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The following is a statement of the production, dividends declared, and the number of persons employed by the principal gold-quartz mining companies during 1914: —

Northern Inspection District. Waihi Goldfieid. —At the Waihi Mine, athough no ore-bodies of importance have been developed during the past year, at No. 11 (or 1,301 ft.) level the Martha lode has shown a decided improvement, the oxidized quartz being in parts replaced by smaller lenses of sulphide ore, and the country has become more settled, which is decidedly encouraging, and upsets the most prominently published of the geological theories regarding this mine- viz., that the Martha lode had passed from a productive intrusive to an unproductive bedded dacite country at a depth of about 1,000 ft. The production and dividends paid during 1914 was practically the same as during the previous year. Early in 1914 the company's extensive hydro-electric power-installation from the Horahora Falls, distant about fifty miles, Was brought into commission, and the whole of the power required for the reduction-works, air-compressors, winding, and throe-throw pumps was thus provided. The Waihi Grand Junction Mine has experienced a record year in every respect, the output, yield, average value, and dividends all being higher than during any previous year. Development at the No. 7 (or 1,200 ft.) level has proved a considerable quantity of ore in the Empire lode. The water problem at this mine referred to in former reports is still considerably in evidence, the electrical highlift turbo-installation proving unequal to the influx of water ; in consequence another unit has been ordered. Karangahake Goldfieid,. —The Talisman Consolidated Mine has produced an increased tonnage with a higher value per ton treated during 1914, but development has not been entirely satisfactory in tho Bonanza section, although ore of good value has been proved in winzes Nos. 2, 6, and 8, between Nos. 14 and 15 levels. In the Woodstock section, south of the Woodstock shaft, the Maria lode at the three points where it has been intersected from the connecting crosscut appears better than at the same points in the level 250 ft. overhead, and the value, although not high-grade, is payable. The country at the bottom of the mine is also favourable, although in the Bonanza section it is not so open for drainage. The Talisman shaft has been sunk to a sump past the random of the 15th level, and a drive is being put out therefrom to enable ore to be stopecl below No. 14 level. A considerable amount of woi'k will be necessary in the Woodstock section, south of the Woodstock shaft, before the amount of ore available may be proved and prepared for stoping tit a depth between 250 ft. and 500 ft. from the Woodstock shaft. Connection has quite recently been, made between a point about 40 ft. below the No. 14 level from the Talisman shaft and the crosscut from the bottom of the Woodstock shaft, by a stairway of 73 ft., which will be of great advantage to mining operations. At the New Zealand Crown Mine operations at the reduction-Works have been discontinued, and at the mine the number of men has been greatly reduced, owing to shortage of funds. The Waihi-Paeroa Gold-extraction Company, who operate upon the tailing deposited by the Waihi and Karangahake mines in the Ohinemuri River (sludge-channel) near Paeroa, has during 1914 treated 144,300 tons of tailing for a return of £42,950, being an average of 6s. per ton. It is stated that there has been an increase in working-cost, owing to timber and other river-debris. To remove this a modern Priestman dredger is being obtained.

During 1914. Dividends paid. "u "S * -J Name of Company. Quantity Value Average of Quartz, of Value treated. Bullion. ; per Ton. Total to , „. . End of December, 1914. it % 8 tn PIII atotnto Northern District— Tons. £ £ s. d. | £ £ Waihi Gold-mining Company (Ltd.)* 163,754 324,038 119 7 199,1814,577,720 Waihi Grand Junction Gold-mining 103,321 227,637 2 4 1 48,047 105,703 Company (Ltd.) Talisman Consolidated (Ltd.) .. 52,210 263,516 5 I.I 4 jll6,437 935,478 West Coast District— Blackwater Mines (Ltd.) .. .. 50,426 93,848 I 17 3 , 12,500 11.2,496 New Big River Gold-mining Com- 6,273 30,185 4 16 5 , 9,600 91,200 pany (Ltd.) Other quartz-mines throughout New 125,355 214,990 1 14 4 ! 2,500 I § Zealand Statute Tons. £ | £ s. d. 163,754 324,038 1 19 7 103,321 227,637 2 4-1 Statute Tons. 163,754 103,321 I £ £ 99,181 4,577,720 48,047 105,703 700 440 52,210 263,516 5 11 4 52,210 116,437 935,478 330 50,426 93,848 1 17 3 6,273 30,186 4 16 5 125,355 214,990 1 14 4 50,426 6,273 12,500 112,496 9,600 91,200 213 75 125,355 2,500 I § 1,125 Totals, 1914 501,3391,154,214 2 6 0 288,265 § 2,863 * The total value of the output of this company at the end of tho year was £10,787,038. The divider given aro free of income-tax. f In the annual report of the directors of this company for 1914 tho value of the bullion-production is stati £332,165; but the figures given in the tablo above are the official returns from the company to the Inspi Mines. The discrepancy occurs owing to the actual value of the bullion not being known until it is rolined in I J 144,300 statute tons of old tailing from Waihi and Karangahake mines dredged from Ohinemuri River channel, crushed during former years and recorded therein, but re-treated during 1914. § Unknown. ids here id to be actor of Ingland. sludge-