C.-2

29

Rising Sun Gold-mining Company, Owharoa. —The only development-work in progress in this mine is driving a crosscut at a point 2,100 ft. from the entrance of low level. A small lode 2$ ft. in width has boon intersected ; values low. Stoping is proceeding above low level, but there is a falling-off in values. Rock-drilling plant installed which greatly facilitates operations. Master Key and Orient Gold-mining Syndicate, Waikino. —A small prospecting-shaft, 6 ft. by 4 ft., has been sunk to a depth of 160 ft., and a crosscut driven west for 110 ft. with the object of endeavouring to locate the lode which shed loose gold-bearing stone found in this locality. . Talisman Consolidated (Limited). —No. 16 level : Work at this level has been suspended and pumps withdrawn. No. 15 level : This level has also proved disappointing as far as values are concerned, but quartz has been found to exist in a section which in the level above showed a vein fissure filled with clay. Driving south at this level in tho Dubbo section has disclosed two short shoots of fair-grade ore. With a view of ascertaining whether the reefs continue at depth, and also to prove the country, it was decided to put down three boreholes—the first at the end of the crosscut at the bottom of the Woodstock shaft, the second from No. 6 winze, and the third from No. 12 winze. This work Is now in progress, arrangements having been made with the Mines Department for the use of a diamond drilling plant. New Zealand Crown Mines (Limited). —At No. 4 level a, crosscut is being driven to test a block of ground situated between the Talisman and Adeline reefs. The old Talisman No. 1 level is also being cleaned out for the purpose of exploring the Talisman reef in this section of the mine. Ten wages men and nine tributers are employed. Waihi Paeroa Gold-extraction Company. —Owing to the high cost of cyanide, and flints for the tube mills, together with low grade of river sand, this company decided to go into liquidation, and the plant is now being sold. Komala Reefs Gold-mine (Mr. H. H. Adams, owner). —Two men have been employed prospecting, but nothing of importance lias been discovered. United Gold-mines, Maratoto. —Very little work has been dono in the mine during the year, the men being engaged completing mill and cutting a branch water-race. This work is now finished, and everything is ready to commence crushing. Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines, Maratoto. —A stoping block 130 ft. in length has been opened up on tho Queen lode, which varies from 5 ft. to 12 ft. in width. The ore contains silver tclluride, 5 tons of ore sent to Australia yielding silver to the value of £385 ss. Bd. Samples treated by the oilflotation process gave a very high extraction. Bendigo Mine, Waiorongomai. —6o tons of ore treated produced bullion valued at £67. Four men employed. Waiotahi Mine, Thames. — Work confined to stoping various small rich leaders above sea-level. These have now been worked out, and this company, in order to continue mining operations, has taken up the old Eclipse Claim at the head of Tararu Creek, now known as the Waiotahi No. 2. Sylvia Reefs (Limited). —The quartz won from the stoping block opened up on Norfolk lode proved to be of much lower grade than anticipated, consequently the directors decided to go into liquidation and soil the mine and mill, which was purchased by Mr. H. H. Adams. Waitangi Consolidated.--A distance of 300 ft. was driven at No. 2 level on the lode, varying from 2 ft. to 10 ft. in width. 530 tons of quartz treated produced fairly good gold. Mount Zeehan Consolidated (Limited). —Owing to legal and financial difficulties this company was granted protection for six months. Reconstruction of the company is now in progress to provide £33,000 working capital. Four men arc now employed in the mine. Golden Bell Gold-mining Company, Neavesville. —The drive south of main lode at No. I level has been extended 170 ft. ; values low. Nonpareil Claim. —Owner, Mr. F. Sawyer. A portion is let on tribute. Gold to a fair value was obtained during the year. There are a number of other small claims at work in the Thames County, but nothing worthy of note has been discovered. Oil-flotation Process. -On the Thames foreshore Mr. 11. H. Adams lias recently erected an oilflotation plant, and for nearly a year has been experimenting with small parcels of ore obtained from different parts of the Eauraki Peninsula. It is claimed that in every case the extraction proved satisfactory. Mr. Adams now proposes to treat by this method several hundred tons of tailings lying on the Thames foreshore, also a large tonnage of ore from tho Sylvia Mine. Commanded. —Mining in this district is still confined to prospecting, but it is anticipated that tho Old Hauraki Gold-mining Company, having succeeded in raising further capital, will shortly resume operations. Barrier Reefs Gold-mining Company, Great Barrier Island. —Driving east and west on the lode intersected at the low level was continued, values being low. A winze has been connected with surface which provides ample ventilation. Muir's Gold Reefs (Limited), Te Puke. —Low level : The lode has been driven upon south for 580 ft., having an average width of 5 ft., stated to bo worth £2 per ton. A rise has also been continued to the surface, and the upper level has been timbered ready for stoping. Owing to the difficulties in transit, shortage of labour, and wet weather, the erection of the mill took longer than anticipated. lam informed that everything is now ready to commence crushing. Oil-wells. Taranaki (New Zealand) Oil-wells (Limited). —During the year the drilling staff has been engaged recasing and cleaning out No. 5 bore, which is no*w recased with 8 in. pipe to a depth of 2,140 ft.