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ANNEXURE A. Mr. Matthew Paul, Inspector of Mines, Waihi, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir.- Inspector of Mines' Office, Waihi, 31st March, 1911. I have the honour to present my report on the gold-mining industry in the Hauraki Mining District together with statistics, for the year ended 31st December, 1910. Waihi Gold-mining Company (Limited) (J. Gilmour, Mine-manager). The following report bears principally on the operations carried out in the Nos. 8, 9, and 10 levels, where the most important development has been conducted : — No. 10 Level (1,150 ft.). —No. 5 shaft north crosscut has been driven a total of 260 ft. from No. 5 shaft. The country rock penetrated is favourable, and delivers very little water. At 250 ft. quartz 12 in. wide was passed through. At 60 ft. a branch crosscut has been driven south-south-west for 32 ft. towards the Royal lode. No. 9 Level (1,000 ft.). —Royal lode : This lode has been opened up for a total length of 1,253 ft., 770 ft. east and 483 ft. west of No. 5 shaft south crosscut. The east face was extended from 726 ft. to 770 ft. during the year; Reptile pass being holed through to No. 8 level to obtain good ventilation. The west face was extended from 290 ft. to 483 ft. No stoping has been done, but the level has been widened out to full width from 26 ft. to 180 ft. west of No. 5 shaft south crosscut, and from 700 ft. to 770 ft. east of same for'B ft. in width. Reptile south-east crosscut: This crosscut was started in the latter part of the year from the end of the level on the Royal lode 765 ft. east of No. 5 shaft south crosscut. It has been driven a total of 130 ft. in favourable country rock. At 130 ft. in, quartz 7 ft. in width was penetrated. Crosscutting was suspended, and driving done on the reef to 200 ft. south on course of new lode. At the face the quartz was reduced to 9 in. in width. Further driving on the reef has been suspended, and the new crosscut will be continued. Empire lode : This lode has been opened up for a total length of 1,315 ft., of which 530 ft. is east and 785 ft. west of No. 4 shaft north crosscut. The west face was extended 229 ft. during the year, but the east face was not advanced. Stoping is in progress on several blocks on this lode. Alexandra lode : This lode was met at 827 ft. west of No. 4 shaft north crosscut, and driven on course 225 ft. (making a total of 1,052 ft. west of No. 4 shaft north crosscut on Empire and Alexandra lodes). From 1,052 ft. the level is driven through country to the Edward lode, which was proved at 1,125 ft. Edward lode : This lode was found 1,125 ft. west of No. 4 shaft north crosscut. The total length now opened up on the course of lode is 301 ft., 141 ft. being south and 160 ft. north'of Perch crosscut. Martha lode, south section : This has been opened up for a total length of 1,232 ft., the east face having been extended from 101 ft. to 389 ft., and the west face from 212 ft. to 843 ft. from No. 4 shaft north crosscut. Stoping is in progress from 180 ft. east to 290 ft. west, the top stope being 29 ft. above the level, and the average width taken out 20 ft. The level has been widened and timbered from 333 ft. east to 394 ft. west, and stoping over this length will be proceeded with. Martha lode, north section : This has been driven on 81 ft. east and 409 ft. west, making a total of 490 ft. The lode is very loose and rubbly. Martha lode, Regina section : This section branched off the main lode at 300 ft. west of No. 4 shaft north crosscut, and was followed to 500 ft. west. The level has been widened for stoping-timbers from 380 ft. to 460 ft. west for a width of 20 ft. from south wall. No. 8 Level. —Royal lode : East of north section junction. The level was advanced from 952J ft. to 9901- ft. The face is 38 ft. from the boundary-line, and 6 ft. of lode is exposed. Stoping on the shrinkage method is in progress in five blocks on this lode. Scorpion north crosscut: This has been driven 738 ft. from Royal lode. Several quartz formations were passed through, and the crosscut is about to be started south-east, to prospect from the point where the Edward lode joins the Royal lode. Empire lode : Stoping is in progress on this lode between Rolker and Allen passes. Alexandra lode : No stoping has been done this year, but the level was advanced east of Bull's crosscut to 337 ft., the lode being only a few inches wide. Edward lode : Perch and Trout passes have been holed to No. 9 level. Stoping is in progress. Welcome lode : Stoping is in progress between Tulip pass and Edward junction and between Daisy and Stock passes. Martha lode, north section : The shrinkage block east and west of Bulls on No. 2 pass is within 24 ft. of No. 7 level, and drawing off the ore will soon be started. Martha lode, south section : Driving on course of lode was carried out for 144 ft. during the year. Foster, Tiger, Bison, Deer, and Cow passes have been connected to No. 9 level. Martha lode, Regina section : This has been driven on a total of 200 ft., the lode being very loose. Stoping was in progress, but was suspended owing to movement in the hanging-wall. Martha foot-wall gangway has been driven from No. 6 shaft crosscut to 610 ft. west of same. A double line of tramways has been laid, and six horses are employed trucking ore on this line from Martha and Empire stopes to No. 6 shaft hoppers. No. 7 Level.— Royal lode : The eastern end of this level has been extended from 865 ft. to 1,028 ft. east of north section junction. The shrinkage block between Gnat and Toad passes was emptied of its ore, and is now being filled in with mullock. -