0.—2

14

(1) Quartz-mining.

The average value per ton of ore treated during 1927 amounted to £1 15s. 3d., as compared with £1 17s. 2d. during 1926. From the Waihi Mine 179,643 long tons of quartz was obtained and crushed for a return of 420,571 oz. of bullion, valued at £320,993, a decrease compared with the previous year of 6,144 tons of quartz, 77,530 oz. of bullion, and in value of £16.003. A very large amount of development workwas done, but without disclosing any important body of ore; the total footage for the year amounted to 9,315 ft., and in addition a total of 3,402 ft. was bored by diamond drill. The results obtained at the bottom level, No. 15, are particularly disappointing, and further development work at this level has been stopped. Work in the Waihi Grand Junction area has been carried out by the Waihi Gold-mining Co. in pursuance of an agreement made between the two companies in 1926. During the past year 28,334 long tons were mined for a return of 38,098 oz. of bullion, valued at £43,425. The total footage for the year in the Grand Junction area was 2,012 ft. At Muir's Gold-reef Mine during the year a new electric shaft-pump was installed capable of lifting 1,200 gallons per minute from a depth of 500 ft. The pump started operating in November, and, after some preliminary troubles were overcome, the mine was unwatered early in the present year. The Blackwater Mine produced and crushed 41,362 tons of quartz for a return of 17,557 oz. of gold, valued at £68,645, compared with 40,044 tons of quartz and 18,032 oz. of bullion, valued at £70,232, for the previous year. The company owning this mine acquired during the year the property previously owned by the North Blackwater Mines, Ltd. Most of the development work has been with a view to extending the levels in the Blackwater Mine into the North Blackwater area. The total footage for the year amounted to 1,757 ft. The New Big River Mine ceased to produce at the middle of the year. For the period under review 1,024 tons of quartz were crushed and yielded 1,039 oz. of bullion, valued at £3,253. (2) Dredge Mining. The following is a statement showing the capacity, production, and profits of bucket gold-dredges during 1927. (Note. —The profits made by privately owned dredges are not obtainable for publication.)

The Rimu Flat dredge turned over 1,761,461 cubic yards for a return of 13,070 oz. of gold, valued at £53,128, an increase in quantity of 1,270 oz. and £5,228 in value, compared with the preceding year. The company owning this dredge has continued to prospect for and drill other likely dredgingareas in the district and elsewhere. The New River dredge turned over 180,000 cubic yards of gravel for a return of 1,305 oz. of gold, valued at £5,038. A very considerable amount of dredging-time was lost through breakdowns of the dredge. Alterations to the dredge are contemplated, the principal being the provision of a stronger ladder and a new bucket-line.

Statute Tons of Ore treated. Value o Bullion. Dividends par tered Compi id (by Reglsanies only). Inspection District. 1927. 1926. 208,372 190,638 46,168 47,.395 28 135 254,568 238,168 1927. 1927. 1926. 1920. j Northern West Coast Southern £ 386,021 83,243 17 £ 349,196 93,062 416 £ 49,591 £ 49,591 6,250 Totals .. 49,591 55,841 449,281 442,674

Name of Dredge. Locality. 3SA » & ma 1 gg -8 if g.g WS W H °J8" offo IS .t,3<J oSs So |i3S gft — jq to s -Si's lift d?i-i as a* So H ro So a, g SS gig II II gO li ■Jl •a °.S • c3 IVhSO! SrQOl ■30-H Dividend! declared. During 1927. Total. Otago and Southland. Molynoux Electric Nevis Crosaing Molynoux River Nevis River [ 5 II i 115 3J 10 12 Ft. E 40 S 10 £ 1,152 1,413 £ £ 200 200 West Ooast. Rimu Flat Dunganville 10 19 325 7 18 155 E 55 E 35 53,128 5,038 6,566 19,698 Rimu Now Hiver Totals, 1927 Totala, 1926 60,731 52,969 6,766 Unknown. I Unknown.