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The return of gold obtained shows that there has been an increase of 3,0750z. 17dwt. 16gr. over the returns for last year. I have, &c, Geo. Wilson, Inspector of Mines. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

Comparative Return of the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Hauraki Mining District for the Years ended 31st March, 1888, and 31st March, 1887.

No. 4. Mr. Inspector Wilson to the Under-Sbcretary of Mines. REPORT ON Tffi AROHA AND OHINEMURI DISTRICTS. Sir,— • • Warden's Office, Te Aroha, 4th April, 1888. I have the honour to forward the following'report on mines in the Te Aroha and Ohinemuri Districts for the year ending the 31st March, 1888. The returns of gold from Te Aroha District again show a decrease. The New Find Mine, which was the best producer, does not appear to have been so successfully worked, the low-level works being for a time suspended, consequent on the want of funds required to complete the crosscut tunnel. The runs of j. old have therefore not been worked on, but operations were confined to those portions of the reef in the upper-levels which had been left near the principal shots of gold, The other mines, at Waiorongomai, have either been abandoned or not worked in a vigorous manner, and their returns are in consequence unimportant. The Tui Creek Mines, which contain reefs rich in silver and other metals, are not yet worked to advantage, as no suitable method of treating the complex ores which these reefs contain has yet been adopted, and, until lately, capitalists have been chary of investing money for their development. New Find Mine. —The low-level, which had to be driven a further distance of 95ft. to cut the reef 100 ft. below the runs of gold at No. 2 Level, was not completed, as the New Find Company had exhausted their funds. The quartz worked was therefore from portions of blocks left between No. 2 Level and the surface, from which 5,056 trucks of quartz were taken, yielding 2,6900z. of gold. A drive to cut the reef at the northern end of the mine has reached a distance of 110 ft. ; this drive is 65ft. deeper than the low-level mentioned above, and, when the reef is cut, there will be 165 ft. of backs to be stoped out on the runs of gold. A fresh discovery, which appears to be of importance, has been made, and gives promise of a great addition to future yields from the mine. A portion of the main reef only has been taken out and sent to the battery; the other part, which was highly mineralised, being left standing, as only very poor prospects of gold could be found in it. The attention of the manager was, however, attracted to that portion of the reef in consequence of indications of carbonate of copper being discovered. Several holes were bored into this quartz and tests made, showing that what was previously considered worthless was worth from £3 9s. to £4 Bs. per ton, the reef containing gold, silver, and copper. This mine has lately become the property of Mr. W. E. W rilson, who has already let contracts to carry on the drive where operations were suspended by the former proprietors, also the drive at the northern end, as well as to sink two winzes from No. 2 Level. W Tork is also proceeding vigorously in breaking out quartz from the mineralised reef, which yielded rich assay tests. Colonist Mine. —No new works have been commenced during the year, but 170 trucks of quartz have been broken out, the yield from which was 50oz. 15dwt. gold. May Quean Mine. —The low-level has been carried on for about 50ft., and 142 tons of quartz have been crushed for a yield of 390z. 15dwt. of gold. Waiorongomai Mine. —A portion of this mine has been worked by tributers, who crushed twentythree trucks of quartz for a return of 12oz. lOdwt. of gold. The licensed holdings, containing eighteen acres, held by the company, have been forfeited and re-entered. Silver King Mine. —Three trucks of quartz yielded 14oz. 6dwt. of gold. Fifteen acres of additional ground has been taken up, and a low-level is now being driven to cut the reof, which is from 6ft. to 16ft. in thickness, and from which rich assays have been made, showing that gold, silver, and copper are contained in the quartz in payable quantities. This reef has been traced 1,100 ft., and in many places gives valuable assays. Aroonia Claim (One Man's Ground). —A small crushing of about one ton of quartz yielded 16oz. 4dwt. of gold.

Year ended 31st Mi ■ch, 1888. Year em led 31st Marc: :, 1887. Increase. Decrease. of Sub-district. Quartz. | Tailings. Gold. Quartz. Tailings. Gold. Gold. GoW. loromandel 'hames )hinemuri 'e Aroha i Tns. cwt. lb. Tns. cwt. .. 1,923 0 0, .. 25,797 13 427,021 13 .. 2,165 7 12j 223 0 .. 5,722 0 01,444 0 Oz. dwt. gr. 6,773 11 IS 35,948 14 13 j 3,405 14 ( 2,917 16 C Tns. cwt. lb. 287 0 80 '■28,223 7 22! Tns. cwt. lb. 17 10 0 6.-608 4 24 Oz. dwt. gr. 4,169 15 20 38,141 15 1 Oz. dwt.gr. 2,603 15 16 1,212 13 12 Oz. dwt. gr. 4,723 0 0: 3,658 7 12 t 740 11 12 Totals 35,608 0 548,688 1349,045 16 ] 33,23313102 |6,C20 14 24 45,909 18 0 18,816 9 4 740 11 12 N.B.—The above returns shows the amount of melted gold. The increase in the yield of gold last year was i,075oz. 17dwt. lGgr.