C—3a

40

Pukewhau Mine. —This mine was protected for six months, but operations have again been resumed, five men being employed in driving on the reefs. So far no gold has been obtained. Manaia District. British Fleet Mine. —There are only two men employed driving a level to intersect the Golden Hill reef. This drive is in a distance of 90 ft., passing through good country with nice mineral veins running through it. No returns. Little Minnie Mine. —Three men are employed driving a level to intersect a reef 2 ft. thick that has been tried on the surface. A little gold is sometimes seen in breaking the stone on the outcrop, and it prospects fairly well. The low level is in a distance of 105 ft., and the reef is expected to be reached in another 40 ft. of driving. No returns. Golden Hill Extended. —This ground is being worked by a party of four tributers, who have done a large amount of work on the different reefs that run through the property. A two-stamp battery is on the claim, but this has not been worked for some time. There have been no important discoveries made, and no returns from the mine. Great Baerier District. Great Barrier Gold- and Silver-mining Company. —This claim was formally known as Eyan's Freehold. At time of visit the principal work in progress was sinking a shaft and driving a low level to intersect the reef. It is intended to drive the low level a distance of 600 ft., and connect with the shaft, which is to be sunk to a depth of 200 ft. When this is completed it should give about 290 ft. of backs, with a considerable amount of crushing dirt. The reef averages about 18 in. in thickness, and the quartz is of a kindly description. Samples of the ore have been taken and tested from time to time, and I am informed they have given good results, and the value of the bullion obtained from the assays averages from £7 to £152 per ton. A surface or higher level has been driven 230 ft. in the hill further up than the shaft to intersect a large reef which crops out on the surface. A small winding plant has been erected over the shaft. Twenty-four men are employed. lona Gold- and Silver-mining Company. —The work now under way in this mine is driving a low level on the western branch of the lona reef, which averages about 4 ft. in thickness. I am informed that assays have been made of the reef in different parts which proved satisfactory, averaging about £5 to £7 per ton. A top level has also been driven 100 ft., at which distance the lona main reef was cut, which is a large body of stone. Prom this reef also samples were taken and assays made, which gave an average value of about £7 10s. per ton. It is the intention of the company to push on the driving in the low levels from the western branch of the lona reef to enable them to cut the reef at a depth where it is cut in the top level, which would give a considerable amount of backs. Seven men are employed. Kaitoke Mine. —Six men are employed in this mine. Driving in the No. 1 level has been extended to a distance of 340 ft. for the purpose of cutting a reef which has been discovered on the surface, but has not been proved as to size. Samples have been taken out, and, lam informed, averaged about £13 per ton. Driving has also been done in the No. 2 level, and a cross-cut of 120 ft. has been put in to cut the Barrier No. 3 reef. There are several reefs in this ground, which have been stripped and trenched onjthe surface, two of which average 18 in. and 15 in. in width. Great Barrier Gold- and Silver-mining Company. —This company has done a considerable amount of work, and are now driving on the reef at a distance of 325 ft. The reef is about 18 in. in thickness and looks promising. A ton of stone was treated, and, lam informed,.gave a yield of 4 oz. of gold and 1,500 oz. of silver, which was considered very satisfactory. Only six men are engaged. Mount Argentum Gold- and Silver-mining Company. —There are four men employed in the mine. The principal work in hand is sinking a winze on the reef, which is about 4 ft. in thickness, and from assays we are led to believe that the reef's value is about £6 per ton. The winze is down a depth of about 30 ft. A considerable amount of surface prospecting and trenching has been done on the ground, and several reefs intersected, some averaging 3 ft. 6 in. in width. Barrier Gold and Silver Estate Company. —The principal work in progress in this mine is driving a cross-cut to cut the Barrier No. 3 reef, which is expected to be met with at a distance of 300 ft. The cross-cut has been driven 120 ft. through a boulder formation, but now it has changed, and a soft blue sandstone has been met with. Eight men are employed. Aotea Mine. —The company are now employed driving a low level to intersect the lona reef, which was met with in a level 90 ft. higher, and was 4 ft. in thickness. The level has been extended 220 ft., but an additional 200 ft. will have to be driven before the reef is cut. Six men are employed. Staffa Mine. —A branch of the lona reef is supposed to pass through this property, as it has been cut in a higher level, and is 2 ft. in thickness. The company are now employed driving a low level to cut the reef, which is in a distance of 230 ft. Pour men are employed. Original Great Barrier. —This company have ten men employed, and the principal work in hand is driving a No. 2 level to cat the reef which was cut on the top levels. The reef should be met with at a distance of about 500 ft., of which 230 ft. has already been driven. The reef is 2 ft. in thickness in the upper levels, and, lam informed, is of good value. Driving is also being carried on in the low levels, but a considerable distance will have to be driven before the reef is cut. Ten men are employed. Kauri Freehold Block (Whangaparapara).— This claim has been worked by the New Zealand Exploration and Anglo-Continental companies under an option for two years. A low level is being