c.—3

66

Darwin Mine (Area, 8 acres). —This mine is situated at Punga Flat. There are not less than nine reefs and leaders in the ground, varying from a few inches to 2 ft. in width. The claim has been worked by different parties during the past twenty-eight years, and, as it lies at an altitude of 1,500 ft., it is highly probable that gold will be traced to greater depths in low levels. Twenty loads (30 tons) of quartz were crushed, for 56 oz. 10 dwt. of gold; value, £158 17s. Five men were employed. Prospecting operations have also been carried on in the Alburnia East, Caspian, City of London, Just-in-Time, and European Claims. Grahamstown District. Victoria Mine (Area, 41 acres 3 roods 10 perches).—The chief workings during the year were conducted from the shaft formerly known as the Prince Imperial. The reef averages 1 ft. in thickness, and yields some rich pockets of picked stone; 2,089 tons of quartz was crushed, for 2,174 oz. 3 dwt. of gold, valued at £6,149 17s. 3d. ; tailings sold valued at £18 19s. 6d. ; and for tributers 20 tons for 3oz. 15 dwt., value £10 4s. 3d: total, £6,179 Is. The shaft is furnished with safety-cages, and the winding machinery is driven by a semi-portable engine, Eobey make, 18-horse power. Forty-two men were employed. Cardigan Mine (Area, 64 acres 2 roods). —Prospecting work was carried on from the Saxon shaft, and a parcel of 16 tons 10 cwt. of quartz yielded 3 oz. 5 dwt. The company is now sinking a shaft opposite the Thames Star office. Six men were employed. Drainage. Drainage of the deep levels is carried on by the Thames Drainage Board, the Big Pump shaft being used. The working manager reports that the consumption of coal for the year ending 31st December last was 2,459 tons. The following extracts from the annual statement of accounts show the financial position of the Board, and also the contributions from the different companies assessed:— Receipts. £ s. d. To cash balance as per last balance-sheet .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 192 14 3

Coal supplied companies .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 102 13 7 £4,335 18 10 Expenditure. £ s. d. Painting and renovating building .. .. .. .. .. .. 46 13 9 Coal .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,640 12 11 Wages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,123 0 8 . Foundry-work and ironmongery .. .. .. .. .. .. 261 14 4 Cartage .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 220 16 1 Water-supply, timber, and gas .. .. .. ~ .. .. .. 125 10 0 Board fees and travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 193 4 0 Salaries, insurance, advertising, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 136 15 10 Miscellaneous.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 9 6 Balance .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 549 1 9 , £4,335 18 10 At the meeting Mr. Eadford asked how the cost of coal compared with previous years. The chairman said the matter had been gone into from time to time, and it had been found that the figures came out in favour of New Zealand coal. As a matter of fact, only local coal had been used for the past two years, which in itself was sufficient proof. A test was made recently of coal from Westport, Hikurangi, and Ngunguru, with the following result: Westport, 6 tons per day of 24 hours, at 195., £5 14s. ; Hikurangi, 7-J- tons per day of 24 hours, at lis. 9d., £4 Bs. Id.; Ngunguru, 6J tons per day of 24 hours, at 12s. 5d., £4 os. 9d. By this you will perceive that Ngunguru is the cheapest coal for our purposes, and, in addition, it is also the easiest on the fire-bars. Waiotahi District. Waiotahi Mine (Area, 22 acres 3 roods 30 perches).—This mine still continues to be a dividendpaying one. The nature of the work carried on is of the same character and in like manner as has

Arrears. Assessment. Eebate. Cash received. May Queen Gold-mining Company.. Waiotahi Moanataiari Victoria.. Cambria Hazelbank Cardigan Kuranui-Caledonian Kuranui Thames-Hauraki Kuranui No. 2 .. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,620 0 0 645 0 0 354 8 0 349 13 0 302 8 0 233 2 0 180 0 0 142 11 0 90 0 0 60 0 0 52 0 0 £ s. d. 202 10 0 80 12 0 44 6 0 43 13 0 37 16 0 29 2 8 22 10 0 17 16 4 11 5 0 7 10 0 6 10 0 £ s. d. 1,417 10 0 564 8 0 310 2 0 306 0 0 264 12 0 203 19 4 157 10 0 124 14 8 78 15 0 52 10 0 45 10 0 3,525 11 0 Queen of Beauty Claim Thames Borough Council Thames County Council 360 0 0 20 0 0 40 0 0 4,029 2 0 60 0 0 120 0 0 240 0 0 503 11 0 295 0 0 3,525 11 0 125 0 0 130 0 0 260 0 0 420 0 0 4,449 2 0 798 11 0 4,040 11 0 515 0 0