C—3.

There can be no doubt that this district is now in a fair way to prosperity, making the outlook for the coming year very hopeful. What is required is a cheap process of treatment for the vast bodies of low-grade ore which exist in great quantities throughout this portion of the field, and until that is discovered no large returns can be expected. To make this ore remunerative it will require to be treated at small cost, and in very large quantities. This, of course, means the discovery of a suitable process, and a large capital for reduction-works ; to deal with small quantities will not, as a rule, prove profitable to investors. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. E. S. Bush, Warden.

Mr. Warden Eoberts to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir, — Warden's Office, Tauranga, 17th April, 1900. I have the honour, in compliance with instructions, to submit the following report in connection with this portion of the Hauraki Mining District: — Te Puke Gold Beefs Gold-mining Company. —During the last twelve months the develop-ment-works in progress have been the extension of the low levels on the main 20 ft. reef. A new level further to the north was started, and on the reef being intersected a crosscut was driven south on the foot-wall of the reef. It was intended to drive the crosscut a distance of some 300 ft. to meet the winze sunk from the level above. The reef was cut through every 50 ft., and found to maintain its great size, and all the assays have proved payable. Work was stopped before the winze was reached, as it was understood that a strong London syndicate had been formed with ample capital to take over and fully develop the property. A fortnight before Christmas, unfortunately, the option was relinquished owing to the Boer war, and the mine is now closed till the money-market revives. The expert's reports and assays were all favourable and satisfactory. Clark's Freehold. —Very little work has been done during the year, except the extension of the low level. The owner has spent a considerable amount of money on the property, and has four reefs, from 9 ft. to 3 ft., opened up sufficiently to show the value of the property, which now only awaits capital to develop it. Falvey's Freehold. —This property adjoins Clark's Freehold. Two very large reefs outcrop on the east side of the Otara Hill, one of considerable size, that is supposed to be the continuation of the Te Puke Gold Eeefs, which is two miles distant to the south. A low level has been put in about 150 ft., which is the lowest on the field. The Sisters. —This property has been kept continuously prospected, with very encouraging results. Some very good loose stone has been obtained on the surface, and a drive put in to pick up the reef, but the country is very disturbed and broken. A low level has now been put in at a considerable depth so as to cut the reef in the solid country. In driving the low level a number of small leaders have been intersected, all showing quartz of a very favourable description. General. It is to be regretted that such a promising district as Te Puke should not have received a better trial, The reefs are all of large size, and could be cheaply, economically, and, presumably, profitably worked. I have, &c, J. M. Eoberts, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. —— *

Mr. Warden Allen to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Blenheim, 30th April, 1900. I have the honour to enclose you my annual returns for the Marlborough Mining District for the year ended the 31st March last. I have very little to report as to the progress of the district for the past twelve months; nevertheless, I do not wish to imply that I have lost faith as to the value of this part of the colony as a mineral and mining district. To a. certain extent progress has been undoubtedly retarded by the alienation of known auriferous country that should, and no doubt would, support a large number of miners. North Bank of Wairau Sub-district. —This district is known to be auriferous. It consists for the most part of steep, rocky, broken mountains covered with bush, with here and there a small quantity of comparatively open level country. In this sub-district a few small patches of land have been withheld from alienation by the local Land Office, and styled "mining reserves." These reserves have for the most part been marked out and taken up for mining purposes, either as special claims or under prospecting licenses. Several miles of the creek-bed in Armchair and Top Valley have also been taken up as dredging claims, but to the 31st March last the principal work done has been attempts at syndicate flotation. One small battery of ten stamps, with the most primitive appliances, has been at work for a short time. lam indebted to one of the directors of the company for the following particulars. During the time they have been at work they have put through about 60 tons of stone, with a return of 26 oz.- of gold. They employ twelve men. The battery is at present shut down to enable the company to put in two drives to try and cut the reef at a lower level. They look forward to the future with fair hopes of success, and, as they appear to have fairly and honourably carried on their work, success will be well deserved. There are several parties out prospecting in two of the valleys in this district. The next twelve months ought to show, from indications given by their surface-work, whether it will not pay better and be more satisfactory to try " deeper down."

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