C—3a

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a limited liability company. The dredge has been doing fairly well for some time past, but has not paid any dividends. It is said that the prospects are improving, and very good results are now being obtained. The Alexandra Dredge is working on the Buller Biver, near Fern Flat. This dredge met with an accident in June last, and was sunk during a flood. It was floated about a month ago, and is now on good gold. Although lying idle about eight months, 201oz. of gold were obtained during the year, and it is said that the returns are now 30oz. of gold per week. The Matakitaki Dredge is working on the Matakitaki Biver, about four miles above its junction with the Buller Biver. It is held by a company whose office is at Dunedin. The amount of gold obtained during the year was 7700z. I am informed that there is every reason to believe that another dredge will be placed on the Buller shortly, and possibly one on the Aorere Biver, in the Collingwood district. I have, &c., Alfeed Gbeenfield, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 7. Mr. Warden Stbatfoed to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib ,— Warden's Office, Eeefton, 28th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward to you herewith statistical returns for year ended 31st March last, and beg to submit the following report on the Inangahua district for the same period : — Whilst unable to give a very glowing account of the past year's operations, it will, in some respects, compare favourably with the previous one, inasmuch as the calls are smaller by £4,450, whilst the dividends are larger by £1,932, notwithstanding the fact that the quantity of stone crushed and the yield are somewhat smaller. From the opening of the district to 31st March last 614,330 tons of quartz have been raised and crushed, from which 445,9970z. of gold were obtained, representing a value of £1,740,666 ; out of this sum £551,581 was paid in dividends. The total amount of alluvial gold obtained for the same period is approximately estimated at 117,5710z., representing a value of £432,998. The total production of gold will thus amount to 563,5680z., of the value of £2,173,664. In order that the result of the year's operations may be seen at a glance a statement is prepared showing the calls made, dividends declared, &c, by the various companies in the district, which statement is appended hereto : —

List of Dividends declared, Calls made, &c., by various Companies.

Name of Company. Calls made. Dividends declared. Stone y . ,, crushed. XleM - Value. Sir Charles Eussell Wealth of Nations Globe Keep-it-Dark No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark ... Supreme... Big Eiver Welcome United Golden Treasure ... Fiery Cross (private company) Exchange Cumberland Success ... Hercules... Homeward Bound Venus Extended ... Energy (private company) ... Gallant ... Golden Lead Sir Francis Drake... AI £ s. 1,100 0 2,000 0 1,700 0 233 6 d. 0 0 0 8 £ s. d. Tons. 11 3,875 7,330 450 105 Oz. 14 1,156 2,539 130 71 £ s. d. 45 1 6 4,624 0 0 10,156 0 0 520 0 0 284 0 0 3,006" 0 600 0 0 0 9,906' 0 0 2',660 3,9454 15,889 2 10 "384 191J 765 0 0 406' 0 0 100 0 1,100 0 50 0 0 0 0 2,400 0 0 3,968 2,068 8,825 2 4 1,500 0 0 1,092 785 3,174 1 2 300 0 900 0 1,800 0 0 0 0 309 525 55 2,435 1,722 6 30 137 170 8i 465 343 341 33£ 548 0 0 680 0 0 34 3 2 1,890 9 8 1,352 0 0 138 7 2 133 12 2 Lord Edward Dillon ... Specimen Hill Progress ... Golden Fleece (private comp'y) Victoria (private company) ... Inglewood Merrijigs... Eoyal Boatman's Tailings 200 0 350 0 166 13 0 0 4 27 8,400 406 195 149 7 10 20,594 16 10 668 0 0 456 0 0 4,800" 0 0 37 5,073 167 114 250 0 100 0 0 0 232 0 0 "533 493 440 1,995 10 3 830 0 0 Alluvial gold 14,350 0 0 18,832 0 0 34,518 18,413 3,972 73,752 14 11 15,489 11 6 Totals... [22,385 I 89,242 6 5 * 900 tons tailings treated by cyanide process.