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this gold will go down into the solid rock; which ought to be tested within a few weeks. In the meantime a rush has set in, and a quantity of ground has been pegged out on all sides of the prospectors. The following is the return of quartz crushed and melted gold obtained in Hauraki South and North during the year ending 31st March, 1886 :—

The crushing for the same period for the previous year was 31,495 tons, for 87,7050z. ldwt. 7gr. melted gold. I have, &c, James M. McLaren, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Mining Inspector.

MAELBOEOUGH GOLDFIELDS. No. 5. Mr. Warden Allen to the Under-Secretary of Mines. Sir,— Blenheim, 26th April, 1883. I have the honour to hand you the following report re goldfields under my charge:— Queen Charlotte Sound and Ravens cliff. Nothing has been done in this district for the past year, as far as gold-mining is concerned, requiring any notice. A company has been formed for working antimony at Endeavour Inlet. This company have honestly carried out their proposed scheme. Smeltingworks have been completed, and they may reasonably look forward to a profitable return for the labour and capital so judiciously expended. On a former occasion I reported the finding of coal in the Queen Charlotte Sound District, and the formation of a company to work the mine. All that can at present be reported about this matter is that the company is still in existence—doubtless much to the regret of the shareholders. The question as to whether or not coal in payable quantities will be found in this district is not by any means settled. Wairau Valley District May be considered as part and parcel of the Wakamarina or Pelorus Gold-mining District. The Wairau Valley and the Wakamarina or Pelorus Districts are simply the two sides of one long range of mountains, and the same remarks will apply to both. I therefore report as to the mining operations and future prospects of both districts under the one name, the Marlborough Goldfields. Unfortunately, my last year's report will exactly suit present circumstances. Nothing of any consequence to report as to present operations, with the exception of two claims. First, the Caledonian Claim, owned by the Ravenscliff Company, under the management of Mr. C. H. Turner, where a portion of the Wakamarina River has been diverted from its natural bed, and the shingle is now being removed down to the bed-rock for the purpose of searching for and obtaining the expected rich deposits of gold. I must say that the work done on this claim merits a rich return. The results are not yet known. The other claim referred to is one on Arthur's Terrace, where certainly creditable work is shown by the owners in their endeavours to follow and work what they believe to be a portion of the old river-bed. Future Prospects. My report must be very nearly the same as last year. We have a range of gold-bearing quartz mountains extending for many miles. No difficulty in finding good specimens of goldbearing quartz in almost every gully and creek on both sides of this range; but the face of this

Quartz crushed. Melted Gold. lauraki South — April, 1885 May, „ June, „ July, August, „ September, „ October, „ November, „ December, „ January, 1886 February, „ March, „ # Tons. cwt. qr. 1b. 2,711 1 1 27 3,585 13 0 3,012 0 1 16 3,458 0 3 14 3,453 5 3 20 2,761 2 2 22 3,835 14 2 27 3,218 4 0 3 3,900 8 1 15 1,730 11 1 23 2,104 5 0 10 2,228 5 2 9 Oz. dwt. gr. 2,955 5 12 2,472 6 0 5,972 5 18 3,213 8 6 4,520 11 12 7,114 18 12 8,027 13 18 9,567 4 12 7,129 11 6 3,496 11 18 2,731 16 6 4,338 1 6 North, for twelve months 35,998 550 2 8 1 18 3 5 61,539 14 3,382 1 6 0 Grand totals 36,548 10 0 23 64,921 15 6