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have been discovered, showing gold in the dish. It is the intention of the manager to sink the shaft to the depth of 200 ft., and then open out on the reefs found on the surface and in the several drives, and it is anticipated that rich discoveries will be made during the coming year. Preece's Point Mine (Area, 200 acres). —This mine is owned by the Preece's Point Proprietary (Hauraki), Limited, an English company. During the year the engine-shaft has been sunk 215 ft.; three chambers have been cut, one at each of the levels —viz., 70 ft., 150 ft., and 200 ft. ; 550 ft. of cross-cutting has been accomplished; besides 200 ft. driven on line of reef. Old levels have been cleared and retimbered for 650 ft. The following machinery has been erected: A pumping-engine capable of pumping from 1,000 ft., and a winding-engine equal to winding 600 ft. per minute from a depth of 1,500 ft. New poppet-heads, 60ft. high, have been erected, with all the latest appliances; also patent safety-cages, with detaching-hook for overwinding. Fifty men were employed. The Golden Shore Foreshore Claim, of 100 acres, and the Golden Shore Extended have been taken up on both sides of Preece's Point. Gadman's Gully, Karaka, and Pukemaukuku District. A considerable amount of prospecting was done on Aitkin's Freehold, and 50 tons of quartz was crushed, for 33 oz. 15 dwt. of gold, but, in consequence of litigation in connection with the title, work was suspended. Eight men were employed. Katie Mine (Area, 89 acres). —Prospecting work was carried on during the year, but no quartz was crushed. The Empress ground has also been occasionally worked, but no quartz has been crushed. The Pegasus, Gordon, Standard, Poneke No. 2, Exchequer, Alameda, All Nations, Flower of the Range, and Coromandel Queen Claims have been prospected. In the following mines in the Tiki district a large amount of prospecting work was carried on, and numerous leaders cut, but so far no returns of gold have been made for the year : Matawai, Pride of Hauraki, Gem of Hauraki, Specimen Hill, Gem of the Tiki, Nestor, Pukewhau, Alert, Native Chief, and Coromandel Mint. Coromandel Freehold Proprietary Company (Area, 536 acres). —The land owned by the company is that block in the Tiki district known as Mrs. Mcintosh's. A rush took place to this part in 1879, and arrangements were made between the miners and the owners so that the ground could be worked, the land at that time not being included in the goldfield. A number of claims were taken up and a battery erected, but after a few years the district was abandoned, although considerable quantities of gold were obtained from Blackmore's and other claims. The present owners have had a staff of men engaged in opening up old levels and in prospecting work generally, and, as numerous gold-bearing reefs and leaders are known to exist, there is a hope that in a short time payable quartz may be found. Ten men were employed. Castle Bock District. Progress Castle Bock (Area, 60 acres). —This mine has not been continuously worked during the year. The old levels were secured and a winze sunk on the reef, from which a small block was stoped out. A parcel of 1 ton 5 cwt. of quartz was crushed at the Thames School of Mines, for a yield of 35 oz. of gold. Five men were employed. The Vaughan, Wakiti, Gem of Hauraki, Golden Gem, Mahinapua, and Wairakei Claims have also been taken up. Manaia District. Golden Hill Extended Mine (Area, 36 acres). —Operations have not been carried on in a very extensive manner. A small battery of two stamps, capable of crushing 2 tons per day, was erected, and 17 tons of quartz crushed, for 3oz. 3dwt. of gold; value, £11 2s. 7d. These returns have been disappointing, hence the desultory manner in which work was carried on. Four men were employed. Prospecting has also been carried on in the Golden Hill, Leading Wind, Princess May, and other claims in the district, but so far the results have been disappointing. Whangapoua District. The land is chiefly Kauri Timber Company's freehold, and held by the Kauri Gold Estates Company. A large number of men have been employed in prospecting on this and other freehold lands, but no returns of gold have been made. This company is carrying on work in Owera and Otunguru districts. The Maiden Claim at Whangapoua is held from the Kauri Timber Company, and the owners had a parcel of 53 tons of quartz treated, for 16 oz. 11 dwt. of gold ; value, £46 4s. Matarangi District. The Wild Wave, Ocean View, Jumper, Matarangi, and the Ness Side Claims have been prospected, but there is no report of any valuable discoveries. Kuaotunu District. Kapai-Vermont Mine.— This mine has been steadily worked during the year. 3,179 tons of quartz crushed yielded 3,332 oz. 5 dwt.; value, £7,151 18s. 10d., or at the rate of £2 3s. Id. per ton, being a decrease of 2,876 oz. 15 dwt. compared with the previous year's yield. The principal works carried on were driving a distance of 500 ft. on the reef at the No. 2 or low level and putting up a rise 108 ft. to connect with No. 1 level. 272 fathoms of reef were stoped over No. 2 and 571 fathoms above No. 1 level. The mill used for crushing is an Otis ball-mill, which reduces 13J tons per day*