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May Queen-Hauraki Mine. —This mine changed hands in the early part of the year, when the syndicate made an effort on two occasions to form a company, but failed. Then the work in the mine was directed to driving a crosscut at the No. 2 level Saxon shaft for the purpose of intersecting the No. 1 and No. 2 Cardigan lodes, which were successfully worked at the lower levels. When cut, the reef was driven on for a short distance, two loads of quartz being broken out and crushed for a value of £13 7s. 10d. The rest of the work was done by tributers who worked on various leaders. The total quantity of ore won from the different parts of the mine and treated was 514 tons, which yielded 769 oz. 7 dwt., value £1,949 13s. sd. Eighteen men were employed. May Queen Extended. —During the past year the works carried out in the mine have been the extension of the crosscut towards the Odd Fellows reef, driving and stoping on New reef east of old crosscut, and driving back west on New reef to connect with new crosscut driven in western section. A crosscut was extended to cut the Odd Fellows reef, but not meeting with the reef where it was expected to be cut, the directors decided to suspend work in this direction, and confine their attention to the driving and stoping on New reef east of crosscut. Since commencing this work a distance of 52 ft. has been driven, and a block of ground stoped out to a height of 60 ft. above the level by 115 ft. in length ; the average width of the reef has been about 10 in. The drive west on the reef has been extended 113 ft., and for the whole of this distance would average a width of 15 in. While operating on the reef in both ends of the mine, a few pounds of picked stone were occasionally secured, and colours of gold were to be seen frequently through the reef. 380 loads of quartz won and treated from all parts of the reef gave a return of 298 oz. 17 dwt. of gold, value £859 17s. Id., which was barely payable, but the directors decided to go on with the stoping as an improvement in the quality of the ore might take place at any time. A party of tributers also crushed five loads of mullock for 2 oz. 2 dwt. A total of 385 loads was treated for 300 oz. 19 dwt. of gold, value £866 Is. lid. Seven men were employed. Thames Talisman Mine. —This mine was under protection for six months, and when operations were again resumed, the drive was extended a distance of 80 ft., where the reef was expected to be met with. Not finding it where anticipated, it was decided to extend the drive another 16 ft. Here small stringers of quartz were cut running at a long angle with the drive which is now supposed to be all that is left of the reef at this level. The upper level has also been cleaned out and repaired for a distance of 112 ft. It is stated that the Grand Trunk reef was worked here with good results in the early days of the goldfield. Four men were employed. New Una Mine. —This is portion of the old Una ground. A company has been formed with the object of testing the ground at a deeper level, a main low level was started on the level with the Karaka Road, and has been driven a distance of 500 ft. From this level to the Una level (where the company worked the German and Loyalty reefs with very good results) there is a height of backs for 140 ft. Should the company be fortunate in getting payable gold here, it will help the Thames and restore confidence in this part of the district. This company is doing excellent work. Seven men are employed. Gloucester and George Turnbull Claim. —This is being worked by a Glasgow syndicate, who have directed their attention to extending the low level to intersect the leaders in the Lincoln section. A little gold was frequently seen when they were working on the leaders, but as these are extremely small, only a very limited amount of quartz is obtained. To all appearance the syndicate have sufficient confidence in the mine proving payable, that they have sent from England a complete five-stamp battery, with the intention of erecting it near the mine. Two men have been employed. Claremont Claim. —This is only one man's ground, but it is astonishing that not a ton of general ore has been crushed for years, yet specimen stone is frequently treated. 150 lb. of stone was crushed for 98 oz. 1 dwt., value £253 15s. 6d. Fortuna Hauraki Mine. —Only a limited amount of work principally by tributers has been done on this property, the ground being under protection during the greater part of the year. The operations were confined to surface-workings on small leaders, from which 32J tons of quartz and 301b. of picked stone was obtained and treated for a return of 74 oz. 15 dwt. of gold, value £205 11s. 3d. Waymouth Claim. —This ground has been steadily worked with two men, but the results obtained during the year have been very poor, 15 tons of quartz having been broken out and treated for a return of 6 oz. of gold, value £16 10s. A little prospecting has also been done on the Ethel reefs and Anchor Claims, from which small returns of gold have been made, but nothing of importance discovered. Otinui Consols Mine. —This property has been steadily prospected during the year, the operations being confined to driving a low level to intersect at depth the reef which I am informed was worked with good results some years previously. As the country which is now being penetrated is of a kindly description for gold-bearing reefs, the chances are that payable stone may be obtained at any time. It is estimated that this level will give about 60 ft. of backs on the main reef, which is expected will be met with in about another 40 ft. of driving. From two to four men were employed. Tararu Creek Mine. —This mine has been under protection for the whole of the year, little or no work has been done on it. Eclipse Mine. —This mine changed hands in the early part of the year and a company was formed. Since then the work in the mine has been directed to extending the low level to a point under where a chute of payable ore was worked in the upper levels. When this company started work, the crosscut had to be driven about 100 ft. to intersect the lode, and at the place where it was cut through, it was fully 6 ft. in width and heavily mineralised but of low grade. From the crosscut the lode has been driven on for a distance of 300 ft., with a varying width of "from 2 ft. to 6 ft. It may be fairly expected that a large block of ground will be opened up here as it is said the gold was continuing downwards from the level above, and there is every possibility that it will recoup the shareholders for the outlay. Seven men are employed. The Golden Drop, Argosy, Temple Bar, and Bullion Claims have also been worked intermittently with two men on each claim. Small returns have been obtained.

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