23

a—s

Deep Level Gross Company. —This company holds the ground on which the big pump and gear are erected. They formerly purchased the whole plant when it was sold by the county ; but the expense of working being so great, and their mine not proving remunerative, they sold it to the Drainage Board about three years ago for £2,500. The whole of the purchasemoney not yet being paid, they still hold a lien on the plant. This company's ground adjoins the New Prince Imperial Company's claim, where a rich lode was worked two or three years ago. The same reef runs into this company's ground, but it was never so rich, and did not hold out for any length of time. During last year only 86 tons of quartz was crushed from this mine, which yielded 1520z. of gold. Steps are now being made to float a new company in England to purchase this mine. New Prince Imperial Company. —This company was formed in 1882, and has been steadily working the mine ever since. Soon after the company commenced operations they struck a rich ledge of auriferous stone, which enabled them to pay £60,750 in dividends; but during the last two years the stone has been of very low grade. During last year a new lode was found on the hanging-wall side of the main lode, which promises to give good returns for working as soon as it is properly opened out. There has been 1,279 tons of quartz crushed during the year, which yielded 1,2060z. of gold. Caledonian Company. —This company now holds the ground that formerly belonged to the New Caledonian and Crown Companies. In former years this was the richest ground in the Thames District. Over £600,000 was paid in dividends in one year. Of late years it has done little more than pay expenses for working. In this company's mine antimonial or ruby silver is found in conjunction with gold in the lode. Last year 1,548 tons of quartz was crushed, which yielded 1,4670z. of gold. Cambria Company. —This company was formed in 1884 with a nominal capital of £44,700, of which £12,837 was declared paid up, and £1,181 has been paid in calls. Since that period the company has paid over £77,000 in dividends. Some very rich stone was obtained in this company's mine about two years ago, which was thought to be a portion of the same lode that the Caledonian Company worked in the early days, and the mine still continues to be worked successfully. Several gold-bearing leaders' haVe been cut through and partially worked. There is still a good block of stone in the main lode between No. 3 and No. 4 Levels. In this mine there are numerous gold-bearing leaders or veins of quartz interstratified with the country rock which will pay for working, and it is likely to be a mine that will pay for a considerable time. During the year about a ton of specimens was crushed, which yielded 2,5090z.; and 6,562 tons of quartz was crushed, which yielded 3,8100z. A parcel of tailings also yielded 2420z., making a total of 6,6610z. of gold obtained during last year. Waiotahi Company. —This has been a regular dividend-paying company for the last thirteen years, and is one of the best-worked mines in this field. Everything connected with the workings shows indications of careful management. The working during last year has been chiefly confined to small leaders or veins of auriferous quartz, which, in some places, do not show more than Jin. in thickness; but these are followed up and found generally to widen out to 3in. and 4in. They have also been working a portion of the main reef above No. 4 Level. The numerous leaders of auriferous quartz found in this mine traversing the country rock in every direction will take a long time to work out on the upper levels. Indeed it is hard to say how long a mine of this description, with careful management, may last. The amount of quartz crushed last year was 2,497 tons, which yielded 3,2030z. of gold. Saxon Company.—The ground that this company now holds formerly belonged to the London, Old Beach, and Golden Run Companies. It was taken up about four years ago. After employing wages-men to open out the mine, they were unsuccessful in finding a lode of a payable character. They then let the mine on tribute, and after the tributers had been at work for some time they put in a cross-cut from No. 3 Level and cut a reef about 18in. wide, which yielded about 3oz. to the ton. After this find they again employed men on wages, and sunk a winze on this reef, the quartz from which yielded 51oz. of gold from eleven loads of quartz. Recently they have been stoping out the reef, which looks very promising; and occasionally a few pounds of specimen-stone is picked out of the reef. There are a number of small leaders or veins of gold-bearing quartz in this claim, and with judicious and careful management it is likely to be a payable gold-producing mine for some time. This mine is situated between the New Prince Imperial and Queen of Beauty Company's ground, and in the line where rich stone might be expected. Trenton Company. —This company's ground is situated in such a position that there are several reefs leading into it. From its situation there is every indication that this mine will yet become a valuable property. Indeed, there is no mine in this district that is better worthy of prospecting, as it is one which, I think, will yet pay well for all the outlay. Arrangements were made with the Saxon Company to extend their adit-level on the reef for some distance into this company's ground; but after driving 175 ft. the cost of haulage was so great that they abandoned it. This company have now arranged to sink their own shaft, and have purchased a larger winding-engine to replace the one formerly used. There has been 130 tons of quartz crushed from the lode the Saxon Company worked, which yielded 104oz. of gold. Euranui Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Mines. —These mines are held separately by private persons. No. 1 Mine is owned by S. Turtle, and during last year 350 tons of quartz were crushed from it, which yielded 580oz. of gold. No' 2 Mine is the property of R. Comer, and is worked by tributers principally on small leader and veins of quartz which traverse the country rock ; 1,634 tons of quartz has been crushed, yielding 1,5300z. of gold. No. 3 Mine was the property of T. Hicks, but has lately been purchased by P. Hansen, who has also lately acquired the Kuranui Battery, and who intends to work some of the leaders of quartz and country rock in a face, putting it all through the crushing-battery. The ground he proposes