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would require a much larger expenditure before it was fit for wheel traffic. So long as the summer dry weather continued vehicles could be driven along the road, but as soon as the winter rains set in it became a perfect quagmire. After the machinery was erected it proved quite unsuitable for the work it was required to perform, and, unfortunately, as well for the field as for everyone concerned in the venture, tho shareholders did not secure the services of persons acquainted with the treatment of the class of ore that had to be dealt with. The whole thing proved an utter failure, and not only injured those who were interested in the venture, but it put such a damper on the field as will take some years to remove. At the present time, should exceedingly rich ore be shown as having been obtained from Puhipuhi, the mere name of the locality would be sufficient to prevent any local capitalist from investing his money. The field has never been properly prospected, and the failure of the original venture has had the effect of stopping all further mining operations. Notwithstanding that, there are good indications that payable lodes may yet be found which will some day be taken up and prove remunerative ventures. The prospectors have entered into an arrangement with Mr. E. P. Hunt, who is now in London, to take a quarter of the paid-up shares in any company he may float, together with the sum of £1,500 in cash, for their interest in the claim and the machinery. The latest advices are that Mr. Hunt has succeeded in getting Messrs. Eiley and Co. to take up one-half of the shares if a mining expert, Mr. Merricks, reports favorably. This gentleman was to leave London in April last to report on this and other mining properties. The new venture is called the " Colonial and General Exploration Company." Two men are at present employed prospecting the ground, but no crushing has been done since June last year. Another party, called the " Southern Association," have formed themselves into a syndicate for the purpose of trying to float a company to take over the holdings known as the " Ophir," " Kamo," " Kamo Extended," "Dora," "Napoleon," "Jetta," " Kearsage," "The United," "Little Agnes," and " Silver Queen." These holdings are now under offer in London, the promoters proposing to dispose of their interest therein for one-quarter in paid-up shares in any company that may be formed. Mr. Merricks is also to report on these properties. At present there are no men employed on any of the holdings in question. The only other claim or holding on the field which has not been declared forfeited is the " Waipu." The adjoining ground, known as the Taumatahinau Block, which is the property of Mr. John Cunningham, is also under offer to a party in London. Mr. Merricks is to report on this block also. The great hope entertained in the district is that those persons who are interested in the field will be able to hold out to Mr. Merricks, when he arrives, sufficient inducements to enable him to report favourably on all these properties. Gee at Baeeiee Island. There are a great many mineral lodes in this island, but heretofore they have not been made remunerative for working. In the early days of the settlement copper was found on the northern portion of the island, and a company was formed to work it. The discovery of the copper lodes was the means of the Barrier Company purchasing some 30,732 acres of the northern portion of the island. After working the copper lodes for some years, the mine was shut up, as the expenses of mining, sorting, and concentrating the ore, and sending it to Europe for treatment, was more than the ore realised. Consequently the company had to suspend their operations. It is said that recently Messrs. Thompson and Lanigan have taken up the copper mine, and that they intend to re-open it and commence work again. Antimony lodes have also been found in different portions of the island. One of them, near Mount Hudson, was considered some two years ago to be of considerable value, but after opening it out a little the ore gave out, or at least became so small that it would not pay for working; the cost of transit to a harbour where it could be shipped being also great. Lodes of manganese and galena are also found in the island, and very recently auriferous and argentiferous lodes have been discovered. In the beginning of December last, Messr*. Benjamin and William Saunderson discovered an argentiferous lode on Crown lands in the face of a slip from the range, about one mile inland from the landing at their property at Blind Bay, and 525 ft. above tho level of the sea, and about 40 chains to the westward of an old volcanic crater, which has at some early period been the seat of igneous action, as pieces of obsidian can be found in the vicinity. There are eleven claims surveyed on the field, and the lode has been traced on the surface for about 40 chains. Three claims have been taken up to the eastward of the prospectors' claim, and two claims to the westward, while the other claims are taken up to the northward and southward of the line of reef which passes through the prospectors' claim. The prospectors' claim is known as the " Union Jack." Tho holders have cut the lode in four different places, its width varying from 16in. to sft. The direction of the lode is about five degrees to the east of north, and five degrees to the west of south. The richest ore found is on the western end of the lode. A parcel of 3 tons 17cwt. of ore was treated at Mr. Fraser's test-plant at Auckland. The first lot of 27cwt. yielded 2440z., the second lot of 1 ton yielded 2270z., and the third lot of If tons yielded about 2300z., the bullion being worth from 3s. to 3s. 6d. per ounce. Three tons were also sent from the eastern workings : 1 ton to the School of Mines, Thames, which yielded 500z.; 1 ton, was tested by Mr. Young, of Auckland, which yielded a similar result; and 1 ton was treated at Mr. Fraser's test-plant, which yielded 90oz. of silver. The lode varies considerably in width. On the outcrop on the eastern end it is only about 16in. wide, aiid in an adit about 30ft. below the outcrop it is about sft. in width, but the quartz in the adit does not contain so much silver as it does near the outcrop. The silver is in the form of chlorides and antimonides, the latter being ruby silver. The chloride of silver in the ore is almost in the same form as manufactured chloride of silver. That is shown by dissolving some metallic