33

C.—3a

No. 2 South Keep-It-Dark Mine. —(24/8/96): No. 3 level is being driven to south on the track of the reef, which at places shows bunches of quartz. Air very good. Only four men in all are employed, as nothing but the prospecting is being done. No plan, such not being required by the Act. Eopes not tested lately, and no detaching appliance. Eeports kept. Royal Quartz-mine. —(26/8/96) : No. 8 level has been extended past the old stoping to the boundary of the Golden Fleece claim, and thence to the north, and connected by winzes with the workings in that mine. The top of the winze requires to be fenced, and this Mr. Martin will have done at once. An excellent current of air circulating. At the boundary-line a cross-cut has been driven to east to the reef, which shows about 1 ft. of quartz. No work is doing in these higher levels, but driving is going on to south from the Golden Fleece No. 5 level, which is 35 ft. across the boundary, employing three shifts of two men each. The reef is rather broken at this point, but it is believed to be between two blocks. Golden Fleece Quartz-mine. —(26/8/96) : From the extension of the Eoyal No. 3 level a winze is down 100 ft. to the intermediate, and from it at a point 93 ft. further north another winze is down 130 ft. to the No. 5 level, which is 600 ft. in depth down the Golden Fleece shaft. At the old chamber two shifts of two men are cross-cutting to west. Timbering right, and air good. Cover required at brace, and fly-wheel to be fenced. I have since been notified that these have been done. At date of writing Mr. Foster informs me that a winze is being sunk to connect with the low-level tunnel. It is down 140 ft. on the underlie, with about lft. in width of gold-bearing stone in the bottom. This leaves a further depth of 560 ft. on the dip of the vein to the low level. Ingleioood Extended Quartz-mine. —(26/8/96) : The only work doing is driving to south in the No. 4 level, at which two men are employed. For about 50 ft. driving has been through a dyke—not determined, but probably diabase —which runs to west-south-west, and they have just got into siliceous slate on the south side. Victoria Quartz-mine. —Mr. Knight informs me that no work is now doing in the low level, but that a surface tunnel has been driven above the old No. 1. It is in 250 ft., and 90 ft. of the 130 ft. to the surface has been stoped out. The width of the vein is 2 ft., and he states that, although the stone assays 1-Joz. to the ton, they only recover 12 dwt. at the battery. Sir Francis Drake Quartz-mine. —(22/10/96): No winding is being done now, all the work being done from the No. 1 level, an adit running into the hill on a level with the brace. At about 300 ft. it cuts the reef, which runs south-south-east. One stope is working 13 ft. above the level, on a reef about 2 ft. 6 in. wide. Timbering all right. A fair current of air circulating, as there is a connection with the shaft workings, which are kept baled out. In an old cross-cut to east driven by the Happy Valley Company the ground has come away or fallen and exposed a reef on which driving to north has been commenced. Dynamite on roadside, but this will be attended to in future. Seven men in all are at work, in two shifts. Inkerman Combined Quartz-mines. —(21/10/96) : These mines, which have been at a standstill for some time, have been taken up by an English company, for which Mr. G. G. Dixon is general manager, and the work of reopening is being pushed ahead. A winze is being sunk from the No. 3 level at a point about 70 ft. from the shaft. Air good. Timbering sufficient. As work has just been started several requirements of the Act have to be seen to. A winze from the surface near the main shaft is being reopened with the view of prospecting the lode. Beport duly kept. Fourteen men in all are employed, exclusive of those retimbering a level on the Eainy Greek Fall, where nine others are at work. lam informed that the number employed has subsequently been largely increased, and at date of writing seventy miners are at work developing the claims. The low-level tunnel is in 205 ft., and the total distance it will require to be driven is 3,760 ft. It will be connected with the shaft, and will cross-cut several known ore bodies giving backs of 460 ft., 680 ft., and 570 ft. Eand rock-drills are used, driven by compressed air conveyed in a line of 3 in. pipes 1,000 ft. long to a receiver at the mine-mouth. The Exchange, Cumberland, and Big Eiver Mines were not inspected during the year. Boatman's. Fiery Cross Quartz-mine. —(23/10/96) : No work is at present being done at this mine. Welcome United Quartz-mine. —(23/10/96) : No. 5 level has been retimbered, also the winzes to No. 6. In the top winze the ladders were at one place overhanging. These I requested to be altered, and lam informed this has been done. Eetimbering is being continued in No. 6 by six men, in three shifts, and they have 30 ft. more to go to reach the winze, which it is intended to reopen underfoot. The air comes in No. 6 and up the winzes, where there is a fair current, but it is dull where the men are working. It will, however, be led in in boxes if work is continued. No work is now being done in the No. 10 level, down the Eureka incline, or from the blind shaft, but retimbering is being done a few feet above No. 9. The air is being drawn by the exhaust fan, and, as well as this, compressed air at high pressure led in in pipes to near the work is being forced in, so, although the air is not good, some black-damp being given off, all is being done that can be expected in such a-place. Twelve men in all were employed, including two in the Homeward Bound ground. At date of writing lam informed a cross-cut is being driven from No. 8 level. Langdon's. Victory Quartz-mine. —(1/12/96): Three stopes being worked, employing six miners and trucker, and usually three others at outside work. The lode has been worked out from the top' level to the surface outside the cross-cut, and four stopes in height inside of it. From No. 1 level a winze is down to No. 2, and it is 30 ft. below No. 1 that stoping is going on at present. The width of the lode varies from lft. to 2ft. 6in., but is very irregular. Eules and Act required. Julian Quartz-mine. —(1/12/96) :No one about. Some retimbering has been done in Vivian's old level, about 200 ft. in. Eeef irregular where a stope is being opened out above the level. Usually two men are at work, but to-day they are said to be prospecting other parts of the lease.

5— C. Ba.