0.—3

22

Marototo. Silver Stream Mine (T. Corbett, Mine-manager). Work has been confined to driving a low level for the purpose of intersecting the Silver Stream reef. A total distance of 600 ft. has been driven through hard country, and another 150 ft. should cut this lode. Telluride Proprietary (J. Williams, Mine-manager). This claim consists of 548 acres. A considerable amount of prospecting-work has been done during the year on three sections of the claim—namely, Gordon, Volunteer, and Excellent. An average of seventeen men was employed. Walkers' Marototo. This claim was recently taken up by a syndicate and two men engaged to repair and test the lodes in the old levels. Fair prospects were obtained, and gold valued at £4 It. secured from dish-washings. Te Aroha. Murphy's Find Syndicate. This mine has been under protection during the year, owing to litigation over adjoining claims. Hardy's Mines (Limited) (W. Greening, Mine-manager). This property has also been practically held under protection during the year, and the little work done was entirely confined to prospecting the old workings and on the surface. This company has recently gone into liquidation, and the property has been purchased by a Napier syndicate, who, I am informed, intend to thoroughly exploit it. Bendigo Mine (T. Gavin, Mine-manager). An average of four men has been employed at this mine during the year, principally driving and getting ready for stoping on the Silver King lode, which averages 8 ft. in width. About 1,000 tons of ore have been broken out and stacked at the mouth of the level. A ten-head stamp battery has been erected, and as soon as tramway connection with the mine has been effected crashing operations will be commenced. Westralia Mine (J. Tallentire, Mine-manager). This claim is held by a syndicate, who have done a considerable amount of prospecting on three levels, with, so 1 understand, satisfactory results. A trial crushing of 15 tons proved to be worth £30 ss. lid. COROMANDEL. Four-in-Hand Gold-mining Company (T. Radford, Mine-manager). The principal operations have consisted of the connection of the upper workings with the low level. A considerable amount of prospecting and development has been done, but the results so far have not turned out as well as anticipated. The battery has been removed from its original site and re-erected in the Waikoromiko Creek, where water for motive power can be obtained. The construction of the water-race is almost completed. From 90 lb. of picked stone treated a return of £176 14s. 6d. was obtained. Prospectors. Six men have been engaged prospecting at Waikoromiko during the year, and have treated 1 ton 11 cwt. of stone, for a return of £59 3s. 6d. Royal Oak Mine (G. McNeil, Mine-manager). The work in this mine during the period under review has mainly consisted of surface prospecting in well-known gold-bearing localities, but with little or no success. Work at present in progress is sinking a winze on Tokatea reef at No. 7 or lowest level, immediately under a run of gold worked overhead. Pride of Tokatea Gold-mining Company (A. J. Prescott, Mine-manager). In the early part of the year work was confined , d the western part of this mine. The results, however, proved so unsatisfactory that it was decided to remove the men and try the Harbour View section, with the result that a lode was intersected showing gold freely. Five tons of general ore and 280 lb. picked stone treated produced gold valued at £250 14s. 3d. West Tokatea Mine (J. Chapman, Mine-manager). This claim adjoins the above mine, and although a fair amount of prospecting was done, nothing of a favourable character was discovered. Exalt Mine. This claim is owned and worked by J. D. Regan, but the lodes are small, and the country is of such a hard nature that it proves unprofitable. Tokatea Claim. This is being worked by Kelso and Crawford, who are receiving Government aid to put in a low level for the purpose of intersecting lodes worked in the upper levels with payable results.