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at the Thames there is available for this purpose a shaft, the property ot the Government, already equipped with winding-engine and cage, and pumps capable of dealing with 2,000 gallons of water per minute. The following is a statement showing the quantity of quartz treated, the value of bullion yielded, and dividends paid by the principal quartz-mines during 1906 : —

At the Waihi Gold-mining Company's mine, the most productive gold-mine in Australasia, a continuously increasing output at an increased yield of Is. per ton has to be recorded, but it is not apparent whether this increased yield is due to richer ores as depth is attained, or a higher rate of extraction at the mills and cyanide-works. The total quantity of ore treated at this mine during 1906 was 328,866 tons, of which the Martha leef contributed i 46,409 tons, or 44-5 per cent., the balance being obtained from fifteen other reefs on this property. A description of the workings of this mine unaccompanied by plan and sections would be somewhat complicated, as the Martha reef, which averages over 90 ft. in width, and is developed to a depth of 800 ft. or more, and for a length exceeding 1,400 ft., forms but one of a series of interlacing veins, the workings of which are often connected. The only data upon which to base deductions as to the maintenance of values by such great ore-bodies is the evidence disclosed by the development of somewhat similar ore-deposits elsewhere, which information is more accessible to and as "well understood by the intelligent and travelled miner as by the professional geologist. In magnitude there is nothing analogous known to the vein system here existing ; but as evidence upon which to form an estimate of the continuity in depth and ore-values of such strong quartz veins, we have the Beaconsfield and Golden Gate reefs in Tasmania, the Great Fingall reef in Westralia, and several instances in Western America all known to the writer. The evidence unfolded by mining operations at depth on all these veins is extremely favourable to the permanence of the Waihi reef system : beyond this no one can speak. Quartz veins are profitably mined in Victoria at a depth of 4,175 ft., and the "Martha" reef is stronger than any vein in Victoria. The total production from this mine to the end of 1906 was £5,355,254, as a result of treating 1,921,670 short tons (of 2,000 lb.) ; and £2,271,753 has been paid in dividends. During the year the number of feet driven, risen, and sunk at this mine amounted to 19,347, or 3-66 miles ; and 1,465 men were ordinarily employed. No further addition has been made to the milling-power of 330 head of stamps and six tube mills, but to add stability to the batteries heavy anvil-blocks have been placed under the mortars throughout. The substitution of the vacuum slimes plant (with rectangular tank and basket) in place of the filterpresses has proved a success. It is proposed to increase the number of tube mills, and in connection therewith to erect a 1,000-horse power (Crossley) producer-gas plant. It is also proposed to equip the No. 5 shaft for winding " skips '•' to facilitate rapid discharge by an engine of two cylinders, 30 in. diameter, with 6 ft. stroke. The two Cornish pumps employed on the drainage of this mine raised during the year a total of 697,707,996 gallons. At the Grand Junction Mine, which adjoins the Waihi property, operations are being carried out upon an extension of the same vein system which has been here proved to a depth of 811 ft. It is pro-

Name of Mine. I Tons of Quarm treated 1(2,000 lb. to a Ton). Value of Bullion. Divider Average Value per Ton. , 1<Joe ads paid. Total to End of December, 1906. Number of Persons ordinarily employ* d. ' Northern District — Waihi Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) ! Grand Junction Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) Waiotahi Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) Talisman Consolidated (Ltd.) Komata Reefs (Ltd.) New Zealand Crown Mines (Ltd.) New May Queen (Ltd.)... West Coast District— Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Company (Ltd.) Progress Mines of New Zealand (Ltd.) Consolidated Gold-fields of New Zealand (Ltd.) Big Eiver Gold-mining Company (Ltd.) Other quartz-mines 328,866 8,144 £ 781,553 13,794 £ s. d. £ 2 7 6 347,135 1 13 10 £ 2,271,753 1,465 238 18,002 223,678 12 8 6 j 183,000 274,800 155 49,573 20,490 22,080 3,333 152,011! 45,448 40,735! 10,715 J 3' 1 341 60,000 i 2 4 2| 1 15 0|' 18 4 3 90,000 26,664 70,000 ! Unknown 275 160 142 39 13,300 18,8871 ' 1 6 10 9,000 ; 154,666 50 59,100 91, 200 l : 1 14 5 34,375; 261,250 330 19,401 36,307 1 ' 1 17 5 ! 12,119! 137,606! 182 2,037 7,904! [ 3 17 7 I 2,332 49,698| ij 28 41,965 71,855 >; ... 6,011 Unknown 651 Totals, 1906 586,291 1,494,087 2 10 11 653,972 3,715