C—3.

A company has been formed to work a hydraulic-sluicing claim at Enchanted Creek. The headrace is near completion, and the tail-race is well under way. This claim is owned by some of the leadingbusiness men of the town, and it is their stated intention to prove the claim as rapidly as possible. Jackson's Head, Pelorus Sound.— At this mine operations were commenced at the end of 1907, and consisted principally in driving a low-level tunnel about 25 ft. above sea-level. The reef was struck after driving 200 ft., and was followed for 50 ft. Operations were then suspended pending the construction of a paddock, which is in course of erection. Waikakaho and Mahakipawa.—Seveml parties were at work during the year on these fields, the principal work on the Waikakaho being done at the Southern Cross reef, the nature of it being cleaning out old drives and winzes and prospecting generally. Ten samples of stone from this roof were sent to the Government Assay Office at Wellington, and the results have induced the party to continue their work. On the Mahakipawa field several old claims are still being worked, but the results are known only to the parties interested. Wakamarina and Deep Creek.—At both these places small quantities of gold are being obtained. One party completed a great deal of work in clearing out a pot-hole in the Wakamarina River ; but the results did not justify the expense. No work has been done at the Golden Bar reef beyond taking out a few samples. I have, &c -» T. Scott-Smith, Warden

Mr. Warden Kenny, Nelson, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 15th March, 1909. I have the honour to forward herewith my report for the past year upon the mining district under my administration. Subdistrict of Collingwood. The Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company (Limited) has met with fair success during the past year. The Quartz Ranges (owned by Mr. Charles Y. Fell).—Little has been done on this property during the past year. It is the intention, however, of the licensee to reorganize and work on different lines, with different objects, and on a much larger scale, in the near future. Golden Block, Taitapu.— During the last twelve months, 1,757 tons of ore has been crushed. Retorted gold, 1,526 oz. ; smelted gold, 1,516 oz. The total value of the gold produced has been £5,482. The value of gold per ounce is £3 12s. 4d. Taitapu Gold Estates (Limited).—No mining operations are now being carried on, work having ceased in the month of June last. Johnston's United, Bedstead.— -This well-known ground was taken up at considerable expense by Mr. Fell some years ago. No gold has been obtained during the year, and the privilege has been surrendered. The Slate River Company (Limited).— -This company's privileges have not been worked during the past year. The party that was working on tribute during the latter part of the year 1907 ceased operations at the beginning of 1908. Later on, the company was wound up voluntarily, with the result that the whole of the company's claims and water-rights were purchased by a newly formed company, the Aorere Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited). The new company proposes carrying on mining operations by"hydraulic sluicing in new ground, known as " Boggie's Freehold." The company have purchased a large quantity of pipes at Westport that were formerly used by a German syndicate. This new company will command a very large supply of water. Minor Operations and General Remarks.—Very little individual mining has been done during the past year. Something has been attempted in the Kaituna district; two or three men have been working the bed of the Slate River ; and two have been fossicking at Rocky. Little or no prospecting has, I regret to say, been done during the year. Takaka Subdistrict. Mining in this district also is falling off considerably. The Takaka Sluicing Company has sold out its claim at the Bu Bu to Mr. Campbell, their late manager, who is employing five men at the present time. There are two old men working up the creeks, but getting very little gold. There are about nine men, off and on, in the lower and upper Anatoki. They report that there is plenty of gold, but it wants capital to get it. Two men are working the Waingaro River, and two old miners working in the Waitoi Creek brought down 12 oz. of gold just before Christmas. Motueka Subdistrict. Mr. Holland, a mining engineer of experience in asbestos mining and treatment in Canada, has gone up to prospect for asbestos. Some work is being done on the special claims which have been taken up on the table-land of Mount Arthur, but the Mining Registrar at Motueka has not supplied me with particulars of the work, nor the amount which has been expended on the privileges held by Messrs. Bond, Clouston, Ewing, and James. No doubt, the Mining Inspector will be in possession of this information later on. Wangapeka Subdistrict. I am sorry to say that mining is practically dead in this district. I have, &c, H. Eyre Kenny. Warden.

55