0.—3.

The Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Company (Limited) .—This old-established mine is situate at, Crushington, about three miles from Reefton, and has now been working for many years. The company are the holders of five special claims of a total area of 118 acres, and during the year have acquired a prospecting license of 100 acres north of and adjoining these areas. A water-race of sixty heads from the Inangahua River supplies motive power for the twenty-head stamper-battery, while steam is used for haulage purposes at the mine. An efficient cyanide plant is installed in connection with this mine, and the treatment of (he, ore, which is of rather poor grade, is carried on in such an economical manner that quartz which at one time would have been discarded is now made to pay at least workingexpenses. The work in this mine has been carried on continuously during the year, but the ore, though plentiful, has been poor, consequently no dividends have been declared for some time. The prospects for the future, however, are considered good, and hopes are entertained of increased returns during the present year. , The Caledonian United Gold-mining Company (Limited).— This mine is situate at Larry s Creek, about sixteen miles from Reefton, and consists at present of a prospecting license of 100 acres. The work during the year consisted in sinking the main shaft, from which it is intended to drive in order to strike the reef which was known to exist in the lease when it was abandoned years ago on account of the influx of water. This shaft has now been sunk to a depth of 275 ft,, and after sinking another 20 ft, (o provide storage for water a start is to be, made to drive the first level. Work has been considerably hampered owing to the, great influx of water ; but this difficulty has been got over by the use of powerful pumps. The Golden Arch Gold-mining Company (Limited).—This company, formed during the year,_ has taken over the special claim and other mining privileges owned by J. Knight and party at Italian's Creek, in the Capleston district. A ten-head stamp-battery, worked by an oil-engine, has been erected, and a good deal of development-work has been carried on during the year. This company should provide work for a number of hands in the near future. The Wellington Mines (Limited). —This company, which was formed about a year ago, first acquired the property situate at Murray Creek, and known as the Golden Treasure Mine. On this claim a good deal of prospecting was carried on last year, in the hope that payable antimony as well as auriferous ore would be, found to exist. Later on the Inglewood Victoria Mine was purchased from a syndicate who had taken the mine over from Mr. P. N. Kingswell. Very little work has been done on either of the company's mines during th? year, protection having been granted in order to allow the directors an opportunity of obtaining capital to suitably develop the ore-bodies which are supposed to exist on both of these properties. The Neiv Ulster Quartz-mining Company (Limited). —This mine is situate in the Painkiller district, between the Golden Fleece Mine, and the Waitahu River, and consists of a special quartz claim of 100 acres. The company was formed early in the year, and took over the property from a syndicate that had been diligently working to the best of their ability for some time. A five-stamp battery and cyanide plant has been erected, and an oil-engine for driving-purposes installed. A quantity of quartz has been crushed during the year which has proved payable, but so far no dividends have been declared to the shareholders. ■ Kirwan's Reward Mine.—This, property was purchased by Mr. P. N. Kingswell when the original company went into liquidation last year. The new owner has spent a considerable amount in driving and prospecting during the year, unfortunately without success. Mr. Kingswell has now surrendered his title to the ground, and another party has taken it up with a view to further prospecting^ The St. George Extended Quartz-mining Syndicate.— This syndicate have taken up a special claim of 30 acres known originally as the St. George, and also a prospecting license of 100 acres adjoining. Two or three men have been constantly employed during the greater part of the year prospecting these leases, and so far with a certain amount of success, some very good ore having been discovered. The South Big River Syndicate.— This syndicate have taken up prospecting licenses in the Big River district, known as the Conquest and other claims, and have been vigorously prospecting them for the past six months. So far nothing of a permanent nature has been discovered. Several other prospecting syndicates have been formed during the year, and a number of prospecting licenses have been acquired from the Court, but no new finds of any value have been reported. Dredging. Six dredges have been carrying on operations in the Reefton District during the year with more or less success. In the Boatman's Creek the Hessey, Cameron, and Tacon (Limited) dredge has been working continuously. As the land being worked is freehold, no mining titles are held in connection with the dredge. . . . The Al Dredging Syndicate, Messrs. Rogers, Butland, and Ferris, who acquired the dredge and mining privileges owned by the Al Gold-dredging Company (Limited) have been running their dredge with payable results almost continuously throughout the year. The Slab Hut Creek Gold-dredging Company (Limited) have been working the bed of the Slab Hut Creek in the vicinity of the Tawhai Railway-station for some years with a fair amount of success. This year, however, the returns have been rather poor. At Antonio's Flat there are two dredges at work, the Workshop Gold-dredging Company (Limited) and the Antonio's dredge, now owned by Messrs. Hessey and Cameron. Very good returns have been obtained by the former dredge right from the commencement of operations. The latter dredge has now been started again under the new ownership, and payable returns are now being obtained. At Blackwater the Blackwater Creek Gold-dredging Company are still getting payable gold, and have been carrying on operations continuously during the past year.

7—C. 3.

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