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SrawMr. Newsham has, in the same locality, been prospecting in the Alexandra Claim with satisfactory results an assay gave 90 oz. per ton, gold value £3 6s. per ounce. Work has been going on in several other properties, but at present they have not been sufficiently developed to warrant any special comment. Prom the present indications on the field, I have little doubt but that the current year will be more prosperous than the last one was. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. E. S. Bush, Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Bobekts to the Uwdeb-Secbetaey for Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Warden's Office, Tauranga, 25th April, 1899. I have the honour, in compliance with instructions received, to submit the following report of this portion of the Hauraki Mining District: —■ Te Puke Gold Beefs. —This is the principal claim on the field, and has been in work continuously developing the large 20 ft. lode. The chief work done has been the putting in of an adit-level on the south, about 100 ft. below the former low level. This makes a depth of 320 ft. from the crown of the hill. The adit was driven in northwards for 200 ft., and the reef picked up in rather broken country. The adit passed through a number of reefs from 2 ft. to 12 ft. through, and all giving good prospects of gold. After the reef had been found, work was suspended on that portion of the mine, and a winze started from the low level. The winze was carried down on the foot-wall for 100 ft.,when the air got so bad that work was suspended at the bottom of the winze. The reef is a promising body of stone of unknown size, as the winze is all quartz. It is of the same wavy laminated appearance as on the top levels, and prospects and assays more than payable. Clark's Freehold. —This property of 300 acres freehold adjoins the Te Puke Gold Eeefs on the north, and has the continuation of this reef, which runs about 15° east of north, and underlying to the east. A prospecting drive has been put in 80 ft. to cut the big reef, but, a hard class of country coming in, this work was abandoned for the present. A large outcrop of quartz to the east that gives good prospects has been driven for, but at too shallow a level; but it is thought the cap of the reef has just been picked up. The main work has been done on an 8 ft. reef that assays and prospects payably. It has been cut 30 ft. below the surface, and at a low level 80 ft. deeper. When cut the drive was carried ahead through a fine class of blue country, heavily mineralised with pyrites, when a 2 ft. leader was cut 16 ft. further, and that carries gold. A crosscut was put in for 50 ft. on the hanging-wall side of the reef, and both reefs again cut through, with very encouraging prospects. Another 3 ft. reef has been cut in another portion of the ground that carries a large percentage of silver. Altogether some 600 ft. of driving, besides other prospecting work, has been done on this property, and the reefs well opened out. Ben Lomond. —This is a special claim on Native land, and has a couple of nice reefs on it in a fine class of sandstone, but nothing has been done to develop them. During the past year the owners put a drive close to the boundary of Clark's Freehold, which it adjoins. This was with the view of picking up the Te Puke Gold Eeefs lode, but the drive was put in at too shallow a level, and after driving over 100 ft. there was no sign of the sandstone, although it can be seen cropping out a few feet below where the level was put in. The Sisters. —This is a freehold property. A considerable amount of work has been done. Various drives have been put in; the main drive is 130 ft., and a crosscut drive of 60ft. Loose quartz and small leaders are constantly met with. The manager is very hopeful of striking the reef running through the Te Puke Gold Eeefs Company. The great want of the field is capital to develop it; for the reefs are of a promising kind, of great dimensions, and running in good sandstone country, with every convenience of both water and timber. The quality of the reefs are all low-grade ore, but in great quantity, and with exceptional facilities for easy and economical treatment. I have, &c, J. M. Robekts, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 3. Mr. Warden Allen to the Undeb-Seceetaky for Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Blenheim, 4th April, 1899. I have the honour to enclose you my annual returns for the Marlborough Mining District. Up to the 31st March last there is nothing requiring special mention. Several dredging claims in the Wakamarina district have been taken up during the year, but at present no work has been done. A dredge is in course of construction, and I understand the owners are waiting for machinery from England. I have received contradictory reports re the discovery of reefs or leaders at Armchair Creek. Special claims have been taken up in that district, but no real work has yet been done, therefore I have no report to make as to the quantity or value of the stone. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. J. Allen, Warden. 2—C. 3a,