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cheap handling it is claimed that the system adopted would be difficult, to improve on. Its efficiency is best shown by the fact that 1,000 tons of tailings have been dredged and delivered into the storage hoppers in twelve hours. The air-lift system, as used on the dredge, has been installed successfully throughout the whole plant for handling the tailings and pumping the slimes. The adoption of this system is largely responsible for the low working-costs in elevators and repairs. Two extra tube mills have been installed during the year, making a total of twenty-two mills now at work. The improved system of vacuum filtration, although considered at first to be experimental, has proved to be one of the most successful features of this plant, having handled the required tonnage without difficulty and at a very low cost. One man on a shift can treat with ease 500 tons of slimes per day, and as much as 600 tons have been filtered and washed in twenty-four hours. Assays showed the washing of the cakes to be very clean, and loss of cyanide reduced to a minimum. The total consumption of cyanide in the whole treatment of the sands is considerably under 1 lb. per ton. ■ The power section of this plant has proved most satisfactory. A spare air-compressor has been erected, and a 100-H.W. generator is now being erected. During the year 84,178 long tons of tailing was treated, yielding bullion valued at £33,811 6s. sd. Komata. Komata Reefs Gold-mining Company. —Komata reefs section (No. 8 level) : The old drive south on Wilson's lode has been retimbered for a distance of 310 ft., and driving south has been resumed after a lapse of ten years. Te Ao Maranaa section (No. 4 level) : A little work was done on this level in extending the crosscut towards the boundary, and Lavington's lode was intersected, but proved to be low grade. The crosscut west was not extended during the year. Stoping : This has been confined chiefly to Nos. 5 and 6 levels, which produced 6,061 tons. No. 7 level produced 59 tons, making a total of 6,120 tons, worth £17,104, equal to £2 15s. per ton. Of this value, the milling process saved £16,633 9s. Bd., equal to 974 per cent, of the total value. The final tailing assayed Is. sd. per ton. It has since been decided to close this mine, the working of which is unprofitable. Maratoto. Silver Stream Mines (Limited). —Operations have been chiefly confined to driving a crosscut from the Julia reef to the Queen reef at the low level. The latter lode was opened up north for a distance of 122 ft., and a little stoping done. Some very rich ore was found in driving, but owing to the hard nature of the country, and consequent slow progress with hand labour, an air-compressor and rock-drilling plant were installed. Ore shipped to Australia (in weight 5 tons) produced bullion in value £103. Tellurides Proprietary (Limited). —The principal work consisted of the extension of the Gordon low level to intersect the Julia and Silver Queen lodes. A small air-compressor and rock-drilling plant erected last year has proved of great assistance, the country rock in this locality being very hard. Te Aroha. Hardy's Mines. —The low level to intersect the Premier lode has been extended a further distance of 600 ft. Unfortunately, the capital of this company became exhausted, and it was found necessary to apply for protection pending a meeting of shareholders. Bendigo Gold-mining Company. —Altogether 246 tons was crushed, for e> return of £33 11s. 7d., which proved so disappointing that it was decided to cease operations. Waitawheta Gold-prospecting Company. —The Vulcan lode in the surface level has increased in width to 6 ft. of ore, extending into the hill. Development of the Bonanza lode also gives promise of a considerable tonnage of mineralized ore. Crushing was commenced early in September. From 300 tons, bullion value £230 was obtained. There still remains 100 tons of sands in the vats, to be treated by cyanide. Unfortunately, this mill was totally destroyed by fire early in January. It is proposed to immediately proceed with the erection of a new mill. Royal Oak Gold-mining Company. —This property has been under protection during the year, and the only work done in the mine consisted in driving and stoping on the surface level, which was done by tributers. 8 tons of ore and 300 lb. of picked stone was treated, for a yield of £320 7s. 6d. Exalt and Ringleader Syndicate. —This ground, after lying idle for a number of years, was recently taken up by the above syndicate. Four men were employed driving on the Exalt lode and prospecting the Ringleader section of this property. Some very fair specimen-stone has been obtained. Mount Welcome Gold-mining Company. —At the low level a winze was sunk to a depth of 44 ft., but, owing to a sudden influx of water, had to be abandoned. The ore obtained produced gold valued at £270 10s. Early in May application was made for protection, which was granted subject to the mine being let on tribute, and gold valued at £42 14s. has since been obtained. Gallant Syndicate. —ln this mine 371 ft. of crosscutting and 55 ft. of sinking has been done on Scotty's reef, and a little gold was seen in the rubbly quartz. Two men employed. Venture Claim. —Work confined to driving low level. A total distance of 400 ft. has been driven, and several small leaders intersected, giving good dish prospects, and occasionally yielding a few pieces of specimen-stone. New Success Gold-mining Company. —A small block of ground was opened up under the floor of Smithy level. 3 lb. of picked stone and one bag of general ore produced gold valued at £51 ss. lid. For some time past work has been confined to crosscutting for other well-known leaders. Distance driven, 230 ft., through hard country. Old Hauraki Gold-mining Company. —Mining and development work has been principally confined to what is known as the New reef. At the No. 4 level this reef has been driven on for 400 ft., making