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quartz were crushed for a yield of 1,6620z. 19dwt. of gold, whilst 5,995 tons of tailings, treated by the cyanide process, yielded 1,9860z. lOdwt. of gold. Mr. Goldsworthy, the manager, has in view the driving of a fresh cross-cut to cut the reefs about 200 ft. deeper, and has already sunk a winze to a depth of 70ft. below the adit, or No. 3 level, the reef continuing about Bft. to 10ft. in thickness, and carrying payable gold ; but further sinking cannot be effected until the reef is drained by the low level. The battery now consists of fifteen head of stamps, and cyanide plant for tailings. The quartz is crushed wet, and as much as possible of the gold saved by amalgamation on copper plates. The tailings and slimes are saved in pits, and afterwards treated by cyanide. Thirty-five wages-men are employed in the mine and battery. This company now own the ground formerly held by the Mariposa Company. Kapai-Vermord Mine. —This mine has been worked steadily. The adit-level has been extended on the reef for 150 ft., and a rise put up 80ft.; also a cross-cut has been driven 150 ft., ventilation effected through the rise. The reef averages sft. in width; 98 fathoms have been stoped out, and 588 tons of quartz crushed for 1,0730z. of gold, valued at £2 11s. 3d. per ounce. The Otis orecrusher is in use, and answers admirably for the friable class of quartz obtained from this mine. The crushed quartz is elevated to a hopper, from which it is run into the cyanide vats. The quartz is conveyed along a tramway from the mine-hopper to the drying-kilns, and from thence to the hopper at the mill. Eighteen men, on the average, were employed during the year. Bed Mercury Mine. —Very little work was done in this mine during the early part of the year. Eighteen tons of quartz crushed yielded 7oz. 15dwt. of gold ; and, the company being in financial difficulties, the mine was shutdown until the 2nd October, when it was sold, and the new proprietors formed the Venus Gold-mining Company to work the mine. Operations were continued on the reef by driving from the winze, andstoping out a block about 40ft. in depth below No. 2 level; 180 tons of quartz crushed yielded 3070z. 17dwt. of gold ; value, £747 16s. Ocl. The slimes and tailings have been saved for future cyanide treatment. This mine will probably be amalgamated with the Try Eluke. An average of five men were employed during the year. Great Mercury Mine. —This mine has not been vigorously worked. In consequence of financial difficulties the mine was shut down for six months. On the company being re-formed, mining operations'were vigorously carried on. The reefs on the eastern side of the hill are worked from the Eed Mercury No. 2 level, whilst on the western side the Try Fluke reef is worked from the low level. 587 tons of quartz were crushed for a return of 5620z. ldwt. of gold, value £1,333 3s. 9d. ; and 523 tons of tailing?, treated by the cyanide process, yielded 3130z. 16dwt , value £662 7s. sd. An average of twenty men were employed in the mine and battery. The future prospects of this mine appear to be favourable, and the next year's operations should produce a large yield of gold. Just in Time Mine. —This mine has been worked on tribute. Sixty-nine tons of quartz yielded 82oz. 9dwt. of gold. Two tributers were employed. Irene Mine. —The drive through the hill has been completed, and tramways and connections made to convey quartz to the battery. The returns have not, so far, been profitable. Sixty-four tons of quartz yielded 420z. 12dwt. of gold. Five men were employed at the mine and battery. Otama Mine. —A party of three tributers have worked the mine. The quartz is obtained from small leaders. Thirteen tons yielded 940z. of gold. Try Again Claim (formerly Invicta). —This ground was lately taken .upiby Inglis and Peebles. They opened a tunnel on the opposite side of the hill from the old workings, and discovered a leader which promised to yield well. Thirteen tons were crushed for lloz. 12dwt. of gold, and a parcel of 2 tons is expected to yield a rich return. Waitaia Mine. —This mine has again been worked on tribute. The workings are on the block of reef at the intermediate level. A wooden tramway, 17 chains in length, has been constructed to convey the quartz to the county road. 120 tons quartz yielded 3290z. of gold. Six tributers were employed. Aorere Mine. —This mine is situated near the Waitaia, and has also been worked on tribute ; 58 tons of quartz yielded 620z. 6dwt. of gold. Four men were employed. Crushings—For the Three Star, 6oz. 2dwt.; Victoria, 4oz. lOdwt. ; Lucky Hit, 3oz. 7dwt.; sundry claims, 420z. 4dwt.; six men on the average being employed. THAMES COUNTY. Mata District. Kelly's Claim. —This claim is situated about three miles from the beach, on the Gold Creek, One , of the branches of the Gentle Annie Creek. A small water-race had been constructed and the bank of the creek sluiced, about 2,000 yards of earth and clay being washed down the tail-race, and 18oz. 15dwt. of coarse gold obtained. The intention of Mr. Kelly in sluicing off the surface was to lay bare the rock in order to see if the leaders from which the coarse gold was shed could be discovered. No gold-bearing leader has yet been found, but he intends to further persevere with sluicing off the surface, and for that purpose he has a project for bringing in a water-race from Gentle Annie Creek and using the water as a power to pump a sufficient quantity to wash the soil from a higher level than the race could command. The supply of water in Gentle Annie Creek does not appear to me to be enough for his purpose. Three men are employed. Campbell's Claim is situated near the top of the range, and is a portion of Baker's old claim. The owner is erecting a two-stamp mill near Kelly's claim for the purpose of testing the quartz from his claim. One man is employed. Tapu Ckebk Disteict. Sheridan s Mine. —There has been no return of gold from this mine during the year, although a considerable amount of driving was done. The shareholders have lately purchased Pepper's battery