C—3a

58

the size of the stone, but generally best where the reef is thin; average value, 16 dwt. per ton. A winze from No. 1 level, to test the descent of the ore-body, preparatory to driving the No. 2 aditlevel, is sunk between 50 ft. and 60ft. on a reef which averages 2 ft. in width. The.quality of the ore seems to improve with the depth. A contract to drive the No. 2 adit-level will be let in the course of a few days. The distance estimated to cut the lode is 400 ft. During the past few weeks the mine-manager has been engaged opening up a new line of reef which runs in close proximity to the main lode. They form an obtuse angle with each other, and their course is east-north-east north and south. This ore-body, which averages lft. in width, appears to be of high grade, and has been intersected by an adit at a depth of.9oft. from the surface. The size and quality of the stone are similar to the outcrop-stone. A tram-line is being constructed to convey the ore to the paddock, and in the course of a few weeks stone will be obtainable for battery purppses. Mr. T. Crabb, mine-manager, has at present thirty men employed under his charge. i -■■.'.". . Ross. Antonio Zala's Tunnel, Donnelly Greek. —(l 3/9/98): This old subsidised tunnel is now driven 1,027 ft. Up to the present nothing of a promising character has been found to warrant further expenditure. Gagliardi and Son, Mount Greenland. —(l 3/9/98) : This subsidised tunnel is now driven 416 ft. So far, developments have proved nothing of importance. ■~ Accidents and Fatalities. ■ . Progress Extended Quartz-mines. —(3/7/98): A chamber-man in B shaft named George Faulkner fell into the shaft with a loaded tub from No. 6 level, and was killed. .: <.. Big River Quartz-mine. —(19/1/99) : A miner named John Morton was killed by a stone which fell from the face, striking him on the head while he was assisting to lift a cap-piece, c Progress Extended. —(l 4/2/99) :At the bottom of B shaft a sinker named John Mason met with an accident, which terminated fatally, by the descent of the cage crushing his body. (22/3/99): A miner named David Spalding received a scalp wound and bruised shoulder by a fall of stone while preparing a set of timber at the face. Injuries not serious. Nelson and West Coast Districts. The following statement, compiled from the monthly returns furnished by owners of quartzcrushing machines, shows the quantity of stone crushed, and the yield of gold from the various mines for year ending the 31st March, 1899 :—

ALLUVIAL MINING. . .;.",,' Mahakipawa. The King Solomon Mine. -^(2/7/98) : The auriferous gutter which forms the ancient bed of the Mahakipawa Creek is the seat of operations. Since Mr. Alexander Campbell (mine manager) took charge, the tunnel entered a narrow gorge 5 ft. in width, that was driven in for 100 ft., when the position of the level was raised 10 ft. by a jump-up. On this higher level the gutter was followed

Ordinary Quartz Crushed. Tailings. Name of Mine. Cyanide. Amalgamation. Chlorination. Alpine Extended Progress ... ; . . . n. • • - ' ' • Wealth of Nations ... Keep-it-Dark .... Big Biver ... ... Victory ... Golden Lead . . ■-•»■•, Sir Prancis'Drake' Welcome ... Merrijigs (Fleming and ..party) Al Tri'buters .'...-. Kelly, Edge, and Smith Last Chance .]...' No. 2 South Dark ... Australasian Gold Trust (Limited) ... Julian ... ... Crcesus Cumberland Tons. 11,286 29,942 : 6,340 1,498 2,224 730 77 24 1,573 60 ' oz. dwt. gr. 3,245 7 0 12,301 3 12 2,660 13 0 602 12 0 891 9 13 1,067 7 0 82 19 0 29 18 0 573 14 0 50 15 0 Tons. oz. , dwt. gr. 2,489 613 .7 0 Tons. oz. 314 1,271 dwt. gr. 14 0 20 4 76 350 12 24 3 0 5 15 0 14 10 0 148 16 0 4 7 12 ... . 177 llOJ 750 510 15 0 129 19 7 589 12 0 6,335 1,700 10 20 Totals..: ... 55.253J 22,933 15 20 8,824 2,313 17 20 314 1,271 14 0