a—3.

the property and is now preparing to work the mine on up-to-date lines. The syndicate has just completed the erection of an ore-smelting plant at Waiomo, and it is claimed by them that the process adopted will be successful in the treatment of refractory ores. A small parcel has already been sent to the smelter, and the result will be awaited with interest, as it will determine in a measure the suitability of treatment. Twenty-nine men were employed. Mount Zeehan. —A little prospecting-work has been carried out, and several contracts for driving let. The results have not been encouraging. Eight men were employed. Sheridan Mine, Tapu. —Practically no work has been done on the claim for the year, it being held by one man, who devotes but little time to it. Other mines have been worked in this part of the district in past years, but they have been abandoned. Kapowai Mine, Gumtoivn (Richard Tierney, mine-manager).—The Kapowai lode is a large formation intersected by numerous quartz veins and clay seams. At the lowest level on which the lode has been operated it is well defined, and carries fair values. To intersect the lode at a greater depth a level has been started below the level above mentioned, and already driven a distance of 500 ft., leaving only 120 ft. to be driven to reach the reef-formation. It is the manager's intention to continue the low level until the lode is cut, when it is hoped that payable ore will be mined. The company treated 588 tons for a return value of £1,322 9s. 4d. Eight men were employed. Kirikiri Mine (D. Loughlin, mine-manager).—During the year the Horseshoe reef was intersected by a crosscut in the low level and driven on for about 350 ft. It appears to be the intention of the company to continue to drive on the lode until a point is reached immediately under the old work, where good results were once obtained. Then a connection may be made by a rise through the lode. There are other lodes on the property which may also be prospected at an early date. One fatal accident occurred at this mine through a fall of ore from the back of the level near the working-face. The occurrence was quite accidental. Last Shot Mine, Omahu (S. G. Baker, mine-manager).—A shaft was sunk to a depth of 60 ft., and disclosed encouraging prospects. A winding plant was then erected, and preparations made for resuming the work of sinking the shaft. A winze was sunk on the lode, but it only proved that the lode had pinched out. This unfortunate discovery led to the closing-down of the mine towards the end of the year. A hundred and fifty tons of ore was treated for a return value of £340 Bs. 7d. Ten men were employed. Miner's Right Claim, Puriri. —Prospecting has been confined to the lode-outcrops, from which 25 tons of ore was mined and treated for a return value of £131 17s. lOd. Auckland Mine. —There is nothing to report from this mine, as little or no work has been done during the year. Champion Mine. —Since resuming operations much work has been accomplished. The No. 1 level was driven through broken country for 900 ft., when the Champion lode was cut. This lode is ill defined, partaking more of the nature of a pipe-vein formation of loose gravelly quartz. A rise has been made on the lode formation from No. I level to the surface, thus ventilating the section. A low level (No. 2 level) is now being driven to cut the lode at 100 ft. below the No. 1 level. This mine was inspected from time to time and found to be in good order. During the prosecution of mine-develop-ment the company erected a stamp-mill which will be driven by a gas-engine, and has also constructed two water-races. It was found that several adjustments were necessary in the machinery. These alterations have now been made, and it is anticipated that no further delay will be occasioned by similar .interruptions. During the year, 400 tons of ore was treated for a return of £159. Twenty men were employed. Champion North Mine. —The mine has just been opened and surface prospecting started, which has resulted in the location of lode-outcrops. A level was then driven for a distance of about 120 ft. to intersect the lode, which is a fine compact body of quartz. I believe it to be the intention of the company to drive a second level at a greater depth to test the lode more thoroughly. Six men were employed. Taihoa Mine (H. Sheehan, manager).—A considerable amount of surface prospecting was done on the line of reef south of the old mine-workings, and a little loose gold obtained. A new low level was then started and driven a distance of 500 ft., cutting several reefs, but their values were very poor. In the old mine-workings a little work was done below the No. 2' level without meeting with any success. Five men were employed for the greater part of the year. Golden Belt Mine. —The ore-bodies in the main section of the mine in the upper levels have been exhausted, and much prospecting has been done on a large ore-body outcropping on what is known as the Bluffs. Several veins have been sampled with fair results. There is a large deposit of loose ore scattered over the surface, and shafts have been sunk to test its quality, which is said to be fair. An adit level has been driven to work the deposit, and a ground tram-line laid down to connect the drive with the battery. During the year the company treated 1,405 tons of quartz for a return value of £1,044. Twenty men were employed ; and the mine was in good order. Brilliant Block (J. O'Shea, manager).—The chief operations for the year were prospecting and driving on the cap of several reefs located on. the claim. Four men were employed. Tairua Conqueror (George Birnie, manager). —A prospecting crosscut was driven a distance of 60 ft., when a reef was intersected. The reef was cut again at a lower level. A crosscut was put in a distance of 250 ft., when work was discontinued for the purpose of negotiating with the Monarch Company for extending the drive with joint aid. Waimangu Claim,. —The reefs were tested and found to be carrying low-grade ore, and the companyabandoned the claim. Tairua Broken Hills (W. T. McGregor, manager).—A greatjambunt of prospecting and develop-ment-work has been carried on, particularly at the battery level on the No. 1 reef. Above and below

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