C.—3

36

the absence of suitable winding and pumping machinery, the venture was abandoned. The property is now in the hands of Mr. Thomas Craig, but J. Robertson utilises the battery to crush surface stone. A few tons of stone saved from the sluicing claim have been crushed for McCarthy. Waifori. There has been no movement made in connection with quartz-mining in this district during the year. The 0.P.Q., Bella, Cox's, Canton, and other reefs are still lying unproductive. There is a tendency throughout the Otago Mining District to revert from alluvial mining to the more permanent forms of reef and lode mining, and thus it is only a question of time when attention will again be directed towards the quartz reefs of the Waipori district. The 0.P.Q., Bella, Canton, Victoria, and Cox's reefs would all repay any outlay, provided that cheap power could be obtained for winding and crushing. The antimony-mine situated on the Lammerlaw Ranges, first opened about 1875, is again being developed by A. C. Buckland. Scheelite occurs associated with the antimony. Eaton and party have repegged the Reedy Creek Copper-mine and water-rights. This mine has not been worked since 1882. Milton. List Chance Quartz-mine, Canada Reefs (Thomas Park, owner). —For several years this mine was a consistent gold-producer. It is to be regretted that the shoot of stone gave out early in the year, since when operations have been at a standstill pending the erection of more suitable machinery to prosecute the work further to depth. It is understood that it is the intention of the owner to recommence operations at once. Ocean View Quartz Reef, Table Hill, Milton. —Owing to the extremely dry weather prevailing it was impossible to crush at Park's battery, which is water-driven. No advance has been made during the year in connection with working any of the known reefs on a comprehensive scale, although some prospecting has been done by Park and Hawkins. Macrae's. New Zealand Gold and Tungsten Company, Mount HigMay (Messrs. W. and 6. Donaldson, owners). — Area, 90 acres. This mine was opened up during the year for the production of gold and scheelite. There is a large body of stone on the property, from which the material is conveyed to the battery by a three-rail incline ground tramway. The present plant consists of one Mason rock-breaker for rough crushing, one Blake-Marsden for fine crushing, one 5 ft. Huntingdon mill, and one Wilfley table. It is intended to increase the size and power of the plant. HigMay Gold and Scheelite Mining Company, Mount Highlay (J. 0. Gilmour, secretary, Dunback). — This property was opened out to mine for gold and scheelite. Operations were not attended with the amount of success anticipated, and the mine was closed down again. 'This company is now-re-erecting a five-head battery lately owned by H. N. Mills and Son. The new mine is close to the New Zealand Gold and Tungsten Mine, Mount Highlay, and the reef carries values in gold and scheelite. A Frue vanner is being installed. Golden Point Quartz-mine, Macrae's (W. and G. ; W. Donaldson, mine-manager). —Messrs. Donaldson Bros, continue to work this extensive property on progressive lines. The mineworkings are in good order. Timber well supplied and freely used. Ventilation good. Explosives well stored and carefully handled. Rules posted. Scheelite is still prepared for market. This mineral occurs throughout the reef, sometimes in very rich pockets or bunches. A comprehensive exhibit of the products of this mine was shown at the International Exhibition, Christchurch. Thirty men are employed in and about the mine and battery. Barewood. Bare-wood Quarlz-mine, Barewood (H. S. Molineaux, mine-manager). —The extension of the shaft in depth has been completed to 249 ft. A crosscut was driven from the 240 ft. level to crosscut the reef in a distance of 66 ft. A level was then turned off along the reef to the west, and has been driven 240 ft. to date. The level has also been driven 20 ft. to the east. All work is now confined to driving this level and stoping to the rise. The mine is in good working-order. Ventilation good. First-class timber used. Explosives carefully stored and handled. Shaft and shaft-fittings in good repair. Sixteen men employed in and about the mine and battery. Tailings saved and treated by cyanide. Later advice is to the effect that the company has several years' stone opened up for crushing. This is low grade, and requires to be handled cheaply and in bulk. The present five-head battery is to be increased by the addition of five extra stampers, and the oil-engine is to be superseded by a producer-gas plant. Harrison and Ewart's Area, Barewood. —This party treated 23 tons of ore with a view to getting the value of the scheelite it contained, with the result that 13 cwt. of scheelite was obtained. The ore was crushed at the Barewood Company's battery. Southland. Preservation Inlet. Morning Star Quartz-mine, Preservation Inlet (John Kingsland, secretary, Invercargill).—This mine has been idle for several years, but a new company is being formed in order to recommence operations in the near future. South-west Otago is a large field, proved to contain auriferous reefs, but the district is heavily wooded and practically unprospected.