C—2.

It will be seen from this statement that 22,079 tons of quartz has been crushed from the principal claims on the field, for a yield of 26,1190z. of gold, which is an average of about loz. 3dwt. 15gr. to the ton; and 15,021 tons of mullock, which averaged about ldwt. 12grs. per ton. To take the total number of men employed, and the quantity of gold obtained by their labour, it amounts to about 50oz. 4dwt. 6gr. per man. Saxon Company. —This company was the most successful one in the Thames District last year. The yield of gold was 7,6830z., out of which £6,250 was paid in dividends to the shareholders. Their claim comprises an area of 17 acres, and is situate within the limits of the Borough of the Thames, adjoining the New Prince Imperial Company's mine, from which large returns of gold were obtained a few years ago. Their workings are carried on from a shaft which is 461 ft. in depth ; but they are not able to work at the present time down to this level on account of the drainage being only effected down to the 400 ft. level. There are several quartz lodes running through their ground carrying gold ; but last year their workings were principally confined to the No. 4 Level, which is 300 ft. below sea-level, on a lode about 2ft. 6in. in thickness, carrying very good gold. Another level has been constructed about 70ft. bolow No. 4 Level, and the lode here is from 4ft. to sft. in thickness, carrying good stone ; but this is the lowest level that can be worked until the drainage is lowered to a greater depth. The reef, as far as it has been tested, continues to carry a fair amount of gold ; but possibly it will cut out at the deep levels, the same as it did in the New Prince Imperial Mine, adjoining it. However, this will only be determined as the workings go down. The average number of men employed in this mine is about sixty-nine. It is a mine that is likely to be very good property for some time to come. New Prince Imperial Company. —A few years ago a large body of rich stone was obtained, which enabled dividends to be paid to the shareholders to the extent of £60,750 ; but during the last three years this company has only been able to carry on their operations without making an actual loss. Their shaft is down to a depth of 562 ft. below sea-level ; but last year the workings were confined to the lodes and leaders on the upper levels, principally by tributors. The company purchased this mine in October, 1881, for £250, and from that date to the commencement of September last they crushed 34,123 tons of ordinary lode-material and 12-|- tons of specimen-stone, which yielded 45,1070z. of gold, representing a value of £125,715. Trenton Company. —The situation of this company's mine is such that it is almost certain to become valuable property. A large amount has been expended in constructing preparatory works and prospecting the ground; but there is every probability of the company being well paid for the expenditure. Their shaft is down to 557 ft., and a level is being constructed at this depth; and no doubt they will get the same lode that the Saxon Company have been working on, as that company stoped out the lode up to the boundary of this mine with a good profit. Waiotahi Company. —This mine is situated on the Waiotahi Creek, and has produced since the present company commenced operations about 35,0000z. of gold. It has never been what can be termed a rich mine, but has always been gold-producing. Indeed, were it not for the careful and

36

Name of Mine. Number of Tons of Quartz crushed. Number of Tons of Mullock crushed. Yield of Gold. Average Yield of Gold per Ton. Number of Men employed. Saxon New Prince Imperial Waiotahi ... New Manuka Old Caledonian Moanataiari Kuranui No. 2 Kuranui No. 3 Kuranui No. 3 Beuben Parr Coliban Dixon's No. 1 New Alburnia Cambria Pinafore Fame of Fortune Blanche Adelaide City of Manchester ... Lone Hand Hokianga ... Lucky Hit ... North Star... Magnolia Norfolk Eureka Mullock from other mines 8,200 867 2,365 582 945 1,857 1,585 245 172 250 723 916 1,680 73 20 135 391 31 13 27 91 246 150 36 479 12,610 Oz. 7,683 950 2,900 1,054 1,352 2,806 2,093 700 399 460 87 401 1,508 2,135 198 45 97 470 64 126 71 236 594 205 70 115 527 Oz. dwt. gr. 0 18 17 1 1 21 1 4 12 19 8 1 8 14 1 10 4 16 9 0 1 2-6 1 12 13 2 13 11 0 6 23 0 5 13 1 12 22 1 5 10 2 14 5 2 5 0 0 14 8 14 0 2 16 9 13 20 2 12 14 2 11 20 2 8 7 17 8 1 18 21 0 4 19 0 4 4 69 30 40 13 38 70 55. 16 12 8 5 9 37 29 6 18 8 8 2 4 3 7 15 20 4 8 2,411 Totals 22,079 15,021 27,346 534