C—3.

Golden Cross. The principal work carried out during the year has been the retimbering of the main crosscut, repairing the level on the hanging-wall lode, and stoping. A trial parcel of 246 tons was treated at the Waitekauri battery for a return of £450. The average width of the reef is 3 ft. Eight men were employed during the year. Durbar Mine. A considerable amount of work has been done in the upper levels, and, although by assay the ore proved to contain payable values, when sent to the mill for treatment the result proved disappointing. The mine is now under protection. An average of two men were employed during the year, and 83 tons of ore was treated for a return of £135 3s. 7d. New Zealand Jubilee Mine. The work done in this mine has been entirely of a prospecting nature, and consisted of 150 ft. of driving and 90 ft. of rising. Fifty tons of ore have been broken out ready for treatment, the average value by assay being £6 per ton. An average of three men have been employed during the year. Scotia Claim. This claim consists of 25 acres, and is owned by Grace Bros. A reef which was located in prospecting has been driven upon for 100 ft., and a winze sunk 30 ft., the lode averaging 3 ft. in width. Three chains of ground-tram and an aerial tramway 800 ft. long have been constructed, which greatly facilitate the handling of the ore. Forty-seven and a half tons of ore was treated for a return of £88 6s. 1 Id. ; and an average of four men were employed during the year. Ohinemuri County. Talisman Consolidated (Limdted). Considerable development was carried out in the Nos. 11 and 12 levels during the year. On No. 11 level it is proposed to continue the south drive, and the crosscut already started east and west to be pushed forward vigorously. At No. 12 level the south drive was advanced 350 ft., and is nearing the point where it should intersect the Dubbo ore-shoot, which it is proposed to thoroughly develop. No. 13 Level. —The south drive was extended 260 ft. through high-grade ore. Owing to the New Zealand Crown Mines stopping their pumps, this level became flooded in August, and has remained so pending the erection of additional pumping plant capable of dealing|with the increased amount of water. It is expected that the plant will be available in the latter part of January, when the unwatering of the level will begin. A Riedler compressor with a capacity of 3,100 cub. ft. of free air per minute has been erected during the year, also four Babcock and Wilcox boilers and a 100-kilowatt generator, to supply power to the mine. It is proposed to install during the coming year at the Woodstock shaft a Cornish pump of sufficient capacity to handle all the water that may reasonably be expected. It is proposed also to sink this shaft considerably deeper, and from it develop the northern section of the mine. Tube mills, air-agitators, and vacuum filters are to be added to the treatment plant during the ensuing year. Three fatal accidents occurred in this mine during the year, two men being killed by a blastingaccident, and another by falling down the shaft. No blame was attachable to the management in either instance. New Zealand Crown Mines (Limited). The main shaft has not been sunk during the year, owing to the stream of water cut in the No. 5 level keeping the pumps working to very nearly their full capacity. No. 5 Level. —South of the main incline shaft this level was extended 199 ft., making a total of 2,293 ft. In the winze sunk from this level there is no decrease in the quantity of water flowing, and the water continues to give off sulphuretted-hydrogen gas. The south-east crosscut was extended 428 ft., making a total distance of 566 ft., and a reef believed to be the New reef was intersected and driven on 69 ft. No. 4 Level. —South of the main incline shaft the level was extended ft., making a total distance from the shaft of 2,348 ft. Workings on New Reef. —Waitawheta level south of the south-east crosscut:. The level was advanced 301 ft., making its total length from the crosscut 1,048 ft. In Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 levels the drives were all advanced during the year. Two electrically driven duplex pumps have been procured, and will be installed at the main shaft. The power will be transmitted from a station close to the reduction-works, and during a considerable portion of the year water-power will be utilised to generate electricity, and when water is unobtainable the engine and boilers which are being supplied will be employed. The plant will be capable of pumping, in two stages, 1,135 gallons per minute from a depth of 1,000 ft. Pending the erection of the pumping plant, operations at the mine have been suspended. During the year a man died from the effects of blood-poisoning caused by a rusty nail running into his leg whilst removing slabs in the workings.

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