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Beefton District. The state of the quartz-mining industry in this district is equally as good as it was at the end of the previous year. Still, there is nothing discovered to lead one to anticipate a larger return of gold than there was last year. Some of the gold-producing claims have almost suspended operations, such as the Welcome Company, at Boatman's ; and, unless a new lode be struck, there is little hope of this being for the future a remunerative venture. Still, there is some chance of getting a payable lode to the south of the shaft or at a lower level, or an entirely new lode may be discovered. There has been a falling-off in the yield of gold from this district during the year to the extent of about 2,3080z. from what it was for the previous year. During last year 32,394 tons of quartz was crushed, which yielded 17,7800z. of gold, and the approximate quantity obtained from the alluvial workings was 2,7150z.; thus making a total of 20,4950z. of gold, representing a value of £79,991, as against 22,8030z., representing a value of £88,585, for the previous year. When visiting this district last year the time at my disposal was too short to admit of inspecting the whole of the mines, and I have to thank the managers and others for sending me the balancesheets of the different companies, which afford useful information, and show the value of the mining property in the district better than by any other means. Keep It Dark Company. —This has been one of the most regular dividend-paying companies on the field, but during the last year the returns of gold from the mine have not been so large as in former years. Their main shaft is 500 ft. in depth, and a monkey-shaft has been sunk in the No. 3 level about 500 ft. from the bottom of the main shaft, and No. 4 level has been opened out from this second or subsidiary shaft. The winding is done from the No. 4 level, by attaching a rope to the wind-ing-rope in the main shaft, leading it under a pulley at the main shaft, and along the No. 3 level on small pulleys to the shaft sunk down to No. 4 level, where there are low poppet-heads erected in an excavated chamber, and the winding is done the same as from the main shaft. The stone from No. 4 level has proved to be of very low grade and of very limited dimensions, the block being only about 35ft. in length. They have still a considerable quantity of stone between the No. 2 and No. 3 levels that is expected to give good returns; but the directors were anxious to continue prospecting operations on No. 4 level with the hope of discovering another block of stone. Their annual statement for the year ending December last shows that 7,170 tons of quartz have been crushed during the year, which yielded 4,0560z. of melted gold, representing a value of £15,835, out of which dividends were paid to the extent of £9,000; thus making the total dividends paid by this company £104,166 13s. 4d. The total quantity of gold obtained from this mine has been 57,1680z., representing a value of £221,636, and the total expenditure has been £125,194. There was 104,299 tons of quartz crushed, which gave an average yield of about lOdwt. 23gr. of gold per ton; but if the returns be taken for the year ending March last there were 5,757 tons of stone crushed, which yielded 2,5380z. of gold, representing a value of £9,899, out of which £6,500 was paid in dividends. No. 2 South Keep It Dark Company. —This company's mine is adjoining the Pandora, and their shaft is used by the latter company, it having been sunk on the boundary by the two companies conjointly. The main shaft is down to a depth of 280 ft., and a level has been driven on the reef from the bottom of the shaft, and at the end of this level there is a second shaft put down to a further depth of 160 ft., and from this the workings of the mine are carried on. During the six months ending the end of March last 392 tons of quartz was crushed, which yielded 2850z. of gold, representing a value of £1,117, out of which dividends were paid to the extent of £600. According to the expenditure of the company for this period, which amounted to £988 18s. 10d., the actual profit on the working of the mine for the six months has been £127 17s. lid. Hercules Company. — This company have acquired the property belonging to the Nil Desperandum Company, and have been prospecting the mine, and are extending the No. 6 level. Up to the end of February last 31£ tons of quartz was crushed, which yielded nearly 58oz. of gold. This was obtained from between the sth and 6th levels ; but on sinking a winze from the 6th level they found the lode pinch out. The total expenditure of this company in prospecting and working the mine has been £654 ss. Id., and the value of the gold obtained £224 11s. 9d. Wealth of Nations Company. —This company has been carrying on prospecting operations for some years without finding much encouragement. Nevertheless, their perseverance has enabled them to discover what is thought to be a payable lode. Their main shaft was sunk at the end of an adit-level which is 800 ft. in length, and the shaft is 200 ft. in depth below this level. From the bottom of the main shaft a prospecting-drive was put in for a distance of 540 ft., when a broken lode was met with, and on following this lode for a further distance of 150 ft. it formed into solid stone about sft. in thickness. About 50ft. of this lode has been driven on, and the quartz is considered to be of a fairly payable character. During last year they crushed about 85 tons of quartz, which yielded 270z. of gold, and 2060z. of gold was obtained from the quantity of tailings crushed, the total value of the gold obtained being £902. Inglawood Extended Company. —This company, conjointly with the Phoenix Company, constructed a deep adit-level about 600 ft. below the outcrop of the lode on the surface, and they are now working between this and the intermediate level. They have also a block of stone with 150 ft. backs above the intermediate level, which has not been touched yet. There are two lodes in this mine, with only about Bft. between them, which will probably yet join: both the lodes are of about equal value. These lodes are stoped out by contract, the contractors getting £1 per cubic yard for the quartz delivered in the paddock, and finding all the material. Some wages-men have been employed in prospecting, but no new discoveries have been made. For the year ending the 31st of January last 2,297 loads of quartz were crushed, which yielded 1,3290z. of gold, representing a value of £5,108 19s. 3d.; while the actual expenditure during this period was £3,583 os. 5d.: thus showing a profit on the working of the mine of £1,525 18s. lOd. Of this amount £600 was paid in dividends and all debts previously contracted, still leaving about £493 in hand to pay current accounts and to carry on future operations. This shows that this company's