c.—s.

crosscut has been driven 716 ft,, and it will give a vertical height of 270 ft. on the reef to the floor of the level (No. 2 level). The reefs are strong, well-defined ore-bodies. The company is now erecting an up-to-date mill with ten head of stamps on the south bank of the Tairua River. Three tube mills will be used in connection with the fine grinding of the ore. A suction-gas plant (350-horse power) is to be installed, and will be used for driving the mill machinery. The mill will be lighted by electricity, and compressed air will be used both at the mill and the mine. It is expected that' crushing will begin early in March. Twenty-seven men were employed. The mine is in good order. Tairua Monarch Gold-mining Company (lAmited), (C. Hansen, mine-manager). The low level has been extended a total distance of 712 ft. A large reef-formation was met with at 500 ft., and was driven on for 250 ft., but so far no values have been found. On the western portion of the property two reefs, averaging 3 ft., are being worked. Seven men were employed. Tairua Extended Gold-mining Company (Limited), (D. Gaw, mine-manager).—An adit level has been driven a distance of 650 ft., but nothing of an important nature has been discovered. Five men were employed. Reports having been circulated periodically as to the discovery of gold-bearing stone at Russell and Whangarei, I made visits to the localities, and personally investigated the matter. At Russell T was shown the locality from which it was said that quartz had been secured and sent away for treatment. I was not by any means favourably impressed with what I saw. At the same time, if a party of intelligent prospectors undertook to explore the country in a thorough and systematic manner, an important discovery might be made. At Whangarei a local syndicate has been prospecting on the hills near the town wharf. A little quartz was found in a creek, and a small quartz vein located in the side of the Parahaki Hill. The leader has been driven upon, and samples have been taken for assay purposes. It is the intention of the party to prospect further. Minerals other than Gold. Copper. Ferguson's Syndicate (Whangaroa).— The syndicate suspended operations at the latter end of 1908, and no work has since been done on the property. Hare-Ratjen Syndicate. —No work has been done at the mine during the year. It is reported that negotiations are proceeding for the sale of the property to an Australian syndicate. Northern Copper Company (Limited).—Owing to the fact that the dispute with the Natives as to the right of way through the company's ground has not yet been settled, and mainly to the low prices which are now ruling, the company has been hindered from prosecuting developmentwork during the year. Antimony. Lanigan's Mines (Limited).— Early in the year a few men were employed on prospectingwork, but, following on the change of management, the number was reduced. I have, <xc, Boyd Bennib, Inspector of Mines. Mr. A. Whitley, Inspector of Mines, Reefton, to the Under-Sbobetary, Mines Department. Wellington. SlR __ Inspector of Mines' Office, Reefton, 31st March, 1910. 1 have the honour to present my report on the gold-mining industry in the Marlborough and Nelson Provinces for the year ended 31st December. 1909. QUARTZ-MINING. Blenheim. Wairau Valley Gold-mining Company (Limited):— Operations during the year have been confined to driving a low-level tunnel in the Lord Hopetoun section, at a depth of 250 ft. below the upper workings. A distance of 600 ft. has been driven from the surface. Ventilation of the workings is produced by means of a small blower. An average of four men were employed. Tasman's Choice —This mine is situated at Arm Chair Cieek. Two men have been employed in prospecting-work, which comprises driving 115 ft. and sinking 50 ft. on a reef-formation averaging 3 ft. in width. Mount Patriarch.—¥ Slattery and party, owners of this mine, erected a light three-stamp battery for the purpose of testing a reef they had opened up at a surface level. As crushing operations did not show satisfactory results, all work was suspended towards the latter part of the year. Six men were employed. COLLINGWOOD. Golden Blocks Taitapu.—No development-work was undertaken during the year, operations having been confined to stoping out the payable stone between No. 3 level and the surface. This is now practically exhausted, and preparations are being made to sink on the reef from No. 3 level For this purpose, plant comprising oil-engine, air-compressor, winding-engine, and nuniD have been purchased, and will be installed early in the present year. During the year 1,299 tons of ore was crushed, for a yield of 1,348 oz. gold, valued at £4,957 4s. 4d. An average of twenty-five men was employed.

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