19

C,—2

Woodstock Claim, Karangahake.—A considerable amount of surface prospecting has been done by J. B. Monis and party, and several lodes of varying width havo been located, but samples sent for assay are erratic in value. Imperial Gold-mining Company, Karangahake.—Two men have been continuously employed extending crosscut to interset the Imperial lode. Several small leaders have been passed through, ranging in value from a few shillings to £2 Bs. 6d. Maoriland Gold-mining Company. —A start has been made to clean out and retimber the low level in order to further test the Maoriland reef, which it is said gave assay values up to £3 per ton over a width of 4 ft. when work was suspended. Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines, Maratoto (J. W. O'Sullivan, Manager).—The south drive on the Camoola reef is the most important work on hand ; this has been advanced a total distance of 1,618 ft. A crosscut was put in at 1,510 ft., and the foot-wall was reached at 102 ft. At this point the reef is considerably disturbed owing to the intrusion of a branch lode coming in from the hanging-wall; the final 26 ft. was driven in solid quartz, gome nice sulphide ore was exposed in seams in this crosscut, but not large enough to bring the whole up to commercial value. This crosscut is approximately 210 ft. north of the point corresponding with the north end of the chute met with at No. 2 level 200 ft. overhead, which should be reached in another 95 ft. of driving. Majestic Gold-mining Company, Maratoto (J. A. J. McLaren, Manager).—The drive south has been extended 1,284 ft. from the main crosscut, with the object of , reaching the random of the chute of ore existing in the United section 140 ft. overhead, which will necessitate about 1,000 ft. further driving. Tho present face is approaching elevated country, and is in oxidized ore showing a gradual improvement in value. The reef where fully exposed is 16 ft. in width, and from its appearance is a strong permanent body. The drive north has been extended 161 ft. The reef ill this direction contained occasionally nice streaks of sulphide ore, but owing to the necessity of concentrating all expenditure on the south drive work had to be suspended. Pay Rock section : A crosscut to intersect another promising reef on this property was driven for 90 ft., but for reasons mentioned above was suspended. New Waiotahi Gold-mining Company, Thames (H. F. Shepherd, Manager).—Driving and stoping on two reefs from the winzo 50 ft. below the adit level has been in progress during the year. Seventeen loads of general ore and 50 lb. of picked stone treated yieldod gold valued at £98 18s. 6d. 550 ft. of crosscutting was also done to locate the displaced portion of the famous Waiotahi-Cambria reef. The face has been extended 25 ft. beyond the estimated distance without any sign of quartz. Alburnia Gold-mining Company, Thames (Thomas Gillon, Manager).—What is known as the Orlando level has been cleaned up and retimbered for a distance of 1,030 ft., and a start made to drive on the Orlando reef for the purpose of intersecting its junction with the Star of the South and Success reefs ; the distance is approximately 500 ft. Nonpariel Gold-mining Company, Thames.—Work hi this mine consists of driving on the Cambria reef from the bottom of a winze sunk to a depth of 50 ft. below the adit level and prospecting the Shamrock lode ; the latter is 2 in. in width, and strong colours of gold have been seen in the ore broken out. Caledonia-Kuranui-Moanatairi Gold-mining Company, Thames (S. G. Baker, Manager).—The drive on Cambria reef hillward was extended until the slide was intersected, and was continued through it for 50 ft.; crosscuts were then projected east and west. 280 ft. has been driven east without intersecting payable ore, and the west crosscut extended for a distance of 259 ft. ; a low-grade reef formation about 10 ft. in width was passed through. A considerable amount of work has also been done on the Cambria, Caledonian, and No. 9 reefs on the hillward side of the slide without disclosing anything carrying values. Work now in progress is confined to testing the reef system on the seaward side of the slide. Kuranui Gold-mining Company, Thames (J. H. Benny, Manager).—At 120 ft. in the main crosscut what is known as the Ross reef was intersected, width 1 ft.; this had been driven upon for 107 ft. west and 155 ft. east, giving fair dish prospects. Some work has also been done on cross-leaders met with. 188 tons of ore treated yielded gold value at £25 16s. Occidental Claim (P. Sawyer).—The low level has been cleaned up for a distance of 1,500 ft., and some fossicking done in the old workings. 20 tons of ore treated yielded gold value at £123 10s. Joker Claim (George Pisher). —Work in this claim consists of surface prospecting, 7 tons of ore treated yielded gold valued at £57 os. 6d. Lucky Shot Gold-mining Company, Thames (A. Christie, Manager).—Work in progress consists of driving on the Moanatairi cross-lode with the object of testing its junction with other well-known reefs which in the past have been noted gold-producers. Sylvia Gold-mining Company, Thames (H. H. Adams (Manager).—During the year the Missouri low level was cleaned out and retimbered, and a crushing broken out of the Sylvia lode produced 10 tons 17 cwt. of concentrates, which have been shipped to Germany for treatment under agreement with those people who hold an option over half of this property. Zeehan Consolidated (Limited), (W. H. Burton, Manager).—The north drive on No. 5 level was, on Mr. Stanfield's recommendation, continued and the Zeehan lode picked up beyond the break. 266 ft. has been driven upon this lode, which is wider than the drive, in a complex ore containing lead, zinc, copper, silver, and gold, and having a very promising appearance. A winze has also been sunk south of the break to a depth of 50 ft. in ore of similar character. Some work has also been done in the Paroquet crosscut and several small leaders intersected. A staff of men was also employed getting a battery ready, which consists of ten head of stamps, but, unfortunately, during a heavy gale on tho 22nd January, .1926, it was completely wrecked. Monowai Mine, Thames (R. W. Adams). —At 246 ft. in the lower level crosscut a lode 4 ft. in width was intersected and driven upon for 85 ft. On the hanging-wall there is a' narrow band of heavy mineralized ore, but, unfortunately, assays taken proved it to be of low value. Four-in-Hand Gold-mining Company, Coromandel (W. J. Patterson, Manager).—A considerable amount of prospecting was done in the Four-in-hand, Tainui, and Cuirassier sections of this mine, but, unfortunately, results proved most disappointing. 155 tons treated yielded 217 oz. 15 dwt., valued at £621 17s. 3d. Winnipeg Claim, Coromandel (Charles Hovell). —Work in this mine has been confined to cleaning up and repairing levels. I am informed that this has been formed into a company known as the Tiki-Talisman, and that sufficient capital has been raised to give the reef system a fair trial. Operations are to commence as soon as the survey is completed. Renown Gold-mining Company (Murphy's Hill), Coromandel. —A company was formed to test a reef varying in thickness from 5 ft. to 15 ft., situated on what is known as Murphy's Hill, about five miles from Kuaotunu, A trial crushing of 18 tons treated by the Ross Mill only yielded 1 oz. of bullion, which proved most disappointing, as the assay values over a small area gave payable results. Muir's Gold-reefs, Te Puke (W. McConachie, Manager).—During the early months of the year efforts were concentrated upon crosscutting the Massey and Muir reefs, until on 28th May the level became flooded out by an increased flow of water under heavy pressure, being tapped in the crosscut. ' During the latter half of the year work was confined to putting additional pumps in the shaft, enlarging No. 3 winze, and erecting an air-driven winch over it to facilitate sinking. Crosscut to Massey lode advanced 522 ft., making a tctal of 1,150 ft. from the shaft. As a result of the crosscut having been diverted to the west at 800 ft. from the shaft it passed through the line of the reef very much north of the original objective and in country which was unexplored in the workings of the surface levels. Crosscut to Muir's reef : This crosscut was advanced 353 ft., making a total of 758 ft. from the shaft. At 550 ft. a fault-fissure, dipping 2ins to the west, was encountered. The fissure was filled in with mud, and broken country, and an increased volume of water was tapped. At 660 ft. this fault passed into the roof of the crosscut and firmer country was met with to 617 ft. Prom 617 ft. to 740 ft. is lode-matter, consisting of quartz and country rock. At