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Boss, 27th July, 1897. —Thomas McGlarry was killed by a fall of wash-dirt. No blame was attached to any person. Taipo, 14th September, 1897. —Eichard Bennett received a fracture of the skull, caused by a stone rolling from the hillside. Dee Creek Sluicing Company's Works, Bth October, 1897.—James Kirkness, aged twenty-eight years, had his right hand blown off while thawing a plug of dynamite; and David Swanson received injuries to his eyes. Fairdown Sluicing Claim, 16th October, 1897. —George Eoss, aged thirty-five years, had his left leg broken whilst attempting to lift a stone out of the sluice-box. Eeefton, 22nd October, 1897.—Philip Murphy was killed by a large granite boulder falling on his head whilst cleaning up some wash-dirt. Wealth of Nations Mine, 12th December, 1897.—John Dixon, aged twenty-five years, was injured by the sudden fall of a platform down the shaft a distance of 150 ft. Eed Jack's Terrace, near Brighton, Bth March, 1898. — Samuel McFetish was killed by a fall of wash-dirt whilst holing at the face. Genebal. At Karamea some large areas were pegged off, and several water-races also applied for. There are six men prospecting Scarlot's property prior to putting it on the Home market. So far the developments are said to be of a most satisfactory character. At Charleston the whole of the back lead of cement has been applied for, and prospectingshafts are being sunk prior to bringing in water and erecting reducing machinery. Mining at Ahaura has received an impetus lately owing to a discovery of gold in the terraces on the Seven-mile Creek. Wakamarina District: This almost exhausted goldfield still supports about thirty men, some of whom make fair wages. I have, &c, E. Tennent, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 17. Mr. John Hayes, Acting Inspector of Mines, to the Undee-Secbetaby for Mines, Wellington. Sib, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Dunedin, 14ttb'April, 1898. I have the honour to report on the following gold-mining properties visited by me :— Quartz-mines. Gabriel's Gully, Lawrence. —(6/5/97) : An attempt is now being made to resume quartzmining work here. Some years ago a reef varying from 2 ft. to 9 ft. wide was worked by a high-level adit between the main Blue Spur fault and a cross-course. A tunnel at a low level was also driven, and proved the reef to be only a few inches wide. Prom this tunnel exploration-works were conducted with the object of picking up the reef beyond the cross-course, but were not successful. The Gabriel's Gully Prospecting Association has had this low-level tunnel cleaned out and retimbered where necessary, with the object of again looking for the reef. The work has been very satisfactorily performed, so far as it has gone, and it is now intended to drive in the solid ground. (7/3/98) : Three men are now employed here. At the present time they are working in the old high-level tunnel driving alongside the cross-course. Some stone of from 3 ft. to 4 ft. wide has been got, but it is possible it may turn out to be quartz which was left when the place was formerly worked. Phanix Mine, Bullendale (Achilles Goldfields, Limited). —(12/10/97) : For some time past operations have been in progress with a view to increasing the efficiency of the mine and the reduction of working-expenses. Among the work in hand may be mentioned the sinking of a new incline shaft to the lowest levels, the grade being 54° from the horizontal, except for a short length near the bottom, where it is 60°. Double lines of rails are laid, and a well-built stairway (in lieu of ladders) is provided and substantially fenced from the winding-side of the shaft. The windingpower will be water at a high pressure working aPelton wheel, connected by gearing to the windingdrums. It is intended to hoist all the quartz up this shaft and dispense with the present winding arrangements at the vertical shaft and the winzes connecting it with the lower levels. Underground, I found the workings in good order and admirably ventilated. The principal working-places are in Nos. 4 and 5 levels, and work (chiefly of a prospecting character) is going on in No. 6 level. At the mine, battery, and other works in connection with the mine (including new developments) 101 persons are engaged, but about forty-five of these will be dispensed with when the new plant is completed and at work. (23/2/98) : Since my visit in October last considerable progress has been made in the erection of hauling and pumping plant at the new incline shaft. The latter is now sunk to within a short distance of No. 5 level, and if no interruption occurs the new arrangements should be in full work in the course of a few weeks. A winze is being sunk on the reef below iSfo. 5 level. Ventilation and timbering satisfactory, but I had to find fault with the careless manner in which some of the men handle their explosives, and wrote the management thereon on my return to Dunedin. The Phoenix is the only quartz-mine at present working in the locality. Premier Mine, Macetown (Glenrock Consolidated Company, Limited). —(18/10/97) : This mine is entered by an adit-level about 1,500 ft. long. The reef is followed on a grade of about lin4by an incline, the trucks being hauled up the incline by winding-gear worked by an electric motor. The walls of the reef appear to have a varying angle, averaging probably 50 c from the horizontal, the reef having a variable width up to 6 ft. The method of working is by overhand stopes. The stone appears very good, and the prospects look favourable. Eoadways and working-places are well timbered and looked after. Ventilation satisfactory. More man-holes are needed on the