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Taeaku District.—The only work being done in this district is at the foot of the creek, where a long low-level has been driven in to work the old Sunbeam reef. Mr. Steadman, the manager, is now engaged putting up a rise to meet the upper workings of this reef. Karaka District.— Adelaide Mine. —This mine is the property of four miners, who must be well satisfied with the result of the different crushings. About fifteen months ago No. 1, or upper level, was exhausted. The returns, though not rich, were sufficient to induce them to put in a level (No. 2) 114 feet lower. The length of this level was only 350 feet, but from the exceedingly hard nature of the country it took nearly eight months to complete. As soon as the reef was cut rich golden stone came to hand. This, and the operations since carried on, have proved that the stone is improving in quality the deeper it is sunk on. To further prove this a winze has been sunk on the reef under the floorlevel as far as possible, on account of the water : that was 24 feet ; and in this the gold was found still to be increasing in quantity. Though there are two or three years' work for a large staff of men at the present level, the owners decided to put in a still lower one, and that the lowest possible that could be got. After due consideration it was determined to extend the old General Chute tunnel, which is nearly level with the creek and situated on the Rocky Point, a piece of ground to the westward of the Adelaide, and recently taken up for the purpose of working the continuance of the Adelaide reef, and also the Moa reef, the latter being a reef that has been worked on for over a quarter of a mile in its length, and averaged at least 1 oz. to the ton of quartz crushed. Arrangements have now been entered into between the Rocky Point holders to jointly carry in this tunnel, which is now in about 300 feet, and 450 feet farther will have to be driven to touch the reef. It will take from six to eight months to complete. The Adelaide holders richly deserve the success they have met with in their No. 2 level. Many people laughed at them for attempting to pierce the very hard bar known to exist, and which proved to be over 100 feet wide; but perseverance overcame the difficulty. But so hard was the bar that six weeks' continuous work blasting with dynamite only advanced them 14 feet, or 2^ feet per week. Since opening the No. 2 level the crushing has been 662 tons, for a return of 1,371 oz. melted gold, the value of which varied from £2 15s. to £3 2s. 6d. per ounce. City of Manchester. —This ground joins the Adelaide on the opposite or north-east side from the Rocky Point, and has both the Adelaide and Moa reefs passing through it. The ground is and has been worked by the owners for the last six years. No. 1 level to the surface has been worked out for over twelve months, and gave an average return of from £5 to £6 per man per week. This No. lis on the same level as the Adelaide No. 1; but their No. 2is 42 feet higher than the Adelaide No. 2. Stoping is being continued from No. 2, with satisfactory returns. It would appear to me that all the claims in this neighbourhood will ultimately make the low-level tunnel just started the base of their future operations. Little Lizzie. —Barclay and party, who hold this ground, have done well. The nature of the ground is exceedingly hard, and miners working in it are said to be working in the " fiinties." Very little work appears to be done in the course of a year, but the proportion of gold in the quartz is very large, often going as high as 7 oz. to the pound, so a small quantity goes a long way. There are several other parties working on the south side, near the foot of the Karaka Creek, who all seem satisfied with the returns they have obtained. Seymour. —This ground lies to the south of the Karaka Creek, immediately behind the Queen of the May section of the Queen of Beauty license. The intention was to sink and prove the Lucknow reef, that gave good specimens near the surface, till overcome by the usual difficulty—water. For this purpose steam machinery has been erected, and the shaft is now sunk to a depth of 110 feet. The intention is to go to 200 feet before they open out. The mine is under the management of Mr. Thomas Kneebone. In the upper part of the Karaka, near its junction, there are one or two parties at work; but as yet without any important result. Hape and Te Papa Districts.— Dart. —This mine was recently known as the Hape, and owned by Mr. Greenville. It being necessary to further sink the shaft, and the pumping and winding machinery not being strong enough to meet the extra strain, a company was formed, and the name altered to the Dart Gold-Mining Company. Under Mr. F. Stone as manager the main shaft has been enlarged from the surface to the bottom (that is No. 2, or 180-feet level), and from there sunk a further distance of 80 feet. By damming back the water at No. 2 level the sinking was completed without waiting on the new machinery being erected. On the surface the site is being cleared for the boilers of the new machinery. Young William.- —Operations were rather erratically carried on during the first part of the year, but iatterly they have settled down to steady work, and the last two crushings have turned out well. The lifting is done by means of a whip. Alpine. —This is a piece of ground adjoining the Young William j it has recently been taken up. Negotiations are now in^progress to amalgamate this with th*e Young William and form a strong company by the combination. Hobson Gold-Mining Company. —This company's ground consists of a combination of Star of Te Papa and Major Claims. A low-level is now being driven to connect with a winze that has been partly sunk from the upper workings. A rise is now being put up to connect with this winze. The old levels have been re-timbered where required and put in good repair. Tairua District.—This district has been doing very little during the year, only two claims —the Decide and Wheel of Fortune—showing anything like real work.