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Mr. Warden Dyer, Auckland, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— The Magistrate's Office, Auckland, 30th January, 1907. There has been a little more activity in the Puhipuhi Mining District during 1906 than in previous years. The work, however, has been almost entirely of a prospecting character. There were twenty-five miners' rights, three prospecting licenses, and two prospecting warrants issued during the year. The two latter were for antimony and cinnabar respectively. A company has been formed to mine for copper at Kaeo, north of the Puhipuhi Mining District. There seems a disposition to prospect for minerals generally throughout the district, and a greater interest in mining matters than formerly. Apart from this there is really nothing of interest to report. I have, &c, J. W. Dyer, Warden.

Mr. Warden T. Scott Smith, Blenheim, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir.— Warden's Office, Blenheim, 19th April, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith the usual statistical returns relative to the mining industry in the Marlborough Mining District, and to submit the following report for the year ending the 31st December, 1906 :— Quartz-mining operations have been practically confined to the work done in the Jubilee Claim, where the low-level tunnel has been extended 300 ft. during the year. It is estimated that a further distance of 600 ft. will have to be driven before the reef is reached. Portion of the claim has been worked under a tribute agreement with very satisfactory results, several crushings of a very payable nature having been obtained by the tributer. A little prospecting has been done in a couple of other properties. So far as dredging claims are concerned, it may be said that the Alpine Company's operations at Top Valley have resulted unprofitably, and work has been suspended ; but the Golden Point dredge at Wakamarina (now owned by a private company) is understood to be giving fairly good returns. Alluvial mining calls for no special, comment, there having been little alteration in its conditions during the past year. The high price now obtainable for antimony has attracted attention to the deposits at Endeavour Inlet. It will be remembered that these were worked some years ago, when an extensive plant was erected. Operations at that time did'not result profitably, and the claims were abandoned and the plant removed. Fresh titles have been applied for and granted, with a view to re-establishing the industry. I have, &c, T. Scott Smith, Warden. .%. t Mr. Warden H. Eyre Kenny, Nelson, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 11th March, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns for the year ending 31st December, 1906, together with a general report upon the mining districts under my administration. SUBDISTRICT OF CoLLINGWOOD. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company (Limited). —This company is the holder of three special alluvial claims, but during the period to which this report relates operations have been mainly directed to the development of Appo's Flat, ground hitherto uuworked by the company. During the year the company have kept employed ten men, and have expended in carrying on their operations the sum of £2,951 17s. Id. The quantity of gold won by the company during the past year was 304 oz., valued at £1,153 4s. lid. Mr. J. Bassett is the company's manager. Slate River Sluicing Company (Limited). —The operations of this company have been again considerably hampered during this year by the shortage of water. Owing to the exceedingly dry season the company's water-supply has been much below the average. In addition to the ordinary sluicing the company has expended about £400 on constructive works—viz., cutting in drainage from Bedstead Gully to the company's dam at Toi Toi Flat to increase the water-supply, and driving 150 ft. of rock tunnel to open out new ground in the company's claim. This company has an application lodged in the Warden's Court for an extended claim of 5 acres, between the Slate River and Doctor's Creek, adjoining the company's claim (section 21) and the old claim locally known as Nicholas's. From this area, if granted, the company have every expectation of obtaining good results,

t Mr. Warden H. Eyre Kenny, Nelson, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 11th March, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns for the year ending 31st December, 1906, together with a general report upon the mining districts under my administration. SUBDISTRICT OF CoLLINGWOOD. Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing and Mining Company (Limited). —This company is the holder of three special alluvial claims, but during the period to which this report relates operations have been mainly directed to the development of Appo's Flat, ground hitherto unworked by the company. During the year the company have kept employed ten men, and have expended in carrying on their operations the sum of £2,951 17s. Id. The quantity of gold won by the company during the past year was 304 oz., valued at £1,153 4s. lid. Mr. J. Bassett is the company's manager. Slate River Sluicing Company (Limited). —The operations of this company have been again considerably hampered during this year by the shortage of water. Owing to the exceedingly dry season the company's water-supply has been much below the average. In addition to the ordinary sluicing the company has expended about £400 on constructive works —viz., cutting in drainage from Bedstead Gully to the company's dam at Toi Toi Flat to increase the water-supply, and driving 150 ft. of rock tunnel to open out new ground in the company's claim. This company has an application lodged in the Warden's Court for an extended claim of 5 acres, between the Slate River and Doctor's Creek, adjoining the company's claim (section 21) and the old claim locally known as Nicholas's. From this area, if granted, the company have every expectation of obtaining good results,