THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, H-26

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1880. NEW ZEALAND.

THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).

Return to an Order of House 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 such other information as would afford a comprehensive idea of the general condition of the mining interest in the colony ; and that His Excellency be requested to forward a copy of such report to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies." — (Mr. W. H. Harrison.)

Secretary for Gold Fields' Office, Sib, — Wellington, 7th August, 1880. I have the honor to forward the general report on the gold fields for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1880, together with the detailed reports of the Wardens for their several districts, and statistical information tabulated in the same form as in previous reports. There are also appended reports from the Inspector of Mines, Thames Gold Field, and from the managers of water-races. The preparation of this report has been greatly delayed awaiting the returns from one important mining district. I have, &c, The Hon. Richard Oliver, James McKerrow, Minister of Mines. Secretary for Gold Fields.

REPORT. The prospects of the New Zealand gold fields are more hopeful at present than they have been for many years past. The quartz-mining districts, which were at a low ebb twelve months ago, are now greatly revived, and in alluvial mining districts fresh discoveries have been and still are being made. There is such abundant evidence of the permanence of the gold fields that they may be relied on for many years to furnish one of the principle staple exports cf the country. As will be seen by a statement to follow, gold to the value of nearly £37,000,000 sterling has been exported since 1857, and the annual export for the last few years has been considerably over £1,000,000. The return for the year 1879 is less than for any of the years since the famous discovery at Tuapeka, Otago, in 1861; but the increase in the returns for the first quarter of 1880, and for the six months ended the 30th June last, would seem to indicate that for a time at least the tide has turned. The Customhouse returns of gold entered for payment of duty furnish the nearest approximation to the actual produce of the colony. In adopting them, there is the satisfaction of knowing that the quantities cannot be over-stated, for no account is taken of the gold used up by the jewellers, nor of what may be smuggled out of the country. Relying solely, then, on the Customs

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returns for the yield of gold, the comparative returns for the years 1878 and 1879 are as follow :—

Yield of Gold.

Comparison of the Quarters ended the 31st March, 1879 and 1880.

Statement of Gold Exported and Value for various years, as under.

Mining Population and its Earnings. The number of miners on the 31st of March, 1880, is shown in Table 9 as 14,409. In last year's report the number on the 31st March, 1879, was given as 14,297. The mean number for the year ended 31st of March, 1880, is therefore 14,353. The gold exported for the same period was valued at £1,168,823, or an average of £81 2s. as the year's earnings per man; for the previous year the average was £75 10s.; and for the year before that, £97 10s. per man. Of course, thecost and maintenanceof private water-races,crushing-machinery, andother plant, have to be borne by the miner, so that the average wage per man is below the current rate for labour in the colony. It is not to be inferred, however, that the miners are solely dependent on gold, or give all their time to its search. Many of them, more especially those having, alluvial claims, combine farming and the rearing of cattle with mining pursuits, and only engage in the latter at certain seasons of the year.

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1878. 1879. Deci •ease. Inc: •ease. Auckland Marlborough Nelson West Coast ... Oz. 55,982 404 4,463 144.634 105,003 Value. £220,454 1,617 17,223 578,508 422,277 Oz. 37,901 879 2,993 142,822 102,869 Value. £154,295 3,460 11,424 571,061 407,868 Oz. 18,081 1,470 1,812 2,134 Value. £66,159 5,799 7,447 14,409 Oz. 475 Value. 1,843 Otago 310,486 £1,240,079 287,464 £1,148,108 23,497 475 £93,814 1,843 475 £1,843 D .crease for 187! ) ... 23,022 £91,971

1879. 1880. Decrease. Incn :ase. Auckland Marlborough Nelson West Coast ... Oz. 9.567 560 1,193 41,764 21,616 Value. £38,103 2,240 4,518 167.035 85,592 Oz. 11,787 215 1,096 33,615 32,589 Value. £47,403 850 4,129 134,426 131,400 Oz. 345 97 8,149 Value. 1,390 389 32,609 Oz. 2,220 Value. £9,295 Otago 10,973 45,808 74,700 £297,493 79,302 £318,208 8,591 : £34,388 13,193 8,591 £55,103 34,388 In :rease for Quarter ended the 31st March, 1880 4,002 £20,715

Year. 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 Oz. 10,436 13,533 7,336 4,538 194,234 410,862 628,450 480,171 574,574 735,376 686,753 637,474 614,281 Value. £40,442 52,443 28,427 17,585 752,657 1,591,389 2,431,723 1,857,847 2,226,474 2,844,517 2,700,275 2,504,326 2,362,995 Year. Oz. 1870 544.880 1871 730,029 1872 445,370 1873 505,337 1874 376,388 1875 355,322 1876 318,367 1877 371,685 1878 310,486 1879 284,100 30th June, 1880 149,105 Value. £2,157.585 2,787,520 1,730,992 1,987,425 1,505,331 1,407,770 1,268,559 1,496,080 1,240,079 1,134,641 599,200 Total ... 9,389,087 £36,726,282

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During the years in which the public works were most actively prosecuted, the miners had a strong temptation to leave poor ground and engage on railway construction at a good steady wage; and it is well known many did so. But now that these works are not to be pushed on so much in the future as in the past, it may be expected that gold-mining will revive, from the simple fact that more men will again turn their attention to it. There is plenty of ground yet to work. The discoveries during the year, and more recently on the West Coast, confirm what was already known of the extensive and wide-spread areas in the colony over which the prospector can find payable gold. The above figures indicate a small increase in the number of miners during the year. It is possible, however, that the numbers may not be actually greater; but that the apparent increase may be partly due to a difference in the enumeration caused by the change of Wardens. As already mentioned, mining is often combined with other pursuits, and in a classification under such circumstances, depending on estimation, no two men would be likely to enumerate alike. The returns have not been accepted without inquiry, and the results given may be taken as a near approximation. In any case it is satisfactory to find that, notwithstanding the general depression, the number of miners in the colony during the year has not decreased. Alluvial Mining. Under this designation is comprehended all mining in which the gold is washed out of the auriferous gravels by sluicing the ground and running it through the boxes, also dredging of river-beds, and beach or other workings, where the object is not to crush the matrix of quartz or cement, but to collect the gold which has already been set free by natural processes. These alluvial workings have always in New Zealand been much the most prolific source in yield of gold. For each of the last two years, two-thirds of the yield have been from alluvial claims, and one-third from quartz- and cement-crushings. This source is likely to maintain its pre-eminence in that respect for some years yet. In the West Coast, Middle Island, which is the principal alluvial mining district in the colony, there are extensive areas of country where the prospector has either never been or has examined only in the most hurried manner. In its natural state of dense forest, sea-girt bluffs, and numerous rivers, a great portion of this country is practically quite impenetrable until opened up by tracks. Quartz and Cement-mining The return from this class of mining for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1880, are— Tons of Ounces Quartz of Auckland,— Crushed. Gold. Coromandel ... ... ... ... 1,296 5,190 Thames ... ... ... ... 33,017 59,575 West Coast, — Eeefion ... ... ... ... 28,062 18,090 Grcymouth ... ... ... ... 150 Not given. Marlborough,— Havelock ... ... ... ... 320 105 Otago,— Clyde ... ... ... ... 6,743 4,197 Arrow ... ... ... ... 4,615 4,317 Skipper's ... ... ... ... 660 220 Hindon (estimated) ... . ... ... 850 640 75,713 92,344 from quartz. Lawrence ... ... ... ... ... 23,000 estimated from cement. 115,344 from quartz and cement. These returns from quartz show a falling off in the total of nearly 6,000 ounces as compared with the previous year. At Reefton there is a falling off of

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8,000 ounces, and at Coromandel of 4,000 ounces; but at the Thames and Otago* there are increases respectively of 2,000 and 4,000 ounces. The Thames Gold Pield, which is much the most important quartz-mining district in New Zealand, has rallied very materially during the last few months from a former state of depression. The question of the Big Pump has been settled; more machinery has been set up ; tunnels are being extended into new country by means of drills driven by compressed air; and the yield of gold, according to the latest returns, is on the increase. Several of the mining companies conduct operations on a large scale, and their arrangements evince great enterprise, skill, and confidence in the future of the field. The quartz returns from Otago, although small when compared with the Thames and Reefton, are, nevertheless, much larger for Otago than they have been for years past. A very great deal of money has been expended and work done to develop the reefs there, but as yet with only very partial success. One great drawback is the inaccessibility of some of the country, and the great cost of timber. Notwithstanding these drawbacks the further development of this class of mining in Otago is only a question of time. Maintenance oe Water-races under the Control oe the Gold Pields Department. There are four water-races, the property of the Government, under the control of the department. Three on the West Coast —the Waimea-Kumara, the Nelson Creek, and the Argyle Water-race, Charleston; also the Mount Ida Water-race, Otago. None of these works have been a success in the commercial sense of paying cost of construction, or even interest upon the outlay, but, they afford the means to a considerable number of men of prosecuting an industry which enables them to earn upon an average about £140 per man per annum, and which could never have been so fully developed in the respective districts but for these works. In table No. 20 will be found a statement of revenue and expenditure on account of Nelson Creek, Waimea, Kumara, and Argyle water-races, for nine months ending the 31st March last, and a statement of the receipts and disbursements on account of Mount Ida water-race, from the 30th June, 1879, to the 30th April, 1880, is attached to the report by the Trust upon that race contained in the appendix. Kumara Sludge Channel. —A necessary adjunct in most cases to a water-race is a sludge channel. The Waimea Water-race commands a large area of flat auriferous ground near Kumara, which could not be worked unless a means were provided of getting rid of the tailings. The Government has undertaken this wcrk so far, and a channel is now in course of construction with the object of carrying the tailings on to the deep bed of the Teremakau, where they can be disposed of without further trouble. Government Aids to Prospecting, and Subsidies towards the Construction of Prospecting Tracks, etc. Since the date of the last annual report subsidies have been granted in aid of prospecting parties formed at Tapu and Mercury Bay, Coromandel, Thames, and Te Aroha, in the Provincial District of Auckland, Eeatherston in Wellington, Greymouth and Nelson Creek in Nelson, and in various parts of Westland, and other applications for aid are now under consideration. In every case the subsidy has only been allowed upon money subscribed and certified as paid in wages for prospecting, so that the numerous applications for assistance upon these terms would appear to indicate that there has been, an active desire evinced during the year to discover fresh auriferous country. Various applications have also been received for assistance from the vote in aid of the construction of tracks and minor works upon gold fields; but, as the necessary contribution on the part of most of the applicants was not forthcoming, the department has been unable to grant the assistance applied for. Other applications, however, of a more specific character, guaranteeing that the money will be subscribed for carrying out, the works proposed, are now under consideration, and it is still considered that this vote will prove more beneficial in results than the vote in aid of ordinary prospecting parties.

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The diamond rock-boring machine recently purchased by the Government under the parliamentary vote of last session has been taken charge of, and advertised by Mr. Wakefield, and it is now on its way to Hokitika to the order of the Westland County Council, to be used in the first instance for testing ground at Goldsborough and Blue Spur for gold, and at Kanicri for gold and coal. It is impossible to predict what results the machine as a prospector in New Zealand may give until a trial has been made. Settlement on Gold Pields. In the Thames District, Auckland, the Native difficulty stands in the way of settlement; and the area open for agricultural lease in the Ohinemuri District, distant from the populous parts, is an inferior soil, and therefore not very inviting to settlement. Recently, Karaka North and South, in the vicinity of Grahamstown, and two other blocks a few miles distant, have been proclaimed open for application on the homestead system. This land partakes of the rugged nature of the country, and is under bush. It may prove suitable, however, for dairymen, as the soil is good, and will take grass readily. Under these adverse circumstances there is no great inducement to settle on this gold field, and only twelve applications were received during the year for land on agricultural lease. At Te Aroha there were several thousand acres of flat alluvial land offered for application a few months ago, both on immediate and deferred payments. Only a portion was taken up. There are more lands in the same block which will be offered as soon as drain and road-works now in course of execution are completed. On the West Coast gold fields, Middle Island, there are large areas open for selection on immediate and deferred payments, and several thousand acres on the homestead system. The land being all under bush, and the market local, settlement proceeds slowly. On the Otago gold fields the natural conditions in favour of settlement are much more favourable than in the other two mining districts, and a large • number of selections has been made during the year under the different modes of acquiring land prescribed in the Land Acts. In the Wakatipu District several small runs were offered on lease for ten years and taken up ; in the Tuapeka and Teviot Districts areas were taken up on pastoral deferred payments; and generally in every mining centre there have been blocks of from 3,000 to 30,000 acres offered for selection on immediate and deferred payments and on agricultural lease. These opportunities have been much availed of, and there are other blocks of excellent agricultural land surveyed and ready in anticipation of the demands of the current year. Under section 66 of the Mines Act several miners, who, with their families, had established themselves on Crown lands and mining reserves, have, in compliance with the terms of the Act, been allowed to acquire the pre-emption of their homesteads, with 8 or 10 acres?around, and so have become transformed from squatters on sufferance to resident freeholders. Departmental. In the early part of tin- year there was a considerable changing of Wardens from one district to another. These transfers were directed by the Justice Department. Their effect so far as the gold-fields are concerned is not beneficial, and has been the cause of much inconvenience, from the fact that local knowledge with complete acquaintance with past transactions cannot be transferred, and is lost to the department whenever the officer possessing it is removed to a strange district. In conclusion, I have to express my obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Gavin, and to the Secretary of Customs, Mr. Seed, for the returns of revenue and gold export appended to this report; also to Mr. Wakefield for his ready assistance in collecting reports and compiling other statistical information contained in the Appendix. J. McKerrow. 2—H. 26.

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No. 1. Mr. Warden Keneick to the TThder-Secbetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Coromandel, 7th May, 1880. In forwarding my report upon that portion of the district within my charge known as the Hauraki North or Coromandel District, I would state that many of the remarks made in reporting upon the Hauraki South or Thames District will apply equally to this. I regret that I cannot take a very sanguine view of the immediate future of this portion of the gold field. Great depression has existed during the past year, and the population has decreased considerably. The reopening of the Kapanga Mine and the starting of the long tunnel through the Bismarck and Tokatea Claims by the aid of the rock-drill are undoubtedly signs that faith in the district still exists in the minds of those who know it best. But a large amount of expensive prospecting will require to be done, I am afraid, before an]* new discoveries can be hoped for. 1 have every confidence that the very large extent of country on this peninsula, as yet only partially explored, is, and will prove to be, auriferous; but time, money, and roads or tracks will bo required to prove it. A discovery tha*t promises to be of considerable importance and value has been made at Cabbage Bay, a few miles to the north of Coromandel. A. seam of coal of very good quality, some eight feet thick, has been opened up there. It is within easy distance of a shipping place, and apparently can be worked and shipped at a very moderate cost. Should experience prove this to be the case, the district will largely benefit by the discovery. The coal is on private land, and lam informed that a company is being formed to work it. I visit Coromandel every fourth week, and have hitherto found that sufficient for the requirements of the place and people. I have visited Mercury Bay, but as yet have made no arrangements for holding periodical Courts there, or at Tairua, further down the East Coast. There is no pressing necessity for doing so, the local Justices being able to deal with the class of cases likely to arise in a district populated principally by bushmen, sawyers, and gum-diggers. The following is a return of cases disposed of during the year in both Warden's and Resident Magistrate's Courts, together with the number of registrations of claims, &c.: Civil cases in ltesident Magistrate's Court, 235 ; criminal cases in Eesident Magistrate's Court, 40; cases in Warden's CoTirt, 16; new claims marked out, 80; new claims registered, 18; licensed holdings forfeited, 8; licensed holdings granted, 1. I have, &c , Haeet Keneick, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Keneick to the Undee-Si_ceetai.y for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Thames, 30th April, 1880. I have the honor to forward my report upon the gold fields of this district for the year ending 31st March last. The short period that I have been in charge of the district must plead my excuse for the scanty nature of the report. As yet Ido not feel justified in speaking with authority upon many questions of considerable local interest and importance to a mining community. Notably amongst these must be reckoitpd the question as to whether agricultural leases have really succeeded in effecting the purpose for which they were originally granted—namely, that of settling the mining population on the land. I find that on the 31st March last there were eighty agricultural leases in force, extending over an aggregate area of 3,959 acres 3 roods 7 perches, whilst there were thirteen applications for leases pending. lam not in possession of information reliable enough to justify mo in giving an opinion as to whether this large area has to any appreciable extent been brought under cultivation or settled upon. Information such as this would be both interesting and valuable. I therefore hope to be able to include it in my next annual report. The full and exhaustive report of the Mining Inspector, forwarded herewith, renders it unnecessary for me to refer to the progress or prospects of claims individually. Generally I must report that, from various causes, more particularly referred to by the Mining Inspector, the progress of the gold field was at a standstill during the first nine months of the year. During the last quarter, however, the progress has everywhere been most marked., The resumption of pumping operations has not only benefited the claims adjacent, but has restored faith in the future generally throughout the field. Many of the old companies have during the year been, re-formed, and are starting to work in a systematic and businesslike way. Speaking generally, work has taken the place of speculation, greatly to the advantage, I need scarcely say, of both investors and miners.

APPENDIX TO REPORT ON THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND. WARDENS' REPORTS. AUCKLAND GOLD FIELDS.

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The yield of gold for the year, it will be seen, is in excess of that produced for the previous year, the number of miners employed being about the same. The population of the district has decreased; but this in a measure may be attributed to the cessation of public works on the reclamation and railway. There are but few if any complaints of want of employment, and I can safely say that, both in mining and business, things are in a healthy state, and promise good results in the coming year. Much old ground is being re-worked at the lower levels, and some amount of new ground taken up. The discovery of valuable hematite ore within the proclaimed gold field has brought prominently to the front the nature of the existing agreement between the Natives and the Government. By that agreement permission was given to mine on Native lands for gold only. Applications for leases for the purpose of mining for hematite and silver-lead ore (also known to exist in considerable quantities) have necessarily been refused. Unless, therefore, arrangements can be made direct with the Natives by the discoverers, they will fail to reap the fruit of their enterprise, and the district will suffer materially through the non-development of these deposits of valuable minerals. I would submit that it is certainly advisable, and might be found practicable, to revise the existing agreements under which the gold field is worked. The agreements in question were evidently entered into at a time when the one paramount object was to obtain the consent of the Natives to the opening of their lands for the purpose of mining for gold. Many questions of importance naturally were left unsettled at the time, and others not provided for, the necessity for .so doing not being then apparent or urgent. Experience has, I believe, shown the necessity for some modification or extension of these agreements —notably in the direction of permitting mining for other minerals than gold. In connection with this, 1 would point out that lands have been thrown open for selection under the homestead system, and that the Natives have been disposing of both freehold and leasehold interests in the gold-fields blocks. In both cases the land is still subject to the gold-mining laws, not having been withdrawn from the operation of the Gold-Mining Districts Act. But this fact appears to be unknown by the selectors, purchasers, and lessees, who, in improving their lands, will, or have, come into contact with mining interests or rights, subjecting themselves to claims for compensation. With regard to the land selected for homesteads, probably if a plan of the ground proposed to be thrown open was furnished to this department, the existing mining titles could be shown thereon, and the issue of fresh titles stayed. The land would then be selected subject to known rights. The system of enabling miners to acquire small blocks of land for homesteads —of from, say, five to twenty acres —within easy distance of their workings will, I believe, prove of immense benefit to a district like this, where there is now a settled population of miners. The experiment has been tried apparently with success at Tapti, Hastings, recently. I therefore trust that it will be possible to extend it to other parts of the district where land is available. Some modification of the prospecting regulations in force at present is desirable, as they scarcely meet the wants of a district such as this, where there is no alluvial, mining, and whore prospecting is _ carried on largely on old abandoned ground. Such alterations, I think, should be in the direction of granting a bonus for bond fide new discoveries, the bonus to consist of either (or both) money-grants or increased area of ground to'the prospectors; though possibly the grant of an increased area might be better provided for by an amendment to the existing gold-fields regulations, no provision being at present made for granting prospectors' claims or areas. By the latter, I mean giving protection to a large area of ground within which prospecting can be carried oil and the claim marked when any discovery is made. Prospecting grants should not be restricted to discoveries in new ground only, but be extended to abandoned ground as well, leaving it to the discretion of the Warden or Mining Inspector to decide in doubtful cases. lam also of opinion that the system of subsidies to prospectors, as at present existing, is not a success. There is necessarily tittle or no check on the work done by the prospecting party; and a grant of this description is very liable to abuse, even where the checks are good. The prospecting parties receiving private assistance reported in the last annual report have collapsed, and at present there is but one prospecting party at work, who have applied for assistance — in the district of Tapu. A large number of claims, originally held.by registered companies, have been forfeited during the year, thus throwing open considerable blocks of land hitherto locked up and unworked for a considerable period. lam glad to say that the ground has in most cases been at once applied for and taken up in smaller blocks by individual miners. Eoads here, as elsewhere, are the great necessity. Much has been done by,the County Council during the past year to remedy this want; but much remains to be done. Quartz that would not pay for crushing where the cost of haulage to the batteries is considerable, has been found to pay well where a good track to the mines has been made. It is with considerable gratification that I am able to report the almost entire absence of crimes of a serious nature within this district during the past year. Speaking from a lengthened experience of gold fields and miners, and taking into consideration the estimated population, I can say that the small proportion and light nature of the offences brought before the Court is unusual, and compares favourably with any other gold field in the colony. It must be remembered that a large population of Natives is resident within the gold field, tending to swell the number of offences disposed of by the Courts; though it is but justice to them to say that, with a very few notable exceptions, they are law-abiding, orderly, and comparatively industrious. Herewith I have the honor to forward return of number of cases disposed of in the Eesident Magistrate's and Wat-den's Courts, applications heard, and registrations of various kinds effected (this return does not, of course, include the Coromandel list, nor the cases heard at Ohinemuri) : Cases in Resident Magistrate's Court —civil 521, criminal, 324; Warden's Court, 20; applications, 60; registrations effected, 326; new claims registered during the year, 92; licensed holdings forfeited, 14 ; agricultural leases forfeited, 5. I have, &c, Haeey Keneick, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington, Warden.

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No. 3. Mr. Mining-Inspector McLaben to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic, — Mining Inspector's Office, Thames, 20th April, 1880. I have the honor to forward herewith statistics, with the following report on mining operations carried on in the Hauraki South Gold-mining District for the year ending 31st March, 1880 :— For the first nine months of the year mining matters generally were very dull, and, except by a few companies, very little prospecting or opening-up of new levels was done, principally on account of being unable to collect calls. About the beginning of January, however, a great improvement took place in the mines situated in the Punga Flat District, through a rich find in the Alburnia Company's ground. This reef has since been traced into the Whau Company's ground, and splendid returns obtained therefrom. Soon after a party of tributers (Garvcy and party) found a fresh run of rich gold in the same reef, in the New Nouth Devon Claim, situated to the north-east of the Alburnia, giving additional confidence in the district, and causing a number of new claims to be taken up in the vicinity. Another great cause of returning prosperity to the field is the recent final settlement of the vexed question of the mortgages held by the Thames County Council over the Imperial Crown, Caledonian, Golden Crown, and Tookey Mines. The County Council having now foreclosed and sold the mines, these companies will for the future be able to collect their calls and pay their drainage contributions, which could not be dove while the mortgage was held over them, seeing the shareholders did not know the day their properties might be sold. Another cause is that pumping operations are about to be resumed in the Waiokaraka District by the Queen of Beauty Gold-mining Company. I mentioned in my last report that, owing to the stoppage of the pumps, the water would soon rise and drown out the various mines below sea-level: the water continued steadily to rise till the month of August, when it had reached to within 233 feet from the surface; at this date pumping operations were again resumed by the Moauataiari Company in the Big Pump ; but, as contributions could not be got in on account of the mortgages, a stoppage was again made in December, after the water had been lowered to 350 feet from the surface. On the 6th March the completion of the sale of the mines enabled the work to be again resumed, the water by this time having risen to within 192?,- feet from the surface; and the work of lowering the water is now steadily in progress. Kuranui Hill United Mine. —In this mine the chief work done was above the sea-level, in what is known as the Odd Fellows' Section. The reef there has been stoped from the tunnel-level up to the surface wherever it was found payable. A considerable amount of cross-cutting had been done in other portions of the mine, but with moderate success. Below sea-level, when the water was lowered by the Big Pump, work was commenced on the level known as the Caledonian No. 3, and a reef found which, from all indications, will prove payable ; but work had to be suspended on account of the water rising. The greater part of the mine over sea-level is worked on the tribute system, there being about a hundred men employed, who pay from 17| to 37| per cent, on the gross yield of gold. The value of the gold produced by the tributers during the last year was £10,054 15s. 5d., of which the company received £2,655 14s. 2d., and the tributers £7,399 Is. 3d. On their own account the company crushed 3,775 tons of quartz, which yielded 1,337 oz. 16 dwt. of gold, valued at £3,263 6s. Id. The prospects of this mine are very encouraging when work can be resumed in lower levels, while the upper workings will continue to give employment to a large number of men. Imperial Crown and Prince Imperial Mines. —These mines are both situated on the flat, near the sea. As the ground is nearly all below sea-level, they were unable to carry on any extensive operations on account of the water ; nor can they do so till the water is lowered, which it is expected now soon to be. The tributers in the upper levels were moderately successful. Tookey Mine. —This mine has only been worked in the upper levels during the year, and some very handsome returns have been got by the tributers. Caledonian Mine. —During the year this company opened a reef on the boundary of the Golden Calf Mine, which was worked from No. 2 level upwards, and proved payable ; the same has also been cut at No. 3 level and worked on for a short/time, yielding at the rato of IJ, oz. of gold per load; but, owing to the rise-of the water, this level had to be abandoned. The prospects of this company are therefore very good when work can be again resumed on the No. 3 level; and the fact of payable quartz being obtained at the deep level (360 feet) has given increased impetus to mining operations in this part of the field. With the view of energetically working the ground on the water being lowered, the manager is now engaged repairing the shaft, erecting new poppet-heads, and renewing the winding-gear and ropes. Some of the upper parts of the mine were worked on tribute with good returns. Golden Calf Mine. —This mine also obtained good returns from the reef worked on the 360-feet level, and as soon as the water is drained operations will be resumed there. The upper portions have been worked by tributers with fair success. Red Queen, Cure, and Manukau Mines have also been worked under the tribute system ; but, on account of the water, no deep or extensive operations could be carried on. Golden Crown Mine. —The new proprietors of this mine have started work in the upper levels with great success. In order to obtain capital to develop the low levels, it is their intention shortly to form into a company. Waiotahi Mine. —This company completed the opening of the new or No. 3 level (mentioned in my last report), and connected it by winzes with the reefs in the upper levels. The returns obtained from all the reefs at this low level were very good, and paid well up to the time they were —like the other mines—flooded out. The reefs and leaders, however, in Nos. 1 and 2 levels enabled them to supply their battery with payable quartz. Waiokaraka District. —This district was drained by the pump fixed in the Piako shaft, situated on the flat in Grahamstown. This shaft, for nearly 100 feet from the surface, was sunk through mud, blue clay, and shells (sea-deposit). In working the ground some years ago, very little care could have

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been exercised in properly securing or filling in the stopes, the extent of which, being closed, could not be ascertained : the consequence of this was, that the roof left gave way, which allowed the sea-silt to get vent into the old workings, causing a large subsidence of the ground near the shaft, burying the winding-engine, ropes, and other gear, and so endangering the shaft that all thoughts of further pumping from it had to be abandoned. Queen of Beauty Mine. —The company holding the mine, finding that drainage operations could not be resumed from the Piako shaft, determined to erect pumping-machinery in their own shaft, which is sunk closer to the hill, anil through solid rock. With a view to this, one compartment of their shaft has been stripped and enlarged down to the present water-level, and a 12-inch plunger is now being fixed. This pump is to be worked by a large turbine-wheel, driven by water supplied from water-race constructed by Government. A steam-engine is also to be attached in case of accidents to watersupply. The poppet-heads have been renewed, and a steam-capstan is to be erected for the purpose of raising and lowering heavy weights in connection with the pumps. It is expected that operations will be commenced about the cud of May. In this mine the deepest payable quartz yet obtained on the field was got —at a depth of 560 feet below sea-level. Having also a good show of gold under foot, in restarting their works they have therefore every prospect of success. The drainage operations will also enable other portions of the district to bo opened out and prospected, including the Crown Princess Gold-mining Company's property. Moanataiari District. — Moanataiari Mine. —This is the largest and one of the most successfullyworked mines on the field. The main tunnel runs into the hills from the beach in a north-east direction for a distance of 1,300 feet. The principal works during the year have been driving two main cross-cuts from this tunnel in a southerly direction. The first of these has now been driven for a distance of 225 feet, in order to prospect the lower levels of the reefs which formerly gave handsome returns in the upper levels of the Nonpareil and Waitemata Mines; but a further distance of 1,000 feet has yet to be driven before cutting these reefs. The second cross-cut was driven from near the present end of the main tunnel for a distance of 450 feet, when a large reef, 20 feet in thickness, was tapped. Judging from the enormous body of water that flowed from this reef, a very large extent of back country must have been drained. This large reef is gold-bearing, but, so far as prospected, not sufficiently so to bo payable. As it is supposed to be a continuation of the Caledonian reef, the expectations of good finds being yet obtained are likely to be realized when it is more opened out on. In driving these cross-cuts, rock-drills were used, driven by compressed air. A large amount of driving has also been done on the north side of the main tunnel, and a number of small veins cut, yielding good returns, the greatest quantity of gold obtained during the latter half of the year being from this section of the mine. As these veins are being traced downwards, they will, in the lower levels bo worked from the shaft which is sunk below the tunnel level. No advance has been made in further sinking this shaft, on account of the rise of the water. Another level is also being driven from the surface, near the Moanataiari Creek, on the Point Russell reef: this has now been extended 250 feet along the reef, cutting one or two runs of gold. During the year 3,145 square fathoms have been worked out on the various reefs and leaders, giving 10,926 tons of quartz, which, when crushed, yielded 14,315 oz. of gold. There has also been 1,230 feet of tunnelling or driving done iv the same time, giving employment, on the average, to about 170 men. Reuben Parr Mine. —This is a new claim, lately taken up on ground formerly held by the Middle Star and Twenty-third of June Companies. It is the intention of this company to carry in extensive tunnelling works, in order to cut the reefs at low levels which previously gave good returns when worked near the surface. Various schemes for this purpose are now under consideration. Alburnia Mine. —The operations in this mine have been carried out very successfully during the year. A large deposit of gold has been found in the Sons of Freedom reef, between the Whau and lower levels. The block immediately under the Whau level has given splendid returns, enabling the company to pay £19,000 in dividends within the past five months. Another block, deeper than the above, has been opened, which, from appearances, will also give good dividends. As this reef for 200 feet over the low- level is comparatively untried, and as it extends from 500 to 600 feet through the company's property, there is every prospect of future success. The low level has been extended 100 feet, and a considerable amount of driving, and sinking work has been done in order to develop the mine. The upper levels are let to tribiiters, who seem to be satisfied with their success. The company have purchased and thoroughly renovated the Prince Alfred Battery, situated on the flat, near the beach, and have fitted it up with the best appliances for saving gold. The motive power being water, crushing can now bo done cheaper, enabling a lower grade of quartz to be treated, that formerly would not pay. Whau. —The ground held by this company is entirely surrounded by the Alburnia holding, and is worked from their levels. It was let to tributers, whose rights the company purchased after the Alburnia Company found good gold close to their boundary. They then sank a winze on the ruu of gold within their own ground. In the first 20 feet that this winze was sunk 20 loads of quartz were taken out, which on being crushed yielded 1,281 oz. of gold. The further sinking of this winze and other works are in progress to work the run of gold in this lode, which runs through their ground for a distance of 200 feet, while the shot of gold appears to dip into it. Punga Flat District. — New North Devon. —This mine adjoins the A lburnia on its northern boundary and is worked (on tribute) from the Whau level, through the Whau and Alburnia Mines. The tributers have been very successful, the reef (known as the Sons of Freedom Reef) being from 4 to 6 feet thick, yielding from 3to 4 oz. to the load. As the run of gold seems to extend downward, the future prospects of this company are very good. Bendigo United. —This mine lies to the east of the New North Devon, and has been worked on tribute ; but no energy was displayed in prospecting dr developing the mine, on account of the directors being unable to collect the calls. The, encouraging prospects in the neighbouring mines have now, however, induced the shareholders to pay these calls, and prospecting works have now been commenced. Columbia. —This mine adjoins the New North Devon on its northern boundary, and has lately been taken up in consequence of the improved prospects in the Alburnia, Whau, and New North Devon

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Mines. A scheme is in consideration to join with the New North Devon in extending one of the Alburnia levels through the New North Devon ground, so as to enable both mines to be prospected at a deep level. When this work is carried out, Punga Flat will be brought into immediate connection with the tramway leading to the batteries on the flat, enabling a number of reefs in this district to be tried that have hitherto been neglected on account of the cost of working and conveyance. Victoria. —This is another claim recently pegged out adjoining the Columbia. The owners have decided on a scheme for opening a low level by driving from near the Waoitahi Creek, and are now making preparations to begin work. Waiotahi Creek District. —The claims in this district are nearly all held under miners' rights. Attention has been chiefly- given to working small veins, which in some cases yield handsome returns, and give profitable employment to a number of men. In one instance (the Spero Mcliora Claim), 190 oz. of gold were obtained from four loads of quartz. The large lodes in this district have not proved remunerative near the surface, but no efforts have been made to prove what they may be at the lower levels. Karaka Creek District. —Like the Waiotahi, most of the gold produced from this district is from small veins, which gives employment to a number of miners. The nature of the rock or casing is hard, and progress is consequently slow. From all appearances it will take years before even the surfaceworkings can be exhausted. Collarbone Creek District.— Very little mining work has been carried on in this district during the year, and what has been clone has only been to test the reef's near the surface. These have proved goldbearing, though not payably so on account of cost of carriage to the batteries, having to sleigh down the quartz in bags. A vein of hematite is being worked for the manufacture of paint, which promises to become one of the local industries of the Thames. The Una Hill District is situated between the Karaka and Hape Creeks. The ground in this locality is held partly by license and partly under miners' rights, and very encouraging returns have been obtained. A new road has lately been made round the base of the hill into and up the To Papa Gully, which has induced a number to take up ground, as quartz can now be conveyed to the batteries at more reasonable rates than formerly. Hape Creek District. —A few small claims have been worked in the upper part of this creek, but have hardly proved remunerative : the claims on the lower part of the creek have, however, yielded very good returns. The Hape Creek Company's ground has been worked on tribute with good results. The company are now preparing to enter into works that will prospect the low levels. Tararu District. —The California Claim, on Fiery Creek, has given good returns from the reef known as the Black Reef, which was profitably worked some years ago. The owners are now engaged tracing the gold to greater depths. The working of the silver-lead ore found in the Ohio Creek portion of the district has not been proceeded with : the owners are waiting till the value is known of the parcel sent to England for trial. A large body of hematite has been found on this creek : preparations are being made to manufacture from it a marketable paint. On.the Waterfall Creek the Sunbeam Reef, which was worked several years ago under disadvantageous circumstances, has been again pegged out, and named the Sunbeam United, and a company is now being formed. Work has been commenced that shows it is intended to work the ground in a very systematic manner. The old tunnel is being cleared out and repaired, and tramways and shoots being constructed in order to convey the quartz cheaply to the batteries on the flat. Should the returns prove satisfactory, it is intended to work the lower levels from the tunnel which was driven some years ago from the Tararu Creek towards the Waterfall Creek. This level will give about 400 feet of backs on the reef, and, as the cost for the conveyance of quartz will be nearly nominal, a low-grade quality will be remunerative. If this undertaking turns out well, attention will be directed to other reefs in the locality which have hitherto been neglected on account of expensive carriage to the batteries. Tairua Gold Field. —During the year a considerable amount of gold has been got in the Reward Claim. There is no regular reef in this claim, the gold being found in quartz pockets in the rock. A party of tributers are working this claim, who are now making on the average £1 per day per man. In the Ajax License several payable crushings were obtained in the early part of the year; but latterly the owners have been driving a low level through very hard rock. This tunnel is now driven for a distance of 200 feet; but it will have to be further extended from ISO to 200 feet before they get underneath where the shot of gold was worked, above. If this low level is up to expectations, it will " doubtless be the means of attracting more attention to this district. The above are on the eastern side of the main dividing range. On the western side a party of men have been working with payable results. They crush their quartz with a light four-stamper battery, driven by a small steam-engine. Tapu. —No regular mining has been carried on in this part of the field; but one or two parties have been engaged in prospecting in various parts of the district. Ohinemuri. — Owhdroa District. —During the year no new ground has been opened out, the Smile of Fortune and the Radical being the only two mines at work. Smile of For. une. —The works carried on in this mine during the year have proved remunerative, both to the tributers and the owners. As the upper levels are now becoming exhausted, a lower level is being driven from the side of the river. From the prospects above good returns may also be expected from this level. Alterations have been made fo the company's battery by moving the turbine from the other side of the river to the side on which the battery stands, and conveying the water across in pipes. This is a great improvement, as great annoy ranee and long stoppages were formerly experienced through the driving wire-rope across the river continually breaking. Radical. —This mine has been worked by tributers with indifferent success; but recently a great change for the better has taken place by their finding a run that yielded at the rate of 6 oz. to the ton, giving a very hopeful future for this mine. Waitakauri District. — Waitaleauri Mine. —The operations for prospecting the mine during the past year have been very limited. Work has been confined to the surface and upper levels, which have been let.to tributers, who have earned good wages. It is to be regretted that the work of extending the low-level tunnel has not been carried out, it being considered highly probable that, had this been done, fresh runs of gold would have been found.

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Welcome Extended.-— The reef —worked by tributers —in this mine was very broken and irregular, and appeared to be in a slide. It has recently, however, been picked up in solid ground, which, combined with the fact of its containing greater quantities of gold, gives prospects of future large returns. A large reef, 8 feet thick, has been discovered at Waihi, about five miles from Owharau, which, being gold-bearing, will doubtless in time attract the attention of capitalists. The following return shows the quantity of quartz crushed and gold obtained during the year ; from which it will be seen that the gold returns are in excess of those of the previous year:—

The general prospects of the field are now much brighter than they have been for some years; one good feature towards future success being, that the companies are now combining to carry out expensive works in driving long tunnels to develop the lower levels of their ground. Another is, that, learning wisdom from former experience, in all cases, when paying dividends they now reserve a large percentage of the money to meet the cost of " dead work," which must occur in every mine, to open out lower levels as the upper ones become exhausted. The cause of the failure of many of the companies in the earlier days of the field was, not that the gold was exhausted, but it was that, when paying dividends, no reserve fund was kept, and when a necessity arose for increased expenditure to develop deeper levels, or other prospecting works, there were no funds on hand, and the shareholders could not be induced to pay calls, and in time the ground had to be abandoned, or forfeited for non-working. Another system is also now adopted with regard to ground newly taken up. In floating companies formerly, the promoters sold the shares and pocketed the proceeds; while the present plan is to put all the money thus obtained to the funds of the company, enabling a start to be made without making a call. For not working the ground there have been, in the Thames District, eleven licensed holdings or portions of holdings forfeited, representing 209 men's ground. The greater portion of the ground thus thrown open has, however, been again taken up, as also a considerable portion of the ground forfeited by me during the preceding twelve months. There have also been, for the same reason, two licensed holdings forfeited in the Ohinemuri District. I am glad to be able to report that the year has been singularly clear of mining accidents, there having been only three, none of which were fatal. In two of these cases, the men themselves were directly to blame. In one instance a miner forgot the position where a winze was being sunk, and, though it was then only 4 feet deep, he broke his leg in slipping into it. The second and most serious case was that of a miner who, though he was supplied with all the requisite tools, and these of the best description, in the most foolhardy manner, after a shot had blown, immediately re-charged with powder, without even washing out the hole. Some fire had evidently remained in a crack, causing the powder to ignite and blow out on his face and arms, whereby he lost his sight. The third was caused by a small portion of the roof in the Moanataiari Mine dropping, from what is known as a " soupy head," breaking the leg of a miner. But constant attention to, and examination of, the workings is necessary on my part —more especially with tributers, who only take up certain blocks for a stated length of time. Their whole object is, therefore, to get out as much gold, and that as cheaply as possible, during their term ; and if they can only support the ground sufficiently to last their time, they have no care as to what may come after. In enforcing with these the necessary work to insure safety, I am glad to say I have received every assistance from the mine-managers. Where miners holding claims arc poor, there has often been difficulty in enforcing works for their own safety, and constant watchfulness, as well as firmness, is required. In this work I have been most ably supported by the undervicwer, Mr. George Wilson. I have, &c, James M. McLaeen, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Mining Inspector.

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Month. Quartz Crushed. Tailings Treated. Yield of Gold. April, 1879 May, 1879 June, 1879 July, 1879 August, 1879 September, 1879 October, 1879 November, 1879 December, 1879 January, 1880 February, 1880 March, 1880 Tons cwt. qr. lb. 2,536 6 1 26 2,280 13 1 2,507 1 3 25 3,166 7 3 1 2,487 5 1 27 2,848 14 3 17* 3,777 12 3 0 2,516 5 1 22i 2,782 15 2 25 3,344 19 3 9 2,248 5 0 15 2,521 6 2 14 Tons cwt. qr. lb. 1,086 12 1 21 1.338 10 0 0 1,399 13 2 20 1,499 4 0 0 1,511 5 0 0 1,605 15 0 0 1,409 5 0 0 1,072 5 0 0 1,574 10 0 0 1.339 5 0 0 1,055 10 0 0 1,244 0 1 17 Oz. dwt. 4,228 17 3,529 3 4,992 15 4,007 13 3,290 14 4,698 10 4,786 4 3,356 2 12,788 5 4,561 2 3,029 12 6.306 10 gr1 6 3 5 2 18 12 5 0 8 0 12 Total 33,017 3 3 15 16,135 15 2 2 59,575 10 0

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MARLBOROUGH GOLD FIELDS. No. 4. Mr. Warden Allen to the Undee-Secretaey for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Picton, 19th July, 1880. I have the honor to forward you the annual report of the Marlborough Gold Fields for the year ended 30th June, 1880. During the past year there has been nothing of any very great importance to bring under the notice of the Government. The amount of revenue collected, as shown by the statistical returns already forwarded to you, will be about the same as collected during preceding year. I briefly report as follows concerning the different districts at present under my charge:— Pelorus Mining District. —The yield of gold from this district will compare favourably with preceding year, and Ido not think the number of miners has decreased. Many of them are making good wages; some who have not been fortunate in working their claims have supplemented their income by taking small contracts for repairing and forming roads. There seems to be no disposition on the part of miners in this district to desert the place : on the contrary, although a small amount of excitement has been created during the year by reported finds of gold in the Wairau Valley Mining District, I do not think that many of the miners have permanently left the Pelorus for the new gold field. This district cannot be described as a " poor man's diggings." It has always been my- opinion—l think borne out by facts—that solitary miners or weak-handed parties of miners will never do much more than earn a living. Machinery is required to work the ground properly. During the past year there has been an evident desire on the part of miners to try the effect of introducing machinery, and also of working the ground by properly-organized companies. One company, to whom ten acres of ground has been leased, is making preparations for working a portion of the terrace-ground by sluicing. This is not altogether new ground: for some time past good gold has been found on these terraces, and this company, with judicious management, will have a fair prospect of success. Another company of six or eight men has been formed for working river-claims by means of atmospheric cylinders. To the present time they have been labouring under great disadvantages in transporting their machinery to their claim. They expect to have the machinery erected ready for work in about a week. Neither of these companies is yet in a position to justify any one in giving any decided opinion as to the probability of their success : there is good gold to be obtained ; it remains to be proved if the apparatus proposed to be used will be found sufficiently well adapted to the purpose to enable the companies to collect the gold in sufficient quantity to make it a payable speculation. Other—smaller—parties, working their claims by manual labour, are doing well. If the introduction of machinery should prove a success a large quantity of ground will be taken up ; and I hope next year to have to report a marked improvement in this district. Mr. Moore has been employed for some time in prospecting the ranges for quartz reefs. A large prospecting claim has been granted to him on the assurance that he has discovered a gold-bearing reef of sufficient dimensions and of such a quality as will justify him in trying to float a company to work it. It is a well-known fact that quartz reefs are to be found on both the Wakamarina and the Wairau Valley sides of the dividing range—some of them of considerable dimensions: it remains to be proved if they are sufficiently rich in mineral to work them profitably. The expense of getting machinery on to the ground would be very great. The Wakamarina Valley is for the most part overgrown with dense bush. I would suggest that after a time a favourable opportunity should be taken by Government to sell the timber—to be removed off the ground for mill purposes —if this can be done so as not to interfere with mining operations. I have heard that it is proposed by some few of the miners to petition Government to allow them to take up homesteads. The valley is of such very limited extent that I could not recommend that any such proposal should be entertained: the revenue derived from these holdings would be \ery small, and the land thus taken up might at any time be required for mining purposes. Wairau Valley Mining District. —During the past year a little excitement has been caused by the discovery of payable gold in the Arm-chair Creek. The find was rather late in the season, winter was approaching, and the miners attracted to the spot have not had a chance of fairly testing the ground. Many have determined to stay through the winter, with the hopes of doing well next summer. The workings at present are confined principally to Top Valley Stream and its branches, although lately good coarse gold has been found in the lower terraces. This ground cannot fairly be styled a " new diggings." It is a fact that has been well known for many years that gold could be found in the different creeks and valleys on the north bank of the Wairau, from Onamalutu Valley to Mount Patriarch. I am inclined to think that, if the country above named is properly tested, this will prove to be a good gold field. At the present time there are only about seventy or eighty men at work on this ground ; but, if the level and terrace lands on the north bank of the Wairau prove to be payable ground, there will be room for a large number of miners. There is nothing to warrant a rush at present, for only a very limited extent of ground has been worked, and, although miners are making good wages, there has at the present time been no extraordinarily good find. The quality of the gold on the terraces appears to be very much like the Wakamarina gold—coarse, nuggetty gold; but higher up the creeks, nearer the ranges, I have seen samples of evidently reef gold that has not travelled very far. lam inclined to think that payable reefs may be found. In sinking on the terraces probably a difficulty may be found by having to contend with a too plentiful supply of water ; but, if rich gold is discovered, a good pumping apparatus will soon overcome this difficulty. Some time ago a lease was granted to a new company for an abandoned quartz claim known as the Sutherland Claim, situated on one of the spurs some distance up Bartlett's Valley. The new company, known as the Picton and Havelock Company, have during the past year driven about 270 feet, as follows : About 215 feet cross-drive to meet lode, and about 50 feet on the lode. The reef is about 4 feet wide, and about 270 feet from top of the hill, running north-west by south-east. They have taken put about 120 tons of stone ready for crushing. The trial-crushing of this stone did not prove very

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satisfactory. A general meeting of the shareholders will shortly be called to decide if any further work is to be undertaken. They wish to drive 50 or 100 feet further, to properly test the payable nature of the reef. A second lease has been granted for ground in the same valley, but at present no work has been done on this claim. lam informed that a company has been started for working ground in the Onamalutu Valley. They hope to find gold by deep sinking. The difficulty they have to contend with will be water. I believe they have arranged to purchase pumping-machinery. Good gold has for many years been found in this valley. Should the Wairau Valley Gold Field prove payable ground, it will be necessary very soon to provide office accommodation in that district for the transaction of Warden's business. Blenheim, Picton, or Havelock are all much too far from the spot. Miners who have now any business to do with either the Receiver of Gold Revenue, Registrar, or Warden, have to travel about thirty or forty miles. Probably an office might be rented in some convenient place, and periodical visits of the gold-fields officers might for the present provide all the accommodation required. Queen Charlotte Sound Mining District. —Golden Point and Kaipapa District:—During the past year the original Golden Point Company has been broken up, and the mortgagees have taken over the claims, and have formed a new company to carry on the work. A great deal of work has been done on the ground leased to the old company, with, at present, very unsatisfactory results. Probably with better management the returns may prove more profitable to the shareholders. Ravenscliff District: —During the past year the Ravenscliff Company have continued steadily at work. In the absence of the representative I am unable to give more than an approximate report of the results of the year's labour. They have had, I believe, five or six crushings. A considerable quantity of good-looking stone has been crushed, with a very poor yield per ton ; I should imagine not averaging more than about half an ounce to the ton. The experiment has lately been tried of letting the mine on tribute. Ido not know the exact terms, but I am informed ten of the men took the mine for a month, agreeing to pay the company 5 per cent, tribute. The men report favourably of their speculation, and were willing to continue working on same terms, but the company have resumed working on their own account. The result, as a whole, cannot be very satisfactory to the shareholders. There is no doubt that very good-looking stone has been found in the mine. Probably by adopting some better method of saving the gold a more satisfactory result may be obtained. Several other quartz claims have been granted to different parties in this district, but nothing has been done on these claims to require notice in my report. I have, &c, J. Allen, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

NELSON GOLD EIELDS. No. 5. Mr. Warden Campbell to the Undee-Secretaey for Gold FieldSs Sic,— Warden's Office, Collingwood, 6th April, 1880. I have the honor to submit annual report of the Collingwood Gold Field for the year ending 81st March, 1880. There is little alteration to report in alluvial mining in the district during the past year, the yield being about the average of the last two years ; there is, however, a chance during the current year of new alluvial ground being taken up, as a considerable amount of money is being expended in opening up lands for sale in the Upper Collingwood District, which will doubtless bring additional auriferous lands into notice. The holders of the lease next to that held by the Phoenix Company (which turned out so unfortunately) erected a ten-stamper battery worked by steam, and commenced crushing ; but, owing to want of funds (the first crushing not having realized expectations), the stamps are hung up, and an attempt is being made to raise sufficient funds by forming a company, and a prospectus has been issued to that end, and part of the shares taken up. A quartz reef, reported to be rich, has been discovered on the table-land behind Motueka, and it is expected machinery will be at work there before the end of the year. A small rush has also just taken place to the Parapara, in the bed of which stream, just above high-water mark, payable gold has been found, and it is surmised the river-bed may prove remunerative for some distance up. There is now a resident surveyor in the district, and surveys in arrears are being rapidly completed. In the Takaka there is nothing to report further than that the yield of gold is about the same as last year, the mining being all alluvial. The saw-mills, after the stagnation arising from the removal of the protective duty, are again in full work, but, owing to the market being at present glutted, the prices rule too low to be remunerative. The telegraph line will shortly be completed from Motueka to Waitapu, and will eventually be extended to Collingwood. The Parapara Hematite and Iron Company are doing nothing at present; but a new company, it is reported, will be immediately floated to work another part of the hematite deposit, on the south side of the Parapara Company's ground. The Collingwood Coal Mine is let upon tribute; but it has been worked so far on a very small scale, owing to want of skilled labour. Taking everything into consideration, I think the prospects of the district look brighter than they did when the last report was made. I have, &c, A. Le G. Campbell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden, 3—II. 26.

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No. 6. Mr. Warden Revell to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Westport, 30th April, 1880. I have the honor, in transmitting the usual statistical returns of the Buller District for the year ending the 31st March ultimo, to make the following report:— Under instructions from the Government, the late Mr. Warden Broad and I were required to exchange districts ; and in June, 1879, I was transferred from Greymouth to Westport, and took over charge of this district, extending from the River Heaphy along the sea-board to Razorback, and thence inland along the northern boundaries of the Grey Valley and Inangahua Districts to the dividing ranges, and thence to the River Hope; including the mining centres known as the Lyell, Hampden, Brighton, Charleston, Addison's Flat, the Northern Terraces, Waitnangaroa, Mokihinui, and Karamea. I have also had temporary charge of the Inangahua District during Mr. Warden Price's absence on sick-leave, and have continued in charge to the present time, pending final arrangements in contemplation by the Government for the readjustment of the Wardens' districts on the Coast. In consequence of the additional duties attached to the Inangahua District, and the great distance to be travelled over between the several Courts, averaging 300 miles per month, my time has been so fully occupied with the Courts, and travelling thereto, that I have not been able to visit any of the outlying portions of this district, or hold any sittings of the Courts at Hampden; but the Receiver of Gold Revenue at the Lyell has visited that part of the district once a month to issue summonses and notices of application to the miners. The Westport Mining District includes the mining centres of Addison's Flat, Waitnangaroa, Mokihinui, and Karamea. The number of minors' rights issued during the past year shows a slight increase in the mining population as compared with last year ; but, taking the Customs return of gold exported, there is a large falling-off in the yield of gold. No new discoveries have been reported, and mining operations —for the most part alluvial —have been quiet, and scattered over the district in isolated parties outside the mining centres named —principally ground-sluicing where water is available, whilst others are employed washing the black sand along the sea-beach, making fair wages. Addison's Flat is the principal mining centre in the district, and gives good returns, as the miners are able to command a large supply of water from the Totara River, Mountain Creek, Blackball and Waimea Creeks, and also have extensive dams and reservoirs constructed on the flat and Waite's Pakihis to collect the drainage and flood-water. Mining operations at Mokihinui and Karamea are very quiet. There are a few parties of miners working on the beaches and up the river-beds on the low flats; but, as I have never visited that part of the district, I am unable to furnish any reliable information. The Charleston Mining District extends from Addison's Flat to Razorback, and includes Brighton and Six-mile. The general mode of working throughout this district is by ground-sluicing. There are also several machines, with large water-wheels attached, in active operation crushing gold-bearing cement. The tailings from these workings are deposited in the various creeks, and the extraction of gold from these tailings as they pass down tho creeks gives employment to a considerable number of men who have laid down tables in the bed of the creek for the tailings to pass over. Considerable labour and capital has been expended in perfecting these tables, so as more effectually to extract the fine gold; and many of these claims are very valuable, yielding from £4 to £7 per week with little or no labour. The locality which was worked in 1878, and now known as Croninville, has been successfully opened up during this year, and promises well, being new ground, and a portion of it having been found payable. The country is very broken. The wash is black sand and fine gravel, overlaid to a considerable depth with loose gravel and boulders. Two large water-races, capable of carrying twentyfour heads of water caSh, have been brought on the ground from the Totara River at a large outlay. The supply being thought inadequate, another party contemplate bringing in a third large water-race, taking its supply from the same source —the Totara River—but higher up the ranges. There are about forty men now employed at Croninville, the ground being held as extended claims under the regulations ; and the miners have joined to construct a main tail-race, about two miles in length, from the head of the Croninville Gorge to the Totara River. The Four-mile, Six-mile, and Brighton workings remain in about tho same condition as last }*ear; no new discoveries have been made. The black-sand claims on the Nine-mile Beac|f and beaches south of Charleston have not been very remunerative during the past year, the beaches being covered up with a heavy layer of grey sand; but, after stiff gales of wind, this layer of sand is combed down, laying bare a rich deposit of gold-bearing black sand. These claims are very valuable, and, when covered up with sand, are carefully protected by registration. One claim, 200 feet by 100 J'eet, brought £200 at auction, and even higher prices have been obtained. In consequence of the unworkable condition of these beaches, and miners who in previous years were employed working poor ground being employed during tho past year opening up new ground at Croninville, the yield of gold is considerably less than that of the previous year. The great drawback to the advancement of mining in this part of the district is the want of a permanent supply of water. The Government water-race is not sufficient to meet the demand ;, but, if carried to a higher elevation, with the proposed supply of water to be brought in from the Four-mile River, would give a plentiful and steady supply, and throw open acres of auriferous ground at present lying idle and unproductive. The general condition is on the whole satisfactory. All parties are earning a livelihood, and it seems only to require a permanent water-supply to make this part of the district one of the most prosperous on the Coast. Regular sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts have been held fortnightly at Charleston; and it will be seen by the return appended that the number of applications and the certificates issued are very numerous, the latter exceeding an average of a hundred per month, involving a considerable amount of clerical work. The Lyell Mining District includes Hampden and Upper Buller, and extends westerly to the old diggings on the Westport Road at Burley's Hill, taking in the Inangahua Junction to Brant's Ferry at the lauding. Two new gold-bearing reefs have been discovered during the past year. The stone taken from that at New Creek is considered very rich; but it will be some time before the ground can

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be fairly tested or machinery erected, as the country is exceedingly mountainous and very broken. The County Council have voted a sum of money to form a track thereto. There are three batteries in the district, but only two at regular work. To one of the latter —that of the Alpine Company —an addition of five heads of stampers is being made, which, when completed, will tend to increase the future return of gold. Alluvial mining is in active operation on the north bank of the Buller River, between the Lyell and Hampden —in some places on the low ground between the road and river, and in others on the high terraces above the road when water can be made available for ground-sluicing. The south bank of this river, between the Lyell and the Maruia, together with the large tributaries running into it, are known to be equally auriferous, but are almost unoccupied for want of suitable tracks and appliances to work the ground. Parties of miners are also scattered over the low flats and terraces adjoining the Upper Buller, Matakitaki, and other rivers in the same locality, many of whom hold large areas of ground, and have brought in largo water-races for ground-sluicing, and are otherwise carrying on extensive operations in connection with their claims. The Manuka Flat, an extensive area situate above the Lyell Township, is known to be auriferous, and would give occupation to several hundred miners if the ground was once opened out; but the heavy expense required for that purpose has deterred men from entering upon the undertaking unless some special bonus or inducement was guaranteed to the prospectors. The revenue of the district, although not large, will compare favourably with the previous year; and I consider there is a steady advancement both in alluvial and quartz mining operations throughout the district which speaks well for its future prosperity. Monthly sittings of the Courts have been held regularly at the Lyell in the large room of Zanetti's Hotel (in the absence of a Courthouse, much required), which tends to a great extent to detract from the dignity and respect due to the Court; whilst the close proximity to the bar of the hotel certainly affects the demeanour of mining suitors and witnesses attending the sittings. The Statistical Returns enclosed herewith show that there are 450 water-races, of an aggregate length of 350 miles, with 801 heads of water, valued at £19,399; 60 tail-races, valued at £1,529 ; 139 dams and reservoirs, valued at £4,307 ; 115 ground-sluices, valued at £1,790; which, together with the mining plant, estimated at £15,050, makes the total value of mining property in the district £42,675. I append returns showing the total population, cases disposed of in the several Courts, and the number of rights, licenses, and registrations issued during the year at each office. The sittings of the several Courts at Westport, Charleston, Lyell, and Eeefton have (with two exceptions, caused by flooded rivers) been duly held on the dates originally appointed ; but this is in a great measure due to the exceptionally fine weather on the Coast during the past eight months. 1 have, &c, W. H. Eevell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, "Wellington. "Warden.

Enclosure in No. 6. The Population of the District is estimated at 3,859 Souls, who are located as under: —

Return of Cases disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts during the Year.

The Revenue for the Twelve Months, amounting to £3,800 16s. 2d., is made up as follows:—

Subdistricts or Localities. European. Chinese. Total. Vestport iharleston -yell 2,347 819 626 17 50 2,364 819 676 Total 3,792 07 3,859

i Civil. Criminal. Warden's. Total. Vestport Iharleston -yell ... i 154 10 82 135 13 42 7 12 9 296 35 133 i — Total I 246 246 190 28 464

Westport. Charleston. Lyell. Total. Warden's Department .,, R. M. Department Fees, Licensing Court ... Spirit licenses £ s. 1,109 11 167 10 9 8 576 0 d. 2 0 0 0 £ s. d. 684 9 4 31 4 0 2 18 0 168 15 0 £ s. 666 2 151 0 9 2 224 10 d. 8 0 0 0 £ 2,460 350 21 969 s. 3 0 8 5 d. 2 0 0 0 Total ... 1,862 15 2 887 6 4 1,050 14 8 3,800 16 2

H.—26.

Return of Miners' Rights, Licenses, and Registrations issued during the Twelve Months.

The Estimated Yield of Gold in District is about 15,952 oz. and 21 gr. Oz. dwt. gr. Westport... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,104 0 21 Charleston ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,348 0 0 Lyell ~, ~. ... ... ... ... ... 8,500 0 0 Total ... ~. ... ... ... 15,952 0 21

No. 7. Mr. Warden Retell to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Reefton, 23rd April, 1880. I have the honor to transmit herewith the statistical return for the year ending the 31st March ultimo, together with the following report, viz.; — The Inangahua District was temporarily attached to the Buller District, and came under my charge in June last with a view of being permanently attached if it was found that the work of both districts could be fairly performed by one officer or otherwise pending a readjustment of the Wardens' districts. In carrying out the duties attached to this district, I have only been able to attend to the actual duties in connection with the several Courts, and am indebted to the Receiver of Gold Revenue for the general information in respect of quartz and alluvial workings throughout the district. This district during the past twelve months has felt, in common with the rest of the colony, the great depression in the money market, and, as- a consequence, less activity has been exhibited in the various mines through the withdrawal of outside capital than in former years, and it has therefore had to depend almost entirely upon itself; and to this may be attributed the fact of so little prospecting being done. Attention has been directed chiefly to further opening up old established mines and erecting permanent works in connection therewith. Many hands were knocked off, and the several mines worked with a greater regard to economy, much of the work being done by contract, which has been found to answer much better than the old system of employing daylabour. Some time ago the rate of the ordinary miner's wages was reduced from £3 10s. to £3 petweek. An attempt was made to hold out against the reduction: the strike, however, lasted but a very short time; a few, sooner than accept reduction, left the district; others, again, turned their attention to alluvial mining. Some of the companies which hitherto allowed their tailings to flow away are now taking steps to save them with the view ultimately of treating them. It is worthy of notice that a few mines which have been wrought for a number of years unprofitable have been disposed of to adjoining and more prosperous companies. As an instance of this, the Wealth of Nations Company have purchased the mines of tho New Independent and Vulcan Companies, and, with their own leases, will now hold 54 acres 2 roods 19 perches. Then, again, there are instances of adjoining claims amalgamating and larger companies being formed —viz., the Alexandra with Fiery Cross Company, No. 2 South Larry's with Caledonian Company. One of the most important events of the year has been the revival of mining at the head of Murray Creek. In that locality the Golden Treasure Company have proved the existence of a very large body of payable stone. This Company was fortunate enough to purchase upon very easy terms the crushing plant, in close proximity to their mine, known as the Westland Battery, which they have kept employed upon stone from their mine for a long time past. It has been proved beyond doubt that, with greater crushiug-power, the erection of which is contemplated, and strict economy in working, this mine would take its place as one of the best-paying in the district. Advantage has been taken by two or three companies of the provisions of " The Mines Act 1878 Amendment Act, 1879," and they have made application thereunder for protection. It would appear as though some slight alteration or amendment was necessary, for, as it stands at present, it would be necessary for a company possessing two or three acres to incur a similar expenditure to a company possessing 16J acres to entitle it to protection.

16

Westport. Charleston. Lyell. Total. Miners' rights Business licenses, £5 ... £3 ... Water-race licenses, 2s. 6d. 5s. Registration, 10s. Is. Applications ... Agricultural leases Gold-mining leases 164 2 6 76 1 12 193 117 5 4 291 197 652 2 15 245 1 20 1,644 567 5 16 79 9 90 1 1,215 270 7 236 180 ". 5

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The yield of gold for the twelve months amounts, as far as can be ascertained, to 22,620 oz. 3 dwt. 11 gr., of which 4,530 oz. 6 dwt. 7 gr. is alluvial gold; the balance—lB,oB9 oz. 17 dwt. 4 gr. — being obtained from the various reefs, the yields from the several companies beiug as follows :— Oz. dwt. gr. Energetic Company ... ... ... ... ... 3,041 13 19 Welcome Company ... ... ... ... ... 4,196 16 15 Just in Time Company ... ... ... ... ... 1,572 0 9 Caledonian Company ... ... ... ... ... 107 7 12 Inkerrnan Company ... ... ... ... ... 76 3 6 United Inglewood North Star Company ... ... ... 327 2 18 Wealth of Nations Company ... ...• ... ... 1,305 10 5 Just in Time and Eiery Cross Crushing Company ... ... 117 14 7 Golden Arch Company ... ... ... ... ... 48 7 5 Pactolus Company ... ... ... ... ... 62 8 10 Hopeful Company ... ... ... ... ... 362 2 5 Golden Fleece Extended Company ... ... ... 836 13 0 Golden Treasure Company ... ... ... ... 233 5 19 Independent Company ... ... ... ... ... 602 8 2 Fiery Cross Company ... ... ... ... ... 613 8 12 Keep it Dark Company ... ... ... ... ... 4,057 16 8 Nil Desperandum Company ... ... ... ... 131 1 16 Perseverance Company ... ... ... ... ... 13 9 9 Victory Company ... ... ... ... ... 342 8 19 Graham and Allen ... ... ... ... ... 41 19 0 18,089 17 4 Alluvial ... ... ... :.. ... ... 4,530 6 7 22,620 3 11

Considerable attention has been given to alluvial mining at Italian, Burkes, Maori, and Lankey's Gullies —more especially at the last-named place, where a number of men have set to work, most encouraging prospects having been obtained in the locality. There is a great quantity of ground here, but the drawback is the scarcity of water. It has been suggested, in order to facilitate prospecting in portions of the district at present but little known, that base-lines should be cut. A track to the Maruia Plains has been opened at considerable expense to facilitate the transit of stock, and will prove a great boon to the inhabitants, as it will have the effect of considerably reducing the price of meat. The track, if extended for a few miles, would enable farmers and others on the Amuri Plains to find a market for their stock throughout the West Coast generally. All initiatory steps have been taken in the formation of the Black's Point Low-level Tunnel Company. The object of the company is to drive a tunnel from the right to the left hand branches of the Inangahua River, a distance of some two and a half miles, for the purpose of intersecting nine known golden quartz lodes at a depth of some 1,500 feet below the outcrops. These reefs or lodes have been worked to some extent, and the yield has averaged 14 dwt. per ton, a return that will leave a very handsome margin of profit over working expenses. The size of the tunnel is to be, inside of timbers, 5 feet wide at the top and 6 feet at tho bottom, 6 feet 4 inches in height from top of tram-rails to cap piece. Horse-power will be employed at first to draw the trucks, on a double line of rail; but this, it is anticipated, will be replaced by a mole steam-engine (a recent American invention now at work in the Nevada silver mines), possessing the peculiar characteristics of being able to work in a drive 4 feet high, consuming its own smoke, and doing the work of thirty mules. It will be observed, on reference to previous report, that there has been no falling-off in the revenue; and this, coupled with the fact that there are no spare hands in the field, would indicate the existence of the belief entertained in the permanency and ultimate prosperity of the district. Fortnightly sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts have been duly hold at Eeefton, where a large number of civil and criia'iual cases have been disposed of. The statistical returns herewith enclosed show that the total value of all mining property in the district is estimated at £97,122, made up as follows : Mining plant and machinery, £74,830 ; 101 headraces, of an aggregate length of 83 miles, with 417 heads of water, £18,283 ; 43 tail-races, £1,709; 5(1 dams and reservoirs, £2,300. I annex herewith return showing the total population in the district, the number of cases disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, the total revenue collected from the various sources, and the number of miners' rights, licenses, and registrations issued during the past twelve months. I have, &c, W. H. Retell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

Enclosure in No. 7. Return of Cases disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Court at Reefton during the Year.

Civil. j Criminal. I Warden's. Total. - Reefton 603 157 767

11.—26.

The Population of the District is estimated at 1,562 souls, who are located as under:—

The Eeventje for the Twelve Months, amounting to £3,673 7s. 4d., is made up as follows : — £ s. d. Warden's Department ... ... ... ... ... 2,106 19 4 Resident Magistrate's Department ... ... ... ... 550 13 0 Fees —Licensing Court ... ... ... ... ... 15 5 0 Spirit licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,000 10 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... £3,673 7 4

Return of Miners' Rights, Licenses, and Registrations issued during the Twelve Months. Miners' rights ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 262 Business licenses, £5 ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Business licenses, £3 ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 Water-race licenses, 2s. 6d. ... ... ... ... ... 101 Water-race licenses, ss. ... Registration, 10s. ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 Registration, Is. .„ ... ... ... ... ... ... 370 Applications ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 337 Agricultural leases Gold-mining leases ... ... ... ... ... ... 9

The Estimated Yield of Gold in District is about — Oz. dwt. gr. Alluvial ... ... ... ... ... 4,530 6 7 Beefing ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18,089 17 4 Total ... ... ... ... ... 22,620 311

WESTLAND GOLD FIELDS. (Including part of Nelson South-West Mining District.) No. 8. Mr. Warden Mackay to the Undee-Seueetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Greymouth, 26th July, 1880. In accordance with tho request contained in your circular of the 15th March last, I have the honor to report on those portions of the gold-mining districts under my charge which are situated in the County of Grey—that is to say, the southern division of tho Nelson South-west Gold-mining District and the northern part of the Westland Gold-mining District, extending from the river Teremakau northwards. Before entering on the question, I would beg to state, iv explanation of the delay which has occurred in furnishing this report, that, in consequence of the lamented death of Mr. Warden Broad, I was appointed to be Warden of those districts in November last, and I had not been more than ten days here when I had the misfortune to dislocate and fracture my ankle, which for a considerable period prevented my travelling about and making myself acquainted with the various mining localities ; consequently, if I had written my report on or soon after the 3Lst March, it would have been of the most meagre and unreliable character. Since that time I have visited and made myself conversant with the whole district, and, for the reasons before shown, in reading my report it may be considered as describing the present state of mining affairs rather than the actual position on the 31st March. The statistical returns are, however, compiled for the twelve months preceding that date. I will first proceed to report on that division of the Westland Gold-mining District which is included within tho County of Grey, beginning at its northern extremity at the river Teremakau. At Greenstone and Westbrook there are still a considerable number of miners, who on the whole appear to be fairly remunerated for their labour. This is perhaps as well indicated by the fact that 201 applications for mining easements and privileges have been applied for during the last twelve months. Of these 177 were granted and 24 refused or withdrawn.

18

Subdistriots or Localities. Europeans. Chinese. Total. Reefton Cronadun, Capleston, and Larry's Creek Black's Point, Crushington, and Murray Creek Antonio's Flat, Maori Gully, Devil's Creek, and Burton's Creek Black water and Little Grey 500 270 450 100 75 7 100 507 370 450 100 135 60 Total ... 1,395 167 1,562

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Some trouble has been caused at Weslbrook by the mining oper.itions damaging freehold lands. The whole question of freehold lands and agricultural leases within gold-mining districts will be subsequently dealt with in this report; so it is unnecessary to allude further to it at present. It has been considered necessary to dispense with the sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at Greenstone; and cases and applications from that place are disposed of every fortnight at Kumara. The Clerk to the Bench visits Greenstone every Monday to issue miners' rights and receive applications, &c. The Courthouse is in a state of decay, and will probably fall down within a short period. A discovery of gold was made in May last near the mouth of the river Teremakau on a Native reserve leased by Mr. John Noonan. Great excitement prevailed at Kumara in consequence, and I entered into negotiations with the lessee to cede it for gold-mining purposes under special permit if the ground proved payable. A rush ensued, but the miners were dissatisfied with the prospects obtained, and speedily returned to their claims. Mr. Noonan and his partners still persevere in working the reserve, as they are of opinion that the beach black-sand leads run through it, and some very rich claims were formerly held in the immediate neighbourhood. Beach-mining between the rivers Teremakau and Grey has fallen off very considerably. There are still some claims being worked ; but on the whole the result of mining operations during the past year in this part of the district cannot be pronounced to be either remunerative or satisfactory. Several questions have arisen in consequence of trespasses on the railway reserve. In some instances the miners assert that their holdings or easements were taken up prior to the proclamation of tho reserve, and in others they produce certificates granted by the Warden, which, although issued in contravention of section 7 of "The Mines Act, 1877," are relied on as entitling the holders to occupy the reserve, and also to claim compensation from the Crown for any infringement of their supposed rights. Inland from the beach are situated the mining localities of Rutherglen, Marsden, and Welshman's. These still support a considerable but scattered population, who are holding as a rule what may be described as payable claims. All cases or applications arising on the South Beach, Rutherglen, Marsden, and Welshman's are heard and disposed of in the Warden's Court at Greymouth every Monday. During the twelve months preceding the 31st March last, 140 applications were made for various rights and 110 were issued. The New River and Hibernian Water-races, on which the Government made advances under the Public Works Act, have never been completed, and the portions constructed have, from neglect, ceased to bo of any value. I would beg to recommend that the Government should take possession of these races in accordance with the agreements entered into between the companies and the Government. The non-cancellation of the leases of these rights tends to lock up the country, and prevents the granting of applications to divert water made by miners who desire to take up claims in that neighbourhood. The Township of Clifton was gradually deserted for Dunganville. There are still a number of miners in this portion of the district, and the yield of gold from the claims is satisfactory. At Maori Gully (Arnold) there is an evident decrease in the number of the European population; and the frequent transfers of water-races and other privileges to Chinese miners show that but few payable claims are at present held there. 1 have reason to believe that a large extent of auriferous land exists in the but partially-explored country between Maori Gully and Lake Brunner, the development of the mineral resources of which may again make the township of greater importance than it now appears to be. At Clifton or Dunganville 135 applications for privileges and easements were lodged, and 124 were granted. At Maori Gully (Arnold) 119 were applied for, and 101 granted during the twelve months ended 31st March last. Having thus briefly described the present condition of mining matters within that portion of the Westland Mining District which is included in the County of Grey, I will proceed to report on that division of the Nelson South-west Mining District which is within that county. The Cobden and Seventeen-mile Beach division, commencing at the River Grey on the south and terminating at the Razorback Range on the north, is probably the least developed but most valuable field for gold-mining in New Zealand. The auriferous character of the country on the western side of the Paparoa Range, extending from the River Grey to the Buller, is well known. There are no mining operations carried on at present in the immediate neighbourhood of Cobden. At Point Elizabeth a few claims are still held, and pay fair wages. At the Seven-mile Bluff there are five claims —two on the beach and three inland. The results are unsatisfactory. The Nine-mile Bluff is in much the same condition. The superior attractions of the Seventeen-mile Beach have caused the mining population to migrate from these localities. Between the Nine-mile and the Seventeen-mile Bluffs there are a few parties who work on the beach when the tides are suitable. For many years working the beach-claims between the Seventeen-mile Bluff and Razorback Range had beeu successfully carried on. Tho Paparoa Range, running parallel to the beach, had hardly been touched by miners until Mr. R. H. Wessels proceeded to prospect it. He was so far successful that, 'n September, 1879, he reported a discovery of gold to the late Mr. Warden Broad, who granted him a prospecting claim. The rush to the Seventeen-mile Beach then commenced, and the population has continued to steadily increase, notwithstanding the difficulty of transit of goods, and that all articles required for building (except timber) and all the necessaries of life (except meat) have to be carried on pack-horses, at a cost of 2d. per pound. After passing the Seventeen-mile Bluff, a sandy beach extends northward for ten miles. Between this beach and the foot of the Paparoa Range is an extensive flat, which, at its southern and northern extremities, is only a few chains in width ; but between those points tho hilts gradually recede. The widest portion of the flat is about a mile and a quarter. It is seventy chains from tho beach to the township, which is reached by a good gravelled track constructed by the county authorities. The mining claims are situated on the hill and terrace immediately behind the town. Two leads of gold are being worked in several of them. Some heavy pieces of gold have been found on the range

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at a higher level than the present workings, but the source from which they come has yet to be discovered; and it is confidently anticipated that a third and richer gold-bearing strata will shortly be found. There are also indications of quartz reefs in the vicinity. The claims are all worked by tunnels and drives, and the ground, with ordinary care in timbering, is of a safe description for mining operations. As regards the value of this country, I may state that I have personally seen prospects taken from the face of the drives and washed out, varying from 2 dwt. to 4 dwt. to the dish, and on one occasion, 1 oz. 7 dwt. to the dish. The wash-dirt is not deep, but narrow and rich ; but in this instance, as in others where heavy, rough gold is found, the yield per load varies considerably. Recently four men obtained by sixteen days' labour 248 oz. 2 dwt. 4 gr. out of a space about 6 feet square. From the wooded nature of the country the task of prospecting it is necessarily very slow; and, although I have every confidence in the future of this promising field, I would at present deprecate the introduction of any population from places outside the West Coast, as it might lead to considerable disappointment. There are a number of miners in the districts under my charge who are working claims which are poor in character, and others which scarcely pay wages. If auy important discovery was made these men would immediately proceed to the spot and mark out claims, and persons coming from distant places would, on their arrival here, find all the available ground taken possession of. In the flat before described there are lines of former beaches from which the sea has gradually receded. The ground dividing these is swampy in nature. The present outer beach, below high-water mark, having yielded largo quantities of gold, it is assumed, and probably with good reason, that these ancient lines of coast will also prove of a similar auriferous character. In order to test this question a Prospecting Association was formed, consisting of merchants and others, at Greymouth, who each guaranteed subscriptions to a fixed amount; with them were joined twelve working miners of respectability and great experience. The scheme which has been commenced is to construct a tail-race from half-tide mark, at the lowest possible level, through the flat to the base of the hills, so as to intersect these lines of beach. Considerable progress has been made. A few chains in from the present highwater mark the first beach was reached, and gold iv fairly payable quantities was found in it. Thence the ground became swampy with sandy substratum, and the work is now fast approaching the second line of beach. Beyond that another swamp intervenes, and the third beach can be traced, and there is a fourth near the foot of the range. The general direction of these is north and south, parallel with the present coast-line and the lead of gold in the claims. If all these old lines of beach prove to be auriferous, and they extend the whole length of the flat (ten miles), which it is believed they do, the Seventeen-mile Beach District will support a very large population. The gold in the claims now occupied is of a very heavy description in the outcrop of the lead at the edge of the terrace, and it is naturally supposed that some of it has been washed down into the flat. There are also numerous streams which have cut through the terraces ; and, as the auriferous deposit is found in the same level on both sides of them, and no gold has been discovered in the beds of these watercourses in the line of the lead, it may fairly be assumed that it has been carried into the alluvial flat below. With reference to the conveyance of stores and provisions to tho Seventeen-mile Beach population, in fine weather it would occasionally be possible to land cargo from vessels in the offing by means of surf-boats. Land-carriage is, however, the means of transit which will principally have to be depended on, and there are some difficulties in the way of satisfactorily carrying it out. From Cobden to the Nine-mile Bluff, via Coal Creek, a dray-road could be constructed at a moderate cost. The remaining eight miles would be very expensive to make, on account of the rocky and broken nature of the country. Until lately all mining cases and applications for the Cobden and Seventeen-mile divisions have been heard at Greymouth. The number of applications made during the year ended 31st March last was 241: 171 were granted, and 70 were refused or withdrawn. The Seventeen-mile Beach is now visited by mo once every four weeks, and Mr. Elmer, clerk to this department, goes there between my trips. If the district continues to grow in importance, it will probably be necessary to station a clerk permanently there. Having described the nature of the country and the particulars of mining operations on the western side of the Paparoa Range, it next becomes necessary to show the extent and relative position of the claims and workings on the eastern side of that chain of mountains as compared with those to the westward of it. The first arrived at are at Langdon's Creek. These are not alluvial claims, but quartz mines. There are thirteen holdings here, and in one case crushing machinery has been erected. One hundred tons of quartz were crushed; but the manager declined to give me any return of the yield of gold. Mining operations iv this locality are not being vigorously proceeded with at present. The alluvial claims are not numerous, but yield heavy gold. Langdon's Creek is immediately opposite to the Seven-mile Bluff on the western side of the range. Blackball Creek is an alluvial diggings, and finds remunerative employment for a few parties of miners ; its relative position with places on the west side of the range is nearly opposite to the Nine-mile Bluff. The source of the creek is at Blackball Peak, immediately behind the Seventeen-mile Beach. Moonlight Creek is a promising locality, and very heavy gold is procured there, similar to that obtained at the Seventeen-mile Beach. There are about thirty miners (sixteen English and fourteen Chinese) now working in this part of the district. Moonlight Creek is one of the largest streams flowing from the Paparoa Range to the Grey River. The source of the left-hand branch of this stream is near Blackball Peak, and that of the right-hand is opposite to the source of Canoe Creek, which flows to the West Coast about four miles north of the Seventeen-mile Bluff. As the gold obtained from the claims on both the eastern and western sides of the Paparoa Range is similar in quality and description, an opinion is gaining ground among the miners that the goldbearing stratum runs right through it. Although the country north of Razorback, and that in the neighbourhood of Brighton and Charleston, is not in my district, I would draw attention to the fact that the workings in that neighbourhood are also situated on the continuation of the range; thus proving the auriferous nature of the whole of the Paparoa Mountains.

21

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These cover a very large extent of country, being about sixty miles in length, with an average width of ten miles. The wooded and in many cases broken character of this district renders it difficult of access, and retards the work of prospecting; but in my opinion there are inexhaustible mines of wealth in it, which only await development. The Ahaura District comes next in order. Within this are included the diggings at Noble's and Duffer's Creek, Orwell Creek, Ahaura River and branches, and Nelson Creek. The population at Noble's and Duffer's Creeks has decreased very much, and only a few claims are now worked in that neighbourhood. Orwell Creek maintains its reputation as a remunerative diggings. The Napoleon Hill Company's ground is now yielding handsome returns, and there are several other claims paying either good or moderate wages. There are a few miners working on. the tributaries of the River Ahaura with tolerable success. The large extent of country lying between the Kopura branch of that river and Lake Hochstotter, and also to the eastward of the Kopura Stream and lakes, is proved to be of a payable auriferous character; but it is at present almost inaccessible for want of roads. There is a bridle-track for pack-horses for some distance up the Kopura; after which there are a few bush-tracks, known only to the straggling miners who are working in that neighbourhood. Nelson Creek supports a large mining population, who would not be able to work their claims to advantage but for the Government Water-race. The yield of gold is above the average. Actions at law have been brought in this district by holders of agricultural leases, to recover damages for injuries sustained from mining operations. There were lodged in the Warden's Office at Ahaura, during the year ended 31st March, 1880, 308 applications for mining easements and privileges : of these 235 were granted, and 73 were refused, withdrawn, or lapsed. The Notown division includes Red Jack's and Kangaroo Creeks, Headman's Creek, and Maori Creek (Notown). A good many of the claims iv these neighbourhoods have been worked out; but there are several payable holdings still occupied. Considerable population is scattered about among the numerous gullies and ranges. They, however, appear, on the whole, to be tolerably well satisfied with their earnings. I believe there is a large field for prospecting in the back country; but want of proper roads or tracks impedes progress in that direction. A hundred and forty-nine applications for mining privileges and easements were lodged in the Warden's Office at Notown during the year ended 31st March last: of these 122 were granted, and 27 were refused or withdrawn. The Chinese miners are, in my opinion, increasing in number within the Grey District. Their favourite resorts are Greenstone, Dunganville, Maori Gully (Arnold), Notown, Moonlight, and Blackwater. They are patient, plodding workers in the beds of streams or rivers, or in shallow and abandoned ground; but they appear to be averse to tunnelling or driving operations. As a rule, they are inoffensive and law-abiding. I would here beg to point out, that there being no thoroughly competent or reliable Chinese interpreter on the whole of the West Coast renders the arrangement of disputes , between Chinese miners, or between Chinese and European miners, very difficult to settle. Where Chinese alone are concerned, the plaintiff acts as a check on the defendant, and vice versa; but where the question at issue is between a Chinese and a person of European race, a good interpreter is an absolute necessity. If means are not taken to secure the services of some duly-qualified interpreter, I fear there will be some cases arise in which there will be a serious miscarriage of justice. On the question of interpretation of foreign languages, I hope it will not be deemed presumptuous on my part to state that I have a tolerable knowledge of the Maori language; and that during my official experience as a Resident Magistrate in the North Island, I have, on several occasions, sat on the magisterial bench perfectly astounded at the misrepresentations, omissions, and mistakes made by sworn interpreters of the Maori language. They could put my questions from English into Maori (a tongue which many of them understand better than the language of their European parents) ; but, when it came to the rendering of the Maori into English, they were altogether at sea, in consequence of their imperfect knowledge of the latter-mentioned language. In conclusion, I would beg to state that, after an absence of twenty years from the west coast of the Middle Island, which I left a howling wilderness, unpeopled by Europeans except a small mining settlement at Westport, I am astonished at the progress which has been made in the development of the mineral and other resources of this extensive territory ; and, when it is considered that the population who have effected these great changes have been but few in number in comparison with the size of the country occupied by them, it may reasonably be assumed that prospecting or searching for gold cannot have been thoroughly prosecuted over the entire area, but that there are yet unknown and untried districts which are probably as rich in mineral wealth as any places which have heretofore been discovered and worked. The miner on the west coast of the Middle Island has hardships to endure which do not fall to the lot of any other section of the community in this colony. The densely-wooded and rough nature of the country, the unbridged rivers, the trackless forests, the wet climate, and the difficulty of transporting provisions render his vocation arduous in the extreme, and his lines cannot be said to have been cast in pleasant places. I therefore think that he is deserving of every consideration at the hands of his fellow-colonists, and that special votes should be made for gold-fields roads, tracks, and prospecting, with a view to seconding the efforts of these forerunners and pioneers of settlement. It must be borne in mind that the local authorities do all that they possibly can to assist mining enterprise, but they are unable to accomplish all that is required from them with the limited funds at their disposal. Although not a matter strictly within my province, I have much pleasure in stating that the export of coal from the port of Greymouth is gradually but steadily increasing; and if the harbour works were completed so as to admit the loading of vessels of greater tonnage and draught, this district, with its gold, coal, and timber, would be enabled to take a leading position in this colony. I have, &c, James Mackay, The Under-Secretarv for Gold Fields, AVellington. Warderj, 4—H. 26.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 8. Return showing the Number of Applications made for Mining Privileges, Rights, and Easements, within the County of Grey, from 1st March, 1879, to 31st March, 1880.

Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Return of Miners' Rights, Licenses, and Registrations issued by Receivers of Gold Revenue of the Nelson South-west Gold Fields, at the respective Offices undermentioned, during the Year ending 31st March, 1880.

Enclosure 3 in No. 8. Return of Miners' Rights, Licenses, and Registrations issued by Receivers of Gold Revenue of the Westland Gold Fields at the respective Offices undermentioned, during the Year ending 31st March, 1880.

No. 9. Mr. Warden Giles to the Endee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Hokitika, 12th April, 1880. I have the honor to forward herewith the statistical returns for the annual report on the gold fields. In the district under my charge there is little or nothing new to report, and sufficient information for most purposes may be gathered from the tabular returns, together with a few addi» lional items which I shall append to this report.

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Name of District. Applications Made. Applications Granted. j Applications Refused, Lapsed, or Withdrawn larsden lunganville ... laori Gully (Arnold) ... 'obden and Seventeen-mile .haura fotown Ireenstone 140 135 119 171 308 149 201 110 124 101 101 235 122 171 30 11 18 70 73 27 24 Total 1,223 964 253

Cobden. Notown. Ahaura. Total Number. Value. Miners' rights, £1 Business licenses, £5 £3 Registrations, 5s. 2s. 6d. Is. 10s. o a .-. . <D 01 _ a .9-8 r_ S* « o a M 181 1 1 42 267 307 12 18 56 540 5 488 13 19 £ s. 488 0 65 0 57 0 d. 0 0 0 98 807 5 12 5 40 7 2 10 0 0 0 Toti .1 £665 2 0

Greymouth and Cobden. Clifton. [Arnold. Greenstone and Wcstbrook. Total Number. Value. $ [iners' rights, £1 ... usiness licenses, £5 £3 Registrations, 5s. „ 2s. 6d. Is. ... 519 5 6 63 73 678 189 33 44 225 132 1 33 38 293 249 2 9 1,089 7 16 129 180 1,475 £ s. d. 1,089 0 0 35 0 0 48 0 0 32 5 0 22 10 0 73 15 0 25 279 ■otal £1,300 10 0

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Departmental. —At the time of writing my last report I had only just taken charge of the district; and in the method of working it I found that some little change was necessary, which the Government, on my suggestion, promptly carried out. One improvement has been effected by the appointment of a Warden's Court at Hokitika. The Court at Kanieri has always been the only one held between Ross on the one side and the Waimea on the other; and in the busy days of the diggings this was a convenient arrangement, because the Kanieri was the most central spot for the greater number of the miners. But since the business has, to a great extent, fallen off, the Kanieri office has only been opened for business once a week, and consequently the opening of an office and Court at Hokitika, and appointment of Mr. M. F. South as clerk, has proved a great convenience to miners, who by coming into Hokitika now find an office open daily. Okarito. —Another change has been the appointment of Mr. F. Bird as Warden at Okarito. Mr. Bird previously held the office of Resident Magistrate there, and the advantage of authorizing him to deal with mining matters also was therefore obvious. Mr. Bird's appointment has rendered it unnecessary for me to visit Okarito except once in the year, to bold an Assessment Court and to hear cases in the extended jurisdiction in the Resident Magistrate's Court. The condition of mining matters in the Okarito District will therefore be reported by Mr. Bird ; but I may say that, having lately been down there and visited the new diggings near Lake Mapourika, I am satisfied that those diggings only want water to be brought to them to become important and valuable. Totara.— The future prospects of the diggings in the neighbourhood of Ross are undoubtedly intimately connected with the execution of two important works—the Mikonui Water-race and the deep drainage of the flat near the Town of Ross. The former of these projects requires no remark from me, as the work has already been undertaken by the Government; of the latter, I can only say that, unless the common estimate formed of the richness of the deep ground through which the drain is required is a greatly exaggerated one, the work must be regarded as one which is well worthy of attention and of Government aid. The ordinary mining industry m this part of the district has been much interrupted from time to time by stoppages caused by the occasional and apparently capricious raising of the price of water by the Totara and Jones's Creek Water-race Company, which has for a portion of the diggings a virtual monopoly of the supply. It is to be hoped that it may be found that prohibitive prices for water—whatever may be the object of imposing them —-will not answer any one's purpose, and that the working of the claims will not in future be thus interrupted. Some new ground has been opened lately at Black's Creek, a few miles from Ross, and I am informed that the prospects are good, and that some thirty miners are now employed there. In the management of the Totara District I must acknowledge the great help I get from Mr. Blanc, the clerk of the Ross Court, whose intimate knowledge of the district, thorough acquaintance with mining matters, and clear and excellent arrangement of all office business, have remarkably simplified and facilitated my duties. Waimea. —There is nothing new to mention in this part of the district. I think there has lately been rather a tendency to an increase of population and business, and I see no signs of this locality becoming abandoned. The principal feature in connection with these diggings is the extreme complexity of the questions that now offer themselves for decision, arising partly from the multiplication and accumulation of registered rights of all kinds for many years, but still more from the gradual filling-up of all the creeks and watercourses with tailings, whereby tho level of the beds is raised, the conditions of working arc entirely altered, and private rights are perpetually coming into collision with public interests in a manner that renders it very difficult to make practical arrangements for the accommodation of all parties. A great desire i 3 expressed by tho residents in Staffordtown and its neighbourhood that a deep-drainage tunnel should be brought up to Kelly's Terrace, where, it is said, there is good evidence of the existence of gold in sufficient quantity to warrant the execution of the work. 1 think there is reason to believe that, if the tunnel were brought up, whether by the Government or any other agency, good interest on the outlay would be obtained by the tribute paid by the claims making use of the drainage; but this would demand a little more particular inquiry. The Government Water-race must be regarded as the mainstay, to a great extent, of the workings in this locality. The necessity of a new Courthouse at Stafford has already been brought under the notice of the Government. It will be absolutely necessary to close the present one at no distant date. Hokitika and Kanieri. —There has been no new ground opened, so far as I know, in this part of the district. Prospecting is, however, going otrunder the auspices of the Hokitika District Prospect-, ing Associatien, and it may be hoped that some one or more of the parties lately organized by them may be successful in their search. The fact that the ground between Hokitika and Ross, limited as it is by the sea on one side and a good main road on the other, is still for the greater part of its area waiting to be explored, is suggestive of the exceedingly small amount of ground that has yet been prospected during the sixteen years that the West Coast diggings have been in operation. The return of gold shipped at Hokitika for the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1880, on which duty has been paid at this port is as follows : Gold, 53,339 oz. 17 dwt. 12 gr.; duty, £5,339. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. J. Giles.

No. 10. Mr. Warden Bied to the Undee-Seceetaby for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Okarito, 2nd April, 1880. In compliance with your circular of 13th March, I enclose herewith the forms, filled in with the particulars required, for the Okarito District. Mining matters are at present at a very low ebb ; but it is the general belief that there will bo a change for the better at an early date. There have been reports of several new finds. One near the head-waters of the Waiho Ei-ver caused a little excitement at the time, as some splendid samples of gold were obtained in that locality ; but the almost inaccessible nature of the country, and the great danger of the road, debarred many from prospecting in that

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quarter. Another rush took place near Lake Mapourika, and I believe it will yet be found there is a large extent of payable ground there ; but the absence of a good supply of water is the great drawback at present. A third and, so far as present reports go a more favourable field, is likely to be opened up near the forks of the Okarito River. Up to date, five or six shafts have been bottomed on payable gold, and the miners estimate, from the prospects obtained, to make from £4 to £6 per week per man. It is thought this is a continuation of the lead near Lake Mapourika, and, if so, it is likely to give employment to a large number of men. A fine seam of coal has been discovered at the Paringa, which is reported to be of very good quality. There have been some fine blocks of land opened up by new roads during the last year near the Wanganui, Wataroa, and "Waiho Rivers, which 1 hope will prove a great incentive to settlement. In conclusion, I beg to state I consider the prospects of this large district at the present time are far more encouraging than for several years past, and anticipate a large accession to our population during the ensuing year. I have, &c, Feank Bied, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 11. Mr. Warden Mackay to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Kumara, 29th July, 1880. I have the honor to report as follows on the state of the Kumara District up to the 30th June last. It is a subdivision of the Westland Mining District, and is not included in the County of Grey, being situated to the southward of the River Teremakau. It includes within its limits mining holdings in the Borough of Kumara, Dillman's Town, Blake's Lead, Dunedin Flat, Shamrock, Shallow, Zigzag, and Larrikin's Leads. The mining population, as nearly as can be ascertained, numbers 1,981. According to information received from the banks, the average yield of gold per month is about 1,600 oz. This does not, however, include parcels which find their way to Hokitika or Greymouth. The ground in the Kumara sub-district is, as a rule, of treacherous character, and requires great care in working and timbering it. The large number of stones met with also entail extra labour and expense. The sludge-channel now in course of construction by the Government will, it is believed, open up for mining a large extent of auriferous land, which but for this useful work could not be utilized. The Long Tunnel Tail-race Company's tunnel is likely to turn out a success. It commences near the River Teremakau, and is driven in the direction of the Shallow Lead. As there is little or no difference in the nature of the ground mined in anywhere in the Kumara sub-district, it is unnecessary for me to prolong this report by describing any particular claims or holdings. Taking the miners altogether, they do not appear to be discontented with their earnings, although there are undoubtedly some poor claims. There is plenty of room for more prospecting to be done, both within and without the Kumara sub-district, and an association has been formed for that purpose, aud they have commenced operations. The Government have agreed to subsidize them to the extent of half the amount of wages paid, the whole subsidy not to exceed £200. The statistical returns have been mislaid, but will be forwarded by the next mail leaving here. Since the removal of the Warden's Court from Greenstone to Kumara, I have taken measures to prevent any confusion arising between the Counties of Grey and Westland about gold-mining revenue, by still keeping separate accounts for each district. I have, &c, James Mackay, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden. 7f

OTAGO GOLD EIELDS. No. 12. Mr. Warden Robinson to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Naseby, 31st March, 1880. I have the honor to report upon the district under my charge for the past year as follows:— 1. The seasons have on the whole been favourable for mining, for, although the winter was long and severe, the quantity of snow accumulated in the mountains gave a supply of water which was very acceptable in the spring. There has been more than the ordinary average rainfall during spring and summer ; thus the supplies of water for sluicing have been maintained with unusual regularity. The miners have not failed to avail themselves of these advantages, and the season, no doubt, has been a profitable one to all those who had claims opened out. This has especially been the case at Mount Burster, where some very good washings-up are known to have been obtained. The principal item of interest in mining affairs has been the continued development of the rich ground at Vinegar Hill and Shepherds-hut Flat, near Cambrian, where a new gold-field equal to the famed Welshman's Gully may be said to be proved to exist. A considerable number of claims have been taken up, and several leases applied for, and a large water-race is being brought in from the Dunstan Creek, in addition to the numerous small races in the vicinity, most of which have been extended so as to reach the new ground. This discovery comes in very opportunely at a time when the Welshman's Gully, which has been con-

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tinuously worked for the last sixteen years, may be reasonably expected to have yielded up the best of its treasures. Already some very good washings-up have been obtained in the new ground, although but few claims are really opened out. In other parts of the district sluicing has gone ou as usual, the only difference being that a more constant and abundant supply of water has enabled the miners to work more continuously and to realize better returns than usual. 2. Some excitement was occasioned in the winter by the report of a very rich patch being struck at Fullarton's, near Hyde. It appeared that a man named Holverson, who had. been working alone for a number of years at a place known as Wheelbarrow Hill, had actually discovered an extraordinarily rich deposit, from which, in the course of a few days, he obtained several hundred pounds' worth of gold. He had for a long time been convinced that a heavy deposit of gold was there, and had been working against great discouragements to reach it. Other miners immediately marked off claims all around, and the ground was fairly rushed ; but as yet no other claims have given any satisfactory result. Most of the claims are at present unworked; but any new " find " would have the effect of renewing tho excitement, as the ground in the neighbourhood of Fullarton's is well known to have in former days yielded many a handsome " pile." 3. Quartz mining has not prospered so well as alluvial washing. Indeed, it may be said to be at present entirely at a standstill. The mines at Rough Ridge have been stopped for a time, as also the working of the Serpentine Quartz-mining Company; but it is not unlikely that both will soon be in work again. At Serpentine several reefs are known to exist, some of which have given very good prospects, and are regarded as valuable properties by the holders. 4. The settlement of the country by the taking-up of land on agricultural leases and deferred payment has continued to go on, although not quite so rapidly as last year, when there was a general rush for land. The area taken up during the year has been, on agricultural leases, 2,301 acres and 25 perches ; and on deferred payment, 4,965 acres 3 roods. There are at present in the district, held under agricultural lease, 25,448 acres 2 roods 15 perches; and on deferred payment, 19,522 acres 2 roods 29 perches: making a grand total of 44,97.1 acres 1 rood 4 perches held under the two systems. During the year 866 acres 1 rood 9 perches, previously held under agricultural leases, have been converted into freehold; and several agricultural leases, for a total area of 810 acres 3 roods 23 perches, have been exchanged for deferred-payment licenses. 5. There is still a demand for more land to be opened ; and, no doubt, if blocks of reasonable area are from time to time proclaimed about the district, the sections will be taken vp —especially if there seems to be a fair prospect of the Otago Central Railway being gone on with. 6. The want of cheap and expeditious communication has of course had the effect of keeping back the permanent settlement of this country; but with anything like certainty of a railway being available within tw-o or three years, auy fair land that might be thrown open would be readily taken. At present the want of a market for produce seriously affects the cultivator, who may have valuable crops, but be quite unable to sell even enough to give him money for the current expenditure of his farm. 7. An effort is at present being made to start a flour-mill in the district. This movement, if successful, cannot fail to prove very beneficial to the farming interest, by making it worth while to raise wheat. Hitherto farmers have grown oats as their main crop, there being no market for wheat except for feeding fowls or pigs. It will also, in a less direct way, assist mining by tending to cheapen the cost of living on the gold fields. 8. The Government water-race, in the hands of the Mount Ida Water-race Trust, has continued to be of great service to the district, bringing in a fine supply of water, which has been largely availed of by the miners. 9. The total yield of gold for the season cannot be stated with certainty, but it may be roughly set down at 22,500 oz. 10. The number of persons actually employed in mining for gold shows a decided decrease as compared with former years. This falling-off is mainly to be attributed to the increase of settlement under the agricultural-leases and deferred-payment systems. The total population of the district has not diminished to any appreciable extent; but miners who have saved a little money have been glad to put themselves in the way of becoming freehold proprietors, and others have been induced to prefer the steady earnings of agricultural work to the more precarious gains of mining. 11. The total revenue collected at this office for the year has been as follows: Gold revenue (including mining-lease rents), £1,039 lis. ; miscellaneous, £25 6s. 6d.; Warden's Court fees and fines, £32 55.; agricultural-lease rents, £3,192 55.; deferred-payment rents, £4,011 Is. 4d. : total, £8,300 9s. lOd. 12. I forward herewith the usual statistical returns. I have, &c, W. H. Robinson, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 13. Mr. Warden Steatfoed to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic, — Warden's Office, Arrowtown, 2nd April, 1880. I have the honor to forward herewith the statistical returns of the Wakatipu District, in compliance with your circular dated 13th March, 1880, and to add a general report for the year ending 31st March, 1880. Alluvial Mining. —There are about 1,075 gold-miners in my district, and of these 700 to 800 are engaged in this industry —up the Shotover, ground-sluicing; at Macetown, and in the Arrow Valley, sluicing and tunnelling; and by tho latter mode principally at Cardrona. On reference to the escort returns, you will find that the average yield of gold is about 13 oz., or equal to £50, per annum a

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man. As a rule, the alluvial miners are hatters —or masters —and are consequently satisfied with much less returns than the wages man, who demands £3 a week for having to obey orders as well as work. Quartz-reefing at Macetown is the most important industry in the district; and it is now settled by experienced reefers that we have in view work for our present population, doubled in numbers, after next winter, for many years. I say "in view," because the reefs have been laid bare, thickness of walls and quality of gold-producing quartz measured and proved to such lengths that calculations have been made as to the time it will take to stope out and crush the stone. Leaders and blows have been distinguished from main reefs, and the proper directions for driving in the several claims ascertained. A knowledge of what may be expected from certain claims for two or three years hence—the principal of which are the Homeward Bound, Tipperary, Gladstone, and Maryborough —■ has been ascertained sufficiently to encourage the shareholders (many of whom are men of considerable capital) to erect machinery, construct trams and easements, and pierce tunnels, at a large outlay. By this it may be seen that, since my last report, very considerable progress has been made in this locality. During the past year the reef's have been visited by great numbers of persons, interested and otherwise, who have, I believe, expressed themselves as very favourably impressed with the general appearance of things, and look forward hopefully to a grand future for the quartz-mining industry of Macetown. It is the opinion of every one journeying to the reefs that a good dray-road from the Arrow is much needed to assure the permanent success and settlement of the place. lam informed it can be constructed for about £7,000. The present system of packing everything required, besides its inefficiency for the requirements of the reefs, is a tremendous tax upon the resources of the mining companies. Ministers, when here, held out hopes of assistance in this matter from the General Government, and, in doing so, fairly enough remarked that the county government, in view of the additional revenue to be derived by it from the construction of such a road, should show its confidence in the resources of the district by initiating the work; and doubtless the General Government would then give it substantial aid. It is to be hoped the Council will take action at once in this matter, and secure the advantages of a cheaper and speedier development of the mines at Macetown. Three new crushing batteries have been erected or completed during the past year —one often heads of stampers by the Tipperary Company, and one each of five heads by the Homeward Bound and Maryborough Companies; so that the crushing-power now on the field consists of five batteries, with thirty-four heads of stampers. With the exception of four heads of the All Nations Company's, they are all fully employed, and ten additional heads are in course of erection at the Homeward Bound and Maryborough batteries. Crushing operations will probably be suspended from June to September, during the severity of winter; but it is intended to prosecute underground work in several mines throughout the year; and this course would become general if the road already spoken of was constructed. It will be needless to recapitulate the names of the many mining companies in operation; it will suffice to mention that nearly all those enumerated in my last report have been steadily prosecuting work. There have been no abandonments, and, so far as I can learn, no fresh discoveries; but, if the energies of the miners are properly directed to those already in hand, there is, in all probability, sufficient work to engage the attention of the present generation. The Public Crushing Company has been reducing stone all the season for the Tipperary Company, which company's new battery has, since November last, been engaged in similar work: about 3,050 tons have passed through the mills, yielding an average of 1 oz. 2 dwt. per ton. There appears to be no diminution in the dimensions of tho reef, and many years' work with similar results may be confidently anticipated. The total yield of gold from quartz in this locality for the season to date is 4,317 oz. Before winter sets in it is expected that a large crushing each from the Ladye Fayre and Gladstone Mines will be accomplished at the Public Battery, distant two and a half miles ; but this is only contingent upon the completion of a dray-road now being constructed by the county up the Twelve-mile Creek to the locality in which these and several other good claims are situated. The Maryborough Company is also busy crushing, and will contribute good cakes of gold before stopping for winter. The Main Lode Company is driving a main level below the summit of Advance Peak, 5,800 feet, above sea-level, and is making preparations fo;_* a winter campaign in this inhospitable region. It is to be hoped success will attend this spirited dudertaking. Prices have not varied since my last report, and are not at all likely to come down until the aforesaid road is constructed. They are as follows: Mining props, sto 8 inches in diameter, Is. per foot; laths, 6x 2 inches in diameter, 4s. each; sawn timber (colonial), £1 17s. per 100 feet; firewood, £8 10s. per cord; coals, 15s. per cwt.; lignite, 7s. per cwt.; blasting-powder, Is. per lb.; Fuse, Is. 2d. per coil; candles, Is. 2d. per lb.; packing from Arrow, £3 ss. per ton;, carting heavy material, £6 per ton. There are employed on the field, in mining, at the mills, on roads, and at packing and carting, about 110 men. Wages rule—for mining or battery managers, from £4 to £8 per week; miners, £3 (eight hours); packers and drivers, £2 to £3 per week; and mill-feeders, Is. per hour. There are few, if any, mechanics regularly employed. Adverse criticism of the management of the mines and companies still continues, and has certainly had good effect in some instances. Doubtless the desultory employment, in consequence of stoppages during winter, and the low pay accorded, has hitherto been the means of keeping competent men away; but, as the field advances atid work becomes more steady and regular, this matter will cure itself, no doubt: then we may fairly hope to see Macetown take rank amongst the most permanent and productive of our gold fields. Upper Shotover. —Mining iii this portion of the district has not improved much during the past year, as far as regards gold escorts from quartz reefs or alluvial claims. There have been two discoveries near the Branches, which have led to the granting of "two mining leases. ■ In this neighbourhood were found two nuggets, one weighing 15 oz. 16 dwt; and the other 2 oz. 14. dwt. These are substantial signs of quartz reefs and gold in the vicinity, but not to justify more than further prospecting by a fewmen. The New Nugget and Cornish Reef Claim, about which for several years past I have been able to report only upon expectations, has at last, uuder new auspices, made a successful start; the manager

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having sent down by escort 80 oz. of gold from the first crushing this year. At the Phoenix Reef, under the charge of Mr. Frederick Evans, there have been raised 500 tons of stone, yielding 141 oz. 3 dwt. 12 gr. This was broken from the reef at the deepest part of the mine, where it is much disorganized by a large mullock-band: the gold being found only in small leaders mixed in the band, and not sufficiently remunerative for the labour in extracting. There has been 900 feet cross-cutting and 100 feet driving on the lode effected, but without success up to date. Southberg and Co., who own the adjoining claim, have been engaged ever since the floods in opening a cross-cut that had been destroyed in 1878, and have recently found the lode, the stone of which is of good payable quality. Packing of goods to these diggings from Arrow and Queenstown costs 6s. per 100 lb.; 4-lb. loaf, Is. Id.; beef 5d,, and mutton 3|d. per lb. Cardrona Division.- —Both European and Chinese population has decreased during the year, which will be explained in comparing the escort returns of gold. Not that this portion of the district will long remain uninhabited; for, setting aside the rich deep-sinking, requiring the purse of the capitalist to develop, there are several untested quartz reefs, one of which, at the head of Boundary Creek, is being opened by a party of miners. The land on either side of the Cardrona Valley is apparently rich, arable loam, fairly watered, and easily approached from the Clutha Valley. The soil of that locality is just now being tested by the Lake County Council, who have obtained a grant of 100 acres for foresttree planting. This nursery, which is under the care of Mr. Robert McDougall (County Councillor), to whose enterprise we are indebted for the movement, is at an elevation of 1,100 feet above the sea-level, was first operated on last June, and contains at the present time 2,250 trees —Norway spruce, Pinus austrica, Sylvestus pinaster, Insignis tuberculata, and Larix europoea. With the exception of the Insignis tuberculata, which have for the most part failed, the losses have been only about 3 to 5 per cent. The intention of the County Council is to distribute these trees, when fit, among the residents of the county, to encourage settlement, and improve our town approaches, recreation and cemetery reserves. Pembroke is much improved since I last wrote. Has a settled population of eighty-eight. A schoolhouse and master's residence has been built; the average attendance of scholars is thirty; an experienced master and mistress appointed. A new steamer, to run on Lake Wanaka, will be launched this year. Kingston. —This is almost exclusively a farming district, the only other industry which is profitable in this locality being rabbit-hunting. The crops have been light, owing to the drought; but the settlers appear more satisfied with their farms than hitherto. Nearly all the land held in the deferredpayment blocks is fenced in, substantial houses have been built, and nearly all the virgin soil ploughed up. The County Council has been careful in its attention to the settlers' wants, in having bridged the swamps and cut roads to the railway-station for the transport of grain. If the Education Board would only follow in the wake of the former, and build a schoolhouse for the settlers' children, the settlement would become a permanency in every sense. I hope to be able to report this advance next year. Crown Terrace. —The ojiening of this terrace has proved a great success, and I am glad to report the land has fallen into the hands of most industrious and able men. Ploughing, fencing, and cultivating have been carried on vigorously, and, I have reason to hope, profitably, judging from the healthy appearance of the crops. The yield, when it is considered that the Terrace is about 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, and walled off from the east by a mountain 5,700 feet in height, is remarkably good, oats averaging 45 bushels to the acre, and wheat nearly 40. This land has been taken up at £3 an acre hitherto, but, by virtue of " The Land Act, 1879," I believe the balance of 2,000 acres will be selected shortly at 30s. and 20s. an acre, according to its position. Queenstoicn, which has been for years past in a depressed state, partly owing to the sudden decrease of population and scarcity of work for willing hands, and partly to its burden of debt, which fettered its Council's operations in improving the place, and which was well-nigh liquidated by a threatened annihilation during the great floods of 1878, is reviving slowly, but surely. Stone houses have taken the places of wooden buildings, and during the present year one merchant (Mr. Boyne) has built a magnificent store, which bids fair to eclipse the largest warehouse yet built. A steady influx of pleasure-seeking tourists has not only enlivened the town, but advertised it favourably; and they still come on while I write, at the rate of a .hundred a week, to taste the bracing air of this beautiful climate. The discovery of a quartz reef at the head of Lake Wakatipu is drawing attention. The crushing of small quantities at Wellington in March has been sufficiently encouraging to induce a party of six to commence operations in developing the reef, about which I can say nothing authoritative at present. Arrowtoion is still improving. New houses have been built as private residences. All the municipal reserves have been let for twenty-one years, fenced, and cultivated by the tenants. Trees are being planted in the streets, and a loan effected on easy terms to bring in a suj.ply of water for the use of the town. The Kawarau Bridge piers are fast approaching completion, and I believe during the next six months we shall be able to congratulate ourselves upon the advantages of having bridges across the Kawarau and Arrow, on the main trunk road to Dunedin in one direction, and a daily communication with the same city by the Gore and Lumsden Railway in the other. Persons travelling from Arrow to Dunedin will be able, it is said, after the Ist May to accomplish the journey between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. The population of the district, amounting to about 3,500, is made up as follows : 2,350 males, 1,150 females; of these there are Chinese, say 400. The escort returns show an export of gold amounting to 13,005 oz., value £47,916. There have been seventy-seven mining disputes and 343 cases heard in the Resident Magistrate's Courts. The total amount of revenue from all sources is about £13,242. I have, &c., H. A. Stbatfobd, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. AVarden.

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No. 14. Mr. Warden Keddell to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Clyde, 18th May, 1880. I have the honor herewith to forward the several statistical returns of the Dunstan division of the Otago Gold Fields, called for in your circular letter, for the year ending 31st March, 1880 ; and to submit the following general report of the progress and state of mining matters in the district during the same period : — The yield of gold, as obtained from the sales made to the various banks, has, to the agreeable surprise of many, exceeded that of last year, amounting to, in round numbers, 40,000 oz., against 32,000. This increase is attributable in a great measure to the handsome returns made by the Cromwell Company's quartz reef, and the yield of the Mountain Race Gold-mining Company's sluicing claim at Tinker's ; but the effect on mining enterprise —more especially on those claims worked on the riverbanks —of the disastrous flood of 1878, reported by my predecessor in the last annual report, is still noticeable. Mining in this district has principally been confined to alluvial workings—chiefly sluicing. lam glad to report, however, that in more than one direction attention has been given to prospecting quartz veins, of which there are many indications, and, I believe, will be followed successfully. The mine of the Cromwell Company is the only advanced claim of this class in this district, and its yield this year has been very satisfactory. For the last two or three months, however, the prospects of the company have received a check —of a temporary character, as I believe. This appears to be owing to a very common fault in the management of quartz mines— i. c., not proceeding with the preliminary or "dead work" in other portions of the mine whilst getting out payable stone at another. They are now sinking, and have reasonable hopes of having soon in view as good stone as that which has yielded the dividends of last year. At Cromwell, the Carrick Range Water-race has advanced near to completion; and, as many sluicing claims at Bannockburn and its neighbourhood, where the deep alluvial ground has been found to be of great extent and value, are in a great measure dependent on this company for their water, it is a fact worthy of notice. There have also been some small alluvial discoveries made on the Carrick Range, which promise well. The smaller river-workings at Cromwell, Clyde, and Alexandra are monopolized chiefly by Chinese, whose plodding industry adds considerably to the total yield of gold. The larger sluicing claims on the slopes of the Leaning Rock District, or Dunstan Mountains, at Tinker's, Drybread, and Devonshire, have yielded rich returns. The claim once known as the Blue Duek —now the property of the Mountain Race Gold-mining Company —has been especially fortunate so far as yield is concerned, but unfortunate inasmuch as the last year's labour cost them the lives of two men —one a shareholder, and the other a wage-man. The workings here are very dangerous, though lam unable to suggest any practicable improvement; and, as a fact, it must be said that the men really work with their lives in their hands. The last accident occurred in their very deep tail-race, and, in consequence of this, very expensive and necessary work is about to be abandoned, and a fresh race —the construction of which will occupy about two years —is to be undertaken. Water is scarce here, and, if the supply was more plentiful, I am satisfied that more men would find employment, as the area of payable ground is extensive. In the Waikerikeri Valley extensive alluvial deposits have been discovered, and are being worked, both in the spurs abutting on the valley, and nearer to the true base of the mountain. Judging from the nature of the drift, this appears to be a continuation of the same formation as has been found along the foot of the Dunstan Ranges, at Mount Bathan's, Drybread, Tinker's, and Devonshire ; indeed, i t would appear to be continuous from the first-named locality to the Clutha River. When the Golden Gate Company have completed their race, good results may be anticipated. Operations are sadly embarrassed by the difficulty of obtaining any outlet for the tailings, owing to the land at the foot of the several gullies having been Crown-granted to a private individual. On this subject I have before reporte d. At Teviot, with the exception of a few claims on the terraces at Potter's and Campbell's, mining is chiefly confined to sluicing on the banks of the Molyneux; and the miners are mostly old residents, some of them the original pioneers of this section of the district. Many have acquired land in the neighbourhood, and have apparently settled down permanently here. One great drawback to the success of these river sluicing claims is the uncertainty of the river-height, great damage constantly occurring to the tail-races through floods. The notice given through the Telegraph Department from Clyde has mitigated this evil materially, by posting a notice daily on the post office at Roxburgh of the state of the river at Clyde, thirty-five miles higher up. This could be improved by substituting Cromwell for Clyde, as at the former place the Kawarau and Molyneux Rivers join, and a notice from there would save three or four hours. River and creek workings are chiefly found at the Waikaia, Pomahaka, and Campbell's Gully. These workings are very precarious, not alone from their extreme elevation, but because floods are of constant occurrence, and always entail great loss of time and labour. Dredging is still carried on here (Teviot) and at Alexandra. Of late, I believe that the three or four dredges at work have been more remunerative than for some years past, and I have reason to suppose they will increase in number. Agricultural leases, &c.* —At Cromwell there have been eleven applications, for 797 acres; and I have granted nineteen applications, for 1,818 acres, many of them having been made during the previous year, and held over, awaiting survey. I have also had several applications for holdings under the 66th section of "The Mines Act, 1877." At Clyde there were eleven applications for agricultural leases dealt with. At Teviot there were on 31st March fifty-four agricultural leases in existence, covering 8,442 acres, yielding a rental of £1,055 ss. During the year seventeen holders have purchased, and others exchanged under the deferred-payment system. Settlement generally throughout the district steadily increases, and the unusually fine harvest has

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given great impetus to agriculture; but I regret to hold the opinion that this industry will meet with a severe check in the coming season, at the Teviot and Bald Hill Flat Districts and elsewhere, unless the efforts of the Rabbit Trustees are successful, as this nuisance has assumed enormous proportions of late. In my return of Warden's cases heard at the various Courts in which I preside, I have omitted any reference to applications; which, however, deserve some notice there, so as to give some idea of judicial work performed. Opposed applications are prosecuted and resisted with the same pertinacity, and occupy as much time, as cases or complaints in the Warden's Courts. The amount of quartz crushed in. the district, and the result, are as follows: Quartz crushed, 6,743 tons; yield of gold, 4,197 oz. These figures give the gold according to bank returns: the retorted gold would show a greater percentage. I have, &c., Jackson Keddell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 15. Mr. Warden Cakew to the TJndee-SecketaeY for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Lawrence, 22nd May, 1880. I have the honor to forward, enclosed herewith, statistical returns respecting the Tuapeka Gold Field for the year ending 31st March, 1880. During the year on which I now report, a considerable amount of prospecting, and that of a costly character, has been carried on with the view of thoroughly testing the auriferous-cement basins in the Wetherstone's and Waitahuna Districts. The result has not shown such success as was anticipated. The prospector's claim at Wetherstone's and two claims at Waitahuna are all that, up to the present time, have been proved to be payable. Prospecting deep cement workings is both tedious and expensive, and consequently the ground will take a long time to develop ; but with the improvements going on to economize labour, a considerable area will eventually be brought into profitable work. To illustrate what a small proportion of gold can be made to yield a profit by systematic mining, I give the following particulars showing the result from the Wetherstone's Cement-mining Company's claim for three months of this year : — Working Days. Tons crushed. Yield of Gold. January ... ... 23 ... 1,994 ... 163 oz. 15 dwt. February ... ... 23 ... 2,127 ... 130 „ 10 „ March ... ... 20 ... 1,760 ... 114 „ 12 „ The cement was all crushed with a ten-stamp battery driven by water-power, and, although the yield averaged under a pennyweight and a half to the ton, there was a net profit for the three months of £500. The yield of gold from the Blue Spur has been very large, although for some portion of the year there was a great scarcity of water, and crushing was consequently suspended. The greater portion of the gold forwarded from this district is the yield of this wonderful little hill, which has now been continuously worked for the last sixteen years. The Gabriel's Gully Company, holding an extensive special claim in Gabriel's Gull}*, are engaged in preliminary operations necessary to get their land into work. The system proposed to be followed in working the ground, principally old tailings from the Blue Spur, is quite new in New Zealand, and it is said that the small yield of a grain of gold to a ton of earth will pay the working expenses, and all over that yield will be profit. In quartz mining very little has been done beyond prospecting. A very promising reef has been discovered a few miles from Waipori, and about 50 tons of stone raised from it, upon which large expectations are founded. Should this reef bo a success, it will no doubt be a means of directing more attention to one of the best mineral districts in the colony. Already there are indications of a fresh start being made to develop some of its Resources, applications having been made for a lease of an antimony lode and a license to prospect for cinnabar. The antimony was prospected several years ago, and a trial-shipment sent to Great Britain, which gave a satisfactory yield of gold. The mining population has decreased, especially in Chinese. I estimate the numbers at present as follows : Europeans, 380 ; Chinese, 300. The yield of gold for the year, the particulars of which I have obtained from the local bank managers, is 29,287 oz., being an increase of 2,593 oz. on the yield of the preceding year. This large return gives an average of over 43 oz. for each miner employed; but a large quantity of gold comes from a few rich claims, and this, therefore, cannot be accepted as a fair criterion of the prosperity of the miners generally. The area of laud held under agricultural leases has become considerably reduced by the holders exercising their right of purchasing in fee-simple. There are now in force 192 of those leases, for an area of 21,138 acres; 137 exchange leases, area 6,950 acres; and 149 deferred-payment leases, area 24,038 acres. There has been very little demand to lease land: 6,000 acres have been proclaimed open for application ; but only two leases have been taken up. This falling-off is occasioned partly from the land being of inferior quality for agriculture, and from the low price of produce, particularly oats, the most suitable crop for the poorer lands in this district. The number of cases decided in the Resident Magistrate's Court at Lawrence during the year is as follows —civil, 320 ; criminal, 124 : and in the other Resident Magistrate's Courts, in which I preside —civil, 275; criminal, 89. In the Warden's Court there were 53 cases entered, and about 200 applications dealt with. 5—H. 26.

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The revenue received during the year was as follows : — £ g. d. Ordinary gold-fields revenue ... ... ... ... 809 5 0 Rent on depasturing allotments ... ... ... ... 635 5 6 ~ gold-mining leases ... ... ... ... 214 10 0 ~ agricultural leases ... ... ... ... ... 2,203 19 11 ~ deferred-payment leases ... ... ... ... 3,464 3 0 Fees and fines in Warden's Court ... ... ... ... 60 18 0 ~ Resident Magistrate's Court, Lawrence ... 353 10 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... £7,741 11 5 I have, <fee, E. H. Caeew, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 16. Mr. Warden Maitland to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Dunedin, 16th April, 1880. I have the honor to enclose herewith the annual returns of information relating to the state and condition of the Hindon Mining District, for the year ending 31st March, 1880. In doing so, I regret my inability to state that the expectations of last year, more especially with regard to quartzmining, have been realized. The failure in this direction is mainly attributable to scarcity of water during the summer months, and want of capital. There has been a further falling-off in tiie number of alluvial-miners, while the number of quartz-miners remains the same as iast year. Several additional gold-mining leases on quartz lodes have been taken up during the year, some of which are doubtless being held in the hope of getting stone crushed at one or other of the batteries already erected on the ground. With machinery so limited in extent, and water so scarce as at present, many of the leaseholders, unable from want of funds to erect batteries of their own, cannot fully comply with the conditions of their leases. The two companies that have erected machinery —viz., the New Caledonia Quartz-mining Company (Limited) and the Hindon Quartz-mining Company (Limited) (late Kenney and party)—have hud so many difficulties to contend with in the matters of fuel and water that they have not only not been able to crush for others, but have been able to put through a comparatively small quantity only of their own stone —say from 700 to 1,000 tons in all. The average yield from this, I have been given to understand, was about 15 dwt. to the ton, a yield which, with an abundance of water and machinery, would give a handsome profit. Steps are now being taken by these companies to bring in a larger supply of water, and it is confidently expected that when this has been done the result will be highly satisfactory, and that it will give an impetus to the whole of this branch of mining industry at Hindon. Blocks of land for settlement have recently been surveyed in the district, and are now being opened under the deferred-payments and pastoral deferred-payments systems, as also for immediate sale. In these blocks reserves for mining purposes have been made wherever, in the opinion of the surveyors, there have been sufficient indications of the auriferous character of the land. There is no reason to doubt but that, before long, this hitherto somewhat isolated locality will become a settled and prosperous district both in agricultural and mining pursuits. I have, «fee, J. P. Maitland, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

.No. 17. Mr. Warden Wood to the ~Undee-Seceetaby for Gold Fields. Sic, — Warden's Office, Riverton, Ist June, 1880. I have the honor to forward statistical returns for the year ending 31st March last. In the Waikaia, or Switzers, subdivision mining is just now very dull, the generality of miners being content with 30s. or 40s. per week. The Blackhorse Freehold Company, on Winding Creek, is erecting new machinery for the lifting of wash-dirt, which the proprietors expect will yield a large return. The perseverance and energy they have shown deserves its reward ; and if the lifting power proves a success they ought to do well, as the ground has already been tried, and proved rich. The chief drawback to success hitherto has been owing to the want of sufficient fall, which has absorbed all or the principal portion of the profits. The Chinese constitute the majority of the mining population at Waikaka and Waikaia, but at the former place are a good deal cramped on account of the land having been sold. If thoroughly prospected there can be no doubt that rich quartz reefs would be found to exist at the head of Dorm Creek, Nokomai and Gow's Creeks ; but there seems to be a blamable want of energy amongst the miners and residents in taking up the search. In tho Orepuki and Longwood gold-mining is in a prosperous state. At Orepuki the claims at work are making good returns. Round Hill, which is the favourite field for Chinese labour, is turning out well, fully justifying John's partiality ; and the Celestial population steadily increases. I should say the returns might be fairly stated at from £2 tp £8 per week. It seems a most extraordinary thing why this place, which is one of the best average poor man's diggings in the district, has not been more patronized by Europeans. It is true that water is scarce there; but the Chinese manage, by renting a few inches of water from the holders of races, to obtain the above good results. The water is held entirely by Europeans, and it stands to reason that they would have naturally given

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the preference to their own countrymen had they shown a disposition to set in to work there. Tho gold is very fine and of excellent quality, and assays better than any gold in New Zealand. The proposed sludge-channel up the Arrawarra is at a standstill. Unfortunately, it is in the hands of a private individual, who is not in a position to carry out the work to any great extent. If it were in the hands of an energetic company possessing capital sufficient to carry it up on the level it is capable of being taken on, it would without doubt afford profitable employment to nearly double the number of the present population. These two fields are situate on tho west side of the Longwood Range. On the cast side are situate the Longwood workings and quartz reefs, from which so much was expected two years ago; but the want of the indispensable capital and equally indispensable energy, coupled with the drawback of a remarkably bad season, caused a depressing lull for a time. This, lam glad to say, has been again succeeded by renewed and increased activity in mining. A good many of the right sort of men have been attracted to the place. Some of these have already done well, and others hope to do the same ; at any rate, I do not hear many complaining, and several parties are prospecting. lam informed by men whom I may term habitual gold-miners, from other parts of the colonyr, that there is payable gold in nearly all tho gullies that would pay handsomely if there was fall. Several of the quartz claims and leases are tunnelling, but I think they are not deep enough. They can get leaders with gold in them, but not any size ; and I am strongly impressed with the idea that large and, I should hope, rich reefs will be found 300 or 400 feet deeper. One battery has been erected, and, as in many other first enterprises, a mistake was made in buying what was supposed a cheap machine from Coromandel, which has proved very dear to the shareholders. The Longwood Reefing Company are crushing, and, from the quality of the stone which I have seen in the drive, it should pay a good dividend to the shareholders. I have, &c, J. Nugent Wood, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

WEST WANGANUI GOLD EIELD. No. 18. Mr. Warden Mackay to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Nelson, 23rd May, 1880. I have the honor to return herewith the forms forwarded under cover of your circular letter of the 13th March, and at the same time to state that, owing to no alteration having taken place in mining matters in the West Wanganui District during the past twelve months, there is nothing of importance to report on. I have, &c, A. Mackay, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

WATER-RACES. No. 19. Mr. H. A. Goedon, Manager of tho Nelson Creek Water-race, to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sir,— Office of Nelson Creek Water-race, Hatter's Terrace, 9th April, 1880. I have the honor to forward you general report on the transactions connected with the working and maintenance of the Nelson Creek Water-race from Ist July, 1879, to 31st March, 1880. During the past nine months a good deal of prospecting has been done, and some new ground has recently been opened up on the opposite side of the range from Ow-en's Look-out, which is likely to prove payable for a considerable extent. Free water has been given for prospecting and for opening up claims to the value of £172 19s. 2d. The value of water sold amounts to £1,75(155. 7d., and the cost of maintenance to £1,009 6s. 6d.; thus leaving a balance of £746 19s. Id. of receipts above expenditure. Taking the sales of water for the nine months previous, the present receipts show an increase of £369 17s. 6d. The average number of persons engaged in mining operations by the aid of water from the race is the same as the previous year—viz., sixty-seven; and the amount of gold obtained by them, as far as can be ascertained, has been about 3,749 oz., which represents a value of £14,246 4s. Deducting the value of water sold from this amount, it leaves £12,489 18s. 5d., which is £4 15s. 6d. per man per week. This shows the average earnings of the miners to be large ; but when the expenses of hydraulic plant and sawn timber are deducted, they are considerably reduced. With regard to the cost of maintenance, the nature of the country through which the race is constructed will always necessitate a certain number of maintenance men to look after it, as the ground is steep and liable to slips. I have, &c, Heney A. Goedon, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager.

No. 20. Mr. J. Gow, Manager of the Waimea-Kumara Water-race, to the Under-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sir,— Manager's Office, Kumara, 7th April, 1880. I have the honor to forward herewith a general report upon the transactions connected with the working and maintenance of tho Waimea-Kumara races for the financial period ending 31st March, 1880.

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Kumara. —Very many of the first claims opened out in the Kumara, which have been worked steadily ever since the opening of the field, are now worked out by the ordinary method of driving; and, when abandoned by the first owners, as is sometimes the case, they are pegged in by the adjoining claim-holders, and applied for as extended areas for sluicing purposes, the, original holdings being considered by old, experienced miners too small to justify the necessary expenditure to open out for sluicing. Therefore, occasionally the sluicers eagerly purchase some of these claims when adjoining their holdings, in order to enlarge their plan of operations, and at the same time enhance the value of their claim. Most of the sluicing claims now opened out have, from time to time, had their boundaries considerably extended since they were first opened. All these extensions, be it remembered, have been made on ground completely worked out on one level, and all these sluicing claims are, with one exception, paying well. This must be considered most promising for the future of Kumara, where there is a belt over threequarters of a mile in length by an average width (approximately) of 20 chains, of similar ground, some of which is now being applied for in extended areas in view of opening and working same by means of the Government sludge-channel now under contract. I should here mention that by extending the sludge-channel 35 chains beyond the terminal point of present contract, it would pass through and open out what is likely to be tho most extensive sluicing-ground in the district. There is much of it shallow (20 to 30 feet), and very highly spoken of by the miners. It could be opened out quickly and at much less outlay than any other part of the lead. I would therefore recommend that the extension mentioned be carried out as early as possible. Neiv Leads. —I have to report the opening of one lead since my last report. It was first opened at the lower end of Minhinuets Flat, near the Scandinavian Lead, extending over three-quarters of a mile north-west, and nearly parallel with the old Shamrock Lead. The ground is good in places, but very narrow throughout. The sinking is about 30 feet, with from 3to 5 feet of wash-dirt, and it will take about twelve months to work out. Much prospecting has been done in the vicinity of the abovementioned leads since my last report, which has enabled the miners to speak most confident^ of the payable nature of a large extent of ground by sluicing. Some praiseworthy efforts have been made to trace the main lead upward and beyond the Larrikins' Terrace. Several of the shafts got gold, and much driving was done for very little metal. So once more tho hope of further tracing the main Kumara lead is abandoned. Kapitea Dam. —The dam constructed by r the original proprietors of tho race was completely destroyed by the very heavy floods of December last. The restoration was commenced as early as possible; but the continued bad weather at the time caused much delay in getting in the foundation. The damis now nearly completed, and is 2 feet higher than it was before, which will very much increase its storing capacity, and I think it will be equal to our requirements for the next twelve months. Waimea.— There is nothing new in mining to report. Many of the sluicing claims opened will take years to work them out, and there are some of them yielding handsome returns. There are others yielding only small wages. I think, however, the average earnings of the miners here will compare favourably with any other field of similar extent on the Coast. The estimated number of men taking water from the race, and the quantity of gold obtained by them, also the approximate estimate of the collateral advantages derived from the use of- the WaimeaKumara Water-race, for the nine months ending 31st March, 18S0, may be stated as follows: Daily average sales of water, £17 12s. 6d.; daily average number of men employed, 570 ; average price petweek per head, £2 14s. ; approximate quantity of gold obtained, 19,730 oz. Tho value of water sold during the nine months amounts to £3,730 lis. 9d., and the cost of maintenance during the same period may be stated at £1,892. I have, &c, J. Gow, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager.

No. 21. Mr. P. McCarthy, Manager of the Argyle Water-race, Charleston, to tho Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib,— Charleston, 12th April, 1880. In reply to your memo. 124, of 27th March ultimo, I have the honor to report upon the maintenance of the Argyle Race from 19th May, 1879, to 31st March, 1880, as follows: — On 17th May, 1879, I was instructed by Mr. W. H. Clarke, the engineer who had charge of the survey of the race for the Government, to continue the management of the race as I was in the habit of doing for the Argyle Company—viz. (1) to keep it up with the least possible expenditure, employing no extra labour unless absolutely necessary to distribute the water; and (2) to charge the same price for the water as heretofore, and when I got the water-rent to haud it over to the Warden's clerk at Charleston. This I continued to do, and paid tho clerk £7, the first money I received for waterrent. When I took him the second instalment ho refused to take it; I then paid it in to the Public Account, and continued doing so until tho District Engineer (0. Y. O'Connor) came here in August, 1879, and gave me a general idea of tho returns and statements necessary to be made each month, and also took the accounts which were then owing for salaries and other expenses for maintenance, and forwarded the money from Hokitika (there were also two items of money paid at Westport). In October Mr. Gordon, the general manager of the Nelson Creek Water-race, came down and gave me further instructions, and also established the system of payment in advance for the water sold from the race. For this purpose a fortnight's free water had to be given, and in one case three weeks' free water ; therefore no balance was due for water on the,3.lst March, 1880. This plan simplifies matters, gives general satisfaction, and saves a deal of unnecessary trouble and bother. I also got an imprest account after Mr. Gordon's visit, which made it very simple in paying for the necessary articles and labour to maintain the race. On 26th September, 1879, the District Engineer instructed me to discontinue charging 80s. per head for water delivered at Argyle Terrace, and to charge 70s. per head,

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the same as charged for the water on Candle-light Flat. A deputation of miners waited on Mr. Gordon when he was hero on his second visit, in November, 1879, requesting that their time for using the water —viz., from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. —should be altered to from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the rate per day reduced accordingly. This was approved of by the District Engineer, on Mr. Gordon's recommendation that the price for the shorter hours be paid for at tho rate of 10s. per day per head. This commenced with the now year, and has given satisfaction to the parties concerned. During the Christmas holidays some very necessary repairs were done to the race, causing an outlay of £77, which leaves no profit on the water sold from the Ist January to 31st March, 1880. The approximate number of miners taking water from the race is twenty-six, and the amount of gold obtained by them from tho 19th May, 1879, to the 31st March, 1880, I estimate to be 1,191 oz. The estimate I think, is, strictly speaking, under the real amount of gold obtained. In conclusion, I have to state that the race as it at present is will always be breaking away and sustaining damage on every occasion of steadjr and heavy rain, causing expenditure and keeping down the profits. I would therefore suggest, if tho Government have decided to cut a new race, that it be done ere the winter sets in, when very wet weather is usually experienced here. The separate statement requested is attached. I have, &c, Philip McCarthy, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager.

No. 22. The Chairman, Mount Ida Water-race Trust, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Sic,— Mount Ida Water-race Trust Office, Naseby, 29th May, 1880. The Mount Ida Water-race Trust have the honor, in accordance with section 25 of " The Mount Ida Water-race Trust Act, 1878," to report to the Minister of Public Works as follows : — The last report of the Trust was dated the Ist August, 1879; but the accounts accompanying it were, by instruction of the Government, made up to the 30th June of that year : the present report will therefore cover the period from Ist July, 1879, to 30th April, 1880. The operations of the Trust during the period reported upon have, on the whole, proved as satisfactory as could have been expected, although the works, the Trust regrets to state, have not yet been made self-supporting. The winter of 1879 was of unusual severity and duration, necessarily causing a total stoppage of mining work, which lasted for more than three months. This entailed a great loss of revenue and extra expense in clearing out and putting the race in repair to carry a supply of water in the spring. Since then it has continued to bring in a good stream, and is now reported by the manager to be in first-rate order. The accounts of the Trust during the period (ten months) over which the report extends show the following transactions:— On Ist July, 1879, the cash in hand was £111 9s. 9d. ; and bills receivable, £200. There was also due from customers a sum of £575 3s. for water, &c. The water sold and channel fees for the period from Ist July, 1879, to 30th April, 1880, amount to £1,817 12s. 4d. There has been received in cash —from customers, £1,334 2s. 2d.; and from Government, £500. There was on 30th April, 1880, in hand, £37 6s. 9d., including £L 0 deposit; and the debts due to the Trust, after allowing for those considered bad, represented £1,007 17s. 9d. The total expenditure of tho Trust during the same period has been £2,123 Bs. 2d., divided as follows: Maintenance, salaries, &c, £1,883 12s. 7d.; new works, £239 15s. 7d. Fuller particulars of receipts and expenditure will be found in the treasurer's statement attached to this report. The Trust is aware that, in the beginning of the year that has passed, the Government entered into correspondence with the Maniototo County Council, with a view to that body taking over the control of the works. The Trust regrets that the Government could not see its way to accept the conditions on which the Council was willing to do so. The Qouuty Council, with funds at its disposal to complete the works as originally designed, and the advantage of being able to employ its ordinary staff of officials in the management, would have been in a bettor position to profitably carry on the works than a body constituted like the Trust. The race, since last spring, has generally delivered a good supply of water, the seasons since having been better than the average ; but the Trust's manager, in his monthly reports, has often had to convey the unwelcome intelligence that large quantities of water were running to waste, and this for the want of funds to extend tho race to command other ground not very far away. The Government, during last year, granted money with which an extension of over two miles was constructed, without which extension the Trust's accounts would reveal a much worse state of affairs than they do. Had the Trust been in a position to lay out some £1,000 in the further extension of the race, so as to command the whole of the workings, there is little doubt but that during the past months the revenue would have been considerably augmented, and that, too, without any increase in the working expenses. It should be borne in mind by the Government that, under the Mount Ida Trust Act, the members of the Trust receive no remuneration for their services until there is a profit, and are consequently pecuniarily interested in, if possible, bringing about that result. As matters stand, however, the Trust can hardly hope to get through the ensuing year without help from the Government. It is impossible to estimate how much may be required ; but the Trust is of opinion that emergencies may arise during the year that will necessitate the Government being called upon for assistance to the extent of £1,000. I have, &c.., H. W. Robinson, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Chairman.

H.—2B.

Enclosure in No. 22. Receipts and Disbursements of the Mount Ida Water-Race Trust from 30th June, 1879, to 30th April, 1880. 1879. £ a. d. £ s. d. June 30. To B-lanee at Bank ... ... 11l 9 9 By Extension works ... ... ... 149 14 1 BilU receivable, in hand, £200— Maintaining channel ... ... ... 281 4 0 since paid. Maintaining head-race ... ... 1,031 18 0 Aug. Stephens an I Co., bill paid ... 50 0 0 General management — Oct. Gold from race ... ... 5 3 0 Manager and waterman's salary, and „ Received from General Govern- office-rent ... ... ... 443 2 G merit ... ... ... 500 0 0 Horse, dray, and implements ... 7 17 10 1880. Forage account ... ... ... 35 13 8 Feby. Stephens and Co., bill paid ... 150 0 0 Advertising, stationery, postage, and Cash received for water and chan- stamps ... ... ... ... 14 5 5 nel fees from 30th June, 1879, Law charges ... ... ... 4 12 to 30th April, 1880 ...1,331* 2 2 Secretary and treasurer ... ... 62 10 0 Refund on cheque overdrawn ... 010 0 Spare valve ... ... ... 90 1 6 Received on deposit (to be re- Overdrawn cheque refunded (see other turned if agreement fulfilled) ..'. 10 0 0 side) ... ... ... ... 010 0 Balance in Bank ... ... 37 6 9 Total ... £2,1.61 411 Total ... £2,161 411 Assets. £ 8. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. To Cash at Bank ... ... ... 37 G 9 By Deposit paid on agreement ... ... 10 0 0 One for water and channel fees ... ... 1,007 17 9 Balance ... ... ... ...1,035 4 6 Total ... ... £1,045 4 6 Total ... ... £1,045 4 6 E. T. George, Secretary and Treasurer. Audited and compared with the Mount Ida Water-race Trust books, vouchers, and bank pass-book, and found correct. Thomas L. Shepherd, 11th June, 1880. Auditor.

34

H.—26.

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, 1879. PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF AUCKLAND.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF MARLBOROUGH.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF NELSON.

35

Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. Water-races, Sluices, &c. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Gbahamstowk... cokomandei. ... Ohinemuki £ a. d. 458 0 0 119 0 0 34 0 0 £ a. d. 3 o o : £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,605 5 9 493 9 8 292 11 0 £ s. d. 46 13 0 21 17 6 £ s. d. 11 14 0 1 12 0 £ s. d. 99 12 6 11 9 1 20 0 0 £ a. d. 2,224 5 3 647 8 3 346 11 0 ::: ... 611 0 0 3 0 0; 2,391 6 5 68 10 6 13 6 0 131 1 7 3,218 4 6 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the year, £3,952 5s. Id. i -

COH-INOWOOD ... WeSTPOBT AND ChAELESTON COBDEN" Reeiton Waivgapeka West Wanganiti Notown 89 0 0 417 0 0 3 0 0 31 0 0 3 16 14 2 0 51 15 1 292 10 0 8 6 0 74 4 6 0 13 0 1 12 0 Oil 0 155 15 7 830 19 6 308 0 0 279 0 0 39 0 0 10 16 0 183 19 6 182 0 0 122 0 0 106 5 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 11 18 0 19 0 0 6 10 0 11 0 0 1 10 0 0 3 6 11 9 0 3 15 0 192 7 6 718 7 6 16 0 0 138 10 6 37 13 0 82 8 0 0 18 0 11 9 0 0 2 0 1 "io 0 0 10 677 19 6 1,198 12 6 44 9 0 31 19 6 366 5 3 231 16 0 16 15 9 20 0 0 3 9 6 6 14 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 1,508 15 6 301 3 0 51 11 0 1,409 10 7 240 5 3 23 19 6 2 12 0 3,537 16 10 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the year, £4,227 16s. 6d.

, Havelock 74 1 0 5 0 0 3 17 6 93 10 0 j 8 19 0 2 3 0 187 10 6 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the year, £87 19s. 2d.

1t.—26.

No. 1— 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 January to 31st December, 1879. PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF WESTLAND.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF OTAGO.

36

" Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. "Water-races, Sluices, _c. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. hoeitika Kaniebi Gee ymotjtii Ross ... Stafford Okabito Gbee**. stone Maoei Gully ... Clifton Kumaea Jace:son's Bat goldsboeough £ a. d. 36 0 0 240 0 0 436 0 0 175 0 0 175 0 0 55 0 0 255 0 0 122 0 0* 166 0 0 624 0 0 .. . 19 0 0 226 0 0 £ s. d. 6 0 0 38 0 0 27 0 0 40 0 0 5 0 0 30 0 0 28 0 0 6 0 0 £ s. d. 0 7 6 6 15 0 29 13 0 7 2 6 7 15 0 1 11 6 3 0 0 10 17 6 10 15 0 £ s. d. 6 13 6 140 16 8 127 11 0 64 8 0 5 0 0 £ s. d. 0 7 0 19 0 0 31 1 0 19 17 0 18 4 0 3 12 6 18 8 6 13 17 0 11 J 9 0 18 15 0 14 0 30 11 0 £ a. d. 0 10 0 6 6 0 5 12 0 3 7 0 0 14 0 8 0 0 3 11 0 £ s. d. 0 3 0 2 2 0 3 10 6 4 10 3 8 0 0 16 6 12 6 0 0 10 0 13 0 16 6 6 1 6 £ s. d. 42 17 6 313 0 6 674 7 2 379 3 6 277 2 0 96 14 6 324 14 6 156 15 6 198 12 0 817 5 6 20 4 0 288 2 0 8 15 0 169 15 0 3 9 0 is a 6 9" 7 0 2,529 0 0 349 15 0 93 19 6 353" 4 2 186 16 0 40 16 0 35 8 0 3,588 IS 8 Gold duty received in the provincial district durin; the year, £10,403 18s. 3d.

Dunedin Nasebt Black's and St. Bathan's Manuheeikia ... Clyde Mount Bengee Cbo-iiwell QlTEENSTOWN AfiEOWTOWN L aweence S'.VITZEBS 42 0 0 660 0 0 163 0 0 109 0 0 156 0 0 186 0 0 500 0 0 145 10 0 209 0 0 521 10 0 163 0 0 324 0 0 8 0 0 63 0 0 29 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 137 0 0 16 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 60 0 0 5 15 0 42 7 6 7 2 6 4 2 6 9 6 0 7 15 0 18 2 6 12 10 0 14 2 6 17 14 6 5 19 0 13 10 0 64 13 4 213 1 8 ... 310 0 34 0 0 102 12 6 149 5 0 191 17 6 6 0 0 124 11 8 14 6 35 16 6 14 10 6 12 16 0 7 13 6 8 4 0 24 5 0 23 17 0 13 18 0 16 19 0 6 16 0 j 18 9 0 15 4 6 3 5 0 4 2 0 4 6 0 7 14 0 4 5 6 6 13 0 ... '" 0 10 0 1 10 0 0 10 0 2 7 0 121 12 10 1,036 3 2 216 18 0 135 0 6 190 15 6 215 3 0 719 3 0 300 19 6 430 15 6 859 5 0 243 7 0 491 3 8 17 3 0 11 4 0 1 12 0 10 5 0 ... ... . 0 8 0 1 3,179 0 0 458 0 0 158 7 0 889 11 8 184 9 0 79 1 0 11 18 0 4,960 6 8 Gold duty •eceived in the provincial district during the year, £10,289 16s. 7d. James C. Gavin, Receiv

It.—

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, 1880. PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF AUCKLAND.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF MARLBOROUGH.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF NELSON.

37

K3 Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. Water-races, Sluices, &c. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Roj'alties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals, I Geahajistown ... cobomandel ... Ohinemuei £ s. d. 117 0 0 21 0 0 8 0 0 146 0 0 £ s. d. 17 0 0 17 0 0 £ s. d. j I £ s. d. 208 0 0 114 0 0 34 0 0 £ s. d. 9 0 0 1 10 0 £ a. _. 3 18 0 8 7 0 * ... £ s. d. 22 8 0 9 13 0 £ s. d. 377 6 0 154 10 0 42 0 0 146 0 0 17 0 o 356 0 0 10 10 0 12 5 0 32 1 0 573 16 0 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the quarter, £1,250 lis.

i Collingwood ... Westpoet -and Charleston Ah ah ba Beeiton Wakgapexa "West Wanganui Lyell Notown 43 0 0 125 0 0 00 0 0 55 0 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 59 0 0 43 0 *0 5 0 0 0 15 0 10 5 0 2 5 0 3 5 0 0 2 0 12 19 6 124 13 4 44 10 0 188 5 0 1 19 0 22 11 0 6 19 6 7 4 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 3 15 0 3 16 0 0 7 0 3 18 0 0 10 0 5 8 0 69 0 6 286 18 4 128 4 6 265 2 0 4 4 6 24 2 0 120 14 6 66 10 6 14 0 0 6 0 0 Oil 0 15 0 0 3 15 0 2 2 6 16 0 0 38 15 0 15 0 0 o" 8 0 2 12 0 6 1 6 402 0 0 40 0 0 22 10 0 440 2 10 46 8 6 13 3 0 0 12 6 964 16 10 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the quarter, £1,137 15s. 6d.

I * Havelock 33 0 0 j 5 0 0 15 0 49 10 0 1 11 0 90 6 0 1 Gold duty received in the provincial district during the quarter, £21 9s. lOd.

H.— 26.

38

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 January to 31st March, 1880. PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF WESTLAND.

PROVINCIAL DISTRICT OF OTAGO.

ndcO©©CDCO©©CD©CD CD © ff ; O ,t> >ffl N CO « CD N W O OS (-H HHHH i—1 r-1 1—I rH , Ol CO "*D O ■*? M O CO >D N ' <-* •^ H W ■* N iO M IO CO CO O OS cq 1-1 i-i co o CO © 3 o <_> _3 o o I 1300000 ©© © o « CO J>- 1> rH © © © t> MHH r-i _r-i : : :©t-j in -*-* OS S g « a r^ © © © © © O © © © © o ,c©C0C<JC0iCiCOfMCD OS CO C0©i>(NrH©rHrH -rH : -"-ft o I CO d o "8 '§_ P. r^OOOOOOOO©© © „;tPi>cdhoi>qqco"!ti *t> t-H i—t rH rH H rl H rH „^©C00aC005rHrH(_SJrHfM '■ <•■*■* rH o N 00 CO OS IO O OS CO CO d is la-8 y Si ■"?« * o (bed r*cj CD O © © rA t> © © © „ : : cd vo os : • - co • I ■ <¥J CO I> CO I> CO rH © S © to o n3 ■S3 ffil>0(MI>lMOmiMiOI> <N ON^rtCOHONcoO •' J> <M os cm © is '© ,g '> o o o .2 pq -^jooooo o o rnOOOOO O O ■Sft tH <N rH O o O CO o r-i © +3 .2 '© © © r^OOOOOOOOOO o o o .2 |5| mOOOOOOOOOO o o „,iOD^ONCOOONQO -CO £> Si H W CD i> « H CO M »o ■* i> oo r-i rH CD 1 o 00 CD y. h3 o O W M 3 £ oa o cb a o W £ cb

toooooooeo*. os CO oi30c.cco*#c.ovoma>ii_ rH rH -H rH r-l •* -—i __ c_ IO O -fl IO IO -O CO O- O 00 CO CI u.mDC.-icoO-iNoim'M CO <N rH rH rH W ** r"C__ Sis o o o o O IO CO : O ' * ' ' : 'o © • -1 rH . a Op: rH 05 r. a -*. 1-9 OO OOOOOOO O O 05 O t-CO 0- 00 CO o rH rH r-l CO : co io : : co in io oo co -*? i> |H 04 OOOOCOOOOOOCOO o f-IK^CDcq^HOCOH^H rH rH rH o rH t3 rH oi-ooooi-wrioon o IN in c5 go CO 41 OO O OOO^I 00 OO O OOOC0 CO rH rH oo os ' : co :_>coo500 '© CO O r. tJi 0- CO <"*-* rH rH o o © en rH O US © ■A bo n3 CDOOOCOOOC0OOCOCD CO *>OWO-*OtflbWWNt» i-l r. rH r-l rH t> IM © is "3 .5 > o © —I o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o © io co © ' * * co co * o co : rH r-l CO r-i CO 00 .9 oooooooooooo o t3 © '© o © ft s !3 oooooooooooo o (MtOM^ONHNNOlH** HQ^tl-IUi^lfiiaO'. ffi r. rH rH CD CO CO in : :\ :::::::: : • ■ < H • -«s • : @ - • - - ■ • 3 k *o| H £ B !*. M K l*.__"'Mi:'r_-H£*;.-fe' i ''a5 p_^wwh5Sp,«5m p to pq 3 q g o GH h^ do O

H.—26.

No. 3. COMPARATIVE RETURN of Revenue derived from the Gold Fields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1878 and 1879, showing Increase or Decrease under each Head of Revenue.

39

Auckland. Nelson. Marlborough. Westland. Otago. Heads of Revenue. 1878. 1879. at a 0- _ 01 _ _ 01 1878. 1879. © © © A © 1878. 1879. I © © R 1878. 1879. © «_ © a © fl 1878. 1879. © © rH a © © a £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Miners' Rights 1,003 611 392 ! 1,598 1,509 89 111 74 37 2,647 2,529 118 j 3,293 3,179 114 Business Licenses 3 3 1,059 301 758 17 5 12 811 350 461 | 574 458 116 Water-races, Sluices, &c. 8 ... 8 65 51 14 I 5 4 1 128 94 34| 123 158 35 Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties ... 3,514 | 2,391 | 1,123 2,420 1,409 1,011 85 93 8 965 353 612 2,092 890 1,202 ; Registration 84 68 16 156 240 84 13 9 4 186 186 171 184 13 ... Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts... 66 13 53 1C0 24 76 2 2 67 41 26 83 79 4* ' Survey Fees Depasturing Licenses and Assessments ... Timber and other Licenses ■ 5 "■ Miscellaneous ... 444 131 313 128 3 125 3 3 1,008 35 973 19 12 7 Gold Duty 7,583 3,952 3,631 3,893 4,227 334 40 88 48 8,411 10,404 1,993 10,577 10,289 2S8 ! I I Net 5,538 Net 1,655 I ! I I Totals j 12,707 7,169 9,419 7,764 274 Net 1 14,223 13,992 Net 231 16,932 Net 1,683 275 15,249 James C. Gtayin, Receiver- General.

H.—26.

No. 4. COMPARATIVE RETURN of the Total Amounts of Gold Fields Revenue (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the Years 1878 and 1879, and the Quarters ending 31st March, 1879 and 1880, showing the Increase or Decrease in respect of each District.

1st January to 31st March, 1879. 1880.

40

Provincial District. District. 1878. 1879. Increase. Decrease. _Trc___i_A__i>... rELSOI. TAMBOKOTOH Vestiand Grahamstown Coromandel Ohinenrari Collingwood Westport and Charleston Cobden ... Ahaura ... Reef Ion ... Wangapeka West Wanganui Lyell Notown ... Havelock ... Hokitika ... Kanieri ... Greymouth Ross Stafford ... Okarito ... Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton ... Kumara ... Jackson's Ray G'oldsb orough Dunedin ... JNaseby Black's and St. Bathan's Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell... Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence... Switzers ... Orepuki ... £ 3,467 1,161 497 280 1,503 61 827 2,114 85 24 332 301 234 52 609 1,012 639 311 47 323 178 178 2,128 5 328 138 1,345 201 77 155 414 863 894 542 1,043 310 373 £ 2,224 647 347 156 831 678 1,198 44 32 366 232 187 43 313 674 379 277 97 325 156 199 817 20 288 122 1,036 217 135 191 215 719 301 431 859 243 49,1 £ "s 34 "50 2 £ 1,243 514 150 124 672 6L 149 916 41 69 47 9 296 338 260 34 "21 "22 ITAOO 15 1,311 40 16 309 16 58 36 199 144 593 111 184 67 118 Total ... Deduct Increase Net Decrease 23,051 15,490 358 7,919 358 7,561

-UCKIAND... .EESON [aelbokough Westland Grahamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri Collingwood Westport and Charleston Cobden ... Ahaura ... Reefton ... Wangapeka West Wanganui Lyell Notown ... _. Havelock ... Hokitika ... Kanieri ... Greymouth ... ' Ross Stafford ... Okarito ... Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton ... Kumara ... Jackson's Bay Goldsborough Dunedin ... Naseby Black's and St. Bathan's Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell... Quoenstown ,* Arrowtown ... .*, Lawrence... Switzers ... Orepuki ... 553 189 48 40 183 124 286 8 21 125 60 46 12 68 125 160 77 27 49 26 38 193 1 69 14 310 79 18 58 43 290 108 88 208 70 ' 142 3,956 377 154 42 69 286 128 265 4 24 121 67 90 20 56 247 171 55 23 50 37 65 197 29 103 4 3 7 44 8 122 11 1 11 27 4 176 35 6 21 4 _ 12 "22 4 92 55 351 64 26 25 66 206 129 170 198 53 229 4,212 23 41 41 1 'TAOO "8 15 "23 33 21 82 84 10 17 Total ... Deduct Decrease Net Increase "87 700 444 ""256 444 James C. Gayi: Eeceiver- General.

11.—26

41

No. 5. RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Gold Entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand during the Year ended 31st December, 1879.

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, 1880.

Totals. Entered i.or Duty at Produce oe the Gold Fields i_. the District oe Quantity. Value. luckland ... Auckland Oz. 37,901 £ 154,295 Picton Marlborough 879 3,460 _T elson Nelson ... 2,993 11,424 -f elson iVestporfc ... 3-reymouth Hokitika West Coast 1,858 18.120 68,641 54,203 7,224 72,482 274,570 216,785 142,822 571,061 dunedin Invercargill Otago 92,866 10,003 367,857 40,011 Totals 102,869 407,868 287,464 1,148,108 Customs Department, Wellington, 4th June, 1880. William See Secretary and Inspector 'I if Customs.

Produce of the Gold Fields in During the Quarter ended 31st March, 1880. Entered for Exportation to THE 31st December, 1879. Total entered for Exportation from I*Tew Zealand to the 81st Mabch, 1880. Entered for Duty at Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. j Value. -Luckland Auckland Oz. 11,787 £ 47,403 Oz. 1,249,104 £ 4,567,915 Oz. 1,260,891 £ 4,615,318 Wellington Picton Wellington Marlborough '"215 "850 30 46,840 120 181,730 30 47,055 120 182,580 kelson Nelson 1,096 4,129 1,622,587 6,442,709 1,623,633 6,446,838 kelson iVellington iVestport 3-reymouth Hokitika 1 [•West Coast I J r ! j 1 I 405 43 3,970 14,922 14,275 1,589 172 15,879 59,688 57,098 134,426 Dunedin > Otago 1 33,615 2,423,166 9,599,663 2,456,781 9,734,089 invercargill 29,827 2,762 120,352 11,048, 15,361,243 3,937,808 15,492,643 '■'. 32,589 131,400 3,905,219 Totals .. 79,302 318,203 9,246,946 36,153,380 9,326,248 36,471,588 Customs Dej Wcllii lartment, igton, 12th April, 1880. . Seen W.ILDIA itary and Ins .M Seed, ipector of 0 .atoms.

H.—26.

No. 7. COMPARATIVE Return of the Quantity and Value of Gold Entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand for the Quarters ended 31st March, 1880, and 31st March, 1879.

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, 1880.

42

Quarter ended 31st March, 1830. Quarter ended 31st March, 1879. District of Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland tarlborough felson rest Coast 'tago ... Oz. 11,787 215 1,096 33,615 32,589 £ 47,403 850 4,129 134,426 131,400 Oz. 9,567 560 1,193 41,764 21,616 £ 38,108 2,240 4,518 167,035 85,592 Totals 79,302 318,208 74,700 297,493 297,493 Customs Department, Wellington, 12th A; William Seed, :ary and Inspector of Customs. iril, 1880. Secre

Mining District, Price of Gold per Ounce. Price charged per Ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. Price charged for I Water per Sluice- j liead per Week. Remark.. Auckland— [ £ s. d. 2 10 0 to 3 16 2 5 0 to 3 3 0 £ s. d. 0 8 0 to 0 14 0 0 6 0 to 0 10 0 £ s. d. North Hauraki South Hauraki i 0 7 6 40 in. Maexboeough— Pelorus Wairau i 3 18 6 10 0 20 in. x 2 in. Nelson— Charleston 3 17 0 { 0 10 0 to 0 15 0 2 5 0 40 in. {as 3 16 0 3 17 3 ) Cobden and Notown ... West Wanganui Ahaura Collingwood ... Lyell 3 16 0 3 13 6 3 16 0 3 13 0 3 16 0 3 17 0 3 15 0 5 0 0 1 "6 0 | 40 in. 40 in. Westland— Hokitika and Kanieri ... Waimea Totara Greymouth ... Clifton (Dunganville) ... Arnold Greenstone ... 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 to 6 0 0 J 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 20 in. x 2 in. 40 in. 20 in. x 2 in. 40 in. Kumara 3 16 0 40 in. New River Maori Gully ... Okarito 3 15 6 Otaoo — Hindon 3 15 6 10 0 to 6 0 0 6 6 0 Tuapeka 3 15 6 Dunstan 3 15 6 10 0 40 in. longwood Orepuki Waikaia Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) ... Mount Ida ... ... ... : . 3 16 6 0 17 6 6 in. 3 15 6 3 15 6 3 15 0 0 12 6 10 0 i 6 o 10 0 40 in. 16 in. x 1 in. l

fi.—26.

No. 9. NUMBER of Miners Employed during the Year ending 31st March, 1880.

SUMMARY.

43

Alluvia) .-miners. Quartz■miners. Totals. Mining Disthict. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. Grand Totals. -tTCKLAND — North Hauraki South Hauraki lABLBOEOtlGH — Pelorus Wairau Queen Charlotte Sound .ELSON — Collingwood Takaka Inangahua Ahaura, Nelson Creek Half-Ounce Moonlight Little Grey and Noble's Blackwater and Snowy Creeks ... Orwell Creek Callaghan's Creek ... Seventeen-mile Rush Brunnerton and Jones's Flat ... Cobden and North Beach Notown Blackball Charleston Westport Lyell West Wanganui Vestland — Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Woodstock Blue Spur and Arahura Kanieri River Hauhau and Big Paddock Kumara Greymouth Greenstone and Westbrook New River Arnold Okarito Jackson's Bay and Big Bay Clifton (Dunganville) )tago— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde Cromwell Alexandra Nevis Roxburgh Black's Waikaia Upper Waikaia Nokomai Waikaka and Waikawa Orepuki and Longwood Wakatipu Gold FieldArrow Macetown Cardrona Kawarau Bracken's Motatapu Naseby Kyeburu and Clarke's Hamilton's, Sowburn, &c. Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine Maerewhenua St. Bathan's and Ida Valley ... Other localities 225 965 225 965 225 965 81 29 "4 28 81 33 28 81 33 28 99 20 269 150 410 99 20 679 150 99 20 829 250 30 17 55 18 90 28 240 150 50 150 17 217 200 261 16 250 30 17 55 18 90 28 240 150 50 150 17 217 200 307 20 16 * 266 30 31 65 90 90 37 240 150 50 200 25 217 200 357 20 14 10 72 14 10 72 "9 "9 50 8 50 8 "50 46 20 "50 560 285 396 190 59 34 560 285 396 190 59 34 750 344 430 1,971 200 350 10 80 90 1,971 200 350 10 80 90 1,981 280 440 "80 90 "70 "80 90 "70 150 90 200 "50 200 "50 250 28 370 35 450 110 84 155 220 34 25 12 35 150 12 300 30 200 75 55 150 100 100 40 25 100 200 20 10 48 380 35 550 116 84 155 220 34 25 12 35 240 12 300 30 210 75 55 150 100 100 40 25 100 200 60 680 65 760 191 139 305 320 134 65 37 135 440 100 6 "io 90 450 300 300 25 750 325 1,075 170 45 55 40 90 90 15 15 ... 170 45 55 40 90 90 15 15 260 135 70 55 55 25 35 120 20 85 10 "l5 55 40 35 135 20 85 10 140 50 35 155 40 "20 20 15 "20 20

.trOKLAND lAI.H-OI.OUGI-.ELSOI*. Westland itaqo Totals 1,190 ... 1,190 ... 1,190 110 ... 32 ... 142 ... 142 2,161 379 476 ... 2,637 379 3,016 4,132 583 ... ... 4,132 583 4,715 2,723 2,032 556 35 3,279 2,067 5,346 9,126 2,994 2,254 35 j 11,380 3,029 14,409

a.—26.

No. 10. RETURN showing the Average Prices of Provisions and Live Stock for the Year ending 31st March, 1880.

44

r. _ _ _ 1 2 *Sg u 01 _ r. r-> H _i 01 5 -1 I Ir 1**.Ste oH Lite Stock. 01 O w o Meat. o O O Eh P. i O rH O ***. _. '. 02 01 p. o p. o_ tin •9 Mininl. Djstbict. _ 01 _. 1 Per hM. Per Gallon. l ; I Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. ! 1 Per lb Pel * J. er IB. 1Q0 Ib _ Per Head. '1 i 1 Per Quart. d. 6 6 i i i ! ! Per 100 lb. Per Imp. Bushel. Per Head. Per Head. Per Head. Per Head. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. ] b. Per Gallon. Attceland — North Hauraki South Hauraki MAELEOEOUaH — Qn. Charlotte Sd. ... Pelorus Wairau Nelson — Takaka Collingwood Inangahua Cohden Notown Lyell £ 5 5/ 6 48/ 25/ d. __4 2 i 1/6. 1/-1/6 1/3 iod-1/3 /IO 8d.-l/ 2/ 16/ 1/8-2/ 14-16/ 5-15 7-10 15/-20/ 5/ - £ 5-50 5-60 d. 6 5 d. 6 34-5 d. 6 5 d. 5 4 d. 1-2 1 ! d. 6 5-6 3/ S/-8/6 ■■/« 24/ 16/-40/ 5/" 10/-20/ 12/-15/ 30/-60/ 20/-30/ ... j 4 4 1/3 1/4 1/3 12 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/ 1/2 !' 2/ j 20/ ! 2/ j 20/ I 2/6 \ 19/ 8-10 8-10 7-10 10/ 10/ ... 6 5 6 6 4 3 6 6 6 6 6 4 4 li 2 2 7 5-7 5-7 3/6 3/6 4/ 1 8/ 7/ 12/ 1 ... 5 5/ 7 10/ 5 5/ 7 9 24/6 33/6 22/ 24/ 28/ 3 3 2 3 __ 12 2 2 2 2/ 1/6 1/9 1/6 2/ 1/ 1/ 1/ 1/6 2/ i 14/-17/ 2/ : 25/ 1/9 15/-20/ 1/9 * 25/ 2/ ; 34/ 2/ 18/ 1/9 17/ 2/ ! 22/ 2/ xv * 6/-8/ 10 15/ 12 12 13 30/ per 100 lb. 7-20 14 10/ 8 10/ 40/ 30/ 20/-40/ 20/ 10-50 40 16/-18/ 20/ 30/p. cwt. 80/-90/ 100/ 20/-120/ 30/ per 100 lb. 20/-100/ 40/ 40/-80/ 6-7 8 7 6 8 6 8 7 6 7 6 1/ 8 1/ 1/ 6 6 6 5 6 4 5 6 li 3 2 4 6 6 7 5-6 7 8 3/-3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6 6/-1I 7/ 8/ 6/ 7/ 15/-20/ 18/ 15/-30/ 20/ 20/ 10-60 20 25/ 16/ Westport Charleston Ahaura West Wanganui ... Westland — Waimea Totara Hokitika & Kanieri Okarito Greymouth . New River Arnold Greenstone and Westbrook Jackson's Bay Clifton (DunganOtago— [ville) Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell ~" Clyde Alexandra Black's Teviot Nevis Orepuki, Longwood Waikaia Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Mount Ida 5 3 6 10 25/ 24/ 26/ 28/ 2_ 24 3 1/6 1/6 1/9 1/3 16 1/6 1/6 1/3 1/ 2 7/ 9/ 30/ 12/ 10-40 12 15-25 10/-20/ 14/6 10/-15/ 8 7 6 6 8 6 5-6 8 8 9 6 6 8 5 6 6 6 2 4 4 2 6 6 7 6 3/6 3/6 3/6 6/6 6/ 18/ 15/ 18/ 15/ ... ... ! 6 6 10/ 5 7 10/ 6 5 24/ 28/ 25/ 26/ 3 3 3 __ 3 2 1/6 1/6 2/ 2/3 1/6 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/ 1/6 1/3 1/ 2 18/ 2/ 18/ 2/ 17/ 2/ 27/ 2/ 20/ I 1/9 15/-20/ 7/6 7/ 6/ 6/-8/ 12 12 12 9-14 13 12 20/ 20/ 20/ 10/ 30/ 30/ 25 20 25 12-25 20-60 25-60 17/ 18/ 14/ 20/ 15/ 15/ 60/ 60/ 50/ 20/-60/ 80/-120/ 100/ 7 6 6 8 7 6 5 4 6 6 7 7 9 8 10 10 8 4 5 6 1/ 8 6 4 4 4 6 4 4 3 3 2 3 3 2 6 6 6 7 6-7 5-6 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/6 3/6 6/6 6/6 8/ 18/ 18/ 15/ 18/ 22/ 15/--S5 22/-26/ X" 25/ : 3 1/9 1/6 i/ 2/ j 24/ 10/ 20/-40/ 15^40 25/ 20/-120/ 6 6 1/ i'/ 5 "i "7 3/6 j 6/-8/ 21/ 6 25/ 3 2/ 1/9 1/3 1/9 28/ 9/ 10 30/ 20-80 20/ 60/-120/ 7-8 j [ 6-8 V 9 5 * 4 7 3/6 6/ 20/ 7'" 25/ 3 2/ 1/9 1/ 2/ 25/ 9/" 12-15 25/ 20/-120/ 6 6 1/ 1/ "i 3 "6 3/6 6/ 20/ 4 15/ 5-8 25/ 26/ 24 1/6 - 1/ 1/6 1/ /10 2/ 16/ 1/6-2/ 12/ 4/" 6-10 10/ 8-30 10-35 10/ 3/-10/ 20/-80/ 6 5-7 4 3-6 10 6-8 "■4 3 4 2 2 6 5-6 3/ 2/6-3/ 6/6 5/6-7/ 16/-30/ 6 10/ 28/ 2 1/6 2/ 15/ 5/ 25/ per 100 lb. 10-35 8/-11/ 25/-40/ 6-8 8 6 4 19/ 2/ 1/ 4-6 7-10 7 3/6 i «/ 24 1/6 1/6 1/4 1/3 1/ 1/ 2/ 18/ 2/ 26/ 2/ 2/ 5/ 4/ 2 10/-7 7-50 7/-10/ 20/-70/ 6 6 5 4 8 7 5 6 3 5 7 7 . 3/6 3/ 6/ ... 3 ... G 30/ 2.1-2.1 j 2 2; 1/6 1/9 1/3 1/6 if 2/ 12/ 1/9-2/ 15/ 2/ 1/9-2/ 4/ 6/ 5-10 4-12 10/ 15/ 10-60 15-50 12/ 6/-11/ 5/-100/ 20/-30/ 6 5-8 5 3-5 6 S 6 6 4 5-6 2 3 6 6-7 3/ 2/6-3/ 7/ 5/-6/ 20/-30, 17/

11.—26.

No. 11. Table showing the Average Rate of Wages per Week, for the Year ending 31st March, 1880.

45

; Mining District. General Managers. Legal Managers. Mining Managers. Engineers. Enginedrivers. Stokers. Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Miners. Labourers. Boys. Chinese. Agricultural Labourers. Domestic Servants. - Auckland — kj) North Hauraki... OS South Hauraki... Maelboboxj&h — Pelorus Queen Charlotte Sound ... Nelson — Collingwood £ s. d. £5 to £10 £100p.ann. £ s. d. £1 to £2 £1 to £2 £ s. d. £4 to £8 £5 to £8 4 "o 0 £ s. d. £3 to £6 £3 to £4 4 0 0 £ s. d. £2 10s to £3 £2 10s to £3 I I £ s. d. 2 10 0 2 2 0 £ 8. d. £3 to £310s; £214sto£3| £ s. a. £3 to £310s j£214sto£3 3 0 0 3 0 0 £ 8. d. £2 2s to £2 8s £2 2s to £2 8s 3 0 0 3 0 0 £ s. d. 2 0 0 £116s to £2 2s 2 8 0 I 2 8 0 i £ s. d. 15/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ 110/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ £ s. d. ... £ s. d. 2. 8 0 1 16 0 £ s. d. 10/ to 18/ 8/ to 12/ | 9/ to 12/ per day 9/ to 12/ per day 3 0 0 7/ to 8/ per day 3/ per dav! 7/ to 9/ per day 5/ to 10/ Takaka lnangah.ua Charleston Westport 7 6 0 £1 10s to £3 £5 to £6 5 0 0 5 6 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 5 6 0 3 10 0 14/ per day 4 10 0 3 10 0 14/ per day 3 0 0 3 0 0 127 per day 3 0 0^ i£2to£210s ! 1 10 0 110/ to 30/ ... I ... 30/ and found 20/ and found 20/ to 30/ 1 10 0 0 10 0 10/ to 20/ ... £310s to £4 £3 to £3 10s 10/ to 12/ per day 3 10 0 £3 to £3 12s ... ... Lyell ... Ahaura 10 0 £1 to £2 6 0 0 I £410sto£5; i 6 0 0 ! £3 to £4 £2 10s to £3 10s 4 0 0 £210s'to£3 5 0 0 £3 10s to £4 10s 4 10 0 5 0 0 £4 10s to £5 10s 4 16 0 3 10 0 £3 10s to £4 2 10 0 ' 15/ to 20/ ... £2 to £2 10s 2 10 0 30/ to 40/ 0 12 0 20/ to 30/ Cobden £350p.ann. 10 0 | 6 0 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 11/ to 12/ per day 3 10 0 8/ per day 1 0 0 i 3 0 0 10 0 Notown West Wanganui Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Clifton (Dunganville) Grey mouth Greenstone and Westbrook Okavito New River Maori Gully (Arnold) Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Clyde Alexandra Black's Teviot Nevis ... Waikaia 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 ... 1 6 0 10 0 1 6 0 - I 5 0 0 4 10 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 | ... 6 0 0 6 0 0 I £25 p. mth. I ... 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 ... 3 6 0 4 10 0 ! 4 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 16 0 4 16 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 16/ per day 4 10 0 4 16 0 4 16 0 4 16 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 12/ per day 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 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 25/& board 20/& board 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 1 10 0 ... 3 0 0 I ... 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 30/ and board £2 and board 1 io 0 ! 1 10 0 10 0 15 0 10 0 15/ to 25/ 15 0 £1 to £1 15s £1 and board 15 0 3 0 0 ... | 1 0 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 £1 to £1 10s 5 0 0 j £3to£310s! 14 0 0 1 3 10 0 3 0 0 £210s to £3 2 10 0 3 0 0 £3 to £3 10s 3 0 0 £3 to £3 12s £2 2s to £215s £2 8s to £214s 2 8 0 £2 2s to £2 8s 1 10 0 0 15 0 30/ to 36/ £1 to £1 5s 10/ to 20/ 6 0 0 10 0 4 0 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 I i 3 12 0 4 4 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 j J 1 10 0 2 8 0 10 0 10/ to 20/ ••'• ... •• 3 12 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 0 15 0 1 10 0 15 0 £30 to £50 per annum 0 12 0 10 0 I Orepuki and Longwood ... Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Mount Ida " ... 5 0 0 8 0 0 15/ to 20/ 110 5 0 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 12 0 4 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 0 15 0 1 16 0 1 10 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 15 0 £4 to £5 £3 to £4 £3 to £4 I £3 to £4 4 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 1 10 0 I i 2 8 0 ! 2 8 0 15/ to 20/

H.—26.

No. 12. TABLE showing approximately the Number, Description, and Value of the Water-Races, Tail-Races, Dams, Reservoirs, and Ground Sluices in operation during the Tear ending 31st March, 1880.

46

Wateb-baces. Tail-races. Dams. Eesestoies. Gnor/BD Sluices, Mining Districts. Number. Length in miles. Number of Sluice-heads. Approximate Cost. Number. Approximate 'Cost. Number. Approximate " Cost. oroximate " Cost. Number. Approximate Cost. Number. Approximate Cost. Auckland — Hauraki North Hauraki South Mablbobotj&h — Pelorus ... Wairau ... Nelson — Oollingwood Takaka ... West Wanganui Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Ahaura ... Cobden ... Notown ... Wesiland — Waimea ... Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara ... Greymouth Greenstone Clifton (Dunganville) Maori Gully (Arnold) Okarito ... Otago — Hindon ... Tuapeka ... Clyde Cromwell ... .„ Alexandra Black's Teviot ... Nevis Waikaia ... Orepuki and Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby ... Kyeburn and Clarke's Hamilton's, Sowburn Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine ... ... Maerewhenua St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Other localities £ 3,000 85,000 £ £ £ £ 14 25 10 20 45 130 2 " 102 2 ' 100 1 "600 28 1 35 li 51 2 1,400 80 11 3 200 20 11 300 1 75 31 94 2,100 30 500 54 700 2 101 311 83 56 146 74 93 83 221 92 38 197 45 25 6 447 465 210 146 212 133 115 500 18,283 13,805 2,964 2,630 20,000 3,108 5,000 43 25 15 20 86 8 31 1,709 780 259 490 16,500 863 775 56 87 29 20 109 34 57 2,300 2,168 485 104 6,900 741 1,325 3 i',550 2 13 100 242 6 80 750 40 1,000 4,800 20 300 ... 788 70 115 95 98 78 77 78 15 359 60 75 108 82* 60f 40 20 11 939 200 222 128 147 152 100 100 43 19,500 1,600 20,000 13,328 6,893 14,835 4,000 4,000 2,000 803 120 144 79 46 61 23 54 4 6,850 850 1,000 2,580 2,185 2,550 600 1,200 150 1,007 50 152 17 134 36 75 108 6 7,000 1,200 2,000 1,500 5,262 2,615 1,850 2,000 150 360 " 8 4,400 "275 350 50 40 77 34 63 54 60 3,400 300 600 500 220 2,550 350 500 11 289 13 1,011 20 914 560 20,000 10 592 200 8,000 9 226 140 • 7,000 ... I 8 75 "■ 240 650 680 150,000 220 4,500 74 4,500 410 ! 4,020 119 130 320 44 65 30 15 26 36 46 70 5 190 240 360 150 205 103 84 42 88 133 286 21 268 125 620 132 220 78 55 43 93 155 302 19 19,000 8,200 42,000 26,000 12,000 6,000 1,400 4,500 5,000 12,000 31,500 2,000 200 450 130 45 25 15 20 25 28 45 5 5,000 13,000 12,000 2,500 3,000 3,000 400 2,000 1,250 14,000 400 73 50 58 15 15 10 18 5 16 4 5 250 3,200 6,700 1,400 1,100 500 1,300 200 2,000 5,000 200 "l8 1,500 ... ... ... ... I ... ... ... , ... ... • ... •

H.—26.

No. 13. Number of Machines employed in Alluvial and Quartz Mining for the Year ending 31st March, 1880. Machinery employed in Alluvial-Mining. Machinery employed in Quartz-Mining.

47

Mi_n_*G Districts. .3*3 T3 Ctj •ga fH a 0 a? .1*3 I a s H 3 to00 !y .*_ a o art t O a 1 t_ a P. a 3 CH 0> (3 *XJ ■goo .01 01 BO .si n Steam-engines tmployed Winding, Crushing, &c. W3.3 01 a. a VI *rO is *_- is sg, .s-l c_> 3 Approximate. Value of all Mining Plant Included in this Keturn. j No. Aggregate Horsepower. 8a o ! i I ! Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki ... 8 34 42 214 1,104 1,318 7 41 85 602 687 I 4 24 28 1 *234 £ 42,000 180,000 - * i !___: i - I 1 i' - I" - ... ! Marlborough — Ravenscliffe and Queen Charlotte Sound ... Pelorus and Wairau ... ________ ■■■ i i " i 48 I 1 1 i ... 222, 000 "56 56 3 3 2 41 1 10 ... , I ... 2,000 56 _^_J 1 ... 1 1 - 2_ - 4t - I ... ... I i r ' - 10 2,056 Nelson — Collingwood ... West Wanganui Inangahua ... Charleston ... Lyell Westport Ahaura Notown Cobden ... ... i i 1 ! '" i '" 1 ! I HH y 1— 52 5 5 20 1 10 118 1 2 11 10 10 180 2,200 1,000 74,830 7,050 7,000 1,000 2,400 400 2,673 ... ! "4 I ... ... 80 70 250 I 43 1,800 150 150 2,595 ... j 13 6 "2 60 53 180 48 160 40 10 556 50 1 50 13 "2 79 i i ... ! :::• j ... 1 "V ... I i 3 23 "*6 3 "2 - "2 ... 3 #17 I "' 4 _____ 70 1 ... io 73 2_ 79 "1 _7 I i '"1 9 '"l4 142 "l 18 "io 233 ... ___i 1 1 I L 17 Westland — Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri ... Greymouth ... Clifton (Dunganville) ... ... Arnold Greenstone and Westbrook Okarito Kumara i 91 I 98,553 I 1 ii 1 3,450 44 120 650 150 100 2,500 1 6 150 60 70 56 48 20 47 1 4 4,400 3,200 1,500 790 400 350 2,686 ... I i 'A "10 2 j , ... I 1 - 1 i '" i ... I - 1 1 ... I 1 - ] i - i ! 1 i n 3,500 10,514 ... ! 120 t 571 14 ! 1 - 1 "1 i 12 'I "J4 14 - 1 i - i ... 1 "| 1 '"l5 15 — ... ! ! - ... 1 ... I 'I 1 I *■■ '1 I 4,500 Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Clyde, Cromwell, Alexandra, Black's, Teviot, Nevis Orepuki and Longwood Waikaia Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) ... Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's ... Hamilton's, Sowburn ... Hyde and Fullarton's... Macrae's, Strath Taieri, and Shag Valley... Serpentine and Maerewhenua ... St. Bathan's, Ida Valley, and other localities ... 13 1 ... i ; 2 ... ! ••• 17,826 i 10 500 1,000 20 30 2 10 soo '30 45 -. 150 150 160 I I I ... 2 2 32 "40 3 4 7 28 29 59 1 4 4 1 2 "4 5,000 14,000 40,000 4 4 ... 1 250 1,000 256 260 100 40 15 50 40 75 "4 7 30 10 70 160 20 25 10 2 20 55 '"4 40 4 ... ... I 550 2,500 50,000 2,000 1,200 450 200 350 1,000 2,600 ... 2 "1 *8 104 '"5 2 I i '" 1 "l6 "l 1 '"5 10 "l ... I 11» I 1 - 1 5 154 I I 150 - I 160 I I - I 2 i ! - 1 ! 3 i ... 2 I 2 !' 3,596 61 1,214 88 24 235 15 119,850

H.—26.

No. 14. SUMMARY.—Number of Machines employed in Alluvial and Quartz Mining for the Year ending 31st March, 1880.

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, 1880.

48

[achinert E: :i*loyed in Ali .uvi. .L-; !ii.i: :<_. Machin: Qu. 3EY EMPLOYED IN .ETZ-MlNING. Mining Districts. 0) o a to g *3 ■a 3 p. I O as ft 1 3 c_ - <** t_ o p fH**? _ o ®M .2 53 3 5. t. -c* .3 S _____ 6 t_ o a 0 S *3 .*» a a 3 P. _j 0) -ft I) M o5 y rS'--' 5; - .« 3 « O -;. q* y £h fH ft : s-. ■+_ ■--,, "- So |*.1 3_ I CD .9 o a I o p. Si ei em Wi Cr. No. team- j « .ployed .3 indium, ; 3 isiiiiig*. a &C * .ii .*. Aggre* 3 h. p. j 6 ! 1,318 48 _ 41: 1 . 142 18 L 15! ... . 88 24 1 1,604 91 o P. ! m o i ■s i >-» Q u o to ft Approximate Value of all Mining Plant I included in =g i this Eeturu. I P. £ 234 222,000 ...! 2,056 17 98,553 ...\ 17,826 2i 119,850 253^ 460,285 .UCK1AND -AKLBOROUflH .ELSON Vestland •TAflO 56 ! 2,595 ■ 10.514 3,596 42 2 9 1 7 687 10 233 28 1 "4 "2 2 ... 13 2 26 8 61 556 571 1,214 I "a 70 19 119 I ... I "* . 1! " ' 73 : 22 Il54 ...j 1 "2 14 150 • ••1 79 i 2 2 "9 2 "e -5 '160; 235 15 3 "i TOTAI j I [ 16,761 ! i I i 4 4 15; 95! ' 2,341! an ! 6 1249 166 239 I I 5 '61 1,165 52 6 9

Jnder "Mini .united Liabi and Anici ing* Companies .Uty Act, 1805," iding Acts. rndcr Joini .•Stock Act. -del* " Mini Act, og Companies 1872." Mining Distbict. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. -.UCKLAND— Worlli Hauraki* South Hauraki* £ £ s. a. £ £ a. d. * £ 8. d. Sta-ON— Inangahua Collingwocd ... Charleston Westport Lyell Ahaura West Wanganui 5 156,000 122,987 13 4 1 9,000 4,950 0 0 31 550,000 244,220 6 3 1 1 80,000 1,800 11,000 34,055 4 1,800 0 11,000 0 iVESTLAND — Greymouth Waimea Totara Kanieri Kumara Clifton (Dunganville) ... Greenstone and Westbrook 156,000 122,987 13 9,000 4,950 0 0] 36 642,800 291,075 11 1 6,000 3,500; 0 0 2 1 19,000 8,000 5,44o" 0 0 8,000 0 0 i 12,000 10,006" 0 "i 1 10,000 6,000 5,006" 0 0 6,000 0 0 "i 4,480 4,480' 0 0 22,000 14,500 0 0 31,480. 17,920 0 12,000 10,000 0 DTAGO— Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Clyde Black's Orepuki and Longwood ... Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby Hyde and Fullarton's ... Maerewhenua ... St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Serpentine ii 5 "5 40,975 37,100 17,400 18,602 0 0 19,780 0 0 9,000 0 0 10,000 2,455 0 0 2 * 9 4 3 10 11 ! 12,000 85,200 87,000 38,000 236,000 9,000 0 43,721 15 60,440 0 13,100' 0 55,300 0 5 24,620 24,620 0 0 1 4 6,000 16,600 4,500 0 11,460 0 "2 19,600 19,600 0 0 i 2,400 1,920" 0 Total 28 139,695 91,602 0 0 10,000 2,455 0 0 45 483,200 199,441 15

H.—26.

No. 16. RETURN of the Number of Mining Leases in force on 31st March, 1880, the Extent of Ground Leased, and Rental per Annum.

No. 17. RETURN of the Number of Agricultural Leases in force on 31st March, 1880, the Extent of Ground Leased, and Rental per Annum.

49

Mining District. No. Gross Acreage, Rental per Annum. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. Eental per Annum. A. E. r. £ s. d. A. K. P. £ s. d. .UCKLAND— Hauraki North .,, Grahamstown ... 2 1 17 0 11 2 1 32 34 2 9 4 18 0 Westland— Waimea Totara Kanieri and Hokitika Kumara Greymouth Okarito Jackson's Bay Dunganville 3 5 44 0 0 41 2 0 44 0 C 42 0 C 19 2 3 39 0 9 "2 1 6*0 0 5 0 0 6 0 C 5 0 C lAELHOEOUGH— Ravenscliffe, Queen Charlotte Sound Wairau ... 4 15 109 2 0 13 0 0 107 0 10" 0 C "bison— : ** Collingwood West Wanganui ... Inangahua Charleston Ahaura Westport Lyell Cobden Notown 10 9 1 56 35 21 12 10 15 2 9 1 107 0 12 16 2 4 123 2 16 72 2 6 16 0 0 765 2 28 194 0 0 187 1 29 154 3 23 155 1 32 233 3 9 20 0 0 110 0 0 17 0 0 127 0 0 69 10 0 16 0 0 791 0 0 195 0 0 190 10 0 150 0 0 160 0 0 241 0 0 25 0 0 Otago— Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Black's Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby Kyeburnand Clarke's St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Other localities 1 23 16 81 4 1 6 0 0 234 0 0 212 0 0 488 2 33 82 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 247 0 0 218 0 0 524 0 0 82 0 0 6 0 0 60 3 1 384 0 8 17 0 0 54 0 0 397 0 0 17 0 0 54 0 0 14 1 85 0 0 10 0 0 85 0 O 10 0 0 161 1,799 3 7 1,838 0 0 220 1,578 3 1 1,646 0

Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annum. ! Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. Eental per Annum. Auckland — Hauraki, Ohinemnri 80 A. B, P. 3,959 3 7 £':x. d. Otaoo— 197 19 0 j: Hindon — : Tuapeka 197 19 0 j: Cromwell A. k. _?. 21,138 2 37 9,824 0 0 3,550 0 0 £ a. d. 2,652 2 6 1,228 0 0 443 15 0 80 3,959 3 7 192 75 22 Nelson — Nelson Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Grey Valley Cobden Notown 5 17 48 29 40 41 87 17 22 889 0 19 3,342 2 22 454 0 0 2,545 3 33 2,341 2 6 4,760 0 19 1,116 3 34 900 2 39 V1JUO ... --.. — Alexandra 22 10 0 !| Black's 88 3 6 'j Roxburgh 399 4 0 | Waikaia 63 9 6 Orepuki and Long282 1 6 wood 262 17 0 | Arrow (Wakatipu 538 11 0 | Gold Field) 115 12 9 I Mount Ida District 104 10 0 ! (various localities) 5 54 18 174 0 0 8,442 0 0 2,355 1 2 21 15 0 1,055 5 0 295 7 6 269 14,246 3 17 1,833 13 0 130 25,448 2 15 3,181 10 0 306 16,351 0 12 1,876 19 3 j Westland — Waimea Greymouth Arnold Okarito 765 85,179 1 31 10,711 8 0

H.—26

50

No. 18. RETURN of the Number of Licenses under "The Gold-mining Districts Act, 1873," for the Year ending 31st March, 1880.

No. 19. RETURN of Cases in the Wardens' Courts, and Costs Awarded, for Year ending 31st March, 1880.

Mining District. Number. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annum. .UCKLAND— North Hauraki Grahamstown Ohinemuri 40 69 11 A. E. P. 266 1 15 431 0 3 49 2 11 £ s. d. 655 0 0 1,253 0 0 149 0 0 Total 120 746 3 29 2,057 0 0

Number of Mining Disputes Adjudicated on. Aggregate Amount of Value. Amount of Costa Awarded. has decreed Specific Performance. Mining Diatriot. Claimed. Recovered. No. Remarks. Auckland— North Hauraki South Hauraki 16 20 £ s. d. 215 15 0 6 0 0 £ s. d. 192 15 0 6 0 0 £ s. d. 13 13 0 18 6 0 Maklborough— Pelorua 2 100 0 0 3 0 0 14 13 0 Nelson— Collingwood ,., Takaka Inangahua ... Lyell Westport Charleston ... Cobden Ahaura Notown 3 7 10 6 8 17 16 13 27 7 8 143 0 0 31 2 6 97 7 6 59 4 0 206 0 0 101 5 6 8 6 8 10 0 0 22 2 6 25 7 6 8 10 0 11 15 0 6 15 0 14 1 0 3 19 0 11 5 0 19 16 0 6 13 0 72 17 0 21 13 0 1 "i 7 2 4 Westland— Hokitika Waimea ... Kanieri ... Totara Kumara Greenstone and Westbrook Grey mouth ... Clifton Arnold (Maori Gully)... Okarito 7 34 1 10 22 307 0 0 115 10 0 38 0 0 16 0 0 14 7 0 20 9 0 0 8 0 18 2 0 19 12 0 V 25 "0 0 610 2 4 10 0 165 0 0 "i 16 10 316 0 0 822 0 0 V 210 10 0 25 14 9 17 2 4 3 16 0 4 3 • '"7 13'2 0 o'"2 9 5 3 0 "3 Otaqo— Tuapeka Cromwell ... Alexandra ... Roxburgh Black's Clyde Switzers Orepuki and Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby ... Serpentine ... ... Hamilton ... ... St. Bathan's... 33 12 7 14 12 6 7 25 202 11 8 136 17 0 234 16 3 80 0 150 0 0 80 3 6 20 0 0 23 11 0 25 0 0 48 18 0 20 13 0 4 8 0 20 19 0 10 0 0 7 3 0 1 77 26 1 1 6 557 0 0 664 12 0 431 16 5 399 3 9 62 14 6 29 1 0 20"'0 0 5 0 0 5 "0 0 2 0 0 6 "3 0

H.-26.

No. 20. RETURN showing the Revenue and Expenditure on account of Constructed Water-races maintained by Government, from the 1st of July to the 31st December, 1879, and from the 1st of January to the 31st of March, 1880.

Price .ii.] By Authority: G.EOBGKB Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo.

51

1st July to 31st Decem 1EE, 1879. 1st Januaky to 31st Mai IH, 1680. Name of Race. Revenue. Revenue. Balance due on Water Account. Expenditure. Expenditure. Water Sold. Actual Receipts. Water Sold. Actual Receipts. lelson Creek Vaimea-Kumara .rgyle £ s. d. £ b. d. 1,225 3 4 1,225 3 4 2,561 8 9 2,869 12 0 410 16 5 465 18 0 £ s. d. 671 7 8 776 0 0 279 0 11 £ s. d. £ 8. d. 531 2 3 531 2 3 1,175 3 0 1,023 11 3 163 9 3 167 18 3 £ s. d. 337 18 10 1,116 0 0 164 8 4 £ a. d. 277 16 1 Note. —The r< if the returns has 1 Mines Wellington iturns numbered 8 to 19 inclui jeen much delayed owing to oi i Department, , 23rd August, 1880. sive are compiled from statistics supplied by Wardens. Tl ne important return having only been received on the 21st ii Oliver Wakefield, Under-Secretary for Gold e compilation istant. Fields.