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level, and about 90ft. on the reef in the upper-level, but there does not appear to be very much gold found.; 99 tons from the levels near the surface were crushed for a yield of 1230z. 14dwt. of gold. Nelson Claim. —Fifty-five tons of quartz from a reef 9in. to 2ft. in thickness were crushed for 720z. 14dwt. of gold. Maribal Mine, on Moore's private land, is worked by two men ; 20 tons of quartz yielded 490z, of gold. McDonald's Mine. —About 500 ft. of cross-cut driving has been done, but the reef has not yet been found. Eleven new licensed holdings, of an area of 246 acres, and one special claim of 100 acres have been lately applied for. The future prospects of Coromandel are, on the whole, most encouraging. The vigorous manner in which the Kapanga Company and the Coromandel Gold Company (Limited) are carrying on work in their mines, and the success which has attended the operations of the Kapanga Company, have created increased confience in the district. The Colville syndicate, in London, are about to place on the English market the Colonial, Conquering Hero, and Just in Time Mines, each to be a separate mining company. A portion of the estate of the late Mr. Williamson, which extends from Preece's Point to the top of the range, and consists of 800 acres of land, has been sold to an English company, who propose to commence extensive mining operations at Preece's Point. Vizard's Castle Bock Mine, at Matawai, is also under offer to an English syndicate. Lynch's paddock, containing forty acres, near the township of Coromandel, has also been disposed of to Australian capitalists, who intend to commence mining operations shortly. The Colouial Company has been formed to work the large reef at the Tokatea Eange, which has scarcely been yet prospected. The general rich returns from tributers and others, in all parts of the district, show that there are still rich leaders to be found when a systematic method of searching for them is adopted. I have, &c, Geo. Wilson, Inspector of Mines. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 3. Mr. Inspector Wilson to the Undee-Seceetaet of Mines. Sib, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Thames, 18th April, 1888. I have the honour to forward the following report on mines in the Hauraki District for the year ended 31st March, 1888. Thames District. Saxon Mine. —This mine has been successfully worked during the year. No. 4 Level was connected with the winze from No. 3 Level, and the blocks of reef opened up have yielded a large quantity of quartz. The reef, which is about 2ft. in thickness, has been driven on at No. 4 Level for about 500 ft., up to the boundary of the Trenton ground, and this block has been payable for nearly all that distance. A winze is now being sunk below No. 4 Level, and the show of gold is richer than was found in the block now being stoped out. The total quantity of quartz crushed was 5,089 tons for a yield of 4,4970z. melted gold. I,looft. of driving has been done, 210 ft. of sinking in winzes, and 2,368 fathoms of reef stoped out. There is every prospect of a continuation of good returns from this mine. Mr. P. James is the manager, and sixty men are employed. New Prince Imperial Mine. —There has been a considerable falling-off in the returns from this mine. The main drive at No. 2 Level has been extended eastward for a distance of 370 ft., and two blocks, each 100 ft. by 70ft., have been stoped out on the reef. A new reef in the hanging-wall of No. 1 Eeef is also being worked at No. 2 Level. 80ft. have been driven on this reef, and the manager anticipates payable results when the reef comes to be stoped, as there is a large block of virgin ground to work on. The old drive, which about seventeen years ago was put in on the course of No. 1 Eeef at No. 1 Level, has been reopened and timbered for a distance of 300 ft., and a crosscut 70ft. in length driven to connect with the stopes carried up from No. 2 Level. Good ventilation was thus obtained, and the drive extended 150 ft. on the reef, and stopes carried up for 35ft. The quantity of quartz crushed by the company was 525 tons, for a yield of 6590z. 7dwt., and for tributers, 754 tons, f0r5460z. 13dwt.; total, 1,279 tons quartz for 1,2060z. melted gold. Mr. George S. Clarke is the manager, and forty men are employed, including battery-hands and tributers. Trenton Mine. —The south cross-cut at the Cambria No. 4 Level was extended 160 ft. into the Trenton ground, but the rock being of a hard nature, and not favourable for gold, it was deemed advisable to discontinue this drive. Arrangements were then entered into with the Saxon Company to extend their drive on the reef for a distance of 250 ft., and afterwards to drive on the reef in the Trenton ground, and to work this portion of the mine from the Saxon shaft. The cost of haulage was, however, so great that the work was abandoned after 175 ft. had been driven on the reef and 141 fathoms stoped out. About 130 tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 104oz. ldwt. melted gold. The company have now determined to sink the shaft on their own ground, and the engine lately used at the Moanataiari Extended shaft is to be erected to take the place of the small engine formerly in use. The Trenton Mine lies on the line of several rich reefs, and there is every prospect of making a valuable discovery if the company are successful in extending the low-level cross-cut through the ground. Mr. James Coutts is the manager, and twelve men have been employed. Deep Level Gross. —This mine has not been worked at the low-levels, and, with the exception of three parties of tributers who are working in Tookey's section of the mine, there are no works in progress. Eighty-six tons of quartz were crushed for a return of 1520z. ldwt. of melted gold. An endeavour is being made to float a company on the English market, it being impossible to work the mine without greater capital than the present company can command. Mr. James Coutts is the manager, and ten tributers are employed.