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companies took an option of the property, and they decided to sink a new shaft on the line of tunnel laid off to cut and drain the reef to a depth of 600 ft. below the surface. This new shaft is about 5 chains to the southward of the old shaft, and about 300 ft. to the eastward of the outcrop of the reef on the surface, the position of the shaft being laid out so as to cut the lode in the shaft at a depth of about 300 ft., the underlie of the lode being about 45° to the eastward. Another shaft is sunk on what is known as Cunningham's Section, about 40 chains south of Eyley's shaft, and a cross-cut is now being constructed from this shaft to cut the lode, which is estimated to be about 75 ft. to the westward from the shaft. Considerable difficulty was experienced in sinking this shaft, on account of the quantity of water there was in the ground, and the temporary appliances which were used to cope with it. At the time the English companies took an option of purchase of this property there were a good many old small pumps and pipes on the property, and these have been used as far as possible to test the ground before expending any money in purchasing efficient drainage appliances. Flat Stream. Caledonian Mine (Area, 100 acres; owners, Caledonian Gold-mining Company, Limited). —The mine is opened by drives 300 ft. long put in during the year. The reef, which is from 2 ft. to 8 ft. in width, is of a well-defined character. Table Hill District (Milton). Canada Mine (Area, 47 acres; owners, Bobert Andrew, T. J. Ritchie, and John Lawson). — This mine has been purchased by the present owners during 1897. They have driven an adit level now 646 ft. in length. Across-cut has been driven from this adit a distance of 140 ft., and they expect to cut the reef within 20 ft. of further driving. A ten-head stamp-mill is now completed, and will be driven by a turbine. The Burnt Creek Quartz-mining Company own a property about fourteen miles from Waitahuna. On the mine they have a battery of ten stamps, driven by a turbine, and, as a considerable quantity of ore is in sight, crushing operations will shortly be commenced. Lawrence. Gabriel's Gully. —Operations have been resumed by the Gabriel's Gully Prospecting Association to explore a reef formerly worked between the Blue Spur fault and the cross-course. A tunnel was driven at a low level, and the reef proved to be only a few inches wide. The drive was then continued, with the object of picking up the reef beyond the cross-course, but so far without success. Operations were subsequently carried on in driving alongside the cross-course. Some bunches of stone have been got, which may lead to further discoveries being made. O.P.Q. Quartz-mine, Waipori (Area, 76f- acres; owners, O.P.Q. Waipori Gold-mines, Limited). — The work at present being undertaken includes the sinking of a new shaft 12 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft., which has now reached a depth of 150 ft., and is well timbered, and in three compartments; driving a tunnel on line of reef, now 450 ft. in; the extension of the old tunnel on lower level, which has reached a distance of 790 ft.; and also the erection of a battery, &c. The low-level tunnel is intended to form an adit for the outlet of water from the pumps. It is intended, at 250 ft. in depth, to commence a level from the shaft. The shaft will, however, be sunk until a depth of 500 ft. is reached. An order for winding plant, &c, has been placed with Messrs. Robey and Co., Lincoln, England. Twenty-six men are employed. Longwood Mine (Owners, Longwood Quartz-mining Company).—The tunnel for which subsidy has been received has now reached a distance of 950 ft., but the reef has not yet been struck. The tunnel is in good order. Riverton District. A shaft, which has now reached a depth of 32 ft., is being sunk at South Eiverton, with a view of proving a reef which, it is said, has been traced for a very considerable distance on the surface. The Riverton Prospecting Association is in charge of the works. Wilson's River. Golden Site Extended Mine (Area, 144 acres and 3 perches; owners, Golden Site Extended Goldmining Company).—This company took over the property of the old company, and are carrying on work to search for the reef previously lost sight of. As it was out of my power to visit the district, Mr. W. Wylie, the mine-manager and engineer, has supplied the following account of the.mine :— " During the past year a shaft has been sunk on north side of river. The shaft is 210 ft. deep, divided into three compartments, 4 ft. by 4 ft., timbered throughout with Bin. by 3 in. timber. At 200 ft. a chamber has been constructed 7 ft. high the full length of the shaft, and extending back 15 ft. From end of chamber a drive was put in 63 ft., when the hanging-wall of what is supposed to be the old Site reef was met with. The drive has been carried along the wall referred to in a southerly direction till a point was reached where the reef formation (known as the new reef at river-level) was met with. The drive has been continued along the foot-wall of the above-named formation. In driving the last 60 ft. a considerable amount of quartz has been met with. As yet it does not carry gold. In addition to the above work, sundry short cross-cuts have been put in, making about 400 ft. driven in all. Owing to the collar of the shaft being nearly 50 ft. above riverlevel, an adit has been driven 70 ft. long to connect with shaft. A Pelton wheel outside is used to work the pump, which is 6J- in. diameter, and 2 ft. 8 in. stroke. Flat rods connect with a bob fixed in chamber at site of shaft. The pump-rods are Oregon timber, 3 in. by 3 in. Permanent iron-runged ladders, in stages of 15 ft., have been fixed in shaft, tops of ladders at stages being provided with good hand-holds. Substantial poppet-heads have also been erected, the whole being covered in to protect the braceman from the weather. A battery of ten 6 cwt. stamps and two Berdans is also erected, to be driven by water-power. About 40 chains of water-race are. formed, carrying five sluice-heads of water. This will prove sufficient to drive the machinery for pumping, winding, and crushing. Two Pelton wheels are used. Fourteen men were employed."