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Mr. E. R. Green, Inspector of Mines, Dunedin, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Office of Inspector of Mines (Southern District), Dunedin, 31st March, 1908. I have the honour to submit my report on the quartz and metalliferous mines, hydraulic sluicing and alluvial mines, together with the gold-dredges of the Southern Mining District, for the year ending the 31st December, 1907. QUARTZ-MINING. Otago. Shotover. Mount Aurum Gold-mining Company, Buttendale. —.This mine has been closed down during the year, but operations may be resumed in the near future. The plant is in good working-order. Shotover Quartz-mining Company, Skipper's (T. 0. Bishop, manager; J. N. Lawson, secretary, Dunedin). —This mine has hitherto suffered through want of funds to carry on necessary developmentwork. Operations are now being conducted on progressive lines. Aided by a Government subsidy authorised by the Mines Department, that portion of the mine lying below the main level, and hitherto unworked, is to be tested by winzes. The expectation is that the continuation of the rich chute of quartz will be met with underfoot. A rise is also being put up to connect with the surface to fulfil necessary working-conditions with regard to ventilation and second outlet for men. Timber well used ; explosives carefully stored and handled ; rules posted. Eureka Quartz-mine, Jennings Gully, Skippers Point (Lambie and party, owners). —This mine was abandoned by the Eureka Company, and was idle for some time. It was then taken up by a small syndicate, and operations recommenced. Aided by a Government subsidy, a rise was commenced from the low level, and this work is now in progress. The mine is equipped with a small battery of three heads. Two men employed. Macetown. Premier Sunrise Mine, Macetown. —The mine has not been reopened. The water-pressure is being used by Partridge and party to work the bed of the creek by hydraulic sluicing and elevating. This ground is deep and rough. Sunrise Quartz-mine, Advance Peak. —This old property has been taken up recently by a local resident, no doubt with a view to reopening it. This mine is situated at an elevation of over 7,000 ft. above sea-level. New Zealand Consolidated Gold-mines (Limited), (L. 0. Beal, attorney, Dunedin). —An attempt was made to obtain portion of this holding on the ground of abandonment through non-compliance with regard to the working-conditions of the lease. Abandonment was not proved, and the Warden inflicted a fine instead of forfeiture. Since that I understand six men have been employed on various portions of the ground, and it is to be hoped that this valuable property will be developed on a working scale in the near future. Hamilton and Party's Quartz Claim, Caledonian Gutty. —Formerly owned by McKay and party, this mine has been acquired by the present owners, and operations continued. The high-level block is now almost exhausted, and preparations are being made to drive a long low-level tunnel, which will afford several hundred feet of " backs." The quartz is conveyed to the paddock by means of an aerial ropeway, and it is then carted to the battery. Two men generally employed. Mine-workings in'good order. Anderson, Hannah, and Party's Quartz Claim, Scanlan's Gutty. —The work undertaken by this party during the year has been of a more progressive nature than formerly. The reef has been opened up and driven on in several places. The party have purchased a five-head battery, the erection of which is now almost complete. A good deal of money has been expended in construction of sledge tracks and other preliminary works. Stoping operations will be commenced as soon as the Seven men employed. Cromwell. Cromwell Mine, Bendigo. —The quartz-mine has not been reopened, while, owing to the dryness of the season, sluicing operations on the surface have been hindered. The proposal to drive a lowlevel tunnel to crosscut the mineral belt of country has again been brought forward, and the scheme is favourably regarded by those having knowledge of the locality. Come-in-Time Quartz-mine, Bendigo. —This mine was prospected during the year, and results were said to be favourable. A company is being formed to erect crushing machinery. Alta Mine, Bendigo. —Some attention has recently been given to this property, in which gold and scheelite are found in the reef. There are several reefs in this neighbourhood which will be taken up should demand arise for quartz-mining areas. Bannockburn. Go-by Quartz-mine, Carrick Range (J. B. Holliday, owner). —This property has been practically unworked during the year. Holliday crushed a few loads of quartz when water was available. George Lawrence, Carrick Range. —Small of stone are obtained from time to time and crushed in the Star of the East battery .when water is available. Caledonia Mine, Carrick Range. —This mine is being reopened by Messrs. Robertson and Lawrence. It is stated that payable quartz has been struck in the level. Should this continue the mine will be p,. i perly developed There is a complete battery, driven by water-power, on the property.

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