1900

The amount and value of the gold won from our gold-fields to the end of 1900 is 13,208,572 oz., valued at £48,740,533. The total yield for the year 1900 was 345,650 07”, equal to 281,214 oz, fine, valued at £1,194,521, as compared with 496,196 oz. (412,412 oz. fine), valued at £1,751,815, for the yea,1’ 1899, a decrease of 150,546 oz., and £557,294 in value.

It was hoped that the output recorded for 1899 would have been fully maintained during 1900, but it became evident early in the year that such would not be the case. A perusal of the accompanying statements from the several mining centres will show that there has been a marked falling off in the industry, attributable to a variety of causes.

The returns also show that 1,390 less men were employed than in the previous year. The deduction should not however be drawn that this industry is on the decline, the evidence is rather, that after a pel’iod of abnormal activity, the regular order of things has been resumed.

It may be mentioned that the attention which has been given to dredging ventures, / and which is referred to elsewhere, has diverted a large amount of capital and energy, usually devoted to ordinary gold-mining into another channel. I t is expected that when the dredges are fully at work the output will be considerably augmented.

BATHURST MINING DISTRICT.

Canowindm Division.

During the year the “Burdett Limited·” Company has been carrying on continuous and systematic operations. The main shaft is down 510 feet, and a number of drh”es have been put in; 200 tOllS of stone were crushed for a yield uf 350 oz., and the prospects of the min1i are considered to be exceptionally good. The Blue .J ackct Mine is at preS”ent idle owing to litigation pending in the Supreme Court. This is a very pl’omising mine, and its enforced idleness is to be regretted. Operations have been carried on by Lant, Reid, and party at the Queen of the Ranges mine, a crushing of 92 tons of stone yielding 84 oz. of gold. The shaft has been sunk 100 feet, and a drive put in some 45 feet, from which the crushing referred to was taken, Seymour a;;d Coller mised a small quantity of stone from their claim, and ohtained 20 oz. of gold.

ColOm Division,

Mining in this Division has been practically at a standstill during thc year, some 212 oz. of gold only, valued at £825, having been obtained. Small patches of alluvi(,l gold have been cliscoyered at Binnie Creek, and several prospectors are searching in the locality. J1fount .lfollllt .McDonald Dit’isio1/.. Minina m[ttters in this Division h[tvo heon somewhat dull during the year. OwingOto poor crnshings, &f’., operations [tt the Gre[tt Eastern anfl Caledonian mines for the first half of the ye[tr were restricte1 to prospecting, [tnd during the hst half wcro suspeuded; and matters now aw[tit the decision of the directors in Hongkong . • At the Eureka and Qneen mines, [tlso owned by [t Hongkong company, resnlts have been fairly satisfactory during the year, and the profits have enabled the management to do a lot of necessary ~xploration work. A number of tributors have been working on a portion of this company’s property with moderate success. In addition to quartz-mining, a number of Europeans and Chinese were engaged fossicking during a part of the year on the Abercrombie and Lachlan Rivers with varying success. The value of the gold obtained during the year is estimated as £10,860.

Blayney Division.

Very little mining has been done in this Division during the year, amI the mine-owners have failed to supply any particnlars of their output. From the information obtaincrl from the loeal banks and other sour,~es, it is gathered that the yield was 2S2 oz. of gold, valued at £1,040.

Newbridge Division.

The only mine of [tny oonsequence in this Division is the Sugarloaf, owned by Mr. James Collins. During the ye[tr ii50 tons of ore were treated, giving a return of 299 oz. 5 dwt., valued at £1,120. ‘rhree shafts have been suuk on the reef, the deepest being down 210 feet. A level driven south from this shaft proves the existence of mineralised stone of a high value, but which will require the ereetion of a concentrating and chlorination plant for its proper treatment. It is understood that the owner is arranging for the introduction of capital, and success in this direction should le[td to the opening of a payable mine. Mr. Collins has expended abont £3,000 on this property. The Craig Lea syndicate of 15 acres, on private lands, has been dragging along during 1900. Eighty tons were raised, yielding about 45 oz. of gold, valued at £169. McKellar and party, also on private lauds, h[tve a small lease. They had a trial crushing of 35 tons, which yielded 23 oz. of gold, valued at £89. . William McKenzie has a 4·acre lease from which a trial crushing of 30 tons was obtained yielding IS oz., valued at £70. There are a number of fossickers throughout the district, npwards of sixty men working about in the various gullies, &c., and m[tking a living. They occupy their spare time [tt this calling, taking other work when opportunity offers.

Trunkey Division.

Reefing during the last twelve months has been almost dead. There is now only one battery on the field. A considerable number of men have been employed throughout the year on shallow alluvial mining on the Kempfield Estate. Some of them h[tve done very well. The fossickers throughout the district must also have been making fair w[tges, [ts evidenced by their refusal to accept employment from the settlers. On the Abercrombie River some are doing well ; but the big flood in the winter caused [t complete change in the bed of some parts of the watercourse, and waterholes now exist where sandbanks were formerly. The Old Pine Ridge Reef, near Oaky Creek, formerly worked for years by J. H. ·Wilson and party, has again been leased, and the Monarch Reef, on the Abercrombie River, Ims also been t[tken up afresh.

Tuena Division.

Very fair results were obtained from the alluvial claims on the banks [tnd in the bed of the Abercrombie River rlnring the early p[trt of the year, the river being very low at that time. ({ood returns were also ohtained from the Tuenn, Creek. It is difficult to ascort[tin the amount of [tlluvi[tl gold won; but it is known that ahont 1,000 oz., valued [tt £3,760, were purchased by the loc[tl storekeepers. In quartz-mining” The Garnet” worked for some time. Eight hundred tons were crushed, averaging 7 dwt., whon the reef cut out, and work was abandoned, and the plant is now to be sold. At Junction Point several parties are working on the old reefs abandoned years ago. The Stockyard claim has given several crushings up to Ii oz. to the ton. The Red Jacket Mine 11fts also paid its w[ty, and the sinking of the main shaft to cut the lode is acing carried out.

Rockley Division.

The best mine in this division is that kuown as The Caloola Creek mine. This 11[1.s been worked, off and on, for many years, but for the w[tnt of a proper w[tter supply the mine was a partial failure. The Department, however, came to an arrangement with the proprietors and erected a concrete dam two years ago, which impounded a large body of water, and enabled the owner to conduct his operations with marked success. Only twenty-three men seem to be employed on and in connection with the property, while two Huntington Mills onlv are beina used. The value of gold won appears to be £4,100, obtained from 13,000 tons of lode stuff, and this must leave a satisfa~ory return to the owner. The Mount Dayid Mine has been working all the year, but the results ha,”e not been satisfaotory. The last two crushings have not paid expenses. The Company has treated 7,030 tons for 1,520 oz., v[tlued at £6,042. The Gilmandyke is not paying either, 650 tons were raised for 203 oz., valued at £831. The Little Marvel Mine, of 14 acres, employing four men, has raised 624 tons, 126 of which have been treated, giving a return of 147 oz. of gold, valued at £606 lls. 3d. The Lord Roberts Mine at Baok Creek employs fourteen men. Five hundred tons have been got together almost from the surface, the deepest shaft being under 20 feet. The gold won was 44 oz., v[tlued at £160. A good many fossickers are, as usual, at work upon the old diggings, but during the winter the country was so thoroughly satnrated th[tt work was impossible. Provision was accordingly made by many for sluicing, but [t drought set in and oontinued for three months, and water consequently became scarce. Burraga Divz’siu1/.. Very little gold-mining has been done during the Ye[tr. McVicar and party, who obtained a rich patch at the end of last ye[tr, have been working their leases at Isabella, but have met with but indifferent success, the water proying too heavy for this party to test the deep ground; however, they crushed 45 tons for 18 oz. of gold, v[tlued [tt £72. Munn and party, at Mount Werong, are making fair wages in their sluicing claim. There are between thirty and forty men fossicking on Monnt Verong, Little River, and Js[tbella R.iver, hut the majority of them do not make more than [t mere pittance. Oberon Dim:sion. The value of the gold won in this division during the year is estimated as £1,51·1. Clarke and party, of Slippery Creek, strnck the reef they were prospecting for, 30 tons of ore yielding 30 oz. of gold. They have erected a five-head battery and a concentrator. Thomas Bucklanrl and party, of Black Bullock Mount, have done a considerable amount of prospecting during tho year, and struck the lode they were searching for at the ll2-foot level. A pyritic ore is obtained, and 140 tons roasted on the mine and sent to Dapto for treatment, yielded 96 oz. 15 dwt. of gold anrl 2,470 oz. of silrer. John Thrush and party, of Black Bullock, have erected a Huntington Mill, and put through abont 200 tons of oro for 42 oz. of gold, valuerl at £96. Further operations were stopped for want of water. There are a number of miners working in this division for allnvial, and some of them m[tke f[tir wages, and others l;””le111ore than” tucker.”

Bathurst Division.

Three hundred tous of quartz were raised during the year, yielding 281 oz. of gold, valued at £1,077 6s. 2(1. Messrs. ,Sinclair and party and ::VIitten and party each hold 10 acres for reefing purposes on the Kiloola Estate, under authorities to euter, issued under the Mining on Private Lands Act. The former employ four men, and ha’e crushed 170 tons of stone for a yield of 162 oz. The reef is 2 feet thick, and is stated to be looking. well. :YIessrs. Mitten aud party have crushed 124 tons of stone, which yielded 96~ oz. The estimated quantity of wash·dirt raised is 23,600 load~, yielding 1,180 oz, of gold, value”d at £4,544, and employing 179 men. The greater part of this wash-dirt was mised on the Kiloola Estate, but a large number of the shafts bottomed on this estate were duffers, and many others ga’e bnt small returns per load. The most noteworthy fact ill connection with gold-mining in this Division is the number of applications for authority to cuter, under the Mining on Private Lands Act, on the Kiloola Estate before referred to, the property of }ii,s \’alke1’, of Concord, situate at Clear Creek. Evidently some of these applications were not bonajide, as but eighty-three deposits to cover snrface damage as assessed were made. Thc original prospectors on this estate, Peers and Kennedy, were successful in finding some fairly good patches of gold, and other small patches were found. Several miners for a few weclts made good wages, and others something more, but at the present time there doos not appear much propect, as was at first sllpposed, of it becoming a fair alluvial field.

0’ Connell Division.

No gold or mineral rcefs were wprked in this Division during the year. It is estimated that 3,900 loads of wash-dirt were raised, the quantity of gold won being 195 oz., mlnea at £780. TVattle Flat Divi8ion. At the Roxburgh Mine a considerable amount of development work has been done during the year, amI additions made to the winding plant. Stoping is being carried on at the 414 feqt south, 364 feet south, 300 fcet soutb, and also at the 364 feet north levels. The 364 feet north level has during the year heen extend”d nearly 200 feet, and as the hest gold chute ever worked in the mine went under foot in the 300 feet north at 211 feet from the shaft, it is expected the average yield per ton will be increased during 19D1 owing to ore supplies from the 364 feet north level being available. On the middle vein (a subsidiary reef to the main ore body) a tribute party have worked during the year, and the gold yield per ton has been good, the lowest being I oz. ll~ clwt., and the the highest 2 oz. 2 dwt. per ton. There are thirty men employed at this mine, and I,3i3 tons of ore were raised, yielding 981 oz. 11 dwt., valned at £3,533 18s. 6d. At The Big Oakey Consolidated operations have been confined to the upper levels, and all the ore raised during the period under review has been won from a new gold chute parallel to that which produced in sinking 200 feet, nearly £14,000 worth of gold. In sinking on the new chute the quality of the ore has steadily increased, as shown by the following yields :- 150 tons ……. , ……………………………………………. .. 100 “ …………………………………………………… .. 100 “ ……………………………………………………. . 64 oz. 12 dwt. 134 “ 170 “ The quantity of stone raised was 350 tons, yielding 368 oz. 12 dwt. gold, valued at £1,370. On the Kiloola Estate, near Peel, Jas. Brett, junr., has a very promising show. A shaft has been sunk to a depth of 35 feet on the reef, which is about 18 inches wide, a trial crushing of 10 tOilS gave a return of 20 oz. 15 dwt., valued at £80. The property also contains two other slllall veins which prospect well. Several other reefs have been worked during the year with varying results. A small cyanide plant has heen operating on tailings, and gi Villg payahle returns. Altogether the prospects in quartz-mining in this Division are much more fM”onrablc th:.n for years past. Sunny Corner Division. The estimated quantity of quartz raised in this Division during the year was 4,422 tons, yielding 2,721 0:-1. I dll-t., valued at £8,858 9s. 8d. The valne of the machinery in use is set down as £18,710. The Paddy Lackey gold. mine raised 2,178 tons of stone, for a yield of 1,900 oz., valued at £6,509. Mr. J. K. Charleston crushed 565 tons from his gold leases for a yield of 130 07.. of gold, valued at £392. The LaO’oon Creek Gold-mining Company (.J. Kemp Charleston) has erected a battery with Wilfley table concentrators, &c., and is prepared to crush for the public. Considine and party, Big Hill, raised 646 tons, and obtained 247 oz. of gold, valued at £824. Murray and Lean, ill the same locality, obtain cd 257 oz., “alued at £900, frolll 870 tons of stonc. His estimD,ted that 12,000 loads of alluvial were raised in the district rluring the year, for a yielLl of ahout I,OOOoz.

Orange Division.

Durin!)’ the year there has been a stagnation in mining in this di”trict, mainly attributable to the delay in the all1algamatio~, as arranged in England, of the Lucknow properties, viz.:-’l’he Wentworth Proprietary, the D’Arcy Ventworth, and the Wentworth Extended. These properties are now under the general management of Mr. H. W. Newman, M.P., who held control prior to Mr_ G. Warnford Lock. It is expected, however, that these mines will shortly be in full work, and the results should prove satisfactory. At Rosedale, in the vicinity of Orange, where a “rush” occurred during 1899, many of the claims have been abandoned, while others have had various terms of suspension of the lahour conditions. Moppett’s and Kearney and Lane’s mines were the principal producers, yielding gold to the value of ahout £650. Schwarz and Party’s claim is developing satisfactorily, but owing to the complex character of the ore, special treatment is necessary. At BynO’, Carangara, and Whitney Green, mining has been moving but slowly during the year, little else but prospecting ha~’in(f been done. The same may also be said of Lewis Ponds and Ophir. At Forest Reefs, the Ballarat of N.S. W. mine has persevered in its operations hut so far without success. The Century mine, adjacent to the above, has been equipped with new pumping and hoisting machinery, and thc mine is shortly to he unwatered. . The work done during the year at the Vietory Mine has not been extensive. Seveml other claims in this locality are actively engaged in prospecting. At Four-mile Creek, noar Carlia, the Coolgar(lie Gold Syndicate, a company floated in Englal1!l, is employing its extensi’e capital in further developing the property, which during the year yielded 3 oz. stone, resembling in some respeots that obtainecl at Lllc!mow. The total value of tbe gold obtained in this Division during the year is estimated at £25,434. JJ[olol1g Diui.’..ion. There is pmctically no mining work being done in this Division. Mr. Black, of Molong, crushed 20 tons of quartz, brought from other places, for ,t yield of 4 oz. gold, vttlucdttt £15.

MUDGEE MINING DISTRICT.

Capertee Division.

Alluvial gold-mining in the Caper tee Division during the past year has bcen greatly retar,lc(l owing to the scarcity of water for sluicing puqJOS~S, awl this accounts for the smallness of the yieltL Several parties arc prospecting for reef gold in the district, but so far without success. Gobbora ])ivis$Olt. Tho only mining within this Division is at Tucklan where a number of fossickors are engagel at alluvial mining, b~t little more than a bare living is made. The present prospects of the field are very poor, and unless l,1ew ground IS discovered few men will be left on the field. Yeo Bros. are prospecting a reef near Tucklan, but sufficient work has not yet been done to test the value of the property; they have about 200 tons of stone at grass. (Julgong ])ivision. Notwithstanding the fact that no new ground was discovered Juring the year the yield o.f gold fr.om alhlYial – has been fairly well mg,illtaineri. From 40 to 50 men have been working at Beryl (or the Diamond Mmes) durmg the year and the majority of them appear to be making fair wagc3. Several parties are working in Rouse’s Paddock, near Gulgong, for good results, as much as an ounce a load being obtained. The sinking is about 80 feet.. . So far as reefing is concerned there is little to report, all the work done during the year bemg of the nat.Ul’e of propccting only. At Salvation Hill, near Gnlgong, and the Sandhurst Mine, on Biraganbil, work has been CO~l~UUlOUS during the year, and if sufficient capital can he obtained to properly develop these mines good results may be.antICipate,!. Oldfield and party are working a reef on Piambong Creek, and have erected a fiye·head battery near the mll1e, 130 tOll.S of stone have been crushed for a yield of 4 dwt. per ton; present indications gi’c little promise for the future of tIllS property.

Harf/1’aves Division.

Dnring the past year a considerable amount of work has been done on the gold.mining leases at and near Hargra’es, but unfortunately with little profit to the lessees. Spratt and party have raised and crushed a quantity of stone from the Big Nugget Mine, where rich pockets are ocoasionally met with in the leaders, hut the bulk of the stone is poor, and so far the mine has done little more than pay wages. A pumping plant and fil’e·head battery are erecteel at this mine, and work has been continuous throughout the year. ‘Narryand Stewart, who hold a lease adjoining Spratt’s, are now raising some very rich stone which shows gold freely. This mine is worked hy the two lessees, who get their crushing done at Laing’s Battery, and make fair wages. Laing and party have erected a pumping plant on the Florence Lease, which also adjoins Spratt’s, and during the last six months of the year did a considerable amount of work. Like all the mines in this vicinity the veins and leaders are very patchy, some of the sbone raised is very rich, but as It general result the crushings are poor, whilc no large body of payable stone has yet been met with. At the EI Dorado Mine, Mr. Fletcher has driven a tunnel about 500 feet through hard rock, but no payable lode has been cut. At the Homeward Bound and Hampden Mines, Scott and party have done steady work during the year, but the remIt has been disappointing, and there appears to be little prospect of either of these mines being profitahly worked. .. Hogan and party m’e WOrl~il1g a rieh leader on Tucker’s Hill, and are making fair wages. l11:lldgee l)ivision. Alluvial mining in this Di’ision is confined to fossicking in the old workings, some finding employment at 11 pple· tree Flat, and other small parties at Slasher’s Flat a11(l the gullies in this vicinity. Three quartz mines are being worked in this Division. Northover and party, at l1ullanmddy, have raised amI crushed 100 tons of stone for yield of 50 oz. of gold and 20 oz. of silver. Some years ago a considerable amount of WOl”k was done at this reef; but owing to want of capital a11(1 the refractory nature of the ore the party were unable to work the mine at a profit, and ab:mdoned it. Attempts are being made to raise the capital required to work this property, but so far withont success. The leaders near the surface are very rich; but no regnlar lode has yet been discovered. Haddock and party are prqspecting a new reef near Apple.tree Flat, and have sunk a shaft 87 feet through “cry hard country, but have not yet struck pa.yable stone. Laing and party, who are working a reef near Rat’s C~l,sth’, Piambong, 11a’e sunk a shaft to a depth of 163 feet, and have obtained very good prospects. Winrleyel’ ])iisiol2, Alluvial mining in this Division is almost entirely iJonfined to fossieking in the old workings in the hed of the Meroo amI its tributaries; but the average weekly earnings of each miner does not exceed more than about 8s. Many of the men so engaged are old miners, who have been on the field since the early days. They live and work alone, and eke out the barest of li vings. _ At the Golden Lily Reef, owned by ‘Winters and party, good work has been done during the year. The reef lies between two well·defined w[lIls of slate. The c’)urse is north and south, with a westerly underlay, the [I’e1’age width of the vein being 2 feet. During the year a steam-winding plant has been erected [It the mine, and the main shaft has been continued a further 100 feet, making a total depth of 300 feet. An additional five head of stampers has been added to the battery, makip.g ten head in all. At the 200-feet level north the drive has been extended 100 feet, making a total distance from the shaft of 400 feet, disclosing a vein averaging about 2 feet 6 inches carrying gold, estimated to yield 12 dwt. to the ton, for the whole length. The 200-feet level south has been extended about 50 feet, making a total of 240 feet from the shaft. The stone from this level has been stoped to the 100·feet level, and averaged about 2~ oz. per ton. At the 250-feet level sout.h a drive has been put in about 170 feet, showing good stone. A rise has been put up to the 200·feet level, and stoping commenced. At the 250·feet level north a drive has been exten,led 00 feet from the shaft, and a vein l~ feet, showing gold freely, has been proved. The amount of stone treated during the yeal’ was 1,300 tons, for a yielrl of 530 oz., valued at £2,100. This mine is the best developed and most valuable mining property in the district. Owing to continued dry seasons work has been much hampered for want of water for crushing purposes. ‘iVith an ample water supply excellent results may in the fnture be reasonably anticipated. The Henrietta Gold·mining Company holds a good property at Eagle·hawk Gully. Unfortunately, iis battery was wrecked by a boiler explosion early in the year, causing considerable loss to the company. A new battery has been erected; but itS the shafts are now full of water, some time will be occupied in pumping before undergrouncl work can be resnmed. Some six or so reefs, in addition, are being worked within the Windeyer Division; but, so far, the rcsults are not encouraging.

Peak Hill Division.

At the Proprietary Mine at Peak Hill during the past year some 3,000 tons of ore have been treated, averaging 4~ d wt. per ton, not incl uding concentrates. Taken altogether, the manager st:>tes that the returns are satisfactory. Early in the year the Proprietary Company, on the recommendation and under the supervision of Mr. J. Taylor, late Govern· ment Metallurgist, erected a hot-air blast water.jacket furnace, which commenced working on the 14th of April, and ran for 10 weeks, stopping for alterations and repair3 until the 1st of November, a fnrther run of 17 days being then made when the water supply failed, and no further work up to the close of the year was done. There is a proposal hy the company to bring water from the Bogan River, 4 miles west of Peak Hill, to the mine. Recently, however, the Municipal Council has entered into negotiations for the construction of a Town Water Supply. This scheme is being strongly supported by the company, and there is every probability of the water difficulty being overcome, and a permanent supply insured, thus enabling the furnace to he run continuously. The directors of the company report that the treatment of the ore by the furnace has been satisfactory and will give a profit. The company is erecting a cyanide plant on the mine, and intend to treat a large quantity of auriferous tailings estimated to contain 8 dwt. of gold to the ton, which were tipped into the mine some years ago as filling. The principal work during the past year has been confined to the upper levels of the mine. From the lower levels the sulphide ore, which is refractory, has been treated in the water·jacket furnace. The return which is payable, averages 1 to l~ pel’ cent. of copper, and from 7 to 12 dwt. of ~~~ . fu In the” vVythes I1nd Mooney’s” Mine, which adjoins the Proprietary Mine on the north end, a good deal l)f work has been done in the PI1St year. A main shl1ft has been sunk 230 feet, I1nd seveml bodies of pyritous ore have been opened up. Some of this ore was sent to the Clyde works, and averl1gedl per cent. of copper and 12 dwt. of gold per ton. This would, it is said, be payable if treated on the mine with a water·jacket furnace. In this mine there are large bodies of low grade refractory ore. During the last year the mine was let on tribute, and the tributors made more than wages. Prospecting operations are being cn,rriecl on in the other mines at Peak Hill, hut no discoveries of importance are reported. At the Myalls, I1bout 8 miles north of Peak Hill, I1n En;:(lish comprLl1y, called the “MyaJls United Gold-mining Company (Limiter’ll” !Jas a large and valuable property of 62 acres, with an extensive plant, a 40-head battery, and a cyanide plant of 3,000 tons capacity per month. Rock drills worked with comprcssed air are used in this mine, and prove a great saving of expense, as the work can be done fully one-third cheaper than by ordinary labour. This company has raised and crushed about 30,000 tons of quartz during the past year, for a yield of nearly 9,000 oz. of gold. This has left a profit ronghly of £6,000. For the year 1899 the mine was run at a loss of about £6,000. The reef in places is 60 feet wide, and the gold is fairly distributed through the stone, which is of a low grade, but a return of 5 dwt. per ton gives a fair profit. In this mine the greatest depth obtained is 350 feet, and the shaft is now being deepened, but the reef is proved for a length of 1,500 feet. Two hundred men are employed on the mine. This company brings water a distance of 7!.; miles from Tomingley Creek to the mine, the cost of the pipes and dam being £4,000. At Tomingley two mines are on payable stone, which improves in value as greater depths are reached; the same line of payable reef appears to extend from the Myalls to Tomingley.

Wellington Division.

The principal mining in this Division has been carried on at the Mitchells Creek Freehold Gold Estate. The returns from this property have been of a very uniform character for many years, and the mine finds profitable employme!1t for a number of men. During the year 15,107 tons of stone were raised, the yield therefrom being 8,551 oz., valued at £28,950. At the Jawbone Alluvial Field, some 2 miles distant from the Mitchells Creek Freehold Gold Estate, a large nnmber of men were employed in the early part of the year; bnt many have since deserted the field. A few claims, some on Crown lands, and others on private lands, are payable, and fair returns have resulted, but taken on the whole the prospects of the field are not encouraging. Some fossicking has been done on Wuuluman and other tributaries of the Macquarie, but with poor results.

TAMBAROORA AND TURON MINING DISTRICT.

Hill End Division.

This Division shows an increase in quantity of gold won for 1900, as compared with 1899. The principal alluvial mining is done by fossickers along the valleys of the Turon and Macquarie RiYers, but no reliable estimate of the yield per load can be given. The Red Hill Mine, at Tambaroora, which close1 down early last year, and formerly employed about 100 men, has not re-opened, and the macbinery is now being removed from the mine . . Some good crushings have been obtained from several mines on the Hawkin’s Hill line of reef. Various other reefs are being worked in different parts of the Diyision, but none of them have, so far, proved payable.

Rylstone Division.

The only gold-mining in this Division is intermittent fossicking in the creeks and river beds. The fossickel’sengage. in this work when other employment cannot he obtained. So/ala Di-vision. The Turondale Consolidated Gold-mining Company’s 15-acre lease, known as the old Homeward Bonnd, was purchased by Messrs. C. Knoblanche and D. Butta ill December, 1899. The mine was fnll of water in the old stopes, ~oo feet in length and 60 feet deep. After pumping, an1 re-timbering the old works, 70 tons of stone ·wcre raised, which yielded 105 oz., value £400. A company was former! and registered last December, with a capital of £20,000, to work a lc:wo of 70 acres. On this lease are a series of lodes all more or less developed, at least three of which show payable stone; 15 men are employed, and the company hope to increase that number shortly to 30 or 4(J. The Razorback Gold and Antimony Mine, owned by a London syndicate, holding 25 acres of Crown lands and 20 acres under the Mining on Private Lands Act, is situate about 12 miles east of Sofaht, the shaft being down 275 feet on a well-defiued lode of gold and antimony. The company only started work on the 29th October last, and since then has been engaged in getting ready to further develop the mine, the prospects of which are considered favourable. At Leighton and party’s Back Creek Mine there is a shaft 150 feet deep, with a vein averaging 5 inches, running north and south. Sixty-one tons of quartz were raised, yielding 15 dwt. per ton. The exceptionally dry season has much retarded sluicing operations, a.ud consequently there has been a considerahle falling off in the yield obtained by this means. About 2,130 loads was raised, yielding 72 oz., valued at £270. In this Division satisfactory results have been obtained by “Dredging,” which is referred to elsewhere. St1lW’t

TOUJn Division.

In alluvial mining, other than dredging, there has been a large falling off in the gold yield, owing to the cOl1tinuecl drought. The rainfall was much below the average, and only for a few weeks during the year could any sluicing be done, so that nearly all the gold won has been by the fossicker, using the cradb. In quartz-mining matters have been very quiet. The Emma Company, 1900, (Limited), only worked during six months of the year, and was engaged in experimenting on the ore won. A complete cyanide plant has been added to the mine. The Mascotte Mine, owned by the ·Wentworth Gold-fields Proprietary, (Limited), has been shut down, pending the decision in the matter of the amalgamation of the Lucknow properties. About 2,612 tons of stone were raised ill the whole Division, for a yield of 788 oz. of gold, valued at £2,955. The yield from alluvial was 2,389 ounces, valned at £9,205, of which 1,239 ounces were won by the Dredges.

Goulbum Division.

The past year has been uneventful in regard to the mining industry in this Division. A good deal of prospecting and fossicking has been done in the alluvial deposits of the Shoalhaven Hiver and adjacent thereto. In this way some 50 or 60 miners have been able to earn sufficient t.o keep themselves. Twelve claims were registered during the year. Generally speaking, the country on account of its roughness, and the rocky nature of the river beds, is unsuitable for dredging operations. Under the Acts relating to Mining on Private Lands, only one application wag received for Authority to Enter, and no leases were applied for. Bw’rowa, Division. There are at present no permanent gold·mines working iu this Divisiou, but about 10 men have been rossicking at several places in the neighbourhood of McMahon’s Reef and Cunningham’s Creek; they have, it is estimatell, won about 400 oz. of gold, valued at £1,250, in the twelve months. The quartz reef at McMahon’s Reef is at present idle, but there are prospects of its being taken up and properly worked, as the reef is rich in minerals. F7’ogmore Division. The mining industry in this portion of the district is almost at a standstill. Thcre is only one golll·mine working in the loeality, all the other golLl lcases having been abandoned, and the prospects of an early revival of the mining industry are anything but promising.

LACHLAN MINING DISTRICT.

Cargo Divi8ion.

Very little work has been done on this field during the year, the principal reason assigned being the want of capital to work the mines. The Ironclad, owned by the Cargo Gold Mines Company, (No·liability), has been shut down during the last six months, suspension of labour having been granted. All the machinery on the ironclad Mine, with the exception of a 20·hea(1 battery, has been removed from the mine, and sold to a company at Mount Hope. The other mines around Cargo are simply doing prospecting work. At McMahon Bros.’ mine, the” Commonwealth,” a lot of prospecting work has been done, very good samples of ore having been taken out, but the owners are under a great disadvantage in working the property owing to the nature of the ore, which is mostly pyritic, while there is no machinery at Cargo capable of treating this large body of stone snccessfully.

Oudal Division.

During the year some prospecting was done in the Toogong Police paddock, but nothing payable was found. D. J. Hughes has been engaged prospecting on a 5·acre portion on .K Smith’s land, which adjoins this paddock, and although a considerable amount of sinking and driving has been done nothing payable has yet been struck. Baxter and Party, between Toogong and Boney’s Rocks, have been sinking on C. Wren’s conditional purchase 91.208, under agreement with the owner; their shaft is down about 200 feet and shows a small reef, but they have not yet raised any stone. At NangaI’ Valley, near l1urga, R. H. Balmer and Party are prospecting on a 6·acre gold lease, they have opened out on the reef in several places, and have had satisfactory assays from the sam”, but the work so far done has only been prospecting.

F07·/Jes Division.

On Thomson’s lead, about 3 miles north of Forbes, at the present time, six claims are working. The depth of sinking is from 130 to 136 feet. Two of these claims are on payable gold, the average yield being about ~ an oz. to the load. The average depth of the wash is about 2 feet. This lead, or run of gold, has been prospected for a good many months; but, so far, payable gold is confined, as already stated, to two claims. The gold is very patchy, but a good number of men are working on the supposed line or lead, and the place will get a good trial before it is abandoned. A mile and a half north of Thomson’s lead two parties of men are working on what is known as Connell’s Lead. One party is reported to be on payable gold, with w>J,sh from 18 inches to 2 feet deep. The depth of sinking is 140 feet. It may be said that, as regards one of the claims on Thomsou’s Lead mentioned as payable, a washing of thirteen loads gave 14 oz. of gold. From the other claims the yield is estimated as over half an ounce to the load. These are very handsome returns if there should be a quantity of dirt. These claims have been working for twelve months; but Mr. Warden Sharpe is inclined to think that no defined lead will be found, as the adjoining country has been too well prospected. The gold found is probably from stringers out of the main lode or lodes known as “Sinclair’s” or “ Lachlan Gold·fields “ mine, on the east side of which, the claims mentioned are working. On the west side no gold Ims ever he en found. On ‘~he “Lachlan Gold·fields “ minc, the manager reports that during the past year the main shaft has been sunk 82 feet, making a total depth from the surface of 312 feet. A level has been opened at 307 feet, and a crosscut put in west 40 feet. The lode has not yet been cut at this level, but should be met with within a short distance. The 230·feet level has been driven north 470 feet, and south 396 feet along t.he lode. The total distance opened up at this level is 876 feet. Sulphide ores, consisting of quartz·carrying auriferous sulphides of iron, were met with at this level. At the 150·feet level the main lode has been opened DO feet, making the total distance driven on the lode 1,060 feet. A branch lode from the main one has been driven on for 240 feet. No work has been done at the 70·feet level during the year. The machinery on this extensive mine consists of a hoisting·engine and winding·gear, pumping·engine, with Cornish drawlift and plunger pump, a complete 20·stamp mill, 3 cyanide sand·vats, and 3 cyanide sluice· vats. During the last year the battery crushed 10,589 tons of ore for a yield valued at £17,305. The average number of men employed on this mine during the year was 105. In previous reports surprise was expressed that the land adjoining the” Lachlan Gold·fields” (Limited), on the north end, had not been taken up and worked by a compauy. Happily, this is now an accomplished fact. The various leases are amalgamated, and the necessary capital will be availahle for machinery and working the mine; and it is probable that another company will be started. Three large mines in full work would make a great difference in the prosperity of this mining district.

Parkes Division.

At Parkes thc principal mines are the Kohinoor, the Phcenix, The Bushman’s, and the Dayspring. In the Kohinoor Mine, liJ mile south of Parkes, during tho ycar, ovel’ 5,000 tons of quartz have been crushed for a return of £12,000, cyanide returns included. The yield is equal to ~ an oz. to the ton. The reef averages 3 feet in width, and the main shaft is 650 feet deep. This mine has been working for more than nine years. The property was bought by a small syndicate of seventeen shareholders for £9,000. The syndicate has a battery of twenty stampers, concentrating machinery, and a cyanide plant, with three vats which will contain 85 tons of tailings each. Sixty men are employed on the Kohinoor Mine, and the area is 26 acres. A contract has been let to sink the main shaft 100 feet deeper, which will make the total depth 750 feet perpendicular. The Phamix Mine belongs to the same company as the Kohinoor-it was previously known as the Hazelhurst, and the former proprietor realised a yery large amount of money out of the mine .. The syndicate gave £20,000 for the mine. The area is about 9 acres, and the mine has been let on tribute for the last three years to M’Kayand party. The tributors are limited to thirty mell, ant! have had twenty employed during the year. The stone has proved very payable, going as high as 3! oz. to the ton. Tho tribute expircs on the 25th of May, 1901. For thc last threo months the tributors are said to have realised £9 a week a man. Adjoining the Phcenix, another syndicate has a mine called the East Phcenix. On its 5·acre block is a main shaft down 320 feet deep, and a winding plant. The reef is expected to be cut at not less than 500 feet deep. At the Currajong, the old minc, known as the Dayspring, has changed hands, and is now called the New Dayspring. It has been formed into a no·liability comp(l,ny, with a capital of £8,000. In the early part of the year this mine was let on tribute, the yield being 6 dwt. per ton; but the heavy cost of carting and crushing made the return not payable. The The new company is putting up on the mine a 20-stamjJ battery with self-feeders, rock-breaker, and concentrators; [Lnd expects to make a return of 6 dwt_ per ton pay handsomely_ At present they h[Lve a new shaft 12 feet by 4-sunk 130 feeb-on a reef 3 feet wide. The Bushman’s mine, which has been frequently mentioned in previous reports, is now the pi’operty of Mr. james Channon. During tbe last year the mine has been worked on tribute, but has not paid wages. At present only two men are working. The present owner, apart from the tribute worIdngs, has done a little prospecting, but without any result. At 700 feet there is gold for a distance of 700 feet along the drive, but the reef is only 8 inches wide, and the winzes sunk so far on it show that it does not improve. The country is yery hard, and nothing less than 1 oz. to the ton would pay. This has been proved by the tributors, whose stone has been crushed on the spot. There is a 20-stamper battery on the property, and a cyanide plant, with four 40-ton vats. The tailings are favourable for cyaniding. This mine has been worked for nearly thirty years, and some very rich stone h[LS been taken from it. Some tributors, a few years ago, in one crusbing, had a cake of retorted gold weighing 1,700 oz. Some of the stone went as high as 4 oz. to the ton. It is surprising that morc capital is not expended in this Division when the richness of some of the mines-in times past and at the present-is taken into consideration, and one would naturally expect to see a great many more mines at work than there are. The alluvial ground is worked out, except as regards fossickers, and they are non many. There still remains a large area of auriferous country in this Division which has not been thoroughly prospected.

Fifield Division.

The estimated quantity of gold won in this Division duriug the year was 214~ oz., 39t oz. of which were obtairied from quartz. Three parties haye heen working under prospecting aid in this DiYision. A quantity of quartz carrying gold is at grass on the claims in question, but owing to there being no machinery or means of treating the are 10c[Llly it has perforce to remain on the claims. There were a number of prospecting parties engaged throughout the Division during the year, but owing to scarcity of water they were obliged to abandon their search.

Condobolin Division.

At Condobolin the miniug industry has not improved, mainly o~ing to want of sufficient capital. There are a good many tuwnspeople who are willing to expend money in prospect.ing the various reefs near Condobolin, but they have not so far been able to do much, for want of outside assistance. A battery has, however, been erected, and also a cyanide plant. These improvements alone should encour[Lge prospectors. There are nine leases in this Division, and four are being worked with the full complement of men. ‘1’he six months’ suspension granted to the Condobolin Gold-mining and Quartzcrushing Company expired at the close of the year, and it is stated that sufficient capital is now forthcoming to put on the full labour conditions. During the time this mine was in work, a period of six months, 1,500 tons of stone were raised, for a return of 300 oz. of gold. The mine known as “Vinter’s Mine” has been continuously worked throughout the past year, for a yield of 125 oz. of smelted gold from 120 tons of quartz. The gold is worth £4 an oz. Prospecting vork has been done in the mine known as the” Julia Reubins,” but at present it is idle. In the “Surprise,” for which the lease is not yet granted, two shafts have been sunk, one 65 feet deep and one 100 feet. A drive has been put in at the lower level, and a reef, 14 inches wide, carrying payable gale!, has been struck. A reef, discovered ih the 65-feet shaft, is reported as being nearly 5 feet wide, 25 tons of stone from which, when crushed, yielded ~ oz. of gold per ton. Altctown Di-vision. Very little mining has been done in this Division during the past year. The returns of gold from alluvial mining are given as only 150 oz. There are a number of miners in the Division, who only fossick in the creeks and gullies when they cannot get any other employment. The “lonte Carlo Mine, from which some very rich stone was obtained, is at present idle, but will, no doubt, recei,’e attention. later on. Capital is wanted to prove it properly, as it is not a poor man’s reef.

Grenfell Division.

The year opened brightly at Grenfell, as there appeared to be good prospects at the new field, Warraderry (late Tinpot). For some time there were 300 to 400 men employed and waiting developments, hut this number has gradually dwindled down to saine 30 men who manage to make wages. A Mining Registrar was appointed, an office established, and every encouragement and assistance given, but so far the true lead has not been found. Reports by Mr. GeologicalSurveyor Jaquet and Mr. W. H. J_ Slee, Chief Inspector of Mines, on this field will be found in the Appendix to this v6h1me. . The two cyanide works at Grenfell are closed, and the only mines at work are the Young O’Brien and the Oriental. The alluvial miners have nearly all left for regular and more profitable work provided for them on the Railway Construction Works and elsewhere. 1’he amount of gold obtained in this Division for the year is estimated at 930 oz., yalued at £3,557.

Mur’rumburrak Division.

No goid was won from quartz reefs in this Division during the year. A number of miners are engaged fossicking along the CUnningham Creek and about Cullinga and Murrumburrah, and some very fail’ returns have been obtained. The total yield from alluvial is 403 oz., valued at £1,520.

Gundagai Division.

The returns for this year are not quite as satisfactory as those for last year. The yielJ of golrl was 11,062 oz· o dwt. 17 gr., valued at £41,329 !ls. 2~d. This is a decrease of 4,422 oz. 1 dwt. 20 gr., valued at £16,446 12s. 9~(1. The alluvial won was 96 oz. 1 dwt. 17 gr., valued at £382 5s. 4d. The quartz raised and treated was 20,722 tons, which yielded 10,965 oz. 19 dwt., valued at £40,947 3s. 1O~d. The alluvial was won by a few fossickers and prospectors. The decrease in the yield of gold and quantity of quartz tr’ated was caused by the great amount of developing and exploring work being carried on by the Howell’s Consolidated Gold Mines (Limited), and the Howell Exploration Company (Limited). Howell’s Consolidated Gold-mines (Limited).-The work done in the Prince of Vales Mine, at Reno, was as follows :-Shafts sunk, li2 feet; drives extended, 913 feet; cross-cuts driven, 638 feet; winzes and rises. 333 feet; total work of exploration and development, 2,056 feet, at a cost of £3,547 4s. 7d. This proved a body of ore between the 300 feet level and the 500 feet level, to reach which the main shaft has been sunk a further distance of 172 feet below the 300 feet level. To expedite such development work an air compressor and machine-drill plant was installed, at a cost of £850. Other additions to the plant at a cost of £390 were made during the year, increasing the capital outlay under this heading from £17,301 in December, lS!l9, to £18,544 in December, 1900. The change in operations (from extensive stoping to development) led to a diminution of the number of employees. The average number of men employed was 128 as against 225 in 1899. The mine is still being vigorously developed, the main shaft is being continued to reach the 500 feet level, and a dianiond-drill belonging to the Department has started boring a 4-inch core to cut the reef at the depth of a 1,000 feet. The cost is being borne jointly by the two companies, viz. :-Howell’s Consolidated Gold Mines (Limited), and the Howell Exploration Company (Limited). The futnre prospects of the mine depend very materially on the resnlts which will be obtained by diamond-drilling. The Howell Exploration Company (Limited).-The following work has been done upon” The Sybil” mine. Shaft sunk 193~ feet, winzes sunk 118 feet, rises put up 628 feet; levels driven 1,541 feet; cross-cuts driven 828 feet; total explora~ion and development work 3,308~ feet, at a cost of £2,287 58. 5d. The results obtained have not been encouraging. No new payable body of stone has been discovered. All this work has been done at depths of 50 feet, 100 feet, 200 feet, and 300 feet. A Geologist, whose report appears elsewhere. Although it is difficult to obtain reliable information, it is estimated that the yield from this mine for the’ year was 40 tons treated for 2,000 oz. of gold, valued at £8,000. Kenny and Party, at Rima, treated 100 tons for 985 oz. 16 dwt., valued at £3,820. A tunnel was driven 200 feet and cut the lode at 90 feet from the surface. A shaft and winze has been sunk 50 feet. The total depth from the surface is 14.ii feet; the course of the lode is north·west underlying south·west, and is chiefly composed of calcite, quartz, and serpentine. Very little stoping has been done. The average yield of the ore is 9 oz. per ton. No information can be obtained respecting the property held by the Booth’s United Gold.mining Company, as no returns have been sent in. Suspension of the labour eonditions has been applied for, and all work has been stupped. ‘J’emo1’a lJivisiGn. The yield of gold was 2,127 oz., valned at £7,151, being 227 oz. less than that for 1899. 741 oz. were obtained from alluvial’, and 1,386 oz. from quartz, and the treatment of tailings by cyanide. Four applications for gold-mining leases for 28 acres, and twenty applications for authorities to enter under the Mining Laws Amendment Act were received, and thirteen were issued for 59 acres. One new find was reported, but turned out to be unimportant. Nothing but the introduction of outside capital will cause the industry to improve both as regards alluvial and quartz mining. Cootamundra lJivision. ~n this Diyision there has been a revival in mining. The old Cullinga field is being worked and prospected again under authorities to enter under the Mining Laws Amendment Act, and leases under the Private Lands Act. Some years ago rich and payable gold was discovered by .Tames Tilden, and the Tilden Company was formed, but after working for a comparatively brief period it went into li’luidation, as the gold ran ‘f)ut. During the year about fifty miners have been at work upon this field. The” Christmas Gift,” owned by James Boxsell, ‘V. Playford, and J. Ingold, and held under two leases of 9 acres and 11 acres, granted to James Boxsell, treated 2,416 tons 15 cwt. for 3,256 oz. 9 dwt.O gr., valued at £9,671 14s. ‘l’he deepest shaft is 200 feet. There is a level of 60 feet at 164 feet. Another shaft is 130 feet, and there is a drive from shaft to shaft, north and south, 194 feet. All the crushings have been from 114 feet upwards. ‘fhe are was crushed at the battery on the adjoining portion, which is owned by James Boxsell and others. The gold averaged £2 17s. 6d. per oz. Nineteen tons from below 114 feet were treated at Cockle Creek for 4 oz. 18 dwt. 0 gr. per ton. The value per oz. of this gold was £4. Fifty-two tons of concentrates were treated at the same place, and the return was £251, and £37 was obtained from 6 tons, treated at Dapto. At 114 feet the average width of the lode is 23 or 24 feet. The lode consists of gossan and a mixture of ‘luartz, and runs north and south. The gold improves below the water level, but there is vpry ~ittle wlJ,ter as yet. The “Queen’s Birthday” on the south is down 83 feet, and Baulderstone on the north is down 116 feet; but, as yet, have nqt struck the lode. Nq work has been il.one UPOll the leases upon the east and west. H. Venables has two leases, about a ‘luarter of a mile south of the” Christmas Gift,” and has two shafts down about 50 feet each, and has driven 62 feet, east and west. There is a mineralised lode about 50 feet wide carrying gold. From the “”,0 feet level 18 tons were crushed for 8 oz. 11 dwt. of gold, and 12 tons from the 41 feet level for 7 oz. A good deal of work has been done upon some of the other authorities, and work is being carried on upon eighteen different areas. In some a little gold has been obtained, and 25 oz. were won from the” Birthday Gift,” (J. Connell). Steady work is being carried on, and if the “Christmas Gift” lode be struck either upon the north or south the field is likely to prove payable, but as yet the “Christmas Gift” is the only payable mine. A small cyanide plant is being erected upon the field. The total ‘luantity of gold won for this Division was as follows :-2,595 tons 5 cwt., crushed for 4,009 oz. 6 dwt. 7 gr., valued at £12,209.

Wyalong and Wyalong West Divisions.

It is again impossible to separate these Divisions as they simply comprise the Wyalong Gold-field, consequently they are trcatld as one. For ready reference it is well to show, in tabulated form, the progress made in regard to yield and value. Year. Tons treated. Oz. Value. £ 1894 ………………… 6,358 9,649 25,946 1895 ………………… 15,634 24,497 91,864 1896 ……. , ……… , … 18,297 33,495 130,000 1897 ………………… 30,750” 34,370 137,490 1898 ………………… 30,940” 34,582 138,328 IS99 .. , ……………… 15,116 44,675 178,700 1900 .. , ……………… 22,387 32,425 129,700 ‘” These quantities include sand, slimes, aud concentrates. The reduction in yield, in comparison with 1899, is explained by the fact that leaseholderq kept the batteries going on low grade ore, estimated as thirds, and also on mullock, both paying for treatment. There was not any scarcity of water and all reduction plants were kept fully employed during the year. In 1899 only the richer ores were trea-ted, which accounts for the better results. No are or concentrates as far as can be ascertained have been sent out of the district for treatment. In 1899 an average of 1,600 miners were employed, whereas in 1900 only 1,200 were similarly engaged, ’hereduction heing accounted for by the treatment of low grade ore raised the previous year, as already referred to, thus enabling mine· OWners to reduce expenses. The estimated value of machinery is £60,500, and the reduction works comprise :- Nicholas and Raymond’s ……. , ………………………………. Battery, 32 head of stamps. Turland’s (now’1’rue Blue) …………………………………… “ 25” “ Neeld and Sons’ ………………………………………………… “ 20” “ West’s ……………………………………. “…………………… “ 10” Channons’ ……………………………………………………… Huntington Mill. Duncan Noyes & CO.’s ………………………………………… Cyanide plant. Stephenson’s ….. ………………………………………… …… “ Spiers’ ………………………….. ,……………………………… “ “ Sully’s …… ……………. ……………………….. …………… “ “ Neeld and Sons’ ……………………………………………….. Chlorination plant. Sully’s …………………………………….. “………………….. “ “ In addition to the foregoing Messrs. Neeld and Sons are erecting a cyanide plant at their mine, and have also provided air compressors for working rock drills. Only the best machinery and appliances are on this mine, and the fortunate owners are not sparing expense in having everything complete and up to date. At the close of the year Mr. Turland sold his battery to the True Blue Gold-mining Company, which intends keeping it wholly engaged on are from its own mine. Only two batteries are therefore ava-ilable now to crush for the Imblic, viz. :-Nicholas and Raymond’s and ‘West’s. These are not capable of meeting the requirements, and unless two or three more are erected inconvenience and loss to some of the mine·owners will probably ensue. The richest and most productive mines on thc fieW arc-Ncelfl’s No.1, depth 300 feet; True Blue, 560 feet; JJllClmow, 532 feet; Bantam Itud L:trl~’ ([race (am”lg:tlllatc:!), 6,10 feet; ,Tunction, 646 fect; Slmmrock-cum-Varatah, 460 feet; and Forget-me-not, 2(;0 feet. The pl’esent state of the othcr mines mlty be summarised ItS follows: -Uolden Fleece, depth 420 feet, good prospects, recf 15 inches; Klinks, 510 feet, work confined to prospecting; Kimberley, 260 feet, prospecting; Dead Rabbit, 250 feet, prospecting; Golden Treasure and Brilliant, 500 feet, prospecting; Great Britain, 450 feet,a rich narrow vein passed through; Mltllee Bull, 430 feet, prospecting; Klondyke, 470 feet, good prospects; Sauta Claus, 175 feet, prospecting; Yye and party, 130 feet, prospecting; Appeal, 230 feet, good returns; Red Flag, 170 feet, sinking; Hampden, 318 feet, prospecting; Union, 210 fect, prospecting, good; Perseverance, 280 feet, prospecting; The Daisy, 400 feet, prospecting; &c., &c. Qnite a number of the foregoing leases gave fair returns and a few nil, as work has been confined to sinking main shafts, driving at lower levels, &c. The Hongkong Syndicate, which is represented by 1’111’. J. Yhear Roberts, has been sinking and driving on the vVhite Reef all the year without success. This is to be regretted as a large sum has been expended_ The company, however, holds some valuable property adjoining, including the Four J’s, Welcome Stranger, and the Barrier, which will no doubt recoup the outlay. A strong syndicate, formerl at Charters Towers, Qneensland, has acquired a good extent of land, and propose starting operations as soon as all the leases are grauted_ This will give an impetus to the field, as the sinking will extend from 1,000 to 2,000 feet to catch the underlay of the Mallee Bnll (Neeld’s and True Blue) line of reef, which is the richest yet discovered. This syndicate, having proved the occurrence of rich mineralised reefs elsewhere, to upwards of 2,000 feet in granite country, very similar to that of Wyalong, seems confident that the permanence of the reefs on this field, at a similar depth, can be fully demonstrated. There is not any diminution in the value of highly mineralised ore at the lowest depth, as the average, by bulk treatment, is 5 oz. to 24 oz. When it is considered that a large quantity of low-grade ore and mullock has been treated, the general average for the year of nearly 11, oz. to the ton must be regarded as very satisfactory. The population is apparently unaltererl, the decrease from 1,600 to 1,200 miners as comI!ared with the previous year is fnlly made up by the increase ot prospoctors in the neighbourhood, which are indicated heretlnder. Kildury.-At this station, which is about 32 miles south-westerly from Wyalong, and about a similar distance westerly from Barmedman, a large number of Authorities to Enter have been issued, and prospecting is proceeding vigorously with satisfactory results. The reefs are a good width and carry a payable quantity of free gold. Several crushings at Wyalong have taken place, with the result that more applications for holdings have been lodged. Should the prospects continue good a 20-head battery will no doubt follow, and a profitable field will be established before the elose of the year 1901. Hiawatha_-This place is also private land and is situated about 9 or 10, mile~ north of Wyalong. A number of Authorities have been issued, and the work of prospecting has been courageously pursued with varying prospects. Several narrow veins of rich free gold have been struck, and the present miners are testing the permanence and increase of width at greater depths. . Bartley’s Find.-This is a large outcrop of reefs about 3~ miles east of vYyalong, which had been worked to a depth of 90 feet some years ago. The conntry is ironstone amI granite, the reef averaging about 9 inches wide, and former battery tests gave 10 to 15 dwt. to the ton, which would haye paid if there had been a battery on the ground. Unfortunately, the cost of carriage of the ore prevented the working miners, who previously held the ground, from persevering. A Wyalong syndicate has now secured the ground, and operations will be commenced immediately. Alluvial.-A great deal of prospecting has taken place, by private individuals and the Government, in the search for alluvial, but, unfortunately, without success. The Department has put down eleven bores on the sonth end of the rich reefs, and a similar nnmber is being put down in the Ti-tree Gully, 3 miles north-easterly of Wyaloug. Forbes and party have sunk to a depth of 98 feet abont 5 miles easterly down the same gully and 8 miles east from Wyalong, on the Back Creek Road, which is on the fall from vYyalong to Lake Cowal. They had not succeeded in bottoming the shaft at the close of the year_ Wyalong, undoubtedly, ranks high as a gold-producing district, and if an alluyial find he made the population would quickly increase to a large extent-a consummation much to be desircd.

Barmedman Division.

The Fiery Cross is the most important mine in this Division, and has been n-t work ,luring the gran-tel’ portion of the year. Thc plant consists of a 7-inch pump and a lO-head battery, to the yalue of £3,500. Yater is yery hcayy, Itnrl It 1O-inch pnmp is required to cope with it, sufficiently to allow sinking an,! driving to bc carric,l on uninterntptedly. Rich free gold has boen struck in It winze some 40 fect below water-level, 1tl1f! other ’crv rich veins Itrc known to exist; but these cannot be worked until the main shaft has been sunk a sufficient depth to effectually drain thc wholc mine. This lease has produced good returns in the past, and there are promising indications that the present owners will reap a rich reward. The ‘White Cross-an adjoining lease-has b3en sinking and driving with fair prospects, cutting several promising veins. The water in this property, as, indeed, in all the mines at Barmedman, is very heavy; but the lessees have a 1O-inch pump, which can cope with the greatest flow. The mrtin shaft is down 190 feet; but it will rcquire to be snnk a further depth of 100 feet before opening out on the Fiery Cross reef. . Hitherto miners have been driving, at shallow depths, which has resulted in loss and delay. Jackson and party have a claim on the Fiery Cross line of reef-a crushing of 66 tons yielding the satisfactory return of 179 oz. This line of reef runs through the northern boundary of the town, and in addition to those named, “”. entworth and Tucker and several other claims are at work, and all appear satisfied with their prospects. Conway and Sons’ lease on the Phamix Reef is situated about 22 miles south-easterly from Barmedman. Having rIone well in the past, the lessees are sinking to a much greater depth. At 220 feet the reef is good; but they are determined to sink 50 feet fnrther before opening out. The returns show that for the Division 2,278 tons were treated for 745! OZ” value £2,922, When the small number of men employed is considered, the return is lery satisfactory, especially in view of the fact that by fltr the greater part of the work done has been sinking and prospecting.

YaZgogrin Division.

On 11th September last the Depsrtment resnmed Waldron’s Paddocks, containing 2,560 Iteres, qnite close to the town, at a cost of £1,500, with the result that a good number of gold leases have been applied for, and which will be granted in due course. As the whole of this land has been proved auriferous it is more than probable there will be It satisfactory development in the near future. If the railway be constrncted to Vyalong there will be a marked improvement in this field by the necessary introduction of capital and population. Gold-reefing is the only mining, and the deepest shaft is very little in excess of 200 feet, and the water leyel has not been reached, the work done being principally of a prospecting character. The average yield for the past five years has been from 2 to 3 oz. per ton. During the year 5;~5 tons were t.reated, yielding 1,103 oz., valne £3,490 15s. 6d. This field has been at the mercy of working miners, with very limited skill in the industry, and capital should prove it one of the most permanent and best paying of our gold-fields. The reefs, near the surface, are small and rich, but improve with depth. There is a 1O-head battery which could readily be kept going all the year round. The miners allege that the owners charge too high for crushing, with the result that it is most of the time idle. Numerous stacks of second-grade ore are at grass, bnt for the reason alleged they are being augmented, and none treated. It is reported that a company is about to acquire the Black Coon, Piccaninny, Democrat, and Autocrat Miues, from which highly payable returns have been obtained in the past. Two or three good companies would send this field ahead by leaps and bounds_ Only 45 miners are engaged on development work, the balance are prospecting in the neighbourhood. A new reef has been discovered by Anderson and party on the northern boundary of Waldron’s lease-now resumed-it is slightly underlying to the east and bears east of north by west of south. It averages 8 inches in thickness, and has every appearance of permanency. A crushing of 5 tons yielded 43 oz. 14 dwt. It is to be regretted this field has been so neglected by competcnt miners and spcculators, but direct railway oommunication will no doubt be established at an early date, ami an improvement in this dircction may safely be looked for. Nariah.-This place is about 14 miles distant, in a south·westerly direction from Yalgogrin. A large reef has been opened up by lUI’. Stanley, who erected a battery and crushed 200 tons for a small return. ‘1’he ore is refractory, and the course of securing the concentrates for treatment at Dapto or Cockle Creck has been adopted. Reejton Dh·ision. As foreshadowed in a previous report, there has not been any improvement during the year. Only one lease has been at work, by Landers anrl party, who erushed 375 tons for 325 oz., value £1,275. Not more than £100 worth of machinery has been left on the fiehl. Water is very heavy, and although sevcral valuable reefs are known to exist below the water level, the ordinary miner is unable to cope with it. This ficlrl offers a remunerative investment to a company provided with the necessary capital.

Young Division.

A disappointing and unf[\’ourable year is reported, the yielrl of gold and the ;’:lmber of men employed showing a falling off. The decrease in these particulars has been observable during the past three years, and may be traced to the fact that alluvial mining in shallow ground is, in this Di”ision, almost, if not quite, an inrlustry of the past. Except in a few localities the wash can only be found in payable quantities at depths varying from 30 to 60 feet. Strong efforts, involving considerable outlay of capital, have becn made in the past to rleal with the wash at these depths, but in every case operations harl to be abandoned owing to the impracticability of dealing with the heavy bodies of water encountered. These efforts, however, have clearly proved the existence of highly payable wash, and the prospects are now much brighter as operations have recently been commenced by the Burrangong Gold-dredging and Sluicing Company (Limited) to treat the ground to a depth of from 30 to 72 feet by means of hydraulic sluicing.

Narrandera Division.

The” Harry Smith,” the only mine of proved value on the Narrandera gold-fields, has been idle during the twelve months, in consequence, it is alleged, of want of water, but mainly believed for lack of adequate capital to open the mine in a proper manner. . This property appears to have been hitherto worked AntiL’ely in the interests of the working shareholders who have followed the lode down on the underlay with a view to immediate profit until the hanlage of ore aud water became nearly impracticftble. The necessary working shaft has not been commenced, aLldno exploration in advance has been underttken, Prospecting in other districts has been carried on without any noteworthy result.

Junee Division.

In this Division increased activity has been displayed during the year, and slightly better results have been obtained. Operations have been carried out continuously by the Howells’ Consolidated Gold-mines (Limited). At the” Dust Hole” Mine a ten-stamp battery was erected, and commenced working in September last. Developmental work was pushed on vigorously during the whole year, the total work done being :-Shafts sunk, 200 feet; levels driven, 687 feet; winzes sunk, 150 feet; rises put up, 105 feet; total, 1,142 feet. A cyanide plant hag been purchased, to be run in connection with the battery, and the prospects of this mine are decidedly encouraging. The output for the year was valued at £1,775. At the Doctor’s Reef Mine, held by the Howells’ Exploration Company (Limited), systematic development is proceeding, but the results so far are disappointing. Baker and party, of Junee Reefs, report a return of 113 oz. of gold from 58 tons of stone. At Wantiool, 7 miles east of Junee, 55 oz. of gold were won from the lode by two parties, and 20 oz. by another party from the alluvial. At Eurongilly, 21 miles east of Junee, a party working old tailings through a cyanide plant report a return of 200 oz. from 700 loads of sand. The field appears, however, to be otherwise entirely deserted. Want of capital is generally alleged to he the chief obstacle to the development of thc mineral wealth of these districts, and their future would seem to depend on the successful development of “Howell’s” Mine. The company holding this ground is supported with adequate capital, which is being skilfully used in exploration, and should they be able to declare a dividend, there is no doubt but that the much needed capital would flow in. Many of the reefs worked in these districts were rich at the surface, hut got poorer as sinking proceeded, until, with the appliances used, the cost of working exceederl the returns. ‘With up to datc machinery and plant these abandoned reefs might be made to yield a profit on the outlay. Mr. Warden Martin invites especial attention to thc reefs at Vantiool, nertr Junco, which, in his opinion, arc well worthy of examination by mining investors.

TFMUT AND ADELONG MINING DISTRICT.

Albury Divlsion.

Mining in this Division during thc year was confined to a small amount of prospecting work, the results being represented by 121 oz. of gold, valued at £43L All the projected dredge mining operations in the vicinity of Bungowannah Park haye been abandoned.

Corowa Division.

The only mining in this Division is that at the Oorowa Deep Lead Company’s ,.yorks near Corowa. The Company’s lease is on private property and contains 1,180 acres. There are two shafts, one for hauling purposes 146 feet deep, anrl the main shaft 386 feet deep. No sinking has becn done during the past year, but the drive from the main shaft has been extended to 770 fect in a southerly direction from the main shaft. It is anticipated that some 500 or 600 feet more will havo to be driven before thc wash is encountered. The cost of the plant :>,nd machine1’y is over £9,000, and the total expenditure about £170,000. The Company is in receipt of Government aid. Walvulldrie Div/sion, There has been a little desultory mining for golrl in this Division luring the year. The only quartz reef worked is the” Goodwood,” held by Mr. C. T. Martin, who has a cyanide plant on the gronnd and has treated a quantity of tailings with fair results.

Germanton Division.

A few men have been engaged during the year at the Four-mile Creek gold-field, in prospecting and shaft-sinking, with indifferent success. Operations had ceased at the close of the year owing to lack of capital and water. Adelong Division. The yield of gold for the year was 11,870 oz. 9 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £42,616 18s. 3d., being a slight decrease upon that for 1899. The alluvial won, other than that obtained by dredging, was 644 oz. 5 dwt. 14 gr., valued at £2,478 Os. 4d. The localities whence this was obtained were Adclong Creek, Upp8r Adelong Creek, West Creek, Sharp’s Creek. The operations at these places, with the exception of Adelong Creek, have been fossicking, and no finds of any importance have taken place. lO-D The The Gibraltar Gold Mines (Limited), at Shepardstown, is now the owner of a very large area of Adelong Creek, formerly owned and worked with profit by the late A. D. Shepard, and intends testing the remaining large unworked area, and, if such be satisfactory, is prepared to work with the best machinery and appliances. The quantity of quartz treated in the Division was 16,516 tons, for a yield of 11,919 oz. 1 dwt. of g?ld, valued at £39,725 Is. The mines contributing to this yield were the Gibraltar Consolidated Mines, The Caledoman Company, The Challenger Gold-mining Company (No-liability), The Proprietary Gold-mining Company, and the “Prowse and “\7 ood ward.” The Adelong Proprietary Gold-mining Company sank two shafts to a depth of 50 feet each on an eastern channel, with fair prospects showing. Hitherto work was confined to one channel, and the ground has not been thoroughly prospected •. The Caledonian Gold.mining Company raised 440 tons, which yielded 742 oz., va~ued at £2,875. Sinking was c:trl’ied on to strike further chutes. This property has been placed under offer to the Glbralt:tr Company, and, if the sale takes place, it will be systematically worked and developed. .’ The Gibraltar Gold Mines (Limited) employed from 2aO to 270 men. Developing and exploratIOn work was carned on throughout the whole length from Shepard Shaft near the creek to Sir Henry Parkes Shaft, a distance of 2,400 feet. Shepard Shaft was recently sunk from the surface, and a cross-cut has been commenced at a 100 feet. Perkins Shaft is being sunk below the 270 feet level, and has reached a depth of 355 feet. O’Brien’s Shaft is being sunk below the 655 feet level, the present depth being 733 feet. At Sir Henry Parkes Shaft a cross-cut is being driven at the 300-feet level. The total amount of ground opened up in drives and cross-cuts was 2,300 feet, principally at Radcliff, O’Brien’s and l’erkins’ Shafts. Shafts were sunk 340 feet, and winzes 500 feet. The number of machine drills in use were from sixteen to twenty. . There is some hope that Fletcher’s Caledonian Extended, Camp Reef, Stringy Bark, and Kurragong Mines will be worked with payable results. But nothing short of capital and the latest appliances will be sufficient to further test and work many of the other minos. Sufficient local capital cannot be obtainecl owing to the depth and nature of the country. l’he machinery plant in the district is valued at £63,000.

Tumut Division.

The mining industry did not improve during the year in this Division. All the gold won is alluvial, and, as far can be traced, the quantity was 745 oz., valued at £2,795 4s. Id., but it is impossible to obtain a complete return. One htmdred and sixty (160) tons of quartz were raised, but could not Le treated owing to the want of a battery. One has now been erected at Billapeuta, and will shortly be working, and good results may be expected from the various reefs.

Reedy Flat (Batlow) Division.

During the year 1900, 201 miners’ rights were issued from this office, as against 196 for the preceding year. The amount of gold won in this Division is very difficult to ascertain locally. The gold which passed through the hands of t.he local storekeepers was 1,460 oz. ; but, in addition, some gold was sold in Adelong, of which a record is not obtainable. In the immediate vicinity of Batlow, very few fresh finds are reported; but, with the improved methods of working, more gold has been obtained. A new reef has been discovered near Adelong Creek, about 2 miles from Batlow, showing gold freely, but no stone Ims been crushed. A deal of work has been done by Timmins and Party on Walsh’s Dyke; but, so far, nothing payable has been found, the stone crushed averaging only about 1 dwt. to the ton.

Tumbarumba Division.

There has, during the year, been a distinct decrease in the number of men employed. The number of miners’ rights issued being 351,211 for six months, and 140 for twelve months, there being thus 245 rights in force for the full year, The noticable feature of the year has been the very rich deposits of alluvial gold found at Cherry Hill. These were found on Leases Nos. 694 and 696 (T and A) and were reached by tunnelling under the basalt. The adjoining lease, No. 695, is now being tested, and if the run of gold be found on this lease it will be a good indication that the deposit is not merely a narrow patch, as at present appears to be the case. The ground worked on. leases 694 and 696 has heen very narrow, but exceptionally rich, the gold found being very coarse-not waterworn-and much above the a.verage in price. Several leases have been applied for in the locality, and the present indications are that the land is only suitable f01’ lcasing; if the existence of a lead be established, however, the land may be suitable for claims, although this is very improba.ble. Quartz-mining has been practically non-existant for the year, none of the land held being worked, while no good claims, or reefs, have been found on private lands. Although the number of miners employed is getting less with each year, the quantity of gold won is keeping well up to the average; this is accounted for both by the rich finds at Cherry Hill, and by a better system of working being generally adopted, the miners falling out being” fossickers.”

Tooma Division.

The mining industry in this Division is not in a: flourishing state. The only alluvial miners are at Toolong Diggings, and a few on the various creeks in the district. The men working in the Dargals Creek at Toolong are all making fair wages, some few of the men averaging to £2 lOs. per week for the whole year. . There are also three quartz claims at Toolong, the leaders being only 2 or 3 inches wide with good gold through them. These claims are only down some 20 feet, and it cannot yet be stated how they will tnrn out. The mines at Ournie are not now being worked, but a Melbourne syndicate recently pegged out the old Isabella Reefs, and intend shortly to commence work. Gold is the only mineral mined for in this district. There is apparently room for some twenty or thirty practical miners during the summer months at the alluvial workings at Toolong, and a large extent of promising country worth prospecting for reefs in the same locality.

Wagga Wagga Division.

In the Wagga Division no mining has been carried on during the year, with the exception of a crushing of 100 tons stacked ore at Pulletop, by Brakenreg and party, from which a return of 7 oz. 4 dwt. is reported. In this locality wolfram and tin are known to exist.

Cooma and Kiandra Divisions.

There is a considerable area of country at Kiandra, lying between the New Chum Hill, where sluicing operations have been successfully carried on for the past thirty years or so, and the Nine-mile, where gold in payable quantities has been won. At the Empress Miue, at Nine-mile, extensive operations are now being carried on, 300 oz. of gold, valued at £I,?OO, .havi?g bee~ obtained for six months’ work. There appears to be a large scope for the profitable employment of capltalm thIS localIty. The leases held at Bushy Hiil have, witk scarcely an exception, been under suspension of the labour covenants dtlring part of the year. . . Blake ~nd party. have erected a small battery, e,):ld two other holdings are being floated into companies with an mcr~ased capItal. O~vmg. to the refractory nature of the ore, and the difficulty of successfully coping with the water, the contmuance of operatIOns IS almost beyond the present owners, and capital is absolutely necessary for the devclopment of the mine~. ‘With this object an effort is being made by many of the owners to amalgamate their interests, and with Do furtber vIew of greater eC0l!0my in working. This field has in the past been greatly retarded by the want of capital. ‘York. has been carried on steadily at the Gray Mare’s Bogon” Mine, with the exception of the winter months, when operatIons were interfered with by the heavy falls of snow. 0 :Fair returns have been obtained from some of the mines on the Cowra Creek Fielrl, but the want of means for dealin,g with the refractory orcs and the difficulty and expense in sending the ores away for treatment severely handicap the mme-owners. Very little work has been done on the Fiery Creek Field during the year. Oaptain’s Captain’s Fla~. Never before has the mining industry in this Division worn so forlorn an aspect as during the past year . . At the Lake George Mines (Limited) the attempt to treat the gossan ores by cyan~ding has proved a failure. Expenments showed that these ores could apparently be successfully treated, and a cyalllde plant was erected. In operation, however, the process was found inefficient, the first trial proving that the cyanide solution would not penetrate the gossan to any extent. Agitators were then tried with some degree of success, but the output of the mine could not be treated so as to pay working expenses, and the whole plant was consequently closed down. Very little prospecting work has been done in the mines during the year, and the sulphides have been totally neglected. No smelting has been attempted and the furnaces have been shut down. T~1e ~ake. Ge?r~~ North Prospectin~ Company has abandoned its work, as have all the other Companies pl’ospectmg m thIS DIVIsIOn. Hundreds of mmers have been compelled to seek fresh fields, and the population has greatly decreased. Bungendore Division. Mining in this Division during the year was almost wholly confined to prospectincy for quartz reef. The results obtained were poor, and the future prospects are not at all encouraging. 0 Gttndal’oo Division. There are only three alluvial claims on gold in this Division, and the wash is not payable. ‘Working is confined to the bed and alon,g the banks of Brooks Creek. No quartz has been treated or mined during the year. Ya$~ Divilion. No new finds were made during the year, and with the exception of a few leases worked for alluvial at Spring Range, about 40 miles from Yass, mining generally was at a standstill. Some 4,018 loads of alluvial were raised for a yield, valued at £753. A quantity of quartz has been crushed by Mr. R. Young, at Nanima, but no clean up had been made at the close of the year.