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satisfactory, 1,189 tons of ore has been crushed for 882 oz. 9 dwt. of gold ; value, £1918 lis. 9d. Twenty men have been employed between the mine and battery. Loyalty Mine. —This ground has been worked with two men, whose attention has been directed to driving and stoping on some of the small leaders that have been opened up, and which vary from 1 in. to 8 in. in thickness. In places rich little patches of ore are found. 30 tons of ore was treated for 27 oz. 1 dwt. of gold; value, £67 12s. 6d. A little prospecting-work is also carried on in two or three other claims in this locality, but no returns of gold have been obtained from them. Te Puke. There has been very little work done in this locality for some time, but it is reported an important discovery of alluvial gold was made by a miner named Tillsley between Te Puke and Rotorua. So far neither Mr. Ryan nor myself have visited the place, and therefore cannot give an estimate of the extent or value of the discovery.

Sunday Labour in Mines. —Permits issued by the Inspector and in force on the 31st December, 1900.

Fatal Accidents. A fatal accident happened to John McDonald on the New Zealand Crown Company's tramway on the 13th April, 1900. A report was forwarded on the 16th April, 1900. An accident happened to William Wilson in the No. 1 shaft, Waitekauri Company's mine, on the 27th May, 1900. He was struck by an endless-chain block whilst at work in the shaft. He lived for a little over six weeks afte? it occurred. A report was forwarded on the 2nd June, 1900. Charles Pohlman, whilst employed in the Waihi Grand Junction Mine, fell off the ladders in the pump-shaft, and was killed, on the 10th June, 1900. A report was forwarded on the 13th June, James Maher was killed in the Talisman Company's mine on the 18th June, 1900, by a piece of rock falling on him whilst at work in a stope. Reported on the 22nd June, 1900. Non-fatal Accidents. There were fourteen non-fatal accidents, due notice of which was sent to this office, the same being inquired into without delay. Those which appeared to be of a serious nature were reported on in the usual way. I have, Ac, James Coutts, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington, Inspector of Mines. B—C. 3.

District. Mine. Date of Issue. Number of Men. Date of Expiry or Eemarks. Ohinemuri it it a a a n Thames Waihi Company ... « • ■ ■ Grand Junction ... Union Waihi New Zealand Talisman ... „ Crown Waitekauri „ Extended The Mananu Whangamata Proprietary ... Th ame s- Hauraki Big Pump Kapanga Hauraki Eoyal Oak Hauraki Freeholds 9/1/99 23/1/99 10/11/00 1/3/00 18/1/99 10/11/00 9/1/99 9/1/99 11/1/99 23/1/99 24/9/00 10/11/00 23/1/00 11/1/99 18/1/99 18/1/99 18/1/99 8/9/00 I 20 \\ 10 6 j 4 5 6 14 14 21 4 5 6 10 4 6 12 9 6 Until notified or other alterations are made. n it Coromandel ... Six men granted until water is taken out of shaft, then three fr ... a n a Kauri Freeholds ... 18/1/99 5/7/99 7/11/00 28/1/99 14 7 9 4 men. Great Barrier Island Waikato Barrier Beefs Taupiri Coal-mines 18/1/99 5/7/99 7/11/00 28/1/99 « 196