39

a—2.

Old Hauraki Qold-mining Company (Limited) (11. F. Shepherd. Mine-manager). During the year operations have been confined to developing and stoping on the new reef, on the 400 ft. and 300 ft. levels. On the 400 ft. level this reef has been driven on for 460 ft., making the total distance 800 ft., and 370 ft. of stoping has been done. At the 300 ft. level, 190 ft. has been driven, making the total length 420 ft. The stopes on this level are 260 ft. in length, and another block is being opened up. 569 tons of quartz and 1,039 lb. picked ore was crushed, for a return of 1,353 oz. 19 dwt.. valued at £4.019 12s. 9d. The average number of men employed was thirty-three wages-men and four tributers. Hauraki Reefs (Limited) (J. W. O'Sullivan, Mine-manager). At No. 4 level (400 ft.) the main crosscut has been advanced 352 ft., and a number of reefs and leaders passed through. The principal reef, known as No. 4, has been opened up 100 ft. east and 20 ft. west, and strong dabs and colours of gold seen in the quartz, which, on the whole, has a very promising appearance. The other works in progress, from Welcome Find shaft, consist of driving and stoping on the Golconda reef, but the results, except in a winze sunk 26 ft. below the level, were unsatisfactory. An average of fourteen men has been employed, and 113 tons of ore and 103 Ib. picked stone treated produced gold valued at €706 15s. Id. • Golden Pah Mine (E. F. Reynolds, Mine-manager). Work in this mine has been chiefly confined to prospecting at the 80 ft. level, from the Union Beach shaft, but as nothing payable was discovered, and the funds becoming exhausted, work was suspended. Armstrong Gold-dredging Company (Limited) (S. L. Wilson, Uredge-master.) This syndicate purchased a gold-saving dredge constructed to work to a depth of 35 ft. and remove 100 cubic yards per hour. Its erection was completed by Bth December, and a trial run was made, with. I am informed, satisfactory results. Union Hauraki Gold-mining Company (A. Jamieson, Mine-manager). At the 200 ft. level the crosscut was continued for the purpose of testing the country towards the Old Hauraki Aline. Several lodes were intersected, but in each case the value was low. Seven men were employed. Bremner's Freehold (James Coll. Mine-manager). The low level in this mine intersected No. I reef from which the winze sunk from the upper level produced rich specimen-stone. Unfortunately, the gold did not continue downwards, therefore the men were removed to the upper levels. Several lodes are being tried, and. although colours of gold are seen, little or no picked ore is being obtained. An average of six men were employed. Fourteen tons of ore and 200 lb. picked stone produced gold to the value of £263 11s. 3d. Lucky Hit Syndicate. Two men have been engaged prospecting, but so far nothing of importance lias been discovered. Coromandd Claim (J. P. Prescott, mine-manager). A low level has been driven on the Magnet and Fitzgerald lodes. Colours of gold were seen, but nothing payable was discovered. Matamataharakeke. Mills's Reward (J. Davis, Mine-manager.) On Mills's Reward lode the drive has been extended 102 ft. north, and a winze sunk to a depth of 24 ft. The lode averages 1 ft. in thickness, and gold is freely seen in the ore broken out. Smith's lode has also been driven on for 90 ft., giving good dish-prospects, and a considerable amount of surface prospecting has been carried out during the year. Kuaotuni'. Hmidsworth United Gold-mining Company (J. S. Wilson. Mine-manager). In the Otama section, a stoping-block 130 ft. in length has been opened up. Small pockets of rich specimen-ore are occasionally obtained. In the Handsworth and Irene sections a considerable amount of driving has been done on the different leaders, with encouraging results. New Waitaia Gold-mining Company (R. Inglis, Mine-manager). In the low level the reef was intersected early in March, after driving 1,155 ft., and has been driven upon 420 ft. north. By crosscutting the reef was located, carrying high-grade ore, which has been followed 50 ft. to the present face. In the upper level two winzes 300 ft. apart have been sunk to a depth of 76 ft. and 20 ft. respectively, gold being visible in the ore. Mountain King Gold-mining Company (H. P. Hornibrooke, Mine-manager). The new low level has been extended from the Waitaia No. 5 level. After driving 600 ft. the Mountain King boundary was reached. The reef varies from 8 in. to 3 ft. in width, and carries highgrade ore, gold being freely seen for the last 50 ft. driven. Stoping has also been done on the upper levels. Twenty men are employed, and 607 tons of ore treated during the year produced gold valued at £1,849 Bs. Id.