C.—3

77

and stacked ready for crushing at the time the battery and aerial tramway were being constructed would have anticipated the small return obtained from the first crushing. Several parcels were crushed with nearly the same result; and what was termed the low-grade portion yielded nearly as much per ton as that in which a good deal of gold could be seen. The last crushing of 275 tons is said to have only yielded 350z. gold, being about 2dwt. 13gr. of gold to the ton. Some samples of the ore from this company's claim were sent to the Cassel Company and treated by them, which showed it to be payable ore for working; and there is a probability of the lodes in this locality being yet worked, remuneratively. The company have a first-class plant on the ground; but it is very questionable if they have any one in their employ who understands properly the system of extracting the gold from the ore by amalgamation and battery treatment. The company have exhausted all their available capital and have suspended operations. The total quantity of ore crushed was 950 tons, which yielded 112oz. lOdwt. gold. Collingwood Disteict. There is only one quartz-mine of any note being worked in this district—namely, that belonging to the Johnston's United Company, and situate in Bedstead Gully. The lode in this mine is different from any other quartz lode in the colony. It lies almost horizontal in places, or at a very slight inclination, and here and there it dips down for a few feet nearly vertical and runs flat again. At the places where the lode dips away there are always good patches of gold, but the general character of the stone is very poor. According to the battery returns for the year ending the 31st March last, 5,547 tons of stone was crushed for a yield of 1,0970z. gold, being an average of nearly 3dwt. 23gr. of gold per ton. The most of the lode is worked out on the present level, and it will take a considerable sum to construct a new one, and it is questionable if the present company will undertake it. Eeefton Disteict. The returns from this district for last year show a considerable falling-off in the yield of gold. During the year ending the 31st March last, 37,693 tons of quartz was crushed, which yielded 20,1710z. gold, representing a value of £80,894 ss. Id.; whereas for the previous year there was 35,562|t0ns of quartz crushed, which yielded 23,3900z. gold, representing a value of £93,885 ss. Id., showing a falling-off in the yield of gold last year of 3,2190z., representing a value of, £12,991. There have been calls made during the year to the extent of £18,799 15s. 10d., and £16,900 has been paid in dividends. The following comparative statement is taken from tables prepared by Mr. Hindmarsh, of Eeefton, on the number of tons of stone crushed and yield of gold therefrom for the years 1891 and 1892 :—

Total value of gold yield, including that obtained from alluvial workings, as given by Mr. Hindmarsh, since 1872, £2,127,384.

ear em .mg 'ecem ier, 16 ear em ling 'ecem ier, Name of Company. Gold. Quartz. Dividends. Gold. Quartz. Dividends. Grlobe ... Progress Cumberland No. 2 Keep-it-Dark Big Eiver jolden Lead Energy (private company) ... Fiery Cross Fiery Cross tailings Keep-it-Dark 3-allant ... 3olden Fleece [nglewood Inkerman Venus (tribute) Welcome Welcome, tailings... Wealth of Nations Wealth of Nations, tailings... Royal (tribute) Eomeward Bound A.1 Oz. 4,651 4,035 3,484 1,996 1,965 872 656 626 145 573 454 382 373 312 250 210 85 147 112 140 55 43 40 Tons. 9,452 10,085 3,067 2,889 1,219 4,633 808 762 £ 7,200 1,200 4,200 2,200 2,400 Oz. 3,654 3,452 2,901 2,876 3,507 448 420 2,401 Oz. 3,654 3,452 2,901 2,876 3,507 448 420 2,401 Tons. £ 8,190 3,600 I 6,130 2,400 3,300 4,200 4,360 5,400 1,512 9,600 ! 1,640 l 912 1,818 5,643 1,710 1,192 210 444 651 419 182 "600 1,056 93 1,056 93 1 3,258 1,000 : 221 440 1,317 405 84 440 1,317 405 84 I 600 1,908 500 670 28 556 169 17 3 100 339 116 90 159 124 214 66 36 17 15 339 1 1 C3 116 90 159 124 214 66 36 17 15 i 1,155 '.'.'. i 114 ' 45 6J 383 140 3 60 15 Eercules 3 olden Treasure ... Grolden Point Bard To Find Result ... Totals 21,636 38,561 17,8 00 23,204 36,468^ 32,343 Alluvial gold— Purchased by banks Other sources, say 4,185 900 4,113 900 Totals 26,721 38,561 17,800 28,217 Prom 1872 to 1892 544,023 578,885 526,851