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material passes through brass screens, 40 mesh, on to two electro-plated copper plates of 30 square feet each. From the plates it passes continuously through grinding- and amalgam-pans fitted with Hardy's patent amalgam-saving device, the overflow passing over a 6 ft. Union vanner and a Wilfley table. A separation of the tailings is made by spitzkasten into sluices and sands. The slimes average 12s. 9d. per ton of slimes, the sands being almost valueless ; the concentrates vary from £9 to £12 per ton, the last assay showing gold 20z., silver 40oz. ; value, £12 3s. per ton. Half the value of the concentrates is extracted by working them in berdans with lime, the residue passing outside the battery to settling-pits, from which it is removed and dried ready for shipment to the smelter. A circular-saw and workshop have been erected. There is a complete cyanide plant embracing two 22 ft. vats, six mixing- and sump-vats, steel vacuum cylinder 12 ft. by 6 ft., zinc precipitation-boxes, centrifugal and air pumps. The motive-power is supplied by 240 ft. head of water through a 20 in. diameter pipe to three Pelton wheels of 2 ft., 3 ft., and 6 ft. diameter, working vanners, rock-breaker, and stampers respectively. A second Blake rock-breaker, crushing to Jin. mesh, a Lockwood-Mackay mill, and Pelton wheel have been fitted up, so that the proprietor can, if necessary, treat from 6 to 8 tons of ore daily by cyanide or otherwise, independently of the main battery. Coromandel. Mining in this district is still very quiet, and there is little to report. During the past year many mines have permanently closed down, a few are at present protected, and some working with a reduced number of men. There is still, however, a considerable number engaged actively in crushing and developing, while prospecting is as vigorous as ever. Kauri Block. The Hauraki Mine is still a gold-producer, but has lately reduced the number of its workmen. The Hauraki Main Lodes Properties have done very little, but there is a good prospect of operations again commencing soon. Bunker's Hill Company have continued working with varying success, and are hopeful of obtaining a payable reef. Welcome Find and Suez Extended Claims have amalgamated, being now known as the Hauraki Freeholds Gold-mining Company's property. Much development-work has been done, but as yet without success, though good country is being penetrated. Hauraki No. 2 is still being worked. Freehold Land. Operations have been resumed in the property of the Kathleen Grown Gold-mining Company, development-work being pushed on vigorously. Ore has lately been obtained freely showing gold. Driving Creek. The Kapanga Mine has discontinued active operations, but everything is being kept in good working-order, so that there is a probability of this old mine again becoming a gold-producer. The Royal Oak of Hauraki Gold-mining Company have steadily continued their developmentworks with a large body of men. They have also been producing very fair monthly returns of gold, and there is every prospect of success during the coming year. The new Four-in-hand Company have also been consistent gold-producers during the year, and they have carried on a large amount of prospecting with good success. The Hauraki Mines, Limited (late Hauraki Associated, Limited) are recommencing work, and it is hoped that this mine will again become a producer, as of old. On the West Tokatea Mine a new three-head stamper battery has been erected, a first crushing of 10 tons of ore yielding a return of £130. Several payable reefs are now being prospected, and the outlook is a bright one. Work is being continued on the Harbour View Claim. Tiki. The Pukewhau and Progress Castle Rock are being driven upon, gold showing in the stone. Kennedy Bay. A little work is being done on the Harbour View. Ma tama taharake Ice. Macaronic and Macaronic Extended Special Quartz Claims have been taken up by Messrs. Barron and Cornish. The prospects are good, and there is a likelihood of this property being worked by a strong company. Mahakirau. In the Nil Desperaudum Mine Messrs. Prescott and Davis have done good prospecting-work, with excellent results, gold showing freely. The Day Dawn is still being worked. Kuaotunu. An amalgamation of the Try Fluke, Try Flake Extended, and Kapai-Vermont Claims is under consideration, the whole to be taken up by a new syndicate, with the chief object of testing the lower levels. This will be of considerable interest to Kuaotunu, as the testing of these lower levels is very important.

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