Ruby. —The Inspector, Mr W. Rowe, says in his last report to the Directors of this mine, that the last contract let lias been satisfactorily carried out. The country, he states, is still rather hard, but improving. Two or three small leaders have been passed through within the last few fathoms, in one of which gold hae been obtained, and the appear ance of the stone is most satisfactory. There is no doubt now but that the cross cut is approaching a lode. Herald Battery. —The Junction No. 2 tribute part/ arc now crushing a parcel of stuff with ten head of stampers at this battery, and this will be tbe last stone put through for some time. On the com pletion of this crushing the boiler is to be taken out, and thoroughly overhauled and cleaned, the bricks for building it in again being already on the ground. Al terations too will be made in the battery room, and amongst otliei improvements we understand that a large number of lier dans will bo erected in addition to those already up. No more time than is abso lutely necessary will be occupied over these alterations, a great portion of the necessary timbers being now in readi ness to be placed in position. In a short time from this wc hope to see not only this battery but also its big neighbor, the Imperial Crown, in full and constant work. Long Drive Tribute Co.—Mr Walker lias lost no time in getting tilings in readiness for conducting operations on an extensive scale. Two chambers have been cut out close to the main tunnel in the Company’s ground, the hoppers and all being fixed ready to receive the dirt as it comes down from the rises. A tramway lias also been started from the present ex isting one to the Herald battcrv to con nect it with the Imperial Crown machine. It will be along the land side of the beach road until opposite the battery, and will then branch off to it. By this means the crushing dirt can be delivered from the mine to the stamper boxes with only once being handled. Black Angel. 