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KUAOTUNTJ. Handsworth United Gold-miming Company (J. Carroll, Mine-manager), A fair amount of developmeni has boon done in this mine during the year. The principal work vas driving on the main reef on the Irene section, and connecting the east and west sides of the hill by means of a drive. A distance of 200 ft. lias also been driven in the Otama level. It is proposed to connect with the Handsworti crosscut. This will facilitate the handling of the ore. and supply good ventilation. Gold worth £1,877 6s. 7d. w:is obtained during the year. New ll'fiiiina Gold-mining Company (R. Inglis, Mine-manager). Outside of several small blocks being worked in the uppei levels, the principal work during the year has been the extension of the main low-level crosscut, which has been advanced 750 ft., making a total distance of 1.028 ft. Another 90 ft. of driving should intersect the reef, giving 150 ft. vertical height, and should open up an extensive block of payable ore. as gold occurs for 1000 ft. in the level above. Mountain King Gold-mining Company (H. Hornibrook, Mine-manager). Work has been confined to rising on and stoping a block of ground above the low level. The reef varies from 1 ft. to 4 ft. in thickness, and for 100 ft. in length contains good value. A contract has now been let to open up another block of ground on the Waitaia level, which will give KH) ft. of backs, and prove a considerable area of virgin country. Gold worth £5,358 15s. 10d. has been obtained during the year. Missouri Mine (J. Hayes, Mine-manager). This company's operations have been confined to testing the Red Mercury reef by driving, rising, and stoping. Fair value is said to be obtained, and 80 tons of ore are stacked awaiting treatment. Mountain Queen Mine (.1. Haves, Mine-manager). Four men have been employed at this mine, and ;i fair amount of prospecting-work carried out : unfortunately nothing payable has been found. Mercury Bay. Moewai Gold-mining Company (R. Port, Mine-manager). Four men were employed trying different sections of this mine. but. the results not proving satisfactory, work was suspended. Whauwhau Mine (H. Eyre, Mine-manager). This claim is situated on the coast between Mercury Bay and Kuaotunu. Several small veins showing gold freely were being worked at the lime of my visit. An eight-head stamp mill, driven by steam-engine, was in course of erection, but funds becoming exhausted operations were curtailed. Only two men are employed. Matamataharakeke. Mills , Reward (J. Davis, Mine-manager). Work in this mine is still in progress, and good dish prospects can be obtained from the lodes being worked. Two tons of ore yielded gold worth £9. Great Barrier Island. Barrier Reefs Gold-mining Company (J. G. Vivian, Mine-manager). Four men have been employed in this mine, but the work done has not proved anything of value. A crosscut is being driven north from the battery level to prospect that section of the property. Ngatiawa Mine (R. Adams, Mine-manager). Operations at this mine have been confined to the Sunbeam section, and a considerable amount of driving has been done. The results, however, proved so unsatisfactory that it was decided bo cease operations. Mackytown. Ascot Cinnabar Claim. An average of six men has been employed, and 70 tons of ore were treated at the Novak furnace for 1,2001b. mercury, worth £128. The furnace has not come up to anticipations, as there is still a 'considerable less of mercury, which evaporates. The deposit occurs in pockets in the cliffs for about half a mile in length, and. although a considerable amount of development has been done during the year, the results have so far been unsatisfactory. ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. Fatal. Waihi Gold-minimj Company (Limited). 10/3/10: F. Whyte and J. O'Malley, killed by falling down the pumping-compartment of No. 4 shaft, 165 ft. 14/8/10: George Henesy, killed, being caught in one of the driving-shafts at the company's Victoria mill.