C—3.

Waiomo.

Monowai Mine (Monowai Gold-mines, Limited). —This mine has been vigorously worked during the whole year, forty men being employed. The ore, being very complex, is concentrated at the company's battery, and the concentrates shipped to Newcastle, and there treated with highly payable results. The directors are so pleased with the prospects that they have decided to erect a plant of their own on the beach at the mouth of the creek, and to connect it with the mine by means of an aerial tramway, the site for which has been surveyed and plans prepared. A wharf has been erected at Waiomo, and the concentrates are now shipped direct to Auckland, instead of being carted to Thames, as in the past. The return for the year was £4,055. Broken Hill Mine. —Two men have been employed in putting in a drive to intersect the Monowai lode. The ore from this mine is of the same class as the Monowai, and requires the same treatment, but the company are not in a position to concentrate and ship oi*e as the Monowai Company does. Negotiations are pending for amalgamation with the Monowai. Victory Mine. —This is a small claim not far from the Monowai. A reef which the holders claim is the Monowai has been worked with encouraging results, the ore being similar to the Monowai, and requires a similar treatment. A parcel was sent to Newcastle for treatment, and gave a return of £70. This was considered to be highly satisfactory. Several parties are engaged in prospecting the vicinity, and several reefs have been discovered, but all more or less complex. If a suitable plant is erected I have no doubt this locality would be well worked. Pueu. The Puru Consolidated has been worked on tribute. A good block has lately been opened up, and it seems as if the tributers are to be rewarded for their labour. Tababu. Eclipse Mine (Eclipse, Limited). —This mine has been well worked, twenty-four men having been employed, and 3,994 tons of ore treated for a return of 2,191 oz. 13dwt. bullion, valued at £6,165 ss. The ore is low grade, but with economic treatment it pays well. The mine is connected with the battery by an aerial tramway 7,400 ft. in length. Tararu Greek Mine. —This mine was sold by auction on the 16th September last by order of the mortgagee, Mrs. A. Trower, and bought in by her. Shortly after operations were resumed, and a crosscut from the battery level, about 2,700 ft. from the mouth, commenced for the purpose of intersecting the old Day Dawn reefs. About 800 ft. in from the Dunedin main reef a level is being driven southwards through new country towards the Sunbeam rise. It is intended to more thoroughly test the reefs in the old Sunbeam Claim, "and for that purpose the old workings are being cleaned out and repaired. In the battery a new boiler is being fixed up, so that in summer, when water is short, the driving-power can be replaced by steam. Thames. Kuranui Mine (Kuranui Gold-mines, Limited). —This company have had seven men at work during the whole year. Several leaders have been found which will probably pay to open up. The principal leader is 180 ft. from the boundary, and has 80 ft. of backs. Near where this leader is rich gold was obtained by the old company. A rise of 80 ft. for ventilation purposes has been put up from the low level to the tunnel-level, some little distance to the east of the Deep Lead shaft. When this rise is completed the mine can be more easily developed. Gold to the value of £142 10s. 9d. has been won from 69 tons of quartz. New Alburnia (New Alburnia Gold-mining Company, Limited). —This mine is being worked by tributers, who have been taking out some small leaders in the surface levels. They crushed 37 tons for £122 6s. 2d. Efforts are being made to raise more capital for this property, but so far without success. New Whau Mine (New Whau Gold-mining Company). —The ore obtained from this mine was so poor that the six-month protection was applied for and granted, pending the raising of more capital, and to let the directors consider future operations. A few tributers have been working, but have not been able to find anything payable. ' Moanataiari Mine (New Moanataiari Gold-mines, Limited). —This company have employed two wages-men during the year, and let the upper portion of the mine out on tribute. A large number of miners have been employed in working on small leaders, and returns have been fairly remunerative. These men crushed 1,254 tons 14 cwt. for a return of 2,262 oz. 8 dwt. of gold, valued at £6,251 12s. Bd. The directors in England have not yet made up their mind as to future operations. Kuranui-Caledonian Mine (Kuranui-Caledonian Gold-mining Company, Limited). —This mine has also been worked by tributers. The company has not been doing anything towards developing the mine, but I am led to understand that it is intended within a short period to resume operations. The tributers have been working on the many small leaders on the hanging-wall side of the reef, generally with fair results. They crushed 425J tons of general dirt and 932 lb. of picked stone for a return of 1,524 oz. of gold, of the value of £4,154. An average number of forty-five men has been employed. Fame and Fortune Mine (Fame and Fortune Gold-mines, Limited). —This mine has been worked by tributers for some time past. They have been employed on the Golden Age reef, both above and below the Balmoral level. The ore obtained has not been of sufficient value to reimburse the men for their outlay and labour. In the higher levels Fox's leader has been worked, and gold seen occasionally. Mr. Edward Kersey Cooper went to England some months ago for the purpose of raising more capital to further prospect the property, but I have not heard whether he has been successful or not. He is expected back in about two months.

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