a—6

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80ft., and driven 200ft., apparently content with their prospects. The prevailing opinion, however, seemed to be to commence two new works one mi)e apart, a drive and shaft respectively. The result of either proving successful would give a fresh impetus to mining in the district. Such works deserve encouragement, if the importance of mining is to be recognized by the colony. Grahamstoion. —I then proceeded by a bridle-track to the Thames, and reached there at midday. In the afternoon I visited the principal mining- works and machinery in and around the borough, such as the Caledonian Low-level Prospecting Company's mine, with its shaft 640ft. below sea-level, and several drives equalling 1,800ft.; the Golden Crown Battery, Moanataiari, Kuranui, Herald, New Prince Imperial, Queen of Beauty, and Cambria Companies' mines; also the leviathan pumping concern working below sea-level, and which, I think, has been heard of before in this House. I regretted to notice a disheartened tone and cloud of depression hovering over mining matters generally throughout this district; but I think the cloud may be lifted, without much cost to the State, by a moderate and judicious aid to genuine enterprise, where capital, labour, and practical knowledge are ready to join hands in the development of its mineral resources. Since my visit, however, I have had pleasure in learning that a good "find" had been made in the Cambria mine, on the Waiotahi Creek. The crushing for the week ending on the 13th June yielded 2,2430z. of gold, a subsequent crashing over 800oz., and the company's stone is still promising further riches. The first great want at the Thames is additional water-supply; the second, tracks and roads through the surrounding country. The next day I left the coast, and rode inland through Puriri to Paeroa, where I remained two nights and a day. The latter I occupied by visiting the several mines in the locality. Owharoa and IVaihi. —Starting early for Owharoa, I went to the reefs at Waihi, about seventeen miles in the direction of Katikati. An extensive quartz mine is being actively worked at Waihi, known as "The Martha Extended Company." The stone is conveyed in trucks on a wooden tramway to the company's battery, driven by water-power, about a mile distant from the mine. I saw over 500oz. of amalgam in possession of the company's manager, the result of five Aveeks' crushing. As extra water-power can be acquired at a little more expense, it becomes only a question of putting through the battery a greater quantity of stone to produce larger results. I think a number of good reefs will yet be discovered here and opened out, as on my return journey to Owharoa and Paeroa I noticed reefs being worked at Waitekauri and Karangahake. JPaer&a. —The next morning I visited the Paeroa Coal Prospecting Company's works, near Takari's Creek, about three miles from the township. The mine has been recently opened, and the seam so far shows a fair quality of brown coal, with 4ft. Gin. of a face; but borings have been put down near to the present workings, 400ft. below the surface, through a G-I'oot seam, which no doubt will prove of a better quality. A lasting coal mine here would prove of great value to a very large mining centre. Karangahake. —l then rode to the reefs at Karangahake and inspected the works, battery, and water-supply. I met a number of miners, who, with good reason, complained bitterly of the want of a road or tramway to carry their stone to the battery for crushing. They also asked that the mining laws under which they were governed should be assimilated to those in force in other parts of the colony, and that they should be charged a more moderate rental. They further asked that the freeholds of their agricultural sections should be granted to them for a small payment. Considering the quality of the chief portion of the land which I saw and examined, and the labour already expended by the occupiers upon their holdings, I think the freeholds ought to be granted to these worthy pioneers for a very small payment. I crossed over the hills to the main road to Te Aroha, and arrived there that evening. Te Aroha and Waiorongomai, —The next day I went some distance beyond Waiorongomai to several reefs being worked above the starting-point of the Te Aroha tramway, at a much higher level. A great deal of mining has been done, and the country appears to be one mass of reefs that will return gold or silver, or both, in certain quantities. I met miners getting stone, and plenty of it, which