EUETHER REPORTS ON THE

G.—No. 4a.

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

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

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