THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1877 Session I, H-01

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1877. NEW ZEALAND.

THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).

Return to an Order of the Souse of Representatives dated 3rd August, 1869. " That it is 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 Gold 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 sueli 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. TV. S. Sarrison.)

To the Hon. the Secretary for Ceown Lands. General Crown Lands Office, Sic,— Wellington, 20th July, 1877. I have the honor to forward the usual yearly report upon the Gold Fields, with Appendix, consisting of Wardens" reports and statistical tables. I have, &c, The Hon. the Secretary for Crown Lands. J. Giles.

REPORT. In submitting for the information of Parliament the usual statistics and returns, from which may be gathered some notion of the present state of the gold fields of the colony, and of their progress during flic past twelve months, I propose to make my own report upon the subject as brief as is consistent with clearness; a course which is necessitated by the degree to which my time and attention have been absorbed by the unaccustomed duties of a new office. I shall therefore content myself with directing attention to the leading facts which indicate the increased or diminished prosperity of the gold fields, and with mentioning one or two points which offer themselves to notice with some prominence in the present transition phase of institutions of local government. Gold. The first item which I shall notice is the return (No. 7) of the quantity and value of gold exported from the colony during the first quarter of the present year, as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1876. The total quantity reported for the three months ending 31st March, 1877, was 82,241 oz., value £330,167; whilst the same items for the corresponding quarter of 1876 were 83,276 oz., value £330,523. Although these figures appear to show a steady condition of the gold fields as a whole, this steadiness is the result of the fluctuations of the several parts, the exports from Auckland having fallen off to the extent of 3,742 oz., and from Otago 5,540 oz. This loss has been compensated to the extent of 1,063 oz. by Nelson, and 7,184 oz. by Westland, an increase which must be attributed chiefly to the new diggings which have been opened on the West Coast. A similar comparison made for the two years 1875 and 1876 shows for the former of the years that the total quantity of gold exported was 355,322 oz., having a value of £1,407,770, and for the latter 322,016 oz., value £1,284,328. Miners' Rights. Another good index to the state of the gold fields is the number of miners' rights which are issued during the year. An examination of this item (Table No. 3) shows a diminution in the year 1876 as compared with 1875, the number for the latter period being 12,369, and for the former 10,527. Here again the falling off would have been more marked and decided but for the increase by more than a thousand of the number issued on the Westland Gold Field, and in which we again discern the compensating influence of the Kumara rush.

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Revenue. The same general state of things is shown by a comparison of the amount of revenue (exclusive of gold duty) collected during the years 1875 and 1876 respectively, as w-ell as during the first quarters of the years 1876 and 1877 (Table 4). The total revenue for 1875 was £53,640, and for 1876 £48,226. The amount for the quarter ending 31st March, 1876, was £11,892, and for the corresponding quarter of 1877 £11,407. On comparing the different items of increase and decrease respectively, we find that the principal decrease has taken place in the Provincial Districts of Auckland and Otago; and of increase in Nelson and Westland, particularly the latter. It is perhaps a matter for congratulation that the falling off lias not proved to be more considerable than we find it to be, when we consider the steady tendency to decline which is displayed by all alluvial diggings, and the comparative tardiness with which reef-workings are developed by the aid of capital and machinery in inland and almost inaccessible localities. Quartz Reef.?. The condition of the different reef workings in the North Island will be ascertained by a perusal of the reports of Mr. Goldsmith, Mining Inspector; and of Mr. AVarden Keddell. Of quartz reefs in the other island we find very little account, except in the report of Mr. Warden Shaw, for the District of Inangahua. The number of claims at work, the quantity of stone crushed and of gold extracted from it, and the dividends which have been paid, justify the expectation that " this enormous field," as Mr. Shaw truly calls it, will, in spite of the high rates of carriage between it and the coast, prove yearly a more important factor in the prosperity of the New Zealand gold fields. The Macetown Reefs, which Mr. AVarden Simpson mentions as '-'the most important discovery that lias been made on the Otago Gold Fields this year," may perhaps prove to be the beginning of good things for that district, but they arc yet too recent to warrant more than the moderate statement which the AVarden makes concerning them. Races. The Wardens in some parts of their reports speak of the importance of a good supply of water, and in one or two instances they mention races which have been constructed by Government as having proved very beneficial. But I have no data before me to show whether the benefit derived from these races is sufficient to compensate the cost of their construction, and of their repair and management. The Mount Ida Race, which is lately completed, will probably before very long furnish to some extent an answer to this question. New Diggings. The principal discovery during the year which calls for notice is that of the Kuniara Diggings, on the AA rest Coast. A full description of this new locality will be found in the report of Mr. Warden Price, whose account of it, although studiously moderate, is enough to show tha importance and value of the field. Its influence in arresting aud compensating the downward tendency of gold-fields matters iv several instances has been already pointed out. Population and Settlement. The total number of miners on all the gold fields at the close of the first quarter of the present year is stated as 16,770, as compared with 16,639 for the corresponding date in the previous year. This is a very small deviation, but we find a diminution in all the districts except Marlborough and AA restland, in the latter cf which there is an increase of more than two thousand. The number of Chinese employed in gold-mining, which is now stated as 3,708, appears to have undergone a diminution of between three and four hundred in the course of the year. The Wardens for the most part speak of the progress of settlement upon the land as steady and satisfactory. The return of agricultural leases in force on the 31st March of this year, as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, and of the total acreage under lease, shows very little variation, the number of leases being 884 in the year 1876, and 842 in 1877, whilst the area under lease was 80,889 in the former year, and in the latter 83,489. The mode of granting agricultural leases on gold fields, and the terms upon which they should be granted, must always to some extent represent a compromise between the different interests of mining and agriculture. Until a way has been discovered of pronouncing to what extent ground is auriferous without prospecting it, there must always be some little risk and uncertainty in granting an agricultural lease, and all that can be done is to make reasonable provision for entering to prospect and to mine on payment of proper compensation to the lessee. This subject has been attracting attention in Otago, where some associations of miners have recommended certain alterations in the rules relating to it. These, however, appear to be adapted only to cases in which the lessee is primarily a miner and secondarily an agriculturist, and I am not aware that for purposes of permanent settlement the present regulations are materially defective.

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Another point in connection with agricultural leases is the concurrent jurisdiction of the Waste Lands Board on the one hand, and the Warden, acting ministerially for the Governor, on the other. This system exists on the Nelson Gold Fields, and it is obvious that it might be so worked as to cause much inconvenience, since the Warden may recommend the Governor to refuse an agricultural lease applied for under the Gold Fields Act, and the Waste Lands Board may grant the same lease under the provincial land law. But in the Nelson Provincial District the Commissioner of Crown Lands sends regularly to the Warden a list of the applications for agricultural leases made to the Waste Lands Board, in order that he may state any objections known to him. In Otago I believe the evident intention of the Gold Fields Act is observed by the proclamation of certain blocks of laud within which agricultural leases may be granted; but on the Nelson Gold Fields the principle of free selection has always been practised, no blocks being set aside for the purpose, but areas being marked off anywhere on the gold fields by the applicants. This system is clearly not in conformity with the evident intention of the Act; but, if it is sufficiently within its words to be free from illegality, it certainly has some advantages. Management of Gold Fields. The abolition of Provincial Governments, and the establishment of County Councils, cannot be without some effect upon the economy of the gold fields; but as yet the influence of these things has been little felt. This arises from the circumstance that it is only within the last few weeks that the gentlemen holding the delegated powers under the Gold Fields Act have resigned their offices; and, so long as these powers were held by some one in each provincial district, the machinery of gold fields administration was but little disturbed. But now that these officers have resigned, a great deal of work will be brought to Wellington to be dealt with, and a great many matters will have to be submitted to His Excellency the Governor, which formerly were disposed of under the delegated powers. The principal point on which any question affecting the gold fields is likely to arise from the establishment of counties will probably prove to be the adjustment of revenue under the provisions of the Financial Arrangements Act. Where a gold field extends from one county into another, it may happen, and, indeed, has happened, that miners occupying claims near the boundary may for convenience take out their miners' rights in the adjoining county, which thus gets the revenue arising from this source, to the detriment of the other. The Financial Arrangements Act gives the Governor power to distribute the revenue accruing in two counties fairly between them, but it may not be always easy to do so satisfactorily. Another ease in which the county boundary comes into consideration is where one county comprises parts of two gold fields, and it has been thought inconvenient that two sets of mining operations should be in force in the same county. The first step has now been taken towards the complete extinguishment of this cause of complaint, if such it he, by the preparation of a general code of regulations for the whole of the Middle Island. Conference of Wardens. Such a code has been carefully prepared by four of the most experienced Wardens in the colony, who recently met in AVellington, and devoted the incessant labour of some weeks to this object. The result of their consultations may, of course, require some modification according to the course which legislation upon the subject may take during the present session, but it may safely be said that the proposed code shows that there is no inherent necessity in the case for a different set of rules to be in force on each gold field. Uniformity in this respect cannot fail to be a great boon to the miner, who, in travelling from one field to another, is much perplexed by finding that his claim is subject to a different law and to different conditions from those which he has been accustomed to. Conclusion. For statistical and other information, in addition to that which I have very briefly summarized in this report, I must refer to the more detailed statements of the Wardens, and the very complete tables which will be found in the Appendix. For some of the latter I must express my thanks to Mr. Batkin, the Receiver-General, and to Mr. Seed, Secretary and Inspector of Customs. The tables supplied by the Treasury are particularly elaborate, and were furnished as usual notwithstanding the increased pressure of work which circumstances have thrown upon that department. J. Giles.

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APPENDIX TO REPORT ON THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND.

WARDENS' REPORTS.

OTAGO GOLD EIELD. No. 1. Mr. Warden Willis to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Dunedin, 16th April, 1877. I have the honor to forward herewith statistical returns relating to the Ilindon District of the Otago Gold Fields for the year ended the 31st March last. I regret I have nothing to report favourably of the district since last year. Enterprise in this direction seems to have lapsed altogether, although I fancy there is no want of room for it. The revenue remains the same. I have, &c, Alex. Willis, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, AVellington. Warden.

No. 2. Mr. AVarden AVillis to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Dunedin, 17th April, 1877. I omitted to say in my report that I had visited the supposed new gold field near Outram, and failed to discover it to be of any consequence. I regret that so much prominence should have been giveu to the matter in the papers. I have, &c, Alex. AVillis, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. AVarden.

No. 3. Mr. Warden Simpson to the Under Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic— AVarden's Office, Clyde, 25th May, 1877. I have the honor to hand you the statistical returns of the Gold Fields Districts of Queenstown and Arrow for the year ended 31st March, 1877, of which places I have been in charge for a few months. I regret to say that these returns are not so reliable as I could have wished, having, as I had, to obtain the information second-hand, and from any papers that were in the offices, and having been, from press of work, unable to verify them in any way. With the view of having them revised, I forwarded them to Mr. Stratford, the Warden now in charge of the districts, and who had been in charge of the Arrow District for some years, that he might verify and make up the general report thereon; but he declined to have anything to do with them. From inquiries made, I find that the mining population, both in the Queenstown and Arrow Districts, has decreased considerably during the year, particularly in the former. The wet and unfavourable weather for river mining which has prevailed this season may account for it iv some manner, but I am more inclined to think that it is caused by a good many of the alluvial mines beginning to give out, or rather to require an expenditure of capital beyond the command of au ordinary miner to work them profitably. And I regret to say that there is a great want of confidence by capitalists in alluvial mining, caused by the almost invariable non-success of these mines immediately on being converted into companies. That there is much gold yet to be discovered in the Queenstown and Arrow Districts I have not the slightest doubt, but confidence will have to be restored in gold mining as an investment before capital will be risked. Quartz mining is still continued in the Queenstown District, but with only indifferent success. No new reefs have been discovered this year in that district, but the recent discoveries in the Arrow District have caused many to turn their attention to the further prospecting of reefs previously known, but which had not got a fair trial. lam informed that there are some in the neighbourhood of Moke Creek very well worthy of a fair trial. I fear, however, we want the class of miner capable of properly prospecting a reef. The most important discovery that has been on the Otago Gold Fields this year I—H. 1.

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is what have become known as the " Macetown Reefs," in the Arrow District. The following are the na nes given to those already discovered and proved to be auriferous : — Claims Working. Idle. Miles Discovered. The Homeward-Bound line of reef ... ... 4 ... 2 ... 2| Cross Reef ... ... 2 ... 1 ... 2 Victor Emmanuel or Nuggety Reef ... ... 2 ... 2 ... 1 Victoria Reef ... ... 1 ... 0 ... f Tipperary Reef ... ... ... ... 1 ... 1 ... i Mackay's Reef ... ... 1 ... 1 ... 100 yards. There are other reefs known to contain gold, which have not yet been prospected nor taken up for work. There is one small crushing machine at work on these reefs, and three large batteries in the course of erection, but the difficulties of the roads to the reefs make it a great and tedious undertaking to convey machinery. I must say, however, the various companies have shown great energy and ingenuity in their efforts to get machinery on the ground speedily. The value of the plant erected and in the course of erection may be put down at £6,000, and may be taken as evidence of the belief by the miners in the payable nature of the reefs. The crushings already made have given li oz. to the ton : these have been all from the Homeward-Bound. About 300 tons of quartz were crushed, and the yield was 360 oz. Settlement. —The most of the available ground for cultivation in the Queenstown and Arrow Districts has been long ago settled on, with the exception of the Crown Terrace Block, and that, unfortunately, has been kept closed by various devices; but I think another season will see it thrown open and populated. On the outskirts of the Queenstown District, in the neighbourhood of Kingston and Nokomai, a good deal of settlement has taken place, and all the deferred-payment blocks that were thrown open have been absorbed. About 7,000 acres have been acquired in freehold in the districts during ihe year, chiefly by the purchase of land held under agricultural lease. New life seems to have been given to the farmers about Arrow and Queenstown by the sudden rise in wheat and the approaching completion of the Kingston Railway, and crop-growing, which almost had been abandoned for want of carnage to a market, has been largely gone into ; and there is only one opinion as to the Wakatipu District for wheat-growing —fhat it is the best in Qtago. In reference to the depasturing interests in the Lake District, it has long become evident to all that the commonage system is ruinous both to stock and stockholder, and the sooner the balance of ihe ground even now used as common pasturage, with the exception of a few thousand acres around each township or centre of population, is done away with, the better. I do not say this because of the success of ihe method of having small runs, for that method financially has rather been a failure to the Government, but that not on account of any fault of the system of divided pasturage, but from the fact of the runs having been put up to public auction, and unfortunately falling into the hands, in many cases, of persons ignorant of the business of sheep-farming ; and in other cases caused by the fever that raged, dining the high prices of wool, to obtain country at any price. 1 think all the surrenders of leases have been brought about by one or other of the above causes. This brings me to call in question the expediency, in all cases, of putting up the leases of the Crown lands to auction, although 1 fear it is the only system a Government could adopt, as doubtless the selection of tenants would lead 1o corruption in many ways. From another point of view, the small runs have been a success, as having introduced into the district a fine class of yeomen and settled them on ihe ground, and this will in a short time compensate for any loss that may have been meanwhile sustained. I have, &c, W. Laweence Simpson, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. AVarden.

No. 4. Mr. AVarden Cabew to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Sic, — Warden's Office, Lawrence, sth May, 1877. I have the honor to forward the statistical returns for the Tuapeka Gold Field for the year ending the 31st March last, and to report as follow s : — Mining. —The Blue Spur continues to be the source of the principal portion of the gold raised in this district; and while the yield from other parts of the gold field has decreased, through temporary causes, from that of former years, the Spur has contributed so largely that I am again enabled to report an increase in production over former years. The quantities carried from here by escort for the last three years have been as follow :— 1875 ... ... ... ... ... 19,744 oz. 1*76 ... ... ... ... ... 21,106 „ 1*77 ... ... ... ... ... 26,155 „ —thus showing the very satisfactory increase of 6,411 oz. over the year 1875, and 5,049 oz. over last year. The change in the meihod of working the ground, from ground-sluicing top to bottom—in fact, the gradual degradation and lemoval by water-power of a mountain spur in which immense quantises of the soil removed contained lit Ileor no gold—io that of tunnelling in, and crushing under ■tampers, only auriferous strata, is no doubt the cause of the present prosperity. It has led also to decrease of litigation, as the deposit of tailings, once a most prolific source of dispute, is so much reduced that no damage from ihat cause is now suffered. I am. however, convinced that the present manner of working the land is merely a temporary means of staving off, for a few years it may be. an Undertaking of some magnitude—ihe construction of a deep channel to carry away tailings from alow level of the Spur, and wnhout which not only will it be impossible to work the whole of the lowest and richest strata, but also hundreds of thousands of yards ot soil that can only be profitably worked by

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ground-sluicing. There has been considerable interest taken in a similar formation to the Blue Spur, at OKI Waitahuna Gully. One claim has opened out upon excellent prospects, and will no doubt prove a valuable one to the proprietors. This has led to extensive prospecting in adjacent but deeper ground. One shaft has been sunk to a depth of 230 feet, bottoming upon a shelving reef. Satisfactory prospects were obtained during the progress of sinking, but not so on the bed rock. Another prospecting shaft is now down 200 feet, and it is anticipated that a further depth of 100 feet will have to be attained before the bottom is reached. Gold is found in this formation in several strata, and at varying depths, and it is questioned whether it could not, with the present rate of wages, be made to pay with suitable appliances. The Waipori division of the district suffered considerably by the heavy floods in February last. The Government sludge channel was irretrievably destroyed, and, although the earnings of those working within its limits were small, the sudden complete destruction of the claims of seventy men caused for a time no small hardship. With this exception, I consider the Waipori miners as successful as any in the colony. At the old Woolshed Diggings some highly auriferous laud, alienated from tho Crown before the proclamation of the gold field, has been worked for some time past by both European and Chinese miners, and with very satisfactory results to both miner and landowner. Quartz Mining. —This branch of mining, with the exception of a few old claims, may be considered as little advanced beyond prospecting. The Nil Desperandum Claim, at Waipori, has yielded some very rich specimens, but the reef proved patchy, and on the whole gave only a fair return. The Canada Reef Company, at Table Hill, is steadily and economically worked, and is reported to be doing more than paving its way. Two new reefs, one at Table Hill and the other in the Lammerlaw Ranges, have been discovered during the past year ; good specimens have been obtained, and hopes are entertained that they will prove remunerative. I feel no doubt that this branch of mining will assume much larger proportions in the future than it has hitherto done. Population. —l estimate tho number of miners in the district to be—Europeans, 450 ; Chinese, 450; making a total of 900. This shows an increase over last year in the number of European miners, represented by men who have returned from employment on public works, and in some degree by men new to gold-digging. The number of Chinese miners has decreased, owing to emigration to the West Coast and Queensland. Upon analysis of the revenue for the past year, I find that on an average only one out of every five Chinese miners has taken out a miner's right: this is owing to there being no Chinese interpreter in the district. When one was stationed here it was his duty to keep a register of the Chinese mining in the district, and to prosecute those mining without the proper authority. Tne loss to the revenue in this way has been fully twice the cost of an interpreter. Land and Settlement. — Farming has made such rapid strides that there are now more persons in the district dependent upon growing crops aud cattle-feeding than upon gold mining, and nearly all the available land has been taken up for occupation. The following will show the transactions in laud for the past year : — No. a. c. p. Agricultural Leases granted during year ... ... 35 ... 4,210 139 Agricultural Leases expired ~ ... ... 3 ... 93 223 Agricultural Leases cancelled ~ ... ... 1 ... 138 210 Agricultural Leases exchanged „ ... ... 4 ... 122 028 Agricultural Leases purchased „ ... ... 33 ... 2,352 223 Agricultural Leases in force on 31st March, 1877 ... 338 ... 30,646 234 Exchange Leases „ „ ... 117 ... 5,021 023 Occupation Licenses and Certificates ~ ... 127 ... 20,118 2 8 The total area now held under leases and licenses is 55,788 acres 1 rood 25 poles, the annual rental being £7,851 4s. 6d. In addition to these holdings, about 135,000 acres of land within the gold field is freehold. The past year has been a very favourable one for both farming and grazing in this district, and the completion of the railway between Dunedin and Lawrence, which is now an accomplished fact, insures a steady market for stock and produce within easy access at all times. Revenue. The amount of revenue collected for the year which ended on the 31st March last was £9,898 17s. 4d.. made up as follows: — £ s. d. Rents from Agricultural and Deferred-payment Leases and Licenses 7,686 3 8 Rents from Depasturing Licenses ... ... ... ... 633 5 7 Rents from Mining Leases ... ... ... ... ... 253 15 4 Other Gold Fields Revenue ... ... ... ... ... 923 13 10 Fees and Fines in Resident Magistrate's Court ... ... ... 401 18 11 The number of cases and applications dealt with was as follows : — Resident Magisteatk's Covet. Criminal Cases ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 Civil Cases ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 291 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 431 Waeden's Covet. Cases ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 35 Applications ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 302 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 337 I have, &c, E. H. Caeew, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

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No. 5. Mr. Warden AVood to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Switzers, 10th May, 1877. I have the honor to forward statistical returns for the period ending 31st March ultimo. Mining throughout the Switzers Division proper of the district is at a very low ebb, and trade stagnant —the latter owing to the fact that this district does not possess the advantage which others have of a settled agricultural population. The land, although some of the finest in the Provincial District of Otago, is an education reserve, and therefore excluded from bond fide settlement. Tho small population of the Nokomai Subdivision is nearlyal together composed of Chinese, who are making wages, say 30s. per week. The AVaikaka Subdivision, situate about fifteen miles from Tapanui, has every prospect of turning out not only a payable gold field, but will probably support a large population, as it is now being thoroughly prospected by parties who will not readily relinquish the chance afforded of obtaining a claim that may last for years. Gold has been struck at a lower level than any hitherto obtained—so feet or 60 feet sinking, at distances up to two miles apart. This, it is hoped, may prove a well-developed lead, as the gold is of the same description. The supposed lead unfortunately runs into private land on the Chatton Hundred. The Orepuki Gold Field, situate on the west side of the Longwood Range, near the mouth of the AVaiau River, in Foveaux Straits, supports a population of about 200 miners, who are making good wages, from tho return of gold purchased by the banks in Riverton during the year 1876, which gives an average of over half an ounce a week per man. Prospecting for quartz reefs has been going on for the last fifteen months on the east side of the Longwood Ranges, and one of the gentlemen finding the means for the prospecting party writes to me that they have struck what they believe to be a well-defined reef that promises to be payable ; as heavy gold has been obtained in the locality, it is probable that their efforts may be successful. The new gold field of AVaikaka I am unable to report upon at present, but will do so as soon as I obtain reliable information. I have, &c, John Nugent Wood, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, AVellington. AVarden.

No. 6. Mr. AVarden Simpson to the Under Seceetaey for Golo Fields. Sic— Warden's Office, Clyde, 21st May, 1877. I have the honor to forward to you the statistical returns, for the year ended the 31st March, 1877, of the gold fields district of the Dunstan. Many of these returns are formed too much on guesswork to be reliable sources of information, particularly as to mining plant. It occurs to me that some of the statistics might be made much more accurate and reliable if obtained after the manner of the agricultural statistics in Otago. Of the district generally, I have to report that there has been a falling off in the yield of gold. The yield for last year was 45,436 oz., while this year it is only 34,812 oz., being a difference of 10,624 oz. This decrease has taken place in the yield from the quartz reefs to the extent of 6,710 oz., and in the yield from alluvial to the extent of 3,914 oz. It is beyond my expectation to find so small a decrease in the alluvial yield of gold, as for a great portion of the year one of the best sluicing districts has almost been without a water supply, owing to the breaking down of the Bannockburn Company's race, and as the Carrick Range Water Supply Race was only completed and available in January last. This decrease is therefore owing to no failure or giving out of tho mines. In reference to the falling off in the yield of gold from quartz, it is to be accounted for by the giving out of some of the mines on the Carrick Range, and the fact of the Great Cromwell Company having been engaged for a great portion of the year at work not immediately profitable, such as deepening their shafts; but now that mine is looking as well as ever it did, and they are now again started to get out stone which is averaging 2 oz. to the ton ; and other companies on the same reef are about to make a fresh start. There has only been one new discovery worthy of note made during the year, and that was on the River Molyneux, a few miles below Alexandra ; but that discovery is rather an important one, being the discovery of rich deposits on the Old Lake level. This ought to lead to prospecting at that level along all our rivers, and no doubt will. Settlement. —During the year there have been taken up under the agricultural-lease system, by eighteen different lessees, 2,124 acres, and under the deferred-payment system by fifteen licensees, 2,285 acres, making a total of 4,409 acres. There have been acquired in freehold 2,263 acres during the year. The total land held in leasehold and under license amounts in this district to 20,186 acres, yielding a yearly rental of £2,765 10s. The amount of land taken up during the year ended is quite equal to that taken up during the preceding year, showing a steady desire to settle, even under the difficulties of the present limited system. As during last year, Black's and the Teviot Districts are the places where the chief settlement has gone on, the really available land being confined to those districts. The gross amount of land actually open for settlement in the Dunstan District may be put down at 38,000 acres ; but when you deduct the land used as common at Clyde and Cromwell, amounting to 27,000 acres, all of which is not only unfit for settlement but is considered auriferous, and settlement opposed thereon, and if you add to that the ground which is considered auriferous in other parts, say 3,000 acres, a small balance of 8,000 acres is left to scatter over the whole of the large district of Dunstan. Looking therefore at the whole of the figures above given, I do not think it can be said the district generally is retrograding. I have, &c, W. Lawrence Simpson, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. AVarden.

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No. 7. Mr. Warden Robinson to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Naseby, 31st March, 1877, I have the honor to report upon the district under my charge, as AVarden for the past year, as follows :— 1. The year has, on the whole, been moderately favourable to the class of mining that is mostly prevalent in this district. With plenty of water the sluicer can always do well in this part of the country; and the broken seasons have, in furnishing rather more than average supplies of water, been decidedly advantageous to the miner's industry, although embarrassing and even hurtful to that of the cultivator of the soil. 2. The expectation of the Government water-race and sludge channel being opened has caused a large number of claims to be taken up in the Hogburn Valley, below Naseby. The ground thus occupied has long been known to be auriferous, but for want of "fall "it could not be worked. The knowledge of its value was a principal reason for the eagerness with which the construction of a sludge channel was advocated. Of course none of these claims can be wrought until the opening of the channel affords the long-desired means of sending away the waste water and tailings from the workings. In the mean time the claims have all required to be protected. To obviate the inconvenience to miners of the continual necessity of applying for renewal of protection, I suggested to the Government the advisability of suspending certain of the forfeiture sections of the Regulations, and on the 12th of this month a Proclamation was published suspending the operation of the Regulations in question over an area extending for fourteen chains on each side of the channel throughout its entire length. This will no doubt be felt as a relief by the holders of claims in the Hogburn Valley. 3. I am glad to be able at length to notice that the Government water-race is so far completed that there is really nothing to prevent its being used to bring in water for mining purposes except the completion of the short length of flushing race to connect with the sludge channel. This is a work which should not take long to finish, indeed it is already far advanced towards completion, and I look forward with confidence to the miners getting the means of opening out some of their claims before the winter fairly sets in. This will be a great advantage. There is a good deal of preliminary work to be done about the opening out of sluicing claims, and until it is definitely known on what conditions races will be allowed to connect with and discharge into the channel, none even of this preliminary work can be safely undertaken. But when once the miners know what they can and may do, I have no doubt they will set to work vigorously enough. 4. A. noticeable sign of the expectation of better times, after the long period of comparative depression consequent upon the waiting for the completion of the public works, is to be found in the fact that the town of Naseby itself has lately begun to show decided symptoms of improvement. The Bank of New Zealand has erected handsome new premises, a few new places of business have been opened, and several of the older-established stores and hotels are being more or less renovated. 5. The increasing confidence of business people in Naseby is not, however, to be solely attributed to the hope of benefit from the opening of the public race and channel —at length the demand for land for settlement has been recognized, and a good deal of land has been opened in various parts of the district. It is satisfactory to find that the land is being rapidly taken up by a respectable class of settlers, and there is reason to hope that, before many years are past, the country will be studded over with homesteads wherever the land is suitable for cultivation. The spread of agriculture will have a tendency greatly to assist the development of the mineral resources of the country. With farms in the neighbourhood, the necessaries of life must be cheaper than when every article of consumption has to he brought for great distances over bad roads. With cheaper living the miner will be able to profitably work much ground that will not pay at the present high cost of provisions. Moreover, as settlement extends the means of communication will be improved. Already there is serious agitation for a railway to tap the great interior country of Otago. If a railway were once made, the difficulty of obtaining timber for mining purposes would be at an end, and it is probable that deepsinking would be tried in many places where, in consequence of the enormous expense of timber, it cannot now be thought of. 0. As has been already remarked, the class of mining generally prevalent in this district is that of sluicing.. This offers in itself but little subject for remark, as when once water has been led by races to command any suitable ground, the miners may continue to work in the same vicinity and in the same manner for many years. The only item of progress to be noted is the introduction in some claims of iron piping instead of canvas hose. This is found to be a great improvement, especially when, as in one claim at St. Bathans, the American nozzle, known as the "Little Giant," is also used. 7. Quartz mining is still represented in this district by only one claim iv actual work —that of Mr. Withers, at Rough Ridge, which has been worked with varying success for a number of years. It is very remarkable that in a district so rich in gold, and the mountains of which present so many indications of reefs, so very little should as yet have been done toward the development of quartz mines. Quartz reefs have, it is true, been opened in several localities and gold found, but from some cause or other the companies have, as a rule, always come to grief. Possibly, if there were a railway to bring the necessary timber and mining plant on to the ground at a moderate expense, the testing of the quartz reefs might yet be done in a more thorough and systematic manner than heretofore. 8. An important phase of mining has latterly been developed at Fullarton's, near Hyde, where three parties of miners have taken up claims which can only be worked by means of lengthy tunnels, mostly through rock. I referred to this matter in my report of last year, and had hoped to have been able by now to chronicle a success. Unfortunately delays have occurred, partly through want of capital. One party has put in a fine tunnel to a considerable distance, but without as yet reaching the rich wash which is known to lie in the interior of the hill, having been formerly reached by sinking from the flat top. 9. The Muddy Creek Company, at St. Bathans, after carrying up their channel for a considerable

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distance, found they could not work it to advantage or keep it properly clear without a supply of flushing water. They have latterly been engaged in bringing in a supply of water by means of a race eight miles in length, which is not yet completed. Meanwnile they have been allowing their channel to be silted up ; but it is understood that they can easily clear it when they get the extra power of water. 10. The revenue for the year shows a slight increase over last year. The particulars are as follow :— £ s. d. Gold Revenue ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,165 14 6 Warden's Court Fees and Fines ... ... ... ... 60 4 6 Agricultural-lease Rents ... ... ... ... ... 1,651 19 2 Deferred-payment Rents ... ... ... ... ... 517 9 0 Resident Magistrate's Court Fees and Fines ... ... ... 232 11 9 £3,627 18 11 11. Next year, with the increased business consequent upon the opening of the Government sludge channel, and the supply of water from the race, I hope to be able to show a very large increase of revenue. 12. The total of gold escorted from the district during the year is 16,477 oz. 9 dwts. This does not exhibit the entire production, as the Maerewhenua gold finds its way to the banks in Oamaru without escort. There is thus no record of the quantity produced. I have, &c, H. W. Robinson, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, AVellington. AVarden.

WESTLAND GOLD EIELD. No. 8. Mr. Warden Peice to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Hokitika, 16th June, 1877. I have the honor to report as follows upon the state of the several districts under my charge —namely, Okarito and the subdistrict of Jackson's Bay, Totara, Kanieri, Waimea, and Kumara. I have, &c, M. Peice, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

Okarito and Subdistrict of Jackson's Bay. I hate nothing new to report respecting this district, as, I regret to say, during the past year mining operations have been in a depressed condition owing to the Kumara rush, and what has always been detrimental to the development of this gold field, the difficulty of access and high rate of provisions. 80 long as equally payable diggings are found elsewhere no improvement can be expected, although I am perfectly satisfied there is as good payable ground here as in any other part of Westland. The gold revenue for the year ending 31st March, 1877, is £104 55., as against £234 ss. of preceding year, showing a decrease of £130. There is also a decrease of £141 in the revenue for publicans' licenses. The principal diggings are still at Gillespie's, and it speaks well of the place that the Kumara rush has not drawn any away from it. As regards mining from the Haast to Bullock Creek, in the Sub-district of Jackson's Bay (special settlement), the few (seventeen) following this occupation are making fair average wages. The gold fields revenue amounts to only £40. Two quartz mining leases were granted last year, and several quartz claims taken up, but, I regret to say, they have not proved so successful as was anticipated, although I do not believe the ground has been sufficiently tested to pronounce it a failure ; but the great difficulty and expense in conveying machinery into almost inaccessible country retards any great outlay unless the prospects held out are beyond ordinary ones. This much may be said, that Okarito and the Subdistrict of Jackson's Bay, having upwards of 140 miles of coast-line, with indications of various valuable minerals in addition to gold, is yet in its infancy, and requires only population to develop what will render it in time a prosperous district. Totara District. I regret to say I have nothing new to report of this district; but, notwithstanding the present gloomy appearance of affairs, the rich nature of the ground on which Ross is built is so well known that it ouly requires to be energetically worked by large companies to restore it in some measure to its former prosperity. The population ha 3 decreased by about 350 ; it now numbers 1,320, as against 1,670 of previous year. Trie gold fields revenue has also decreased, last year's amounting to £595, the year before to £633, exclusive of gold duty. To a certain extent this is owing to the Kumara rush, which has drawn away a considerable number of miners and business people; also many, who remained in expectation of the Mikonui Water-race being brought in, left, finding that there was no likelihood of the undertaking being commenced.

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Lately four mining leases have been granted on Jones's Flat; and if the lessees carry out their proposed mode of working the ground —namely, by water-power machinery —the result will, I believe, prove highly beneficial to the district, as a large number of miners will have to be.employed to work the ground. At Donoghue's, mining operations have improved during the past year, the ground being drained b} r water-power machinery, which enables the miners to work their claims at a lower level, with very satisfactory results. There are also a number of sluicing claims in this neighbourhood yielding good wages. At Bowen, I regret to say, things have not turned out so well as was anticipated. The special claim of twenty acres granted to the Kohinoor Gold Mining Company litis lately stopped work owing to heavy floods having swamped their ground, which lies close to the bed of the Mikonui River, and also the dams and head-races connected with it being destroyed by the same cause, and by landslips. The ground commanded by the Greenland AVater-race Company on the terraces above the township of Ross, towards Donoghue's, has proved highly remunerative. This company holds a lease of ten acres, anil there is also another of same size further south paying good wages. Along the terraces on the upper side of Donoghue's Road there are a number of extended claims, the holders of which are said to be doing well. The ground could not have been worked had it not been for the race in question, brought in at a high altitude. This holds out the best prospect that the Mikonui AVaterrace, if constructed, would prove highly beneficial, aud open up a large area of auriferous country which otherwise must remain unworked. At Mount Rangitoto, where the silver mines are situated, a large area of country has been taken up under leases; but iv consequence of its inaccessible situation, and the road not having been completed, ihe working of the ground has been delayed, and the only party which is actually carrying on operations is the Mount Rangitoto Silver Mine Company, the original prospectors, who are putting in tunnels aud gelling out stone in readiness to send to Melbourne as soon as the road is finished. During the last few weeks three quartz mining leases have been applied for at Donnelly's Creek, near Koss. AVhat the result may be is doubtful, as the same reef was tried some years ago and abandoned as not payable. The gold forwarded from Ross to Hokitika amounted to 9,551 oz. All further information will be found in the statistical returns already forwarded. Kanieri District. In reporting on this district for the past year, I may state it has slightly decreased in population and yield of gold, but this may be attributed to the great attraction tif the Kumara Gold Fields, which has drawn away some of the miners, although the number does not exceed seventy out of a total of 175 who were mining in the district during the previous year. The portions of the district most materially affected are in and around the Town of Kanieri, the sea-beach south of Hokitika River, and the Hau-Hatt, from which places most of the miners have left. Other parts of the district, such as Woodstock, Kanieri River, and Blue Spur, have remained much as they were. The average earnings of the miners are about half an ounce of gold per man per week. The Approximate yield of gold for the past year is 10,920 oz. The gold fields revenue has decreased some £39. That of last year was £548 4s. 6d., against £587 4s. 6d. of previous year. T:ic principal diggings are AVoodstock and Blue Spur. The former, lying along the south bank of the Hokitika River, has for the past ten years maintained a steady, industrious mining population. The number so engaged at present, is 110, and the mode of mining is by ground-sluicing and tunnelling. At the Blue Spur there are some good claims: this place is one of the oldest diggings on the coast, having been worked for the past thirteen years. The Kanieri District is not altogether confined to gold mining for itß existence, as the farming industry is a very important one, a large area in the vicinity of the Hokitika and Arahuta Rivers being under cultivation, and occupied by a steady, industrious class of fanners, who, being in close proximity to the town of Hokitika, obtain a ready and lucrative market for their produce. On the whole, I may say that the district is in a fairly prosperous condition, and contains within itself the elements of continuing so for some years to come. Waimea District. This district, although in close proximity to the Kumara diggings (in fact, until the latter was, in Novemb r last, made into a separate district, formed a portion of tin- Waimea one), has during the past year held i:s own, which I believe to he in a great measure owing to the Government race affording a supple of water to miners in those portions of the gold workings through which it passes. And it is to be regretted that branch B, which would command "Tunnel Terrace " from Goldsborough nearly to Stafford Town, has not been constructed, preventing some of the best known auriferous ground from being worked. I understand it could be brought in for about £2,000. The diggings are much spread about over a large area of country, and all of an alluvial nature, the gold being found in terraces and in innumerable small creeks and gullies, also on the sea-beach. The working!) are carried on by ground-sluicing and hydraulic power, and, seeing that it is one of the earliest « iggings opened in Westland (in 1861), there can be no better proof of its stability than its Continuing Id maintain a mining population of 1,500 people ; and although at the first breaking out of the Kumara diggings many were attracted there, yet most have now returned to their old claims. With r gard to the quartz reefs at ihe Taipo, I regret to say, during the past year ihe holders of mining lease- there have done nothing towards developing the reef. I have informed them that, unless fchev coimiii nee operations at once, I shall recommend the ground to be thrown open, so as to give others an o ortunity of proving what holds out fair prospects of opening up a description of mining which, if suVeessful, conduces highly to the prosperity of a place.

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The gold fields revenue for the year amounted to £3,182 —higher than it has been for some years past. This, however, arose from the Kumara rush, as until a separate establishment was formed there, in November, the whole of the revenue was collected at Goldsborough. The yield of gold, from what I can ascertain, has kept up, and has been about 14,000 oz. Mining business, so far as registrations are concerned, is greater in this district than in any of the others. There have been no less than 1,550 certificates issued during the past year, and although mostly for insignificant works, in the shape of small head-races, dams, &c, yet it shows that mining is energetically carried on. Of the Waimea District, I may say it contains a population of settled miners, not likely to diminish in numbers, who are making homes for themselves under the provisions of the residence-area regulations, which enable them to take up half-acres of land ; and although there are no rich claims, yet I may say all are making good average wages, and relying for their future prospects on the auriferous ground which the Government race now gives an opportunity of opening up. Kumara District. Of this gold field—-the latest diggings discovered in New Zealand—l may at once say they are not of that rich nature they have been represented to be, but may be termed workings yielding generally average good wages, and possessing a large area of auriferous country. The prospecting, if I may so term it, began so long ago as 1872 on a practical basis, when a party of three miners obtained from me a grant of an extended head-race for ten sluice-heads of water, and a mining lease of three acres. They continued mining for some years undisturbed, earning during the time no less than £10 each per week. They did not make the matter known till the evidence in a case in the Warden's Court at Goldsborough, tried about June last year, elicited information which caused the locality to be further and more thoroughly prospected ; and I may here state that the three miners above alluded to have since sold their entire interest for £2,200. The first absolute rush to these diggings took place last August, and gradually went on increasing to Christmas, when the population exceeded G,000; but in consequence of the workings being of a heavy nature, a number of labourers and others, ontirely unaccustomed to mining, who came from Canterbury, Otago, and other provinces of New Zealand, left almost immediately after their arrival, as they were afraid to commence working ground which required three or four months' preparation before any returns whatever could be expected. The result was that it gradually decreased, and has been ever since fluctuating between four and five thousand, by arrivals and departures. It now numbers 4,860, of whom 2,800 are actually mining. The various diggings are as follow:—Commencing on a terrace immediately outside the town of Kumara up to Dillmantown, a distance of more than half a mile, the entire workings ar,e carried on by means of tunnels. Travelling thence on to Larrikins, a distance of three-quarters of a mile, the ground is for the most part worked by shafts and ordinary washing — i.e., boxes and forking. Dunedin Flat comes next in order, the ground being worked by shafts and tunnels, averaging in depth 50 feet. This portion of the diggings merges into what is now known as Shamrock Lead, which extends for a distance of about half a mile towards the Greenstone road. The entire of this portion is worked by sinking ; depth about 50 feet. Shallow Lead commences from the west end of Dunedin Plat up to near Tui Street, Kumara. It is worked by shafts and windlasses, depth 20 feet; wash-dirt, heavy gravel, 4to 5 feet thick. A new lead is now being opened up from Dillmantown to Blake's saw-mills, which will be exclusively worked by means of tunnels running in a south-easterly direction. The average depth of sinking is from 50 to 100 feet throughout the field, with wash-dirt varying in thickness from 6 to 8 feet, and in one locality (Dunedin flat) it has been found as thick as 30 feet. The position of the ground is such that, when sluicing commences on a large scale, great impetus must be given to present mining operations, as the major portion of it is 300 feet above the level of the Teremakau River. The reason this mode has not been hitherto adopted is want of means on the part of the miners, as most of them have been living on credit, and consequently obliged to work in the most economical manner; but when they have recovered from their present difficulties they will be in a position to purchase water largely, and work on a more extensive scale by hydraulic power. The Government race now ia process of construction, and which is already affording a supply of water, has been of great benefit, as this gold field is peculiarly destitute of sources from which small races can be made available. The price charged for water is £1 for eight hours' use. Another large race is now in course of construction by the Okuku Company, and when finished will afford a good supply of water, but not in excess of what will be readily absorbed by the miners. As to the system of working carried on throughout the field, I may state that about two-thirds are by means of tunnels and ordinary washing, and the remainder by windlasses and shafts. The washdirt consists of heavy gravel; there is no defined bottom, but occasionally river sediment is discovered, as if caused by a deposit from still water. The approximate yield of gold up to 31st March last is estimated at about 10,000 oz., but I am glad to say it is steadily on the increase. A small rush lately set in on the north bank of the Teremakau River, which principally consists of tunnel claims. The gold, however, is found to be patchy, and of a different description from that at Kumara, it being of a heavier nature. The locality has, however, not turned out so well as was at first expected. There are about 200 miners working there. The township of Kumara is of considerable extent, and embraces every branch of business, with fire banks. The buildings are of a substantial nature, sections commanding a high price. There is a courthouse, commodious police barracks, and a large building is in course of erection for post and telegraph offices. On the whole the place has made great progress since its first rush. A diggings township is springing up at Dillmau's about a mile from Kumara, which is gradually increasing in size. There is one peculiar feature connected with this gold field of which I know no other instance—

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that an education reserve of 1,000 acres forms the very heart of it, on which the greater portion of the town is built. It causes inconvenience in the way of mining, and considerable loss of revenue, as about three-fifths of the sites are on the reserve, and no business licenses taken out for them. It would in my opinion have been desirable if on the breaking out of the gold field the reserve had been withdrawn, which could have been done under the provisions of the Westland Waste Lands Act, as it never could have been contemplated that large blocks of highly auriferous land should be set apart for this purpose. A tramway has been constructed between Greymouth and Kumara at a cost of £5,000, and is now open for traffic. It will prove a great convenience to this gold field, and is entirely a Greymouth enterprise, and constructed by Greymouth capital. The entire population is as follows : — Town of Kumara ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,406 Town boundary and terrace, to Dillmantown ... ... ... ... 704 Thence to Larrikin's ... ... ... ... ... ... 450 Dunedin Flat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 685 Shamrock Lead ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 Shallow Lead ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 380 New Lead towards Blake's saw-mill ... ... ... ... ... 150 Other parts not enumerated ... ... ... ... ... 385 North side of Teremakau ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 Total ... ... ... ... ... 4,860 In conclusion it affords me great satisfaction to |say this field holds out hopeful prospects of improving, and that it will for some years to come support not only the present but a larger population. M. Peice, Hokitika, 16th June, 1877. Warden.

No. 9. Mr. AVarden Revell to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic, — Warden's Office, Greenstone, April, 1877. I have the honor to make the following general report on the Greenstone District for the twelve months ending the 31st March last past. This district was seriously affected by the Kumara rush last August, but during the last three months there has been a steady increase in the population, now estimated at 600 souls, of whom about 300 Europeans and 150 Chinese are engaged in mining. The revenue in the Warden's department has been fully maintained, whilst the estimated yield of gold is in excess of last year; but, owing to the reticence of the banks, it is very difficult to arrive at a correct estimate. The gold passes through the port of Hokitika, and naturally the revenue accruing to the Grey County suffers thereby. There are about sixty men at work at Maori Point and Revell's Terrace, chiefly ground-sluicing, two parties hydraulic sluicing, and five parties tunnelling. On Duke's Terrace three parties hydraulic sluicing; and on the Three-Mile and on north side of the Greenstone Creek, near the Teremakau, there are ten parties hydraulic sluicing. On Hayes's Terrace, immediately over the Teremakau Ferry, there are 150 miners ground-sluicing and tunnelling, and some very fine parcels of coarse gold have been obtained. The sinking varies from 15 feet to 87, and the ground is full of enormous boulders several tons weight, which have to be blasted before removal. The rush to Hayes's Terrace is likely to increase, some good prospects having been found in the face of same terrace fronting on the Greenstone Road, about one mile from the Teremakau River; and it is the intention of the Dobson's Creek and Piraunui Water-race Company, and the Erin-go-Bragh Water-race Company, recently formed, to extend these races to this terrace. On 14th February last a prospecting claim of double area was granted to Payne and party, in a gully situate about a mile and a half up the Teremakau from Hayes's Terrace, and there are from sixty to seventy miners at work in that locality ground-sluicing and tunnelling. There are 150 Chinese at work along the low banks and in the river-beds of Three-Mile Creek, Fuchsia Creek, and Greenstone Creek, engaged ground-sluicing, with good average results. In the early part of February last this district was visited with the heaviest flood on record since the first opening of the gold field. The old Greenstone township was totally destroyed, several of the stores and their contents being completely washed away, the occupants barely escaping, whilst others had property to a large extent damaged. The foot-bridge over the Greenstone Creek was washed away, and the wire bridge across Greenstone Creek, near the Teremakau, was rendered useless for traffic, whilst several of the claims, dams, and water rights were more or less injured. The dam and head works of the Hohonu Water-race Company were washed away, as also the large dam on Duke's Terrace, the damage being estimated at from £1,000 to £1,200. Sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts are held fortnightly at Greenstone; but if the rush at Hayes's Terrace continues it will be necessary to have an office near the locality, where a small township is likely to spring up, for the collection of the county revenue, which otherwise will go to Kumara, being so much nearer than Greenstone. The statistical returns which have been already forwarded show that seventy-four head-races, capable of carrying 242 heads of water a distance of 64 miles, fifty-three tail-races, and thirty-seven dams, were registered during the year, at the estimated value of £23,518, which, together with forty 2—H. 1.

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ground-sluices, estimated at £6,000, and the mining plant and machinery, estimated at £2,500, gives the total value of all mining property at £32,018. In conclusion, I have to add that mining operations are at present in a healthy state, that a good deal of prospecting is being quietly carried on, and the population is gradually increasing. I append herewith a summary of the revenue of the district, and other matters in connection therewith. I have, &c, W. H. Retell, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

Enclosure in No. 9. Paeticulaes of the Revenue Collected in the Waeden's Covet, &c, at Greenstone, during the Tear ended on the 31st March, 1877. No. £ s. d. £ s. d. Miners' Rights ... ... ... ... ' ... 389 389 0 0 Business Licenses at £5 each ... ... ... ... 11 55 0 O Business Licenses at £3 each ... ... ... ... 18 54 0 0 Business Licenses at £2 each ... ... ... ... 14 28 0 0 137 0 Registrations at ss. each ... ... ... ... 76 19 0 0 Registrations at 2s. 6d. each ... ... ... ... 9 12 6 Registrations at Is. each ... ... ... ... 149 7 9 0 27 11 6 Miscellaneous Receipts ... ... ... ... ... 13 2 0 566 13 6 Revenue to Treasury, for Spirit Licenses ... ... ... 281 0 0 Fees and Fines in Resident Magistrate's Court ... ... 36 0 6 Fees of Licensing Court ... ... ... ... 6 12 6 Duty on 8,000 ounces of Gold-dust, payable to the Customs at 7 „„„ „ Q Hokitika ... ... ... ... j 1,690 6 6 Number of Warden's Cases heard ... ... ... 11 Number of Resident Magistrate's Civil Cases heard ... ... 39 Number of Resident Magistrate's Criminal Cases heard ... 4 54 Amount sued for in Resident Magistrate's Court ... ... 364 10 8 Amount sued for in Warden's Court ... ... ... 77 1 8 441 12 4

No. 10. Mr. Warden Retell to the Under Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Greymouth, 30th April, 1877. In compiling my general report, as Warden of the Greymouth District, I find there is little to record concerning the condition and progress of gold mining during the twelve months ending fhe 31st ultimo. No new discoveries have been made, and, all mining operations in the district being essentially alluvial, very few changes have been effected. In the Paroa Subdistrict the population is estimated at 578, of which 127 Europeans and 115 Chinese are classed as miners, and are chiefly located on the South Beach, Paroa, Rutherglen, Welshman's, and Tankee Creek, working with small water rights, principally sluicing; and many of them occupy comfortable dwellings, with well-cultivated residence areas or gardens attached. The proprietors of the Great Extended AVater-race, who hold a mining lease of five acres, situated near the Nelson Creek on the South Beach, are fully employed in ground-sluicing. The Leviathan Race Company are also ground-sluicing in the same locality, there being no demand for a supply of water from either of their races. The Cornish party also hold extensive water rights, and have turned over a large area of ground at Rutherglen, with good results. In the Clifton Subdistrict the population is estimated at 375 Europeans and 205 Chinese, of whom 225 Europeans and 200 Chinese are engaged in mining operations. In the New River, the old Argus and Independent Claims are still at work, and paying fair wages ; as also several other tunnel claims in the same locality. One party of four men have been driving a tunnel near Maori Creek during the last sixteen months, with the intention of picking up the same lead, and have just struck gold; but whether payable or not still remains to be ascertained. In Cocka-Bulla, Fuchsia, and Cockeye Creeks, and other tributaries of the New River, there are several parties fully employed in ground-sluicing and tunnelling. At Nemona, there are four parties on good payable gold, but the extent of it is very limited. There are also a few claims being worked at Cameron's Terrace: one party sold out their claim and water rights for £300

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last month. The Chinese have also spread over the locality, working in the beds and on the low banks of the creeks, having a strong objection to tunnelling or working in any form underground. In the Arnold Subdistrict, the population is estimated at 317 Europeans and 103 Chinese, of whom 130 Europeans and 70 Chinese are engaged in mining operations, chiefly ground-sluicing and tunnelling, at Maori Gully, AVaimea, Still-water Creek, Brown's Terrace, and Italian and Reilly's Gullies. Water is very scarce in some of these localities, so much so that the Chinese may frequently be seen working with tho old cradle, and carefully saving every drop of water. In February last a very considerable amount of damage was done to several of the claims, water rights, and dams throughout the whole district. The Hibernian AVater-race was swept away in several places, and is now lying almost a complete wreck, and will require an outlay of over £800 to effect repairs. The New River Race was also seriously damaged, and the company have stopped all works for some time, owing to some misunderstanding with the Government regarding the subsidies. Two prospecting parties were formed, one in the Arnold District and one in the Clifton District, supported by the storekeepers, but after several weeks' prospecting were broken up, the result not proving satisfactory. The population of the town of Greymouth, now estimated at 2,630, shows a considerable decrease as compared with last year, but this is readily accounted for by the rush to the Kumara in August and September last. Good substantial buildings are being erected, principally residences and shops, but the uncertainty of the tenure of the Maori property is a great obstacle to the erection of stone and brick buildings ; but generally the town is prosperous and shows signs of advancement, and the contractors for the harbour works have begun operations. The State school, designed by Messrs. Young Brothers, was completed and opened in November last. It accommodates 400 children, and another wing, capable of accommodating 300 more children, can be added at any time if requisite. The Roman Catholic school (a school under the 40th clause of the Education Ordinance) will accommodate 200 children. Schools under the Central Board have also been opened at Paroa, Marsden, Dunganville, Maori Gully, and AVallsend. Sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts have been regularly held at Greymouth, and once a month at Dunganville and Maori Gully, where the officers in charge of police act as receivers of gold revenue, to issue miners' rights, business licenses, and notices of application, and issue summonses for the Courts ; but litigation is very small, and there has been a total absence of any serious crime iv the district. The statistical returns already forwarded show that 173 head-races (capable of conveying 363 heads of water a distance of 233 miles), 123 tail-races, and 366 dams, of the value of £26,393, were registered during the year, which, added to the mining plant and machinery, estimated at £1,092, and the property of the Registered Water-race Company, estimated at £13,500, show the total value of all mining property to be £40,985. I append herewith a return showing the population, revenue, leases disposed of, and rights, licenses, and regulations issued during the year. I have, &c, W. H. Retell, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

Enclosures in No. 10. THE population of the district is estimated at 4,208 souls, and is located as under: —

Europeans. Chinese. Totals. rreymouth, Town of 'aroa District L.rnold District !lif ton District 2,600 463 317 375 30 115 103 ■ 205 2,630 578 420 580 Total 3,755 453 4,208 ;etuen of Cases disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts during the Year, as follows:— Civil. Criminal. Wardens. Totals. Ireymouth llifton irnold 619 18 20 185 10 1 3 2 7 807 30 28 Total 657 196 12 865

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THE Revenue for the twelve months, amounting to £5,150 0s. 9d., is made up as follows: —

NELSON GOLD EIELDS. No. 11. Mr. Warden L. Bboad to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 26th June, 1877. During the past twelve months the diggings of AVangapeka, Sherry, and Baton Rivers have continued to maintain the usual small population. At Tadmor a discovery of payable gold caused a rush on a moderate scale, but so far, although rather better than 100 men have been constantly at work, and getting fair returns, their numbers do not increase. In the spring, and when proper pumping appliances are erected, it is likely there will be a considerable addition to the number of miners. The Tadmor Hill has also been prospected, and from reliable reports I believe would pay remarkably well for sluicing. A water-race could be constructed at an expense of about £6,000, and it is possible some steps may be taken ere long by a private company to make this work. The revenue for the district during the year has been £88 Is. 6d. I have, &c, Lowthee Beoad, The Under Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Warden.

No. 12. Mr. Warden C. Bboad to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Westport, 14th May, 1877. I have the honor to forward you herewith a report upon tho districts under my charge for the year ending the 31st March, 1877, together with the usual forms of statistics. The district under my charge embraces the new settlement of Karamea on its northern boundary to a place inland some 100 miles, known as the Devil's Grip, which is also situated about the same distance up the Buller River from AVestport, thence southerly some 70 miles to the Cannibal's Gorge, and thence by a straight line to the sea at Razorback. These lines embrace the following settlements: Westport, Mokihinui, Karamea, Hampden, Marauia, Matakitaki, Mangles, Lyell, Charleston, and Brighton. A monthly Court is held at the Lyell, a distance of 44 miles from Westport, and at which the miners beyond the Lyell up the Buller River, including Hampden, Matakitaki, Maruia, and Mangles, usually attend, although it is often found necessary to proceed to Hampden, some 30 miles beyond the Lyell, for the purpose of settling disputes on the ground.

Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Totals. Warden's Department Resident Magistrate's Department Spirit Licenses Fees: Licensing Courts Gold Duty, Westland £ s. 534 17 672 14 445 0 52 0 2,492 17 d. 0 6 0 0 3 £ s. d. 286 1 0 21 2 6 240 0 0 £ s. d. 199 9 0 24 19 6 180 0 0 £ s. d. 1,020 * 7 0 718 16 6 865 0 0 52 0 0 2,492 17 3 Total ... 4,197 8 9 547 3 6 404 8 G 5,149 0 9 Retubn of Miners' Rights, Licenses, an at th( 1 Registrations : dr respective offii issued by the Receivers of old Revenue 3es : — Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Totals. Miners' Rights Business Licenses Half-yearly do. Quarterly do. Registration, 5s. Do. 2s. 6d.... Do. Is. 324 5 4 5 309 28 918 281 i 168 1 5 773 6 10 5 309 28 918 Total ... 1,593 282 174 2,049 W. H. Revell, Warden.

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A fortnightly Court is also held at Charleston, a distance of 18 miles from Westport, at which the miners and others from Brighton, a distance of 10 miles further south, and other scattered portions of population below towards the Razorback, attend. The Addison's Flat miners, distant some seven miles from Westport, attend that Court, which is held every Tuesday, and also as frequently as necessity arises, not interfering with the visits to the outlying districts. The details of the work at the various Courts, together with the gold exported from Westport during the same period, are as under; but it must be mentioned that this by no means represents the total produce of gold in the district, as large quantities from the upper portion of the Buller River find their way to Nelson by the hands of local storekeepers : —

Oz. dwts. Gold exported from Westport from April 1,1876, to March 31, 1877 ... 23,275 4 £ s. d. Duty on above gold ... ... ... 2,327 10 6 Value of said gold during same period ... 93,181 11 11

New Biscoveries. —l have very little to report on this head during the past year. Gold has been found in a creek up the Four-Mile River, some eight miles from Charleston, and also in a creek at the Lyell, where it was not known previously to exist, but there is sufficient evidence throughout the district to show that large tracts of auriferous ground remain undisturbed, and only await population to bring to light the hidden treasures they undoubtedly possess. Present Position of Old Workings. —The mining operations at Charleston, Brighton, Lyell, and Addison's Flat have assumed the aspect of permanent workings : although no longer sustaining the large floating population they did some years ago, yet in its place has been left a settled population with homesteads and carefully-kept gardens —many of the miners married, with families growing up around them, and not at all likely to form a portion of that nomadic class who are likely to be led away by the mere rumour of a new rush. Population. —I am only able to give in rouud numbers what I consider to be the gross population of the district. The number of persons actually engaged in mining are given in the statistical returns forwarded: AVestport ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,000 Addison's Flat ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 Karamea, Northern Terraces up Buller to Christy's ... ... 650 Razorback, on south, to Totara on north, including Charleston and Brighton 1,000 Lyell, Hampden, and Matakitaki ... ... ... ... 500 Total... ... ... ... ... 3,400 The schools at Westport, Charleston, and Brighton are largely attended, and are a great boon to the district. Roads. —The main road up the Buller, connecting Westport with Reefton and Greymouth on the one hand, and the Lyell, Matakitaki, and Nelson on the other, is now completed, with the exception of some trifling approaches to, and a bridge over, the Lyell Creek. From, however, the nature of the ground, continual slips are occurring, which will necessitate constant supervision in order to keep the road open for wheel traffic. In connection with the road up the Buller a new line of telegraph has been constructed from Westport, joining the Reefton line direct to Nelson, which will be of considerable advantage to the district generally. The various other roads in the district, being now in the hands of the County Council, will no doubt receive that attention which a local knowledge of the requirements on the part of the members of the Council will enable them to give.

Westport. Charleston. Lyell. Totals. 'umber Miners' Rights umber Business Licenses "umber Summonses in Warden's Courts ... "umber Applications Registered Rights ... umber Applications Gold Mining Leases umber Applications Agricultural Leases esident Magistrate's Court— Number Criminal Cases Number Civil Cases ... 183 9 1 76 6 2 305 2 36 487 9 6 240 20 14 210 5 9 628 31 51 773 20 17 231 394 16 56 48 58 295 508 Revenue. Westport. Charleston. Lyell. Totals. 'esident Magistrate's Court— Fees and Fines 'rovincial and Public Accounts £ s. d. 426 9 1 1,636 16 6 £ s. d. 52 6 0 778 14 9 £ 115 1,000 s. d. 0 0 0 0 £ s. d. 593 15 1 3,415 11 3

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Railway. —The line now in course of construction by the General Government to the valuable coal deposits is now rapidly approaching completion. A branch line joining the main line from the Wellington Company's coal lease has been already constructed by that company, which will eventually serve also for the Koranui coal. The Albion Company are also putting themselves in communication with the main line of railway; and in the meantime the .protective works in the river are being proceeded with, the wharves are in course of formation, and, before my next annual report, Westport will be known as a large coal-exporting place, for which its excellent harbour and the unusually good quality of the coal render it pre-eminently adapted. Sea-beach Workings. —l cannot conclude without mentioning the sea-beach claims. Every high tide deposits large quantities of auriferous black sand: these deposits extend for many miles, and for many years have formed a remunerative as well as permanent occupation for several hundred miners. As these claims can only be worked at low water, the miners are enabled to devote their spare time to agriculture, both pursuits thus going hand in hand. Noticeably I would mention a large party of Shetlanders between Westport and Charleston, which, although some years ago it only numbered six, has now increased to some hundred by the addition their fellow-countrymen, with wives and families, specially sent home for. In conclusion, I have to express, after over ten years' observation of the district, my perfect confidence in its eventually becoming (and that at no distant period) an important centre of population. I have, &c., Chaeles Beoad, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 13. Mr. Warden Shaw to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Reefton, 7th May, 1877. I have the honor, in transmitting to you the statistical returns for the districts under my charge for the year ending March 31st, 1877, to report as follows : — Inangahua Bistrict. Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts are held for the most part twice in each week at Reefton, and more frequently if occasion requires. There is a very noticeable absence of serious crime. Out of a total of 105 criminal charges entered, 102 were dealt with summarily ; and of three persons committed for trial, two were acquitted and one was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. No more peaceable or law-abiding community could be found than in this mining district; and I believe the good example set by the sobriety and thriftiness of the Cornish miners has contributed much to the result. On the civil side 674 cases have been adjudicated upon —more than double the number of last year. The amount sued for was £8,036 Bs. lid., of which £1,805 9s. Id. have been paid into Court. Fines and fees have amounted to £702. In the Warden's Court, 33 cases and 150 applications, including nine for cancellation of gold mining leases, have been disposed of. It would, in my opinion, be desirable if some fee were charged upon the issue of an application and notice papers, rather than, as at present, upon the subsequent registration. Numberless applications are entered in the books, and notice papers supplied, which are never brought to a hearing, and the time of the Court and its officers is not unfrequently taken up for hours in receiving evidence upon an application for the grant or cancellation of a gold mining lease, upon which no hearing fee is chargeable. The revenue for the year has been £3,427 14s. 5d., exclusive of rent paid upon agricultural leases held under the Nelson Waste Lands Act, which is forwarded through this office to Nelson. The Reefs. —A review of the operations upon the principal lines of reefs during the past year shows that twenty claims have been more or less actively worked. Of these, those in the Boatman's District have shown by far the most marked advance ; where four claims have yielded 9,574 oz. of retorted gold from 4,508 tons of stone crushed, giving an average of 2 oz. 2\ dwts. of gold per ton, represented by dividends of £21,787 10s. From the synopsis of the total yield of gold with amount of stone crushed throughout the Inangahua District for the past year, as appended, it will be observed that 33,969 tons have been crushed, with a yield of 30,628 oz., and dividends of £50,612 10s. have been declared. Last year, from about the same amount of stone, 24,278 oz. of gold were obtained, paying £27,513 in dividends. During the year ending March 31st, 1875, the dividends declared amounted to the sum of £13,000. The rate of increase averages therefore nearly 100 per cent., and, as no surer test of the prosperity of the district could be afforded than by a comparison of the divisible profits of successive years, this fact is one full of encouragement to all interested in the working and development of the Inangahua reefs. From an examination of Victorian statistics, I observe that the average output of gold for each quartz-miner is 43 oz. 2 dwts. per annum. Here, where labour-saving appliances are much more primitive and limited, the average per man is 54 oz. 16 dwts. This difference is no doubt attributable to a great extent to the fact that here only the richer reefs are considered payable —no company having been able to declare a dividend from stone having less than 10 dwts. per ton, whereas in Victoria one-third of that amount is made highly profitable ; but this explanation augurs well for the future of this enormous field when worked more extensively and economically. Notwithstanding all that has been said and done, I have still to deplore a want of proper communication with the coast. After a few hours' rain all traffic is suspended, and ruinous rates for carriage are consequently charged. The small population of this town and vicinity, in all some 1,500 souls, is paying a sur-tax of some £20,000 per annum for freight over and above the cost of goods supplied. A 20-head stamper battery with engine boiler, sold in Melbourne for £2,000, would cost erected upon (say) Potter's line of reef £4,000. It is not astonishing therefore to find the development of this district to be but gradual and slow.

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YIELD of GOLD, with Tons of Stone Crushed, at Inangahua during the Year ending 31st March, 1877.

Returns for Rainy Creek since 31st December last are not given. The gold return is correct. The tons in some cases are only approximate. Grey Valley. Fortnightly Courts are held at Ahaura. The regular monthly sittings at Granville have for the present been discontinued, owing to the insignificant nature and extent of the business presented. At the outbreak of the Kumara rush Granville and Half-Ounce were almost drained of their mining population. Many have returned since to their old quarters, where fair wages can always be made by the holders of water rights. In Orwell Creek much interest was felt at the completion of the Napoleon Hill Company's tunnel tail-race. The valley has been repeatedly prospected, but proved too wet for pumping. The work now finished seems to allow of the ground being proved ; and although the results so far do not tally with the inflated reports which preceded a trial, they nevertheless speak well for a very large extent of auriferous country, of which this may be considered the prospecting claim. In Ahaura the revenue for the past year amounted to the sum of £3,124 lis. 4d. The civil cases numbered 157 —£1,599 2s. being sued for. Criminal cases, 82. Warden's Court cases, 12, with 308 applications. At Nelson Creek, a completion of the Hochstetter Lake (Government) Water-race is anxiously awaited. It is hoped that before another year has elapsed a supply of water along its length will be available, and a vast impetus will be thus given to mining in this locality. Already serious complications have arisen from an interference with private rights in its construction, but the questions involved will be fully dealt with in a separate report. In the No Town District, as at Granville, the Kumara exodus has made mining matters very dull. A tunnel tail-race, put in by Campbell and party, has drained a large extent of deep ground close to Joyce's Gully, proving both a deep and shallow lead : both easily workable. A number of Chinamen occupy the old workings, and are gleaning a fair week's wages from ground long abandoned by Europeans. At Cobden, the only subject of interest is the occupation of the ground adjoining the North Beach under agricultural leases. As the report of the Commission of Inquiry appointed to examine into the desirability of withdrawing this tract of country from agricultural or pastoral leasing is already furnished, it is unnecessary for me to advert further to the matter. The district within my charge has exported, during the year ending March 31st, 1877, gold to the value of £191,000, on which a sum of £4,944 3s. 2d. has been paid as duty. This amount has not been included as revenue in the statistical returns furnished from my offices. I have, &o, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Edwaed Shaw, Warden.

No. 14. Mr. Warden Shaw to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Reefton, 12th May, 1877. I have the honor to forward you a statement of number of cases, &c, in Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, No Town, received by me too late to be embodied in my report. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Edwabd Shaw, Warden.

Company. Tons Crushed. Ounces of Gold. Dividends. 3-olden Fleece ... vVealth of Nations Energetic Fiery Cross lust in Time ... 3opeful ieep it Dark ... Phoenix So. 2 South ... independent ... Jolden Ledge ... Alexandra lercules Sainy Creek Pulcan 3,940 9.100 8,223 873 470 2,771 3,766 321 1,533 276 120 394 64 1,632 64 15 129 34 130 114 7,684 6,142 4,480 1,423 746 7,237 1,387 293 322 172 30 168 20 167 25 5 8 136 74 109 £ B. 16,800 0 8,125 0 3.900 0 2,400 0 d. 0 0 0 0 19,387 10 0 Perseverance Jnited Band of Hope Caledonian Victoria lalian Gully ... Total 33,969 30,628 50,612 10 0

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Enclosure in No. 14. AMOUNT sued for and received in the Resident Magistrate's Court, No Town, between the 1st April, 1876, and 31st March, 1877.

Seven Warden's cases. Court fees, £3 18s. No. £ a. d. Received on Agricultural Leases ... ... ... ... 85 13 9 Gold Mining Leases ... ... ... 166 ... 166 0 0 Water-races ... ... ... ... 128 ... 6 8 0 Special Sites ... ... ... ... 54 ... 6 15 0 Sundry Registrations ... ... ... 127 ... 6 7 0 Extended Claims ... ... ... ... 1 ... 0 5 0 Transfers and Renewal of Agricultural Leases ... ... ... 4 0 0 Business Licenses, Annual ... ... ... 2 ... 10 0 0 Business Licenses, Half-yearly ... ... 19 ... 57 0 0 Business Licenses, Quarterly ... ... 3 ... 6 0 0 Applications heard in the Warden's Court. No. Water-races ... ... ... ... ... 85 Dams ... ... ... .* ... ... 33 Double Areas ... ... ... ... ... 23 Protections ... ... ... ... ... 18 Residences Areas ... ... ... ... ... 11 Frontage Tunnel Claims ... ... ... ... 5

No. 15. Mr. Warden Guinness to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Collingwood, 16th May, 1877. I have the honor to forward herewith statistical returns. I have to report that this district has made no progress during the year ending 31st March. Some of the old hands have left, and more are about to do so. I attribute the falling off of the population to the want of better communication, both by means of roads and telegraph, and until some improvements in these matters are made I see but little hope of any advancement taking place in the district. I believe that its resources, as far as regards gold mining, are quite equal to any in New Zealand, and require nothing save some assistance for improving the means of communication with other parts of New Zealand. Since my last report, no new operations have been undertaken. A short bridle-track has been nearly completed to Burgoo, which may induce some men to prospect that locality next spring. A considerable number of agricultural leases have been taken up in the Aorere Valley, and it may be hoped these efforts at settlement will prove successful. I am unable to state with anything like accuracy what the amount of gold produced has been during the nast year, but I believe it may be roughly estimated at about 2,000 oz. I regret having to make so unfavourable a report. I have, &c, Fbank Guinness, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

MAELBOROUGH GOLD EIELD. No. 16. Mr. Warden Whitehoen to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Report on the Gold Fields of the County of Marlborough, for. the Year ended 31st March, 1877. Pelorus. —As compared with last year there is no material change in the population here, and some good gold has been obtained in the river Wakamarina during the year, keeping the average earnings up to a fair standard, not less than 30s. per week. I know of some cases where as much as £8 or £9 worth per diem per man has been obtained. I am sorry to say the reef-working which I spoke hopefully of last year has been entirely abandoned. The result of the crushing two tons in Auckland being only 7* dwts. per ton, that compared with the previous report from the Government Analyst —namely, 3 oz. 10 dwts. 19 grs.—quite disheartened the shareholders.

Number of Leases. Amount Sued for. Amount Received. Court Fees. 32 £ 319 s. 7 d. 3 £ s. 148 15 d. 2 £ s. 23 19 d. 1

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Nothing has been done towards the development of the gold-bearing terraces existing alongside the AVakainarina. Probably the place where the large earnings mentioned above are obtained is the outlet of one of the terrace leads: I believe it to be so, and the find may possibly be the means of inducing some party to commence initiatory works with a view of obtaining Government assistance, to procure a supply of water, so often mentioned by me as being all that is required to give remunerative employment to a considerable number of miners on these terraces. Wairau. —l have no change to report here: still the same population, about twenty men, earning good wages. There is every reason to believe that there is a rich lead in the Onamatutu Valley, but it is not likely to be opened by the present population, the valley being very wet, and almost the whole of it being private land. On a recent visit I was shown where as much as 100 oz. had been taken out of a small claim, but round about the same place no more payable ground could be found. Gold in the whole district, so far as at present tried, is exceedingly patchy, but the main valley is untouched. Bavenscliff and Queen Charlotte Sound. —Both these fields are entirely deserted, the machinery erected at Ravenscliff standing idle, but I believe a company is being raised in England to go on with the workings again. W. AVhitehoen, Warden.

AUCKLAND GOLD EIELDS. No. 17. Mr. Mining Inspector Goldsmith to the Under Seceetaey for Gold Fields. General Report on the Southern Portion of the Hauraki Gold Mining Bistrict, for the Year ending 3lst March, 1877. The mining events of the year will be noticed in the order in which they occurred; some general remarks follow. April, 1876. —The first occurrence of the year was the Ajax Company Battery being handed over by the contractors for erection, complete, to the company ; they crushed 20 tons. About the same time the Tairua Company erected an engine driving 12 head stamps, great difficulty having been found in the transit, the roads being in a frightful state: this, however, was somewhat alleviated by the Government having corduroyed some of the worst portions of the road. At Tararu the Little Agnes came on good gold, the quality varying remarkably in value. The AVaiokaraka Drainage Association, after a long period of inaction, started their pumps. This had a great influence for the hotter on the Waiokaraka District, so many mines having been flooded, the principal being the Bright Smile, the Queen of Beauty, the City of Loudon, and Queen of May— all rich gold-producing mines employing a large number of miners. The Moanataiari, from No. 2 reef, obtained excellent specimen stone. The Pumping Association refrain from sinking further at present, and spend the funds in hand prospecting at the present low level—namely, the 650-feet. Mining generally is depressed, and many men out of work. About the middle of the month many licenses for licensed holdings for Ohinemuri were granted. Steam capstan started at Pumping Association, and promising quartz found in the 650-feet level, now advanced 32 feet. Morning Light (Owharoa) produces good specimens ; a rush in consequence, and much ground pegged out. At the end of month many miners leave for North Queensland. Tweedside getting payable gold. Red Queen get good gold; 27 tons gave 37 oz., and 211b. gave 91 oz.; likewise, Little Lizzie, from 120 lb. quartz, got 164 oz. In May. —The Kuranui tributes are doing well —getting specimens. The AVaiotahi mine greatly improving ; 68 tons give 192 oz. Alburnia tributes doing well —Bartly, from 40 tons, got 74 oz. ; Holt, from 30 tons, got 30 oz. ; Red Queen, from 30 tons, got 103 oz. For some weeks past the Tairua companies have been erecting machinery, the frightful state of the roads causing great difficulty. The Ajax, for a small crushing, obtained 108 oz. The Red, AVhite, and Blue, for 22 tons, got 46 oz., and 90 lbs. gave 22 oz. ; Alburnia, for 20 tons, got 38 oz. ; Little Lizzie, for 20 tons,-got 200 oz., besides 57 lbs. gave 58 oz. ; Tweedside, for 70 tons, got 117 oz. At Ohineinuri the Young New Zealand gave, for 2i tons, 27 oz., value £2 19s. 3d. per oz.; the Alburnia, for 9 tons, gave 31 oz.; the Kuranui, for 150 tons, got 221 oz. The very boisterous weather, with heavy rainfall, greatly interferes with mining at Tairua and Ohinemuri by rendering the unformed roads almost impassable. Miners, finding but little employment in the large companies, are much engaged prospecting, and in small tributes with very varied success, some scarcely paying, some doing well. In June —The Kuranui, Alburnia, and other mines are letting considerable portions of their ground on tribute, with great advantage both to the mines and to the miners employed : the rates paid by miners are from 10 to 30 per cent, on gross yield of gold obtained. The Moanataiari, working on the 70-f't. level below the tunnel level, obtain good gold occasionally. In the AVaiokaraka drainage the pumps, after various hindrances, have conquered the water. On this being effected in the workings of the Piako, Queen of Beauty, and City of London, it was found that the workings were but slightly injured by lying under water for several months, special precautions having been taken. In July.—The Cure, from 83 tons, obtained 9Soz., and from 30 tons 56 oz.; the Don Pedro, from 30 tons, got 78 oz. The Piako, City of London, Queen of Beauty, and Queen of May, forming the Waiokaraka group of mines, resume work (after some months' flooding), getting quartz, having cleared out the debris occasioned by the flooding —the number of miners put on being considerable. The frightful weather greatly impeded miners, the roads being still very bad. 3—H. 1.

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In August. —The Queen of Beauty obtained, for a fortnight's crushing, 197 oz. This yield is the first obtained since work has been resumed after starting the AVaiokaraka pumps. The Welcome's (Waitekauri) first crushing of 58 tons gave 151 oz. The Waitekauri mine began to get specimens. The Queen of May strikes rich gold. Mining prospects improving in consequence of several mines having struck good gold, together with tho erection of machinery at Ohinemuri and Tairua in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties, arising chiefly from bad roads. In September. —The fine battery of the Waitekauri Company of 40 head started. This being driven by water, and carriage being trifling, the trucks running on a tramway from the mine to the battery, enables the company to make a very small yield of gold pay : from 4 dwts. to 5 dwts. covers all charges. Old Whau tribute, from 34i tons crushed, got 283 oz., giving a dividend of £157 per man. Queen of the May, from a fortnight's crushing, got 405 oz. Nineteen claims taken up at AVaitekauri, in consequence of the starting of the battery, and general good show of gold. In the Piako mine specimens found at a depth of 450 feet below high water-mark : thus controverting the theory, so cherished by certain savans, that the gold of the Thames was only superficial. Two tribute parties of the Alburnia got severally from 6 tons 60 oz. gold, and from 6 cwt. stone 98 oz. A 7ery bad weather still prevailing. In October.—The event of the month was the arrival of the first escort of gold from Waitekauri District —that from the Waitekauri mine being 924 oz.; from Young New Zealand, 106 oz.; from the Welcome, 324 oz.: total, 1,354 oz. The Kuranui Hill tributes, for 7| tons quartz, got 93 oz. gold. The West Coast tribute, from 270 lbs. stone, got 125 oz. gold. Little Lizzie: 50 lbs. quartz gave 42 oz. Alburnia Tribute : 57 tons gave 425 oz. gold. AVeather good ; roads getting passable. In November and December. —Queen of the May paying dividends, having banked 705 oz. during the month. Alburnia tributes also, from 206 tons, obtained 1,293 oz. gold. The Kuranui tributes, from 370 tons quartz, got 783 oz. Queen of Beauty : The month's crushing, 516 oz. Red Queen, from 84 tons, got 349 oz. West Coast tribute, from 15 tons, got 125 ounces. A much improved feeling exists, owing to miners generally being better employed, combined with the satisfactory returns from the tributers. The excellent working of the tribute system will appear from the following details of the Kuranui Hill United Company : —

It will be observed that from the same mine the yield of gold is very variable, and the value of the gold differs greatly —from 50s. to 555. per oz. In the Alburnia Tribute, Barclay obtained, from 141 tons, 510 oz.; Queen of Beauty, for fourteen days' crushing, got 666 oz. In January and February, 1877.—1n the Waiokaraka District improvement is specially apparent. The Piako pumps have, by judicious outlay, become fully equal to their work, keeping all these important mines fully drained. The AVaitekauri mine, for 500 tons, gave 610 oz. Alburnia tributes doing well, 174 tons giving 817 oz. The Kuranui tributes, for 226 tons, gave 753 oz. Moanataiari, for 850 tons, got 586 oz. In March. —Moanataiari, for 480 tons, got 709 oz., since which crushing a striking improvement in the yield from this mine has occurred. From 20 tons crushed the splendid yield of 400 oz. was obtained. This was followed by a large yield of rich specimens; these being crushed with the general stuff gave for 390 tons quartz the fine yield of 4,913 oz. gold, a product unexampled since the palmy Caledonian days, being an average of 12 oz. 12 dwt. on 390 tons quartz. The third week's crushing yielded 6,235 oz.: total for eighteen days' work, 11,148 oz. gold, value £29,000. The bulk of this gold was obtained from an area 10 feet xlO feet x 3 feet = 300 cubic feet. The week ending 31st March has been still more productive, amounting to the extraordinary output of 10,298 oz. gold for six days' crushing. The Alburnia has also obtained a remarkably remunerative yield, amounting to 1,177 oz. gold from 75 tons stone.

No. of Tribute. Quartz Crushed. Yield of Gold. Price per Oz. Rate of Tribute. Value. Amount paid to Company. o. 1 Tribute Lbs. 120 Tons. Oz. dwts. grs. 89 16 0 £ s. 2 10 d. 8 Per cent. 37 £ s. d. 227 10 0 £ s. d. 84 3 6 2 „ 3 „ 4 „ 5 „ 6 „ 7 „ 8 „ 9 „ 10 „ 11 » 12 „ 13 „ 14 „ 15 „ 16 „ 17 „ 45 85 13 14 4 50 70 45 30 65 24 3 5 9 7 22 50 0 0 124 0 0 42 6 0 5 8 0 3 9 0 29 12 0 187 1 0 38 1 0 22 3 0 142 1 0 15 13 0 9 18 0 1 7' 0 90 5 0 4 10 49 19 12 2 12 2 11 2 10 2 12 2 12 2 13 2 12 2 11 2 10 2 12 2 13 2 13 ' 2 12 2 14 2 15 2 13 2 1 6 6 6 0 5 9 0 8 0 0 6 2 0 a 27i 25 30 m 20 30 15 30 m 27i 25 20 20 25 12| 30 130 8 4 316 14 6 106 8 7 14 3 6 9 11 78 8 9 490 14 7 98 9 0 55 7 6 374 1 1 41 10 9 26 4 9 3 10 10 244 8 6 11 2 9 132 9 0 35 15 0 79 3 9 31 18 7 1 15 5 1 16 2 23 10 6 73 10 7 29 10 G 6 18 5 102 7 4 10 7 8 5 4 9 0 14 2 61 2 1 1 7 10 39 14 8 491tons. 905 0 12 2,360 13 6 589 0 11

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The yield of gold for the month of February has greatly exceeded that of former months. That of March is the largest produced for some years. The Pumping Association has steadily and efficiently forked the water at the 650-feet level, thus draining the several mines included in their drainage area. In the northern drive at the 650-feet, below high water-mark, a quartz vein holding good gold has been cut and driven upon; it widens out-in its course, with every appearance of increase. AVith respect to the underground workings of the mines the workmanship is generally good; the miners, as a rule, are skilful; when bad work or inferior materials are put iv, it is at once removed. Accidents have been few; the mining rules for workmen have been rigidly enforced. Those miners who have been injured have either neglected to observe due caution or evaded the regulations. The early months of the year were characterized by great depression; the latter portion by great success, and the most brilliant prospects for the future. Great inconvenience has been felt during the year by miners, attended with loss of valuable time, from the enactments of the Arms Act requiring a permit to be obtained for each keg of powder purchased. Could this be altered in the ensuing session it would be accepted as a great boon. H. Goldsmith, Mining Inspector.

No. 18. Mr. Warden Keddei.l to the Undee Secretaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— AVarden's Office, Coromandel, 19th April, 1877. I have the honor to submit the following general report on the Northern Division of the Hauraki Gold Mining District, for the year ending 31st March, 1877. The record of events of the year presents few features of more than ordinary interest; the progress has been steady, and the yield of gold, as will be seen from the accompanying returns, considerably in advance of that of the previous year; but no new discoveries have been made, and but little change is noticeable in the district. I divide the district and classify the principal claims as in former reports —viz., the Kapanga and the neighbouring claims affected by it, the Tokatea group, and the Union Beach and claims surrounding it. The Kapanga Gold Mining Company's Property. —In July last, as reported by me by telegram, the lode was intersected by the cross-cut, a lead from the bottom of the 300-feet shaft. After driving upwards of 400 feet, the first contact with the reef discovered a small quantity of rich specimens; and this fact, so encouraging after the expensive and protracted labours of the company, gave great impetus to their undertaking, and a great deal of work has been done during the year. The tunnel (or cross-cut) pierced through tho old Kapanga reef at the bottom of the old workings, which are some 400 feet in depth, on the diagonal dip of the vein. The immediate consequence was to flood the new works entirely, but the water was speedily got under by the large pumping engine, and work resumed. The reef was found to be 2 feet wide—all payable crushing quartz, and occasionally yielding rich specimens, estimated at 2 oz. to 4 oz. per pound. At tho point of contact, some 50 tons of the reef yielded, with the specimens, 4 oz. to the ton when crushed. After ascertaining the gold-bearing nature of the reef, it became necessary for the management to find the cheapest method of sinking below the cross-cut drive, at the point of contact; and this has been happily accomplished in rather a novel manner. The old workings extend for some distance both north and south on the reef, and stoped to the surface, from which flows an interminable supply of water, keeping the pumps in the main shaft going incessantly. Captain Thomas, the manager, conceived that by a judicious arrangement of concentrating this supply to one spot, and regulating the supply by means of sluices, &c, he could utilize this water by making it drive a powerful water-wheel, which would pump the water out of the winze to be sunk on the reef, and also haul the stuff; the water, after performing this work, to run its usual course to the main shaft, where it would, as before, be pumped to surface ; thus making the water, which in any case would keep the pumping engine going at a great expense, perform some work, and so reduce its own cost. The wheel is 20 feet in diameter, overshot, and 18 inches breast. The excavation necessary for this novel subterranean machine is very large, and required some skill in construction. The chamber containing the wheel, pumping, and hoisting gear, is 40 feet long, 30 feet high, aud 14 feet wide. Since this has been completed, sinking operations have been carried on with all despatch possible, and the winze is now down about 60 feet (i.e., 360 feet from surface). The reef yields gold in payable quantifies every foot, so far as sunk on, and is exceedingly regular ; the average width 2 feet, with a well-defined wall. At right angles, north and south, a level is being driven on the line of reef, northerly, with the intention of reaching another gold-bearing lead formerly met with by the old company, and known as the "Albion." This is looked for in about 350 feet, and was, in old times, considered the most important portion of the lode. In a few months this mine should employ a great many men, and bring a large quantity of quartz to surface. The character of all tho reefs in the Hauraki Peninsula is the same : all are dependent for rich yields on the discovery of " runs "of gold, or sj)ecimens, and this is the case with the Kapanga. At any time such a find may be made : the reef is as strong, as well-defined, and true as it was 400 feet above, and the late important discoveries at the Thames, confirming the hopes of those who believed in the continuity of gold to great depths, should be very encouraging to the proprietors of this mine. On the discovery of gold in Kapanga in July, a piece of ground known formerly as the " A ron Tempsky Gold Mining Company's Claim," and then abandoned, was taken up under the name of the " South Kapanga," and tho owners obtained permission to work from the old Kapanga workings, and they are now engaged driving for the Kapanga reef. The Golden Point Company's claim joins tho Kapanga, and has several times struck good stone ; but during this year but little work has been done.

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In the Tckatea Company's claim, the No. 7 level has been pushed through a very hard belt of country at a great cost —in some contracts as much as £6 per foot, and is now only- in about 280 feet, being little more than 200 feet to show for the last twelve months' working. I think it is a matter for regret that the company have not enlisted the services of one of the approved rock-drills, which are so favourably spoken of by all the mining journals in America and England. If the reports arc reliable, they could not bo worked to greater advantage than here. At the present rate, five years will have to elapse before the level reaches the proposed length; but, on the other hand.it is but justice to the directors to state that a softer country (unsuitable for drilling machinery) may be reasonably looked for in about 200 feet, judging from experience in the upper levels. Nevertheless it may bo that the saving of time and money would more than compensate the company for the outlay necessary for the drilling machinery ; and, when no longer needed, I do not apprehend that its owners would find any difficulty in disposing of it at a profit. The Coromandel Tunnel Company certainly languished for want of such assistance, and, after a large expenditure, had during this year to abandon their enterprise. The Tokatea Company have purchased a new engine for their battery, which has been moved from the western to thee astern slope of the main range, and is located within a few yards of their lower level. The attention of the company has been chiefly directed to stoping, so far as the productive work is concerned, betw-eeu No. 5 and 6 levels: this last (or the Van) level is in about 500 yards, entirely traversing the A'an, Bismarck, and Tokatea Company's original lease, and is now progressing through another property recently acquired, formerly the A'ictoria aud Bank of Tokatea, and nearly pierces the range from east to west (or Coromandel) side. Golden stone is steadily being grassed and crushed at the company's mill, but no great haul of specimens has been met with. The prospects of the mine are good, and the arrangements for working complete. The Pride of Tokatea has been worked principally on the tribute system, and with varied success. In one instance eighty tons crushed for 212 oz., and another five tons for 35 oz. The large area occupied by this company (30 acres) has never contributed its fair proportion to tho returns of the district, nor at any time do I consider has the company shown much energy in developing its resources. This area has been acquired at different times, till at last it assumed its present size. In the hands of their former owners the different claims so absorbed all had a good reputation, but in its present shape it has done nothing. The Royal Oak, which in former years has paid several good dividends, has been working steadily, but the work has principally been of a preparatory character, and the yield of gold has done little more than pay expenses. Much is expected from the lower level now in progress. Harbour View. —This old claim is still working —the upper levels chiefly by tributors, with tolerably satisfactory results. The Bismarck, with the Van and Margaretta, are engaged with the Tokatea in putting in the low level referred to. The Bismarck, besides this, is working in the stopes of its upper ground, and early in the year had a successful crushing, sufficient to clear its liabilities, and to purchase the splendid crushing plant known as " Bennett's Battery," and tramway. Paul's Creek.—The AVaverley (formerly the Three Brothers) has been working, but without result worthy of comment. Several parties are, and have been, engaged prospecting this locality, so long looked on as a land of promise by the miners, and with some reason, on account of the rich water-worn specimens found in the creek, and believed to have been shed from some reef crossing the creek. Every year sends fresh prospectors to find the source of these specimens, but, though the reefs no doubt exist, they yet remain undiscovered. The place is unfavourable for prospecting, being heavily timbered, and the ground broken up in every direction. Waikoromiko. —In this neighbourhood nothing beyond a small tribute in the Plutus Claim. Tho City of Auckland, Quinton's, and the New Green Harp have been forfeited, and the first and last of these re-occupied in part lately. The Carnatic, a portion of the abandoned New Rakaia, which I noticed in last report as of recent occupation, has turned out very well, yielding about £160 per share of eight. Another find was recently reported in its neighbourhood a month or two since, on the AVaipawa Creek —loose reef gold and specimens, 2 tons yielding 20 oz. of gold. As yet no defined reef has been reported, and until this be the case experience here teaches us that such finds in this portion of the district are quite unreliable, and such " pockets" quite isolated and unaccountable. Union Beach. —This claim has been very productive during the year, and, with the exception of a short stoppage owing to an accident, has been in full work the whole time. The circumstance alluded to occurred ill September last. AVhile the pitman wits placing the " plunger" in position he left it slung with chains to the column, intending to return shortly to fix it in position, and as the water was making but slowly he supposed he would have ample time. On returning, however, he found the water had increased to such an extent as to submerge the portion of the machinery he wanted to adjust; and the engine was powerless without this connection to stop the rising of the water, and the whole works were flooded in a few hours, and the disaster affected the neighbouring claims as well. The services of divers were called into requisition, but in spite of their skill it was found necessary at last to borrow another column of pumps, which was lowered, connected with the engine, and the mine was emptied and work resumed. As soon as the water was subdued, the repairs which o-ave rise in the first instance to the accident were effected, and the mine worked with its own plant. The yield for the past twelve months has been exceedingly handsome —about 14,000 oz. of gold for 1,900 tons principally derived from the rich specimens found in the cross reef. The company paid dividends amounting to £4 12s. Od. per share on 8,000 shares. It is to be regretted that during this time no work was done on the southern portion of this claim, to which they now propose paying attention. The Golden Pah and Venus reefs have both been tested and found auriferous when in the possession of their former owners, who transferred to the Union Beach, but the reason given seems sufficient —the chance of cutting more water when intersecting these reefs with their former limited pumping power. They are now engaged in drivin" from the

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bottom of their main shaft (180-feet level) in the direction of the Golden Pah shaft, and are now in 190 feet. In clearing out the Pah old shaft gold was seen, but this is no new- discovery, the fact being known to the former proprietors. This lode runs N.E., underlying west, is 2 feet wide, and well defined. No further sinking is contemplated in the present shaft, but, on receiving encouragement in the Pah and Venus level, a new and larger shaft, from which all future work will be carried out, will be sunk on the level ground on this portion of the company's property. The company are purchasing another (multitubular) boiler for their pumping engine, so as to have, on occasions of cleaning, scaling, &c, one of them available to continue work. Their pumps, no doubt, drain all the country underlying the high lands on Kauri Block. In all the surrounding claims which have sunk to any depth worth mentioning, large volumes of water have been met with, and the Beach shaft is far below most of them. Gold is still being found in the Green Harp reef, the first discovered in this locality. The Palmerston Company, adjoining the Beach, have sunk a shaft 270 feet, and have intersected the Black Reef, the object of their undertaking; and have driven 40 feet along its course in their own claim. There they came in contact with what is believed to be the specimen leader which lay on the Black Reef, and was first met in the winze referred to in my last report, and from which the Beach Company took such a valuable haul of specimens. This leader diverged from the Black Reef in the Beach ground and has been lost sight of for some distance, and it is a reasonable inference to arrive at that it is the same now met with in the Palmerston; the small quantity of stone brought to surface presents the same appearance and characteristics : but unfortunately at the instant of discovery they experienced such an influx of water that their workings and the shaft up to 30 or 40 feet were flooded beyond the power of the company's small engine to keep under. This disaster is much to be deplored. The mine has been for the most part locally held, and they have struggled gallantly for the last fifteen months. It was expected that they would have received some assistance from the Beach directory, who might without inconvenience have permitted them the use of some of their upper workings, and so reduced the labour of sinking through the high land on which the boundary of the new company meets theirs: as it is, the works are, temporarily it is to be hoped, at a standstill, and this at a time when the shareholders had reason to believe they were near the goal of their hopes. This property as the New Pacific was proved to have other auriferous lodes in the south-eastern portion, and it is to be hoped that it will yet appear in the list of dividend-paying companies. The John Bull, also formerly noticed, commenced operations under the name and ownership of the lona Gold Mining Company, with the greatest promise of success. Gold was obtained from the reef in small but very rich specimens within a few days of their beginning to sink in the old shaft; but unfortunately, actuated by an unwise economy, the directory erected a whim for winding and lifting the water, instead of purchasing steam machiuery, and after expending a large amount of money (six calls of ]s. each on their shares) they were obliged, on cutting a reef which greatly increased the water, to desist operations. I make no doubt that, whether the present owners resume work or abandon the claim, it will ultimately be worked, and I believe with success. It seems a useless expenditure of money to attempt working such properties except in a systematic manner, and this cannot be done without a heavy preliminary outlay on machiuery, suitable shafts, &c. When in the hands of poor shareholders they do little more than prospect the grouud for the benefit of their successors. This is the third time of occupation for the Palmerston aud lona, and no one doubts the value of these properties if in the hands of a strong company, having the means, and who would employ experienced managers to carry the works out systematically. The Black Reef Company, as the name suggests, is another of the adjoining claims to the Union Beach. This company also, after sinking some 140 feet, abandoned the work. The prospects of this company were confined to whatever they might meet in the Black Reef, which they cut and drove on some distance. In the Union Beach, this lode of itself has not been to any great extent auriferous, aud has depended for its average yield on the tributary leaders which intersected it iv different points. Another claim, chiefly owned by Auckland shareholders, commenced operations with about the same prospects as the last named—namely, cutting the Black Reef. They occupied a portion of the district adjoining the private lands of the township of AVynyardton, formerly known as the " Coromandel Harp." It was reported that their main object was the cutting of the cross leader which contributed the bulk of the gold shown for the Union Beach dividends. Whatever prospects they may have had are indefinitely postponed now, as, after sinking at some expense, they have suspended operations. Another claim, the operations of which have been confined wholly to private lands, was taken up on ground owned by tho Hon. J. AVilliamson, and leased from him, on the locality known as Preece's Point. Within a very few- weeks after occupation it divided a very handsome dividend, derived from a very small quantity of stone. The exact yield and proportion will appear iv my accompanying returns among " Certain Parcels." In tho neighbourhood of'this claim, many finds have from time to time been made during the many years which have elapsed since Coromandel was known to have auriferous deposits. The richness of these discoveries has been very tempting, but up to tho present no well-defined goldbearing quartz reef has been uncovered. Population. I can report little change in numbers, and would estimate it as last year. In the Warden's Court business there has also been little variety —a very few cases, which are noted in return. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, the following cases have been disposed of: — £ s. d. Criminal cases ... ... 78 Fees and fines ... 76 18 1 Civil suits 211 Fees 107 7 6 Totals ... ... 289 ... ... ... £184 5 7 I have, &c, Jackson Keddell, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, AVellington. Warden. 4—H. 1.

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PROVINCE OF NELSON.

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, 1876. PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.

PROVINCE OF MARLBOROUGH.

Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. WaterRaces, Sluices, &c. Gold Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Survey Fees. Depasturing Licenses and Timber and other Licenses. Withdrawals of Leases. Miscellaneous. Totals. Assessments. £ s. d. 720 0 0 155 0 0 174 10 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 33 0 0 £ s. d. 1,697 7 2 703 8 2 1,096 5 0 £ s. d. 65 10 6 6 7 6 43 4 '0 £ b. d. 28 10 0 10 19 0 42 9 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 28 17 6 £ s. d. 122 7 0 15 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 196 14 0 50 14 0 242 4 6 £ s. d. 2,892 6 2 941 8 8 1,675 16 6 Grahamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri 73 "o 0 4 4 0 ... 1,049 10 0 115 2 0 81 18 0 137 7 0 106 0 0 3,497 0 4 4 4 0 28 17 6 489 12 6 5,509 11 4 Gold duty received in the province during the year, £5,774 lis. 8d.

collingwood Westport Charleston and Brighton COBDEN Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka West Wanganui ... Lyell No Town 117 0 0 190 0 0 295 0 0 188 0 0 427 0 0 213 0 0 22 0 0 5 0 0 235 0 0 183 0 0 16 0 0 39 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 270 0 0 355 0 0 7 10 21 18 0 5 13 0 13 12 0 5 5 0 158 8 6 560 4 3 232 8 0 88 7 9 811 0 6 1,279 17 6 103 17 6 48 0 0 397 10 6 110 13 9 12 11 6 13 12 0 76 10 6 17 7 0 26 9 6 17 16 0 0 11 6 0 4 6 9 7 6 14 3 0 6 2 0 18 0 12 8 0 4 17 0 5 9 0 26 8 0 23 0 0 200 0 0 118 16 0 51 3 0 169 0 0 340 8 6 4 9 6 13 18 0 98 14 0 22 6 0 4 9 6 34 15 0 68 1 0 7 6 6 32 14 0 6 4 0 347 0 0 1,114 8 9 786 6 6 365 17 3 1,757 6 0 2,305 16 0 133 15 6 53 4 6 732 18 0 461 13 9 45 0 0 127 0 0 6 2 0 5 16 0 7 4 0 8 2 0 6 15 0 188 13 0 71 18 0 909 2 6 j 4 9 6 288 8 0 1,875 0 0 865 0 0 65 7 0 3,790 8 3 8,058 6 3 Gold duty received in the province during the year, £7,753 9s. 9d.

Havelock 61 0 0 5 12 6 0 16 0 | 15 0 0 4 17 0 87 5 6 Gold duty received in the province durinj the ear, £45 Os. lid.

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PROVINCE OF OTAGO.

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H.—l.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF NELSON.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF MARLBOROUGH.

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, 1877. PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF AUCKLAND.

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Collingwood ... 37 18 6 ... ... 20 2 3 2 16 6 0 11 0 ... ... ... 0 0 9 61 9 0 Westpoet ... ... 41 0 0 10 0 0 1 10 0 114 7 3 3 7 6 ... 5 18 6 ... ... 14 4 6 190 7 9 Charleston and Bkiguton ... 82 0 0 2 0 0 5 15 0 68 9 9 21 19 0 6 0 0 27 17 0 ... ... 20 1 0 234 1 9 Cobden ... ... 38 0 0 ... 12 0 25 18 6 3 8 0 0 2 0 ... ... ... 0 10 68 11 6 Ahattba ... ... 85 0 0 62 19 0 3 3 6 133 8 6 3 16 6 0 8 0 34 0 6 ... ... 0 4 0 323 0 0 Eeefton ... ... 60 0 0 108 0 0 13 0 339 6 0 4 11 0 13 0 28 1 0 ... ... 26 2 0 568 6 0 Wanoapeka... ... 50 0 0 ... ... 71 6 3 ... ... ... ... ... 0 2 0 121 8 3 West Wanganui ... 10 0 ... ... ... 0 0 6 ... ... ... ... ... 10 6 Lyeix ... ... 57 19 0 21 0 0 1 14 6 42 16 0 1 17 0 1 11 6 ... ... ... 3 14 0 130 12 0 No Town ... ... 43 0 0 17 0 0 1 19 0 17 0 0 2 19 6 1 17 0 ... ... ... 0 10 83 16 6 495 17 6 220 19 0 16 7 0 832 14 6 44 15 6 1112 6 95 17 0 ... ... 64 10 3 1,782 13 3 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the quarter, £1,957 14s. lOd.

Hatelook 13 0 0 0 5 0 0 12 6 0 16 6 14 14 0 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the quarter, Nil.

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No. 2— continued. 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 Januaey to 31st Maech, 1877. PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF WESTLAND. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. Water-races, Sluices, &c. Gold Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Survey Fees. Depasturing Licenses and Timber and other Licenses. Registration. Miscellaneous. Totals. Assessments. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Hokitika Kanieei Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Greenstone... Maori Gully Clifton Kumara Jackson's Bay Goldsbobough £ s. d. 13 0 0 49 0 0 58 0 0 59 0 0 83 0 0 8 0 0 73 0 0 29 0 0 55 0 0 227 0 0 2 0 0 23 0 0 £ s. d. 0 5 0 13 0 0 15 0 0 19 0 0 13 0 0 10 0 0 11 0 0 3 0 0 £ a. d. 5 15 0 16 15 0 4 5 0 18 5 0 7 5 0 £ s. d. 12 0 0 £ s. d. 7 4 6 10 17 0 5 8 0 7 12 6 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 8 0 1 15 0 4 7 0 3 4 0 110 3 0 0 16 0 0 3 0 0 25 0 0 £ s. d. 0 1 0 l'"7 0 0 6 0 0 10 0 10 3 18 (J 0 10 £ s. d. 13 5 0 80 0 6 101 0 0 143 15 0 129 4 6 18 0 0 97 15 0 33 2 0 55 1 0 518 0 0 2 6 0 33 1 0 I 259 0 0 3 0 0 6 17 6 0 5 0 2 11 0 18 4 0 ... 7 10 0 ... ... ... 679 0 0 343 5 0 62 15 0 I 12 0 0 43 15 6 30 19 0 22 0 0 25 0 0 5 15 6 1,224 10 0 Gold duty received in the pre ivincial district during the quarter, £1,961 lis. lOd. provinc: 1AL DISTRICT OF OTAGO. Dunedin Naseby Black's & St. Bathans Manuheeikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell ... Queenstown Aebowtown l a weence ... s witzees Oeepuki 13 0 0 232 0 0 41 0 0 12 0 0 19 0 0 35 0 0 123 0 0 86 0 0 72 0 0 109 0 0 81 0 0 33 0 0 43 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 68 0 0 34 0 0 15 0 0 38 0 0 28 0 0 10 0 0 9 7 6 15 0 0 15 0 12 6 2 2 6 4 2 6 4 0 0 3 12 6 4 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1,195 4 2 64 3 6 33 12 6 367 0 10 334 7 10 144 4 3 611 14 6 304 12 6 . 2,489 9 1 680 19 2 19 10 0 3 7 6 17 6 0 10 0 2 0 0 9 12 6 3 17 6 5 10 0 4 2 6 4 11 6 2 12 6 5 13 6 1 12 0 0 11 0 0 11 0 ... ... 5 0 0 08 9 5 19 0 ... 16 6 2 0 0 10 0 4 0 0 0 12 0 10 8 0 0 19 0 13 18 4 7 0 0 13 0 0 1,511 1 8 118 8 0 47 15 0 389 4 4 383 10 1 355 10 3 752 15 0 406 17 6 2,683 1 2 810 13 6 59 7 0 2 15 0 4 9 6 6 6 0 0 5 0 1 14 6 0 14 0 17 15 3 7 7 10 10 10 0 856 0 0 246 0 0 I 33 17 6 6,225 8 4 57 1 6 23 17 6 47 14 10 ... ... 41 3 10 7,531 3 6 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the quarter, £3,298 3s. 9d. C. T. Batkin, Receiver-General.

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No. 3. COMPARATIVE RETURN of REVENUE derived from the GOLD FIELDS in the several PROVINCES of NEW ZEALAND, during the YEARS 1875 and 1876, showing INCREASE or DECREASE under each Head of Revenue.

Auckland. Nelson. Maelboeough. Westland. Otago. Heads op Revenue. 1875. 1876. 00 03 E h-l 03 E n fi 1875. 1876. «3 H E P 1875. 1876. B ■ 03 Li p 1875. 1876. B E S3 E E fi n 1875. 1876. CD E M oi OQ 5 I £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Miners' Rights 3,191 1,049 2,142 2,249 1,875 374 45 j 61 16 2,820 3,852 1,032 4,064 3,690 374 Business Licenses 48 48 1,180 865 315 629 1,090 461 1,115 878 237 Water-races, Sluices, &c. 111 106 5 64 65 1 268 260 8 157 154 3 Gold Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties... 3,120 3,497 377 4,197 3,790 407 59 59 62 165 103 17,767 16,641 1,126 Registration ... 239 115 124 192 189 3 5 6 1 174 188 14 295 290 5 Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts 201 82 119 77 72 5 1 1 142 192 50 269 298 29 Survey Fees ... 4 4 732 909 177 129 150 21 80 235 155 Memorial Deposits of Companies 10 10 Depasturing Licenses and Assessments 29 29 6,505 1,194 5,311 Timber and other Licenses 123 137 14 2 2 ... Withdrawals of Leases 4 4 6 15 9 Miscellaneous... 336 490 154 458 288 , 170 6 5 1 24 59 35 2,263 5,236 2,973 Gold Duty ... 6,489 5,775 714 9,276 7,753 1,523 116 45 71 7,050 5,548 1,502 12,142 11,848 294 Totals Net 2,603 Net 2,625 Net 104 Net 206 Net 4,195 13,887 11,284 15,810 237 133 11,298 11,504 44,659 ... 18,435 40,464 • C. T. Batkin, Receiver-General.

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No. 4. COMPARATIVE RETURN of the TOTAL AMOUNTS of GOLD FIELDS REVENUE (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the YEARS 1875 and 1876, and the QUARTERS ended 31st MARCH, 1876 and 1877, showing the INCREASE or DECREASE in respect of each District.

27

Provincial Disteict. District. 1875. 1876. Increase. Deceease. £ 4,552 1,004 1,842 348 1,320 750 236 2,394 3,058 169 32 416 435 121 36 589 568 634 975 231 535 530 349 £ 2,892 941 1,676 347 1,114 786 366 1,757 2,306 134 53 733 462 87 165 548 550 595 2,393 126 591 253 345 351 38 389 2,931 385 275 1,333 1,622 1,426 8,085 1,652 8,738 1,518 263 £ £ 1,660 63 166 1 206 .UCXLAND fELSON rARLBOROUGH rESTLAND Grahamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri Collingwood Westport Charleston and Brighton Cobden Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka West Wanganui Lyell No Town Havelock Hokitika Kanieri Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton Kumara Jackson's Bay Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. Bathans Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzers Orepuki 36 130 21 317 27 129 1,418 637 752 35 34 41 18 39 105 "56 "277 4 359 3,301 552 438 815 1,548 1,728 9,907 2,802 9,543 1,237 286 351 38 30 •tago 370 167 163 518 74 302 1,822 1,150 805 281 23 Total ... Deduct increase Total decrease 53,640 48,226 3,426 8,840 3,426 5,414 1st Januaey ti 31st Maech. 1876. 1877. lUCKLAND Ielson Grahamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri Collingwood Westport Brighton and Charleston Cobdeh Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka West Wanganui No Town Lyell Havelock Hokitika Kanieri Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton Kumara Jackson's Bay Goldsborough Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. Bathans Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzers Orepuki 676 149 251 100 485 234 144 527 1,199 30 4 176 170 25 12 131 121 144 250 44 123 87 114 352 92 410 61 190 234 69 323 568 121 1 84 131 15 13 80 101 144 129 18 98 33 55 518 2 33 13 1,511 118 48 389 384 356 753 407 2,683 811 59 159 "91 324 57 39 295 75 204 631 3 92 39 10 Iaelboeough Vestland 1 51 20 121 26 25 54 59 518 2 33 38 777 95 67 539 441 395 1,491 504 1,924 388 37 "734 23 "25 ITAGO 19 150 57 39 738 97 759 423 22 Total ... Deduct increase Total decrease 11,892 11,407 2,765 3,250 2,765 485 C. T. Batkin, Receiver-General.

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No. 5. RETURN of the QUANTITY and VALUE of GOLD ENTERED for DUTY for EXPORTATION from NEW ZEALAND, during the YEAR ended 31st DECEMBER, 1876.

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, 1877.

28

Enteeed for Duty at Produce of the Gold Fields in the Pbovincial District of Totals. Quantity. I Value. Auckland Oz. 56,057 £ 221,905 Auckland Picton Marlborough 450 1,796 Auckland Nelson Westport Greymouth ... Nelson ... ,, ,, 14,018 6,812 21,771 48,950 55,862 26,387 87,175 195,793 ,, Greymouth ... Hokitika Westland 91,554 , 365,217 19,991 35,487 79,972 141,947 ,, Dunedin Invercargill... Otago ... 55,478 221,919 108,953 9,524 435,278 38,213 118,477 473,491 Totals 322,016 1,284,328 Note.—As much of the gold is now removed coastwise from port to port within the colony before it t has been found impossible, except by delaying the publication of this Return, to show the count ?xported, from the various districts ; the columns for this information have therefore been omitted from names of tho countries to which the gold is exported will be found correctly stated in the Quarterly at j{ General Exports. is finally exported, ries to which it is this Return. The id Annual Returns Customs Department, William Seetj Wellington, 1st May, 1877. Secretary and Inspector oi >, f Customs.

Peoduce of the Gold Fields in THE Provincial District of DUEIN Quarte: 31st 1 18! [G THE E ENDED lAECH, 77. Enter] Exportatio to '. 31st Decej ED FOR )N PREVIOUS THE ubee," 1876. Total enExportatio: Zealani 31st Mae tered foe i from New ) to the ich, 1877. Entered for Duty at Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland Auckland Oz. 10,067 £ 39,742 Oz. 1,056,140 £ 3,789,539 Oz. 1,066,207 £ 3,829,281 Wellington Picton ... Nelson... Westport Greymouth Wellington Marlborough Nelson 30 44,687 120 173,456 30 44,687 120 173,456 1,230 6,622 10,363 4,727 26,488 41,450 i 1,578,250 6,266,774 1,596,465 6,339,439 » Greymouth Hokitika Westland 18,215 72,665 ] 2,014,026 7,963,468 2,035,004 8,047,377 i) 7,130 13,848 20,978 28,522 55,387 83,909 Dunedin Invercargill Otago 31,288 1,693 ) 3,584,178 14,075,757 3,617,159 14,209,608 126,994 6,857 i) 32,981 133,851 Totals . 82,241 330,167 8,277,311 32,269,114 8,359,552 32,599,281 Customs Department, Wellington, 11th April, 1877. Willij Secretary and Im .m Seed, spector of C stoms.

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No. 7. RETURN of the QUANTITY and VALUE of GOLD EXPORTED from NEW ZEALAND, for the QUARTERS ended 31st MARCH, 1876, and 31st MARCH, 1877.

No. 8. STATEMENT showing the PRICE of GOLD per OUNCE, PRICE charged per TON for CRUSHING QUARTZ or CEMENT, and PRICES charged for WATER per SLUICE-HEAD per WEEK, during the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

QUAETER ENDED :1st March, 1877. Quarter ended :1st March, 1876. Pbovincial Disteict of Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland relson... Westland Itago ... Oz. 10,067 18,215 20,978 32,981 £ 39,742 72,665 83,909 133,851 Oz. 13,809 17,152 13,794 38,521 £ 53,648 68,049 55,176 153,650 Totals 82,241 330,167 83,276 330,523 Customs Department, Wellington, 11th April, 18' William Se: ;ary and Inspectoi ID, of Customs. '7. Secre

Mining District. Price of Gold per Ounce. Price charged per: Ton for crushing Quartz orj Cement. Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Remarks. .UCKEAND — I £ s. d. 2 10 0 to 3 16 £ 8. d. 0 6 6 to 0 12 6 0 4 0 to 0 12 0 £ s. d. North Hauraki... 7/6 per h.p. 1/- per stamp-h. 2/6 per 10 h.p. for steam boilers. South Hauraki... 2 13 0 Iablbohough— Pelorus Wairau rELSON — Charleston 3 13 0 3 13 0 f 0 10 0 to 0 15 0 2 5 0 3 16 0 Inangahua 3 16 0 Cobden Ahaura Collingwood Westport Lyell... Westland — Waimea Totara No Town Greymouth Clifton Arnold Greenstone Kumara Kanieri Jackson's Bay ... 3 17 0 3 16 6 3 13 6 3 16 0 3 15 0 1 6 0 10 0 1 10 0 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 10 0 20 in. to the sluicehead. ( 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 14 6 to 3 16 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 1 10 0 2 0 0 10 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 1 40 in. to the sluicehead. Okarito } 6 0 0 100 in. to the sluicehead. Itago— Hindon 3 15 0 C 1 "o 0) ] to [ (600) ? 2 10 0 ] to ( 3 10 0 Tuapeka 3 15 6 Dunstan Queenstown Orepuki Switzers { 3 15 6 3 15 6 3 16 0 3 15 6 3 15 6 to 3 17 9 3 15 6 0 15 0 2 0 0 40 in. to the sluicehead. J Arrow ) 5 10 0 10 0 Mount Ida 10 0 1 10 0 16 in. by 1 in.

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No. 9. NUMBER of MINERS EMPLOYED during the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

30

Alluvial Miners. Quaetz Minees. Mining District. Grand Totals. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. .UCKLAND — North Hauraki South Hauraki Iaelborough— Pelorus Wairau Ielson — Collingwood Takaka Inangahua Ahaura Nelson Creek ... Orwell Creek ... Half-Ounce Moonlight Black Ball Waipuna Cobden Brunnerton Charleston Westport Lyell V*ESTLAND— Waimea Totara No Town Red Jack's Bell Hill Dead Man's Kanieri Woodstock Blue Spur and Arahura... South Beach ... Kanieri River ... Hau-Hau and Big Paddock Kumara Greymouth Greenstone Clifton Arnold Okarito ... ... Jackson's Bay and Big Bay )tago— Hindon Tuapeka Queenstown Clyde Cromwell Alexandra Nevis Teviot Black's Switzers, Dome Creek, Gow's, and Upper Waikaia Nokomai Waikaka Orepuki Arrow Macetown Cardrona Kawarau Bracken's Motatapu Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's ... Hamilton's, Sowburn, &c. Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag ValleySerpentine Maerewhenua ... St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Other localities 40 20 110 20 60 34 130 100 52 40 18 55 63 33 435 400 250 738 414 107 33 8 6 30 110 135 2 40 60 2,746 127 300 225 130 100 17 50 12 "8 15 20 159 36 41 18 6 2 16 4 115 150 200 70 250 1,537 450 35 75 250 1,537 40 20 110 20 510 34 130 100 52 40 18 55 63 33 435 435 325 738 414 107 33 8 6 30 110 135 2 40 60 2,746 127 300 225 130 100 17 50 12 *8 15 20 159 36 41 18 "e 2 16 4 115 150 200 70 250 1,537 40 20 110 20 560 34 142 100 52 40 26 70 63 33 435 435 345 897 450 148 51 8 6 30 110 141 2 42 76 2,750 242 450 425 200 100 17 55 430 400 100 350 120 80 180 190 100 50 450 300 20 200 50 200 100 250 250 20 50 80 55 450 450 100 430 120 80 180 190 100 50 450 300 20 200 50 200 100 250 250 105 900 750 120 630 170 280 280 440 350 20 30 158 49 20 40 43 10 2 300 90 80 90 120 92 150 40 18 17 100 12 4 22 110 150 25 30 100 40 i 20 30 158 49 60 40 43 10 2 300 90 80 90 120 92 150 40 18 18 100 12 4 22 110 150 25 30 100 112 180 198 67 78 140 55 14 24 410 240 105 120 220 50 70 120 20 20 20 50 70 140 20 20 70 70 140 45 25 25 sum: ,Y. lUCKLAND Iarlboeough ,., Iblson FBSTLAND »TAG0 60 1,800 5,328 3,317 105 817 2,785 1,787 560 1,787 60 2,360 5,328 3,527 105 817 2,786 1,787 60 2,465 6,145 6,313 210 1 Totals 10,505 3,707 2,557 13,062 3,708 16,770

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No. 10. RETURN showing the AVERAGE PRICES of PROVISIONS and LIVE STOCK for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

la fi I H fi H fi b © fi Live Stock. Meat. M fi M £fi fi M fi H 02 fi b © fi o 0 o fi © — fi M a* fiM © 3 oW QQ O o O w DO si 00 fi fi o ft fi © d. 6 4-8 1 o fi b © fi d. 7 6-9 fi o 0 fi a fi b © fi d. 6 3i-6 o a o EH b © fi Mining Disteict. EH Ph5 8 J Ed © fi © fi b © fi b "O © 03 fi^ b T3 fi jK b -^ © 03 P<JS b -o © 03 © 03 © fi d. 8 4-8 .0 . b © fi b © Ph d. 2 1 b © Pi -^ 03 60 Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki Marlborough — Pelorus and Wairau Nelson — Collingwood Inangahua... Cobden Lyell Westport ... Charleston ... Grey Valley Westland — Waimea Okarito No Town ... Totara Kanieri Kumara Greymouth Clifton Arnold Greenstone Jackson's Bay Otago — Hindon Queenstown Tuapeka Cromwell ... Clyde Alexandra... Black's Teviot Nevis ... Orepuki Switzers Arrow Mount Ida £ 6 5-7 24/ 22/ d. 2i 5 1/9 1/4 1/6 1/2 1/3 1/ 2/ 1/8 19/6 19/ 6/6 6/ £ 7-10 5-10 15/ 10/ £ 3-60 7 10-50 9/-20/ 25/ Id. p. lb. 5/-60/ d. 5 6 d. 3i 3/ 2/6-3/6 5/6 4/-5/6 22/6 7/-16/ 1/6 1/6 1/4 2/ [to 2/4 1/10 2/ 1/9 2( 1/9 2/ 20/ [IOO lbs. 25/per 10 10 7 8-20 17 9 [cwt. 30/ per 50/ 4 20/ 1-6 2 3 6 4i 6 4 8 3/6 7/ *5 5/ 8 10/ 5 10/ 10 6/ 5 10/ 7 6 24/6 30/ 22/6 26/ 22/6 25/ 24/ 3 4i 2i 4i 2i 3 3 1/-2/ 2/6 176 1/6 2/ 1/6 2/ 1/6 1/6 1/9 10-1/6 1/6 1/3 19/ 32/ 28/ 35/ 22/ 22/ 21/ 14/ 6/ 15/ 7/ 9/ 10/-30/ 40/ 30/ 7/6 10/-30/ £3 1 5-40 25 20 15 10-30 25 20 15/-18/ 14/6 10/ 12 20/ 25/ 12/ 6 8 6 7 8-10 8-9 6 6 8 6 7 7-9 8-9 6 6 1/ 1/ 9 8 8-9 8 6 1/ 6 1/ 9 6 8 41 6 5 7 6 6 6 4 4 6 3 3 4 6 8 7 8 5-6 6 71 S/-3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6 5/-5/6 6/ 6/ 7/ 6/ 6/ 15/-20/ 18/ 25/ 20/ 18/ 16/ 18/ 5 10/ 9 15/ 7 10/ 5 8/ 5 6 6/ 5 6 10/ 7 6 19/6 20/-26/ 24/ 24/ 24/ 24/ 22/6 25/ 25/ 25/ 3 4i 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 2/ 2/6 2/ 2 19 2/ 2/6 2 19 1/9 2/ 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 2/ 1/6 1/9 1/6 1/ 1/6 1/3 1/9 2/ 1/9 1/8 2/ 2/ 1/9 2/ 1/9 1/7 16/ 25/-30/ 26/ 24/ 18/ 20/ 17/6 26/ 20/ 28/ 18/ 9/ 10/ 8/6 7/ 6/ 6/6 12/ 7/6 9/ 7/6 8-12 15-20 9 10-15 12 15 13 5/-30/ 30/-40/ 23/ 1-10 35/ 30/ 2 5-40 15-40 25 35-50 25 25 25-55 16/ 20/ 16/ 20/ 18/ 17/ 16/6 1-4 20/-60/ 60/ 3-6 50/ 5 2 10/ 7 6-7 8 6-8 8 7 7 6 6 7 6-8 6 6i 8 6-7 6 6 6 6 6 7 6i 10-1/ 1/ 10 9 10 10 8 10 10 1/ 8 1/ 6 6 9 6 1/ 6 9 7 4 6 6 5 5 4 6 6 4 "5 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 2 4 3 4 li 6-7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 5i 3/-5/ 3/6 3/6 3/ 3/6 3/4 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/ 2/9 5/-7/ 5/6 5/6 6/6 5/6 6 6/ 4/9 15/ 18/-20/ 12/ 16/ 17/6 20/ 35/ 18/ 15/ 18/ 10-20 14-19 2 30-70 16/ 5' 20/ 4 5/ 7 5-7 17/6 25/ 23/ 2i 2i 1/6 2/ 1/6-2/ 1/4 1/6 1/3-1/9 1/ 1/6 2/ 1/6-2/ 11/ 18/ 16/ 6/6 5/6-6/ 4/9 8 4-14 30/-10 5/-30/ 5/-10/ 20 5-70 10-40 15/ 10/-16/ 2/6-14/ 10/-100/ 10/-100/ 4i 5-7 6-7 4i 3-6 4-6 9 8 6-8 8 6 4-6 3 4 3-5 2 3 1 6 6-7 6 3/ 2/9-3/6 2/6-3/ 5/6 6/-7/ 5/-6/ 24/ 14/ -20/ 6 25/ 2i 1/6 1/6 1/ 1/9 16/ 6/ 5-9 7-60 5/-10/ 80/-60/ 6 5 8 6-9 4 6 3/ 5/6-6/ 18/-30/ 7 10/ 7 10/ 6 6 25/ 25/ 27/ 27/ 2i 3 3 1/6 1/6 2/ 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/9 1/6 1/2 1/2 1/3 1-1/2 19 1/9 2/ 1/9-2/ 20/ 20/ 15/-16/ 24/ 4 6/ 7/ 4 4 4 10/-10 5-8 20/ 20/ 5/-30/ 40/ 15 15 10-45 7-45 6/ 6/ 40/ 40/ 6-8 4-6 5-8 5-8 5-6 3 4-6 3-6 8 6 7-9 8 6 4 6 6-8 4 4 3 5-6 3 3 3 3 6i 6 6-7 6i-7 3/ 3/ 3/-4/6 2/6-3/ 5/ 5/ 5/-6/ 5/-6/ 17/ 15,176 18/-20/ »M/ 15/-100/ *Em ;lish Beer, £10.

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32

No. 11. TABLE showing the AVERAGE RATE of VAGES per WEEK, for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

Mining District. it 1 1 ■ •a I 3] .2 a b © CO I '6 fi fig oa o fi j © 0 6 B o fi 6 © 5 I- 8 fi£ CD O fi £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ b. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland— North Hauraki... South Hauraki... Nelson — Collingwood Takaka Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Grey Valley Cobden ... £5 to £10 7 6 0 £1 to £2 10/ to 20/ £1 10/ to £2 3 10 0 3 10 0 10 0 1 10 0 £4 to £8 £4 to £10 £5 to £6 3 10 0 3 10 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 £3 to £6 £3 to £4 5 6 0 £2 10 to £3 2 10 0 4 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 4 0 0 £3 to £3 10 3 0 0 60/" to 72/ 60/ to 72/ 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 £3 to £3 12 i £2 14 to £3 60/ to 72/ 60/ to 72/ 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 4 10 0 £2/2 to£3 10 45/ to 54/ 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 £1 16 to £2 2 2 2 0 . 2 8 0 2 8 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 £1 to £1 10 0 18 0 0 18 0 2 0 0 10 0 10 0 2 0 0 10 0 ... 2 0 0 1 16 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 , 30/ to 40/ ' 30/ to 40/ 2 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 10/ to 16/ 8/ to 12/ 5/ to 12/ 5/ to 12/ £1 10/ to £2 ' 20/ to 30/ 18/ to 30/ 1 10 0 10 0 0 15 0 6 6 0 6 6 0 2 6 0 Westland — ■ Waimea... Totara ... No Town Kanieri ... Kumara... Greymouth Clifton Arnold ... Greenstone Okarito ... Jackson's Bay ... Otago— Hindon ... 7 6 0 i io 0 £50 TO annum ... ... 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 6 0 7 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 16/ TO day 0 15 0 4 10 0 4 16 0 6 0 0 3 12 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 15 0 3 12 0 16/ TO day 16/ f day 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 16 0 4 10 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 12/ TO day 3 10 0 3 10 0 4 10 0 3 6 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 10/ TO day 12/ TO day 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 6 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 5/ TO day 6/ TO day 15/& found 10 0 1 15 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 16 0 2 0 0 6/TO day 1 15 0 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 £1 5/ & board £110/& found 2 10 0 0 15 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15 0 15 0 15 0 15 0 £1 5 to £1 10 ... ... 5 6 0 5 0 0 5 6 0 3 6 0 £1 and found. 3 0 0 3 6 0 2 2 0 0 12 0 £45 to £50 to annum. £1 5/ & board £1 5/ & board £30 to £35 TO annum. . 15/ to 20/ . £40 to £50 TO annum. 15/ to 20/ and board. 15/ to 20/ 15/ to 20/ 15/ to 20/ 15/ to 20/ 15/ to 20/ £40 "$>■ annum 15/ 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ 15/ Tuapeka Queenstown .,.. 1 6 0 2 0 0 4 10 0 10 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 3 6 0 2 10 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 70/ to 84/ 3 10 0 48/ to 54/ 50/ to 60/ 2 8 0 £1 5/& board 0 15 0 I 0 15 0 1 16 0 45/ to 50/ Cromwell 5 0 0 10/ to 20/ £4 to £5 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 12 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 10 0 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ and board. 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 15 0 2 0 0 £1 to £2 £1 to £2 10 0 Clyde Alexandra Black's Teviot .., Nevis Switzers Orepuki... Arrow ... Macetown Mount Ida 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 10/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ £4 to £5 £4 to £5 £4 to £5 £4 to £5 £4 to £5 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 ) 3 0 0 I 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 £2 to £3 £2 to £3 2 8 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 0 15 0 0 5 0 10 0 10 0 0 12 0 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 25/ to 30/ 1 10 0 2 5 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 2 8 0 £4 to £5 £4 to £5 i 6 o 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 5 "6 0 5 0 0 3 io 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 12 0 4 10 0 £4 to £4 10 £4 to £4 10 3 12 0 ... ...

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No. 12. TABLE showing approximately the NUMBER, DESCRIPTION, and VALUE of the WATER-RACES, TAIL-RACES, DAMS, RASERVOIRS, and GROUND SLUICES, in operation during the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

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Watb] l-BACES. Tvil ,-BACBS. Dams. Resi Geocki Sluices. tBVOIBS. MllJING DlSIBICTS. Number. Length in Miles. Number of Sluice-heads. Approximate Cost. Number. Approximate Cost. Number. Approximate Cost. Number, Approximate Cost. Number. Approximate Cost. Auckland — Hauraki North Hauraki South Maelboeough — Pelorus Nelson — Collingwood TakakaInangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Westland — Waimea Totara No Town Bed Jack's Kanieri* Kumara Greymouth Clifton Arnold Greenstone Okarito Jackson's Bay Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Queenstown Clyde Cromwell Alexandra Black's Teviot Nevis Switzers Orepuki Arrow Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's Hamilton's, Sowburn, Bock and Pillar Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine Maerewhenua St. Bathans and Ida Valley Other localities 14 60 10 20i 45 150 £ 3,500 17,160 £ "l02 "l2 £ £ £ 2 i',200 I ... ... 10 12 40 1,300 15 1,000 47 7 40 273 60 150 28 6 36 155 39 150 54 9 109 2,730 168 300 4,000 620 3,420 3,100 Not known 1,500 12 5 17 71 30 50 550 160 1,552 1,300 Not known 250 32 7 19 216 42 25 2,000 400 990 3,270 Not known 120 45 5 107 45 20 300 40 1J605 39 Not known 100 600 60 70 14 125 47 114 68 91 74 30 1 280 50 40i 15 105 60i 102* 66i 64 64 48 4 750 160 102 25 300 49 151 104 108 242 112 40 45,000 70,000 1,164 450 40,500 15,000 7,430 2,671 4,475 16,323 3,750 2,000 600 55 10 16 120 40 44 33 46 53 25 18,500 2,000 271 125 2,200 800 2,248 640 819 3,245 800 850 40 56 7 190 15 150 84 124 37 15 9,500 4,000 520 73 4,500 450 3,309 1,853 2,943 3,900 499 325 8,620 700 30 13 9 60 55 3,000 400 370 174 1,400 330 3 7 850 220 "40 20 6,000 300 2 450 25 274 300 17i 995 430 27 885 350 1,177 No information 4,500 22 573 700 362 No information 7,000 22 223 60 350 No information 5,000 Included 20 with Dams 2,000 13 j Included wij 94 th Tail-races. 200 600 600 100,000 150 3,000 60 4,000 300 to 400 3,000 to 4,0( 119 92 250 42 65 30 15 26 36 46 68 5 190 132 300 149 205 103 84 42 88 133 281} 21 268 64 350 132 220 78 55 43 93 155 299 19 19,000 7,530 80,000 25,300 12,000 6,000 14,000 4,500 5,000 12,000 31,000 2,000 112 200 120 45 25 15 20 25 28 45 5 4,320 15,000 11,000 2,500 3,000 3,000 400 2,000 1,250 14,000 400 30 28 55 15 15 10 18 5 16 4 5 150 I 1,500 6,500 1,400 1,100 500 1,300 200 2,000 5,000 200 j "l5 i',500 ... ... ... * Including Lake Kanieri Lake "Water-race, constructed at a cost of £22,000. (For price of water, see Keturn No. 8.)

No. 13. NUMBER of MACHINES employed in ALLUVIAL and QUARTZ MINING, for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

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MACHINERY EMPLOYED IX ALLUVIAL MlNING. Machisebt Euploted is Qdabtz Mining. Mining District:-. "23 a» 03 o 1 u to o b n o a (- CI ■goo c3 to I'll Is Steam Engines employed Winding, Crushing, &c. to as sS I Approximate Vall-b OF ALL MlNINC Plant included 1st this return. a Si 3 No. Aggregate Horse power. o Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki 10 42 52 1 222 1,361 13 40 53 137 850 987 7 18 1 3_ 4~ £ 65,000 206,900 ... ... ... ... ... - ... ... '5 I 5 ... I Maelboeough — Pelorus and Wairau Nelson — Collingwood and Takaka Inangahua Charleston Lyell Westport Ahaura Nelson Creek Orwell Creek ... Half-Ounce ... Moonlight Black Ball ... Waipuna Cobden ... I ... - i - ... "•■• I I i ... 280 i 45 50 45 160 840 650 430 180 120 500 57_ 3,077 6,000 100 125 80 425 200 2,000 100 2,000 3 8 ' 21 "l 4 107 30 50 18 56 32 36 8 8 68 418 10 8 "is '2 ... "e 1 ... ... - I - 126 i ... ... 1 - I "6 "*98 1,583 - I "io 3 1 I ■■■ 1 i 160 23 10 i I "6 3 1 25 1 ■■■ 1 I I 1 1 I - ... 13 271,900 325 66,800 3,705 6,300 7,500 350 1,000 1,280 1,100 250 100 1,460 825 "4 2 "1 2 ... ... 3 50 81 ... — ! ... l '2 28 io~ 9 1 6_ - I I 126 j 1 ... - 98 14 193 10 1 Westland— Waimea Totara Kanieri Greymouth Clifton Arnold Greenstone Okarito Kumara Bed Jack's and No Town i 1 1 5 1 200 60 75 40 15 12 11 6 55 28 30 14 "l I ... ... ... ... 18 90,160 6,000 22,000 3,000 400 480 212 2,500 800 2,165 255 4 i "*8 23 15 12 ' 1 — 5 8 '"2 31 83 12 2 I - 1 I - ! L ... 1 1 I ... Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Queenstown ... Clyde, Cromwell, Alexandra, Black's, Teviot, Nevis Orepuki Switzers Arrow Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's ... Hamilton's, Sowburn, Rock and Pillar Hyde and Fullerton's ... Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley ... Serpentine and Maerewhenua St. Bathans, Ida Valley, and other localities "i ... "4 ... i 11,033 50~ 1,000 300 1,000 180 1,200 400 250 100 40 15 50 40 70 25 5 30 3 8 2 10 50 700 30 15 43 150 20 25 10 2 20 55 1,132 502 40 30 30 "io 17 1 2 3 "1 3 - 1 : 150 60 LI 1 I - I 1 1 '4 ... '"80 1 4 3 9 "l 2 29 59 60 '"4 1 4 3 5 3 2 "e "l "4 37,812 760 10,000 50,000 50,000 430 3,200 4,000 2,000 1,200 450 200 600 500 2,600 ... ... 1 ... '" ... I 1 '"l5 1 "io : i UI ... i- 7T" 1 - I I 127 I rnp ... ... ... ... ... I ••• ... ... 4,695 150 GO 19 164 16 125,940

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No. 14. SUMMARY.—NUMBER of MACHINES employed in ALLUVIAL and QUARTZ MINING for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

No. 15. 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, 1877.

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[NEEY ssip: ITED IN .utial M; run Qua! iTZ Mi: iING. Mining -/. a> P a 3 j be r Ph DO o —) a <s . ii _t « 2 fi 3 5 "5 02 m 00 ■3 CO O w fi C3 E w Hi 9 . E So ■s a JA 3 o O o — CD 01 » 1 1 s r m ft B !£ o a CUD O P St Enj "emj Wir Crui team gines ployed ading, .shing, 5! c 3 C 1 5 ti B DO 5 •ri s U s a 0 aa 5. IS Approximate Value of all Mining Plant included in this Beturn. DlSTEICTS. tri | EC 0) A t Aggregate h-P-I 8 W a, 5 g 5 -3 is o E P. No. 52 1,583 53 987 26] 5 £ 271,900 825 90,160 37,812 125,640 lUCKLAND Iaelboeough... rELSON ... Pestland itago 1 5 4 2 S 1 280 3,077 11,033 4,675 2 28 31 71 418 502 ■1117 10 81 83 127 "e 12 6 126 1 60 "i 6 98 14 193 10 i i ... 13 1 "6 15C 5 95 19 164 16 "A 5 Total 1 10 11 19,065 ■ 132 i J2037 301 61 l I 24 15C 187 l 63 '511311 I I I "' 1,776 86 13 £526,337

ITn: T deb "Mil iIMITED L: 5," AND 1 iing Companies [ability Act, lmending Acts. Undee Jc Ai iint Stock 3T. TJndeb "Mining impanibs Act, 1872." L 186 Mining Disteict. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No.'i Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. .T/CKLAND — *North Hauraki South Hauraki ... Grahamstown ... £ £ s. d. £ £ s. d. £ £ s. d. 160 2,891,950 2,258,756 0 0 18 418,'6oO 256,570 18 0 37 499,900 40,000 0 0 160 2,891,950 2,258,756 0 0 18 418,000 256,570 18 0 37 499,900 40,000 0 "elson — Charleston Westport Lyell Ahaura Orwell Creek Moonlight Nelson Creek 3 1 3 1 1 11,000 2,400 24,600 1,500 1,800 11,000 0 0 1,350 0 0 20,550 0 0 450 0 0 1,020 0 0 2 3 24,400 48,000 1,076 3 5,399 18 41,300 34,370 0 0 72,400 49,077 1 rESTLAND — Waimea Totara Kanieri Kumara Clifton Greenstone 1 2 12,800 3,236 12,800 0 0 3,236 0 0 1 1 1 1 3,750 8,000 2,000 4,000 3,500 0 0 8,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 2,500 0 0 2 1 16,000 5,000 13,500 0 0 3,500 0 0 37,036 33,036 0 0 17,750 15,000 0 0 itago— Tuapeka Cromwell Clyde Black's Queenstown Arrow Naseby Hyde and Pullarton's ... Maerewhenua ... St. Bathans & Ida Valley 12 7 2 5 3 46,975 64,400 4,500 17,400 43,995 24,602 0 0 33,650 0 0 2,800 0 0 9,000 0 0 35,841 2 6 1 10,000 2,400 0 0 2 8 2 3 10,900 108,400 23,000 29,000 6,090 15 0 82,500 0 0 6,000 0 0 3,500 0 0 5 "7 24,620 24,620 0 0 1 4 1 6,000 16,600 9,600 4,500 0 0 11,460 0 0 7,233 0 0 "2 19,600 19,600 0 0 3G 221,490 150,113 2 6 10,000 I 2,400 0 0 28 1203,500 121,283 15 0 * No record ke] it here since Act of 1872 came into force.

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No. 16. RETURN of the NUMBER of MINING LEASES in force on 31st MARCH, 1877, the EXTENT of GROUND LEASES, and RENTAL per ANNUM.

No. 17. RETURN of the NUMBER of AGRICULTURAL LEASES in force on the 31st MARCH, 1877, the EXTENT of GROUND LEASED, and RENTAL per ANNUM.

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Mining Disteict. NumBEB. Geoss ACBEAGE. Rental pee Annum. Mining Disteict. Numbee. Geoss ACEEAGE. Rental pee Annum. lTJCKLAND — Hauraki North Grahamstown 2 8 A. E. P. 17 o 11 22 0 35 £ s. d. 34 2 9 42 3 9 ] Westland— Waimea ... j Totara i No Town ... Bed Jack's... j Kanieri Kumara ... Greymouth Okarito Jackson's Bay 3 6 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 A. B. P. 21 0 0 33 0 0 16 2 10 10 0 0 11 0 0 10 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 32 0 0 £ 8. d. 105 0 0 101 0 0 17 0 0 15 0 0 11 0 0 5 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 160 0 0 10 39 1 6 76 6 6 lABLBOEOUGH — Bavenscliffe Wairau Queen Charlotte Sound 67 2 38 16 0 0 5 0 0 135 9 6 32 0 0 10 0 0 7 1 1 464 0 0 18 134 2 10 IELSON — Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Ahaura Nelson Creek Orwell Creek Half-Ounce Westport Lyell 9 It 64 25 1 7 B 2 16 9 88 2 38 74 2 17 529 3 11 163 2 15 9 2 35 37 2 35 90 0 0 20 0 0 196 0 34 101 0 30 177 9 6 73 0 0 1,20110 0 182 0 0 20 0 0 68 0 0 110 0 0 22 0 0 257 17 6 250 15 0 Otago— Tuapeka ... Queenstown Cromwell ... Black's I Arrow Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley St. Bathans and Ida Valley Other localities 33 80 10 2 13 1 8 1 170 3 32 403 3 28 130 0 0 24 0 0 109 0 0 10 0 0 47 0 0 16 0 0 475 0 6 1,04710 0 325 0 0 60 0 0 272 10 0 25 0 0 117 10 0 40 0 0 15 89 0 0 222 10 0 1 10 0 0 25 0 0 137 |l,322 3 17 2,185 2 6 164 1009 3 20 2,610 0 6

Mining Disteict. Numbee. Geoss Aceeage. Rental peb Annum. Mining Disteict. Numbee. Geoss Aceeage. Rental pee Annum. Auckland — Hauraki Ohinemuri Kelson — Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Grey Valley 255 59 17 60 26 29 21) 91 13,081 2 33 A. E. P. 2,950 0 0 870 0 39 4,056 3 33 373 3 0 1,277 0 13 1,347 0 23 5,156 2 6 1,573 9 0 £ s. d. 147 10 0 88 7 6 498 1 0 45 0 0 192 5 6 165 1 0 584 14 0 Otago— contd. Queenstownf ... Cromwell t Clyde + ... Teviot t ••• Black's + ... Alexandra f Switzers Orepuki Arrow Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's Hamilton's and Sowburn Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley St. Bathans and Ida Valley Other localities... 188 14 8 56 8 15 35 2 102 21 1 a. e. p. 11,336 1 37 1,802 0 0 3,144 0 0 4,570 0 0 329 0 0 925 0 0 8,107 0 0 60 0 0 6,410 0 0 3,563 3 23 640 0 0 £ s. d. 1,417 10 0 226 10 0 393 0 0 571 5 0 41 2 6 115 12 6 1,008 10 0 7 10 0 801 5 0 445 10 0 80 0 0 r ESTLAND — Waimea No Town Greymouth Arnold Okarito 5 1,749 2 32 218 10 0 11 M 3 1 2 37 3 7 857 1 20 29 1 7 3 0 24 63 0 0 11 7 0 100 0 6 6 4 0 0 16 0 6 0 0 7 17 1,380 3 23 172 12 6 299 12 6 2,397 1 24 42 990 2 18 124 7 6 15 3,127 2 24 391 0 0 3 1,657 2 9 267 5 0 Otago— *Hindon Tuapeka 7 338 1,640 0 0 30,646 2 34 205 0 0 3,851 15 0 842 83,489 1 6 10,513 10 0 * Under Otago 1 Vaste I Lands Act— Ex Oci + Under Otago 1 Lie ihange jupatioi VaBte I enses a Leases n Licenses ... Lands Act— md Leases ... No. 117 127 96 5,021 O 23 20,118 2 8 9,406 O 0 £ s. d. 629 7 6 3,370 2 0 1,318 0 0

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No. 18. RETURN of the NUMBER of LICENSES under "The Gold Mining Districts Act, 1871," for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

No. 19. RETURN of CASES in the WARDENS' COURTS, and COSTS AWARDED, for the YEAR ending 31st MARCH, 1877.

No. 19. Mr. Warden Feasee to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Report on Agricultural Leases within the Hauraki Gold Mining Bislrict South (late Ohinemuri Gold Field), to 30th April, 1877. Since my last report, there has been a steady increase in the number of agricultural leases within the Ohinemuri District. The total number granted up to date is 104, representing an area of 5,180 acres. 7—H. 1.

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Mining Disteict. i 'Numbee. I Geoss Aceeage. Er Alm Annum. lT/CKLAND— North Hauraki Grahamstown Ohinemuri ... 38 91 80 a. e. p. 255 2 30 522 3 20 368 0 18 £ s. d. 767 0 0 1,611 0 0 1,097 0 0 Total 209 1,146 2 28 3,475 0 0

Number of Mining Disputes adjudicated on. CA; !es wherein judgment [as decreed specific Performance. Mining Disteict. Aggregate Ami itjnt of Value. Amount of Costs Awarded. Claimed. Recovered. No. Remarks. lTCKXAND — North Hauraki Grahamstown Ohinemuri ... Ielson — Collingwood Takaka Inangahua ... Lyell "Westport ... Charleston ... Cobden Ahaura Granville No Town ... Pestland— Waimea Kanieri Kumara Okarito Totara Greenstone ... Greymouth... Clifton Arnold Itago— Tuapeka Queenstown Cromwell ... Alexandra ... Teviot Black's Clyde Switzers Arrow Naseby Hyde and Fullarton's... Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine ... Maerewhenua St. Bathans and Ida Valley 21 56 33 £ b. d. 130 6 0 301 10 0 £ b. d. 7 0 0 266 0 0 £ s. d. 5 9 0 29 6 0 33 7 1 33 6 1 32 8 10 2 7 3 16 0 1 10 0 177 9 0 6 17 0 1 1 2,530 18 0 40 0 0 177 1 2 10 0 0 The amount inserted is merely the amount paid into Court, and does not represent the amount for which judgments have been given. 90 16 0 5 10 0 134 0 0 8 0 0 12 0 0 64 17 10 10 0 16 0 0 5 0 0 3 11 0 12 2 0 8 4 0 17 19 0 0 13 0 5 2 0 i l 77 13 29 11 10 11 3 2 7 440 0 0 105 0 0 99 0 0 137 17 9 137 17 9 77 1 8 140 0 0 28 0 0 2 9 0 55 0 0 55 0 0 47 1 8 93 0 0 21 1 0 13 4 0 18 14 0 18 3 0 7 3 0 2 8 0 0 14 0 4 8 6 27 i 2 7 0 40 0 0 252 0 0 182 0 0 35 23 18 4 2 8 3 5 0 0 1,442 6 8 410 5 0 12 5 0 897 3 0 247 6 0 14 1 2 31 2 0 33 3 6 6 3 0 9 2 6 11 12 0 8 0 0 80 0 0 80 0 0 110 0 0 10 0 0 30 0 0 6 0 0 6 11 27 51 1 3 200 0 0 831 1 7 6 0 0 242 0 8 38 13 0 137 9 0 2 19 0 1 1 5 10 0 0 10 0 2 17 0 4 13 0 18 5 5

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These leases were executed as follow : — 42 on 31st December, 1875. 17 on 30th September, 1876. 45 on 23rd April, 1877. An inspection of the forty-two which have been in existence for over twelve months has been made, and it is found that all with the exception of seven have fully complied with the regulations as to cultivation and improvement. With regard to the leases dated 30th September, 1876, and 23rd April, 1877, the conditions have in many instances already been either wholly or partially complied with. All the leases granted remain in the possession of the original grantees, with the exception of six, which have been assigned subject to the approval of His Excellency the Governor. There are at present four applications in process of completion. W. Feasee, Thames, 30th April, 1877. Warden.

By Authority: Geoboe Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1877. Price 1 s. 6d.