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in diameter), with amalgamating-plates, self-feeders, distributers, and other necessary connections. A steam-engine of forty-five horse-power is placed in position to drive the stamps, &c. Ten men employed. Waitehauri Union. —This company's operations during the year were chiefly confined to driving the low level in the western section of their property. In the month of January the tunnel was iv a total distance of 1,700 ft., but as nothing of importance had been met with for the whole of this distance the company decided to apply to the Warden for protection, which was granted, and all work was suspended. Twenty men were employed. New Zealand Jubilee Mine. —This company had forty men employed for the first four months of the year, mostly on development work, but since then very little work has been done on the property. Graf ton United Mine. —Prom three to eight men were employed on this property in the early part of the year, but for some time past no work has been done on the claim. Young New Zealand Mine. —This company has done a good deal of prospecting on the property during the year, but nothing of importance has been discovered. Prom three to five men have been employed. There were 19J tons of ore crushed for 31 oz. 10 dwts. of gold, value £57 13s. Bd. Grace Darling Mine. —-The operations carried on in this company's mine have been limited, the work being chiefly prospecting. Four men employed. Whakekieaupunga . Royal Standard Mine. —There has been very little work done on this property during the year; but lately, I am informed, operations of a prospecting nature have again been resumed. PIAKO COUNTY. Tβ Aeoha. Mining operations in this district have been very quiet during the year. The Plutus and Euakaka Mines have been intermittently worked, but parcels of ore broken from the reefs in those mines and treated at the thermo-hyperphoric reduction-plant did not turn out as well as anticipated, and in consequence work was stopped. Those mines were held by the Montezuma Goldmining Company, which is now in voluntary liquidation, but being reformed under the name of the XXth Century Goldmining Company, and at present a parcel of ore is being broken out of the Grand Eesult Mine, Wairorongomai, for treatment. 301 tons of ore was treated, for 194 oz. 4 dwt. 9 gr. Twelve men have been employed. W AIEOEONGOMAI. Empire and New Find Claims. —There was very little work in these mines in the beginning of the year, but Mr. E. H. Hardy has taken an option over those mines and the Wairorongomai Battery, and has opened up the mine and repaired the battery, preparatory to commencing crushing. There is about 200 tons of quartz broken out, which, it is considered, will give payable results. Twelve men are employed. The tramway from the mill to the mine has been put in an efficient state of repair, and is now in good working order. Alexandra Mine. —This is one man's ground, and is worked by the owner, W. Newsham, who lately had 3 tons of quartz treated at the Thames for the payable return of 56 oz. 11 dwt., value, £190. Prospecting work is being carried on in the Welcome and Loyalty ; and also some work was done in the early part of the year in the Te Aroha, Cadman, and Munster Mines. TAURANGA COUNTY. Katikati. Eliza Mine. —Two men were employed in this mine for a time, but, as the lead was small, and no important discoveries were made, work was stopped. Te Puke. Fleming's Freehold. —Prom four to eight men have been employed on this property, the works carried on being driving and sinking on the reef. Operations were carried on for some time on the western side of the hill, but work is now more confined to the eastern side of the hill, where the reef was first discovered. Prospecting operations have been carried on on Clarke's Freehold, Sisters, Te Puke, and Ben Lomond with from one to four men, but no returns have been sent in from any of the mines.