15

H.—l9,

Waihi District.— The Martha, Voung Colonial, Dulcibel, and Waihi Companies' mines are the only ones which have done any work on the reefs during the year. The prospects which have been found at the low levels are very encouraging, and the owners of the claims estimate that a large extent of the reef will be payable. Two batteries, one of 20 and the other 15 stampers, are nearly completed, and the value of the quartz will soon be determined. The Waihi Company have connected the mine and battery by a substantial wooden tramway, and the cost of transport of quartz will be very cheap, and, as the battery is driven by water-power, low-grade quartz can be made to pay a profit. The Martha battery is convenient to the mine, and is also driven by water-power, and, as the quartz can be broken out at a small cost, their prospects of success are almost certain to be realized, provided the present show of gold continues. Puketui District. —The Eosemount, Hercules, and Golden Spur have met with fair prospects. Tapu District. —Several claims have been taken up at Tapu Creek, and from the Christmas Claim at No. 1 Gully payable parcels of quartz have been taken out. The leader is, however, small and very much broken and disturbed, and it is doubtful whether it will extend to any great distance. In the adjoining claims very little gold has yet been found. The battery has been thoroughly repaired, and a new water-race brought in at a great expense, as the cutting was for a considerable distance through hard slate. At Waionui Creek a claim has been taken up, and a small run of gold traced in a reef to a depth of 50 feet. The value of the quartz cannot be ascertained, as the owner is not inclined to disclose particulars. The following return shows the quantity of quartz crushed and gold obtained during the year in Hauraki South.

Haueaki Noeth, oe Coeomandel. Mining operations have been steadily conducted during the year. A number of claims were marked out and licenses applied for on the Tokatea Bange, and also at the Tiki District, on that part of the gold field adjacent to where mining is carried on in private land. The works in the Tokatea and Kapanga Mines have also been considerably advanced. Tokatea District. —Tokatea Mine : The low level has been driven a considerable distance on the reef, and a rise put up giving good communication with the level above, and thoroughly ventilating this part of the mine. This drive is still being pushed ahead, and also an intermediate drive on the reef. When the mine is thoroughly opened up stoping will be commenced and crushing carried on. The battery has been renovated, and is now in good order for reducing the quartz. Bismark Mine. —Stoping is carried on in those blocks which were opened on the reef from a rise which was put up to the old workings, and payable yields are got. The mine is now well ventilated and a considerable amount of the reef is open for working out. Queen of the North Mine. —A drive has been made to open a low level in which the run of gold has been cut, giving good returns. As the quartz found in the level above was very rich a valuable block of ground is opened. Poyal Oak Mine. —With the exception of portions of the old ground which have been successfully wrought by tributers no prospecting works have been carried on. However, it is the intention of the owners to drive a low level from one of the Tokatea and Bismark tunnels, this will open a large block of ground in which the prospects are said to be very good. Pride of Tokatea Company have relinquished the greater part of the ground held by them ; this has been taken up by parties of miners who are preparing to systematically work the reefs which are known to exist there. That portion of the mine which the company retain is being wrought by tributers with fair success. The new claims Ness-Side, Blue Peter, Comstock, Hope, Colonial, and Stanley, situated to the south of the Pride of Tokatea, are all profitably wrought. The Success Mine has also turned out a considerable quantity of rich stone, and a level is now being put in to cut the reef at a greater depth with every prospect of good returns. Kapanga Mine. —Sinking the main shaft has been discontinued, and a cross-cut driven, and the reef cut 140 feet from the shaft. Seventy feet have been driven on the reef, in a northerly direction and a rise commenced near the cross-cut which is to be continued upwards to connect with No. 1 level; occasional stones showing gold have been found both in the drive and rises. No. 1 level Driving is going on in the reef known as " Scotty's Beef," and occasional small patches of rich stone discovered ; a double rise is also being put up on the reef from this level to secure ventilation,

Month. Quartz Crushed. Tailings Treated. Yield of Gold. Lpril, 1881 £ay une „ uly Lugust „ leptember, 1881 )ctober „ November ,, )ecember „ anuary, 1882 February „ ilarch ,, Tons cwt. qr. lb. 2,934 14 1 13 2,839 3 12 3,620 11 3 17 2,335 14 3 19 1,970 3 1 22 2,308 5 0 16 2,880 13 2 2,415 9 0 11 3,407 14 0 26 1,462 13 2 26 2,140 1 3 10 2,383 6 3 17 Tons cwt. qr. lb. 339 7 0 0 504 15 0 0 1,253 10 0 0 1,121 10 0 0 1,458 15 2 15 1.525 14 0 0 1.526 10 0 0 1,334 0 0 0 1,235 10 1 21 816 0 0 0 814 10 0 0 1,036 3 0 6 Oz. dwt. gr. 2,292 10 12 3,924 14 12 4,050 8 0 5,762 19 0 3,169 6 12 2,506 7 18 6,773 11 18 4,206 6 6 6,523 2 0 989 15 0 2,189 13 0 3,415 5 0 Total 30,698 0 3 3 12,966 5 0 2 45,803 19 6