WARDEN'S REPORTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 274, 1 May 1873, Page 10

WARDEN'S REPORTS.

The following is the report of Mr Warden Borton for the qnarter ended March 3 let, last : — . Hince my last report there has been but little change in minitfg matter to chronicle. Clainrhblders have been generally engaged in preparing for the winter s work, and if the river should continue to fall as it his done for some time past, I anticipate a busier season than has been witnessed at the Teviot for some years. lam happy in being able to Itftte that the Pioneer Quartz Company in tbjft^distriot- has been so far successfully floated that a sufficient number of shares have been, taken up to admit of the further prospecting of .the claim, and I understand the contract. haa breri let for putting in a drive to fully test the ground. At Campbell's and other out-lying portions of the district the miners, have <again been suffering from an insufficient supply of water, and I anx inclined to the opinion that the climate is gradually becoming drier than in former years. Farmers were rather unfortunate in their harvesting operations,' a great quantity of wheat being cut at the time of. one of the heaviest falls of rain we have had this summer. I believe, however, the yield throughout the district has been up to the average, and if the loag-talked of flour-mill were iv existence, tbe farmers would not have much to complain of. The population has been somewhat increased this quarter, chiefly by tbe influx of Chinese, who muster rather numerously in the Lower Pomahaka. I would estimate the numbers to be :—Europeans 1,100, Chinese 250; total, 1,350. The following is the report of Mr Warden Simpton (Ounstan district) for the quarter ended March 31:— . I have the honor to hand you the statists cal .returns for the quarter ended 31st March, 1873. Ihe comparison of those with tbe previous quarter is not favorable, the gold escorted, the great criterion of the actual prosperity of a mining district, being little more than half that of the previous quarter. The chief reason is the continued dry weather. During the past four months there has not been 48 hours' rain. The frosts are now sitting' in, and I fear the effects will be still more prejudicial, not only to the mining but the pastoralfifterest also. Already stock, particularly on fhe commons, begin to fall off 5 this is partly,' perhaps, to be attributed to the want of proper regulations — fiißt, as te those who should run stock ; and second, the quantity each person entitled ought to run. The enly part of this district that has 'benefited from the dry season is the Nevis, 'and 'from it the yield of gold has been greater than for many previous years. Ita^ .is flic explanation of that, 'in the JjUuvial worJtindj^ which consist almost enjfiridy of- ground sTnicing water as the main agent cannot i be dispensed with, although mechanical means might be more resorted to for raising it from permanent sources ; but I am astonished that in a dry district likV.thir \ltez&jr iltf? tXSfITf- iJXiXi xa. the quartz and otsjsr-;wqvkings. Many- of the reefs are undoubjftjdly payable, boijh at Carrick and Bendigd;. but »t requires to be a very rich f and extensive reef that will admit to h$ from work for six months •ut of 'the twelve. I have no doubt that, even at Bendigo, where fuel is not so very convenient, steam would pay, particularly in the case q| the Bendigo Company. There is one notable instance of a coalmine which has been at a standstill for the last nine months for want of water power, where steam might be used' with a three-fold advantage. Indeed, it is the question offjevery stranger— why is not steam used to fffcmp the mine out, and an unlimited supply of water procured fer the town of Clyde ? Failing the erection of a reservoir in Wai-keri-keri gorge, I think the Municipality might make arrangements with the owner of the mine for a steam engine. One good? sign of the district is the fact that the unfavorable season has not sensibly diminished the population, notwithstanding the absence of that great adjunct to a mining district, agriculture. Nor have the miners lost their energy, as witness the efforts that are being made to overcome the natural want of water supply, in bringing into the Cromwell district the .Carriek water race* into the Clyde district the Ohatto creek, and into that of Alexandra the Gorge race, at an outlay in the total of not less than L 20.000. All are considered good speculations, particularly the two first mentiojsejL js^^ The river JAf^fWmXf^^ng fallen to a very Jow level, (attention is being directed to dredging, and *a particular to the best mode of overcoming the never ceasing flow of tailings in 'that great tail-race. The pneumatic tube system has now been fairly tried, and- 1 think, may 'fee said to be the best, enabling the miner to descend and make ocular exam* inatioßt.of the river bed. The company who have- introduced this system have only been moderately successful, owing principally to the small scale of their dredge, and to the want of some sort of iron fender across the bows of their punt to divert the stream of tailings. So satisfied, however, are min«rs with the system, that Hastie and. Co. , owners of a river claim which proved very remunerative with the old spoon dredge, have given orders for a tubular dredge that will cost about L 2.000. The tubes are to be nine feet in diameter ; so that if sufficient means are provided for the quick elevation of wash-dirt and diversion of tailings, it 'ought to be a success. Steam is to be the motive power, as it is in that of the other company. Two other dredging companies have been got up— one to use the. steam harbor dredge, the other the submarine boat. ° The following statistical information . is appended to the report : — 70 water-races, valued at L 30.00 0; 50 tail-races, at LIO.OOO ; 22 dams, at L 1,500 ; and 200 to 250 ground sluices. Total population of district : 950 European and 500 Chinese alluvial miners, and 150 European quartz miners. There are 1,600 mining companies in the district, and these employ machinery of the value of L5p,000. Tbe registered companies in the .district number 16, whose aggregate nominal capital is LI 08, 100, and paid up L 41.700. The Carrick Water Supply Company's application for a Government 'subsidy has been approved, but th« Company has sot yet rewired, ft subtjdy,