THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND, (REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1876 Session I, H-03

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1876. NEW ZEALAND.

THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND, (REPORT ON).

(Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 3rd August, 1869.) " That it 13 desirable that the Government should cause to be laid upon the Table of this House, during each Session, a Report embodying a general account of the present condition of the Q-old Fields of the colony, their advancement or otherwise during the preceding year, and their probable prospects; together with particulars showing the average price of provisions during the year on each Gold Field, the rate of wages, estimated population, and such other information as would afford a comprehensive idea of the general condition of the mining interest in the colony; and that His Excellency be requested to forward a copy of such Report to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies."—( Mr. W. H. Harrison.)

Mr. C. E. Haughton to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Wellington, Ist July, 1876. I have the honor, in accordance with your instructions, to forward a General Report upon the state and prospects of the Gold Fields; with Appendix containing Reports by the Wardens upon the districts under their charge, and Statistical Tables. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. C. E. Haughton.

REPORT. In presenting this Report drawn up in accordance with the order of the House of Representatives and containing with the Appendix a variety of information furnished by the Gold Fields Wardens and other officers, I may state that I had early in the year the opportunity of visiting the gold fields, although in a very hurried manner, and can therefore confirm by personal experience the very favourable accounts given in the Reports as to the settlement of the people upon the land under the agricultural lease provisions of the Gold Fields Acts, and the deferredpayments system in force on the Otago Gold Fields. The Wakatip District, which not many years ago I recollect as a mere sheep-run and badly stocked for that, is now a flourishing agricultural county, only wanting the ready means of reaching a market, soon to be afforded by the Winton and Kingston Railway, to render the population independent of the accidents of gold mining. In Tuapeka where, before the discovery of the Gold Fields, beyond the immediate neighbourhood of Tokomairiro, there was hardly a settler between that place and the Clutha River, for a distance of over forty miles there is now continuous settlement, and farms may be counted by hundreds. The Wardens all speak of the progress of settlement and the increasing demand for laud, and in many cases testify to the value at which that already brought under cultivation is estimated in the market. Most of the settlers are persons who have made money in gold mining or who combine the two pursuits, which, being in most cases men with families, they can do with facility and advantage. With regard to the gold mining interest itself the results of the year, as shown by the statistical tables, are very reassuring, and seem to indicate that the worst times are past, and that now reactionary improvement may be looked for. The yield of gold is slightly less, the revenue greater, than last year, whilst the population has not materially altered. Upon this point it may be remarked that the demand for good labour in other pursuits, which, notwithstanding the number of immigrants introduced, undoubtedly still continues with the contingent of high wages, necessarily absorbs a number of men who would probably otherwise take to mining aud do well at it. The character of mining also-is very different to what it was in the early times of the gold fields : now a man without capital can hardly do else than work for wages; he can do this in the centres of population, and naturally under these circumstances many prefer the town to the country. There has also beeu a considerable exodus of real miners to the Queensland Gold Fields, especially from the West Coast and Auckland. As in former years, I

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have been unable to obtain from mine owners and managers information asked for, which might be some guide to the economics of gold mining. In very few instances have the circulars issued for the purpose been taken any notice of. Fragmentary details are of course useless in arriving at definite conclusions. Gold. The quantity of gold exported during the year 1875, was 355,322 oz., of the value of £1,407,770; and during the quarter ending March, 1876, 83,276 oz., valued at £330,523. In the two preceding years the exports were as follows: —1873, 505,337 oz; 1874, 376,388 oz. The decrease in the yield of 1875 upon the yield of 1874 being 21,066 oz., as compared with the decrease of 1874 upon 1873, viz., 128,949 oz. A comparison of the yield of the different gold fields for the year 1873, 1874, and 1875, shows that the decrease has been greatest in the Otago Gold Fields, and least in the Marlborough and Nelson South-west Gold Fields, viz., — 1873. 1874. 1875. oz. oz. oz. Auckland Gold Fields .. 119,449 .. 76,910 .. 69,485 Marlborough,, .. 1,274 .. 1,198 .. 1,159 Nelson „ .. 100,164 .. 85,727 .. 92,637 Westland „ .. 102,034 .. 77,446 .. 70,618 Otago „ .. 182,416 .. 135,107 .. 121,423 It may be interesting to note that the total known export of gold from New Zealand from Ist April, 1857 to 31st March, 1876, has been 8,038,571 oz., of the value of £31,315,309. Tables 5, 6, and 7 of the Appendix, give the details of the statistics quoted above. Silver. The export of silver for the year 1875 was 29,085 oz., of the value of £7,560. There has been no export during the quarter ending March last. The comparative yearly export of silver since the first export in 1869 is as follows :— 1869. 1870. 1871. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. oz. oz. oz. oz. oz. oz. oz. 11,064 .. 37,123 .. 80,272 .. 37,064 .. 36,187 .. 40,566 .. 29,085 from which it appears that the yield during last year was the smallest since 1870. This may be accounted for by the comparative failure of the Auckland Gold Fields, since up to the present time the whole of the silver export has been from that province. The recent discoveries of galena in Westland and Nelson render it reasonable to hope that an export of silver from those parts of the colony may be recorded next year. The results of assays of galena ore found in Mount Rangitoto, in Westland, have been, according to official reports, of a very promising character. Mr. Warden FitzGerald (vide Appendix No. 7) says, inter alia, —" The important late discovery of a rich vein of galena ore on Mount Rangitoto may be next mentioned. The prospectors spent some months in prospecting the lode at the sacrifice of both time and money; happily their efforts have been crowned with a well-deserved success. They forwarded some of the ore to Melbourne to have it tested, and the result of the assay gives from 120 to 140 oz. of silver to the ton —an exceptionally large percentage of silver." Re the discovery of silver ore in the Collingwood District, vide Mr. Warden Guiness's report, Appendix No. 14. The total export of silver to the end of 1875 has been 271,361 oz. Revenue. The total revenue derived from the gold fields of the colony during the year 1875, as partiralarized in Tables 1 and 3 of the Appendix, was £88,516, and during the quarter ending March, 1876, according to Table 2 £20,164. Thus, notwithstanding the decrease in the yield of gold for the same period, there is an increase in the revenue of the gold fields for the year 1875 of £4,973 as compared with that of 1874, and of £99u for the quarter ending March, 1876, upon that collected during the same period last year. The iucrease has not of course been uniform upon all the sources of revenue; some show a decrease. The comparative statement given below, compiled from Table 3, shows that the Increase has been upon — Decrease lias been upon— Miners' rights. Business licenses. Gold mining leases, rents, &c. Registrations of water-races, sluices, &c. Fees, &c, Wardens' Courts. Registration fees. Survey fees. Gold duty. Depasturing licenses. Miscellaneous, including rents from agricultural leases.

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This statement is a summary of the information given upon Table 3, and shows the amount of the increase or decrease in each source of revenue upon the several gold fields for the year 1875, viz.:— Miners' Rights. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Increase. Decrease. Increase. Decrease. Auckland .. £1,772 Nelson .. £260 Auckland .. £92 Nelson .. £30 Marlborough 4 Otago .. 70 Westland.. 84 Westland 369 Otago . . 83 Survey Fees. Nelson .. £732 Business Licenses. Westland .. 124 Auckland .. £18 Nelson .. £747 Otago .. 80 Marlborough 5 Westland 508 Depasturing Licenses and Assessments. Otago 138 Auckland .. £11 Otago .. 5,213 Water-races, Slucies, Sfc. Auckland .. £5 Nelson .. £109 Miscellaneous. Westland .. 3 Otago .. 4 (Under this heading is included the rent from ■ agricultural leases.) Gold Mining Leases, Rents, Sfc. Nelson .. £194 Auckland.. £15 Westland .. £13 Auckland.. £252 Westland .. 13 Otago .. 1,013 Nelson .. 295 Otago .. 1,176 Marlborough 36 Gold Duty. Registration. Nelson .. £705 Auckland £1,030 Auckland .. £171 Nelson .. £318 Marlborough 4 Marlborough 1 Westland 11 Westland 736 Otago .. 15 Otago 1,362 A comparison of the revenues derived from the gold fields of the respective Provinces, for the last five years, gives the following result:— 1871. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. £ £ £ £ £ Auckland Gold Fields.. 45,674.. 21,657.. 17,956.. 13,160.. 13,877 Nelson ~ .. 25,496 .. 24,043 .. 19,359 .. 18,563 .. 18,435 Marlborough „ .. 483 .. 520 .. 293 .. 279 .. 237 Westland „ .. 23,699.. 19,616.. 15,853.. 12,863.. 11,298 Otago „ .. 38,858 .. 40,344 .. 37,055 .. 38,678 .. 44,659 Mining Population. The diminution in the numbers of the mining population, upon which I had to observe last year, has, it would seem, been checked; the total number of miners upon 31st of March last was 16,639 as against 16,424 upon the same date last year, to which number it had fallen from 18,142 upon 31st March, 1874. It must, however, be noted that the number of Chinese miners has risen during the last year from 3,638 to 4,194. The comparative return of the gold-mining population in the different Provinces for the years ending 31st March, 1875 and 31st March, 1876, is as follows :— March, 1875. March, 1876. Auckland .. .. .. .. 1,768 .. 2,052 Marlborough .. .. .. .. 115 .. 54 Nelson .. .. .. .. 4,350 .. 3,903 Westland .. .. .. .. 3,588 .. 4,111 Otago .. .. .. .. .. 6,603 .. 6,519 The comparative numbers engaged in alluvial and quartz mining respectively, upon 31st March last, are shown as follows :— Quartz Miners. Alluvial Miners. Auckland .. .. .. 2,052 .. .. — Marlborough .. .. .. 4 .. .. 50 Nelson .. .. .. .. 792 .. .. 3,111 Westland .. .. .. .. .. ..4,111 Otago .. .. .. .. 281 .. .. 6,238 It thus appears that quartz mining occupies only about 19 per cent., or a little under onefifth of the total mining population • and that the Auckland Gold Fields have not yet developed any alluvial workings, although great hopes were entertained at one time of the Ohinemuri District.

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The Chinese, who confine themselves entirely to alluvial mining, are spoken of in very favourable terms by the Wardens, and appear to a very great extent to have overcome the prejudices formerly existing against them. They set a valuable example by their industry and thrift to the European population. Their undoubted success in mining operations is mainly owing to their thoroughly understanding and carrying out the system of co-operative labour, and applying to its direction great intelligence and an almost instinctive knowledge of hydrodynamical laws, whic enable them to apply the water at their disposal in the most economical manner. It is a subject of regret that these inoffensive and industrious people are not likely to become permanent colonists ; and in judging of their character, the Chinese miners must not for a moment be confounded with that class of their countrymen who infest the Australian cities. Tables 10 and 11 give details with regard to the mining population. Rates of Wages and Prices of Provisions. There is no important difference between the rates of wages and prices of provisions given in Tables 12 and 13 appended hereto, aud those quoted last year; notwithstanding the large introduction of immigrants, very few would appear to have found their way to the gold fields. It will be observed also that the Wardens remark upon the scarcity of labour during the busy seasons, and the very great demand for female domestic servants. Water Races. The return of water-races, tail-races, dams, reservoirs and ground sluices, Table 14, which must be understood to be only approximate, differs little from that of last year. Mr. Warden Simpson, of the Dunstan, appends the following remarks to his return : —" The water supply in this district having been for years taken up, very little change takes place in the number of water-races. Within the last four years there have been only some three or four new water-races constructed to bring in fresh supplies, and there are two in course of construction. Several races have changed their course from one locality to another, and others have passed into disuse, but they are comparatively few. Tail-races, dams, and ground sluices are constructed every few months, and fall into disuse about as often as that. No correct estimate can be formed of number and value in the district." Mr. Warden Carew, of Mount Ida, notes : " The Government race and channel are not included in this return. (2.) The sluice heads quoted are those granted; in almost every instance the quantity mentioned in the licence is greatly in excess of the actual supply. (3.) Another source of error is that very many races are constructed only to take water from other races, or to use water a second or third time." Machinery. The value of the machinery used in gold mining is returned this year at £520,903, as againts .£508,072 last year, but both returns must be considered only approximate. Mining Companies. Table 17 shows the number, nominal capital, and paid-up capital of the gold mining companies registered under "The Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 1865," "The Joint Stock Act," and " The Mining Companies Act, 1872," and the total gives a slight increase upon the return of last year. Gold Mining Leases and Licenses. Tables 18 and 20 show the particulars of the gold mining leases and licenses, under the Gold Mining District Acts, in force upon 31st March, 1876. These compared with the returns of last year are as follows :— Gold Mining Leases. Auckland. Marlborough. Nelson. Westland. Otago. March 31, 1875.. 32 .. 9 .. 229 .. 24 .. 197 March 31, 1876.. 17 .. 9 .. 166 .. 17 .. 170 Licenses wider Gold Mining Districts Acts. Auckland. March 31, 1875 .. .. .. .. .. 137 1876 .. .. .. .. .. 172 Agricultural Leases. The Return of Agricultural Leases is given in Table 19. The decrease in the number of leases in the Province of Otago is to be accounted for by the fact that a considerable number of the leaseholds have been purchased in freehold by the lessees under the provisions of "The Gold Fields Act, 1866," and a large number of leases have also been exchanged under " The Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872," for leases under the deferred-payment system ; in the Tuapeka District alone no less than 132 of these exchange leases have been issued for an area of 5635 acres, and the freeholds of 57 agricultural leases have been purchased. In the Province of Nelson it must also be observed that the number of agricultural leases by no means represents the whole extent of agricultural settlement, since the Nelson Waste Lands Act of 1874

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empowers the Waste Lands Board to grant leases on the gold fields, and considerable areas have been taken up in this way. A special report upon the agricultural leases in the Hauraki Gold Mining District South (Ohinemuri) will be found in the Appendix. Water Supply upon the Gold Fields. I have not thought it necessary to compile returns upon the subject, as these will, in accordance with the annual practice, be appended to the Public Works Statement. Conclusion. The tables showing Gold Fields Revenue, under its several classifications, and the Export of Gold and Silver, have been furnished by the Secretary to the Treasury and the Acting Secretary of Customs, and will be found to afford every possible information upon these subjects, compiled in a most clear and comprehensive manner • and I desire to take this opportunity of ackowledging the courtesy of Mr. Batkin and Mr. McKellar in affording me such valuable assistance in preparing the Appendix to this Report. C. E. Haughton. P.S. —Since the above was in type I have received the following telegram from Mr. Warden Keddell, relative to the striking rich gold in the Kapanga Mine, Coromandel: — Coromaudel, 10th July, 1876. Kapanga Mike.—This Company struck the old Kapanga reef on 6th instant, 300 feet from surface, after driving 420 feet from tbe bottom of shaft. Reef cut just below the old workings of the late Company. Some rich gold specimens were obtained from the first contact with the reef. Directly tbe reef was cut through, the accumulated water in old workings flooded the mine. Works temporarily stopped in consequence, but will be drained in about a fortnight. Beef about four to five feet thick ; about North aud South, with an average dip of 45 degrees, and cut about the sea-level. Jackson Keddell, Warden.

THE FOLLOWING- REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE APPENDIX WAS PRINTED. No. 1. Mr. Warden Willis to the TJndeb Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Dunedin, 6th May, 1876. Herewith I have the honor to forward you statistical returns relating to the Hindon District of the Otago Gold Fields, for the year ended 31st March, 1576. I regret that I have not anything to report upon favourably, but the people engaged in mining pursuits in the district, only some 106 in number, including Chinese, are nearly all permanent residents, and only devote their attention to mining when they cannot find other work to do. The revenue for the district for the year has been £518 10s., the price of gold £3 15s. per ounce, and the quantity of gold obtained, so far as I can learn, is only some 620 ounces. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Public Works, Alex. Willis, (Gold Fields Branch,) Wellington. Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Robinson to the TJndeb Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Naseby, 27th May, 1876. In reply to your telegram of yesterday's date, I have the honor to report, in reference to gold in the line of the Naseby Sludge Channel, as follows :— 1. I was absent from Naseby, on duty, when the the report of the discovery of rich wash-dirt on the line of the channel became current and found its way into the columns of the local press— vide the Mount Ida Chronicle of May 19th, enclosed herewith. 2. On my return I made it my business to make inquiries, and on Monday, May 22nd, I went down the channel in company with two or three other persons and saw a number of prospects washed. The result of these trials was to satisfy us that there was very good sluicing ground in the bottom of the portion of channel now under construction. I enclose, for your inspection, the results of two dishfuls of stuff. No. 1 was taken from the bottom of the channel, and IN o. 2 from 1 foot below the bottom of the channel, as cut. 3. On the evening of the same day a public meeting was held, the report of which will be found in the Mount Ida Chronicle of this day's date, of which also I enclose copy. The Mr. Newman who spoke at that meeting was one of those who accompanied me, and the figures quoted by him were taken from notes made on the spot. These figures show that in the present contract (of 95 chains from the 2-mile 15-chain peg to the 1-mile peg) the channel is being cut with such a rise that, while at the 2-mile 5-chain peg the bottom of the trench is 2 feet G inches down in the auriferous wash, it is at the 2-H. 3.

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1-mile 40-chain peg as much as 2 feet above the wash-dirt. It is of course evident that where the bottom of the channel is not lower than the auriferous wash-dirt, it cannot be used for working the ground in its immediate vicinity : hence the anxiety caused by the discovery of a good deposit of gold at and below the level of the bottom of the channel. 4. To make this report intelligible, it is perhaps necessary for me to inform you that the whole length of the channel, as surveyed, is 10 miles, and that the miles are numbered from the upper or Naseby end downwards. The lower 8 miles have been made and finished with paving. A contract is now in progress to bring the work on to within 1 mile of its upper termination, or to what is known as " the 1-mile peg." It is understood that the first or highest mile of the channel as originally surveyed will not be made at all. 5. Plans, which I have had an opportunity of seeing in the hands of the contractors, show that the depth at the 1-mile peg was at one time intended to be only 6 feet 9 inches; afterwards, in consequence of public agitations, the levels were so altered as to make the depth at the same point 19 feet 3 inches. When the lower part of the channel was in progress, Mr. Green and Mr. Arthur, the engineer, visited the works, and, as I am informed, made an arrangement with the contractors to bring the work up at 4 feet less depth. In the present contract there is a still further sacrifice of depth, the plan showing the depth at the 1-mile peg to be only 10 feet instead of 19 feet 3 inches. 6. In the Mount Ida Chronicle of to-day, under the heading " Sludge Channel Levels," it is stated that there is an error in the plan, and that the depth at the 1-mile peg should be put down as 12 feet instead of 10 feet, thus involving a sacrifice of 7 feet of possible depth, instead of 9 feet, as was apparently the case. Of course the other 3 feet mentioned in the Chronicle make no real difference in the actual depth of the channel, being merely the result of its being deviated from the lowest run of the gully into rising ground at the one side, thus involving an extra 3 feet of cutting, without affecting the real levels of the bottom. I have myself seen the contractor, who admits that he will have to cut to a depth of 15 feet at the 1-mile peg as now placed; but showed me the lower lying ground from which it had been shifted. 7. The portion of the channel now in progress is being brought up at an incline of 1 in 592, while the portion immediately below it has an incline of only lin 6211; and it is argued that, if the present portion had been continued at the 1 in 6211 incline, it would have worked as well, and the needful depth have been attained, and this without any disturbance of the 8 miles of constructed channel below. 8. With regard to the alleged error in the plan, and the alterations made in the levels, I do not of course advance any opinion, as I have had no communication with the engineers on the subject, and have no certain information. 9. But, as a mere layman, I venture to state that I do not think there was any necessity to make the grade so much steeper as the channel comes up. The ordinary experience of miners is that if a tail-race starts with a quick fall and becomes flatter as it goes farther, it is very liable to choke at the lower end. 10. Tou will see by the Chronicle that the Provincial Engineer has declined to adopt the suggestion of the public meeting, to increase the depth of the portion of channel now being made, at the expense of sacrificing a portion of its length. It is to be presumed that this decision has not been come to without consideration and sufficient data, as the District Engineer (Mr. Browne) was here last week when the excitement was at its height, and had his attention specially drawn to the fact that the bottom of the channel seemed to be merely skimming the golden drift, instead of being made deep enough to work it by sluicing. Mr. Browne has tho reputation of having a practical knowledge of mining, and I cannot conceive that he would recommend perseverance in the making of the channel at a level that must lock up a great quantity of good sluicing ground, unless he had some very sufficient engineering reason for doing so. 11. The statement in the Mount Ida Chronicle of to-day, that " the levels run on an average 2 feet 6 inches in the non-auriferous bottom," is so entirely at variance with the observations of myself as well as Mr. Newman and others, that it is only explicable upon the assumption that the levels as run will be considerably deeper than the excavation at present made. Upon this subject, however, we must have definite knowledge within very few days, as the contractors propose to commence laying the stone pavement next week. 12. A very large extent of ground is being held in claims awaiting the opening of the channel. No doubt much of this ground can be worked into the chanuel at the present depth, although the fact remains that the deep ground can only be got at by bringing up all the available fall. If, therefore, the Government is not prepared to lay out another £1,000 on the present contract to attain the additional depth, it would be best, in my opinion, to allow the contractors to finish the work as it is. I have, &c, H. W. Eobinson, Warden.

CORRIGENDA. Report upon Marlborough Gold Fields, p. 22, first and second lines, should read " The population , . . being now increased to about fifty men." Return No. 18, p. 43, Mining Leases, Lyell.— For "12—133 2 36—268 0 0" read "18—134 2 36 —298 0 0," six having been erroneously returned under the Gold Mining Districts Act. Return No. 19, p. 43, Agricultural Leases, Ahaura.— For " 99—5,495 2 11—631 18 6 " read " 124— 6,407 2 11—738 6 6," No-Town Sub-district having been omitted. Return No. 20, p. 44, Licenses under Gold Mining Districts Act.— Delete the return from Nelson.

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APPENDIX TO REPORT ON THE GOLD FIELDS 0E NEW ZEALAND.

WARDENS' REPORTS.

OTAGO GOLD FIELD. No. 1. Mr. Warden Beetham to the Under Secretary for G-old Fields. Sib, — Warden's Office, Queenstown, Ist April, IS7G. I have the honor to forward to you my annual report upon the Queenstown District during the year ending 31st March, 1876. Prospecting. —There has been little or no prospecting undertaken during the past year, either in quartz or alluvial mining, except in the direction of following up and developing areas of country already known to be auriferous. On the whole, mining operations throughout the district have been characterized by extreme dulness, and the yield of gold, as compared with that of the previous year, shows a decrease. Alluvial Mining. —The partial collapse of the Shotover Terrace Gold Mining Company has caused inactivity in the prosecution of alluvial mining. Much was expected from the employment of the large capital of the company ; unfortunately little has resulted therefrom. There is, however, a large extent of terrace ground held under the extended claim regulations, which is being steadily worked with fairly payable results. The river claim held by the New Channel Company is expected to prove a very remunerative undertaking. The works are prosecuted with great vigour and judgment. Quartz Mining. —There are three reefs which are being actively worked—the Nugget, the Phoenix, and what is known as Southberg's Eeef. Powerful batteries are in operation on all three reefs. The Nugget Company are at present engaged in driving an expensive tunnel at a low level, in order to cut the reef at a point about 300 feet below the present workings. This company has recently found it necessary to increase its capital. On the Phoenix the tributers have struck extremely rich stone, proving the reef to be a very valuable one. It is worked by a battery of thirty stampers, driven by a very powerful turbine wheel. Southberg's Eeef shows a great improvement as far as the quality of the stone is concerned. Agriculture. —Nearly all the land which is available for purely agricultural purposes has been taken up under the Agricultural Lease Eegiilations or the deferred-payment system. A considerable area of land has been purchased during the year, and a large number of agricultural leases, held under the Gold Fields Act, have been exchanged for leases under the deferred-payment system. The crops throughout the whole district are of the finest quality, and have been housed in the most perfect condition. The whole of the area known as the Wakatipu Commonage has, with the exception of reserves for great cattle, been cut up into small sheep runs. A portion of this commonage was sold about two years ago, and the remainder will shortly be submitted to public auction. This is undoubtedly the fairest plan, and is a sure way of ascertaining the true value of country. Compared with the rent of tho large runs held by the old pastoral tenants of the Crown, this country has realized an enormous sum as rental, about 200,000 acres of it bringing in £7,000 per annum. The completion of the railway to Kingston will very materially enhance the value of both agricultural and pastoral holdings, and will no doubt tend to remove, in a very appreciable degree, the general depression which at present prevails through the district. During the year ending 31st March, 1876, the gold produced and escorted from Queenstown amounted to 12,727 oz. 9 dwt., as against 15,207 oz. 1 dwt. produced during the previous year, showing a decrease of 2,479 oz. 11 dwts. Attached I beg to forward the usual statistics for the year. I have, &c, Bichmond Beetham, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Stratford to the Unbeii Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Arrow, Ist April, 1876. I have the honor to report upon the Arrow District, under my charge, for the year ending 31st March, 1876. At Cardrona, during the past year, scarcely any change of a progressive tendency has occurred, either under the head of mining or trade. The European population has decreased slightly during the twelve months, numbering at present about 90, of which number 70 are miners : the Chinese number about 300. The European miners (with the exception of a few located at the head of the Soaring Meg) are exclusively occupied at deep-sinking in the terraces inimediatelv adjacent to the township, I—H. 3.

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and hydraulic sluicing at Branch Creek. The failure of several claims during the past year has caused considerable depression in business and trade. The Band of Hope special claim was, after a prospecting trial of two years, finally flooded out. The Enterprise, another large claim, is also idle, it having been abandoned by the party who worked it on tribute. Highly payable runs of gold are known to traverse this claim, having paid as much as £30 a week a man. This claim has been worked, oft' and on, during the last nine years ; the quantity of water met with has been the great drawback to success. Twenty-five feet of water is now standing in the claim, which is materially checking the progress of claims situated lower down the lead. The Banner of War, another special claim, was sold by auction last October, and no work has been done in it since, although half of the claim has never been prospected, and there is every probability that payable runs of gold exist in it. The principal claims now working are the Try Again, or Hodgson and party, and the Empire Company's claim; the latter, especially, have gone into operations very extensively, and, owing to the immense quantity of water accumulated in the workings of the claims that are idle, it is necessary for this party to keep two powerful pumps, driven by water power, constantly going in order to bring up the deep levels, on which work the party has been engaged during the last six months. Only one lead of payable gravel, about 20 feet wide, has been crossed as yet. It is the intention of this party to continue the deep level across the claim, when no doubt other payable runs of gold will be met with. Above the township, two parties of miners have beeu prospecting country adjoining where the rich lead of gold was lost some years ago. After a trial of twelve months, involving considerable outlay, they have succeeded in striking payable gold. Tho Chinese, as a rule, are confining their operations to old workings or ground abandoned by Europeans, and, in proportion to number, they are producing a larger amount of gold than the Europeans. Several parties have left for China with considerable sums of money. The Chinese located on Cardrona seem a very orderly and well-conducted people. I have not heard of a single case of misdemeanour during my residence here of nearly four years. At Branch Creek, about four miles below the township, about twenty miners are at work, engaged at hydraulic sluicing, with a prospect of several years of profitable employment. Both above and below Branch Creek payable sluicing country is known to exist, which, owing to the want of fall for tailings, will no doubt remain idle until several parties unite in bringing up a sludge channel. A few Europeans and about twenty Chinese are engaged in mining at the head of the Roaring Meg. The escort returns from Cardrona average about 100 ounces per week, and may be put down at 5,000 ounces during the past twelve months, which, considering the number of miners employed, will bear favourable comparison with any alluvial mining district in Otago. Cardrona undoubtedly presents a large field for mining enterprise ; and should the parties now prospecting the deep ground succeed in striking a rich lead, confidence would be restored, and further prospecting continued down the valley. The terraces on both sides below the present workings are also known to be more or less auriferous, and will no doubt be properly tried as the present creek workings become exhausted. The late quartz discoveries at Twelve-Mile have caused a prospecting association to be formed, with a view of testing the quartz reefs abounding in this locality. The association keeps two experienced miners prospecting, but up to the present time no payable stone has been struck by them. In the Kawarau division of the Arrow District the principal sluicing operations are at Gibbston. The claims there have been continually worked for several years past; and, though the ground now being worked yields the same proportion of gold to the area as hitherto, the returns for labour expended are much less than when they were first opened. This is owing to the gradual encroachment into the terrace, every washing necessitating an extension of tail-race, and every extension requiring a greater depth of channel in order to maintain sufficient fall for sluicing; and as the tail-races are cut into the rock, the labour expended on constructing them is a great drawback to the miners, and will eventually cause the claims to be abandoned. The water supply is principally from Deep Creek, and has been very good throughout the year. Above Deep Creek, also, on the opposite side of the river, there are a few parties at work, making wages. Below the Victoria Bridge there are three parties at work, but the returns are low. The last winter was very mild, and but little snow fell. The spring was late, cold, and frequent showers, the rainfall being beyond the average. This was of great service to those who depend upon a good supply of water for sluicing, and was also beneficial to the crops. The summer has been intensely hot, more especially in the early part of January. In November a heavy fall of rain was the cause of much damage to the roads, tho traffic being stopped for a few days, owing to a large portion of the road at the sandhills having been swept away. The supply of coal to the Arrow and Queenstown districts is obtained from the only coal pit now open on the south side of the Kawarau. It is an extensive seam of good coal. A bridge across tho Kawarau would cause a considerable reduction in the price of coal. In the Whitechapel division, mining matters during the last twelve months have been very dull, and the number of miners reduced to about six. The few men on the Crown Terrace are not doing much, the ground being too deep and heavy to pay. Having a good water supply, we may expect a turn in events, as the agricultural leases, covering the right to about 200 acres, have expired, and will be taken .up anew with clauses providing for mining operations without hindrance, the purchasing clause also being excluded. In the Bracken's and New Chum division of tho Arrow District the population at present is twelve Europeans and twenty Chinamen, the smallest, perhaps, ever recorded of Bracken's since it became a gold field. Very few of the Litter remain here during winter, but its future population must necessarily be small. Creek workings formerly supported a considerable population, but as they became worked out parlies have gradually disappeared, and their places are now almost solely occupied by Chinamen, who are working ground which has been gone over in many instances more than once before. These men are making, perhaps, from £1 to £2 per week. Sluicing is now the chief kind of work carried on to any extent, and no doubt, were water more abundant, it would support a greater

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population. Plfttow and party, who have been here a long time, and whose operations are on a large scale, have been employed for the last twelve months in various expensive undertakings, preparatory to opening their claim by a new face at its lowest extremity, for the purpose of obtaining more fall, an object with them almost indispensable, but which they could not hitherto attain in consequence of another party (whom they bought out at considerable cost) holding rights immediately under their claim. The chief part of their claim consists of a deep gutter, probably an old creek bed, running through a terrace, the front of which is a bluff reef, rising perhaps 200 feet from the present creek bed; and the depth of their face, when they reach it (which they hope to do in a week or two), will be something over 100 feet. They use an india-rubber hydraulic hose, and have a pressure of over 150 feet. They command all the water available, and when their two reservoirs are added it will be equal to ten sluice-heads. The work done hitherto has been at the upper end of their claim, and has paid about £10 per man per week, and they expect it to continue as good, or even better, with more fall for their tailings. Other sluicing ground is being opened in Bremer's Gully, a tributary of Bracken's, by a party on a high terrace (perhaps the highest alluvial workings in the Arrow .District), with every appearance of success. Becently a few miners have opened some new ground immediately below the old workings. Tunnelling has also commenced in a low terrace with prospects of fair success. There are a few miners opening up new ground at the bottom of the upper gorge of New Chum Gully, where a rich run of gold was followed some years ago and lost. It is supposed to have taken to the terrace, and these men have already had fair prospects in following it. The gold is generally throughout this district of the same character, being coarse and nuggetty and much water-worn. There is great'probability of payable gold being found higher up these gullies and terraces than it has yet been looked for. About two or three miles of Bracken's G-ully proper and the upper part of it still remain unworked, although coarse specks have been occasionally found in that quarter. (Gold found here for the last twelve months is about 450 ounces.) Quartz reefs have not hitherto been searched for, but doubtless they exist, from the fact of specimens of quartz gold being often found on the surface. Although probably 3,500 feet above sea level, the climate is excellent and very healthy. Sickness is seldom heard of. The winter is rather severe; 3to 4 inches of ice will form sometimes during a single night, which impedes the sluicing operations. Domestic fuel is very scarce and locally unattainable, the Chinese having cleared away every particle of scrub for miles. Peat has been used for five or six years, but that too is nearly exhausted ; speargrass well dried is now the chief stay, and coals are being introduced and delivered here at £4 10s. per ton. The cost of living in this locality is about 255. a week, the miners having their gardens well cultivated, the vegetables growing as well as at Arrow, but later in season. The Arrow Valley. —It was from this portion of the district so many of our oldest residents left for the Palmer rush, and I was of opinion last winter that the river-bed workings had been exhausted. Arrowtown had always received great support, commercially speaking, from the population up the river, and the trade became much depressed when packing stores in this direction became unnecessary. I am glad to be able to report that the abandonment was only temporary. The Palmer fever has abated. Many of the miners have come back and set in to work on the old ground with a will; and in an extraordinarily short space of time several parties (of about four to each company) have traced the lead of gold and obtained payable gold, at £3, £4, and £5 a week a man. Of the large companies registered under the Limited Liabilicy Act, the Sons of Fortune has, after ten months' hard tunnelling (blasting with lithqfracteur), and only one slight accident to two men by a premature blast, succeeded in reaching the golden ground, having passed through a seam of rich ground without working it until they have finished the extreme block. They have been employing six to eight men, and expended about £1,500 in preliminary operations. The Universal and Arrow United Companies having completed their easements, the former at a cost of £1,100 and the latter £4,000, have now discovered that they are assisting one another by pumping. It is well known that the ground at a depth of 30 feet is very rich, and under the management of Mr. O'Keefe, who is a most indefatigable, able, enterprising man, I have great hopes that these workings will prove successful before another winter sets in, which means constant employment to not less than thirty men. The Rule Britannia Mining Claim, Arrow Valley, of thirteen years' standing and twice abandoned, is now engaging much interest, for the four indefatigable shareholders have again struck gold, and were obtaining as much as £2 a day a man a short time since. If this success continues, other claims will be taken up above them. Macetown, an almost deserted village (reduced to a population so small that the Government withdrew the subsidy to the teacher's salary about a month since), is now, while I am writing, attracting great attention, and I have good grounds for believing will be a busy place with a population of 200 before the end of this year, as its quartz reefs have proved payable. A fortnight ago I started the first battery erected in that locality. The two tons of quartz brought to the machine to test the reef it belonged to, produced 10 oz. 16 dwts. Newly-discovered quartz reefs at Macetown promise to prove of considerable value to the province, while the field itself is without doubt an extensive one. So far as these reefs have been developed as yet, there exists most satisfactory proofs of their permanency. In all cases The lodes are well packed and solid while the walls are perfect and true, nor in any case in the course of these lodes are they interrupted by blocks of mullock. The schist country has not been disturbed, all being as solid as when nature formed it. There appear to be two belts of this auriferous quartz, one taking a direction from North to South, the other from East to West. Present appearances indicate the North and South reefs to contain the most gold; but as these discoveries can scarcely be called more than three months old, this surmise must not be considered as an accepted dictum. These lodes have been traced from 200 to 1,200 feet along the surface, and have been cut by driving tunnels into the hills at depths varying from 50 to 200 feet. In every case whore this has been done, the lode is as perfect as upon the surface.- The quartz for the most part is extremely friable,

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consequently easily reduced by the crushing mill, and judging from its quality and the nature of its fracture, it evidently resembles the stone obtained from the quartz lodes at Sandhurst, Inglewood, and Stawell, Victoria; very little gold appears to occur in the " faces " of the stone (the smooth portions which present themselves whenever a piece is fractured), it being thoroughly distributed through the solid. As a rule, the reefs are found to preserve nearly a vertical position recurring in country lying almost horizontal. One small crushing mill of four stampers already referred to by me has been started, and preparations are being made to start another in the spring. The absence of any road or even a horse track from Macetown, is a very serious drawback to the development of this new field. The miners at present are compelled to carry their tools and provisions for miles upon their backs. The erection of heavy and perfect machinery is therefore impossible in the immediate neighbourhood of the reefs; and were one erected at Macetown, all heavy material would require to be sleighed from Arrowtown, a most expensive process, especially in tho conveyance of stamper boxes ; a full-sized one and cast solid could not be got there at all. A dray-road to Macetown from the Arrow could be constructed probably for about £1,500, aud would give an enormous impetus1 to these quartz mines, as all supplies of material, timber, and provisions must be drawn from Arrowtown. There is an abundant supply of water almost everywhere for driving machinery, and when once properly opened the reefs can be very cheaply and advantageously worked. Labour is becoming plentiful, and experienced miners are now obtainable at 10s. per day. The Homeward Bound Line (Homeward Bound Company) opened in September last by Messrs. Barclay and Eaven. —This lode preserves a course nearly East and West; the stone varies in width between 3 and 4 feet, the underlay being slightly to the South. The lode can be traced upon the surface for at least 1,000 feet; the yield of gold will be, according to the trial crushing, over 2 oz. to the ton. Number 1 West, The Lady Eayre Company, sunk a shaft and struck the lode at 45 feet below the surface ; the reef is as perfect hero as with the Homeward Bound Company. Gold is distinctly visible in the stone, but not sufficient body has been grassed to form a correct opinion of the yield. Number 1 East, Eesta Brothers, The Italian Company, struck the lode near the surface; prospects indicate a yield of one ounce to the ton. The Cross Eeef Line, opened in January last. —This line is, par excellence, the richest discovery of auriferous quartz ever found in this district, and promises to yield extraordinarily well. The course of the lode is about South-east by East-three-quarter-east, and inclines to the West at about sixty degrees, but appears to be almost vertical at a depth. The body of stone varies in width from 3 feet to 18 inches, and appears to contain two separate shoots of gold, that on the hanging wall yielding some splendid specimens. This lode has been traced for 1,200 feet along the surface. The All Nations Company, South Cross, sunk a shaft 11 feet and proved the reef to that depth ; after that started a tunnel into the hill, and cut the reef 50 feet below the surface;; both in the shaft and tunnel the stone proved exceedingly rich, and should yield upon an average from 4 to 6 oz. to the ton. The Maryborough Company, North Cross. —This Company is engaged sinking a shaft on the line of reef, or rather following the lode down. The stone is here 3 feet in width and contains two distinct shoots of gold. The quartz is not so showy as that in the All Nations Company's claim, the gold being more distributed, and of a greenish hue ; the yield per ton will probably be about the same. South Cross Branch Line, Beale and Company. —Supposed to be a branch of the South Cross, preserving a course between 20 and 30 degrees west of south. Lode showing upon the surface in two distinct parallel leaders one a foot and the other 2 feet in thickness. Gold has been found in the stone, but nothing payable has been struck. The Company is engaged prospecting. Nuggetty Line —The Victor Emmanuel Company.—Eeef struck and laid bare upon the surface for about 100 feet. The lode varies between one foot and 18 inches in width, and a trial crushing of two tons of stone gave a result of a trifle over 1 oz. to the ton. This Company is engaged prospecting the reef to a greater depth, and have only sunk into 4 feet as yet. Main Lode Line, Main Lode Company, Golden Mountain, head of Eogers Gully.—This is a very fine lode, the stone being at least 6 feet in width. The Company is at present engaged prospecting for payable stone. Judging by the quantity of quartz it should prove highly auriferous, and it shows gold in places, but it will take some few months before its value can be correctly ascertained. Course of reef North and South. Two other lodes occur here preserving almost a parallel course, and 5 oz. of gold were obtained from one ton of quartz taken from a leader about 200 yards east from the Main Lode Company's claim. During the winter months several of these reefs will be unworkable, being situate above the snow level, and at a higher altitude than any yet discovered in Otago. Arrowtown itself, under the care of the Corporation, has greatly improved in appearance since my last report. The streets have been formed and kerbed, and the approaches to the town widened, at a cost of about £250. The Government has also expended large sums of money in draining and forming the roads that lead into it from the farming settlements. The new Bank of New Zealand premises is quite an ornament to the place. It is built of stone quarried 'within the municipal boundary. Since its completion several stone houses have been built. The township is gradually assuming the dimensions of a town. The best proof of the advancement of this place is in the high prices maintained for town sections. With regard to agriculture, a number of farms have changed hands during the last six months, the prices ranging from £2 15s. to £0 an acre, the average being at £4 10s. Almost all the land on Miller's and Arrow Flats will soon be freehold, and the present occupants are men of means, practical and industrious. Wheat and oats are being sold this season cheaper than ever known before, wheat at 3s. 9d. and 45., oats at 2s. This price, I think, will cause the farmers to give their ground rest and new heart. Sowing dow m grass seems to be the prevailing occupation just now, and in three years hence, the sorrel in the meanwhile extirpated, we shall commence a new era in farming under better auspices, namely

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renovated soil, quickset hedges, freehold lands, and more pasture for grazing purposes, which is much needed to reduce the price of beef and mutton. The breeding of horses is quite neglected in this district. The cold climate may partly be the cause of small stock, but their weedy description arises from the ignorance and indifference of the stockowners to improvement in breeding and stud importations. They seem to forget the great service of the horse flb man. Great cattle are scarce and very dear, the butcher having to scour the country for 70 or 100 miles to keep the shops open ; and the sheep, which are all merinos (I hope), look scraggy, and starved. I hope the Government will now consider an appeal I have made so often to introduce a law that will provide for the utilizing the soil by the agriculturalist without interfering with the miners—that land known as mining reserve and auriferous may produce its crops, and give employment to willing men, who do not object to be removed if they stand in the way of mineral development. The Crown Terrace (Arrow), if taken up when I proposed that it should be resurveyed and opened, in 1872, would now be a thriving settlement; and many a man who has left this place, with one, two, and three thousand pounds in his pocket, would have been there to this day if he had been permitted. I regret exceedingly that my suggestions have been disregarded. The export of gold from the district has been about 10,504 oz. 8 dwts. and 14 grs. The revenue. £4,788 175., including £1,350 carried from here and paid into the office at Queenstown in error. Eeventte t& Detail. Gold Fields Eevenue (General) ... ... ... ... £3,870 1111 Land Purchase ... ... ... ... ... ... 699 0 0 Eesident Magistrate's Fees ... ... ... ... ... 219 5 1 £4,788 17 0 I herewith attach, filled up. the statistical returns required. I will not vouch that the mining plant returns are even approximate, but I have taken trouble to approach correctness. I have, &c, H. A. Stratford, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 3. Mr. "Warden Cabew to the Udder Secretary for G-old Fields. Sir, — "Warden's Office, Lawrence, 10th April, 1876. In forwarding the anuual statistical returns for the Tuapeka district for the year ending 31st March, 1876, I have again to remark that in respect of gold mining nothing of unusual importance has occurred for me to comment upon ; but in the direction of agricultural settlement tho accompanying returns must show most satisfactory advancement, and at the present time Tuapeka, the oldest gold field of importance in Otago, presents in its hundreds of farms a bright example of the colonizing influence of gold. The discovery of the gold field dates from 1861, at which time there was not a farm in the district, while now, from Tokomairiro in the south to beyond the Clutha Eiver in the north, for a distance of nearly forty miles, a continuous line of small occupiers are settled upon the land, while others have spread back in every available direction. Many of the farmers are old gold miners who for years had followed the rushes at the gold fields in the neighbouring colonies, who now, in most cases, having married, are settled down to a less exciting occupation, and certainly with more comfort and content. There is no reason to suspect that what has occurred in other colonies, of men taking up blocks of land, exhausting its fertility, and then selling out to large proprietors, will occur here, as the nature and quality of the improvements effected upon the land, aud the manner of working it, evidence a contrary intention. Population. —There are less European miners now in the district than at the date of my last report, but including Chinese, the number of whom has increased, the total remains about the same. It does not now appear likely that many of those miners who left the district for employment on the public works will return to their old occupation of mining, for by the completion and forward state of some of the public works several have lost that employment, but few have resumed mining. Alluvial Mining. —At the Blue Spur new life has been infused by the favourable returns obtained under the new method in which some of the claims are worked, by crushing under stampers in place of ground sluicing. There are now nine large claims in occupation ;of these, five are worked by ground sluicing, and employ about forty men. At the other claims, all the cement and gravel removed by tunnelling is passed under stampers, in all 34 head driven by water power. It is estimated that about 2,000 tons a week are passed under the stampers. At first gratings with 120 holes to the square inch were used, but it has been found that this fineness was unnecessary, and now a description of wire netting an eighth of an inch apart is found sufficient for all purposes, and to greatly increase the quantity that can be put through over the fine gratings first in use. Another battery of twenty stamps is now in course of erection at one of the best claims on the Spur. The proprietors intend to pass the whole of their claim to bed rock, and of an average depth of from 60 to 70 feet under the stamps. They have worked the same claim for fourteen years, consequently must be well able to judge of its gold-producing powers, and no doubt have made careful calculations to guide them : yet if they make it pay —and the chances seem all in its favour —the profitable crushing of such a huge mass of earth will be unprecedented, and the work of more than a score of years. The principal workings at Waipori are in ground on a large flat or valley, which has been made available for working by the construction of a drainage channel under the Immigration and Public Works Acts. The representations made before the construction of the channel of the richness of the ground through which it would pass have not been realized. There is no doubt a large quantity of gold in the land, but it is too widely scattered

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and distributed to make the working, more than barely remunerative for labour expended. The average number employed there is 150, of whom only eight are Europeans, and the remainder Chinese. In other parts of Waipori there are a few excellent claims, which for years past have given large returns to a small settled population. At Waitahuna the cement working's, very similar to the Blue Spur formation, are proving a success. It has been found that the depth of ground is not sufficient to allow of blasting with large charges being economically conducted, and a party of miners are now, at a cost estimated at £1,000, constructing a race with iron pipes in expectation that with large pressure the ground may be brought away for sluicing without the use of powder. Much of the old workings here has been now thoroughly exhausted of gold, but a few who have water rights can still continue to earn good wages. At Havelock Flat some claims in new ground have been lately taken up and found payable. A few parties of Chinese have been very successful in the neighbourhood of Glenore, principally upon freehold land, aud throughout the district there are small isolated parties of miners of whose doings I have no particular information. Quartz Mining. —The day for a favourable report upon this branch of mining has not yet arrived, but waits for further development. The Canada Eeef, which in appearance is one of the best in Otago, is still being worked with but moderate success. The Waipori Company has met with unexpected difficulties, and the success predicted for this Company has yet to be fulfilled. The prospects of* the Nil Desperandum, on the same line of reef, are now very promising. They have a small battery now erected of four stamps, and during the last three months have crushed 160 tons, with an average produce of an ounce and a half of gold to a ton. The claim is being brought into full work. It is a very general opinion that there are several reef's in the district which could be profitably worked; but there is a great want of enterprise in that direction, owing, it is presumed, to losses which have already been made in ill-directed or mismanaged ventures. With the small number of persons at present engaged in quartz mining, only a modicum of success could be expected. Gold. —The quantity of gold carried from the district by escort for the year was 21,106 oz., being an increase of 1,362 oz., over that of the former year. This increase comes from the Blue Spur and Waipori. Settlement. —A great demand has existed for land during the year, and it is still unabated. As soon as any of ordinary quality is open to be dealt with, either by cash purchase or by leasing under the Gold Fields Acts, or on deferred payments under the Waste Lands Act, it is eagerly sought after. When sold by auction, the price obtained has usually considerably exceeded the upset price. For the leasing of sections of fair quality there is generally considerable competition, and for allotments open on the deferred-payment system there has been invariably several applicants. In the last instance, a few days ago, there were 129 applications for fourteen allotments of 200 acres each ; and when these were submitted to auction, as provided by the Otago AVaste Lands Act of last Session in the case of duplicated applications, the price obtained averaged £2 16s. Sd. per acre. The provision in section 62, " Waste Lands Act, 1872," under which the holder of an agricultural lease under the Gold Fields Act of which three years of the term has expired, and who has effected certain improvements, can exchange his lease for a lease under the Waste Lands Act, and then, on payment of rent for seven years, become entitled without other payment to a Crown grant, has been largely availed of, and during the year 132 of these exchange leases bave been issued, for 5,635 acres. Of deferred payment licenses under sections 50 to 53 of "The Waste Lands Act, 1872," 90 have been issued for an acreage of 13,962. During the year, 76 agricultural leases have been issued for an area of 9,029 acres, and the freehold of 57 leases which had been held over three years and improved has been purchased. There are now in the district under tho Gold Fields and Waste Lands Acts 566 leases and licenses for agricultural holdings representing an acreage numbering 48,741, and bringing in an annual rental of over £6,000. Bevenue.- —The revenue for the year has been as follows : —■ Goldfields and lease rents ... ... ... ... £9,473 2s. Foes and fines, Eesident Magistrate's Court ... ... ... £271 Is. The number of cases decided in the Eesident Magistrate's Court was 371, and in the Warden's Court 47. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington, E. H. Carew, • Warden.

No. 4. Mr. Warden Wood to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Switzers, 10th April, 1876. I have the honor to forward my report and statistical returns for the year ending 31st March last. There are no discoveries to report in either quartz or alluvial mining, the majority of the mining population being Chinese, who do not prospect, and the Europeans appearing rather to adhere to steady work at small wages than risk time and money in looking for what might or might not prove better. Money does not seem scarce either at Switzers or Orepuki when needed either for charitable or other purposes, nor do I think the quantity of gold obtained has been less thau last year, but perhaps more evenly distributed than hitherto. The proprietors of the Argyle Water Eace have made great inroads into the original township of Frenchman's Hill—finding they could not let the water without lowering the usual price, they determined to use it themselves, and so far their enterprise has been very remunerative to themselves, but those who have business premises on the hill are very unpleasantly situated. The school is the greatest sufferer, as the only place where the children can be turned out on for play is most dangerous; the steep cliffs and broken ground are very tempting to daring spirits. The Court-house, jail, &c, will, I suppose, be shortly removed to the township of Waikaia, where the Post Office and Telegraph Departments have a building, at present let. Some 1,500 acres

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of land has been thrown open for agricultural leasing during the past year, which was all taken up, and another block is required for settlement. The land in the valley of the Waikaia may be considered the best unsold in the Province of Otago; but it has been taken for an educational reserve, and cannot be disposed of, except on a Resolution of the Provincial Council. The mines at Orepuki are in full swing of work, after years of water-race cutting, &c, and I expect, if the truth was known, that the yield of gold has been greater than in any previous year. Orepuki has a small area of very fine agricultural laud in its immediate vicinity, and will make some few families comfortable homes. It should be remembered that these aud other gold fields in the province will give to industrious men a good living for years to come, when the public works, so much thought of now, will of necessity cease to absorb the labour which will be of more use the more it is dispersed ; for only thus can the labour market be relieved of what is styled the surplus population. Two parties are prospecting in the Longwood Ranges, on the east side, for quartz reefs ; and as heavy nuggety gold has been obtained in the neighbourhood, they are likely to be successful. I have, <&c, John Nugent Wood, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 5. Mr. Warden Simpson to the Undeb Seceetaby for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Clyde, 15th April, 1876. I have the honor to hand you the statistical returns for the year ended 31st March, 1876, for the Gold Fields District of the Dunstan. I have to report generally, that, notwithstanding the incessant cry by business people that business is and has been falling away, the mining community appear during the year to have maintained their numbers and earnings. The yield of gold for the district has been 45,436 oz. as against 43,823 oz. for last year, showing an increase of 1,616 oz., which, stating the mining population at say 1,900, gives about £85 for the year to each miner—a very good average. The falling-off of business must I think be iv luxuries only, and may be set down to the more temperate and frugal habits which with years come on miners as well as other classes as a rule, to say nothing of the more transient causes, such as " Good Templarism," which has its supporters on the mines as well as other places. Speaking of the increased years of the miners, leads mo to remark that it is becoming more and more noticeable every year, that there are few comparatively speaking young men among the miners on the Otago Gold Fields now. Is the race gradually to become extinct ? The increase in the yield of gold this year in this district is due to the alluvial workings, the yield from quartz being only 11,889 oz. as against 14,000 oz. for last year, while that from alluvial workings is 33,547 oz. as against 29,823 oz., showing an actual increase from alluvial workings of 5,8360z. This increase has taken place as follows:—Cromwell, increase 3,570 oz.; Blacks, increase 1,720 oz. ; and Teviot, 110 oz. No new alluvial ground has been opened, but some of the old workings are getting more developed, as at Bannockburn, where sluicing is gradually usurping the place of tunnelling on the terraces, and will do so entirely when the Carrick Race full supply of water is brought in. But before the full supply of that race does come in the sludge channel should be formed up Pipeclay Gully, for it is an absolute necessity to the development of the sluicing of the terraces. A flying survey has been made, and that is all. lam astonished at the miners themselves not pushing the matter with greater energy. Unlike the miners at Tinkers, there seems to be a want of unanimity. At this last place the miners, with a view to get rid of the sludge nuisance, have during the dry season, with their united labour, started aud almost completed a channel about eight miles in length, the Provincial Government aiding them to the extent of £750, a small sum when it is considered that had it not been for this channel the Spottis Hundreds, instead of selling at £4 an acre, would have remained a drug on the market. The following are the principal localities of the alluvial diggings in this district, with their estimated yields for the year:— Cromicell — Oz. Nevis... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,000 Bannockburn ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,000 Kawarau Gorge ... ... ... ... ... 1,700 Quartz Reef Poiut, Bendigo, and other places along the Clutha 2,570 14,270 oz. Blacks — Tinkers ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,000 Drybread ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,500 Black's Flat ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,000 • Ida Valley and Long Valley ... ... ... ... 1,084 8,484 „ Teviot — Molyneux River banks about Roxburgh, and some twelve miles on either side ... ... ... ... ... 3,000 Pomahaka River, Upper Waikaia, and Campbell's, &c. ... 2,320 5,320 „ Alexandra — Manorburn River, Mannherikia River, Conroy's, Blackmail's and Butcher's Gullies, and banks of River Molyneux ... ... 4,163 „ Clyde — Waikirikiri Valley, and banks of Molyneux River ... ... ... 1,310,,

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Hydraulic sluicing is the main system of working carried on at all those places, and of course with the greatest success where the greatest supply of water is and the greatest amount of pressure put on, as by iron pipes. On the river there is only one dredge actually at work in this district, and it has been at work steadily for the last five years or more, and has yielded returns at the rate of £4 a week, I am informed, to each of the four men who work on it, during the whole of the time. It is built much after the fashion of the harbour dredges, and is driven by a current wheel. There are two other dredges ou the same plan at present being built, and will shortly be at work : among all the systems that have been tried on the river, this is the only one that has had any permanent success. The quartz workings in the district may still be said to be confined to Bendigo and to Carrick in the Cromwell division ; but within the last few months discoveries have been made on the Old Man Range, immediately above the alluvial workings known as Conroy's, in the Alexandra division, and on Thomson's Creek in the Dunstan Range, Blacks division. Thomson's Creek reef is on the same range as the Bendigo reefs are on, and probably may be a continuation of those reefs across the range. In both instances gold has been found in the stone, but sufficient has not been done to enable an opinion to be pronounced. A great deal of prospecting has been done by different companies on the Bendigo reefs during the year. The only reefs there, however, giving any returns of gold, are the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company and Booney and Co. The yield from those reefs has been equal to 9,000 oz., over two-thirds of which was yielded by the Cromwell Company's reef. There has been a great falling off in the Carrick Range reefs. The Star of the East, the Crown and Cross, and the Young Australia are-the only reefs that can be said to have made any yield this year, and that has only been 3,889 oz. Of the quartz reef companies that have been engaged prospecting during the year, the one that has been most successful is the Eureka Company, Bendigo. They are now in a position to make a fair start, having got out a large quantity of stone and completed their tramway to their machine. Settlement. —Statement op Land taken up during the Yeae. Under Agricultural Lease. District. No. of Leases. Teviot ... ... ... ... 16 ... ... ... 2,000 Clyde 1 640 Blacks ... ' 1 36 Alexandra ... ... ... ... 1 ... ... . 48 Cromwell ... ... ... ... 1 ... ... ... 10 2,724 Under Deferred Payments. Blacks, Teviot, &c. ... ... 13 ... ... ... 1,682 4,406 Land remaining Open foe Selection in Disteict. Land Open. - A^ Uy 5' !„_„„ for Cultivation. Under Agricultural Lease — Acres. Acres. Teviot ... ... ... 4,339 ... ... ... say 2,000 Blacks ... ... ... 3,647 ... ... ... „ 1,000 Alexandra ... ... ... 306 ... ... ... Nil. Clyde .... 13,290 „ 1,000 Cromwell 15,372 „ 3,000 36,954 7,000 Under deferred payments ... ... 4,500 ... ... ... „ 2,500 Total open ... ... 41,454 Total fit for cultivation 9,500 In the Teviot and Blacks districts, settlement has as last year progressed most, and naturally so, in those places possessing the best land. Erom the foregoing figures it will be seen that almost all the available »ood land has been taken up ; and until a more liberal system as regards area is adopted, the inferior ground, I fear, will remain waste lands for a long time. If the present limited area of 200 acres is to remain the maximum that can be taken up by one individual, it will be necessary, now that all the places where there was any extent of good land to be got in a block are exhausted, if people are to be encouraged to settle in this district, to resort to the system of proclaiming small blocks, even as small as 100 acres, open for settlement wherever anything like agricultural land can be got —of course with a due regard to the effect such would have on the depasturing ground. I make this suggestion because although there cannot be said to be much agricultural land in the district, there are numerous isolated patches of from 100 to 500 acres of very fair land, particularly along the banks of the rivers and small creeks and in the gullies, that would be readily taken up. Indeed, I am constantly being applied to for such patches. I myself, however, am much more in favour, iv this district, of the maximum area allowed to be taken up by one individual being very much increased, as stock-growing, not cereals, will be the staple of the district, and by this system it would not be necessary to spot out the eyes of the country. Of course I know that this would be contrary to present legislation, which makes the agricultural qualities of the ground a sine qua non before it can be taken up for settlement. But why should that be ? Why should cultivation be made the iron rule as to whether land is to be settled on or not? But I suppose, uutil the depasturing leases fall in, there is no hope of any change in this direction.

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As to the two systems in force for taking up land, that by agricultural lease seems to be most in favour, and naturally so, considering that residence is not a condition that it is possible to assign, that the improvement conditions are not so stringent, and that an agricultural leaseholder may take advantage of the deferred-payment system to acquire the freehold by exchanging his lease—67 have been exchanged in this way in this district. In my opinion, only one system should prevail; indeed, I think it is time to do away with any disposal of the land by the Gold-Fields Act; but before that is done, the deferred-payment system, under the Waste Lands Act, would require to be made less stringent, perhaps not as to residence and improvements, but certainly as to the power of assignment. As at present administered, it is not possible, even if a licensee dies, for his executors to assign. I have, &c, Maurice Simpson, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, "Wellington. "Warden.

No. 6. Mr. "Warden Eobinson to the Uitdeb Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — "Warden's Office, Naseby, Ist April, 1876. I have the honor to report upon the Mount Ida District for the past year as follows: — 1. The year that has just gone by has, so far as the elements of nature have been concerned, been a particularly good season for gold mining. There has been more moisture than usual, and this has given the miners a supply of water for sluicing purposes such as is by no means to be reckoned on for every year. Bnt while natural causes have been favourable to mining, other influences have been at work which have been decidedly inimical. Among these, the most important has been the attraction of high wages and constant employment on public works. This attraction, which I had to notice in my report of last year as a cause of depression of the mining interest, has continued to operate in the same direction, and has in every part of the district prevented any increase of population, while in some localities it has seriously diminished the number of working gold miners. In the vicinity of Naseby, it was to have been expected that this depression would have been in a great measure counteracted by the benefit to be derived from the completion of tho Government water race and sludge channel. But I regret to have to report that those works are still uncompleted, and that several months will probably elapse before the public will begin to derive any benefit from them. 3. Notwithstanding the small number of miners actually at work, and the almost total lack of enterprise in mining affairs, the yield of gold has kept up remarkably well. The total quantity sent down by escort for the year has been 17,053 oz. 19 dwts., as against 17,142 oz. 12 dwts. for the year ending 31st March, 1875, showing thus a falling-ofl' of only 90 oz. 4. To encourage a more steady and systematic method of mining, and so to promote the settlement of miners, I have during this year exercised the powers conferred on me as "Warden under regulation 4 of the Otago Gold Fields Eulcs and Begulations, and have declared the whole of the Mount Ida District open for occupation in claims of one acre per man. The miners have not been slow to take advantage of the privilege, and a large number of such "extended claims" are now held. 5. I ha,ve already made allusion to the long delay in tho completion of the Government race and channel. About sixty-seven miles of the head race have been made, so far as the work of contractors is concerned; and the Government engineers are now about to staunch that portion of the race, so as to bring a supply of water in, without waiting until the actual head of the race is carried up to the main source of supply in the right-hand branch of the Biver Manuherikia. It is estimated that a considerable stream of water can be brought in from the small creeks that can be picked up along the course of the race. For this water a ready market could at once be found, and thus the Government might begin to reap some return for tho heavy outlay incurred. The sludge channel also is now to be brought up to within a mile of the point to which it was originally intended to carry it. This work is already let as a contract, and it is understood that it is to be pushed on with all convenient despatch. 6. The effect of these arrangements will, if successfully carried out, be to afford an opening for the employment of a number of additional miners iv Naseby and the neighbourhood. Already, in anticipation of the channel being soon made available for the purposes for which it was planned, nearly fifty acres of ground have been taken up by men who oondfide intend to work it; and it is certain that others will be ready to avail themselves of the advantage so soon as the channel is open for use, as a means of working the good ground now lying idle for want of fall to work it. 7. It is thus reasonable to expect that next year will witness a marked improvement in mining affairs in this part of the country. 8. At St Bathan's, a work of considerable importance is being steadily carried forward by private enterprise. I refer to the Muddy Creek Channel, of which I gave some account in my last report. The channel has now been constructed up Muddy Creek beyond the crossing of the road between Hill's Creek and St. Bathan's, and the road is taken over it by a substantial bridge, constructed partly at the expense of the owners of the channel, and partly at that of the Provincial Government. In the construction of this work, the party (Williams, Hanrohan, and Company) have not only shown great courage and determination, but also considerable engineering skill. The channel, when completed, is intended to be used as the means of working a large special claim. The claim has been granted for a period of twenty-one years ; but the men inform me that they expect it will take much more time than that to exhaust the ground that the race will command 9. Fullarton's Diggings, which for a long time were deserted, have recently been attracting a good deal of attention. The " deep sinking " there was very rich, but the ground has for years been abandoned, in consequence of the difficulty of working. For years past many miners have wistfully regarded the rich deep ground which they have confidently believed to be left there, but none have had the courage to attempt the work of getting it. The situation of the working is peculiar, the sinking being on the top of a fiat-capped hill, the sides of which are of hard schist rock. It seems as if the 2—H. 3.

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auriferous drift had lodged in a deep rocky basin, and had afterwards been covered with other material. It is now proposed to get at it by tunnelling in through the rocky sides of this basin, and three strong parties of miners have been organized to work three special claims of twelve acres each. They expect to have to drive in tunnels of from GOO feet to 1,000 feet in length, for the most part through solid rock. 10. The miners at Clarke's (or Mount Burster) have had a specially good season this year. Late falls of snow have given them almost a second season of water. These workings are very rich, but mining can only be carried on for a comparatively small period in each year. In the depth of winter the frosts render any mining operations at that altitude out of the question; and as the only water for use is that derived from the melting of the snows, the advent of summer usually sees sluicing operations almost entirely suspended for want of the necessary element. In spite of these drawbacks, claims at Clarke's are of great value, as was shown not long since in an action for dissolution of partnership, when one outgoing partner was awarded over £1,000 for his interest, and those who remained in the claim paid him off out of the proceeds of a portion of their tail race, hastily'washed up for the purpose. 11. The long-discussed question of the relative rights of miners, runholders, and freeholders to the use of natural streams assumed at Maerewhenua such a form as to lead to litigation between the runholders there (who are also large freeholders), and a party of miners who were selected as representatives of the whole mining community. The decision being favourable to the rights of the freeholders, the case (Howe, appellant, v. Borton, respondent) was taken to the Appeal Court at "Wellington, where the rights of the riparian proprietors were again maintained. The effect of this decision has been that the Maerewhenua miners were this year notified that they must refrain from polluting the river by sluicing into it during the period that Messrs. Borton and McMaster were washing their sheep. When the sheepwashing was over, they were allowed to resume their operations. 12. The experiment, long delayed in this district, of opening small areas of land in the vicinity of the mining centres for agricultural settlement, has been so far successful that most of the fairly cultivable land has been taken up. At Hyde and Macrae's, very good crops have been raised, the land being exceptionally good; and elsewhere throughout the district, wherever there has been any cultivation, very fair returns have been obtained by the farmers. It is much to be regretted that facilities were not sooner given for persons desirous of cultivating the soil, as if such facilities had been afforded, numbers of persons who have made money in the district and gone away would now be settled on farms about the country, raising plenty of produce at a cheap rate, and thus enabling miners to live for little, and so to work comparatively poor ground to a profit. 13. The Chinese are setting European miners a good example in the way of co-operative work. At the Kyeburn several large companies of them are systematically working large areas of ground in the bed of the river, and it is understood with good results. At "Wet Gully, also, in the neighbourhood of Naseby, large parties of Chinese are working on a good scale, with long, deep, and well-constructed tail races. One party of these people has taken the Band of Hope "Water Eaco on lease at a fair rental, and seems likely to make a good thing of the venture. 14. The revenue of the district has increased considerably over that of the preceding year, and it is worthy of remark that the accounts of that year showed a marked improvement upon those of the year that went before it. The actual collections for the year ending March 31st, 1876, were as follows:— Gold Bevenue, including fees and fines of the Warden's Court and agricultural lease rents... ... ... ... ... £2,951 1 9 Eesident Magistrate's Court—fees and fines ... ... ... 214 0 1 Eents received on lands on deferred payments ... ... ... 313 17 3 £3,478 19 1 This shows an increase of nearly £800 over the revenue of last year. I have, &c, H. W. EoßrasoN, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

WESTLAND GOLD FIELD. No. 7. Mr. "Warden FitzGerald to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— "Warden's Office, Eoss, 3rd April, 187 G. I have the honor to make the following report on the Totara District for the year ending the 31st March. Although just at present there is little actual change in mining matters since the date of my last report, yet from several points of view the prospects of the district seems to be brightening, and notably so as regards the construction of the Mikonui "Water Eaee, on which the hopes of the residents have been for so many years centred as the turning point to better times. Though a considerable time must elapse before this work can materially benefit the district, yet the fact of its being commenced will tend to encourage the present population to remain, and no doubt will cause many of the old miners who know the district to return. The important late discovery of a rich vein of galena ore on Mount. Bangitoto may be next mentioned. The prospectors spent some months in prospecting the lode at the sacrifice of both time and money: happily their efforts have been crowned with a well-deserved success. They forwarded some of the ore to Melbourne to have it tested, and the result of the assay gives from 120 to 140 oz. of silver to the ton—an exceptionally large percentage of silver. The discovery of the ore and the result of its assay have caused quite an excitement in the province, as well as other parts of the colony. There

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was a rush of applicants to the Waste Lands Board for leases adjoining the prospectors', and there is at present a large tract of country taken up (subject to approval by his Honor the Superintendent), iv leases varying in size from 250 to 500 acres. Owing to the almost inaccessible country in which the mine is situated, the placing of proper machinery on the ground will take some little time. If the working of the mine ranges at all near the result of the test already given, it will not only confer a benefit on the district, but the colony at large. Since this discovery the attention of the miners has been turned particularly to prospecting for the galena ore, and within the last few days fresh discoveries of it have been made up the Totara, and applications from the prospectors and several other parties for leases are in. It is matter for congratulation that in the temporary decline of our gold export another precious metal is to reward the industry and perseverance of our miners, who are certain to make vigorous efforts to develop this new resource in their district. The Greenland Water Eace, which has been in course of construction for over three years, is now in. The company have got a mining lease of ten acres at the head of German's Gully, and opened out a claim, where they intend to use all the water themselves. From the prospects they have got, there is every likelihood of the company being well recouped for their outlay. They are now extending the race at the head to increase their water supply. This race has been brought in at a high altitude, and commands auriferous ground which could not be worked with the previous water supply. The fact of this company of practical working miners spending their all in the bringing in of this race, with the hope of profit which is now an almost certainty, shows that in this district larger water races would pay beyond a doubt. At Bowen, where a party held one of the best claims in the district, they were obliged to cease work owing to an insufficiency of drainage machinery, and want of capital to procure more powerful. At the end of last year they offered their claim to the public on terms which were at once accepted. A company was formed, and the shares were readily disposed of. The area of the claim was increased to twenty acres. They have also erected a large water-wheel, and constructed a race about two miles in length, carrying an unfailing supply of water from the Mikonui Eiver for motive power. The claim is expected to be in full operation in the course of about a month, giving employment to a large number of men. From the richness of the past yield, under difficulties, good returns may be looked for. Should this company succeed, others, no doubt, will be started to work the adjoining ground, which has been proved equally rich. Of the Totara diggings there is nothing new to report. The same may be said of Aylmer lead and the workings in the vicinity. At Bowen, with the exception of the new company, things are as usual. On Jones's Flat, all the claims mentioned in my last report were profitably at work till the 9th of last month, when the most disastrous flood that ever visited the district occurred. The rising of Jones' Creek, through the sudden downpour, brought down fallen timber, snags and debris, causing a chokage in the storm channel at the rear of Aylmer Street. The course of the flood was thereby turned into the main street through the adjoining houses, completely gutting some of them, and entailing great loss to many of the owners. At the same time the breastwork at the entrance of the creek to the storm channel gave way, bringing with it a largo body of water and tailings into the paddock of the Scotia Claim (one of the largest on the flat), and filling it to the surface, thus destroying the labour of two years. Had the full force of the flood not been lessened at this point, the greater part of the property in tho main street would have been swept away. To make matters worse for the owners of the Scotia Claim, they had just finished a large waterwheel at a cost of £600, which must now be idle for the next six months while they are clearing the paddock again. All the other claims on the flat have suffered more or less. The Totara and Jones's Creek Water Eace was also much damaged, the ditch having been swept away at almost every gully throughout its course, as well as suffering in other parts by land slips. The company employed from forty to fifty men daily for a period of three weeks in repairing the damages. During this time nearly every claim was necessarily idle for want of water. The township of Donoghues was almost devastated at the same time. The storm channel there burst away from a similar cause. It levelled the fences in all directions, and left such a depth of tailings and gravel on many of the gardens and paddocks as to render the ground valueless. All the claims were swamped out. The large drainage wheel has been hard at work since, and yet the water is not pumped out. So long as the district is dependent on one comparatively small race for its supply, such losses and consequent stagnation are liable to occur at any time, and must necessarily discourage mining enterprise, and affords an additional plea for the pushing ahead of the Mikonui Water Eace. There are many small workings throughout the district which I have not particularly mentioned, where a considerable number of men manage, I believe, to make a fair living. There havo been fewdepartures during the past year, notwithstanding the depression. The amount of gold forwarded from Eoss to Hokitika during the year has been 9,370 oz. 5 dwts., which, at £3 16s. per ounce, is £35,606 19s. Gold Fields Eevenue ... ... ... ... ... £633 6 0 Warden's Court Fees and Fines ... ... ... ... 37 12 0 Eesident Magistrate's Court Fees and Fines ... ... ... 150 0 0 Export Duty on Gold ... ... ... ... ... 937 0 0 Total ... £1,757 18 0 The population may be estimated as follows: — Europeans —Male ... ... ... ... 1,0 „ Female ... ... ..._ ... G Chinese Total 1,630

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Eesident Magistrate's Court— Number of Cases, Civil ... ... ... ... 191 Number of Cases, Criminal ... ... ... 39 Total ... ... ... ... ... 230 Amount sued for in the Eesident Magistrate's Court, £1,380. The following number of rights, licenses, registrations, &c, have been issued during the year : — Number. Miners' Eights, at £1 ... ... ... ... ... ... 351 Business Licenses, at £5 ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Business Licenses, at £3 ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 Business Licenses, at £2 ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Eegistrations, at ss. ... ... ... ... ... ... 131 Eegistrations, at 2s. 6d. ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Ecjristrations, at Is. ... ... ... ... ... ... 201 Extended Claims ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 iMining Leases ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Special Claims ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 I have, &c, G. G. FitzGekald, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 8. Mr. Warden Fitzgebald to the Under Secbetaet for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Kanieri, Bth April, 1876. I have the honor to report as follows on the Kanieri District for the year ended March 31st, 1876: —During the above period there has been a considerable fall off in the yield of gold in the Kanieri Warden's District, partly owing to a fewer number of men engaged in mining, and partly to the yield of gold per man being less than iv previous years. There have been no new rushes, and some of tho old ground has been abandoned, having been worked out. The Kanieri Lake Water Eace has been opened, and used during the whole of past year, but, unfortunately, has not been of that benefit to the district which it was confidently expected it would be. A number of extended claims were taken previous to the completion of the race, and it was believed these claims, when the water was brought in to them, would pay handsomely, and give employment to a large number of men; but such lias not proved to be the case, as nearly the whole of those claims have now been thoroughly tested, and have not proved payable to the shareholders, and have been nearly all abandoned. At present the race is only supplying water to about thirty men, out of a total of about 475 miners in the district. However, I am far from saying that the race will not ultimately benefit the district, and prove remunerative to the shareholders ; but this must be w rhen it is extended to the Blue Spur diggings (on the one side a distance of about three miles, and when an average of about twenty-five heads of water would be used, as water is scarce in this part of the district, and only held by a few parties for their own use), and on the other by continuing it to Hokitika, a distance of three miles more, when it would be used for domestic purposes and motive power for machinery, and from the sale of which a considerable revenue would be derived. No doubt both of these extensions will take place ere long ; but at present the shareholders feel very much depressed, as they have lost a considerable amount of money, and do not care for risking any more. As will be seen by attached schedule, a considerable falling off has taken place in the number of miners' rights and business licenses, owing to a number of both miners and business men having left the district; but a slight increase has taken place in the amount of registrations, which can only be accounted for by the miners seemingly taking a greater interest in the preserving of their different rights and registrations. The total number of miners throughout the Kanieri District I estimate at about 475, scattered over an area of about fifty square miles; and the yield of gold from these, I take, as near as can be judged, to be about 11,500 oz. for the year —or an average yearly earning per man of £95. But I believe that during the ensuing year a better prospect awaits the district, and that an increase in all the different branches of mining industry will take place, and consequently a corresponding increase in the gold fields revenue. Attached is a schedule of amounts received in the Warden's Office at Kanieri by the Eeceiver of Gold Bevenue for the period from April Ist, 1875, to March 31st, 1876, and as compared with the year ended March 31st, 1875. I have, &c., G. G. FitzGeeald, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

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SCHEDULE of AMOUNTS received in Warden's Office, Kanieri, by the Receiver of Gold Revenue, for the period from 1st April, 1875, to 31st March, 1876, and as compared with year ending 31st March, 1875.

* These do not include those issued at Hokitika by tbe Receiver of Laud Bevenue for the Kanieri District, which were thirty. G. G. FitzGebald, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 9. Mr. "Warden FitzGebald to the Ukdee Seceetaby. for Gold Fields. Sib,— "Warden's Office, Stafford, sth April, 1876. I have the honor to report upon the state of the "Waiinea District for the year ended 31st March, 1876, as follows : — The district is, I consider, fairly prosperous, and continues to support about the same population as hitherto ; and, I may add, there is an entire absence of poverty, most of the miners settling down in comfortable cottages, and, by virtue of the Residence Area Clause, taking up half-acres of land; which they assiduously cultivate. As a matter of course, water is still much needed to command the terraces and high table-lands, the completion of the Government water race is therefore anxiously looked forward to by all. The works in connection with it are, I believe, making satisfactory progress. There is little to be said about the workings in the several gullies ; but at Callaghan's some fresh ground which has been tried is turning out remunerative, and has caused an increase of population in that neighbourhood. A small rush has taken place at Houlahan's Flat, on the south side of the Teremakau River, adjoining the mining lease now held by Cushman and others. This rush is attracting some little attention in the district at present. The only item of information from the Taipo Reefs is that a new mining lease has been applied for at Kelly's Hill; the application is at present in abeyance. Tho Chinese population, though somewhat diminished, is inoffensive and industrious, and a new store has recently been opened at Goldsborough by another Chinaman, who is reported to be doing a good trade with his countrymen. Large numbers of races and dams have been recently registered.. Many of these, however, are being taken up a second time either owing to the fact that the certificates had been allowed to lapse or the property abandoned, or in some cases already constructed without registration. 1,130 registration certificates and 689 miners' rights have been issued during the year, the fees in the Wardens' Court amounting to the sum of £44 19s. During the year a Court-house has been opened at Goldsborough, which seems to answer the requirements of the population in that portion of the district. The Court sits there on each alternate Wednesday. " ' I am not aware of anything else calling for further comment, but, in conclusion, I would remark that the "Waimea District continues to hold its own. Full returns accompany this report. I have, &c, G. G. FitzGebald, C. E. Haughton, Esq., Gold Fields Secretary, "Wellington. "Warden.

Yoarending31st March, 1876. Year ending 31st March, 1875. Miners' Eights, at £1, 402* Business Licenses, at £5, 6 Do. at £3, 5 Do. at £2, 3 Registrations, at 5s. each, 167 Do. at 2s. 6d. each, 40 ... Do. at Is. each, 508 Spirit Licenses... ?ees and fines in Warden's Court Rents for Agricultural Leases Sale of Gold Fields' Eules inspection of books Copies of Miners' Eights ?ees for Surveys £ s. d. 402 0 0 30 0 0 15 0 0 6 0 0 41 15 0 5 0 0 25 8 0 0 0 0 10 18 6 6 10 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 24 10 0 £ s. d. 472 0 0 55 0 0 18 0 0 2 0 0 38 0 0 2 7 6 26 9 0 110 0 0 23 9 0 6 8 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 Total 567 9 6 754 10 0

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No. 10. Mr. Warden Pbice to Undeb Seceetaet for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Okarito, 7th April, 1876. In transmitting the usual statistical returns for the year ending the 31st March, 1876, there is little for me to report respecting the condition and progress of gold mining in the Okarito District for the past twelve months, beyond the fact that at least it continues to hold its own. The population numbers 455 souls, which has been the average since 1867, and there has been no decrease during the year, as on 31st March, 1875, it was 448. The yield of gold has, I believe somewhat diminished ; but as this is no longer a port of entry, it is difficult to ascertain what is sent away. However I may safely estimate the earnings at an average of a little over half an ounce (£2) per week for each miner. The Gold Fields revenue during the twelve months shows an increase of £21 Bs. over the preceding year, namely, to 31st March, 1876, £234 55., as against £212 17s. for that ending 31st March, 1875. The present licensing system has a tendency to decrease this source of revenue, but it has only done so to the extent of £24 10s. To the 31st March, 1875, £442 was received; to same period 1876, £417 10s. The portion of the Okarito end of the Bowen and Ross road of which about twelve miles is completed, has been the means of opening some new ground at the forks of Okarito River, five miles inland. It is fair payable sluicing ground, about 15 feet sinking on the banks of the river, and gives employment to between thirty and forty miners, and would support a much larger population were the people in the district. But it is not sufficiently attractive to draw men from outside places, where they are able to live cheaper, and avoid the inconveniences they have to put up with in a remote locality like this ; to which there is no access except what nature affords along the coast line, with all its difficulties and dangers. With tho exception of those at the Forks, eight men up the Waiho River, and five up Cook's, the diggings are still confined to the sea beaches, Gillespie's being the principal one, numbering 135 people. And although the former are all doing well, and gold from inland fetches a higher price, yet, as in most cases it is only found in patches without any defined leads, or in beds of rivers troublesome to work in consequence of floods, the majority prefer sea beach mining, as less laborious and the return more certain, for every man can, without fear of disappointment, make from 255. to 30s. per week on any of them. During the twelve months, there have been 80 grants of various mining rights issued, one mining lease of five acres, and 40 extended claims—the latter the largest number ever granted, in fact more than during the four previous years put together ; and as this entails on the miners the expense of survey, £3 per claim, it speaks well of their estimation of the ground. I regret to say prospecting has entirely ceased in the district, from two causes: first, want of means on the part of the miners ; and secondly, that the storekeepers who used formerly to support such enterprise, by supplying parties with provisions on credit, now decline to do so, as they can no longer afford the risk of loss if they are not successful. Consequently, quartz reefs in the neighbourhood remain untried, containing, perhaps, wealth which must continue undeveloped until some future day, when it may be found expedient and worth while to adojjt some general system to assist to open up the mineral resources throughout the country, which surely cannot be confined to their present restricted limits. The district also affords hopeful indications of other minerals. A valuable discovery has been lately made of lithographic stone, which has been tested and pronounced to be excellent, and will no doubt be of great importance to lithography, not only in the colonies but in other parts of the world. The quarries are situated at Abbey Rock on the coast, about sixty miles south of Okarito, giving promise to be of an extensive nature, and from which blocks of the largest size used in the trade can be obtained, and wait only the proprietors, Docherty and Arthur, to commence working them, when a considerable number of people must be drawn there. And the locality has this further advantage, that it is within easy distance of good agricultural land, about the Paringa River, where a settlement has already been commenced by two of the pioneer diggers of the district, Ward and Douglas, who own some seven hundred acres, which they are gradually clearing and putting under cultivation—and forms the nucleus of what in time promises to be a populous and prosperous place. Although the mining population in this district may to a certain extent be considered a permanent one, every man having been a resident eight, nine, and ten years, yet experience teaches me that when the yield of gold diminishes till it only affords a mere livelihood, which is now the case, not here alone, but generally throughout the gold fields in Westland, mining loses its attraction, the excitement consequent on rich diggings ceases, and it then falls into the level of ordinary labour, when most miners aro ready to leave it for other industries which insure a safer return. Therefore, the district must look to something else besides mining for its support. The majority of the people here are desirous to acquire land and make homes for themselves, particularly those with families, provided they could do so on easy terms of payment; and its future progress will in a great measure depend on the course Government adopt with regard to this question. And further, to make the settlement a success, there must be a main line of road of some sort to open up the country; for unless the two go hand in hand, it is hopeless to expect any substantive result. The completion of the road to Bowen is important, and should be undertaken without delay. It is likely to open up, not only fresh auriferous ground, which the portion constructed has been the means of doing, but country fit for agricultural purposes, besides affording the advantages of road communication, which this place has never had. The special settlement at Jackson's Bay is within the Warden's District of Okarito, which also forms the Resident Magistrate's District, both under my charge; but as a gentleman has been especi-

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ally appointed agent there to carry out the objects of Government, I refrain from offering any remarks regarding it. The statistics of that place are therefore not included in my returns. I have, &c, L. Pbice, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 11. Mr. Warden Eevell to the TTndee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Greymouth, 14th April, 1876. I have the honor to forward my report upon the districts under my charge during the year ending 31st March, 1876. No new discoveries have heen made during the year calling for special notice, and there is little to report concerning the progress or condition of mining operations since the date of my last report. The estimated return of the population shows a decrease amongst the Europeans and a slight increase of Chinese; the total estimate being three hundred less than the previous year. This may to some extent he accounted for by the completion of the railway and other public works in this district, and tho men leaving to obtain employment upon similar works in other parts of the colony. The South Beach still maintains a small population, the black sand on the sea beach yielding a fair return to the parties working. There is no demand for water from the Great Extended and Leviathan Water Eaces in that locality, but the proprietors use the supply themselves for ground sluicing on the Stoney Lead. At Butherglen tho Cornish party have almost completed the construction of their head race to the Deep Lead, which will give them the command over an extensive area of payable ground. In the Clifton and Arnold sub-districts, mining affairs have undergone little or no change. There is a slight increase in the Chinese population; they have bought up several interests in water rights and claims at high rates wherever available. The Hibernian Water Race Company, finding no demand for the water (fourteen heads), have let the race on tribute to a party of five miners. The New Biver Water Eace Company have completed eight and a half miles of the race. They have another mile and a half to construct, and have seven men employed thereon; but the difficulty in letting the water has been rather a drawback to the progress of the works, not more than one-fifth of the water being let along the course of tho race. In the Greenstone district the population is estimated at 550, and the revenue collected amounts to £1018, exclusive of gold duty, estimated at £600 and collected at Hokitika. Mining affairs are rather depressed, but the reduction by the Hohonu Water Eace Company of the water to 30s. per head has induced several of the miners to re-open some of the old claims on Duke's Terrace. The Company's claim is at present idle, owing to a dispute as to the reduction of wages. On Eevell's Terrace there are a few claims still being wrought, whilst several have been abandoned in consequence of the unsafe nature of the ground, one or two heavy slips having already occurred through careless working and imperfect timbering of the numerous tunnels and shafts, and others have proved worthless after several months' labour expended in opening the ground. In conjunction with the sittings of the Eesident Magistrate's and Warden's Court at Greymouth, regular sittings of the Court have been held at Greenstone, Arnold, and Dunganville, the returns showing that 987 cases were disposed of as against 1,061 for the previous year. The Chinese throughout the district have proved themselves an orderly, industrious, and persevering set of men. They number about 600, and are principally to be found working in the beds of the various creeks and low terraces adjoining. There are five stores established in different parts of the district, but they still deal largely with European storekeepers, who speak highly of them as customers. The Brunner Eailway Works have been completed with the exception of the Gorge Bridge, and trains are running daily at a small profit over working expenses; but it will be two months before any coal will be available for transit by rail. The Greymouth Coal Company have struck the grit, immediately overlying the coal, at a depth of 225 feet. They expect to reach the seam within 300 feet and be ready to deliver coal in two months. Herewith are attached returns showing the location of the population, European and Chinese; the number of rights and licenses issued; revenue collected and cases disposed of at the several offices in the district. I have, &c, W. H. Eeyell, The Under Secretary for Gold Pields, Wellington. Warden.

THE Population of the district is estimated at 4,775, and is located as follows:—

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Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Greenstone. Total. luropeans 'hinese 3,026 130 415 220 331 103 380 170 4,152 623 Total 3,156 635 434 550 I 4,775

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RETURN of Cases disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts during the Year, as follows :—

THE Revenue for the twelve months, amounting to £26,844 3s. 8d., is made up as under:—

RETURN of Miners' Rights, Licenses, and Registrations issued by the Receivers of Gold Revenue at their respective offices: —

NELSON GOLD FIELDS. No. 12. Mr. Warden Ciiables Broad to the Uitdeb SecketaeY for Gold Fields. Sib ,— Westport, 7th April, 1876. I have the honor, in transmitting to you the annual report of this district for the year ending 31st March, 1876, to point out to you that I labour under some disadvantage in actually not having had permanent charge of the district for moro than two months; and although it is not much more than twelve months ago since Mr. Warden Giles relieved me of tho portion of the district known as the Lyell, yet it is more than four years since I gave up charge of the Charleston and Brighton Districts to him. I would, however, premise that the Buller District, now in my charge, is bounded by tho Karamea northwards on the sea coast, and by the Eiver Hope northwards inland, and the Eazorback southwards on the coast, a distance of some 150 miles, and includes within its area the township of Westport, Charleston, Brighton, and the Lyell, and the various gold workings in proximity to those places, and also in detached terraces and rivers forming a continuous line through the entire distance. To supply the requirements of these places a monthly Court is held at the Lyell, a distance of 44 miles from Westport once a month, which enables the miners from the Upper Buller, Marahuia, Matakitaki, Mangles, &c, to attend. The Westport Court, which is held weekly, and oftener when occasion requires, supplies the wants of the miners working on the various terraces to the north, also at the Mokihinui aud Karamea Eivers, and on the south Addison's Flat and the various beach claims working

Civil. Criminal. Wardens. Total. rreymouth !lifton L rnold rreenstone 548 24 56 44 207 13 3 17 10 4 36 120 771 41 94 81 Total 672 75 987 240

f Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Greenstone. Total. Warden's Department ... Resident Magistrate's Department Spirit Licenses ... Fees: Licensing Courts... 3-old Duty, Westland ... £ s. d. 589 8 6 £ 353 s. d. 3 0 £ 360 s. 9 d. 0 £ s. 544 11 d. 0 £ s. d. 1,847 11 6 722 11 0 2,090 0 0 66 5 6 2,251 3 6 53 5 408 5 11 19 600 0 6 0 6 0 775 16 6 2,498 5 0 78 5 0 2,851 3 6 Elalf-share Customs Ee5,719 8 6 353 3 0 360 9 0 1,618 1 0 8,051 1 6 venue 18,793 2 2 18,793 2 2 Total 24,512 9 8 353 3 0 360 9 0 1,618 1 0 26,844 3 S

Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Greenstone. Total. liners' Eights lusiness Licenses [alf-yearly do. (uarterly do. .egistrations, 5s. Do. 2s. Gd. Do. Is. ... 366 4 7 2 355 33 969 332 2 4 239 5 21 18 355 16 17 5 89 7 175 1,292 25 47 29 424 40 1,144 W. H. Ee 'ELL, Warden.

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to the Totara Eiver, and up the Buller Eiver to the Blackwater. The Charleston Court is held fortnightly, and involves a ride of 36 miles, there and back, twice a month. At this Court attend the miners up to the Totara Eiver, north of Charleston, the Brighton miners, and those working to the south of Brighton, and between that place and Eazorback. Present State of Gold Melds.— -The discovery last year of the reefs at Mokihinui led eventually to the construction of a rough foot-track from the Lyell to that place; and there is every reason to suppose that there is a continuous line of reef running from the Inangahua, Capleston, and Larry's Creek, through the Lyell to the Mokihinui. At both these latter places, however, although rich payable leaders have been struck, the lower levels have not been developed, in consequence of want of capital. Speaking particularly of the Lyell reefs, I suggested three years ago the various companies interested combining, and putting in a low-level tunnel for a distance of 2,000 feet to try for the main reef. By co-operation of this description the individual expense would not be heavy, and the permanent development of the district secured. As it is, much disappointment has ensued, the leaders running out, and many men have abandoned the uncertainty of gold mining at the Lyell for more certain employment on public works. At the same time, although quartz mining in this district, owing to these causes, is rather at a low ebb at present, sufficient has been done with the limited means at command to establish the fact of the existence of most valuable auriferous quartz reefs, and which eventually will rival in richness any previous discoveries in the colony. With reference to alluvial mining, which is going on through the length and breadth of the district in various ways, noticeably ground sluicing, tunnelling, and beach-combing, here the yield of gold during the year has fallen off considerably ; not on account of want of auriferous ground, but principally from the want of water and labour. A great number of miners have left for other places, whilst others have taken employment on the public works going on in the vicinity of Westport. The gigantic tunnels put in at the Caledonian, German Jack's, Giles' Terraces, and Addison's Flat are monuments of the industry and perseverance of the miners ; and the only way to get the present population of miners to stop, and to induce others to come, is to interpret the regulations in the most liberal manner, and to make them as elastic as possible. Roads.- —-Perhaps the most noticeable matter in the district during the year is the opening the road up the Buller Eiver to Nelson. When two or three rivers are bridged, a coach can be driven up with ease, and it is a great comfort to be able to reach the Lyell now in about seven hours, when formerly, with great peril, it took two or three days to accomplish the journey. The road from Westport to Charleston, via Addison's, is also of great public convenience, and all that is required is active supervision over the maintenance of this and other roads. Easy means of communication are necessary to the successful development of a new country, and it is gratifying to notice the network of roads now in existence in the province, which did not exist nine years since, when I was transferred from Otago as Warden to Brighton. The Local Eevenue Board at Lyell, and Municipality at Westport, have both done good work with their limited means iv pushing on and supervising work in the various localities. Agriculture. —lt is also gratifying to notice that large quantities of land are being applied for under " The Agricultural Lease Begulations Gold Fields Act, 1866," and " Nelson Waste Lands Act." The Provincial Government having recently thrown open the Hampden Eeserve, Upper Buller, a largo number of applications to lease have been lodged at the Lyell office. Conclusion. —lt appears to me that the district generally has all the elements of prosperity and success, possessing as it does gold both in quartz and alluvial, excellent coal in unlimited quantity, a good river harbour, connected by good roads with the gold-mining centres, and, by a railway in course of construction, to the coal, abundance of timber easily procurable. These, combined with a liberal administrative policy, ought to lay the foundation of a permanent and prosperous settlement. I have the honor to append the statistics of the district for the year ending March 31st, 1876. I have, &c, Chables Beoad, The Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

STATISTICS of Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Offices, Districts of Buller, Charleston, and Lyell, for the year ending March 31st, 1876.

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Particulars. Buller. ■Charleston. Lyell. Total. diners' Eights issued ... Justness Licenses issued lummonses, "Warden's Court Implications Eegistered Eights ... Ditto, Gold Mining Leases Ditto, Agricultural Leases tesident Magistrate's Court— Number of Criminal Cases ... ,, Civil Cases • - * 216 25 5 166 6 13 166 332 293 6 11 495 14 13 233 16 11 153 3 10 742 47 27 814 23 36 22 56 43 195 231 583 3—H. 3.

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No. 13. Mr. "Warden Shaw to the TJndee Seceetaet for Gold Fields. Sib — Reefton, 12th April, 1876. I have the honor to forward to you the usual statistical returns, compiled in the four principal offices of the district under my charge, namely, Reefton, Ahaura, No Town, and Cobden. As my appointment as Warden only dates some two months back, I feel considerable difficulty in preparing for your consideration a report adequate to the importance and progress of this portion of the gold fields; but, at the risk of withholding what might prove valuable information, I have confined my remarks to matters that have come under my own observation. Inangahua District. Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts are held at Reefton twice in each week. There is almost an entire freedom from serious crime; and of the 103 criminal charges on the police sheet for the past year, all, with but two or three exceptions, have been dealt with summarily. On the civil side, 326 cases have been disposed of, and this portion of the work requires very much of the magistrate's time and attention ; and it may perhaps soon be considered advisable to appoint a second Justice of the Peace at Reefton, to relieve the Resident Magistrate's Court list of a number of small-debt cases. In the Warden's Court, 9 cases have been adjudicated on ; 229 applications have been made to the Court under the rules. Of this number 25 were applications for cancellation of gold mining leases ; 260 miners' rights have been issued ; of business licenses, 9 annual, 40 half-yearly, and 188 quarterly have been taken out; 77 gold mining and 12 agricultural leases have been applied for. The Provincial Revenue for the financial year amounted to £4,455 19s. 6d.; and the Resident Magistrate's Court fees and fines to £415 10s. Bd. The population of the Inangahua District I estimate at 1,450, but this computation is necessarily only an approximate one. The Beefs. —At present mining operations in some of the principal claims are totally suspended, owing to a dispute between employers and employed as to the rate of wages. Hitherto the miuimum rate of miner's wages lias been £3 10s. per week, and on the refusal of the men to accept a proposed reduction of 10s. per -week, a lock-out has ensued. Some fine claims are standing idle, and a number of men have left, or are about to leave, the district. Whether the companies are justified in their action or not, there can be no question they have incurred a very serious responsibility in disturbing a peaceable and well-ordered community at the approach of the most inclement season of the year, especially as one of the companies to take the initiative has divided about £9,000 in dividends during the past twelve months. I append a synopsis of the yield of gold, with approximate number of tons crushed, in the Inangahua District, for year ending 31st March, 1876, by which it will be seen that from 33,064 tons- of quartz crushed, 24,278 oz. of melted or retorted gold have been obtained. Dividends have been paid to the amount of £27,513, aud calls made by registered companies to the amount of £17,196. During the twelve months ending 31st March, 1875, the dividends amounted to about £13,000. It is gratifying to observe that this year they have increased upwards of 100 per cent.

Eevenue. Buller. Charleston and Brighton. I Lyell. Total. Eesident Magistrate's CourtFees and Fines Provincial Account... £ s. d. 405 7 2 1,908 10 8 £ s. d. 69 7 2 846 14 0 £ s. d. 252 18 2 1,176 11 3 £ s. d. 727 12 7 3,931 15 11 Population, "Westport Charleston Brighton... Lyell ... 2,000 500 150 340 Total ... 2,990 Gold exported from Westport from April 1,1875 to March 31,1876 Duty ... ... ... ... £2,224 11 7 Value ... ... ... ... 89,064 2 5 Oz. dwt. gr. 22,245 17 2

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YIELD of GOLD, with Number of Tons Crushed, Inangahua District, Year ending 31st March, 1876.

N.B.—Quantity of gold in all cases is correct —partly melted, part retorted. Quantity of tons crushed, in some few cases, is approximate; but the above total will be found very nearly correct. Several new claims have commenced operations, and in a short time the value of the immense quartz deposits at Rainy Creek will be tested, as the new company's battery has already begun work. In addition to the wealth derived from auriferous rocks, this district possesses vast quantities of coal, antimony, galena ore, marble; and numerous enterprises are undertaken or are in contemplation to develop the mineral resources so obviously abundant. The greatest obstacle in the way of successful investment is the extraordinary outlay for carriage of the necessary plant and machinery. The cost of delivery at Beefton from Westport or Greymouth may be reckoned at from £10 to £12 per ton ; and during the winter, at £15. This can only be attributed to the unfinished condition of the roads ; that from "Westport being entirely impassable to vehicles of any description as far as the junction of the Inangahua and Buller Bivers ; while a section of the Greymouth road, from the crossing of the Grey to Lardi's accommodation-house, has not yet been commenced, and communication between these points is entirely interrupted after a few hours' rainfall. I know of nothing more calculated to advance the interests of the districts under my charge than a well-main-tained and bridged road from Greymouth via Eeefton to Westport. Ahaura District. Eesident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts are held monthly at Granville, and fortnightly at Ahaura. The Court formerly held at Nelson Creek was discontinued by my predecessor, Mr. Warden Broad, many of the miners being occupied in the construction of the Government water race. I expect, upon the completion of that work, many of the men employed upon it will betake themselves to their old employment, and it may be necessary to resume the sittings of a local Court. At Ahaura, 398 applications were lodged under the rules during the twelve months ending 31st March, 1876 ; and 541 miners' rights were issued. 31 annual, 43 half-yearly, and 16 quarterly business licenses were taken out; 8 gold-mining leases were applied for, 2 extended claims, and 2 agricultural leases. In the Eesident Magistrate's Court, 31 criminal and 104 civil cases were disposed of. The amount of Provincial Eevenue collected was £3,680 lis. 9d., and by Eesident Magistrate's Court fees, &c, £156 3s. 4d. The population of the Ahaura District may be estimated at about 2,000. Most of the miners are employed in ground-sluicing ; the gold workings throughout the valley being as yet almost entirely alluvial. A good deal of prospecting has been done during the summer on the Moonlight ranges, without any very marked success, but it is believed that the discovery of payable quartz there is only a matter of time. In the meantime, the experiment is being tried of utilizing this tract of country for pastoral purposes. Ahaura is rapidly becoming the most important cattle market on the West Coast; and if a better track were provided from Canterbury across the Amuri saddle, a considerable impetus would be given to the trade. Owing to a landslip in the month of March the track was closed, and up to this date the drivers incur the utmost risk and hardship in making tho trip. The statistical returns for No Town and Cobden Districts require no comment from me. The

Reti irns. Dividends Paid during Year. Name of Company. Bemarks. Tons. Ounces. £ Ajax Q.M. Co., Eegistered Wealth of Nations Q.M. Co., Eegistered Energetic Q. M. Co., Registered 2,411 6,900 7,850 2,725 4,899 5,510 10,075 9,000 Paid off £2,000 on machinery. Also put up the extra head out of profit. North Star Tribute No. 2 South Larry's Q.M. Co., Limited 315 3,640 190 1,911 Paid off £2,200 of debt on machinery and claim. Eldorado Phoenix Q.M. Co., Eegistered Golden Ledge, Eegistered Just in Time, Eegistered Caledonian, Eegistered Victoria, Eegistered ... G-olden Treasure, Eegistered Vulcan, Eegistered Independent, Eegistered Fiery Cross, Limited ... Keep It Dark, Eegistered Hercules, Eegistered ... Hopeful, Eegistered ... Boatman's Creek, Limited ... 167 490 1,640 56 149 180 546 815 1,256 884 3,091 595 1,932 138 12 167 1,125 480 56 375 94 201 500 665 796 1,194 770 2,488 122 10 2,800 400 First crushing. First crushing. First crushing. 333 1,400 3,505 First crushing. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Venus 33,064 24,278 27,513

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Chinese population of the former place are most orderly and industrious, for the most part working claims abandoned by Europeans. I trust the Government may consider it advisable to strengthen the hands of their Wardens and Magistrates by the appointment of clerks. At present, only one Court out of five in these districts possesses its own clerk. At the Ahaura, Granville, No Town, and Cobden Courts, the duties are performed by the sergeant or constable in charge, and it may be readily supposed that a proper discharge of their office duties encroaches very much upon the time required for police work, or vice versa. Besides this, the two functions seem to me incongruous in many respects. Ido not wish to cast any reflection upon the individual officers, who most zealously; and faithfully are attempting to discharge their offices ; but the result is none the less undesirable and inconvenient. I have, &c, Edwaed Shaw, The Under Secretary of the Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 14. Mr, Warden Guinness to the TJndee Secbetaby for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Collingwood, 6th April, 1876. I have the honor to forward herewith statistical returns, made up as accurately as practicable. I may remark that the return of the quantity of gold produced in this district can only be taken for a mere approximation, as I am credibly informed that a considerable quantity of gold is transmitted for sale to Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika, where it realizes about 2s. per ounce more than the banks at Nelson pay for it. This is one of the many drawbacks which the Collingwood gold miners have to contend against, and it is one for which it seems impossible to suggest a remedy. There is no doubt a remarkable difference in the value of the gold obtained from the various localities worked here, some of the gold being very pure, some much coated with iron, and some containing a large proportion of silver. I think I should be warranted in stating that the yield of gold from the whole district does not fall short of 1,400 oz., so that at least 300 oz. are sent to the West Coast for sale there; consequently on the quantity (about 1,100 oz.) sold to the banks at Nelson, the miners sustain a loss of about 2s. per ounce. Since my last nothing remarkable has taken place in gold mining matters here. One gold-mining company (registered), the Northumberland, failed in their attempts to work the cement deposits in Lightband's Gully; and, after expending a considerable sum in machinery and erecting a dam, have had to wind up their affairs, the gold not proving payable. A pariy of men have taken up a quartz-prospecting area in Golden Gully, near the late Decimal Company's abandoned ground, and I am informed that they have obtained good indications of a payable reef. They are endeavouring to form a company to put up machinery of the most improved kind. These men have had much experience in quartz mining, both at the Thames and in Australia, and I have confidence in their report. This locality has produced a good deal of gold; and although it has not yet proved to have a defined reef, yet the more systematic method this party have adopted for testing the ground affords a better prospect of success than any previous attempts. Should they be fortunate in finding a payable reef, I believe it will greatly aid in opening up a more permanent gold field in this district than has hitherto been done. A few parties have been doing pretty well in the river claims of the Aorere. This method of mining is only practicable during the summer and autumn months, as the winter and spring freshes prevent the works going on. The claims pay the holders well, and give employment to a number of extra hands. A mineral 'lease has been taken up at Eichmond Hill, on the Farapara, for silver, by the proprietors, who have obtained the services of Mr. Masters, a competent metallurgist, and an assayer. Silver ore of a rich quality has been found, but the ground has not yet been sufficiently opened up to enable the owners to say whether a sufficient quantity of it can be traced to justify any large outlay. The result of these operations is being anxiously looked for ; and should a rich lode be discovered, it will prove of great importance to the district, and will no doubt lead to a more thorough search being made for silver ores, as several other places are reported where it is said to exist. During the past year but few additional water races have been constructed in the district, and none that call for any remark. No new machinery has been erected during the past twelve months. The whole of the plant of the Decimal Company, and that of the Northumberland Company, have been sold, both at very great sacrifice. These unsuccessful transactions of mining speculations have undoubtedly tended to bring the Collingwood Gold Fields into disrepute in the eye of speculators; but the very injudicious method that has been adopted hitherto of putting up expensive machinery before even a trace of gold was found could hardly lead to anything but failure. A large number of old and abandoned gold-mining leases, which locked up a considerable area of auriferous ground, have been cancelled, and already several parties of miners have taken up portions of this ground under miners' rights, some of whom are doing fairly. During the past year a large number of agricultural leases have been taken up, but I am unable to state accurately how much land lias been granted, in consequence of " The Nelson Waste Lands Act, 1874," empowering tho Waste Lands Board of the province to grant leases in the gold fields, while at the same time agricultural leases are issued under "The Gold Fields Act, 1866." Some persons avail themselves of one kind, some of the other method, so that I am only able to state the area granted under the latter. lam aware that a considerable area has been taken up under the provisions of the Waste Lands Act, so that both together show that a large increase of permanent settlement is taking place here. This will soon cause a demand on the part of the settlers for improved means of communication, which at present is very deficient.

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The Parapara Coal and Iron Mining Company have for some time ceased to work their coal mine, and on the cessation of this part of their works a number of men were thrown out of employment, causing much distress and dissatisfaction. The company are preparing for the erection of their furnaces, but are making but little progress at present. The partial failure of this company's speculations has had a somewhat bad effect; but they are in possession of immense mineral resources, and may yet succeed in developing them. I may also mention that a private individual has commenced the manufacture of bricks from the immense deposits of a kind of half-decomposed limestone, and these bricks are reported by experts to be of a very superior quality. At present it is premature to say whether the experiment will prove a financial success ; if it shouldfbrickmaking will be one of the most important industries of this district, as the raw material is practically unlimited, and of easy access. In conclusion, I may state that the district contains large auriferous deposits, which have as yet scarcely been touched. Gold has been found in many places where, for want of roads, the labour of getting up provisions is so great that the miners cannot profitably occupy these places. Much good agricultural land, too, lies unoccupied for the same reason. In fact, during the past year no attempts have been made in this part of the district to assist in the settlement of it. In the Takaka Valley some improvements have been made. A new wharf has been erected at the Waitapu, which, with the improved roads and bridges, will help those who have invested a considerable capital in saw-mills in the valley. I must call your attention to the very inefficient state of the police here. There are only two men employed, called district constables, who are both totally inexperienced with police duties, and who, from the low pay they get (£6O per annum), seem to consider that their only duties are to serve summonses or other processes of the Court. I have called the attention of the Provincial Government to this matter, but no notice has been taken of it. I therefore wish to place on record my opinion that an alteration of the present force is absolutely necessary. I may state that complaints of rowdyism in some of the outlying places have been made to me ; but the present police are useless for the prevention of such conduct. Sly grog-selling is also notoriously carried on in many places, which more efficient police officers would at all events help to repress. I have, &c, Frank Guinness, The TJnder Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden. Eettjrn of Yield of Gold, Miners' Bights, Business Licenses, &c.; also Criminal and Civil Cases, and Fees and Fines in the Eesident Magistrates' Courts. Approximate yield of Gold ... ... ... ... ... 1,100 oz. Miners' Eights issued, at £3 ... ... ... ... ... 1 Applications for Eegistered Eights ... ... ... ... 202 Number of Criminal Cases ... ... ... ... ... 32 ~ „ Civil Cases ... ... ... ... ... 53 Fees and fines ... ... ... ... ... ... £64 14 5 Fees, &c., paid to Provincial Account ... ... ... ... £321 14 2

No. 15. Mr. Warden Lowthee Broad to the Under Secretary, for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 13th April, 1876. I have not been able to fill up the numerous returns required by your office, because the mining population under my charge is sparsely scattered over a considerable tract of country, and as regards quartz workings none of the companies at Wangapeka have done any work at all during the past twelve months. At the Baton, small parties of miners continue to make a living from the alluvial workings ; and at the Sherry Eiver the sluicing parties are earning, as they have been for some years past, decent wages. Biver workings in the Wangapeka District continue to attract and support a limited number of miners, who appear to be able to earn something more than the bare cost of living. There has been a growing feeling for some time past that the quartz reefs in this district, which created so much stir five or six years ago have not been fully and fairly tested. There ia plenty of crushing power on the ground, and there is a prospect of a fresh effort being made ere long to prove the value of the Wangapeka reefs. Scattered about the Sherry, Wangapeka, and Baton Districts, all of which are under my charge, there are about 150 miners all engaged in alluvial workings, and making enough to maintain them in comparative comfort. I have, &c, Lowther Broad, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

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MARLBOROUGH GOLD FIELD. No. 16. Mr. Warden Whitehorn to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib, — Havelock, Marlborough, 4th April, 1876. I have the honor of forwardiug herewith my annual report on the gold fields of this Province, together with the returns in duplicate as requested by you. I have, &c, C. E. Haughton, Esq., Under Secretary, Public Works % W. Whitehorn, Office, (Gold Fields Branch), "Wellington. "Warden. Eeport on the Gold Fields of the Province of Marlborough for the year ended 31st March, 1876. Pelorus. —The population in this district has slightly decreased during the year, being now reduced to about thirty men. In my last year's report I stated that a quartz reef had been discovered near Deep Creek, the chief centre of population. This reef has been prospected considerably, and two leases of areas of sixteen acres each have been applied for. A sample of the stone has been tested by the Government Analyst, and a result of 3 oz. 10 dwts. 19 grs. obtained. Two tons of stone is now being brought down with a view of testing it on a larger scale, before the applicants proceed to erect machinery. The gold in this reef is very fine, and apparently very generally distributed ; but the alluvial gold obtained in the neighbourhood is of a coarse quality, so that it would appear that other reefs are existing not far distant. A second reef about two miles south has been found, gold-bearing ; but although a considerable amount of labour has been expended on it, the finders have abandoned it for the present, under the belief that it would not be payable, though no test has been made, and the stone is of a similar character to that of the first-mentioned reef. Within the last week another reef has been discovered, also gold-bearing, a few miles further south, in the range of hills between Pelorus and Wairau Gold Fields. These finds lead to the conclusion that the country is intersected by numerous gold-bearing reefs, which will probably be traced through into the Wairau Gold Field to the south of Pelorus ; and as a large proportion of the gold taken out of the upper part of the Wakamarina and its side streams is attached to quartz, it would appear that some of them must contain gold in payable quantities. But the difficulty of searching for them is great, the whole country being a dense bush, though up to the present time very few miners have devoted themselves to the work, probably not more than five or six ; and as three reefs are now known to exist, one js led to anticipate a future as a reefing district whenever a more systematic search is made. No new works have been undertaken in alluvial mining, the few men at present on the ground being still able to get a fair average earning of about 30s. per week on and about the old workings. Wairau. —About twenty men are still working at Onamatutu, principally on private land. Some very heavy pieces of gold are taken out, some as large as 7 oz., 1 oz. and 2 oz. being common, but the ground is very patchy. The reef mentioned by me last year has been abandoned by the finders for want of means to test it. Eavenscliffe. —Operations here have been entirely suspended for some months. Queen Charlotte Sound. —Nothing has been done here. I regret the very unsatisfactory report I am compelled to make of the mining industry in the Marlborough Gold Fields, the population being smaller than at any previous time. The Pelorus would undoubtedly support a considerable population if water could be brought on to command the terraces, which are unworked as yet; but, as I have stated in former reports, the capital required for the initiatory works is not to be found among us, and nothing but water applied as indicated, or the successful prospecting for reefs, willj raise the district from its present dormant state. W. Whitehorn, C. E. Haughton, Esq., Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Wardon.

AUCKLAND GOLD FIELDS. No. 17. The Provincial Secretary, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 3rd May, 1876. Adverting to your circular of the 10th February ultimo, I have the honor to forward the report and returns (received this day from the Mining Inspector) of the Hauraki South Gold Mining District, for the year ended 31st March ultimo. I have, &c, Keader "Wood, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Provincial Secretary. General Report on the Southern portion of the Hatirahi Gold Mining District, for the year ending 31s# March, 1876. The mining events of the year will be noticed in the order in which they occurred ; some general remarks follow. At the beginning of April, the Moanataiari mine, being in full swing, got in the fortnight 271 oz., 200 oz. covering all expenses, mining and general. A mining rush, with extension of the gold fields in a southerly and easterly direction takes place; the opening of the Ohinemuri Block having been followed by that of tho Tairua, drawing oft' some of the mining population to these rushes; although at this time important results were being obtained from the City of London, Queen of Beauty, Cure, and Caledonian.

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The Pumping Association are now down 505 feet. A quartz reef here met with: being full of minerals, a parcel of 16 cwt. was crushed. This yielded at the rate of 5 dwts. to the ton. As portions of the Caledonian reef, at the time the richest stone was obtained, yielded from portions thereof about the same percentage, it may be that the same rich runs of gold may be found in the Pumping Association reefs when further explored. In Ohinemuri good payable reefs are found in the Karangahake Spur. In the Waitekauri Creek successful sluicing has led to the discovery and prospecting of reefs showing gold freely. Litigation, however, has greatly retarded the progress of this portion of the field. The evils resulting from the adoption of " The Gold Melds Act, 1866," soon developed themselves, showing that this part of the field should be joined to the South'Hauraki District under "The Gold Mining Districts Act, 1873," which has subsequently been accomplished with happy results. In Ohinemuri, Prospectors' Claim, two trial tons gave 4 oz. 1 dwt. Near Tapu, in the Mata Creek, very rich alluvial pockets are found, showing the proximity of a good reef. In Tairua, mining is much impeded owing to want of roads, the present tracks being mere bridletracks, through dense forest, up hills rising steeply, an altitude of 2,000 feet having to be attained in a distance of 4.j miles. The journey is performed by pack-horses with difficulty, several having died on the road, others have fallen over the rocky precipices forming the sides of the track. However, these dangers never daunted the miners, and in the Prospectors' and neighbouring claim rich gold in quantity showed. In the beginning of May water became short generally ; however, the most important works are progressing as usual, and profitable results accrue to mining companies in several parts of the field; indeed, lately operations have been marked by important finds. The Cure, in its No. 5 reef, has turned out rich beyond expectations. The Manakau gives good yields. In the Bright Smile, a new plunger is fixed in the bottom level. The further sinking of the shaft will enable adjoining companies—viz., the Queen of Beauty, the City of London, and others—to sink deeper and open fresh levels, these adjacent mines being drained by the pumps of the Bright Smile. The City of London has paid a dividend of £1,250, or ss. per share. Queen of Beauty has paid £71 10s. per share for a fortnight's crushing, there being seven full shares. Manakau realized 455 oz. for a month's crushing—a very payable yield. At the commencement of June, in consequence of inadequate contributions to the Waio-Karaka pumps, the subject of the drainage of the Waio-Karaka mines was raised by the Bright Smile calling a meeting of the directors and others interested, including Queen of Beauty, Queen of May, Bird in Hand, Exchange, Queen of the Thames, Pumping Association, and Imperial Crown. The whole question of the "Waio-Karaka drainage was here discussed, and the expenses laid before the meeting:— The cost of the pumping per week was ... ... ... ... £64 13 4 Ditto cost per annum ... ... ... ... ... 4,403 0 0 Cost of sinking 170 feet, dry shaft, per foot ... ... ... 3 17 0 Ditto 170 feet, wet shaft,per foot ... ... ... 29 0 0 From these facts a basis of contribution was arranged. In the Albion mine two good finds occurred—one, a continuation of the rich reefs worked in the upper level, was found 170 feet deeper with good results. The Manakau and Cure mines are still yielding well. Tlie Moanataiari mine having opened communication with the old Eureka —an adjoining claim which the company purchased—good gold has been found, bringing up the Moanataiari average above 10 dwts. The profits accruing have nearly wiped off the heavy cost of erecting their fine crushing plant. Operations in the Waio-Karaka, now containing the most important gold-producing mines on the Thames, have been extensive. The Bright Smile pumps, having been considerably added to, were started, and soon cleared its own ground, as well as that of the neighbouring mines, in which the water had risen considerably during the temporary stoppage. An immediate resumption of work in the main levels was made, the result of which was very satisfactory. In the Queen of Beauty, the first fortnight's return paid the shareholders each £120 per seventh share, and the second fortnight paid £67 per share. The City of London also has been very prosperous lately, having paid a dividend of 7s. 6d. per share —all expenses paid. About June 10th, at Ohinemuri, a rush occurred to Owharoa. Stuff of great richness was found ; 120 oz. gold sold by the prospectors. A number of claims were at once pegged out, and eventually licenses were applied for. In the Thames proper, yields very good. In "Waitekauri, the Dan Leahy, Golden Point, and Crown Claims having amalgamated under the name of the Waitekauri Gold Mining Company, area twenty-seven men's ground, have agreed with Mr. Bleazard for the erection of a 40-head battery, to cost not less than £10,000, driven by an overshot wheel 36ft. diameter, 10ft. broad, and 20in. shrouding, calculated to drive 100 head of stamps; and as a tramway conveys the stuff from the mine faces direct into the mill, a yield of 5 dwt. will give a profit. The Tairua litigation having ended, mining thereat proceeding. In July, good finds at Tapu, in the Bullion and adjoining claims. In August. —Two splendid gold-bearing reefs are found in the Cure ; in the Golden Calf also a rich and wide reef. The Waio-Karaka mines maintaining their pre-eminence—viz., Queen of Beauty, City of London, Queen of May, Bright Smile. In Tairua, large areas of ground taken up; two trial crushings from the prospector's claim hare induced this action, one trial parcel giving 48 oz. to the ton. Manakau giving good returns. Inverness pays the tributers (four) the handsome sum of £200 per man after paying expenses. Golden Crown resumes operations. During September, the engine shaft of the Bright Smile is sunk a depth of 70 ft., making a depth

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of 400 ft. In sinking, a run of rich stone was found in the shaft lode. Queen of Beauty has continued to yield splendid returns, having divided amidst seven shareholders the sum of £379 9s. each per share for a month's run. A rich find in Caledonian. Queen of Beauty still prosperous, having divided for one-seventh share, £282 each. On the 20th September operations were stopped at the Bright Smile, the company having incurred a heavy debt in erecting a 40-head battery and expensive tramway thereto, and having pumped for the neighbouring mines, which pumping was done at great loss, the contributions being inadequate. The effect of this stoppage is very disastrous to all the neighbouring mines. These include the Queen of Beauty, City of London, Queen of May, Exchange, and other nnnes. In October the effect of this stoppage soon became apparent. The City of London became flooded in the low levels, the water rising at the rate of 1 ft. 9 in. per diem. All the other mines equally affected, consequently the men are discharged, and the mines cease working. A rush takes place to Waitekauri. Many claims pegged out. At Tararu, J. Taylor discovers, by accident, a rich reef, while cutting a timber track. Claim called Little Agnes ; value of gold, £3 ss. lOd. per ounce. In Queen of Beauty water rises to flat sheets. Fourteen days' working gives £75 12s. per share for seven shares after paying expenses. In Tairua, Golden Arrow strikes good gold. In Waio-Karaka the mines are completely stopped by the rise of water. In the Bright Smile for some time past the largest supply of crushing stuff found has occurred in the deep levels ; for instance, in the new level just commenced prior to the stoppage, a rich show of gold was mot with at a depth of 400 ft. under the sea level. This is probably the deepest at which gold has been found under the sea level in these colonies. The City of London have developed greater wealth in their deepest level than had been found even in the upper ; and the deepest level of the Queen of Beauty has been the most profitable. During October. —In Tairua there have been important finds from the Tairua Company battery: 20 tons gave 94 oz. 4 dwts. They are increasing their battery. The Ajax also have machinery ready for conveyance to their claim, consisting of a 10-stamper plant complete, with engine and boiler, which they are anxious to put up as soon as possible. This they cannot do at present; owing to want of roads no machinery can pass at present. In November, at Ohinemuri, little done lately, also owing to want of roads capable of carrying machinery, which is now waiting transport: the framing and timberwork of a 40-head battery being in readiness and fixed in situ. Also in Karangahake, the woodwork, with building, of a 20-head battery have been erected; when the roads are completed, the machinery and ironwork for the two aforesaid batteries will be at once conveyed to their respective sites, and the batteries set to work. The Cure gives a splendid yield of 1,205 oz., paying a dividend of -Is. per share. The Queen of Beauty has had two rich crushings, and paid two dividends of £78 Bs. per share, and also a dividend of £100 per share after paying expenses. The City of London, out of an intermediate level, paid a dividend of 7s. 6d. per share, or a total of £1,875. Many small mines are paying handsomely. At Tapu, the Bullion from a crushing obtained 77 oz. 18 dwts. 12 grs., worth £3 os. sd. per oz. Moanataiari has greatly improved, produce giving over 11 dwts. to the ton, bearing a large profit. During February, miners being out of work through Waio-Karaka iloodings, many left for the Palmer and other diggings. Sixty of our best left by the " Hero," most of whom carried with them from £50 to £200 each. At the end of February, a scheme for drainage of the Waio-Karaka mines is adopted. Per cent. Bright Smile ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 Queen of Beauty ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 City of London ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 Queen of the May... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 City of York ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 New Exchange ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Crown Princess ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Bird in Hand ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Total 100 Of these the Queen of Beauty, City of London, and Bright Smile form the Drainage Association. These will purchase the plant and shaft of the present Bright Smile Company ; other companies who derive benefit will contribute their assigned quota. Advantage has been taken of the United Pumping Association shaft having reached a depth of 660 feet to drive from it, and intersect the reefs running through the Albion, Long Drive, Kuranui, and Shotover Mines, the companies amalgamating. Tunnels also are to be driven towards the Bright Smile, thus intersecting a series of gold-bearing reefs, and draining the country at the same time. Caledonian getting good stuff, paying expenses, and leaving a profit. Moanataiari working steadily, getting good stone, especially a rich parcel from the old Eureka ground. Little Agnes giving 141 oz. weekly. With respect to the Pumping Association, the pumping arrangements are complete to 660 feet, ready to open out the drives to Albion, also towards Bright Smile. As respects the details of mining, the works are, as a rule, carried out in a thoroughly workmanlike manner, no inferior materials or workmanship being allowed to remain; every mine being frequently inspected, inferior work is at once removed and replaced by better. The machinery and general mining appliances are second to none in the colonies. There has been a remarkable immunity from mining accidents during the year. The sufferers have mostly neglected to attend to the prescribed precautions. Great inconvenience has been felt by miners, attended with much loss of valuable time, from the

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enactments of " The Arms Act, 1860," and its amendments, which require a permit for the purchase of each keg or parcel of powder. Could this be repealed or altered in the ensuing Session, it would be accepted as a great boon. " The Gold Fields Act, 1866," under which the Ohinemuri Gold Field was opened, has been superseded by " The Gold Mining Districts Act, 1873," as amended last Session. This change has been attended with great advantage, alike to the miners as to those charged with working the gold field. In conclusion, although the year has not been one of unmixed prosperity, yet, when the causes which have retarded the progress of the field are fairly weighed, it will be seen that the want of gold has not been the cause of the temporary depression; and as those adverse influences are now in a great measure removed, the coming year holds out every hope that it will be attended with prosperity and general advancement. I have, &c, Henry Goldsmith, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Mining Inspector. N.B.—ln the absence of official reports of the quantities of gold and other details, I have taken those furnished by the Advertiser, after verification.

HAURAKI SOUTH.—RETURN of YIELD of GOLD, from 31st March, 1875, to 31st March, 1876.

No. 19. The Provincial Secretary, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for G-old Fields. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 7th April, 1876. Adverting to your circular of the 10th February, I have tho honor to forward Mr. "Warden Fraser's report upon and returns of agricultural leases within the Hauraki G-old Mining District South, for the year ending 31st March ultimo. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Public Works Office, Reader Wood, (Gold Fields Branch,) "Wellington. Provincial Secretary. Beport on Agricultural Leases 'within the Hauraki Gold Mining District South (late Ohinemuri Gold Field), to 31st March, 1876. Referring to the return of agricultural leases in force on 31st instant, I have to report that the 33 in force were issued during the months of February and March instant, by which a gross area of 1,650 acres has been granted. The majority of these leaseholders, who have paid rent for the year ending 31st December, 1876, have commenced active operations for permanent settlement, and have already more than the quantity of land required by the regulations to be brought under cultivation during the first twelve months now in process of tillage. They have over 180 head of cattle and about 20 horses on the land. Besides the foregoing 33 leases, 37 applications have been made for leases up this date for 50 acres each, representing a gross area of 1,850 acres. Of these, 44 have been forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent for preparation of leases, 3 are in the hands of the District Engineer for examination of survey, and 30 are being surveyed. On some of these sections permanent settlement has already been commenced, nearly 100 acres are in a progressive state of cultivation, and about 130 head of cattle and 15 horses are on the land. Great delay and inconvenience have been experienced in getting the surveys completed owing to the want of minor trigonometrical stations, the existing trigonometrical stations being on an average five miles apart. The opening of the new road from Mackaytown to the Waitekauri machine site, for the purpose of enabling machinery to be conveyed there, has been of great value to the agricultural settlers located 4—H. 3.

From. To. Quartz. aold. March 31, 1875 ... April 14 May 12 June 9 ... July 7 August 4 September 1 September 29 October 27 November 19 December 16 January 14,1876... February 11 April 14 May 12 June 9 ... July 7 August 4 September 1 September 29 ... October 27 November 19 ... December 16 ... January 14, 1876 February 11 March 10 Tons cwts. lbs. 6,473 2 0 6,812 6 0 5,847 10 0 7,509 0 0 7,019 14 0 7,822 10 0 8,304 12 0 6,472 2 0 4,048 1 0 4,926 19 0 2,051 2 0 2,282 14 0 3,536 13 0 Oz. dwts. grs. 6,607 9 0 6,540 19 0 6,477 11 0 7,821 14 0 6,900 5 0 7,424 13 0 7,875 14 0 6,459 6 0 5,375 10 0 5,927 16 0 2,215 3 0. 2,204 17 0 3,988 12 0 73,106 5 0 75,819 9 0 H. Goldsmith, Mining Inspector.

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in its vicinity. It has induced many persons to apply for agricultural sections who would not otherwise have done so, on account of the difficulty of access to the land. Land towards the Aroha and elsewhere would be speedily taken up were the country opened up by similar roads. A printed copy of the regulations under which the leases have been taken up is appended. W. Eraser, Thames, 31st March, 1876. Warden.

No. 20. The Provincial Secretary, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, Bth May, 1876. I have the honor to forward the accompanying report and returns received this day from Mr. Warden Keddell, of the Northern Division of the Hauraki Gold Mining District, for the year ended 31st March ultimo. I have, &c, Reader Wood, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Provincial Secretary. Sir,— Warden's Office, Coromandel, 14th April, 1876. I have the honor to forward you my general report for the past year ending 31st;March ultimo, on the progress of the mines within the northern portion of the Hauraki Gold Mining District. As in my last report, the record of events of the past year shows merely the progress of established mines. The depression felt in the Southern Division of the district for the last six or nine months has to a certain extent appeared here, though at no time has there been a want of employment, nor any necessity for our labour to seek another market. The progress made in the three mines, the "Kapanga," "Tokatea," and " Union Beach," which I will, as before, more especially report on, as the paramount and pioneer claims in their respective localities, have all and each considerably advanced their position. These claims I will take in the same order as in last year's report. The Kapanga Gold Mining Company (English) have (with the exception of a vexatious delay of about two months, occasioned as before by the non-remittance of funds) been working steadily in the direction previously reported, to cut the old Kapanga reef. The shaft in April last was 249 feet in depth. This has been sunk to the intended depth of 300 feet, and a cross-cut driven in an easterlydirection towards the reef, which underlies 45 degrees towards the shaft. It was estimated that this would be effected in about 300 feet; but the drive is in 360 feet, and the reef has not yet been reached, though daily expected. This increase in the length of the cross-cut over the estimate is accounted for by the deviations made, which, in order to avail himself of easier ground, the manager thought advisable. I have already reported the excellence of the whole arrangements of this mine ; everything done is well done, and with a regard for the permanence of the work; and as the character of the reef they are seeking is well known in the old workings to be extremely rich, it is confidently expected that the company will soon possess a mine giving steady yields ; and this once the case, it cannot fail to be of very great importance to the district and the colony, by favourably bringing our mines to the notice of English enterprise. It is intended, after opening up the reef, to sink the shaft a further depth, and with tho powerful machinery and plant now on the ground a great deal of work can be got through. The driving tor the first 200 feet in the cross-cut was through very good country, but afterwards a series of belts of hard rock were met with, and alternate layers of softer stone. In the last 60 feet the ground changed to a dyke of hard stone of the most stubborn character yet seen in the mine or on the field, so hard and tough that progress could only be made at the rate of about 3to 4 feet in the week. Ordinary blasting powder was useless, and lithofracleicr had to be substituted. This ground has again changed, and at present the drive is passing through easy soft ground, and from the increase of water flowing in at the bottom of the face, it is believed that the reef is close at hand. Should this be reached within a reasonable time, I would deem it of sufficient importance to be mentioned in a supplementary report. A battery of 10-head of stampers, with foundations laid for 30 head, to be added when required, has been constructed alongside of the pumping engine, which also furnishes the crushing power. The Tokatea Gold Mining Company have continued steadily to work their mine. Little has occurred requiring comment here. The prospects are as good as ever. The seventh level has lately been opened and is now in about 70 feet. This will traverse the Margaretta, Van, and Bismark Companies' ground before reaching the Tokatea's eastern boundary, and will when completed be 1,500 feet long. Of course the assistance of the other companies interested in the work has been obtained; it will occupy some time, and will be very costly. The mine, when intersected at this depth, will have backs of about 200 feet to their present workings in the sixth level. The surrounding claims—Royal Oak, Pride of Tokatea, Harbour View, &c—have all been worked with varying success. In the Harbour View the upper workings have been let on tribute, and during the last month the tributers met with some stone yielding very well. The Pride of Tokatea has worked continuously that part of their claim available through the Tokatea upper workings, the remaining and greater portion is now at last about to be let on tribute. Paul's Creek. The Three Brothers. —This promising claim, owing to disagreement between the shareholders, has nearly been at a standstill; and it is much to be regretted, as its prospects are on every hand admittedly good. I regret to report that the favourable anticipations formed of the Plutus Gold Mining Company's property at Waikoromiko have not been realized. Though commenced under the most favourable auspices, the claim is now unworked, except by a small party of tributers.

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The tramway, at the time of my last report in progress, was in due course completed, and I make no doubt will be of great service to claims present and future in this portion of the district, which has given so many earnests of auriferous wealth. The City of Auckland, Quinton's, and New Green Harp are still working, though not making a great show. In this neighbourhood, though on the western watershed, on the site of the New Rakaia, a valuable find was made about a month since, which has resulted in three new applications for licenses; the prospectors are sanguine, and with some reason, as 2\ tons quartz yielded 53 oz. The Union Beach Gold Mining Company.—ln this mine the work projected, as reported last year, has been steadily and successfully carried out. The drive from the ISO-feet level has been pushed forward 320 feet, cutting the Black reef, and from this point they have driven on the reef east and west 150 and 145 feet respectively. To the eastward, about 43 feet from the intersection of the reef, a cross vein of highly auriferous quartz was cut, and from this a very rich haul of specimens has been taken. From the SO-feet level a winze was sunk early in the year on the reef 120 feet in depth, and in this piece of work the Company extracted some of the richest specimens ever seen in the Hauraki district. In this winze again, about half-way down, the reef has been driven east and west 60 feet and 91 feet respectively, and in both directions rich golden stone has been secured. About £7,000 of gold was obtained from this winze alone. There are two passes connecting the two levels. From a specimen leader met with in this winze, running from the Black reef at an angle of about 70°, 19 feet west of the winze in the lower level, 180 lbs. of specimens yielded 446 oz. of retorted gold. This block has yet to be stoped. At present gold is being obtained from seven different portions of the mine. The Company have during the past year purchased and put in position a horizontal engine, 18-inch cylinder, 30 h.p. This is used solely for pumping, and the smaller one formerly doing that work and the winding is used for the latter purpose only. The Company also recently purchased the 16-stamp battery formerly the property of the New Zealand Gold Mining and Quartz Company, Limited (England), until recently held by that Company under separate license on the Union Beach Company's ground. Despite these heavy outlays, and the very expensive nature of the works, the Company has recently declared two dividends of ss. each on their 8,000 shares, and a third of 7s. 6d. will be declared before this report is forwarded. No work has been done in the southern portion of the claim, where the Golden Pah and the Venus reefs, already proved to be auriferous, exist, owing to the risk of the inconvenient increase of water on the intersection of the reefs, which would add considerably to the work of the pumps. The portion now worked is that formerly held by the Green Harp Company, which obtained such an unfavourable notoriety in 1872. In this claim they have discovered three highly rich reefs—viz., the Green Harp, the Black reef intersecting the former at right angles, and the new lode referred 'to as the cross-vein cut in the lower level. As on former occasions, the rich finds in the Union Beach have led to the re-occupation of the surrounding ground with very good prospects of cutting the different reefs with a like result as in the pioneer claim. The New Pacific, which was forfeited, was taken up by a new company called " The Palmerston," and on this a shaft is in progress to cut the black reef. The John Bull, also forfeited, has been for the third time taken up, and license just issued for the same. To the north, and adjoining the private property known as South Wynyardton (on the maps), a small area of ground has been secured to intersect the black reef. The shaft is now down about 90 feet, and it is expected to cut the reef shortly. Of new discoveries there are few to report. At the Tiki there have been three licenses issued for new ground, encouraged by the finding of an auriferous leader in the neighbourhood of Castle Bock and which is now cut in a lower level, and the owners are justified in looking for good results. Other finds have been reported ; but as they have been made in older and abandoned claims, they do not properly come in this category. The Tunnel Company, holding their ground under " The Coromandel Tunnel Company's Act, 1872," have not done any work on the ground since last year's report. The total yield of gold shows a slight falling off from last returns, but I am satisfied that this fact should not be taken as evidence of the decadence of the field. The district, I consider, has made progress during the year; a very considerable quantity of dead work has been done in the principal claims, only just begining to repay them. When it is taken into consideration the large area, a radius of eight to ten miles from Coromandel Harbour, over which gold-bearing reefs have been found, many of them but merely uncovered, it must strike the experienced in other quartz fields that some of these giving such promise must be worthy of further trial. The great drawback to the advance of this portion of the district is that these discoveries are made by the practical working miners, as a rule not possessing any capital, and when backed they have only the support of men of their own class and circumstances, or the local tradesmen, who can spare little from their working capital for any outside investment, however promising, if returns are not immediate. Discoveries giving good earnest for the future are frequently made, that, in the hands of moneyed enterprise, would, I make no doubt, turn most profitable investments, but the instant it is a necessity for the proper development of these mines in embryo to commerce expensive dead work, such as a shaft, or long low level, to intersect a lode, the adventure languishes for want of means; and once the best claim becomes classed as " abandoned," it is only when fresh discoveries occur in its neighbourhood that it is looked at again, to again be deserted when works requiring instant outlay of ready money are inevitable. The Coromandel district abounds in such claims; but I am confident that it will one day be prospected as it ought to be, with a view to systematic work by persons who have something more than their labour to venture; and lam sanguine as to the result.

H.—3.

Population. I estimate the population at about 1,500, and of this number there are about 300 skilled miners. In the Warden's Court there have been very few cases. I have, in my last report, given my reasons, which are equally applicable to the past year's return. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, the following is a summary of the business done:— Criminal cases ... ... 79 Fees and fines ... £95 17 6 Civil suits ... 191 Fees ... ... £121 14 3 Totals ... ... 270 ... ... £217 11 9 I have, &c, Jackson Keddell, Warden.

28

29

H.—3.

No. 1. STATEMENT showing the REVENUE of the GOLD FIELDS collected in the several Districts, and the GOLD DUTY of the COLONY of NEW ZEALAND, for the period from 1st JANUARY to 31st DECEMBER, 1875. PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.

I Miners' Itights. Business Licenses. Water Races, Sluices, &c. Gold Mining Leases, Bents, and Eoyalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Survey Fees. Memorial Deposits of Companies. Depasturing] Licenses j and Assessments.! Timber and other Licenses. Withdrawals of Leases. Miscellaneous. Net Amount Gold Fielda Revenue. Total received, including Publicans' Licenses. Gbahamstown . Coromandel ... OniNEMUEI .,. £ s. d. 1,639 0 0 128 0 0 1,424 10 0 £ s. d. 22 0 0 £ s. d. 37 0 0 25 0 0 49 0 0 £ s. d. 2,363 8 11 746 18 8 10 0 0 £ s. d. 91 18 0 13 14 0 133 16 0 I £ s. d. 52 3 6 1 11 0 146 16 6 £ b. d £ s. d. £ s. d. ! 28 17 6 £ s. d. 107 0 0 16 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 210 19 6 73 0 0 51 12 0 £ s. d. 4,552 7 5 1,004 3 8 1,841 14 6 £ 8. d. 4,552 7 5 1,004 3 8 1,841 14 6 26" 0 0 ... 239 8 0 I 200 11 0 28 17 G 123 0 0 7,398 5 7 3,191 10 0 48 0 0 111 0 0 3,120 7 7 335 11 6 7,398 5 7 i Gold duty received in the pr< ivince during the year, £6,488 10s. 7d. PROVI1 YCE OF NELSON. 109 19 9 9 11 0 626 3 9 19 4 6 297 6 0 2 12 0 92 0 9 20 2 0 764 18 0 4 19 6 1,869 9 0 151 15 0 5 6 0 51 0 3 2 11 0 234 2 0 13 15 6 27 0 0 10 0 0 11 6 6 129 11 0 Collingwood .. Westpokt Charleston and Brighton COBDEN AnAtfBA Reeeton Wangapeka ... West Wanganui No Tows Ltell 111 0 0 313 0 0 ■ 287 0 0 131 0 0 799 0 0 257 0 0 9 0 0 16 0 0 94 0 0 15 0 0 5 0 0 444 0 0 444 0 0 68 19 6 5 4 0 38 15 0 18 0 6 110 13 11 0 4 10 0 11 12 0 36 io 0 4 10 0 62 10 6 116 11 0 26 4 0 264 4 0 250 8 0 ... ... 12 10 0 • 24 12 0 0 10 0 26 17 0 209 16 3 7 10 348 3 3 1,320 6 9 749 18 0 236 6 9 2,394 6 0 3,058 3 3 168 17 0 348 3 3 1,320 6 9 792 8 0 236 6 9 2,394 6 0 3,058 3 3 168 17 0 i ... ... 28 0 0 214 0 0 100 0 0 I 3 0 0 138 0 0 21 0 0 110 13 16 6 4 9 6 4 15 0 1 16 0 12 ii 0 ... I 0 10 8 8 0 39 14 0 32 2 0 435 5 9 416 3 6 32 2 0 435 5 9 416 3 6 ... ... 2,249 0 0 1,180 0 0 64 6 0 4,196 14 6 9,159 12 3 9,202 2 3 192 2 6 77 4 0 732 8 6 10 0 0 42 10 0 457 16 9 Gold duty received in the province daring the year, £9,275 18s. Od. PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH. Hateiock 45 0 0 58 13 10 a 15 0 I 6 2 6 6 4 0 120 15 4 120 15 4 Gold duty received in the province during the year, £115 18s. 2d. Note. —The item marked thus * re; iresents fees on Puhlicans' Licenses, and is excluded from last column bul one, and included in the total column.

H.— 3.

PROVINCE OF OTAGO.

No. 1— continued. iTATEMENT showing the Eevenue of the Gold Fields collected in tho several Districts, and the Gold Duty of the Colony of New Zealand, for the period fro: 1st January to 31st Decembeb, 1875. PROVINCE OF WESTLAND. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. Water Races, lluices, &c. Gold Mining Leases, Rents and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Survey Fees. Memorial Deposits of Companies. Depasturing Licenses and Assessments. Timber and other Licenses. With- ,,. : drawalsof 1 Ml8CelLeases. laneoUSNet Amount Gold Fields Revenue. Total received, including Publicans' Licenses. I I Hokitika Kanieei Geeymouth ... Ross Staeeoed ... j Okaeito ... Geeekstone ... , Maoei Guilt... ClIETON ... I £ s. d. 28 0 0 419 0 0 347 0 0 376 0 0 672 0 0 1 104 0 0 344 0 0 218 0 0 . 312 0 0 £ s. d. 3 0 0 56 0 0 41 0 0 62 0 0 94 0 0 99 0 0 145 0 0 99 0 0 30 0 0 £ a. d. 33 5 0 83 0 0 32 0 0 99 15 0 0 18 0 18 15 0 £ s. d. 5 2 0 6 18 0 29 1 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 9 0 0 12 6 £ s. d. 37 11 0 54 9 0 10 7 6 43 18 0 13 8 0 14 4 0 £ e. d. 11 10 6 7 13 0 37 15 0 51 0 0 2 19 0 10 13 0 13 3 0 6 19 0 £ s. d. 24 10 0 6 0 0 89 10 0 9 0 0 ... ! £ s. d. 0 3 0 ! 0 10 0 0 2 0 ! 20 17 0 ; 0 1 0 17 0 0 18 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 £ s. d. 36 5 0 589 4 6 568 5 0 634 9 6 974 14 0 230 12 0 534 12 6 330 6 0 349 3 0 £ s. d. 36 5 0 589 4 6 568 5 0 634 9 6 974 14 0 230 12 0 534 12 6 330 6 0 349 3 0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,820 0 0 629 0 0 267 13 0 62 3 6 173 17 6 141 12 6 129 0 0 24 5 0 4,247 11 6 4,247 11 6 Gold duty received in the province during tl ie year, £7,049 18s. 7d.

Dunedin Naseby Blacks and St. Bathans Manuherikia .. Clyde Mount Bengeb Cromwell Queenstown ... Abkowtown ... Lawrence Switzees Orepuki 28 0 0 722 0 0 167 0 0 167 0 0 45 0 0 193 0 0 23 0 0 113 0 0 13 0 0 177 0 0 42 0 0 672 0 0 219 0 0 338 0 0 53 0 0 417 0 0 166 0 0 782 0 0 209 0 0 270 0 0 136 0 0 185 0 0 42 0 0 0 7 6 43 7 6 8 2 6 5 15 0 7 5 0 8 7 6 24 0 0 14 17 6 5 17 6 22 7 £ 6 10 0 10 2 6 2,220 8 9 280 0 6 191 7 11 606 8 1 1,151 7 10 692 9 6 3,048 4 3 1,859 7 6 7,036 2 1 675 19 4 5 0 0 0 12 6 56 6 6 14 7 6 9 2 6 4 10 0 8 15 0 61 15 0 22 0 0 51 5 0 30 17 6 17 2 6 15 5 0 64 "7 6 2 13 0 9 16 6 3 12 0 5 10 27 18 0 24 3 4 57 4 10 64 10 0 6 10 3 19 0 ... 33 13 9 72 4 4 13 6 0 5,411 1 2 113 18 3 818 19 9 28 14 0 13 11 3 2 6 0 329 17 11 27 11 0 35 1 0 6 3 0 33 19 6 81 3 1 14 9 6 996 3 6 131 12 3 579 0 6 16 11 0 11 1 0 358 17 11 3,301 1 3 552 4 6 438 4 11 815 8 4 1,547 18 9 1,727 18 0 9,907 9 9 2,802 5 4 9,542 17 4 1,236 17 10 285 18 9 358 17 11 3,301 1 3 552 4 6 438 4 11 815 8 4 1,547 18 9 1,727 18 0 9,907 9 9 2,802 5 4 9,542 17 4 1,236 17 10 285 18 9 80 "6 0 4,064 0 0 1,115 0 0 157 0 0 I Il7,766 15 9 294 19 0 6,505 8 6 2 0 0 2,262 13 3 32,517 2 8 32,517 2 8 269 6 2 80 0 0 Gold duty received in the province during the year, £12,142 7s. lid. James C. Gavin (for Eeeeiver-General).

H.—3,

Have lock 22 0 0 0 15 0 0 16 0 1 12 6 25 3 Gold duty received in the province during the quarter, £44 19a. 5d.

No. 2. STATEMENT showing the REVENUE of the GOLD FIELDS collected in the several Districts, and the GOLD DUTY of the COLONY of NEW ZEALAND, for the period from 1st JANUARY to 31st MARCH, 1876. PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.

PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH.

PROVINCE OF NELSON.

31

Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. Water Races, Sluices, &c. Gold Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Fees and Fines, ' Wardens' Courts. Survey Fees. Memorial Deposits of Depasturing j Licenses and Timber and other Licenses. Withdrawals of Leases. Miscellaneous. ' i Totals. Registration. Companies. Assessments. £ 8. d. 69 3 6 12 3 0 47 2 0 £ s. d. 676 9 1 149 9 6 250 14 0 G-I1A1IAMST0WN CoilOHANDEL £ a. d. 132 0 0 17 0 0 24 10 0 £ a. d. £ a. d. 21 0 0 £ a. d. 408 8 1 119 0 0 127 10 0 £ s. d. 16 15 6 16 6 10 18 0 £ a. A. 5 17 0 £ s. d. i £ s. d. £ 8. d. 3 5 0 £ 8. d. 20 0 0 £ 0 0 ... 16 0 0 23 13 0 1 1 0 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 173 10 0 37 0 0 654 18 1 128 8 6 1,076 12 7 ... 29 0 0 29 10 0 1 1 0 3 5 0 20 0 0 ... Gold duty received in the province during the quarter, £1,278 18s. 3d.

Collingwood Wkstpokt Charleston and Bhiohton Comdex Ahauba Reefton Wangapeka West Wanganui , Lyell ; No Town ... 37 0 0 48 0 0 71 0 0 81 0 0 151 0 0 76 0 0 8 0 0 4 0 0 71 0 0 60 0 0 . ._ I 48 10 3 239 3 3 3 8 0 3 5 6 1 14 0 I 1 G 0 127 2 0 j 9 10 47 19 0 99 13 485 8 17 0 0 i 1 13 0 ... 2 0 0 ! 48" 0 0 178 0 0 5 2 0 1 15 0 3 7 0 1 15 0 80 6 9 49 12 0 ; 216 11 3 766 2 0 19 0 0 20 16 6 4 11 0 6 15 6 5 9 6 0 10 0 42 14 6 1 7 0 ! 5 0 0 1 13 0 ' 80 15 0 0 16 0 151 13 6 I ... 11 12 0 0 12 0 19 7 0 19 8 0 3 10 234 1 143 17 527 8 1,199 4 30 1 4 4 169 11 175 16 10 0 0 71 0 0 14 0 2 3 0 61 7 9 j 29 10 0 .0 4 6 2 6 0 3 15 6 2 16 0 .'.'. 0 17 0 | 6 15 0 j ... 20 18 0 1 16 0 . 326 0 0 16 19 0 607 0 0 1,510 3 3 50 12 0 10 19 0 414 0 0 ... I 133 14 0 3,069 7 Gold duty received in the province during the quarter, £1,715 2a. 6d.

H.—3.

PROVINCE OF OTAGO.

Jfg. 2— continued. iTATEMENT showing the Keyentte of the Gold Fields collected in the several Districts, and the Gold Duty of the Colony of New Zealand, for the period from 1st Januaey to 31st Mabch, 1876. PROVINCE OF WESTLAND.

Miners' Eights. Business Licenses. Water Races Sluices, &c. Gold Mining | Leases, Rents and j Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Survey Fees. Memorial Deposits of Depasturing Licenses and Timber and other Licenses. Withdrawals of Leases. I Miscellaneous. Totals. I Companies. Assessments. £ s. d. i £ a. d. £ s. d. 0 10 0 2 0 0 3 0 2 2 0 j 0 1 0 | 3 6 0 ' 0 3 0 i ... | £ s. d. 11 11 0 130 14 0 120 15 0 143 11 0 250 9 0 43 16 0 122 11 0 86 19 0 113 14 0 ; __ j Hokitika Kanieei Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton £ s. d. 11 0 0 86 0 0 66 0 0 60 0 0 168 0 0 17 0 0 79 0 0 50 0 0 112 0 0 £ s. d. 0 10 0 £ s. d. I £ s. d. £ a. d. £ a. d. £ s. d. £ e. d. £ s. d. 23 0 0 I 17 10 0 i 3 0 0 9 0 0 16 0 0 29 0 0 ! 33 0 0 9 0 0 17 0 0 6 10 0 30 10 0 I 15 0 5 15 0 | 5 8 0 34 12 0 14 0 0 I 9 "*8 0 12 11 0 2 13 0 12 10 0 0 19 0 2 12 0 3 4 0 2 3 0 4 0 0 14 7 0 8 11 0 2 18 0 3 16 0 1 14 0 32 10 0 ! j I ... | ... ■•' ■ ... ... ... 649 0 0 130 10 0 70 0 0 54 10 0 40 13 0 j 40 19 0 32 10 0 5 18 0 1,024 0 0 I Gold duty received in the province during the quarter, £1,379 8s. 5d.

Dunedin Nasehy Blacks and St. Bathans Manuhebikia Clyde Mount Benoee Ckomwell Queenstown Abrowtown Lawrence Switzers Obepuki 5 0 0 220 0 0 28 0 0 21 0 0 42 0 0 39 0 0 145 0 0 87 0 0 117 0 0 165 0 0 61 0 0 26 0 0 40 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 j 62 0 0 | 11 0 0 0 17 6 0 12 6 15 0 1 15 0 4 17 6 3 10 0 10 0 5 0 0 1 10 0 0 15 0 471 16 9 63 5 0 38 3 4 486 9 7 388 3 11 128 3 9 468 17 3 282 19 3 1,664 1 8 158 10 6 21 10 0 2 2 6 2 2 6 15 0 1 17 6 16 17 6 5 0 0 10 2 6 6 2 6 3 7 6 1 10 0 1016 0 0 13 0 17 0 5 16 0 3 15 0 8 15 0 3 7 0 70 12 6 0 16 0 ... ... '..'. 0 3 6 6 4 3 32 0 6 6 13 0 25 11 0 24 1 3 18 0 96 1 6 ... ... ... ... 33 6 8 2 4 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 3 10 0 7 0 116 14 0 8 12 0 14 12 0 17 0 0 10 38 6 8 777 6 9 95 5 0 66 14 10 539 3 10 441 4 5 395 2 3 1,491 9 3 503 19 9 1,924 4 5 388 1 6 37 2 0 ... 50 0 0 42 0 0 50 0 0 8 0 0 ... ... 40 "6 0 956 0 0 266 0 0 j 32 2 6 71 17 6 105 17 6 40 0 0 4,140 17 0 ... 989 4 8 6,698 0 8 Gold duty received in tho pn iTince during the quarter, £3,852 2s. 6d. Treasury, 9th May, 1870. C. T. Batkin, Eeceiver-Greneral.

H.—3

No. 3. COMPARATIVE RETURN of REVENUE derived from the GOLD FIELDS in the several PROVINCES of NEW ZEALAND, during the YEARS 1874 and 1875, showing INCREASE or DECREASE under each head of Revenue.

33

AUCKL, fD. Nelson. Maelborou&h. Westland. Otago. Heads of Revenue. 1874. 1875. §* C3 s u a n ao n 1874. 1875. 8 a 6 at fi 1874. 1875. 6 rt q ** a c fi 1874. 1875. a H n 1874. 1875. 9 H fi I j i ; ' I I I I I I I i I i I I £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Miners' Rights 1,419 3,191 1,772 2,509 2,249 260 49 45 4 3,189 2,820 369 4,147 4,064 83 Business Licenses 30 43 18 1,927 1,180 747 5 5 1,137 629 508 1,253 1,115 ... 138 Water Races, Sluices, &c. ... 106 111 5 173 61 109 265 268 3 161 157 4 Gold Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties... 3,372 3,120 252 4,492 4,197 j 295 95 59 36 49 62 13 16,754 17,767 1,013 Registration ... 63 239 171 510 192 ! I 318 4 5 1 185 174 11 280 295 15 Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts 109 201 92 107 77 30 226 142 84 199 269 70 Surrey Fees ... ... ... 732 732 5 129 124 80 80 Memorial Deposits of Companies ... 10 10 Depasturing Licenses and Assessments ... 18 29 11 1,292 6,505 5,213 Timber and other Licenses ... 164 123 41 1 2 1 Withdrawals of Leases 4 4 10 10 G 6 10 10 Miscellaneous 351 336 ... * 15 264 458 194 6 6 11 81 13 1,087 2,263 1,176 Gold Duty 7,519 6,489 1,030 8,571 9,276 705 120 116 4 7,786 7,050 736 j 13,504 12,142 1,362 Totals I Net 727 I | 1 | ! i I Net 128 Net 42 i ! I Net 1,565 Net 5,981 13,160 13,887 18,563 18,435 279 237 12,863 11,298 38,678 44,659 James C. Gavin, (for Beceiver- General]

H.—3.

34

No. 4. COMPARATIVE RETURN of the TOTAL AMOUNTS of GOLD FIELDS REVENUE (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the YEARS 1874 and 1875, and the QUARTERS ended 31st MARCH 1875 and 1876, showing the INCREASE or DECREASE in respect of each District.

Peovince. Disteict. 1874. 1875. Inceease. Decrease. Auckland Nelson Graliamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri Collingwood Westport Brighton and Charleston Cobden Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka West Wanganui No Town Lyell \. Havelock Wairau Blenheim Hokitika Kanieri Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Pounamu Maori Gully Clifton Dunedin Naseby Blacks and St. Bathans Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzers Orepuki £ 4,188 1,451 296 1,259 1,124 199 3,279 3,688 146 £ 4,552 1,004 1,842 348 1,320 750 236 2,394 3,058 169 32 435 416 121 £ 364 1,842 52 61 "'37 £ 447 374 885 630 Maelboeough 23 32 435 416 37 Westland Otago 84 40 35 69 654 589 737 1,182 242 751 394 460 316 2,417 405 337 904 1,252 1,344 8,674 2,489 5,930 900 206 36 589 568 634 975 231 535 530 349 359 3,301 552 438 815 1,548 1,728 9,907 2,802 9,543 1,237 286 136 43 884 147 101 40 35 33 65 21 103 207 11 216 in 296 384 1,233 313 3,613 337 80 '89 Total 46,041 53,640 10,866 3,267 Deduct decrease 3,267 Total increase ... 7,599 1st Jauitaet ti 31st Maech 1875. 1876. Auckland Nelson Graliamstown ... Coromandel Ohinemuri Collingwood Westport Brighton and Charleston Cobden Ahaura ... Reefton ... Wangapeka West Wanganui Lyell No Town... Havelock... Hokitika... Kanieri ... Greymouth Roes Stafford Okarito ... Pounamu Maori Gully Clifton Dunedin ... Naseby ... Blacks and St. Bathans... Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger ... Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzers ... Orepuki ... 484 166 1,168 72 306 159 50 650 694 11 17 676 149 251 100 485 234 144 527 1,199 30 4 170 176 25 12 131 121 144 250 44 123 87 114 38 777 95 67 539 441 395 1,491 504 1,924 388 37 192 28 179 75 94 "'l7 917 505 19 123 Maelboeough Westland 54 6 152 102 105 216 40 113 56 108 149 811 83 162 227 324 524 720 579 1,402 170 35 "l70 176 13 29 6 "21 Otago 19 39 34 4 10 31 6 "in 34 12 312 117 '"95 "771 129 '"75 522 218 2 Totals 9,915 11,892 3, 541 1,564, Deduct decrease 1,564 Total increase ... 1,977 Treasury, 9th May, 1876. C. T. Batki: r, Receiver-General.

H.—3

No. 5. RETURN of the QUANTITY and VALUE of GOLD EXPORTED from NEW ZEALAND during the YEAR ended 31st DECEMBER, 1875.

No. 6. RETURN of the QUANTITY and VALUE of GOLD ENTERED for DUTY for EXPORTATION from NEW ZEALAND, from 1st APRIL, 1857, to 31st MARCH, 1876.

Note.—As much of the gold is now removed coastwise from port to port within the colony before it is finally exported, it has been found impossible, except by delaying the publication of this Return, to show the countries to which it is exported, from the various districts ; the columns for this information have therefore been omitted from this Return. The names of the countries to which the gold is exported will be found correctly stated in the Quarterly and Annual Returns of General Exports. Customs Department, H. S. McKellar, Wellington, 18th April, 1876. (for the Secretary of Customs).

35

Pboduce of the Gold Fields IK THE '3 1 Ca 3 a o . vi I * "3 o H •il o 6 ss o H a O o EH CO O ft o o H To' JALS. |Poet op Expoet; Quantity. Declared Value. O Oz. 35,870 Oz. 10,562 Oz. 23,053 Oz. Oz. Oz. 69,485 £ 262,156 Province of Auckland ... Auckland Province of Marlborough Picton ... 1,159 1,159 4,636 * Province of Nelson Nelson ... Westport Greymouth 577 15,724 6,805 1,455 2,545 7,720 57,738 4 69 4,577 23,448 64,612 17,866 93,877 259,122 Province of Westland ... Greymouth Hokitika 1,602 6,378 20,052 39,760 1,982 844 24,480 46,138 97,926 184,555 Province of Otago Dunedin Invercargill 65,821 45,476 5,981 4,141 4 115,442 5,981 463,461 24,171 Totals 133,936 12,017 202,325 6,123 921 355,322 1,407,770 Customs Department, Wellington, 27th April, 1876. H. S. McKellah, for the Secretary of Cus ;oms

DlJBINi Qttabter 31st Mae 1 THE ENDED :h, 1876. Entebj expobtatic 3D POB IN PBEYIOTTS Total Enteeed fob ExPOETATION PBOM New Zealand to the 31st Maech, 1876. Enteeed eob Duty at Pboduce or THE Gold Fields in THE Peovince op TO 31ST DECE3 THE IBEE, 1875. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. 13,809 £ 53,648 Oz. 1,000,083 £ 3,567,634 Oz. 1,013,892 £ 3,621,282 luckland Auckland Wellington Picton... Nelson Westport 3-rey mouth ... Wellington Marlborough ... Nelson 2,161 5,121 9,870 8,088 20,481 39,480 30 44,237 120 171,660 30 44,237 120 171,660 I 1,486,696 5,901,557 1,503,848 5,969,606 Sreymouth ... Hokitika Westland 17,152 68,049 j 1,958,548 7,741,549 1,972,342 7,796,725 4,754 9,040 19,017 36,159 Dunedin [nrereargill ... Otago 13,794 55,176 | 3,465,701 13,602,266 3,504,222 13,755,916 36,158 2,363 144,155 9,495 38,521 153,650 30,984,786 8,038,571 31,315,309 Totals 83,276 330,523 7,955,295

H.—3.

No. 7. COMPARATIVE RETURN of the QUANTITY and VALUE of GOLD EXPORTED from the several Provinces of NEW ZEALAND, for the QUARTERS ended 31st MARCH, 1875, and 31st MARCH, 1876.

No. 8. RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Silver Expobted during the Tear ended 31st December, 1875. Silver. Value. 29,085 oz. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £7,560 During the Quarter ended 31st March, 1876 —Nil. Customs Department, H. S. McKellar, "Wellington, 15th May, 1876. (for Secretary).

No. 9. PRICE of GOLD in the several MINING DISTRICTS during the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

36

Qr/ABTEE ENDED 1st Maech, 1876. QrABTEE ended 31st Mabch, 1875. Pbovinces. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland farlborough felson Cestland 'tago Oz. 13.S09 17,152 13,794 38,521 £ 53,648 68,049 55,176 153,650 Oz. 18,627 691 25,128 19,779 33,456 £ 73,991 2,766 100,471 79,114 134,835 Totals 83,276 330,523 97,681 391,177 Customs Department, Wellington, 18th April, 18' H. S. McKemak, (for the Secretary of Customs). (!.

Hiking Districts. FliOlt Io Rmaeks. lUCKXAND — North Hauraki South Ilauraki £ a. d. 2 17 6 2 11 0 £ a. d. 2 15 0 Average. Average, £2 13s. Iablbohough 3 13 0 iEISON — Collingwood Wangapeka... Inangahua ... Greenstone ... Ahaura Cobden Buller, Charleston, Lyell 3 13 0 3 13 0 *3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 17 0 t3 17 0 Pestland— Waimea Totara Kanieri Grey Valley Greymouth... Okarito *3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 J3 14 6 |3 17 0 *3 16 0 •taoo— Hindon Tuapeka Queenstown Dunstan Mount Ida ... Switzers Orepuki Arrow 3 15 6 3 15 6 3 15 6 *3 15 6 3 15 6 3 14 0 3 16 6 3 15 6 +3 17 0 t3 18 0 3 15 6 •Alii ivial. Melted. Beach.

37

H.—3.

No. 10. NUMBER of MINERS EMPLOYED during the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

No. 11. SUMMARY.—NUMBER of MINERS EMPLOYED during the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

Alluvial Minebs. Qr/AETZ MlNEKS. Totals. Mining Districts. Grand European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. Totals. Auckland— North Hauraki South Hauraki Mar lborough— Pelorus Wairau Nelson— Collingwood... Wangapeka ... Inangahua ... Greenstone ... Ahaura Cohden Buller Charleston ... Brighton Lyell Westland— Waimea Totara Kanieri Woodstock ... Blue Spur and Arahura South Beach Kanieri River Hau Hau and Paddocks Grey Valley... Arnold Clifton Greymouth ... Okarito 30 20 161 200 50 150 720 300 550 300 80 150 60 170 170 "50 275 1,777 4 630 12 50 100 275 1,777 34 20 161 200 680 150 720 312 600 300 80 250 60 170 170 50 275 1,777 34 20 161 200 740 320 890 312 600 300 80 300 1,150 500 50 100 150 20 45 80 450 198 210 185 140 200 30 1,150 500 50 100 150 20 45 80 450 198 210 185 140 200 30 1,350 530 50 100 170 20 45 90 600 301 410 305 140 20 20 10 150 103 200 120 10 150 103 200 120 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Queenstown Clyde Cromwell Alexandra ... Nevis Teviot Blacks Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's... Hamilton, Sowburn, &c. Hyde and Fullarton's... Macraes, &c. Serpentine ... Maerewhenua St. Bathans, &c. Other localities Switzers, &c. Nokomai Waikuka Orepuki Arrow River Macetown ... Cardrona Kawarau Flat Brackens Matatapu ... ... 74 384 410 90 400 100 100 180 200 170 180 60 90 100 50 80 100 20 100 20 12 150 100 20 80 40 12 6 20 500 450 20 100 100 100 100 250 100 150 30 90 20 12 16 60 2 150 4 '6 "5 86 400 470 92 550 104 100 180 206 170 180 60 90 105 50 80 105 20 100 20 12 150 100 40 80 40 12 6 20 500 450 20 100 100 100 100 250 100 150 30 90 20 106 900 920 112 650 204 200 280 456 270 330 60 120 195 70 80 105 40 210 100 212 175 150 91 380 40 32 31 "5 20 110 80 200 25 50 50 300 20 110 80 200 25 50 51 300 20 1 20 25 20 25

Alluvia: Miners. Quartz Miners. Totals. Mining Disteict. Gband Totals. European. Chinese. European, j Chinese. European. Chinese. Auckland Maelboeough Nelson Westland Otago 50 2,661 3,278 3,328 9,317 450 833 2,910 2,052 ; 4 i 792 j 2,052 54 3,453 3,278 3,608 450 833 2,911 2,052 54 3,903 4,111 6,519 4,193 I "280 | " 1 3,128 i 1 Totals 12,445 4,194 16,639

No. 1. RETURN showing the AVERAGE PRICES of PROVISIONS and LIVE STOCK for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

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Live Stock. Meat. M EH Ph H fi 1 Hi ■ 1 Fx O O Ph W o -J o H -' Ph 1 « o fag o O . Mining District. pj tH i fe - o W Ss 02 CC Ph i o Ph j i a 1 fa Ph ad fa Ph Aa Ph Ph o oj> Ph Ph fi fa Ph fa Ph fi' A. Ph fi o rH A. 0J Ph r-i •— < -£ fa Ph si 13 A A o> bo 1 fa Ph 03 A Ph A 13 13 cj as A A Ph Ph li fi « to oj» Ph Ph oj Ph Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki Marlborough — Pelorus Nelson — Collingwood Inangahua Greeustono Ahaura Cobden Westport ... Charleston and Brighton Lyell Westland — Waimea Totara d. 2i 1/6 1/6 1/3 d. 6 7 \? d. 2/ 5 1/6 3J d. 2 1 I d. 6 31, 6j j2/G,3/6 16/ 15/ 6/ 5/6 4/-B/6 22/6 7/-16/ 6 6-6 10/ 25/ 25/ £ 8. 10 12/6 10/ £ 5-50 7 10-50 £ 22/6 4d.p.ft d. 8 4-5 d. d. 7 8 4-5 5-6 d. 1 1 5-i 1/6 1/6 1/4 2/ 6 [to 2/2 1/10 5 2/ 6 1/9 5 1/9 6 1/6 6 2/ 6 4 8 3/6 20/ 7/ [iooib. 25/ per 10 10/ 10 11 43/ cwt. £15-20 [100ft. 15-18 30/ per 12/6,20 £2 10 14/ 5 12/ 3 30/ 18-25 2 6 1 41 I ... 3 Pi 3 3 J 21 3 1/2 2/6 2 1/6 III 1/6 1/6 6 I 1/ 9 8 6 6-9 1/3 1/3 1/3 li 3 4 4 6 3 6 7 7 7 8 5-6 3/-3/6 3/6 3/ 3/6 4/ 3/6 17/18/ 25/ 26/ 24/ 32/ 16-18/ 10/6 9/ 9/ 5/-6/ 6/ 6/6 6/6 15-25 18/ 18/ 20/ 18/ 16/ 5 5/ 8 10/ 6 5 10/ 5 6 24/6 24/ 25/ 24/ 21/ 22/6 10/ 20/ 40/ 20/ 5-30 25-50 30 20 10-80 15-60 6 8 7 7 8 6-9 6 6 8 1/ 7 1/ 7 9 9 10 6-8 8-9 1/ 1/ 6/ 20/ 3 4* 1/9 2/ 1/6 2/ 9 & 2/ 5 2/ 6 3 G 6 8 3/6 20/ 30/ 6/6 12/6 5/ 7/ 15/ 20/ 6 8 26/ 26/ 12 9 40/ 20/ 20 20 20/ ! 1 14/ j 3 9 8 9 i 10 8 i 10 1/ 3 3 1/6 2/ 16 1/6 1/3 16 2/ 1/3 1/9 1/9 1/6-2/1 6 6 /8 1/ 1/6 6 1/6,1/9 41 3 J 4 I 7 3 < 3/6 21/ 25/ 7/ 8/6 8/ 6/ 18/ 16/ 6 5 10/ 22/ 23/ 10 8-12 40/ 2/6 30 10-30 14/ 2 5 10-20 15/upwards. 17/6 £2 10 30/ 3 17/6 4-5 I G 7 6 9 6 8 8 10 7 10 7 8 G 1/ 7 10 6-7 1/ Kanieri Grey Valley Greymouth Clifton Arnold Okarito 3 4i 3 3 3 4* 2 < 2/6 2/ 2/ 2/ to 2/6 6 1/ 9 ! 1/J 1/2 is 1/6 1/8 5 2/ 6 2/ 6 1/9 6 2/ 6 1/9, 2/ 6-8 3 4 3 4 4 4 6 61 6 G G 7-8 3/6 3/6 3/ 3/6 3/6 3/ 18/ 26/ 18/ 24/ 25/ 25/30/ 7/6 10/ 5/6 10/ 8/6 9/-12/ 6/6 7/ 6/ 17/6 16/ 20/ 20/ 15/ 18/20/ 5 5 10/ 5-6 7 6 9 15/ 24/ 24/ 22/ 24/ 24/ 26/-28/ 10 14 14 30/ 40/ 40/ 25 30 30-55 8 8 7 G 7 6-9 | 6^8 15-20 40/-60/ 15-30 20/ 1-3 Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Queenstown Dunstan Mount Ida Switzers Orepuki Arrow 2 2 9d per 41b 9d to 1/ 3 3 1/4 1/6 2/2/ 1/9-2/ •1/9 1/6 2/ 1/2 13 1/4 2/ 1/9 16 1/6 19 5 4 6 9 8 6 6 6 1/2 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/2 1/5 1/6 4 1/6 4-5 2/ 4 2/ 4 1/9 6 2/ 6 2/ 6 2/ 6 1 21 4 3 3 3 4 6 5-6 ■ 7 8 7 6-7 7 3/ 2/9 3/ 3/-3/6 3/ 3/6 3/6 3/3 15/ 14/ 12/ 14 16 18 21 11 4/6 3/6 3/fi,4/6 7/ 4/6 6/ 6/ 6/ 25/ 24/ 18/30/ 17/ 30/ 4 5/ 5 6 6 10/ 4-6 9 9/ 9 9/ 9 17/6 24/ 25/ 24/ 27/ 30/ 8 30/ 100ft 4-13 27/ cwt, 5-8 6 10/ 10/-30/ 23 8-75 11-50 12-60 10-40 10-60 15/ I ... 4/-16/ 15/-£6 8/-14/ll0/-£5 4/6-15 1! 10-2 6/-10/ 1 to 5 10/ 2 10 41 5-8 5-7 8-9 5-9 4 41 7 3 6 4J-6 6-1/ 4-6 8 6-7 8-9 3-5 10 3 8 41-6 8 6 8 30/ 20/ 2 •7 20/ 27/ 10 " 10/ "25 12/ 2 "

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No. 13. TABLE showing the AVERAGE RATE of WAGES per WEEK, for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

Mining Districts. to 5 •U " l-H § fc* 0 ft .S bO li E 'Si .a a* a *c o ,fi OS fa CP fa E E o a * m O pq 0> to A o 1 i i2 fa JM .2 ™ co a s > 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. \ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ e. d. Auckland — North Hauraki £5 to £10 £1 to £2 £4 to £8 £3 to £6 £2 10 to £3 £2 10 0 I |£3to£3 10 £3 to £3 12 £2 2 to £3 10 £1 16/ to £2 2/ 2 0 0 2 0 0 10/ to 18/ South Hauraki ... Nelson — Collingwood Inangahua Greenstone Ahaura ... Cobden ... Buller Charleston and Brighton Lyell Westland — Waimea ... Totara Kanieri ... Arnold Clifton Greymouth #10/ - 12/ £3 3/-£10 £2 14 to £3 2 14 0 2 14 0 2 14 0 £2 14 to £3 £2 to £2 10 18/ to 25/ 10/ to 12/ GOO 2 0 0 £110to£2 10 6 0 0 GOO 6 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 "6 0 3 12 0 5 0 0 4 16 0 4 0 0 £4 to £5 8 0 0 4 10 0 8 0 0 3 12 0 5 0 0 4 16 0 5 0 0 £4 to £5 6 0 0 4 10 0 6 0 0 £3 to £3 12 3 10 0 3 6 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 2 8 0 3 10 0 3 6 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 18 0 2 0 0 1 15 0 1 10 0 £1 to £2 2 0 0 1 10 0 2 0 0 1 16 0 2 0 0 5/ to 12/ £1 10/ to £2 £15/andbrd. 10 0 £1 to £2 1 10 0 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 2 5 0 1 10 0 £2 to £3 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 GOO 5 0 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 GOO 5 0 0 GOO 6 6 0 GOO r 1 0 0 G "6 0 3 0 0 5 "b 0 5 0 0 2 b" 0 £70 ■» annum. 5 "b 0 4 0 0 7 6 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 i 4 16 0 16/ 1> day. 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 16 0 3 0 0; 3 0 0! 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 4 10 0 2 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 12 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 1 12 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 16 0 1 10 0 1 16 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 £1 5/ & bd. £2 & board. 3 0 0 £2 & board. £1 and board. 10 0 £1 and board. 1 10 0 1 10 0 Men, £3 ; Women, £1 5/ and board. £1 5/to£l 10/ and found. ... | 8 0 0 2 lb" 0 5 0 0 5 "6 0 4 "6 0 3 10 0 . 5 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 4 10 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 Okarito ... Otago — Hindon .., Tuapeka ... 2 b" 0 4 io 0 4 io 0 3 10 0 £3 10/ to £4 4/ 3 10 0 3 0 0 £2 8/ to £2 14/ £2 10/ to £3 2 "8 0 0 15 0 2 0 0 1 16 0 £1 5/ and found. £1 5/and found. £1 5/ to £1 10/ & found 10 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 15 0 Queenstown" £1 ty diem. Arrangement. £1 ty diem. 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 £1 5/and found. 3 0 0 0 15 0 £50^ annum. Dunstan ... 10/ - £1. 5 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 £3 to £3 12/ £lto£l 5/ 7/tolO/aday.;; 15/ to 20/and found. 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 Mount Ida Switzers ... Orepuke ... Arrow 4 0 0 3 12 0 2 10 0 3 12 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 0 0 2 8 0 2 0 0 0 12 0 10 0 0 5 0 10 0 2 8 0 1 10 0 2 5 0 1 10 0 6 0 0 4 "b 0 ... ... ... ... * And Transfer Fees amounting to 18/ per week per Company.

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No. 14. TABLE showing approximately the NUMBER, DESCRIPTION, and VALUE of the WATER RACES, TAIL RACES, DAMS, RESERVOIRS, and GROUND SLUICES, in operation during the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

40

Water Races. Tail Races. Dams. Reservoirs. Ground Sluices. Mining Districts. I .9 . CUDS 0 T3 h I 1 J i-o -T 1 OS '« s o p P. 3,850 16,200 Si A £ AJ CD fe CD A. ol H co Bi E 9 fe CD S3 . O O P.^ a. 6 A fe AS 03 O P SO P. Price charged foe Water per Sluicehead per Week. Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki Marlborough — Pelorus ... Nelson — Collingwood Inangahua Greenstone Ahaura Cobden Buller Charleston Brighton Lyell Westland — Waimea Totara 14 57 10 67 187 79 192 63 96 100 60 60 10 18i 12 115 851 68 103 42 30 200 80 70 45 138 40 Average, one 75 324 348 157 288 120 80 130 1,300 5,400 49,209 19,652 2,800 2,243 Not known "2 15 16 87 66 101 16 40 100 40 50 102 1,000 800 9,081 6,854 3,850 272 Not known "s 2 51 57 30 142 32 56 100 50 40 £ "800 50 3,000 3,145 5,115 3,000 1,065 Not known ... Included 27 "2 £ in Dams 160 300 ... 5 45 220 £ 300 7,000 5,500 £2 10/ £1 10/ for 20 inch x 1 inch. "47 3 1 Not known Cannot 40 20 6 ascertain £1 ■) „„ f for 12 hours water, 20 inches 1 sluice- *"* C head. £1; j, 1 ,'o00 800 ,> '4OO ... } 60 Kanieri ... Grey Valley Maori Gully Clifton Greymouth ... ... Okarito Otago — Hindon .,, Tuapeka 662 156 136 77 105 95 118 32 285 125 112 28i 68 50£ 1011 50 800 150 315 217 124 109 163 120 45,435 20,000 42,600 2,384 7,931 2,432 8,481 4,000 670 90 135 43 73 42 42 25 18,750 4,500 2,400 635 4,355 700 2,060 800 850 150 200 55 135 79 161 18 9,500 3,000 4,850 954 3,199 1,900 5,209 600 325 3 8,620 850 720 23 60 See Hy 3,600 600 1,400 draulic Hose £1 to £1 10/ for 40 inches of water. £7 per week for 36 in. water night and day. West side of Jones's Creek, £4 10/ ; same quantity and time East side. £3 for 40 inches to sluice-head. 10/ for 20 x 1 in. "2 "350 "so "300 £1 10/ to £2 per head of 40 inches. £6 for 40 superficial inches. 25 265 25 989 27 852 1,120 Not known 7 561 260 Not known 20 220 340 10,000 Inclu Da 26 ded in 12 Inclu Tail Impossi 300to400 82 ded in j Races ,ble to tell say 3,000 £1 to £6 per week of 24, 8 hour3 per day, head 100 inches. 550 200 30 52 20 11 30 27 30 30 24 119 92 800 600 152 185 67 98 39 79 190 160 40 190 132 890 600 117 243 60 44 40 90 202 180 30 268 64 350 7,800 100,000 25,300 13,300 6,000 14,000 5,000 5,000 12,000 30,000 2,000 19,000 7,530 80,000 850 150 120 50 25 15 20 12 14 36 15 8,500 3,000 11,000 2,000 3,000 3,000 400 1,800 1,250 14,000 750 69 60 53 15 15 10 18 5 16 4 5 mi Queenstown Dunstan Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's ... Hamilton, &c. ... Hyde and Fullarton's ... Macraes, &c. Serpentine Maerewhenua ... St. Bathans & Ida Valley Other localities... Switzers Orepuki 6,000 4,000 6,400 1,400 1,100 500 1,300 200 2,000 5,000 250 2,600 £2 10/ to £3 10/ for 40 inches, with 8} inch pressure, time 6 days of 10 hours. For. three months in the year any price can be got as the supply becomes so small. £2 high level, £1 15/ low ditto, per Hogburn head, 16 inches x 1 inch, for 8 hours. £2 10/ for 50 inches. £2 for 40 inches. £2 for 40 inches. 112 200 4^320 30 150 "l5 l!o00 lee.

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No. 15. NUMBER of MACHINES employed in ALLUVIAL and QUARTZ MINING, for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

Machinery employed in Alluvial Mining. Machhtbby bmploxed is Qcabtz Mikko. ! Mining Districts. Q> *-d a) h a . 53 1 ■ o 1 i ■5 WW OS t£ s I S Soo OQ 9 a 3 bo o Steam Engines employed Winding, Crushing, &e. 09 4> 1 fa 3 — ® Approximate v alue of all Mining Plant included in thia Return. Price charged per Ton for Crushing Quartz or Cement. 1 % I ■r 41 — 4> Aggregate] Horse- j power. 1 No. 03 Auckland i— North Hauraki South Hauraki ... ... ... ... ... - ... ' ... •" ... '" 9 53 62 214 1,299 1,513 13 37 50 137 771 908 7 17 24 3 ... £ 65,000 195,000 260,000 8/6 to 14/6. 5/6 to 8/6. — 1 Marlborough :— Pelorus ... Wairau ... _^_, - 250 30 280 2 10 800 1 25 I 825 ... ... ... ... 2 — 10 - - Nelson :— Collingwood Wangapeka Inangahua Greenstone Ahaura ... Westport... Charleston, Brighton Lyell ... ... I I - - 1 I - - - ... ... 61 20 6 3 7 15 3 9 ... 16; 150 ... 5 ... 500 4,000 53,500 3,000 4,500 3,000 5,000 7,000 80,500 2,000 3,250 12 "e 12 14 225 20 30 10 306 "5 92 i "i 12/6 to 18/. i 15 "7 12 40 1 i £15s. i "50 5,393 34 80 ... 1 52 1 5 92 2 15 18 2 1 1 Westland :— Waimea ... Totara Kanieri ... Grey Valley Arnold Clifton Greymouth Okarito ... - ! 1 ■■■ ... 184 "4 1 1 4 8 7,000 32 140 10 11 2 6 280 27 90 54 23 23 70 3_ 570 35 4 "2 1 7,120 30,000 3,250 600 228 600 500 1,200 43,498 260 520 210 150 8,312 6 ... ... 3 4 12 48 4 25 l__ 2 ... 1 1 I - ! I - - i I - ... Otago :— Hindon ... Tuapeka ... Queenstown Dunstan ... Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's ... Hamilton, &c. Hyde and Fullerton's ... Macraes ... Serpentine Maerewhenua St. Bathans and Ida Valley Other localities ... Switzers ... Orepuki ... Arrow 5 18 78 ! I - I 1 - i 1 I 1 I i 1 4 ... i 49 2,000 321 1,000 90 40 25 18 20 19 20 25 10 1,400 100 400 25 5 25 2 15 57 800 90 20 20 10 2 5 15 25 10 23 30 40 1,164 80 50 40 150 1 2 6 2 i 1 I ... 34 4 2 80 '30 I 4 3 9 "5 29 59 60 SO 4 3 5 ... i 2 6 ... "i 5 ... 230 6,000 58,100 55,000 1,000 800 250 200 4,400 180 300 1,600 100 4,000 420 3,500 136, 080 15/ ; no regulai business. £1; no regulai business. I "' i "ifl i "io i "5 "l7 "7 67 2 "4 192 i 1 5 1 "20 187 ... 9 I 5 1 ! 34 1 ... 1 - 126 22 8 I 6 5,597 150 I ... I ! ... I 14

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No. 16. SUMMARY.—NUMBER of MACHINES employed in ALLUVIAL and QUARTZ MINING for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

No. 17. TABLE showing the NUMBER of GOLD MINING COMPANIES REGISTERED under "The Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 1865," and Amending Acts, the Joint Stock Companies Act, and "The Mining Companies Act, 1872," upon 31st MARCH, 1876.

Machine: Quai BY :mpli ITED IN Machine: :plo 'ed 1: .uvi. AL M IN! [NG. ITZ Mini SG. Mining Districts. 00 ■S £> s ■8 .2 a ■> 0 S ■*• 0) u 3 a * S . § ■liU .-.2 *3.§.e-' 8.2 3 CC '3cQ (71 o a Is a 5 a ■3 a Li -s a -3.3 s-o a 08 1. *h SO 11 o .§"8 03 A ao a-5 02 g o £ fl I (3D 3 O « Steam Engines employed Winding, Crushing, &c. lAggreNo. gate h.p. CD <D .9 a a 3 O 1 oi 3 0) a Ph a W 09 CD en r*H h 9 i t\ Approximate Value of all Mining Plant included in this Return. a 3 J3 3 8 d> R ol R Auckland ... Maelboeough Nelson Westland ... Otago I ... 280 ... 1... 5,393 ... 513 8,312 1 6j 1 5,597 1111419,582 10 30 78 187 62 1,513 5 "92 50 908 ' 24 3 £260,000 825 80,500 43,498 136,080 2 34 48 67 306 570 1164 2 52 1 34 i 1 15 184 ia "i "i 150 9 "5 "7 126 aa 192 14 "8 48 12 "fl Total ... 151 204o| 1 305! I I 150 9 5 2 87 2 74 I 1,731 87 1284 7 £520,903

J IM rDEE " Mil jIMITED L: 55," AND J riNG Companies [ABILITY Act, l.mending Acts. Undek Jc hi iint Stock TJndee " Companies . Mining vct, 1872." 2T. Mining Districts. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. Auckland — North Hauraki* South Hauraki 160 £ 2,891,950 £ s. d. 2,258,756 0 0 £ 977,540 £ s. d. 616,724 14 0 £ 597,810 £ s. d. 55,16017 6 47 56 Nelson— Inangahua ... Greenstone... Ahaura Buller Charleston & Brighton Lyeil 16 1 392,780 5,000 285,606 15 4 3,500 0 0 :;i 7; 2 472,160 20,100 64,000 144,901 6 11 4,850 0 0 36,000 0 0 i 3 3i000 80,000 2,210 0 0 22,260 0 0 3 24,400 2,689 0 0 Westland— Waimea Totara Kanieri Greymouth ■1\ 480,780 313,570 15 4 24,400 2,089 0 0 89 556,260 185,751 6 11 1 2 1,836 16,000 1,836 0 0 12,952 0 0 1 1 3,750 6,000 3,500 0 0 4,000 0 0 Otago— Tuapeka Queenstown Cromwell ... Clyde Blacks Naseby Hyde and Fullarton's Macraes, &c. Maerewhenua St. Bathans & Ida Valley Arrow 17,836 14,788 0 0 9,750 7,500 0 0 12 3 7 2 o a 46,975 43,995 64,400 4,500 17,400 24,620 24,602 0 0 35,841 0 0 33,650 0 0 2,800 0 0 9,000 0 0 24,620 0 0 2 10,900 6,090 15 0 i 10,000 1,000 0 0 8 2 3 108,400 23,000 29,000 82,500 0 0 6,000 0 0 3,500 0 0 5 i 6,000 4,5o6" 0 0 38,800 13,925 0 0 4 1 2 2 19,600 19,600 0 0 16,600 9,600 6,200 11,460 0 0 7,233 0 0 2,109 2 2 41 I 260,290 164,038 0 ol 1 10.000 1.000 0 0 2:s 209,700 123,392 17 2 * No rei lord kei it since Act of 1872 came into force.

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No. 18. RETURN of the NUMBER OF MINING LEASES in FORCE on 31st MARCH, 1876, the EXTENT of GROUND LEASED, and RENTAL per ANNUM.

No. 19. RETURN of the NUMBER of AGRICULTURAL LEASES in force on the 31st MARCH, 1876, the EXTENT of GROUND LEASED, and RENTAL PER ANNUM.

Mining Distbicts. Numbee. Geoss ACEEAGE. Rentai PEE Mining Distbicts. Numbee. Geoss Acbeage. Rental pee Annum. Annum. .UCKLAND — North Hauraki South Hauraki 2 15 A. E. P. 17 0 11 47 3 27 £ a. d. 34 2 9 95 10 9 Westland — Waimea Totara Kanieri Grey Valley ... Greymouth ... Okarito 8 7 8 2 1 1 A. E. P. 21 0 0 45 2 18 16 0 0 26 2 10 5 0 0 5 0 0 £ a. d. 105 0 0 228 4 11 16 0 0 32 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 1.7 64 3 38 129 13 6 Iarlbohough— Ravenscliff ... Queen Charlotte Sound Wairau 7 l l 67 2 38 5 0 0 16 0 0 135 9 6 10 0 0 32 0 0 17 119 0 28 431 4 11 rELSON— Collingwood ... Wangapeka*... Inangahua Ahaura Cobden Buller Charleston and Brighton Lyell 9 14 84 21 1 ao 88 12 88 2 38 71 2 6 651 0 7 177 2 35 3 0 0 216 0 39 144 0 11 133 2 36 177 9 6 73 0 0 1,456 10 0 225 0 0 3 0 0 330 17 6 170 0 0 268 0 0 Otago— Tuapeka Queenstown ... Cromwell Blacks Naseby Kyeburn and Clarko's Macraes, &c.... St. Bathans and Ida Valley Switzers Arrow 31 90 18 1 1 6 1 15 158 3 0 473 3 21 253 0 0 8 0 0 10 0 0 32 0 0 15 2 39 84 0 7 441 10 6 1,230 0 0 632 10 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 80 0 0 40 0 0 87 10 0 2 5 11 2 0 40 0 0 28 15 0 100 0 0 170 1,086 3 27 2,685 5 6 160 1,397 1 14 2,526 7 6 * A considerable exti ;wo or three years on ar ground open for occupatic ent of f ly of tl >n by hi ;round is held under lease, bi leso leaseholds. It is likely aiders of miners' rights. it no work has been done or an; -he Superintendent will cancel al y rent paid dui 11 the leases, an ring the past id throw the

Mining Distbicts. Number. Gross Acreage. Rental pee Annum. Mining Distbicts. Number. Gross Acreage. Rental pee Annum. .uckland — South Hauraki ... Felson— Collingwood Inangahua Ahaura ... Cobden ... Buller Charleston and Brighton lyell 33 16 61 99 13 y;3 30 44 901 1 21 4,136 1 7 5,495 2 11 937 0 0 1,796 2 16 680 3 6 1,988 0 5 A. E. P. 1,650 0 0 £ s. d. 82 10 0 93 9 6 501 9 6 631 18 6 98 15 0 224 12 6 58 12 6 148 16 0 Otago— Hindon ... *Tuapeka Queenstown Cromwell Clyde Teviot Alexandra Blacks ... Naseby ... Hamilton, &c. ... Hyde and Fullartons Macraes, &c. Maerewhenua ... St. Bathans and Ida Valley ... Switzers... Orepuki... Arrow ... 19 344 213 14 9 60 16 8 17 5 A. E. P. 3,925 0 0 29,143 1 37 13,630 1 8 1,854 0 0 3,370 0 0 4,909 0 0 961 0 0 327 0 0 4,323 1 13 1,417 0 0 £ s. d, 490 12 6 3,663 10 0 1,705 2 6 231 15 0 421 5 0 613 12 6 120 2 6 40 17 6 540 12 6 177 2 6 296 15,935 2 26 1,757 13 6 3 9 1 583 0 23 1,925 1 28 587 0 0 73 0 0 240 17 6 73 7 6 Testland— Waimea... ... Grey Valley Greymouth Okarito ... 12 21 5 2 37 3 7 926 2 29 74 1 16 63 0 0 11 7 0 106 17 0 14 16 0 6 0 0 16 48 2 100 2,349 3 25 6,147 3 37 60 0 0 5,376 0 0 294 5 0 768 10 0 7 10 0 671 0 0 1,101 3 12 139 0 0 ! 884 80,889 2 11 10,133 2 * Expii Purcl Canci •ed duv lased illed... ing the year Numbee. 12 57 3 A. E. P, 419 0 14 3,079 0 5 386 1 0 72 3,884 1 19 3,884 1 1!

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No. 20.

RETURN of the NUMBER of LICENSES under "The GOLD Mining Districts Act, 1871," for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

No. 21. RETURN of CASES in the WARDEN'S COURT, and COSTS AWARDED, for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1876.

v

Mining Distbicts. Numbee. Gross Acreage. Ee a nta1 pee Annum. Auckland — North Hauraki ... South Hauraki 40 132 A. r. p. £ s. d. 241 0 2 751 0 0 978 2 27 2,898 0 0 Nblson— Lyell 172 1,219 2 29 3,649 0 0 1 0 0 | 30 0 0

Numbee oe Mining Disputes adjudicated ON. Aggregate Ami >unt op ValueJ Amount of Costs AWARDED. Cas: es wheeein judgment ias decreed specific Peeformance. Mining Distbicts. Claimed. Recovered. No. Remarks. Auckland — North Hauraki 3 £ s. d. £ s. d. # £ a. d. 1 11 0 *No value can be placed on the subject-matter of the judgment, being suits undersec. 26, " Gold Mining Districts Act, 1873." 64 Judgmentsfor plaintiffs, 11 ditto for defendants, 8 nonsuited, 77 struck out, 62 withdrawn, 8 settled out of Court. South Hauraki Ohinemuri ... 71 230 715 0 0 33 0 0 30 7 6 80 8 0 58 14 6 230 Marlborough— Pelorus 1 0 11 0 Jumping. Defendant fined 5s. Plaintiff ordered to give up ground. Nelson — Collingwood 6 * • * *Disputes as to applications for owners' rights. Inangahua ... Greenstone... Ahaura Buller Charleston and Brighton Lyell 9 20 26 5 10 12 350 0 0 48 16 0 53 0 0 375 0 0 226 17 0 385 0 0 10 0 10 0 0 38 0 0 10 0 0 4 16 0 355 0 0 20 4 0 16 19 0 23 1 0 28 12 0 5 16 0 12 6 0 a 2 2 6 Exclusive of 42 objection cases disposed of by Warden. Westland — Waimea 37 354 16 8 86 6 6 12 10 0 5 Totara Kanieri Grey Valley Arnold Clifton Greymouth... Okarito 23 15 20 35 4 16 12 110 10 0 87 0 0 71 2 6 104 0 0 20 0 0 28 16 0 17 1 0 12 5 0 22 0 0 2 0 0 51 16 0 13 2 0 5 10 0 17 8 0 2 2 0 23 19 0 9 9 0 100 0 0 73 6 0 Exclusive of 13 objections heard ministerially. Otago— Tuapeka Queenstown Cromwell ... Alexandra ... Teviot Clyde Blacks Naseby Hyde Macraes Serpentine ... Maerewhenua St. Bathans Switzers 47 16 23 6 10 4 2 41 1 4 1 1 10 28 305 6 11 I 807 4 0 400 0 0 23 0 0 100 0 0 598 1 1 5 0 0 10 10 0 43 15 6 *50 0 0 5 0 0 20 0 0 1101 0 0 38 9 0 31 5 0 41 11 0 3 13 0 3 16 0 7 0 0 1 14 0 94 0 6* 17 *Pines, 35s. *Fines, 32s. Fines, £18 5s. 10 0 0 67 3 9 28 15 0 8 10 0 10 0 67 3 9 1 17 0 2 17 0 0 11 0 12 0* 69 19 6* ♦Fines, £1. •Costs of Court aud fines. Orepuki Arrow 5 48 65 0 0 23 0 0 7 10 0 36 5 10 None of that nature demanding damages. By Authority Giobge Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—: 1876. 'rioe Is. 9d.