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rock. The chief gold-production from the Hauraki Mining District has been from those reefs existing in the andesite, and in few instances have reefs in slate formation hitherto proved payable. Therefore, as it is now proved that the veins of quartz have an uninterrupted continuance downwards in both rocks, and that they are gold-producing to a depth of 100 ft. below the adit, it augurs well for the continuance of the reefs down into the slate formation in all the other portions of the Hauraki Goldfield, and gives hopes of success in deep-level mining throughout. Captain Hodge has furnished me with the following report on those mines which are under his control: — Boyal Oak cf Hauraki (Limited). —This company has an area of 39 acres 1 rood 9 perches. The number of persons employed by the company is forty. The total expenditure since registration to the 31st December has been £8,221 os. Id. The greatest depth reached below the surface in this company's property is 930 ft. The number of levels in which work has and is being conducted is four—No. 3 level, 385 ft. below surface ; No. 5, 442 ft.; No. 6, 693 ft.; and No. 7, 869 ft. The shaft is also sunk below No. 7 level about 70 ft. The reefs being developed are known as the No. 1 tribute leader, in the Oak section, which averages 1 ft. wide; the Main Tokatea reef, averaging from 12in. to sft. wide; while the trunk reef of the district varies from 50ft. to 80ft. wide from wall to wall. The company has crushed since registration 36 tons of quartz, yielding 350 oz. 19 dwt. of melted bullion, and realising £884 19s. 9d. It is the intention of this company to thoroughly develop the Oak section of the property, and, in conjunction with the adjacent company— the Tokatea—by the aid of that company's machinery and motive-power, to develop the Main Tokatea reef, that paid so many dividends, and of which this company owns a section. Tokatea of Hauraki (Limited). —This company owns an area of 75 acres 2 roods 2 perches. The greatest depth reached from the surface or crown of the hill to this date is over 1,000 ft., on the line of the famous Main Tokatea reef, which reef contributed largely to pay the old Tokatea Company in dividends between £60,000 and £70,000. I may say it is satisfactory to find this reef carrying strong dabs of gold in the stone all along the bottom of the 100 ft. level, below No. 7. The company has now in progress the sinking of the shaft below this for a new level, and in the upper series of the old workings, whenever the reef contributed occasional blotches of gold, it was invariably discovered to be near the rich shoot. Bearing in mind that the sea-level is 1,500 ft. below the crown of the hill, the future of this company below the present workings should be a good one. The company owns two portable engines, which will develop 30-horse power, aircompressor, air-winch, and Tangye pump, and also fifteen heads of stamps and two berdans. A parcel of 21 tons of quartz has been crushed, for a yield of 77 oz. 18 dwt. 2 gr., which realised £222 14s. Id. Thirty-five persons are employed. It is contemplated very shortly to amalgamate this property with the Boyal Oak. With this done, by the aid of the Tokatea plant for pumping, winding, and stamping, the Royal Oak can work their shaft dry, and give this famous reef a thorough good development in the virgin ground. Judging from the indications at the deepest point reached in the mine, and guided also by the experience of miners who developed this reef in the upper workings, it is very evident that this Tokatea main reef will yield large quantities of gold in the deeper workings. I may say both this company and the Royal Oak are giving the large trunk reef a thorough good development from the level to No. 3, and, although their efforts have not yet been successful, any day might discover a section of it to yield payable ores, in which case a reef of this magnitude would contribute a large reserve of ore immediately. Provision has been made for fuel to develop the property for more than twelve months in advance ; in the meantime water-power is being conserved for developing the mines on a permanent basis ; and the amalgamation is being urged forward, in order that the two companies may jointly contribute to work the two mines on a basis with water as a motive-power. The ultimate success of this property and the Royal Oak, by their combined efforts, judging from all the indications surrounding their mines, ought to again bring these mines into prominence as good payable properties. Triumph Mine (Area, 30 acres). —The levels opened last year were further extended. The adit-level, which is 320 ft. below the surface, is now in 552 ft., and when continued will intersect the No. 1 and No. 2 reefs. Driving and stoping have been done on those reefs, and a quantity of quartz is now ready for the battery. No great expedition was observed in the erection of this plant, and it is not yet completed ; therefore no quartz has been crushed. Forty men were employed. Golden Tokatea Mine (Area, 30 acres). —A considerable amount of driving was done on two small reefs, the Morgan reef, 1 ft. in thickness, and the Hibernian reef, 6 in. About 10 tons of lowgrade quartz has been taken from the Morgan reef, and a few pounds of picked stone showing gold, but no crushing has been done. Four men were employed. Harbour View (Area, 38 acres 3 roods 28 perches).—Very little work has been done, and no quartz crushed. Tokatea Consols, formerly New Tokatea Mine (Area, 30 acres). —This mine is owned by the Tokatea Consols Gold-mines (Limited). A considerable amount of development was carried out, levels being driven both from the east and west sides of the range. The reef at the east side is from 1 ft. to 4 ft. wide, and on the west side 6 in. to 1 ft. No quartz was crushed. Thirteen men were employed. East Hauraki Mine (Area, 29 acres 3 roods 32 perches).—The reefs on this ground are of small size, varying from 6 in. to 18 in. A low level has been driven 400 ft. to intersect the principal reefs. A connection was made by rising on Dunn's reef to the Comstock level. The quartz (about 60 tons) has not been crushed, and no gold has been obtained. Ten men were employed. Prospecting work has also been carried on in the Alexandra, Star of Tokatea, Coromandel Queen, East Tokatea, North, Pigmy, and Good Luck. Stirling Castle Claim. —This claim was worked by the owner, chiefly on small veins; 5 cwt. of quartz yielded 20 oz. of gold, value, £58. Napier Claim. —A crushing of 14 tons yielded 100 oz. 5 dwt.