, the draining of the Old Hauraki Mine materially affects the whole group of mines, and unless some arrangement is come to amongst the claimholders for the drainage of the field, little can be done in any of the mines. For the year an average of eight men were employed. New Bunker's Hill Mine. —For the past twelve months work .consisted of driving and stoping in the adit level on the seaward side of the property, whilst the low level has been extended 284 ft., and a connection with the shaft workings effected, which has greatly improved the ventilation and assisted in the prospecting of the many small leaders intersected by the main level; but, although a great amount of work has been done on these quartz veins in rising and stoping, the results have been very unsatisfactory. The area of this claim is a little over 3 acres, so that surface prospecting is confined to this small area, and unless the mine is unwatered so as to allow prospecting at the low levels, I am afraid the future prospects are not any brighter than the year just closed. Four men were employed for the year. Hauraki Freeholds Mine. —During the year application was made for protection, which was granted, and the mine absolutely closed down. Near the end of the year the surface section of the mine was thrown open to tributers, and a small parcel of ore treated for a return of £29 9s. 6d. This company, like the Old Hauraki and Bunker's Hill Mines, are not able to do any work in their low levels owing to the influx of water, and until these mines are unwatered and the low levels developed, nothing of any value to the companies can be discovered ; so, therefore, it will be seen that unless a combined effort is made by these mines, the further development of the industry in this district will be seriously hindered. Success Mine. —The work done in this mine has been principally in the old workings—viz., timbering, &c. Some stoping has been done on James's east and west leaders, with the result that some good specimen-stone and loose gold were obtained. Stoping was also carried on on a leader known as Daldy's cross-leader, from which some fine specimen-stone and loose gold were secured. Owing to the mine being open to the surface, and with the exceptional heavy rains, a quantity of water came into the mine, and work had to be suspended in the mine for a time, and outside prospecting has been carried on. This mine has been worked for a number of years, and a great amount of general mining done. It is situated on the Tokatea Range, and adjacent to the Royal Oak and other mines which have been gold-producers, and it is hoped that ere long something will be discovered in the Success Mine to recompense the present owner for the time and money spent in prospecting and other work done. Two, and sometimes three, men are employed. Golden Pah Mine. —At this mine the company has done absolutely nothing to further its development, and the future prospects of the mine are not encouraging. During the year the winding and pumping plant has been removed from the property, which may indicate that the company has no intention to do any development-work at the low levels for some time to come. On the surface some work has been done by tributers on small quartz leaders, and the returns may be considered fairly satisfactory. From small parcels of ore treated a return of £308 11s. was obtained by the three men employed.

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Kapanga Mine. —This mine* formerly owned by Hollis and Cornea, has during the year been formed into a company. Since the new company has acquired possession it has purchased a winding and pumping plant from the Golden Pah Mining Company. This plant has been erected at the Old Kapanga shaft, and a start made to unwater the mine. At present a pair of steam-driven pumps (Worthington, I believe) are being used. It is hoped that the company will succeed in unwatering the mine, so that the old mine levels to a depth of at least 400 ft. can be reopened and explored, with a view of working several blocks of ground believed to have been left in by the company, and which it is thought can be worked at a profit. This shaft is nearly 1,000 ft. deep, and it is said that beyond driving several levels below the No. 5 level the reefs were not thoroughly prospected. It is the intention of the new company to unwater the mine to its deepest levels and prove the value of the reefs at that depth. On the surface where the outcrop of the Kapanga and Scotty reefs occurs, and where some work was done years ago, thus allowing water to get into' the mine, proving very troublesome, a fluming was put in to carry the water of a creek away, but this fluming having become defective the new company has driven a tunnel through a spur to divert the creek, and thereby save the mine from being flooded with water. It is hoped that the company's efforts to unwater the mine will be availing, and that the mine may become a dividend-payer in thenear future. For the year 100 tons 17 lb. was treated, for a value of £166 165., and an average of twelve men were employed. New Tokatea Mine. —Early in the year work was mostly confined to putting in several drives on the eastern side of the range on the company's property to cut small quartz leaders known to exist and believed to be payable. In due course the leaders were cut and driven on, but, unfortunately, did not turn out as was expected. Attention was then directed to the western side of the range, and a drive put in and a quartz leader cut, from where some good specimen-stone was secured. But this also became poor, and towards the end of the year protection was sought, and on being granted the mine was closed down. 10 tons of ore was treated for a yield of 14 oz. 6 dwt., valued at £40 os. 6d., and an average of ten men were employed. > Monte Christo Mine. —This mine is owned and worked by Mr. Magnus Kemner, and is situated near the Royal Oak Mine, Tokatea. Early in the year a low level was commenced to cut the Day Dawn reef, the Mines Department granting assistance, and at 111 ft. a new reef was cut and driven on for 70 ft. without meeting with payable ore. It is intended to extend the low level in order to cut the Day Dawn reef, which it is expected will be cut in another 40 ft. of driving, and it is hoped it will prove to be payable. A section of the claim was worked by tributers during the year, but proved unprofitable to them. Six men were employed for a time. Royal Oak Mine. —The work in this mine has been carried on by tributers, who have been working on portions of the reefs left in by the company and on small leaders which were considered unpayable for the company to work. The tributers have won 43 tons of ore and 2,031 lb. of specimen-stone for a yield of 1,217 oz., valued at £3,223 2s. 3d., the value of gold per ounce being about £2 13s. In years gone by the company worked the mine on the wages principle, and then a great amount of prospecting and development work was done in the several levels. The No. 3 level, for instance, about six years ago, was extended, and several small leaders (quartz veins) were cut, but not thoroughly prospected, and it is thought that this level should be reopened and those leaders worked to prove their value, for although there are several well-defined reefs on this company's claim it must not be forgotten that from the small leaders some very rich stone has been won. Something like thirty-one men were employed during the year in tributing almost entirely on ground previously opened up. It cannot be expected that tributers are going to undertake the work of development of a mine, so therefore it is hoped that the company will put on men to further develop and open up the mine. In this is their only chance of successfully working a valuable property. For some time, especially in the summer months, the water-supply for driving the crushing plant has been defective, and I believe the company are about to erect an 8-horse power oil-engine to overcome the difficulty. Four-in-Hand. —At the commencement of the year work was confined to the extension of the low crosscut. In March this drive drained the workings on the eastern side of the range, and in consequence the men were removed to the foot-wall reef, where sinking below the No. 4 level was taken in hand. In conjunction with this work a winze was also sunk upon the Four-in-Hand lode. The ore from this reef, where cut, proved to be unpayable, and, considering there were great difficulties to contend with in the working of this section, operations were suspended and the men moved to a block of ground on the Four-in-Hand reef above the No. 4 level. During the year a new reef was discovered on the surface further north than any of the company's workings, and from which some rich stone was obtained. From a parcel of 1 ton of ore and 37 lb. of selected stone £111 Is. 3d. was obtained, the result of a week's work for two men. During the year the company crushed 58 tons of ore for a return of £368 10s. 3d. An average of six men were employed. Prospecting. —A considerable amount of prospecting-work has been done in this district during the year. In a number of cases the prospectors have received aid from the Mines Department to enable them to go out and prospect, but unfortunately nothing of an encouraging nature was found. The Big Reefs Prospecting Association at Coromandel got £50 to assist them in carrying on their prospecting in what is known as the Big Blow reef, on the western side of the Tokatea Range. This association has done a considerable amount of work on the Big Blow reef, but so far have not met with much encouragement, the ore being very low-grade and nothing like payable ore being met with. Kuaotunu District. Waitaia. —The work done in this mine consisted mostly in stoping, and in the early part of the year some 487 tons of ore was treated for a return of £2,417 6s. 3d. for twenty-one men employed. Early

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in June the company made application for protection, which was granted on condition that the mine be thrown open for tributers. This was agreed to, and several parties of workmen secured blocks, which proved unprofitable, and all the tributes with the exception of one were surrendered. The company has kept two men at work in the mine for repairing, &c. For some time very little prospectingwork has been carried on, and now the company have to seriously consider the advisability of putting in a new low level to intersect the reefs at a depth. This will entail heavy expenditure, and necessitate the raising of more capital to carry on the work. It is believed that the reefs carry fair values in the floor of the present low level, and if the proposed new low level were constructed and the reef opened up the mine might be a profitable investment. It is hoped that something will be done to stimulate prospecting in this once busy mining district. Handsworth Mine. —The work done in this mine during the year consisted of driving a low-level tunnel. Good progress has been made. Early in the year application was made to the Mines Department for assistance under the aid-to-prospectors clause. The assistance was granted, which will enable them to drive the level, and it is hoped that the reef when cut will prove payable. During the year 65 tons of tailings was treated for a return of £118 12s. 3d. Two men were employed. Great Mercury Mine. —In this mine the present owners have spent much money in prospecting at the low level, and an application was made to the Mines Department for aid to prospect under section 39 of " The Mining Act Amendment Act, 1905," which was granted to assist them in continuing prospecting at the low level, but unfortunately nothing of an encouraging character has been met with. Two men were employed during the year. Otama Mine. —The owners —O'Keefe and Ellings —have been at work in this mine for some time in stoping on a small leader, and from a parcel of 38 tons of ore crushed at the public battery a return of £63 16s. 9d. was secured. I understand that O'Keefe has surrendered his interest and that the mine is now owned and worked by William Ellings. Great Barrier Island. Barrier Reefs Mine. —The syndicate that owns this property has done a considerable amount of work in still further proving the value of the reefs, and has mot with a fair amount of success. 1,451 tons of ore, including tailings, was treated for 3,032 oz. 19 dwt. of bullion; value, £4,444 13s. 9d. As the tailings in reserve from previous crushings became exhausted, and the payable ore in sight in the mine could not be broken out in sufficient quantities to keep the mill running, the crushing plant was stopped and the men employed in the battery and some of the men in the mine were suspended for the time being, and only a few retained to carry out prospecting-work. Sunbeam. —The work carried out in the mine was limited during the year, as the reef was opened up to a considerable extent and the company was awaiting the completion of the crushing plant, consisting of a five-stamp mill, three Frue vanners, cyaniding-vats, &c, in course of erection. When this was accomplished no time was lost in treating the ore broken out to prove its value in bulk, which proved very satisfactory; but as it was found to be too costly to run the machinery by steam-power, a suction gas-engine is being erected, which will reduce the cost of the treatment of the ore and by this means make the mine a payable concern. 220 tons of ore was treated for 2,231 oz. 4 dwt. of bullion ; value, £367 12s. 2d. An average of seven men were employed. Ngatiawa. —This mine is in close proximity to the Sunbeam property, and was lately taken up and a company formed to develop it. A large reef is being driven on at the surface adit level, from which, lam informed, assays have been made giving highly payable results. In consequence, the shareholders are sanguine of the mine becoming a dividend-payer at no distant date, or when an up-to-date crushing plant is erected, as contemplated. Four men employed. Conclusion. It seems a strange coincidence that several small claims recently acquired in close proximity to the Thames Township have, after being worked for a very short time only, treated small quantities of specimen stone for exceedingly large returns, and yet no general dirt was crushed. Accidents. During the year six fatal accidents happened in this district.

Date. Name of Person. Name of Mine. Cause. Jan. 22, 1906 May 9, 1906 Arch. Nicholson .. T. T. Sohofield .. Waihi Waiotahi Killed by explosion in Richard's pass. Killed by being caught in belting and drawn around on the shaft of machinery. Killed by fall of earth at battery excavation. Oct. 29, 1906 William Thorpe .. Grand Junction Waihi Nov. 13, 1906 William Gray and Thomas H. Boxall George Smale Killed by explosion in No. 2 shaft. Nov. 27, 1906 Talisman .. Killed by falling down pass. All other iccidents of a serio is nature that occurred during the year were duly reported.

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Minerals other than gold. Copper-mines. Ferguson Syndicate (Whangaroa, Pwpuke).— The syndicate has during the last few years done a considerable amount of surface prospecting over a large area of ground, and although copper-ore has been found on or near the surface at a number of places termed " outcrops," yet no denned lode had been discovered up to the time of my visit in September last. Just prior to my inspection a shaft had been sunk through a lode formation said to be 20 ft. in width, in which small nodules of copper-ore were found and assays from some of the pieces gave from 5 per cent, to 20 per cent, of copper. The shaft was full of water when I was at the mine, and consequently I did not see the lode formation mentioned above. The men were then putting in a crosscut to intersect the lode in close proximity to the shaft. Five men were employed. The Hare-Ratjen Mine.—A large amount of prospecting has been done on this property, but tor some time past the work has been confined to driving on what is said to be the course of the lode from the side of the small creek, where very nice copper-ore is obtained ; but it appeared to me to be in patches in soft pug or slidy formation, and was not what could be termed a denned lode. Still, there were large boulders of ore showing on the sides of the drive, which leads me to believe that the place where they are working is a slip from the side of the hill, and the lode where the boulders have come from has not yet been found. 14 tons of ore was forwarded to New South Wales for treatment, but I have not yet found out the value. An average of six men were employed on this mine during the year. Maharahara Mine.— This copper-mine is situated on the eastern side of the Ruahme Range, and about ten miles from Woodville, in the Hawke's Bay District. It is an old mine lately taken up, and on which a considerable amount of work was done between thirteen and eighteen years ago m the shape of driving sinking, and prospecting. At the time of my visit there were seven men employed on the mine, being engaged in cleaning out and repairing the drives put in by the former owners. A good deal of work had been done on the outcrop of the lodes, and what may be termed No. 1 level had been driven about 350 ft., where two lodes had been intersected, one 55 ft. in width only cut through, and the other 9 ft. in width driven on for something like 60 ft. The two lodes are only a few feet apart, and to all appearances they will come together to the north of the present face. The low level is 400 ft. below No. 1 level driven in from the creek into the side of the hill, and is said to be driven 700 ft. where the lode was intersected. When I was there it had been cleaned out and repaired for over 600 ft., and then was not into the lode. The lode is a strong body of stone, and if the assays made by Dr. Hector and others some years ago were fair tests {i.e., not picked stone), said to contain from 5 per cent, to over 20 per cent, of copper, the mine should be well worth opening up, especially as copper at present is at a high price. Still, it will require a large amount of capital to develop it and put the copper on the market. Yet the present shareholders are sanguine of accomplishing this object, and say they will leave no stone unturned in trying to make it a success. For some time past inquiries have been made about the copper-mines at the Kawau and Great Barrier Islands, where mining was carried on many years ago, and the attention of the public has also been directed more to copper-deposits lately than it has been for the last forty years. This is, no doubt, caused by the great increase in the price of copper. Fuller's Earth. New Chum (Tararu) .—This claim is situated on the Ohio, or Branch Creek, which strikes off the main Tararu Creek at the Sylvia battery-site, and is about three-quarters of a mile from the main road, near the Old Ironcap Mine. There appears to be a large body of stuff of a white brittle nature, which is being sluiced and washed and then passed over gratings into tanks; only the very fine sediment is saved for the market The concern is on a very small scale : a shed, two vats, and a few drymg-tables are erected at a distance of about 800 ft. from the face that is being worked. The man in charge is sanguine of its being a success, provided that a little capital is expended m providing a larger plant, including pipes, &c. Cinnabar. New Hauraki Cinnabar, Kauaeranga.— There was very little work done on this mine for the greater part of the year, but towards the close a syndicate acquired an option over the claim, and let a contract for driving a low level a distance of 150 ft. to intersect the lode driven on at the surface level. At the end of the year this contract was not quite completed. The lode where driven on was only about 11 ft in width, and it has not been opened up for any great distance. Should the lode prove to be as good as at the' upper level the intention will be, I am informed, to open up the mine thoroughly and make it a payable concern. Antimony. Antimony Lode.— An antimony lode was discovered by Pierce Lanigan in the early part of the year It is situated about six miles from Opua, at Bay of Islands, and near deep water ; it is only a short distance from where a good-sized boat can be loaded. The lode is very irregular, varying from a few inches to 4 ft. in width. A little over 50 tons of ore was shipped, which was taken out by trenching up the side of the rising ground on the lode ; but a drive is now being put in on the course of the lode from the surface. The prospects met with have so far been exceedingly encouraging, and it is fully expected that it will be a profitable concern. lam unable to ascertain the value of the ore broken out. An average of four men were employed. I have, &c, James Coutts, The Under-SecretaTy, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines,

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Mr. Robert Tennent, Inspector of Mines, Westport, to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 4th April, 1907. I have the honour to report as follows on the gold-mines in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland Districts for the year ended 31st December, 1906 :— QUARTZ-MINING. Blenheim. Wairau Gold-mining Company. —Mining operations are still continued under the supervision of Mr. Linstrom, who also works the Small reef on tribute. Crushing was much hampered through scarcity of water, but in comparing the stone treated the returns are satisfactory. The scheelite has practically disappeared. Development comprises 320 ft. of driving east and 60 ft. west, while connection was effected with the surface level to maintain ventilation, which is good. In view of the company taking over all works, the tribute agreement is under consideration, as the company wish to adopt the system of day wages. Pine Valley. —It is interesting to note that, although eight prospecting areas are taken up in the valley, not a man was found at work when the locality was visited on the ]1 th February, 1907. The only work done was a winze sunk 30 ft. and a little trenching. Leases on the Dividing-ranges between Mahakipawa and Waikahaho. —Mr. Thomas, who was prospecting on behalf of a syndicate, states he has succeeded in tracing the reef down the western slope of the range, with good surface prospects. The All Try Syndicate. —This property is situated about one mile south of the Jubilee. The works have been simply of a prospecting character, comprising the sinking of a winze to a depth of 50 ft., from the bottom of which 30 ft. were driven on the line of reef. Where exposed on the outcrop the reef was 3 ft. in width and showed fair prospects of scheelite and gold, but finally it pinched out to the bare walls at a depth of 50 ft. All work is securely timbered. Havelock. The Golden Bar and Federated Yorkshire. —Notwithstanding the repeated promises made to commence operations on this property, nothing further has been done. We are informed that trial samples of ore were recently shipped to Wellington. COLLINGWOOD. Upper Anatoki. —Under the guidance of the Takaka Miners' Association, Kennedy and party have' determined an outcrop varying in width from 18 in. to 2 ft., and sinking was proceeded to a depth of 6 ft., until prevented by water. Having secured a. prospecting area of 100 acres, crosscutting was commenced on a low 'evel that would give 60 ft. of backs, at about 150 ft. of driving. The association has further arranged to send out another strong staff to prospect and locate the line of reef and carry out general development. Johnston's United, Bedstead Gully. —All work is suspended on this property pending instructions from the Home office. Golden Ridge (Taitapu Gold Estates ; James Carroll, mine-manager). —Mining and prospecting operations have been suspended on the Golden Ridge, while attention is being directed to developing the Sandhill section, where driving has been extended for 300 ft., with a deviation of 50 ft., making a total of 350 ft. Timber is freely used where required, and ventilation well maintained by a small fan driven by an overshot water-wheel. On No. 4 block, 750 ft. of tunnelling is completed and securely timbered. Ventilation (good) is assisted by water blast. Boring operations have been conducted by diamond drill to a depth of 480 ft., in view of proving the coal-bearing measures in the Paturau district. The increased hardness of strata is taken as a notable feature as depth is attained. The machine is recommended to attain a depth of 2,000 ft. with a 2| in. crown. Golden Blocks, Taitapu (C. Y. Fell, attorney, Nelson).—Mining operations on this property have not fully maintained their previous standard in value, notwithstanding development is consistently kept in advance of battery requirements ; but a change for the better may occur at any moment, as the mine is very patchy. Mining has been chiefly confined to extending No. 2 intermediate and Nos. 2 and 3 low levels south, while stone for milling purposes was taken from stopes above No. 2 level and No. 2 intermediate. The total drivings aggregate 860 ft. ; risings, 950 ft. ; and the areas stoped, 5,320 square feet. The gross tonnage milled, 1,696 tons, yielded 1,435 oz. 19 dwt. melted gold, valued at £5,678 Is. 5d., showing a decrease in values of £5,428 2s. Id. against the preceding year. _ Prospecting east was suspended during the winter, but will be resumed in a few days. As the country is overlapped with sandstone, quartzite, and conglomerate, great difficulty is experienced in locating outcrops, and so far nothing has been found of a payable nature. The principal workings are confined to No. 3 block, while No. 2is being thoroughly prospected. The quartz and strike of gold is dipping very much southwards. Gold can be seen in the stone in faces of No. 2 intermediate and No. 3 low level. Westport. Red Queen, Mokihinui (owner, A. W. Mills, Westport).—This property continues to be worked on a thin vein of stone by two men on tribute, with fairly satisfactory results. Recently a rich pocket of stone was discovered near the western boundary of the lease, and in consequence operations are meanwhile suspended pending a settlement of the boundary-lines at the Warden's Court. Stone milled, 97 tons ; yield 149 oz. 8 dwt., valued at £585 ss. 10d. Britannia Mine.— As the intermediate over No. 6 level has been driven south 65 ft. past the stone formerly followed down from No. 4, crosscutting was commenced on the hanging-wall 40 ft. back from

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the face, and although stone 18 in. wide of fair value was intersected, it only continued for a length of two sets of timber. At this point sinking was quite impracticable, owing to the heavy inflow of water from the dyke formation which overlay the stone. However, to win the stone on a lower level ; No. 7 has been driven 63 ft., but before it can be cut on line with No. 6 a further distance of 80 ft. will be required. On this level driving has been very expensive owing to the wet and loose nature of the ground. An outcrop was recently exposed under a heavy overburden of slide country, which necessitated further prospecting to be abandoned. Consequently, driving is now in progress around the slide in view of cutting the stone further into the hill. Stone milled, 1,004 tons; yield 534 oz., valued at £2,014 14s. Sands treated by cyanide were 1,650 tons, yielding 414 oz. 17 dwt., valued at £1,199 14s. 9d. Concentrates valued £91 ss. 4d. Lybll. Alpine Comfany. —This company having dissolved, mining was resumed under the ownership of Messrs. Craig, Stevenson, and Billett. In resuming operations two men were engaged in repairing and further extending No. 7 level on a strongly denned track, when, at a driven distance of 20 ft., the parties were fortunate in striking a valuable vein of stone 1 ft. thick on the hanging-wall. The stone as taken from the mine shows gold freely, and guided by general appearance may be classed as " picked stone." At the end of the year the stone had maintained thickness and value to a depth of 20 ft. Another man attends to repairs and the pumps on No. 12 level. New Creek. —The prospectors abandoned all work during the winter months, and at time of writing work was not resumed. The Italy Syndicate (late Tyrconnel).—Nothing further has been done on this property since previous report. Boatman's. Welcome. —This mine is still let on tribute to McKenzie and party, who extracted approximately 118 tons of ore, yielding 223 oz. 4 dwt. 10 gr., valued at £918 3s. 7d. They also cyanided the tailings produced, valued at £195 15s. lid. Work consists of locating a small ore-body, extracting and milling it, and then looking for another, which must be considered as a hand-to-mouth existence. Kirwan's Reward (William Kirwan, mine-manager).—As the loose payable stone overlying the cap of the range was nearing exhaustion, an intermediate level was driven between 300 and 400 ft. to intersect the outcrop known to exist in what is known as Saw-pit Gully. Stone was met with, but soon pinched out, and so far has not again been picked up. Plant and general working-conditions are in good order. Stone milled, 2,354 tons ; yield 522 oz. 4 dwt., valued at £2,019 7s. 3d. Lady of the Lake. —Although this persevering party has driven a considerable distance and intersected various supposed reef-tracks, values are still awaited. Italian Creek, Capleston (John Knight in charge).—Since Knight and party commenced work on this old mining property the main tunnel has been repaired and driving extended to a total length of 800 ft. Fortunately, the party has finally succeeded in locating a small reef, which is considered payable, and for 50 tons of stone treated the yield of gold was 55 oz. 2 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £217 10s. To effect further economy in milling, &c, the steam-power formerly used is likely to be early replaced by water installation. Timbering and ventilation are strictly attended to. Three men employed. Hopeful Syndicate. —This property includes the Hopeful and Alexander leases. The party having previously determined the position of rich stone on the surface, crosscutting was commenced on a low level, and the track intersected at a driven distance of 250 ft. Driving has since been continued on the line of reef for 150 ft., and the party is confident that a further 20 ft. will strike the lode. Specimen Hill.— Under authority, Mines 1905/1334, Howell and Kennedy were granted a subsidy of £75 t6 drive a tunnel at Specimen Hill, Boatman's district, a distance of 500 ft. at 3s. a foot. Paid, 294 ft. Caledonian Syndicate.— Subsidy at the rate of £1 for £1 up to £250 was approved on behalf of the Caledonian Syndicate towards sinking a shaft 10 ft. by 4 ft., and divided into three compartments. Total depth sunk, 70 ft. Paid, £161 15s. Rbbpton. Wealth of Nations. —This mine has worked steadily, while the quartz required for milling purposes was taken from Nos. 6, 7, and 8 stopes, and also from the development of No. 9 level. The No. 6 stopes were worked to a finish by the end of March, when the men were drafted to No. 8 stopes, the incline shaft secured to act as an airway, and the rails 'withdrawn, so that since then the total output has been handled through the Energetic shaft from Nos. 7 and 8 stopes, neither of which maintain a high grade. Stoping is not yet commenced on No. 9 level, but during the year connection was completed with No. 8, on stone. Thus the ore is ready to break when required. On the Bth September Stokes and party contracted to sink the main shaft to No. 10 level, a further vertical depth of 125 ft., and at the end of the year sinking was completed. The same party have further contracted to drive the new level, which will be the principal work of importance during the current year. The quartz milled was 12,676 tons, yielding 4,160 oz. 12 dwt. of bullion, valued at £17,245 4s. Id., or £1 7s. 2-511 d. per ton. Concentrates to the value of £755 ss. were saved and shipped to the smelter. At the cyanideworks, 8,640 tons, representing 68*16 .per cent, of the tonnage crushed, were cyanided, yielding bullion valued at £5,717 os. 5d., or 13s. 2-806 d. per ton. Of this figure, 2s. 1437 d. per ton was consumed in working-cost, leaving the handsome profit of 11s. 1*369 d. per ton treated. The exploratory work conducted has exposed values of non-importance, while driving and crosscutting amounted to 1,186 ft., and raising and sinking to 320 ft., at a cost of £3,224. Diamond drilling was done through barren country to the of 753 ft. horizontally. Alterations of importance have not been made to the

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equipment, except that the old-fashioned cam-shaft, cams, and tappets have been replaced by those from the Inkerman battery. The old hoisting water-wheel was dismantled and replaced by a Pelton, by which power is provided for the dynamo, sawmill, and lathe, and baling from the vertical shaft when required. Golden Fleece Mine. —ln the early part of 1906 attention was restricted to making a connection between No. 6 level and the bottom of the Ajax shaft, at No. 5 level. This was successfully carried out, and an engine installed at the brace of the shaft, and the upper portion of the shaft retimbered during the first four months of the year. About the middle of May stoping was commenced with a small gang of men, and by the 18th June sufficient quartz was broken to warrant the battery working two shifts per day, and on the 24th June crushing was extended to full time on three shifts, and has since continued. Making the connection between Nos. 5 and 6 levels in the old shaft was an expensive job, but the outlay was amply justified on account of the time saved per man per day when working bank to bank from the Ajax shaft, as compared with bank to bank from the mouth of the low-level tunnel. The principal developments effected consist of driving No. 14 level from a point 185 ft. north of the crosscut to a total length of 678 ft., along which distance a comparatively small amount of stone was discovered. North of the crosscut, rising from No. 14 level was on the 22nd December completed to a height of 121 ft. It is proposed to drive No. 14 level to the furthest-known limit of the stone, make the necessary connections lor ventilation and the passing or ore, and then sink an incline shaft on the northern end of the ore-body to determine value and extent at depth. Since the battery resumed crushing (the first return for the year was at the end of July) 6,725 tons were milled, yielding 2,623 oz. 10 dwt. of bullion, valued at £10,745 17s. 9d., or £1 lis. ]L496d. per ton crushed. Sulphurets to the value of £510 were sold to the smelter, whilst 4,460 tons, representing 66-319 per cent, of the tonnage crushed, were cyanided, yielding bullion to the value of £1,334 7s. 7d., or ss. ll"805d. per ton treated. Of this amount 2s. l - 639d. was consumed in working-costs, leaving 3s. 10'166d. per ton profit. Progress Mine. —Although mining operations have been steadily maintained and development actively pushed throughout the year, exploitations have failed to expose any fresh deposits except on No. 11 level, where an ore-body of value was ultimately encountered at a driven distance of 1,100 ft. from the main shaft. In all, development comprised 3,715 ft. of driving and crosscutting, and 785-5 ft. of rising and sinking, at a cost of £6,764 14s. Bd., besides which 4,499 ft. of diamond drilling was undertaken at a cost of £2,237 lis. Stoping has been continued in a general manner throughout the mine from No. 11 level up to No. 4. Some new blocks were started and some of the old ones exhausted. Alterations to the surface equipment were not important, except that a Forwood Down's pan was purchased and erected for sliming experiments, and a small Ball mill for slagcrushing purposes, &c. The 65-stamp battery crushed 59,100 tons, yielding 18,073 oz. 19 dwt. of bullion by amalgamation, equal to 6 dwt. 2-793 gr. per ton. Value of bullion amounted to £75,160 2s. 10d., or £1 ss. 5-218 d. per ton, and during the year 886-9 tons of pyritic concentrates and slimes were, shipped to the smelter, realising £11,797 10s. 2d. At the cyanide-works 38,410 tons of sands, representing 68-376 per cent, of the tonnage crushed, yielded 5,403 oz. 8 dwt., valued at £14,947 ss. Id., or 7s. 9 - 396 d. per ton treated. Of this amount the sum of Is. 6 - 367 d. was consumed in working-cost, leaving the handsome profit of 6s. 3-029 d. per ton. An analysis of the treatmentcost is of interest, on account of the low figure achieved : Wages, 4 - 969 d. per ton ; cyanide, 10-701 d. per ton ; zinc and chemicals, 2 - 054 d. per ton ; general stores, 0 - 499 d. per ton ; assay office percentage, 0 - 144 d. per ton : total, Is. 6 - 367 d. per ton. Experimental work has been extensively undertaken towards the discovery of a more successful mode of treating the battery-slimes, and although very exhaustive tests and trial roasts were put through the chlorination-works, the results obtained only prove that, whilst a fair extraction can be had from a trial roast, with the furnace empty except for the trial parcel, the same results cannot be obtained when the ordinary working-charge is being treated. Mr. Alfred James, specialist and consulting chemist to the company, paid a personal visit to the works and went into the treatment very thoroughly, and for a time it was thought the difficulty was solved, but, unfortunately, the same results could not be obtained afterwards when treating the month's output as with the trial parcels. Experts in London are still working on the material, of which 30 tons were forwarded recently for experimental and bulk trials. In the current year the policy to be pursued is to vigorously push development-work in order to add to the ore-reserves, if possible, as the operations of recent years have diminished the reserves very considerably. A general summary of the aggregate working-cost, yield (including proceeds of concentrates sold), and the resulting profit in milling 59,100 tons, cyaniding 38,410 tons, and the sale of 886*9 tons of concentrates, is as follows : Total working-cost, £52,916 15s. lOd. = 17s. 10-891 d. per ton milled ; profit, £48,987 19s. sd. = 16s. 6'936d. per ton milled ; yield, £101,904 15s. 3d. = £1 14s. 5-827 d. per ton milled. Keep-it-Dark (owners, Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Company (Limited); Benjamin Sutherland, mine-manager). —With regard to mining and the varied developments directly connected with the extraction of ore, development and general equipment continue to maintain their former standard. On Nos. 4 and 5 levels the lode has been exhausted and properly filled in to the upper levels. Output for milling purposes was chiefly mined from No. 6, where two blocks of ore occur, with a combined length of 270 ft. ; also on the same level a third or branch block has been driven on for a distance of 180 ft. At a depth of 1,000 ft. from the brace the main lode was intersected on No. 7 level at a driven distance of 347 ft. from the shaft, and the necessary connections effected for ventilation and the passing of ore between Nos. 7 and 6 levels, and No. 6 and the western branch of No. 5. Hence direct communication is maintained throughout the whole series of workings. In raising between Nos. 6 and 5 levels ventilation was very efficiently induced by means of a small fan, ingeniously driven by water-power under a head-pressure of 300 ft.; the installation of which reflected credit on the part of the management. Referring to my remarks in previous report in reference to the altered conditions in strike and underlie on No. 6 level, further development on No. 7 has proved the pitch of the lode to maintain an almost

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level course northward, and samples broken from the reef give promise of average values. Including development and general expenses in connection with the working and upkeep of mining property and plant, the working-cost was £7,153 13s. 10d., or a fraction over 10s. 9d. per ton. Battery worked full time, with the exception of a few hours' stoppage to effect minor repairs. Tonnage crushed, 13,300 tons ; yielded by amalgamation, 3,281 oz. 14 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £13,200 19s. 4d. ; and workingcost, £1,489 13s. sd. This amount includes all renewals to milling and concentrating plant, together with general repairs to head and tail races, absorbing about 2s. 3d. per ton treated. The values extracted by cyanide compare favourably with the preceding year, but in cost of treatment a reduction of 6d. per ton is shown, this reduction being attributed to the reduced percentage of cyanide used, by the introduction of caustic soda as a more economical and effective solvent in the treatment of highand low-grade antimonial ores. Bullion obtained from the gross tonnage crushed was 1,543 oz. 12 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £5,686 os. 7d., or an average value of Bs. 6Jd. per ton ; while working-cost, including salaries and goods, amounted to £1,819 19s. Bd., or nearly 2s. 9d. per ton on total output, showing a profit of £3,866 os. lid. The gross earnings by amalgamation and cyanide extraction show a total value of £18,886 19s. 1 Id., out of which a dividend of 9s. per share has been paid. Inkerman Mine. —Prospecting was carried on for the first three months of the year, but the value of the quartz operated on was too low to warrant further expenditure, so the rails, pipes, &c:., were withdrawn and stacked on the surface, and distributed round the other mines as required. Victoria and Inglewood (owner, P. N. Kingswcll).—Since the stone became exhausted on the inclined shaft section below No. 5 level, work has been chiefly confined to prospecting and development, whilst the stone mined for milling purposes was chiefly taken from prospecting-work on Nos. 2 and 5 levels, Inglewood, and No. 4, Victoria. Working-conditions were maintained satisfactorily throughout the whole operative areas, care being taken to make special features of ventilation and timbering. The reduction-works comprise a ten-stamp mill actuated by steam-power, together with a complete cyanide plant, the tailings having a natural flow to the vats. Stone milled —645 tons —yield 530 oz. 6 dwt., valued at £2,126 4s. ; and 625 tons of sands treated by cyanide yielded 398 oz. 18 dwt., valued at £1,295 13s. 9d. Big River (J. H. McMahon, mine-manager). —Mining operations have been well maintained throughout the year, whilst the stone for milling was stoped from No. 8 east reef, the western reef between Nos. 7 and 8 levels, and the two winzes sunk in No. 8 level on east and west reefs. Prospecting was also extended on these levels, but without success. To effect further development at depth the main shaft was sunk and completed in every detail to a further depth of 150 ft., making the total depth from the battery level 1,150 ft., and from the brace 1,350 ft. Contracts are-let to excavate the chamber and drive the main crosscut 450 ft., at which distance it is anticipated to cut the lode. Timbering and ventilation are strictly observed, and during sinking operations repairs were carried out in a general way throughout the mine. The stone milled was 2,037 tons, yielding 1,940 oz. 8 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £7,904 11s. 2d. Dividends paid for 1906, £2,332 10s., and since registration, £49,698 15s. Last Chance. —This claim continues to be abandoned. The five-stamp mill is still on the property. Golden Lead. —Work suspended on this property. Golden Point. —Prospecting is still continued by one man. The water-races, overshot waterwheel, and other works in connection with the battery plant have been recently overhauled preparatory to crushing. About 60 tons of ore in hand. Mine, Merrijigs. —This old property was recently reopened and work resumed on tribute. The reef formation is chiefly leaders of high value. Phoenix (late Ulster). —On reconstruction of the company, mining operations were resumed on the low level in view of picking up the north block. A five-stamp mill, purchased at Boatman's, will be removed and rebuilt directly on completion of necessary repairs to the road. Taffy. —The working is a loose open-face formation, intermixed with small leaders. The stone milled—ioo tons—yielded 30 oz. 6 dwt. 6 gr., valued at £123 Is. sd. Minerva. —Still standing. Garden Gulley. —All work suspended. Moonlight. —Since Mitchell and party commenced to further extend exploitation on this old mining privilege, their efforts have failed to attain the success anticipated, but they are sanguine that the line of reef is within a further distance of 200 ft. Blackwater Reefs. —Early in the year 1906 Mr. Kingswell, of Reefton, obtained an option over a recently discovered property in the Blackwater district, and accordingly proceeded to carry out prospecting. By the 9th May operations had been so far successful as to warrant an inspection of the property. By the end of May the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand had secured an option over the property for six months, with the object of carrying out a more detailed system of prospecting. A party of miners was sent down from Reefton, and the reef traced by means of vertical prospecting shafts for a horizontal distance of approximately 600 ft. An inclined winze was sunk 260 ft. on the stone, and driving was continued from the bottom to a distance of 70 ft. Arrangements were finally made for sinking a main shaft. A tramway two miles and a quarter long was constructed to connect with a sawmill tramway a mile and three-quarters in length. This work was done, and the tramway laid through from the sawmill to the shaft-site by the 12th December, and the engine and boiler were delivered on the ground for erection. The poppet head gear, 15 ft. in height, was erected, and ready to commence sinking in the beginning of 1907. Two tunnels were driven on contract—one from Greek's Creek towards Coorang Creek, 313 ft., and further south on the Joker lease another 563 ft., when work stopped for the year. These tunnels will both be extended, the former until it meets a winze from the Coorang Creek, and the latter until it reaches the shaft, when its total length will be, approximately, 1,500 ft. A contract has been let to sink the main shaft 500 ft. In connection with the general development, considerable work will be required to bring the property to the producing stage, which may be reached at an early date.

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Upper Blackwater Reefs. —Apart from the mining ureas litld and now being actively developed by the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited), prospecting is in progress by five separate parties, who hold prospecting areas of 100 acres each. On each of these latter areas mentioned two men are employed, either in driving or surface prospecting, but the results so far obtained are not worthy of special interest. Paparoa Ranges. — J. Hargreaves, Ahaura, with one man, has spent some time prospecting the western slope of the ranges rising from the head of the Shellback. Whilst rising the first 1,000 ft. non-auriferous conglomerates were the only strata met with, and at 1,600 ft. above sea-level traces of gold were found in a formation of crushed slate and quartz. Being hopeful of reef formation existing above the 1,600 ft. plateau, prospecting will be further continued. Brunner Prospecting Association. —Under authority, Mines 1906/700, subsidy of £150 was approved in favour of the above-named association, to enable the tunnel at Paparoa to be driven 1,000 it. at 3s. per foot. Total drivings, 364 ft. Paid, £54 12s. Driving is continued in fine slate country, which requires careful timbering. Ventilation is assisted by water-blast. Wilberforce Reefs. —The mining and prospecting operations on the Wilberforce reefs have taken a serious relapse, for at the end of the year there were only three men on the field doing some surface prospecting. Ross. —Osmer and Feddis having recently discovered an outcrop of promising value on the left-hand branch of Donnelly's Creek, a level now in progress is calculated to intersect the lode at a vertical depth of 40 ft. General Eemarks. Lf reviewing the statistics of workings in quartz-mines, as furnished by the owners for the years 1905 and 1906, the ore milled for 1905 was 116,901 tons, yielding bullion to the amount of 50,118 oz. lOdwt. 18 gr., valued at £196,367 11s. 9d., against 757 persons employed; whilst for the year 1906 ore milled was 100,207 tons, yielding 43,952 oz. 5 dwt. 10 gr. of bullion, valued at £169,928 19s. lid.,against 736 persons employed. For the year 1905 the average stone mined per person employed was 154426 tons, and for 1906, 136150 tons. Comparing the tonnage milled, yield of gold, and values, the following will show the relative decrease for the year 1906 : Shortage in tonnage milled, 16,694 tons ; in yield of bullion, 6,166 oz. 5 dwt. 8 gr.; in values, £26,438 11s. 10d., against a decrease of twenty-one persons employed. Dividends paid during 1905 amounted to £48,185, and during 1906 to £45,707 10s., the latter being a decrease of £2,477 10s. During the fatal accidents in connection with quartz-mining were nil. HYDRAULIC AND ALLUVIAL MINING. Mahakipawa. Mahalcipawa Flat. —All at a standstill both at the Last Chance and King Solomon. The latter is under option to a Wellington syndicate, who expect to raise the necessary capital to unwater and further develop the mine. Coombes, Morton, Campbell, and Party (six men) have been working steadily for some time in the Mahakipawa Valley, but owing to scarcity of water all work was suspended when visited in the beginning of the year. Clements and Party (two men). —This party continues to work on the right-hand branch with favourable results, otherwise there is nothing of interest to note. Hill and Bainey are still working away with very unsatisfactory results. Wakamarina and Deep Creek. —Crevicing and blind-stabbing have been two favourite pastimes during the exceptional'y dry season. John Willidms is prospecting on behalf of an Auckland syndicate, but he informed the Assistant Inspector that so far prospects are not sufficiently favourable to warrant any extensive outlay. Terral and Party (two) are sluicing in a tributary of the Top Valley Creek, known as the Aniseed Valley, with satisfactory returns. This tributary also gives profitable employment to four other parties during low water. On the whole, during the year 1906 gold-mining has failed to be a profitable concern in the Wakamarina Valley, and still continues to show a falling-off. Takaka. Kennedy, while removing some large stones on the river-bed, succeeded in picking up a 34 dwt. nugget, together with a nice parcel of fine gold. This find has caused some little excitement, and evoked quite an influx to the locality. Takaka Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Charles Campbell, manager). —Operations are still confined to the eastern section of the property, rising on the base of the hill country. Scarcity of water, however, has been much felt, consequently returns show a slight falling-off. The working-conditions and general equipment are well maintained, and kept in a workmanlike and satisfactory order, being alike creditable to workmen and employer. COLLINGWOOD. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —Whilst the Hit or Miss section of this alluvial property was nearing exhaustion, development was mainly restricted to effect drainage and other operative works connected with the opening-out of the deep auriferous deposits of Appo's Flat. To effect drainage, levels were taken and a tail-race tunnel driven a distance of 600 ft. for the discharge of

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tailings into Stanton's Creek, and thence into the Aorere River, instead of as formerly into the Parapara. Prior to completion of the drainage-tunnel the Hit or Miss working became exhausted and abandoned, while the pipe-line connections were relieved and reinstalled to develop the virgin flat before mentioned. In the meantime, operations are confined to sluice off the surface layers to free level; but, as mentioned in previous report, the future propositions of the company are to elevate the deeper deposits. Quartz Ranges (owner, C. Y. Fell, Nelson).—Diamond and party of six men continue to work this property on tribute, chiefly confined to the Debtors' Terrace. Referring to the working-conditions, there is nothing of special interest to note, both parties being alike satisfied with the results obtained. All works are in a safe condition. Yield of gold for the year, 307 oz., valued at £1,074 10s. Rocky River. —There is only one man working in the locality. Slate River Sluicing Company.— Under authority, Mines 1906/879, a subsidy of £150, at the rate of £1 for £1, has been authorised to assist the Slate River Sluicing Company to drive a low-level tunnel to prospect the deep ground in its claim near Collingwood. This tunnel has been driven a completed distance of 100 ft. (dimensions, 7 ft. by 7 ft.) on a rising gradient of 12 in. in 7 ft., and raised 50ft. (7 ft. by 7 ft.) on a gradient of lin4, to connect with the deepest part of the present face. Formation is hard slate. The limited water-supply in dry weather continues to be a drag on this property, even though various streams have from time to time been directed into the Toitoi Dam. Yield of gold for the year was 203 oz. 3 dwt. 17 gr., valued at £763 10s. 3d. Value per ounce, £3 17s. lOd. Average number of men employed, 7. Westport. On the German Creek and its tributaries mining has practically become a subject of the past. Probably the head of the Caledonian Gully is the most active centre of alluvial mining, which comprises two small parties driving out. A few pennyweights are still being raked from the creek-beds and gullies. Cook's Terrace, Fairdown.—Thk subsidised tunnel continues to maintain very comfortable work at fair average wages. The ground is very nicely worked and securely timbered. Christmas Terrace. —This subsidised tunnel intersected the auriferous lead at a distance of 600 ft., driven directly from the face of the Fairdown old sluicing claim. Water has been efficiently laid on both for sluicing and ventilation purposes, ventilation being assisted by water-blast, and conveyed through a continuous pipe-line direct on to the face. The wages earned are satisfactory, and may be considered above the average. Rochfort Terrace.— Under authority, Mines 1904/922, Young and McKay were authorised to expend £150 to drive 1,500 ft. Driven 1,324 ft. Several leads have been cut and washed, but are not considered payable. Driving is still continued on the back lead. Giles's Terrace.— Under authority, Mines 1905/643, Hooper and party have driven their subsidised tunnel the authorised distance, 700 ft. from the 1,200 ft. peg. Several uprises were raised, but the values obtained were not considered payable. North Terrace, Mokihinui.— Under authority, Mines 1905/524, subsidy was approved to enable Charles Stewart to drive 300 ft., at 3s. a foot. Driven 240 ft. Paid £36. As driving is extended the country continues to show more favourable prospects as the auriferous wash is intersected eastward. Welshman's Terrace.—Under authority, Mines 1905/422, subsidy of £75 was approved to enable Martin Conradson to drive 500 ft., at rates prescribed by (c) of Regulation 97. Driven 290 ft., at 3s. per foot. Paid £43 10s. The auriferous lead has not yet been intersected. Gentle Annie.— Joseph Hawkins, now prospecting in the locality of Half-moon Hay, about three miles north of the Mokihinui River, has failed to obtain the prospects anticipated, but he considers that values will improve as prospecting is extended into the terrace lands. Five resident parties make a comfortable living washing the black sands on the sea-beach between Jones's Greek and the Waimangaroa River. St. John's Terrace, Addison's (Brady and party—four men).—The subsidised track recently constructed on this elevated property has supplied not only a long-felt want, but working-conditions are likewise facilitated. The conservation of water has been further supplemented with additional storagecapacity, so that sluicing and other operations are practically assured against loss of time under all conditions of weather. The working-conditions and general equipment, including the gold-saving appliances, are in good order, while the auriferous values continue to give a satisfactory remuneration for labour and capital expended. Carmoody and Party (eight partners). —Sluicing and elevating operations are diree'ed on a face 30 ft. in depth, which contains two auriferous leads, the upper of which was driven out in the early days. Presently, the auriferous values are chiefly dependent on the bottom layer, which maintains an average depth of 6 ft., directly overlying the blue marine bottom. The washed gravels are run into trucks and elevated on a double tram-line by water balance, and the auriferous sands distributed over a large surface of plush-laid open tables. Payable results are steadily maintained. McKnight and Party, Addison's, continue to work their sluicing and elevating claim with very successful results. , . • i Long Tunnel, Addison's.—Outside the ordinary routine of operations there is nothing of special interest to note. Yield of gold for 1906 was 242 oz. 14 dwt. 13 gr., valued at £958 15s. Value per ounce, £3 19s. Dividends paid during 1906 amounted to £103 165., and since commencing work, £827 10s. Venture Claim.— This party suspended all work in connection with mining and crushing the cemented auriferous sands, and have opened a sluicing and elevating alluvial area on a southern section of their mining privilege. Since this section was opened the party is well satisfied with the results obtained.

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Cement-working. Millikin and Party are working their alluvial claim and crushing the cements and sands. The values from this property keep well to the front, both fron>the alluvial and cemented auriferous sand deposits. Crushing was commenced recently. During the year 1906 5,000 tons were crushed, yielding 260 oz. melted gold. Golden Sands, Adclison's. —This property was formerly opened by an Auckland company, and subsequently abandoned. McCulloch and party (four men) on resuming operations have erected a four-stamp mill, and are working a layer of cemented sand 4 ft. thick in the open. Results have paid average wages and all incidental expenses incurred during the year. Charleston. PoweU's Sluicing and Elevating Claim. —During the year this enterprising private party has purchased and relaid 1,740 ft. of 22 in. pipe-line, to effect a more direct connection between the main race at Cronanville and the elevating plant situated on the South Beach. The water-supply now acting on the elevator maintains a mean head-pressure of 300 ft., which, if required, is capable to elevate and distribute the sands on the open tables to a height of 30 ft. ; average working-height, 20 ft. The yield of gold for 1906 was 670 oz. 8 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £2,278 11s. 9d. The Charleston Beach Company having abandoned all mining operations, the property and plant were finally disposed of, the Powell party being the successful purchasers, who now work the property as a joint concern. MuECHISON. Walker's Maruia Gold-mining Company (M. M. Webster, secretary, Nelson). —The various works in connection with this extensive sluicing scheme were completed in the beginning of the year 1907, and the water turned on ; but, relative to the future prospects of the company, it would be premature to forecast any suggestion. One thing is certain : the general aspect of the various developments and equipments is substantially and well ordered, and, according to Mr. Walker's own statement, cost will not be considered in perfecting every detail in the economy of labour and efficiency of plant. Six-mile Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —This company is now in liquidation. James James in charge. Yield of gold for the year, 44 oz. 9 dwt., valued at £166 10s. Horse Terrace Sluicing Company (Charles Beilby, manager).—This sluicing property, now operative on two faces of washdirt, is worked continuously with full water-supply. The pipe-line connections, electric lighting, and sawmilling installations are well maintained and in good order, and are capable of maintaining all requirements of the property. Although the auriferous drifts form an extensive face, values scarcely meet anticipations. Seven men employed. Yield of gold for the year amounted to 307 oz. 18 dwt., valued at £1,191 12s. sd. Hydraulic Sluicing, Fern Flat. —Since the option was acquired there has been no further work done on this property. New LyeU Sluicing Company. —This company is now in liquidation, and Mr. George Welsh has purchased the mining privileges at public auction. Prior to commencing sluicing operations two men were engaged in effecting certain developments. In future the property will be worked under the title of the " Old Kent Road Sluicing Company." Newton River Sluicing Company. —This company is now in liquidation, and all mining rights have been sold. There are three men employed under the charge of Mr. William Kane. Yield of gold for the year, 242 oz. 9 dwt., valued at £926 os. 7d. Evans and Fair having abandoned their mining privilege, Bartley and Lewis purchased the pipelines, &c, and have erected them across the Buller River'for the'purpose of maintaining a more efficient water-supply. Johnson's Creek, Matakitaki River. —August Stackpool and party (four men), with full supply of water, maintain average wages. Matakitaki River. —Mammoth Claim only finds employment for one man. There are still a few Europeans and Chinese working on the river-beaches with varying results. Hunter's Claim. —This mining area, originally held by William White (deceased), is now owned by Hunter and party of throe men. When water is available returns are satisfactory. Mitchell and Thomson's Sluicing Claim (four men) —The owners of this property combine farming and mining as one common and profitable enterprise, with the result that mining receives first consideration when water is plentiful, and farming in pleasant weather. There are about the same number of aged fossickers raking out the river-beaches, thereby eking out a bare living. Fairhall and Party, of four men, continue to carry on successful sluicing operations at Fern Flat. The supply of water is fairly regular. Boatman's. Howell and Party. —As the water-supply on this sluicing property is much dependent on the rainfall, the earning-power of the claim has been much enhanced during the recent continuous wet season, when compared with other seasons less favourable. Results for 1906 were satisfactory. Whelan and Party (two men) continue to work their claim on the terrace lands adjoining the coalmeasures, but scarcity of water -is a big drawback, otherwise the auriferous values are 'equal to maintaining good wages. Grey Valley. Blackwater. —Since the reef were recently discovered in the Upper Blackwater district, alluvial mining has now taken a secondary place, particularly in the European population. The Chinese,

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however, continue to maintain their former numerical strength, [and if mention may be made of " John's " personal sincerity, he is satisfied with the results earned. Dredging on the Blackwater continues to be a profitable investment. Dividends for 1906, £1,421 55., and since work was commenced, £7,816 17s: 6d. Orwell Creek and Napoleon Hill. —New development is practically nil, mining being confined to about twenty resident miners. Moonlight continues to maintain about forty resident miners. Nelson Creek. —Making mention of the gold-dredging industry on the Nelson Creek, Nelson Creek and Pactolus Companies may be considered to have been the most fortunate on the West Coast. Nelson Creek dredge : Dividends paid since registration, £23,375. Pactolus Gold-dredging Company : Dividends paid for 1906, £16,875 ; and since registration, £37,812 10s. Callaghan's Creek. —With the exception of dredge employees, alluvial mining is confined to a few residents. Half-ounce Creek, Totara Flat. —Baybot has provided a very efficient water-supply, and commenced sluicing operations near the close of the year. At time of visit a clean-up had not been made, but the owner was satisfied with the prospects so far obtained. Further up the creek a few old fossickers get an occasional pennyweight. Fiji Terrace, Brunnerton. —Griffiths and Williams have cleared and timbered through broken ground a distance of 112 ft., and driven 116 ft., at a cost of £64 11s. Brandy Jack's Creek. —Duncan Steel's prospecting-tunnel has been driven 902 ft., at a cost of £90 4s. Maori Gully. There are nine parties, comprising ten men, ground-sluicing, and two parties hydraulic-sluicing when water is available. Saunders and Party (twelve men) are now sluicing with a limited water-supply. Confident, however, of the auriferous values of the jclaim, extensive works are now in progress towards the construction of water-races, tunnels, See., capable of maintaining a twelve-head supply. In connection with the scheme, one of the chief items is the construction of a siphon 21 chains in length. Preparatory to laying the siphon in position, all timber and other preliminary works are completed. Including the varied sections of work in this scheme, the completed length from intake to penstock will be seven miles and a half, comprising 1,800 ft. of tunnelling. HOKITIKA. Humphrey's Gully. —As stated in previous report, the whole distributing pipe-line system was rearranged to open out fresh ground at the beginning of 1906. During the year operations in this district have not only failed to maintain the former output of gold, but the values for 1906 show a decrease of £2,157 9s. Bd. as against the year 1905. Craig's Freehold is again in the possession of the original owner, and, as a mining concern, is worked on tribute by three parties of two men each. The workings are securely timbered and well ventilated throughout, but the wages earned may be considered as a minimum. Peter Goudie and party (two men) make a bare living in rewashing the old tailings. Back Greek. —Brooks and party (three men) are driving a tunnel to intersect some washdirt that was previously left in the old workings. The ground is securely timbered. Harrington and Party (two men) are blocking out on a wash 7 ft. thick. Workings well ventilated and securely timbered. Cooper and Party (four men) are blocking out on a washdirt varying in thickness from 5 ft. to 7 ft. This wash has been proved payable for a distance of 400 ft. Webletz and Party (seven men) are blocking out on a wash varying in thickness from 5 ft. to 7 ft. Results highly payable. Irwin and Party (four men). —This mining privilege, formerly driven out, is now operated as a hydraulic-sluicing concern. Johnston and Party (four men). —This subsidised party is still continuing to work on good payable gold. All workings are in good order and condition. Upjohn and Party. —To effect ventilation, connection with Johnston and party's working was recently completed, with the result that ventilation is not only restored, but a section of highly payable wash has been developed. Hartridgen and Party (three men) continue to drive out with payable results on a wash varying from 6 ft. to 8 ft. in thickness. Ventilation and timbering receive special attention. Knight and Party (four men) continue to drive out with payable results. Ventilation and timbering satisfactory. Boyd and Party (six men). —The results from this hydraulic claim are satisfactory, and, according to their own words, they only hope that the adjoining claims are doing as well. During the first six months of 1906 the weekly wages earned by the parties above named averaged from £6 to £7 per man. Minerals Company. —To obtain the maximum of economy in connection with the future working of the deep-lead deposits, the drainage-tunnel has been extended a further distance of 400 ft. Thus, with efficiency of working-conditions, plant, &c, the future prospects of the company may be regarded with promise. Subsidised Works. Larrikin's. —Jamieson and Garvin have driven their prospecting-tunnel 433 ft., at a cost of £22 17s. 9d. . . ..

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Arahura Flat. —K. A. Harcourt has been granted a final payment of £25 to complete his drainagetunnel. Chows' Terrace. —Rimu Miners' Association was granted £50 towards cost of sinking a shaft an approximate depth of 130 ft. Dimensions, 7 ft. by 3 ft. 6 in. Now completed. Fenian Creek. —Lemon and party have driven their prospecting-tunnel 150 ft., at a cost of £15. Arch Creek. —Boyd and party's subsidised tunnel: The balance of this subsidy will be paid for sinking instead of driving. Lark's Terrace. —George Noble was granted a subsidy of £230 to drive his prospecting-tunnel at Lark's Terrace for a distance of 2,000 ft. Driven 1,990 ft. Paid £228 10s. Park Terrace, Ross. —Coughlan and party have driven their prospecting-tunnel 531 ft., at a cost of £87 16s. 4d. The tunnel is now abandoned. Ross. Mont dOr (J. McKay, manager).—Sluicing has been more regular and continuous, chiefly owing to the more favourable wet season. The washdirt in the face gives good promise, while with the advantages gained with the rising bottom sluicing is much simplified and values likely to be enhanced. The varied developments in connection with this extensive working continue to be well ordered and kept in good repair and condition. Yield of gold for the year, 1,089 oz. 12 dwt., valued at £4,249 10s. Value per ounce, £3 18s. Dividends for 1906, £1,800 ; and since registration £42,000. Thirteen men employed. MacLeod's Terrace. —The wet season has favoured sluicing operations; but when visited near the close of the year, sluicing was temporarily ceased for the purpose of effecting some important alterations and additions in connection with the gold-saving appliances. The various works and equipments are in good order. Yield of gold, 25 oz. 4 dwt. 15 gr., valued at £98 Bs. Average value per ounce, £3 18s. Pour men employed. On the Ross field alluvial-mining has been somewhat neglected, owing largely to the demand for labour on the Hokitika-Ross Railway. Repairs to Donnelly's Creek Bridge have been faithfully and creditably effected. Waiho. Waiho Dredging and Sluicing Company (E. B. Mabin, attorney). —This company holds a mining area of 70 acres. In the early part of the year all work was suspended. Application, however, was made by some of the wages-men to work the claim on tribute, and their application was granted. The general working development and equipment of the property are in satisfactory condition. The yield of gold for the year was 110 oz. 18 dwt. 19 gr., valued at £433 6s. sd. The Westland Dredging and Sluicing Company (E. B. Mabin, attorney). —This company holds a mining area of 187 acres, on which operations were conducted by a party of four tributers. Regarding the development and equipment of this property, the various works connected therewith havej"been completed in a substantial and satisfactory manner. Batson and Party (two men). —Notwithstanding the patchy nature of this alluvial deposit, just recently opened, the owners are satisfied with the future prospects. Irwin and Party (two meni.—When this party turn their attention to mining they get an occasional pennyweight of gold. BLACKSANDING. Blacksanding on the Sandfly, Three-mile, and Five-mile Beaches has been a lucrative system of mining during the late stormy weather, as the beaches named were deeply covered with payable drift. One man reported that in four hours black sand was wheeled out for treatment which yielded 4 oz. of gold. It was further reported that on the Five-mile Beach fourteen men had won gold to the value of £300 in nine days, whilst the returns from the Three-mile Beach were considered better. At the Warden's Court, Okarito, Mr. Clouston obtained the right to convert the Alpine Lake into a dam and raise the walls an additional 12 ft. This scheme is calculated to give sufficient hydraulic power to elevate the sands on the Five-mile Beach for open-table treatment. According to information received, the capital necessary to carry out this work is already subscribed. DREDGING. Comparing the values won during the years 1905 and 1906, the total yield of gold for 1906 was 21,961 oz. 9 dwt. 16 gr., valued at £86,082 3s. 6d., against 238 men employed ; this being a decrease on the previous year's operations of 4,708 oz. 4 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £18,709 14s. Bd., and thirty-two men less employed. Dividends paid during 1905 amounted to £25,899 7s. 6d., and for 1906 to £24,275 17s. 10d., the latter being a decrease of £1,623 10s. 6d. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. Copper. Maoriland Copper-mine, Nelson.—Under the management of Mr. E. Bray (late of the Keep-it-Dark, Reefton) the development of this property continues to maintain a more practical and promising character in favour of the shareholder. In the United section the passes between Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 levels have been thoroughly overhauled preparatory for the passing of ore and ventilation. This\latter condition ordered. In carrying forward the leading stope on No. 5 level the orebody''measured 60 ft. in'length, varying in width from 2 ft. to 18 ft. Further extension of No. 7 level

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is calculated to undercut the No. 5 stone at a driven distance of 300 ft., this stone being considered the most valuable ore-body yet discovered on the propeHy. At the Munster the principal work in progress is sinking on the main lode to prove the values at depth. At the Champion attention is restricted to clearing and repairing tracks preparatory to the transit and erection of suitable machinery to unwater an old shaft, with a view to further extension of the low levels. There was an average of thirty-one men employed. Antimony. Endeavour Inlet (Point Edgecombe Antimony Syndicate ; J. N. Dunn, in charge).—This company ' has seven men employed in trenching and crosscutting the various antimonial measures. Some of the outcrops have yielded 60 per cent, of metal. Cadigan, with two men, is prospecting further north with fair success. The property has been placed ori the market with the object of raising the necessary capital to effect further development. Waine has twelve men employed on a mining privilege which embraces the Old Star antimony lease. Operations here are confined to clearing the old workings and surface-prospecting. Resolution Bay, Blenheim. —Clouston is actively prospecting with a party of four men, but discoveries so far obtained are not important. Indications, however, are more favourable in the cross trenches, and some of the loose stones unearthed show special values, which warrant further development. Hjemattte. Washbourne Brothers , Hwmatite Works. —Sales were more active nearing the close of the year. Iron. Parapara Iron-deposits. —So far the development of this property has been confined to the construction of a surface railway from the sea-coast to connect with the site of the proposed works. ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. Quartz-mines. Non-fatal. Big River Mine. —15/1/1906 : Thomas O'Connor, miner, sustained compound fracture of right leg, fracture of collar-bone, and fracture of four ribs by fall of mullock in stope. Golden Fleece Mine. —4/9/1906 : John Phillips, miner, sustained bruises to leg and side by fall of stone in the face. Alluvial Mines. Fatal. 10/2/1906 : Samuel Lattimer was killed by fall of roof in his claim at Rocky River through insufficient timbering. Dredges. Fatal. Jamieson's Reward. —3/3/1906 : Albert Banks, winchman, was drowned by falling overboard into dredge paddock. New Trafalgar. —30/10/1906 : James Cumming, master, was fatally injured by being caught in shaft of elevator. Non-fatal. Three-mile, Greenstone. —8/1/1906 : John Ryan, winchman, sustained fracture of leg above ankle by trays slipping and jamming leg against shoot. I have, &c, Robert Tennent, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

Mr. E. R. Green, Inspector of Mines, Dunedin, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Office of Inspector of Mines (Southern District), Dunedin, 28th March, 1907. I have the honour to forward the accompanying report by the Assistant Inspector of Mines and myself on quartz-mines, hydraulic and alluvial mines, and gold-dredges in the Otago and Southland Districts for the year ending the 31st December, 1906. QUARTZ-MINING. Otago. Shotover. Mount Aurum Gold-mining Company, Bullendale (F. T. Ware, mine-manager).—The block of stone opened up in the British-American line of reef was extracted and crushed during the earlier part of the year. The works were shut down for the winter as usual, and from a variety of circumstances have not been restarted.

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Shotover Quartz-mining Company, Skippers (T. 0. Bishop, mine-manager).—Mining operations at this mine were quiet during the year. Work is now confined to the main level, which is being pushed ahead with the expectation of opening up a further shoot of payable quartz. The mine is well equipped with battery and cyanide plant. Macetown. Premier Sunrise (New Zealand) Gold-mining Company, Macetown (William Patton, mine-manager).— As indicated in last year's report, the mine-manager, acting on instructions from the London board of directors of the company, stopped all operations, closed down the mine, and offered the mine and plant for sale. The property was purchased by Messrs. Sligo Bros., who have not, however, reopened the mine. The water-power available is being used to work the Premier Gully by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. New Zealand Consolidated Gold-mines (Limited) (L. 0. Beal, jun., legal manager, Dunedin). —The employment of a few men at various times during the year is the only evidence that interest is still taken in these mines. Mr. Farrel!, the owner, is still in England, with the object of forming a company to work the property. The manager reports, " The mine has been idle since October, 1904, when a crosscut tunnel was driven as an intermediate level to cut the Homeward Bound reef. The crosscut was 210 ft. in to the reef, and the drive was extended 50 ft. along the reef. The backs gained by this level were 223 ft. This tunnel was cleaned out and timbered up at the latter end of 1906, when the claims were jumped, and settling up the jumping cases exhausted the funds of the company in New Zealand. It is understood that a new company is being formed." D. McKay and Party's Quartz Claim, Caledonian Gully, Macetown. —Area of lease, 20 acres. The area has been increased by the purchase of Balch's lease. The acquisition of this lease will enable both claims to be worked to better advantage. McKay and party have worked their mine to advantage during the year. The tailings and concentrates are being saved with a view to future chemical treatment. The mine-workings are in good order. Timbei well used. Ventilation good. Pour men employed. Anderson, Hannah, and Party's Quartz Claim, Scanlon's Gully, Macetown. —This party have continued to prospect and develop their property during the year. A five-head battery is to be erected, previous crushings having been performed at McKay and party's battery. Cromwell. Cromwell Mine Syndicate's Quartz-mine, Bendigo. —During the year this property was purchased by J. Stevenson, Dunedin Engineering Works. A small company was formed to resume operations. The water-races were repaired and a pipe-line laid down. Sluicing was then commenced on terraces bordering j;he Bendigo Creek. It is understood that it is not the intention of the syndicate to resume operations on the quartz reef at present. Bannockburn. Go-by Quartz-mine, Carrick Range (J. B. Holliday, owner). —Active operations were not continued at this mine during the year. Exhaustive tests of the stone from this mine and elsewhere on the Carrick Range, made at the Colonial Laboratory, proved that the values could not be saved by plate amalgamation or by the chlorination process, but that the cyanide process followed by amalgamation gave excellent results. As an alternative it was suggested that the concentrates could be shipped to Dapto, New South Wales. Messrs. Lawrence Bros., Carrick Range. —This party own the Star of the East and Day Dawn batteries. No progressive work is being undertaken. Operations are confined to mining and crushing small parcels at intervals. Carrick Range. —Some attention has been directed to the quartz reefs and mineral lodes of this range during the latter part of the year. With the exception of the work done by the Antimony Syndicate, operations as yet are confined to the prospecting stage. Bald Hill Flat. • White's Reef, Bald Hill Flat (R. T. Symes).—During ground-sluicing operations some good blocks of stone were met with from time to time. These were saved and put through the battery. An extension of the lode having been discovered in solid country, a drive was put in and some good quartz extracted. The Excelsior battery (Gray reef) was purchased and removed to the new mine. Mr. Symes is hopeful that operations in the new mine will be more profitable than during the past few years. Excelsior Mine, Bald Hill Flat (R. Gray, owner). —The shoot of stone having pinched out in depth in the level, underground operations were discontinued, and the owner resorted to ground-sluicing on the surface. This work was not attended with success, and Gray abandoned the mine. The battery was sold to R. T. Symes for removal to White's reef. Campbell's Gully, Obelisk, Range. —A syndicate composed principally of Roxburgh shareholders has secured a lease over Parker's reef, Campbell's Gully. The shaft sunk to a depth of 50 ft. many years ago will be extended to a depth of 100 ft. or more. Should the reef be proved continuous in depth, a battery will be erected. Alexandra. Conroy's Gully Reef, Alexandra (J. Robertson and party, owners). —Unfortunately, the continuity of the reef was cut off by a slide, and as the party were unable to mine the stone from depth owing to

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the absence of suitable winding and pumping machinery, the venture was abandoned. The property is now in the hands of Mr. Thomas Craig, but J. Robertson utilises the battery to crush surface stone. A few tons of stone saved from the sluicing claim have been crushed for McCarthy. Waifori. There has been no movement made in connection with quartz-mining in this district during the year. The 0.P.Q., Bella, Cox's, Canton, and other reefs are still lying unproductive. There is a tendency throughout the Otago Mining District to revert from alluvial mining to the more permanent forms of reef and lode mining, and thus it is only a question of time when attention will again be directed towards the quartz reefs of the Waipori district. The 0.P.Q., Bella, Canton, Victoria, and Cox's reefs would all repay any outlay, provided that cheap power could be obtained for winding and crushing. The antimony-mine situated on the Lammerlaw Ranges, first opened about 1875, is again being developed by A. C. Buckland. Scheelite occurs associated with the antimony. Eaton and party have repegged the Reedy Creek Copper-mine and water-rights. This mine has not been worked since 1882. Milton. List Chance Quartz-mine, Canada Reefs (Thomas Park, owner). —For several years this mine was a consistent gold-producer. It is to be regretted that the shoot of stone gave out early in the year, since when operations have been at a standstill pending the erection of more suitable machinery to prosecute the work further to depth. It is understood that it is the intention of the owner to recommence operations at once. Ocean View Quartz Reef, Table Hill, Milton. —Owing to the extremely dry weather prevailing it was impossible to crush at Park's battery, which is water-driven. No advance has been made during the year in connection with working any of the known reefs on a comprehensive scale, although some prospecting has been done by Park and Hawkins. Macrae's. New Zealand Gold and Tungsten Company, Mount HigMay (Messrs. W. and 6. Donaldson, owners). — Area, 90 acres. This mine was opened up during the year for the production of gold and scheelite. There is a large body of stone on the property, from which the material is conveyed to the battery by a three-rail incline ground tramway. The present plant consists of one Mason rock-breaker for rough crushing, one Blake-Marsden for fine crushing, one 5 ft. Huntingdon mill, and one Wilfley table. It is intended to increase the size and power of the plant. HigMay Gold and Scheelite Mining Company, Mount Highlay (J. 0. Gilmour, secretary, Dunback). — This property was opened out to mine for gold and scheelite. Operations were not attended with the amount of success anticipated, and the mine was closed down again. 'This company is now-re-erecting a five-head battery lately owned by H. N. Mills and Son. The new mine is close to the New Zealand Gold and Tungsten Mine, Mount Highlay, and the reef carries values in gold and scheelite. A Frue vanner is being installed. Golden Point Quartz-mine, Macrae's (W. and G. ; W. Donaldson, mine-manager). —Messrs. Donaldson Bros, continue to work this extensive property on progressive lines. The mineworkings are in good order. Timber well supplied and freely used. Ventilation good. Explosives well stored and carefully handled. Rules posted. Scheelite is still prepared for market. This mineral occurs throughout the reef, sometimes in very rich pockets or bunches. A comprehensive exhibit of the products of this mine was shown at the International Exhibition, Christchurch. Thirty men are employed in and about the mine and battery. Barewood. Bare-wood Quarlz-mine, Barewood (H. S. Molineaux, mine-manager). —The extension of the shaft in depth has been completed to 249 ft. A crosscut was driven from the 240 ft. level to crosscut the reef in a distance of 66 ft. A level was then turned off along the reef to the west, and has been driven 240 ft. to date. The level has also been driven 20 ft. to the east. All work is now confined to driving this level and stoping to the rise. The mine is in good working-order. Ventilation good. First-class timber used. Explosives carefully stored and handled. Shaft and shaft-fittings in good repair. Sixteen men employed in and about the mine and battery. Tailings saved and treated by cyanide. Later advice is to the effect that the company has several years' stone opened up for crushing. This is low grade, and requires to be handled cheaply and in bulk. The present five-head battery is to be increased by the addition of five extra stampers, and the oil-engine is to be superseded by a producer-gas plant. Harrison and Ewart's Area, Barewood. —This party treated 23 tons of ore with a view to getting the value of the scheelite it contained, with the result that 13 cwt. of scheelite was obtained. The ore was crushed at the Barewood Company's battery. Southland. Preservation Inlet. Morning Star Quartz-mine, Preservation Inlet (John Kingsland, secretary, Invercargill).—This mine has been idle for several years, but a new company is being formed in order to recommence operations in the near future. South-west Otago is a large field, proved to contain auriferous reefs, but the district is heavily wooded and practically unprospected.

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HYDRAULIC SLUICING AND ALLUVIAL MINING, INCLUDING GOLD-DREDGING Livingstone. Mr. John Christian's sluicing claim continues working steadily. A few other claims in this district are in operation as water-supply serves. Maerewhenua. The several sluicing claims continued in operation during the year. The limited water-supplies from the Mountain Hut and private water-races render work on this field somewhat intermittent. From twenty to thirty men, in private parties, continue in remunerative employment. Glenore. Eenewed attention has been given to the district lately, and the large alluvial flat known as Adam's Flat has been pegged off, with the intention of working it by some form of steam-pumping plant. The flat is rich, having derived its auriferous contents from the belt of breccia conglomerate which traverses the district. Some fossicking is still being done in the vicinity of Canada reef. The Gold Bank dredge, under private ownership, continued to work with indifferent results throughout the year. Manuka Creek. Manuka Gold-mining Company (Limited), Manuka Hill (Adam McCorkindale, manager ; R. Pilling, jun., secretary, Lawrence). —Many years ago very rich returns were obtained from a claim on this hill known as Coombe's. The material is a quartz grit, and requires quick treatment. Unfortunately, the water-supply is inadequate, but the present proprietors have effected much improvement. Four men are employed. Waitahuna. Frank Whelan's Sluicing Claim. —Reference has already been made to the possibility of working many hitherto unworked areas by a system of pumping. This area consists of 60 acres of ground, partly worked by hand-labour. The breccia-conglomerate deposit also appears in the claim. It is proposed to generate electrical power at the falls in the Waitahuna River, and transmit the power a distance of five miles to a pumping-station on the bank of the Waitahuna River. Centrifugal pumps in series, or any other suitable form of pump, will be installed to lift water at sufficient pressure to provide power to work the ground by the ordinary system of hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Waitahuna Flat. —This flat has been actively operated upon by hand-labour and by dredges. By these means, however, only the superficial gravels have been worked. There still remains the deep ground underlying the superficial gravels. Several attempts have been made to bottom this deep ground by shafts, but without success. The breccia-conglomerate deposit appears in the terraces rising from Whelan's claim. Systematic boring should be resorted to in order to prove the value of this large area of ground. CoghiWs Hill. —Several acres of a deposit of quartz gravel and grit about 20 ft. in thickness occur on the crown of this hill at an elevation of about 800 ft. above the level of the Waitahuna Flat. The deposit is payably gold-bearing if treated by a water-supply, but the area is too small to encourage the necessary outlay upon waterworks. A similar deposit exists on Sutherland's Hill, adjoining Cogliill's. Upper German Flat Hydraulic Sluicing Claim (Frank Bell, manager). —This claim is privately owned, and affords remunerative employment to the working shareholders. Dredging. —The Havelock and Imperial dredges still continue to operate on this flat, but to all appearances these claims will soon be worked out. At one time five dredges were in operation on the flat working the superficial gravels. Waitahuna Gully. There is little, if anything, fresh to report from this locality. The five hydraulic sluicing and elevating claims continued to work throughout the year with varying success. The successful operations of the Waitahuna Company's claim afford still further proof of the superiority of the hydraulic system over that of dredging upon hard, uneven bottom. Weather stone , s. During the latter part of the year the drought caused a decided shortage of the water-supply, which interfered with continuous operations. The Golden Crescent and Golden Rise claims continue to work with successful results. The only change was the erection of a plant in Paulin's Gully. The water-supply for this claim is inadequate. The deep-level cement-beds in this locality have attracted very little attention for many years. Tuapeka. Bluespur and Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold-mining Company, Bluespur (J. Howard Jackson, general manager ; J. Uren, mine-manager).—Sluicing operations during the season have been considerably hampered by shortage of water-supply, due to prevailing drought. As an indication of the amount of work done and material removed, it may be mentioned that the hill or spur whence the mine takes its name no longer exists, and the claim is now an immense open cut, the floor of which, at the eastern

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boundary is some 70 ft. below the surface of its own tailings-bank occupying Gabriel's Gully. The line of fault forming the northern boundary of the claim is clearly exposed, direction east and west, downthrow south, angle of inclination 45 degrees. Local Industry Gold-mining Company (W. 0. Dawson, manager).—During the year the plant was transferred from Weatherstone's to the lower portion of Gabriel's Gully, and a start was made to rework the bed of the gully. Several paddocks were taken out, but with indifferent results, and the plant and claim has been since offered for sale. The extension of this water-race by means of a siphon across Gabriel's Gully and a race cut five or six miles would command extensive areas of auriferous ground, but the construction would be costly. . Kitto and Party's Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim, Munro s Gully.— -This claim has been at work for many years on the Munro's Gully side of the breccia-conglomerate deposit worked by the Bluespur and Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold-mining Company. The modus operandi is to bring down large masses of the cement with blasts of roburite, and further reduce it by hammer and gadspawling the material being then sluiced to the elevator. Eight men are employed. Tuapeka Sluicing Company, Munro's Gully (P. P. Thomas, manager).—Area, 51 acres, .The claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating, and operations during the year were carried on with success. Six men employed. . P. P. Thomas's Claim, Munro's Gully (C. Thomas, manager).—Terraces bordering Munro s Gully are being sluiced with water under low pressure. Four men employed. Lower Tuapeka River. Tamaiti Gold-mining Company, Tuapeka River (N. K. Wakefield, manager).—ln 1903 a scheme was suggested in which,'by utilising a large body of water on a low head to drive a powerful turbine, power could be obtained to actuate centrifugal pumps in series to raise sufficient water under pressure to sluice the terraces. During 1905 the scheme was taken up by the Tamaiti Gold-mining Company. A dam was erected across the Tuapeka River to raise the water 30 ft. in height. A James Liftel singledischarge horizontal turbine was installed to provide power to actuate combination centrifugal pumps. The plant was started to work in November, 1905, and has since been working satisfactorily, good returns of gold having been obtained from the claim. This company is making application for a second dam-site and water-race license on the adjoining claim. Thomas McLeod and Party, Tuapeka Mouth.— As was only to be expected, the success of the 1 amaiti Gold-mining Company has induced others to take up claims to be worked on the same principle. As this system merely involves the utilisation of a large body of water under a low head, it may be applied wherever the conditions are favourable. There are, however, large areas of auriferous ground throughout Otago and Southland where it is impossible to apply this system as regards utilising water-power. It is now proposed to utilise oil-engines or producer-gas plants to provide the necessary power tor pumping purposes. Waipori. Bakery Flat Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Company, Upper Waipori (John T. Johnson, manager) —In 1904 J. T. Johnson designed a novel dredge, known as the submerged ]et dredge, m order to bottom the lead. Unfortunately, although the dredge proved capable of dealing with an enormous amount of material, the operations were not financially successful before the deep lead was reached. A hard bar also interfered with progress towards the lead. The water-races and sluicing plant were then put in thorough working-order, and a start made to bottom the lead by hydraulic sluicing and elevating Additional power was derived from the Golden Point Company's water during the latter part of the work. Aided by a subsidy authorised by the Mines Department, the work was put m hand during 1906 and successfully carried out. Bottom was reached at a depth of 78 ft. from the surface of the valley. The material passed through was found to be payably auriferous, while the bottom wash proved extremely rich. On this paddock being worked out the plant was then shifted to the head of the lead and operations there have been attended with success. O'Brien and Others.— As was only to be expected, the success attending the operations of the Bakery Flat Company on the deep lead have aroused interest in the possibility of working other portions of the lead It is now proposed to bring in a large body of water, twelve or sixteen miles, from the Waipori River to work the deep lead. A survey of the line of Tace is now being made by Mr. L. 0. Beal, jun., mining engineer. . . . , R J Cotton's Dam-site, Waipori River.—lt is proposed here to apply the principle ot pumping water as adopted by the Tamaiti Claim, Tuapeka. There is a splendid natural dam-site at Ballarat Gorge Waipori River, and should a sufficient quantity of water be available for the purpose, electrical power could be furnished from this site to operate dredging and reefing machinery as well as electriclighting plants. . . . . . . There is little else of interest to narrate regarding the hydraulic sluicing and elevating claims m the Waipori district. These continued to operate with fair results, although the extremely dry weather has shortened the water-supply. , ,7 , , Dredging —There were eight dredges at work in the beginning of the year, but this branch ot the industry is now represented by five dredges in active operation. Two of the working dredges are worked by O'Brien's application of -water-power. Beaumont. Plunket Gold-mining Company.- -Formerly the property of the Champion Sluicing and Elevating Company (Limited), this property was purchased by the Plunket Gold-imnmg Company. The

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latter company was not successful in its operations, and portion of the plant has since been disposed . of to the Oirig Gold-dredging Company, Alexandra, for use in the erection of a plant to drive the dredge by O'Brien's application of water-power to dredges. Buchanan's Sluicing Claim, below Beaumont. —This claim is situated on a terrace composed of river gravels. The water-supply is poor, but the owner has improved the plant. Dredging. —The New Paul's Beach dredge, situated seven miles below Beaumont, and owned by Mr. William Adams, Dunedin, is the only one in the district. Owing to the unfavourable state of the river during the past year dredging has been intermittent. Island Block. Island Block Gold-dredging and Sluicing Company, Island Block (D. Weir, Manager). —Hydraulic sluicing and elevating operations have been steadily conducted during the year. Dredging operations have not been resumed. The company employed an average of fourteen men during the year. Tallaburn Hydraulic Sluicing Company, Curries Flat, Tallaburn (John Whelan, manager).—There is nothing fresh to report concerning this company's extensive operations. A large area of ground has been sluiced away with good results. Seven men employed. Cooper and Party's Hydraulic Sluicing Claim, Horseshoe Bend. —This party continue to operate on their claim with by-wash water from the Island Block Claim. Two men employed. Gunton's Beach Hydraulic Sluicing Claim (Madden and Myers, owners). —This claim has been proved to be rich, but the great drawback is the want of a suitable water-supply. Dredging. —The Otago No. 2 dredge continued working during the year with good results. Johns and party's dredge started work early in the year, but with indifferent results. Jones and party purchased Pringle and party's No. 1 dredge, and shifted it to the foot of Gunton's Beach, but operations have not been very successful. Miller's Flat. Golden Run Hydraulic Sluicing and Dredging Claim. —This company's large dredge is now working in the flat clear away from the river, and depends upon the water from the pipe-line for paddock water. Portion of this water is also used for stripping off the great overburden of loam ahead of the dredge. This company employs an average of thirteen men. Dredging. —In this district nine dredges continue in operation on the Clutha River. With two exceptions these dredges are large up-to-date machines, capable of treating an enormous quantity of material. Six of the dredges are working into the bank portions of their claims, and proving the existence of payable wash. Kelso. Duntulm Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim, Pomahaka River. —This claim was worked for several months in the early part of the year with fair results. Owing to the altitude work cannot be carried on during a few weeks of the winter, while the lengthened spell of dry weather hindered sluicing operations towards the end of the year. Rise and Shine Claim, Pomahaka River. —The difficulty presented by this claim, and which the various attempts made failed to overcome, was the successful bringing-up of a long deep tail-race through a rocky gorge, so that ground-sluicing operations might be carried on. The flat is known to be rich, but, being difficult to work, no serious attempt has been made of late years to open up the ground. Dredging. —Unfortunately, the Kelso dredge, which started operations during the year, did not meet with success, and has been sold for removal. The Ardmore, a private concern, continued to operate successfully on Ardmore Estate. Campbell's Gully. Campbell's, Potter's, and the Upper Waikaia River districts, embracing gullies, creeks, and terraces on the slopes of the Old Man and Whitecombe Ranges, within the watershed of the Waikaia River, are localities which have yielded a large amount of alluvial gold to the miners. Increased attention is being given to these places for hydraulic sluicing, and with good water-power and plenty of ground available this field should yet yield quantities of gold. Campbell's Flat is an extensive deep wet flat so far unprospeeted, but with good prospects, insomuch as Campbell's Gully is famous for its past richness. Water-rights are held in this locality by John Bennetts and Parker Bros., Roxburgh. Dumbarton. Anderson's Flat. —A Dunedin syndicate are testing this flat by systematic boring, with the intention of ultimately working the ground by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. For this purpose the watersupply hitherto in use on the Hercules Claim, Roxburgh, will be used. The results from several bores put down are said to have been favourable. There is an extensive area of ground here, presumably containing an ancient course of the Clutha River, with outlet at Ettrick and Miller's Flat districts, which have proved and are proving highly auriferous. Roxburgh. Roxburgh Amalgamated Mining, and Sluicing Company {Limited) (J. H. Waigth, manager).—This is the largest hydraulic-sluicing claim in the district. Operations are carried out systematically and successfully, due regard being given to the safety of the employees. Fourteen men employed during the year.

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Lady smith Gold-dredging Company (Limited), East Roxburgh (W. Donnelley, manager).—Hydraulic sluicing and elevating operations were continued on this property with satisfactory results during the year. Nine men employed. Commissioners , Flat Sluicing Claim (Coulter and party ; R. George, manager).—Sluicing operations have been contimied"on the same lines as formerly with satisfactory results. Four men are employed. Pleasant Valley Hydraulic Sluicing Claim, Coal Creek (McPherson Bros., owners ; F. Swanwick, manager).—This claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Eight heads of water are in use under a vertical pressure of 300 ft. The material is elevated 20 ft. Dredging.— -Five dredges continue to operate in this district"on the Clutha River. Three of the working dredges are privately owned. Baldhill Flat. Carroll and Lynch are still operating on a small aiea of ground hitherto considered as too low-grade for Working. The Last Chance Company is now working terrace ground by ground-sluicing. Duntulm Hydraulic Sluicing Party, Fraser Basin (William C. Nicholson and party, owners).— The plant formerly in use on Ewing and Dowdall's claim has been purchased by the above party, and is to be transferred duiing the summer to the Fraser Basin, at the head of the Fr»ser Rivei, Obelisk, or Old Man Range. This flat comprises several thousand acres of practically unprospected ground, but the river bed and banks below yielded excellent returns of gold to European and Chinese miners. Dredging in the Gorge.—The new Fourteen-mile Beach Gold-dredging Company's dredge was successful in winning 689 oz. of gold during the year, although the river was unfavourable for dredging for the greater part of the time. Naseby. The usual number of sluicing claims continue to work with water mainly derived from the Government water-race. There are several parties working with privately owned water-supplies. Owing to the unusual dryness of "the season and the light fall of snow in winter, the supplies of water for mining were more curtailed than is usually the case. Patearoa. Patearoa Hydraulic-sluicing Claim (D. C. Stewart, manager).—This hydraulic-sluicing plant continues to operate with successful results. Eight heads of water are used under a vertical pressure of 192 ft. The material is sluiced 30 ft. John Johnston's Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim, Caledonian Gully, Patearoa. —Good returns of gold are obtained from this claim, which affords employment to three men. Upper Taieri River. Taieri Falls Sluicing and Electric Power Transmission Company (Limited) (John Tyson, minemanager ; E. Trythall, secretary, Dunedin). —This property was formerly owned by the Canadian Flat Hydraulic Sluicing and Electrical Power Company, and has now been acquired by the former-named company. The water-race, which was partially constructed several years ago, is now being completed, and preparations are being made to equip the claim with a suitable plant recently in use at the Red Swamp, Teviot district. There is an extensive field here for mining purposes, and the company has acquired valuable water-rights from the Taieri River in the vicinity of the Taieri Falls. There are a number of sluicing plants at work throughout this district, which embraces the extensive watershed of the Upper Taieri River. Fortification Hydraulic Sluicing Company, Red Swamp, Lammerlaw Ranges.—The. operations of this company were unsuccessful, and have been suspended. The sluicing plant has been sold for removal to the Taieri Falls Sluicing and Electrical Power Transmission Company's property at Canadian Flat. Serpentine. George Banbury and J. Weatheratt's Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim affords employment to three men, and good results are obtained. Deep Stream. Deep Stream Amalgamated Sluicing Company (Limited). —This claim continued to be worked with poor results during the early portion of the yeer. The company then went into liquidation, and the plant and claim were sold to William Adams and others, who nave resumed work. St. Bathan's. Scandinavian Water-race Company, Surface Hill (Neil Nicolson, manager) .—Total area of claims, 140 acres. Twenty-five heads of water are available under a vertical pressure of 380 ft. The water is brought in in races —in all, over ninety-six miles in length. Two elevators are used, and the material is lifted a total height, in two lifts, of 140 ft. During 1905 an area of three-quarters of an acre is stated to have yielded 1,029 oz. of gold. is fine, and is saved with the usual angle-iron ripples and cocoanut matting. Scandinavian Water-race Company, Kildare Hill. —Work was resumed on the Deep Lead Claim (formerly the property of Mr. John Ewing) toward the end of the year. On the water being pumped out of the paddock it was found that the lower lift had become filled with gravel, and the semi-vertical walls above, softened by water-standage, had assumed a batter consistent with safety, and very little

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delay occurred in getting to work again. Paddock, 6 acres in area ; elevating 90 ft. under a pressure of 375 ft. vertical; twelve heads of water used. United M. and E. Water-race Company (Patrick O'Regan, mine-manager ; William Pyle, legal manager, St. Bathan's). —This claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating on an extensive scale. Fifteen heads of water are conveyed from the company's dam over twenty-five miles of waterraces. One elevator lifting 64 ft. is employed. The pressure at the elevator-jet is due to a vertical head of 400 ft. Cambrian's. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Company (J. Morgan, mine-manager; E. Morgan, secretary, Cambrian's). —Operations are conducted on this claim on an extensive scale. Twelve heads of water are brought in a distance of twenty miles, at an elevation of 500 ft. vertical height above the claim. One elevator is used, the material being lifted 110 ft. Matakanui. Undaunted Gold-mining Company (T. C. Donnelly, mine-manager).—This claim is worked by the hydraulic sluicing and elevating system. The average supply of water available is thirty-five heads, portion of which is delivered at the claim under pressure resulting from a head of 420 ft. vertical, and portion from 320 ft. vertical. The material is elevated from 45 ft. to 60 ft. in height according to the depth of ground worked. The water-races are over thirty miles in length. Length of pressurepipes, 6,000 ft. Tinker's Gold-mining Company (J. Naylor, mine-manager ; T. Duggan, secretary).-—This claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Twenty heads of water are brought in a distance of six miles to command the claim at an elevation of 600 ft. vertical. One elevator is used, through which the material is elevated 60 ft. Seven men employed. Matakanui Gold-mining Company, Matakanui (W. Norman, mine-manager and secretary).— This claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Twelve heads of water are used under a vertical pressure of 200 ft. The material is elevated 60 ft. Mount Morgan Sluicing Company, Matakanui (James Percy, mine-manager; J. D. Nicolson, secretary).—Area of claim, 60 acres. Since the company started work in October, 1903, 8 acres of ground have been worked for a yield of 537 oz. Ten heads of water are available under a vertical pressure of 120 ft. The material is elevated 25 ft. Four men are employed. Ophir. The Black's dredge, started during the year, has worked with fair success There is a large area of auriferous ground in the flat and on the terraces which would pay well for sluicing. There is no doubt that the extension of the Alexandra Water-raoe in this direction would command a large extent of auriferous ground. Alexandra South. During 1905 the Government purchased the various dams and water-rights, water-races, and plant belonging to the Alexandra-Bonanza Gold-dredging and Sluicing Company. The necessary expenditure having been authorised, a start was made to improve the water-races and extend them to command a large tract of auriferous country known as the Galloway Terraces. This land was all prospected well, but has hitherto been unworkable on a large scale owing to the absence of suitable water-supplies, which being now available, it may reasonably be expected that this district will afford a large amount of remunerative employment. Golden Bend Gold-mining Company, Alexandra South (Wallace Carr, manager).—This claim has been proved to contain rich auriferous wash. A plant on the principle of a dredge ladder and buckets driven by steam-power has been installed, but is inadequate to deal effectively with the large body of material encountered. Tucker Hill Claim. —An attempt was made to work the cement-deposit by means of a rock-breaker driven by a portable engine. The efficiency of this plant was low, which, combined with'the want of a suitable water-supply, compelled the owners to cease operations. Dredging. —The dredging-season during 1906 was again unfavourable for gorge dredging on account of the high state of the Clutha or Molyneux River, and travelling drift. There are still five dredges below the Alexandra Bridge. Fourteen dredges continue to operate on the river or in the banks between Alexandra Bridge and Muttontown Gully. Two of the old type of dredges are laid aside as useless in their present positions, as operations are now chiefly confined to the bank claims. On the. Earnscleugh side the dredges are supplied with water from the Fraser River, and thus work independently of the Clutha River. On the Dunstan side operations are so carried on that the heavy current of the river is directed against the banks, and assists in carrying away the non-auriferous material. Four privately owned dredges are at work |on the Manuherikia River flats, while the Olrig, a public company, is being fitted with O'Brien's application of water-power'to'dredges in*lieu"of?steampower hitherto used. Clyde. With the exception of a few men at work in Blackmail's Gully and on the banks of the Clutha River, sluicing operations are at a standstill in this district. Two dredges continued at work during the dredging-season in the vicinity of Clyde, while the Unity dredge has been sold for removal to the Waikaia dredging-field.

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Cromwell. For many years this has been pre-eminently a dredging district, being favourably situated with respect to the CTutha and Kawarau Rivers. Between Cromwell and Waitiri, on the Kawarau River, there were five dredges in operation during the dredging-season. Below Cromwell, on the Clutha River, two dredges continued to work when the river was favourable, and one operated successfully in the Clutha Gorge above Cromwell Township. During the year eight dredges were in operation in the Clutha Basin at Lowburn, only three of which, by reason of their superior power and capacity, were capable of dealing effectively with this class of ground. One has since been dismantled and transferred to Victoria. There are extensive tracts of known auriferous ground in this district capable of supporting a large mining population, but the absence of suitable water-supplies prevents the working of these deposits. It has been proposed to convey water by means of a pipe-line from the Roaring Meg Stream to command Cromwell Flat for mining and agricultural purposes. The utilisation of the power of the Kawarau or Clutha Rivers to raise water for the above purposes is within the bounds of possibility. Bendigo. The Bendigo property, comprising the quartz-mine, winding and crushing plant, and water-rights, was bought by Stevenson and party. The water-races were improved and a line of pressure-pipes was laid down. The water was then used for sluicing terraces overlying Bendigo Creek. Operations were hampered owing to the dryness of the season. Cardrona. Griffel Lead Sluicing Company (Limited), Cardrona (E. Trythall, secretary, Dunedin ; Dugald MacGregor, manager). —As stated in last year's report, this company secured a large area of ground on Criffel Face and a plentiful water-supply. The water-race was cut in, the sluicing plant laid down during the year, and sluicing operations commenced. Progress was retarded from the start by the heavy overburden of rocks, and considerable difficulty was experienced in opening out on the lead. Opening-out operations had not been completed at the end of the year. The average number of men employed during the year was twenty. Walter Little's Hydraulic-sluicing Claim, Cardrona Valley (Ed. Barker, manager).—Operations have been continued in this claim throughout the year. Twelve heads of water under a vertical pressure of 320 ft. are used. The material is elevated 31 ft. Branch Creek. —It is now proposed to extend Lafranchi's water-race from the Cardrona River, a distance of four miles, to command auriferous ground in Branch Creek. Dredging. —Two dredges were at work during the greater part of the year, one of which is driven by water-power. Works are now in progress to adopt water-power on the Lone Star dredge also. Luggate. Sluicing operations on a small scale are carried on in Luggate Creek. The absence of suitable water-supplies prevents the systematic working of the large alluvial deposits in this locality. Dredging. —The Albertown dredge, owned and worked by a party of working shareholders, is still the only one at work in this locality. Boring operations have been carried on in the Luggate Creek with good results, and it is proposed to erect a dredge thereon. Arrow River. Arrow Falls Sluicing Company (J. Shanks, manager). —After years of arduous work bringing up a tail-race through the gorge, the claim is now well opened out on the flat. Work is now carried on by hydraulic sluicing and elevating, for which purpose a good water-supply is available. Macetown. Anderson and Party, Eight-mile Hill, Arrow River. —Ground-sluicing. Three men. William Reed and Party, Red Hill, Arrow River. —Ground-sluicing. Sligo Bros., Premier Mine, Macetown. —This party are trying to bottom the Premier Gully by hydraulic sluicing and™eleva.tir><r. The gully is deep, and scarcity of water has hindered completion of operations. ' Richard Bolon's Claim, Arrow River, Macetown. —This claim, situated in the bed of the Arrow River at the foot of Twelve-mile Creek, is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Glenorchy. Valpy Bros.' Claim, Glenorchy, Head of Lake Wakatipu. —Area of claim, 9 acres. Three men find employment in this claim, which is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Queenstown. Reid and Lee, Twelve-mile, Lake Wakatipu. —This hydraulic sluicing and elevating claim continued in operation during the year. Arthur's Point. Arthur's Point Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Company, Arthur's Point, Shotover River (McMullan Bros, and Phelan, owners). —This plant continues to operate in the bed of the Shotover River, below Arthur's Point. Two heads are used, under a vertical pressure of 330 ft.

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Dredgin ;. —The career of the Wakatipu Gold-dredging Company's dredge has been one of misfortune. The dredge has again sunk, and has not been raised. The Shotover River gorge is narrow and rocky, and the river is subject to sudden rises, which cause the dredge to be silted up. Moonlight. Moonlight No. 2 (Maim, Moonlight Creek, Queenstown. —This claim, which is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating, has been let on tribute to four men. Shotover. The valley of the Shotover River, with its tributary creeks, continues to afford employment to a small mining population in the various sluicing claims. These are all worked on the ground-sluicing principle, the sluiced material being discharged into the river. During the winter months, when the snow is frozen on the mountains, the level of the Shotover is low, and then the bed of the river is worked by wing-damming and by Smith's jet-pump system. This has been one of the permanent goldfields since the year 1862, and it will continue as such for many years to come. The usual number of claims were worked during the year. Southland. Nevis. Hogg and Party's Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim, Nevis (John McLean, manager). — The construction of the water-race was completed towards the end of the year, and a start was made to lay down the plant so that operations should be in full swing early in 1907. The company has a good water-supply, which commands a large area of auriferous ground. Five men employed. Our Mutual Friend Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim (Masters and Adie Bros.). —Operations are conducted on the usual lines with satisfactory results. Height of lift, 36 ft. Number of heads of water in use, 25. Robertson and Party's Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim. —This privately owned claim adjoins Our Mutual Friend Claim, and is conducted on similar lines with good results. Dredging. —There are five dredges in this district, all privately owned. Although able to work only about eight months in the year, operations are fairly successful. Employment is afforded to about thirty-five men. TJffer Nevis. Joe Park's Hydraulic Sluicing Claim, Upper Nevis.' —Sluicing operations are carried on as usual, with fair results. Edward McMillan's Sluicing Claim, Cameron's Gully, Upper Nevis. —At the end of the year a large and up-to-date plant was being erected on the flat portion of the claim. In the meantime sluicing is being continued on the terrace portion of the claim with good resu ts. Four men employed. Ellis Bros.' Hydraulic Sluicing and Elevating Claim, Upper Nevis (R,. McDonald, manager).—The water-rights have been improved, and a race cut in at a higher elevation than the one formerly in use. At the time of my visit the line of pressure-pipes was being extended to the new race. This claim has been in operation on the Upper Nevis Flat for several years, and the improvements referred to indicate the payable nature of the undertaking. O'Connell and Graham's Hydraulic Sluicing Claim, Upper Nevis. —After several years' highly successful work at the head of the Upper Nevis Gorge, subsequent operations were not attended with success. Several attempts were made to locate the extension of the gold-bearing wash, but apparently without success, and the plant and claim were offered for sale. It is understood that the property was purchased on behalf of one of the partners, who intends to resume operations in the locality of Whitton's Creek. O'Connell Bros.' Sluicing Claim, Upper Nevis. —Four heads of water are to be brought in to command a deposit similar in nature to that worked successfully at McMillan's claim. The plant formerly in operation on the Undaunted property will be transferred to the new claim. Undaunted Sluicing Claim, Upper Nevis. —The attempt to work the bed of the Upper Nevis Gorge by hydraulic sluicing and elevating was a failure. It is understood that the plant has been purchased by O'Connell Bros, for their claim in the same locality. Dredging. —So far, dredging in this district is in its infancy, and its rapid progress is hindered by the inefficiency of the machine now in operation there and to the want of a suitable cheap coal-supply. Aihol. George Holloway and Party's Claim, Paddy's Alley (A. Vey, manager). — Very rich finds have been made in this locality, but the great drawback is the want of a suitable water-supply. This party are sluicing with a poor supply drawn from Fiery Creek, Mid-dome, and conveyed in a siphon across the Mataura River Valley. Three men employed. Nokomai. Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Kum Poy, secretary, Dunedin). —This company practically commands the whole of the Nokomai Valley. Two claims are held at present, the combined area of which amounts to 211 acres. Shortage of water has hitherto affected continuous working of this property during the summer season, and to remedy this defect the Lion Water-race was purchased. A large

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number of men have been engaged during the year in repairing and improving this race, which is over twenty miles in length. No. 1 claim (J. Robertson, manager) : Eighteen heads of water under a vertical pressure of 650 ft. are used; the material is elevated 75ft. No. 2 claim (Charles Atkinson, manager) : Twenty-five heads of water are used under a vertical pressure of 250 ft. ; the material is elevated 50 ft. Victoria Gully Sluicing Claim, Nokomai (Selwood and Burke, owners). —The present owners purchased this property from John France. The claim is worked by hydraulic sluicing and elevating, with a poor water-supply. The ground is about 20 ft. deep and very rough. Two men employed. Waikaia. Argyle Hydraulic Sluicing Company, Winding Creek (J. Stewart, manager). —This company carries on both hydraulic sluicing and dredging at Winding Creek. The dredge is driven by water-power, the method used being, it is claimed, an improved adaptation of O'Brien's system. Surplus water is used for ground-sluicing. The company's operations are attended with success. Seven men are employed. "Winding Creek Sluicing Claim, Winding Creek (John Eamsay, mine-manager ; Alfred Reynolds, secretary, Riverton). —This property is held by the Round Hill Mining Company, and sluicing operations have been carried on during the year. The ground is deep, necessitating the overburden being stripped off before the lower portion of the deposit is elevated. Ten heads of water, under a vertical pressure of 280 ft., are available. Six men are employed. Muddy Creek Terraces, Waikaia. —Separate water-rights from the Dome Creek and mining areas on the Muddy Creek Terraces were secured by Messrs. P. Gordon and F. Hamer. In order to work to the best advantage the various rights were amalgamated, and a large company formed, with a capital of £13,000, to bring in the water from Dome Creek. The water-race has been surveyed, and tenders are being called for its construction over sixteen miles. Dredging. —Too much attention cannot be drawn to the rapid advance made by the dredging industry in this district. In 1901 the industry was|looked upon as a failure in this locality. In that year the Mystery Flat dredge started to work, and obtained good was the turning-point, and renewed attention was devoted to the field. Systematic boring on the claims was adopted, with good results. There are now seventeen dredges in the Waikaia Valley, fifteen of which are in active operation. Present indications point to the further flotation of companies and the erection of more dredges. Gore. Gore is the centre of an extensive mining district comprising Waikaka Valley, Charlton Valley, and Mataura River Valley. Owing to the absence of suitable water-supplies under pressure as required for hydraulic sluicing and elevating, this is pre-eminently a dredge-mining district. A sluicing claim was at work at the head of Charlton Valley several years ago, but the water-supply was poor. It is now proposed to cut in a race four miles in length from the Otamita Stream to convey sufficient water to carry on extensive sluicing operations. There is a large area of known auriferous ground available. An extensive deposit oi payably auriferous gravels which occurs in the forks of the Big and Little Waikaia Streams is not being worked on account of the impracticability of bringing an adequate watersupply at suitable working pressure. Two privately owned dredges are now at work on the|Mataura River, one above Gore Township several miles below. The tocal number of dredges in active operation on the Waikaka field is twenty-four. Three were dismantled during the year and not re-erected, while one was transferred to a claim on the Mataura River, near Gore. Ibbotson's dredges continue to operate successfully in the Charlton Valley. There five dredges operating in the Waimumu Valley, near Mataura; three of these are privately owned. • Round HiU. Round Hill Gold-mining Company (A. Reynolds, general manager ; F. Hart, mine-manager).— The working-paddock has assumed large proportions; operations were commenced in the valley of the Ourawera Stream two and a half years ago. Some fifty acres of sludge overlying virgin ground were sluiced and elevated to a depth of 50 ft. in all. The ancient river-bed is bared to the diorite bottom. Buried timber and stones in considerable quantities have been successfully handled by the Pelton-driven log-hauler; in fact, had it not been for the facilities afforded by this machine, it is questionable if receipts from operations would have covered expenses, as the material treated has been below average value, while large quantities of stones and buried timber were encountered. The paddock has become so extensive that Nos. 1 and 2 elevators are growing beyond the range of efficiency from the working-face. No. 3 elevator is being erected to work that part of the claim down stream in virgin ground, the lead of good wash having been proved to continue in that direction. The new penstock and main pipe-line are acting efficiently, and the new storage-dam site is being enlarged as occasion offers. The main line is some 45 chains in length; pipes reduced from 32 in. to 30 in. to 27 in. and 26 in. diameter. Twenty-two heads of water available at a vertical pressure of 300 ft. to the sludge-level, which is 50 ft. above the floor of the claim. Mr. A. Reynolds, general manager, supplies (5/4/1907) the following figures : The area taken out to half the slope is 31 acres, and the area cleaned down to about 25 acres ; the average depth of material worked is 15 yards; about 2,250,000 cubic yards of material have been passed over the gold-saving tables, with a return of 5,541 oz., valued at £22,164, being at the rate of 2 - 363 d. per cubic yard. The cost of mining was Ifd. per cubic yard, including depreciation, &c, leaving a profit of 0 - 61 ci per cubic yard worked.

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The platinum won amounted in value to £120. The elevators for two years averaged each 69 cubic yards per hour, working three hundred days each year. Ourawera Gold-mining Company (Jas. Couling, mine-manager). —The deep paddock was finished about the end of the year, and the plant removed to the adjoining claim, where work is proceeding, stripping ahead some 20 ft. or more in depth, and sluicing on the high " bottom " approaching the terraces in Italian Gully. The surface ground had been previously worked by sluicing, but the rich layers of wash in the inequalities of the bottom had escaped notice, or the methods of working had proved inadequate, consequently this company, with its splendid water-pressure, is enabled to benefit considerably. The company continues on the consistent-dividend-paying list. Smith Gold-mining Company (D. Smith, mine-manager).—This claim is the furthest up the bed of the Ourawera Stream. Anticipations have not latterly been realised. The worked terraces were rich, and it was believed that, as in the case of the adjoining company, payable ground would be exposed by bringing in water at pressure suitable for elevating the sludge in the bed of the stream, together with virgin ground in the valley and at foot of terraces. Such, however, did not prove to be the case. The " bottom " rose consistently, and the irregular layers of wash present proved less rich than anticipated ; nevertheless, the company persevered, and a large amount of dead-work has been overcome. Jewett's Gully Gold-mining Company, Jewett's Gully (Joseph Thurgood, mine-manager).— Elevating suspended meanwhile ; stripping and sluicing proceeding up the gully. Pour men employed. Orepuhi. Unlike many other gold-mining centres in this district, the season has been an open one for watersupply, consequently work was fairly regular. Claimholders on this field are mainly parties of working shareholders, and the field continues to afford remunerative employment. Depth of ground usually 30 ft. to 40 ft. to false bottom. It does not appear, however, that any of the claims have been worked below the false bottom, probably owing to want of fall for ground-sluicing and there not being sufficient supply of water under pressure for elevating to depth. There is apparently no reason why payably auriferous wash may not occur in the false bottom, as in other districts. The claim latterly worked by Evans and party is exhausted, and the water will be diverted. Wallace and Whelan are driving in the terrace ; the seam of wash is above normal thickness (generally 4 ft.), and it is understood that good returns are being obtained. A. M. Dawson and party are sluicing and stripping on the old Undaunted Company's claim. Altogether, from forty to fifty European from twenty to twenty-five Chinese are employed on the field, which includes Tuanoa Creek, Falls Creek, and Sandy Creek districts. M. Mouat and Party. —A sea-beach hydraulic, elevating claim for treatment of auriferous beach and black-sand deposits at near the outlet of Tuanoa Creek. The claim is subject to tidal influences. Two heads of water leased from Kingsland and party are brought in a distance of about three miles from Waimeamea Creek. By 250 ft. of 11 in. pipes a fall of 70 ft. vertical is gained over the cliff, elevating 17 ft. Suction-pipes are laid along the beach and buried; the intake-pipe is movable, and kept clear of large stones and timber; the sand is then blown in by means of a small jet of water. A double set of tables is erected, each having a spread of 144 square feet. The gold is very fine, notwithstanding which by far the larger proportion is recovered on the first plush at head of strakes, cocoanut matting being laid at the lower ends to catch what proportion of fine float gold it may. Platinum occurs, and is being recovered. The heavier sands are saved for further examination, with a view to treatment if found payable. Several beach claims at near the mouth of Tuanoa Creek are being worked by beachcombers in the usual way—copper-plates quicksilvered on portable tables, water being led in in canvas hose. The material treated comprises auriferous black sands, which is constantly assorted by successive tides and the good layers treated by claimholders. Accidents : Hydeaulic and Alluvial Mines. Fatal. 20/7/1906: John Phillips, miner, Upper Waikaia, was accidentally killed by a stone from the face falling on his head. Non-fatal. 20/4/1906 : Arthur Hill, miner, Bluespur and Gabriel's Gully Mine, sustained a fractured leg through being struck by a piece of cement rolling from the face. GOLD-DREDGING. At the end of December, 1905, the total number of dredges in Otago and Southland in various stages was 172. At the end of December, 1906, this number had dropped to 159. During the year there was a decrease of thirteen dredges. Of this number six were dismantled and not re-erected in Otago, and three were removed from that district to Victoria and one to Southland. With regard to Southland, there was no difference in the number of dredges at the end of 1906 from the number at the end of 1905. Four dredges were dismantled during the year, but four were imported into the district and erected there. A noticeable feature of the evolution of the industry is the acquirement of dredgmgj'properties by parties of working shareholders or by small syndicates. There are now thirty-five dredges at work

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in Otago and seventeen in Southland, owned by working shareholders or small syndicates. Many of these are highly successful, while others are able to work to advantage claims which yield a small profit over working-expenses. Owing to the unfavourable state of the Clutha (or Molyneux) River during the past season, the several dredges operating in the gorge portions were unable to work for more than a few weeks. A few improvements have been made in connection with working dredges. The Rising Sun, Duke of Gordon, and Koputai dredges are now fitted with shaking-boxes of different types, ir lieu of the revolving screen. It is claimed for these boxes that with a minimum wear-and-tear the material is better treated and a greater percentage of the gold is saved. Considerable attention was given during the year to the assay of black and grey sands associated with the gold-bearing gravels. A number of small assays were made, but the results obtained lacked the reliability which would have marked the treatment of bulk samples of these sands, which are recovered in various degrees of concentration. The application of water-power to dredges, though proved to be advantageous where used, has not made much progress during the year. Eight dredges are now provided with this power, and two more are being equipped with the necessary machinery. The question of the reduction of workingcosts with regard to motive power is now entering largely into the question of working many areas of low-grade gravels. A sufficient number of kerosene lamps are used upon the majority of dredges for working at nighttime, while a number are equipped with electric-lighting or acetylene-gas plants. Accidents : Gold-dredgks. Fatal. 11/1/1906: David Anderson, winrhman, Morning Light dredge, Cromwell, was drowned in the Clutha River by falling from the bow side line, upon which he attempted to go ashore from the dredge. 27/2/1906 : Robert A. Williamson, winchman, Lone Star dredge, Cardrona, accidentally killed by.ja, section of the broken crown wheel, falling on him from above. 4/4/1906 : Joseph Burgeois, winchman, Waikaka dredge, Waikaia, drowned in dredge paddock ; jumped from coal-punt into paddock while in a state of excitement. 14/5/1906 : Walter P. Stevens, winchman, Alpine No. 2 dredge, Lowburn, accidentally drowned while engaged coaling ; a portion of the bank above water-level fell on the coal-boat, and Stevens was taken down with it. Non-fatal. 5/3/1906 : J. B. Morgan, blacksmith's assistant, Earnscleugh dredge, Alexandra, received a stroke on eye by a piece of steel, necessitating removal of the eye. OTHER MINERALS. Auriferous Ironsands. Although extensive deposits of.these sands exist in the south and south-west coasts of New Zealand, operations are principally confined to the Orepuki Beach, where about twelve men find employment? when the tides are favourable. Other localities worked more or less intermittently are at Fortrose, Waikawa, the beach stretching between Clutha and Tokomairiro Rivers, and Kartigi Beach, North Otago. The want of a suitable appliance to treat these sands wholesale is severelyjfelt, as only a small percentage of the values is obtained by present system of Opiate amalgamation. The hydraulicelevating plant at Orepuki Beach (an adaptation of the Charleston set of tables) appears to be doing satisfactory work. Platinum. The usual percentage has been recovered in conjunction with the gold won from the Round Hill G-old-mining Company's sluicing claim at Round Hill, Southland. The beachcombers at Orepuki also save a small quantity of this mineral. Platinum is found associated with gold in the black-sand deposits on the beaches of the south and south-west coasts of Otago. Copper. Owing to the high price ruling for this mineral, considerable attention is being devoted to the known deposits. Some attention has been given to the Moke Creek lode by a syndicate. The claim at Reedy Creek has recently been applied for, and four men are employed in reopening the mine. Antimony. Quite i revival may be said to have taken place in antimony-mining—a condition induced by the high market prices ruling. Alexandra Antimony-mine (Alexandra Antimony-mining Company, Limited). —This mine was closed down for five years, but has been reopened by James McQueen and party. This property is now advantageously situated, being within one mile of the Alexandra Railway-station. The absence of cheap communication with the sea-board has hitherto retarded the working of many quartz reefs and mineral lodes in Central Otago. Charles Rillstone has been appointed mine-manager of the Alexandra Mine,

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and a start has been made to erect the necessary winding and pumping machinery in order that a steady output may be maintained. Eight men employed. Carrick Range Antimony-mine. —This mine was worked many years ago, and a smelting plant erected, but the venture was not successful. Robertson and party have been taking out a few tons lately with a view to establishing an export trade. This antimony is of good quality, but the mine is handicapped by its distance from the railway. Nevis Bluff Antimony Lode. —The existence of antimony has been known in this locality for many years, and a considerable amount of prospecting has been done recently, resulting in a few tons of the mineral being procured during the latter part of the year. Lammerlaw Range Antimony-mine. —As early as 1875 antimony was taken from this lode, and the mine has been worked off and on ever since. It has again been opened up by Mr. A. Buckland, who is at present developing it. Scheelite of good quality is here associated with the antimony. The want of easy communication with the railway, which is some twelve miles distant by mountainous road, has hitherto retarded the working of the mine during years of low-ruling market rates. Sunrise Peak, Arrow River, Macetown. —Some prospecting has been done on a lode which exists on this mountain. Scheelite. 92 tons are returned as having been produced and exported from the Macrae's district during the year. This makes a grand total of 550 tons exported from this district. The chief producers are Messrs. Donaldson Bros., owners of the Golden Point and Mount Highlay Gold and Scheelite properties, from which 92 tons were produced. The lode at Mount Judah, Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu, has been opened up during the year, and a few tons of scheelite produced. Considerable attention has been devoted to deposits known to exist in various parts of the Macrae's district, on the Lammerlaw Ranges, at Barewood, and Leaning Rock Range, Central Otago. The total production during 1906 was 94 tons 14 cwt., valued at £5,520. Glenorchy Scheelite Syndicate, Glenorchy, Lake Wakatipu. —Active work was resumed during the. year 1906 by Messrs. Lee and Reed, some 14 tons of concentrated mineral being produced and marketed. The old level has been cleaned out and restored. The low level is driven 100 ft. and the lode risen on to surface, over 100 ft. of backs being in sight. Surface trenching has proved continuance of the lode a considerable distance. A battery of five head of stamps, each 800 lb. in weight, is water-power driven. A No. 5 Wilfley table is in use for concentration of the mineral, which is finally packed in small sacks, each 84 lb. in weight when filled. The slimes are being saved for further treatment. It is known that a percentage of the mineral passes over the table, as proved by assay of the tailings. Precipice Greek, Glenorchy. —Several Chinese at work in an alluvial claim. The specimens of scheelite are stacked for future treatment. Bucklerburn. —Valpy Bros, (three men) : Ground-sluicing suspended meanwhile, and now engaged driving in the terraces for prospecting purposes. Campbell Bros, (two men) : Sluicing and elevating, and turning the bed of Bucklerburn Creek. Twelve-mile, Lake Wakatipu. —Lee and Reed : Ground-sluicing ; eight heads of water are brought in from Few's Creek; 700 ft. of 9 in. piping in use. Reed Bros, and McDonald : Elevating 25 ft. in Few's Creek; two men. HAEMATITE. 14 tons have been taken out by Messrs. McGilvray, Mataura, for use by the Mataura Paper-mills. Deposits exist in various localities —viz., Clyde and Table Hill (Milton) —the latter deposit being worked on a small scale. The Clyde deposit is said to contain 68 - 30 per cent, iron, and an area has been granted to James McQueen on behalf of a syndicate. Phosphate Rock. Mining and burning operations have been carried on during the year by the Ewing Phosphate Company, Clarendon, Otago, and 6,000 tons of phosphate rock have been produced for treatment at the chemical works at Burnside. This company has 4,000 tons of rock at grass, and a like quantity stripped and in sight. The Millburn Lime and Cement Company have also raised a considerable quantity from their property at Millburn. A deposit of this mineral is said to have been discovered near the Waiau River, Southland. Limestone. 14,110 tons for building and agricultural purposes were produced by the Millburn Lime and Cement Company, Millburn, Otago, during the year. Considerable quantities of lime are produced and Oamaru, Otago, and at Forest Hill, near Winton, and at Ringway, Southland. . Limestone in various forms is of frequent occurrence throughout Otago and Southland. Marl. This deposit was discovered at- Burnside in 1904. From portion of the deposit the Millburn Lime and Cement Company took 2,008 tons during 1906, making a total production of 2,808 tons for two years. The Burnside Hydraulic jLime and Cement Company has purchased a plant for erection and manufacture of cement from the very extensive deposit of marl on their property at Burnside, near Dunedin.

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FIRECLAY. Used for the manufacture of fireclay goods, brick, and sanitary pipes. The following outputs have been returned : Homebush Colliery, Glentunnel, Canterbury, 184 tons ; P. McSkimming, Benhar, South Otago, 2,730 tons : total, 2,914 tons. Building-sand. 14,784 tons of building-sand were produced during the year from the coal-measures of the Green Island Coalfields for use in Dunedin and surrounding districts. Greenstone. A lode formation, discovered many years ago at Anita Bay, Milford Sound, was prospected and developed in 1904. The class of greenstone obtained is known as marmolite or tangiwai, and a quantity of it was brought to Dunedin for cutting and polishing. The finished article was put on the market during 1906, and a display was made in connection with the International Exhibition at Christchurch. I have, &c, E. R. Green, The, Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines. „ *

(b.) REPORTS OP WARDENS. Mr. Warden Bush, Thames,- to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Thames, 17th April, 1907. I have the honour herewith'to forward the usual annual report on mining matters in the district under my oontrci. It affords nic great pleasure to report an increase of bullion for 1906, by £291,539 17s. lid. from that produced in 1905. The total amount for the year is valued at £1,338,395 13s. 7d. The Ohinemuri portion of the district contributed £1,079,013 of this, the famous Waihi Mine being responsible for eight hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds' worth of bullion. The gold obtained fiom the Thames portion of the field represents £251,902, the Waiotahi Mine being oiedited with £223,678 of this. The Coromandel part of the field yielded only £7,479 for the year, being a decrease of £2,276 from the return of the previous year. Large though the increase is, there is every prospect of a further increase during 1907. From present indications, some of the smaller properties may add their share t;> the current year's return. At Tararu Creek a license to mine for fuller's earth has been issued, and the operations indicate a good prospect of establishing a new industry, as it is claimed a good marketable article can be produced at a cost which will leave a fair margin for profit. At Karangahake discoveries of cinnabar have been made, and several mineral leases applied for. It is stated that this mineral is easily procurable there ; if this proves to be correct, a new industry will be established in that locality also. A public battery has been established at Kuaotunu, which has given a fillip to mining in that locality. Coromandel. The period of depression under which this portion of the field has for the past few years suffered appears to be gradually lifting, and there are signs of somewhat more vitality in mining matters, though only slight. This may be attributed to the discovery of good gold-bearing stone in the old Kapanga Company's abandoned mine, which was in consequence taken up by the discoverers, and has since been floated into a company. This discovery was the cause of a small rush for the adjacent ground, which has been taken up. The Kapanga owners lost no time in procuring machinery and erecting a pumping plant, which is nearly completed. The drainage dispute between some of the companies is still unsettled. The claims on the Kauri Block are practically idle, being worked by tributers. Just before the close of the year a promising reef was located at the Tiki, which led to claims being applied for there. At Cadman's Creek an ore-body has been discovered, which, it is stated, will prove an admirable flux for other ores in the district. Should this prove to be correct, a new industry of some consequence will be developed in the future. The Kauri Block. The work on the claims here has been confined to surface tributing. Nothing can be done here without pumping machinery, which the holders of the ground do not appear to be in a position to provide. Waihi. The Waihi Company's mine, consisting of 874 acres, still continues to be one of the most productive in the world. In its various mining operations it finds employment for 1,465 men, besides those engaged in bush work on contract supplying timber for all the requirements of this great mine. A great amount of mining-work of all kinds has been done upon this property during the past year. One only requires to see the works at Waikino to realise the immense amount of labour necessary to keep that

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plant alone working full time, to say nothing of the two batteries at Waihi. The works at Waikino now cover several acres, and appear to be added to daily. The amount of ccal conveyed to this mine is very considerable, seveial trucks arriving by each train. The Grand Junction Company, which has spent upwards of £200,000 in its mining operations, is only now in a position to secure some of its precious metal to assist it in carrying on its future operations. About the 20th of last August its forty-stamper battery was completed, and crushing was commenced at once, and carried on with twenty-three head of stamps to the end of the year. Karangahake. The Now Zealand Crown Mines Company, as usual, has been actively engaged in working its property, which consists cf about 400 acres. The Talisman Consolidated. —The property owned by this company consists of 507 acres, upon which 275 men have been employed during the past year, whose labours have resulted in the output of 49,573 tons of quartz, which yielded 292,419 oz. of bullion, valued at £152,011. The total value of the bullion produced by this mine to date is £598,886, out of which £90,000 has been returned to the shareholders in dividends. Several applications are pending in the Warden's Court at Paeroa for prospecting licenses for cinnabar, a commodity which it is alleged exists in fair quantities about Karangahake, not far distant from the railway-tunnel there. It is proposed to grant these, having in view the juxtapDsition of the ground to the Crown and Talisman Mines and other auriferous lands, for so long only as the applicants shall also be holders of the areas as special quartz claims, thus obviating the clashing of gold-mining with that for any other mineral or metal, and g ving gold-min ng the first position. Ido not know how many of these applications will be continued for granting, but according to report cinnabar is plentiful in the loca'ity pegged out; that being so, it is only natural to anticipate that some of the applications will reach the license stage. Komata. The Komata Reefs Company has employed 160 men upon its works during the past year, who have sent out of the mine and crushed 20,490 tons of quartz, which yielded bullion of the value of £42,785. This makes the total amount of bullion won since the commencement of operations worth £226,048, out of which £26,664 has been paid in dividends. Te Aroha. Hardy's Mines (Limited), which consists of the Premier, the Premier Surplus, the Teredo, the Sceptre Extended, the Day Dawn, Hardy's Reefs West, Hardy's Reef East, and the Gold King Special Quartz Claims, which contam an area of nearly 500 acres in extent, are at present under protection. Since the present company came into possession of these properties it has expended £18,440 in acquiring and developing these claims. Until the protection was granted the full number of men had been employed on this property. The want of further capital was the main reason for the protect on. This company has constructed water-races, battery, and aerial tramway; it also uses the ground-tram belonging to the Piako County Council, paying for the use of the same. A considerable quantity of gold was got from some of these claims by Mr. Hardy before the company was floated, but the company have not so far been able to secure enough of the precious metal to carry on the works their scheme proposes without getting into debt, hence the desire to obtain time to find further means to extend their mining operations. This is the only property which has for some time past been energetically worked, and I have no doubt if the company are fortunate enough to procure the means that it will again be in full work. In the meantime no one is being injured by the area being locked up, as the bulk of it has been lying idle for two or three years at least. There are a few other claims on the register, but these are under protection at the present time. Mr. Allan holds the Golden Gully, about 29 acres ; Mr. Hardy holds the Bonanza and Majestic, about 106 acres ; and Mr. Gavin the Sceptre and Cadman, about 90 acres. Mr. Edwards holds about 130 acres in three special claims. Although he has endeavoured both far and near to find a process which will treat the refractory ores from these claims, he has so far met with no success. There are said to be large deposits of ore on these claims, but at present there appears to be no process available for treating it. Mr. McCullough is licensee of the Success Extended, area 10 acres, under protection, the Success Claim, held by Messrs. Jansen and McCullough, area 10 acres, is being worked, and small parcels of ore taken from this ground have from t'me to time been treated at the Thames School of Mines and found to be payable. A plant has recently been erected on this ground and has commenced working, but no returns are yet to hand. This portion of the field, though at present very quiet, will, I feel confident, with its vast quantity of ore, and with the discovery of suitable and cheaper methods of treatment, prove at a future period a very important mining centre. I have, &c, R. S. Bush, Warden. Mr. Warden Roberts, Tauranga, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— The Warden's Office, Tauranga, 4th February, 1907 I have the honour to report that nothing whatever has been done to develop the mining industry in my subdistrict during the year ended 31st December, 1906. I have, &c, J. M. Roberts, Warden

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Mr. Warden Dyer, Auckland, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— The Magistrate's Office, Auckland, 30th January, 1907. There has been a little more activity in the Puhipuhi Mining District during 1906 than in previous years. The work, however, has been almost entirely of a prospecting character. There were twenty-five miners' rights, three prospecting licenses, and two prospecting warrants issued during the year. The two latter were for antimony and cinnabar respectively. A company has been formed to mine for copper at Kaeo, north of the Puhipuhi Mining District. There seems a disposition to prospect for minerals generally throughout the district, and a greater interest in mining matters than formerly. Apart from this there is really nothing of interest to report. I have, &c, J. W. Dyer, Warden.

Mr. Warden T. Scott Smith, Blenheim, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir.— Warden's Office, Blenheim, 19th April, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith the usual statistical returns relative to the mining industry in the Marlborough Mining District, and to submit the following report for the year ending the 31st December, 1906 :— Quartz-mining operations have been practically confined to the work done in the Jubilee Claim, where the low-level tunnel has been extended 300 ft. during the year. It is estimated that a further distance of 600 ft. will have to be driven before the reef is reached. Portion of the claim has been worked under a tribute agreement with very satisfactory results, several crushings of a very payable nature having been obtained by the tributer. A little prospecting has been done in a couple of other properties. So far as dredging claims are concerned, it may be said that the Alpine Company's operations at Top Valley have resulted unprofitably, and work has been suspended ; but the Golden Point dredge at Wakamarina (now owned by a private company) is understood to be giving fairly good returns. Alluvial mining calls for no special, comment, there having been little alteration in its conditions during the past year. The high price now obtainable for antimony has attracted attention to the deposits at Endeavour Inlet. It will be remembered that these were worked some years ago, when an extensive plant was erected. Operations at that time did'not result profitably, and the claims were abandoned and the plant removed. Fresh titles have been applied for and granted, with a view to re-establishing the industry. I have, &c, T. Scott Smith, Warden. .%. t Mr. Warden H. Eyre Kenny, Nelson, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 11th March, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns for the year ending 31st December, 1906, together with a general report upon the mining districts under my administration. SUBDISTRICT OF CoLLINGWOOD. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company (Limited). —This company is the holder of three special alluvial claims, but during the period to which this report relates operations have been mainly directed to the development of Appo's Flat, ground hitherto uuworked by the company. During the year the company have kept employed ten men, and have expended in carrying on their operations the sum of £2,951 17s. Id. The quantity of gold won by the company during the past year was 304 oz., valued at £1,153 4s. lid. Mr. J. Bassett is the company's manager. Slate River Sluicing Company (Limited). —The operations of this company have been again considerably hampered during this year by the shortage of water. Owing to the exceedingly dry season the company's water-supply has been much below the average. In addition to the ordinary sluicing the company has expended about £400 on constructive works—viz., cutting in drainage from Bedstead Gully to the company's dam at Toi Toi Flat to increase the water-supply, and driving 150 ft. of rock tunnel to open out new ground in the company's claim. This company has an application lodged in the Warden's Court for an extended claim of 5 acres, between the Slate River and Doctor's Creek, adjoining the company's claim (section 21) and the old claim locally known as Nicholas's. From this area, if granted, the company have every expectation of obtaining good results,

t Mr. Warden H. Eyre Kenny, Nelson, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 11th March, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns for the year ending 31st December, 1906, together with a general report upon the mining districts under my administration. SUBDISTRICT OF CoLLINGWOOD. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company (Limited). —This company is the holder of three special alluvial claims, but during the period to which this report relates operations have been mainly directed to the development of Appo's Flat, ground hitherto unworked by the company. During the year the company have kept employed ten men, and have expended in carrying on their operations the sum of £2,951 17s. Id. The quantity of gold won by the company during the past year was 304 oz., valued at £1,153 4s. lid. Mr. J. Bassett is the company's manager. Slate River Sluicing Company (Limited). —The operations of this company have been again considerably hampered during this year by the shortage of water. Owing to the exceedingly dry season the company's water-supply has been much below the average. In addition to the ordinary sluicing the company has expended about £400 on constructive works —viz., cutting in drainage from Bedstead Gully to the company's dam at Toi Toi Flat to increase the water-supply, and driving 150 ft. of rock tunnel to open out new ground in the company's claim. This company has an application lodged in the Warden's Court for an extended claim of 5 acres, between the Slate River and Doctor's Creek, adjoining the company's claim (section 21) and the old claim locally known as Nicholas's. From this area, if granted, the company have every expectation of obtaining good results,

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Quartz Ranges.— This highly payable sluicing claim at the Quartz Ranges is owned by Mr* Charles Y. Fell, of Nelson (lately the property of the Collingwood Goldfields Company), and now leased by him on tribute to Diamond and party. This party have command of an exceedingly good supply of water taken from the Boulder Lake, which has enabled the party to work the ground continuously during the past year. Johnston's United, at Bedstead. —This well-known-ground, from the result, I am informed, of acon- nsiderable amount of prospecting-work done during the year 1905, has been again taken up by a syndicate in the name of Mr. Charles Y. Fell, in two special quartz claims—viz., 100 acres, Cole's Gully;}and 10 acres, Decimal Gully. The Slate River Diedging Company's Claims and Dredge. —This company at the beginning of the year (January, 1906) went into liquidatior, and Mr. West, of Collingwood, was appointed liquidator. The dredge and one of the special claims of the company was purchased by Mr. William Grant, who is Chairman of the Collingwood County Council. Mr. Grant having secured the services of a first-class dredgemaster (Mr. H. Lloyd), the dredge was put in order, and dredging operations commenced in the month of August last. Taitapu Gold Estates (Limited). —This freehold property of 80,000 acres is an English company. Mr. J. Carroll is the company's mine-manager, and Mr. N. L. Buchanan is the company's attorney here. Golden Blocks, Taitapu (Limited). —Mining operations on this property do not maintain their previous standard in value. Minor Operations and General Remarks. —Individual|mining, as it was known a few years ago, has nearly disappeared from this district, this branch of the industry being now only represented by a few miners known as " hatters," in some of the lonely gullies. Prospecting. —A considerable amount of prospecting has been done during the past year, both in the Collingwood and Takaka Counties. There were at the beginning of the year 1906 no less than six prospecting licenses still in force, covering an area of 500 acres, and there were nine prospecting licenses granted during the year over an area of 600 acres —two in Collingwood County and seven in Takaka County, and there are on the file five applications for prospecting licenses for hearing at the next sitting of the Court over an area of 400 acres. Three are for areas in Collingwood County and two in Takaka County. Takaka Subdistrict. Nineteen applications for mining piivileges were issued during the year ; seventeen were granted and two withdrawn. At Upper Anatoki six prospecting licenses were granted, and two water-race licences. Prospecting for quartz reefs is vigorously proceeding, and some nice specimens have been brought to Takaka. At Waingaro several parties were out this summer prospecting for reefs; several were found, but whether payable or not has to be proved. All the gold brought from there is of a nuggety nature, impregnated with quartz. The great difficulty in prospecting there is the rough and hilly nature of the locality and the absence of tracks to get up provisions, which at present have to be carried on men's backs from West Takaka. The Hidden Treasure Claims are idle since the death of Joseph Jacobsen, and some of the ground has been taken up for iron-deposits by Messrs. Jones and Wayne. Motoeka Subdistrict. There have been no fresh developments of the gold-mining industry in this part of the district since the date of my last annual report, and only three or four persons have been employed during the year. A mineral-prospecting warrant over 1,000 acres of ground in the Mount Arthur Survey District was granted to an Auckland syndicate in order to prospect for asbestos, a lead of which has been known to exist for some years past. The syndicate have two men engaged prospecting the lead, but some time must necessarily elapse before the extent and value of the deposit can be determined. No other mining privileges were applied for during the year. The Iron Industry. On tho 2nd October last year there was granted to Mr. Thomas A. Turnbull a mineral-prospecting warrant for five years over 860 acres of iron-bearing land south of the Onekaka Stream and Cadman's lease. This area is rough and mountainous, rising from 200 ft. above the sea at its northern end to ■3,000 ft. at its southern, and it is densely covered by native bush, principally scrub and birch. Here and there along the principal ridge bare knobs of iron-ore are exposed. With Mr. Turnbull are associated Mr. G. Wayne, colliery-owner and engineer, and Mr. J. Beynon Jones, of Dowlars and Swansea, South Wales. lam led to believe that an application for a mineral lease will be made almost at onct. Cadman's Lease. —About £1,200 has been expended by the Public Trustee, who holds the property as executor of the late Sir A. J. Cadman, in preliminary work, and I hear on good authority that the whole

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concern will Rhortly be taken over by a powerful company, who will at once proceed to build a tramway and wharf for landing materials for the erection of furnaces and other works in connection witl. the treatment of the iron-ore. I have, &c, H. Eyre Kenny, Warden.

Mr. Warden Kenrick, Greymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sib.— Warden's Office, Greymouth, 15th April, 1907. Herewith I have the honour to forward you the reports on the several subdivisions of the mining district under my chargejor the year ending the 31st December, 1906. Reefton. The Progress Mines of New Zealand {Limited). —Development-work has been steadily pushed ahead throughout the year, but failed to open up any ore except on No. 11 level, where after driving 1,100 ft. from the shaft an ore-body of value was ultimately encountered. In all 3,715 ft. of driving and crosscutting and 785J ft. of raising and sinking was carried out at a cost of £6,764 14s. Bd.; besides which 4,499 ft. of diamond drilling was undertaken, at a cost of £2,237 11s. Blackwater Property .—Early in the year 1906 Mr. Kingswell obtained an option over a recently discovered property in the Blackwater district, and proceeded to prospect it. By the 9th May his prospecting had so* far been successful as to warrant inspecting the property. 1 This was done, and by the end of May the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited) had secured an option over the property for six months, in which to carry out further prospecting-work. Early in October it became apparent that the property was of sufficient value to warrant exercising the option, and further surfaceprospecting was unnecessary, so arrangements were made for sinking a main shaft. Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Company (Limited). —Stoping the quartz from Nos. 4, 5, and 6 levels has been carried on during the year. The block of quartz which was being operated on in Nos. 4 and 5 levels is stoped up to the levels above. Caledonian United Gold-mining Company (Limited). — commenced operations about the end of September last on its mining property in Larry's Creek. Other Quartz-mining. In addition to the registered mining companies, there are a number of private parties working quartz-mines in this district. The Inglewood-Victoria Mines, owned by Mr. P. N. Kingswell, have been working constantly for some years, and have given employment to about thirty men. Knight and party have a 20-acre claim at Italian , <s Gully, in the Capleston district, which is worked with a five-stamp battery. Paine and party, who took up the old Golden Lead ground at Merrijigs, have had a party of tributers at work on a small leader for some time. Mr. Perotti has a couple of men employed on his claim at Golden Point. Dredging. Slab Hut Creek Gold-dredging Company (Limited).— The dredge has turned over about 9 acres during the year for an average weekly result of 23 oz. working-time. The average weekly expenditure throughout the year amounted to £47 10s., which included office and management expenses, as well as bush-clearing ahead of dredge. The company paid 6s. per share in dividends during the year. The company owns about 20 acres of virgin freehold ground, and a special claim of about 100 acres. Antonio's Flat Gold-dredging Company (Limited).— This company has a claim of 100 acres. The dredge is just about finished, and expected to start working on 24th January, 1907. Messrs. Hessey, Cameron, and Tacon (Limited).— -The property and dredges of the Eeeves Proprietary Company were purchased by Messrs. Hessey, Cameron, and Tacon during the year, and they are now working the dredges in partnership as a private company. A\ Gold-dredging Company (Limited) (in liquidation).— •Keturns from this dredge were considerably below working-expenses for several months of the year, and about the month of September the company wont into liquidation. The claims and dredge have been acquired by a private syndicate composed of working-men. The Boatman's Creek dredge, also owned by a private syndicate of working-men, has been constantly at work during the past year, and has given fair returns. Alluvial Mining. There are still a number of alluvial miners in the Blackwater and Boatman's Creek districts, both Europeans and Chinese, but the area of alluvial ground is limited, and the returns, on the whole, not very remunerative. The new discoveries of quartz in the Blackwater district have led to a small area of alluvial deposit being found, but the scarcity of water in the locality is a great drawback.

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Statement showing the Comparative Returns from the Quartz-mines in the Reefton District from the 1st April, 1880, to the 31st March, 1901, and a Similar Return for the Years ending the 31st December, 1901 to 1906.

Westport- Charleston Subdisteict. In last year's report I dealt very fully with Westport and Charleston, and since that date there is nothing of importance in any of the claims being worked to require special mention. A considerable number of small alluvial claims continue to be worked, and in many instances are paying more than wages. A very large area has been taken up in hundred-acre prospecting licenses in Karamea District, which licenses are granted for twelve months, when, if lodes are found, they should be taken up as claims. The only direct communication is by small steamer from Westport to Karamea. From information supplied, Mount Radiant is a most promising district for the genuine prospector. It has been proved that copper exists in considerable quantities in the lodes, besides gold, silver, and other minerals. Up to the present time there has not been that amount of prospecting which the number of prospecting areas taken up warrants; but I feel satisfied when more prospecting has been done some important finds will be made, for there is a very large area of auriferous country open for prospecting. Ahaura Subdistrict. Blackball and Healey's Gully. —The number of miners in this district has increased during the year. The Montgomery Terrace Sluicing Company, having resumed operations, have constructed a large dam, and, with a fairly constant supply of water, it is to be hoped that it will meet with a fair share, of prosperity. The Republic Sluicing Company's claim is being worked on tribute, and, it is said, with success. The Garden Gully Quartz-mining Company, having met with disappointment in the past, is now sanguine of striking a payable reef. The Paparoa Coal-mining Company, employing about two hundred men, is energetically prosecuting the work of opening up its coal-mine on the Paparoa Ranges. Hillier and party, Hyndman Bros., G. Perotti, and Henry Wessels are all working sluicing claims in this locality, with fair results. Moonlight—Very little new ground has been worked in this locality. The Shetland Terrace Sluicing Company, which suspended -operations some time ago through shortness of water, having now obtained additional capital, have resumed the completion of their water-race. Mitchell and party are engaged at Upper Moonlight in the driving of a tunnel 450 ft. in length. Nelson Creek. —During the year five dredges have been at work winning gold to the value of £32,936, out of which the Pactolus Company has returned £16,875 to its shareholders. On the 14th December,

Years ending Galls made. Dividends Quartz declared, crushed. Yield of Gold. Value of Gold. list March, 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1698 1899 1900 1901 1st December, 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 £ s. 10,218 17 25,504 3 64,345 0 49,456 0 29,333 0 24,565 0 21,596 0 30,432 0 38,919 0 27,531 0 20,404 0 25,956 0 18,800 0 14,350 0 10,153 0 8,418 0 9,033 6 7,859 3 5,920 6 10,747 8 5,826 9 6,233 6 6,900 0 4,587 0 5,262 0 3,870 0 1,995 16 d. 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 8 9 7 8 0 0 0 0 8 £ 19,650 37,643 32,600 16,500 34,100 14,500 33,450 17,550 16,688 18,250 27,325 30,743 16,900 18,832 11,012 25,925 4,900 50 900 47,050 35,300 58,199 48,475 57,641 54,674 55,343 57,826 Tons. 29,926 14,894 18,928 23,433 34,349 27,198 23,930 24,403 28,564 32,394j 39,643! 35,562 37,693 34,518 26,602 29,816 13,270 9,751 42,305 58,277 82,618 97,870! 98,485 109,571 113,375 106,150! 96,246 Oz. dwt. gr. 17,597 14 10 20,154 0 0 19,194 0 0 16,547 0 0 23,997 0 0 14,591 0 0 21,143 0 0 16,775 0 0 18,663 0 0 17,780 0 0 23,347 0 0 23,390 0 0 20,171 0 0 18,413 0 0 13,426 10 0 22,025 0 0 8,365 4 20 4,266 7 1 21,487 18 15 26,693 3 18 33,979 5 5 46,066 16 12 46,561 9 9 58,840 6 15 49,693 16 7 44,091 6 11 40,295 3 16 £ s. d. 68,630 13 10 78,600 12 0 74,856 12 0 64,533 6 0 93,588 6 0 56,904 18 0 83,171 15 5 66,030 11 5 72,720 18 0 69,676 12 1 91,998 8 10 95,885 5 I 80,894 5 1 73,752 14 11 53,509 5 1 87,935 18 4 33,824 7 1 18,253 7 3 87,587 1 0 108,455 17 8 134,557 7 11 186,719 6 7 188,655 2 5 195,468 16 10 215,996 3 6 177,462 19 9 156,167 18 2 Totals ... 488,215 19 2 792,026 1,285,771 687,555 2 19 2,715,838 10 3

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1906, the Jamieson's Reward Company suspended operations. The Mew Trafalgar paid £650 in dividends, and that former large dividend-payer —the Nelson Creek Company —having completed the construction of a new dredge, has again got into fair working-order. A considerable number of sluicing claims are at work in this locality, and, with few exceptions, are doing well. No Town Greek. —Three dredges are at work here, owned by two companies, both of which have returned dividends, and have a number of years' work ahead of them. Alluvial mining has been very quiet, but one or two parties are about to start work on a large scale. Waipuna and Mosquito Creeks. —Alluvial mining is at a low ebb. Two privately owned dredges have been at work during the year, hut it is understood without much success. Duffers , and Half-ounce Creeks. —About the same number of miners have been at work during the year. Baybutt and party are working their claim with good results. Ahaum River. —A number of miners are working along the banks of the Ahaura River, but the want of a constant supply of water hampers and restricts the development of the industry. Callaqhan's Creek. —One dredge has been working with fair results. Alluvial mining remains in about the same condition as in former years. Shellback Creek. —A privately owned dredge has worked throughout the year with, it is said, payable results. Some prospecting has been carried on at the head of this creek for quartz reefs, but so far without success. Snowy River. —This district adjoining*"the Blackwater reefs has received considerable attention, and during the year prospecting has been carried on through to the Grey River. General. The prospects of the Ahaura district are bright. Work is plentiful and wages good. Sawmilling employs several hundred men, and the dredges, on the whole, are getting fair returns. Lyell and Muechison Subdistrict. The Alpine Extended Company went into liquidation early in the year. The property was put up to auction and bought by a Reefton syndicate. The purchasing syndicate immediately set about prospecting in the northern part of the mine, where the country is virgin. Very promising stone was struck after about six months' work. Early in December the syndicate offered the property to Mr. G-. L. Tacon, of Greymouth, who succeeded in forming a new company to work the mine. The new company is known as " The New Alpine Gold-mining Company (Limited) " ; capital is £25,000, in 50,000 shares of 10s. each. The secretary of the new company is Mr. P. Tansey, whose office is at Greymouth ; and the directors are Dr. Mcßrearty, Messrs. J. Taylor, W. J. Mcllroy, Robert Craig, and G. L. Tacon. Greymouth Subdistkict. The condition of the mining industry in the Greymouth district may, with one or two individual exceptions, be summarised in a few words. Alluvial mining is being prosecuted with steadily decreasing energy, with the exception of sluicing at Barrytown and a few private parties in other parts of the district. At Barrytown, however, a private company still continue with reputed success to win gold from the black-sand deposits in the terraces along the beach, although information as to the returns cannot be obtained from authoritative sources. Boring for petroleum oil at Kotuku still continues, two companies with adjoining areas carrying on prospecting with what may fairly be described as promising results. It is expected, not without reason, that a foreign company with a large capital contemplate the exploitation of the field. To go over the ground treated in my former reports, particularly the last, to detail the work already done and the prospects of mining that may in futvire be done would, I feel, be but unavailing reiteration. I have deemed it best to present, in regard to the dredging industry, comprehensive tables showing its progress and results from its inception down to the end of 1906.

Dredges working during the Year under Private Ownership.

Of these privately owned dredges very little information of an authoritative nature is obtainable; they are individually dealt with in the general report on each district. During the year the following business was transacted in the Warden's Office' and^the' .Warden's Court at Greymouth : Applications pending on the 31st December, 1905, 11 ; applications received

Owners. Location of Dredge. Remarks. Hansen and Kayo Hansen and Gillstrom Smeaton and party Allison and others De Pilippi and others Coghlan and others Gerald Perotti and others ... J. McAuley and others Cowie and Bice ... O'Flaherty Bros. ... Three-channel Flat Berlin's, Buller Inangahua Junction Shellback Creek Three-channel Flat Boatman's Creek ... South Beach, Grey mouth Mosquito Creek Late Premier Dredge. Late Eocklauds Dredge. Late Buller Junction Dredge. Late Shellback Dredge. Late Mokoia Dredge. Late Boatman's Creek Dredge. Late Stoney and Mosquito Leads. Late Mosquito No. 2 Dredge. Late Mosquito Dredge. Late Moonlight Dredge. Moonlight Creek

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during 1906, 142 : total 153. Applications heard during 1906, 123 ; applications pending on the 31st December, 1905, 30 : total, 153. Of the applications heard, five were objected to, fifteen were withdrawn, eight refused, and one hundred granted. Suits called on during 1906, 15—heard, 10 ; struck out, 2 ; withdrawn, 3 : total, 15. Total revenue received in cash and stamps, £5,021 17s. Bd. I have, &c, W. G. R. Kenkiok, Warden.

Mr. Warden Acheson, Hokitika, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Hokitika, 20th March, 1907. I have the honour to report as follows concerning gold-mining operations in the Westland Mining District for the year ending 31st December, 1906 :— Kumara District. Alluvial Mining. —Thirty-four companies and parties have been engaged mining for gold, and the aggregate area of land held by them amounted to 684 acres 1 rood 11 perches. The returns from many of the claims have been highly payable. The Kumara Long Tunnel Company (Limited), which has carried on sluicing operations since its formation in 1882 at Shamrock Lead, was once again enabled to pay a dividend to its shareholders. Prospecting of the unworked portion of the claim has disclosed that the company may look for many years' profitable work ahead. In the same locality payable returns have been obtained by McGrath and Company and Cullen and party. Operations have proceeded steadily at Cape Terrace, and, although the claims in this locality are few in number owing to the very limited supply of water available, the returns have been good. Dredging. —The returns obtained from dredging operations in the Greenstone Creek, where four dredges have been working during the year, were not very satisfactory. The expense of working these dredges was greatly increased by the closing of the bridge over the Teremakau River to vehicular traffic about four years ago. A new bridge will shortly be opened, and in consequence dividends may reasonably be looked for next year by those interested in the claims. The Bun Tuck dredge, a previously paying concern, has been laid up owing to the rotten condition of the pontoons. The Three-mile Golddredging Company (Limited) went into liquidation, and the dredging plant is now owned by a local syndicate, which has recommenced operations. Miscellaneous. —The need of systematic prospecting of several large areas in the vicinity of Kumara is keenly felt, and should gold be found to exist in payable quantities, as may be reasonably expected on the north side of the Teremakau River, in the vicinity of Payne's Gully and in the valley of the Kapitea, prosperity would be undoubtedly restored to this one-time flourishing goldfield. Stafford and Goldsborough Districts. Alluvial. —On the 31st December, 1906, 444 acres were held under special and extended claim, and 3,250 acres under various licenses, including sawmill and reservation. The returns from the claims have been quite equal to those of previous years. A local gold-buyer informs me that he purchased more gold during last year than for some time past. The claims at Middle Branch Flat and Tunnel Terrace have been working steadily and gave good returns. At Callaghan's several new holdings have been taken up lately, and from this it would appear that those interested are satisfied with the year's results, and look upon the locality as likely to provide profitable mining for some time to come. The Waimea Hydraulic Company's claim at Goldsborough was surrendered, and the company took up a new one at Chapel Terrace. An extensive flume from the Government water-race on Tunnel Terrace to the opposite side of the Waimea Creek is now about constructed, and the manager is sanguine that with a regular supply of water, which is assured, and the quantity of wash available, handsome returns may be looked for in the future. The Wheel of Fortune has been yielding satisfactorily. The owners put in a large drainage-tunnel during the early part of the year, and are now building a new elevator. When the latter is completed the ground will be worked at a lower level than formerly, and more room for tailings will be available. This claim gives employment to a large number of miners. At German Gully and Fourth and Fifth Terraces all the claims were steadily worked when water was available, but the supply was very limited, and the dry summer caused many to be idle for months. Early in the year Pimpernell and party applied to the Department for a subsidy to connect with the Government water-race at Tunnel Terrace, but their application was refused. Sixty-nine mining applications were received, being a decrease of seven on the previous year, Dredging. —Only one dredge was working in this district—-viz., tnat owned by the Stafford Golddredging Company. The company took up a special claim of 16 acres adjoining their present area, and intends shortly to amalgamate it with its present holding. Hokitika. Alluvial. —The returns were up to the average of recent years. At Rimu, a few weeks before Christmas, some excitement was caused by a report that Fisher and party, sinking behind the township at what was then known as Chow's, but is now called Governor's Terrace, had bottomed on wash at a depth of 130 ft. The wash proved to be 3 ft. in thickness, and was generally considered payable. Water prevented deeper sinking, until the Rimu Miners' Association thejassistance of the party with a pumping plant, which enabled a sandstone bottom to be reached at a further depth of 10 ft.

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The prospect for that distance only panned a few colours to the dish, but the field is so favourably thought of that arrangements are being made, with the aid of a Government subsidy, to put in a drainage-tunnel, and this, when completed, will make a considerable area available for mining. There have been upwards of seventy men engaged during the year at Seddon's and Back Creek Terraces, and the results averaged from fair to good. The Minerals (Limited) at Blue Spur still continues to give good returns, and a number of miners in that locality make decent livings, but the field is very much hampered by insufficiency of water. At Humphrey's Gully the Consolidated Claim was worked by tributers, but the returns did not improve much, and the prospects for the future do not seem to be very bright. Dredging. —Only two dredges were working. The one at Woodstock appears to have paid wages, but the other at Blue Spur would seem to have done little more than return expenses. Quartz-reefing. —Further prospecting took place at the Wilberforce, and in consequence Pfahlert and party are now negotiating for a battery in order to commence operations in earnest. The failure to float a company to work the Wilson's Reward Mine seems to have acted as a damper generally upon claimholders. Ross. Alluvial. —The Mont dOr Sluicing Company paid dividends to the amount of £18,000. A determined effort is being made to form a company to work the deep levels of the Ross Flat, and in my next T hope to be able to report that work is proceeding vigorously. Dredging. —The Prince of Wales dredge, now owned and worked by six men, returned handsome wages to those interested in it. Okarito. Alluvial. —Mining is practically at a standstill in this district. Only twenty-eight applications were dealt with during the year by the Warden. The Wostland Mining and Sluicing Company < mployrd an average of four men on tribute, and with the exception of beachcombing this was the only mining which took place. About four hundred and fifty pounds' worth of gold was bought, and the whole of this was produced by the beach claims. Most of it came from a small patch at the Five-mile early in the year. Grazing, sawmilling, and flax-milling are gradually superseding the search for gold. I have, &c, R. Acheson, Warden.

Mr. Warden Cruickshank, Dunedin, to the Under-Secretaey, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Dunedin, 13th February, 1907. I have the honour herewith to enclose my annual statement for the Hindon portion of the Otago Mining District. There is little to report, affairs remaining much the same cs at the close of the year 1905. \ During the year the Deep Stream Amalgamated Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited) went into liquidation, and its ground has been purchased by parties at Lawrence, who have formed a company to work it under the name of " The Deep Stream Gold-mining Company (Limited)." X have, &c, G. Cruickshank, Warden. Mr. Warden Cruickshank, Lawrence, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Lawrence, 17th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit the following report on the several mining subdistricts under my charge for the year ending 31st Decembe:, 1926 : — Weatherstone's and Bluespur. In the Weatherstone's district three claims have been working during the year—viz., the Golden Rise Mining Party, the Golden Crescent Sluicing Company (Limited), r,nd the Hr.ppy "Wiley Sluicing Party ; but on account of the exceptionally dry season during the last six months of the year, those claims were unable to work anything like full time. The manager (Mr. J. Howard Jackson) of the BliKspur and Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold Company (Limited) very kindly supplies me with the following details of the year's work &t the Conso'ddf.ted Mine at the Blur spur : Average number of men employed, 28 ; quantity of cement treated, 208,422 cubic yards; quantity of gold won, 1,425 oz.; cost of winning gold, £3 12s. 9d. per ounce, equal to £5,183 11s. 4d. ; amount paid in wages, £3.301 19s. 2d.; amount pdd for explosives, £333 lls. 6d. ; amount paid for upkeep of water-races, £672 lls. 4d. The extraordinary drought that continued from August to the end of the year greatly interfered with the working of the mine, on account of want of water for sluicing purposes. In Munro's Gully the special claims held by Messrs. J. Kitto and party, Browne and party, and Thomas and party are still being worked ; but during the latter part of the year very little work was done on account of being short of wa-tcr. Tuapeka Flat. The special claim held by Messrs. Smith and Walk's has been worked by tributers during the year when water was available.

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The Tamaiti Gold-mining Company has adopted a new system : a weir has been constructed, on the crib principle, across the Tuapeka River at a point about nine miles from Lawrence. The whole of the river at its normal flow is conveyed by a flume 8 ft. by 5 ft. on to a horizontal turbine; this develops 200-horse power when using seventy Government heads of water — i.e., 437 gallons per second. The power developed by the turbine is conveyed to a four-stage-high duty pump. When the turbine is developing 180-horse power it throws from 6 to 6| cubic feet per second against a head of 150 ft. This machinery has been working six months. The claim and power-house are lit by electric light. The dynamo, which is a four-pole Westinghouse one, is driven direct off the turbine. A dividend of Is. per share was declared within three months of commencing sluicing operations. An application has been granted to the same company for another dam-site lower down the river, and a special claim has been applied for. Waitahuna. The number of dredges in this locality is now reduced to two. Beaumont. On the Clutha River above the Beaumont the Otago No. 2 dredge has been working, yielding very good returns. ' The Tallaburn Hydraulic Sluicing Company at Horse-shoe Bend has been working throughout the year with good results to the shareholders. Tapanui. The only mining carried on in this locality consists of one dredge (a private concern) working on the Ardmore Estate, near the Pomahaka River, eight men being employed thereon. Waikaia. I have much pleasure in reporting that the dredging industry in this locality is in a very healthy condition, the total number of dredges being eighteen, and sixteen of these have been working steadily and obtaining good returns. Five of the number were erected during the year. The gold won has been considerable, and, from inquiries made, it is estimated that the yield was about 18,000 oz., valued at about £70,000. The working-population of this locality has been increased during the year on account of new dredges starting, and it is estimated that at least 275 Europeans and twenty-five Chinese are employed in the Waikaia and Nokomai districts in dredging, sluicing, and coal-mining. The revenue collected by the Receiver of Gold Revenue at Waikaia for the year 1906 for rent and royalties amounted to £717. The principal hydraulic-sluicing claims in this locality are the Round Hill Mining Company at Waikaia and the Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company at the Nokomai. A fresh start has been made at Gow's Creek, the abandoned water-race and a claim having been taken up by Mr. Hugh Nelson, and a new hydraulic-sluicing plant has been erected. Besides the above mentioned, a number of small parties are carrying on mining operations very successfully throughout the district. Waipori. The number of dredges in this locality is now reduced to five, three being driven by steam and two by water power under O'Brien's patent. The following sluicing claims have been working during the year when water was available—viz., R. J. Cotton (on tribute from W. J. Farrell), the Lammerlaw Hydraulic Sluicing Company (owned by Messrs. Knight Bros.), the Golden Point (worked by D. O'Brien and party), the Bakery Flat Sluicing Company (Gare and party), Munro and George, and a few other small parties. The sinking for the Deep Lead by Mr. J. T. Johnson on Waipori Flat by means of hydraulic sluicing has been successful, and has proved that the lead carries good gold. Goee and Surrounding District. In the several districts round about Gore—viz., Charlton, Waimumu, and Waikaka—there are, in all, thirty-seven dredges. Most of these are payable concerns, and give employment to a large number of men. With reference to the tree-planting on the dredged areas at Waikaka, referred to in my report of a year ago, I have to report that the trees are doing well, and I certainly think that tree-planting might be undertaken more vigorously, with advantage to the district. I have, &c, G. Cruickshank, Warden.

Mr. Warden McEnnis, Naseby, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Naseby, 18th April, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual mining statistics of my district for the year ended 31st December, 1906. I submit also for your information a few notes on the general position of mining matters for same period.

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Naseby. The position is much the same as at date of last report. There are sixteen claims worked by hydraulic elevating and twelve by ground-sluicing, giving employment to sixty European and twenty Chinese miners. No new ground has been opened up, and there is little or no prospecting going on. MIDDLEMARCH. Mining has been slack during the year ; some of the old alluvial claims have been abandoned. A quartz claim has been opened up at Mount Ross. There are two prospecting parties at present at work at Barewood. Macrae's. During the year ended mining has remained in much the same position as the previous year, with the exception that two or three small quartz-mining properties have shut down, chiefly on account of the short supply of water during the year. The Golden Point Mine has had a most successful year, and has produced a large amount of gold and scheelite. The price of the latter has gone steadily up, and at the end of the year it was worth £1 15s. per unit in Hamburg. The tungsten-mine has been working steadily during the year, and the returns are good. This property suffered very much from scarcity of water during the latter part of the year. A considerable amount of prospecting was done during the year ; but from want of capital, and probably from want of enterprise in some cases, nothing permanent came of the work done. Patearoa. On the Lammerlaws and Upper Taieri, Reid and party have taken up a claim some distance above the Canadian Flat, and are at present constructing a water-race. When this is completed sluicing will be proceeded with. Henderson and party, who recently purchased what is known as " Pettigrew's old claim," are also bringing in a new race of considerable length, and intend erecting a suitable plant. The Canadian Flat, or Taieri Falls Sluicing Company, who hold one of the best water-rights in New Zealand, are having the works pushed ahead with all speed, and at considerable cost. On a section of the main head-race iron piping is to be put in to convey the water over most of the rough and unsuitable country for an open race. An extensive hydraulic plant is now on the ground, and will be put together. At the Serpentine, Messrs. Carr and Duncan have met with success in their new venture. They have a nice little hydraulic plant at work, and while the water-supply held out good payable gold was obtained. The Messrs. Cogan during the year also put in a small hydraulic plant on their property, but the returns so far have been rather poor. All these claims, being at a high altitude, suffer considerably from want of water and severe frosts. The average working-year is not more than six months. Coming down to lower country, towards Linburn, we find Messrs. Adam and McDonald, who have been all summer taking up a rock tail-race to get at some deeper ground back in the flat, into which payable gold has already been traced. Nearer Sowburn, Johnston Bros, continue to do well in their old claim when water is plentiful. More plant is added every year and extra storage for water provided for. McLean and party, after two years' hard work, got their new race completed at end of December, and when their plant arrives at the claim it will not take long to get things in order and ready for sluicing when water is available. The Patearoa Hydraulic Sluicing Company continues to secure rich returns ; work is kept going night and day. A 2,000-candle power electric light has been installed during the year, and gives great satisfaction. At Hamilton's very little mining has been done this year, the water-supply falling off early in the spring. It is a great pity this spot, proved so well to hold highly payable gold, has to lie idle for want of water. Matakanui. The Undaunted Gold-mining Company won during the year gold to the value of £2,679 15s. 5d., and declared dividends to the amount of £750. The Tinker's Gold-mining Company obtained 700 oz. of gold for the past year, and paid in dividends 2s. 3d. a share. Number of men employed, eight. The Matakanui Gold-mining Company obtained a yield of 433 oz. of gold for the year's work, and paid in dividends £524 15s. 6d. Number of men employed, seven. The Mount Morgan Gold-mining Company obtained, I am informed, satisfactory returns for the year. Number of men employed, four. The year, on the whole, has been exceptionally dry, which retarded sluicing operations greatly. St. Bathan's. Mining has made satisfactory progress in this locality during the past year. There was a good supply of water until the end of June, and the winter was so mild, with so little frost, that many of the claims continued operations right through the season. The spring has been the driest known here since the opening of the goldfields, and the outlook for a supply of water during the summer months

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is by no means'bright; in fact, nearly all the claims have been worked with a very small supply of water all the time, and the gold-returns in a large degree have been affected by this shortage of the necessary water-power. In the St. Bathan's basin extensive works have been carried on during the last year by the United M. and E. Company, and since September by the Scandinavian Water-race Company. Messrs. Eagle and Gray have a claim adjoining the United M. and E. Company's claim, and they are now engaged deepening their tail-race to the level of the St. Bathan's channel, so as to take advantage of the extra fall gained by the deepening of the channel. When the work is completed they will be enabled to ground-sluice 30 ft. off their present workings. The Scandinavian Company, who last August purchased the Kildare Hill Claim and plant from the Bank of New Zealand, immediately commenced operations thereon. This company has an excellent never-failing water-supply from the Manuherikia River at a pressure of 500 ft. The same company, before purchasing the Kildare Hill Claim, did a large amount of work on their claim at Surface Hill. i ' The St. Bathan's channel is gradually deepening, and has already been of much service to the efficient working of the basin. The aid given by the Government towards this important work is much appreciated by the local residents. The said company is now increasing the carrying-capacity of the upper flushing-race, so as to enable fifty heads of water to be taken in at the head of the channel and thus create a scour and assist the deepening operations. The Vinegar Hill Company have continued their operations, with the usual success. The company have been elevating to a depth of 104 ft. Messrs. O'Hara and McCarthy have turned over a lot of heavy stony ground, and the results are said to be satisfactory. Messrs. Gay and Fordham have continued to work their claim between Vinegar Hill and Cambrian. At Cambrian, work has been carried on by Messrs. Jones, Rutherford, Dungey, Morgan, and McGaskin, and all seem satisfied with their earnings. I have, &c, J. McEnnis, Warden.

Mr. Warden McCarthy, Invercargill, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — The Warden's Office, Invercargill. Wyndham. Very little mining has been done in this district for the past twelve months ; only some three or four men can be said to be making their living entirely by it. Recently a few speculators have been prospecting about Lake Brunton, and are said to have obtained good prospects from the black sand on the beach there, and they are now erecting a plant for the purpose of giving it a good trial; if they are successful it will give mining a fresh start on the beaches at Otara and Waikawa. Round Hill. The mining operations on this field are still confined entirely to the four sluicing companies—Round Hill, Ourawera, Smith, and Jewett's Gully Gold-mining Companies—their respective yields for the past year being 2,167 oz., 904 oz., 113 oz., and 143 oz. The first-named company is as yet the only one to return a dividend to its shareholders, the total amount of such to the end of the year being £12,415. The Jewett's Gully Company have now completed the bringing-in of the water on to the claim. As at Orepuki, the irregular supply of water is detrimental to the furtherance of the industry on this field, and with the steady removal of the forest from the Longwood Ranges the deficiency tends to increase every year. Orepuki. The number of miners on this field is much the same as in the previous year. The available profitable ground is pretty well exhausted for the alluvial miner : the auriferous ground as yet unworked lies on freehold property. The claims taken up on Mary Ann Spur towards the end of the year 1905 have all been thrown up by their holders. The Chun Wah Tong Company, who hold areas on Tuanoa Flat, have erected elevating plant, but it is too early yet to say whether their venture is successful. On that well-known auriferous patch, the sea-beach, Mouat and party hold 14 acres. The claim is at present under protection to enable a company to be floated and the water and machinery to work the ground in a systematic manner brought on to the site. Preservation. There are three claims now in existence here: Bastings's Alluvial Claim at Welcome Bay, Todd's Crown Quartz Claim at Cuttle Cove, and Kingsland and Holloway's Morning Star Quartz Claim at Te Oneroa. The old Morning Star Claim was surrendered during the year, and the area is now included in the present claim of the same name, held by Messrs. J. Kingsland and J. Holloway. All the leases are at present under protection to allow of the usual preparations to be completed. This, from the inaccessibility of the locality, is necessarily slow ; but it is to be hoped that at last the efforts to open up this field will be successful.

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Stewart Island. There are no gold-mining licenses on this portion of the district, the mineral claims held fit Pegasus being worked for the purpose of raising the tin, which for so many years has been known to exist there. Increased activity has been shown during the past year, and a northern syndicate is carrying on thorough prospecting operations at present in the Pegasus Survey District. I have, &c, S. E. McCarthy, Warden.

(c.) REPORTS OF DIRECTORS OF SCHOOLS OF MINES. Professor James Park, M.lnst.M.M., M.A.Inst.M.E., F.G.S, Director of the Otago School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Otago University, Dunedin, 16th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the Otago University School of Mines for the year ending 31st December, 1906. The mining school for the year ended showed p.n attendance of thirty, of whom twenty-seven were matriculated students of the University of New Zealand. Of the thirty registered students, nine attended one subject only—namely, three in assaying and six in geology. Six students in their final year completed the full course in the division foi which they had entered, and three in their final year did not complete their course, each of them having failed in one professional subject. Annual Examinations. Thirty students presented themselves for examination in twenty-one subjects, and of these one failed in senior surveying, one failed in senior surveying and assaying, and one in senior surveying and metallurgy. Diplomas and Certificates. Three graduates of the mining school, having presented satisfactory certificates of time spent in practical work as required by the regulations, were awarded the diploma of associate—namely, two in mining and one in metallurgy. The certificate of mine and land surveyor was granted to five graduate students, and the certificate of metallurgical chemist and assayer to one student. The names of the students to whom diplomas and certificates were issued are as under : — A.O.S.M. in Mining. —Edward lies, A. James Walker. A.O.S.M. in Metallurgy. —William Gibson. Certificate of Mine and Land Surveyor. —Ernest Herbert Webb, 8.E., George H. Royse, A.0.5.M., Oluf Moen, A.O.S.M, Edward lies, A.O.S.M, J. F. McPadden. Certificate of Metallurgical Chemist and Assayer. —Edward lies. The diplomas granted in the divisions of mining, metallurgy, and geology since 1887 are as follows : — Issued up Issued Division. to End in Total. 1905. l<lo6. Mining .. .. .. .. .. 76 2 78 Metallurgy .. .. .. .. .. 37 1 38 Geology .. .. .. .. .. 13 .. 13 Totals .. ... .. .. 126 3 129 Appointments obtained by Old Students during 1906. The list of old students of the mining school who have secured responsible appointments during the past year is longer than in former years. It is as follows : (1) T. H. B. Wayne, A.O.S.M, mining engineer to Woodbush Mine, Petersburg, South Africa ; (2) Colin Campbell, A.O.S.M, assistant manager, Woodbush Mine, Petersburgh, South Africa; (3) ClaudeL. Gregg, A.O.S.M, assistant manager, Ashanti Goldfields Auxiliary (Limited), Dunkwa, Gold Coast, West Africa ; (4) George Watt Thomson, A.O.S.M, mining engineer to the Minerals Separation Company (Limited), London ; (5) Arthur Robert Andrew, M.Sc, A.O.S.M, chief surveyor, Mineral Survey, British Central Africa Protectorate; (6) Norman R. Fisher, B.E, A.O.S.M, assistant engineer, Pennsylvania Railway Company, United States of America ; (7) William Gibson, A.O.S.M, superintendent of battery, Omahu Gold-mining Company, Thames ; (8) George H. Royse, A.O.S.M, assistant surveyor, Jumpers' Deep (Limited), Cleveland, Johannesburg; (9) James M. Maclaren, D.Sc, consulting engineer, London ; (10) James Baillie Macdonald, A.O.S.M, consulting engineer, Rand, South Africa; (11) A. E. de Lautour, A.O.S.M, general manager, Tasmania ; (12) Herbert Black, A.O.S.M, metallui-gist, Cumberland Mine, South Australia ; (13) O. G. Adams, B.Sc, A.O.S.M, consulting engineer, London ; (14) Ernest H. Webb, B.E, assistant geologist, New Zealand Geological Survey. The number of appointments obtained by our students in the past six years is as under : 1901, 8 ; 1902, 7 ; 1903, 8; 1904, 11 ; 1905, 13; 1906, 14 : total, 61.

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Altogether sixty-one appointments were secured by fifty-five individuals. The salaries for the most part ranged between £300 and £600 a year. In eight cases, mostly those of lecturers, the emolument was under £300, and in two cases it exceeded £800 a year. The various occupations represented in the above list of sixty-one are as under : Consulting engineers, 3 ; mining engineers, 8 ; assistant mining engineers, 4 ; general managers, 3 ; mine-managers, 7 ; inspectors of mines, 2 ; geologists, 3 ; mine-surveyors, 5 ; metallurgists, 9 ; dredge-masters, 2 ; directors, schools of mines, 8 ; lecturers, schools of mines, 7 : total, 61. In addition to those enumerated above, twenty-two students have obtained places as assayers, cyaniders, metallurgical chemists, mine and battery assistants. These are the positions in which our students gain experience, and from which they gi aduate into the more responsible appointments. A noticeable feature in respect to these appointments is that the best places do not necessarily fall to the men of greatest ability, but rather to those who possess average ability combined with initiative and enterprise. New Zealand University Examinations. The results of the November examinations of the New Zealand University, so far as they concern our mining students, are as follow : — Honours in Science. —A. M. Finlayson, first class in geology, first class in physics. Master of Science. —Arthur Robert Andrew, C. N. Boult, and A. M. Finlayson. Senior Scholarships. —C. A. Cotton in physics. Final B.Sc. — J. A. Bartrum and C. A. Cotton. Final B.E. (Mining). —H. R. Macdonald and A. Gordon Macdonald. First Section B.E. (Met).—Gerhardt C. Ulrich. The Sir George Grey Scholarship of Otago University was awarded to C. A. Cotton, B.Sc. Thus for five years in succession this scholarship has fallen to a mining student. The Ulrich medal for 1906 was won by I. Douglas Isaacson. Academic. In the past five years our mining students have secured the following academic distinctions : Two Rhodes Scholarships, three 1851 Exhibition Scholarships, four Senior Scholarships, New Zealand University, six First-class Honours in Science, and five Sir George Grey Scholarships. The cash value of the scholarships won by students of the Otago Mining School in the last five years amounts altogether to £3,100. The mining graduates who have taken the ordinary B.Sc. and engineering B.Sc. are as follows :-— 1902 to In „ , 1905. 1906. iotal - Ordinary B.Sc. .. .. ..9 2 11 Engineering B.Sc. .. .. .. .. ..5 2 7 Totals .. .. .. .. ..14 4 18 Laboratory. During the year 155 samples of ore and mineral were assayed for the public by Mr. Waters at schedule rates, and in the same period sixty-seven samples of rock and minerals were examined and reported on by Dr. Marshall, and thirty-one by the Director, all free of charge. Mine- sanitation. The great development of underground mining in recent years and the increasing depth of mines have added much to the difficulty of providing a ventilating current that shall sweep away all noxious gases and give a constant and sufficient supply of pure air. The maximum effort of a workman is obtained between temperatures ranging from 55° to 75° Fahr., and in presence of a sufficient supply of pure air. Hence, apart from its purely humanitarian aspect, the preservation of the health of the workmen is now recognised as an important branch of mining economies. Mines vary in extent and depth, in the character of the mineral being mined, in the gases given off, and in the number of men employed. Where the conditions vary so much, no hard-and-fast rule can be laid down as to what shall constitute sufficient pure air for any particular mine or group of mines. Every mine is a law unto itself. In the coal-mines of Europe and in the deep gold-mines of the Transvaal the constitution of the mine-gases has become the subject of close scientific investigation. It has been found that no rule-of-thumb methods, no amount of practical experience in mining can tell when the mine-air is pure and wholesome, or when it is vitiated to a dangerous extent. Only exact chemical analysis can do so. The causes and prevention of miners' diseases have also been matters of close investigation, with results that have already done much good by directing attention to improved methods of underground sanitation. So important is mine-sanitation liow considered, that it has been added to the curriculum for mining engineers at the leading schools of mines in Europe ; and at Oxford School of Mines a special chair has been created to deal with it. The Director, following the lead set in Europe, and recognising the benefit to be derived from the existence of the medical school here, obtained the sanction of the Council to add to the advanced mining curriculum a short course of lectures on mine-gases, mine-sanitation, and cognate matters. Accordingly it has been arranged that our senior mining students at the end of their final year should attend five lectures by Professor Malcolm on "The Physiology of Respiration," and three lectures by Dr. Col-

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quhoun on " First Aid in Medicine." Although not provided for in the regulations, Professor Malcolm and Dr.- Colquhoun in last October gave short courses of lectures to a number of students who were passing out in their last year, a courtesy which was greatly appreciated both by the Director and the students. Exhibition Essay. The Hon. James McGowan, Minister of Mines, early in the year called for competitive essays on the mining industry of New Zealand, to be published in connection with the Christchurch International Exhibition. It is gratifying to state that Mr. Eobert Mclntosh, A.0.8.M., a graduate of Otago School of Mines, was awarded the first prize of £50 and the gold medal, while Mr. James Williams, an undergraduate, secured the second prize of £25 and the silver medal. Gifts of Minerals and Maps. During the past year a collection of ores was received from Reefton, and also rock-specimens from the gold-bearing gravels. Professor David presented some typical rocks and fossils from New South Wales, and Dr. Marshall obtained specimens from the Cambrian, of South Australia. To our New Zealand collections were added specimens of rocks from Ruapehu and the other central volcanoes of the North Island, and an interesting series of rocks from the peninsula north of Auckland, collected and presented by Dr. Marshall. The geological department has been further enriched by a useful series of geological maps of the Australian States. These have been mounted and placed in position for class demonstration. The school of mines has also been placed on the complimentary list of each of the States of the Commonwealth, and in future will receive all maps and publications free of charge. The directors of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company have presented the school with a valuable case of cerusite crystals, and the exhibit of theWaihi Company at Christchurch Exhibition has been secured for the use of metallurgical department. Conclusion. I wish, in concluding my report, to place on record my appreciation of the efficient assistance and co-operation of my colleagues, Dr. Marshall and Mr. Waters, who carried out the work of their respective departments with great zeal and success. My acknowledgments are also due to Mr. George Armstrong and Mr. E. I. Menzies for their willing and effective help. I naye > &c, James Park, Director. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

Mr. D. V. Allen, B.Sc, Director of the Coromandel School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. g IR School of Mines, Coromandel, 21st February, 1907. I beg to submit my annual report on the work and progress of the school for the year 1906. Work was resumed at the school on the 6th February, 1906, and by the end of the month twentythree students were enrolled, with an average class attendance of forty-seven. There was a fallingoff in the following terms, the numbers being respectively twenty and thirty-nine for the second term, and seventeen and thirty-one for the third. Instruction was given in the following subjects—viz. : Mathematics, mining, &c, theoretical and practical chemistry, metallurgy, surveying, assaying, and electricity (senior and junior). The results of the annual examinations, held last December, show that the school obtained three first-, one second-, and six third-class certificates. Students as a rule do not recognise the importance of sitting for these examinations. A certificate from a school of mines is a valuable recommendation in the milling world, apart from the knowledge gained in preparing for the same. Again, every student owes a duty to the institution to which he belongs, and should pride himself in doing his best to maintain it in the front rank of progress. Practical examinations in certain subjects were instituted for the first time this year, being taken in conjunction with written examinations in the same subjects. Practical bullion-assaying was, however, taken separately, one student being successful in passing therein. The two prizes donated by Mr. F. C. R. Home were gained by J. C. Scott (88 per cent, in senioi electricty) and W. E. Carlyon (75 per cent, in junior assaying). Sixty samples of ore were assayed for the public. Through the kindness of the Hon. James McGowan, Minister of Mines, arrangements have been made enabling bona fide prospectors to get assays done free of charge.' Now that this fact has become more generally known, samples for assay are coming to hand freely. As in past years, the geological collection has been supplemented by donations of rocks and minerals, while the library has bsnefited by donations of mining periodicals, &c, from the Mines Department. Up to the present twenty-one students have been enrolled for the ensuing year. I have, &c, D. V. Allen, Director. The Under-Secretary, Mines Depaitment, Wellington.

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Mr. G. S. Clark, President of the Thames School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Thames, 14th February, 1907. Tt is with much pleasure that the Council present you with their twenty-first annual report. The attendance at the school during the year was fairly satisfactory, being as follows : — First Term. Second Term. Third Term. Registered students .. .. .. .. 61 53 40 Saturday science class .. .. .. 43 38 27 104 91 67 The class attendances were 178, 130, and 88 in the respective terms. The annual Government examinations were held in December last, but again the Council note with regret that the number of students who sat for examination was out of all proportion to the number attending the school. Judged by the falling-off in the attendance during the third term of each year for the last five years, in comparison with the figures of previous years, added to the small number of candidates for examination, the Council are led to the opinion that there is a lack of effort on the part of students to endeavour by application to reach the goal they no doubt had in view on entering on their studies at the commencement of the first and second terms. Students should, in their own interests, strive their utmost to bring out the best that is in them, and should not be afraid to test their attainments at the examinations; and if the result is not all they would have desired, they will find that the close study they require to bring to bear on a written examination is the best possible practice they can undertake, as it has a tendency to give them more confidence, as well as the opportunity of finding out precisely where they are deficient. The President's medal this year is awarded to S. G. Baker. Mr. Denby's medals are awarded to James Kernick for mineralogy and geology, and to L. Kitching for chemistry. Mr. E. F\ Adams's prizes are awarded to R. W. Adams for assaying and to L. Kitching for surveying. Matthew Grigg receives the Council's prize for being " dux " in the elementary chemistry class, having secured the goodly number of 83 marks out of a possible 100. Prizes for attendance in this class have also been awarded to C. Poulgrain, F. Ellis, R. Mayo, and Olive Wylie. The Council intend reviewing the conditions under which the President's and other medals and prizes are awarded, the probable outcome of the revision being that in the case of the President's medal a minimum number of subjects will require to be taken and a minimum number of marks obtained either in each subject or collectively. The medal is meant for excellent work, not mediocre. The practice of awarding the medal to a second-class student because he happens to be the best of a second-class group, or that it is awarded because the best student is ineligible on account of his having won the medal on a previous occasion, is wrong in principle, and has nothing to recommend it. This alteration has been contemplated for some time past, and the Council are of opinion the time has fully arrived for giving effect thereto. With respect to other medals and prizes, the rule will be fixed that no award will be made unless first-class certificates have been obtained. The Council are pleased to announce that -after repeated efforts the Hon. Minister of Trade and Customs has sanctioned the examination for certificates of assayer under the Trade and Customs Act to be conducted at the school. The proposed school of mines in connection with the Auckland University College has now been founded, and the Council wish the undertaking every success. In a practical sense University schools of mines in the colony have not been a success, and the fact that they did not make mine-managers has been pointed out to the Otago University by the Hon. Minister of Mines. The professors in reply state that it is the conditions re practical ability that bar the way, and that University students could not put in the necessary time to gain the practical knowledge required. They (the professors) sought to bring pressure to bear on the late Premier to induce him to reduce the time necessary to gain experience underground from five years to one, alleging that it was useless to approach Mr. McGowan, the Minister of Mines, as he was totally opposed to the change. The Council made a strong protest to Government against any alteration in the time necessary to be employed in underground workings to qualify for certificates, pointing out that it would be a serious retrograde movement and against the safety of the public, whose interest it was sought to conserve through the certificate. There is little danger of alteration while Mr. McGowan is Minister of Mines, but there can be no doubt that as time goes on the Otago and Auckland University Councils will join forces and endeavour to have the underground experience reduced : it will therefore be necessary to be always on the alert. The electricity class was conducted by Mr. J. G. Lancaster, B.Sc, during the first two terms of the year, but he, having to complete his University career, was unable to continue his work at the school, much to the regret of the Council, as he had proved himself an efficient and popular instructor. Applications were invited for the position, and Mr. J. G. Fairfield selected, and his services during a probationary period of three months having been satisfactory, the Hon. Minister of Mines has now confirmed his appointment on the recommendation of the Council. The attendance at the class was fairly good during the first two terms, but in unison with the other classes the attendance was not satisfactory during the last term. The experimental plant has been used to a limited extent only, but shows an improvement on the previous year. The employment of this plant is indicative of the amount of prospecting being done in the district: when the prospector is abroad in fair numbers the plant is much used, and vice versa. The Minister of Mines, as a stimulus to the prospector, has intimated that the cost of treating parcels of ore at the school will be defrayed by Government on the certificate of the Inspector of Mines that the person applying for the privilege is a bona fide prospector.

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The geological museum has been enriched by the addition of several specimens donated and collected during the year, and the Council again take the opportunity of appealing to every person in the district to place in the museum any unique specimens they may drop across. The museum, although attached to the school, really belongs to the people of the district as a whole, and maybe inspected by any individual at any convenient time. In concluding this report the Council desire to express their sincere thanks to the Hon. Minister of Mines for the warm interest he continues to take in the welfare of the school. The Council also desire to thank the examiners for their valuable services, the Thames County Council for free water for motive power, Mr. J. Wilson for his gratuitous services as auditor, the donors of specimens for enriching the museum, and to all who have in any way contributed to the welfare of the school. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. G. S. Clark.

• Mr. E. B. Macduff, Director of the Karangahake School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Dopaitment, Wellington. Sir, — Karangahake. I have the honour to report as follows on the work done at the Karangaliake School of Mines for the year 1906 :— Attendance. It gives me great pleasure to report that the attendance has improved considerably during the year, averaging forty-two students, and having fifty-nine students on the roll during the second term. This is the highest average attendance yet reached for this school. Examinations. At the annual examinations, held in January and December last, students of this school secured one first-class mine-manager's certificate, one battery-superintendent's certificate, and sixteen firstclass certificates in the class examinations. Beside the above, four students passed the examination for engine-drivers' certificates for winding, while another student passed the first-class stationary-engine-driver's examination. Laboratory. Owing to the Council's decision to do free assays for prospectors, no less than 196 assays were made during the year, in addition to a number of assays which were paid for. While the free assays are a boon to prospectors, some scheme of restricting the assa\s to such will have to be evolved, as I have had samples of South Island quartz handed in by prospectors as being obtained in the Ohinemuri County. Again, the prospectors themselves are often very inconsiderate, and send samples in by tens. Under the above conditions the teaching of assaying to the students must be materially affected ; one cannot do assays and teach at the same time. Improvements. During the year a storeroom 16 ft. by 12 ft. has been erected, a V level ordered, also a staff, and an experimental dynamo is now about to be installed. These latter items were obtained mainly from a special grant of £2 for £1 from the Hon. the Minister of Mines, to whom the Council extend their best thanks. Waikino School of Mines. The branch school at Waikino is completed, and is ready to open at the beginning of 1907. In this school it is intended to devote the time chiefly to the study of assaying, chemistry, mathematics, and metallurgy, especially with a view to training students for the battery-superintendents' examination. The school will be kept open full time. Assistant. The work of teaching so many different subjects last year became too much for me, and the Council appointed one of my students—Mr. C. Harsant—to act as temporary assistant. In December this appointment was made permanent, and the two schools will be now kept open full time. Conclusion. In conclusion, I extend my thanks to the Hon. the Minister of Mines, and to the Secretary, Mining Bureau, for numerous periodicals relating to mining and metallurgy, and also to all gentlemen who have given papers and specimens to the institution. E. B. Macduff, Director. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

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Mr. W. F. Worley, Director of the Nelson School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Nelson, 19th March, 1907. I have the honour to report as follows upon the school of mines work carried on in this district during the year 1906 :—■ Owing to the disastrous fire at the Nelson Museum in the early part of the year our work has been somewhat curtailed. The typical specimens of ores and rocks belonging to the school were housed in the museum, and were so much damaged by the fire as to render them for the time being unfit for use. Dr. Krantz, from whom these specimens were obtained by the Mines Department, has been communicated with, and says that he will be able to supply duplicates of the specimens irreparably damaged. The Nelson Institute, for lack of funds, has not been able to undertake the restoration of the museum. There are good reasons to expect, however, that during the present year the Institute committee will be able to commence rebuilding, and that by this time next year the specimens will be again suitably arranged and ready for use. In spite of these drawbacks, however, we have been able to carry on the blowpipe analysis classes as heretofore, and to continue the assaying for the public. Blowpipe Analysis Classes. These classes, though not quite so large as in former years, were well sustained, the uppeT class having five members, while there were nine in the lower class. Each class met thirty-two times during the year, with good average attendances. The work undertaken comprised the qualitative testing of ores and compounds of antimony, arsenic, tin, zinc, bismuth, lead, copper, chrome, iron, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. In addition to the foregoing, the boys in the upper class were trained to use a digger's dish as a means of prospecting for gold, and to take the specific gravity of an ore or a rock. Assaying. During the year twenty-six assays were made for the public. These embraced tests for gold, silver, platinum, phosphates, and cryolite. One sample of coal from the West Coast gave the following highly satisfactory results : — Per Cent, Hydrocarbons .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 - 9 Fixed carbon .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 85"0 Water M Ash 5-0 1000 ♦ Conclusion. Some green stains found upon rock which is being used for road-metal proved to be copper-car-bonate. The quarry whence this rock was obtained is just outside the town-boundary on the Wakapuaka Road. The rock is feldspathic, and appears to be a decomposed andesitic rock. It is traversed by numerous veinlets of quartz, and the copper indications are in these veinlets. The quantity of copper is small, being only a little over a half of 1 per cent. The find, however, is interesting, as it might possibly indicate the presence of copper lodes quite close to the city. A more convenient room has just been secured for the blowpipe analysis classes, and there are now twenty-four boys in these classes. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. W. F. Worley.

Mr. J. Henderson, M.A., B.Sc, Director, Reefton School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. gIE _ Reefton, 31st January, 1907. I have the honour to submit the following report on the work of the Reefton School of Mines for the year 1906:— . . . . . The course of instruction was similar to that taken up m previous years, classes being held in chemistry, assaying, mathematics, surveying, mechanical drawing, and the various mining subjects. The attendance, on the whole, may be considered satisfactory, there having been an average of twenty-seven students on the roll throughout the year. At the annual December examinations Mr. W. M. Durant successfully competed for the University Scholarship offered by the Mines Department. At the examinations held in January, 1906, under the Mining Act, two students obtained battery-superintendents' certificates and one a partial pass. During the year for the public 129 assays were made for gold, nine for antimony, five for tin (all negative), eleven for various metals, including lead, zinc, copper, besides several determinations for various minerals, rocks, and sands for morazite, which mineral seems to be widely distributed over the district. The increased number of assays was due to the impetus given prospecting by the discovery of the rich reefs at Blackwater Creek some time ago. I have, &c, The Under-Secietary, Mines Department, Wellington. J- Henperson,

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Mr. A. H. V. Morgan, M.A., Director of the Waihi School of Mines, to the Under-Secretaey, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Waihi. I have the honour to report as follows on the work of the Waihi School of Mines during 1906 : — Attendance. The attendance during the year was highly satisfactory, the average number of individual students being sixty-five, and the class attendance 171, as compared with an average of fifty-six students, with a class attendance of 113 during the preceding year. The following table shows the attendance for each term in the various classes :—

Table of Attendances for the Year 1906.

Examinations. At the annual examinations held in December twenty-five candidates presented themselves, sending in altogether seventy-two papers. The results are by far the best yet obtained, thirty-three first-class, twenty-two second-class, and eight third-class certificates having been secured. Mr. J. Livesey's gold medal for the highest marks in mining subjects was won by E. J. Morgan, with E. V. Turnbull eight marks behind. Mr. Eobert Morgan's gold medal for the highest marks in any four subjects was won by C. Milne, with an average of 85 per cent. Mr. M. F. Haszard's gold medal for surveying was won by O. Bell, with 78 per cent. Upon the recommendation of the conference of Directors of the northern schools of mines, the Mines Department last year instituted practical examinations in wet and dry assaying, bullion assaying, and chemistry. The Customs Department also have agreed to grant bullion assayers' certificates to students who have been examined at this school and are certified by the Director to be competent assayers. Under this agreement two students —I>. J. Shaw and J. Spearing —are entitled to the Customs certificate on the results of the last examinations. At the examination for Government certificates last year students from the Waihi School of Mines were very successful. Three students sat for first-class mine-managers' certificates, and two —P. G. A. Mackie and R. R. Lewis —passed. For battery-superintendents' certificates seven students weie examined, and all were successful, their names being R. J. Morgan, W. E. Williams, E. Johnson, H-. Aitken, A. J. Walker, D. Anderson, and T. Clarke. Since Waihi became a centre for examination —nine years ago —twenty-three students have passed as first-class metal-mine managers, two as coal-mine managers, and thirty-seven as battery-superin-tendents. In addition to these a number have gained second-class mine-managers and engine-drivers' certificates, bullion assayers' certificates, &c. Laboratory. During the year seventy-eight assays and analyses were made for the public, a considerable proportion of which were for prospectors, and free of charge. Among them were the following :— (1.) A sample of silver-ore from Suva, containing 115 oz. of silver per ton. (2.) A sample from the Ruahine Mountains, near Woodville, supposed to contain platinum. No trace of platinum, however, was detected. (3.) Three samples of coal used for steam-raising by a local company : (a) consisted of slack, (b) of nuts, and (c) of steam-coal. They agreed very closely in composition, as the following analyses show;—• ' ■ ■■'■■■

Name of Subject. First Term. Seoond Term. as I *-* Pure mathematics Practical mathematics Junior theoretical chemistry ... Senior theoretical chemistry ... Junior practical chemistry Senior practical chemistry Dry assaying Metallurgy ... Junior mining Senior mining Junior surveying Senior surveying Practical surveying ... Drawing Electrical engineering : J .8 14 21 23 12 5 36 18 11 10 L5 L8 8 20 18 10 4 11 6 15 11 7 7 9 8 13 18 15 31 18 12 4 14 8 18 12 7 7 9 8 15 18 16 8 8 II 9 17 111 14 16 19 Class attendance 164 176 172 171 Individual students ... 64 70 60 65

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Proximate Analysis. (a.) (b.) (c.) Moisture .. .. .. .. .. .. 139 136 12-7 Volatile combustible matter .. .. .. 34-4 356 368 Fixed carbon .. .. .. .. .. 49-3 48-5 483 Ash .. .. .. .. .. .. 2-4 2-3 2-2 1000 100-0 1000 Ultimate Analysis. (a.) (b.) ( f .) Moisture .. .. .. .. .. .. 13-9 136 12-7 Ash .. .. .. .. .. .. 239 2-30 220 Sulphur .. .. .. .-. .. .. 0-17 0-21 0-16 Carbon .. .. .. .. .. .. 57-16 57-10 5774 Hydrogen . . .. . . . . .. 326 3-39 392 Nitrogen .. .. .. .. .. .. 028 o'lB 020 Oxygen (by difference) .. .. .. .. 22-9 23-4 23-3 100-06 10018 100-22 General. During the year the reference library has been enlarged by the purchase of new books to the value of £20, raised by half-crown subscriptions by the students, subsidised by the Council. The geological collection has also been supplemented by donations of specimens from various donors. The Mines Department kindly agreed to print 250 copies of a new syallbus for the school. These came to hand early in the present year, and will prove very useful. At the annual meeting of subscribers, held in the school on the 22nd February, the following officebearers were elected : Patron —W. H. Herries, M.H.R. ; President—T. Gilmour ; Vice-presidents— A. T. Kenrick and W. H. Johnston; Council —A. H. Benge, F. M. Haszard, J. L. Gilmour, J. Livesey, E. J. Banks, C. F. Sims ; students' representatives —F. Stewart and E. V. Turnbull. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the zeal and ability displayed by Mr. F. T. Seelye, A.0.5.M., assistant lecturer ; Mr. R. H. Mitchell, drawing-master ; and Messrs. J. G. Lancaster, M.Sc, and G. Fairfield, instructors in electrical engineering. I take this opportunity also of conveying my sincere thanks to the Council and the Secretary for their unfailing support and assistance during the year. I have, &c, A. H. V. Morgan, Director. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. In presenting its report for the year 1906, the retiring Council can congratulate the members and students on the excellent progress made by this school during the past year. From both the financial and educational points of view the school is now in a better and firmer condition than it was at the last annual meeting, and there are pleasing evidences that a greater interest is being taken in the work and advantages of the institution by the young men in our midst. Not only has the number of registered students increased, but the class attendance has largely improved, showing a more earnest endeavour to work on the part of those attending. The average of registered students for the year 1906 numbered sixty-five, with a class attendance of 171. With the exception of the year 1903, when the attendance averaged sixty-eight, this is the highest record of the school, and compares favourably with both the years 1904 and 1905, which had respectively an average of fifty-eight and fifty-six, and a class attendance of 113 and 118. At the annual examinations held last December, twenty-five students sat, gaining thirty-three first-class certificates, twenty-two second-class, and eight third-class, and obtaining eleven first places for the colony. In the previous year twenty-two students sat, gaining sixteen first-class, seventeen second-class, and six third-class certificates, and seven first places. The results for the past year are therefore highly satisfactory, and reflect great credit on the Director and his staff. The proportion, however, of students sitting for examination is still low compared with the total attendance, and an improvement in this respect is hoped for next year. The epidemic of influenza prevalent at the time, and difficulty of getting leave from work, account largely for the small number who presented themselves, many intending sitters being prevented from attending. During the year the Council endeavoured to inaugurate classes for first aid to the injured, but so little interest was taken in the subject, and so few names were submitted as students, that the Council did not see its way to go further in the matter, and was obliged to let the project drop. An effort was made to obtain free passes on the Government railway for students attending the school from Waikino and Owharoa, but this request was refused by both Railway and Education Departments, on the ground that the' school did not come under the heading of educational institutions mentioned by the Act. At the beginning of the year a request was made to the Mines Department for a special grant to erect and equip a workshop for the electrical engineering classes, but no satisfactory decision has yet been received, and the proposal is still in a state of uncertainty.

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The Council has not been able to make any change in the issue of certificates, or get this matter placed on a better footing, despite its efforts in that direction. Further changes have taken place in the electrical classes during the year. In June Mr. Lancaster relinquished his duties to pursue his studies at the University, and was succeeded by Mr. Fairfield, the present instructor. As the work in connection with these classes in this school has increased immensely, and the time at the disposal of the instructor is limited, owing to his other duties at Thames and Karangahake, an application has been made to the Mines Department to appoint a separate instructor for this district, which has been favourably received, but not yet acceded to. An attempt made during the year by the Otago University to reduce the underground term of service for mine-managers' certificates from five years to one, and to increase the technical portion of the examination, was strongly opposed by this Council, and has not been carried into effect. A large number of prizes was offered for competition at the late examination, and the thanks of the Council are due to Messrs. Haszard, Livesey, and E. Morgan for their presentation of medals, and to Messrs. R. E. Williams, P. G. Morgan, D. J. Morgan, and others for subscriptions for this purpose. The Council desires also to thank Messrs. P. G. Morgan, W. Ridings, M. J. Stewart, and Boyd Bennie for gifts of interesting and useful specimens. It is gratifying to note that greater interest is being taken in the mining class, and that the attendance in this branch is steadily increasing. At the end of the year the Council decided to offer a scholarship entitling the holder to free tuition at the school of mines for one year, available to any pupil attending a school within the Waihi Borough. Equal marks were obtained by two competitors, and the Council decided to admit both as scholarship students for the present year. Arrangements have been made during the present year for instructing a class in architectural drawing, which should be largely attended. Further much-needed alterations and additions have just been made to the school buildings, but with the large number of students attending the accommodation is at times somewhat taxed. During the year the total receipts of the institution have been £931 18s., including a sum of £607 4s. paid by the Government in subsidies, and a donation of £150 from the Waihi Borough. An increase has taken place in students and members' fees, but the subscribers' list has not expanded appreciably, and it is to be regretted that more of our citizens do not take an interest in the school's welfare. The total expenditure has amounted to £773 Is. 5d., including a grant of £25 to the Waikino School of Mines as previously arranged with the Borough Council, and an expenditure of £51 on furniture, gas-fittings, and repairs, leaving a balance to credit of £158 16s. 7d. A liability, however, of about £80 has been incurred during the recess in alterations and additions to the buildings, and this credit balance will now be reduced to about £70, but a further sum on subsidy and salary account is now due from the Mines Department. In concluding this report the Council desires to express its appreciation of the able services rendered by the instructing staff through the year, and to thank those who have, by donations and personal assistance, contributed to the present satisfactory position of the institution.

Mr. Sidney Fry, Director of the Westport School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Westport, 4th May, 1907. I have the honour to report on the work done by the Westport School of Mines during the last year as follows :— The class attendance at the main school and its branches at Granity, Millerton, and Denniston has been fairly well maintained, the total average attendance being shown in the accompanying table :— AttrSe. Mechanical drawing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Chemistry (theoretical and practical) .. .. .. .. .. 16 Steam and steam-engines .. .. .. .. .. 13 Mineralogy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Assaying .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Mine and land surveying .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Mathematics .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 The annual schools of mines examinations were held in December last; five students presented themselves for examination, gaining one first-class, three second-class, and one third-class pass. During the year sixty-seven assays for gold, silver, and other metals have been done, also'nine analyses of coal, as well as other analyses for rare earths, identification of minerals and rocks, tests of clay for brickmaking, analysis of ointment, tests of samples supposed to be ambergris, &c. A moderate charge is made for quantitative analyses and assays, but minerals and ores are identified for prospectors in the district free of charge, and the greatest use is made of the facilities thus afforded by the school of mines. The prize given by the proprietors of the Australian Mining Standard to each school of mines for the student most distinguishing himself at that school in subjects of the mining engineering course

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has this year been awarded in this school to Mr. Charles Mann, a student in chemistry, assaying, and metallurgy. In conclusion, I have pleasure in thanking those who have given assistance to the school during the year by presentation of minerals, ores, and rocks. I have, &c, Sidney Fry, Director.

(d.) REPOKTS OF WATER-RACE MANAGERS. Mr. Jambs Rochfoed, Manager of Waimea-Kumara Water-races, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Kumara, 25th April, 1907. I have the honour to forward the following report on the working of the Waimea-Kumara Water-races for the financial year ending the 31st March, 1907 : — Waimea Race. The cash received for sales of water from this race for the year ending 31st March, 1907, was £571 14s. 5d., and the expenditure for the same period on gauging, maintenance, and repairs amounted to £622 Is., showing a debit balance of £50 6s. 7d. on the transactions for the year. The average number of miners supplied with water from the race for sluicing purposes during the year was 2575, showing a decrease of 2-16 as compared with the previous year; and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 1,626 oz., having a value of £6,341 Bs. The total sales of water for the year amounted to £544 os. Id., or £41 4s. 3d. less than the previous year. The falling-off in the value of the sales of water is due to the fact that the Waimea Hydraulic Sluicing Company only sluiced for six months of the year. The quantity of gold obtained was, approximately, 134 oz. less than the preceding year, representing a decrease in value of £522 12s. The cash received for sales of water was £52 4s. 9d. less than during the previous year. The expenditure on gauging, maintenance, and repairs was £36 4s. Id. less than during the preceding year, and the head-works at Wainihinihi and Kawhaka, and the Waimea siphon, the flumings and tunnels, and the main and branch races have been maintained, and are now in good working-order. All the parties using water from the Stafford portion of the race are Chinamen, and the revenue derived from this section shows an increase of £7 over the previous year. Owing to the depth of the ground, the area sluiced away annually is very small, so there is still plenty of unworked ground in the locality, which will probably pay fair wages, and I do not anticipate any falling-off in the demand for water for some time to come. At Tunnel Terrace, in the Goldsborough portion of the district, there are six parties using water from the race, and the results for the year have been fairly satisfactory. There is still a large area of payable ground in this locality commanded by the Government race, and I feel satisfied that the demand for water will not only be maintained, but that the sales of water for the ensuing year from this section will show a substantial improvement. The tributers of the Waimea Hydraulic Sluicing Company used water in their claim on the terrace above Goldsborough from April to August, 1906, when they abandoned the ground, as it was found that payable gold did not run back into the hill, a contingency which I mentioned as probable in my last annual report. The company immediately took up another area, at Scandinavian Hill, and after the Department had agreed to the extension of the Waimea Water-race they removed their valuable plant, and laid down a siphon, about a mile in length, to convey water on to their new property. This was a big undertaking, and the company deserve every credit for their enterprise ; so far, they have only had one short washing, but I understand the result was satisfactory. The Waimea Water-race was extended during the year for a distance of 27|- chains (including 5 chains of siphon) along Tunnel Terrace Hill, to enable the Hydraulic Sluicing Company to siphon the water across the Waimea Creek without interfering with any of the claims at present sluicing at Tunnel Terrace. The estimated cost of the extension was £147, and the work was carried out for about £18 under the estimate, but the balance of the grant was expended in increasing the carrying-capacity of the old race between the new extension and the company's old gauge-boxes. The party of Chinamen at Red Jack's are still taking water from the race. No stoppages from breaks occurred during the year. Notwithstanding the fact that the year was exceptionally dry, the water-supply kept up splendidly, the Waimea siphon being practically full during the whole time. The demand for water was not as great as last year; this was due to the fact that three claims ceased sluicing operations at Middle Branch Flat, and the Hydraulic Company were engaged for five months of the year in removing and re-erecting their plant. No free water was supplied from this race during the year. The following is a summary showing the revenue and expenditure in regard to this race for the financial year ended 31st March, 1907 :— £ s , a. Sales of water .. ... .. .. .. .. .. 544 0 1 Cash received .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 571 14 5 Expenditure .. .. .. .. .. .. 622 1 0 Approximate value of gold obtained .. .. .. .. 6,341 8 0 Average number of men employed, 2575.

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Branch Race to Cattaghan's and Middle Branch of Waimea Creek. The cash received for sales of water from this race for the year ending 31st March, 1907, was £729 Bs. Bd., and the expenditure for the same period on gauging, maintenance, and repairs was £664 Is. 2d., showing a credit balance of £65 7s. 6d. on the transactions for the year. The average number of miners supplied with water for sluicing purposes from this race during the year was 1T75, a decrease of 2 - 75 as compared with last year, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 1,731 oz., having a value of £6,750 18s. The total sales of water for the year amounted to £681 Is. 6d., a decrease of £14 os. 9d. on the preceding year, and the cash received for sales of water showed an increase of £7 3s. 6d. The approximate quantity of gold obtained by the miners was 20 oz. less than during the previous year, representing a decrease in value of £78. The expenditure on gauging, maintenance, and repairs during the year was £102 10s. 9d. greater than the previous year. This apparent increase in the expenditure is caused by the fact that the salary of the caretaker of the Wainihinihi Water-race, which supplies the Callaghan's and Middle Branch fields with water, has been debited against the race. If this salary, which amounted to £157, had not been included, as in former years, the expenditure would have shown a decrease of £54 9s. 3d. on the previous year. For the first five months of the year six parties- were sluicing into the Waimea Main Tail-race, but owing to the poorness of the ground Thompson and party abandoned their claim at the end of July, and in December Carmine and party worked out their claim, and Mcllroy and party suspended operations pending the completion of the Waimea Main Tail-race extension, so that there were only three parties sluicing into the Main Tail-race during the last three months of the year, which materially reduced the sales of water. Raby and party extended the Main Tail-race a further distance of 140 ft. during the year, making the total distance driven and securely timbered by this party 340 ft. The boxing and blocking will be completed in about a fortnight, when an uprise will be made into Mcllroy's claim, and then Raby and party will be in a position to open out their ground. Flushing-water was supplied to the Waimea Main Tail-race during the year free of charge. In Callaghan's Flat, Havill and party, who were leasing Honey and party's claim, sluiced for the first ten months of the year, when they gave up the ground and opened out a new claim, which is taking sixteen heads of water for three hours a day. Manzoni and party sluiced steadily throughout the year, during which time they paid £118 15s. for water, which must be considered highly satisfactory, and more than bears out my report of the 25th September, 1905, on the extension of the Callaghan's Waterrace. The extension cost the Department £145, and the revenue received since its completion amounts to £134, and the pipes are as good as new. As there is still a large extent of unworked ground in this locality, I do not anticipate any falling-off in revenue for some time to come. The following is a summary of the revenue and expenditure in regard to this race during the financial year ended 31st March, 1907 :— £ s . ,|. Sales of water .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 681 1 6 Cash received .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 729 8 8 Expenditure .. . . .. .. .. .. 664 1 2 Value of gold obtained .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,750 18 0 Number of persons ordinarily employed, 11 - 75. Kumaea Race. The cash received for sales of water from this race for the year ending 31st March, 1907, was £532 6s. 10d., and the expenditure for the same period on gauging, maintenance, and repairs was £740 12s. Bd., showing a debit balance of £208 ss. 10d. on the transactions o f the year. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race during the year was sixteen, a decrease of 0 - 66 as compared with the previous year ; and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 1,000 oz., of the value of £3,900. The total sales of water for the year amounted to £502 2s. 2d., an increase of £64 on the preceding year, and the cash received for sales of water shows an increase of £80 16s. 6d. The approximate quantity of gold obtained by the miners was 122 oz. more than during the previous year, representing an increase in value of £475 16s. The expenditure on gauging, maintenance, and repairs was £137 ss. Bd. less than during the preceding year, and all the races, branch races, tunnels, and siphons are now in a thorough state of repair. The overflow from the No. 2 Kapitea Dam has for some time been gradually cutting away the foundation of the by-wash. This by-wash, which is a timber structure, was erected over twenty years ago, and is in a very decayed condition. At the present time I have men engaged putting in a new foundation, and it is probable that the whole of the planking will require renewing. There has been no sluicing done in the No. 3 channel during the year, but the sum of £46 Is. 2d. was expended in labour and material in effecting urgent repairs. The No. 3 channel deviation has been driven, fully timbered, boxed, and blocked for a distance of 2,227 ft. The flush-shaft at the head of the deviation has yet to be sunk ; when it is completed the parties holding ground will be in a position to drive tail-races and open out their claims, but no sluicing can be carried out in this channel until the extension from the mouth of the channel outwards along the old tailings is relaid. The two original parties are still sluicing into the No. 4 channel, but the results for the year have not been very satisfactory. The ground is gradually getting poorer as they work down the flat towards

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the No. 5 channel, and it is only by using very large quantities of water and sluicing on a big scale that anything like payable returns can be obtained. If the ground proves payable, both parties have still a fairly large area to work. There are still two parties sluicing into the No. 5 channel, and each of them has a considerable extent of ground yet to work; but the returns for the past year have not been encouraging, and it is probable that some of the ground will yet be abandoned. As there are only two parties sluicing into each of these channels, the dues for extension and keeping the floor in good order are very heavy, without spending anything on retimbering or other repairs ; in addition to this, each party has a long private tail-race to maintain. When a channel is first constructed it is an invariable rule that the largest number of parties sluice into it during the first four or five years, and as the timber is new the maintenance is comparatively small, and a reserve fund should then be set aside by the trustees for retimbering at a future date. McGrath and Co.'s was the only private tail-race supplied with water from this race during the year. The Corbit Bros, erected a flax-mill in February last on the tailings near the old No. 2 channel. The plant is run by water-power, and works most satisfactorily. The water is supplied from the Government race at Dillmanstown. The usual quantity of flushing-water authorised by the Department was supplied to each of the main tail-races —viz., No. 4. channel, ten sluice-heads ; No. 5 channel, twenty sluice-heads. Water was supplied for fire-brigade purposes to the Borough of Kumara, and for washing-up purposes to all claims using water from the race free of charge. Prospecting. Prospecting operations were carried out by the Mines Department in the flat between Kumara and the railway-line for the first three months of the year. A line of shafts was sunk from the Kumara Beach Road to the foot of the ridge at Sandy's Hill. Owing to heavy water being met with at a depth of about 70 ft., none of the shafts reached the reef or main bottom, but they were all sunk below the false bottom, or the level of the Kumara workings, which was generally found between the depths of 26 ft. and 34 ft., and, with the exception of the No. 1 shaft, none of them showed the slightest indication of gold below that level. The general opinion was that the ground would improve the nearer we got to the ridge at Sandy's Hill, but my experience proved quite the opposite—the further we went back from the Teremakau River the poorer the ground became. The average yield from the last four shafts from the surface to the level of the false bottom was J gr. to the cubic yard, which would not give payable results if worked under the most favourable conditions. A fairly large area of country was also prospected in the neighbourhood of the Serpentine Creek, where seven shafts, varying in depth from 20 ft. to 40 ft., were sunk, and a tunnel about 200 ft. in length was driven; but with the exception of two shallow shafts in the bed of the Serpentine Creek, near Berdinner's old camp, the results obtained were most unsatisfactory. In October last the Department granted a subsidy of £100, at the rate of 4s. a foot, to sink shafts on the north side of the Teremakau River, but owing to the very heavy nature of the ground I could not get a party to undertake the work at the price. Eventually, Mrs. Dixon, the proprietress of the Erin-go-Bragh Water-race, which commands a considerable portion of the ground, agreed to give an additional 2s. a, foot up to £50. This brought the total subsidy up to £150, at the rate of 6s. a foot, and a party was formed, and sinking operations were started last week. There is a very extensive area of ground in this locality, and also at the head of Larrikin's Flat, in the Kapitca Valley, practically unprospected, and the formation of the surrounding country points to the conclusion that the Kumara gold crossed the country in a westerly direction from Maori Point, or came down the Kapitea Valley from the Arahura River. Kumara Deep-level Drainage-tunnel. This work was resumed in May last by constructing a shoot for sending down timber from the Dillman's Road, and erecting an incline tramway and haulage-gear for lifting the dirt out of the waterway at the mouth of the tunnel. When the work of repairing was taken in hand the tunnel was found to be in a very bad state. Most of the timber was in a very decayed condition, and had to be renewed before men could work under it. Owing to the collapse of the old shaft and the breaks in the tunnc! there was no ventilation, and it was found impossible to keep a light burning 300 ft. from the mouth of the tunnel, so water was laid on from the Government race at Dillmanstown. Ventilating-gear was erected, and the air conveyed up the tunnel in 4 in. pipes. The tunnel was down and filled to the roof in seven different places ; the water was backed up behind each of these breaks, and running over the roof-laths, which made the work of repairing not only slow but extremely dangerous. After the tunnel was picked up and repaired from the mouth to the old face, a distance of about 1,300 ft., it was driven in the blue reef, and fully timbered for a further distance of 87 ft. . A haulageshaft (10 ft. by 4 ft.) was started in January, but, unfortunately, at a depth of 50 ft. a large cavity was met with, which was caused by a run from the old No. 1 channel or some tail-race leading into it, whose position could not be located, as they have been down for years. The difference in level showed that the ground must have run for 50 ft., so it was considered too expensive and dangerous to continue sinking, and the shaft was abandoned, and a new one started, which is now down to a depth of 104 ft. The following is a summary of the revenue and expenditure in regard to this race during the financial year ended 31st March, 1907 : — £ s ( \ Sales of water . . . . . . .. .. .. 502 2 2 Cash received . . .. . . . . ~ .. 532 6 10 Expenditure .. . . .. .. .-, .. .. 740 12 8 Value of gold obtained .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,900 0 0 Average number of persons ordinarily employed, 16.

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Waimea-Kumara Water-race. The following is a summary of the revenue and expenditure in regard to this race for the financial year ended 31st March, 1907:— £ s. d. Sales of water .. .. .. .. • • • • • • 1,727 3 9 Cash received .. .. .. • • • • 1,833 9 11 Expenditure 2,026 14 10 Value of gold obtained .. .. .'. •• •• •• 16,992 6 0 Number of men ordinarily employed, 53 - 5. The sum of £168 13s. 9d., in addition, was expended on new work and repairs. It will be seen by the above summary that the value of sales of water from the combined races last year was £1,727 3s. 9d., as against £1,718 Bs. 9d. for the previous year, thus showing an increase in the value of the sales of water last year of £8 15s. The expenditure on gauging," maintenance, and repairs was £2,026 14s. 10d., as against £2,097 13s. 10d. for the former year, thus showing a decrease in the cost of maintenance last year of £70 19s. The cash received during the year was £1,833 9s. lid., as against £1,797 14s. Bd. for the previous year, thus showing an increase in revenue of £35 15s. 3d. on the previous year. Wainihinihi Water-race. The supply of water from this race has been excellent throughout the year, and, together with the water from the Kawhaka Race, has kept the Waimea siphon (which supplies the Waimea, Callaghan's, and Middle Branch Races) full all the year. No breaks occurred and there were no stoppages of any kind, and the race has been well maintained and is now in a thorough state of repair. • I have, &c, James" Rochford, Manager, Water-races.

Mr. R. Murray, Manager, Mount Ida Water-race, to the Under - Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. SIR __ Naseby, 25th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Mount Ida and Blackstone Hill Waterraces for the year ending the 31st March, 1907 : — ! The total sales of water from the Mount Ida Race during the year amounted to £817 17s. lid. The expenditure on maintenance and repairs for the same period was £1,455 10s. Bd., a decrease of £35 7s. 10d. on that of last year. The total cash received was £815 12s. lid. On account of payment in advance, free water to the value of £1 Bs. Id. was supplied, and free water for washing up was also supplied to the value of £56 3s. sd. The total value of water supplied from this race during the year amounted to £875 9s. sd. The average number of miners supplied with water was forty-four, a decrease of two on that of last year. The approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from this race was 1,316 oz., valued at £5,099 10s. The season has been an extraordinarily dry one, the driest within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. From the Ist to the 20th April, 1906, the water-supply in the whole length of the race was reduced to twelve heads and the reservoir empty. The miners were on half time from this on to the Ist May, when the weather became very rough, with several light falls of snow, allowing the reservoir to be closed down and the miners to be fully supplied. ,' i During this month the race neaT the outlet end of the Wedderburn siphon, where it is cut through a narrow belt of lignite clay, began to slip. To prevent its overflowing and breaking-away I had it temporarily sodded, to allow of a certain quantity of water through, to supplement and save that in the reservoir to this extent. ■i> On the 24th June a heavy fall of snow took place during the night-time, followed by severe frost; on the 26th a sudden thaw set in : the thaw coming so sudden after the hard frost caused the race, when slipping, to break away. This being followed by snowing and freezing, I could not get to repair it until about the middle of July. The supply during this time had to be practically drawn from that in the reservoir. I was able to make a permanent job of it when cleaning out the race in the spring. Most of the ground-sluicers, on account of the changeable weather, knocked off in July. The whole of the miners knocked off on the 12th August, but, a thaw setting in on the 14th, they made a start again, but as there was very little water in the creeks supplying the race, they had to practically draw the supply from the reservoir, which ran dry on the 24th. . On the' 27th a start was made to clean out the race. There being so little water in the creeks, and the reservoir empty, no water was turned on to the miners until the 26th September, when Hill's Creek, the twenty-seventh-mile peg, was reached, the small quantity from this inward being stored in the dams. The effect of the freezing, snowing, and thawing often caused a large amount of stuff to be loosened along the upper sidelings and into the race, and made the cleaning-out very heavy. The cleaning-out was completed on the 19th October. On account of another elevating claim starting in Spec Gully, I had to widen this branch to 4ft. a length of about five miles, and to place a length of 102 ft. of 19-in.-diameter pipes across a break, as timber does not last, always giving trouble and expense ; also a small culvert bridge had to be constructed where the Burster Road crosses it, and 24 ft. of boxes across a small creek,* at the head of Milkman's Gully. A 6 ft, sheep-bridge was also required on account of the widening, and one renewed on the main racec

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The Humphrey's Gully Beds, near Humphrey's Gully.

The Humphrey's Gully Beds, overlain unconformably by Morainic Materials.

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The Terminal Moraine, near Kanieri Township.

Sluiced Ground, near Rimu.

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The supplying race from Enterprise Terrace dam kept scouring so much that to prevent this I had it stepped with i ft. lengths of corrugated iron, which has answered the purpose very well, and cheaply. I also had to scrub the water face of one of the dam-banks where the high winds were eating it away. A thunderstorm lasting for half an hour broke through one of the dam-banks on Wet Gully Terrace. I had it repaired in two days, and the water on again. The season has been so extraordinarily dry that on an average the water-supply did not give more than half time to the miners (week about) in January, and to the 12th February not more than six heads in the whole length of race could be landed at Naseby. On the 18th February I started to clean and widen the race from 4 ft. to 6 ft. from the Idaburn to Hill's Creek, a length of miles. The race has been very free from breaks, only two during the season being reported. Sixteen elevating claims have been at work in the district during the year, twelve of them being supplied from the Government race. Three parties have been during the year sluicing in the Maori bottom. The number of days on which no water was supplied was: Winter and widening, 51; Christmas, 1; Now Year, 1; Naseby races, 2: a total of fifty-five days. The winter was a short and open one. No new ground has been opened during the year. Bi.ackstone Hill Uace. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £25. The total cash received was £21). The total cost of maintenance and repairs was 16s. The number of miners supplied with water was three, R. Johnstone and Sons being the only ones. This race having had a good cleaning-out last year, only two days' work by one man was required this year. R. Johnstone and Sons were granted four months' free water to test deep ground below but alongside of where they have been working, having had to deepen their tail-race to get into it. I have, &c, R. Murray, Manager.

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(c.) REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT. James Mackintosh Beli,, Director, to the Under-Secretaky, Mines Department, Wellington. Sin, — Wellington, 31st December, 1906. In accordance with your instructions, 1 have the honour herewith to submit to you a statement of the work of the Geological Survey Department for the year ending the 31st December, 1906. The present report is a brief summary of the routine and field-work of the Survey. The annual report of the Geological Survey Department for the year 1906, now being prepared, which is this session to be presented to Parliament as a separate parliamentary paper, will contain a more detailed account of the work accomplished, together witli the reports of the various officers. Field and Routine Work for the Year. With the exception of the period from the 13th April to the Bth September, I was occupied throughout the year practically continuously in field-work. As stated in last year's report, at the close of the year 1905 I was engaged with Mr. Colin Fraser, Mining Geologist, in the geological survey of the Coromandel Subdivision, Hauraki. Early in January, feeling that the work was well under way, I proceeded to Auckland, leaving Mr. Fraser in charge. While in Auckland T paid a brief visit to the Drury Coal-mine, and attended to other departmental matters. On the 22nd January I left Auckland, and proceeded south via the Wanganui River. At Wellington and Christchurch it was necessary to spend a few days in attending to departmental business, but by the beginning of February I was able to join Professor Park in Central Otago, where he was engaged in the geological survey of the Alexandra Subdivision. After spending a few days with Professor Park, in order to familiarise myself with the interesting work which he had in hand, I set out for the Hermitage, Mount Cook. The route followed was by the road from Cromwell to Queenstown, from there across the Clutha River to Tarras Station, on to Omarama and Lake Pukaki, and thence to the Hermitage. Some ten days were spent in the Mount Cook district, and a very good general idea was obtained of this centre of glaciation in New Zealand. As a stranger to the country, 1 was greatly impressed with the magnificence of the ice-features, and their really wonderful proportions. On the 26th February I left the Hermitage in company with Dr. Marshall, of Otago University, and Guide Clarke, en route for the west coast. Having crossed the lofty mountain col known as Fitzgerald Pass, we descended the valley of the Copland. This river was followed to its junction with the Karangarua, down which we continued to the main south road of Westland. Early in March, after traversing Arthur's Pass, I joined Mr. Colin Fraser at the head of the Wilberforce River. Mr. Fraser, who had left his work in the Hauraki Division in order to assist me in Westland, so that a bulletin on the Hokitika Subdivision could be published during the coming session, was at the time engaged in a geological survey of the area included within the Westland reefs mining district. This district lies within the area drained by the head-waters of the Wilberforce River, a tributary of the Rakaia, flowing eastward through Canterbury, and by the head-waters of the Arahura River flowing westward through Westland, and, together with the adjoining mountainous country, occupied the united attention of Mr. Fraser and myself for the rest of the season. During the winter months I was engaged at headquarters in the preparation of Bulletin No. 1 on the Hokitika Subdivision of the North Westland Division, in writing the annual report, and in attending to numerous other matters arising out of the departmental work throughout the colony. Work in Southern Part of the Hot Lakes District. —On the Bth September I left Wellington in order to make a brief reconnaissance in the central volcanic area of the North Island. This season's investigations were confined to the southern part of the Taupo volcanic zone—namely,

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Valley of the Taipo River, with Mount Walcott on the right.

The Moraines of Griffiths Glacier.

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Browning's Pass, showing Twin Peaks and Mount Harman, from Bed of Upper Wilberforce River.

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to the thermal centres of Wairakei, Taupo, Orakeikorako, and Tokaanu. A hurried trip was made to the volcanic cones of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, but the heavy snow which covered their summits and the plain between the two mountains prevented an adequate examination being made. In my annual statement for 1905 attention was drawn to the remarkable occurrence of gold and silver in appreciable quantities in the siliceous sinters at Whakarewarewa, in the Hot Lakes District. In that statement the hope was expressed that a detailed survey of this wonderful thermal region would soon be undertaken. The necessity for such a survey becomes more and more apparent as our information concerning the area increases. ••■" - ' Samples of sinter collected this season from a number of widely separated localities on analysis yielded, like those from Whakarewarewa, results of great interest in the science of economic geology, owing to the illuminating evidence they afford as to the origin of metals in quartz veins. A detailed study of all the springs in the Taupo volcanic zone should be of great advantage, as bearing on aurogenesis in New Zealand as well as in other parts of the world. Visit to Poverty Bay Petroleum-field. —Before returning to Wellington from Taupo I paid a veiy short visit to the petroleum-bearing country near Gisborne, and made a preliminary investigation of the valleys of the Waihuka and Waipaoa Rivers, in both of which indications of petroleum have been known to exist for some time. Boring operations have been carried ou'; in the past along the Waipaoa and its tributary, the Waingaromia, but with little success. Apparently much the best indications are to be observed on Waitangi Hill, which forms a prominent point on the ridge between these two streams. Here a number of springs ooze out along the banks of a small stream and form pools, which are heavily coated with crude petroleum. Para para Subdivision. —About the middle of October I left Wellington in order to undertake the detailed survej' of the Parapara Subdivision, Karamea, Nelson. After spending a few days in the Town of Nelson, and obtaining from the Lands and Survey Department some data necessary for the conduct of the work, I left for Parapara, reaching that place on the 20th October. Operations in the Parapara Subdivision are now proceeding, and it is expected that the fieldwork will be completed in about three months' time. In this area assistance on the geological side of the work has been afforded me by Messrs. E. J. H. Webb and E. de C. Clarke, who have joined the Department this year as assistant geologists, while the topographical work was for some time under the supervision of Mr. R. P. Greville. After Mr. Greville's departure to attend to other duties, Mr. K. M. Graham, assistant topographer, continued the topographical survey under my direction. As a bulletin dealing with the geology of the subdivision will be prepared for publication as soon as possible after the completion of the field-work, a full report is not required here, but it may be desirable to give a brief account of the various economic features being investigated, omitting for the present any reference to the general geology. Of the greatest economic and scientific interest are the enormous deposits of iron-ore, which appear on the surface near Parapara Inlet, and extend southward for seven miles and a half, with a maximum width of about 26 chains. Though the outcrops are not continuous for this distance, there is undoubtedly a genetic connection between the whole of them. The exact nature and extent of these huge ore-bodies is too large a problem to enter into here, but it will be discussed in great detail in the forthcoming bulletin on the Parapara Subdivision. Quartz veins occur throughout the Palaeozoic strata (Ordovician and so-called Devonian). Most of these are apparently of low grade, but at the time of writing by far the greatest number have not been fully tested. The Golden Blocks and the Golden Ridge Mines, both of which will be described in the bulletin on the Parapara Subdivision, are being worked on auriferous-quartz veins occurring in argillaceous strata of undoubted Ordovician age. Gold-bearing gravels have been worked for more than half a century in the Parapara Subdivision, but the richest portions were long ago exhausted. Gold, however, is still being obtained, mainly by means of hydraulic sluicing. The coal-seams of the subdivision are apparently not of great extent, but have not yet been fully investigated. The subdivision abounds in granites, serpentines, and marbles of various colours, many of which are often of great beauty and high quality. Clay, said to be capable of use in the manufacture of fine pottery, occurs in Motupipi, whilst more ordinary clays, suitable for rough pottery and for brickmaking, are widely scattered throughout the subdivision. Impure talcs and soapstones, capable of commercial use, occur on the Waikoromumu and on the Parapara River. It will be seen from this brief rtsumS that the economic mineral resources of the area represent a great variety. Each phase of the mineral wealth will be elaborated in full detail in the forthcoming bulletin on the Parapara Subdivision. Woek of Senior Field Officers. Mr, P. G. Morgan. —Mr. P. G. Morgan, General Geologist, has been engaged almost continuously throughout the year at work in Westland, being absent therefrom for only a few months during the middle of winter, when he was engaged at headquarters in preliminary work in connection with his maps and other office-work.

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The Mikonui Subdivision of North Westland, in which Mr. Morgan has carried on most of his work, is a large area, consisting in a great measure of extremely rugged mountainous country. The excessive rainfall and the absence of transport facilities add to the difficulties of survey-work in this region. Though a considerable portion of the subdivision has been geologically surveyed during the year, it- is probable that part of another season will be required to complete the work in this area. Mr. Morgan reports the universal occurrence of alluvial gold in small quantities at the head of the Hokitika and other streams traversing the mountainous hinterland of the subdivision. Many quartz reefs were located by Mr. Morgan, the majority of which appear to be barren, 'though a few give more or less promise. Indications of copper and other metals were seen, but the metals were nowhere found to exist in payable quantity. In connection with the Pounamu or serpentine formation, small pockets of asbestos of good quality were noted in several localities. Mr. Morgan also reports the occurrence in the Mikonui Subdivision of various building and ornamental stones, such as granite, serpentine, limestone, basalt, &c. Mr. Colin Fraeer. — During the past year Mr. Colin Fraser, Mining Geologist, was occupied chiefly in geological field-work in the Coromandel Subdivision of the Hauraki Division, and in the Hokitika Subdivision of North Westland. In addition to this he was engaged at headquarters for several months assisting in the preparation of Bulletin No. 1, and in general office-work. The area now under examination by this officer is a very interesting one, consisting geologically of old stratified and folded rocks overlain by Tertiary voleanics extravasated at several different periods, and exhibiting frequently great alteration by hydrothermal agencies. Of great interest in structural geology is the discovery by Mr. Fraser of identifiable fossils in the upper members of the older sedimentary rocks of the Hauraki Peninsula. Identification of these fossil forms will probably demonstrate that die upper l>eds of the folded complex are of lesser antiquity than has heretofore been supposed. Mr. Fraser reports fully on the gold-silver quartz veins and other mineral resources of the Coromandel Subdivision investigated by him, but as it is expected that he will be able to prepare a bulletin for publication during the coming session of Parliament, further reference to this branch of his work may for the present be omitted. Mr. 11. P. Greville. —Mr. 11. P. Greville, Topographer, was engaged during the early part of the year in executing surveys in the rugged interior of North Westland, and in the Wilberforce District, Canterbury. During the winter he was occupied in compiling his maps at headquarters. At the beginning of spring he proceeded to Parapara, and organized survey parties under Mr. X M Graham, the newly appointed Assistant Topographer, and Mr. A. J. Whitehorn, Senior Chainman. Early in October Mr. Greville took charge of the Geological Survey exhibit at the New Zealand International Exhibition, and towards the close of the year he continued the topographical survey in the Mikonui Subdivision, in which he had been engaged at the end of the previous season. In his report Mr. Greville gives a general account of the topographical-survey work executed by him and makes particular reference to the possibilities of the Toaroha River as a source of water-power, which could be utilised throughout the whole of North Westland. Reference to tins was also made in my report for the year 1905. Temporary Assistance. At the beginning of the year Professor James Park, Director of the Otago School of Mines, was engaged in the Alexandra Subdivision of Central Otago. A bulletin on this area from the pen of Professor Park was presented to Parliament during last session. This summer he is engaged on the geological survey of the Cromwell Subdivision of Western Otago. Mr D V Allen, Director of the Coromandel School of Mines, was engaged for a period of six weeks during 'the summer vacation of 1905-6, to assist Mr. Colin Fraser in the Coromandel Subdivision, and carried out a geological examination in the Cabbage Bay district. Mr_ Allen has been engaged for a similar period during the present summer, and at the time of writing is occupied in the detailed survey of the Whangapoua Valley. Geological Sukvbt Exhibit at the New Zealand International Exhibition. During the year it was decided to prepare a Geological Survey exhibit for the New Zealand International Exhibition at Christchurch. Owing to the very short time at our disposal it was ciuite impossible, with the limited material available, to collect an exhibit at all representative of the widely varied and extensive mineral wealth of New Zealand, and it was therefore considered advisable to confine the exhibit mainly to minerals and rocks of economic value for the area in which a geological survey had been conducted—namely, the Hokitika Subdivision of North Westland Our efforts, however, were considerably hampered not only through want of time but also owing to the difficulty of obtaining specimens from, the mountainous hinterland of Westland at a season when all the high country is covered with snow. However, a collection fairly representative of the mineral wealth of the Hokitika area was obtained, and with this were

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Alexandra South, showing Manuherikia River in the Foreground.

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Hydraulic Sluicing, Ross, Westland.

Hydraulic Sluicing, Ross, Westland.

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arranged numerous framed enlarged photographs illustrative of the mining industry, and also of the wonderful scenery of North Westland. In addition to this special district exhibit, the Geological Survey displayed two large maps —one of the North Island and the other of the South Island—indicating the separate localities in which minerals of economic importance are known to occur. General Office-work. Correspondence. —The correspondence of the Department has grown considerably during the past year. This is largely due to the interest taken by the public of New Zealand, and of the outside world, in the work of the Geological Survey, as well as to the fact that the field staff has been greatly increased. Numerous specimens of rocks and minerals have been identified by officers of the Department at headquarters, and brief reports have been written in connection with most of them. Publications.—'This, year, two bulletins, in addition to the annual report which was published in Parliamentary Paper C.—3, 1906, have been issued by the Geological Survey. No. 1, written by myself with the assistance of Mr. Colin Fraser, bears the title " The Geology of the Hokitika Sheet, North Westland Quadrangle : with which has been included a Small Portion of the Upper Wilberforce Valley in the Waimakariri Quadrangle." Bulletin No. 2, written by Professor James Park, and based on the results of his geological examinations during the summer months of 1905-6, is entitled " The Geology of the Area, covered by the Alexandra Sheet, Central Otago Division." Maps. During the year the draughtsmen have compiled the maps accompanying Bulletins Nos. 1 and 2, as well as the two large mineral maps of the North and South Islands, exhibited at the New Zealand International Exhibition. J. M. Belt., Director, Geological Survey.

Mr. Warden Burgess to the Under-Secretakt for .Mines, Wellington. g IT[( Warden's Office, Queenstown, 30th April, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith a general report on mining in the several sub districts under my charge for the year ended 31st December, 1906. Queenstown. Mining in this portion of the district has been confined almost entirely to the alluvial claims on the Shotover River. Only one dredge has been at work—viz., the one at Maori Point on tht Shotover River, but operations have only been moderately successful.

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i: Tire Skipper's Shi icing Company has been. engaged for the .past "Cwb seasons'sluicing'--the Londonderry Terrace at' Pleasant Creek. Owing to the shortness; of waters-only about live hours , day—the ground worked, though considerable, is not as much as it' Otherwise, would have been. The water is brought in iron pipes over the terrace. The tail-race in use is over 40 ya-rds long, and is cut out of the solid rock. The returns have been satisfactory. This company "has ' aisio acquired 20 acres lately held by Mr. It. Johnson as part of his alluvial claim, and has erected a fine new dam. The water to be used is brought in from Skipper's Creek, a distance of seveu miles, and will be siphoned across Pleasant Creek from Londonderry Terrace, it is not anticipated that any wash-up will take place until after the winter. Mr. li. Johnson still continues to work his claim on Pleasant Creek Terrace, although he has recently slightly altered his boundaries. Since then he has cut a fresh raofc from his dam to the new ground, and has started sluicing operations. ■..'._. Davis and party are working their claim at Stony Creek. The ground is very deep and sioiiy, and an overburden of 300' ft. in depth has to be cleared away before the auriferous earth "is .disclosed. The water required for sluicing is obtained from Stony Creek. It is stored in two large dams near the workings and conveyed in pipes for use in the face where necessary. This claim has yielded exceedingly good returns. ; Smith Brothers are working a hydraulic claim at Sandhills. Much of their time has' been occupied in cutting races aud damming the river, so that very little paddoeking has been doiie. floods having considerably damaged their works, they are now laying pipes under the river-bed, so as to obviate any such* damage in future. It is intended to work the bed of the river. The water used is brought from Stony Creek. Hogers and Johnson are currying on work on Jenkins's Terrace until such time as the river becomes favourable for working the terrace on the opposite side. A siphon, 1,700 ft. long, of 11 in. piping, carries the water across the river. This water is brought from B.i'TLirnt Creek, and is stored in two large dams. The party has 1,000 ft. of piping in readiness to work in the river-bed when the river "is low enough to allow them to do so. Messrs. Harbor and Hamilton are working a claim on the river which is quite unaffected by any Hoods, and is worked by hydraulic sluicing. The water used is obtained from Stony Creek, being carried over the river by some 2,000 ft. of suspended piping. Messrs. Lee and party are still engaged in working their claim at the Sandhills under the management of Mr. P. T. Lynch. Operations are being carried on upon the river terrace, whicii is being mined away at the rate of about an acre per annum. The water is obtained from the Sandhill*, and conveyed to the claim through about 1,700 ft. of piping, and is carried across the river in pipes. Mr Edgar Sainsbury has recently acquired a claim on the river under Muddy Creek Terrace, and is removing his plant from the old claim on the terrace. The olaim taken up is comparatively new country, at any rate for tins class of mining. Should Mr. Saiusbury's operations prove successful it will practically open up a large area for occupation as sluicing claims, for there is some six miles of untried ground between his claim and what is known as the Branches higher up the river. The claim will be worked with water from Stockyard Creek, the race carrying about twelve heads. Mr Alfred Smith, sen., is sluicing at Brown's Terrace with pressure-pipes and a giant nozzle. Mr Smith is the inventor of the jet pump now so successfully used in working river-beds. By its means he is profitably treating old ground that was worked in the early days with the methods then employed. Messrs Peal and Helmes are working in a bed of the river below Mark's Terrace. Their object is to work the crevices in the river-bed where gold is believed to have been left by the old spoon dredges formerly at work in this locality. Smith's method of elevating is used. Messrs. Smith and Aspinall still successfully continue to work their claim at Skipper's Point, where they have been carrying on operations for many years. Messrs Thompson and Robinson are working their claim near Long Gully. Much expensive work has been done. The claim is worked by Smith's suction pump. There are between 2,000 ft and 3,000 ft. of piping on the ground. The water-race is cut for nearly all its distance through solid rock. The ground is shallow, but very rough. Messrs Ward and Smith are hydraulic sluicing at Long Gully. They have wing-dammed the creek, and are working in the bed. Fair returns have Ixsen but'work is subject to interruption whenever there is a flood in the river. .., Mr E McLeod is working on Kerryman's Beach, and Atley Brothers, Jacobson, McConnell, and L. Lynch are working in Alabama Creek. Mr, I. Davis is working at the •Sandhills, sluicing the lower portions of his claim. Messrs T and J S Collins hold about 30 acres at Maori Point, a portion being on the Terrace and a portion on the river. The claim is worked by hydraulic suction pumps Considerable rockcutting has been done on the claim. The depth of the river ground varies from 10 ft. to U ft., m -old is K ot in crevices on the main bottom. The water-race is two miles, and a half long, and contain about 3 500 ft. of iron Startling, the country over which it passes being very, rugged.

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At the Twelve-mile Creek, on Lake Wakatipu, Lee and party and Reid and party continue to work their respective claims. Seller and party have recently taken up a claim in the Seven-mile Creek, but so far have not done much n more than prospect the ground. These are the only claims at present being worked on Lake Wakatipu. Quartz. The Shotover Gold-mining Company are still steadily at work driving their main prospecting tunnel. The claim is under the management of Mr. Bishop, and employs on an average about eight men. At Skipper's the Mount Aurum Company, referred to in my last report as having acquired the old Achilles Mine and battery, continue to prosecute the operations therein referred to. Under the present management the property is receiving a thorough trial, and if it has in it the elements of success there is little doubt, I think, that these will be developed by the present owners to the utmost. Scheelite. This mine, situated at the Bucklerburn Creek, near the head of Lake Wakatipu, and owned by George Reid and party, is being worked. The mine has been opened up, and a battery and concentrating plant erected, and work is progressing. The quality of the ore obtained is good. There is a fair demand for the product of the mine, and the prices obtained leave a payable margin for profit. The mine has been worked under the present ownership since January, 1906. The quartz in the lode is obtained from three levels. Arrowtown and Macetown. Gold-mining about Arrowtown and Macetown has not varied much during the past year. If anything, more prospecting, particularly for quartz lodes, has been done than for some years previously. This is to be attributed to the fact that one of the quartz-mines in the neighbourhood of Macetown, worked by an English company for many years with varying success, was closed down, and the miners who had been engaged in working there, instead of seeking employment elsewhere, turned their attention to prospecting the many reefs known to exist in the Macetown district. Among others, Mr. R. Balch worked on a reef in Scanlan's Gully from which he got highly payable returns, but the lode cut out and the lead was lost. Messrs. Hamilton, O'Neill, and Mackay also took up a reef in the same gully, and are now working it. They purchased a battery from the Indian Glenrock and Premier Sunrise Company, and crushing operations are being steadily carried on. Messrs. Anderson Brothers and party are also working a reef in the same locality, and quite recently they purchased from the same company a battery situated near the Premier Mine" and known as the " Sunrise battery." They have removed it on to a site at the foot of Scanlan's Gully, and the battery is now in course of erection. As the battery will not be completed before winter it is not likely that crushing operations will be started until next spring. Other parties are also engaged prospecting for quartz lodes in this district. It may be mentioned that at Macetown there are many reefs showing on the surface yet to be developed, but the cost of working these is too great for the ordinary miner. From the head of Lake Wakatipu across the mountains to Skipper's, and thence to Macetown, there exists a belt of reefing country on which as yet comparatively little work has been done. In Rogers's Gully, at Macetown, Mr. B. Ritchie is at present prospecting for antimony, indications of a lode having been discovered in the neighbourhood —at least sufficient to warrant prospecting. At the back of MacetownMr. R. Balch has been hydraulicing a terrace, but work is at present suspended. At Eight-mile, Arrow River, Messrs. Reid Brothers are still engaged working a terrace by means of sluicing. This claim has been continuously worked for a number of years. The party owns an extensive pipe-line which provides a plentiful supply of water with good pressure. A new company was formed a short time ago to work the old Arrow Falls Claim on the Arrow River bed, about four miles distant from Arrowtown. The new company is styled " The Arrow River Sluicing Company," of which Mr. J. Ramsay is manager. The company has an inexhaustible water-supply from the Billy Creek, and sufficient hydraulic pressure to meet all requirements. Floods affect the claim at times, but not sufficient to cause any material damage or great inconvenience. Several individual miners are engaged in alluvial mining on the terraces and on the creeks of the Arrow River Gorge, and are meeting with more or less success. At Bracken's Gully, in the neighbourhood of the Crown Terrace, two parties —Stephenson and Dakers, and Soutter Brothers have been steadily engaged sluicing ground, but with what success is not*known. Recently Messrs. Feehy and Naylor Brothers have been working ground on the Crown Terrace Lead, which proved very rich some years ago. They have a good water-supply, and are able to get over a quantity of ground during the season. The past season has been drier than usual, and the water-supply on several claims consequently more or less limited ; but there are few instances, if any, where work had to be suspended through the shortage of water. A syndicate with a capital of £200 was formed in Arrowtown some months ago with the object of prospecting what is known as the Lucknow Reef, situated on the Crown Terrace. A low-level tunnel was put in a distance of over 100 ft., and the reef sunk on to a depth of 30 ft. Prospecting has been discontinued for the present. At Whitechapel Flat, once the scene of great mining activity, only a little fossicking is being done. Dredging. From the gorge where the Electric Company's dredges are at work, near Bannockburn, to the source of the Kawarau River, at Lake Wakatipu, there is only one dredge at work—the sole survivor of a fleet of dredges that some five or six years ago was launched upon this river. This dredge i? situated on a claim about fourteen miles from Cromwell and within the Lake County. It was formerly the property of the Meg and Annie Company, but was sold by them a year or two ago to a party of workingmen. Since acquiring possession, this party have successfully worked their claim. Recently, how-

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ever, operations have been suspended owing to the high state of the river. It is intended shortly to begin again a little lower down the river, the proprietors having lately taken up the claim originally occupied by the Gentle Annie Company Caedrona. Mining in the Cardrona Valley has not improved during the past year. Much is expected, however, from the operations of the Criflel Lead Company on the Criffel Pace, opposite the Cardrona Township. The company has been vigorously prosecuting their work, and have been to considerable expense in preliminary operations in connection with the undertaking—water-races have been made, old ones have been improved and repaired, tail-races have been constructed, and an efficient hydraulic, plant placed on the ground. Some difficulty has been experienced owing to the unstable nature of the ground, which has a tendency to slip away as work proceeds, but the management are confident of overcoming this difficulty. There are at present thirteen men employed. The races are three and a half miles in length, and give the right to the use of thirty heads of water, but owing to the shortness of the supply not more than twelve heads are at present available. The Lone Star dredge is the oidy one at work in the Cardrona Valley, and has been kept regularly employed. Little and party are still working their hydraulic-sluicing claim in the old bed of the Cardrona River. They have a fine supply of water, brought on to the claim in iron pipes, and a complete plant for hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Operations have, however, proved far from successful, and workis being carried on in the face of great discouragement. Cromwell. During the year ended the 31st December, 1906, there were granted ten dredging claims, fourteen alluvial claims, and four quartz claims, as compared with twelve dredging claims, nine alluvial claims, and no quartz claims during the previous year. From these figures it would appear that, while dredging is on the decrease, the number of alluvial and quartz claims is more than proportionately increasing. A few large areas were taken up in the hope that the black sand which is found in great quantities in several parts of the district could be profitably worked owing to the presence of tin and other minerals, as well as the gold, but I understand that the reports made upon some samples that were sent Home for analysis were not sufficiently encouraging. Some very fine specimens of antimony have been got on the Carrick Range, and a special claim and three prospecting-areas have been taken up for the purpose of thoroughly testing this important find. Great activity has been displayed at Bendigo, a Dunedin syndicate having acquired several rights in the locality, and it is proposed to carry on extensive hydraulic sluicing. The old quartz claim there has lately been worked for scheelite, which is believed to have been found in payable quantity. The dredging returns for this period must be looked upon as disappointing. The high state of the river during the winter months has militated against steady and continuous work. This has contributed largely to the comparative smallness of the returns from the electric dredges on the Kawarau River. On the Molyneux the two dredges left—the Hartley and Riley and the New Alpine Consols — have had a fairly successful year. The three dredges that were taken from the Molyneux to the Clutha above Lowburn have had short and unsuccessful careers, and none of them are working at the present time. The Rising Sun dredge and the two Rise and Shine dredges have all been working steadily, and have paid dividends. The Punt and Revival dredges have not had a good year. Comparatively speaking, the most encouraging work for the period has been done by the Clutha River dredge, working on the river close to the borough. The Junction Electric Company had a very disastrous year, having lost one of its dredges which was getting about 50 oz. a week. This company's claim has since been acquired by the Electric Dredging Company. Another of the Junction Electric Company's dredges has been working at the mouth of the Kawarau River, but has not paid expenses. A new company, called the New Cromwell Dredging Company, was formed for the purpose of acquiring the third dredge belonging to the Junction Electric, and of working a claim with it on the Kawarau River, near Bannockburn ; but the venture proved unsuccessful. In the Nevis district miners, both dredging and sluicing, have had a good year. In spite of the dry season experienced elsewhere, there has been no want of water, and the sluicing claims have quite kept up their average. The old Ngapara 111 dredge, now owned by the Lower Nevis Dredging Company, has had a better season than formerly, and all the other Nevis dredges have had a good season. At Upper Nevis the Crewe Company's dredge has not been as successful as was anticipated, but all the sluicing claims have done very well during the past year. A company called the Ben Nevis Sluicing Company has taken over Mr. Me Williams's mining rights in that locality, and intend to carry on operations on a more extensive scale. Dredging. In consequence of the high state of the Molyneux River duiing the whole of the past year dredging in the gorges has been practically suspended. The stretches of the river mostly affected embrace the claims upon which the Monte Christo at Clyde, and the Moa, Manuherikia, Sailor's Bend, First Chance, Bendigo, and the Fourteen-mile Beach dredges at and below Alexandra arc situated. The whole seven dredges only succeeded in obtaining 1,245 oz. during this period, more than half of which quantity was won by the Fourteen-mile Beach. Such disappointing results from these dredges are not altogether the consequence of the unfavourable state of the river, and much less arc they so from the absence of gold in the river-bed. Two dredging claims of three miles of the river have recently been applied for, including portions of the gorge upon which smaller dredges have worked with not very satisfactory results.

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There are still nine or ten dredges steadily working in the river and on the banks and beaches at Sandy Point with dividend-paying results. This also can be said of the Molyneux'Hydraulic and the Alexandra Eureka, a little lower down ; the Alexandra Lead and the Golden Beach,*on the other hand, have not been so successful. Some five dredges are in operation in the Manuherikia River and its beaches above Alexandra. Two of these are in the hands of working shareholders, and it is reported that they have met with satisfactory returns. The Olrig and the Chatto Creek are owned and worked by registered companies. The former has lately discarded steam and substituted water-power. 5 " So far, under the altered conditions, everything is working satisfactorily. Alluvial Mining. There is unfortunately very little to be said as to the present condition of this class of mining. Scarcely any work has been done during the year, but good hope is entertained of a fairly large field being opened up in the vicinity of Galloway Station, and the holders of claims there are ready and waiting the completion of the Alexandra Race, lately acquired by the Government. This is the only water which will be available for working these claims. In the meantime most of the claims are under protection. Mr. Rivers finds it extremely difficult to carry on operations on his claim at Richmond Hill. The source whence he derives his supply of water has fallen away considerably during the last year or two, and this has very materially hindered the proper and regular working of the claim. Antimony. The appreciable advance in the price of this metal has encouraged another effort to be made to exploit the lode which was originally discovered on the west bank of the Molyneux River at Alexandra about twenty-five years ago. About eight years ago the mine was again taken up, and this time, under the management of Mr. Robert Blair, more extensive efforts were made. Three shafts were sunk, and a considerable amount of tunnelling was effected, in all of which operations evidence of the extent of the lode was exhibited. About 150 tons of ore of various grades was brought to the surface. The third and present undertaking, controlled by Mr. James McQueen, presents greater possibilities for a successful issue than the two previous efforts. The lode has been traced for a distance of two miles on the surface, and a mineral license of 320 acres has been applied for. A company with a proposed capital of £20,000 is in the course of construction, if not already constructed, and contracts for driving on the lode have been let, altogether showing a bona fide intention on the part of the promoters to thoroughly test the value of its property. Should the prospects already in view continue, it is intended to erect smelting-works on the ground, the conducting of which must necessarily be materially assisted by the close proximity of the railway.. Bald Hill Flat. Sluicing here is now confined to three parties—the Last Chance Company, Carroll and party, and Mitchell. The former is only paying expenses, and the latter parties are meeting with little better results. Both quartz claims have been given up ; Mr. Gray of the Excelsior having left the district, whilst Mr. Robert Symcs, who for many years occupied and worked White's Reef with poor results, is now prospecting with Coal Creek water in the vicinity of what was known as the Exhibition Reef. Roxburgh. Hydraulic Sluicing. The Roxburgh Amalgamated Company has had a fairly successful year. Eighteen men are continuously employed in the claim and water-race, and, although a full supply of water has not at all times been available, the company succeeded in winning 1,588 oz. of gold, out of which dividends amounting to £2,914 were declared. The Ladysmith Company, on the adjoining claim, might be said to have had an equally successful year, taking into consideration the small quantity of water at its disposal. Nine men only find employment in this claim ; the year's work resulted in obtaining 794 oz. of gold, and dividends amounting to £992 were declared. Coulter and party, at Commissioner's Flat, working on a smaller scale both in water and plant, are satisfied with their returns. Manuel Brothers, at Coal Creek, with an inferior supply of water and deep and heavy ground to operate upon, have been practically at a standstill; while Michelle and party, a little lower down the Hat, have met with only moderate results for the same reasons. A considerable amount of prospecting has been carried on at Anderson's Flat by means of boring, under the management of Messrs. Ewing and Stewart, with what results I have not been able to ascertain. Dredging. There are fifteen dredges in active operation between Coal Creek and the Island Block. Some of them are working bank claims, and do not incur much lost time, while others, with river claims only, have suffered considerably from the high state of the river. Ten out of the fifteen whose results are published aggregated returns amounting to 11,095 oz., and seven out of the ten referred to declared dividends totalling £15,594. The Roxburgh Jubilee Company has not succeeded in acquiring a dredge to take the place of the one which sank about eighteen months ago. Campbell's. A special claim has been taken up at Campbell's Flat for the purposes of hydraulic sluicing, but work cannot commence until the spring sets in. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington, Fred J. Burgess, Warden.

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(/). MINING STATISTICS.

Statement showing the Whole of the Quartz-crushing Machines and Appliances for treating Auriferous and Argentiferous Ores in the Hauraki Mining District for the Year ended the 31st December, 1906.

88

[Note. —Under hi lading "Power employed" the letter H indicates E, electricity. hand; O, oil Stl :am , v) ?ater-po iwer ; and Locality where Machine is situated. Name of Owners. k I O 00 is! as Z t to ,a in P Q, U i 2 m O o , o u I u ■Q A a . a s s K I S5 5 a> PQ "o I 3 3 S5 1 I a 3 V, I "S IT, I 3 D o a a i 3 ! 13 £ s 0 v, I so Qi . o o 3* l = °a .22 So S5 8 |S § -Is! Q tO ' CD a) II!! 3<3O IB I* I a o U . ol u d »E a at (3 I a I Name of Machine. Coromandel County. Coromandel Telephone .. | Union Beaoh Tailings Plant Puolio battery .. j Hauraki Gold-mining Co. Samuel James .. .. 15 8 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 S! W i 3 1 Sohool of Mines Board (in trust) J. T. Martin Eoyal Oak of Hauraki Gold-mining Co. Tokatea Consolidated .. J Four-in-Hand Gold-miningi Co. C. Blasch .. .. j Thompson and others .. Waitaia Gold-mining Co. Louis Woodoock 5 1 2 1 0 Tokatea Seotty's.. .. I Tokatea.. 1 9 15 8 8 1 2 2 2 1 1 w w, s Waikoromiko Weat Tokatea .. ; Four-in-Hand .. I 3 10 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 s s Cabbage Bay Kuaotunu Vizard's .. I Great Meroury .. Waitaia Handsworth .. Publio Buttery .. Mahakirau 4 10 10 l\ 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 I 1 V 1 1 w s s w 0 s 1 Meroury Bay Coromandel County (in j trust) Thames County. Gumtown Kapowai Big Beetle Bullion .. Mahara Koyal .. Kapowai Gold-mining Co. Big Beetle Gold-mining Co. Plumer Bros. Mahara Royal Gold-min-ing Co. Monowai Gold-mining Co. 1 8 I 2 15 20 3 2 4 IS 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 s w w w Tapu Waiomo Puru Tararu Monowai Puru Day Dawn and Norfolk New Alburnia 1 10 10 30 1 1 2 (i 2 3 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 s, w w s, w Day Dawn and Norfolk Mines (Limited) New Alburnia Gold-min-ing Co. Eolipse Gold-mining Co. 20 7 2 1 a 1 w Eolipse .. • • J Chicago Olaremont Junction Arrindell Fortuna Anchor Kirikiri Puriri 10 10, 1 5: 5! i 8 3 2 1 1 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 w w w w s w w 8 w u * • ' * Karaka Hape Kirikiri Puriri Tairua Hit or Miss Tairua Broken Hills George Bryant McGregor and Taylor .. George A. Dugall H. H. Adams James Middleton Kirikiri Gold-mining Co. Puriri Gold Estates Goldmining Co. J. Mclnnis Tairua Broken Hills Goldmining Co. Golden Belt Gold-mining Co. Taihoa Gold-mining Co. Taniwha Goldminii'g Co. Coronation Gold-miuing Co. Auckland Gold-mining Co. 1 1 6 20 2 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 J 1 s, w s, w Golden Belt w 0 s Taihoa Taniwha Coronation 1 10 •I 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Whangamata Ohua Omahu Auckland Waihua Omahu Klondike 1 lOi 2 10 5 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 s, w w s w Omahu Gold-mining Co. Thames Borough. Thames Borough .. Kuranui Moanataiari Comer's Kuranui Gold-mining Co. H. H. Adams Kuranui-Caledonian Goldmining Co. H. H. Adams May Queen Gold-mining Co. Waiotahi Gold-mining Co. 20 60 20 6 21 5 2 2 2 2 6 2 1 1 1 w s, w w 4 1 1 1 Adam's May Queen 33 2 8 9 8 2 3 2 w w Waiotahi New Battery Cambria Thames School of Mines .. 2 21 40 5 5 2 Iβ 1 2 2 1 s w w w w 7 2 3 2 3 1 1 Thames Gold-mining Co. School of Mines Board (in trust) May Queen Extended Gold-mining Co. 1 21 2 1 1 i 1 May Queen Extended 23 14 2 4 1 w

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Statement showing the Whole of the Quartz-crushing Machines and Appliances for treating Auriferous and Argentiferous Ores in the Hauraki Mining District for the Year ended the 31st December, 1906— continued.

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89

Locality where Machine is situated. Name of Machine. Nauitt of Owners. '4 o H »£ Is 1* I ■*-■ O 55 S I ffl fa o I a p q o3 V 3 ■s Jh I 3 I I a p 1 7- * u o £> S ! o 3 'o I a a 3 2 I 'S I So 3 bo .22 a o o L 3 m O 3 a ™ fa o I o US on I** J 1 T3 a> Si c l I Thames Borough—atA Thames Borough .. Bank of New Zealand Bank of New South Wales Bank of New Zealand .. H Bank of New South Wales H Ohinemuri County. Paeroa Bank of New Zealand Crown Bank of New Zealand .. H Karangahake New Zealand Crown Mines (Limited) 60 1 S, W Woodstock ) Talisman ) Talisman Consolidated Gold-mining Co. i; 40 60 1 s, w s, w 5 Komata Waitekauri Komata Beefs Waitekauri Komata Reefs Gold-min-ing Cu. Waitekauri Gold-mining Co. Ditto .. Chalis and party 20 10 4 2 s, w w Grace Darling Portsea Jubilee .. Maoriland Maratoto Hikutaia Maoriland Gold-mining Co. Maratoto Gold-mining Co. Uikutaia Gold Syndicate 1 10 5 10 9 10 5 3 2 5 2 2 i 1 . "a "'A 2 1 "l 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 "l s, w w s w s s Maratoto 1 Waihi Borough. Waihi Waihi Gold Reefs Waihi Gold Reefs Syndicate .. .. Waihi Grand Junction Gold mining Co. Waihi Gold-mining Co. .. 0 Grand Junction .. 40 1 B Waikino Piako Great Barrier Island Waihi Union-Waihi Waikino Waiorongomai Barrier Reefs Sunbeam Bank of New Zealand E. H. Hardy Henry Brett 2 2 i 4 1 1 90 40 200 10 20 5 5 2 12 4 3 i 2 3 9 o o 2 Q 6 2 i 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 i a i i i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ] 1 1 s, w s, w s, w w 8 Auckland .. Bank of New Zealand .. I - 1 i 2 "6 4 o w 38 1,221 3 262 82 22 104 122 62 33 22 12

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Statement showing Quartz-crushing Machines and Appliances for treating Auriferous Ores in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland Mining Districts for the Year ended the 31st December, 1906.

90

[Note. —Under beading " Power employed " the letter H indicates hai ; O, oil; F !, sti ; « 'iiti i* pi iwer Locality where Machine is situated. Name of Machine. Name of Owner. o I ■ss iS 25 I CO o S D u o £ o o a> SI 9 I I o 3 55 a 3 t 1 a If! U © xn o ■ o p, •3 I a I 1 5 if If £| 'si Bo l< 3 I is *<& Id O 09 :! So 2 g 3 d o i i a a ti o a is T3 CD >> O I ! Marlborough County. Top Valley Wellington T. W. Young and P. K. Watty Wairan Valley Gold-mining Co. (Limited) 10 s it ■ • Jubilee 10 w Coliingwood County. Taiiapu Golden Ridge Taitapu Gold Estates (Linnitd) Golden B'ocks (Taitapu) (Limited) 20 1 w Golden Blocks 1 s Butter County. Hokihinui Waimangaroa Red Queen Biitannia A. W. Mills Britannia Gold-mining Co. (Limited) Stony Creek Gold-mining Co. (Limited) Alpine Ext' nded Gold-min-ing Co. (Limited) a 4 1 w w Stony Creek 2 2 \v 10 Lyell Alpine Extended .. 20 1 1 w Inangahua County. Bourkf's Creek Victoria Range Gardiner's Kirwan'e Reward .. W. P. Gardiner and Sons .. Kirwan's Reward Goldmining Co. (Limited) Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited) Ditio .. 15 12 1 2 1 1 w w Capleston Welcome 10 J s Reefton .. Golden FIe»ce Wealth of Nations.. Keepit-Dark 1 20 20 20 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 ] 1 1 s w w Keep-it-Dark Quartz-min-ing Co. (Limiti d) Progress Mines of New Zealand (Limited) New Sco>ia Gold-mining Co. (Limited) Golden Lead Gold mining Co. (Limited) Alex. Fleming and party .. Bis River Gold-mining Co. (Limiied) St. George Gold mining Co. (Limited) P. N. KiDgswell 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 Progress Mines 8 66 1 w New Scotia 10 s „ . • • • Golden Lead 10 w Last Chance Big River 5 10 i 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 0 s w King George O w Ingle wood 10 1 s Grey County. Paparoa Ranges .. Garden Gully Garden Gnlly Gold-mining Co. (Limited) T. W. Ponsonby w 10 Ten-mile Creek .. Taffy g l 1 w 6 3U9 37 4 18 29 8 i 10 1 3

C—3.

Quartz-crushing Machines and Appliances for treating Auriferous Ores in the Southern Mining District for the Year ended the 31st December, 1906.

91

Locality where Machine is situated. Naine of Machine. Name of Owner. ■s.e u ® n to p. I ■r. 'o u I 1 a u o I I I « a a s s I i s g a 'A I 'S I a I I s o I a 3 z I 00 to o §1 fan-* 3 o g Is III o s L II II o CO CO o n is (5 4 d c u a o a !a o a Is (5 3 I a 0 u s I Tuapeka County. Waipori Otago Pioneer Quartz Otago Pioneer Qu-vrtz (Waipori) Gold-ruining Co. R. Cotton Bella Gold-mining Syndicate 10 S Victoria Bella 5 6 W w Bruce County. Waitabuna Burnt Creek Table Hill Quartz-mining Co. Canada Reef Gold-mining Co. Park and Co. 10 w u • • Canada .. 10 w // « • Laet Chanoe 5 w Lake County. Queenstown Macetown.. Invincible Premier Invincible Gold-mining C >. Premier Sunrise (N.Z.) Gold-mining Co. D. McKay and party Shotover Quartz - mining Co. Reefton United Goldmining Co. Mount Aurum Gold-min-ing Co. i 10 20 r c i 1 1 i 1 i 1 I 1 w w Skipper's Tipperary Shotover 10 j 10 1 i 1 1 1 1 w w Reefton United .. 2 o Bullendale Achilles 1 30 1 1 w Fiord County. Te Oneroa New Star Alpha Ddwn New Star Gold-mining Co. Alpha Dawn Gold-miniug Co. Golden Site Gold-mining Co. s, w w 10 10 14 Golden Site 10 w Vincent County. Bannockburn Day Dawn Carrick Star of the East .. Go-bye Lawrence Bros. Jamea Lawrence Lawrence Bros. J. B. HollicUy Macabe and Son Cromwell Proprietary Gold mining Co. Bendigo Tailings Syndicate Alia Gold-mining Co. .. Gray and Holden B. T. Symes .. w w w ■ w w s, w 4 10 10 10 2 20 i i i 'I Bendigo 4 i I 1 1 Bendigo Bald Hill Flat !! Alta Excelsior White's Reef Nicholson's Reef.. Cjnroy's Gully 4 3 5 10 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 o w w w w Alexandra.. J. N. Robertson and party Maniototo County. Hyde Highlay Gold and Scheelite Mining Co. N.Z. Gold and Tungsten Highlay Gold and Soheelite Mining Co. 12 w W. and G. Donaldson .. 0, S " Serpentine Rough Ridge Great Eastern John Cngan F. H. Perry 10 5 w w l i 1 Waihemo County. Macrae's Maritana Ounce Bonanza Unit d .. Golden Point Golden Bar C. McGill Ounce Gold-mining Co. .. L. 0. Beal, jun. Gilmour and party W. and G. Donaldson Golden Bar Gold-mining Co. A. G. Davies ! 5 10 10 o, w w w s s, w s 1 i i i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i 1 1 2 i a 1 i Stoneburn Taieri County. Hindon Barewood Matarae Dunedin City Gilivern 5 s, w Parker's.. Barewood Matarae School of Mines .. A. Parker Barewood Gold-mining Co. Mat*r*e Gold-mining Co. Otago University 1 i 10 ioj 3 1 1 i 2 1 o o w Gas 'i 1 i i ..I — 9 343 1 3 89 4 2 15 14 12 8 i\ I 8

C.-3

92

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Hauraki Mining District for the Year ended the 31st December, 1906.

Average Number of Men employed. iainei Locality and Name of Mine. Quartz crushed. Estimated Value. Amalgamation. Cyanide. G seat Barrier Island. iarrier Reefs lunbeam 16 7 23 16 7 Tons cwt. qr. lh. 1,451 0 0 0 225 0 0 0 Oz. dwt. 704 9 20 15 Oz. dwt. 2,328 10 522 5 £ k. d. 4,444 13 9 367 12 2 23 1,676 0 0 0 725 4 2,850 15 4,812 5 11 tokatea— Royal Oak Big Reef Nev? Tokatea .. ( 31 2 10 23 31 2 10 43 lOBOMANDEL COUNTY. 43 18 0 15 3 10 0 26 10 0 0 0 1,217 0 17 7 14 6 •• 3,223 2 3 43 7 6 40 0 6 43 57 8 1 13 1,248 13 3,306 10 3 Vaikoromiko — Four-in-Hand .. 43 6 58 0 0 0 126 18 368 10 3 Capanga,— Kapanga Buffalo 12 1 13 12 1 100 0 0 17 0 2 0 0 69 10 10 5 166 16 0 24 12 0 13 100 2 0 17 79 15 191 8 0 latiraki Block— Old Hauraki Golden Pah Hauraki Freehold Iβ 8 3 , 4 15 ft a . 4 19 0 0 4 10 0 9 0 0 0 0 o 121 13 103 2 10 19 334 10 9 308 11 0 29 9 6 15 32 10 0 0 235 14 672 11 3 Cuaotunu — Waitaia Handswoith Otama 12 2 2 12 2 2 16 550 0 0 0 65 0 0 0 38 0 0 0 487 10 29 13 27 5 351 9 16 6 i 2,417 6 3 118 12 3 63 16 9 16 653 0 0 0 544 8 367 15 i i 2,599 15 3 iundriee J.U 7 272 2 2 26 135 14 267 16 8 Totals .. 100 1,173 3 10 2,370 2 367 15 8,406 11 8 Tham: IS CODNTY AND BoRO GH. 288 2 1 )apu— Manara-Royal .. "!- 4 225 0 0 0 117 19 )araru— Tararu Creek Eclipse 4 2 6 4 2 182 0 0 20 2 0 0 0 53 14 1 3 22 11 170 14 8 3 .2 1 184 0 0 20 54 17 22 11 173 16 9 loanataiari — Alburnia Kurunui-Caledonian Moanaiaiari Moanataiari Extended .. * * I .. j j" 25 16 12 4 57 25 16 12 4 134 10 0 37 0 0 43 10 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 350 0 139 12 86 3 1 12 899 3 5 401 7 0 233 18 4 4 10 11 57 224 0 0 0 577 7 1,538 19 8 Vaiotahi— Waiotahi Thames Golden Drop Ballarat West Coast ■ • .. i 155 14 1 1 1 172 155 14 1 1 1 18,002 0 1 230 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 81,607 1 69 9 7 0 10 7 8 12 1,032 19 223,678 4 3 203 12 0 18 11 0 29 3 9 21 10 0 223,951 1 0 172 18,252 0 11 0 81,702 9 1,032 19 Curanui — Kuranui - " L 6 6 140 0 2 4 32 16 87 3 9 irahametown — Victoria New Saxon * • i i 13 9 no 13 9 175 0 0 0 295 11 1 20 252 12 406 12 706 6 8 1,185 9 0 22 470 11 1 20 659 4 1,891 15 8 Vaiokaraka — New May Queen ■39 ■39 3,333 9 6 3,769 7 10,715 0 2 Laraka — Claremont Arrindell Southern Queen Highlander 1 4 6 1 1 4 6 1 0 3 0 14 13 10 0 0 47 0 0 0 0 0 2 12 367 9 12 10 118 14 22 14 987 -1 0 36 10 6 325 12 3 54 9 7 12 60 13 2 26 521 7 1,403 14 4

93

C—3

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Hauraki Mining District for the Year ended the 31st December, 1906— continued.

During the year 1906 150 men were employed on unproductive works.

13—C. 3.

Average Number of Men employed. ;ainec Locality ana Name of Mine. Quartz crushed. Amalgamation. Cyanide. Estimated Value. 'hames Cot INTY AND BOBOUGH—I •■ontinued. Hape Creek— Lord Nelson Daisy Relianoe Summer Hill Weymouth New Dart 2 2 2 2 2 7 2 2 2 2 2 7 17 Tons cwt. qr. 30 0 0 0 2 1 10 0 0 11 0 0 1 3 0 0 34 4 0 Tons cwt. qr. lb. 30 0 0 0 0 2 1 10 10 0 0 0 1 1 11 0 0 1 21 3 0 0 0 lb. 0 10 o ii 21 0 14 Oz. dwt. 76 17 132 12 11 5 89 7 32 12 14 15 Oz. dwt. £ 8. d. 212 11 3 318 4 8 25 11 10 213 4 8 76 16 8 41 6 0 17 34 4 0 14 357 8 887 15 1 Gum town — Kapowai 17 12 700 0 0 0 12 700 0 0 0 296 17 184 7 1,125 5 3 Tairua— Tairua Broken Hills Golden Belt Tairua Triumph 40 24 2 66 40 24 3 2,571 0 0 2,466 0 0 10 0 5,038 0 0 2,571 0 0 2,466 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,650 0 25 10 993 1 2,772 9 7,603 4 2 5,590 9 6 70 15 3 66 5,038 0 0 0 2,675 10 3,765 10 13,264 8 11 Puriri and Omahu— Miners' Right Omahu Reefs 2 6 2 6 a 23 0 0 758 0 0 7fti n n 23 0 0 758 0 0 0 0 KJ 0 0 n 64 14 142 6 174 8 8 442 8 8 423 0 8 781 0 0 0 781 0 0 207 0 423 0 616 17 4 Whangamata— Auckland 6 6 1,545 0 0 1,545 0 0 0 0 849 17 2,580 3 5,230 7 4 Sundries 20 20 1,472 1 2 1,472 1 2 10 10 844 17 16 16 1,616 17 4 Judd's Tailing-plant 2 1,500 0 0 1,500 0 0 0 0 160 4 400 10 0 Totals 454 454 30,982 19 1 30,982 19 1 6 G 92,826 19 8,025 6 263,191 14 8 Waihi .. Grand Junction • • 1, I 1,465 238 ,465 238 Waihi Borough. 328,866 0 0 8,144 0 0 Waihi Borough. 328,866 0 0 0 8,144 0 0 0 0 0 100,225 0 1,448 18 1,932,718 0 12,960 14 781,553 6 7 13,794 11 9 1,703 nnn /\H s\ s\ /\ 337,010 0 0 0 ! 101,673 18 1,245,678 14 795,347 18 4 Totals • • I, 1 ,703 337,010 0 0 0 Waitekohe — Syndicate 2 Taubanga County, 12 0 0 'aubanga County. r. 0 13 14 2 12 0 0 0 4 15 Waitekauri Scotia Maoriland Portsea May Bell I 2 2 17 1 2 24 2 2 17 1 2 Ohinemuri Count 100 0 0 14 1 0 325 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 451 1 0 ihinemuri County. 100 0 0 0 14 1 0 0 325 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 VY. 0 0 0 0 0 0 57 4 128 18 266 6 6 12 9 18 103 6 197 11 3 272 13 6 382 15 3 12 14 1 28 14 1 5 10 24 451 1 0 0 468 18 108 16 893 19 8 Karangahake— Talisman New Zealand Crown A*. 275 142 417 275 142 •XUJ. JL \J 49,573 0 0 22,080 0 0 71.653 0 0 49,573 0 0 22,080 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 167,026 18 132,567 10 20,891 4 152,011 3 7 40,735 4 8 417 71,653 0 0 0 167,026 18 153,458 14 192,746 8 3 Komata— Komata Reefs 4X1 160 20,490 0 0 0 160 20,490 0 0 0 6,348 19 43,592 8 45,448 9 8 Totals I 601 601 92,594 1 0 92,594 1 0 0 0 173,844 15 197,159 18 239,088 17 7 Piako County. Waiorongomai— Hardy's Mines (Limited) 6 789 0 0 0 875 0 1,859 7 6 Great Barrier Coromandel County Thames County and Borough Waihi Borough Ohinemuri County Tauranga County Piako County t • • I, , I 23 100 454 1,703 601 ■ 2 6 23 100 454 703 601 2 6 SUMMARY. I 1,676 0 0 1,173 3 1 30,982 19 1 337,010 0 0 92,594 1 0 12 0 0 789 0 0 SUMMARY. 1,676 0 0 1,173 3 1 30,982 19 1 337,010 0 0 92,594 1 0 12 0 0 789 0 0 0 0 G 0 0 0 0 0 0 G 0 0 0 0 735 4 2,370 2 92,826 19 101,673 18 173,844 15 4 15 875 0 2,850 15 367 15 8,025 6 1,245,678 14 197,159 18 4,812 5 11 8,406 11 8 263,191 14 8 795,347 18 4 239,088 17 7 13 14 2 1,859 7 6 1906 1905 .. 2,1 .. 2,i 2,889 2,408 ,889 ,408 464,237 3 2 408,197 7 1 464,237 3 2 6 408,197 7 1 16 6 1C 372,320 13 235,188 13 1,454,082 8 1,342,181 3 1,312,720 9 10 1,023,027 6 0 Increase j 481 56,039 16 0 56,039 16 0 18 18 111,901 5 289,693 3 10 481 137,132 0

0.—3

94

Statement showing Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland Mining Districts for the Year ended 31st December, 1906.

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Southern Mining District for the Year ended the 31st December, 1906.

Average Number of Men employed. Quartz crashed. Gold obtained. Estimated Locality and Name of Mine. Amalgamation. Value. Tons. Cyanide. larlborough— Jubilee Oz. dwt. gr. 114 11 0 Oz. dwt. gr. £ a. a. 429 11 3 305 'ollingwoood— Golden Blocks 1,435 19 0 5,678 1 5 30 1,696 Vestport— Red Queen .. Britannia 3 13 97 1,004 149 8 0 534 0 0 414 - 17 0 585 5 10 3,305 14 1 Soatman's — Welcome Buller United Kirwan's Reward 1C 1,101 683 8 0 414 17 0 3,890 19 11 0 8 18 118 50 2,354 301 4 10 55 2 12 522 4 0 1,113 19 6 217 10 0 2,019 7 3 3,350 16 9 teefton— Golden Fleece Wealth of Nations Keep-it-Dark Progress Big River Inglewood-Victoria 27 2,522 878 10 22 106 76 50 330 28 16 6,725 12,676 4,825 59,100 2,037 645 2,623 10 0 4,160 12 0 3,281 14 18 18,073 19 0 1,940 8 12 530 6 0 517 2 0 1,637 13 12 1,543 12 12 5,403 8 0 12,080 5 4 ! 22,962 4 6 j 18,886 19 11 91,200 10 6 7,904 11 2 i 3,421 17 9 398 18 0 86,008 30,610 10 6 9,500 14 0 156,456 9 2 treymouth— Taffy 606 100 30 6 6 123 1 5 larlborough .. 'ollingvvood Vestport Soatman's leefton Ireymouth 6 30 16 27 606 2 SUMMA 305 1,696 1,101 2,522 86,008 100 ;Y. 114 11 0 1,435 19 0 683 8 0 878 10 22 30,610 10 6 30 6 6 41417 0 429 11 3 5,678 1 5 3,890 19 11 3,350 16 9 156,456 9 2 123 1 5 9,50014 0 687 91,732 33,753 5 10 9,915 11 0 169,928 19 11 Number of men employed on < io gold has been obtained is forty-ni levelopmei ine. it-work, erectioi of batteries, &o., in the whole distrii it from which

Gold obtained. Locality and Name of Mine. Average Number of Men employed. Quartz crushed. Amalgamation. Cyanide. Estimated Value. Lake 'OUNTY. Maoetown— D. McKay and party 4 Tons. 525 Oz. dwt. 195 0 Oz. dwt. £ s. d. 757 5 7 Skippers— Shotover 6 120 15 0 6 10 82 15 0 Bannookburn — Star of the East VlNCEN , 1 County. 10 6 0 23 2 0 Alexandra — Conroy's Gully 60 32 9 124 8 1 Bald Hill FlatExcelsior White's Reef 1 2 60 3 6 67 0 12 3 0 259 17 0 Totals 70 6 272 0 0 Hyde— Highlay Gold and Scheelite Manioto' :o County. 2 50 42 0 0 11 3 Waihemi County. Macrae's — Golden Point Ounoe Maritana 30 2 3 4,350 50 393 1,252 16 6 0 69 9 4,878 1 6 23 2 0 267 10 7 Totals 35 4,793 1,328 5 5,167 14 1

95

C—3

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Southern Mining District for the Year ended 31st December, 1906— continued.

Statement of Value of Gold won from Quartz crushed for all Districts for the Years ended the 31st December, 1905 and 1906.

Gross Totals and Value of Gold purchased by Banks for Year ended the 31st December, 1906.

Average Number of Men employed. iainei Locality and Name of Mine. Quartz Crushed. Estimated Value. Amalgamation. Cyanide. Waihemo County— continued. toneburn— Golden Bar Stoneburn Cyanide Tons. 6 232 2 670 Oz. dwt. 141 1 Oz. dwt. 55 0 £ s. d. 543 0 0 174 19 7 Totals j 8 902 902 141 1 141 1 55 0 55 0 717 19 7 Sarewood — Barewood Harrison and Ewart's Taibei County. 21 2,451 ..2 23 Taibei 21 2 County. 2,451 23 974 1 4 8 974 1 4 8 3,786 9 3 17 6 0 Totals 23 2,474 2:! 2,474 978 9 978 9 3,803 15 3 Janada Reefs— Last Chance Bruce County. 7 883 Bruce 7 County. 883 127 8 1 445 18 0 127 8 jake County Vincent County .. laniototo County Vaihemo County ?aieri County Sruce County SUMMARY. 10 645 5 130 2 50 43 5,695 23 2,474 7 883 sum: 10 5 2 43 23 7 :ary. 645 130 50 5,695 2,474 883 210 0 108 15 11 3 1,469 6 978 9 127 8 210 0 108 15 11 3 1,469 6 978 9 127 8 6 10 55 0 6 10 55 0 840 0 7 419 10 1 42 0 0 5,886 13 8 3,803 15 3 445 18 0 Totals 90 9,877 90 9,877 2,905 1 2,905 1 61 10 61 10 11,437 17 7 About forty men were employed in unproi luotive worl :s during the r ear.

Mining District. Year ended the 31st December, 1905. Year ended the 31st December, 1906. [auraki [arlborough, Nelson, and West Coast ... ! tago and Southland... £ 1,023,027 196,368 17,058 £ 1,312,720 169,929 11,438 Totals ... 1,236,453 1,236,453 1,494,087

Bank. Gold purchased. Value. Hauraki Minin District. tank of Now Zealand ... ... ... tank of New South Wales ... ... ... Oz. dwt. gr. 114,277 0 0 8,762 18 12 £ s. d. 283,084 0 4 17,735 14 1 Totals ... 123,039 18 12 300,783 14 5 Marlborough, Nelson, and Wt tank of New Zealand ... ... rational Bank of New Zealand ... ... tank of New South Wales Jnion Bank of Australasia istland Mining Districts. 23,740 8 5 25,344 10 15 12,010 5 12 3,537 0 0 92,588 2 97,751 1 47,519 14 14,100 0 0 3 8 0 Totals ... 64,632 4 8 251,958 17 6 Otago and Southlc :nd Districts. 339,075 3 11 132,244 18 9 32,771 13 5 27,928 0 0 47,422 12 3 13,869 8 6 tank of New Zealand tank of New South Wales rational Bank of New Zealand tank of Australasia ... Inion Bank of Australasia 'rivate buyers 98,043 14 11 30,928 18 6 8,416 19 7 6,982 1 9 12,062 9 0 3,585 7 23 Totals ... 160,019 12 4 593,311 16 10 Grand totals 347,691 15 0 1,146,054 8 9

C.—'d

96

Statement showing the Net Expenditure out of Public Works Fund on Roads on Goldfields during Year ended the 31st March, 1907. Roads on Goldfields. Vote No. 107.—Item No. 1. Assistance towards the construction and repair of £ s. d roads, tramways, and tracks in mining and mineral districts, prospecting and minor works for the development of mineral resources, and for the extraction of metals from the ores ... ... ... 4,699 13 2 Item No. 2. Roads to open up mineral lands ... ... ■■• •■■ 3. Compensation for injuries to employees while in discharge of their duties, medical and other attendance during illness, and contingent expenses in connection with same ... ... ••• •■• ■■• 19 2 6 Auckland. 4. Road to mines, Great Barrier Island ... ... .. ... 100 0 0 Coromandel County. 7. Tairua to Whenuakite ... ... ... ... ••• •■• 100 0 0 8. Coromandel to Kuaotunu, via Matarangi ... ... ... ••■ 244 0 0 9. Tiki to Kaimarama ... ... ... ... ■ •■• ■•■ 90 0 0 10. Tiki to Manaia ... ... ... ... ••■ •■■ •■• 10 ° ° ° 11. Manaia-Waikawau ... ... ... ■■• ■•• ■•■ 164 0 0 13. Kuaotunu - Mercury Bay ... ... ... ... ... •■• 100 0 0 14. Whitianga-Gumtown ... ... ... ... •■• ••• 58 5 0 15. Bridge, Mercury Bay Road ... ... ... ... .... 150 0 0 16. Kikowhakarere - Cabbage Bay ... ... ... ... ■•■ 250 0 0 17. Wharf Road extension ... ... ... ... ... •■• 165 0 0 18. Whitianga-Kaimarama T ... ... ... ... ... ... 75 0 0 19. Opitonui Road ... ... ... ... ••■ ■•■ ••• 139 0 0 20. Gumtown Road ... ... ... ... ••• ••■ ■•■ 14° 0 0 21. Waitaia Mine to battery ... ... ... ... ■■■ ■■• 75 2 9 22. Kennedy Bay - Matamataharakeke ... ... ... ••• ■•■ 35 0 0 23. Ward's Road - Cape Colville ... ... •■• •■• ••• 50 0 0 24. Kauris to Mahakirau ... ... ... ••• ■•■ ■•• 350 0 0 27. Mercury Bay - Tairua ... ... ... ... ■•■ ••• 50 0 0 29. Bridge at break in Big Bay Road ... ... ... ... ■•• 100 0 0 30. Tokatea - Kennedy Bay ... ... ... ... •■• ■•• 50 0 0 34. Success Mine Road (repairs) ... ... ... ••- •■• •■• 50 0 0 Thames County. 36. Thames-Waikawau ... ... ••■ ••• •■• ••• 77 10 0 37. Thames-Hikutaia ... ... ... ■•• •■• ••■ ■■• 1* 14 8 39. Hikutaia-Whangamata-Wires Track ... ... ... ••■ 87 1 0 40. Omahu-Whangamata ... ... ... ••• ••■ ■•• 29 5 0 42. Puriri-Neavesville ... ... •■■ •■■ •■• ■•■ 199 1Q ° 43. Neavesville - Upper Landing ... ... ■•■ ■•■ ••• 107 0 0 44. Upper Landing-Tairua ... ... ... ... ■■• ••■ 72 10 0 50. Kaueranga Valley Road (protection) ... ... ... ... •■■ 74 14 0 51. Hape Creek Road .. ... ... ... •■■ 20 0 0 r>2. Gumtown - Big Beetle ... ... ... ••• ■■• •■• 25 ° ° ° 53. Tapu-Gumtown ... ... ... ... ... ■•• ••■ 125 10 0 54. Moanataiari Road ... ... ... ... ••• ••• •■■ 46 9 4 55. Maratoto Road ... ... ... ••• ••■ •■• ■•■ 46 13 2 56. Tararu Creek Road ... ... ••• ••• ••■ ••• 50 ° ° 58. Champion Mine Road ... ••• ••• ••• 250 0 0 Thames Borough. 62. Moanataiari Aqueduct (repairs) ... ... ... ... •■■ 11° 0 0 63. Karaka Creek (clearing) ... ... ... •■• ••■ ■■■■ 100 0 0 Ohinemuri County. 64. Hikutaia-Waihi ... ... ... ... ■•• ••■ ••• 131 5 6 66. Paeroa -Te Aroha ... ... ... ••• ••■ •■• ••• 132 10 0 67. Paeroa-Waitoa ... ... ... ••• ■■• ■■■ ■■■ 50 0 0 68. Seddon-Waikino ... ... ... ... •■■ ■•• •■■ 87 6 0 69. Netherton Roads ... ... ... ... •■■ ••■ ••■ 100 0 0 71. Waitawheta Road deviation ... ... ... ... ••■ ■•• 106 0 0 73. Hikutaia-Maratoto ... ... •■■ ••• ••• •■• 50 10 0 7."). Waitekauri-Jubilee ... ..'. •■• ■■■ ■•• •■■ 100 0 0 76. Waitawheta-Waihi ... '... ... ■•• ••■ ■■• ••■ 75 0 0 77. Paeroa-Te Aroha Bridge ./. ... ... ■■• ■■ ■•■ 500 0 0 80. Rahu Road ... ... ... ••• ••■ ■•• •■ 100 0 0 81. Cadman Road ... ... ... ■■■ ■•• •■■ ••• 96 0 0 84. Jubilee Low-level Road ... ... ... .._. ••• •■■ 100 0 0

97

C.—6

Nelson. Collingwood County. s, s. d. 92. Kaituna Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 588 1 0 93. Ferntown-Pakawau ... ... ... ... ... ... 51 6 6 94. Takaka-Collingwood Inland Road ... ... ... ...- ... 12 210 95. Pakawau-Puponga ... ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 98. Repairs, Mangarakau Bridge and approaches ... ... .... ... 100 0 0 99. Pakawau-Mangarakau ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Takaka County. 100. Takaka Hill Road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 101. Anatoki Track ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 102. Vant's-Bubu ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 51 15 6 103. Long Plain Road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 104. Bubu Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 266 3 0 106. Takaka - Collingwood Inland Road ... ... ... ... ... 48 7 9 107. Long Plain Bridge and approaches ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 108. Back-track, Upper Anatoki ... ... ... ... ... ... 450 0 0 Waimea County. 112. Motueka River (protective-works) ... ... ... ... ... 80 5 8 114. Thorpe-Baton ... ... ' ... ... ... ... ... 44 13 8 117. Motueka River Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... 780 18 11 118. Graham River Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 119. Aniseed Valley Road (repairs) ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Butter County. 123. Millerton Road (widening) ... ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 124. Wilson's Lead Road ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 125. Granity Creek, southwards ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 126. Westport-Mokihinui ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 127. Karamea Mud-flat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 131. Brighton - Grey County Boundary ... ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 132. Channel Flat-Mackley's ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 133. Loop-line Road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 134. Lyell-Cedar Creek ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 135. Fox's Bridge (repairs) ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Millerton Township ... ... ... ... ... .... 100 0 0 137. Britannia Mine Road ... ... ... ... ... ■ ... 200 0 0 139. Granity Creek - Ngakawau ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 140. Seddonville-Mokihinui Mine ... ... ... ... .... 100 0 0 141. Lyell-Eight-mile ... ... ... ... ... .... ... 150 0 0 142. Burnett's Face-Coalbrookdale ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 143. Mokihinui end of Westport Road ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 145. Welshman's Flat Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... 800 0 0 146. Waimangaroa-Granity ... ... ... ... ... ... 425 0 0 147. Charleston-Four-mile ... ... ... ... ... ... 400 0 0 149. Seddonville Roads ... ... ..." ... ... ... ... . , 25 0 0 150. Seddonville Colliery - Township ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 151. Millerton Township streets ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 152. Mears's Road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 153. Denniston-Burnett's Face ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 154. Mokihinui -Inangahua Junction ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 156. Bullock Creek ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 218 0 0 157. Mine Creek Township ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 158. Victory Mine Track, Lyell ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 0 0 159. New Creek Track ...' ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 160. Prospecting Track, St. John's Terrace ... ... ... ... 25 0 0 164. Road to Dredges, Buller ... ... ... .. ... ... 100 0 0 165. Road to Dredge, Berlin's ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 Inangahua County. 166. Reefton-Maruia ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 167. Boatman's Short Track ... ... ... ... ... ... 32 6 1 169. Matakitaki-Glenroy-Maruia ... ... ... ... ... 302 3 0 170. Maruia-Glenroy ... ... ... v.'. ... •■• •■• 162 11 7 171. Murray Creek Road ... ... ... ■■• ••■ •■• 548 15 9 173. Progress Junction - Globe Hill ... ... ... ... ... 91 9 4 174. Loughnan's Coal-mine Road ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 177. Road to Matakitaki River Bridge ... ... ... ... ... 195 0 0 178. Maruia Road, via Caslani's ... ... ... ... ..." •■■ 223 15 8 179. Murray Creek- Kirwan's Battery ... ... ... ... ... 485 411

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98

£ s. a 181. Kirwan's Reward - Battery-site ... ... ... ... ~. 52 0 0 182. Boatman's Road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 13 11 183. McLiver and Kearn's Coal-pit Road ... ... ... ... ... 97 12 0 184. Crushington Road (widening) ... ... ... ... ... 46 19 0 185. O'Rorke's - Horse Terrace ... ... ... ... ... ... 55 10 0 186. Specimen Hill Road (widening) ... ... ... ... ... 124 5 0 187. Blackwater - Big River ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 188. Blackwater Creek Track ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 193. Mangles Valley Road ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 4 2 4 WeSTIjAND. Grey County. 194. Seven-mile-Nine-mile ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 195. Moonlight-Blackball ... ... ... ... ... ... 220 0 0 198. Ahaura-Moonliglit-Shellback... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 199. Seven-mile-McLean's Creek ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 200. Waipuna Road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 202. Payne's Gully Track ... ... ... ... ... ... 175 0 0 203. Prospecting Track up to Deadman's ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 204. Road, Grey-Barrytown to State Coal-mine ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 205. Blackball - Healey's Gully ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 208. Cobden-Brighton ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 75 0 0 Brunner Borough. 210. Brunner-Blackball .. ... ... ... ... ... 95 3 0 Westland County. 213. Browning's Pass Track ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 214. Callery Track ... ... ... ... 79 14 0 Waiho Prospecting Track ... ... ... ... ... • ■ ■ 40 6 0 217. Larrikins-Loop-line ... ... ... ... •■■ •■■ 200 1 6 218. Fox's Road ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 53 10 0 219. Taipo Prospecting Track ... ... ... ... ... ... 179 2 6 220. Kanieri Lake Road ... ... ... ... ... ••■ 95 11 0 221. Westland Reefs Prospecting Track ... ... ... ... ... 117 10 0 222. Gillam's Gully Track ... ... ... ... ... ... 52 10 0 223. Milltown improvements ... ... ... ••• •■• ••• 52 10 0 226. Back Creek Road (extension) ... ... ■•• ■•■ ■•■ 150 0 0 227. Spencer's Road (widening) ... ... ... ... .... .... 150 0 0 230. Big Dam Track (repairs) ... ... ... ... ••• ■•• 100 0 0 231. Callaghan's Road (repairs) ... ... ... ■•• ■■• ••■ 100 0 0 232. Fourth Terrace Track (repairs) ... ... ... •■• ••■ 80 0 0 Otago. Tuapeka .County. 235. Waipori-Waitahuna ... ... ... ... ••• •■• 66 1 0 236. Doherty and Hopkin's Bridges ... ... ... ... •■■ 231 0 0 250. Lawrence-Clyde ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• •• 48 10 0 Vincent County. 237. Fraser River Bridge ... ... ■•■ ••• ••■ •■• 273 9 0 240. Ryan's Coal-pit Road ... ... ... ... •■• •■■ 150 0 0 241. Wanaka Lake Track ... ... ••• •■• ••■ ■■■ 69 12 11 243. Devil's Creek Bridge (repairs) ... ... ... ... ■■• 451 16 9 Lake County. 247. Garston-Nevis ... ... ■•■ ••■ •■• ••■ ■•■ 75 0 0 248. Queenstown - Gentle Annie ... ... ••• ■■■ •■• ••• 188 ° () 249. Shotover Valley Road ... ... ••• ••• ■•• •■• 10 ° ° ° Southland. Wallace County. 251. Colao-Round Hill ... 300 ° ° Southland County. 253. Garston-Nevis ... ... ••■ •■■ •■■ ■•• •■■ 10 ° ° ° 254. Riversdale-Waikaia ... ■•■ •■■ •■■ •■■ ■•• 100 0 0 255. Waikaka Valley Main Road (repairs) ... ... ... ■•• •■■ 10 ° ° ° 256. Waikaia Bridge ... ... ••• ■■• ■■■ ••• •■■ Bo ° ° °

99

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£ a. d. 257. Waikaka Valley Road to dredging claims ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 258. Waimumu Road to dredging claims ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 259. Nokomai Road ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 50 0 0 260. Waikaia to dredges... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 261. Muddy Creek Road to dredge ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Stewart Island County. 264. Stewart Island Road to mines ... ... ... ... .. 180 0 0 Roads Department. 128. Mokihinui - Little Wanganui ... ... ... ... . . 1,917 7 8 155. Big Ohika Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 58 17 2 172. Inangahua Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 39 10 0 188. Blackwater Creek Road ... ... ... ... ... 75 8 4 211. Reefton-Hokitika-Ross ... ... ... ... ... 2,631 14 7 212. Mount Hercules deviation ... ... ... ... ... ... 142 13 0 225. Deviation, Reefton-Hokitika-Ross ... ... ... ... 1,524 14 5 233. Donnelly's Creek Bridge ... ... ... ... ... .. 145 7 5 262. Orepuki — Preservation Inlet ... ... ... ... ... 81 18 7 224. Wilberforoe- Westland Reefs ... ... ... ... 1,753 13 4 Public Works Department. 96. Collingwood Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... 310 1 2 138. Denniston Hill Road ... ... ... ... ... ... 819 7 7 136. Fairdown—Waimangaroa ... ... ... ... ... ... 196 4 3 196. Taylorville Bridge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 81 6 9 £38,969 14 3 Expenditure for year ended 31st March, 1907 ... ... ... 38,969 14 3 Expenditure for previous years ... ... ... ... ... 703,985 12 6 Total expenditure to 31st March, 1907, on Roads on Goldfields ... £742,955 6 9 Statement showing the Expenditure on Development of Goldfields out of Public Wokks Fund for Year ending 31st March, 1907. Assistance towards Races, Reservoirs, Pumping, Draining, and Waterworks on Goldfields. Vote No. 108.—Item No. I.— £ s . d. Deep-level drainage tunnel, Kumara ... ... ... ... ... 481 18 9 Extension Waimea Race to Scandinavian Hill ... ... ... ... 123 3 10 Repairs, No. 3 channel ... ... ... ... ■ ... ... 1751 Waimea main tail-race extension ... ... ... ... ... 40 0 0 Ross Borough. Repairs, Jones's Creek storm channel ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 Assistance towards Prospecting. Item No. 2.— Coromandel County, J. Courtney ... ... ... ... ... 21 15 0 A. and W. McNeil ... ... ... ... 13 10 0 McNeil and Gunn ... ... ... ... 26 0 0 F. Bostleman ... ... ... ... ... 10 10 0 A. McNeil ... ... ... ... ... 6 10 0 O'Keefe and Party ... ... ... ... 18 0 0 J. S. Wilson ... ... ... ... ... 45 0 0 ~ Coromandel Big Reefs (Limited) ... ... ... 50 0 0 C. Blasch ... ... ... ... ... 6 10 0 McGuinness and Party ... ... ... ... 27 0 0 J. and M. Fitzgerald ... ... ... ... 3 0 0 R. H. M. Kenner.. ... ... ... ... 31 7 0 J. A. Thompson ... ... ... ... ... 55 12 2 Thames County, S. Stephens ... ... ... ... ... 5 8 0 ~ Addewate and Thompson ... ... ... ... 21 0 0 Ohinemuri County, W. H. Skeen ... ... ... ... ... 9 18 0 Williams and Howe ... ... ... ... 9 12 0 ~ Muirland and Harvey ... ... ... ... 1000 ~ McGeehan and Scanlon ... ... ... ... 21 10 3 Tauranga County, Waitakohe Claim .. ... ... ... ... 820 Prospecting Syndicate, Anatoki ... ... ... ... ... 98 12 0

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100

Item No. 2— continued. £ a. d. Takaka Miners' Association, Upper Anatoki ... ... ... ... 19 10 0 Slate River Sluicing Company, tunnel ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 Buller County, Young and McKay ... ... ... ... ... 68 10 3 Findlay and Crawford ... ... 39 4 6 C. Stewart ... ... . ... ... ... ... 21 0 0 Hooper and Party ... ... ... ... ... 20 2 6 Inangahua County, S. Neale ... ... ... ... ... 400 ~ Caledonian Syndicate ... ... ... ... 161 15 0 P. Cunningham ... ... ... ... ... 13 0 0 C. Clifford ... ... ... ... ... 13 0 0 ~ Howell and Kennedy ... ... ... ... 30 6 0 Webber and Lee ... ... ... ... 18 0 0 Upper Blackwater Miners' Association ... ... ... ... .. 3 15 0 330 0 0 Grey County, Griffiths and Williams ... ... ... ... ... 64 11 0 Duncan Steel and Party ... ... ... ... 90 4 0 ~ Lemon and Party ... ... ... ... ... 26 5 0 Upper Grey Miners' Association, D. Absolum ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 McColl and Party ... ... .:. 28 10 0 Brunner Prospecting Association .. ... ... ... ... 54 12 0 Prospecting Kumara Goldfield ... ... ... ... ... 330 19 2 Westland County, Prospecting Rimu ... ... ... ... ... 95 9 0 G. Noble ... ... ... ... ... ... 193 19 6 Boyd and Party ... ... ... ... ... 71 2 0 G. Davis ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 0 0 R. A. Harcourt ... ... ... ... ... 78 0 0 Westland Mining League .... ... ... ... ... ... 10 10 0 Rimu Miners' Association, Chow's Terrace ... ... ... ... 75 0 0 J. T. Johnson, Waipori Lead ... ... ... ... ... 163 0 5 Tamaiti Gold-mining Company ... ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 Item No. 4. Purchase of drills ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,600 15 10 8. Compensation: Proclamation of rivers ... ... ... ... ... 741 3 0 9. Kelly's Terrace Tunnel ... ... ... ... ... ... 35 0 0 10. Repairs, Argyle Water-race ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 11. Queen of Beauty pumping-plant maintenance ... ... ... ... 197 5 9 15. Alexandra Water-race ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,672 15 5 Credit: Cost and expenses purchase of plant and pumps of Queen of Beauty Claim 1,003 0 0 Expenditure for year ended 31st March, 1907 ... ... ... 11,064 9 5 Expenditure for previous years ... ... ... ... ... 766,961 0 0 Total expenditure to 31st March, 1907, on development of goldfields £778,025 9 5

101

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No. 1. Statement showing the Revenue of the Goldfields collected in the several Districts of the Colony of New Zealand for the Period from 1st January to 31st December, 1906.

14 -C. 3.

District. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses, Machineand Residence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Roj'alties. Registration. Fees and Pines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Joromandel 'e Aroha 'aeroa .. ?hames "uhipuhi 'auranga Vaihi £ s. 3. 30 10 0 27 0 0 90 10 0 260 10 0 7 15 0 2 15 0 186 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 414 19 7 172 6 7 926 3 4 1,299 8 4 15 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 17 4 9 7 15 0 191 18 6 65 8 0 0 8 0 £ s. d. 462 14 4 831 4 5 1,364 2 5 1,882 9 8 26 10 6 2 15 0 2,780 1 8 577 17 10 148 14 7 142 13 4 0 5 0 37 IO 0 8 15 0 6 16 0 76 9 0 3 5 6 2 15 0 35 6 0 519 4 1 0 10 0 1,687' 8 11 46 2 0 174 17 6 165 19 2 448 10 5 Totals 261 8 0 7,349 18 0 605 0 0 1388 14 10 40 15 0 4,515 6 9 90 3 0 Nelson. lotueka iollingvvood and Takaka Vestport iharleston ihaura teefton.. Vangapeka jyell and Murohison 0 15 0 11 15 0 98 5 0 28 0 0 51 0 0 69 5 0 8 5 0 34 0 0 216 0 2 12 0 0 4 0 l io o 6 0 0 2 14 0 12 0 0 423 5 6 257 13 9 32 17 2 2,537 10 11 I 983 7 11 2 6 0 20 11 6 1 1 0 14 4 0 0 2 0 10 9 0 51 9 0 4 14 0 47 3 0 96 14 6 9319 6 1,502 9 2 4 6 0 2 12 0 18 5 0 10 32 0 10 12 17 0 546 1 0 1,939 0 5 73 16 2 2,652 9 11 1,167 6 1 8 6 0 : 499 16 11 1610 3 0 10 404 3 1 29 12 0 Totals 301 5 0 22 3 3 10 1 0 4,650 18 4 38 2 6 240 3 6 1,636 16 11 6,899 13 6 Maklbobough. lavelook ilonhoim 10 15 0 12 5 0 8 15 0 36 8 0 204 14 6 0 10 0 2 2 0 0 18 0 8 6 0 0 15 0 8 9 6 53 1 0 237 2 0 15 0 Totals 23 0 0 3 15 0 15 0 241 2 6 2 12 0 9 4 0 9 4 6 290 3 0 Westland. lokitika and Kanieri i-reymouth toss Stafford.. )karito .. Cumara 51 0 0 115 5 0 24 0 0 20 5 0 12 5 0 35 5 0 299 11 11 1 15 0 251 18 9 4,586 3 9 129 0 0 262 1 5 78 12 2 192 3 8 0 10 0 18 12 0 58 1 0 7418 0 360 19 9 5,021 17 8 227 18 0 321 19 11 109 2 10 247 5 2 5 'o 0 13 12 0 3 16 0 6 9 0 21 'i 6 2 *5 0 3 10 0 9 6 0 12"4 8 0 11 6 Totals 258 0 0 G.289 3 4 304 11 11 7 10 0 5,499 19 9 24 7 0 48 19 6 145 15 2 Cantebbuby. ishburton 1 5 0 15 0 Otago and Southland. liddlemarch 'apanui lindon Jaseby [lack's .. j .lexandra Hyde .. toxburgh ) Jromwell Jueenstown .rrowtown jawrence )repuki li verton and Long wood 'embroke Vaikaia Vyndham tore 0 15 0 1 5 0 25 10 0 53 10 0 112 5 0 62 10 0 45 15 0 10 0 0 54 0 0 0 5 0 16 1.6 10 1 18 0 0 6 0 0 2 5 0, 2 17 3 2 16 0 0 15 0 14 0 " .. 27 5 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 14 3 4 '513 73 0 6 409 18 0 1,917 3 6 676 13 7 364 17 2 166 16 10 742 12 5 31 17 5 165 10 1 0 6 0 0 8 0 13 0 28 15 0 11 9 0 12 6 0 13 16 0 0 12 0 1 *2 0 5 2 0 37 10 0 I 184 4 0 81 8 0 21 16 0 20 2 0 17 17 0 9 9 0 10 13 0 0 5 0 2 11 0 37 18 0 21 18 .0 10 9 2 4 7 0 0 10 9 15 6 12 10 ' 9 14 0 16 16 4 9 5 3 107 6 6 555 9 10 2,259 10 6 837 10 9 450 14 2 212 :l 1 845 1 11 53 7 f> 227 3 1 4 5 0 3010 0 10 1G 0 7 15 0 8 5 0 3 0 0 9 15 0 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 2 0 0 531 6 3 6 16 3 159 14 2 0 8 0 0 18 0 15 12 0 10 0 0 2 0 38 13 0 0 5 0 11 7 0 9 17 0 596 16 3 11 14 3 181 19 2 Totals 424 15 0 62 16 1 34 14 0 15,267 7 9 69 9 0 356 7 0 159 6 8 6,374 15 6 Grand totals .. 1,613 5 0 1782 1 1 94 8 0 !20,174 15 1 224 13 6 916 2 0 2,399 13 8 27,204 18 4

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102

No. 2. Statement showing the Revenue of the Goldfields collected in the several Districts of the Colony of New Zealand for the Period from the 1st January to the 31st March, 1907.

District. Miners' Eights. Business Licenses, Machine and Residence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, Gold-mining Fees and Leases, Rents, ; Registra- . Fines, and tion. Wardens' Royalties. Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Coromanclel Thames Te Aroha Paeroa Pubipuhi Tauranga Waihi £ s. (1. 10 15 0 132 10 0 6 5 0 19 5 0 1 10 0 15 0 41 5 0 £ s. d, in it f\ 1. t s. <1. £ s. < £ s. a. £ s. a. 107 1 0 502 12 0 97 0 2 500 6 8 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 3 4 3 998 15 5 22 0 0 29 16 3 £ s. d. 121 0 3 1,721 10 5 281 17 4 661 14 6 1 17 0 15 0 1,151 14 4 10 15 0 32 10 0 6 5 0 19 5 0 i 1 n r\ ) ) 16 15 0 ) 141 5 2 1 ) 111 15 7 1 0 0 13 0 0 l 6 < 18 0 ( 8 18 0 2 1 0 61 5 0 0 11 0 0 7 0 ) 15 0 41 5 0 ) ) 146 14 6 897 1 4 10 6 0 25 17 6 30 10 0 Totals .. 212 15 0 416 10 8 14 0 0 2,104 7 2 21 0 0 88 0 6 1,084 5 11 3,940 18 10 Nelson. Collingwood and Takaka Westport Charleston Ahaura Wangapeka Reefton Lyell and Murchison Motueka 2 5 0 20 0 0 6 0 0 16 10 0 0 10 0 11 5 0 10 10 0 0 16 0 0 12 0 0 5 0 1 5 0 158 6 1 76 0 9. 7 15 0 ! 374 13 11 0 11 0 3 6 0 0 8 0 4 11 0 0 19 0 9 16 0 0 16 0 8 13 0 19 4 0 493 8 4 2 7 0 2 2 0 182 6 1 604 8 1 17 6 0 406 9 11 0 10 0 418 14 3 150 2 0 8 0 0 0 2 0 389 8 3! 115 18 2 14 ""8 0 9 4 0 0 18 0 14 7 10 2 3 4 0 6 0 2 9 4 Totals .. 67 0 0 4 10 0 1 10 0 1,124 5 6 8 16 0 43 11 0 532 13 2 1,782 5 8 Maelbobough. Havelook Bienheim 2 10 0 2 10 0 1 10 0 2 10 9 85 16 11 0 4 0 10 0 0 2 0 2 10 0 6 16 9 95 9 5 0 15 0 217 6 als .. 5 0 0 1 10 0 0 15 0 88 7 8 14 0 2 12 0 2 17 6 102 6 2 Westland. Hokitika and Kanieri Groymouth Boss Stafford Kumara Okarito 15 10 0 25 0 0 3 15 0 5 5 0 12 10 0 0 5 0 73 14 8 42 14 6 3,485 5 2 18 15 0, 65 15 I 1 51 12 8 12 9 3! 5 4 0 0 5 0 13 7 0 0 9 6 58 9 6 3,602 10 10 22 19 6 75 14 1 76 10 3 15 0 3 15 0 0 10 0 2 4 0 1 19 0 0 8 0 2 10 0 3 3 0 6 1 0 18 0 Totals 62 5 0 73 14 8 1 15 0 3,676 11 3 4 11 0 10 17 0 21 10 6 3,851 4 5 Canterbury. Ashburton » 0 15 0 0 15 0 Otago and Southland. Tapanui Hindon Naseby Roxburgh \ Alexandra Clyde Black's J Pembroke Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Waikaia Orepuki Riverton Wyndham Middlemarch Gore i"r> 0 13 0 0 16 5 0 0 15 0 13 0 0 12 5 0 4 5 0 11 15 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 15 0 2 15 0 85 0 0 128 7 7 629 8 10 0 4 0 265 11 3 55 8 11 63 10 3 312 15 8 225 13 9 7 15 7 77 18 9 6 2 6 4 15 0 34 12 6 0 10 0 7 6 0 o"7 0 5 6 0 7 13 0 15 2 0 3 19 0 3 12 0 6 2 0 3 8 0 1 12 0 15 0 0 12 0 o"6 0 6 13 0 14 12 0 110 15 0 0 10 7 0 6 2 13 0 1 1 0 20 5 0 4 6 0 46' 8 0 157 6 7 679 4 10 0 19 0 294 14 3 75 1 11 73 13 3 340 13 9 236 14 9 10 8 7 111 18 9 13 0 6 4 15 0 40 5 6 I 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 2 4 0 0 5 0 2 0 0 10 0 8 0 0 1 15 0 4 10 0 0 5 0 2 10 0 0 '3 0 3 0 0 Totals 89 15 0 14 16 0 3 15 0 1,847 4 2 12 13 0 48 18 0 62 3 6 2,079 4 8 Grand totals .. 437 10 0 511 0 11 21 15 0 8,840 15 9 48 4 0 1,703 10 7 193 18 6 11,756 14 9

a—3

No. 3. Comparative Return of Revenue derived from the Goldfields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1906 and 1905, showing Increase or Decrease under each Head of Revenue.

103

District. Miners' ,S uetaeB8 Kights. Water- Gold-miniug Pees and races, Leases, Regis- Pines, Sluices, Kents, and tration. Wardens' &c. Royalties. Courts. Miscellaneous. Gold Duty. Totals. AUCKLAND — £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Year 1905 811 1,432 Sβ 5,532 81 188 529 22,254 30,853 Year 1906 605 1,389 11 4,515 90 261 44!) 36,603 43,953 Increase 15 9 73 14,349 13,100 Decrease .. 206 43 1,017 80 fELSON — 457 Year 1905 3,371 34 171 2,049 6,104 18 g Year 1906 301 ■I-α ii 4,651 38 240 1,637 6,'JOO Increase 9 2 1,280 4 69 796 Decrease .. 156 412 Iarlbobough— 6 Year 1905 18 125 5 160 a 1 3 Year 1906 23 4 i 241 3 9 9 290 Increase .. 5 116 2 4 6 130 Decrease .. 2 1 Iantkbbury— Year 1905 2 2 Year 1906 1 1 Increase .. Decrease .. 1 1 Vbstland— 300 10 1,594 18 Year 1905 80 65 6,455 8,522 Year 1906 258 305 7 5,500 24 49 146 6,289 Increase .. 240 3,906 6 Decrease .. 42 3 31 6,309 2,233 )TAQO— 86 6,156 35 Year 1905 442 28 231 220 7,198 Year 1906 425 63 Bβ 5,267 69 357 159 6,375 Increase .. 7 34 126 Decrease 17 23 889 61 823 Total increase .. 181 20 3,390 55 241 14,349 10,'JG l J Total decrease . . 417 6,856

C—3.

No. 4. Comparative Return of the Total Amounts of Goldfields Revenue (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the Years 1905 and 1906 and the Quarters ending 31st March, 1906 and 1907 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, 1906, and Quarter ended 31st March, 1907.

R. B. Vincent, Accountant to the Treasury. The Treasury, Wellington, 18th May, 1907.

104

Years 1905 and 1906. manors em ling March, 1907. ;,a District. 1906. 1905. Increase. Decrease. 1907. 1906. Increase. Decrease. Auckland. Coromandel Thames Whangarei Ohinemuri Te Aroha Tauranga Waihi.. Puhipuhi £ 463 1,882 1,364 831 3 2,780 27 ,t 470 2,284 6 2,147 959 8 2,725 £ £ 7 402 6 783 128 5 £ 121 1,722 662 282 1 1,152 2 £ 172 656 9 510 169 2 1,002 £ 1,066 152 113 £ 51 9 "55 27 150 2 1 Nelson. 13 546 1,939 74 2,652 1,167 8 500 i 13 300 2,326 87 1,035 1,823 4 516 246 2 182 604 17 406 419 1 150 140 481 16 314 663 1 126 2 42 123 1 92 Motueka Gollingwood and Takaka Westport Charleston Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka Lyell and_Murchison l^617 '387 13 656 244 " 4 "l6 "24 Marlboeough. Havelook Blenheim ;. 53 237 i 60 101 ! 136 7 7 95 20 82 "l3 13 Westland. Hokitika Kanieri .. 1 Greymouth Ross Stafford and Goldsborough Okarito Kumara 361 5,022 228 322 109 247 294 I 6,726 436 411 98 557 67 1,704 208 89 58 3,603 23 76 15 76 108 2,280 52 96 34 122 1,323 50 29 20 19 46 "ll 310 Canterbury. Ashburton 1 1 1 1 Otago and Southland. Hindon Naseby Alexandra .. \ Black's Clyde Roxburgh .. I Cromwell Arrowtown Queenstown Pembroke Lawrence Waikaia Tapanui Orepuki, Preservation,) Longwood, and Riverton j Wyndham Middlemarch Gore 107 555 2,260 838 212 451 10 845 597 9 91 598 2,843 902 261 403 7 903 621 26 16 "48 3 43 583 64 49 40 157 679 295 74 . 75 1 341 237 26 117 742 341 105 119 1 363 223 6 14 40 63 46 31 44 58 24 17 "l4 "22 6 281 275 6 122 111 11 12 17 182 12 17 239 13 5 40 13 5 94 54 "57 Totals l_ 27,205 30,585 2,236 5,616 3,380 11,756 9,321 3,183 748 Net decrease .. Net increase 2,435

Local Body. For the Year ended 31st December, 1906. For the Quarter ended 31st March, 1907. £ s. d. 219 8 8 5,974 17 7 45 11 8 814 5 8 £ s. d. Counties — Coromandel Ohinemun Piako Thames Boboughs— Thames Waihi 1,191 17 9 147 15 0 4,370 3 2 15,932 17 2 2,224 10 11 4,839 18 7 Totals .. 27,357 3 6 8,404 2 3

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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, 1906.

No. 7. Comparative Return for the Years ended 31st December, 1906 and 1905.

Pboduce of the Goldfields in During the Entered for Quarter ended 31st Exportation to the December, 1906. 30th September, 1906. Total entebed foe Exportation from NewZealand to the 31st December, 1906. County or Borough. nty or Borough. District. Quantity. ] Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. £ Oz. £ Oz. County of Thames Ohinemuri.. Goromandel Piako Borough of Thames .. Waihi Great Barrier Island .. ) f Auckland ) 1,477 22,331 647 86 22,245 46,109 349 6,186 80,286 2,681 360 93,706 189,552 1,246 93,244 374,017 3,899,094 14,615,832 3,992,338 14,989,849 County of Marlborough Wellington 188 706 188 706 Marlborough 89,099 347,214 89,099 347,214 County of Collingwood „ Waimea Takaka \- Nelson I 173 693 1,714,406 6,796,774 1,714,579 6,797,467 173 693 6,796,774 County of Buller „ Inangahua.. Grey „ Westland .. Borough of Kumara .. Hokitika .. Ross )-West Coast 2,011 12,969 6,918 4,041 7,449 50,248 27,817 16,182 30 324 120 1,296 5,237,672 Canterbury 26,293 103,112 5,211,379 20,743,259 20,846,371 County of Taieri Tuapeka „ Vincent „ Maniototo .. „ Waihemo Waitaki Lake „ Wallace , Waikouaiti .. „ Bruce Olutha Fiord Southland .. „ Stewart Island 99 387 99 387 269 7,246 7,874 547 245 336 1,358 1,259 1,086 29,536 31,835 2,221 987 1,378 5,464 5,094 ■Otago 12 48 12,958 52,596 6,676,288 32,104 130,245 6,644,184 26,388,425 26,518,670 Totals .. Unknown 207 824 207 824 151,814 608,067 17,558,656 68,893,421 17,710,470 69,501,488 *Qolddut; abolished in the South Island on the 31st March, 1891, by " Thi Gold Duty Abe ilition Act, 1890."

Produce of the goldfields IN THE District of During the Quarter ended Totals for Year 1906. Totals fob Yeah 1905. 31st March, 30th June, |30th Septem- 31st Decem- „ ,. 1906. 1906. ! ber, 1906. ber, 1906. Quantity. __ I >■ I Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland Nelson West Coast .. Otago Oz. 62,495 485 33,093 33,616 Oz. 67,174 1,803 17,551 48,904 Oz. 72,504 483 27,806 46,115 Oz. 93,244 173 26,293 32,104 Oz. 295,417 2,944 104,743 160,739 £ 1,195,541 11,746 414,292 649,325 Oz. 232,215 6,469 109,704 172,098 £ 935,602 25,862 438,258 694,214 Totals for 1906 129,689 135,432 . 146,908 151,814 563,843 2,270,904 Totals for 1905 123,975 126,742 144,480 125,289 520,486 2,093,936

G.—3

106

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, 1907.

No. 9. Comparative Return for the Quarters ended 31st March, 1907, and 31st March, 1906.

Produce of the Qoldpields in During the Quarter ended 31st March, 1907. Entered for Exportation to the 31st December, 1906. Total entered for Exportation from New Zealand to the 31st March, 1907. County or Borough. ounty or Borough. District. District. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Jounty of Thames „ Ohinemuri .. iorough of Thames Waihi ireat Barrier Island .. Auckland Oz. 2,211 11,919 9,179 41,499 458 £ 9,201 42,591 38,583 170,018 1,600 261,993 Oz. Oz. £ 65,266 4,057,604 15,251,842 Wellington 3,992,338 14,989,849 Jounty of Marlborough 188 706 188 706 Marlborongh 110 438 89,099 347', 214 89,209 347,652 iounty of Collingwood „ Waimea Takaka \ Nelson I 830 "295 3,321 1,180 1,125 4,501 1,714,579 6,797,467 1,715,704 6,801,968 Jounty of Buller Inangahua .. „ Grey „ Weetland .. Sorough of Hokitika .. Bobs I West Coast ( 2,936 • 11,134 7,541 3,298 19 205 11,476 43,620 30,287 13,233 74 820 20,945,881 25,133 99,510 Canterbury r 5,237,672 20,846,371 5,262,805 Jeunty of Taieri „ Tuapeka „ Vinoent Maniototo .. Waihemo .. 4 Waitaki . , * Lake Wallace .. „ Bruce Fiord „ Southland .. 99 387 99 387 •Otago 298 5,108 6.024 1,209 300 928 675 1,457 44 3 10,438 1,200 20,661 24,246 4,879 1,208 3,711 2,724 5,876 177 12 42,336 26,625,700 Jnknown 26,484 107,030 6,676,288 26,518,670 6,702,772 207 824 207 824 Totals.. 118,118 473,472 17,710,470 69,501,488 17,828,588 69,974,960 * Goia dut; abolished in the South Ieland on 31st March, L891, by " The [old Duty Abolition Act, 1890."

Quarter ended 31st March, 1907. Quarter ended 3: 1st March, 1906. District of Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland .. .. .. .. 65,266 261,993 larlborough .. .. .. .. 110 438 relson .. .. .. .. 1,125 4,501 Vest Coast .. .. .. .. 25,133 99,510 Itago .. .. .. .. 26,484 107,030 Oz. 65,266 110 1,125 25,133 26,484 £ 261,993 438 4,501 99,510 107,030 62,495 '485 33,093 33,616 Oz. 62,495 '485 33,093 33,616 £ 254,559 1,918 131,928 135,454 Totals .. .. .. '118,118 473,472 118,118 473,472 129,689 129,689 523,859 W. T. GLASGO Seoretarj V, and Inspector. Department of Trade and Customs, Wellington, 29th April, 1907.

107

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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 December, 1906.

District. Price of Gold per Ounce. Price charged per Ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Remarks. Auckland—Thames .. Coromandel Paeroa .. .. .. ] Te Aroha Waihi Tauranga .. .. £ s. a. 2 12 6 £3 15s. to £4 4 4 0 4 4 0 4 4 7 £ s. d. 0 5 0 10s. to £1 £ s. d. £3 to £4 I 40 in. aluice-head. I Marlborough—Havelock Blenheim .. .. £3 15s. to £3 17a. '£3 15a. to £3 18s. 6d.| Nelson — Wangapeka Motueka Charleston £3 10s. to £3 15s. 3 19 0 2 8 0 20 in. is a sluicehead. Iriangahua Collingwood Takaka .. Westport Murohison .. .. j Lyell 8 19 0 £3 13s. 6d. to £i 3 14 6 3 17 6 £3 17s. to £4 £3 17s. to £4 0 10. 0 0 10 0 Westland —Hokitika, Kanieri, and) Waimea .. J Totara and Boss Stafford Greymouth £3 IBs. to £4 2 10 0 40 in. 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 17 0 15 0 10 0 0 15 0 0 10 0 Sluioe-heads 20 in. by 2 in. Kumara Ahaura Okarito . . .. 3 18 0 3 19 0 3 18 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 1 0 0 Otaqo and Southland —Hindon Tuapeka Longwood .. \ Preservation and Waiau I Orepuki and Bound Hill J Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) and Queenstown Mount Ida .. \ Macrae's, Hyde .. >■ Hamilton, Serpentine j Maerewhenua Cromwell Waikaia .. .. .. Tapanui Wyndham Boxburgh .. \ Clyde and Alexandra [• Black's .. .. J 3 17 0 3 17 6 3 18 6 3 17 0 3 17 0 0 3 G 2 10 0 1 10 0 1 5 0 0 10 0 40 cubic in. 1 sluicehead. 40 cubic in. 1 sluicehead. 20 in. by 2 in. 20 in. by 2 in. 3 17 0 3 17 0 3 17 6 3 17 0 £817!>.6d. to £818s. 0 8 0 10 0 14 0 2s. leas for burnt gold. 3 17 0 ■"

108

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No. 11. Return showing the Average Prices of Provisions and Live-stock for the Year ending 31st December, 1906.

LlVK-STOCK. Meat. 14 05 M o i \ o J ll 0 is o o 0 CO a GO I a o O ii i 'J: . 6 o EH 9 District. m Per lOOlh. Per Im. bushel. ' Per head. Per head. Per lb. Per lb. I Per qt. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per gallon. Per. hhd. Per gall. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Perlb. I Per head. Per head. Per head. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Auckland — Thames Paeroa.. Coromandel Tauranga Te Aroha Waihi Puhipuhi Marlborough — " Blenheim Havelock Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Takaka Inangahua Lyell .. I Murchison .. f Westport Charleston Ahaura Westland — Stafford .. ) Waimea Hokitika and Kanieri Ross Okarito Greymouth Kumara Oiago — Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyde .. ] Alexandra Roxburgh Black's - .. ) Queenstown Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Mount Ida Nenthorn Waikaia Riverton and Orepuki Gore Wyndham 90/ 80/ 100/ 120/ 80/ 85/ 100/ 27/ 17/ 27/ 3, 35/ 17/ 27/ 30/ d. 1| 2 31dloaf If 2 \ ii 1/1 1/1 1/2 10-1/1 1/1 1/2 /ll /9 /10 /7 /7 /7 /8 /7 /7 /8 1/10 1/6 1/4-1/10 1/6 1/6 1/9 1/6 11/6 15/ 11/ 11/ 15/ 4/6 5/9 ( 4/8 4/6 5/9 I 4/6 4/3 8 6/10/-10 l-io ! 8 6/10-10 2-10 3 10/ ">■/■ 12 10-40 1 5-40 3-50 10-40 1 il/10-50 15 15/ 15/-22/6 1O/-27/ i 25/ 15/-22/6 10/-28/ 12/6 12/ 30/-60/ 30/-100/ 25/ 30/-60/ 5/-60/ 25/ d. 5 5 3-8 3-8 5 4-10 d. 4 3J-6 4-6 i 5 3J-6 d. 6 6 6 15-6 6 5-6 I 5 d. 4 3 4 3 3 3 d. 2* 24 3 24 3 2i d. 1 1 1 1 d. 3 24 3 3 24 3i-6 3 1/6 1/6 1/4-3/ /10-2/ 1/6 1/-2/9 1/6 5/6 5/6 5/6 5/6-8/ 5/6 5/-7/ 5/6 15/-20/ 18/ 26/ 17/ 18/ 17/ 14/ 1/ /10 ii/6 10/ 80/ 70/ 100/ 93/4 90/ 80/ 30/ 30/ 7 7 1/2 no /8 (8 1/9 2/ 10/6 12/ j 4/6 5/ 7 5 . 30 30 16/ 17/ 35/ 25/ 4* 5 ? 6 5 3 4 3 2J 1 3 3 2/ 2/ 5/3 6/ 18/ 18/ • • 14 l l 3 I 3 3 3 ! 7/ 5/6 6/ 6/ 21/ 15/ 7/ 15/-27/ 35/ 23/3 25/ 25/ 26/ \ 2 If 2 ,10 110-11 /ll 1/2 /9 /8 ! /8 /9 /S /8 1/9 2/ 1/9 2/ 16/ 11/ i 11/6 13/ 15/6 12/6 13/ 16/ ! 5/6 4/9 4/6 3 4/6 6-10 3/10-4 17/6 owt. 8 7/6 I 15-45 16 15-40 20-60 17/-23/ 17/ 13/ fat 15/ 30/-70/ 20/ 10/ 30/ 6 4 6-8 5 4 68 6 6 i 4 6-7 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 3 2/ 1/6-2/6 2/ 2/ 1/ 110/ 90/ 90/ 112/6 26/ 35/ 25/ 21 If 2 1/2 1/ 1/3 1/ 1/ /10 /9 /6 /8 /8 2/ 1/9 2/ 2/ 7/ 4/3 5/ 6/ . 5/10 11 7/10 7-12 10/ 20 20 35 10-50 19/ 20/ 23/ 15/-20/J 45/ 37/6 70/ 30/-80/ 6 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 7 6 6 8 6 5 6 4 34 3 3 3 if l 2 ■4 3 3 3 2/ 1/9 1/10 2/ 6/ 5/6 6/ 5/6-6/6 26/ 16/6 18/ 15/ 79 5/' 100/ 30/ ■* 1/3 1/ /8 1/6-2/ : 12/6-13/ 5/6 4/ 6/ 6/6 4/6 4/6 8 5/ 25 (d. 35-50 I s. 12-25 35 16-40 10-50 (h. 10-20 i 1 d. 30-50 12-40 15-40 25 15-60 18/ 40/ 8 6 3 1 3 2/ 5/6-6/6 26/ 12/ 7/ 18/ 18/ 10/ 6 6 85/ 108/ 40/ (lggal.) 90/ 80/ 24/ 28/ 30/ 26/ 25/ u 2 ii /1Q 1/3 1/6 1/1 1/3-1/ i/ i/ i/ i/ /7 /10 /9 /8 /9 1/6 2/ 2/3' 1/9 1/6-2/ 11/6 12/6 ' 16/ 12/6 12/ 7-8 10 3-9/15 8/10-9 10/ 15/6 25/ 20/ 10/-21/ i 20/ 30/-35/ 50/ 17/-70/ 25/-60/ 6-8 8 7 4-6 6-7 8 54 6 4-6 7 I 8 6 5 4 6 24 4 4 21 3 1 ■2 3 : 3J 4 3 2/-3/6 2/ 2/3-2/6 2/ 2/-2/6 5/6 6/ 6/6 5/6 5/6-6/ 90/ 25/ ■ 2 ■ li lj 1/3 1/ /10 /10-1 1/ /10 1/2 /9 /6 /6 /8 2/3 1/6 1/8 1/9 16/ 12/6 11/6 H/ 3/6 J 3/6 3/6 ; 6-12 5/10 8 13/-24/ 17/6 15/ 20/-27/ 25/ 30/ 40/ 4-8 6 5 5J 6 6 5 5 6 4 4 3 3 4 34 3 3 3 14 ij t 341 3 3 t 3 2/3 1/8 1/9 1/8 6/ 5/6 5/6 5/9 21/ 100/ 28/ 18/ ' I 6 5 3 14 i 3 5/-7/ 20/ 93/ 30/ 2 1/ 1/ /9 1/9 12/ 4/6 1-5 5-45 7/-1S/ 60/ 5 8 2/ 90/ 100/ 28/6 23/ 1| 2 1/ 1/ /10 1/9 1/6 10/ 11/ 3/ 3/ 4/ 3-4 3-5 25-60 25-60 10/-12/ 1 10/-15/ 17/-23/ 10/-60/ 22/6 4-6 6 4-6 6 6 3 2 3 24 1 2 I 1/10 1/10 6/ 6/ 15/ 15/ 18/-25/ 20/-36/ 18/ /8 /8 /10 /8 1/6-2/3 6/6 5-8 10-45 ' 50/-60/ 5J-7 5-6 6 4 3 2 O 1/6-2/4 5/3-8/ 3 02/ 27/-42/I !/ 1| 1/2 4 3 3 : 4 3 3 ■2 1 1 1 3 3 2/ 1/-2/2 1/9 1/9 6/6 5/-6/ 5/6 5/6 90/ 80/ 35/ 28/ 2 If 1$ li ; i/2 10-1/4 1/ /9-1/3 1/ /9. /9 /6 /8 . 2/ . 1/9 1/8 1/9 15/ 12/ 11/6 11/6 3/6 4/ 3/6 3/ 6-12 7 5/10 6 10-45 25-40 ■ 25 30 U/-22/ • 19/ 15/ 12/ I 17/-55/ 40/ 30/ 20/ 7 6 5 5 6 5 5 4 6 8 4 4 26/ 90/ 35/

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109

No. 12. Table showing the Average Rate of Wages per Week for the Year ending 31st December, 1906.

15—C, 3.

District. General Managers. Legal Managers. Mining Managers. .Engineers. dS «ok«. Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Miners. Labourers. Boye. Chinese. Agricultural Labourers. Domestic Servants. Auckland — Coromandel Thames Te Aroha Paeroa Tauranga Waihi Puhipuhi £ s. A. £ s. d. 10 0 £1 to £2 2 0 0 £1 to £2 £ s. d. £4 to £5 £3 to £5 £4 to £7 ! £4 to £10 £ s. d. 4 0 0 £3 to £3/10 £3 to £6 £4 to £6 4 0 0 3 6 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 £2/8 to £3 £2/2-£2/14 £2/10 to £3 £2/5-£2/ll 3 10 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 2 5 0 £ s. d. 2 14 0 2 8 0 3 0 £2/14 to £3 3 0 0 2 17 0 £ s. d. £2/14 to £3 3 0 0 £2/17 to £3/6 £2/17 to £3/10 3 0 0 2 17 0 £3 to £3/12 £ s. d. £ s. d. £2/2 to £2/14 2 8 0 2 11 0 2 2 0 £2/8 to £3 2 8 0 £2/8 to £3/10 £2 to £2/10 2 8 0 £1/16 to £2/8 2 8 0 2 5 0 £1/16 to £2/8 £ s. d. 1 10 0 0 15 0 £1/4 to £1/16 £1 to £2 10/ to 15/ 1 16 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 10/ to 15/ 12/ 7/6 to 15/ ' 10/ to 17/6 i 8/to 15/ 10/ to 20/ 10/ £500 to £1000 500 0 0 £200 to £1200 1 10 0 15 0 10/ to 30/ I 20/ to 30/ i 2 8 0 2O/-3O/ found .. Marlborough — Haveloek Blenheim £4/10 to £5 3 12 0 2 14 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 17 0 2 8 0 1 10 0 10/ and found 2 8 0 25/ and found 7/ to 15/ Nelson — Reef ton Collingwood Takaka Charleston Westport Lyell and Murohison .. Ahaura Wangapeka £8 to £10 4 0 0 2 0 0 10/ to 20/ 5 0 0 £8 to £10 4 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 ! 5 0 0 £3/10 to £4 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £2/10 to £3 3 0 0 2 14 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 6 0 2 14 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 12 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 3 10 0 3 12 0 £2/17 to £3 2 10 0 £2/17 to £3 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 2 14 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 1 16 0 19/ and found 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 1 10 0 •• 15 0 2 10 0 £1 and found 15/ 9/ 12/6 & found 12/-20/ found 15/ 15/ 10/-15/ found £1 to'£1/5 4 0 0 4 0 0 •• i "s o £1 and found £1/ to £1/5 30/ and found Westland — Waimea and Stafford .. Hokitika and Kanieri .. Boss Kumara Greymouth Okarito 6 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 1 10 0 15 0 0 10 0 £1 to £2 5 0 0 £4 to £5 5 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 2 15 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 3 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 15 0 3 10 0 3 18 0 3 10 0 3 12 0 3 10 0 4 4 0 2 17 0 2 8 0 2 14 0 £2/8 to £2/14 3 0 0 2 14 0 £2/10 to £3/12 2 14 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 10 0 1 16 0 116 0 15/-30/ found 10 0 1 16 0 2 10 0 2 2 0 20/-30/ found 25/ and found 10/ 7/6 to 10/ 20/ 10/ to 15/ 7/6 to 30/ 14/ and found I Otago and Southland — Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyde .. I Alexandra Black's Koxburgh .. J Waikaia Orepuki and Eiverton .. Arrow Queenstown Mount Ida Gore Wyndham , 12 6 0 £4 to £6 5 0 0 1 10 0 £60 p.a. £1 to £4 1 10 0 £4 to £5 4 0 0 4 0 0 £4/10 to £6 5 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 ; 4 io o 4 0 0 2 14 0 2 10 0 2 2 0 2 15 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 i 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 £3 to £3/12 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £3 to £3/10/ 3 10 0 I £2/8 to £2/14 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 £2/8 to £2/14 3 0 0 2 8 0 0 10 0 10 0 15/ to £1/10 10/ 10 0 15 0 £1/ to £1/10 15 0 10 0 12 6 15/ to 35/ 25/ and found 10/ to 14/ 12/6 6/ to 20/ 12/6 to 15/ 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 £4 to £7 £4 to £7 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 15 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 2 14 0 i 3 10 0 3 10 0 2 10 0 3 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 3 0 0 3 12 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 ! 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 £2/2 to £2/8 3 0 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 10/ to 15/ 10 0 10/ to 25/ 10/ to 25/ 10/ to 15/ 15/ to £1 15 0 £1/5 to £1/10 £1/5 to £1/10 £1 and found 17/6 to £1 25/ and found 15 0 15 0 20/-25/ found 15 0 2 8 0 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ 8/ to 20/ 8/ to 20/ 7/ to 12/6 10/ 15/ 1 5 0 0 £75 p.a. I 2 14 0 2 8 0: 280 3 0 0 1 "o 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 December, 1906.

110

,c,liii ier emplo; ■ed in Alluvi lal [inii igMa icliii iery em; tloyi :d ii (,)iii irtz--mil ling. District. Steamengines employed winding, crushing, &c. a ! a a ■r. >, CD I 5 fl 'J. % o t I I W -I §| So II »1 I S is 8 I a u a I Steamengines employed winding, crushing, &c. I l OJO I •9 3 o J! a g cd ID I o is I h c GQ 6 Approximate Value of all Mining Plant included in this Eeturu. AggreNo. gate h.Pa 9 n 1 I AggreNo. gate hP. j<! J n a I ffl Auckland — Paeroa Coromandel Thames .. Te Aroha Waihi Puhipuhi 16 24 29 1,343 706 1,297 11 13 81 305 168 472 10 375 149 £. 149,710 94,896 181,306 2,500 25 51 3,134 ii 16 ■'! .. .. " ■• Totals __ ' 'i i 120 6,480 66 1,330 56 US 428,412 Marlborough— Wakamarina Cullen's Creek Waikakaho Blenheim.. 1 5,000 16 1 20 Totals ; 16' 1 1 2 20 1 5,000 —i i Nelson— Okarito Wangapeka Collingwood Takaka Inangahua Charleston Lyell Murchison Westport Ahaura 8 '5 5 1 1 5 3 5 8 4 1 1 7 " 1 " _ is 1 1 20 5 500 is '2 "28 250 1 *3 / 1,000 40,000 200,000 360 27,000 25,000 6,500 84,000 65: 315 35 750 5 10 20 2,500 2 "30 a 3 17 4 2 14 11 8 a 14 i 1 Totals I 1,168; I 16 2,546 30 2 35 2 21 505 25 333 11 383,800 Westland — Stafford Ross Hokitika and Kanieri Greymouth Kumara I 6 6,000 62 183 27 4 200 3 1 1 1 1 4 2 38,000 1,000 4,500 43,971 27,500 490 26 13 Q Totals 6 6,272 4 690 30 7 13 2 Q 114,971 Otago and Southland— Tapanui Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Clyde and Alexandra Roxburgh Black's Orepuki, Waiau, and Roundhill Preservation Waikaia (Switzers) Arrow Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's Hamilton's and Sowburn Hyde and Pullerton's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine St. Bathan's, Ida Valley, &o. Gore ; 400 45 12 1 i( 23 2 2 4 16 16 30 1 3 4 15 30 3,000 710 60,000 100,000 f 800 1 27 45 1 1 315,800 3 200 170 130 12 1 1 14 2 10 ■1 11 1 140 20 400 26 12 50 a 2 18 2 1 1 1 1 1 4 r. O i 72,000 12,000 30,000 4 4 8 40 42 165 37,008 38 80 05 101,375 37 129,500 S 824,385 m m ••; Totals 204 2,095 1 37,310 16 140 1 a I 16 168 27 207 11 4 1 16 34 MMARY. Auckland .. Marlborough Nelson Westland .. Otago 4 204 4 204 I '.'. '3 1 .. 1 3 16 .. 1,168 6 6,272 .. 2,095 6 9,551 16 4 1 1 2,546 690 37,310 .. .. .. 1 .. 30 30; 7 16:140 46178 J ..! .. 13 2 .. 34 13 38 35 .. 120 2 21 3 .. 2 16 7 157 6,480 - 505 'l68 66 a 25 27 1,330 20 333 '207 56 .. 1 .. 11 4 11 4 79 8 1 .. 149 i 16 1165 428,412 5,001 383,860 114,971 824,385 Totals i 21 40,547 35 7,153 1,890 1 1,756,629 121

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No. 14. Table showing approximately the Number, Description, and Value of the Water-races, Tail-races, Dams, Reservoirs, and Ground-sluicing in Operation during the Year ending 31st December, 1906.

111

Wai ter-racea. Tail l-races. mm. Besi jrToirs. Groui id-sluiees. District. Approximate Total Cost. No. Length in Miles. No. of Sluice* heads. Approximate Cost. No. Approximate Cost. No. Approximate Cost. No. Approximate Cost. tfo. Approximate Cost. Auckland— Coromandel Thames.. Te Aroha Paeroa .. Waihi .. 6 19 3 168 17 6 25 , 2 199 38 21 160 13 2,468 379 £ 4,500 58,000 2,500 122,466 "7 £ 360 3 70 2 88 12 £ i 510( 770! 200 5,000 ■ 3 2 £ 50 5,000 £ £ 5,060 64,130 2,700 131,466 1 1,000 3 3,000 Totals 213 270 6,480 8 3,041 187,466 1,360 122 8,050 203,356 'aelboeough— Blenheim Havelook 26 Iβ JB 21 158 41 8 1 6 1 3,685 "20 "50 3,755 Totals ■12 39 205 3,685 20 50 3,755 [elson— Wangapeka, Baton, and Sherry Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Murchison Ahaura Motueka Takaka 5 113 106 26! 260: 96 250 225 n 8 *i 136J 100 150 173 88 193 450 u 22 1,206 1,060 280 1,365 212 1,150 1,750 23 47 500 140,336 50,000 2,900 9,260 6,700 13,000 170,000 2 69 30 27 180 23 68 95 4 6 100; 7,795; 10,000 186 22.437 1 2,200 ! 2,500 19,000 78 41 34 418 19 56 85 5 8 11,020 2,000 3,860 14,345 l-,950 3,550 2,800 3 8 90 690 159,151 62,000 6,946 46,042 10,850 19,050 191,800 2,300 ioo 160 1 6 2^560 Totals 1,096 1,3091; 7,115 394,996 504 64,318 39,685 744 18 90 499,089 Westland— Hokitika & Kanieri Ross Kumara Greymonth Okarito Stafford.. 337 71 3o| 535 18 250 23OJ 25 : 20J 460 j 315 595 65 236 1,978 185 590 161,930 40,000 16,190 26,332 5,169 24,000 136 5 33 829 2,865, 2,000; 16,865: 10,480 321 12 3,852 6,000 '8 560 168,647 48,560 33,055 48,942 5,219 35,750 1,040 1 I 300 11,550 50 5,000 27 580 200 5,000j 6 750 100 1,000 Totals 1,172 1065|g 3,649 273,621 1,203 37,210 1,674 26,452 () 750 135 2,140 340,173 iTAGo and Southland — Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Clyde, Alexandra, Black's, and Roxburgh Arrow Cromwell Waikaia Riverton and Orepuki Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn & Clarke's Hamilton's and Sowburn Hyde & Fullerton's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Wyndham Gore 25 277 2 541 174, 584, 235 i 160 157 25 880 1,623 231 il,488 436 237g 185| 100 1,750 8 1,945 741 2,344 850 859 774 5,000 17,000 185 81,150 16,576 106,079 47,000 35,531 52,720 5 I 270! 275 130 313 j 200; 27 162 70 7,000 10,000 4,920 14,690 2,000 4,790 21,030 3 326 150 24 247 127 56 424 351 9,500 15,000 2,225 11,370 3,000 1,882 2,235 "i 8,500 5 \s 31 500 5,452 33,500 185 114,650 23,721 132,139 52,500 42,203 75,985 11235 3,1431 4,068* 43,316 675 17,270, 314 13,940 74,526 4 1 8 2 21 3 ioo 100 Totals 3,395 8,257J 13,448 404,657 2,057 81,770 1,671 59,503 8,500 18 531 554,961 SUMMARY. Auckland ilarlborough kelson .. Mestland )tago . .. 213 270 3,041 42i 39 205 .. l,096 : 1309| I 7,115 .. 1,172 1065§#' 3,649 .. 3,395j 8257 $ Il3,448 187,466 8 3,685 9 394,996 504 273,6211,203 404,657 2,057 1,360 20 64,318 37,210: 81,770. 122 7 744 1,674 : 1,671 6,480 50 39,685 26,452 59,503, 8 *6 2 8,050 j .. V. \ 18 750 135 8,500 I 13 90 2,U0 531 203,356 3,755 499,089 340,173 554,961 Totals .. 5,918|l0942J8 27,458 1,264,4253,781 184,678 4,218 132,170| 16 17,300 166 2,761 1,601,334

112

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No. 15. Return of Cases in the Wardens' Courts, and Costs awarded, for the Year ending 31st December, 1906.

Number of Mining Disputes adjudicated on. Aggregate Amount of Value. Claimed. Recovered. Amount of Costs awarded. ilaf District. Auckland — Coromandel Thames Tβ Aroha Paeroa .. Waihi .. 20 22 1 10 10 £ s. d. 55 0 0 732 17 2 7 10 0 77 18 7 54 13 0 £ s. d. 55 0 0 54 2 6 7 10 0 63 18 0 28 8 0 £ s. d. 14 0 28 18 8 2 18 0 9 17 0 26 5 0 2 Marlborough— Blenheim 1 Nelson — Inangahua Collingwood Lyell and Murohisou Westport Charleston Takaka Wangapeka 16 3 24 14 6 1 1,525 16 1 2 12 6 636 11 10 324 10 0 2 15 0 194 10 5 2 12 6 359 6 4 129 10 0 95 11 0 2 11 0 58 19 6 42 15 4 3 18 0 3 3 0 6* 1 Wbstland — Kumara Greymouth Hokitika and Kanieri Stafford Boss Ahaura Okarito 5 14 3 7 4 29 26 1 3 48 2 4 12 1 3 26 0 7 4 17 0 32 13 0 6 11 0 8 10 2 7 0 33 1 0 It 109 6 0 22' 6 6 69 J 548 15 0 209' 1 0 Otaqo and Southland — Tapanui Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Roxburgh .. .. | Black's .. .. . • [ Clyde and Alexandra .. J Waikaia Orepuki, Longwood, and Riverton .. Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Queenstown Gore Mount Ida io 4 22 128 0 0 368 14 11 2,124 6 10 3 0 0 18 15 0 54 4 4 i"s 0 9 16 0 30 0 8 *2 9 5 7 2 9 2 10 450 0 0 185 16 3 51 2 3 44 3 9 100 0 0 90 16 8 26 13 0 275 0 0 24 16 3 19 16 4 11 12 6 8 8 6 89 11 0 27 19 0 1 1 6 Totals 261 7,504 12 9 1,757 12 4 565 2 6 98 • 4, forfeit of mining privilege; 1, dissolm + Title ordered to be given up 1 ;ion ol partnei 'or cancellation rship ; 1, defendant I Mining applit ordered not to tri jation received. ispass on plaintiff's small area. S Indefinite amount.

113

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No. 16. Return of the Number of Mining Leases or Licenses in Force on the 31st December, 1906 the Extent of Ground leased or held under License, and Rental per Annum.

[iniug teases. District. No. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annum. Auckland— Coromandel Thames Tβ Aroha Paeroa PuhipuM Waihi .. 104 130 17 68 23 78 A. E, p. 3,799 2 5 7,534 3 37 925 2 10 3,891 3 2 2,129 0 0 6,126 2 22 £ s. d. 335 5 6* 1,439 10 6 212 0 0 975 5 0 84 5 0 1,711 14 0 Maelbohough— Havelock Blenheim 4 11 106 2 2 455 0 34 41 12 6 137 15 0 Nelson— Collingmood Inangahua Charleston Ahaura Lyell Murohison Westport Motueka Nelson 5 164 13 200 17 33 20 2 3 2,075 3 32 5,644 3 16 110 0 0 3,000 0 0 738 1 27 967 1 15 441 3 21 31 0 0 225 0 0 360 4 0 960 6 9f 21 8 9 1,000 0 0 202 10 0 310 9 0 114 2 6 11 12 6 84 15 0 We STL AND — Kumara Hokitika and Kaaieri ; JGreymouth .. ,. Robs Okarito .. Otago and Southland— Cromwell Wyndham Waikaia Black's Clyde and Alexandra Roxburgh Naseby Arrow (Wakatipu Goldfield) Queenstown Riverton and Orepuki 49 63 103 20 12 103 5 50 633 1 10 822 2 6 15,295 2 35 563 2 25 521 0 0 2,929 0 0 108 1 22 1,522 0 0 180 7 6 210 17 6 1,801 8 8 199 17 6 155 14 6 746 14 11 9 12 6 375 0 0 I 113 4,688 0 0 1,381 10 0 123 555 543 60 1,978 0 13 2,507 2 10 4,092 1 18 2,227 0 8 551 3 3 154 11 0 310 17 6 287 14 0 Totals 2,691 76,087 1 10 14,368 4 10 * 1,627 acres 3 roods 26 perches ; no rent payal ile; frei shold land. t5 icres under M.R.

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114

Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Mining Companies Acts, 1891, 1894, and 1900

Name of Company. Date of Kegistration. Subscribed Capital. Amount Value of Scrip „ ■. i given to Shareaotaallv h ° lders on which paWup y °o paid. Number of Shares allotted. Amount paid up per Share. Number Arrear B of Calls. $$£« present. Number of Men Quantity and Value of Gold or ™ nl , Silver produced since Total Expendi- . „„?,"?,.' . Quantity. Value. pald - Amount of Debts owing by Company. employed Quantity. Value. AUCI LAND DI £ s. d. !6d. & 3d. 0 10 3/ & 1/1 0 4 0 0 0 5 0 3 0 0 0 2 6d. & 3d. I 0 10 0 0 3 0 0 13 0 0 6 2/ & 10d. 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 10 1/6 & lid. 0 2 4ft STRICT. £ 7/7/05 5,000 22/10/06 10,000 5/12/05 6,750 2/3/06 12,750 23/10/05 337 17/8/04 '. 5,000 12/8/02 : 24,957 12/11/06 ; 9,350 31/7/06 I 5,000 6/5/04 ; 24,833 25/1/99 20,000 30/6/05 1,640 24/11/06 10,500 17/5/05 9,365 12/9/95 22,394 24/4/06 5,000 9/4/03 5,132 15/6/03 10,000 12/11/95 15,000 £ 1,875 1,000 2,250 2,571 337 1,888 18,638 779 1,000 14,539 1,275 650 1,625 1,752 10,748 1,000 3,614 1,867 9,482 £ I 12 3 12 5 45 2 5 1 2 8 10 6 4 6 16 7 Oz. 5,956 "21 23 2,778 491* 1,373 16 1J53 266 £ 10,632 £ 10,140 270 1,995 1,501 742 2,071 27,875 £ £ 39 Auckland Gold mining Co. (Ltd.) Bonanza Gold-mining Co. (No Liability) Champion Mines (Ltd.) Comstook United Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Coromandel Big Reefs (Ltd.) Coronation Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Golden Belt Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Golden Cross Gold-miriDg Co. (Ltd.) Halcyon Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Hardy's Mines (Ltd.) Hauraki Freeholds (Ltd.) Huanui Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Kapowai Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Kiri Kiri Mines (Ltd.) Kuranui Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Magnet Gold mining Co. (Ltd.) Mahara Royal Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Maoriland Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) May Queen Extended Gold-mining Co. (No Liability) Moanataiari Extended Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) .. New Bunker's Hill Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Dart Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Eclipse Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Pour-in-Hand Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Maratoto Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New May Queen Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Moanataiari Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Monowai Gold and Silver Mines (Ltd.) New Occidental Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Plymouth Petroleum Ca. (Ltd.) New Saxon Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Sylvia Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) New Una Gold-mining Go. (Ltd.) New Waitekauri Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Old Alburnia Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Old Hauraki Gold-raining Co. (Ltd.) Old Kapanga Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Omahu Mines (Ltd.) Pride of Waihi Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Rising Sun Gold-mining Co. (No Liability) Royal Oak Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Scandinavian Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Southern Queen Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) South Kapanga Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Sunbeam Gold and Silver Mining Co. (Ltd.) .. Taihoa Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Tftirua Broken Hills Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) .. 500 8,250 2,250 250 5,250 500 10,275 18,725 600 4,000 2,500 3,450 1,000 1,500 3,750 \ 100,000 100,000 100,000 85,000 2,686 J 100,000 I 249,567 93,500 100,000 49,665 100,000 16,400 105,000 93,050 89,575 100,000 102,637 100,000 97,028 113 144 ,, 167 126 153 81 125 156 318 75 164 70 391 31 170 75 117 95 215 95 125 58 46 6,772 4,217 812 21,015 5,639 390 1,465 2,802 11,039 632 10,923 3,678 11,917 *28 654 78 1,640 596 6 29 150 1,178 186 "68 358 "42 935 31 216 5,233 356 2.330 33 1,162 10/3/05 2,602 22/12/05 10,000 23/10/05 5,000 9/9/03 10,000 30/6/98 24,592 3/10/04 10,000 13/10/04 5,400 6/6/04 5,000 4/10/04 7,500 7/9/05 7,000 14/8/06 7,500 5/5/04 5,000 24/10/05 ! 10,000 10/9/03 4,341 12/9/06 12,500 25/7/03 11,000 31/3/03 12,500 8/9/06 7,800 28/8/05 8,365 15/1/07 50,000 16/10/95 18,000 22/3/04 12,500 8/10/06 4,268 8/2/06 4,250 5/12/06 6,800 30/6/03 15,000 11/10/06 1,250 12/7/99 14,550 1,031 1,000 2,734 5,000 1,931 3,860 3,150 3,511 6,250 1,263 3,108 3,333 2,175 2,794 650 9,167 4,500 2,099 3,065 2,500 5,091 2,398 'ill 5,000 22,500 2,500 575 2,500 625 239 1,500 8,000 100 5,300 1,250 1,900 6,875 625 625 1,400 100,000 80,000 100,000 100,000 131,847 200,000 108,000 100,000 100,000 63,000 1,500 100,000 100,000 57,874 92,566 110,000 100,000 104,000 41,825 100,000 91,250 100,000 56,900 85,000 136,000 200,000 100,000 14,550 0 15 0 0 3 6d. & 8d. 0 10 5/ & 1/ 0 0 8 0 0 7 8d. & 9d. 0 13 0 0 7 3 0 0 0 0 8 6d. & Id. Oil 3d. & 6d. 0 18 0 10 4d. & Cd. 0 2 0 0 0 9 J 0 1 4 53 49 612 283 175 128 169 198 24 275 254 175 96 88 215 158 89 72 225 119 80 105 250 140 41 58 129 112 122 36 195 2 5 7 3 4 43 5 10 2 2 1,424 6,543 2,040 4,006 651 5 4,024 19,054 448 11,394 1,796 1,605 774 2,855 7,594 21,063 5,439 11,887 7,996 6,307 948 323 4,878 2.049 3,245 450 13,816 14,362 1,815 3,369 2,046 5,168 9,685 99 1,172 130 7,066 806 66,839 1,250 4,500 7 32 378 62 903 29 177 279 98 ho 239 130 1,392 3,100 183 37 17 1,250 125 100 2,181 513 20 22 218 25 116 83 350 6 6 4 2 30 8 1 ■781 275 1,652 2,254 741 126 5,038 1J250 401 442 353 5 3 3J273 9^023 214 1,181 2,000 6,21 1,895 14,550 6d. & 2d. 6d. & 5d. 0 0 6 1/6 & 5d. 0 0 3 0 2 0 "53 69 105 355 8 8 8 4 40 119 2,'231 38,456 325 368 228 280 70^575 228

115

C—B

Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Mining Companies Acts, 1891, 1894, and 1900— continued.

Name of Company. Date of Registration. Subscribed Capital. Amount of Capital actually paid up. Value of Scrip given to Shareholders on which no Cash paid. Number Amount of Shares paid up allotted, per Share. Number Arrears of Calls, present. Number of Men Quantity and Value of Gold or Silver produced since Registration. TO ture B s1nce' ii " Amount of Amount of Debts owing „ by Company. Quantity. Value. AT JCKLAND DISTRICT— continued. Temple Bar Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) .. Thames Gold mining Co. (Ltd.) Trafalgar Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Vanguard Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Victoria Gold-mining Co. (No Liability) Waihi Beach Gold-raining Co. (No Liability) Waihi Consolidated (Ltd.) Waihi Disoovery Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Waihi Extended Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Waihi Gladstone Gold-mines (Ltd.) Waihi Standard Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Waimangu Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Waiotahi East Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.).. Waiotahi Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Waitangi Gold-mining Co. (No Liability) ••J 1/11/06 16/12/05 20/2/06 6/7/05 2/9/90 7/4/05 23/3/00 17/13/05 12/8/95 29/5/06 23/3/05 1/12/04 16/2/06 1/8/71 19/3/06 I £ I 15,000 7,500 9,900 25,600 6,117 25,000 12,000 149,967 25,000 5,000 15,000 4,821 18,000 4,250 £ 606 6,229 1,096 3,969 19,876 6,085 2,708 1,328 25,001 417 208 2,308 768 15,000 1,219 257,972 £ 750 250 192 1,600 15,000 1,125 5,498 12,500 £ s. d. 78,450 6d. & 3d. 150,000 9d. &lld. 646 100,000 0 0 3J 112 99,000 1 0 11 58 110,829 0 4 0 140,000 0 0 11 332 100,000 0 3 8£ 279 120,000 5d. & 6d. 178 149,967 0 4 1J 431 100,000 0 0 1 100,000 0 0 0J 146,750 0 0 2 96,429 6d. & id. 6 240,000 0 13 85,000 6d. &4£d. 102 229 162 122 256 228 142 101 516 22 23 181 37 431 175 7 8 4 1 8 13 20 Oz. 54 £ 162 14 j667 £ 224 5,999 1,139 3,994 31,857 5,870 9,011 1,294 25,751 313 174 1,867 654 210,790 1,068 £ £ 25 759 92 211 502 158 14 672 26 6 21 3 2,500 1,250 138 10 630 2 177 9 490^676 274^800 500 •• Totals .. 819,181 168,294 6,275,445 .. 7,442 7,442 633 663,102 618,697 281,800 19,356 9,487 74,235 WEST COAST. Addiaon's Long Tunnel Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Bellevue Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Bignell's No Town Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Big River Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Blackwater River Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Britannia Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Caledonian United Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Craig's Freehold Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Garden Gully Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Horse Terrace Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Co. (Ltd.) Macleod's Terrace Sluicing and Water-distri-buting Co. (Ltd.) Mineral Belt Copper-mining Co. (Ltd.) Minerva Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Mont d'Or Gold-mining and Water-race Co. iLtd.) Montgomery Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Nelson Creek Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) New Feddersen Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) No Town Creek Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Co. (Ltd.) Slate River Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) .. Stafford Gold-dredging Co. (T,td.) Takaka Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) ' .. 24/9/98 17/10/02 10/4/00 11/4/91 27/4/00 3/3/99 4/7/06 20/8/00 8/8/01 2/8/04 2/3/74 4/4/03 1,500 3,400 9,000 12,000 9,475 10,000 4,550 6,500 13,913 5,000 20,000 16,645 1,409 2,330 4,840 11,475 5,892 1,934 363 4,205 8,678 3,000 ! 6,208 10,473 83 1,000 4,160 3J000 7,160 200 2,500 9,318 2,000 10,000 1,500 3,400 9,000 24,000 9,475 20,000 19,000 9,000 23,230 5,000 20,000 16,645 10 0 8 10 0 10 0 0 9 9 0 18 0 0 7 If 0 O 6j 199 0 14 0 253 Various 743 10 0 0 16 2J 10 0 173 24 10 123 61 92 22 69 116 231 16 47 37 4 9 9 18 11 13 6 10 1 6 54 3 2,067 1,380 3,638 27,793 6,518 4,177 8,163 5,415 14,188 111,845 26,001 15,812 8,664 7,627 15,919 75,546 27,863 14,231 533 5,148 8,559 5,608 262,375 10,829 828 2^700 49,699 7,810 3,342 154,667 3J 754 250 "85 274 2,208 272 1,133 55 228 1,281 33 573 103,644 34 5,124 126 2,319 399,317 130 12/11/03 24/2/90 25/7/82 3/1/06 1/7/99 1/8/04 9/3/00 18/6/92 26/7/00 17/5)05 28/1/01 16,220 12,000 12,000 3,000 10,929 2,313 8,500 50,600 14,875 289 5,395 4,555 6,844 10,800 3.000 8,429 2,313 8,500 26,210 14,842 289 5,395 10,000 400 16,220 17.285 12,000 3,000 10,929 4,625 12,000 40,600 14,875 2,023 9,120 302,927 10 0 0 6 4J 0 18 0 10 0 .! 10 0 0 10 0 10 0 20/12/ 5/ 150 10 0 33 10 0 10 0 54 17 32 48 92 19 130 63 85 7 44 1 14 6 7 8 10 10 821 30,680 63 13,025 2,092 10,852 8,391 1,437 1,516 3,6S6 223,701 2,947 119,843 268 51,115 8,202 41,269 32,223 4,593 11,245 87,590 1,607 47,721 10,472 30,025 59,369 18,840 4,665 14,740 42,000 23,375 1,272 16,800 30 23 ioi 750 246 206 .. 2^500 3,500 20,000 1,200 1,734 3,725 405 4,104 206 23 7 10 13,843 Totals .. .. .. 248,104 151,984 : 82,480 1,559 1,439 217 863,987 307,002 733,769 9,844

116

a—3

Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Mining Companies Acts, 1891, 1894, and 1900— continued.

Name of Company. Amount T7 0 i,, 0 „«=„_,■„ Wnmiiov ! Quantity and Value ol Gold or Dateol „ . ., , of value ot scrip Number Amount ' ?»?„ Number Silver produced since bSSSSS.. Co^ nJ . Quantity. Value. OTAGO 'ISTRICT (INCLU: £ s. d. 10 0 10 0 10 0 0 18 6 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 100 Various 10 0 10 0 100 0 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 20 0 0 10 0 10 0 ing south: LAND). £ 12,000 17,521 6,000 2,500 7,900 J 927 1,600 5,300 4,000 2,500 3,500 6,000 2,000 7,000 17,500 8 26,000 £ £ 12,000 3,000 12,000 17,521 6,000 2,500 7,900 2,899 2,650 7,000 5,000 5,000 3,500 6,000 5,000 7,000 17,500 11,000 26,000 14 7,000 10,500 3,000 2,600 12,794 3,500 2,500 11,000 3,000 6,500 5,000 301 300 25,000 £ 38 185 7 28 146 114 19 100 70 66 160 82 18 74 190 9 271 10 137 119 7 32 183 25 53 132 41 335 79 3 7 110 Oz. 9,569 7,947 4,991 2,953 3,657 £ 37,054 30,776 19,916 11,129 14,084 £ 21,593 31,572 18,596 12,068 13,780 723 1,664 22,624 25,750 19,703 6,804 37,683 11,571 5,250 34,990 59,251 49,900 1,856 49,864 39,515 254 9,972 27,660 12,510 30,431 65,370 36,948 34,058 14,371 £ 15,450 14,032 6,530 1,063 2,800 £ 156 430 236 277 224 42 483 Alexandra Eureka Gold-dredging O. (Ltd.) Alexandra Lead Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Argyle Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Bakery Flat Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Barewood Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Bendigo Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. Black'e Flat Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Central Charlcon Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Charlton Creek Gold-dredging .Co. (Ltd.) Chicago Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Clutha Eiver Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Clyde Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Crewe Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Crifiel Lead Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Dunstan Lead Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Earnscleugh Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Electrio Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Endeavour Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Enterprise Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Ettrick Gold Steam-dredging Co. (Ltd.) First Bendigo Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Garden Gully Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Golden Bed Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Golden Crescent Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Golden Gate Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Golden Run Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Golden Treasure Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Hartley and Riley Beach Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. Hessey's Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Hit or Miss Water-race Co. (Reg.) Hydraulic Motor-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Island Block Gold-dredging and Sluioing Co. (Ltd.) Jewett's Gully Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.).. Junction Electric Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Jutland Hydraulic Dredging Co. (No Liability).. Kia Ora Victoria Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Koputai Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Kura Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Lady Annie Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Lady Roxburgh Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Ladysmith Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Last Chance Hydraulic Sluicing, Elevating, and Dredging Co. (Ltd.) 14/11/99 26/7/99 24/12/02 10/9/96 24/12/03 22/12/05 29/1/06 8/12/99 5/5/99 1/11/99 31/3/04 17/5/95 7/9/02 30/9/05 31/5/99 15/7/01 2/9/99 30/5/06 24/8/91 29/8/90 7/11/06 14/8/03 5/5/99 26/11/98 13/3/95 29/6/91 11/7/93 14/7/97 22/7/02 19/6/67 -/-/04 26/2/00 7,000 9,000 3,000 2,600 11,000 3,500 2,500 9,000 1,500 6,500 5,000 14,521 6,000 2,013 7,900 900 1,600 5,300 4,000 6,750 1,300 5,850 2,000 5,500 17,489 8 3,500 8,366 3,000 2,600 10,694 3,500 2,500 9,414 1,384 6,300 3,700 "300 1,972 1,050 1,700 1,000 2,500 2,200 150 3,000 1,500 3,000 10,992 26,000 1,400 3,500 2,000 2^000 18 364 8 10 10 21 1 7 8 9 7 8 5 14 20 9 33 18 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 13 8 8 8 55 5,952 6,058 6,359 1,541 13,577 2,493 11 6,571 22,158 43,425 481 19,328 9,387 2,177 8,823 4,249 13,766 18,188 13,683 28,321 3,844 213 23,350 23,923 24,710 5,966 52,294 9,571 42 25,489 85,630 168,786 1,857 74,909 36,134 8,563 34,132 16,476 53,015 70,030 52,689 109,553 15,145 5,950 4,875 2,861 22,700 6,118 7,975 118,293 5,240 420 4,435 6,650 24,000 15,094 18,694 79,625 4,000 159 226 666 120 229 790 1,301 451 1,414 398 91 425 254 175 48 214 1,037 357 184 1,600 1,500 200 1,300 300 24,030 300 12,030 12,000 3 14 464 6,866 1,785 26,780 1,767 30,360 2^403 406 155 2/5/05 2/9/99 28/6/01 10/8/01 j 9/1/06 24/8/05 29/11/04 3/3/00 19/4/00 27/7/89 1,800 28,000 5,000 9,100 3,200 4,800 4,200 9,000 12,000 9,950 1,800 26,000 900 1,800 26,000 5,000 9,100 3,500 4,800 4,200 11,000 14,500 9,950 10 0 10 0 10 0 0 13 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 0 14 0 0 10 0 0 14 0 24 307 8 36 42 31 20 112 78 103 4 10 7 16 8 8 9 8 9 9 174 17,100 3,067 11,527 52 440 3,002 3,903 4,087 1,913 688 66,226 11,759 46,781 203 1,732 11,863 15,013 15,742 7,347 2,720 47,015 14,362 36,111 2,951 7,125 7,537 16,671 15,364 9,785 22,750 1,875 16,835 313 219 197 4,100 5,915 3,200 4,788 14 4,883 3,964 4,655 300 4,186 2,000 3,000 3,300 "l3 4,200 2,795 4,466 993 1,073 622 42 255 140 225

117

a— a

Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Mining Companies Acts, 1891, 1894, and 1900— continued.

16—C. 3.

Name of Company. as )as.|— |m 13E. Quantity and Value of Gold or Silver produced since Total Expend!- ' , iotal Amount of Registration. ture since Amount of Debts owinj Registration. Dividends by Quantity. Value. P ald - Company. Value. OTAGO DISTRICT (INCLUDING I SOUTHLAND) -continued. Lee and Party Waikaka Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) 14/7/06 ! 5,180 Livingstone Creek Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. 21/12/02 3,500 Local Industry Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) .. 31/10/91 l*.500 Lone Star Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ..15/3/02 '720 Lower Nevis Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ... 29/11/06 550 Luggate Mining Co. (Ltd.) .. .. ..17/12/04 1,200 Magnum Bonum Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. 1/3/06 2,500 Manuherikia Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ..1/8/99 12' 000 Manuka Mining Co. (Ltd.) .. .. ..26/5/04 '200 Masterton Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. .. 6/1/04 5,000 Matakanui Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) .. .. 22/1/02 7000 Matau Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. .. .. 16/10/97 6*200 Mill Creek Freehold (Ltd.) .. .. .. 27/11/03 4,000 Molyneux Hydraulic Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. 25/5/00 5*896 Molyneux Kohinoor Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. j 27/1/00 7 325 Mount Morgan Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) .. 2/7/02 800 Muddy Creek Co. (Ltd.) i 2/11/01 1,120 Muddy Terrace Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) .. .. j 4/10/96 10 400 Mystery Flat Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ; 16/7/00 5,512 Naseby Dredging and Hydraulio Sluicing Co. ! 16/10/97 5 000 (Ltd.) New Alpine Consols Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ; 3/7/02 3 750 New First Chance Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. 1 8/11/06 4*. 240 New Fourteen-mile Beach Gold-dredging Co. ■ 17/3/04 4,194 (Ltd.) New Maori Point Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ! 22/8/04 1 750 New Monte Christo Dredging Co. (Ltd.) ..21/7/04 ; 1*500 New Perseverance Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. i 21/4/04 14*000 New Roxburgh Jubilee Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ' 22/1/02 : 2*500 New Skipper's Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) .. .. 16/9/02 4 781 New Trafalgar Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. .. 13/4/04 6*500 Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) .. I 26/3/98 24 000 Olrig Dredging Co. (Ltd.) 13/3/99 8! 955 Otago Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. .. 20/5/95 5 000 Ourawera Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) .. .. 23/5/95 3 000 Paricale Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ..! 7/9/06 2,550 Paterson's Freehold Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) .. 15/7/99 8 000 Phcenix Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. .. .. 27/9/02 1*500 Phoenix Water-race Co. (Ltd.), (Beg.) .. .. 12/10/67 1500 Punt Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ..10/11/04 3*000 Revival Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. .. 27/8/03 2 000 Rise and Shine Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ! 24/2/00 10.000 Rising Sun Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. ..16/2/01 8*000 River View Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. .. ! 27/4/06 2*.215 5,180 3,500 1,500 600 275 65 2,500 6,000 200 3,500 7,000 6,200 4,000 5,896 6,716 800 1,120 2,523 4,512 2,288 3,750 1,675 4,194 £ £ s. d. 5,180 10 0 3,500 10 0 1,500 10 0 720 0 16 8 600 1,150 0 10 0 1,200 24 2,500 10 0 6,000 12,000 10 0 200 1 0 0 1,500 5,000 10 0 7,000 7,000 10 0 800 7,000 10 0 80 50 0 0 5,896 10 0 2,300 9,625 18/6 & £1 2,000 2,800 10 0 725 1,845 1 0 0 2,600 10,400 0 8 0 1,000 5,512 10 0 2,000 5,000 0 15 3 3,750 7,500 0 10 0 1,770 4,240 10 0 4,793 0 17 6 £ 174 1,040 95 15 24 13 15 6 10 176 7 72 8 123 29 92 161 7 28 74 107 24 123 138 96 8 8 5 10 7 8 8 3 8 7 8 7 7 3 3 10 5 8 4 8 1 8 On. 496 2,579 4,462 3,237 10 802 12,143 320 5,727 2,458 9,846 2,145 9,360 3,554 745 5,819 6,354 3,504 2,600 £ 2,003 9,594 17,176 12,909 39 46'355 1,241 22,530 9,395 37,908 8,560 35,979 13,710 2,863 22,725 24 1988 13,487 9,989 924 13,216 17,384 12,061 147 345 3,905 24,877 1,784 3,132 9,357 2,784 10,911 40,521 15,964 4,169 • 17,088 1,906 20,754 14,535 10,933 1,218 10,717 £ 1,036 175 2,288 540 1,063 I 26,700 15,000 1,924 15,225 1,400 6,191 4,572 4'336 ' 8,268 2,750 2,052 £ 109 360 560 213 328 219 43 62 176 2 189 100 7 28 59 3 ".799 I I u!. 741 5,991 61 1,630 977 2,489 1,495 2,500 7,000 7,955 2,000 3,000 2,400 8,000 1,500 1,500 1,750 2,000 9,746 5,500 2,065 115 1,750 10 0 1,500 10 0 14,000 14,000 10 0 5,000 7,500 i 1 0 0 811 4,781 i £1 &10/ 2,000 6,500 10 0 17,000 24,000 10 0 1,000 8,955 £l&17/6 3,000 5,000 10 0 3,000 10 0 2,550 I 1 0 0 4,000 12,000 '10 0 30 ;50 0 0 1,000 ! 1 10 0 1,250 3,000 10 0 600 2,600 10 0 2,000 12,000 ; 1 0 0 2,500 8,000 !l00 I 2,215 J 1 0 0 6 11 136 I 37 35 125 ! • 170 27 110 57 ■ 70 66 17 14 32 15 18 30 18 178 77 27 7 1 20 8 6 9 58 7 14 11 3 17 7 1 9 8 19 11 7 1,724 588 6,214 7,988 787 1,715 15,734 5,448 15,060 8,747 I 6,986 2,207 24,044 31,045 3,003 6,722 59,831 21,193 58,192 34,743 8,236 3,466 24,889 16,021 6,153 11,709 47,551 23,822 48,923 25,665 2,578 43,971 11,881 1,008 10,441 9,008 50,511 18,769 5,554 3,500 17,241 975 20,484 4,173 13,500 12,415 7,200 3,300 7,706 I 650 3,-900 1,600 387 58 131 134 1 252 576 477 834 768 220 16 11 739 317 650 405 72 I • ■ 8,988 2,942 35'950 11,746 254 1,928 1,969 11,739 4,993 7,445 7,700 15,277 i9,226 50 !

C—3

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Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Mining Companies Acts, 1891, 1894, and 1900— continued.

Name of Company. *3sr su c™ Amount Value of Scrip mu—i. a * Number S& SI 8 S ta ™-can, - 1&t Sm? no Cash paid. allotted, per bnare. present. _1 f_| Number of Men Quantity and Value of Gold or I _ . , ,_ . , Silver produced since I Total Expendi- . Tot *' , Amount of Quantity. Value. J,tti<1 Company. Quantity. Value. Round Hill Mining Co. (Ltd.) Roxburgh Amalgamated Mining and Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Royal Waimumu Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Sailor's Bend Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Sailor's Gully (WaitahUna) Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Sandy Point Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Scandinavian Water-race Co. (Reg.) .. Shotover Consolidated Mining Co. (Ltd.) Smith Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Switzers Dredging Co. (Ltd.) Taieri Palls Electric Power Transmission Co. (Ltd.) Tallaburn Hydraulic Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Tamaiti Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.) Tinker's Gold mining Co. (Ltd.) Tuohy's Creek Dredging Co. (Ltd.) United M. and E. Water-race Co. (Reg.) Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) Waikaia Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Waikaia Kia Ora Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Waikaka Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Waikaka Queen Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Waikaka Syndicate (Ltd.) Waikaka United Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Waimumu Queen Gold-dredging Co. (Ltd.) Waipori Consolidated Gold Dredges (No Liability) Waitahuna Dredging Co. (Ltd.) .. '.. Waitahuna Hydraulic Sluicing Co. (Ltd.) , £ £ j 30/7/02 : 28,245 6,753 2/3/89 ' 29.153 ; 13,121 OTAGO DISTRICT (INCI £ I ! 21,492 5,649 15,000 29,152 j JUDING i £ s. d. 1 5 0 0 0 18 6 ■OUTHLAND)- £ i continue! 180 168 35 14 Oz. 24,475 22,613 £ 97,730 87,912 £ 107,251 79,299 £ 1,977 25,142 I 360 96 .. 6/10/00 5,500 5,330 ; 1/9/99 8,000 6,500 3/6/96 2,000 200 20/2/03 8,000 8,000 8/4/68 I 12,000 12,000 13/7/06 3,000 1,088 19/10/98 1,700 1,700 9/6/06 3,855 I 3,855 9/10/06 ' 4,000 351 ! 5,500 1,500 8,000 1,800 2,000 8,000 240 7,967 10,991 j 300 2,000 500 4,555 2,000 3,905 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 50 0 0 0 0 8 10 0; 10 0 0 6 0 41 175 ' 11 50 20 62 18 37 58 10 8 4 9 13 8 4 4,907 2,908 2,496 6,289 l^206 19,740 11,239 9,330 24,508 20,649 16,085 7,202 24,701 4,590 2,791 2,450 7,200 15,660 269 1,031 39 424 5,212 "il5 4,765 1,004 6,694 2,952 370 222 201 1,105 220 4 3/12/04 ! 1,200 1,200 I 17/8/05 : 3,000 2,250 10/6/02 15,000 15,000 24/7/05 , 840 : 788 23/4/72 ' 7,600 s 7,600 23/9/00 ' 6,000 6,000 20/10/03 3,500 J 1,750 10/7/03 5,000 J 9/5/00 4,900 ', 4,628 6/7/99 5,510 j 5,510 20/12/01 ; 7,000 3,000 11/2/99 4,700 4,700 21/6/99 5,200 ! 5,200 22/3/99 2,500 j 2,275 2/2/02 1,380 j 1,330 io/n/04 2,000 ; 1,200 — 12 ; 250 3,000 15,000 15,000 840 152 6,000 1,750 3,500 5,000 ; 1,000 6,500 I 6,560 4,000 7,000 6,500 11,200 1,800 7,000 225 2,500 1,380 2,000 ;ioo o o 10 0 10 0 £1 & 12/5: 50 0 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 0 12 0 7 16 14 25 7 13 34 15 59 103 21 30 79 7 22 8 7 5 8 8 9 7 9 7 8 8 16 16 7 7 6 853 166 3,568 233 13,973 2,601 1,831 4,688 4,638 7,158 13,035 5,131 3,858 605 1,035 3,284 641 13,732 900 53,866 7,249 10,826 7,255 18,922 18,922 28,539 51,813 19,896 14,891 2,330 3,988 3,583 3,127 13,764 1,673 61,142 6,318 11,602 8,045 19,253 23,229 24,069 56,080 23,538 15,752 3,986 4,067 1.380 125 7,125 1,050 2,075 750 4,029 1,397 7,000 19,040 3,675 2,000 1,001 1,025 255 71 1,256 812 300 182 352 95 52 220 181 338 125 " Totals 681,557 ,440,618 681,557 ; 440, 618 303,755 i 708,811 ! 303,755 708,811 2,498 7,371 996 617,000 2,405,135 2,042,327 735,622 735,622 35,694 Grand totals 1,748,842 850,574 554,529 7,287,183 11,499 18,297 1,846 914,936 3,932,224 3,394,793 1,324,424 64,894

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Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as defined by Section 2 of "The Mining Companies Acts Amendment Act, 1897," and published in accordance with "The Mining Companies Acts Amendment Act, 1897."

Name of Company. . Amount ! Amount uate i oi o Value of Scrip Number paid up Ke.gisna- Subscribed Capital given to Share- of Shares per '™ . Capital, actually holders on which on Colonial share: Office in paid up no Cash paid. Register. Colonial Colony. |in Colony. Register. Quantity and Value of Gold or i dumber Number of Silver produced since Total , t , Arrears ol Calls: of Share- Men Keaistration Total Expendi- Amount of Amcuntoi Colonial holders on employed ture since Dividends owing Register, j Colonial in Registration. paid in „ „ y Register. Colony. Quantity. Value. Colony. Company. AUCKLAND DI AUCKL ,AND DISTRICT. Arrindell Syndicate (Ltd.) New Zealand Crown Mines Co. (Ltd.) New Zealand Jubilee Gold Mines (Ltd.) Waihi Grand Junction Gold-mining Co. (Ltd.") .. £ £ £ £ s. d 10/12/03 10,000 .. 13,000 27/6/96 200,000i •• 200,000 60,301 1 0 0 16/11/00 31,2501 .. • .. .. I 22/12/97 278,500 5,334 .. 8,392 1 0 0 10/12/03 27/6/96 16/11/00 22/12/97 £ £ 10,000 200,000i ■• 31,2501 .. 278,500; 5,334 £ 13,000 200,000 60,301 £ s. d.l £ s. d. I 1 6' 0 '.'. 10 162 142 8 124 269 286 429 Oz. 46 244,318 £ 135 586,907 1,646 9,556 598,244 £ 6,000 558,511 37,183 231,018 £ l^224 £ 1,218 8,392 100 '.'■ ■• •■ 2^944 Totals I 519,750 5,334 ! 213,000 68,693 | I 68,693 244,364 812,712 1,224 519, 750! 5,334 213,000 ■-'I 4,162 OTAGO DISTRICT. Blue-pur and Gabriel's Consolidated Gold-min-ing Co. (Ltd.) 1/2/88 91,266 130,000 ! .. j 28 45,612 173,330 4,799 Totals 91,266 130,000 ; 28 ! 45,612 173,330 4,799 817,511 •• •• Grand Totals 198,693 i 286 457 1,224 : j 4,162 611,016 5,334 213,000 289,976 771,574

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.(y.) EXAMINATIONS UNDER " THE MINING ACT, 1905." Questions used in Examination of Mining Managers for First-class and Second-class Certificates. Subject A. — The Laying-out and Construction of Shafts, Chambers, Main Drives, Adits, Rises, Stopes, &c. 1. A lode outcrops as shown on section No. 1* ; the underlie is 20° to the west: place shaft in position to cut the lode at 400 ft. vertical below the outcrop, and show by calculation how you arrive at the result. 2. The quartz has to be conveyed to battery paddock shown on section, either by self-acting aerial tram or partly by aerial and partly otherwise : show how you would do it. Give length of aerial line, number of buckets, capactiy of each bucket, and the circumference of the best plough-steel wire rope, that you would use. 3. In stoping from level of shaft to outcrop, show how you would convey the quartz to paddock at the upper terminal of aerial tram. 4. The excavation for a shaft is as shown on sketch No. 2* : place your poppet-heads in position ; give height, dimensions, and description of timber you would use ; also show how (in this case) you could easily take the strain off the poppet-heads and insure perfect stability. 5. Are the terms " dip " and " underlie " synonymous ? If not, give your definition. Subject B. — On the Timbering of Shafts, Adits, Main Drives or levels, Passes, Stopes, and generally on the System of timbering Mines, and also in filing up Old Workings. 1. In very heavy ground it is found that the ordinary frame sets will not stand the pressure. The shaft is rectangular, with four compartments ; each compartment is 5 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 6 in. in the clear ; the size of shaft before being divided into compartments is 21 ft. by 5 ft. 6 in. ; frame sets are" 1 to be used : give sketch of shaft in plan, timbered complete, and describe fully how yon would fit the frames, and figure on plan the sizes of timbers. 2. In opening out from the shaft, give height of opening set (in the clear), and your reasons for length of legs. The crosscut to lode is in line with chamber : give length of chamber where the output is 100 tons in eight hours, and show by sketch how you connect with flat-sheets from a singe line of rails. Give longitudinal sketch of timbers in chamber to joining of timbers in crosscut, also lengths and sizes of each set of legs and caps, and description of timber you would use. 3. The crosscut to lode is through medium hard ground, but requires timbering : give sketch of sets, showing width and height in the clear for a single line of rails, also sizes and description of timbers. 4. The lode when touched is found to be 8 ft. in width : give sketch of the sets you would use, and figure lengths and sizes on sketch. The ground swells : show how you would sidelath. 5. If your sets were 4 ft. apart on the straight run, and the lode altered its course 40°, give plan showing the position in which you would place the sets getting round the curve, give the radius of curve you would use, and lengths on tangents. 6. An uprise of three compartments has to be constructed to the next level above, 150 ft. in height : give sizes of pass-logs and centres, and dimensions of each compartment; show where you would place the ladder-way, and give your reasons for doing so. 7. Show by sketch how you would timber stopes where the lode was 20 ft. wide, and also where the lode was 4 It. wide, the underlie in both cases being and to whatjieiglrtyou would stope before filling in. 8. What distance would you have the passes apart ? 9. What is the best grade where steel rails are used, and what should be the elevation of outer rail on a 30 ft. radius when the gauge is 20 in. ? 10. In timbering a level you find that by fitting the timbers in the ordinary way the sets will not resist the pressure : show a better style of fitting the same timbers so that the same pressure could be withstood. 11. Suppose you could not procure timbers of any kind when driving a level, your only material on the ground being iron or steel rails, show how you would thoroughly secure the ground as the work proceeded. 12. A black-birch cap is 3 ft. 6 in. between the legs : what must be the diameter of a cap of the same timber to resist the same pressure when the length between the legs is 7 ft. ?

* Note. —The sketches Nos. 1 and 2 are not reproduced here.

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Subject C.— The Ventilation of Mines and Composition of Gases. 1. What is meant by "ventilation" in mines 1 Why is it required '( How is it produced '{ Explain fully. 2. Give the symbols, specific gravity, and composition of gases met with in mines, and explain how the presence of these gases is detected. 3. If the workings in a mine contained 1,000,000 cubic feet of air, of which 5 per cent, was CO 2 , how much atmospheric air would be required to dilute the air in the mine to render it harmless to workmen ? 4. How can the presence of CO 2 be detected m a mine ? What is the lowest percentage that can be detected ? What effect has it on the workmen ? Explain fully. 5. How is natural ventilation effected, and also how is ventilation effected by mechanical means % 6. The openings into a mine are by two shafts, each having a cross-sectional area of 100 square feet; the air in the downcast shaft has a temperature of 60° Fahr., and the air in the upcast shaft has a temperature of 87° Fahr. : show by calculation the ventilating-power. Subject D. — Tapping Water in Mines, and. the Mode of constructing Dams in Underground Workings to keep the Water back. 1. In sinking a shaft, when at a depth of 100 ft. you encounter a layer of porous rock containing water ; the layer is 20 ft. thick : what steps would you take to prevent the water getting down the shaft as the sinking proceeds ? Describe fully. 2. It is desired to use an old crosscut (at a depth of 300 ft.) as a dam for collecting all the water from this level to the surface, and so to prevent the water getting down the shaft to the 1,000 ft. level ; the crosscut is 7 ft. by 5 ft. ; the water is to be dammed back to a height of 4 ft. : show how you would construct the breastwork ; and what material would you use ? 3. A dam is to be constructed in a crosscut to old workings ; the rock is solid ; the water wili rise 600 ft. above the dam :|give sketch of construction of dam, and show by calculation the total pressure on the structure ; give details, the material you would use, and why. 4. At 400 ft. in depth from collar of shaft a level was constructed on a down grade of 5-J in. per chain for a distance of 600 ft. ; the water was then allowed to accumulate antil it rose 40 ft. above the chamber ; at this stage a tannel driven from the opposite side of the hill (to meet the level from shaft) was 3,000 ft. in length, and (by survey) was found to be within 20 ft. of meeting : explain fully the steps you would now take to insure the perfect safety of the workmen when the connection was made. 5. A winze was sunk 100 ft. and timbered with black-birch ; it was then allowed to stand until the water rose to the top of winze ; ar uprise to connect with the bottom of the winze is withii 25 ft. : explain fully the precautions (if any) that you would now take to insure the safety of the workmen before you broke through to the bottom of the winze. Subject E. — Blasting, and the Use of Explosives. 1. Give relative strengths of blasting-gelatine, gelignite, rackarock, and dynamite, taking blastingpowder as TOO ; also give the composition of each. 2. Show by sketch how you would fire eight holes simultaneously with Bickford's igniter. 3. In case of a misfire, what time would you allow to elapse before going back, and what kind of pricker (if any) would you use ? 4. If a charge of blasting-gelatine requires ten ordinary plugs, how many plugs of gelignite would you use for the same charge ? 5. How do you fashion both ends of your scraper ? 6. Out of what material do you make your tamping-bar ? 7. When in a frozen condition, does blasting-gelatine become less powerful '( If not, would you use it without thawing ? If you thawed it, how would you do it ? 8. Give weight and composition of charges in Nobel's Nos. 3, 6, and 7 detonators respectively. 9. Suppose you charged three holes, one each with dynamite, gelignite, and blasting-gelatine, what number of the above detonators would you use for each ? 10. With what weight of blasting-gelatine would you charge a hole in medium-hard rock where the hole is 4 ft. 6 in. deep, and the line of least resistance is 2 ft. 9 in. ? Show how you arrive at it. Subject F.— A Knowledge of Arithmetic and the Method of keeping Mining Accounts. 1. Five samples were assayed from a quartz lode —namely, 2 ft. in width gave 16 dwt. 13 gr. of gokTto the ton ; 3 ft. gave 7 dwt. 23 gr. ; 4 ft. 9 in. gave 8 dwt. 4 gr. ; 1 ft. 7 in. gave 34 dwt. J gr. ; 2 ft. 6 in. gave 17 dwt. : show by calculation the average value of the cross-section of the lode where the samples were taken from, taking the value of the gold to be £3 13s. 4d. per ounce.

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2. The cost of sinking a shaft to the depth of 400 ft. in wet ground was £4,600 12s. 6d. ; the wages came to three-eighths of that amount; the pumping came to one-and-an-eighth times as much as the wages ; and the material came to one-quarter the cost of pumping : how much did each cost ? 3. If 24 men and 7 hoys got out 50 tons of ore in 8 hours, how much ore would 7 men and 3 hoys get out in the same time, allowing that each hoy did five-eighths of the work of each nun ? 4. Sixty miners were employed at the rate of 9s. per day of seven and a half hours, 14 truckers at the rate of 8s. a day of the same length, and 16 surfacemen at the rate of 8s. 6d. a day of 8 hours ; the miners worked 140J hours, the truckers 145 hours, the surfacemen worked 160J hours : make up 9 wages-sheet showing the amount due to each. 5. Extract the cube root of 0 - 0000O6357, and square the quotient.

Questions used in Examination of Mining Managers for First-class Certificates. Subject G.—A Knowledge of Part V of " The Mining Act, 1905." Oral. Subject H. — Pumping Appliances and the Drainage of Mines. 1. What is the simplest method of raising water from a shaft 1,200 ft. in depth, and making 1,000 gallons an hour ? 2. What is meant by " direct-driven reciprocating pumps," and what motive powers are applicable ? 3. Has compressed air any advantage over direct steam for driving underground pumps ? If so, give your reasons fully. 4. In applying hydraulic pressure to underground pumping-engines, give three ways of doing the work, and describe each way. 5. Under what conditions is it desirable to use centrifugal pumps ? What is the usual lift for this style of pump ? What effect would the compounding of ordinary centrifugal pumps have ? and to what head would they work efficiently ? 6. Give a sketch of a Cornish plunger pump in position, and describe the working-parts. 7. What do you consider the best system of pumping machinery for very heavy work from a deep shaft ? 8. What advantage has the Bull system over the Cornish % State fully, and give disadvantages (if any). Subject I.— The Haulage in Shafts and on Underground Planes; also the Strength of Haulage Ropes and Chains. 1. If 30 tons per hour had to be lifted from a perpendicular shaft 1,000 ft. in depth, with double cages, what effective horse-power would be required when weight of cage = J a ton, and truck = 5 cwt. ? Give number of trips ; circumference, weight, and description of rope that you would use ; and the time occupied in hauling, each trip. Show by calculation how you arrive at results. 2. What is the breaking-strain and safe working-load on a 3-in.-circumference patent ploughsteel wire crane-rope (plain) ? And give the breaking-strain of a galvanised improved steel-wire cranerope of the same circumference. 3. Give the rule for finding the breaking-strain on the best crane-chains, and the factor of safety. 4. Give a sketch of the best safety catch for a cage. How often would you test it, and how would you do it ? 5. What precautions would you take to insure the safety of the men in a case of overwinding ? 6. How does the engine-driver determine the position of the cages in the shaft ? 7. How often would yoix test the hauling-ropes, and how would you do it ? 8. If you wanted to be taken from No. 6 to No. 3 level, what knocks would you give ? Subject J. — The Effect that Faults, Slides, and Mullock-bars haw on Lodes, and how to ascertain the Direction of Slides and Heavals. 1. Give sketches of heaves, throws, and slides that have come under your own observation, and state the names of the mines. 2. Suppose you were driving a level on a lode 12 ft. in width, and the quartz suddenly cut off against a slide, what steps would you take to recover the lost lode ? Give sketches showing how you would proceed if you used the rule laid down by Schmidt and Zimmerman, and explain fully. 3. What is meant bv the term " a horse of mullock " ?

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Subject K. — A Knowledge of Underground Surveying, and of making Plans of Underground Working showing the Dip or Inclination and Strike of Reefs or Lodes.

A, corner of claim. A to B, 2° 10' rise. B to C, 4° 4' fall. otoD,2° 4' iall. D, shaft, 83 fb. deep. DtoE, 7° 12' rise. EtoF,4° 6' rise. Ato G, 16° 23' rise. The above diagram represents a mining survey of underground workings, and its connection with a corner of the claim. The surface traverse is shown by firm lines with distances in links; the underground by dotted lines with distances in feet. 1. What distance would have to be driven from F, and on what bearing, to reach the boundary of the claim at G ? (Maximum marks, 30.) 2. Compute the depth below the surface at Gof the bottom of the drive at F. (Maximum marks, 20.) 3. Explain how you would transfer the bearing of a surface traverse to an underground traverse, and also assure its accuracy throughout the latter, in a case of there being but one shaft. Maximum marks, 15.) 4. Make a rough sketch-plan of some underground workings (imaginary) illustrating the dip or inclination and strike of reefs or lodes. (Maximum marks, 20.) The candidate will be required to undergo an oral examination on the use and adjustment of the theodolite and other instruments used in mining surveys. (Maximum marks, 15.) Subject L. — A Knowledge of the Different Rocks where Gold, Silver, Tin, Copper, Zinc, Lead, and Antimony are found, and the Formation of Lodes and Leads. [Candidates need only answer three out of the five questions.] 1. Name the clref New Zealand localities in which gold, silver, and copper are found, in each case mentioning the mineral form in which the metal occurs, and the nature of the rock enclosing the deposit. 2. It is often stated that one kind of rock is more favourable to the occurrence of a certain metal (say, gold) than another : to what extent do you consider the statement true (a) generally speaking ; (b) as regards special localities — e.g., any mining district or districts known to you ?

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3. Describe the auriferous lodes of any district in New Zealand with which you are acquainted, paying attention to the following points : — (a.) Dimensions of lodes ; (&.) Dip and strike ; (c.) Enclosing-rock (country); (d.) Minerals associated with gold ; (c.) Distribution of gold in lodes (shoots, &c). 4. Give some account of the way in which payable deposits of auriferous gravels (alluvial gold) have been formed. Exemplify your remarks by reference to localities in New Zealand or elsewhere. 5. What is meant by " bedded veins," " fissure-veins," and " contact deposits " ? Give examples of each from New Zealand localities.

Questions used in Examination of Battery-superintendents for Certificates. Subject A.— The Different Modes of reducing and pulverising Ores. 1. State where and by whom you were employed. Give the dates you were actually employed in a quartz-crushing battery where bullion was recovered by cyanide-of-potassium treatment. Also state in what capacity you were employed. 2. Show by sketch in plan and section how you would construct a battery of thirty stamps, with rock-breaker, ore-bins, ore-feeders, amalgamating-tables, and concentrators. Show the relative position of each by giving all the dimensions on the sketch in figures. Also give the speed of the different machines, and their capacity. 3. If thirty heads of stamps require 60-horse power to drive them at the greatest speed with safety, and a Pelton wheel 6 ft. in diameter is required to drive the stamps under a head of 200 ft., over which 300 cubic feet of water was discharged per minute, the wheel giving 80 per cent, of the theoretical power of the water, and the stamps requiring 66 per cent, of the power given out by the Pelton wheel, what would be the weight, drop, and speed of the stamps, the number of revolutions of the Pelton wheel to give its maximum power, and also the diameter of a nozzle required to discharge 300 cubic feet of water on to the Pelton wheel ? Show by calculation how you arrive at the result. 4. If you required a compound steam-engine of 130 theoretical horse-power to drive the whole of the machinery in a crushing-battery, the initial pressure of steam in the high-pressure cylinder being 100 lb. per square inch, and the piston-speed of engine being 450 ft. per minute, show by calculation the diameter of the high- and low-pressure cylinders if steam were cut off the high-pressure cylinder at half-stroke. 5. How is the bullion recovered from the copper plates when the battery is working continuously ? How is it prepared for market ? Also, how do you ascertain its value % Subject B. — Amalgamating-machines. 1. State fully what descriptions of auriferous and argentiferous ores are best suited to amalgamation, and how amalgamation is produced. 2. Are there any auriferous or argentiferous ores from which in their natural state very little or none of the bullion can be recovered in amalgamating-machinos ? If so, give a full description of the ores, and the reason why the bullion they contain cannot be successfully recovered by amalgamation. 3. Describe the action of the McKay and the Watson-Denny amalgamating-pans, their capacity, the horse-power required to work them, the number of revolutions they require to be driven per minute, aitd how the bullion is recovered from them. 4. What effect has heat on amalgamation ? How is heat applied to amalgamating-machines ? and at what temperature is it so applied ? Give reasons for your answers. Subject C.— The Use of Quicksilver, and Methods of using it in connection with the Extraction of Gold and Silver from Ores. 1. How do you know when quicksilver is sickened and unfit for amalgamation ? What remedy wou'd you apply to sickened mercury ? and state fully what causes mercury to be sickened. 2. What quantity of quicksilver would you use in a Watson-Denny amalgamating-pan ? How is the quicksilver drawn off ? and how do you separate the quicksilver from the bullion ? 3. How do you prepare copper plates for amalgamation ? How are the copper plates laid down ? Give the width and gradient of amalgamating-tables, and the position and use of amalgam-traps. 4. How is the bullion recovered from copper plates when is working continuously ? How is it prepared to be fit for market ? Subject D.— Cyanide, Chlorination, and other Chemical Processes of recovering Gold and Silver from Ores. 1. Describe the class of ore most suitable for treatment with KCN solutions. 2. State fully how you ascertain the strength of KCN solutions most suitable for the ore you have to treat. 3. What effect, if any, have KCN solutions on raw concentrated ores ? Give reasons fully for your answer.

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4. Describe how you would make up KCN solutions, and how you ascertain their strength by tests. 5. If you make up 40 tons of o'ls per cent. KCN solution by using 30 tons of a sump solution containing 004 per cent. KCN solution, how many pounds of crude cyanide, containing 75 per cent. KCN, would be required ? 6. How many tons of a 12-per-cent. KCN solution would be required to make up 195 tons of o'2-per-cpnt. KCN solution by using a sump solution containing 003 per cent, of KCN ? 7. How many pounds of crude cyanide, containing 70 per cent. KCN, would be required to make up 100 tons of 0 - 15-per-crait. KCN solution by using a sump solution containing 0 - 02 KCN ? 8. Describe how KCN solutions are applied to auriferous ores ; how the vats are filled and emptied ; how the solutions are drawn off. How do you know when the ore is properly treated ? What effect have KCN solutions on argentiferous ores when in a raw state ? How could argentiferous ores be treated by KCN solutions to give a large percentage of the bullion ? 9. Show by calculation the contents of a vat 35 ft. in diameter and 8 ft. 9 in. deep. How many tons of ore would it hold if it were filled to a depth of 6 ft., allowing 21 cubic feet to a ton ? What depth of solution in the vat would be required if you had half a ton of solution to every ton of ore ? 10. Describe fully how you would treat slimes by KCN solutions in the event of the solution not percolating through the ore. 11. What remedy would you apply if any of the workmen showed signs of KCN poisoning ? 12. How are electric currents applied to the precipitation of gold from KCN solutions ? 13. How is gold obtained from chloride-solutions ? Also, how is the bullion recovered from KCN solutions and made into a marketable state ? Subject E. — Sampling and Testing of Ores. 1. Describe the method you would adopt in taking a sample for assay from fifty truck-loads of quartz as it comes from the mine. 2. Carefully describe the fire assay of a sample of quartz for gold and silver. What modifications would you introduce in the process if the sample consisted largely of (a) haematite, (b) iron-pyrites ? 3. How would you determine the percentage of tungsten in a sample of scheelite ? 4. Describe exactly how you would determine the presence of the various elements in a sample of rock containing sulphides of lead, zinc, arsenic, and iron. Subject F.— A Knowledge of Arithmetic and the Method of keeping Battery Accounts 1. A cone having a base of 12 ft. contained 500 tons of gold : taking the specific gravity of gold to be 1925, what would be the height of the cone ? 2. A certain piece of work took 11 men and 5 boys 48 hours to accomplish : how long would it take 3 men and 9 boys to do the same work, each boy to do £ of a man's work ? 3. A crushing-battery of twenty heads of stamps, having a cyanide plant, concentrators, and rock-breaker, cost £1,500; the battery cost twice as much as the cyanide plant; the concentrators cost one-third of the cyanide plant; the rock-breaker cost one-fifth of the concentrators : how much did each cost ? 4. Divide 00000568 by -0457, and extract the cube root of the quotienb. Subject G.—A Knowledge of [Part V of " The Mining Act, 1905." Oral.

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LIST OF MINE-MANAGERS AND BATTERY-SUPERINTENDENTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED CERTIFICATES UNDER THE MINING ACTS. THE MINING ACT. First-class Service Certificates. Issued under " The Mining Act, 1886," without Examination. Adams, H. H., Waiorongomai. Greenish, J., Beefton. 'Nasmyth, T., Reefton. •Anderson, P., Thames. *Greenville, W., Ohinemuri. Newman, W., Naseby. •Andrews, R., Coromandel. 'Hall, J. P. Northey, J., Thames. Andrews, T., Thames. 'Hansen, P. 0., Thames. •O'Sullivan, D. E., Thames. Barclay, T. H., Thames. Harris, J., Owen's Reefs. Polton, A., Karangahake. Bennett, J., Alexandra. ' Harrison, R. H., Coromandel. Porter, J., Waipori. Benney, J., Coromandel. "Hicks, T. 8., Thames. Purvis, G., Ross. Black, T., Waiomo. Hilton, G. P., Bendigo. Quinn, E., Te Aroha. Bollersley, N., Boatman's. 'Hodge, P., Coromandel. Radford, T., Thames. Bradbury, M., Reefton. Hollis, W., Thames. Ralph, J. G., Thames. Bray, John, Lyell. Hunter, R., Thames. Ranger, J., Reefton. Burch, W. H., Thames. James, P., Thames. Rasmussen, C. L., Mokihinui. Byrne, J. P., Stafford. Jamieson, A., Coromandel. Rasmussen, C. P., Mokihinui. Cameron, A., Macetown. Jenkins, M., Wakatipu. Reid, P., Coromandel. •Cameron, E., Te Aroha. Johnstone, H., Bluespur. Resta, L., Macetown. Chapman, J. A., Dunedin. Julian, J., Boatman's. Roberts, E., Ross. Clarke, G. S., Thames. Kelly, J., Lyell. Rooney, P., Reefton. •Comer, R., Thames. Kerr, J., Thames. Scott, T., Waiorongomai. Conradson, M., Lyell. Lawn, E., Black's Point. Searight, A., Reefton. •Corin, W., Thames. 'Lawn, H., Boatman's. *Senior, J., Thames. Comes, C. A., Karangahake. Lawn, J., Reefton. Smith, J. E., Thames. Coutts, J., Thames. *Littlejohn, W., Karangahake. Stone, P., Karangahake. Crawford, T. H., Thames. *Lowe, E. W., Thames. Steedman, J. 8., Thames. Crowley, C, Reefton. Malfroy, J. M. C, Ross. Sturm, A., Waipori. Cummings, W., Reefton. Martin, W. G., Thames. Taylor N., Thames. Davis, J. E., Queenstown. McCallum, J., Reefton. Todd, C, Heriot. •Davey, C, Ross. McCullough, R., Thames. Treloer, J. S., Reefton. •Donald, J., Cromwell. McGruer, G. N., Karangahake. Tripp, R. S., Arrowtown. •Dryden, S., Thames. 'Mcllhaney, J., Thames. Vivian, J. G., Thames. Dunlop, T. A., Thames. Melntosh, D., Bluespur. Vivian, S., Reefton. Edwards, J., Skipper's. McKay, J., Ross. *Waite, C. D., Thames. Elliott, J., Macetown. McKenney, J., Reefton. "Waite, E., Thames. •Evans, P., Skipper's. MeKenzie, W., Thames. Walker, J. W., Thames. Evans, J. H., Skipper's. 'McLeod, G., Coromandel. Watson, T., Reefton. •Pitzmaurice, R., Reefton. McLiver, P., Thames. Wearne, J. E., Endeavour Inlet. Prewen, J. 8., Queenstown. 'McLiver, H., Thames. Wearne, T., Endeavour Inlet. Gavin, T., Te Aroha. McMaster, J., Reefton. *Wiloox, J., Thames. Gilbert, J., Reefton. Moore, H. W., Thames. Williams, J., Skipper's. Gilmour, T., Thames. *Moore, J. H., Thames. Wright, G., Boatman's. Giles, G. P., West Wanganui. Morgan, R., Otago. Wylie, W., Ross. Glass, W. M., Naseby. Morrisby, A. A., Glenorchy. Young, G., Skipper's. Goldsworthy, J., Waiorongomai. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued after Examination, under " The Mining Act, 1886," and Amendment Acts. Adams, 8., Thames. Crawford, J. J., Thames. Hosking, G. P., Auckland. Baker, W., Thames. Cummings, W., Reefton. Kruizenza, W., Reefton. Black, G., Reefton. Donaldson, W., Otago. Lawn, T., Reefton. ♦Caples, P. Q., Reefton. Fleming, M., Thames. Logan, H. P., Wellington. •Carter, J., Thames. Gardner, W. P., Reefton. Mangan, T., Thames. "Casley, G., Reefton. Harris, W., Thames. Mouat, W. G., Dunedin. Cochrane, D. L., Reefton. Horn, G. W., Thames. *Truscott, G., Thames. Colebrook, J. D., Coromandel. Home, W., Coromandel. Watkins, W. E., Reefton. Coombe, J., Reefton. ■ Hornick, M., Thames. Wilkie, J., Reefton. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued on Production of Certificate from a Recognised Authority outside the Colony, under " The Mining Act, 1886," " The Mining Act, 1891," and " The Mining Act, 1898." Argall, W. H., Coromandel. Griffiths, A. P., Auckland. Molineaux, H. S., Gore. Beckwith, L. H., Wellington. Griffiths, H. P., Auckland. Rich, P. A., Auckland. Dataon, J., Manaia. Hailey, R. C, Dunedin. Williams, W. H., Auckland. Dodd, William Milton. McKenna, Thomas, Dunedin. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued after Examination, under " The Mining Act, 1891." Agnew, J. A., Thames. 'Hughes, D., Thames. Prince, P. H., Reefton. Annear, William, Reefton. James, T., Thames. Robertson, D. 8., Stafford. Arcott, R., Waihi. Keam, P. E., Thames. Ross, Richard, Thames. Bennett, E. P., Thames. Lane, J., Reefton. Russell, Murray, Dunedin. Boydell, H. C, Coromandel. Lawn, C. H., Capleston. Shepherd, H. P., Thames. Bradley, R. J. H., Te Puke. Linck, P. W., Thames. Stanford, W. J., Macetown. Bray, E., Reefton. Marshall, P., Reefton. Steedman, J. G., Thames. •Bruce, Malcolm, Thames. Morrison, R., Thames. Sutherland, Benjamin, Reefton. Carroll, J., Lyell. McDermott, J., Thames. Tierney, R., Thames. Cartwright, E., Thames. McDermott, G., Thames. Vialoux, P., Coromandel. Crabb, J., Reefton. McDermott, W., Thames. Warne, George, Thames. •Dobso'n, J. A., Auckland. McGregor, W. T., Thames. Waters, D. 8., Skipper's. Evans, H. A., Wellington. McKenzie, H. J., Coromandel. Watt, J., Thames. Fahey, P., Reefton. McPeake, J., Thames. White, G. H., Thames. Plannigan, Francis, Reefton. O'Keeffe, M. D., Thames. Whitley, A., Thames. Gilmour, J. L., Thames. Paul, Matthew, Thames. Williams, C, Capleston. Hodge, J. H., Thames. Paltridge, Henry, Thames.

' Deceased since issue of certificate.

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First-class Service Certificates as Mine-manaofrs— continued. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued after Examination, under "The Mining Act, 1898." Allen, Henry, Waihi. George, M. T., Waihi. Morrison, Wil iam, Waihi. Barker, 8., Thames. Goldsworthy, C., Karangahake. Moye, Michael, Reefton. Bennie, Boyd, Waihi. Goldswonhy, W., Coromandel. Oats, Jotin, Blank's Point, Reefton. Bishop, Thomas Otto, Skippers, Otago. Gordon, J. A., Thames. O'Sullivan, J. W., Thames, Blenkhorn, 0., Coromandel. Grayden, P., Thames. Rabe, John, Thames. Bolitho, Joseph, Reefton. Greening, W., Karangahake. Rimmer, J. C, Helensville. Bower, J. W., Coromandel. Hitchcock, W. E., Barewood. Ridden, John, Reefton. Buddie, Frank, Coromandel. Hooker, John, Coromandel. Saunders, W. H., Reefton. Bull, C. W., Waihi. Irwin, Samuel, Waihi. Sheehan, D., Karangahake. Caisley, John, Karangahake, Jackson, G. T., Waihi. Stewart, F., Waihi. Carroll, A. M., Reefton. Johnson, J. H., Coromandel. Thomson, Thomas, Waihi. Corroll, John, Kuaotunu. Langford, G. S., Waihi. Thome, G. M., Waihi. Carter, R. P., Waihi. Lawn, Nicholas, Reefton. Tucker, E. S., Corrmnndel. Clouston, R. E., Kaitangata. Lewis, Ralph Reginald, Waihi. Turnbull, E. V., Coromandel. Cooper, J. H., Thames. Mackie, Portland Geo. Alex., Wftihi. Turner, C. E., Murchison. Cooper, Tbornhill, Waihi. McConachie, W., jun., Waihi. Watson, J. L., Thames. Cordes, F. M., Karangahake. MacDufi, R. B , Thames. Webber, J. H. A., Reefton. Comes, J. G., Waihi. McGruer, A., Karangahake. Weir, Thomas, Waihi. Daley, John William, Waihi. MacLaren, J. A. J., Coromandel. Whyte, N. McG. H., Waihi. Docherty, W. H., Coromandel. McMahon, J. H., Reefton. Williams, C, Thames. Ellery, John, Reeftoa. McMahon, T., Reefion. Wilson, A'lau, Thames. Evered, N. J., Waihi. Mitchell, William J., Barewood. Wood, P. H., Reefton. Fry, S., Waimangaroa. Morgan, William, Waihi. Wotherspoon, James, Waihi. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued under Section 313 of " The Mining Act, 1891." Edwards, George, Westport. Rickard, John, Thames. Trelease, J. H., Thames. Hornibrooke, H. P., Coromandel. Snow, Thomas, Huntly. ■ Williams, John, Kuaotunu. Martin, James, Reefton. Thomas, James, Thames. White, John S., Karangahake. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates of Competency, granted to Holders of Provisional Warrants under Sec tion 32 of " The Mining Act Amendment Act, 1896." Alexander, Thomas, Deep Creek. Harvey, A. G., Coromandel. Moorecraft, Walter, Coromandel. Argall, A. E., Coromandel. 'Howard, Samuel, Karangahake. Morgan, William, Owharoa. Battens, H., Coromandel. James, Robert, Thames. Moyle, Thomas, Thames. ♦ Begley, Thomas, Reefton. Jamieson, John, Reefton. Patton, William, Macetown. Bennett, Charles Henry, Kuaotunu. Johns, Thomas, Waihi. Pearce, Francis, Reefton. Bunney, Joseph, Waihi. Kennerley, W. H., Thames. Potter, William H., Thames. Campbell, Alexander, Cullensville. Langford, James, Coromandel. *Rn,be, Henry, Karaka. Carlyon, Samuel, Coromandel. McCombie, John, Karangahake. Rillstone, Charles, Waipori. Comes, C. A., jun., Karangahake. Mac Donald, H., Coromandel. Somervell, John, Thames. Daldy; Edward Arthur, Coromandel. McEnteer, James, Tararu. Stackpole, Robert, jun., Karangahake. Draffin, Samuel, Waitekauri. McFarlane, Charles M., Tokatea. Thomas, Archelaus, Tapu, Thames. Farmer, C. S., Waitekauri. McLean, Benjamin J., Waitekauri. Turnbull, Thomas A., Whangamata. Goldsworthy, Thomas, Tokatea. McLean, Charles, Thames. *Willets, Henry, Thames. Goldsworthy, William, Karangahake. McLean, James, Tararu, Thames. 'Wilson, James R. S., Kuaotunu. Govan, Joseph, Thames. Meehan, James, Westport. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued to Inspectors of Mines, by virtue of Office under the Mining Acts, 1886, 1891, and 1898. Binns, G. J., Dunedin. *Gow, J., Dunedin. McLaren, J. M., Thames. Cochrane, N. D., Westport. Green, E. R., Dunedin. Tennent, R., Westport. Gordon, H. A., Wellington. Hayes, J., Dunedin. 'Wilson, G., Thames. Skcond-class Service Certificates as Mine-managers. Issued under " The Mining Act, 1891." Adams, W. J., Thames. Gill, George, Thames. McCombie, John, Karangahake. Agnew, J. A., Coromandel. Glasgow, T. M., Thames. 'McCormick, Charles, Coromandel. Allen, Richard, Reefton. Goldsworthy, Henry, Thames. McEwen, James, Reefton. Argall, A. E., Coromandel. Goldsworthy, William, Mauku, Auck- McLean, James, Thames. Beard, W. T., Reefton. land. McLean, Alex., Coromandel. Begley, Thomas, Reefton. Govan, Joseph, Thames. McLean, Charles, Thames. Bennett, C. H., Coromandel. Gribble, James, Norsewood. McNeill, Daniel, Thames. Blair, Thomas, Kuaotunu. 'Griffin, Patrick, Thames. McNeill, George, Upper Kuaotunu. Bolitho, James, Reefton. Grimmond, Joseph, Ross. McLoghry, Archibald, Karangahake. Bone, William, Reefton. Guthrie, John, Wellington. McQuillan, John, Reefton. Borlase, J. H., Capleston. 'Guy, Robert, Kuaotunu. Meagher, John, Karangahake. ♦ Bowler, John, Thames. Hardman, James Edward, Thames. 'Mills, George, Thames. Bray, Edwin, Reefton. 'Harris, R., Thames. Milne, John, Thames. Bremner, John, Coromandel. Harvey, William, Reefton. Morgan, William, Upper Thames. Brokenshire, James, Thames. Hetherington, William, Thames. Moorecroft, Thomas, Thames. Brown, John, Macrae's. 'Hicks, W., Thames. Moyle, Thomas, Thames. Brownlee, Thomas James, Thames. Hill, Alex. Grey, Waikakaho. Naysmith, James, Reefton. Bunny, Joseph, Thames. Hollis, Fred. J., Waihi. Newdick, Alfred, Thames. Byrne, John, Karangahake. Hore, John, Wellington. Notman, Alexander, Reefto n. Cairo , , Alexander McNeil, Reefton. Hornibrook, H. P., Kuaotunu. O'Keefe, M. W. D., Thames. ♦ Campbell, J., Kuaotunu. Jamieson, John, Reefton. Page, John, Lyell. ♦ Climo, Noah, Coromandel. Jobe, James, Thames. Parkiss, Jos. W., Reefton. Comer, W. W., Thames. Johns, Thomas, Thames. Peebles, Alexander, Kuaotunu. Comer, George, Thames. Johnstone, William, Collingwood. Pettigrew, Robert, Sydney. Corbett, T., Paeroa. Kendall, Henry, Thames. "Pbillips, W. H., Thames. ♦ Cowan, Hugh, Kuaotunu. Kerr, George, Kamo. "Pollock, John, Thames. Crabb, Thomas, Reefton. Kirker, Thomas, Thames. Potts, W. H., Thames. Daniel, P. F., Greymouth. Laughlin, David, Thames. Primrose, J., Kuaotunu. Dobson, John Allen, Kuaotunu. Law, John, Thames. *Rabe, Henry, Thames. Edwards, George, Westport. 'Lough, H , Thames. Radford, Thomas, Thames. Ellery, John, Reefton. Loughlin, S., Thames. Reid, Thomas Groat, Thames. Flannigan, Francis, Reefton. Mackay, William, Nenthorn. Rickard, John, Thames. Foster, Thomas, Wellington. Martin, David, Black's Point. Richards, A. H., Kuaotunu. ♦ Gale, C. W., Coromandel. Martin, James, Reefton. Rogers, Charles Henry, Reefton. Gemmings, Charles, Thames. Mayn, John, Coromandel. Rogers, William Henry, Kumara.

* Deceased since issue of certificate.

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128

Second-class Service Certificates as Mine-managers— continued. Issued under " The Mining Act, 1891 " —continued. Boss, J., Thames. Tregellas, James, Reefton. *Wilson, James R. S., Kuaotunu. •Rowe, James, Thames. Tregoweth, William, Thames. Wilsnn, J. G., Thames. Shaw, James, Karangahake. Wells, Charles Lewis, Thames. Whisker, Charles. Thames. Sligo, Alex., Nenthorn. Willets, Henry, Thames. White, John S., Karangahake. Thomas, James, Thames. Williams, James, Thames. Woodcock. James, Thames. Thomas, A., Thames. Williams, John, Thames. Worth, Robert, Waihi. Thomson, John, Dunedin. Second-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued after Examination, under " The Mining Act, 1891." Benney, J., fnn., Paeroa. Evans, H. A., Skipper's. McNeil, A. H., Coromandel. Christie, William, Waitekauri. "Gatland, V. V., Coromandel. White, P. H., Kuaotunu. Draffin, S., Waitekauri. Mathewson, A., Hyde. White, G. H., Thames. Dunkin, T., Coromandel. Second-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued after Examination, under "The Mining Act, 1898." Bennie, Boyd, Coromandel. "Cahill, T. M., Upper Kuaotunu. Carroll, John, Upper Kuaotunu. Second-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued under Section 313 of " The Mining Act, 1891." Connon, William, Thames. Edwards, E., Coromandel. McCormick, W. J., Waitekauri. Coran, Henry, Thames. Kelso, Archibald, Coromandel. Second-class Mine-managers' Certificates of Competency granted to Holders of Provisional Warrants under Section 3H of " The Mining Act Amendment Act, 1896." Allen, W. J., Coromandel. Gardner, James, Waimangaroa. Martin, William, Tararu, Thames. Barney, Montague T., Waitekauri. Howe, Albion S., Waitekauri. Murphy, Joseph, Coromandel. Brownlee. Henry, Thames. Johnson, Frank H., Collingwood. O'Brien, John, Westport. Collins, Charles, Waitekauri. Kirwan, William, Reefton. Prescott, Arthur J., Coromandel. Curtis, Charles, Taylorville. McDonald, John. Tairua. Radford, Samuel, Waihi. Davis, James, Coromandel. Mclnnes, John, Puriri. Ruffin, Richard, Manaia, Coromandel. Battehy-scperintendents' Certificates. Issued under " The Mining Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1894," without undergoing Examination. Adams, H. H., Waihi. Hope, John S., Waitekauri. Napier, James, Karangahake. Aitken, R. M., Reefton. Hutchison. William, Karangahake. Noble, James R., Karangahake. Banks, Edwin Gripper, Waihi. Margetts, Frederick Ernest, Kuao- Park, James, Thames. Barry, Hubert Percy, Waihi. tunu. Shepherd. Henry Franklin, Waihi. Goldswoithy, Henry, Kuaotunu. McKenna, T. N., Tarnru. Sims. C. P., Tararu. Goldsworthv, John, Kuaotunu. Mcl,ellan, William, Waitekauri. Walker, James A., Kuaotunu. Greenwav, H. Howard, Auckland. Mellett, Richard Sheridan, Waite- Wilson, Arthur E., Waihi. Heard, G. St. Clair, Waihi. kauri. Wilson, James Kitchener, Auckland. Sattery-superintendents' Certificates, issued after Examination, under "The Mining Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1894." Adams. A. A., Thames. Doveton, G. D., Thames. McMicken, S. D., Thames. Allen, P. 8., Thames. Fleming, G. C. S., Thames. Morgan, P. G., Thames. Allom, H. 0., Thames. Fuler, J. P., Knaotunu. Morrin, W. S., Thames. Ansley, Comyn, Paeroa. Gray, J. W., Waihi. Noakes, H. L., Waihi. Ansley, Walter, Thames. Hayward, F. W., Komata. Raithby, R. W., Heefton. Banks, J. H., Waihi. Horn, G. W., Kuaotunu. Robinson, J. R., Waitekauri. Bowirs, W., Thames. Jackson, J. H., Paeroa. Stafford, B. H., Waihi. Brown, A. E., Thames. Jones, Achison, Waihi. Taylor, C. H., Tararu. •Carter, Samuel, Thames. Kidd, F. D.. Thames. Thorpe, A. H., Thames. Clarke, J. L., Thames. Laurie, D. 8., Kurangahak Vercoe, R. 8., Tnamee. Clarke, R., Waitekauri. Lee, J. W., Reefton. Wingate, H. M.. Maratoto. Clarke! W. J., Waihi. Maedonald, W., Waihi. Winslow, G., Thames. Day, A. T, Thames. McKeiizie, H. J., Thames. Williams, A. G. R., Thames. Dixon, Clement, Waihi. Battery-superintendents' Certificates, issued after Examination, under the Mining Acts, IH9B and 1905. Adams, J. H, Coromandel. Carter, S., Waihi. Gow, E. A., Crushington. Adams, Ri' hard W., Tararu, Thames. Carroll, John. Kuaotunu. Grayden, J , Waitekauri. Adams, J. H., Thames. Chappell, G. A., Karangahake. Grajden, Pet' r, Thames. Airey, Hubert, Karangahake. Clark, John L., Waihi. Gnimitt, P. H., Thames. Aitken, Alexan er Hugh, Waihi. Clarke, Thomas, Waihi. Gwilliam, Ben., Kaiangahake. Allen, D. V., Thames. Coote, J. M., Ti ames. Halliwe I, L. V., Karangahake. Allen, H. E., Wellington. Corbett, G. L., Waitekauri. Hargraves, E. P., Waihi. Anderson, David, Wa'hi. Couper, J., Thames. Hay, Adam, Karangahake. Auld, J. 8., Crushington. Cowles, R. X., Crusbington. Hazard, T. R. C, Waitekauri. Baker, W. H., Thames. Crompton, H., Maratoto. Hi'chcnck, W. E., B^rewood. Bmk?', C. A., Waihi. Croucher, Herbert, Waihi. Hogg, 8., Kar<uigar>ake. Binks, E. J., Thame*. Dawson, 8., Elh rslie. Hogg, T. R., Karangahake. Barrance, K. McK., Karangahake. Donnelly, Thomas, Waihi. Horn, G. W., Kuaotunu. Barrett, J. J., Karangahake. Donovan, Willie, Waikmo. Hutchison, R. M., Karangahake. Barron, Wm. E., Waikmj. Draffia, Eugene, Kuaoiunu. Edward, Waihi. Baskett, E. G., Karangahake. Ea'on - Turner, Geoffrey William, Joms, R. D., Karangahake, Bidlake, A. E., Waiomo. Waihi. Kidd, R. 8., Wnitekauri. Bird, A. W., Tnames. Ellis, L. L., Waitekauri. Kingsfcd, A., Karnng^hake. Bishop, T. 0., Reefion. Emp«on, J. 8., Karangahake. Langfo d, G S., Waikino. Blackaider, Wm., Crushington. Evan", G. C, Waibi. Launder, G. H., Wai ekauri. Bradley, R. J. H., Karangahake. Evanß, J., Waihi. Lawless, L. J , Patroa. Browne, E.. Waitekauri. Evans, W. 8., Reefton. Littiej.hn, W. D , Kirangahake. Brown, F. M., Karangahake. Ewen, H. F., Auckland. Lovelock, J. E., Crushington. Brown, J. E., Komata. Fletcher, H T., Katikati. Mackay, John, Crut-bington. Burns, William, Waiomo. Fraser, J. M., R>ef on. Matheson, Alex. M., Barewood. Bush, E. F., Parawai. Fuller, John P., Kuaotunu. A., Reefion. Bush, George Arthur, Karangahake. F>fe, A., Dunedm. MiEwin, J. A., Reefton. Bush, H. R., Thames. Gardner, E. A., Reef'on. McKinlay, John, Waihi. Campbell, C >lin. Thames. Gibeon, Wi liam, Waihi. McNeil, A. R., Karangahake. Carpenter, W. E., Karangahake. Gilpin, J., Waihi. Montgomery, A. E., Opitonui.

* Deceased eince issue of certificate.

129

C—3.

Battery-superintendents Certificates— continued. Issued after Examination, under the Mining Acts, 1898 and 1905— continued. Morgan, Robert James, Waihi. Royse, W. G., R»etton. Ulrieh, Hersta.ll, Whangapoua. Motherwell, Win., Waihi. Smford, A. G., Waihi. Walker, Al'red James Dickson, Waihi. Moyle, W. T., Upper Tairua. Sbaw, D. S , Wa'kino. Waters, D. 8., Waihi. Orbell, G. S., Waikouaiti. Stiaw, L. J., Waikino. Walson, A. 8., Waitekauri. Paltridge, P., Thames. Stephens, H., Dunedin. Watson, A. P., Crushington. Pond, H. C, Auckland. Sutherland, J. A., Reefton. Watson, J. R., R :efton. Porteou-<, J., Crushington. Thomson, G. W., Bendigo. Watson, J. P., Raefton. Quick, J. N., Thames. Thurlow, J. R,, Goromatidel. White, A. S. H., Karangahako. Reid, J. E., Greit Barrier. Tomlinson, A., Karangahako. William*, A. G., Waihi. Reynolds, K. A., Auckland. Tomlins in, David Mitchell, Barewood. Williams, Jamis, Reefton. RobertH, H. C, Waihi. Tomlinson, W. F., Dnriedin. Williams, William Eustace, Waihi. Rodden, Win,, Lyell. Turnbull, E. V., Waihi. Wilson, A. P., Cfushington. Rosewarne, R. H., Thames. Ulrieh, G. A. C., Komata. Dredgemasters' Certificates, without Examination, issued under " The Mining Act, 1898," and Amendment Acts, 1901 and 1903. Allen, Chas., Alexandra. Hewitt. James, Clyde. D., Waiau. Anderson, Ij. C, Alexandra. Hogg, Thos., Cromwell. Olsen, Cnas., R .xburgh. Andrews, Riilph, Ganvastown. Hoskms, Thos., Maori Point. Parsons, J. D., jun., Clyde. Baker, J. U., Alexandra. Hoy, Samuel, Alexandra. Percy, John, Clyde. Ballantyne, D., Miller's Flat. Inwood, W. J., Hocklands Beach. Perkins, A. C., Dunedin. Barnes, T. J., Beaumont. Johnston, E. A., Alexandra. Petiigrew, Geo., Nelson Greek. Barry, Thos., Clyde. Johnstone, Alexander, Cromwell. Poulter, G. W., Alexandra. Bradley, Neil, Alexandra. Keen, Thos., Clyde. Pringle, John, Miller's Flat. Bennett, Geo., Gore. Kennedy, Angus, Alexandra. Ray, J. C, TotaraFlat. Bennett, James, Kumara. Kitto, Ed. T., Miller's Fiat. Raeder, Philip, Bald Hill Flat. Blue, G. P., Alexandra. Kitto, Francis, Lowburn, Reunie, Andrew, Roxburgh. Brand, Peter, Waikaka. Kitto, Jno. F., Miller's Flat. Ross, Alexander, Cromwell. Brernan, Philip, Palmerston S. Kitto, W. H., Cromwell. Robk, Robert, Alexandra. Bremner, A. P., Lower Sliotover. Kloogh, N. P., Lowburn Ferry. Richmond, J., Gi'ibston. Brice, Wm. H., Cromwell. Lawson, Ed., Dunedin. Ritchie, J. S., Waitiri. Bringans, D., Alexandra. Ledingham, J., Bannockburn. H. P., Clyde. Brown, T. G., Ahanra. Lee, George, Gollingwood. Sanders, John, Cromwell. Bunting, James, Murchison. *Lidieoat, R. H., Fern Flat. Sandeis, Thos.. Alexandra. Busbridge, P., Gore. Louden, Alexander, Clyde. Schaumann, H., Alexandra. Butler, Ewen, Roxburgh. Luke, S. J., Alexandra. Scott, M. G., Alexandra. Butler, M. J., Kanieri. Magnus, A., Roxburgh. Scott, Robert, Capleston. Cameron, Saml., Alexandra. Magnus, Olaf, Box 130 a, Cbristchurch. Sboro, T. M., Queeustown. Clarke, Ed., Port Chalmers. Midler, John, Stillwaier. Shore, Win., Gore. Compion, Albert, Dobson. Maitland, A. E., Miller's Flat. Simonsen, Chas., Alexandra. Coimack, W., Greymouth. Maxwell, John, Dunedin. Skilton, A. G., Old Diggings. Cornish, J. T., Miller's Flat. McClure, F. C. Ronsahere. 8 igo, N. X., Aliaura. Coutts, Henry, Miller's Flat. MuConneil, J., Cromwell. Smeaton, S. H., Inangahua Junction. Cowan, Alexander, Scillwater. Mi Cormack, D., Kanieri. Smi h, Alfred, liiangahua Junction. Cowan, James, Nelson Creek. McDonald, E. A., Waitiri. Steel, Archibald, Kawarau Gorge. 'Crooksion, W. L., Three-channel Flat. McDonald, J., Sofala. Steel, Thos.. Dunedin. Crowley, J. 8., Edendale. McDonald. Jno., Cromwell. Templetoa, Ivie, Rmgahere. •Cumming, J. C, Beaumont. M<;George, J., Dunedin. "Thoiiiison, J., Alexandra. Cunningham, Geo., Kanieri. McGeorge, Alexander, Dunedin. Thompson, T., Miller's Flat. Curtis, Cha-*., Stillwater. McGregor, D., Kanieri. Toohcy, J. M., Al xandra. Cutten, W. H., Dunedin. McGregor, G. R., Alexandra. Tougli, John. Miller's Flat. Deniston, B. A., Ciomwell. Mclntosh, D. J., Lowburn Ferry. Troy, G. C. Ororawell. Dewar, John, Alexandra. McLay, Geo., Cromwell. Turnbiil', W. D., O-invastown. Doiwldson, J. G. A., Greenstone. McLi an, D., Waitiri. Tyson, John, itongahtre. Edmonds, A. R., Nelson Creek. McMath, D. C, Ross. Yon Haa-t, J. H , Clyde. Faithful, Wm., Greymonth. McMath, Thos., Alexandra; Wallace, John A., Miller's Flat. Gibb, Wm., Croyd n Siding. McVicar, Peter, Roxburgh. Watt, John, Cromwell. Gibson, A.. Island Block. Mills, Ed., Murchison. Weaver, Cha«., Alexandra. Goodger, G. W., Waenga. Mitchell, D. A., Dunpdin. Williamson, R., Millar's Flat. Graham, J. M., Gore. Morel, C. G., Inangahua Junction. Williamson, Walter, Miller's Flat. Giogan, Wm. A., Miller's Flat. Morris, G. S., Cromwell. Wilson, S. W., Waikaka Valley. Hansen, Wm., Alexandra. Murray, D., Clyde. Wood, R.JVI., Ciom-vell. Hay, James, Dunedin. Murray, Madeet, Cromwell. Woodhouse, W. S., R >xburgh. Hedley, A., Cromwell. Neilson, S., Miller's Fiat. Young, Andrew, jun., Roxburgh. Herbert, J., Beaumont. Nicholson, W. E., Alexandra, Dredgemaiters' Certificates, after Examination, issiied under the Mining Acts, 1898, 1901, 1902, and 1905. Anderson, Andrew, Alexandra South. Craig, D. A., Shag Point. Harliwick, Matthew. R ixburgh. Anderson, Bertram, Maori Point. Croawell, James, Three channel Flat. H wetson, Sydney, Nel-on Creek. Anderson, G. B , Roxburgh. Curno, C. 8., Alexandra. Hogg, J., Nevis. Baird, William G., Clyde. Dalton, J. R , Three ch.nnel Flat. Hoiden, Charles, jun., Cromwell. Bardsley. John James, Cromwell. Donaldson, John, Lawrence. Hoiden, John, Cromw 11. Bishop. Hugh Arthur, Collingwood. D wnie, Henry, TotaraFlat. Hepburn. D. 0., Alexandra. Blair, G., Abi ot-foid. Eaton, Edgar W., Aexandra. Hughes, John L., Mill r's Flat. Borthwick, Robert, Alexandra. Elder, D. D , Roxburgh. Johnsion, John, Maori Gully. Burke, John, Clyde. Faithful, Alfred, Bannockburn. Johnston, Louis, B 'aumont. Brent, C. D., Cromwell. Farmer, Nathan C, Miller's Flat. Jones, David Rowland, Inland Block. Briggans, Thomas, Alexandra. Farquharson, Geo., Alexandra. Jones, T. R., Miller's Flat. Briggans, Wi.liam, Alexandra. Fisher, Hurtle, Miller's Flat. Junker, Frank J., Berlin's. Broderick, T., Lyell. Forno, D., Insngahua Junction, Kane, William, Clyde. Bruce, J. A., Kawarau Gorge. French, T. E. X., Thiee-channel Flat. Kane, William, Comwell. Burley, J. P., Westport. Gibson, William H., Cromwell. Kean, F. F., Waikaka. Burns de, Walter. Alexandra. Giilooly, T.. Roxburgh. Kellett, C. H., Dunedin. Burton, A. P., Miller's Flat. Gi Istn m, Carl A., Berlin's. Kitio, John, Clyde. Callaghan, E., Three channel Flat. Graham, Thorms Arthur, Gore. Linruy, William, Island Block. Carnegy, A., Three-cbannel Flat. Gunn, W. E., Beaumont. Livingston" , , D., Alexandra. Carter, W. W., Sandy Point. Guv, Donald, C >bden. Lloyd, Arthur, Inangahua Junction. Chapman, Robert, Maori Point. Gujton, Dunedin. Ijloyf, Hubert,, Lyell. Clark, D., Callaghan's Creek. Harming, C. J., Clyde. Mac Donald, C. J., Cromwell. Coup. G< orge, Albtrtown. Hansen, H. C , Tnree channel Flat. Maoftinnis, J. A., Cromwell. Cox, R. D., Alixandra. Harden, J., Stafford, MacGinnis, M. P., Alexandra.

v Deceased issue of certificate.

18—C. 3.

130

C.—3

Dredgemasters Certificates, after Examination, issued under the Mining Acts, 1898, 1901, 1902, and 1905-contd MaeLaren, John, Alexandra. Murray, Robert John, Canvastown. Rumble, Chas., Ngahere. Marklund, G. 0., Lowburn Ferry. Nelson, Edgar, Brunnerton. Rumble, Joseph, Miller's Flat. Mathews, James Halbert, Miller's Nelson, George L., Brunnerton. Sanders, W. J., Ahaura. Plat. Newick, Albion Edgar Charles, Ban- Sawle, J., Cromwell. Matthews, A. A., Three-channel Flat. nookburn. Sawyer, J. F., Alexandra. Mavne, W. C, Nel-on Creek. Nicholson, Charles S. G., Mataun. Simpson, Edward Robert, Cromwell. McDonald, C. J., Waitere. Olsen, Hans, Alexandra. Steele, W. H., Miller's Flat. McDonald, G., Alexandra. Ornond, Thomas, Nevis. Taylor, Alexr.. Alexandra. McCallum, W. S., Alexandra. Orkney, H. E., Cromwell. Taylor, J. T., Dunedin. McGregor, Dougald S., Alexandra. Orr, H. T., Cromwell. Vickerman, E. M., Cromwell. McKenzie, John, Roxburgh. Orr, William W., Cr mwell. Wasserbrenner, M., Alexandra. McKinnon, John, Alexandra. Parker, P. R., Roxburgh. Wathen, James, Miller's Flat. McLean, John. Roxburgh. Patterson, J., Clyde. Watson, E. H., Collingwood. Melvin, J. R., Roxburgh. Plumb, E. H., Maori Point. Weir, W., Nevis. Merchant, Isaiah, Clyde. Poppelwell, William, Alexandra. Wescombe, Alfred L., Island Block. Moffitt, R. W., Miller's Flat. Rait, Hume, Albertown. Westcott, P. A., Milkr's Flat. Mollison, William, Stillwater. ■ Ray, J. F., Bannockburn. Williams, Frederick, Alexandra. Moncrieff, Henry, Miller's Flat. Ray, Robert Marshall, Bannockburn. Wilson, George, Marsden. Monson, C. H., Miller's Flat. Reiderer, Kdward, Cromwell. Wilson, Stephen L., Inanganua JunoMorel, A. E., Nobles. Ritchie, William John, Cromwell. tion. Morel, L. H., Inangahua Junction. Roberts, G., Three-channel Flat. Wood, W. W., Cromwell. Morris, V., Cromwell. Robertson, D. J., Alexandra. Woodhouse, F., Bannockburn. Munro, Hugh, Alexandra South. Ribertson, W. R., Alexandra. Woodhouse, G. G., Waitiri. Munro, R. F., Ross. Rooney, J. 8., Roxburgh. Wylde, G. R., Inangahua Junction. Murray, H. 8., Cromwell. Approximate Cost of Patter. - Preparation, not given ; printing (2,400 coi>ios>, including maps and blockß, ,«155 12s. 6d. By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington. 1907. Price. 3s. j

C—3

Golden Beach Dredge, Alexandra. (Worked by Water-power.)

Gold-dredging in the Clutha River, Otago: The Old Style and the New.

C—3.

Gum-diggers at Work, North Auckland.

Kauri-gum Store, North Auckland.

C.—3

A "Sirocco" Double-inlet Mine-fan. It is claimed that a fan of this type, 100 in. in diameter, running at 220 revolutions per minute, at 3 in. water-gauge, will deliver an output of 532,000 cubic feet of air per minute.

Fan-wheel of a "Sirocco" Double-inlet Mine-fan.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1907-I.2.2.2.7

Bibliographic details

THE GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND: REPORT ON MINES, ROADS, WATER-RACES, AND OTHER WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH METALLIFEROUS MINING., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, C-03

Word Count
97,332

THE GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND: REPORT ON MINES, ROADS, WATER-RACES, AND OTHER WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH METALLIFEROUS MINING. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, C-03

THE GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND: REPORT ON MINES, ROADS, WATER-RACES, AND OTHER WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH METALLIFEROUS MINING. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, C-03