C—B

56

tunnel, which had been driven westward to intersect the reef some twenty years ago, but, as the tunnel is now practically closed, ingress is impossible. The outcrop of quartz is seen to be 60 ft. in length by 15 ft. in width, about 500 ft. from the cap of the range, one mile northward from Browning's Pass. Should future development prove the existence of this large outcrop to be continuous and of a payable character, water for motive power and other purposes could be easily obtained, also a suitable batterysite, but there is a scarcity of timber for mining purposes. A road has been formed from the Glentunnel Railway-station to within 5 chains of the proposed battery-site, and the road could be made serviceable for wheeled traffic by an expenditure of £200. Messrs. Hyndman and Cameron, prospectors, during 1903 took out a parcel of 9 cwt. of quartz, which, on being crushed at the Al Battery at Reefton, yielded at the rate of 2 oz. of gold to the ton of stone. Owing to the severity of the winter weather and the difficulty of obtaining supplies, work was suspended during the winter. A number of claims having been taken up, several parties from the West Coast set out in the spring of 1904 with the object of thoroughly prospecting the reef. Wilson's Reward or Prospector's Claim (100 acres) : Four men are employed driving a tunnel, which has been driven 180 ft. and is expected to cut the reef at another 50 ft. James Billett's Lease, south of Wilson's : One man employed in testing the outcrop, which has been proved satisfactory. H. Baucke and partner are prospecting on their mining privilege with favourable results. James Morris and Fleming are prospecting a 200-acre mining privilege also with favourable results. There are, in all, about 800 acres pegged out to the southward of Wilson's Reward, and 300 acres to the northward, on which latter there is no one working at present. Altogether, there were thirteen men on the field. Mr. James Martin, Mine-manager for Progress Gold-mining Company, Reefton, with three others, spent three days on the ground, and was well satisfied. Mr. Martin gave his opinion that all that was necessary to make the field a success would be brains and capital. am indebted to the Assistant Inspector of Mines, West Coast District, for the above information. Albury, South Canterbury. Chamberlain Settlement, Opawa. —Gold-bearing quartz reported by Mr. Nicholson, a farmer, on examination proved to be nothing more than pyrites in the joints of the slate rocks of the district. ■'■'"' Several assays have been made which prove that while there was no gold in the rock itself, still, the pyrites carry a small percentage of gold to the value of about Is. 3d. per ton of stone. Assay — 8 gr. of gold to the ton of stone with pyrites. Otago. Shotover. Mount Aurum Gold-mining Company, Bullendale (F. T. Ware, Mine-manager).—2s/11/04 : The Achilles Gold-mines were purchased in 1903 by Messrs. Robert Lee and party, and prospecting operations were commenced in the early part of the year 1904. On the British-American line of reef two drives, from which Rodgers and Southbridge stoped a good block of stone some years ago, have been reopened and are being pushed ahead on the hanging-wall. As good results are expected from this section of the property, an aerial tramway is to be constructed to convey the quartz to the battery in Skipper's Creek. Other prospecting-work has been carried out, but no stone of a permanent nature met with. The battery is being overhauled and 10 head of stampers put in repair ■; motive power is to be supplied by Pelton wheel instead of electricity as in the past. The property is to receive thorough trial. Eleven men are employed in and about the mine and battery. At the end of the year the battery having been overhauled and 10 head of stampers put in good working-order, a start was made to crush stone from the prospecting-drives. Shotover Quartz-mining Company, Skipper's (T. O. Bishop, Mine-manager).—2s/11/04: The late manager, Mr. F. T. Ware, having taken charge of the Mount Aurum Gold-mining Company's property at Bullendale, Mr. Bishop has been appointed to the management of the Shotover Mine. Stoping is being continued in the rise section of the mine, and the uprise heading is also being continued to meet the upper level in the old workings for the purposes of ventilation. A winze has been sunk 50 ft. below the adit level, and a block of quartz, has been stoped out. As the future of the mine depends upon its further development, the adit level, which has been stationary for some considerable time, should be advanced. The mine-workings are in good order. Timber is well used in the level and in the stopes. The explosives are kept in a suitable locked magazine and are well handled. The ventilating-fan supplies fresh air, which is conveyed to the working-faces in pipes. All the tailings are being saved with a view to future treatment by cyanide. A few tons of quartz were taken from Cleaves Reef on the eastern bank of the Shotover River and crushed in the company's battery, but the results obtained did not warrant further attention being given to that line"of reef.lfFif on this date in and about the mine and battery. Aspinall's Reef, Packer's Point, Skipper's. —26/11/04 : Nothing has been done on this reef throughout the year. Crystal Reef, Skipper's. —26/11/04 : Operations have been at a standstill during the year. Reefton United Quartz-mining Company, Skipper's Point. —26/11/04 : Since the completion of the prospecting undertaken by this company, mining operations have been at a standstill in connection with this reef. Satisfactory results, both as to quantity and quality of the stone, are*said to have been obtained. Latest information from Reefton is to the effect that the company will take the necessary steps to erect a suitable battery at an early date and further develop the mine. r J Since my visit, I learn that the license has been cancelled and a new party have taken over the mine and intend to proceed with further development.