C—6.

it to the Eeuben Parr locality. This extension would give an additional 220 ft. up to the bottom of the winze. In this mine there are also a number of surface tributors, who have been getting payable returns for their crushings. Deep Level Cross. —This mine is under the management of Mr. James Coutts. The principal work carried on up to December last was working out blocks of ground on what is termed the No. 2 or New Prince Imperial, from No. sto No. 3 Levels, being a height of 140 ft. by 60ft. in length. The reef at this place varies in thickness from 2in. to loin. The number of loads of quartz that were crushed from it was 276, which gave a return of 3760z. 7dwt. melted gold. The Young American was also driven on for a length of 100 ft., but the returns did not prove payable. A number of blocks are let on tribute, but the great expense of getting and winding has prevented these from being payable. These tributors crushed 178 loads for a yield of 2790z. gold. Neiv Manukau Mine. —This small mine, which consists of about one acre of ground, is being worked from the Waiotahi Company's shaft, and is under the management of Mr. J. E. Smith. A new level is being opened up from the Waiotahi No. 4 Level with every prospect of success. 300 ft. of driving and 200 fathoms of stoping work has been done, which gave 245 tons of quartz. This yielded 4190z. gold. Saxon Mine. —This ground was formerly the London, Old Beach, and Golden Run Mines, and about three years ago was formed into a company called the Saxon Gold-mining Company. In October, 1886, being unsuccessful, the company ceased operations with wages-men, and let all the mine above No. 3 Level to tributors. One party (Connon and party), in cross-cutting at No. 3 Level, came oil a highly-mineralized reef about 18in. thick, the crushings from which averaged over 3oz. to the ton. This reef is supposed to be a dropper from No. 1 main reef. Connon's tribute only extended 70ft. above No. 3 Level, and, the remainder of the reef, both above and below, being unlet, the company resumed operations with wages-men to open out on this reef, and first sank a winze 75ft. on it from No. 3 Level. Eleven loads of quartz broken out of this winze gave 51oz. 6dwt. gold. No. 4 Level is now being extended to connect with this winze :as soon as this connection is made this company will be able to employ a large staff of men. From these returns, and the appearance of this reef, there is every likelihood of it turning out a most valuable one, and this company has a most hopeful future before it. The total quartz crushed by the company is 462 tons, for a return of 4220z. ldwt. melted gold; by tributors, 231 tons were crushed for a return of 3430z. 15dwt. gold. This mine is under the management of Mr. I* 1. James. Kuranui No. 1, or Turtle's Kuranui. —The principal work in this mine has been driving from the Caledonian No. 3 Level for the No. 1 Eeef. After being cut 150 ft. was driven on the reef, which showed good crushing-stone all the way. About 60ft. in height has been stoped out, the average returns being over 2oz. of gold to the load. The reef continues to look as well as ever, occasional specimens and picked stone being obtained from it. This work is all done by wages-men, but the upper levels are all let to tributors, most of whom are doing fairly well. The average number of men employed is twenty-four. Kuranui No. 2, or Comer's Kuranui. —This mine is under the management of Mr. Eobert Comer, late manager of the Moanataiari. Mr. Comer is also solo owner. On the average about fifty men are employed on tribute, Mr. Comer being the first to introduce that system on this goldfield. Over 1,300 ft. has been driven in cross-cuts and on the course of the reefs and leaders, and a large number of the old drives cleaned out and repaired, so that Mr. Comer will be able shortly greatly to increase the number of men in his mine. Kuranui No. 3, or Ilicks's Kuranui. —When Mr. Hicks purchased this mine a great portion of the old drives, &c, were in very bad order, and coming together. The main tunnel had to be repaired and retimbered for a distance of 600 ft.; also the continuation of the same tunnel through the " deep-lead " ground for a distance of 300 ft. The old Oddfellows tunnel was also repaired for a length of 500 ft., and a winze sunk some 60ft. deep. These works were all carried out by wages-men, and cost nearly £750. The work done by tributors is 197 ft. driving, 119 ft. sinking, and 982 fathoms stoping on the different leaders in the mine. Mr. T. B. Hicks (late manager of the Caledonian Mine) is manager and owner. The average number of men employed is thirty-five. Caledonian Mine. —In the early part of the year the winze on No. 2 Level was deepened and connected with No. 3 Level. One hundred and ninety-five loads were stoped out and crushed, for a return of lOOoz. gold. At this place the reef is from sft. to 10ft. wide. A portion of the main shaft getting very much out of repair, it was retimbered from No. 1 Level upwards for 40ft. In the Balkin's Block the ground was opened out by driving a cross-cut from No. 2 to No. 1 Eeef. The trials that have been taken from this portion of No. 1 Eeef have given favourable results, two loads from foot-wall giving 20z., and four loads from hanging-wall l^oz. A winze has been sunk for 120 ft. on Eickards's lft. leader, and a cross-cut 110 ft. in length driven to connect with No. 3 Level. From this leader 108 loads of quartz have been crushed, for a return of 311oz. of melted gold. This company have started to prospect the Otago section of their mine at No. 2 Level by putting in a drive on No. 1 Eeef : 120 ft. has been driven on this, and another 100 ft. will connect with the Larnach Mine workings. Some of the stone in this drive showed good gold. A winze has recently been started to test this reef between No. 2 and No. 3 Levels. The reef varies in width from 9in. on one side of the winze to 15in. on the other. This mine is under the management of Mr. William Corin. Larnach Gold-mining Company. —This company carries on its operations from the Caledonian shaft, and at No. 3 Level has driven about 200 ft. on No. 1 Eeef, the average returns being only about 7dwt. to the load, which, with cost of winding and crushing, is not payable. Golden Crown. —Mr. T. A. Dunlop is still the manager of this mine. At the time of my last year's report he had completed the sinking of a new shaft on the Mary Ann section of the ground to a depth of 368 ft. from the surface, opening up three levels —No. 1 being 235 ft., No. 2 300 ft., and No. 3 368 ft. As the principal reefs had been successfully worked previously from the old shaft (which is situated on the south-west boundary of the mine) as low as the No. 2 Level in the new

13