C—3a

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weather is unfavourable. Eules with names posted. Detaching-link fitted up and rope tested. Some tributing was done in the upper levels, but was given up, as there was not sufficient inducement to go on. Mr. McGregor, at the battery, informed me he was working without a license, but, on further inquiry, this proved incorrect. Hercules Quartz-mine. —(6/1/94) : Mr. Bray was now in charge, as when this mine was previously inspected in November last the number of men employed required the appointment of a first-class certificated manager, so Mr. McEwin, although he had the mine in first-class order, was compelled to resign. Seventeen men are now employed, in two shifts. During the year the main shaft has been sunk a further depth of 136ft., a cross-cut thence driven to the lode, and No. 8 level opened out, but the quartz did not live down to this depth. Some further cross-cutting is to be done in the hanging-wall to try to find the stone. The block of quartz below No. 7 level lived down 70ft., and was 50ft. in length, but this has been worked out, and at the above date no stone was being broken down, only filling-in being done. Like the Wealth of Nations Mine, there is a second lode in the hanging-wall, but in this mine it is only 18in. in width. There is another block of quartz 400ft. to the south, and two men have started to-day to extend No. 8 level to work it. Air good. Drew Mr. Bray's attention to some flakes in No. 7 level. Hand-grip required at winze. Signals requiring to be renewed at No. 8. Manager's name not posted. These are to be seen to. No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mine. —(6/1/94): The quartz above No. 2 level has been worked out. At the beginning of the year the adjoining Pandora Claim was purchased, and since then the main shaft has been sunk a distance of 176ft. ; total depth, 452ft. From the bottom a cross-cut has been driven to the west, and the load cut at a distance of 155ft. Thence the track of the reef has been driven on to north for 50ft., and driving is being continued. This is the only work doing at present, employing three shifts of two men each. Air good. Timbering very well done. A complaint was sent in shortly before the above date saying that the manager (Mr. J. S. Treloar) was not certificated, and was otherwise incompetent. In my report to you I pointed out that he did not require a certificate for the number of men employed, but that he possessed a first-class one. He is a bred Cornish miner, with experience in California and Nevada, and has formerly managed the Hercules Mine. Such unwarranted complaints occasion a loss of both time and money in making the inquiry. Energy Quartz-mine. —Has ceased working,'as the owners, a party of working-men, found it would not pay. Royal Quartz-mine. —(15/2/93) : A small stream of water was found running in at the north corner of the uprise, 170ft. above the No. 4 level. As this was from the old workings overhead, which were known to contain water, I pointed out the section in the Act, which requires boring-rods to be kept ahead, to Taylor and Williams, the tributers, who promised to carry it out. Next day I saw the directors in Greymouth, and the chairman returned with me to Eeefton that night to see that proper precautions were observed. The water was safely drained. (20/11/93) : Drew Mr. Williams's attention to some loose pieces in No. 4 level; these will be seen to. Owing to the connection made with the workings overhead the air is now very good. Six stopes and uprise working, the latter only following the walls of the lode. Average thickness of quartz, perhaps 6in., but even that is very irregular and bunchy. Nine men in all are at work. Venus Extended Quartz-mine. —This mine has ceased working, as the quartz was too poor to pay with so irregular a reef. The company has gone into liquidation, but arrangements are being made to amalgamate with the Inangahua Low-level Company, and if these can be carried out the lode underfoot in the Venus Mine can be worked with advantage. Golden Treasure Quartz-mine.- —(20/11/93): Not working. Ingleivood Extended Quartz-mine. —This company, which at date of last annual report intended to go on with prospecting, has not done so, and tributers have not been found willing to take it up. Victoria Quartz-mine. —(11/7/93) : This is worked by a party .of miners, who have taken up the ground, which has not been worked for six years. It is supposed to be the same line of reef as the Inglewood. About 500ft. of the No. 2 level has been repaired, and the pass to the intermediate level above, at a point about 900ft. in, is now being retimbered. Air very dull in uprise, but they expect to be through in a day or two. No copy of the Act, but one will be got. Six men in all are at work, in three shifts. Golden Fleece Quartz-mine. —(20/11/93): The tributers are now working in No. 5 level, at a depth of 600ft., retimbermg the crosscut; they have not yet reached the line of reef, but they expect to do so shortly. No cover on cage, no detaching-link nor safety-catches. These are, however, to be seen to, and some repairs done to the shaft. Sir Charles Russell Quartz-mine. —(21/11/93): The adit has now been driven a distance of over 1,000ft., and cross-cuts put in 40ft. to east and 50ft. to west respectively, in both of which tracks of a reef are showing. At present, two shifts of two men each are uprising to connect with the bottom of the winze which was sunk from the upper level. Air good, pipes being led right in. Drew Mr. Kassler's attention to some loose pieces of wall-rock in the level, and requested him to have them secured; and also notified the legal manager. Plan duly kept. The two levels have since been connected, and a trial crushing of 10 tons of stone has resulted in a return of an ounce to the ton. This ought to pay well if a large enough body of stone can be found. Sir Francis Drake Quartz-mine. —(12/2/94) : When this mine was inspected in November operations had just ceased, and the men had been paid off, as the crushings were too poor to pay. Since then work has been resumed, and Mr. Casley is now in charge. Six men are stoping, in three shifts, from winze 50ft. below the No. 2 level. The stone here is not very promising, and has pinched in the end. 90ft. above the No. 3 level two stopes are working, employing eight men, in two shifts. The stone has pinched in the south stope, but continues to the north. Prospects very undecided.