C.—2.

results, and that it is intended, if results prove satisfactory, to further develop the former and make an aerial tramway connection with the treatment plant. A crosscut, driven in 1886 to intersect the Eldorado reef, is being reconditioned, and it is expected that the objective (or reef) will be reached early in 1937. This work is being carricd out on account of boulders on the surface and the dump outside the level yielding results that are stated to be encouraging. During the year 421 tons of ore was treated for a recovery of 579 oz. 2 dwt. of gold, valued at £2,730 lis. lid., which is also the total production since the syndicate commenced operations. Monowai Gold, Copper, and Lead, Mines, Ltd., Waiomio. —This company's areas have been under protection during the year pending the provision of further capital for development. It is said that a new company with a working capital of £3,500 is to be incorporated for the purpose of driving 1,400 ft. on the main Monowai reef. Tairua, Myosotis Gem and Golden Mount Claims, Tairua. —The Wealth of Nations Mining Syndicate, which has taken over these claims, erected a ten-stamp battery during the year. Several old drives were cleaned out, and it is expected that production will commence early next year. Kemick's Freehold, Tapu.—This property was worked by two tributers. The No. 1 level was extended on reef for approximately 50 ft. to a total of 80 ft. Three rises were put up a,nd about 50 ft. of stoping was done. No. 2 level, put in 25 ft. below No. 1, intersected the reef at 97 ft., at which point it had little value. A rise was put through to No. 1 level, and, at 16 ft. up, a stope was taken north for 37 ft. Seventeen tons of quartz was crushed for a return of 258 oz. 15 dwt. of gold, valued at £1,508 10s. lOd. The total production from the area since the commencement of operations is 607 oz. 2 dwt. of gold, valued at £3,565 18s. 7d. Puhetui Claim, Tairua (J. H. Prescott, Owner). —Operations were confined to the stoping of a small leader, the ore from which is said to be of good value. It is being stacked for treatment. Gold Seal Claim, Thames (E. Keven Own^r). —The working of some small leaders resulted in 7| tons of ore being treated for a yield of 22 oz. 9 dwt. of gold, valued at £113 7s. 2d. The total recovery since the beginning of operations amounts to 64 oz. 9 dwt. of gold, valued at £306 os. 7d. Sylvia Mines Development, Ltd., Thames. —An average of two men was employed during the year, and 349 tons of ore was treated for a return of 193 oz. of gold, valued at £1,710, and 1,013 oz. silver, valued at £200. An effort is now being made to float a new company in order to carry out a boring programme on this property. The total production since the beginning of operations is 1,495 oz. 7 dwt. of bullion, valued at £3,466 18s. sd. Dawn of Hope Gold-Mines, N. L., Thames. —Operations were mostly carried out by several parties of tributers, totalling about sixteen men. During the year the latter treated 87 tons of quartz, which yielded 268 oz. 9 dwt. of gold, valued at £1,428 6s. 3d., while the company crushed 28 tons for 80 oz. 15 dwt. of gold, worth £413 4s. Bd. The total amount of bullion produced since the commencement of operations is 1,416 oz. 5 dwt., valued at £7,006 16s. Bd. Victoria Gold-Mining Co., Thames. —Work was confined to prospecting the Mariner reef. A drive was put out in the direction of the Waiotahi boundary, and at the end of the year had been advanced for approximately 40 ft., with work still in progress. Two men were employed. New Waiotahi Claim, Thames (-1. R. Preece and party, Owners). —Four men employed. A limited amount of development work has been undertaken. For the period 30 tons of stone was crushed for a return of 10 oz. 8 dwt. of gold, valued at £51 17s. 10d., making the total recovery since the beginning of operations 141 oz. of gold, valued at £700 10s. lOd. Progress Claim, Thames (H. W. Lloyd and party, Owners). —Four men employed. Two winzes were sunk each to a depth of 50 ft. No. 1 winze is on the main reef formation, and it is stated that gold has been seen for its entire depth. No. 2 winze was sunk on a smaller vein, and has shown good values. An intermediate level was opened out, at approximately 20 ft. down this winze, for a distance of 30 ft. Some stoping was done above the brace of No. 2 winze. The level on the main reef was also advanced a further 25 ft. A total of 87| tons of quartz was treated for a return of 133 oz. 2 dwt. of gold, valued at £679 Is. Bd. The production since the commencement of operations is 334 oz. 13 dwt. of gold, valued at £1,707 Is. Id. Caledonian (1934), Ltd. —The main drive was advanced a further 120 ft. in the direction of the Red Queen and Otago sections of the company's property. The country penetrated was extremely hard, and progress was slow in consequence. Several small leaders were intersected and prospected, but owing to lack of finance operations on these were not extensive. Three men were employed. Approximately 105 tons of material obtained from old dumps on this ground was treated at the Moanataiari battery, and yielded 3 oz. 15 dwt. of gold, valued at £15 10s. Id. The total output since the beginning of operations is 18 oz. 3 dwt. of gold, valued at £83 ss. 9d. Virginia Claim, Thames (W. F. Smith, Owner). —A party of four men is driving a level with the object of getting under a winze where rich ore is said to have been left. About 340 ft. was driven during the year, leaving an estimated distance of 60 ft. to reach the objective. Dauntless Claim, Thames (A. G. Snelgar, Owner), —For the greater part of the year this area was worked by two tributers, who obtained 7| tons of stone, which, on treatment at the Thames School of Mines, yielded 64 oz. 17 dwt. of gold, valued at £331 ss. 2d. The total return since the beginning of operations is 68 oz. 6 dwt., valued at £349 2s. 9d. Hauraki Mines Consolidated, Ltd., Coromandel (H. F. Shepherd, Manager).—The only work done was carried out by tributers (5), who mined approximately 19 tons of quartz, which yielded 27 oz. of gold, valued at £144 18s. 4d. The total production since the commencement of operations is 697 oz. 16 dwt. of gold valued at £2,524 18s. Id. Coromandel Gold-Mines, Ltd., Coromandel (J. Caisley, Manager).—Four men employed. Driving on the main reef at the 150 ft. level was continued south to 240 ft. from the crosscut. The reef was of rather low grade, but showed fair prospects in places. At 120 ft. in the level a crosscut (driven through the reef) disclosed about 42 ft. of formation, 16 ft. of which was of solid quartz; the balance consisted of alternate bands of quartz and country rock. In June a start was made to test the reef at a lower level by boring from the surface with a Government C.N. Sullivan drill. Three unsuccessful attempts were made to reach the reef, and the drilling of a fourth hole is now in progress. Forty tons of ore was treated for a return of 13 oz. of'gold, valued at £75 3s. 2d., which is the total production since the commencement of operations. liock of Ages Claim, Tokatea (J. F. McNeil, Owner). —Some driving and sinking was done on a reef averaging 1 in. to 3 in. in width. A small parcel of selected stone from same yielded 122 oz. 5 dwt. of gold, valued at £652 4s. 2d. The total production since the beginning of operations is 159 oz. 7 dwt. of gold, value. £856 18s. 6d. Harbour View Gold-mines, Ltd., Tokatea. —The driving of a new level below No. 5, commenced in the previous year, was advanced for 70 ft. to 287 ft. At this stage operations were suspended owing to lack of finance, and same have not since been resumed. Speedmint Claim, Tokatea (H. G. Shelverton, Owner). —Two men were employed on this area, and work consisted of driving and sinking on the Day Dawn reef. Three and a half tons of quartz was crushed for a yield of 48 oz. 2 dwt. of gold, valued at £257 10s. 9d. The total production since the commencement of -operations is 128 oz. 18 dwt. of gold, value £694 12s. lOd. Gem Claim, Tokatea (A. A. Lynne, Owner). —Driving was carried out on a small reef, averaging about 2J in. in width, in Nos. 1, 2, and 3 levels. A total of 4| tons of quartz was crushed during the year for a return of 39 oz. 6 dwt, of gold, valued at £216 18s. Bd., which is the total production since the commencement of operations.

32