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of fifteen stamps, and have put it in repair; a company has also been formed to work the mine, and there is every reason to expect that some of the blocks of reef opened by Mr. Sheridan will prove payable, and that the gold produced next year will increase the return from the district. A staff of about Dwerjty-five men will be put to work at an early date. Tapu Fluke Mine. — Work has been steadily carried on in connection with this mine. A battery of six stamps and three berdans, driven by water-power, and a series of tramways and shoots to convey the quartz to the mill were erected; the supply of water in the creek proved insufficient to drive the mill in ordinary weather, and it was only during and after rains that crushing could be carried on. Seventy-eight tons of quartz yielded 430z. 13dwt. of gold. This was rather disappointing, compared with last year's returns. Six men are employed. Royal Mine. —This mine is adjacent to the Fluke. A discovery of an outcrop of quartz was made by McMahon and party, and a drive was put in to test it. About SiOft. down in this drive three different reefs were cut, each carrying gold, and giving good dish-prospects. A company has been formed to work this mine, and the future outlook is very encouraging. Several licensed holdings have been marked out in the neighbourhood of the Eoyal, and no doubt this portion of the district will be well tested during next year. Several parties have been sluicing in No. 2 and No. 3 creeks, and small parcels of quartz crushed, the gold from which was 430z. Bdwt. Six men were employed in this way. Waiomo District. Monowai and Golden Gem Mines are owned and worked by the Monowai Amalgamated Gold-mining Company. A new ten-stamp dry-crushing mill, with complete cyanide plant, has been erected and at work for some time, but no cleaning-up has yet taken place. The quartz treated was chiefly from the Monowai section of the mine. A small parcel of 4 tons scwt. of quartz treated at the Thames School of Mines yielded from the cyanide process 370z. of bullion. An average of six men were employed during the year. Several licensed holdings have lately been taken up in this district, and prospecting is being carried on. .A reef about Bft. in thickness has been discovered in the Broken Hill, which is expected to yield payable quartz. Pueu District. Little or any work has been done during the year. Tababu Disteict. Norfolk Mine. —The chief work done in this mine has been driving in the low level and sinking a winze from No. 3 level 60ft. -This had to be discontinued, on account of having too much water to contend with. Thirty fathoms of reef were stoped out, and 73 tons of quartz yielded 70oz. 13dwt. of gold; 100 tons of tailings treated yielded 260z. 4dwfc. An average of six men were employed. City of Dunedin Mine. —This mine was worked on tribute; 73 tons of quartz yielded 16oz. 19dwt. of gold. Three tributers were employed. Day Dawn Claim. —This claim—three men's ground —adjoins the City of Dunedin, and was taken up in September last. The reef worked is from 2ft. to 3ft. in thickness; 64 tons of quartz yielded 470z. Bdwt. of gold. Three men are employed. Scandinavian (late Seddon) Mine. —This mine is situated at Upper Tararu, and is now owned by Messrs. Whitley. The erection of the battery and construction of 812 ft. of ground tramway were completed. 175 tons of quartz yielded 128oz. sdwt. of gold. Three reefs worked on were 6in., lft., and 3ft. in thickness. About 34 fathoms of reef were stoped out, and 50ft. of cross-cut driving and 320 ft. on reef were done. Six men—shareholders—were employed. Chicago Mine. —This mine is also at Upper Tararu, and is owned by Pearce and party. A battery of four stamps and a berdan is erected on the mine, but there is not sufficient water in the creek to drive it during the summer months. The quartz is obtained from a large reef 7ft. in width, worked opencast, and also from a smaller 9in. reef worked in a drive. 39 tons of quartz yielded 230z. 13dwt. of gold. Three owners were employed. Several other parties work occasionally in the district, and 520z. sdwt. of gold were obtained from small parcels of quartz. Highland Chief. —This is a claim taken up by C. Berry on the site of the Sylvia battery, which was removed. Two tons yielded 19oz. Bdwt. Shellback Disteict. The Nordenfeldt, Waitemata, and Mountain Flower Mines were abandoned, but parties of men fossicking about the surface crushed 126 tons for 85oz. 17dwt. of gold. KtiEANUi Disteict. Hansen's Mine.- —This mine is worked on tribute. The crushing-stuff is obtained from old stopes, and small stringers in the walls; 1,695 tons crushed yielded 3820z. 15dwt. of gold. Ten tributers were employed. Comer's Mine. —This mine is also on tribute, the tributers being principally assisted by the owner. The quartz crushed has been obtained from reefs and leaders, and also from surface-work; 550 tons yielded 6970z. 16dwt. of gold. Fifteen tributers were employed. Hazelbank Mine. —This mine has been continuously worked. The chief operations were driving and stoping on what is termed the cross-reef, and also on Darby's leader. The country is of a hard nature on both walls of the reef and leader, rendering it difficult to get out a sufficient quantity of quartz to pay; although it gives a return of more than loz. to the ton. The amount of work done by wages-men is considerable, upwards of 200 ft. of driving and 400 fathoms of reef and