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necessary to adopt machinery for winding in order to allow of the shaft being sunk to the desired depth. Mr. Dobson states that the proprietary has this matter, and the question of other important development-works, under consideration, and it is probable that works on a fairly extensive scale may soon be put under way. Ever since my first visit to this mine I have been favourably impressed with the possibilities of the property, provided it is worked on more comprehensive lines than hitherto. Old Man Bange. Work at the quartz-mines owned by Mr. F. W. Gray and Mr. E. J. Symes respectively has been steadily carried on, with good average results. Operations are suspended for the time being at the claim of Messrs. Holden and Gray. Preservation Inlet. I visited this district in April, 1899, and inspected the several mines at work—viz., Morning Star, Sunrise, Alpha, Golden Site Extended, and Tarawera —and my remarks on these may be given seriatim. Morning Star. —Since my previous inspection a change has taken place in the working management, Mr. J. E. Davis having resigned. His successor is Mr. P. E. Learn. In my report last year as Inspector of Mines for the southern district I pointed out the uncertain nature of the reef, and urged the immediate need for further prospecting by extending at least one of the drives with all possible speed. This has been done to some extent, No. 1 level having been extended from 591 ft. to 1,100 ft., at which distance it is in lode formation, but without any stone in the face. A block of stone 200 ft. in length was passed through, which gradually got smaller overhead, being only 132 ft. long in No. 1a level, which is 138 ft. higher than No. 1 level. The average width of this stone was 6in., and yielded -Joz. of gold to the ton. No. 2 level has also been continued to 939 ft., but no payable stone found. I estimate that all the payable stone in sight can be stoped out in two to three months. Unless further prospecting is promptly undertaken and vigorously prosecuted, the future prospects of this mine are practically nil. Good returns were made for some time, and, although the ground is patchy, it is not unlikely that another run of good stone may yet be found. Forty-one persons were employed at date. Advices to end of March confirm the opinions above expressed. The stone in sight got practically worked out, the manager left, and the mine was practically closed for some time. Work was recommenced on a small scale after Christmas. No. 1 level has been continued without meeting with payable ore. Payable stone has been got in No. 2 level, and is being stoped. Sunrise Mine. —This property adjoins that of the Morning Star Company. At the latter mine the reef alters its course somewhat, taking a bend towards the Sunrise Claim. It was thought that this altered course might prove to be continuous, and a tunnel was commenced with the object of cutting the reef near where it was assumed that the line of the observed altered course in the Morning Star Mine would cause it to cross the boundary-line separating the two claims. Subsequent developments, however, show the reef to again bend round to a line practically parallel to that first proved ; and it now appears evident that this reef will not be cut in the Sunrise Company's tunnel, which is 620 ft. in at date (April. 1899). If parallel reefs to that worked at the Morning Star Mine exist, this tunnel may perhaps be useful as a means of proving such. Two other tunnels have been started, but are not at present working. At one of these a reef has been cut, giving about 6 ft. of stone in two divisions of, say, 3 ft. each, separated by a band of mullock about 2 ft. wide. Since my visit work has been stopped. Alpha Mine (Secretary, Mr. H. A. Bruce, Christchurch). —This is a new mine, the shaft being sunk under the superintendence of Mr. John Wilcocks, who has recently left here to take charge of the Tarawera Mine, at Isthmus Sound, Preservation Inlet. Mr. David Hughes is now in charge as mine-manager. The shaft has been sunk 133 ft. (No. 1 level being at 56 ft. and No. 2 level at 130 ft.), and is log-framed and divided into three compartments, one of which is used as a ladderway. A chamber has been excavated at No. 2 level, and a crosscut driven from thence to cut No. 2 reef. This appears about 18 in. wide, and of very low grade. At the time of my visit a crosscut was being driven from the shaft-bottom in an easterly direction to cut No. 1 reef, which was worked to a limited extent at No. 1 level. At the shaft this reef was 12 ft. wide, but does not maintain its width, the average, so far as is proved, being about 5 ft. It is of low grade (the best crushing gave a return of 5 dwt. of gold per ton), and said not to be refractory. It is proposed to continue the east crosscut in the hope of meeting with parallel reefs. The country-rock appears to stand very well. Timbering and ventilation were very satisfactory, but some improvements are necessary in the ladder-way ; also fences required at top of shaft and at No. 1 level. Mr. Hughes had only been in charge for a few days, but promised to attend to these matters promptly. A ten-head battery has been erected; weight of each stamp, 420 lb. There are also two berdans. All the plant, winding machinery included, is driven by water-power, two Pelton wheels being used. The manager reports (under date 22nd March, 1900) that since my visit prospecting has been carried on in the bottom or No. 2 level, the crosscut going east having been driven 195 ft. without meeting payable stone. No. 1 reef was picked up at this level after being displaced by a slide, and driven on for 50 ft. on the foot-wall without any prospects of gold being obtained. A crosscut towards the hanging-wall proved gold-bearing stone. This was driven on for 80 ft., the value of the stone at a trial crushing being 3-J- dwt. per ton. Both reef and country-rock are very much broken. Golden Site Extended, Gold-mining Company, Limited (Secretary, Mr. E. Allen, Invercargill; manager, Mr. W. Wylie).—The company's holding comprises five claims, viz.: Break of Day, 30 acres; Heather Bell, 30 acres; Golden Site, 29 acres 3 roods 17 perches; Christmas Eve, 29 acres 3 roods 2 perches; Hesperides, 24 acres 2 roods 14 perches : total, 144 acres and 33 perches. The mine-works and battery are on the Golden Site Claim, adjacent to the bank of Wilson's Eiver, and about eight or ten miles from the river-mouth. The shaft is 12 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft.,