C.—2

ANNEXURE A

SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES

NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (E. J. Sooble, Inspector of Mines) Quartz-mining Martha Gold-mining Co. (Waihi), Ltd.—A total of 0,982 ft. was driven during the year, drives and crosscuts accounting for 5,597 ft., and the remainder being in winzes and rises. This footage was for the most part connected with the opening-up of arches and pillars and the driving of footwall gangways. Operations were considerably hampered through lack of experienced miners, and for this reason little or no new development work was carried out. The ore crushed came mainly from the Martha, Royal, and Empire lodes, and amounted in all to 148,278 long tons, a decrease of 5,782 tons on the previous year's output. The returns of gold and silver were also below those for 1942. The average number of men employed was 507. Golden Dawn Gold-mines, Ltd., Owharoa. —Underground work has ceased and practically all plant and buildings have been dismantled and sold. New Maoriland Mine, Wailekauri. —Some 25 tons of fairly good grade ore was produced as a result of driving and development work which was undertaken on a new section of the property. Golden Spur Co., Ltd., Maratoto. —Development work was continued for the greater part of the year, but nothing of outstanding importance was discovered. Underground operations were suspended from October to December. The number of men employed averaged six. New Maratoto Mine, Maratoto. —Work was discontinued during the early part of the year, chiefly for the reason that labour was practically unprocurable. Two men were employed. Sylvia Mines Consolidated, Ltd., Thames.—The sinking of the main shaft was continued until a depth of 200 ft. below No. 4 level was reached. Crosscutting south was then undertaken, and carried forward to 39 ft. At this point a leader about 2£ in. wide, giving values of 18-3 oz. of gold and 5-5 oz. of silver per ton, was intersected. The leader strikes 40° east of north anil west of south, and dips 56° to the north-west. It is heavily mineralized, and contains zinc blende in addition to the gold and silver. The country rock, adjacent to the leader, is valued at from 2 dwt. to 3 dwt. of gold also, while galena and molybdcnito are present. The gold in the leader is largely coarse in character and 780 fine. The leader was struck in July, and in the following month the crosscut became flooded from a strong inflow of water while a sump was being constructed at the bottom of the shaft. The existing pumps (air driven) could barely cope with the extra work thrown upon them, and it has therefore been decided to instal electrically operated units in their stead. The " leader " remains unexploited while this change is being made. The eablcs will be taken down the Auckland shaft for this purpose and for safety reasons. The shaft (long disused) is now under repair, and extends from No. 1 to No. 3 level. A rise, 110 ft. in height, is being made from the vicinity of the main shaft on No. 4 level up to No. 3 level. The Auckland shaft, when in working order, will provide both a second means of exit and an air return. The number of men employed during the year averaged fourteen. Una Hill Consolidated Gold-mines, Ltd., Thames. —Development work continued until August, but was of a discouraging nature throughout, so operations were then suspended. The whole of the equipment was afterwards removed from underground and, together with the company's Komata battery, is now for sale. A total of 02J tons of ore was treated for the period. An average of six men was employed. Hardy's Mines, Waiorongomai. —A small amount of work was carried out during the first three months of the year, but has since been given up, and is not likely to be resumed until the end of the war. Gold Prospecting Eight men were engaged at independent work on their own claims, with satisfactory results in one or two cases. Miscellaneous New Zealand Mercury Mines, Ltd., Puhipuhi.—The ore treated amounted to 1,010 tons, and this gavo a yield of 3 tons 3 cwt. 12 lb. of mercury, worth £7,191 10s. Production was greatly hampered by the landslip which occurred in 1942 and which was not cleared until after the middle of the year. The main ore-body was shortly afterwards encountered, and gave improved returns compared with the stone previously worked. Sixteen men were employed. Ascot Cinnabar Mine, Karangahake.—Operations were continuous, but nothing of importance was proved. Two men were employed. Serpentine.—This was all obtained from near Wayby and Kaukapakapa, in the North Auckland district, and amounted to 37,857 tons and 21,588 tons respectively. Manganese.—The Cloudesley Mine, Moumoukai, was idle for the year, but 10| tons of dioxide-ore obtained during the previous period were disposed of for a return of £160. Mirandite Products, Ltd., Clevcdon, produced sufficient ore to complete a 500 tons order, and this now awaits shipment overseas. It is intended to continue working the area. Silica Sand. —Production was as follows : Messrs. Gilberd and Sons, 494 tons, valued at £839 10s. ; and New Zealand Glass Manufacturers' Co. Pty., Ltd., Penrose, Auckland, 16,904 tons, valued at £37,973 9s. 5(1. The former company obtain their sand at Aramoho, Wanganui. The latter obtain theirs from Parengarenga, North Auckland, and use it for the manufacture of bottles, jars, &c. The North Auckland deposit is snow-white in colour and should prove practically inexhaustible. Pumice. —.None was produced. Fuller's Earth. —Mr. S. C. Crawford, of Kamo, Whangarei, obtained 124J, tons, valued at £430 17s. Diatomaceous Earth. —About 10 tons were produced by Mr. Crawford, of Kamo, the value being £21. Mr. Brake, Ngongotaha, won 19 tons 3 cwt., which realized £89 3s. Bentonite.—Mr. H. F. Stoddart, Porangahau, mined 232 tons, valued at £1,015. Sulphur.—None was produced. Limonite. —A total of 2,779 tons, worth £3,393, was mined from Mr. W. Whitelaw's deposit, Three-mile Bush, Kamo. These figures include 234 tons, valued at £909, which was won and marketed by Reyburn's Lime Co., Whangarei. Okaihau Quarries, Ltd., produced 1,893 tons, for a return of £5,442 7s. 6d. ' Petroleum.—The New Zealand Petroleum Co. put down two bores, Nos. 1 and 2, Uruiti, in North Taranaki, with nil results. The holes bottomed at 1,173 ft. and 5,090 ft. respectively in grey wacke. Moturoa Oilfields, Ltd., obtained the following from its three producing wells : No. I, 3,525 gallons ; No. 2, 55,150 gallons ; and No. 4, 14,800 gallons ; or a total of 73,487 gallons. The oil was treated and disposed of by Now Zealand Oil Refineries, Ltd. Accidents Nil. Prosecutions Nil.

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