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Nonpareil. —Tributers have been working this mine with a fair amount of success. Operations have been confined to the numerous small reefs and leaders which exist in the ground. About 350 tons of ore was taken out and treated for a return of about £1,200. Fame and Fortune. —Considerable work has been done in this mine during the past year, but so far no payable run of ore has been unearthed, although gold is often seen in the quartz when breaking down. For some time forty men were employed, but the number has been reduced considerably lately owing to the returns not being payable. Victoria Gold-mining Company (No Liability). —Very little work has been done in this mine. A few tributers have been engaged, but with very little success. The ground above the 500 ft. level is almost all worked out, and until pumping operations below that level are resumed very little good can come of employing a large number of men. Some time ago the Favourite Foreshore Special Claim was taken over, and it is the intention of the company to test the ground by boring. Should payable ore be found in the ground, I have no doubt other parts of the foreshore would be taken up. There seems to be no reason why the reefs found above high-water mark should not continue under the sea. May Queen Hauraki (Limited). —A large number of men have been employed in this mine— sixty-five on wages, and thirty-five tributers. The principal operations have been in No. 7 level, and those above in the Saxon and May Queen sections. The company had intended sinking their shaft to a depth of 1,000 ft., but the stopping of the pumping in the Thames-Hauraki shaft prevented them going on. Several of the tributers have had good returns, especially one party in the Cardigan section. Thames-Hauraki Goldfields (Limited). —This company had sixty-six men employed for the greater part of the year in continuing the sinking of the main shaft and working the pumps. The shaft was sunk a further depth of 78 ft., making the total depth 828 ft. In the latter part of last year a dispute arose between the company and the May Queen Hauraki over the payment of its contribution to the cost of pumping. The May Queen Company contended that the ThamesHauraki were bound to continue sinking until they reached a depth of 1,000 ft., and that it was on that understanding that the amount of contribution was fixed ; but the matter was arranged out of Court. Shortly after this the Thames-Hauraki ran out of funds, and on the 31st December last ceased work, and applied for and were granted six months' protection, pending the reconstruction of the Standard Company, who had become the owners of the company since my last report, but had not been registered as such. It is to be hoped that money will be found to carry on the sinking of this very important shaft to a depth of at least 1,000 ft., and thus test the lower levels. In the Karaka Creek locality the May Queen Extended, Gloucester, Karaka (Limited), and Thames-Talisman have all been working with a limited number of men, but there is nothing special to report. In the Una Hill district the Occidental, Thames, and Adelaide have all been worked, but without any payable reef being discovered. The Fortuna Hauraki was under protection for some time, but lately some tributers have been employed. Efforts are being made at Home to raise more capital to further prospect the mine by sinking the old Consols shaft. The Hill has been fairly well prospected, but no payable ore was found. Ethel Reefs Gold-mining Company (Limited). — This company has been actively engaged developing its mine until lately, but, as the reefs found were not large enough to work on a big scale, and the returns not sufficient to defray working-expenses, the company let the ground on tribute. Omahu. The Sheet Anchor Claim has been worked with from two to four men during the year chiefly in prospecting. The reef is a fairly large one, but does not seem to be in solid country. It is very much broken up, but rich ore has been obtained in places. The small battery which was erected has not been a success, the gold being too fine to be saved by amalgamation. A small parcel of 2} tons treated at the Thames School of Mines gave a return of £72. The owners, who are working miners, are. treating with the Bewick-Moreing Syndicate for capital to further prospect and develop the property. Klondike. —The claim has been worked by two men for the greater part of the year, and a fair amount of prospecting done. Neavesville. Golden Belt. —A syndicate of Auckland gentlemen purchased this mine and the machinery, which were sold by auction under warrant of distress. I understand that the flotation of a new company is in the hands of a well-known gentleman now in London, and that the prospects of obtaining capital to thoroughly test the property are very good. An additional area of ground has been marked out and applied for adjoining this claim by the owners. The low level has been extended 150 ft., with the object of cutting the reef which was found at the surface. Some years ago a great deal of work was done on this ground, and some very good returns obtained, but the old company ceased work for want of funds. Several claims have been applied for and granted lately, but not much, work has yet been done. The Advance Claim found very good ore at the surface, and the owners are now engaged putting in a low level for the purpose of testing the ground. Tairua. New Zealand Broken Hills Gold-mining Company (Limited). —This company has been engaged in prospecting and opening up its ground, but the returns have not been payable. The battery was completed, and a large quantity of ore treated by the amalgamation process, but the results were