C—4a

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Moanataiari Mine. —Throughout the year, on the average, over ninety men have been employed in this mine. At present sixty are tributing and thirty-five on wages. The most important work in the mine is prospecting the Cambria Reef. For this purpose a very long level is being driven from the new Golden Crown shaft. As this drive will go along parallel with the reef, it will be thoroughly prospected for the whole distance. This mine is now under the management of Mr. Thomas lladford, late of the Queen of Beauty Mine. Caledonian Mine is now under the management of Mr. Thomas Corin, late underground "boss/ Mr. Thomas Hicks having retired from the management through ill-health. Work has been principally carried on in the lied Queen section of the mine, the results being barely remunerative. At present prospecting is being carried on directly under where the " great find" was obtained, and the shareholders are not without hopes of having another great haul. Golden Crown has not had very brilliant success during the year, though a very large amount of work has been done and a large quantity of quartz crushed, twenty stampers being kept nearly continually going with their own stuff. Yet it has barely paid its way; but more remunerative quartz is expected to hand shortly. A level is being driven from the new shaft for a distance of 400 ft., with the object of cutting and proving the Cambria Lode at this place. The mine and battery are still under the charge of Mr. Thomas Dunlop. Waiotahi District. Waiotahi Mine still continues dividend-paying. The shaft has been sunk an additional depth of 70ft., making a total depth of 326 ft. 6in. from the sill. From this level —No. 4—the manager, Mr. Smith, is now driving, with the object of opening out and stoping. He finds the ground continues to be hard, or, as the miners express it, " very tight." Cambria Mine. —This has been the great dividend-paying mine of the field; but, as the Warden has given the particulars of gold obtained and dividends paid, I need not enter into it. The shaft is now sunk to a depth of 366 ft., which is about 170 ft. below sea-level. On account of the lightness of me small engine used for winding in this shaft, I was obliged to notify the directors that I could not allow them to further sink the shaft unless they erected machinery strong enough for the purpose. This has been done, and the machinery of the late Queen of Beauty Mine has now been erected at the shaft. This 'will enable operations being carried on to any required depth. Moanataiari Extended. —A very large amount of prospecting and driving has been done from the 304-feet level, but none of the quartz that has yet come to hand has proved remunerative. Wolseley and Maldon. —The owners of these mines have amalgamated their interests, and arrangements are now being completed to work from the Moanataiari Extended shaft, which will save them getting machinery of their own. In this district (Waiotahi) there are a number of other claims recently taken up, and now being worked with every prospect of success, such as the Blanche, the Fame, the Saxon, and others. The Fame Company have now sunk their shaft 100 ft., and the rock passed through gives every indication of gold being found when the reef comes to hand. The Saxon is also sinking a shaft, and, having placed winding-machinery on the ground, are now down about 200 ft. In the upper part of this district the Bright Smile Claim still continues working, stoping on their leaders, which continue payable. Moanataiari District. This district has been very quiet during the year. The Alburnia has continued working with from twenty to thirty men, principally tributers, some of whom have been receiving very good dividends. Devon.—A. new level has been brought in from the Tinker's Gully side of the hill to the No. 2 shaft, and from there a winze has been sunk on the leader a depth of 82ft., to the level formerly worked from the El Dorado Tunnel. This gives good air, and will enable prospecting being carried on over Garvey's old winze, which was successfully worked some years since at a lower level. Reuben Parr have been trying to develop a block below the Point Russell or their lowest level; but, owing to the great cost and difficulty with water, and having to wind everything by hand up the winze, it has not proved remunerative. There is no doubt that the best plan to work this ground would be to extend the Moanataiari Tunnel, which will, no doubt, be done some day. The mine is under the management of Mr. Thomas Pascoe, who strongly recommends the extension of this tunnel; but the directors cannot meet the cost at present. Karaka District. There are between sixty and seventy men working on this creek, but there is nothing particular to record in regard to any of their workings. Tapu. This little place has crushed 153 tons lOcwt. during the year, for a yield of 3510z. lldwt. 14-gr. retorted gold.