23

a—B

Antimony. Antimony Lode. —Kor some time a small syndicate known as Lanigan's syndicate has been prospecting for antimony near Russell, meeting with good samples of ore occasionally. Towards the end of the year it was reported that a rich ore-body had been discovered, but owing to the low price offered for antimony the mine was closed down. Two men were employed. There is also an antimony lode at Puhipuhi, on which a considerable amount of prospecting has been done by two men employed by Mr. Holder, of Auckland. The ore was found to be of low grade, ami the mine was closed down. Two men were employed. Cinnabar. About two miles distant from the antimony lode at Puhipuhi is a cinnabar claim, also owned by Mr. Holder. A tunnel has been driven a total distance of 200 ft. to cut the lode, which was showing on the surface. I have not heard what the values were in the drive. Two men were employed. I have, &c, Boyd Bennik. Inspector of Mines.

Mr. Robert Tennent, Inspector of Mines, Westport, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir. — Inspector of Mines Office, Westport, 27th March, 1908. I have the honour to report as follows on the gold-mines in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland districts, for the year encled 31st December, 1907 : — QUARTZ-.MINIXC. Blenheim. Wairau Valley Gold-mining Company, Limited (Thomas Wearne, mine-manager).—On the section of this property known as the Nelson drive four men are employed in developing the reef by sinking a winze to a depth of 50 ft. and driving an intermediate, whilst six men find employment in driving east and stoping on the low level of the little reef. All works are securely timbered and well ventilated. At the battery and cyanide works crushing and ore-treatment was suspended owing to shortage of water, occasioned by the excessive dry weather. Mahikipawa. —Mr. A. Steadman, with three men employed, has reopened the low level of the old Kaipai Quartz-mine, and, provided development warrants the expenditure, a three-stamp mill will be erected. Mount Patriarch (McGrath and party's prospecting-area).—Accompanied by P. Slattery, the Assistant Inspector examined the surface workings, where an outcrop of quartz was exposed by trenching. To prove the reef at depth, a winze was sunk 45 ft., on an average width of 4 ft. Crosscut ting was also extended for 145 ft., when the lode was intersected in a slightly disturbed condition. However, alter driving was further extended a few feet, the regular underlay was attained. Sufficient work has not been done to determine values, and the continuance of into the high range, and the drive should be directed in a more southerly course on line of lode. Also, a low level is required about 60 ft. below the present crosscut, or on the level of the proposed battery hopper. Meanwhile, prospecting U not sufficient to warrant the erection of any quartz-crushing machinery. Should payable gold be found, there are many miles of practically virgin ground. Mount Patriarch (Tapp's prospecting-area). Two men are employed. MeGrath (in charge) is driving a crosscut to intersect an outcrop said to carry payable gold. All works well secured. Havelock. Golden Bar and Federated Yorkshire. —Three men have been employed in clearing the old drives and other preliminary work, but when visited at the beginning of the current year the men were fossicking in the bed of the river. CoLLINGWOOD. Upper Anatoki. —Dnde:- the Takaka Miners' Association, prospecting has made satisfactory progress during last year. and. as the gold found in the streams and terraces is largely associated with particles of coarse quartz, it may he feasible to expect that auriferous quartz in payable quantity will eventually lie opened up. In the matter of finance and labour the association is well managed each member being alike interested to see that the money subscribed is profitably expended. Golden Ridge (Taitapu Gold Estates ; James Carroll, mine-manager).—Development has been confined to the Sandhill section, in which a tunnel has been driven in hard cpiartzite for a distance of 420 ft. (adit). This rock has now given place to a black slate, which is more favourable, and affords better facilit es for driving. Ventilation is well maintained by fan. driven by breast water-wheel. All work is suspended on the Ant Hill or Golden Ridge section. Diamond drilling for coal and other minerals is also suspended, at a total depth of 640 ft. Golden Blocks, Taitapu (C. Y. Fell, attorney. Nelson). .Mining continues to be directed chietty in extending and stoping on No. 2 intermediate and Nos. 2 and 3 low levels. The total drivings aggregate 750 ft. ; rising. 880 ft. ; and the area stoped, 5,229 square feet. The tonnage milled (1,700 tons) yielded 1,463 oz. 18 dwt., valued at £5,865 Is. lid.—value per ounce, £4 Is. 3d. —thus showinglan increase in values of £187 Os. 6d. As usual, the lode continues patchy, and an underlay of 35° westerly