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of the soil. It is possible that the land may be found to be included in the area to be acquired by by Government under the Tairua Land Act of last session. Until this fact is determined, very little work will be done on the ground, as the claim-owners naturally feel uncertain as to their tenure. Whangamata. This locality is practically deserted. Ohinemubi-Kaeangahake. The Crown Mines Company's mine and the Woodstock United are the chief mines worked in this district, and the yields are very satisfactory. The cyanide process is used by the Crown Mines Company, and their well-equipped battery of twenty stamps, with cyanide plant, is carefully erected, and works admirably. £3,886 9s. has been paid in dividends. The Woodstock Company still use the amalgamation process, but are about to introduce a cyanide plant into their battery. The Earl of Glasgow Mine is being worked by Fleming and party, who are erecting a small battery of five stamps on the Adeline Creek. The Talisman Mine has been steadily prospected, and rich returns are looked forward to in the near future. It is reported that this mine has been acquired by an English syndicate. Owhaeoa. The Smile of Fortune Mine has been regularly worked for fair returns. Waitekauei. Very little work has been done in this portion of the district. Waitekauei Nobth. The Golden Cross Mine has yielded rich gold, and a large amount of prospecting has been done in the surrounding district. The Grace Darling Company is erecting a battery of ten stamps, with cyanide plant. The Portsea, Star of Waitekauri, Taranaki, and several other holdings have obtained good prospects, and there seems every probability of this portion of the Ohinemuri Goldfield contributing largely in the future to the gold returns of the district. Komata. The yield of gold from the Komata Mine has been excellent. Several other holdings have been taken up in the vicinity. Waihi. The Waihi Mine still continues to be successfully worked and to employ a large number of men, both in the mine and battery. During the year a shaft has been sunk a depth of 80ft. below adit-level, and a tunnel driven from it to cut the reef. The shafthas been sunk a further distance of 93ft., to allow of another level being driven therefrom. The reef shows some diminution in size, but the ore obtained has proved in no way inferior to that obtained in the upper levels. About 1,600 tons of ore are crushed every month, for an average yield of bullion worth £5,500. During the past year the company have sold 25,000 tons of tailings to the Cassells Company, who have erected a cyanide plant for their treatment. During the first month 1,425 tons of tailings were put through, for a return of bullion worth £1,500. The Waihi Company have paid in dividends during the past year, as the result of their operations, the sum of £30,000. Te Aeoha-Waiobongomai. Very little mining has been carried on in this district. With the exception of Adam's Mine, the Loyalty, and Newsham's claim, this part of the goldfield may be said to be for the present almost deserted. At the Tui Creek, Broadbent and party have been prospecting the galena lode, and fair prospects have been obtained in a gold-bearing reef, on the track which has recently been cut on the eastern side of the range. I have no further remarks to offer. I fear that this report may show some defects and shortcomings. I can only hope that the circumstance that I have been acquainted with this district so short a time may be accepted as an excuse. I have, &c, H. Eyee Kenny, Warden.

Comparative Return showing Gold and Bullion obtained, and Estimated Value of the same for Years ended 31st March, 1893 and 1894.

1893. 1894. County. Gold and Bullion. Estimated Total Value. County. Gold and Bullion. Estimated Total Value. Oz. dwt. 12,945 0 35,319 12 41,925 10 1,177 14 £ s. d. Oz. dwt. 10,019 5 34,636 19 68,503 3 2,515 0 £ a. a. Joromandel 'hames )hinemuri 'iako | 189,393 18 11 Coromandel .. Thames Ohinemuri ... Piako [ 219,650 15 o Total value, .894 L893 £219,650 15 189,393 18 1 it Increase (1894) £30,256 16