110

0.—3

Other Minerals.

Large blocks of greenstone, or jade, are constantly being unearthed at Kumara during sluicing operations. This stone is now very much in demand in. Europe, having lately become very fashionable. It is known to exist in many other localities on this coast, but it cannot be found in any other part of the colony, and as a consequence must in time command a large price. The existence of coal of a very good quality has been proved at Touchier's Gully, near Lake Kanieri; at Koiterangi, fifteen miles from Hokitika ; in the lower Paringa Valley ; at Bullocky Creek, ten miles north of the Haast Biver ; and close to Jackson's Bay. Copper has been discovered in the Upper Hokitika Valley ; the Upper Wanganui Valley ; at Copper Creek, in the Matakitaki Bange ; near Maori Biver, south Westland. Iron has been found close to the terminal of the Fox Glacier ; in the lower Paringa Valley; in the lower Smoothwater Valley, near Jackson's Bay ; and in the Upper Cascade Valley, below Jackson's Bay. Granite exists in large quantities in the Teremakau Valley ; the Island Hill, at the head of the Kawhaka Valley ; Mount Tuhua (Lake Kanieri) ; and in the upper valley of the Hokitika Biver. Freestone is abundant in the Otira Valley ; at Koiterangi; at Abbey Bocks, six miles .south of the Paringa Biver ; and in Smoothwater Valley, near Jackson's Bay. Silver has been found at Mount Bangitoto. General. In addition to the Wilberforce Beefs now in process (if development, gold-bearing quartz has been found at Kelly's Range, and at the Cedar Creek Beefs at the head of the Totara Valley, near Boss. Although dredging for gold has not been so successful in this district as in other parts of the colony, I am convinced that the failure to equal the records elsewhere has been caused, not by the non-existence of the gold, but because the dredges used have not been sufficiently strong to overcome the obstacles met with in the shape of sunken timber and large boulders nor been capable of dredging deep enough to obtain the precious metal, which I have no doubt exists almost everywhere on this golden coast. On the sea-shore, extending for hundreds of miles, are sands laden with fine gold, and being constantly renewed. A fortune awaits the inventor who will discover a process of washing this sand or extracting the gild therefrom so that none may be lost. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. B. Acheson, Warden. Mr. Warden Cruickshank, Dunedin, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Warden's Office, Dunedin, 23rd February, 1906. Herewith I have the honour to enclose my returns for the Hindon portion of the Otago Mining District for the year ended the 31st December, 1905, and to inform you that I have nothing fresh to report, the general conditions of the field remaining the same as at the end of 1904. I have, &c, G. Cruickshank, Warden. Mr. Warden McEnnis, Naseby, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Naseby, sth April, 1906. In forwarding the annual mining statistics for 1905, I have the honour to accompany same with a few remarks of a general nature respecting the condition of mining in the various centres in my district, as follows : — Macrae's Flat. The usual amount of mining has been carried on during the year. There has been more activity than usual in quartz-mining, and several fresh areas have been taken up; but in most cases not much has been done, as want of capital hinders efficient work. The Golden Bar Mine has been very successful during the year, and paid good dividends to the owners. Towards the end of the year the good stone gave out, but a fresh make was discovered. The Ounce Mine has been worked by W. Lidstone, and a small amount of stone treated which, I believe, has left a very little margin of profit. At the Maritana Mine, owned by C. McGill, a considerable amount of work has been done and a small quantity of scheelite produced, but the gold-returns were, I understand, small. The mine has been connected with the battery by a three-rail tramway, and an oil-engine put in to augment the water-power. The Golden Point Mine, owned by Messrs. W. and G. Donaldson, has been in regular work during the year, and employed an average of twenty-five men. The low-level tunnel has been extended, and is now following the reef to the dip. The reef contains very good gold-bearing stone. The yield of gold has been good, and 60 to 70 tons of scheelite has been produced during the year of an average value of about £80 a ton. Mount Highlay Mine (Gilmour and party).—This mine changed hands during the year, and the purchasers have done a considerable amount of work. They put in a concentrator, and with it have saved some scheelite ; but the battery has not been kept constantly going. There is a prospect of more vigorous work being undertaken next year. The Gold and Tungsten Mine, near Mount Highlay, owned by Messrs. W. and G. Donaldson, was one of the most recently taken-up properties, and although it was at first held by six parties, it is now entirely in the hands of Messrs. W. and G. Donaldson, who have spent £1,500 in a plant which