GK—No. 4a

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

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

FURTHER REPORTS ON THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND.