C— 3.

S'a-aZJ. This claim is owned by J. D. Regan and party, and is situated near the Omoko Creek. Surface prospects are very encouraging, and loose gold-bearing stones have been found. An effort is now being made to locate the source of these stones. Kapanga. During the year a new pumping plant has been erected, and comprises a horizontal con-densing-engine by Holman Bros., of Camborne, Cornwall. The cylinders are 25 in. diameter, and geared to balance-bob with two sets of spur wheels of 6 tons weight. There are three boilers, providing ample power. The plunger is 10i in. diameter by 7 ft. stroke, working at seven and eight strokes per minute. The plant is capable of lifting 2,400 gallons of water per hour. It is the intention to unwater the mine to the 1,000 ft. level. Hauraki Freehold. This mine has been in the hands of De Renzy and party, who during the year erected a fifteen-stamp mill for the purpose of treating a large quantity of surface said to contain values. The results obtained proved disappointing, and the men were removed to try the lowest adit levels. There was 222 tons treated, which produced gold to the value of £1,941 14s. 6d. Old Hauraki. During the year a considerable amount of development-Work has been done on the 300 ft. and the 400 ft. levels. At the 400 ft. level, in driving seaward to cut the No. 9, or Green Harp reef, a new body of ore was discovered, running at right angles. This was followed until the intersection of Xo. 9 lode was met with. A rise was put up on the Junction 30 ft., in which specimen stone was met, and has every appearance of continuing. At the 300 ft. level this new reef has also been located, and specimen stone secured. There is every probability, therefore, of this once famous mine again coming to the front as a gold-producer. I'lihewhan Tiki. Work carried out on this property during the year has been purely of a surface-prospecting nature. Ihe results were very unsatisfactory. The company have recently acquired another property further down the creek, which contains several well-defined reefs, in one of which a fewpounds of specimen stone has been obtained. Kuaotunu. Mountain King. At the low- level the Mountain King reef has been driven on for a distance of 240 ft. north and 50 ft. south, and a rise 233 ft. put through to No. 2 level. An intermediate level has also been formed in the centre of this block, and the reef driven on for 110 ft. The reef varies from 6 in. to 2 ft. 6 in. in width. Gold has been freely seen in the ore broken out, and a new five-head stamp battery is now in course of erection, with an up-to-date cyanide plant. Thirty tons of ore treated at the Thames produced gold valued at £214 16s. Id. Handsworth United Gold-mining Company. During the year a company was formed to work this claim, and the leaders worked by the former owner were intersected at the low level, with very encouraging results. Sixteen tons of ore treated yielded gold to the value of £650 9s. An average of seven men have been employed. New Waitaia. This claim was acquired from the previous owners, a Glasgow company, and a new company formed in .March last. At two distinct points payable gold has been located, that from the intermediate level giving a return of £5 per ton, and at No. 5 level a large blow of quartz 20 ft. in width has so far yielded £2 per ton. A low level giving 150 ft. of backs is now under way. A distance of about 1,000 ft. will require to be driven to intersect the reef. The battery of ten head of stamps has also been thoroughly overhauled. Otama. This claim is owned by J. Vernon. Three tons of ore won from small leaders, whilst receiving assistance from the Mines Department, produced 197 oz. of gold, valued at £462 19s. Mercury Bat. Moewai. For the greater part of the year this mine was under protection. Work, however, was resumed in October last with four men, and a winze is being sunk to connect with the low level and to facilitate the handling of the ore. The assays taken from the winze, so 1 am informed, have proved satisfactory. Mnhakarau. This claim consists of 20 acres, and three men have been employed by a syndicate trying a reef cut by a party of prospectors some years ago. Good dish-prospects have been obtained, and the reef, which averages 3 ft. in width, has been driven upon both on the eastern and western slopes of the spur.

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