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Mr. Robert Tennent, Inspector of Mines, Westport, to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 4th April, 1907. I have the honour to report as follows on the gold-mines in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland Districts for the year ended 31st December, 1906 :— QUARTZ-MINING. Blenheim. Wairau Gold-mining Company. —Mining operations are still continued under the supervision of Mr. Linstrom, who also works the Small reef on tribute. Crushing was much hampered through scarcity of water, but in comparing the stone treated the returns are satisfactory. The scheelite has practically disappeared. Development comprises 320 ft. of driving east and 60 ft. west, while connection was effected with the surface level to maintain ventilation, which is good. In view of the company taking over all works, the tribute agreement is under consideration, as the company wish to adopt the system of day wages. Pine Valley. —It is interesting to note that, although eight prospecting areas are taken up in the valley, not a man was found at work when the locality was visited on the ]1 th February, 1907. The only work done was a winze sunk 30 ft. and a little trenching. Leases on the Dividing-ranges between Mahakipawa and Waikahaho. —Mr. Thomas, who was prospecting on behalf of a syndicate, states he has succeeded in tracing the reef down the western slope of the range, with good surface prospects. The All Try Syndicate. —This property is situated about one mile south of the Jubilee. The works have been simply of a prospecting character, comprising the sinking of a winze to a depth of 50 ft., from the bottom of which 30 ft. were driven on the line of reef. Where exposed on the outcrop the reef was 3 ft. in width and showed fair prospects of scheelite and gold, but finally it pinched out to the bare walls at a depth of 50 ft. All work is securely timbered. Havelock. The Golden Bar and Federated Yorkshire. —Notwithstanding the repeated promises made to commence operations on this property, nothing further has been done. We are informed that trial samples of ore were recently shipped to Wellington. COLLINGWOOD. Upper Anatoki. —Under the guidance of the Takaka Miners' Association, Kennedy and party have' determined an outcrop varying in width from 18 in. to 2 ft., and sinking was proceeded to a depth of 6 ft., until prevented by water. Having secured a. prospecting area of 100 acres, crosscutting was commenced on a low 'evel that would give 60 ft. of backs, at about 150 ft. of driving. The association has further arranged to send out another strong staff to prospect and locate the line of reef and carry out general development. Johnston's United, Bedstead Gully. —All work is suspended on this property pending instructions from the Home office. Golden Ridge (Taitapu Gold Estates ; James Carroll, mine-manager). —Mining and prospecting operations have been suspended on the Golden Ridge, while attention is being directed to developing the Sandhill section, where driving has been extended for 300 ft., with a deviation of 50 ft., making a total of 350 ft. Timber is freely used where required, and ventilation well maintained by a small fan driven by an overshot water-wheel. On No. 4 block, 750 ft. of tunnelling is completed and securely timbered. Ventilation (good) is assisted by water blast. Boring operations have been conducted by diamond drill to a depth of 480 ft., in view of proving the coal-bearing measures in the Paturau district. The increased hardness of strata is taken as a notable feature as depth is attained. The machine is recommended to attain a depth of 2,000 ft. with a 2| in. crown. Golden Blocks, Taitapu (C. Y. Fell, attorney, Nelson).—Mining operations on this property have not fully maintained their previous standard in value, notwithstanding development is consistently kept in advance of battery requirements ; but a change for the better may occur at any moment, as the mine is very patchy. Mining has been chiefly confined to extending No. 2 intermediate and Nos. 2 and 3 low levels south, while stone for milling purposes was taken from stopes above No. 2 level and No. 2 intermediate. The total drivings aggregate 860 ft. ; risings, 950 ft. ; and the areas stoped, 5,320 square feet. The gross tonnage milled, 1,696 tons, yielded 1,435 oz. 19 dwt. melted gold, valued at £5,678 Is. 5d., showing a decrease in values of £5,428 2s. Id. against the preceding year. _ Prospecting east was suspended during the winter, but will be resumed in a few days. As the country is overlapped with sandstone, quartzite, and conglomerate, great difficulty is experienced in locating outcrops, and so far nothing has been found of a payable nature. The principal workings are confined to No. 3 block, while No. 2is being thoroughly prospected. The quartz and strike of gold is dipping very much southwards. Gold can be seen in the stone in faces of No. 2 intermediate and No. 3 low level. Westport. Red Queen, Mokihinui (owner, A. W. Mills, Westport).—This property continues to be worked on a thin vein of stone by two men on tribute, with fairly satisfactory results. Recently a rich pocket of stone was discovered near the western boundary of the lease, and in consequence operations are meanwhile suspended pending a settlement of the boundary-lines at the Warden's Court. Stone milled, 97 tons ; yield 149 oz. 8 dwt., valued at £585 ss. 10d. Britannia Mine.— As the intermediate over No. 6 level has been driven south 65 ft. past the stone formerly followed down from No. 4, crosscutting was commenced on the hanging-wall 40 ft. back from

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