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fresh scheme was introduced, viz., to sink on the north instead of on the south side of the river, but this work is not yet commenced. The owners crushed 439 tons for 82oz. 9dwt. of gold. Four men were employed Maddens Folly Mine (Madden and party owners) —208 tons were crushed for 31oz. Bdwt. of gold. Three men were employed. Waitekauei District. Jubilee Mine. —This mine was worked by two men a portion of the year. A cyanide plant is being erected at the battery, and a large pit 150 ft in length for catching slimes. The mine has been floated in London, and no doubt operations will shortly be conducted in a vigorous manner. The Old Waitekauri, Young New Zealand, and Skene's Claims have been worked for very small returns. The Ellen, a new licensed holding, has been taken up near Diamond Gully, and the quartz is of a favourable description. Whakamobhad Disteict (Waitekauri North). Grace Darling Mine. —The ten-stamp mill and cyanide plant were completed, and a commencement made to treat quartz. It was, however, a great disappointment, 389 tons yielded 370z. 19dwt. by amalgamation and 350z. by the cyanide process. A level to cut the reef at a greater depth has been driven. Sixteen men were employed. Golden Gross Mine. —A large amount of work has been done in connection with this mine. The additions to the battery were completed, and it now consists of a ten-stamp dry-crushing mill, with cyanide plant. The low level was driven up to and along the reef, which maintains a thickness of 23ft. of payable quartz. A tramway from the low level connects with a shaft, where the quartz is elevated to the kiln by a hydraulic lift. The mine has been further opened by driving on the reef discovered up the creek. This reef also gives payable quartz. 850 ft. of driving has been done on reefs, and 80 fathoms of reef stoped out; 1,569 tons of quartz, treated by cyanide, yielded 5,3340z., and 200 tons of tailings 1,0840z. of gold. Twenty-seven men were employed. A fresh scheme is proposed in the working of this mine. A new low level of great length is to be driven to drain the reef, as according to the wet nature of the ground sinking a shaft and pumping water would be required to work deeper than the present adit. This mine, the Komata, and Old Waitekauri are under offer to an English company, and sufficient capital will be introduced to open up the different mines in what promises to be one of the most valuable properties in Ohinemuri County. The Progress and Portsea Mines have not yielded any returns for the year. The Taranaki and St. Hippo Licensed Holdings, to the northward of the Golden Cross, have been steadily prospected, and the reefs give payable prospects. The Alpha Mine is situated on the eastern side of the range, near the Komata tramway hopper. A reef about 2ft. in thickness was discovered, and a drive put in for 100 ft., the quartz giving good prospects, and the reef widening to about 2ft. in thickness. Other licensed holdings and special claims have been taken up, and it is reported that several reefs have been discovered giving good prospects. Komata District. Komata Mine. —The mine was steadily worked during the year ; winzes have been sunk to a depth of 120 ft. below adit-level, and cross-cut driven from the bottom to cut the different reefs. The results have been very favourable, the quartz in both reefs being richer, and the gold of good quality at the lower workings. 705 tons of quartz yielded, by amalgamation, 10,4070z., and, by cyanide, 9780z., and 200 tons of tailings, by amalgamation, 210z., and, by cyanide, 2,1080z. 12dwt., the value of amalgamated gold being £3,564 25., and cyanide £1,343. Six men were employed. The Komata, Al, and Queen's Birthday.- —Three licensed holdings are held by Mr. W. H. Argall on behalf of the Komata Eeefs Company, floated in London. A reef of payable quartz was discovered in the Komata ground, and the new company are about to undertake extensive works in opening the ground and in the erection of machinery. Waihi Disteict. Waihi Mine. —This mine has again been vigorously worked and large returns obtained. The Welcome and Martha Eeefs have been worked at the No. 1 level, 80ft. below adit, and also at the adit-level. Large quantities of quartz were also mined from the open cutting on the Martha Eeef. The stopes in this mine extend about 700 ft., the longest run worked on any reef in the district. 24,210 tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 61,1320z. of gold, valued at £84,925 6s. lid. Another cross-cut is being driven 90ft. below No. 1. This will open up a large block on the reef. A second shaft has also been commenced 600 ft. to the westward of the present shaft, and a cross-cut is being driven from adit-level to connect with the new one. Extensive additions have been made to the mill. Thirty new stamps will be ready in a short time, and additions have also been made to the roasting-kilns and cyanide plant. The company will be able to put through a much larger quantity of quartz during next year. In view of additional increase to the water-power, it is proposed to construct a large race from Waihi to Owharoa. The whole of the water in the Ohinemuri Eiver will be used, and also the water from the Waitekauri Stream. There are two ways in which this water-power may be used, either to lay a railway from the mine to Owharoa and erect another mill, or convey power by electricity from Owharoa to the present mill. This would give power to work more extensive machinery. Two hundred and thirty men were employed in the mine, mill, and bush. Silverton Mine. —The only work carried on during the year was sinking the new shaft to a depth of 108 ft. A small engine and pump were used, but work had to be suspended until fresh