C—3a

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Second Party of Tributers — (13/9 /94) : This party's work consists of a short drive running west, from which two levels extend to north and south. The leader is of similar thickness to that worked by Lloyd and party. Air good. Five men in all working. Big Paver Quartz-mine. —(13/9/94) : Mr. George Black, jun, in charge during the absence of the manager, Mr. Quin. The only work doing is driving, extending Nos. 3 and 5 levels. Two shifts of two men each were working in the former, the air in which was poor, so I notified the legal manager to have it improved, and he replied that the company would do all in their power. In No. 5 three shifts of two men are working. In both levels bunches of quartz occur, but in neither is there yet a defined lode. Blocks of highly-payable stone have since been struck. Caledonian Quartz-mine. —(8/10/94) : Work has been resumed at this mine by Messrs. Duffy Brothers, a crushing of 20 tons having been taken out, and packed over the track to Boatman's, where it was crushed, they inform me, for a yield of 28oz. retorted gold. No mining is being done at present, as work has commenced to erect a small battery. Lyell. United Alpine Quartz-mine was inspected in May and October. On the 21st February of this year Mr. J. Coombe was in charge as mine-manager. I drew his attention to some loose pieces on the side of No. 7 level, on the way in, and these are to be seen to at once. Stoping is going on under the 90ft. level, below No. 7, and will be finished shortly. The incline-shaft is still crushing in. This has been noticeable for some time, but other outlets exist, and retimbering is to be gone on with at once. Air good. From a cross-cut, 80ft. above No. 7, driving is being done on a block of quartz 3ft. thick. A winze has been put up on some quartz which runs into the same block. Two men are also working above this. Fifty-two men in all are employed. Plan and report kept. Mr. Coombe is getting the mine into better order, but the prospects just at present are not so good as formerly. United Italy Quartz-mine.— (4/10/94): Stoping going on below No. 2 level by four men, in two shifts, but this is nearly finished. Six men, in three shifts, have just started to sink a winze from No. 3 level, at a point about 600 ft. from the mine mouth. The leader in the bottom is about 3in. or 4in. in thickness. Air very good throughout the mine. (21/2/95) : No. 2 party of tributers are opening up the old prospecting tunnel, and are in a distance of 170 ft. Air good, but more timbering is required, and this is to be seen to. Tyrconnel Quartz-mine.— -(4/10/94) : The low-level tunnel is now in a distance of 865 ft, and the party expect to have 230 ft. further to go to cut the leader. A considerable flow of water is running. (21/2/95): The main tunnel cut a leader at 936 ft, supposed to be the one worked in the other levels, and it has been driven on for 125 ft, but as yet is not gold-bearing. It is believed that the shoot of gold is further to the south. A dyke, probably diabase, has been cut through just before coming to the leader, and the face of the tunnel, which has been driven 70ft. past the latter, is standing on a second similar dyke. Although the party are satisfied they are on the right leader, this does not appear to me to be certain, as the second dyke occupies the position of the one cut through in the upper level. Gmsus Quartz-mine. —(4/10/94): Only two men working between Nos. 1 and 2 levels on a lode in the foot-wall, perhaps 4ft. away from the one formerly worked. One stope working to north, and an uprise being put up on the lode, which is very irregular in width, but will average about 18in. I drew Mr. Foster's attention to the timber in No. 1 level and winze, which was requiring to be seen to; he says that the quartz is so poor they cannot do much, but if work is continued after this crushing repairs will be done. Lyell Greek Low-level Tunnel. —(2/5/94) : Two shifts of two men each driving on contract. The tunnel runs in straight for 3,430 ft, thence it bends to the left or south-west a further distance of 45ft. In this latter portion two or three small leaders have been crossed. Air fair for the distance in. (13/10/94): The lode has been struck at 3,554 ft. from the mine mouth. It has not been driven on to the south, on which side of the drive it shows about 3ft. of quartz. To the north, as seen through the head-laths, it is bunchy, and at the face it has pinched out. The distance driven is 47ft. At present the men are engaged putting up a new tank and air-pipes, as the air was getting poor round the bends. 20/2/95. —The face is now 90ft. from the main drive, and showing nearly sft. of quartz, which, however, is split by two mullock-bands. I drew Mr. Heaphy's attention to some loose 'slabs of rock on the hanging-wall, and these, he said, would be seen to that night. Four men in all employed. Black Ball. Minerva Quartz-mine.— (l-2/7/94) : This mine is worked from an incline-shaft, as the lode lies very flat. The distance from the mine mouth to the face is 250 ft, and the last 170 ft. of this is not steeper than lin 7. The quartz is sft. in thickness at the face, but at 80ft. from the mine mouth it was about 10ft. No copy of the Act. No " devil " used behind the full truck in hauling, and a stop-block required at the head of the incline, so I notified the legal manager to have these provided. Eleven men in all are employed, including the two at the battery. The yield latterly has been very poor, and at the date of writing Mr. Perotti informs me the mine has been stopped. Brunnerton. Julian Quartz-mine.— (l 2/3/95): The position of this mine is in Langdon's Gully, about two miles from Brunnerton. No. 1 level is not working at present. It has been driven about 60ft, on a leader all the way, but this has pinched out at the face. Two winzes, 35ft. and 15ft. in depth,