87

C—B

There are two other claims in existence—viz., the Tui Silver-mines and the Kia Ora, both of which are under protection. The area held under mining licenses in this portion of the districtjtotals 563 acres. Coromandel.—ln this portion of the district mining during the past year has afforded no excitement. No new finds of a sensational nature have been made, consequently there is very little activity in mining. What is required is a real good discovery which would infuse new life to those engaged in seeking for the precious metal. Before any revival can be expected, a find on a fairly large scale will be necessary. Most of the former bullion-producing mines have not been as successful as they were a year or two ago. More attention has, however, been paid to prospecting in the out-districts, and it is possible some new discovery may be made which will have the effect of restoring prosperity to this portion of' the district at any moment. The Kauri Block : The rich surface patches in this locality apparently have been exhausted, and the cessation of pumping operations at the Old Hauraki shaft precludes work in it being carried on, or at the adjacent mines at the lower levels. It appears the several companies concerned cannot arrive at an amicable arrangement, and it is difficult to suggest a remedy. The establishment of a drain-age-area with a board of management might meet the case if there could be a guarantee of several companies working for a period sufficiently long to recoup the cost of necessary pumping plant and pay the expenses of pumping. In consequence of the water rising and flooding the workings of the Old Hauraki, the Bunker's Hill and the Hauraki Freehold Companies have been working entirely near the surface during the past year, with the result that little gold has been won. The Old Hauraki, however, crushed 171 tons of ore for a yield of 315 oz. of gold, valued at £953. The Bunker's Hill Company had several small but satisfactory returns prior to the stoppage of the pumps, and it is reported that rich gold was left in sight when the water rose and drove the men out of the workings. The Hauraki Freeholds was not so much affected by the stoppage of the Hauraki pumps, and during last year several payable yields were recorded, as well as a considerable amount of development-work carried on, but latterly the water difficulty has been a great block to gold-production. The Golden Pah has been worked entirely by tributers for a considerable period, with varying results. This claim is at present protected. The Hauraki No. 2 Company have struggled on in a small way without tangible results. In the Belle Vue Mine a considerable amount of prospecting has been accomplished, and several tributers are at present employed on the property. The Tokatea Range has been very quiet of late. The Royal Oak Company's Mine has, however, been a steady gold-producer, and has employed a large staff of men. This property is one of those worked by Mr. H. H. Adams's syndicate. The Harbour View Company has been engaged in putting in a lengthy crosscut to admit of getting under the chutes of gold worked in the upper levels in times past, and it is hoped success will reward the enterprise displayed. The Golden Spark Company have been working away steadily and had small crushings •during the year, but so far the lower levels have not proved as rich as the surface portions of the mine. The Tokatea Consols Mine, owned by an English company, has latterly become a steady goldproducer as the result of development-works carried out in the early part of last year and of careful management. The Monte Christo Claim (formerly the Queen of the North) has been worked in a small way, and several small crushings have been obtained. In the Ruby Mine a very considerable amount of development-work has been carried on, and the property is now well opened up. Attention is being directed to the smaller lodes at the present time, from which a parcel of ore was recently treated. The main Tokatea reef traverses the Harbour View and Ruby Mines and thence across country to the Success Mine, and an effort is being made to form a prospecting association to prove the value of this enormous ore-body. There are many who believe if this is good enough to work it will prove a new era in mining for Coromandel; there is an unlimited supply of ore, and as it is known to carry a little gold it is well worthy of attention. Cabbage Bay.— This portion of the district has been neglected of late, the only mines working there being the Austral and the White Star. There is a little prospecting being carried on towards Matamataharakeke. On the White Star two men have been employed for the greater part of the year. Mining is slow on this ground, owing to the hardness and the smallness of the leader, but nevertheless from 1 ton 5 cwt. of stone 27 oz. of gold of the value of £75 was secured. Kennedy Bay has received some little attention at the hands of prospectors, and rich stone is occasionally found. A new find is reported by Cleaver and Sweeney upon a branch of the Omoho Creek. Several claims have in consequence been applied for, and development-works have been commenced in the Lena Special Claim; but no mining of any importance founded on these discoveries has been produced during the year. Mercury Bay.— The Kapowai Mine is owned and worked by Mr. O'Connor, of Gumtown. In the early part of the year 45 tons of ore was crushed, which yielded 38 oz. 16 dwt. of gold. This convinced the owner that the property could be made remunerative, and measures were taken to construct a selfacting tramway with a view to save expense in getting the quartz to the mill. As, a result of this wise action 485 tons was treated during the last four months of the year, producing 474 oz. of gold valued at £1,087 17s. 4d., a very satisfactory state of affairs which may at any time develop into something of much greater value and cause considerable mining activity in this locality. The Big Beetle : This mine was worked for the first seven months of the year by a company, but as it could not be made to pay expenses, protection had to be resorted to, More recently the mine and