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Majestic Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Maratoto (J. A. J. McLaren, Manager).—During the year the drive south on the United lode has been extended (exclusive of crosscutting) 949 ft., making the total distance 2,233 ft., tho reef varying from 4 ft. to 16 ft. in width. The face is now reaching tho point where low values were obtained in the level above, and it is fully anticipated that the ore at this level will contain higher values. Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines, Ltd., Maratoto (J. W. O'Sullivan, Manager). —The drive south on the Camoola lode has been extended on the hanging-wall portion a distance of 2,074 ft. At 1,792 ft. a crosscut was put into the reef for a distance of 32 ft. without exposing the foot-wall. The drive was continued for a distance of 228 ft. on the hanging-wall, and for the greater portion of this distance a vein 2 ft. 6 in. in width in the centre portion of the reef gave highly payable assay values. No. 1 rise was put up for a distance of 16 ft. in payable values, and No. 2 rise, which is now in progress to connect with level above in order to provide adequate ventilation, was, on my last visit to the mine, up a distance of 45 ft. in payable values, and the future prospects of this mine are encouraging. Driving on the north side of the main crosscut is also in progress. New Waiotahi Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Thames. —Work has been confined chiefly to developing the Waiotahi Cambria reef, which has been followed hillward for about 300 ft. from the crosscut. The reef is from 15 ft. to 20 ft. wide where cut, and blotches of gold have been seen in places, but nothing of a- payable nature has been met with. A winze has been sunk 50 ft. below this level to test the footwall leader and the main reef —general indications favourable. Alburnia Gold-mining Co., Thames (Thomas Gillon, Manager). —Work is being continued on the Orlando lode from the Norwegian level. At different points strong colours of gold have been seen, and occasionally small parcels of picked stone selected. Driving is being continued to intersect the junctions of the Star of the South and Success reefs. An electric motor and compressor have been installed to speed up this work. Nonpareil Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Thames.—Work in this mine is still confined to driving on the Shamrock lode from the bottom of a winze sunk 50 ft. below the adit level. The results so far have proved disappointing. Caledonia-Kuranui-Moanatairi Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Thames (S. G. Baker, Manager).—The principal work has been confined to extending the crosscut for the purpose of intersecting the Cambria reef on the seaward side of the main fault. At 670 ft. a reef formation 6 ft. in width, composed of quartz stringers showing gold freely, was intersected, and driven on seaward for 15 ft. In order to provide adequate ventilation, and also a means of escape for the men should a fall occur in the main tunnel, a rise has been put up and connected with a shaft sunk from the surface. This will enable the vigorous development of this lode to be proceeded with. Kuranui Gold-mining Co., Thames (J. H. Benny, Manager).—A total distance of 291 ft. has been driven on the Ross reef without disclosing anything of a payable character. Work is now confined to testing Barry's lode from the battery level. Occidental Una United Gold-mining Co., Ltd. —A company was recently formed to work this claim. Four men are employed cleaning up and repairing the low level. Joker Claim, Thames (George Fisher). —2 tons of ore obtained from fossicking over the surface and treated produced gold valued at £8 18s. 6d. Lucky Shot Gold-mining Co., Ltd. (A. Christie, Manager).—The principal work carried out in this mine during the year has been driving hillward on the Ruban Parr and other reefs from Christie's level; the results recently met with are encouraging, as gold has been freely seen in the ore broken out. New Cambria Mine, Thames (R. McGregor).—44 tons of ore treated, won from the mullock-tips, and fossicking on small leaders produced gold valued at £203 15s. lid. Golden Age Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Thames.—ln what is known as the Gladstone level 55 ft. has been driven on the footwall portion of the Golden Age reef. The ore won is heavily mineralized, and strong colours of gold have been seen. Ballarat Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Thames.—Three men have been employed cleaning out and repairing the road level ;50 ft. has also been driven on a 9 in. leader —a little gold'was seen, but nothing payable met with. Sylvia Gold-mining Co., Thames (H. H. Adams, Manager).—Work confined to cleaning out and retimbering the Missouri level in order to reach a winze where it is stated highly payable ore was left in the early days. Zeehan Consolidated, Ltd., Puhoi Creek (W. H. Burton, Manager). —The principal work carried out in this mine consisted of taking along a leading stope for a distance of 250 ft., timbering and putting in passes ready to commence stoping operations. A power-house has also been built, and a 120 horse-power suction-gas engine installed. Early in September a start was made with the re-erection of the battery blown down during a heavy gale, but the available funds became exhausted, and all work was suspended pending an attempt to raise further capital. Egmont Gold-mining Co., Sluicing Claim, Tapu.—This company was formed in New Plymouth, most of the shareholders being local residents. A water-race and dam-site have been applied for and granted. It is proposed to sluice the hill on the north side on the Tapu Creek, where it is said encouraging prospects have been met with. Hauraki Mines Consolidated, Ltd., Coromandel (H. F. Shepherd, Manager).—This company was recently formed to take over the Old Hauraki group of mines and Hauraki Reefs freehold property, with the object of sinking the Hauraki shaft 200 ft. below the present lowest level, and crosscut east and west to test the value of the reefs, which have produced in the vicinity of £500,000 worth of gold from the 400 ft. level to the surafce. It is also proposed to continue the crosscut from the 400 ft. level, driven to within 30 ft. of the boundary-line of the Hauraki Reefs section, towards the Hauraki north shaft to prospect the reef system at a depth of 200 ft. below the lowest workings in this section. The preliminary work prior to unwatering the shaft is well under way. Two boilers have been procured, and one weighing 22J tons installed ; and to take the greatest possible advantage of the steam-pressure a high-pressure cylinder is being added to the pumping-engine. A more powerful winding-engine has been removed from the Union Beach shaft, electric-lighting plant installed, and the balance-bob renewed and enlarged to enable it with safety to carry the main rod in the new lift. Mount Welcome Gold-mining Co., Ltd. (J. Vickerstaff, Manager).—Four men employed. No. 2 and No. 3 levels have been cleaned up and repaired, and a rise connected with No. 1 level. Stoping is now in progress on what is known as the Puketutu reef, and the results met with are said to be most encouraging, as gold has been freely seen through the ore broken out. Your-in-Hand Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Coromandel.—This mine was let on tribute to Patterson and party (three men), who crushed 120 tons of ore for 82 oz. of gold valued at £229 16s. 6d. Iris Gold-mining Co., Mataivai.—A small three-stamp battery has been erected, and connected with the mine by means of aerial trams, and it is expected that there is sufficient ore developed in the mine to keep it going at least one shift. Handsworth Mine, Kuaotunu (Samuel James, Owner). —Work in this mine has been confined to prospecting in the old levels. Peter Maxwell Gold-mining Co., Te Aroha (G. E. Hyde).—A low-level crosscut to intersect the Pick and Dish and other veins exposed on the surface is now in progress for the purpose of testing these lodes at a greater depth. Muir's Gold-reejs, Ltd., Te Puke (W. M. McConachie, Manager).—As the pumping plant in use proved quite inadequate to deal with the water, it was decided to purchase a new pumping plant. This plant when supplied will consist of (a) Worthington sinking-pump, electrically operated, having a capacity of 1,200 gallons per minute under a head of 500 ft. ; (6) a squirrel-cage motor, 400 volts ; (c) all necessary valves, columns, ropes, spare parts, &c. ; (d) flexible armoured cable ; (e) single-drum 28-ton winch, also cable, capstan, and winch. Delivery of this plant has been delayed by the coal strike in England. As everything is in readiness for its installation, no time will be lost in starting to unwater the mine on its arrival. Copper-mining. No work has been done by the Ruahine Prospecting Syndicate during the year.