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No. 5. Mr. Warden Heaps to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Nelson, 25th April, 1894. As will be seen by the annual mining returns for the Wangapeka and Tableland portions of the Karamea Mining District, which I have the honour to forward herewith, little mining has been done in the district during the past year, and I have not heard that what has been done has been of an encouraging nature. Further exploring has been done beyond the Wangapeka Saddle, in the watersheds drained by the Karamea and Crow Bivers ; but this past year it has partaken more of a scientific than of a practical mining character, the party of most interest having been accompanied by a professional geologist from England, who expressed himself to me as greatly interested by the discoveries he had made, and is determined to remain in the district some time longer, with a view to making further investigations, which he seemed sanguine would lead to practical results. Like previous explorers, he found his explorations greatly retarded by want of tracks, and by bad weather. If the present horse-track with dray-road grades from the Wangapeka Saddle to the Karamea Biver were continued it would facilitate the opening-up of a most interesting tract of country of which still little is known, but which is probably bound to ultimately contribute much good land for settlement, and steady employment for a number of miners. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Wilson Heaps, Warden.

No. 6. Mr. Warden Geeenfield to the Undee-Seceetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Warden's Office, Westport, 26th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith the statistical returns for the Karamea Mining District for the year ended 31st March, 1894. I have also the honour to report on the mining industry, &c, within that district for the same period, as follows : — Addison's. All the old claims in this district have yielded good returns for the year. The Shamrock Lead Gold-mining Company, referred to in my last report as a new company, has been very energetic during the year. The ground held by the company is 49 acres 2 roods, under a grant of special claim, situate about eight miles from Westport. Part of this ground was worked many years ago, when excellent gold was obtained, but the difficulty of getting the water away—although a considerable sum was expended on the attempt—caused the claim to be abandoned. The ground afterwards remained unworked for several years, until the present company was formed to work it. The plant of the Fair Maid Gold-mining Company was purchased, and removed to this ground, and the company next turned their attention to bringing in water. Mr. Bene Proust, mining engineer, was engaged, and a good supply was obtained from the Totara Biver by a race about five miles long, which is said to be one of the best in the district, and it is confidently expected that there will be a continuous supply of water all the year round. The ground is worked by what is known as the "jet pump," and Mr. Proust, having placed the piping into position on the slope of the hill, from the terminal point of the race to the flat ground below, commenced to sink a paddock, and, after many difficulties, eventually succeeded. Having surmounted this very difficult task, tables and other gold-saving appliances were erected. The depth of the paddock is about 35ft., and the pressure of water about 370 ft. Sluicing was properly commenced about the end of December last, and has been continued uninterruptedly. A good deal of the old workings had to be passed through before reaching virgin ground, but notwithstanding this fact the results have been beyond expectation. The inner lead is now being worked, and from what can be learned the washings are highly satisfactory. The greatest trouble the company has to deal with is getting rid of the tailings. It has let a contract for a tail-race, but this will be only a temporary measure, and before very long it will be compelled to construct a tunnel. There are twelve men employed on this claim, and the present company, it is said, has already expended about £5,000. Piper's Flat Auriferous Cement Company. —This is a new claim, containing an area of 10 acres of auriferous cement, situate on Piper's Flat, on what is known as the Virgin Flat Lead. The lead to the east of this claim was worked by ground-sluicing, but abandoned some eight or nine years ago on account of the cement met with. It is now proposed to crush the cement and sluice the wash-dirt below it. A five-stamp battery has been erected, with gratings of 175 to the square inch. From these gratings the crushed cement passes into a special distributing-box and apparatus, then over copper plates, blankets, and plush. The whole is driven by a sft. Pelton wheel, under 65ft. of pressure, only requiring about 30in. of water. The face at present shows 4ft. of stripping, Bft. auriferous cement, and 2ft. of black sand—very few stones. The battery works three shifts of eight hours each, and puts through about 35 tons per diem. As the claim has only recently started working no result has yet been ascertained, but the plates are said to be looking well. The Venture Gold-mining Company. —This claim has been worked all through the year crushing cement with very satisfactory results. An average of twelve men has been constantly employed. 8,372 tons of cement were put through the battery during the year, which yielded 6640z. of gold. Satisfactory dividends have been paid, and it is estimated that there is sufficient payable cement to keep the battery going for the next thirty years at least. In the Addison's district there are about a hundred and twenty miners employed. 3—C. 3a.