C—3

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QUARTZ-MINING. Blenheim. Wairau Valley Gold-mining Company (Limited). —The extension of the low-level tunnel in the Lord Hopetoun section was the only work carried on during the year. The total distance driven amounts to about 800 Et. Tasman's Choice.—Two men were employed driving a crosscut from the surface to intersect a reef at a depth of 80 ft. below the upper workings. Dominion Consolidated. —This mine is situated in the Wakamaiina district, and comprises the old Golden Bar, Empire City, Federation, and Great Yorkshire Claims. Messrs. Humphries Brothers, the owners, have erected a battery of twelve heads of stampers and four berdans to test the reefs in the property. Operations have been greatly retarded by scarcity of water for motive power. The 355 tons of quartz crushed yielded gold to the value of £93 15s. 4d. Eight men were employed. COLLINGWOOD. Golden Blocks, Taitapu. —The payable stone between No. 3 level and the surface having been exhausted, operations at the mine are being carried on with the view of besting the reef at lower levels. A large chamber was excavated in No, -i level, and machinery for sinking purposes erected therein, comprising 28-horse-power oil-engine, [ngersoll Rand air-compressor, Tangye pump and winch. A shaft lift, by 4 ft. in the clear of timber, mid divided into three compartments, is being sunk to a depth of 60 ft. below No. 3 level, where it is proposed to open out for No. 4 level. Crushing has been suspended during the year. Ten men wn-i' employed. Westport. I,'ril Queen, Mokihinui.- Surface prospecting at this mine resulted in the discovery of a large reef, carrying fair values. Operations are being conducted towards developing this new reef. During the year 20 tons of quartz were treated, for a return of 20 oz. gold, valued at £114. Two men were employed. Uritannia Gold-mining Company (Limited). —During the year a small block of payable stone was opened up in the .Early Bird section. The treatment of 55 tons resulted in a yield of 81 oz. 14 dwt 6 gr. gold, valued at £316 13s. 6d. As further prospecting failed to reveal anything of a payable nature, all work was suspended. Lyell. New Alpine Gold-mining Company (Limited). —In the early pari of the year a crosscut was driven from No. 7 level to prospect Eot the north block of stone, which was lost below No. 6 intermediate level. This work not proving successful, the mine mid plant were sold to a private syndicate. Under the new ownership further development-work is to be carried on at levels Nos. 7 and 14. F. and M. J. Harrison. —This party is engaged in prospecting a reef to the west of the old Tryconnel Claim. A subsidy of £37 JOs. was granted towards the work. Seventy feet of driving has been done, with encouraging results. Victory, New Creek. —Messrs. Harrison and party have reopened this old mine, and are conducting surface prospecting thereat. As ;i result of their operations, several blocks of stone have been located, which may prove payable under modern methods of treatment. Boatman's. Just-in-Time Gold-mining Company (Limited). —This company has erected a winding plant, repaired the main shaft to the 100 ft. level, and cleaned oul and repaired the east crosscut for a distance of 260 ft. from the shaft. The crosscut is to be extended to cut. a, reef, from which good returns were obtained at the surface levels by the, old company. Five men were employed. Welcome Gold-mining Company (Limited). — Boatman's low-level tunnel was cleaned out and repaired for a distance of 450 ft. from the surface. This was the only work undertaken by the company during the year. Golden Arch. — Payne and party, tributers in this mine, treated 71 tons of ore. for a. return of £244. The ore was obtained from the stopes over the low level. Victoria Range Syndicate (late Kirwan's Reward). —A crosscut was driven to the west from Sawpit Gully, a distance of about 160 ft.. without locating any reefs. Another drive has been started near the south-east boundary of the claim to prospect for Kirwan's reef. Two men were employed. Reefton. Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Company (Limited). —Operations by this company during the year have been directed principally to repairs and development. It was found necessary to retimber the' main shaft for over 300 ft., also to effect repairs to old levels amounting to 1,450 ft., so as to place the mine in good working-order. No. 7 level (1,073 ft.) :At this level stoping was commenced in the south workings, but was abandoned after a short time, owing to the stone being of very low grade. A winze was sunk 60 ft. below the level on stone carrying good values. In the north workings the crosscut to the inside shaft was extended 191 ft., and driving and crosscutting totalling 723 ft. were carried on westerly and north-westerly therefrom, opening up two small blocks of stone, which proved unpayable. No. 4 level (624 ft.) : A block of stone left some years ago was reopened. On stoping over the level it proved narrow and poor in quality. A winze was sunk on it below the level 60 ft., at which depth it. was opened upon lor a length of 100 ft., and varied in width from Bft. to 23ft. of payable stone. At the battery 3,273 tons of quartz were treated, for a yield of 917 oz. 15 dwt. gold, valued at £3,024 14s. 2d. Average number of men employed, nfty.