97

a—3

Wealth of Nations. —A short rSsumi of the work done in the Wealth of Nations is as follows : The 700 ft. level has been opened up for a distance of about 440 ft., exposing a good reef for nearly the whole length, a winze put down on stone to the 800 ft. level, and the shaft sunk to the same depth, with additional sump-room. The 800 ft. level, north and east, is now being pushed as much as possible. The reef was encountered on this level at 142 ft. north of the shaft, at which point it was driven on to the eastern termination of the stone, and is now being pushed out north on a good width of reef. The total footages completed here during the year are 761 ft. driving and crosscutting, and 215 ft. of sinking and rising. Stoping commenced in December last in a general manner on the 500 ft., 600 ft., 700 ft., and more recently the 800 ft. level, the quartz from which, together with that produced from development during the year, amounting in all to 5,058 tons, has been milled yielding 1,684 oz. 1 dwt. 12 gr. bullion, valued at £6,575 15s. sd. 2,129 tons of coarse sands have been cyanided, yielding bullion to value of £964 lis. 6d. The surface-works have been considerably altered during the year, the twenty-stamp battery having been overhauled and readjusted, and the 50 ft. diameter water-wheel substituted by a Pelton to drive the battery. An elevating-wheel, 18 ft. diameter, now lifts the pulp up 13 ft., and delivers it into a classifyingbox, from which the slimes flow away over twelve concrete tables, 15 ft. by 12 ft., on which the pyritic slimes separate out. The coarse sands pass on over two Wilfiey tables, on which the concentrates are extracted, the sands themselves flowing on down a launder into the cyanide-tanks, of which there are six, and two sumps. The capacity of the water-race has been somewhat increased to meet the requirements, and the whole of the reduction-works has been lit with electric light by a Crompton dynamo. The capacity of the mill being about 1,100 tons per month, it is expected that this quantity will be treated steadily during the ensuing year. Golden Fleece Group. —A large amount of work has been done on this property during the year, comprising 2,368 ft. driven and crosscut, and 598 ft. raised. The most important work was the completion of the shaft, which had to be carried up about 35 ft. above the No. 6 level, or 495 ft. in height above the low-level tunnel. When this was being done chambers were being cut at Nos. 9, 8, 7, and 6 levels, besides a crosscut at the latter to connect the shaft with the engine, which had to be installed in a chamber 17 ft. by 24 ft. by 11 ft. This chamber had to be connected to the head of the shaft with an inclined tapered rope-way. The assembling of the engine-parts was put in hand during October, and the engine connected to the compressor at the battery by a pipe-line, the first 6,666 ft. of which is a 5 in. pipe, the remaining 1,815 ft. consisting of 3 in. and 2^-in. pipe. Whilst this work was in hand the various levels and raises were being extended from the crosscut both north and south on Nos. 9, 8, and 7 levels, the same being connected to one another by rises where necessary. Stoping started at the latter end of October, and the mill commenced running early in November, since when it has been running continuously, making good time. The tonnage crushed to date is 5,628 tons, yielding 3,203 oz. 13 dwt. 7 gr. bullion, valued at £12,261 4s. 3d. 3,380 tons of sands have been cyanided, yielding bullion to the value of £1,204 3s. Bd. Also some 19-| tons of concentrates have been saved, a portion of which has been shipped to the smelters for treatment. The whole plant is in excellent order and doing good work. General. I am glad to be able to state that the prediction made in last report —that the then coming year would see an increased output of gold—has been verified, and I have every confidence that the current year will see a still further increase. The dredging industry, which is so prominent in other portions of my district, is little in evidence in this, as there are but two dredges at work in it—viz., the Al and Beeves's Proprietary ; the former has only been at work a fortnight, the latter has been at work some months. I have to thank managers and directors of companies for information enabling me to frame this report.

13—C. 3.