pumps and bailing-tanks were raising about 5,700,00N gallons a day, and by the 2nd of September the water was reduced to the 816-feet level. The eastern unit at Grubb's shaft then started, and a week later about 8,100,000 gallons a day were being raised. On the 30th September the water was reduced to about the 970-feet level. The flood-gates at the 1100-feet and 1000-feet levels stood the heavy pressure very well, and enabled the pump in Grubb's shaft to be put in. At the main shaft the lower set of poles were under water for eleven and a half weeks (that shaft being too near the lode for flood-gates to be of any use), and this caused much anxiety, as the failure of any of the valves would have placed too great a pressure on the flood gates, and drowned the pump at Hart's shaft. The winding-engine at Hart's shaft and the steel head-gear which were made of exceptional strength, in case they should ever be required to deal with a burst of water, saved the situation.

Mining Operations.-1100-feet level. The necessary

flood-gate having been built, the main crosscut was continued for 117 feet, cutting the lode at a point where it proved to be 9 feet wide, value 27 dwts. of gold per ton. No. 151 rise was started in hanging-wall stone as an escape pass, and holed to 1000-feet level in 107 feet, width taken 2 feet, value 14 dwts. of gold per ton. Everything was ready for rapid development at this level when the flood occurred at Blythe's Creek on the 25th June, but nothing further could be done until about the middle of October, when the mine water was reduced to a normal condition. Mining operations were not fully resumed until the 3rd November. The 3rd unit of the company's magnificent pumping-plant was started on the 6th December, so that with the enormous pumping capacity now available it is improbable that any future burst of water would cause serious damage.

Shafts.-Grubb's shaft was sunk during the year 400 feet, to a depth of 1028 feet, which was reached on the 30th April. Sinking was again resumed early in Decem

ber. It is now to be sunk to 1250 feet, and a crosscut extended from the bottom level to cut the lode. The two pit-work chambers at the 500-feet level have been finished, as well as those at the 1000-feet level. The balance-weight chambers at the 350-feet, 400-feet, and 800feet levels (two each) have been completed, and the two remaining ones at 900 feet are nearing completion. The size of this shaft is 8 feet by 32 feet 1 inch in the clear; speed of sinking last 400 feet being 133 feet per week. The large chambers at 500-feet and 1000-feet levels are, over all, 112 feet by 14 feet wide and 25 feet high. The total cement foundations placed in the various chambers was 3782 cubic yards. The timber from the surface to the 500-feet level is 15 inches square, and below that level 12 inches square, placed throughout in frame sets, 4-feet centres. In the two chambers at 350-feet level the ground proved too heavy for the timber, and had to be secured by concrete. The heavy pressure of the swelling ground above this level buckled a number of the frame sets, and broke some. The swelling has now ceased.

Hart's Shaft. This shaft has been sunk a further depth of 31 feet; total, 1139 feet. total, 1139 feet. At the 400-feet level two feet by 12 feet by 281

balance-bob chambers, each 37 feet, have been completed; two chambers at 900-feet level have also been completed. The shaft has been enlarged from 1050-feet level to 1100-feet level, to make room for two 20-inch plungers. The water at 1100-feet level is at present held by one 14-inch bucket. The crosscut from 1100-feet level to Grubb's shaft has been completed, and is used when required as a water-way between the two shafts, also as a means of filling the stopes with material from Grubb's shaft.

The foundations for the 2nd and 3rd units of the pumping-plant have been completed and both engines erected, together with air-separators, condensers, and auxiliary engines.

The purchase of Wyett's tramway, 3 miles and 30 chains in length, with plant, was completed in December, 1905.

This tramway connects the mine with Beauty Point wharf. During nine months 18,802 tons have been carried, of which 554 tons were on account of the public. Mine development has been carried on vigorously at the different levels, footwall drives extended, flood-gate at 1100feet level put in, air connections made, and the ventilation of the mine much improved.

The Bonanza Gold Mining Company had sunk its shaft to 600 feet in the early part of the year, since which time work below has been suspended, pending the erection of a steam-winding plant. When this is completed sinking operations will be resumed down to 1000 feet, at which level it is expected the continuation of the Tasmania reef will be cut.

North Tasmania Mine has been worked by a tribute party, with only moderate success.

Moonlight-cum-Wonder Mine.-Some trenching and costeening has been done, but nothing payable has been discovered.

Tasmanian Alluvial.—T. B. Williams and party. Tributers from Tasmania Company sunk a shaft 55 feet on Block 166, but have not so far met with any success, water being too heavy.

Tasmanian Tailings Syndicate has been running the cyanide plant consistently, and is getting fairly good

returns.

East Tasmania Company is boring on its property for the Tasmania lode. The Australian Goldfields Diamond Drilling Company has the work in hand.

Lefroy.-No development of value has taken place during the past year. The New Pinafore Company has done a good deal of prospecting at Specimen Hill and other places, but without discovering anything payable.

The Nugget Prospecting Association, after considerable work, sinking and driving, failed to cut payable stone. Tregurtha P.A. fixed up a small steam-winding plant to unwater an old shaft at what was once known as the New

Monarch Gold Mine, but its efforts were unavailing. A recent discovery made by Mr. George Barker near Back Creek has caused a move to be made in that direction.

Mount Victoria.-The Long Struggle Company, after getting a few small crushings, was eventually driven out by water. The company has recently sunk an underlay shaft 30 feet on another portion of the lode, and got a crushing out. The New Ringarooma Syndicate has not succeeded so far in getting capital into its mine, although the prospects are very encouraging. At the New River Freehold shaft sinking had to be suspended owing, it is said, to want of funds to erect a pumping-plant; the mine is now idle.

Mr. Williams' cyanide plant had a successful run for a time, until the tailings on his claim were used up. There are other heaps of tailings on the field which would probably pay to cyanide.

Mathinna.-Tasmania Consols: New steam-winding plant complete and air-compressor have been installed during the year. Poppet-head gear has been erected, and the equipment of the mine generally improved. The shaft has been sunk from the 1200 to the 1600 feet level, and crosscuts have been driven from the 1500-feet and 1600feet levels respectively. Towards the end of the year Mr. R. A. Canning was appointed general manager.

New Golden Gate.-Work during the greater part of the year was confined to getting stone from small veins at two or three places in the old levels; also prospecting in the southern end, by extending a long crosscut east from No. 5 level, sinking a winze north of the crosscut at No. 17 (1600-feet) level, and driving south on the lode at the same place. No discovery of value was made at any of these places. The winze at the bottom level (No. 17) was sunk on a good body of stone carrying gold, payable for the first few feet but not so good as depth was attained. The question of sinking the main shaft to a greater depth, probably to 2000 feet, remained in abeyance for a long

time. Finances and other matters had to be adjusted before this work could be undertaken. It is, however, gratifying to know that all obstacles have been removed, and that the further sinking of the shaft below No. 17 was commenced early in December.

Volunteer Group.-Work at these mines has ceased altogether, save for the cyaniding of tailings at the Volunteer Mine, which has been carried on since the mine shut down a year ago. Work at the other two mines, Volunteer Consolidated and Volunteer Consolidated Extended, was discontinued in the latter half of the year.

Scott-Pickett Gold Mine Company.-The adit level was extended 84 feet south on the lode, and some stoping done. Main shaft was started, but proceedings had to be suspended owing to the influx of water. A small steam pump was put in, and sinking resumed at the close of the year.

Burns Creek Gold Mine, Blessington.-Work was discontinued for a time towards the close of the year, more capital being required. The prospects of the mine appear to warrant further expenditure.

Waterhouse Field.-Another trial is being given to the Prince Imperial Mine. Mr. John Wren, of Melbourne, has taken up a lease, and a mine manager has been appointed, and the work of unwatering the old shaft is now proceeding.

At Woody Hills the Murray Bros., and at Lynchford the May Gold Mining Company, have each crushed small quantities of quartz, for returns which have no way advanced the position of quartz mining on the West Coast.

Alluvial.-A limited number of men eke out an existence at Flannigan's Flat, Harris Reward, the Queen River and its tributaries, and at and around Darwin.

SILVER-MINING.

The past year has witnessed the firmer establishment of the Zeehan field as a mineral-producing centre. Very marked increases have taken place in the production of ores. The mines generally are in excellent condition, and