29

a—s

unprofitable to work, likewise in the Consolation section. The treatment of 160 tons of ore yielded gold to the value of £678 17s. lid. Nine men were employed. Tin'rua Monarch Claim (C. H. Hansen, mine-manager). —Tin , low level has been driven ;i total distance of 712 ft. The level was in 520 ft. when a reef formation 12 ft. wide was cut and driven on a distance of 2(5() ft. The. ore proving unpayable to work, operations were suspended. In the Triumph section. No. 2 level was extended a further length of 50 ft., and No. 3 reef intersected and driven on 160 ft. The formation is 3 ft. 6 in. wide, and preparations are being made for Btoping. A winze lias been sunk to the Smithy No. 1 level, whereby ore will he sent to the milling plant. No. 1 Smithy level was advanced 323 ft., when No. 3 reef was cut into and driven on 261 ft. A new milling and cyanide plant has been erected, and crushing will commence at an early date. Twelve men were employed. Qolden llills Mini' (.1. 11. Evans, mine-manager).—Nos. 1 and 2 levels cut into a well-defined orebody, which was driven on from both sides of the crosscut. No. 3 low level was then driven 1,020 ft. to intersect the reef. Nos. 1 and 2 levels are connected by a rise on the reef, and everything is ready for stoping out the lode. When the low level intersects the reef, a rise will lie put up to connect with No. 2 level. The company has erected an up-to-date crushing plant close to the mine. The reduction plant was started early in the year, hut through some defect in the Suction-gas plant, the mill and mine were stopped until the necessary alterations were made. The 650 tons of ore treated gave a return value of £252 14s. 6d. Twenty-five men were employed. The mine was inspected during the year, and found to he in good order. Tairua Mines (W. Goldsworthv. mine-manager). -It having been decided to test the various reels at greater depths, a chamber was cut underground, and winding machinery installed, and a vertical, three-compartment shaft was sunk to a depth of 135 ft. below the floor of the main adit level. Crosscuts have been driven east and west. On the eastern side of the shaft the Nighi reef was Cut and driven on 110 ft., and south about 60 ft. A rise was put up south of the crosscut and holed to a winze sunk from the adit level. This work is being continued, together with mi watering the old workings to the north of the main shaft. When this has been accomplished, the reefs to the east and west will be developed. Eighteen men were employed. The mine was examined during the rear, and found to be in good order. Gem of the Boom Claim (E. Quinn, mine-manager). —A low level was commenced on the hillside, and driven some 800 ft. at the time of my visit. Owing to the defective state of the ventilation. I instructed the manager to withdraw the men immediately, and make some provision for adequate ventilation. There yet remains 200 ft. or 300 ft. to b<; driven before the reef is reached. Six men were employed. Tairua Leeds Mint , (E. Cartwright, mine-manager). —A level was driven Too ft. to cut a. reef that was outcropping on the surface, but the prospects were very discouraging, and the mine was closed down. 'r<iiruii Beefs Mine. —An adit level was driven 800 ft. without any payable ore being met with. The prospects did not warrant the further expenditure, of money, and the company closed down the mine. Luck-at-Last Claim (A. A. Adams, mine-manager). —The company is driving a low level with the view of intersecting a reef which was worked with good results by a former company at higher levels. Five men were employed. Phoenix and Dreadnought Mines (,). A. Gordon, mine-manager).—Several outcrops were prospected during the year. A shaft has been sunk 100 ft. and several drives were made on the reef. A parcel of 13 tons of ore was treated, and yielded £73 Is. 10d. Eight men were employed. West Coast Claim (J. Northy, owner and manager). —A limited amount of work was done on the claim. Claremont Claim (G. Briant, owner and manager). -Very little work has been done. The owner secured some very rich stone, which gave a return value of £607 15s. Bd. Thames Foreshore Dredging Works (IT. 11. Adams, supervisor). —Work has been carried on continuously during the year. Gravel and sands arc elevated by the dredge and sent to the Moanalaiari battery, where they arc treated by cyanide. £1,195 Is. was obtained from 7,622 tons of material treated. Seven men were employed. Minerals other tjian Gold. Nothing has been done on the copper and antimony fields. Two men in the Puhipuhi district did a little prospecting for cinnabar, but no discovery was made. I have, &c, B. Bexmk, Inspector of Mines. Mr. A. Whitley, Inspector of Mines, Reefton, to the Under-Skoretary, Mines Department. Wellington. Sir, — Inspector of Mines' Office. Reefton, 31st March, 1911. I have tin , honour to present my report on the gold-mining industry in the Marlborough and Nelson Provincial Districts for the year ended 31st December, L9lO.