C—3a

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS: WARDENS' REPORTS.

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Cadman, with leave of the House.

No. 1. Mr. Warden Bush to the Undee-Secbetaey of Mines, Wellington. g m Magistrate's Office, Auckland, 19th April, 1894. I have the honour to report that practically nothing has been done in the Puhipuhi Mining District with regard to gold-mining during the past year. No fresh discoveries worth working have been made. An expert, representing an English syndicate, has visited the field; but, so far, nothing favourable has resulted from his visit. All the licensed holdings have been forfeited, with the exception of three, and complaints are now pending in the Warden's Court for the forfeiture of those also. No mining has been done during the past year. _ A party has been engaged for some months prospecting for cmmbar, but their efforts up to the present have been unsuccessful in locating the lode. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. E. S. Bush, Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Kenny to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sm _ Warden's Office, Thames, 4th May, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns for the Hauraki Mining District for the year ended 31st March last; and also the following report on the mining industry for the same period:— . , The returns furnished by the Inspector of Mines show a material increase in the value ol gold and bullion won during the year ; and it is gratifying to have to report that, notwithstanding the decreasing yield of gold in some of the older portions of the district, mining operations have, on the whole, met with such encouraging results (vide the comparative return for the years 1893 and 1894 subjoined, by which it will be seen that there has been this year an increase in the gross production of the field of no less than, in value, £30,256). CoBOMANDEL. The Coromandel district, which is the northern portion of the Hauraki Peninsula, has, I regret to say, been dull during the past twelve months, and there has been a falling-off in the yield of gold, especially from Kuaotunu—situated on the East Coast, about nine miles from Mercury Bay. There is reason to believe, however, that mining at Kuaotunu will soon show an improvement. The Great Mercury Mine will probably commence with renewed vigour further prospecting works as soon as the company is reformed. , . , . , ... In the Kapanga Company's mine, at Coromandel, the shaft is being sunk with a view to testing the deep levels. This shaft is now 650 ft. in depth. At Tokatea the few mines still in existence are worked on tribute. Prospecting operations are being carried on in various parts of this district—namely, at Matarangi, Opitonui, Moewai, Mahakirau, and also at Tiki, Matawai, and Manaia; but no fresh discoveries have been recorded. The localities of Mata Creek, Tapu Creek, and Waiomo and Puru Creeks still attract the attention of small parties of miners and prospectors ; and, although they do not add materially to the years' output of gold, the yields are such as to encourage further working and prospecting. A small battery of four stamps has been erected by Tetley and party, about four miles up the Puru Creek, which will give an opportunity for testing the large reefs which are known to exist in the neighbourhood. I—C. 3a.