C—3.

undesirable method of raising and lowering men and material through a blind incline shaft, hoisting being actuated by overshot motive power, situated about 1,800 ft. from the seat of operations, a system of hoisting which is not only tedious and expensive, but must be considered as diverging slightly from the strict rules of safety. However, after much discussion, the company has ultimately decided to remove the obstacle by reopening and sinking the old Energetic shaft to a total depth of 1,212 ft. Bullion-value from 12,015 tons milled quartz was £16,448 4s. 5d., and from extractive concentrates £875 4s. Id. ; while 7,205 tons of coarse sands yielded £4,390 3s. 5d., at a cost of 3s. 5-456 d. per ton treated. Electric-light installation from a Crompton dynamo is the only mechanical addition. Golden Fleece. —Since mining and milling were commenced in November, 1900, operations have been carried on continuously, with satisfactory results. The winding-shaft was sunk 150 ft. from No. 10 or adit level, and opened at No. 11 level, driving north and south on a strong body of stone, on which the necessary connections were made to No. 10 level to provide ventilation. Stoping has been generally carried on throughout the mine from No. 5 to No. 10 levels, together with other extensive developments in driving, rising, and sinking, which in all have produced 14,987 tons of quartz, giving a bullion-value of £28,612 2s. 2d., besides sulphurets sold for smelting to the value of £2,070 ss. 9d. ; also 11,170 tons of coarse sands under cyanide treatment yielded a bullion-value of £5,416 14s. 4d., at a cost of 2s. 4-202 d. per ton, giving a profit of 7s. 4-182 d. The mechanical and other equipments being in good order, no particular alteration has been necessary. The Perseverance tunnel was generally overhauled its full length, and the south drive extension of 72 ft. exposed a small ore-body of no particular value. Golden Treasure. —This property is practically abandoned, as the hoisting plant was recently removed, preparatory to placing it on the Energetic shaft. Progress Mines. —The various departments in connection with the mining, milling, chemical and metallurgical ore-treatment on this property were satisfactorily and continuously carried on during the year; whilst mine-development (from Nos. 2 to 10 levels), comprising 3,326 ft. of driving and 492 ft. of rising and sinking, have partially exposed ore-reserves in excess of previous tonnages as compared with the preceding year, notwithstanding that the output milled was 55,207 tons. Milling-stone was generally stoped from No. 3 downwards under favourable conditions, leaving the exhausted ground well secured and filled in. The chief surface improvements were the erection of a red-pine head-gear framing of increased strength on B shaft in place of the former white-pine one, and an ore-bin of about 100 tons capacity was recently built at A shaft to faciliate tipping and loading operations. Also, head-gear and a small Ledgerwood hoist were installed at C shaft to open and unwater the workings. The adit eastward was repaired to the face, and driving commenced for the Union stone, whilst the adit westward was extended 100 ft. Aerial transport has worked satisfactorily at a minimum cost of 4Jd. per ton. The gross milled tonnage, 55,207 tons, gave a total bullion-value from amalgamation, chlorination, and cyanide of £97,680 13s. 10d. Coal for steaming purposes is mined from the company's own leases, which show a good reserve of fair quality in sight. According to notes received from Mr. Spencer, general manager, working-costs, compared with previous year, show a decrease of 2-845 d. per milled ton; but, unfortunately, general charges show a distinct increase of 7'39d., which is largely attributable to increased local taxation. Keep-it-Dark. —Operations were continuous, and the mined stone for milling and cyanide extraction was chiefly stoped from Nos. 2 and 3 levels, the ore showing no particular change either in body or value. Driving, rising, and sinking were practically confined to No. 3 level, from which the necessary connections for ventilation, ore, and filling-in passes are satisfactorily connected with No. 2 level, and thence direct to the surface. In view of working the deeper levels of the property on improved modern lines, the company decided to abandon all operations hitherto connected with the inside shaft, and carry out all future developments from deeper sinking of the main shaft. Consequently, steam-power for hoisting purposes has displaced the old overshot waterwheel. Sinking has proceeded satisfactorily, under favourable natural conditions, to a further depth of 150 ft., where a large securely timbered chamber is built (formerly the entrance to No. 4 level) preparatory to deeper sinking. The gross milling output, 12,685 tons, yielded 2,907 oz. ; from amalgamation and cyanide, 1,627 oz.: showing a total value of £16,663 9s. Id. New Scotia. —Since the present company reopened this property the head-gear, winding-ropes, chains, and cages have been completely renewed. Mining operations have been confined to driving No. 1 level east towards the Gallant block, and unwatering the shaft to No. 2 for deeper development. The Gallant adit was also cleared out and repaired to the reef, from which a parcel of stone was milled, with very unfavourable results. The cyanide treatment of the battery-tailings sands gave a very satisfactory yield of £3,532 15s. Id. The whole plant is in good order and condition. Big River. —Although the higher levels of this property have yielded considerable wealth, it would appear, from the continued unsuccessful efforts made to extend prospecting operations in the present workings, that the rich auriferous belt peculiar to the locality is confined to a very limited radius from the shaft. However, the company has finally decided to sink the main shaft and prove the deeper levels, which work is now proceeding. Big River No. 2. —After a lengthened period of unsuccessful surface prospecting and driving, operations are meantime abandoned. Last Chance. —Fleming and Morris continue to work the thin leaders in the old property in a very careful and workmanlike manner, with varied results. Golden Lead. —ln order to facilitate aerial transport and prove the deeper leads of this section of the property, the company are driving No. 2 low-level adit at a vertical depth of 150 ft. below No. 1. So far the values met with are not important. Two men employed.

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