C.-3.

abandoned. It is probable this mine would yet pay if a deeper level was put in, and carefully worked. " Homeward Bound. —This mine, also on the same line, was worked by tunnelling and stoping from three different levels —namely, the upper, intermediate, and lower —the distance between the levels being 100 ft. The ore taken from the top (upper) and intermediate levels was of good quality, yielding on an average 1 oz. per ton, but the reef was very bloeky and hard to trace, which added very much to the expense of working. In the lower or No. 3 level the ore was not so good, being worth only 9 dwt. This level, although driven a distance of 700 ft. from the entrance, found only one chute of stone, 40 ft. in length and 2 ft. in width. The reef from the back of this level was all stoped out, but being of rather poor quality was not considered payable; consequently the mine was shut down. Although it was proved that the ore-body was going under the floor of the level, it was not at that time (about fourteen years ago) considered payable at 9 dwt. The crushing-power was a ten-stamp battery worked by an overshot water-wheel. The plant consisted of an incline double-tramway from the mine to the mill, the trucks being selftipping. If a lower level were put m (which would cost about £700), this mine would be most likely to pay with the assistance of a cyanide plant. " Victor Emmanuel. —This mine is on a different line of reef to the Homeward Bound, being about half a mile to the south-west, but running parallel with it in a north-west direction, and was worked on the same principle as those just referred to. The body of ore, when the reef was first discovered, was small, being about 1 ft. in width, but was of very good quality, giving a yield of from 1 oz. to 4 oz. per ton. On being traced the quality of the stone gradually got poorer, until at last it was found to be unpayable, and the mine was shut down. The total quantity of ore treated from this mine was only 500 or 600 tons, which was carted to a neighbouring mill for treatment. The prospects of the mine are not very encouraging. " Garibaldi. —This mine, which is on the same line as the Victor Emmanuel, was worked by tunnelling and stoping; but, as far as the ground was worked, the reef occurred in small blocks. Some of these blocks gave good returns, as high as 3 oz. per ton. The average value of the ore taken from the mine was 1 oz. The total quantity crushed was about 500 tons, which had to be sleighed from the mine down to Bush Creek, about three-quarters of a mile. It was then conveyed in a dray to a mill three miles away. This added to the expense of treatment, so much so that less than 1 oz. to the ton would not pay. There is at present in sight in this mine a large body of ore from 6 ft. to 8 ft. in width which is only worth from 4 dwt. to 5 dwt. A large crushingpower, worked in the most economical manner, would be necessary here in order to secure payable results. "All Nations. —This mine is on a branch of the same line, but junctions with the Garibaldi close to the Maryborough boundary. The stone was of good quality when first discovered, but the gold was very patchy, and, owing to the great expense of conveying the ore to the mill, was found to be unprofitable. The ore-body itself was very small and expensive to work ; therefore the mine was shut down. Gold-bearing stone was traced below the floor of the level, and, as the average return was 15 dwt. per ton, this mine is worth another trial, providing better facilities for milling were provided. " Maryborough. —This mine takes in the two lines of reef which have been traced by the Garibaldi and All Nations Companies, and, like some of the others, was very rich for a time. The body of ore was from Ift. 6in. to 2 ft. in width, and on one occasion 250 tons gave 1,100 oz. of gold. This was got from the surface workings. The company, after getting this good return, had a low level put in and cut the reef formation, but were not successful in striking any payable stone, and after prospecting for a few months shut down. " Mr. Farrell's intention is to form two companies, one to take the Golden Link, Ladye Fayre, and Homeward Bound, the other to take the Victor Emmanuel, All Nations, Maryborough, and Garibaldi; each of these two properties to be worked from a deep level, one to be entered near the creek-level on the east boundary of the Homeward Bound, and the other to be on the creek-level on the east boundary of the Victor Emmanuel. This undertaking would cost a very large sum of money, but there is no doubt that if carried through it would turn out a very large amount of gold, and the cost of conveying the ore to the mill would be very small." Carrick Bange. Messrs. Lawrence continue to work in a small way at Day Dawn and Star of the East Claims, also at their claim at the head of Adams's Gully. There is nothing of special importance to report. Jones and Pryde are prospecting a reef at the head of Adams's Gully. The outlook is said to be encouraging. Holliday and party (the Go-bye Company) are still driving, and have struck a leader, which is being opened out. Bough Bidge and Ophir. Nothing has been dcae at these places during the year so far as I am aware. Dunstan Bange. Cromwell Proprietary Mine, Bendigo. —At my visit in November last the mine was idle. Mr. J. A. Dobson, the resident manager, informed me that operations were vigorously prosecuted during the earlier part of the year, but that owing to various difficulties the work of the past few months had been less satisfactory. During 1899, 1,264 tons of stone was treated, for a yield of 827 oz. 5 dwt. of gold, sixteen persons (including tributers) being employed in and about the mine. The sinking of the new shaft on the eastern side of the property has been continued, and a crosscut driven to the reef. Operations here have been suspended for some time, as it was found

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