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reefs, known as the Jupiter, is a large body quite 40 ft. in thickness where cut through in the Golden Cable low level, the lowest level now in progress. A contract for driving 100 ft. on the hanging-wall side of this large body is now proceeding at the level mentioned, and a contract is also in course of fulfilment for its intersection at another level about 100 ft. higher —the Golden Anchor level. At each of these points a most favourable class of sandstone country is being entered upon. At the Stephenson level two reefs are being operated upon, from one of which, averaging about 15 in. in thickness, a trial crushing is now being made at the syndicate's battery, with every prospect of its proving payable. In fact, both driving and stoping is being carried on upon this reef and colours of gold are seen pretty freely in the quartz coming to hand. A junction of this reef and what is known as Prescott's leader is expected shortly to be met with, and, as both bodies are gold-bearing, it is anticipated good results will follow. The other reef being operated upon at Stephenson's level averages about 2ft. in thickness, in which colours of gold have also been seen; bnt the ore is scarcely payable as yet. Further development of this body, however, is expected to result remuneratively. At Prescott's level a leader bearing the same name, which averages about 4in. in thickness, is being opened up. This leader has proved to be a good one in the past, and is now yielding a class of ore worth about 2 oz. per ton. Besides the works already mentioned, two or three other prospecting works are also in progress, in one of which (at the Weymouth level) a nice-looking 4 in. leader has recently been intersected, and strong colours of gold seen in it. The present scheme of development will suffice for amply testing the property." The battery has been employed in crushing small parcels from the different reefs. About 150 tons have been put through, but the result is not yet given ; another parcel of 21 tons yielded 2 oz. of gold. Twenty-four men on the average were employed. Mascotte Limerick Mine (Area, 200 acres). —The land is situated at Upper Hape Creek, and is on the line of reefs worked lower down the creek. There are two reefs, one 3 ft. and the other lft. 6 in. in width, besides small leaders. The mine is under offer to the Thames Exploration Syndicate, which has recently employed five men, who are engaged in driving and surface prospecting. Prospecting work was also carried on in the Limerick, Kedge, Shotover, and Masonic Claims. Otunui District. Several claims were taken up in this district, but very little work done. Matatoki District. Considerable amount of work was done in prospecting Teddy's Golden Chariot Claim. Kirikiri District. Fleming's Mine, comprising the Horseshoe, Filly, and Chester Claims, of a total area of 214 acres, was held under option by the New Zealand Exploration and other companies. A considerable amount of prospecting was carried on, but it has not yet transpired whether the purchase will be completed or not. No returns of gold have been received from this mine during the year. Puriri District. Hit or Miss Mine (Area, 30 acres.) —This mine is situated some distance up from the main road on the Puriri Creek, and has been worked for several years for small returns of gold. Since the time the present company became the owners a considerable amount has been expended in prospecting, and the old tunnels reopened. No. 1 level is driven 145 ft. on a reef 1 ft. 6 in. in thickness, and No. 2 level 176 ft., on a 2 ft. reef. A low-tunnel cross-cut at a depth of 400 ft. has been driven a distance of 349 ft., but no reef has yet been cut. This property has been worked for some time past by an English syndicate, which holds the option of purchase. Twelve men were employed, Dover Castle Mine (Area, 100 acres.) —This land has been prospected for the past three months, and a trial crushing of 1 ton taken from a reef in No. 1 drive yielded loz. 17 dwt. of gold; value, £4 16s. 2d. Four men were employed. Prospecting work has been carried on in the Empress of India, Amazon, Wandoline, Eclipse, and several other claims in this locality. Puriri Mine (Area, 100 acres). —This land is situated on Puriri Creek. A small reef 3 in. in thickness was driven on 60 ft., and gold occasionally seen in the quartz. A gold-bearing reef 10 in. in thickness was driven on 130 ft. at the top level, and at the new level it was driven on 54 ft., and proved to be gold-bearing throughout. A reef 4 ft. in thickness was discovered on the surface, but gold has not been found in it. The low-level cross-cut was only advanced a few feet, and no quartz has yet been cut. The rock continues to be of a very hard character. Three men were employed. Fair Alice, Apakura, Lion, Central, Dorrit, and several other claims have been taken up and prospected, but no discoveries or results have been ascertained. Day Dawn Mine (Area, 23 acres). —This land is situated near the Puriri to Tairua old track. The claim was formerly known as the Brothers, and was worked for several years by Mr. Peter Dome, and where there is a large quantity of auriferous matter, is being prospected by trenching and driving. The work has lately been carried on by a party who hold an option on behalf of English capitalists. They are prepared to find capital to work the ground and erect a suitable plant on the permanency of the mine being proved. Three men were employed. Neavesville District. A number of claims have been taken up in this locality, but mining operations have been delayed for the greater part of the year, consequent on titles not being settled, it being doubtful how far the boundaries of the Kauri Timber Company extended.