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C—3a

Waiomo. Monowai (Monowai Gold-mines, Limited). —This mine has been well opened up, and a tramway constructed to connect the mine with the battery. Crushing has been constantly going on, and large quantities of concentrates saved. Mr. William Campbell, chairman of directors, who visited the mine last month, reported to his co-directors that the ore under cyanide treatment was showing satisfactory results. The value is about £3 per ton. Large supplies of ore are now available. Broken Hill (Broken Hill Gold-mining Company, Limited). —This property is now under option to a Glasgow syndicate. Prospecting has been vigorously carried on during the year, with very encouraging results. There are no other claims now at work in this locality. During the year the Lowrie Brothers, prospectors, have taken .up several small claims and spent a good deal of time testing them, but nothing of importance was found. They intend, however, to continue working in the locality, and are confident that they will soon make an important discovery. Loose gold has been met with in many of the small creeks. Puru. Puru Consolidated (Puru Consolidated Gold-mining Company, Limited). —This company has been vigorously developing its property, but the ore has not been payable. Crushing operations were commenced in June and carried on up to December, but it was found that the results were not satisfactory, and consequently the battery was shut down. In all 944 tons of general dirt and 20 lb. of picked stone were treated, for a return of 163 oz., valued at £489 3s. Prospecting operations have been carried on in the Big Reef Claim, but nothing payable has been discovered. Most of the other claims which were held last year have been forfeited or surrendered. Tararu. Tararu Greek (Tararu Creek Gold-mining Company, Limited). —This company seems to have entered upon a new era of prosperity. A new and up-to-date thirty-stamp battery with a complete cyanide plant was completed, and has been in operation for the last nine months. Payable returns are being obtained, improving each month. The mine is well opened up, and large quantities of good ore are being obtained from the various reefs. The ore is treated by wet crushing and pan amalgamation. The tailings are then treated by the cyanide process. The returns from the tailings go to show that this process is admirably suited for the treatment of the ore from this mine at least, if not most of the ore from this portion of the field. Gold won, 3,637 oz.; value, £8,985. City of Auckland (City of Auckland Gold-mining Company, No Liability).—The Tararu Creek Company have an option over this property, and intend fully testing the lodes which are said to exist. Very little work has been done during the past year. Kaiser (Iron Cap Gold-mining Company, No Liability). —This ground was formerly worked by the Kaiser Gold-mining Company (No Liability). Lately the present company was formed, and more capital raised for the purpose of further testing the property. A large amount of work has been done in opening up the reef at the different levels. The quartz contains a great quantity of mineral, and is of a favourable character for gold. A crushing of 12 tons gave a return of soz. 12dwt. Chicago (Chicago Gold-mining Company, No Liability).—-This company, formed in Christchurch, has spent a considerable amount in prospecting and developing the mine. A ten-stamp battery, water-race, and a tramway connecting the mine and battery have been constructed. Crushing operations were commenced, and 156 tons of ore crushed, for a return of 26 oz. This return was so disappointing that the mine was at once shut down and protection applied for. The company have not yet given up hope of finding payable quartz, and intend to raise further capital. Eclipse (Eclipse, Limited). —A large amount of work has been done in developing this mine. The reef varies from 3 ft. to 8 ft. Prom this reef 106 tons of ore were crushed, for a payable return of 136 oz. 16 dwt.; value, £396 14s. This return was considered so satisfactory that the company decided at once to erect a battery of ten stamps, at a cost of £2,240. A water-race and aerial tramway are in the course of construction, estimated to cost £2,000. The prospects of this mine are most satisfactory. Thames. Kuranui (Kuranui Gold-mining Company, Limited). —A shaft has been sunk on the flat near the battery, and a crosscut from the bottom put in, for the purpose of searching for Hunt's reef or some of the old Long Drive lodes which it was thought ran through the ground. Nothing as yet has been, found. Kuranui-Caledonian (Kuranui-Caledonian Company, Limited). —In the early part of the year a large amount of work was done from the Caledonian shaft in opening up the different reefs, but the prospects were not encouraging. The company stopped operations and let the mine on tribute. There are at present some sixty men tributing. The company crushed 180 tons 10 cwt. and 144 lb. picked stone for a return of 204 oz. 16 dwt.; value, £550 ; while the tributers treated 412 tons and 795 lb. picked stone for a return of 1,044 oz.; value, £2,792. Moanataiari (Moanataiari Gold-mining Company, Limited) —This company did a large amount of work during the first six months of the year; but the returns from the quartz crushed at their own battery were so disappointing that the number of men on wages was at once reduced. Operations were then confined to developing the Cambria reef from the low level which connects with