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value. The Talisman Mine seems to have got to this portion, and it will require some months to enable it to make another start at crushing. This is unfortunate, as this is one of our most energetic companies. The Woodstock is another unfortunate company. The quartz is very hard to work, consequently expensive. A reconstruction, however, has recently taken place, which no doubt will put life into the mining operations of this company, which it is to be hoped will lead to more permanent benefits being secured to it in return for the capital expended so far without any return. Outside of these properties there is little or no mining being carried on at present. The Waverley, the Imperial, and one or two other mining properties are in existence, but are in a languishing state for want of capital to develop them. Waitekauei. The Waitekauri Company have during the past year surrendered a considerable portion of their unused area, but it has amalgamated with the Waitekauri Extended Company. I trust this union may prove beneficial to both the owners and the district. lam sorry to record that the yield of gold from this company's property has not been so frequently notified as last year, but the December return was £2,998 from 1,613 tons of ore. The Waitekauri Cross have recently commenced operations again, which it is hoped will lead to a good body of ore being discovered. Some rich discovery in one of these languishing mines is very much required just now to give a fillip to mining. The New Alpha, the Young New Zealand, and New Zealand Jubilee are not doing very much, endeavouring to find something payable. Maeatoto. The Maratoto Company and the Hikutaia Syndicate are still carrying on mining operations, but not on a very extensive scale. The latter syndicate are 'securing a little gold, but their crushing plant is small and the ore low grade. The ore at present coming to hand is said to be of better value. Komata. The Komata Beefs Company's property produced bullion to the value of £11,092, but the mill was not working the whole time. This, however, is not up to expectations. Some new properties have been taken up in this locality, which are reported as showing fair prospects ; but with respect to them it is the old cry, " without capital to develop, nothing can be done." WH AEEKIBAUPUNGA. The Eoyal Standard, a property on which a large sum was spent, and which at one time promised to be the making of the country surrounding it, has so far proved an absolute disappointment. This is now owned by Captain Hodge, of Coromandel, who is making every effort to secure capital to work it with. He evidently considers the property worth spending money on. CoBOMANDEL. Mining throughout the past year has continued much the same as during the previous year, the area worked and men employed being practically the same. Kauri Block. The Hauraki Mine is working steadily, but with reduced number of men. Bunker's Hill Mine is under protection. The Hauraki Freeholds is also under protection. The Hauraki No. 2 is being prospected and developed, with latterly a small show of gold in defined leaders. The old Central Claim, on the north side of the Coromandel Wharf, has lately been taken up as the Mermaid Sea-beach Claim, and vigorous operations have commenced. Freehold Land. In the Kathleen Crown Mine developing-work is being pushed on, and the ground systematically prospected. Driving Greek. The Eoyal Oak of Hauraki Mine is being steadily worked, and has shown very regular crushing results during the year, averaging about £1,300 per month. The New Four-in-hand has also continued a gold-producer, though lately it is not doing quite so well. The Hauraki Mines (Limited) have carried on developing and prospecting work consistently. The West Tokatea Mine has now been largely developed, with encouraging results. It is suggested that more men will shortly be employed. Tiki. In the Progress-Castle Eock good work has been done, and a quantity of payable ore is on hand. Kennedy Bay. Work here is exceedingly quiet. Mα tamataharakeke. Prospecting continues very encouraging.

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