THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1882 Session I, H-19

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1882. NEW ZEALAND.

THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 3rd August, 1869. "That it 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 interests 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, Sir,— Wellington, 21st June, 1882. I have the honor to forward the general report upon the gold fields for the year ending the 31st March, 1882, with the detailed reports of the Wardens for their several districts, and statistical tables containing information of the same character as formerly published, and also reports from the managers of water--races. I have, &c, The Hon. William Rolleston, James McKerrow, Minister of Mines. Secretary for Gold Fields^

REPORT. It is gratifying to observe that during the past year there has been continued activity in mining operations upon the gold fields, both in the further development of established auriferous quartz mines and alluvial areas, and in the prospecting of new ground. Quartz Mining. —The newly-discovered quartz reefs at Tiki, Coromandel, have been worked with considerable vigour and enterprise in outlay, showing excellent results, which testify to the rich character of the stone. At Te Aroha, owing to the discovery of a very large body of auriferous quartz, which has been traced through the bush for miles, running north-by-east along the back of the range, returning confidence is manifested in the field by the opening of the reefSj by the introduction of machinery, and in the construction of roads, prospecting tracks, and the rapid extension of a considerable township. Further prospecting of the Terawhiti reefs, near Wellington, has been carried on. Prom Collingwood, discoveries of remarkably rich stone are reported. New discoveries of gold-bearing quartz up Mokihinui and "Waimangaroa Rivers, and Cascade Creek, near Westport, have led to several applications for mining leases in those localities. There has been great activity in quartz mining at Lyell, both in prospecting new reefs and in the further development of old claims. Reefton has been in a state of excitement for some time past, owing to the striking of rich stone in various of the quartz mines there, and during the year applications for an extraordinarily large number of mining leases and special claims have been made. Active operations in prospecting and developing the reefs have, meanwhile, been carried on. A beginning has been made in the introduction of the rock-drills referred to in last year's report. The County Council, with assistance promised by the Mines Department, have also ordered a diamond drill, capable of boring to a depth of 2,000 feet.

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Quartz mining in Wakatipu district, Otago, is being steadily developed at several points. At Macetown nearly fifty leases and extended claims have been taken up, and many of them are now being worked. Some rich reefs have recently been discovered on the south-west side of Advance Peak, and, continuing in the same line to Skipper's and the Rees River, we find several companies at work in these localities, with good prospects of success. The returns from quartz mining for the year ending 31st March, 1882, are as follows:— Tons of Ounces Quartz of Auckland,- — Crushed. G-old. Coromandel ... ... ... ... 3,447 7,348 Thames ... ... ... ... 30,698 45,804 West Coast, —• Eeefton ... ... ... ... 14,894 20,154 Lyell ... ... ... ... 8,200 4,444 Otago, — Cromwell ... ... ... ' ... 2,600 2,535 Arrow ... ... ... ... 3,839 3,796 Skipper's ... ... ... ... 2,034 711 65,712 84,792 from quartz. Lawrence ... ... ... ... ... 8,853 from cement and quartz. 93,645 from quartz and cement. The number of tons of quartz crushed is some 1-4,000 tons less than last year ; but the yield of gold from this source is within about 4,000 oz. of last year's return. This is apparently accounted for by rich finds in the Reefton and Otago mines; the former yielding this year 20,154 oz. from 14,894 tons of quartz, against 17,802 oz. from 25,926 tons of quartz last year; and the latter yielding this year 7,042 oz. from 8,473 tons of quartz, against 7,097 oz. from 13,925 tons of quartz last year. The following is a comparative return of quartz crushed, and relative yield of gold in New Zealand and Victoria for 1881: New Zealand, 65,712 tons, 84,792 oz., or 1 oz. 5 dwt. 19 gr. per ton; Victoria, 1,041,212 tons, 455,969 oz., or 8 dwt. 18 gr. per ton. The efficacy of the methods of promoting quartz mining referred to in last year's report—viz., the opening of roads, and the granting of large areas under difficult or exceptional circumstances—has been especially shown during the past year at Tiki, Coromandel, where the subsidies granted from the Mines Department's vote towards the construction of tracks appear to have led to direct results in promoting the opening of rich reefs, which have already yielded substantial returns; and at Reefton and Lyell, where several special claims exceeding the area of ordinary leases—in some cases including several old leases —have been granted, in order to encourage enterprise in cases in which large capital has been employed to overcome great difficulties, and this process has apparently contributed to the success of quartz - mining operations in these districts. The numerous points at which auriferous quartz is already opened out in the colony and the results so far attained are but the mere earnest of what is yet to come in this branch of mining. Alluvial Mining. The returns from this class of mining during the past year still maintain about the same proportion as for several years, the yield from this source contributing nearly two-thirds of the total yield of gold for the year. At Charleston during the year the Government w rater-race dam has been reconstructed, and steps have been taken to improve the feeder races supplying the reservoir, and the improvement of the main race by tunnelling and other works is now in hand. When the permanently-increased water supply expected from these improvements in the carrying capacity of the race is available, it is

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anticipated that much of the ground which is now lying idle in the once prosperous Charleston gold field will be worked by sluicing to considerable advantage. The reconstruction of the Government water-race dam at Kumara has also been completed during the year, and the main race has been widened so as to admit of a larger supply of water being delivered to the claims upon the completion of the Government sludge-channel, which has recently been effected. This has led to a more general system of ground-sluicing there upon a large scale; and, as the channel appears so far to work well, we shall soon no doubt hear of considerable returns from this improved method of alluvial mining in that locality. This sludge-channel, or immense tail-race, is 85 chains in length, the lower half of the tunnel measuring 9 feet by 7 feet, with a line of rails on either side of the sluicing-box in the centre, the upper half being 7 feet by 7 feet, with a line of rails upon one side, the channel discharging its heavy load of water, stones, and debris direct into the deep bed of the Teremakau River below. Notwithstanding the apprehensions of the miners when this work was first designed, it has been found in practice that the fall as recommended by the Government engineers is ample. The fall as it now stands is 1 in 26 and lin 28; and this fact will no doubt be interesting to miners, as showing that in large tail-races, such as this is, the fall can safely be made much less than has been found necessary in the smaller tail-races which miners usually construct. This, it will be recognized, is of great importance, where it is necessary to make the most of the fall, so as to allow of further extensions of the channel as the tailings accumulate. The most remarkable circumstance in alluvial mining during the year is the recent revival at Woodstock, which is situated within a few miles of Hokitika, and only a short distance from the old workings at Kanieri. Here the discovery of payable washdirt at a depth of 50 to 60 feet soon led to further interest being taken in the matter, and later to a rush, which is now reported to amount to about 1,200 men. An account of this discovery will be found in Mr. Warden Giles's report in the appendix, and, as he remarks, " The circumstances of this discovery are suggestive of the vast extent of ground which may yet prove auriferous without going into the more inaccessible parts of the country to look for it." The recent discoveries of deep leads in the Ida Valley and other mining districts of the colony in the vicinity of old workings are confirmatory of these observations. Operations upon the special claim of 100 acres at Ross, referred to in last year's report, have been pushed on with vigour, the large drainage tunnel in course of construction having apparently already proved of advantage in draining the flat. A report by Mr. Cox, Assistant Geologist, upon the Woodstock gold field, the Ross special claim, and the Humphrey's Gully District, referred to by Mr. Warden Giles, follows this report in the appendix. It will be seen from Mr. Warden Keddell's report that the work of dredging the Clutha River, at Roxburgh and Alexandra, still continues. The results at the former place have been very encouraging; but at Alexandra the dredging has not been so successful. There the Dunedin Gold-dredging Company have a very complete plant. The machinery is driven by a 70-h.p. engine, and 170 tons of stuff per hour can be lifted from a depth of 22 feet. The arrangement of dredgingbuckets is upon the usual inclined-ladder principle; and at every third or fourth bucket there is a tooth of iron which strikes the river-bottom like a pick, and loosens the stuff for the buckets. The dredge is moored to four anchors; and, by means of clutches, worked by steam on board, the dredge can be brought to bear upon any portion of the river-bed. The action of the steam dredge, so far as raising the stuff is concerned, is a great success; but the separation of the gold is in a measure only as yet in the experimental stage. Having so much stuff to treat, it has to be done by a wholesale method. It is received at the upper end of a revolving perforated cylinder, which allows the stones and coarser particles to pass through the other end to the river, the finer sand and gold finding its way through the perforations to a concentric revolving cylinder, which in its turn makes another assortment of the auriferous sand, the finer particles and gold again passing through its perforations to the revolving-pans, where it is triturated, and the gold amalgamated by

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mercury. Very great expense and ingenuity have been devoted to these experiments in gold-saving by the well-known engineer, Mr. McQueen, of Dunedin, who is the chief promoter of this company. Mr. Warden Wood's special report in the appendix shows the progress of the Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company's special claim, Tuapeka, which was more particularly referred to in last year's general report. The Shotover Terrace, Wakatipu District, so famous in former years for its rich yield of gold, is again taken up by companies, and water is being brought from Stoney and Skipper's Creeks to wash away the terrace with over 100 feet of face. Yield oe Gold. The quarterly returns of gold entered for export at the Customs naturally exhibit considerable variations in quantity. Thus, the yield of gold for the year ending 31st December, 1881, as ascertained, from this source, shows a falling-off of 34,687 oz., against the yield for the same period in 1880, the yields and relative values being respectively 270,561 oz., value £1,080,790, and 305,248 oz., value £1,227,252; but, as will be seen by the following table, the returns for the four quarters ending 31st March, 1882 (the financial year), show an increase of 16,642 oz., value £59,244, over the returns for the year ending at the same date in 1881:—

Yield of Gold during Years ending 31st March, 1881, and 1882.

Increase during 1881, 16,642 oz., value £59,244. The Statements Nos. 5 and 7, supplied by the Secretary of Customs, following the appendix, show in detail the quantity and value of gold entered for duty for exportation at the various ports during the year ending the 31st December, 1881; also comparative returns for the quarters ending 31st March, 1881 and 1882, from which it will be seen that the latter quarter gives an increased yield of 22,668 oz. over the former. The total yield of gold for the colony from 1857 to the 31st March, 1882, as taken from statistical returns, is 9,861,011 oz., of the value of £38,687,612. Mining Population and its Earnings. Return No. 9, following the appendix, shows the number of miners on the 31st March, 1882, as 14,714 ; and, as the number twelve months before that was 15,063, the mean number for the year is 14,889. Taking the value of gold exported during tho same period, as has been done in former reports, as the quantity to be divided between its producers, without counting any which may be utilized in the colony, we have a total value of £1,170,520, giving an average earnings per man of £79 lis. for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1882, the average earnings per man for the year ending 31st March, 1881, being £75 Bs. It is necessary to explain that these figures are only given approximately, as, through the changing of Wardens upon the gold fields, the returns of the estimated number of miners in the several districts show some variations which are not apparently supported by actual circumstances, and such variations of course affect the general results endeavoured to be shown above. As has been pointed out in former reports, such average annual earnings as from £70 to £80 per man would represent low average wages for men employed in colonial towns, with rent to pay and all the expenses incident to town life; but the miner, settling as he generally does upon his residence area, to which his annual miner's-right fee of

1880. Oz. Value. 1881. Oz. Value. une Quarter ... leptember Quarter )ecember Quarter 1881. ilarch Quarter 71,619 69,631 84,696 £ 288,105 279,554 341,385 June Quarter... September Quarter December Quarter 1882. March Quarter 63,395 83,710 72,815 £ 254,087 332.787 291,684 50,641 202,232 73,309 291,962 276,587 £1,111,276 293,229 £1,170,520

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£1 entitles him, and living in his independent way, frequently combining his work v 7ith agricultural and other pursuits, probably finds this income more equal to his requirements than the apparently larger income may be to artisans in towns. Aids to Prospecting, and Subsidies towards Constructing Tracks upon Gold Fields, and towards Purchasing Diamond Drills. During the past year subsidies to prospecting parties have only been continued until notice could be given that no further vote had been taken for this purpose; and this system of aiding prospecting has now ceased, as it was found that no tangible results were ever realized from it. Upon the other hand, the vote administered by this department in aid of the construction of tracks upon gold fields has proved most useful during the year, subsidies to the extent of an equal contribution having been granted to the Coromandel, Thames, Piako, Waimea (Nelson), Inangahua (Reefton), Grey, and Westland County Councils towards the construction of tracks and roads upon gold fields, further assistance having also been given from this vote towards cutting a track to the Terawhiti Reefs, near Wellington. Frequent reference will be found in the Wardens' reports to the good work of opening otherwise almost inaccessible auriferous country which this assistance has enabled the local bodies to undertake. In many cases these prospecting tracks are so laid out as to fit in with communication by or between permanent roads, and in this respect they serve the double purpose of opening the country to both miner and settler. At the date of last year's report, the Government diamond rock - boring machine was under hire at the Kamo Colliery, Whangarei; and, as it was afterwards applied for by the Bay of Islands Coal Company, the Government decided to accept the offer of that company for its purchase. Another reason for disposing of the machine to this company was that one diamond drill might be permanently located in the neighbourhood of the mineral deposits of the North Island. It is reported that the machine has been doing good w rork for the company, and that they are pleased with their purchase. As has been shown in another part of this report, advantage has been taken of the vote in aid of purchasing drills, by the Inangahua County Council, a large diamond boring machine having been ordered by that body, and its arrival may be expected shortly. The Lake County Council has also applied for the subsidy towards purchasing one of these machines, and is now in correspondence with manufacturers upon this subject. The Tuapeka Prospecting Association proposed to purchase a machine of a smaller description for prospecting the cement deposits at Lawrence, and they Avere promised a subsidy towards the purchase of this or a larger machine, but they do not appear to have moved further in the matter at present. The Westland County Council has recently applied for assistance in purchasing a diamond drill, and no doubt before long the object of the vote to introduce these machines into the mining districts of the colony will be attained. Water Races, &c, under the Control oe the Mines Department. The Government water-races are the Argyle, at Charleston, the Nelson Creek, near Ahaura, the Waimea-Kumara, supplying Stafford and Goldsborough and Kumara, and the Mount Ida, at Naseby; the three former being directly under the control of the department, and the latter being managed by the Trust established under " The Mount Ida Water-race Trust Act, 1878." The Nelson Creek water-race shows satisfactory returns against the cost of maintenance during the year; but the profits from the Argyle and Waimea-Kumara races are more than counterbalanced by the cost of reconstructing the dams, &c. (referred to in another part of this report), rendered necessary in consequence of damage by floods in March, 1881. As stated in former reports, their cost, or even interest upon it, cannot be recouped directly from the revenues of these works ; but they indirectly repay the country in some measure by enabling a considerable number of miners to earn fair wages. Return No. 14, following the appendix, shows the receipts from and the ordinary expenditure upon the Government water-races during the year ending

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31st March, 1882, and the annual report of the Mount Ida Water-race Trust, and statement of accounts, will be found at Paper No. 22 in the appendix. Settlement on Gold Fields. On the Thames Gold Fields 20 applications for agricultural leases and 63 applications for residence sites have been dealt with during the year, and at the new Te Aroha Gold Field 6 applications for residence sites and 57 applications for business licenses have been made. On the Nelson South-west Gold Fields a considerable number of agricultural leases have been renewed during the year under "The Gold Fields Act 1866 Amendment Act, 1873," which entitles the lessee to the freehold of the land without further payment at the expiration of seven years from the date of renewal, provided that the conditions of the lease have been complied with. On the Otago Gold Fields, during the year, agricultural leaseholders, under "The Mines Act, 1877," have largely taken advantage of the right to purchase after three years' holding, conferred by section 49 of the Act; and, as one of the conditions of purchase is that at least one-half of the land shall have been planted, cultivated, or otherwise improved, it will be seen that settlement upon the Otago Gold Fields is still going on apace. Several blocks on the deferred-payment system have also been taken up and settled upon, and in the recent disposal of the Otago runs an area of about 250,000 acres within the gold fields has been withheld from lease, and is now being surveyed and opened up by roads and bridges preparatory to being offered for settlement next Summer. While this is satisfactory from the settler's point of view, great care will have to be exercised to leave ample outlets for the tailings and other requirements pertaining to the mining industry. The re-letting of over 2,000,000 acres within the limits of the Otago Gold Fields in noway hampers the miner's privileges with respect to prospecting or working ground, bringing in water-races, or occupying land for residence; indeed the runholder and the miner can each occupy the same country without any collision of interests. It is the freeholder and miner who are in each other's way. Departmental. During the year, partly owing to alterations in the policy of the department, and to unusual activity in various transactions upon the gold fields, referred to in other parts of this report, the business of the department has increased. I have again to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Wakefield, the Departmental UnderSecretary, in the compilation of this report, and of the statistical and other information, and for the collection of the Wardens' reports, contained in the appendix. I have also, as usual, to acknowledge the assistance of the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Gavin, and the Secretary of Customs, Mr. Seed, in furnishing the returns of revenue and of gold exported appended to this report. James McKerrow.

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APPENDIX.

AUCKLAND GOLD FIELDS. No. 1. Mr. "Warden Keneick to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib, — Warden's Office, Coromandel, Ist May, 1882. The chief feature of the past year's operations is the favourable testing of an entirely new portion of the district—the Tiki. The opening of Mcintosh's Block (Tiki) was a work of considerable difficulty for the prospectors, owing to the absence of tracks and the rugged nature of the country; but the result of the construction of a road to this portion of the field has proved the wisdom of the Government in giving aid to works of this nature. It has enabled miners to get machinery on to ground where before it was impossible to take a pack-horse. The local governing body had not funds to make a road to connect the township with the claims; but in order to take advantage of a promised subsidy of pound for pound from the Gold Field vote, the County Council obtained an overdraft from the bank. On completion of the road, a ten-stamper battery was immediately erected by the Blackmore and Home Bule Companies conjointly. An engine was transported to the site under extraordinary difficulties, and, since completion, has been constantly at work, having treated over 2,000 tons of quartz, for a yield of 3,194 oz. of gold. Before giving details of work accomplished by the leading mines in this locality, reference should be made to a great obstacle to the speedy and complete development of this portion of the district —namely, the fact of the richest mines being situated on private property. This so militated against the opening of the block that, for some months after the first discoveries were made, prospectors were afraid to continue operations owing to an impression that no title could be given by the proprietors of the land for a longer period than two years. When this question was settled another sprang up, involving the title to the most valuable part of the block, and many miners left the field in consequence. There is no doubt but that the fact of the land being private property retarded its earlier development; nevertheless the output of gold from the two mines (Blackmore's and Home Bule), which have been thoroughly worked, has satisfactorily proved the rich character of the numerous lodes found on this (Moore's or Mcintosh's) Block, at Tiki. Plackmore's. —This mine is a network of reefs near the surface, most of them auriferous; several of them have yielded rich stone. In the low levels, several well-defined lodes have been worked with fair success; chief among them is the No. 4or Home Eule Beef, which has been sunk on by a winze a distance of 115 feet from the surface, carrying good gold the whole way. A level has been driven 300 feet connecting with this winze; and a block of ground, 110 feet deep by 300 feet in length, along the course of the reef, is now ready to be stoped out. A very substantial self-acting tramway, with hopper, &c, has been constructed at considerable outlay. Some Pule. —In this mine operations have been confined to one reef, which has proved of great value, over 1,300 ozs. of gold having already been obtained from less than 400 tons of dirt, enabling the company to pay their share of the cost of the battery, all working expenses, and a first dividend of Is. per share. A low level is now being driven from the reserve ground adjoining, at a point near the battery. Between thirty-five and forty men are constantly employed at this and Blackmore's. The works in hand are estimated to provide payable crushing material for the battery for the next two years. Several other mines are working in this locality, and give promise of payable returns, especially the Berseverance. At Matawai, to the west of Castle Bock, on Crown land, a new line of reef has recently been opened up by two prospectors —Vizard and Vaughan. Gold of a very rich coarse character, showing freely in the stone, has been obtained from a reef varying from 4 to 5 feet across ; also, in a shaft commenced 30 feet from where the reef was first cut, there is upwards of 1 cwt. of stone on hand, which will go above half an ounce to the pound. There has not yet been sufficient work done on the reef to enable any one to speak as to its permanent richness; but, as regards the prospect of this find, they excel anything the claims on the adjoining private land, at the Tiki, had to show in their earlier days. Vizard the prospector has been for years prospecting and working about this portion of the district. A battery is in course of erection in the vicinity of this mine, which will be of easy access to miners, situated on the slopes of the ranges bordering on the Matawai Creek, and which, it is hoped, will increase the output of gold for the coming year. Tokatea District. —An improvement is noticeable in this old-established portion of the district; more miners are at work, and several during the year have sent payable stuff to the batteries. Tokatea Mine. —This mine has a reef of great reputation, having for ten consecutive years provided crushing stuff which enabled the company to pay handsome sums in dividends, gold to the value of £132,000 being extracted before a single call was made upon the capital of the company, when, having worked the block out down to the 650-feet level, it became necessary to put in a lower one, which was done at the joint expense of the Tokatea and Bismarck Companies, as far as tho Bismarck boundary. It is now nearly three years since this great work was started. It was carried on for a distance of 400 feet by hand labour through basaltic rock, costing £6 10s. per foot, and where only from 3 to 4 feet a week could be driven. In order to cheapen the work and increase the speed, the company imported from America two rock-drills and an air-compressor. The latter was erected at the mouth of the adit, driving the drills at a pressure of 65 lbs. to the square inch, giving 300 blows per jninute, and making as much headway iu twenty-four hours as hand labour had done in a week, in

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this manner the level was carried forward a distance of 1,050 feet from the mouth of the adit, 1 ton of dynamite being consumed in the work. At this point the lode-channel was cut, when the softer nature of the country allowed the rock-drill to be dispensed with, the level continuing along the course of the reef, first in the Bismarck Company's ground then in the Tokatea, keeping the reef in hand the whole of the distance to the present face, which is now in 2,150 feet from the entrance. There is yet a distance of GOO feet to be driven on the course of the lode, when the largest block ever opened in a mine in this colony will be ready for stoping out. Bismarck. —During the six months or so that this company have been breaking down the reef, 878 oz. of gold has been obtained. Gem. —This is the only other claim working on the Tokatea reef. Operations are now directed to the testing of an extensive but as yet unexplored section of the Tokatea lode left intact from the Bismarck boundary. If the works prove successful it will lead to a large area of ground being worked that now lies idle between the Bismarck and Tokatea batteries. The general belief was that the Tokatea reef did not extend in that direction, but the present prospects of the Gem indicate its probable continuance through the country. Queen of the North.— Situated some distance to the north-west of the Tokatea; has turned out 552 oz. of gold during the year, the result of two or three men's desultory labour. Royal Oak, Pride of Tokatea, and Harbour View have all been unworked by their respective companies, but tributers in all these mines have been more than averagely successful. These three companies have wisely reduced the area of their respective holdings. The Colonial is some distance east of the Tokatea, along the main range in the Bakaia Gully. The upper portion of the ground was worked years ago by the Bakaia Company, who obtained good gold; but, as the leaders pinched out in a shaft sunk from the low level in some hard country, the mine was abandoned. The Colonial picked up their leader on the surface lower down the gully, and after driving along, it rose at the point where the former owners of the ground sunk their shaft, proving that, had it been sunk 9 feet lower, they would again have had the leader in hand with payable gold. The Colonial has carried on work for twelve months without making a call, has paid a 6d. dividend, and expects to be in a position to declare a larger one during the winter, as good crushing stuff is now coming to hand. There are several claims now at work in this neighbourhood, of which the Stanley, Hope, and Comstock are the most prominent. The Success is about a quarter of a mile still further east, high up on the main range. This mine has created general interest, and puzzled the oldest and most experienced miners by the peculiar manner in which the gold occurs. It is found in a narrow seam incased in very hard rock. The gold has to be scraped off the foot wall, and is almost pure, and, when washed, looking very brilliant. During the year 520 oz. have been banked. It is worthy of remark that not a single ton of stone has been crushed for this yield, though at the bottom of the last level gold was beginning to make in a solid quartz leader a few inches in width. A. low level is now being driven, and the further development of this mine is being watched with great interest. Paul's Creek District. —There has long been a belief in the existence of rich reefs in this part of the district, due to the discovery of detached pieces of quartz literally full of gold. The Baul's Creek Brospecting Association was formed early last year for the purpose of discovering the reefs which shed this rich stone, and steady work has for some months been carried on, as yet without result. The Kapanga Gold Mining Company of New Zealand (Limited). —-During the past year, this company has sunk its shaft a further distance of 150 feet, the total depth being now 450 feet from the surface. At this depth a crosscut has been driven east 150 feet, which intersected the old Kapanga reef, where it is found to be from two to four feet wide, yielding golden quartz. A drive is started on the line of reef to open out blocks for stoping. The next operation of importance accomplished was driving a crosscut from the 300-feet level to a reef known as Scotty's, which was cut at a distance of 130 feet from the shaft. It yields at times very good specimen stone together with good general crushing stuff. The general prospects of this company are encouraging, and after a few months' more dead work continuous crushing operations will be resumed. The company, in addition to its battery, possesses a large plant of steam pumping and winding machinery equal to any emergency likely to be met with in sinking the shaft to a depth of 1,000 feet if necessary. Deep-level mining operations on the Beach Block are brought to a standstill. In the early part of the year the Union Beach made arrangements for further prospecting, the plan being to drive from the Golden Bah shaft through an unexplored block of ground to the Union Beach old workings, but just as preliminaries were completed a flood swamped the mine and did so much damage that the Golden Bah never resumed operations, and are about to sell their plant and wind up the Company. This course has been followed by the Union Beach. It is a pity that the directors of the latter mine did not think fit to continue operations in developing the reef's under those parts from which such rich returns (£70,000 worth of gold) were formerly obtained. The obstacles to be overcome were not of such a nature as should deter mining investoi's from prosecuting the work of sinking a shaft near the old run of gold, and with machinery already erected and in good working order, there was every facility for doing so at a moderate outlay. The Just in Time is the name of a company formed for the purpose of working a portion of the late Fremier Company's ground. A shaft is being sunk and a steam pumping plant erected, with every prospect of the company being repaid their outlay, as the ground has been worked to the water level with excellent results by the former owners. During the year ended March 31st, 1882, 3,447 tons of quartz have been treated, yielding 7,348 oz. of gold, an average of over 2 oz. to the ton, as against 720 tons of quartz, yielding 4,960 oz. of gold for the year ended 31st March, 1881. By the return for 1882, 3,194 oz. of gold resulted from the treatment of 2,147 tons of quartz, taken from the newly-opened ground at the Tiki. It will be seen that, though the average yield per ton is considerably less than that of the pi*eced-. ing year, the total yield of gold shows an increase of 2,388 oz. There is every reason to believe that this gratifying increase will be maintained during the present year. The steady yield from the Tiki, new discoveries at Matawai, and increasing output from some of the older mines justify this belief,

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During the year 441 notices of marking out claims have been received, 28 registrations of various holdings have been effected, and 35 applications for licensed holdings made. It will be remembered that the large number of claims at the Tiki being on private land do not appear in our returns, neither are miners' rights required by the men working thereon. In the Warden's Court 65 cases have been adjudicated upon; in the Besident Magistrate's Court 133 civil and 58 criminal cases have been disposed of. I have, &c, Haeey Keneick, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Kenbict. to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold-Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Thames, 13th May, 1882. In forwarding my annual report upon this portion of the gold field, I commence as usual at the northern portion of the'district adjacent to the Coromandel Field —viz., at Tapu Creek, Hastings. During the past year a considerable amount of work has been done in this portion of the district, principally dead work, the result of which is as yet in the future. At a considerable outlay the old battery has been placed in working order and a water-race brought in. Several claims have been taken up and a good deal of prospecting done. Some good stone has been obtained from the Christmas and other claims and one or two small crushings have taken place with fair results. The Tapu District is one that requires capital to develop. At present there seems but a small prospect of this being forthcoming. Without it I anticipate little change for the better during the coming year. From Tapu to the Thames some prospecting has been done during the year, chiefly at Waioma, but as yet with little or no tangible results, nothing* payable having been found. At Tararu, after years of solitude, there appears every prospect of active operations being again started in the old Sunbeam ground. This ground, having been abandoned by its original owners, has been taken up by the owners of the Tararu Battery, twenty stampers, who are preparing to start operations. I hear that some English capital has been put into the scheme. The intention is, I believe, to work the Sunbeam Beef, an immense lode of low-grade quartz tapped in a tunnel put in at some 1,500 feet from the mouth of the drive, and at about 400 feet below the surface outcrop of the reef. The enterprise is a large one; should it prove successful it should do much to encourage the further testing of the many large lodes on this field, commonly called barren. The introduction of modern economical appliances to cheapen the crushing and assist in the saving of gold may yet prove that many of these lodes can be made to pay a handsome return on the capital ventured. It is therefore to be hoped that this new venture may prove all its promoters anticipate. In the Thames proper, no new discovery of note has been made in the old mines during the past year; the most noteworthy incident being the successful pumping of the Queen of Beauty shaft and mine, enabling fresh operations to be commenced in ground so long idle, and which when flooded out was yielding such excellent returns. This mine should come to the front dnring the ensuing year as a gold producer. Another enterprise that may lead to the most important results is the formation of what is known as the Deep Level Tribute Company, for the purpose of purchasing the big pump, and by its aid draining the 600-feet level, with the intention of working on tribute all the ground in the various claims within the drainage area below, the 400-feet level. The scheme has been successfully floated, the necessary capital subscribed, and active preparations are now being made for a start. I need scarcely say that the discovery of payable gold at the depth referred to would have a most beneficial effect upon the whole of the district. It is in contemplation, I believe, to call in the aid of tho diamond rock-drill to assist in this new venture, and it is probable that an application will be made to the Government by this or other companies in the district to extend to them the benefit of the offer made to the local bodies—viz., to subsidize to the extent of one-half the cost of purchase of one or more of these diamond drills. Some rich stone has recently been obtained at Otanui, causing attention to be directed to that hitherto neglected portion of the district. Exceptionally rich stone has at different times in past years been found in this locality ; but the absence of roads, and the consequent difficulty of conveying quartz to the batteries, have hitherto prevented any systematic exploration. A subsidy has recently been granted towards a road to open up this part of the district. I therefore anticipate that more active operations will be carried on in the claims already taken up, and a large field opened for prospecting during the coming year. In the Tairua portion of the district, proceeding south, but little fresh work has been done. The old claims are still working with, I believe, payable results, but there is no fresh discovery to record. Further south, again, at Otohawa, some excellent yields have been obtained from the old claims during the past year, but, though much fresh ground has been taken up, no fresh discovery of any importance has been made, principally owing, I believe, to the small amount of work done in the claims taken up. The vicious system of marking out ground for the sole purpose of trading in scrip has been in full force in this and the Waitekauri districts during the past year, with the usual result —little or no work is done, public faith in the district cools, money ceases to come in, and the district is deserted by all but the very few who go in for bond fide working. The regulations respecting the working of ground will have to be more stringently enforced in the future or the larger portion of the field will remain undeveloped. It is precisely at the time when speculation is active, and ground being taken up rapidly, that work should be enforced. The value of a discovery is thus at once tested, to the benefit of the whole district instead of to the benefit of a few pegging speculators in scrip only.

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These remarks will apply in a measure to Waitekauri also. Though more working has been done here, still it cannot be said that the district has been prospected (prospecting here meaning work) as it should have been, considering the rich yield from the Waitekauri Mine during the year. Good tracks are much needed in this locality ; the old tracks may be said to be non-existent. A subsidy has been granted to enable the County Council to construct a road at a cost of £850, and the work not yet begun is urgently needed. The busy hopeful state of mining matters in this portion of the district at the close of the last year (March) does not now exist, but the present depression will, I believe, prove to be temporary only. The district offers substantial inducements to the capitalists, but the money must be put into the ground, and not into scrip as heretofore. It is in contemplation to amalgamate four or five claims into one strong company at Waitekauri, with the expressed intention of properly working the ground. A considerable saving in the cost of management will then be effected, and the ground is sufficiently promising to justify a considerable outlay in bona-fide work. At Karangahaki a new discovery has been made, but as yet it would be premature to speak of its value. The find is much higher up the range than when the original Karangahaki rush took place. The ground is more solid and less broken than below. The reef is a large one, cropping out on the surface, as at Te Aroha. The compass bearings would indicate that it is probably a continuation of the Aroha Beefs. Should this prove to be the case, a large extent of intervening country remains to be prospected. Some fair stone has been found, and the reef shown to be gold-bearing. A considerable number of claims have been taken up, but as yet little work has been done except in the prospectors' claim. The extreme southern portion of the known gold field is at Waihi (Waititi). Here during the past year a large amount of expenditure has been incurred in the erection of two batteries and the bringing-in of tramways and water-races ; the result of this expenditure will be to the credit of the coming year. The batteries will probably start about tho end of May. A large body of stone has been opened up, principally in the Martha and Young Colonial Claims. Active operations are now being carried on so as to have sufficient stone ready to keep the batteries going. Opinions as to the value of this part of the district differ as much as the various tests made of the stone. One thing is certain —viz., that the claim-holders have thorough faith in the value of their property, and are spending large sums of money in developing it. The very large body of stone found in the ground, and the comparative cheapness with which it can be raised, will make even low-grade stuff payable. Should the crushings prove payable, a new and important field will be opened, the whole of the country back to the Aroha Bange and south towards Katikati being as yet unknown, or, at any rate, unprospected. At the Waihi, near to the mines, a township has been laid off and several buildings have been erected, including a substantial hotel. The mines are situated in a series of comparatively low fern hills rising abruptly from the plains. Should they prove permanent, the stone will in the future have to be won by sinking, when probably machinery for pumping, &c, will be required. The Ohinemuri Biver lies between the mines and the Aroha Bange; it is from this source that water for the motive power in the batteries is being brought. Timber and firewood can be readily obtained from the coast range to the east, from one to two miles distant. The settling of a permanent population at Waihi would prove a great boon to the settlers at Katikati, affording them an excellent market for their farm produce. They appear fully alive to the importance of this, as, through their County Council, they are hard at work forming roads to connect the mines and settlement. The mines are within the Thames County, distant about fifteen miles from Faeroa Township on the Ohinemuri Biver, where steamers land goods from Auckland; but the road from the river to the mines is so bad that the trade is being diverted, and goods are forwarded via Katikati and Tauranga. A retrospective view of the mining operations throughout the district during the past year will show that the gold-producing area is gradually widening, holding out the reasonable hopes that the yield of gold from the new districts, now that the dead work is partially done, will, during the coming year, more than compensate for the falling-off in the yield from the few old and famous mines of the past. With the Aroha, Waihi, Matawai, and Tiki coming to the front in new ground, and with such claims as the Queen of Beauty and Deep Level Tribute, with their prospects to add to the older portion of the field, it will not be too much to say that the Thames as a gold field has still a bright future before it. The subsidies already granted have aided materially in opening up the out-districts, more especially at the Aroha and Tiki. But to develop the very large extent of untouched.country known to be gold, bearing will require a much larger expenditure on roads and tracks than the local bodies are in a position to undertake, even with the aid of subsidies. On this peninsula, where prospecting means work, time, and money, tracks require to be in advance of the prospector; it is the absence of these tracks that is locking up the country at the present time. The yield of gold for the year has fallen off some 7,351 oz,, I regret to say, being 45,803 oz. 19 dwts. 6grs., as against 53,154 oz. 2dwts. 5 grs. for last year. Quartz crushed, 30,698 tons; tailings crushed, 12,566 tons ; as against 32,404 tons of quartz and 13,128 tons of tailings last year. The number of miners employed in this part of the district has decreased about 100 during the year, being 794 as against 900 last year. Herewith I have the honor to forward the usual statistical return of applications and cases dealt with in the Court and office : —Miner's rights issued, 680 ; claims notified as marked out, 532 ; licensed holdings granted, 126; agricultural leases granted, 20; water-races, 15; machine sites, 3; residence sites, 63 ; registrations effected, 588. Warden's Court: Cases commenced, 713; heard, 207; lapsed, Jls; pending, 391. A large number of these cases are plaints laid by the Mining Inspector for

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forfeiture of abandoned but still existing rights that have been permitted to accumulate during past years. Resident Magistrates' Court: Criminal cases, 277 ; civil cases, 407 ; aggregate amount sued for, £3,354 Is. 7d.; recovered £1,879 19s. It will be noticed that the number of criminal offences has decreased considerably during the past year, being 277 as against 332 for the preceding year. Faeroa returns are not included in this. I have, &e., Haeet Keneick, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 3. Mr. Warden Keneick to the LTndee-Secretaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Te Aroha, 18th April, 1882. I feel much gratification in being able to report that the favourable opinion of the future of this district given in my last report has been realized even sooner than I anticipated. It will be remembered that the rush that took place in November, 1880, was caused by the discovery of some loose, rich pieces of stone, found on the western slopes of the Aroha Mountain. The hard belt of country met with in driving and sinking in the various claims so disheartened the men engaged that the field was deserted by all but a few believers in its future. Strange to say, little or no prospecting was done on the eastern slope of the mountain. The heavy timber and precipitous nature of the country might, perhaps in a measure, account for this. However, during the winter of 1881, Hone Werahiko, the original discoverer of gold at the Aroha, thoroughly prospected the valley or basin on the eastern slope of the main Aroha Bange, at the head of the Waiorongomai Creek, in the face of obstacles of no ordinary kind. In November last he discovered gold on the face of a large reef exposed on the side of the range for a considerable distance, (about one mile and a half), cropping up to a height of from 100 to 300 feet in places, above the tops of the trees This reef has now been traced from the plain at the mouth of the Waiorongomai Creek, in a direction west of north, for nearly two and a half miles through a densely-timbered country. Claims have been taken up on the course of the reef for that distance ; and in several claims gold has been discovered on the face, or rather outcrop, of the reef. A drive has been put into the prospectors' claim (new find) at about 100 feet below the place where gold was first discovered by Hone Werahiko. This drive has been driven 20 feet into the solid reef, without reaching the wall; 5 feet of this shows gold freely as on the outcrop ; in the rest of the stone gold is only visible occasionally ; but the pestle-and-mortar tests give good results. The gold is very fine, and contained in small, black veins permeating the stone. Though fine, the gold is heavy, and easily saved. I had a piece tested at the Bank, with a result of 2 oz. to the ton, value about £2 16s. an ounce. The value of this discovery is much enhanced by the peculiarly favourable nature of the country in which this great outcrop of gold-bearing quartz is situated, the very precipitous nature of the country affording every advantage for economically and quickly testing the value of the stone, no pumping, winding, or ventilating machinery being necessary, and but little timbering in the drives. The soft wall has in course of ages worn away, leaving exposed this great outcrop or wall of quartz standing up in places over 100 feet in height, overtopping the dense forest in which it is imbedded. This, coupled with the presence of water-power with plenty of fall, should enable the reef to be profitably worked for less than oz. of gold to the ton. Of course it cannot be expected that the whole body of the stone is equally payable, but sufficient is proved to justify the present prevalent belief that a good, payable reefing district has been discovered. In addition to these claims on the main line of reef, broadside claims have been taken up in three instances, resulting in the discovery of cross-reefs running into the main reef. As is usually the case on this peninsula, the cross-reefs are richer than the main lode. In the Golden Crown, now the Bremier claim, £ oz. of gold has been obtained from a rough crushing of 5| lb. of stone. In the Eureka good results are obtained from every test made. Two tons crushed at the Thames yielded over 3 oz. of melted gold, but of course all tests short of the battery are more or less unreliable. However, experienced men from the Thames have satisfied themselves of the payable nature of the field, and are backing their opinion as to its permanence. Arrangements have been completed for the erection of two batteries, one of 40 heads. The old Biako battery from the Thames is to be erected at the mouth of the Waiorongomai Creek. A large amount of capital is being spent in the construction of a water-race and tramway in connection with this battery. A second battery of 20 heads is to be erected farther up the creek, close under the reefs. The Piako County Council have, with the aid of a subsidy from the Government, constructed a fair pack-track along the eastern slope of the main range to the mines, starting from the main Thames and Katikati Boads, near the mouth of the Waiorongomai Creek. This track rises to the height of 1,300 feet from the plain; and ends on the Bremier claim, but it is intended to push it on to the Thames County boundary, beyond which claims have already been taken up. It must be remembered that the outcrop of the main reef is more than 2,000 feet above the plain. A second road is being constructed, commencing at the mouth of the Waiorongomai Creek, following as far as practicable the side of the stream, and gradually rising to a height of about 700 feet. This road is also subsidized by the Government, and is intended for the carriage of machinery up the creek to the sites chosen for the batteries ; also, to bring quartz down by tramway from the mines to the batteries at the mouth of the creek. The prompt action taken by the Piako Council has materially assisted in developing these discoveries, but a considerable expenditure will still be required on roads and tracks to the mines. A foot-track has also been made from the Hot Springs on the western side over the mountain to the new find on the eastern slope. I have every belief that a permanent reefing district has been opened by this new discovery, and that the ground taken up at present will prove but a small portion of the gold-bearing country. Standing

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on the trigonometrical station at the top of Mount Aroha the Waitekauri workings can distinctly be seen in a line, or nearly so, with the outcrop of the Aroha reef. All experienced miners agree in thinking it certain that the intervening country will sooner or later be proved gold-bearing. A continuation of the pack-track made by the Piako Council, from the Premier claim in the direction of the Waitawheta Valley, would be a valuable aid to prospecting. This track would run through the Thames County nearly the whole way, and would open up the agricultural leaseholders' settlement in the Waitawheta Valley. The development of these mines will necessitate a considerable outlay and capital in the erection of machinery and formation of tramways, races, &c, and, as a necessary, consequence, the employment of a large number of men, but the demand for labour is not likely to be great during the coming winter. Miners without capital would do well to wait the advent of fine weather before committing themselves to prospecting in this heavily-timbered, precipitous, hilly country, where prospecting will always be a work of hardship, and require both time and money. The new discoveries have encouraged men to retake up one or two of the old claims on the western slope of the range, with the intention of giving them a good test. A silver lode has also been discovered in a gully not far from/the Hot Springs, on the western face of the Aroha Mountain ; but, as yet, very little has been done to prove its value. A small township has been laid off by the Governors of the High School Beserve at the mouth of the Waiorongomai Creek, adjacent to where it is proposed to erect the Piako battery. The township is in the gold field, and the sections are being rapidly taken up under the Mining Eegulations. A large and comfortable hotel is already built there. This township is about three miles from Morgantown, where also there has been a considerable demand for sections. Many new buildings are being erected in Morgantown, and others are contemplated. I think that the permanent town will be at or near to Morgantown. Its proximity to the river, steamers landing passengers and cargo almost in the town, coupled with the main Thames and Hamilton roads meeting here, will assist this, independent of the fact that the principal buildings are already erected on the site. The Hot Springs, which will always prove a source of attraction to visitors and invalids, will also aid in keeping the town in its present position. The shortest track to the new find is by the footpath starting from this township over the main range at the back of the town. The agreement made with the Aroha Natives concedes the right to mine for other minerals than gold. The discovery of silver on a gold-mining lease raises the question of the right of the lessees to minerals other gold. A slight amendment to the interpretation placed upon the words " mining purposes " by the Gold Mining Districts Act of 1873, by the addition of the words after " mining for gold " of -.' and other minerals " would meet this difficulty ; always presuming that it is thought advisable to concede the right to all minerals in the ground contained in a mining lease. In conclusion, 1 can only trust that the present favourable prospects of this district will be justified by the work of the coming year. I have already expressed the belief that a new and payable reefing district has been opened, and one that from its proximity to a large agricultural district should prove of colonial importance; but, to utilize fully the present discoveries, as well as to open up the large extent of country as yet scarcely prospected, a very considerable expenditure on roads and tracks is yet required. The following are the usual statistical returns for the district: Total number of cases, Warden's Court, Te Aroha, from the Ist April, 1881, to the 31st March, 1882, 102 ; Besident Magistrate's Court, 48; miners' rights issued, 122; number of claims notified pegged-out, 262; applications for licensed holdings, 76 ; water-races, 7 ; machine sites, 2 ; business licenses, 57 ; residence sites, 6 ; registrations, 239. A large number of residence and business sites have been taken up subsequent to the 31st March and up to date. Habey Kenwick, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 4. Mr. Mining Inspector McLaeen" to the Undee-Secretaby for Gold Fields. Sib,— Mining Inspector's Office, Thames, 12th May, 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith statistics with report on mining operations carried on in the Hauraki North, Hauraki South, and Te Aroha Gold Mining Districts, for the vear ending 31st March, 1882. Hauraki South. —Mining matters generally have not been so prosperous as during the last year. In the Thames District, prospecting operations in most of the old mines not being successful in developing any find of great importance, the attention of miners and mining speculators has been principally directed to the outlying districts. At Waitekauri, rich returns from Butler's Tribute, in the Waitekauri Company's mine, caused the whole of the ground in the vicinity to be again occupied for gold-mining purposes. At Owharoa, parties of tributers in the Smile of Fortune and fiadical mines met with very rich patches of gold, and during the excitement the old claims were again occupied. At Karangahake a reef was discovered higher up the hill than where the old prospecting claim was situated, and an extensive area of ground occupied in that locality. At Otunui, and also at Tapu Creek, rich parcels of specimens have been found and a considerable area of ground occupied in both these districts. Kuranui Hill United. —A very limited amount of prospecting work at the low levels has been done during the year, and, on account of non-payable returns, are now for a time abandoned. The operations are confined to working on leaders over the tunnel level, and in driving a crosscut from the Albion to the Shotover shafts. At the 80-feet level several promising leaders have been cut through, and will be worked on as soon as ventilation is secured by having the drive completed. The

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returns of gold, which do not come up to the last year's figures, are as follows, viz.: —1,870 tons of quartz have been crushed, yielding 2,942 oz. of gold, value £6,703 135.; of this amount, 1,723 oz., value £4,307, was won by tributers, the company's share of the gold amounting to £1,062 18s. lid. The prospects from the upper portions of the mine are still encouraging, and profitable employment for a number of men for some time to come is almost certain. Southern Cross. —In this mine work was discontinued at the low levels, and operations were confined to the upper portions of the ground, from which 490 tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 613 oz. 4 dwt. of gold. It is intended to commence prospecting at the low levels in a short time. Caledonian. —Operations have chiefly been confined to working on reefs at No. 1 level. The yield of gold has been—for the company 492 oz 14 dwt., from 211 loads of quartz, and for the tributers, 813 oz. 12 dwt., from 572 loads. Waiotahi. —In this mine successful operations have been carried on during the year. The whole of the quartz has been obtained from the reefs over the No. 3 level, and there are large blocks remaining to be taken out before the quartz is exhausted between this level and the surface ; 718 feet of prospecting driving has been done, 520 fathoms of reef stoped out, and 2,559 tons of quartz crushed, yielding 4,035 oz. 10 dwt. of gold. Golden Crown. —This mine has been very successfully wrought during the year. Prospecting is being carried on at the 170-feet level, but the chief returns have been from the reefs between the 100-feet level and the surface ; 1,050 feet of driving in cross-cuts and prospecting drives on veins have been done, and 1,568 fathoms of reef and leaders stoped out, the yield of gold being 3,266 oz. 1 dwt., value £8,834 12s. 6d., from 6,500 tons of quartz crushed. This company have now acquired the Cure mine and connected their levels with the workings of that mine. A large amount of payable quartz will no doubt come from there as the cost of hauling and crushing will be now much less than formerly. Golden Calf— This mine has been wrought chiefly at the No. 2 level, and the reefs have yielded several payable returns. Prince Imperial.- —This mine has now become the property of the New Prince Imperial GoldMining Company, and they are engaged in opening up one of the reefs at the lowest level in the shaft, from which very encouraging prospects are obtained. A winze has been sunk on it, and they are now intending to sink the main shaft in order to open another level. Queen of Beauty Mine. —Operations during the year have principally been confined to the erection of more extensive and powerful machinery, and enlarging and sinking the main shaft. A party of tributers also are successfully working a reef at the No. 6 level in the Queen of the May section of the mine for very rich returns of gold. The shaft is now sunk to a depth of nearly 600 feet from the surface. The pump, a 12-inch one, was found to be insufficient to raise the water so as to admit of sinking; it was therefore decided to place another pump of the same size in the shaft, and there are now two pumps and sets of main rods —one balancing the other. Three plungers are attached to each rod. The water from both pumps is forced up a 15-inch pipe from the cisterns to the surface, and at the bottom drawing lifts are used. A coupling piece connects them below the working barrels, and only one wind-bore rests on the bottom of the shaft. This appears to work to great advantage, causing a continuous flow of water, and the shaft is not hampered with more than one pipe at the bottom. This mode of fixing pumps for raising water is an entirely new feature in deep mines, and its success reflects much credit on Mr. George Black, the engineer and manager. Deep Level Tribute Company. —This company has been formed to purchase the Big Pump, and to work on tribute the whole of the ground below the 400-feet level in the Southern Cross, Kuranui Hill United, Moanataiari, Golden Crown, Caledonian, Golden Calf, and Waiotahi Mines. This will include a considerable area which will be under where the richest deposits of gold were found on the field. They are now engaged in sinking three winzes from the 400-feet level, on the No. 1 or Caledonian reef; and intend, as soon as the water is sufficiently lowered, to open up a new level at 500 feet. Two diamond drills are to be procured to prospect portions of this area by boring. Moanataiabi District. Moanataiari Mine. —Operations have been chiefly confined to working on the reefs lying in the ground between the surface and the level 80 feet below the main tunnel, and in making connections between the Nonpareil and Central Italy workings and the main tunnel. A moderate return only of gold has been got during the year. Peuben Parr Mine. —The company have purchased the Dauntless and Sink to Eise ground, and are driving a low level from the Point Eussell tunnel belonging to the Moanataiari Company. This drive is through very hard rock, and the progress made is slow, so that some time will yet elapse before it is extended to cut the reefs which were successfully wrought in the upper levels. Coliban Mine. —This ground is owned by a private company of shareholders, and has paid handsomely during the year. Alburnia Mine. —During the year a considerable amount of prospecting work has been done. The Sons of Freedom level has been driven along the reef through Whau ground, and is still being carried on towards the boundary of the New North Devon Mine. A winze has been sunk on the reef from the 160 feet to the Sons of Freedom level, and the reef opened on at an intermediate level between those two, but the returns of gold from this portion of the mine have not as yet been satisfactory. The reefs worked on have been from the 160-feet level up to the surface. 1,589 loads of quartz yielded 2,139 oz. of gold. 1,728 feet of driving and 437 feet of winzes have been done, the cost of driving being on an average 40s. per foot, and sinking 50s. per foot. Prospecting works will still be carried on at the different levels, and it is to be hoped that this company may be more successful the next year than they have been during the past one. Whau Mine. —Prospecting was carried on at the low levels, and at one time it was anticipated that a good run of gold had been picked up, as some fair specimens were found. However, the returns were not payable, and deep-level operations have been for some time suspended.

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New North Devon Mine. —Operations were confined to stoping out portions of the reef between the 160-feet and the Whau levels in the early part of the year. The quartz yielded favourable returns, but latterly it has become too poor to pay. Several of the upper blocks have been let to tributers, who are having only moderate returns. Waiotahi District. —At the head of the creek the Bright Smile claim is still yielding rich returns. The Pinafore and West Coast Mines are also paying well. The Hopeful has been steadily worked, and fair returns obtained. The other claims are having only very moderate returns, which are not payable, Tararu District has lately been almost deserted. A party of miners erected a small battery driven by water-power to test a large reef on the line of the Black Beef, but the returns have not yet been payable. A company has been formed to open up the Sunbeam Eeef from the Tararu Battery Tunnel, and a commencement will soon be made to put the tunnel in repair. Karaka Creek District. —The City of Manchester and the Adelaide Claims are still profitably wrought, gold in payable quantities has been found in a low level lately driven to the reef. Small parties of miners are earning good wages, working on leaders in several claims farther up the creek. Te Papa Gully and Hape Creek District. —Star of Te Papa Mine has not yielded returns so good as was expected. The run of gold has not yet been traced to any great depth below the surface level, and none of the claims in the locality have got returns worthy of note. Hape Creek Mine was worked very successfully by tributers, and a company is now being formed to sink the shaft to a greateridepth. Several claims have been taken up and wrought for a time, but the returns of gold have been very moderate. Otunui District. —Two parties of miners have found patches of good specimens in a reef in this locality, and a number of claims have been marked out in consequence. There is every reason to believe that more gold-bearing reefs will yet be found in this district, the rock being of what is called a kindly nature for gold. Some time will elapse before this part of the field can be thoroughly tested, as there is not a practicable road yet made to it, and it is distant about 2_ miles from the nearest battery. Tairua District. —The Decide Claim has yielded fair returns of gold from the surface part of the reef. The Gem and Wheel of Fortune Claims have also had encouraging returns from trial crushings, and are preparing to work their reefs in a systematic manner, and the New Guinea Claim is not paying. Ohinemttei. Karangahake District. —The Christmas-Box Claim was prospected for several months by two men, and fair prospects were found in a reef; but as there was great difficulty in getting quartz to a battery no trial crushing has yet been made. The Keep-it-Dark and Caledonia Claims were taken up on a large reef situated within a short distance of the top of the Karangahake Mountain. This reef is about 8 feet in thickness, and gold is freely seen in the stone taken from about 2 feet of the hanging-wall side of it. The most gold is seen in black streaks in the stone, and the appearance of the quartz generally is much like that in which gold is being found at Te Aroha. Several other claims have been marked out, and arrangements have been made with the owners of the old battery formerly owned by the Karangahake Gold-mining Company to have it put in repair. There is, therefore, every probability that this district, which was the scene of the first great rush in 1875 and afterwards abandoned, will yet come to the front. Owharoa District.— -Badical Extended Mine : This mine has been worked by tributers, and several rich yields of gold realized ; the drives on low levels are still being pushed ahead, and there is every reason to believe that new runs of gold may be discovered. Smile of Fortune Mine. —A party of tributers were very successful in finding a rich run of gold, and after their term expired the company worked the reef on their own account, and now employ about twenty men in working the mine and battery. The returns are still very satisfactory. Lucky Hit Mine is situated to the north of the Smile of Fortune and Badical ground. Several payable returns from the upper levels encouraged the owners to put in a low-level tunnel, and that work in now progressing. In the Battalion, Old Nut, and Star of the South Claims, encouraging prospects are found. Several other parties are prospecting in the claims taken up, but no payable gold has yet been found. Waitekauri Disteict. Waitekauri Mine. —The tributers have been very successful during the year, and rich returns of gold have also been got by the company on their own account from the same reef as the tributers wrought on. The mine is again entirely let to parties on tribute, and there is every prospect of continued success. Waitekauri No. 3 Mine. —This ground was taken up on the underlay of the reef worked by the tributers in the Waitekauri Mine. Several payable returns have been got, but the run of gold becomes poorer in following it downwards. Waitekauri Extended Mine. —Bayable returns have been got from a small reef in this ground; but as an expensive drive is necessary to open it, an amalgamation with the adjoining claims is talked of for the purpose of thoroughly testing the reefs at a greater depth. Just in Time Mine. —A parcel of rich specimens was found at the outcrop of a large reef, and a drive was put in to test the reef deeper. The returns have not been, so far, satisfactory. They are now putting up a rise from this level to the surface. Welcome. —Barties of tributers are occasionally getting small parcels of payable quartz ; but very little prospecting is going on. Diamond.— The returns from this claim were very good : 3 oz. per ton. There is every appearance of a continuation of payable yields coming from the reef. A number of claims other than those mentioned have been taken up at Waitekauri, and in several a considerable amount of prospecting done, but so far no payable gold has been found, although loose gold and rich boulders of quartz on the surface would lead to the belief that other rich reefs may yet be discovered in an extensive area of country in this locality.

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Waihi District.— The Martha, Voung Colonial, Dulcibel, and Waihi Companies' mines are the only ones which have done any work on the reefs during the year. The prospects which have been found at the low levels are very encouraging, and the owners of the claims estimate that a large extent of the reef will be payable. Two batteries, one of 20 and the other 15 stampers, are nearly completed, and the value of the quartz will soon be determined. The Waihi Company have connected the mine and battery by a substantial wooden tramway, and the cost of transport of quartz will be very cheap, and, as the battery is driven by water-power, low-grade quartz can be made to pay a profit. The Martha battery is convenient to the mine, and is also driven by water-power, and, as the quartz can be broken out at a small cost, their prospects of success are almost certain to be realized, provided the present show of gold continues. Puketui District. —The Eosemount, Hercules, and Golden Spur have met with fair prospects. Tapu District. —Several claims have been taken up at Tapu Creek, and from the Christmas Claim at No. 1 Gully payable parcels of quartz have been taken out. The leader is, however, small and very much broken and disturbed, and it is doubtful whether it will extend to any great distance. In the adjoining claims very little gold has yet been found. The battery has been thoroughly repaired, and a new water-race brought in at a great expense, as the cutting was for a considerable distance through hard slate. At Waionui Creek a claim has been taken up, and a small run of gold traced in a reef to a depth of 50 feet. The value of the quartz cannot be ascertained, as the owner is not inclined to disclose particulars. The following return shows the quantity of quartz crushed and gold obtained during the year in Hauraki South.

Haueaki Noeth, oe Coeomandel. Mining operations have been steadily conducted during the year. A number of claims were marked out and licenses applied for on the Tokatea Bange, and also at the Tiki District, on that part of the gold field adjacent to where mining is carried on in private land. The works in the Tokatea and Kapanga Mines have also been considerably advanced. Tokatea District. —Tokatea Mine : The low level has been driven a considerable distance on the reef, and a rise put up giving good communication with the level above, and thoroughly ventilating this part of the mine. This drive is still being pushed ahead, and also an intermediate drive on the reef. When the mine is thoroughly opened up stoping will be commenced and crushing carried on. The battery has been renovated, and is now in good order for reducing the quartz. Bismark Mine. —Stoping is carried on in those blocks which were opened on the reef from a rise which was put up to the old workings, and payable yields are got. The mine is now well ventilated and a considerable amount of the reef is open for working out. Queen of the North Mine. —A drive has been made to open a low level in which the run of gold has been cut, giving good returns. As the quartz found in the level above was very rich a valuable block of ground is opened. Poyal Oak Mine. —With the exception of portions of the old ground which have been successfully wrought by tributers no prospecting works have been carried on. However, it is the intention of the owners to drive a low level from one of the Tokatea and Bismark tunnels, this will open a large block of ground in which the prospects are said to be very good. Pride of Tokatea Company have relinquished the greater part of the ground held by them ; this has been taken up by parties of miners who are preparing to systematically work the reefs which are known to exist there. That portion of the mine which the company retain is being wrought by tributers with fair success. The new claims Ness-Side, Blue Peter, Comstock, Hope, Colonial, and Stanley, situated to the south of the Pride of Tokatea, are all profitably wrought. The Success Mine has also turned out a considerable quantity of rich stone, and a level is now being put in to cut the reef at a greater depth with every prospect of good returns. Kapanga Mine. —Sinking the main shaft has been discontinued, and a cross-cut driven, and the reef cut 140 feet from the shaft. Seventy feet have been driven on the reef, in a northerly direction and a rise commenced near the cross-cut which is to be continued upwards to connect with No. 1 level; occasional stones showing gold have been found both in the drive and rises. No. 1 level Driving is going on in the reef known as " Scotty's Beef," and occasional small patches of rich stone discovered ; a double rise is also being put up on the reef from this level to secure ventilation,

Month. Quartz Crushed. Tailings Treated. Yield of Gold. Lpril, 1881 £ay une „ uly Lugust „ leptember, 1881 )ctober „ November ,, )ecember „ anuary, 1882 February „ ilarch ,, Tons cwt. qr. lb. 2,934 14 1 13 2,839 3 12 3,620 11 3 17 2,335 14 3 19 1,970 3 1 22 2,308 5 0 16 2,880 13 2 2,415 9 0 11 3,407 14 0 26 1,462 13 2 26 2,140 1 3 10 2,383 6 3 17 Tons cwt. qr. lb. 339 7 0 0 504 15 0 0 1,253 10 0 0 1,121 10 0 0 1,458 15 2 15 1.525 14 0 0 1.526 10 0 0 1,334 0 0 0 1,235 10 1 21 816 0 0 0 814 10 0 0 1,036 3 0 6 Oz. dwt. gr. 2,292 10 12 3,924 14 12 4,050 8 0 5,762 19 0 3,169 6 12 2,506 7 18 6,773 11 18 4,206 6 6 6,523 2 0 989 15 0 2,189 13 0 3,415 5 0 Total 30,698 0 3 3 12,966 5 0 2 45,803 19 6

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Peach District. —Work has been almost entirely suspended during the past yeai', and the returns have been very slight. The Just-in-Time Company are sinking a shaft, and erecting pumping machinery to drain their ground. The Union Beach Mine was unwrought for a considerable time, and in consequence was declared forfeited by me. An appeal against this decision was heard by the Warden, when a fine of £100 was substituted in lieu of forfeiture. The property has since been sold, and a new company is now being formed to work the ground. Tiki District. —Several claims were taken up near the private land, and a considerable amount of prospecting carried on, but the results so far have on the whole been unsatisfactory. On Mrs. MTntosh's property, Blackmore's Home Eule, and Tiernan's Claims have yielded rich returns; but, these mines not being in the gold field, do not come under my jurisdiction. A party of miners are engaged in forming a tail-race for the purpose of sluicing the Waiau Biver. This race is already finished for about 1,400 feet, and they are forming a head-race which will be about the same length, and expect to get on the river bed before the winter rains set in. A little free gold and rich specimens have been found in the Matawai and other creeks which fall into the Waiau, above where this claim is taken up, so that there is a fair prospect of the river-bed proving payable. Vizard and party, who have been prospecting the Tiki District for several years, have found rich quartz in a reef near Castle Bock. As this part is in the gold field a number of miners have taken up claims in the neighbourhood. An old battery on the Matawai Creek is being put in working order, and when a road is made to the locality it will be an important addition to the mining area. The future prospects of the whole of this part of the field are sufficient to anticipate profitable employment for a number of miners for years to come. The quantity of quartz crushed and the return of gold obtained during the year are as follows : —Tons crushed, 3,358 ; gold obtained, 7,351 oz. Te Aeoha Gold Field. During the past year a battery was erected in the township for the purpose of crushing the quartz raised from the claims adjacent to the Hot Springs Beserve. The returns not proving payable, with the exception of three or four claims, the owners of which still continued to prospect their ground after trial crushings, the whole of this part of the field was deserted. Hone Werahiko, the Native who first discovered gold at Te Aroha, continued prospecting on a large reef known as the Buck Beef, near the Waiorongomai Creek, which, although its existence was well known, attracted but a limited amount of attention from the miners during the first rush to this field. After several months of patient industry and by following the line of the reef (the bearing of which is 353° magnetic) in a northerly direction he was fortunate in discovering gold about a mile and a half distant from where the reef crops out near the flat. Immediately this discovery was made known a rush took place to the locality and claims were marked out along the line of the reef for a distance of over two miles, in several of these the miners have discovered gold in quantities which will no doubt prove payable when capital can be found to open up the field and erect batteries and tramways. Gold was discovered in the New Find Claim on the eastern face of a large outcrop of quartz, which appears to be the same reef as that cropping out at different places along the line, and is probably a continuation of the Buck Beef already mentioned; but this matter is uncertain, as several large reefs have since been discovered running in the same direction. In other claims fresh discoveries of gold have been made in reefs running about north-east, which will cross the main reefs, and the probability is that at their junctions richer deposits of gold may be found. New Find Claim.- —The workmen in this claim have been stripping soil and roots from the reef for about 60 feet by 30 feet along the eastern side, and putting a prospecting drive on the same side at a lower level; gold shows freely in the portion stripped, and fair prospects are obtained in the drive. Young Colonial. —In this claim gold can be seen along the face of a reef cropping out and standing high above the surface (and which runs in the same direction as the reef first found) ; in a cross-cut put into it fair prospects have been obtained; another level is now being driven in order to cut the reef at from 50 to 60 feet lower level. Golden Crown or Premier Claim. —Gold has been found in a reef running about north-east and at a distance of from 60 to 70 feet to the westward of the large north and south reef. The prospects at the surface where the reef has been stripped are very good, gold showing freely in the quartz, and in a drive put in at a depth of about 50 feet the reef is 4 feet in width, and the show of gold much about the same. Another reef, running in a parallel direction, situated more to the northward, shows prospects almost equal to the reef first discovered. The lodes in this claim are not yet sufficiently worked on to ascertain their value, but as far as they have been tested a large amount of payable quartz has been discovered. Queen of Beauty Claim. —Gold has been found in loose boulders of quartz on the lower side of a reef running about north-east. This is about 4 feet in width, and is evidently the same as one of the reefs found in the Golden Crown Claim. Fureka Claim. —Gold shows freely in a north-east reef 4 feet in width, on which a shaft has been sunk to a depth of 30 feet, and the whole of the quartz taken from it is estimated to yield 1 oz. per ton. This claim lies to the westward of, and is about 500 yards distant from, the New Find Claim, and the two reefs will probably junction near it. Diamond Gully Claim. —A north-east reef, about 2 feet wide and showing good dabs of gold in the stone, has been found on the western side of a large reef running parallel with and about 200 feet to the eastward of the New Find reef. Good specimens in loose quartz have been, picked up near the surface, and there is every prospect of its being a payable reef. Werahiko No. 2.—Gold has been found in a north-east reef 3 feet in width, and the quartz is estimated to be worth 1 oz. to the ton. This reef lies about 20 chains to the eastward of the line of the New Find reef. Payable gold has now been found in claims one mile apart on the line and about a quarter of a mile on either side of the main reef, showing that the belt of gold-bearing country is already proved to be of considerable extent.

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A number of claims besides those mentioned have been taken up, and fresh discoveries are almost certain to be made ; but, on the whole, the show of gold in those reefs already prospected is amply sufficient to warrant further expenditure in erecting batteries and making roads to convey the quartz to the mills. Gold is seen chiefly in a peculiar kind of black streaks in the quartz, and is of a very fine character, although in some specimens, especially those from the New Find, the gold is in small dabs through the stones. A pack-track, leading to the claims near the New Find Claim, was made as soon as possible after gold had been found in sufficient quantities to warrant further prospecting of the district. Machinesites have been marked out along the Waiorongomai Creek, water-rights acquired, and crushingplants have been purchased to be erected. A wide road is now being made near the creek for the purpose of conveying machinery to the vicinity of the claims, and for bringing quartz to the batteries, and there is very little doubt that, after these are completed, there will be a considerable yield of gold from this part of the district. General Eemaeks. The immediate prosperity of the whole of the fields will in a great measure depend on the development of the reefs in the new districts. The older mines, which have yielded rich returns in the past, are now worked down to a depth that necessitates the expenditure of a large amount of capital to further open up low levels. Work is therefore confined to limited areas, and prospecting operations cau only be conducted slowly on account of engineering difficulties. At the Thames the Deep Level Tribute Company will require to expend much time and labour before their ground can be opened in a manner suitable to enable them to prove their reefs at the 500--feet level; and in the Queen of Beauty Mine the shaft (after expending eighteen months' labour) will shortly be sunk to a sufficient depth to admit of another block on the reef being worked to a depth of 60 feet. At Coromandel the sinking of the Kapanga shaft has been a work that has taken several years to complete, in order to enable the company to prove the reefs at a greater depth, and some time must yet necessarily elapse before the mine can be opened up so as to become a steady gold-producer. The time required to again open the Union Beach Mine will also be considerable before much work cau be done on the reefs. In the event of each one of the companies mentioned being successful in finding payable gold at deep levels, the time necessary to open up the mines under existing difficulties will have the effect of tending to retard the returns, as the energies of the companies are chiefly expended in performing dead work. Therefore it will be apparent, on account of the slow progress of opening up new and deep levels, that the yield of gold cannot be continuously maintained from those mines, the upper levels of which are becoming exhausted. The new districts which have been opened have got large bodies of quartz near the surface, and water-power is, in most cases, available for driving crushing machines; there is, therefore, every prospect that a steady yield of gold will be kept up when all the batteries at present in course of erection are completed and the mines in working order. There are several places where gold has been found along the peninsula at a distance from those parts of the fields at present occupied, and which, during the first rush, were thought to be inaccessible, and where mining operations were never conducted to any exteut, and there is very little doubt that, if roads and tracks were formed through and along the gold field and the country north and south of Te Aroha Mountain, an auriferous area of great extent would be opened up for prospectors, and deposits of gold found, which would be the means of advantageously employing capital and labour, and materially adding to the wealth of the country. During the year (in all the mining districts) only one accident took place; this, however, was a serious one, and occurred in the Queen of Beauty Mine, at the Thames, when a man named Eobert Wingate lost his life. He was temporarily in charge of the mine, and accompanied the pitman when he went down to regulate the pump on its being started after a short stoppage. Contrary to the wish of the pitman, he insisted on stationing himself at No. 1 plunger while the man proceeded to the one below. It is supposed he must have slipped while turning a tap (as the spanner used for that purpose was afterwards picked up on a set of timber where it had lodged lower than where he was stationed) and fallen down the shaft, as his body was found at a chamber about 150 feet below where the pitman left him. No blame could be attached to any one, the staging being the same as that ordinarily used in pumping-shafts. I have, &?., James M. McLaeen, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Mining Inspector.

MAELBOEOUGII GOLD FIELDS. No. 5. Mr. Waeden Allen to the Undeb-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sir,— Picton, 24th April, 1882. I have the honor to enclose you the annual returns for the Marlborough Gold Fields for the year ended 31st March, 1882. The returns wdll show very little progress in any of my districts, and a slight decrease in business in the Wairau Valley District. I briefly report as follows : — Pelorus Mining District (known as Wakamarina Gold Field). —The population and yield of gold will be quite equal to last year. I am inclined to think that a quantity of the gold obtained in this district is removed to Nelson, and probably sold as West Coast gold. Several small parties of miners have been doing well, and the quantity of gold exported or removed coastwise by our local banks is

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very small. In my last report I mentioned four small companies who were about starting or had started work in this district. Only one of these companies (the sluicing party at the Forks) can be reported as having done well. The Wakamarina Alluvial Hydraulic Sluicing Company appear to have devoted their time, energy, and spare capital to law, the result doubtless proving eminently unsatisfactory as far as the shareholders are concerned. A short while ago, having a little spare time at their disposal, they washed up, and I am informed the washing up was satisfactory. I think, with proper management, the working of this claim would pay. I refer briefly to a matter that properly should appear in next year's report. There is no doubt that the dividing ranges between the Wakamarina, the Kaituna, and the Wairau Valleys, are gold-bearing country. Reefs have been discovered in many places, and in one or two places the surface reef's have been tested. No great amount of work has been done, and very little capital has been expended on this work; it may be described as very little more than surface work. Every one appears to have been waiting with the most exemplary patience for something to turn up. Some two or three weeks ago it was reported that payable stone had been struck near Deep Creek. A party of men have held a prospecting area for a short time near Dead Horse Creek, and it appears they have found a reef some 10 or 12 feet thick, of what at present appears to be good payable quartz. Several leases have been applied for, and, should the stone prove good, machinery will at once be brought on the ground. I hope, therefore, to bo able to present a much better report of this district for next year. Wairau Valley District, —There is very little to report concerning this district. I have no doubt parties at work are earning wages, or they w rould not remain on the ground. This district is for the most part cut off from the centres of population by the Wairau Rivej", and want of roads. A very good road, opening up the whole of this gold field, might be made down the north bank of the Wairau, but conflicting interests will for the present prevent this useful and necessary work being done. The largest number of men are I believe at present working in Onamalutu Valley, many of them by agreement on freehold land. It is reported that a good reef has been discovered near Arm Chair Creek. Queen Charlotte Mining District, —There are only two companies at work at present in this district, the Ravenscliff and the Golden Eagle. Both I believe have been, honestly and perseveringly carrying on their works, but with extremely poor results. The Golden Eagle Company have, during the past year, crushed only about 20 tons of stone, with a result of about 10 oz. of retorted gold. The manager informs me that.he has about 20 tons more of stone brought to grass ready for crushing. The Ravenscliff annual report is forwarded herewith, and to which I beg to refer you for further particulars. 1 have, &c, J. Allen, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Warden.

NELSON GOLD FIELDS. No. 6. Me. Warden Cuetis to the U_dee-Seceet_ey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 20th April, 1882. I have the honor to forward to you herewith the various forms with which you furnished me filled up with the required information relative to the Wangapeka Gold Field. I have only held the office of Warden for about three months, but I may say that, not only during that period but throughout the year ending 31st March, nothing worthy of remark has occurred in the district under my charge. Several applications have, however, lately been made for gold-mining leases at the source of the Owen Biver in consequence of the reported existence there of a payable quartz reef; but I am not as yet in possession of information sufficiently reliable to justify me in expressing an opinion as to the value of the discovery. I have, &c, Oswald Curtis, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 7. Mr. Warden Gibbs to the Undee-Seceetaby for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Collingwood, 18th March, 1882. In compliance with the request contained in your circular of the 20th ultimo, I have the honor to forward, together with the returns required, a general report of the present position and prospects of the Collingwood Gold Field. There are some of the returns less complete than I could wish, there having been no regular register kept. lam therefore only able to give an approximate return by going through the butts of old certificates and other books. This will be for the future altered, as a regular register of all transations will be kept. Notwithstanding that my connection with this district for so many years gives me a fair general knowledge of the various mining localities, I have, since taking charge early in January last, thought it advisable to pay a few visits to some of the principal places, and I find that, although there is not just now much gold being obtained, there is a singular appearance of activity in the way of preparations for the future. The country known as the Gouland Downs, which my predecessor referred to in his report of last year l; as favourably thought of by the miners," and recommending the continuation of the road up the Aorere Valley and on to these downs ; this work not having been done, this large block of country is still practically closed to the miner from the impossibility of getting provisions conveyed there at any reasonable cost. This road, for which Parliament last year voted the money, would also open up a large extent of rough pastoral country, and gold has been found in nearly every creek in this large

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block of country, some 150 square miles, and it is generally believed that profitable work would be found by a large number of men; the streams running into the Aorere as well as the main river above this point are all auriferous as far as explored, and have some of them been partially worked. The diggings known as the " Burgoo " are in this locality; the same difficulty here as in many other places exists—viz., want of pack tracks. Twenty miles nearer Collingwood is the quartz ranges, one of the earlier mining localities on these diggings, still producing a fair yield of gold ; the miners on this and other localities in this district have settled down and have good gardens and comfortable houses. In this locality several applications for leases on a quartz reef lately discovered have been put in, and have now been surveyed, and portions of the stone taken from a leader in one of the drives has shown by test in the Government laboratory the extraordinary yield (after removing all visible gold) of Boz. 13dwt. 13gr. per ton. The main reef has not yet been struck, but all the leaders, though small, are gold-bearing. I have not yet been able to visit these works, but will do so at an early date. Before concluding my remarks on this locality, I may state that the reef that has for some years been working more or less profitably at the Anatori (West Wanganui), on the other side of the Wakapohi Range, and about abreast of the quartz ranges, has lately opened out some exceedingly rich stone, which leads many to hope that the same class of stone may be found on both sides of the range, the distance being small. Between the quartz ranges and the Slate River there has not been much done during the past year, a few men only working in the old river diggings. On the eastern side of the Slate River a portion of the table land lately named Druggan's Flat, and which has from the earliest days of these diggings attracted attention (there have been various attempts made to work it and successfully battle with the heavy boulder drift by shafts and paddocks), is now being taken up by my granting extended claims of 1 acre each man, and it is proposed to be worked on quite a different system. I have let it be clearly understood, on granting them, that these claims must be actively worked, and I am glad to find that the men seem confident of their value, and are making energetic efforts to supply themselves with water (I fear one of their future difficulties) and pushing on their working tunnels, some of which will be 500 feet long through non-auriferous rock before reaching the drift. This mode of working this ground seems more likely to be successful than under the old system, but, from the great expense entailed, it has, I consider, justified me in granting such extended claims. From this place rises over table lands and low hills, in slightly different directions, two of the older digging localities of this district, the one covering the country comprising Lightband's and Appo's Gullies, and the other the Bedstead and Golden Gullies. All this country, although much worked in the past, is still in great favour, and much of it is taken up under lease. In the Bedstead and Golden Gully Block lies the claim formerly known as the Perseverance, which, either from imperfect appliances or bad management, failed to pay (no one thought it was because the stuff was poor). That confidence in the ground has now induced another company (Johnston and Company) to start. They are putting in a 400-feet drive at a lower level; this drive I saw when 200 feet in. There was then no indication of them being near a gold-bearing stone. Very shortly after my visit, however, when about 15 feet further in, the stuff changed, much resembling that in which the gold was^found in the old workings. It is expected this drive will be much below the auriferous stone, and that the water, which was the great difficulty, in the old mine, will then be got rid of without expense. There is a large extent of good ground in this locality, but the old flume, formerly built at great expense by the Nelson Company and afterwards by the Perseverance, having fallen beyond repair, this part of the district is nearly at a stand still for want of water. The Johnston Company will have again to bring in water from the Parapara to work the claim, and it is to be hoped they may have some to spare to sell to those who so much want it in this locality. In Stanton's, Lightband's, and Appo's Gullies there are a few men apparently doing very well. In the prospecting drives put in by Mr. Ross in the Red Hill some good stuff is said to have been found, and will, no doubt, shortly be in working trim. Altogether there is a healthy appearance of revival, and I have every reason to believe that before the end of the year there will be a great improvement in the gold mining industry in this part of my district. Takaka, —This part of the Collingwood Goldfield includes several old mining localities, and a comparatively new one —Mount Arthur. The old diggings are doing about the same as they have for some years past; the difficulty of pack-tracks is here as elsewhere felt; there has been a movement on the part of the local body to take advantage of the vote to meet equivalent moneys voted or subscribed in the district for the purpose of forming a track up the Anatoki River, from which a fair yield of gold has been obtained, and it is known to be better higher up. This upper country (rather large in extent) can be reached both from there and from Collingwood side of the range; both roads are in a bad state. The Collingwood one—by way of Rocky River and Snow's Rush—though longer, is the easiest grade ; that by the Anatoki is shorter but much steeper ; both lines have their advocates ; one, at any rate, is badly needed. The alluvial digging here will increase, in all probability, in a few months, as many of those formerly engaged in that pursuit are at present working in the construction of a district tramway, which in a few months will be finished. The Mount Arthur quartz reefs have attracted considerable attention, but up to the present time I have not heard of any of the companies who have got into working order. I had intended ere this to have visited the locality. There are applications for amalgamation of some of the leases under special claims referred to mo by the Commissioner of Crown Lands in Nelson. Before I report to him I propose to visit the works, and will then send in a subreport to you on this locality. There are a few alluvial miners at work there who get their miners' rights, some in Nelson and some from this office ; this prevents my being able to give you at present any correct data; I shall, however, be better able to do so after my visit. There are some other works going on in the district which come under the head of mining, though not gold mining, which I think I should notice. One of these works, for the manufacture of hydraulic cement, will shortly be in working order. The same proprietor is working the Collingwood coal seams.

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There are several prospecting licenses issued, and a few mineral leases for minerals other than gold, of which two for silver are said to have fair prospects. The manufacture of hematite paint has now assumed the character of a regular and permanent industry. The coal seams at West Wanganui, which for some time were worked by a Wellington company who went into liquidation, have since been started by another company, who have put down test borings; they have gone through two seams of 2 feet and 3 feet respectively, and are now pushing on for the main seam, which is reckoned to be 6 feet. I cannot better conclude my report than by repeating my remark at the commencement, " That although at present there is not a large amount of gold getting, there is a singular activity and hopefulness apparent amongst those engaged in this industry." I have, &c, Wm. Gibbs, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 8. Mr. Warden Bevele to the Under-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Westport, April 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith the statistical returns for the year ending the 31st March, and to submit the following general report on that portion of the Buller District under my control: — The district is divided into three sub-districts —viz.: (1.) Westport, taking in Addison's Flat, Buller Boad, Northern Terraces, Waimangaroa, Mokibinui, and Karamea. (2.) Charleston, taking in Croninville, Brighton, Fox's Eiver, to the Bazorback. (3.) Lyell, which includes Welchman's, New Creek, Zala Town, Manuka Flat, Central and Upper Buller, Hampden, Matakitaki, Glenroy, and Maruia. Beceivers of gold revenue are stationed at the Townships of Westport, Charleston, and Lyell. Sittings of the Courts have been held at each place at regular intervals. The officer in charge at Lyell visits Hampden, distant twenty-four miles from Lyell, twice a month; and sittings of the Courts have during the past year been held regularly every alternate month. This Court has been a source of great convenience to the miners in the Upper Buller and Matakitaki, and has saved them many a weary tramp to the Lyell. Westpoet Sub-district. Alluvial mining has been carried on during the past twelve months at Addison's Flat, Northern Terraces, Buller Biver, Waimangaroa, Mokibinui, and Karamea, with fair average returns, and in some instances good yields have been obtained. A few parties are located along the sea beaches between Westport and Mokihinui working the black sand. No new discoveries in alluvial workings have been made. During the summer months several parties went out prospecting for quartz reefs on the ranges between the Mokihinui and Buller Elvers. About four months ago good gold-bearing quartz was obtained up the Mokihinui, near the old Halcyon Claim, and also at Waimangaroa and Cascade Creek, some ten miles up the Buller Biver. A rush at once set in, which resulted in thirty-six gold-mining leases being applied for —namely, Mokihinui, 10 leases; Waimangaroa, 16 ; and Cascade Creek, 10. Of these eight leases have been surveyed and granted. Several of tiie leases applied for at Waimangaroa are situate upon the coal leases and cannot be granted until the Government make arrangements with the present lessees. The rest of the applications have been adjourned for the completion of the surveys. Chaeleston Sub-disteict. ISo payable quartz reefs have up to the present time been found in this portion of the district. Mining in alluvial ground has been steadily pursued with fair results wherever water was available on the terraces and low flats adjoining the creeks and gullies. During heavy gales on the coast the deposit of grey sand on the sea beaches is swept away, and a thick layer of black sand containing a large percentage of fine gold is left exposed, and when washed out yields from 10s. to 255. per day. If water is not available the black sand is carefully gathered up and carried up on the bank out of the reach of the tide. The greater portion of these claims have been covered up with grey sand for several months, but the owners are very careful in keeping them protected. Two double area claims on the Nine-mile Beach, with water-race and all appliances in connection therewith, were sold for £1,000 about three months ago. The workings at Croninville have been steadily maintained during the year. Some of the claims have proved unremunerative, and been abandoned after the expenditure of a considerable amount of time and labour in opening up the ground. Great energy and skill have been displayed by the miners in working their claims, the construction of tunnels, and the methods adopted for saving the gold. Water is supplied from two large water-races brought in from the head of the Totara Eiver, about six or seven miles above Croninville, and several large reservoirs have been constructed on the flats for the storage of the surplus and night water. The enormous output of tailings from the claims into the Totara Biver is gradually filling up the bed of the river, so much so that steps have been taken by the agricultural lessees on the river below the workings to protect their interests. Mr. Costello has taken proceedings in the Supreme Court, which will eventually put a stop to all the workings at Croninville, unless the rights of the agricultural lessees are bought up and cancelled. The " fly catchers " are making fair wages with the numerous tables set in the creeks and tailraces for saving the fine gold which escapes from the workings on the various terraces. The profit derived from these works is often reduced considerably by the injury done to the tables during floods,

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The bursting of the Government dam and of Horner and Gregory's dam in April last has been a serious loss to the claimholders along the terraces in and around Charleston. Horner and Gregory only completed the reconstruction of their dam and race in November last. The supply of water from the Government dam has been considerably below the average, but the feed supplies are now being reconstructed, and a contract has been let for the construction of a tunnel and open race from the dam, which will shorten the distance and cut off a large extent of fluming which is fast falling into decay. Lyell Sub-district. There has been a marked improvement during the past twelve months in mining operations. Alluvial mining has been maintained, and good patches of ground have been opened up in various parts of the district. At Welchman's Terrace the miners have, with two or three exceptions, been compelled to abandon their claims in consequence of the extremely wet and dangerous nature of the ground. Several tunnels were driven in from 50 to 100 feet with the utmost care, the men working eight-hour shifts day and night to prevent the ground from running, but without avail, for the water increased as they went in, and when the run began all hands had to leave as fast as possible, and the tunnel having to be abandoned as worthless. Two parties are still holding their claims on the terrace in the hope of striking the washdirt. They are carrying on their tunnels, but find it difficult to get miners to join them owing to the dangerous nature of the workings. About September last several quarts reefs were discovered on the ranges between Lyell and New Creek. Fifty-eight gold-mining leases were applied for. Sixteen leases have been surveyed and granted. Five or six others have been abandoned or withdrawn, and the rest are held over for the completion of the survey. The United Alpine Company have a battery of twenty heads in full work, with four berdans. No. 6 level is in 550 feet; the company employ about sixty men, and are stoping out between No. 4 and 5 levels. The machinery is driven by water-power over a 40-foot wheel with 6-feet breast. The United Italy contains a battery of five heads, and has been working for some years on quartz leaders, some of which have yielded 20 oz. to the ton. The present lessees intend to register under the Mining Companies Act, and increase their capital, and work the claim on a more extensive scale. The United Victory, at New Creek, have erected a battery of ten heads, and have put in two tunnels—No. 1, 200 feet; and No. 2, 460 feet. The Maruia Company have a ten-head battery at work upon the rich leaders, which have yielded on an average about 3 oz. to 4 oz. to the ton. The company are driving for the main reef. The Lyell extended consists of a special claim of 63 acres, adjoining the Alpine Claim. They have to drive a tunnel 1,800 feet to get into their ground; 300 feet has been driven, with good indications, and tenders have been called for another length of 400 feet. The Croesus Company have put in three tunnels, and found good payable stone 200 feet in No. 1 tunnel. They are making preparations for the erection of machinery. In January last an application was made for a prospecting area over 5,000 acres on Manuka Flat, with a right to occupy a special claim of 200 acres after proving the ground; other parties having applied for gold-mining leases in the same locality, the application was not entertained, and four leases, have since been applied for. There is a great increase of business in the Township of Lyell. The Bank of New Zealand has opened a branch there, and the hotels and business premises are being enlarged and otherwise improved. The new Court House has been erected, and the removal of the Court from the public room of the hotel thereto, in February last, has been beneficial to all concerned. The statistical returns show that there are 481 water-races of an aggregate length of 421 miles, registered to carry 1,437 heads of water, valued at £39,213; 203 tail-races, at £12,98.1; 415 dams, at £12,009 ; 3 reservoirs, at £650 ; and 250 ground sluices, at £25,000. These, taken together with the mining plant and machinery, estimated at £19,000, show the total value of mining property in the district to be £108,853. I append herewith return showing the total population, cases disposed of in the Besident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, the number of rights, licenses, registrations, &c, issued at each office, and the estimated yield of gold. The following table shows the amount of calls made and dividends declared, &c, in the Lyell District, from Ist April, 1881, to 31st March, 1882:—

Name of Company. Calls made. Total Dividends declared. Quantity of Quartz crushed. Yield. Description and Value of each Class of Machinery and Mining Plant. £ s. d. 7,600 0 0 £ s. d. 10,466 13 4 Tons. Oz. Ihited Alpine 8,200 4,444 20-head battery, with 4 berdans; water-wheel, £6,972. Nil. 10-head battery, with turbine, £2,000. 5-head battery. Nil. Nil. Nil. Nil. Nil. ircesus Jmted Victory 1,775 0 0 2,220 0 0 Nil Nil. Nil Nil Nil Nil Fnited Italy ... rictor Emmanuel losmpolitan ... Luburn Lrizona few South Wales Jallarat jyellCreek Extended ... Nil 1,000 0 0 100 0 0 45 0 0 45 0 0 150 0 0 58 6 8 800 0 0 Wages Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

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The following is the return of miners' rights, licenses, registrations, &c., issued during the twelve months ending 31st March, 1882: —

The following is the return of revenue for the twelve months: —

The following is the return of cases in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts: —

The following is the estimated yield of gold: —Westport, 6,0860z. ; Charleston, 6,6920z.; Lyell, 10,000oz. : total, 22,7780z. The following is the estimated population: —Westport, 2,000 Europeans; 6 Chinese : total, 2,006. Charleston, 890 Europeans. Lyell, 1,000 Europeans ; 70 Chinese : total, 1,070. Total population, Europeans, 3,890; Chinese, 76. I have, &c, W. H. Eevell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 9. Mr. Warden Eevell to the Ukder-Secretaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Reefton, 26th April, 1882. The time has once more arrived for submitting to you my annual report upon this portion of my district, and my task is in many respects a pleasurable one, as scarcely at any time during the existence of the field have its prospects been so bright as at the present time. One of the essentials to the development of the gold fields is capital. The return of the tide of prosperity to the colony during the past twelve months has made itself felt at this remote portion of it, inasmuch as the money market, which had before been so depressed, having become easier, investment of capital in mining became once more the order of the day, and a great revival has consequently taken place in mining matters. Although the hopes entertained, when writing my last report, of a much larger output of gold during the year have not been fully realized, which may be accounted for by the fact that the works in several of the mines were not so far advanced as it was anticipated, yet the result may be regarded as satisfactory, there having been an increase upon last year of 2,135 oz., 12 dwt., 20 gr., from the quartz mines, and 1,446 oz., 16 dwt., 23 gr. from alluvial workings. The past year has been an eventful one in the history of the district. All quartz-mining communities are subject to " spurts," which are generally occasioned by the striking of rich gold-bearing stone in a mine. The past year has seen several such finds in many of the mines here —notably in the Imperial, Specimen Hill, Golden Fleece, and Golden Point Companies. These finds occurring in quick succession, coupled with the finding of rich loads at deep levels in the Welcome and Keep-it-Dark mines, and money being much more plentiful, resulted in a spurt such as the district had not seen since its early days. The above companies are situated at Boatman's, Murray's, and Devil's Creeks, and are

Westport. Charleston. Lyell. Totals. liners' rights ... iusiness licenses, £5 business licenses, £3 ¥ater-raee licenses, 5s. /Vater-race licenses, 2s. 6d. ... legislations, 10s. {registrations, Is. dining Applications .pplications gold-mining leases jrold-mining leases granted 186 5 90 5 168 95 36 8 259 1 2 191 4 988 330 5 3 234 3 4 2 111 6 292 180 58 16 079 4 9 4 392 15 1,448 605 99 27

Westport. Charleston. Lyell. Totals. Warden's Department, Gold Fields Ditto Colliery Reserve Resident Magistrate's Department Fees, Licensing Court Spirit Licenses £ s. d. 985 7 0 974 19 6 150 19 6 11 5 0 547 0 0 £ s. d. 630 0 0 14 9 0 5 4 0 230 5 0 £ s. d. 942 19 6 50 0 6 10 3 0 273 0 0 £ s. 2,558 6 974 19 215 9 26 12 1,050 5 d. 6 6 0 0 0 Totals 2,669 11 0 879 18 0 1,276 3 0 4,825 12 0

Civil. Criminal. Warden's. Totals. Westport harleston ,yell Lampden 269 24 31 18 123 13 23 1 4 24 12 6 396 61 66 25 342 160 -16 548

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Consequently a very considerable distance apart, which lead to general attention being given to the whole district. In consequence of the finds in the above mines leases and special claims to the number of two hundred and thirty-three were applied for in all directions. The excitement became general and speculation rife in mining scrip. Leases that had long been lying dormant sprung into activity, and many claims, which had almost been forgotten, again came into notice. Some of the applicants for leases put on men to work and new finds were constantly reported. Naturally, all have not been successful in the race for wealth. In speculating in mining ventures too much caution cannot be exercised. It is a matter for regret, therefore, that persons, especially those living at a distance, led away by glaring accounts, should recklessly invest in any venture without first obtaining reliable information and using ordinary discretion. Too often this is neglected, unfortunately ; the reaction sets in, scrip depreciates in value, and the district suffers (although at the same time it is perfectly sound), and much harm is done by the withdrawal of capital from legitimate enterprises. Investors should always bear in mind that as a rule the expenditure of a large amount of labour and money is necessary to render any mine remunerative. I do not think that the whole of the leases applied for will be taken up ; but by far the greater portion will, unless I should be mistaken; indeed, about fifty certificates of occupation have already been issued. Doubtless a considerable amount of prospecting will be and, indeed, is being done, so that at any moment fresh discoveries may be made. Owing to the great number of leases applied for the surveying of them got quite beyond the resources of the Survey Department, and, as the importance of surveying them with as little delay as possible was fully recognized, the staff has been reinforced. A few months therefore will find a very large number of surveys out of hand. The prosperity of the district has brought with it an increase in the revenue of the Warden's Department; that of the past year being £3,189 ss. lid., as against £1,873 7s. for the previous year. There has been a falling off in the number of cases brought before the Courts, that on the civil side tending to prove the soundness and stability of the place. The sittings of the Courts have been altered to once in three weeks instead of fortnightly. The following tabular statement shows the revenue collected and business transacted during the year. The miners' rights, &e, issued during the year were as follows: —Miners' rights, 518; business licenses (£5), 9 ; business licenses (£3), 68; water-race licenses (2s. 6d.), 147; registrations (10s.), 9; registrations (Is.), 462 ; mining applications, 389; gold-mining lease applications, 221 ; special claim applications, 12 ; gold-mining leases granted, 48. The revenue received was as follows :—Warden's Department, £3,189 ss. lid. ; fiesident Magistrate's Department, £148 4s. ; fees, Licensing Court, £27 16s. ; spirit licenses, £912 10s. ; Waste Lands Department, £529 4s. 4d.: total, £4,807 Os. 3d. Deposits on applications for leases, £3,105 7s. 6d. The number of cases] in the Eesident 3 Magistrate's and Warden's Courts were : civil, 138 ; criminal, 67 ; Warden's, 11. Mr. Trennery, the manager of the Golden Fleece Extended Company, has recently returned from Victoria, where he had purchased, on behalf of the company, a diamond drill and rock-borer with all necessary fittings and appliances. These are now being conveyed to the company's mine and will shortly be at work, the company commencing operations with the rock-borer. They are the first machines of the kind introduced into this field, and it will be a red-letter day when they are started to work, and it is sincerely to be hoped that the expectations entertained regarding them may be fully realized, and the plucky shareholders reap the first reward of their enterprise. The result of the operations of this company will be watched with great interest by all in the district, and should they be successful other companies will probably follow suit in the purchase of similar machines, and a great impetus to mining generally will thus be given. The County Council, recognizing the value to such a district as this of the diamond drill, some time since sent an order to Melbourne for one capable of boring 2,000 feet. This may be expected in the course of a few months, and operations will, I believe, be commenced with it in the ground of the Homeward Bound Company at Boatman's. In my last report I mentioned that it had been proposed that a low-level tunnel should be driven at Boatman's by the several companies in the locality. The proposal has now assumed a definite shape, and a tunnel some 2,300 feet in length will be driven from Little Boatman's Creek. It was originally intended that a double line of rail should be laid, but I believe it is now the intention to lay only a single line, as that, with good management, will be found sufficient for all requirements. The tunnel, which is upon the same level as No. 6 Tunnel in the Welcome Company's ground, will pass through the leases held by the Welcome No. 2., Occidental, Homeward Bound, Specimen Hill, and Great Eastern. A contract for driving 600 feet has been let, and a portion already driven, and it is contemplated during the progress of the contract, to erect rock-boring machinery so as to expedite the work. The following companies at present contribute towards the work, and will enjoy the advantages to be derived from it —namely, Occidental, Welcome No. 2, Homeward Bound, Specimen Hill, North Cleopatra, Comstock, Great Eastern, and others are expected shortly to follow. As the undertaking has been entered into by so many companies, the cost to each will be very light, the wisdom of the step cannot, I think, be questioned. The tunnel will open up a large amount of ground, and must necessarily be productive of much good. The Welcome Company which, during the past eighteen months, has paid such regular and handsome dividends, is now preparing a chamber in the No. 6 level for the erection of engine and winding machinery to be used in working the levels below No. 6, from which a main shaft will be sunk on the completion of the chamber, &c. The length of the present low level, or No. 6, is 2.600 feet, and is connected by tramway and shoot with the battery. The battery consists of 10 heads of 7-cwt. stamps driven by a water-wheel 25 feet in diameter. It is one of the most complete plants in the district, as in connection with it are percussion tables, berdans, amalgamating pans, and other appliances for the saving of gold. As before mentioned, very rich stone was struck in the mine of the Specimen Hill Extended Company. Eich stone was found in the ground now held by this company ten years ago, but then held by the Lucky Hit Company. After working the ground for a long time a new company was formed called the Croesus Company ; the Crcesus Company transferred the ground to the Specimen Hill Company, which afterwards amalgamated with the Little Boatman's Creek Company. On the

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amalgamation a new company, composed of the shareholders of the former two, was formed under the title of the Specimen Hill Extended. Operations have been carried on on this company's mine during the greater portion of the past ten years, and, until the last few months, without success. Success will now probably reward the shareholders for their perseverance. Sufficient work has been done upon the reef to prove the existence of such a body of stone as to warrant the company in the erection of crushing machinery, which has now been decided upon. In all probability the battery will be erected, and pour out its golden harvest before the close of the year. The Imperial Company's mine is situated south of the Just-in-Time, at Boatman's Creek. Many years ago the ground was held by the Rose of Lancaster Company, and afterwards by the Alhambra Company. The latter company did a little prospecting, and found some very poor stone. The present company on obtaining the ground commenced sinking a shaft, and after sinking about 35 feet struck similiar stone to that discovered by the Alhambra Company. After sinking a few more feet the character of the stone changed and opened out into a good reef carrying splendid gold. Altogether 130 feet have been sunk. The company is about to erect poppet heads over the shaft and connect the mine by tramway with the Fiery Cross and Just-in-Time battery situated but a very short distance away. Everything will be in readiness for a crushing in about four months. There is a proposal now under consideration for sinking a main shaft by the Imperial, Just-in-Time, and South Hopeful Companies, which, if carried out, would doubtless enable these companies to work their lower levels to a far greater advantage. Past experience in mining in this district shows the advisability of carrying out main works of this description conjointly by the companies interested, thus avoiding the unnecessary expenditure of money upon separate undertakings. The Just-in-Time have had successful crushings of stone taken out of ground below the level of Boatman's Creek, proving, in this as in some other mines in the district, that the deeper the levels the better and more permanent are the prospects and yield. The Fiery Cross Company have now completed the sinking of the main shaft, and are now driving for the reef. The company possess substantial winding machinery, which is in good working order. The Eureka Company, whose lease is situated on the north-east boundary of the Welcome Company have, after many delays occasioned by objections of Fiery Cross and Welcome Companies, commenced operations, and are driving an incline tunnel of about 2,400 feet in length for the purpose of intersecting the easterly underlie of the Welcome reef, supposed to exist on their south boundary at a depth of 540 feet below the present lowest level of the Welcome Company. From surveys that have been made it is contemplated that a depth of reef will be obtained of 270 feet; this depth, allowing for the underlie of the reef, will give a length of 308 feet on the slope, or what is technically termed 308 feet of " backs." The company purpose erecting winding machinery to be worked by water-power, and plans for this are now being prepared. Possibly rock-boring machinery wiil also be employed. There are many who, for several reasons, are of opinion that the company will be unable to earry the undertaking to a successful issue ; I trust, however, they may be mistaken, as the work must involve the expenditure of a large sum of money. The shareholders seem prepared for this, and are buoyed up with the hope of ultimately securing a rich prize. In the Murray Creek District the Golden Fleece Company have, during the year, struck a splendid gold-bearing reef at a depth of 600 feet from the top of their shaft. This company was one of the earliest and best dividend-paying claims in the district, and will probably return to its former position in a short time. The Keep-it-Dark Company have lately erected winding machinery and sunk a shaft which has now attained a depth considerably below the level of the Inangahua River. During the last year the company, after performing a vast amount of work, drove to and struck the reef, which has proved to be of large dimensions and of very good quality. The company have had crushings from the reef recently struck, with such good results that they have been enabled to pay off I believe the greater portion, if not the whole, of their liabilities, and paid a dividend. A continuance of dividends from this mine may be expected for a considerable.time to come. The Wealth of Nations Company (now being re-formed) at presentijhold several leases covering a large area of land, and have now applied for a special claim to include the whole of the above leases. Prospecting has been actively carried on for a long time past, and recently what may ultimately prove to be a most important discovery was made in that portion of the company's ground formerly held by the Golden Bell, by the unearthing of a reef 4 feet think, which promises to be payable. The Result Company and Energetic Company are vigorously prospecting their mines. The Golden Treasure, which I mentioned in a previous report, have been obtaining good stone from their lower works, late crushings proving remunerative. They employ twenty-one head of stampers. This claim will rank among the dividend-paying. The Caledonian Company, situate at Larry's Creek, which many years ago had such good crushings, have for some time past and are now driving for the reef from the bottom of their shaft, and occasionally cut very rich leaders of quartz. In the Rainy Creek District the lease and battery which fell into the hands of Mr. H. Graham upon the old Rainy Creek Company being wound up, have been purchased from him by a newlyformed company called the Rainy Creek Extended Company at a cost of about £4,000. The mine is now being opened up and placed in thorough working order, and crushing commenced. Very large bodies of stone are known to exist in the mine. In the same locality is the mine of the Inkerman Company, who have called for tenders for the supply of a battery of thirty head of stamps. If not too high, a tender will be accepted, and a few months may see the erection of the machinery. Many years ago the cement leads in Lankey's Creek were worked, but were on the discovery of the quartz reefs abandoned. Attention has once more been directed to them, and a company (the Lankey's Creek Company) has been recently formed for the purpose of working them. The mining claims in the vicinity, together with all the available water, have been purchased, and a special claim of some 40 acres granted. A 10-head stamper battery, to be worked by steam, has been purchased at the Thames, and will shortly be conveyed to and erected on the machine site. It is proposed to construct from the centre of the claim to the battery a main tail-race, which will be properly boxed and fitted with false bottoms Qr blocks. In some places the ground will be worked as an ordinary sluicing claim,

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4—H. 19.

Tramways will connect with the tail-race, into which all the cement will be tipped, and so conveyed to the machine site, where a tank paddock will be constructed. Everything collected in this tank paddock will be put through the battery. Amongst the companies that have progressed in development during the past twelve months may be quoted to advantage the Golden Point Company, whose mine is situate in the Devil's Creek District, about two miles from Reefton. Several gold-bearing quartz leaders have been discovered. No trialcrushing'has yet taken place, but by all accounts they carry payable gold. It appears that there are four distinct lodes of stone in this mine, varying from 1 to 2 feet, in thickness, and have been traced down to a depth of about 80 feet. The company are preparing for the immediate erection of a 10-head battery, and expect to be ready for crushing in a few months. The successful realization of the prospects of this mine will have an important influence in the progress of quartz mining in this particular portion of the district. The company have performed a large amount of work, having driven some 1,450 feet of tunnelling and 200 feet of sinking, and have spent over £2,000 in thus opening up the mine. The erection of machinery will cost about £2,000. The Oriental Company, situate also'in the Devil's Creek District, have purchased the battery lately belonging to the Union, and have been driving a tunnel, about 1,200 feet in length and now near completion, to connect their mine with the battery. In the Big Biver District, in the direction of which the County Council some time ago subsidized by the Government, made a track, the Big Biver Company have commenced driving a low level into the reef, from which good prospects have been obtained. This is entirely a new district, and if the Big Eiver Company are successful, the find will doubtless be of much importance. By the courtesy of the managers of the different companies in supplying me with the information I am enabled to make up the following interesting table, showing amount of calls made, dividends declared, &c, from Ist April, 1881, to 31st March, 1882 :—

Name of Company. Calls Made. Dividends Declared. Quartz Crushed. Yield. Golden Treasure Gold-Mining Company Nil Desperandum Quartz-Mining Company ... Homeward Bound Quartz-Mining Company ... United Inglewood and North Star Quartz-Min-ing Company Gladstone Quartz-Mining Company Eureka Quartz-Mining Company ... Brutus Quartz-Mining Company Venus Quartz-Mining Company Bonanza Gold-Mining Company ... ... Lankey's Creek Gold-Mining Company Rainy Creek Extended Quartz-Mining Company Gorge Gold-Mining Company Golden Fleece Extended Quartz-Mining Com- £ B. 479 3 133 6 d. 4 8 £ s. 1,800 0 143 15 A. 0 0 Tons. 1,401 1,078 Oz. dwt. gr. 1,476 0 C 548 0 0 237 10 187 10 466 13 300 0 600 0 200 0 600 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 4,200 0 100 0 0 0 pany ... ... Energetic Quartz-Mining Company... Fiery Cross Extended Quartz-Mining Company Wealth of Nations Quartz-Mining Company ... Golden Point Gold-Mining Company Dauntless Extended Quartz-Mining Company Keep-it-Dark Quartz-Mining Company Result Gold-Mining Company Welcome Quartz-Mining Company ... Specimen Hill Extended Quartz-Mining Com1,800 0 600 0 800 0 2,275 0 1,500 0 700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,730 3,277 373 765 1,085 0 0 1,185 0 0 464 0 0 334 0 0 500 "0 0 1,450 453*' 0 0 950* 0 0 34,500 "0 0 3,960 13,365* 0 0 pany Phoenix Extended Quartz- Mining Company ... Oriental Quartz-Mining Company ... Junction Gold-Mining Company Occidental Gold-Mining Company ... Big River Extended Quartz-Mining Company... Southern Cross Qnartz-Mining Company Hopeful Gold-Mining Company South Hopeful Quartz-Mining Company Imperial Quartz-Mining Company ... Just-in-Time Quartz Mining Company Orlando Quartz-Mining Company ... Caledonian Extended Quartz-Mining Company Morning Star Quartz-Mining Company Inangahua Low Level Tunnel Company Inkerman Quartz-Mining Company Sundries 1,458 6 900 0 1,800 0 100 0 150 0 100 0 100 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 124 166 0 0 266 13 333 6 4 8 700 "0 0 736 818' 0 C 133 6 1,416 13 200 0 800 0 1,166 13 8 4 0 0 4 260 0 0 Alluvial 25,054 3 4 37,643 15 0 14,894 20,154 0 7,259 16 27,413 16

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The value of the gold obtained from the quartz mines—viz., 20,154 oz. at £3 17s. 3d. will amount to £77,844 16s. 6d. ; and the alluvial gold, 7,259 oz, 16 dwt. 7 gr., at £3 165., to £27,588 lis. 9d.; making the total value of the yield of gold for the past twelve months £105,433 Bs. 3d. Several very disastrous fires have occurred in the Town of Eeefton during the year, resulting in the destruction of a large amount of valuable property, and, what is far worse, loss of life. These have naturally called attention to two most important matters, especially in such a wooden town, as this —- First, the urgent necessity of an efficient water supply ; and second, such a construction in the buildings as to render escape in case of fire more easy, and consequent prevention of a similar loss of life. The question of water supply is now engaging the attention of the County authorities, and it is to be hoped they will be able successfully to cope with the difficulty. The majority of the property-holders who suffered by the fires, confident of the success of the district, have and are now erecting new premises. The result is, as frequently happens under similar circumstances, tho erection of more pretentious and substantial buildings; there has consequently been great activity in the building trade. There has been an influx in the population, drawn hither by good accounts and by the requirement of labour, and' there is not such a thing as an empty house to be seen. The population I estimate as follows : Eeefton, 1,000 Europeans, 55 Chinese ; Murray Creek, Black's Point, and Crushington, 528 Europeans ; Boatman's, Italian, Due North, Bedman and Landing Creek, and Cronaden, 500 Europeans, 400 Chinese ; Maori Gully, Devil's, Slab Hut, and Merrigig's Creeks, 59 Europeans, 260 Chinese: total, 2,087 Europeans ; 715 Chinese. A very strong and energetic committee has been appointed to collect different specimens of minerals, marble, timber, &c, to be forwarded to the Christchureh Exhibition ; and I have every reason to believe that a good collection will be made, and one that will be creditable to the district. It is to be regretted that the movement was not set on foot six months ago. The cart bridge over the Inangahua Eiver has been completed and thrown open for traffic. Tenders for erection of similar bridges at Little Grey and the Owen have been accepted, and, although these are out of my district, must prove of benefit to it, as will the Matira Eoad recently opened. The establishment of the overland mail service will ere long make itself felt and appreciated. I have, &c, W. H. Eevell, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

WESTLAND GOLD FIELDS. (Including part of Nelson South-West Mining District.) No. 10. Mr. Warden Steateobd to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, Ist April, 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith the usual statistical returns for the mining districts under my charge, except that of Kumara, which I have sent in separately, and to add a general report for the year ending 31st March, 1882. The state of the gold field is much the same as it was last year. Such particular points as require attention will be mentioned in connection with the subdistricts to which they relate. Mode of Working. —The principal mode of working is by sluicing and tunnelling. Barry Town. —Little change has taken place in this division since my last report; no new ground of any magnitude has been discovered. There are about 180 miners on this field, principally located within half a mile of the prospectors' claim, most of which seem to bo fairly remunerated for their labours. I mentioned in my last report that several parties had set into work at a place about six miles north of Barry Town ; they have since left that locality on account of the poor nature of the ground. There are a few parties of miners working along the beach between Greymouth and Barry Town who appear satisfied with their earnings. The present mode of travelling is along the sea beach at low water, but the track which is now being constructed by the General Government from Coal Creek Flat to the Nine Mile will, when completed, be a great boon to the inhabitants of Barry Town and other diggings on North Beach. Brunnerton and Langdon's. —There are still a few miners working between Brunnerton and Langdon's, on the north bank of the Grey Biver, who appear to be making fair wages. At Langdon's several of the old gold-mining leases have been taken up by fresh parties, and they are all prospecting for a payable quartz reef, which is supposed to exist in that locality ; very good specimens of stone have already been obtained, but not sufficient to induce parties to erect machinery. The prospectors seem very sanguine of this locality, and I hope to be in a position to give you further particulars in my next report. South Beach. —Between the Teremakau and Grey Bivers there are still a fair number of claims being worked, but I regret to say that in some cases the returns are somewhat small, and, on the whole, the result of mining operations during the past year cannot be pronounced very remunerative. Two leases have recently been taken up on what is known as the Old Cement Lead with a view of working the cement by means of a crushing machine. Cameron's Terrace. —The population has greatly decreased since the date of my last report. There are only about thirty miners at present on the ground, who seem to be getting a fair amount of gold. Putherglen. —The population of this locality is about seventy-five Europeans and fifty Chinese. The ground is worked principally by sluicing. The miners, as a rule, appear satisfied with their earnings. Limestone and Welshman's. —Situate about seven miles from Greymouth, with a population of about one hundred, including about sixty Chinese. The ground is principally worked by sluicing. If a good and constant supply of water could be obtained, the ground in this locality would pay well. At present water is very scarce,

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Marsden. —Mining matters in this division have, I think, slightly improved during the past twelve months. The population is about sixty, including twenty Chinese. Some of the claimholders are making good wages ; others are doing very little. Greenstone. —No material change has taken place during the past year. No new ground has been discovered, and nothing worthy of note has happened. Tho population is very much scattered, the largest centre being Cape Terrace, adjacent to the Teremakau Eiver, where about one hundred and twenty miners are located, who (with the exception of a few parties) are working their ground by means of tunnelling and driving out, with fair results. On Duke's Terrace there are about thirty miners employed, who work their claims chiefly by sluicing process, and they all appear satisfied with the remuneration received. Between Three-Mile Creek and Haye's Terrace there are about sixty miners at wrork, all sluicing and are doing pretty well. The result of mining in this district is considered quite as prosperous as any other portion of the Westland Gold Field. There are about tweuty-eight double-area claims, represented by one hundred and nine miners, and three extended claims employing thirteen hands. The total population of this division is five hundred, including forty-five Chinese. Arnold Subdivision. —No improvement has taken place in this division since the date of my last report. In fact, I think the best of the ground has been worked out. The earnings of the miners in some cases are very small indeed, but still most of them seem contented. Dunganville. —There are several claims in this division paying very well ; and although no new ground has been discovered, yet I think on the whole miners are satisfied with the result of their labours. There is a large number of Chinese in this locality, some of whom have exceedingly good claims, paying as much as £20 per week per man. No Town. —Nothing new has taken place in this division relative to mining matters during the past year, with the exception of two small rushes having taken place at a locality known as Deep Creek and Maori Gully. Most of the miners are now leaving Deep Creek, as they consider the ground too poor, but others have great confidence in the field. The County Council, with Government aid, is making a pack track to Deep Creek to enable miners to prospect the district. Everything is very quiet at present, but the miners are working away with every hope of a better future. Ahaura Division. —During the last twelve months there has been a slight decrease in the number of the European miners employed in this division, some having gone to Eeefton and Lyell, some to Australia, and others to the West Coast of the North Island; on the other hand, tho Chinese mining population has somewhat increased, most of the old miners and residents on this part of the gold fields agree in saying that during the last few years the rainfall has not been so great as it was in former years, consequently those miners who do not derive their sluicing water from permanent sources have to submit to inconveniently long and frequent intervals of enforced idleness through the want of water. This, combined with the poor quality of the ground now remaining to be worked, makes it a difficult matter for men not possessed of sufficient capital to secure a steady supply of cheap water to do more than make a bare living. A company is being formed to bring thirty heads of water on to the Deep Lead, at Hatter's Terrace. Should this be effected, it will probably give employment to twenty or thirty men for several years, and cause ground to be worked which otherwise would remain unprofitable. The operations of the Nelson Creek Prospecting Association have been carried on in an intermittent manner, and have been productive of no result so far. The ground upon which the water carried by the Government race at Nelson Creek is operating is disappearing rapidly. If more payable ground is not discovered soon, or the price of water materially reduced, there will be but a small demand for the water a few years hence. The enormous quantity of tailings steadily accumulating at the foot of Try Again Terrace, which is commanded by the Government water-race, will have the effect of making sluicing operations very difficult and expensive, and no doubt in the course of time it will cause the abandonment of all the poorer ground. No new auriferous ground has been discovered since my last report. During the past year there have been 264 civil and 213 criminal cases heard in the Resident Magistrates' Courts, north of Teremakau (this return excludes Kumara business), and in the Wardens' Courts 103 cases on plaints, 127 mining disputes on objections, and 1,176 applications. The total amount of revenue, exclusive of gold duty, spirit licenses, and Kumara revenue, has been £3,692 os. 3d. This docs not include the revenue paid into Borough accounts. The cases disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, Greymouth (not including Greenstone) during the year ending 31st March, 1882, were as follows:—Objections to mining applications, 57 ; civil cases, 203 ; criminal cases, .173 ; Warden's Court cases, 42 ; applications made for mining privileges, 441. Tho revenue for the twelve months, amounting to £1,195 Bs., collected in the Greymouth Court, is made up as follows: — Warden's Department, not including Greenstone, £925 14s. 6d. ; Eesident Magistrate's Department, £214 3s. 6d.; Licensing Court fees, £55 10s.: total, £1,195 Bs. The miners' rights, licenses, certificates, registrations, &c, issued, and rents, fees, and fines received by the Eeceiver of Gold Eevenue at Greymouth during the year ending 31st March, 1882, were as follows: —Miners' rights (521), £521 • business licenses at twelve months (7), £35 ; business licenses at six months (2), £6; registrations (58), £14 10s; ditto (134), £16 15s; ditto (551), £27 lis; copies of miners' rights (1), Is.; miscellaneous, £42 17s 6d. ; rents for leases, £235 14s; fees and fines Warden's Court, £26 6s. : total, £925 14s. 6d. The total revenue collected in tho Eesident Magistrate's and Warden's District of Greymouth for the year ending 31st March, 1882, amounting to £3,692 oa. 3d., is made up as follows :—Greymonth, £1,195 Bs,; Greenstone, £280 13s. 6d.; Ahaura, £1,035 Bs. 3d. ; Arnold, 1,180 10s. 6d. The total number of plaints in the Eesident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, also mining applications entered in the books at the various offices in the district during the year ending 31st March 1882, were as follows :— Objections to mining applications, 127; civil, 264; criminal, 213; Warden's, 103—total, 707 ; mining applications, 1,176. I have, &c. H. A. Stratfobd, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

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No. 11. Mr. Warden Stratfobd to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Kumara, 24th April, 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith statistics for the Kumara portion of my district, and to make the following general report: — Mode of Working —Tne mode of working the ground has undergone a considerable change since my last report, ground-sluicing having, to a great extent, taken the place of tunnelling. It has been proved that the drift from the surface down to a depth of, in some instances, 60 feet, is gold-bearing, and it is expected that the ground will pay well for sluicing on a large scale. The Teremakau Eiver —which bounds the Kumara District on the north—-provides a natural outlet for tailings, and each flood in the river carries away the tailings so discharged along its banks. The height from high-water mark to the bottom of auriferous drift is about 60 feet, which allows a considerable fall for the discharge of tailings. Government Sludge Channel. —This channel is now completed and will prove a great boon to those miners who hold claims a long distance from the Teremakau Eiver. By tho construction of this important work some two hundred acres of land are made available for sluicing process, and claims are rapidly being taken up. A large number of tail-races have already been cut into the channel, and others are in course of construction. The length of the channel is about 80 chains, and it has been proved to work in a most satisfactory manner. Precaution should, in my opinion, be taken to guard against riparian rights being acquired along the banks of the Teremakau Biver, and especially below the mouth of the sludge-channel for some distance, so as to prevent the likelihood of claims for compensation in the future for any injury done by the discharge of tailings from the sludge-channel. Government Dam, Kapitea Creek. —-Owing to the breaking away of this dam in March, 1881, the supply of water has been rather limited, and in consequence of which less sluicing has been done in the district; and, of course, the return of gold is not so large as it would otherwise have been. It has now been repaired, and in wet weather gives a fair supply of water. When all the claims are opened out and in full working order it is.expected that twice the quantity of water to that now available will be required. The miners, from experience, have learned that, by u_ing large quantities of water and employing the best hydraulic appliances, poor ground can be made to pay fairly. The price charged in this district for a Government sluice-head of water is £3 per week, and the miners consider this a fair price. The construction of a second dam in tho Kapatea Creek is anxiously looked forward to, and this will, when completed, provide an ample supply of water for the present requirements of the district. Some of the sluicing claims now in full work are paying as high as £9 a week per man, but the average returns from these claims, after paying expenses, is about £3 a week per man. The average returns all round, including the claims worked by driving process, is more than half an ounce of gold per week for each man. There is at present a temporary depression in the district, which is caused by miners changing the mode of working their claims from driving to sluicing. In preparing a claim for sluicing a large amount of capital and labour is required; this makes the strain on business people very heavy, as on an average it takes as long as six months, and in some cases more, before any returns are to hand. There are seven extended claims represented by 36 men, and 95 double-area claims, employing 384 men in this district, and the number of miners (exclusive of Chinese) is estimated at about 050. There are only 11 Chinese miners in the district. The total population is estimated at 2,300. In conclusion, I may state that the district is in a sound condition, and I think it a significant fact that there are no idle hands in the place. Hopes are entertained that the ensuing year will be marked with greater success and a larger output of gold than has been the case since the opening of the field, and 1 trust that these hopes will be fully realized. I have, &c, 11. A.. Stratford, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 12. Mr. Warden Giles to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib,— Hokitika, 21st April, 1882. I am rather later than I intended in sending you my annual report of the gold-mining district under my charge, and I now write it on the eve of a temporary absence rendered necessary by my health. I have been prevented by illness in the first place from doing anything at all, and since that from attending fully—whilst expecting to be relieved—to all tho matters requiring to be dealt with. Mr. Bird having now relieved me of my duties, I am able to send a short statement respecting the leading features in the condition and progress of the district during the past year, but without so much detail as I might in different circumstances have been able to supply. The most prominent instance of progress is the new ground lately opened at W roodstock, on the main road to Boss, within two miles of the Kanieri Bridge. It is remarkable that this ground, close to a main road, and within a few miles from Hokitika, should only now-, after so many years, have been discovered to contain, at a depth of 50 or 60 feet, a bottom with payable wash dirt. The circumstance is strongly suggestive of the vast extent of ground that may yet pr-ove auriferous, without going into the more inaccessible parts of the country to look for it. At the beginning of the rush to Woodstock, and as soon as business people began to take up sites there, I visited the ground for the purpose of ascertaining whether it was necessary to lay off ground for business purposes. I came to the conclusion that it would be premature to do anything by way of fixing a site for a township, as it appeared quite uncertain where the true centre would ultimately be. I therefore requested the chief surveyor to show the road boundary on each side by pegs, so that persons marking out business sites might know their frontage line. There are now a good many buildings being erected, and there may be about five hundred people on the ground. So far as my information goes there are about twenty claims that have bottomed and found gold, whilst the number of those that have been unsuccessful is,

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I believe, unusually small. It is difficult to say with any certainty at present, what is likely to prove the average yield of gold, but there seems reason to hope that it may be as much as 4 or 5 dwt. to the load of wash dirt. It is also impossible to say at present in what direction the diggings may extend. So far as present indications go, it appears that there is either more than one lead, or else that there is none at all in the proper sense, the gold being generally diffused over the bottom. In any case it appears highly probable that a much larger extent of auriferous ground remains to be worked, and the present population may be indefinitely multiplied before the year is out. Shortly before the beginning of the new Woodstock diggings, much attention was directed to the Humphrey's Gully district, and to the project of bringing in water in the course, or approximately so, of the old Caledonian race. This work has been undertaken by a company which a short time ago was successfully floated, and operations are now in progress. The diggings in this district, which is about twelve miles from Hokitika, will have to bo worked by ground sluicing, so that little can bo done until the water is brought in. There seems good reason to think that when this is done there will be sufficient ground to profitably employ a very considerable number of men. A large proportion of the auriferous ground is on a reserve belonging to the Hokitika Harbour Board, the revenue of which body it may be hoped will be substantially increased. I have now to notice the operations of the Eoss Flat Gold-Mining Company, who hold a special claim of 100 acres at Eoss. This large area was granted to enable the deep strata to be worked to a depth of 300 feet, and to facilitate this, as well as to benefit the whole locality, a tunnel tail-race was to be made for a length of nearly a mile, and capable of draining the flat to a depth of about 90 feet. This tunnel is now almost finished, with a perceptible effect on the drainage of the flat, and there is no doubt that much good will be proved to have been effected by it, even though the deeper levels should never be worked at all. There is, however, good reason to hope that they will be worked, and that very shortly, since the company is proceeding energetically with the main shaft, notwithstanding some difficulties caused by the nature of the ground. I have much confidence that the operations of this company will prove successful, and will constitute an important factor in the future prosperity of the district. The three centres of operations that I have now mentioned appear sufficiently promising to warrant the hope that the depression which has so long settled over this part of the West Coast is about to pass away, and I hope that my next yearly report may speak of a very decided general improvement. The statistical tables will supply the usual information on the general state of the district. I have, &c, J. Giles, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 13. Mr. S. H. Cox, Assistant Geologist, to the Dieectoe of Geological Survey. Sir,— Wellington, 3rd May, 1882. I have the honor to inform you that in accordance with your instructions, I have visited the Woodstock new rush as well as the Boss Gold-Mining Company's ground, and the Humphrey's Gully Sluicing Claim, and herewith submit my report on the same. Woodstock. —The new rush which is at present attracting a good deal of attention at Hokitika, is on the Woodstock Hill, where the Boss Boad first rises on to the terrace after leaving the Hokitika Biver, and claims have been marked out on both sides of the road line for a distance of perhaps three quarters of a mile towards Boss. It is, however, in a westerly direction, along an east and west line, that the greater number of the working claims are situated, and in this direction claims have been taken up for a distance of nearly two miles. At the date of my visit about 300 claims had been marked out, and a population of nearly 1,000 men was finding employment in testing the ground. Out of these 300 claims, sixty shafts were reported to have bottomed on gold which was more or less payable, the yield varying from 4 dwt. to 1 oz. of gold to the load. The thickness of the wash also varied considerably, the limits appearing to be 2 feet and 10 feet, it being from the thinner beds of wash that the richer returns were obtained. The bottom on which the wash rests is generally the brown sands, which form the upper part of the Kanieri series, known locally as the " Brighton bottom," but in a few claims it is resting directly on the blue marls of the Kanieri formation. The sinking is not great, being on an average from 50 feet to 70 feet with, in a few instances, an even less depth, while in the case of the Chinamen's Claim, the furthest one south which had been bottomed on gold when I was there, a depth of 96 feet had been sunk, and the wash struck was thin and poor. The depth of sinking in this case was due to the shaft being sunk on a terrace. In several cases the wash struck at the bottom of the shafts was not payable, but on driving better ground was met with, and generally speaking the miners appear to be satisfied with their prospects. Two or three tunnels have been started from the face of the terrace, in order to work claims which have been proved by shafts, and 1 may mention, as giving an illustration of the value of the ground, that the distance which these tunnels are expected to be driven is about 1,200 feet. Two water-races (Hanlan's and the Nil Despe.randun]) are in a position to command the greater part of this ground, and by the system on which the field is to be worked, these should give sufficient water for a large number of claims. Paddocks are being constructed at the heads of the shafts, and water will only be used from time to time, probably about once a week by each mine, to sluice the wash-dirt that has been raised, so that the water can be used by each mine in rotation. Up to the present no claims are connected with the water, but several are cradling their wash as it comes to the surface, with very fairly satisfactory results. The work which has hitherto been done is not sufficient to determine whether the gold runs in leads or patches; but it is evident that it' in leads, whatever may be their course, there are several of them which may perhaps be only branches of a main one. Mr. Mueller proposes, when the works have progressed somewhat more, to make a survey of the claims, and will show on all the information obtainable as a guide to the settlement of this question As the matter now stands, one is justified

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in forming a good opinion of the field. Gold has been found at different points over an area of about two miles long by a mile wide, and the sinking throughout is not deep, nor is there much water to contend with. The position of the field is all that can be desired, being situated alongside a main road and near to the Town of Hokitika. There is every reason to believe that the whole of the flat between Hokitika and Ross will eventually prove auriferous, and the Hokitika Harbour Board are offering advantageous terms to any party of miners who may prove their reserve to be capable of carrying a population of 300 miners. Water-power is at once available on the field, and there is every prospect of Woodstock proving, if not an exceedingly rich field, at least one which is capable of supporting a large population. Ross Gold-Mining Company. —The lease of ground which is now held by this company comprises most of the leases originally heid on the Ross flat, and which, during the short time they were worked, gave some very rich returns. The Prince of Wales, Scandinavian, Morning Star, Cassius's andKohinoor leases are thus held ; besides a considerable area of, as yet, unproved ground. The works which have hitherto been carried on by the company consist of a tail-race 98 chains in length which has been brought up from the sea coast, partly by open cutting and partly by tunnelling, and drains the ground to a depth of 75 feet below the surface. This tunnel is connected with the surface at two points by small shafts. The main shaft, which was to work the ground, was started on the terrace behind the town, the object being that it should be sunk through what is known as the " terrace bottom " which underlies all the known belts of auriferous wash. This bottom is generally free from water, and it was thought that by sinking here many of the expenses incidental to sinking through wet ground would be avoided, but another difficulty was met with : After sinking a short distance a belt of very fine loose running sand, known as '-' pug," was cut, and this so much troubled the contractor that he suspended operations while he made arrangements with the company for a special rate for sinking through it; but the delay thus incurred caused the loss of the shaft. This is the more,to bo regretted as workshops and a water-wheel had previously been erected at the mouth of the shaft, and thus a considerable amount of expense has been incurred. It is now proposed to sink a fresh shaft just below the terrace, so as to utilize the machinery by simply turning the water-wheel round, but it seems doubtful whether or no they will then be sinking on the terrace bottom. As, however, they would be certain to reach this at a comparatively shallow depth, and the tail-race will drain the ground to a depth of 75 feet, I think the position chosen will be a good one. The tail-race is considered to have cut the third bottom at the furthest distance to which it has been driven, and the lowest known bottom is considered to be 300 feet below the level of the tunnel. The company would seem to have every prospect of being successful. They intend to utilize the water-power which is available for the purposes of pumping, hauling, &c. They have reduced their pumping to a minimum by the construction of this long adit or tailrace, and they have a large area of ground from which 11,543 oz. 9 dwt. 21 gr. of gold are reported to have been taken during a period of thirty-two and a half weeks, the time the original companies worked before being overcome by water with which they were not prepared to cope. I take occasion here to reproduce a map and sections of the district which were originally prepared by C. T. O'Connor, Esq., C.E., in 1866, When the question of drainage was before the public. This map is now out of print, and is so valuable in giving information which cannot now be obtained, that I am glad of the opportunity of having it reprinted. Humphrey's Gully Sluicing Claim. —This, which is another of the extended alluvial claims lately granted to companies prepared to incur considerable expense to work ground otherwise unremunerative, is situated on one of the Harbour Board reserves between Humphrey's and M'Donald's Gullies, which fall into the Arahura River from the south. It comprises an atea of 98 acres, in which several reserves have been made for small sluicing claims which were previously in existence and which are still to be worked, the company agreeing to supply them with water at a fixed rate. From one of these parties a water-race in course of construction has been purchased, and this it is intended to enlarge and extend so as to bring in at least fifty Government heads of water, and by means of a tunnel one mile or less in length it is proposed to reduce the total length of the race by about three miles. From the engineer's report there appears no doubt that at least fifty heads of water can be readily obtained, and the race is to be made of sufficient capacity to carry double that amount. The position of the company's lease is exceedingly good, the whole of the wash being well above the flats of the Arahura River, and tail-races can be constructed wherever it may be found most convenient. The thickness of wash varies from 100 feet to 300 feet over the whole of the lease, and as a result of several trial washings in a tin dish, taken at random from different parts of the claim, I am pleased to be able to state that in no instance was a dish washed out without showing one or two colours of gold, and in several cases there was a good-looking prospect. This is one of the points on which the company chiefly rely as a test of the value of their ground, and I was curious to see if any dish of wash could be got which would not show a colour, so that we tried prospects at all points of elevation with the results which I have cited. The gold does not appear to lie on any bottom, but to bo disseminated throughout the entire wash, being sometimes richer and sometimes poorer, but in all cases payable if large quantities are to be treated. The gold is coarse ; pieces up to -y dwt. occurring, and from a trial washing which was made a short time ago when, owing to heavy rains, water was plentiful, 110 loads of dirt gave 14 oz. of gold. The day I was there, I saw some miners, who were sluicing on a small scale, clean up their top boxes after three weeks' work, with the result that about 7 oz. of gold were obtained, and probably an equal quantity would be got from their remaining boxes. There is no doubt that works of this sort require the outlay of a large amount of capital, and in this case the estimated cost of the water-race alone is £15,000; when, however, we take into consideration the quantity of auriferous ground which is there, and which only awaits the introduction of water for its treatment, we feel assured that the judicious outlay of capital, were it far greater than this, could only be attended with good results. It is, moreover, opening up a new branch of gold-mining industry on the West Coast, and I have no doubt, if similar concessions are granted to other companies, that before long we shall see many more large sluicing claims at work, and ground being turned over, which in small areas could not be worked remuneratively. 1 have, &c, Dr. Hector, Director Geological Survey of New Zealand. S. Herbert Cox.

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No. 14. Mr. Waeden Bied to the Undee-Secbetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Okarito, 4th April, 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith the statistical returns respecting this district, for the year ending 31st March, 1882, as requested by your circular of the 20th February. Little or no alteration has taken place during the past twelve months, no new finds of any importance having been reported. A fine sample of gold has been got in the Omocona Creek, south of the Waiho Eiver; and I believe the new road from Lake Mapourika to Gillespie's Beach, which is now being surveyed, will open up a large area of auriferous country, which up to the present time has not been prospected. I have, &c, Feank Bied, Tho Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

OTAGO GOLD FIELDS. No. 15. Mr. Warden Keddell to the Under-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Clyde, 30th May, 1882. I have the honor to report the following particulars respecting the progress and condition of mining matters in the district under my charge, which at present consists-of those known formerly as the Wakatipu, the Dunstan, and the Mount Ida Districts. I only assumed charge of the latter in December last. The Dunstan Division. In the neighbourhood of Clyde, my head quarters, little or no change has taken place, as the very few mining privileges applied for will show. The sluicing claims up the Waikerikeri are still engaged in profitable work; and, on either bank of the Molyneux, the old miners, the owners of all the available water, are obtaining results which appear satisfactory to them; but for a long time no strangers (except perhaps amongst the Chinese) appear to be attracted to the locality. Tho miners are mostly the survivors of the first rush here, in 1862-3, and have settled down in small holdings on the river bank, and are satisfied with small yields ; and for their purpose there is yet untouched a large area of ground available for their water, and no doubt will, keep them similarly employed for some time to come. So strong is their belief in this direction that they strenuously oppose any application of any of their number who attempts to obtain a title to his homestead under the 66th section of the Mines Act. Alexandra. —Two steam dredges have been constructed, at a cost of about £13,000, to work the bed of the Biver Clutha, in the vicinity of this town, and between it and Clyde. There has always been a strong, and I believe well-founded belief, that rich deposits of gold are to be found in the bed of this river and in the upper crevices or pockets of the rocks, of which in a great measure the bottom consists. One of these dredges, however, after repeated trials, had to be laid up, the immense depth of silt or tailings and the rapid under current proving an obstacle too formidable for successful operations ; the other persevered until lately, and several improvements were added to its gold-saving apparatus, but up to the present it has not been a success. The alluvial mining is still carried on with the past success, and the yield of gold compares favourably with last year. The majority of those engaged are Chinese. The quartz-mining venture in Conroy's Gully has hitherto been a failure ; an attempt was made to float a company for the purpose of working the mine, but the fact of the local miners taking so little interest in it damped the ardour of the Dunedin public, and the affair languished. A very fair antimony lode has been discovered on the west bank, near this place, and a lease obtained. The matter is young, and no work of importance done, Black's, Tinker's, and Drybrcad. —At Black's No. 3 a party has been formed to work a special claim obtained for a portion of this locality, which was formerly worked with astonishing results. It is known as the Deep Lead, and, as its name would imply, is worked by shafts ; the preliminary works, as will be readily understood, are tedious and liable to disappointment in a neighbourhood destitute of timber and the ground treacherous, composed of drift, requiring strong timbers and skilful miners. The old party gave up overcome with these difficulties, but the present occupiers appear in earnest, and though unfortunate enough to lose a shaft or two have at length tested the ground with most satisfactory results. They are now engaged^ in washing up, and I believe will receive full encouragement to prosecute their work with vigour in the coming season (the Spring.) They have to bring their timber from Tapanui, and I believe the cost during the winter would be too great. They have received protection for some portion of their ground. The result of their operations is watched with keen interest by the Black's miners. At Tinker's the premier claim, the Blue Duck, now owned by the Mountain Eace Company, is engaged in an important work—a new and very deep tail-race. Both at this place and Drybread mining operations have steadily prospered, and results appear satisfactory. Boxburgh. —Here on the river there are four current wheel dredges in operation, all of which are paying their owners handsomely. The alluvial claims on the river banks and at Waikaia and Pomaha'ka are still worked, and employ about the same number as last year. A quartz reef has been taken up near the head of the Eraser Biver, upon the Obelisk Eange, and crushing plant has just been placed there, but no returns as yet to hand. _ The prospects were good enough to warrant the trouble and expense of bringing machinery such a distance and such an altitude.

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Cromwell and Bannockburn. —In the Cromwell division alluvial mining has Keen carried on during the past year with satisfactory results, showing no appreciable diminution in the yield. At Bannockburn a number of claims are stopped for the completion of large preliminary works—main tail-races. At Pipeclay and Smith's Gullies a number of claims, especially in the neighbourhood of the former place, come regularly for protection, and all are convinced of the future success when the tail-race is up to their boundaries. These expectants are all experienced miners, and I make no doubt their anticipations are well founded. Quartz. —During the latter part of the year additional and, I am led to believe, important discoveries have been made under this head in the Carrick Bange. A lease has been applied for, and is about to be issued, and other claims taken up; and I believe at an early period we may hope for satisfactory information from them. The discovery is entirely new, and I hope next year to be able to report a substantial addition to the yield under this head in consequence. At Bendigo the Cromwell reef is progressing ; the differences between the company and their workmen, which resulted in a strike, have ceased some time, and steady work resumed. Considerable attention has lately been given to the apparently lodes of antimony on the Carrick Bange, and, indeed, discoveries of this mineral have been very general over the mountainous portions of the Dunstan and Wakitipu Districts during the year. The prospectors here have commenced the work of testing the value of the ore in earnest, and are now erecting smelting works; and it is said as soon as these are completed they will be in the position to employ some seventy men, and if they are as successful as the present appearances warrant the company to anticipate, it would be hard to over estimate the impetus which would be [given to that class of mining. I may also allude briefly to discoveries recently made of most promising samples of cinnabar at the Upper Nevis ; the samples submitted for test have, under careful and skilful analysis, given the high return of 84 per cent, of quicksilver. A considerable portion of ground has been taken up, in this case as in that of the antimony discovery, under the prospecting license for " metals and minerals other than gold," under the appendix of the Mines Act. These regulations being so liberal and easy to acquire appear to work very well to encourage prospectors, and I make no doubt that many minerals, for which in Europe there will always be a large demand, that may be at present unknown even by name to the ordinary miner at present, and of which it is probable these mountains abound, will be unearthed and brought to a profitable use. Scheelite, or tungstate of lime, a marketable ore, has been found in quantities at Lake Wakitipu. It is said to be in demand for manufacturing purposes in England, but until lately it would have been cast aside as useless. Wakatibu. In this portion of the district mining affairs have made but little progress, but on the other hand Ido not consider there has been any falling off. No new discoveries have been made worthy of note. Bublic attention was directed some months since to a valuable, as it was hoped, discovery of a copper lode, and some steps were taken to float a company in Australia, but though undoubtedly the lode exists, it was found the expense of placing it in the market in a proper state would be too great; it therefore remains to be no doubt occupied in the future when the cost of smelting will be lessened. The same prospectors, a Dunedin firm, have given an impetus to search for other metals and minerals than gold, which has long been desirable. It is a well-received opinion that, besides the precious metal, this portion of the colony abounds in mineral deposits, the appearance of which are unknown to the ordinary miner, even if he has heard of them by name. Some few are curious enough to examine and inquire into the nature of any strange lode or deposit they may come across when looking for indications of gold, but generally I think they are passed by. The quartz discovery at the head of Lake Wakatipu will, I hope, be deserving of some remark in the next year's report; the shareholders are sanguine; at present the claim appears to be a mass of auriferous quartz, which will keep the crushing-plant employed for some time, but they have not yet discovered the reef from which this stone has been upheaved or separated. At Skipper's the reefs are being worked still under able management, and the sluicing claims continue to yield very fair returns. All the miners here are old inhabitants, and there have been no discoveries to attract new comers. Quartz mining in the Arrow Division of this part of the district is confined to the vicinity of Mace Town, where it has been carried on with varied success for the last five or six years. On account of the great elevation above sea-level at which these quartz lodes occur, they cannot be worked continuously, the winter interrupting crushing operations for at least five months in every year; this circumstance taken into consideration, together with the want of a dray-road from Arrow to Macetown, accounts in a great degree for the slow development of these reefs. As an instance of success during the season now closing the Maryborough and Ladye Fayre Companies may be cited; 300 tons of quartz from the former company averaged about 4 oz. per ton, and the latter obtained an average of nearly 2 oz. to the ton. Several newly-discovered reefs were reported (amongst the public) lately, but it would be premature to offer any opinion as to their value or extent. A large number of mining leases have been taken up, of which proportionately very few are being worked; proceedings for cancellation have been taken in three instances, and no doubt as the neighbouring lodes are developed with success other similar applications will follow ; as a matter of fact a party of men or a company will be tacitly allowed to hold ground without any work whatever, if it be not ascertained to be of value; they wait for their neighbours to prospect; should their lodes prove auriferous and lead to the assumption that the " shepherded " ground is of value, the public will step in and enforce the working conditions or the forfeit. Alluvial mining in this division has dwindled down to a very small affair, considering that a few years ago the Arrow ranked as one of the chief alluvial-mining centres of Otago. However, to judge from the amount of applications for mining privileges dealt with by me at every sitting of the Warden's Court at Arrowtown, it would appear that the miners here attach some degree of importance to their holdings, or they would not go to the trouble and expense to which these applications subject them.

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Settlement is progressing very favourably in this district, and the increased price of cereals will greatly benefit the agricultural settlers here. The Arrow flats—the level country between the Arrow Eiver and Queenstown —have again yielded a wonderful average crop of wheat, the principal grain grown. On the whole I believe the district has had a prosperous year generally. Mount Ida Division. Naseby.- —No noticeable improvement in mining matters generally has taken place in this neighbourhood. One new venture requires mention, and that is an attempt to test the low-lying deposits of the main gully here, which has to a certain depth and in former years yielded such a vast amount of gold. The Mount Ida Deep-lead Prospecting Association, who have undertaken this work, have commenced sinking a shaft; it is to be 150 feet, and a contract has been let to carry out the work. This is a matter of general public importance. The undertaking is an expensive one, timber being unknown in the neighbourhood, and will have to be procured from a distance. St. Bathans. —No new discoveries have been made. A number of claims are at a standstill awaiting a main tail-race being constructed. This work is in the hands of the St. Bathans Channel Company. Some of the sluicing claims here are held under gold-mining leases, and all are worked by the hydraulic process, the pipes for which are manufactured on the spot. When the preliminary works, i.e., the tail-race cut and the head-race brought on to the ground, the work generally can be managed by two men and often by one, who directs the water. The conditions of a gold-mining lease give as a minimum of the men to be employed one man to two acres. This has been represented to me, and I think fairly as a hardship. The profits of these claims are small and labour dear, and I think that on representation the Governor might be advised (if possible) to modify this regulation in cases of goldmining leases of ground worked by this method. At Vinegar Hill some claims have washed up lately with good results, and I believe this portion of the district to be in good circumstances, and if not making any startling progress to be at any rate holding its own. Kyebum. —No marked change, but I think mining is proceeding very fairly. Two claims changed hands during the year at £750 and £600 respectively. The yield of gold has fallen off, being roughly 15,C00 oz. against 20,000 oz. This may be attributable to a certain degree to the falling off of the water supply, in a measure owing to the last mild Winter. The Government water-race, under the management of the Mount Ida Water-race Trust, has continued to be of great service to the district, and the miners have largely availed themselves of it. Beferring again to the deep-lead prospecting undertaking at Naseby, I have omitted to say, to show the interest taken in this work, that the company is subsidised by both the Municipal Council of Naseby Borough and by the county. In the early days, when the main gully was first worked, the gold was obtained off what is known to miners as the Maori bottom, not off the bed-rock. At a point about tw ro miles " ; up the gully heavy gold was found on the proper bottom, the rock, which suddenly dipped, and the lead was not followed. The present shaft is down about 100 of the 150 feet, but whether the present contract will reach bottom is a matter of conjecture. If the venture be successful, it will give an impetus to mining in the vicinity. In the accompanying returns a noticeable increase of cases in the Warden's Court will be found, Courts have been held at Queenstown, Arrowtown, Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Boxburgh, Black's, St. Bathans, and Naseby. At the three first-mentioned places and at Naseby the Courts have been fortnightly, or two sittings during the week of my visit to that particular locality ; in other places monthly. No public inconvenience has been felt or expressed on this score; but the incessant travelling, amounting to between 400 to 500 miles monthly, leaves me too little time to devote to my accumulated correspondence at Clyde; and, apart from that, the physical exertion and the exposure —keeping, as I have, my appointments regardless of weather —is too much for even a strong constitution and experience in travel to continue for any length of time. I have, &c, Jackson Keddell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden*

No. 16. Mr. Warden Wood to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Lawrence, 12th May, 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith the annual statistical returns for the Tuapeka and Waikaia Subdivisions of the Otago Gold Fields. The mining interest in the Tuapeka Subdivision is not in quite so flourishing a state as last year, partly owing to the temporary stoppage of work by three of the large companies at the Blue Spur and the cement workings not having progressed as was anticipated. The Blue Spur has been resurveyed during the last year, and there are now ten leaseholders occupying an area of 34 acres, and employing one hundred men and four batteries of stamps, equal to seventy-eight stamp heads. Three of these companies employ twenty-five men each. I hope, however, to see the companies which have ceased working resume operations in a few weeks, either on tribute or on their own account, which will be the means of finding employment for some fifty men during the winter. Wetherstones. —At this place not much is doing in mining ; the cement claims taken up sometime ago did not realize as expected, and, with the exception of the Wetherstones Cement Company, which employs about thirty men, are not paying dividends. This company has purchased the interest of some of the adjoining companies, and, with the large area now held by them and improved machinery, ought to pay handsome dividends for very many years to come, and give employment to at least fifty men, Waitahuna. —The cement workings at this place are in a languishing condition —in fact almost an industry of the past; the few Europeans there are all making small but steady wages, and the Chinese seem contented with their returns. At Glenore (Woolshed) the same remarks apply.

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Waipori. —The European miners at this place seem to be making fair wages, but I am of opinion, and it seems a general one, that there is a great future for it in the rich reefs already discovered and being prospected for, and other minerals, especially antimony. The dredges placed on the Molyneux, between Tuapeka mouth and Beaumont, have not been a success, and one of them has been removed, after having given the locality what they considered a fair trial. The dredge " Pride of Dunkeld," at the Beaumont, has been on good gravel during the last few weeks, and earning as much as £40 per week. Quartz Mining. —The work done under this head has been confined to little more than prospecting ; in fact there is no reef in the districtjthat can be called thoroughly opened out. The Clark Hill GoldMining Company, at the head of Gabriel's Gully, hold a prospecting area, and are endeavouring to discover the lost quartz reef formerly worked by the Gabriel's Gully Quartz-Mining Company, though cross drives were put in a considerable distance north and south. The new company have driven one hundred and fifty feet, and hope by following their present course either to strike the reef or connect the two cross drives; but I have every confidence in the undertaking, as the shareholders are men of energy who will not be discouraged by failure at first. At Waipori the Nil Desperandum, which is a continuation of the old O. P. Q. reef, has had a prospect-crushing of about 50 tons, which turned out about 19 dwt. of retorted gold per ton. The proprietors are apparently well satisfied, as they are about increasing their battery to ten heads. The Lammerlaw or Cox's reef is being further prospected, and should be fairly opened out in a short time. They are reported to have got a good deal of gold. Porter's reef has had a prospect-crushing at Cox's battery with good results. It is in these Lammerlaw Eanges that rich reefs will be found. Esson and Co. have a prospecting area on the old line of the Nuggety reef, about 300 yards above the junction of Nuggety Gully and Waipori Eiver, and have had a prospect crushing at Cotton and Eobertson's battery of twelve tons of quartz taken from three places in the reef one hundred yards apart each, and obtained 10 oz. 5 dwt,, everything brought to grass being crushed, the width of the reef at 50 feet deep is about two feet thick. Copper. —The Copper Company at Waitahuna have their machinery now complete, and, with thirteen men at work, should during the coming year thoroughly test the value of their discovery. Antimony. —This company has kept steadily at work on their lease of 59 acres situate on the Lammerlaw Range, near the head waters of the Waipori River, all through the Summer. They have had 28 men employed up to the present opening up their mine, and have got out a considerable quantity of ore, which they are carting down to Lawrence Railway Station for shipment to London, as their smelting works are not yet ready. They purpose working as long as the weather will permit, but the inhospitable locality in which their works are situate will, I think, cause them to cease work for three months of the Winter. The lode is described to me as iuexhaustable and rich. Waikaia Subdivision. —This large area has a limited population ; the principal gold finders are the Chinese. The European miners, as a rule, take to rabbit killing during the winter months, and I should say make on an average from 12s. to 20s. per day. The Meat Preserving Company at Woodlands give Bd. per couple for full grown rabbits caught iu traps or dug out, and expert trappers get 20 to 50 couples a day. The price, 4d. a rabbit, seeems a high price where they are so plentiful, but it must be remembered that the skin is worth more than two pence, and if worth preserving should be cheap at lfd. or 2d. a piece. Men with families make a handsome income, as boys from ten to fifteen years of age, if smart, can make nearly as much as a man. Gold. —The approximate production for the last year has been: Tuapeka Subdivision, 13,597 oz. of alluvial, 8,112 oz. of cement, 741 oz. of quartz gold ; making a total of 22,450 oz., and about 2,000 oz. from Waikaia Snbdivision. Revenue. —The total revenue during tho year in the Tupeka Division from rents, &c, amounted to £6,579 Is. 4d. ; and the fees and fines, Eesident Magistrate's Court, amounted to £264. Land Settlement. —The agricultural-lease system must be considered as having been a great success in this district. Since the system came into force, 1,086 leases have been issued, equal to an area of 66,526 acres. The deferred-payment system has also been very successful, and has been the means of planting on the soil a good class of settlers. During the last two months 6,673 acres were thrown open, and the whole area was taken up, with the exception of two sections containing 432 acres. Sixteen of the sections out of the 25 taken up realized by auction an average of £3 per acre, the upset price being 30s. The farmers are in good spirits, crops good, and prices high, leaving that proverbially discontented class nothing to grumble at but the lateness of their harvest, and that is in a great measure their own fault. If our farmers could be induced to get in their wheat in the autumn, the harvest would be earlier, and the carting of the grain to the railways be done before the roads got bad ; or, if that was found impossible, farmers should obtain their seed from Oamaru or Timaru, and they would find their crops ten days or a fortnight earlier than using the seed grown in the district. At Tuapeka West, land, at one time not considered fit for cultivation, has averaged from 35 to 60 bushels to the acre, and oats from 50 to 70 bushels ; the wheat grown there being considered by the millers to be only second to Oamaru wheat. Gabriel's Gully. —The Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company's special claim has made great progress during the last year, and have advanced several hundred feet through a bed of gravel tailings, varying in depth from 20 to 50 feet, the whole of which is, I believe, more or less auriferous. The best gold has, however, been uniformly found near the bottom, and this in spite of the ground having been worked over several times before, it is said both by Europeans and Chinese ; taking into consideration the enormous disintegrating power of the large jets of water which even cut up the slate rock, perhaps the result is not so surprising. The main process in working is essentially the same as was so well described by Mr. Carew in his last yearly report, so that I will not repeat a description of it. I must not, however, omit mention of an additional plan for both bringing the stuff forward in greater quantities and also removing all large stones, which will have the effect not only of lessening the wear and tear, but will increase the quantity put through. This consists of a chain harrow revolving in the main ground sluice, with tines about four inches apart, which, assisted by the water and driven by, say, eight or ten horse power, will bring large quantities of gravel and stones to the main elevator, from which, however, the stones are prevented from entering by an endless set of rakes which separate the

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large stones and pass them to a conveying belt, which will deposit them clear of the workings. The company's workings will soon, at their present rate of progress, reach a part of the old gully where richer returns cannot fail to be obtained both from the top tailings, through being nearer the discharge of the old Blue Spur sluices, and also from the bottom having been earlier covered up, and thus prevented from being re-worked. I shall watch with great interest the future development of these important works, the success of which cannot fail to influence largely the future workings of a large area of similar ground both in Otago and other parts of New Zealand. I have, &c, J. Nugent Wood, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Warden.

No. 17. Mr. Warden Maitland to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Dunedin, 26th April, 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith the annual statistical information relative to the state and condition of the Hindon Mining District for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1882. In doing so, I regret my inability to report that the progress of the district as regards the mining industry has been as satisfactory as might have been expected from my last report, or that there is much reason for believing that the prospects for the next twelve months are to any great extent more hopeful. Having last year explained somewhat fully the circumstances of this gold field, the following remarks as to its present condition are all that are now necessary : — Alluvial Mining. —From 60 to 70 men have been working the alluvial deposits with varying success, averaging, it is said, about £2 10s. per week per man. Many do not work at their claims continuously. Some combine rabbiting with digging ; others leave for harvesting, and return when the harvest is over. As stated in previous reports, the alluvial workings of Hindon would be much more productive and afford profitable occupation for a much larger number of miners if a sufficient water supply for sluicing purposes could be obtained. How to obtain such a supply appears to be a somewhat difficult problem, not alone from want of capital, but owing in a great measure to the depression of the streams that would be the source of supply and the altitude to which it would have to be brought. Quartz Mining. —In this branch of mining industry operations have been almost at a standstill. With the exception of some 50 or 60 tons, chiefly test crushings by the Just-in-Time Company, no quartz has been crushed during the past twelve months. Nearly the whole of the companies, including the one just mentioned, have ceased working, and seven leases have been cancelled during the year for non-payment of rent. The stone crushed by the Just-in-Time Company yielded 10 dwt. to the ton ; but this was not sufficient to pay working expenses. In the Zealandia Company's lease the reef, which is throughout more or less auriferous, has been traced from the surface to a considerable depth, and efforts made to discover what particular portion of the ground will best pay for working. There is hope that this company will be successful. In the lease known as the Gladstone, Harrison and Marriott have a well-defined reef, which bids fair to turn out payably auriferous. The lessees are now having 100 tons of stone taken out for a trial crushing. The Hindon Company have merely put through their battery one or two trial crushings of stone from a newly-discovered reef at the Serpertine in the Mount Ida Mining District. Beyond this, I cannot say that anything has been done during the twelve months in the direction of developing the quartz mines of Hindon. Settlement. —Agricultural settlement is steadily progressing. A considerable area of land has been cropped with fair average results. A few additional sections have been taken up, and inquiry having been made respecting a number of others that were temporarily reserved for mining, it has been decided that several of them shall now be advertised for sale. The total population remains about the same —viz.,200 ; for, although the number of miners, as will be seen from the tables, is rather less, the number of settlers and others has slightly increased. I have, &c, J. P. Maitland, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 18. , Mr. Warden Robinson to tho Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Oamaru, 31st March, 1882. I have the honor to report as follows upon the portion of the gold field under my charge as Warden: — In December last I ceased to be Warden of the Mount Ida Gold Fields District, but on my removal to this place I retained jurisdiction over the portions known as Macrae's, Hyde, Hamilton, Serpentine, and Maerevvhenua. It is with reference to these portions only that I have now to report. There is but little of interest to note with respect to Macrae's, where a small number of miners are regularly employed, principally in working over old ground. Hyde. —ln the neighbourhood of Hyde mining has of late been giving way to agriculture as the chief occupation of the inhabitants. The last important work—an attempt at turning the Taieri Eiver —was, unfortunately, by no means a profitable speculation for those concerned, and at present there is no new enterprise on foot. Hamilton. —There has been more interest in mining affairs. A number of new claims have been taken up, and the large companies continue to work in a very systematic way, and with fair success. To work their ground they have to put in long and expensive tunnels through the rock ; one of these now near completion was begun about five years ago. The workings at Sowburn, about five miles from Hamilton, continue to support a quiet but thriving community, who have for the most part been settled, for many years in the same spot. The workings are alluvial,

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Serpentine. —The interest centres mainly on the quartz workings, which seem at length to be developing into an important industry. There have been so many disappointments in quartz mining in Otago that I hesitate to express any very sanguine hopes as to the prospects of the Serpentine reefs. There have been some very encouraging trial crushings, and claimholders and their friends have great expectations, but it will take at least another season before it can be said that quartz mining as a paying business is fairly established at Serpentine. Maerewhenua. —Beyond a small increase in the number of miners there is nothing particular to note at Maerewhenua. It is generally thought that mining has on the whole been paying rather better about Maerewhenua, but there are no signal instances of success to record. I enclose the usual statistical returns. Tou will observe that some of these are not filled up, the reason being that the information has been included in general returns furnished from the Naseby office, where all the records of the whole Mount Ida District are kept together in one set of books. I have, &c, H. W. Boblnson, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 19. Mr. Warden McCulloch to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Invercargill, Ist May, 1882. I have the honor, in compliance with circular No. 95 of 21st February, to forward the annual statistical returns for the Orepuki and Longwood District for the year ending 31st March, 1882. Owing to the recent destruction of the Biverton Courthouse by fire, and the consequent loss of all the records of the office, some of these returns can only be regarded as approximate, but they are based on as close an estimate as it has been possible to make under the circumstances. The condition and prospects of the workings in the district remain much the same as at the date of my report last year. At Orepuki there is no change of importance in mining operations ; the development of the fine coal seams known to exist in that locaii y being still delayed till the completion of the railway from Biverton to Orepuki, which is now being pushed forward by the contractors. This line when finished will also greatly accelerate agricultural settlement in the district. Up to this date over 6,000 acres have been taken up by cash purchasers, and on deferred payments, along the course of the line and in its vicinity. Pound Hill. —The Chinese population has increased from 270 to about 500, most of whom, judging from the information I have been able to obtain, are earning good wages. These workings have increased considerably during the past year, extending to the westward. The want of water, long complained of at Bound Hill, will soon be relieved by the bringing in of the water-race now in course of construction by Messrs Bernstein and Co. Longwood. —Operations on the Longwood side, I regret to say, are still in a state of stagnation. Neither the Longwood Beefing Company nor the Geelong Company have resumed work during the past year. Of thirty-two mining leases in force at 31st March last year, fourteen have been cancelled, six may be considered to have been abandoned, leaving twelve in force at this date, of which in all probability the greater part will shortly be cancelled. There are, however, some miners still working in this locality, and occasionally small parcels of heavy gold are obtained, but although it is probable that some of the cancelled leases will be re-applied for, operations as yet are conducted in so desultory a manner, that they do not warrant any conclusion as to the ultimate success of this field. I have, &c, Hy. McCulloch, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields Wellington. Warden.

WATER-RACES. No. 20. Mr. H. A. Gordon, Manager of the Nelson Creek Water-Bace, to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib,— Greymouth, sth May, 1882. I have the honor to submit my annual report on the transactions connected with the working of the Nelson Creek Water-Bace during the year ending 31st March, 1882. The revenue derived from sales of water has been £2.191 12s. lid., and the expenditure on maintenance £1,355 13s. 6d., thus leaving a balance of £835 19s. sd. of profit on the working of the race. The approximate amount of gold obtained during the year by the miners who were using water from the race has been 3,808 oz., representing the value of £14,565 125., and the average number of miners employed has been 67, After deducting the sales of water from the value of gold obtained, it leaves the average earnings of the miners to be £184 13s. Bd. per annum, or £3 Lis. per week. The maintenance of the race has consisted of turning on and off water to the miners who are using it, repairs to bridges and flumes, and the ordinary work of maintenance, including supervision. There has likewise been a good deal of extra repairs caused by slips at various times during the year, and about 16 chains of tunnelling has been constructed through narrow spurs, to avoid the places where these slips occurred. There has been no new payable ground discovered during the year that the race commands, although a good deal of free water has been given for prospecting, but the demand for water is slightly on the increase, owing to the large quantities of tailings that are accumulating, which causes the fail pr working the ground to get gradually less, and therefore requires more water to work it.

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Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31st March, 1882. Peceipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. 1881—April ... ... ... 176 10 0 1881—April ... ... ... 75 19 10 May ... ... ... 86 5 10 May ... ... ... 377 10 6 June ... ... ... 190 12 1 June ... ... ... 104 15 3 July ... ... ... 153 1 8 July ... ... ... 85 18 7 August .. ... 186 9 2 August ... ... 84 16 8 September ... ... 188 2 1 September ... ... 96 15 8 October ... ... 229 15 10 October ... ... 84 17 0 November ... ... 233 17 11 November ... ... 82 0 0 December ... ... 184 0 10 December ... ... 86 12 8 1882—January ... ... 157 10 10 1882—January ... ... 82 0 0 February ... ... 197 11 8 February ... ... 76 6 8 March... ... ... 207 15 0 March... ... ... 118 0 8 Balance Cr. ... ... 835 19 5 £2,191 12 11 £2,191 12 11 The following table shows the approximate amount of gold obtained by persons using water from the Nelson Creek Water-race, and their average earnings during the year ending the 31st March, 1882 :— Month *^"0, °^ eu Approximate amount Employed. of G-olcl obtained. Oz. 1881—April ... ... ... ... 73 ... 294 May ... ... ... ... 69 ... 184 June ... ... ... ... 63 ... 300 July ... ... ... ... 68 ... 335 August ... ... ... ... 64 ... 307 September ... ... ... ... 67 ... 324 October ... ... ... ... 72 ... 386 November ... ... ... ... 69 ... 368 December ... ... ... ... 67 ... 293 1882—January ... ... ... ... 66 ... 271 February ... ... ... ... 66 ... 379 March ... ... ... ... 64 ... 367 808 .'.. 3,808 Value of gold, at £3 16s. 6d. per oz. ... ... ... £14,565 12 0 Deduct sales of water ... ... ... ... 2,191 12 11 £12,373 19 1 Average number of men employed, 67. Average earnings per man per annum, after deducting money paid for water, £184 13s. Bd. I have, &c., Henry A. Gordon, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager.

No. 21. Mr. J. Gow, Manager of the Waimea-Kumara Water-Eaee, to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sib, — Manager's Office, Kumara, 4th April, 1882. I have the honor to make the following general remarks on the working and maintenance of the Waimea-Kumara Eaces and Sludge Channel for the year ending 31st March, 1882 : — Waimea Pace. —This race maintains about the same number of miners as last year, and I think their earnings average much the same, except some of the Chinese, who are working very poor ground ; they seem, however, contented with much smaller pay than would satisfy most Europeans. As the shallow ground at the heads of the gullies is being worked out, the miners move downward towards Stafford, and are now opening up extended claims on Tunnel Terrace, where the ground is from 40 to 73 feet deep, and much resembles the Kumara workings in character, but I believe not in value, per cubic yard. The extension of Branch B race will command all this terrace, which will very soon be the chief mining centre in this district, and will give employment to a good number of miners for many years. The sales of water for the incoming year promise to be equal to the past year. Kumara Pace. —There are now only a few claims working remuneratively in the old style—viz., by windlass or whip, which are here termed " feeder claims." Much of the ground which has been worked in this way has lately been taken up in extended claims, with a view of sluicing into the sludge channel, and many of the feeder claims at a considerable distance from the line of channel have quite lately been abandoned in consequence of the new discoveries near Woodstock, where all who are doing very little here are moving in the hope of getting a golden claim; even the Government racemaintenance men, who have been in this employment for years, have gone to the new rush. This rush will slightly reduce the sales of water for a time, but I do not anticipate a serious loss. Kumara Sludge Channel. —This is, I believe, the most important work of its kind in New Zealand, and calculated to be the salvation of this gold field. It will enable the miners to sluice away a very

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large area of ground that could not have been otherwise so worked, and from a general knowledge of the ground and the returns from claims now opened, it is anticipated that the yield of gold, although extending over many years, will be in the aggregate very large. The tunnel and channel are now completed, less 15 chains of boxing at lower end, which will be extended to the Teremakau River, as the flat is filled up with the tailings, as far as it is generally believed the ground will pay for sluicing, and is about 78 chains in length, fully 60 chains of which pass lengthwise through the centre of the field deep enough to command the ground on each side for a distance of from 10 to 15 chains. In order to command as much ground as possible and to reach the head of the lead, the gradient was made 240 per chain. This met with much opposition from the miners, many of them (old sluicers) believing it would not work. Quite lately, however, the channel had a trial which has, I think, removed all doubts about it not working, since which time many applications for use of channel have been made — in all 24 to date, and I know of several others to come in. These are more than enough to test the channel's carrying capacity to the fullest extent, even if they are divided into two lots of four hours each for the day (it being customary to take the water for four hours only each day by the claims now opened). This will equal 84 to 90 Government heads of water carrying debris eight hours each day. From this it will be seen there will be considerable wear and tear in the channel requiring a large expenditure to renew blocks and lining boards, also the extension of boxing at the lower end till it reaches the river—ls chains. The revenue should also be large, as each party will average fully five men and from six to seven heads of water four hours each day when the claims are well opened out. Most of these claims should be in full working order within twelve months, and half of them will probably be ready within four months, in which case the present water supply will be totally inadequate. From 20 to 25 heads are now required daily for sluicing claims outside the sludge channel, and there are every month of late additional claims getting ready to open out for sluicing. Unless the loop-line dam is constructed quickly the water supply will not equal half the demand within the next four months. This will be a serious loss to many of the miners now opening out their claims to sluice, as their present work will render their claim sunlit to open out again to work in the old style; therefore the want of water, for even a few days from time to time, means want of employment for probably many men who cannot afford to be idle after so much labour and no immediate returns. Provision for storing more water is therefore urgently required. Kapetea Dam. —The dam Was filled and flowing over early in February, and has continued nearly full ever since. A large body of water has on several occasions passed over the weir, which has proved the stability of the work. With reference to the probable increased demand for water at an early date, I should mention that for the past two months there has been an inordinate desire to secure large claims with a view to sluicing same, and having secured the ground the next step is to apply for water, as it is generally understood the water, when available, will be delivered according to priority of application. The same rule applies to the sludge channel. Herewith please find tables showing the revenue and expenditure on account of the WaimeaKumara Races maintained by the Government, from Ist April to 30th September, and from Ist October, 1881, to 31st March, 1882. I have, &c, J. Gow, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager.

No. 22. Mr. Denis Doyle, Manager of the Argyle Water-Race, to the Under-Seceetaey for Gold Fields Sib,,— Charleston, 3rd April, 1882. I have the honor to report for the past twelve months on the management and progress of the Argyle Water-Eace, and new works going on in connection with the same. On Ist April, 1881, I started with a very fair prospect of good returns for the year, having an income from sales of water of £61 lis. 9d., and expenditure for same month, including manager's salary, £25 19s. 6d. At this time I had the race in good working order, and calculated on having very little outlay for repairs, when unfortunately the dam broke away on the 11th of May, carrying all prospects of returns with it. This has proved a great loss to the people of Charleston, more particularly as the season has been so dry—there has not been any season like it for over eight years, when the dam ran dry, through long drought, and it took eighteen months to get it up again. On the 19th of May I received instructions to build a temporary dam and repair flumes which were carried away, finishing same on the Bth of June. As the supply races were in very bad repair, I had the parts put in order which were not actually broken down; but, having no material on hand, I could only do some patching with pieces of old slabs, as the boxes were so rotten there could be nothing of any permanency done but get as much water in as possible; by this means I was able to keep a small supply of water in reservoir. On the 23rd of July I received instructions to clear out the foundation of dam wall, which I carried out by putting in a coffer-dam to keep back the water, and four pumps had to be kept working for eight days. On the 27th of August I received instructions to rebuild dam wall up to its original height and extend its base 20 feet wider, making it also 8 feet wider on top, so as to be 12 feet wide ; this work I continued until finished, on the 20th of October, making a very strong piece of work, which will last for a lo time to come. I had to keep the water down while getting in the foundation, which is 6 feet below sluice. In the course of construction I did not waste any water, but let it run to men using it along the course of race until it ran dry. When I began pumping out the coffer-dam to get at foundation, this was a most difficult piece of work and required a good deal of care until I had the foundation secured, which I had not finished an hour too soon, as it commenced raining while securing lifting gear. I had several breaks in flumes for August and September months, which I had repaired with as little delay as possible. Since that time I have had several small breaks, but always got them repaired with the labour of myself and a boy, keeping cost down as much as possible, with the exception of a little timber and nails.

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The tunnel contract being cancelled with the original contractors caused a delay of nearly four months. Since finishing the dam I have been principally repairing flumes and races. Every time the water gave out in the reservoir, which was very often, through the long-continued dry weather, up to the end of January, when I received instructions to call for tenders for timber for repairing supply races, which I did by advertising in the local papers ; but receiving but one tender, and that being very high, I did not accept it; it was 30s. per hundred superficial feet, delivered on works. Since the Ist of February I have been principally out on supply-races, getting the work put in order. There were tenders called for enlarging the old race and building flumes, and three sections of supply-race south were accepted, and the work is being carried out, which they will have finished in about three weeks from date. The sawing and delivery of timber was let for 20s. per hundred superficial feet, which justified me in not accepting the first tender of 30s. The construction I am carrying on with day labour, as all the tenders were too high. The contractors for section No. 1 Argyle Water-race alterations are progressing well, so far; they have but just started at both ends of the tunnel, so that they have got a very fair start, which I hope they will carry out satisfactorily. The old race is in better repair now than at any time since I took charge eighteen months ago, and I do not expect any breaks of much importance for this coming financial year. I have a very fair supply of water in reservoir just now, as it rained very heavy on the 16th and 17th of March ; therefore I feel confident of being out of water no more this year, as when the supply-races are finished there will be a big supply coming in to reservoir. The income derived from sales of water this past year is remarkably low owing to the foregoingcauses, amounting to the sum of £417 ss. 6d., while the expenditure was about £400. The rest of the heavy expenditure was incurred on dam, and breaks caused by the bursting of the dam. There is other expenditure which I have no account of, which is but small, having been paid through the Treasury. I have &c, Denis Doyle, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager

No. 23. The Chaieman, Mount Ida Water-race Trust, to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woees. Sib, — Naseby, 7th June, 1882. You will observe from the statement of receipts and expenditure, which I have the honor now to forward, that the position of" the Mount Ida public works during the past year has not improved. The Trust regrets that the accounts should disclose such an unsatisfactory state of things. A comparison of this year's receipts with last shows a falling off amounting to £227 Os. 3d. on the sales of water, which is far from counterbalanced by the decrease in expenditure of £126 Os. 9d. Still worse, the Trust was last year, out of revenue, able to expend £148 2s. sd. in extension works, but for the construction of which the falling off would have been more marked, while this year nothing has been so expended. In last year's report the amount owing to the Trust for water and channel fees, is set down at £1,429 7s. 9d., in this at £1,169, showing a decrease of £260 7s. 9d., which unfortunately cannot be credited to the improved circumstances of the purchasers of water, but is due to the Trust having found it necessary to write off £390 17s. 9d. as bad debts. Of the amount now owing, the Trust's manager considers not more than three-fourths can safely be considered good. The manager reports an ever-increasing difficulty in collecting accounts, consequent on the more payable ground being worked, and no new discoveries in the localities at present commanded by the race being made, the miners having to turn their attention to that which is inferior. As has before been pointed out, the Trust's water only commands a portion of the Mount Ida workings—the original scheme, which would have carried the race four miles farther and enabled water to be used over the whole length of the field, not being yet carried out. The Trust has more than once addressed the Government on the subject of extending the race, and at its last meeting resolved to once more call your attention to its urgent necessity. The estimated cost is about £1,000. Unless the race is extended there is little doubt but the disproportion between receipts and expenditure will steadily increase. The decrease in receipts is partly owing to the accidental breaking of the valve of the reservoir. This caused the loss of nearly a month's water in the best period of the year, and necessitated a call upon the Government for the £500 voted against emergencies at last session of Parliament. It is the receipt of this amount that enables the Trust to show £360 13s. 6d. in hand at the date of making up accounts. The head-race during the year has worked well, no serious mishaps having occurred, and the supply of water has been good. The expenditure has been decreased from £881 Os. lOd. to £608 165., or by £272 4s. 10d., and is now at the lowest point consistent with safety—four men looking after and keeping in repair the whole seventy miles of race. The channel has continued to work well along the greater part of its length (the upper six miles), but the low prevailing grade in its lower portion, which has, since the channel was first used, been a continual source of expense, has this year been more troublesome than ever. The expense of keeping it working shows an increase of £176 6s. 3d., the amount for this year and last year being £407 18s. 6d, and £231 12s. 3d. respectively. The sides, by means of scrub, have been raised over a long distance to a considerable additional height, and it is probable that some reduction in the expense of keeping the channel opeu may, during the current year, be effected. The loss sustained through water having to be run down the channel for flushing purposes is considerable, but without that the greater number of miners using the channel and purchasing water from the Trust, could not work. Were the race

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extended, and the water sold on other portions of the field not using the channel, the expenditure and loss of water referred to would not be required. The Trust, in January last, dispensed with the services of its secretary and treasurer, making the manager do the work. This will effect a saving of £75 per annum. The Trust hopes that, either through funds being placed at its disposal for the extension of the head-race, or through the discovery of fresh payable auriferous ground in the country at present commanded, or from both causes its position may, during the ensuing year, be improved. During a great part of the year all the water that can be brought in is fully employed, but a large proportion, as has been stated, in the non-remunerative work of flushing the channel; and an increase of sales, either from the extension of the head-race or the sale of the water elsewhere, would, with the same supply, greatly increase the Trust's revenue on the one hand, and reduce its expenditure on the other. With the settlement of the land the Trust anticipates that a demand for water for driving machinery and purposes of irrigation will spring up, but the day is still distant when any great revenue may be expected from that source. For such purposes the head-race commands the whole of the Maniototo Plain and Ida Valley, as well as a considerable portion of the valley of the Manuherikia. I have, &c., N. P. HiOREING. The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Chairman.

Mount Ida Watee-eace Trust. —Receipts and Disbuesements from 30th April, 1881, to 30th April, 1882. 1881. Receipts. £ b. A. 1881. Disbursements. £. a. A. April 30. To Balance at Bank ... ... 11 6 7 April 30. By Maintaining head-race ... 608 16 0 Dec. 31. Cash for water sold and chan- Maintaining channel ... 407 18 6 nel fees, from 30th April to Extra labour ... ... 108 10 6 1882. 31st December, 1881 ... 1,130 19 0 General management, manager _Teb. —. Cash received from Government 500 0 0 and waterman's salaries, office April 30. Cash received for water Bold and rent, &c. ... ... 535 14 6 channel fees, from Ist Janu- Forage account ... ~. 15 9 1 ary to 30th April, 1882 ... 548 10 10 Tools and implements ... 28 511 Secretary's salary to 31st Dec. 50 0 0 1882. Timber account ... ... 56 8 6 April 30. To Printing and stationery .., 11 1 9 Postage and receipt stamps ... 2 14 Law charges ... ... 5 16 10 Balance at Bank ... ... 360 13 6 £2,190 16 5 £2,190 16 5 Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. To Balance at Bank ... ... 360 13 6 Nil. Accounts owing for water and channel fees ... ... 1,169 0 0 £1,529 13 6 N. P. Hjoeeino, Chairman. David Baeeon. Riciiaed Webbeb. R. Johnstone, Secretary and Treasurer. I hereby certify that I have examined the books and vouchers of the Mount Ida Water-race Trust, and compared the accounts with the same, which are found correct. John F. Garvey, Auditor, Ist June, 1882.

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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, 1881.

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, 1882.

6—H. 19.

District. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses, Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Grahamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri Te Aroha Auckland £ 8. d. 598 0 0 251 0 0 161 0 0 189 0 0 £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,431 7 2 637 16 3 1,611 18 2 195 0 0 £ s. d 83 6 0 2 0 0 £ 8. d. 78 5 0 4 8 0 £ s. d. 205 17 6 211 8 0 61 5 0 38 4 0 10 0 £ b. d 2,396 15 8 1,106 12 3 1,834 3 2 662 0 0 10 0 203 0 0 25 5 0 11 ii 0 Hawke's Bay. Napier ... 1,199 0 0 94 4 0 ; ;517 14 6 6,000 11 1 203 0 0 3,876 1 7 110 11 0 10 0 10 0 Wellington. Wellington 11 0 0 11 0 0 Nelson. Collin gwood Westport and Charleston Ahaura... Beef ton 159 19 0 452 0 0 5 0 0 35 0 0 1 15 0 37 10 0 86 14 0 346 5 6 15 16 0 72 12 0 8 12 0 29 7 0 0 10 277 17 0 972 14 6 368 0 0 559 1 0 36 0 0 5 18 6 215 0 0 169 0 0 75 0 0 219 15 0 10 10 0 16 17 6 10 0 184 15 0 1,280 12 6 24 3 6 28 14 0 12 0 0 9 0 15 7 0 9 19 0 14 8 0 12 18 0 1 10 0 3 10 678 6 6 2,120 19 0 38 2 0 27 5 0 615 9 0 207 10 6 Wangapeka West Wanganui... Lyell No Town 4 19 6 31 0 0 5 0 0 12 12 6 7 12 6 15 18 0 325 0 0 12 19 0 14 9 6 3 0 0 2 6 0 87 17 6 2,252 4 0 168 2 6 82 14 6 6 12 0 4,938 3 6 Marlborough. Hayelock Blenheim 1,964 18 6 188 0 0 375 14 6 21 0 0 4 17 6 90 11 8 8 18 6 11 11 0 324 18 8 2 0 0 2 0 0 11 11 0 2 0 0 326 18 8 Westland. Hokitika Kanieri Greymouth Boss Stafford Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton 188 0 0 98 0 0 141 0 0 605 0 0 205 0 0 168 0 0 87 0 0 251 0 0 113 0 0 200 0 0 506 0 0 3 0 0 240 0 0 5 0 0 25 0 0 40 0 0 19 0 0 3 0 0 48 0 0 15 0 0 6 0 0 21 0 0 1 10 0 9 5 0 30 10 0 10 10 0 15 15 0 4 7 6 4 7 6 12 2 6 13 5 0 1 10 0 0 17 6 29 2 6 4 17 6 77 10 0 176 15 0 14 0 0 5 0 0 90 11 8 1 13 0 10 9 0 30 0 0 8 13 0 12 15 0 3 11 0 12 18 0 11 3 0 10 15 0 16 15 0 0 3 0 23 9 0 8 18 6 2 3 0 17 0 22 16 0 10 14 0 16 19 0 3 7 0 16 8 0 4 18 0 3 8 0 32 9 0 0 12 0 3 18 0 1 2 0 4 19 6 6 10 2 10 108 18 0 190 19 0 806 38 0 435 11 6 236 10 0 153 6 6 299 13 6 147 4 6 232 8 0 681 18 0 4 7 6 320 16 6 0 1 0 5 "6 0 14 0 0 7 0 11 14 0 Kumara Jackson's Bay Goldsborough 124 6 0 16 ii 0 Otago. Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. Bathans Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger ... Cromwell Queenstown ,., Arrowtown 2,617 0 0 285 0 0 133 2 6 278 5 0 142 4 0 131 0 0 31 19 6 3,618 11 0 111 0 0 783 0 0 140 0 0 10 0 0 61 0 0 31 0 0 5 15 0 53 12 6 7 12 6 83 0 0 221 3 8 10 0 0 19 0 25 9 0 2 8 0 0 12 0 23 12 0 5 16 0 10 0 18 0 8 10 0 212 16 0 1,169 5 2 205 6 6 179 0 0 106 0 0 213 0 0 517 0 0 216 0 0 266 0 0 601 0 0 179 18 0 461 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 15 0 7 17 6 8 7 6 20 15 0 14 0 0 14 10 0 14 15 0 10 16 6 12 7 6 21 5 0 0 10 0 50 18 4 157 13 4 153 13 4 292 8 4 3 0 0 90 5 0 3 12 0 18 0 6 14 0 22 19 0 12 9 0 10 2 0 5 0 0 2 10 0 5 9 0 11 0 0 2 4 0 4 11 0 32 10 0 14 10 0 22 0 6 25 15 0 8 13 0 13 5 0 0 10 0 203 17 0 143 14 6 233 2 6 716 7 4 425 12 4 513 18 10 1,051 12 4 221 16 6 610 6 6 71 0 0 11 0 0 37 0 0 99 0 0 16 19 0 28 0 0 1 "5 0 10 13 0 13 14 0 Lawrence Switzers Orepuki 3,772 18 0 374 19 0 175 4 0 1,083 17 0 99 9 0 164 8 6 37 0 0 5,707 15 6 Gold duty recei Aucklf Wellirj Nelson ved during the year in the ind ... ... £3,: igton ... i ... ... 8,1 undermentii 140 10 10 18 0 133 3 11 ted provincial Marlboroug] Westland Otago districts :— a ... £137 15 6 7,752 18 4 3,260 16 6 in, Beceiyer-General. I ... V James C. Gat:

District. Miners' Rights, Business Licenses. Water-races, Sluices, &e. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, "Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous i Totals. Auckland. (-rahamstown Joromandel (hinemuri 'e Aroha Luckland £ a. A. 70 0 0 13 0 0 20 0 0 47 0 0 £ a. A. £ s. d. £ a. d. 268 15 0 13 0 0 616 5 0 448 0 0 £ a. A. 12 7 0 £ a. A. 3 14 0 £ s. d. 3 18 2 10 0 11 18 10 10 11 0 £ 8. d. 357 17 8 28 10 0 648 3 10 770 12 6 212 "b 0 13 ii 6 39 "_ 0 1,346 0 0 25 19 6 43 3 0 28 1 6 1,805 _ 0 150 0 0 212 0 0

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42

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, 1882.

No. 3. COMPARATIVE RETURN of Revenue derived from the Gold Fields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1880 and 1881, showing Increase or Decrease under each head of Revenue.

( DlSTHICT. Miners' Rights. Business Licenses. Water-races, Sluices, tfcc. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous Totals. Hawke's Bay. Napier Wellington. Wellington Nelson. Collingwood Westport and Charleston Ahaura Beef ton Wangapeka West Wanganui... Lyell No Town £ e. d. 34 0 0 130 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 10 0 9 15 0 £ S. d. 24 0 0 232 10 0 £ s. d. 3 15 6 13 3 0 £ s. a. 0 7 0 9 8 0 £ S. d. 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 £ 8. d. 10 0 2 0 0 63 3 0 394 16 0 75 0 0 104 1 0 11 0 0 0 18 0 •95 0 0 47 0 0 14 0 0 57 0 0 3 7 6 5 5 0 0 2 6 56 16 6 436 1 8 6 0 0 7 4 0 0 10 5 4 0 2 10 0 10 0 160 18 0 611 12 8 11 3 6 22 7 0 269 9 0 52 3 6 11 "0 0 5 "5 0 1 17 6 2l"'9 0 150 10 0 5 "7 0 3 6 0 2 "7 0 496 19 0 19 7 0 0 10 6 1,585 12 8 82 0 0 26 12 6 921 7 2 38 16 6 M.AELBOEOUGH. Hayelock Blenheim 24 1 0 12 6 43 10 0 2 11 0 14 7 0 85 11 6 10 0 1 0 0 Westland. Hokitika Kumara Greymouth Boss Stafford Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton ... Kanieri Jackson's Bay Goldsborough 94 0 0 190 0 0 141 0 0 63 0 0 47 0 0 18 0 0 55 0 0 39 0 0 75 0 0 78 0 0 10 0 93 0 0 24 1 0 127 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 10 0 0 7 0 6 0 0 2 12 6 4 0 0 0 10 0 0 17 6 2 10 0 3 17 6 2 15 0 12 6 43 10 0 0 10 0 73 10 0 78 0 0 10 0 0 2 13 0 5 16 0 5 6 0 17 0 4 4 0 0 12 0 1 16 0 1 17 0 2 16 0 2 15 0 0 3 0 5 6 0 2 11 0 14 7 0 0 10 0 12 0 0 5 18 0 0 15 0 3 10 0 0 17 0 110 0 4 0 2 7 0 15 6 1 12 0 0 2 0 10 0 86 11 6 224 17 0 236 0 6 251 14 0 155 0 0 70 6 0 25 1 0 63 14 6 43 7 0 84 9 6 99 12 0 13 0 108 9 0 15 "b 0 10 0 1 16 0 1 *2 0 6 io 0 1 0 0 2 13 0 894 0 0 205 0 0 30 10 0 1,363 13 6 163 0 0 34 11 0 27 7 0 9 5 6 Otago. Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. ; Bathana Mauuherikia Clyde ... Mount Benger ... Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzers Orepuki Stewart Island ... 22 0 0 186 0 0 28 0 0 42 0 0 22 0 0 48 0 0 120 0 0 67 0 0 95 0 0 143 0 0 35 17 6 80 0 0 8 0 0 11 5 0 5 0 0 23 0 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 12 12 6 15 0 12 6 12 6 2 17 6 5 10 0 3 7 6 4 5 0 3 7 6 0 10 0 2 15 0 6 10 0 87 3 4 16 "a 8 22 15 0 15 0 0 19 3 4 42 1 8 3 0 0 25 10 0 1 12 0 5 17 0 0 12 0 12 0 0 4 0 12 0 3 11 0 0 10 0 2 10 0 1 17 0 0 2 0 110 11 19 0 0 11 0 18 0 0 16 0 4 9 0 0 9 0 25 18 0 0 16 0 10 0 8 0 0 0 10 0 40 12 0 314 16 10 43 8 0 45 12 6 39 13 2 52 15 6 179 15 0 89 6 6 147 1 4 202 4 2 39 9 6 117 6 0 2 0 0 1,314 0 6 no 0 o "e o 0 2 0 80 0 2 "6 0 888 17 6 69 5 0 40 5 0 237 10 0 20 0 0 11 17 0 46 6 0 Gold Duty reci 7 lived during the quarter in Luckland ... ... £' Wellington ... kelson ... ... 1,1 ;he undermentioned provini '49 8 11 Marlboroug 0 8 0 Westland 133 12 11 Otago cial districts : —■ ;h ... ... £2 17 11 ... 2,385 12 8 ... 2,586 11 1 James C. Gavin, Receiver-General. 1 1

DlSTBICT. Miners' Rights, Business Licenses. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration . Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Gold Duty. Total. Auckland, — Year 1880 Year 1881 Increase Decrease Hawke's Bay,— Year 1880 ... Year'1831 Increase Decrease Wellington,— Year 18S0 Year 1881 Increase '" ' Decreas'e £ 1,717 1,199 £ 384 203 £ £ 2,274 3,876 1,602 £ 85 110 25 £ 41 94 53 £ . 291 518 227 £ 4,593 3,023 £ 9,385 9,023 "518 "isi 1,570 •862 16 1 16 1 '"l5 '"•15 1 11 10 1 1 1 12 *11 "Net,

H.—l9.

No. 3 — continued. COMPARATIVE RETURN of Revenue derived from the Gold Fields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1880 and 1881, showing Increase or Decrease under each head of Revenue.

No. 4. COMPARATIVE RETURN of the Total Amounts of Gold Fields Revenue (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the Years 1880 and 1881, and the Quarters ending 31st March, 1881 and 1882, showing the Increase or Decrease in respect of each District.

43

DlSTSICT. Miners' Rights. Eusiness Licenses. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Gold Duty. Total. Nelson, — Year 1880 Year 1881 Increase Decrease Maelboeough,— Year 1880 ' ... Year 1881 Increase Decrease Westland, — Year 1880 Year 1881 Increase Decrease £ 1,662 1,965 303 178 188 10 £ 226 375 149 19 21 2 £ 97 88 9 5 5 £ 1,493 2,252 759 113 90 £ 208 . 168 '"40 0 9 3 £ 85 83 2 1 11 10 £ 24 7 '"l7 2 2 £ 5,558 5,833 275 155 138 £ 9,353 10,771 *1,418 477 464 " 23 "l7 "'#13 2,755 2,617 364 285 122 133 11 213 278 65 143 142 129 131 2 33 32 8,712 7,753 12,471 11,371 "138 '"79 1 " 1 "959 *i,ioo Otago,— Year 1880 Year 1881 Increase Decrease 3,870 3,773 408 375 181 175 1,267 1,084 98 99 1 179 164 31 37 6 11,339 10,261 17,373 15,968 '"97 "'33 6 "l88 15 1,078 *l',405 •Net. AMES C. -AVIN, Be :eiver-Ge: leral.

Years 1880 and 1881. Quarter from 1st Jaj mary to 31 it March. District. 1880. 1881. Increase. Decrease. 1881. 1882. Increase. Decrease. Auckland. £ 2,636 741 1,080 335 £ 2,397 1,106 662 1,834 1 £ £ 239 £ 407 105 368 142 1 £ 358 28 771 648 £ £ 49 77 Grahamstown Coromandel... ... ... Te Aroha ... Ohinemuri Auckland ... Nelson. 365 1,499 1 418 403 506 "l Collingwood ... Westport and Charlestown Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka West Wanganui Lyell No Town Maelboeough. 181 1,069 694 1,066 31 30 496 229 278 972 678 2,121 38 27 615 208 97 1,055 7 "97 16 89 331 218 540 15 18 201 61 63 395 161 611 11 22 270 52 "e_ "71 26 "57 '"4 119 "3 '"4 69 21 9 Havelock Blenheim Westland. 322 325 2 3 2 80 2 86 1 6 "l Hokitika Kanieri Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully ... Clifton Kumara Jackson's Bay... Goldsborough,.. Otago. 74 219 877 454 249 158 207 171 268 730 14 338 109 191 807 435 236 153 300 147 232 682 4 321 35 "93 28 70 19 13 5 25 72 296 145 61 27 83 34 53 186 2 83 225 99 252 155 70 25 64 43 84 236 1 108 200 27 "io 6 "-4 "2 19 24 36 48 - 10 17 9 31 50 "l "25 Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. Bathans Manuherikia ... Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell Queenstown ... ... ,.. Arrowtown Lawrence Switzer's Orepuki Southland. 244 1,312 208 143 160 304 923 312 477 950 209 792 213 1,169 205 201 144 233 716 425. 514 1,052 222 610 "ei 31 143 3 16 71 207 39 325 52 25 32 60 171 158 121 177 60 159 41 315 43 46 40 53 180 89 147 202 39 117 2 21 . 8 "9 "26 25 "io 9 '"7 113 37 102 13 "69 182 21 42 Stewart Island Wellington. 2 2 Wellington Hawke's Bay. 1 11 10 11 2 9 Napier 16 1 15 1 1 1,574 457 Total Deduct Decrease ... 5,039 6,156 457 18,720 20,600 3,612 1,732 1,732 Net Increase 1,117 1,880 James C. Gavin, Receiver-General.

H.—l9

44

No. 5. Return of the Quantity and Value of Gold Entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand during the Year ended 31st December, 1881.

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, 1882.

No. 7. Comparative Return of the Quantity and Value of Gold Entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand, for Quarters ended 31st March, 1882, and 31st March, 1881.

Totals. Entered for Duty at Broduce of Gold Field in the District of Quantity. Value. Oz. 35,516 £ 141,326 Auckland Auckland Nelson ... Bicton | Marlborough 10 1,368 36 4,495 1,378 4,531 Nelson ... Nelson ... 3,453 13,039 Nelson Wellington Westport Greymouth Hokitika.., 1 [■West Coast I J 1,888 5 13,121 76,637 35,893 7,366 21 52,483 306,542 143,559 127,544 509,971 Lyttelton Dunedin Inyercargill > Otago 89,262 13,234 174 358,335 52,938 650 Totals 102,670 270,561 411,923 1,080,790 Customs Department, Wellington, 22nd June, 1882. William Secretary and Inspe Seed, ictor of Customs.

DUEIN QUAETEE 31st y. 18! 1 THE Ent: foe Expi to 31st Deoei !EED Total en Expoetatio: Zealani 31st Mai eoe r eboji New TO THE 10H, 1882. Enteeed poe Duty at Beoduce oe the Gold Fields in ENDED !aeoh, 12. ietation rHE IBEE, 1881. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland Wellington Bicton Auckland Wellington Marlborough Oz. 8,218 4 29 £ 32,123 14 112 Oz. 1,327,340 30 49,768 £ 4,885,657 120 191,911 Oz. 1,335,558 34 49,797 £ 4,917,780 134 192,023 Nelson Nelson 971 3,627 1,629,262 6,467,971 1,630,233 6,471,598 Nelson Westport Greymouth Hokitika /- West Coast 471 3,741 24,411 9,599 38,222 1,823 14,965 97,643 38,392 152,823 2,694,800 10,541,179 2,733,022 10,694,002 Dunedin Inyercargill ] Otago 22,824 3,041 91,097 12,166 4,094,757 16,123,225 4,120,622 16,226,488 25,865 103,263 Totals 73,309 291,962 9,795,957 ! 38,210,063 9,869,266 38,502,025 Customs Department, Wellington, 24th April, 1882. 'illiam Seed, id Inspector of Customs. Secretary ai

QUAETEE ENDE: 18; ) 31st Maech, 12. QUAETEE ENDE] 18! ' 31st Maech, il. DlSTEIOT OE Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland Wellington larlborough feleon Pest Coast itago ... Oz. 8,218 4 29 971 38,222 25,865 £ 32,123 14 112 3,627 152,823 103,263 Oz. 6,151 250 23,822 20,418 £ 23,779 1,000 95,286 82,167 Totals 73,309 291,962 50,641 202,232 Customs Department, Wellington, 24th April, 1882. Wjlliam Secretary and Inspi Seed, :ctor of Customs,

H.—l9.

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, 1882.

No. 9.—NUMBER of Miners Employed during the Year ending 31st March, 1882.

45

"O. 8.—STATEMENT showing the P: Cement, and Prices charged for Wat] :IOE of G-OID per B per Shtice-hea: )tjnce, Peice ch per Week, durini rged per Ton for crushing- Quaet: the Year ending 31st March, 1882. or JIlNIHO DlSTBICT. Price of Gold per ounce. Price charged per ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Remarks. .UCKLAND—North Hauraki ... South Hauraki ... TeAroha Iaelboeo' —Pelorus and Wairau Felson — Wangapeka Charleston T , ( alluvial Inangahua m(jlted Collingwood TTT . , C alluvial Westport | melted Lyell ... Vestland —Hokitika and Kanieri Waimea Totara... Greymouth G-reenstone Kumara Okarito •taoo — Hindon Tuapeka Dunstan Longwood ... Orepuki Waikaia Arrow, Wakatipu Gold Field Mount Ida Macrae's, Hyde Hamilton, Serpentine > ... Maerewhenua J i £ s. d. 2 10 0 to 3 16 2 5 0 to 3 3 0 2 14 4 3 13 0 3 10 0 3 17 0 3 17 3 3 16 0 3 12 6 3 16 0 3 17 O 3 16 6 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 } J 8s. to 14s. 63. to 10s. 10s. 10b. to 15s. £3 i'i £215s. 40 in. by 1 in. 2 in. by 20 in. 40 in. I £2 40 in. £1 £2 £1 10s. £4 £3 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 2 in. by 20 in. 3 16 6 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 15 0 £3 to £6 20 in. by 2 in. £1 £2 10s. to £3 £1 to £5 10s. £1 £2 10s. to £3 £1 £1 10s. 12s'."6d. 100 in. 6 in. by 1 in. 40 in. by 1 in. 100 in. i2s!'ed. £1 3 15 0 No. 9.—NUMBER of Minebs Employed during the Year ending 31st March, 1882. AlluYial-miners. Quartz-miner3. Totals. Mining Diatriot. Grand Totals. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. OJCKIAND — North Hauraki South Hauraki TeAroha Iablbobot/gh— Pelorus ... ,., Wairau Queen Charlotte Sound ... Felson — West Wanganui Wangapeka Colliogwood and Takaka Inangahua ... Ahaura Charleston Westport Ljell, Hampden, and Matakitiki ... — Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara ... ... ... Greymouth Arnold Okarito Ita&O— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde Cromwell Alexandra Roxburgh ... ... ... Waikaia, Upper Waikaia, Nokomai, Waikaka, and Waikawa Orepuki and Longwood ... Wakitipu Gold Field — Arrow, Macetown, Cardrona, Kawarau, Bracken's, and Motatapu Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's ... Hamilton, Sowburn, &o.... Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath-Iaieri, and Shag "Valley Serpentine Maerewhenua ... St. Bathans and Ida Valley Black's and Tinker's SUMMABY. 250 794 70 250 794 70 250 794 70 152 . 90 "20 152 90 20 152 90 20 5 28 175 200 360 240 265 370 11 650 183 7 380 12 28 175 580 360 240 265 470 11 650 183 12 28 186 1,230 543 240 265 530 '"60 "ioo "'60 575 334 1,051 650 850 550 140 220 144 56 11 165 250 575 334 1,054 650 862 550 140 220 144 56 11 165 250 795 478 1,110 661 1,027 800 140 "is 71 454 35 325 125 153 G 440 25 147 130 157 6 50 80 6 8 "lO 77 504 35 405 131 161 6 440 25 157 130 157 83 944 60 562 261 318 87 160 250 500 "20 87 180 250 500 337 680 140 285 165 45 55 40 150 150 95 100 15 7 130 42 270 327 165 45 55 40 150 150 95 100 15 7 420 477 260 145 70 47 55 15 40 135 160 85 10 4 20 65 "SO "lO 55 45 40 145 160 85 10 4 20 65 140 55 44 165 225 .rCKLAND Eaelbokough ... [BISON >TAGO ... 242 1,643 4,153 2,545 8,583 844 906 2,356 4,103 1,114 20 487 12 382 1,114 262 2,130 4,165 2,927 904 846 2,366 1,114 262 3,034 5,011 5,293 "lO Totals 2,015 10 10,598 4,116 14,714

"O. 8.—STATEMENT showing the P: Cement, and Prices charged for Wat] :IOE of G-OID per B per Shtice-hea: )tjnce, Peice ch per Week, durini rged per Ton for crushing- Quaet: the Year ending 31st March, 1882. or JIlNIHO DlSTBICT. Price of Gold per ounce. Price charged per ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Remarks. .UCKLAND—North Hauraki ... South Hauraki ... TeAroha Iaelboeo'—Pelorus and Wairau Felson — Wangapeka Charleston T , ( alluvial Inangahua m(jlted Collingwood TTT . , C alluvial Westport | melted Lyell ... Vestland—Hokitika and Kanieri Waimea Totara... Greymouth G-reenstone Kumara Okarito •taoo — Hindon Tuapeka Dunstan Longwood ... Orepuki Waikaia Arrow, Wakatipu Gold Field Mount Ida Macrae's, Hyde Hamilton, Serpentine > ... Maerewhenua J i £ s. d. 2 10 0 to 3 16 2 5 0 to 3 3 0 2 14 4 3 13 0 3 10 0 3 17 0 3 17 3 3 16 0 3 12 6 3 16 0 3 17 O 3 16 6 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 } J 8s. to 14s. 63. to 10s. 10s. 10b. to 15s. £3 i'i £215s. 40 in. by 1 in. 2 in. by 20 in. 40 in. I £2 40 in. £1 £2 £1 10s. £4 £3 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 2 in. by 20 in. 3 16 6 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 15 0 £3 to £6 20 in. by 2 in. £1 £2 10s. to £3 £1 to £5 10s. £1 £2 10s. to £3 £1 £1 10s. 12s'."6d. 100 in. 6 in. by 1 in. 40 in. by 1 in. 100 in. i2s!'ed. £1 3 15 0 No. 9.—NUMBER of Minebs Employed during the Year ending 31st March, 1882. AlluYial-miners. Quartz-miner3. Totals. Mining Diatriot. Grand Totals. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. OJCKIAND — North Hauraki South Hauraki TeAroha Iablbobot/gh— Pelorus ... ,., Wairau Queen Charlotte Sound ... Felson — West Wanganui Wangapeka Colliogwood and Takaka Inangahua ... Ahaura Charleston Westport Ljell, Hampden, and Matakitiki ... — Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara ... ... ... Greymouth Arnold Okarito Ita&O— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde Cromwell Alexandra Roxburgh ... ... ... Waikaia, Upper Waikaia, Nokomai, Waikaka, and Waikawa Orepuki and Longwood ... Wakitipu Gold Field — Arrow, Macetown, Cardrona, Kawarau, Bracken's, and Motatapu Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's ... Hamilton, Sowburn, &o.... Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath-Iaieri, and Shag "Valley Serpentine Maerewhenua ... St. Bathans and Ida Valley Black's and Tinker's SUMMABY. 250 794 70 250 794 70 250 794 70 152 . 90 "20 152 90 20 152 90 20 5 28 175 200 360 240 265 370 11 650 183 7 380 12 28 175 580 360 240 265 470 11 650 183 12 28 186 1,230 543 240 265 530 '"60 "ioo "'60 575 334 1,051 650 850 550 140 220 144 56 11 165 250 575 334 1,054 650 862 550 140 220 144 56 11 165 250 795 478 1,110 661 1,027 800 140 "is 71 454 35 325 125 153 G 440 25 147 130 157 6 50 80 6 8 "lO 77 504 35 405 131 161 6 440 25 157 130 157 83 944 60 562 261 318 87 160 250 500 "20 87 180 250 500 337 680 140 285 165 45 55 40 150 150 95 100 15 7 130 42 270 327 165 45 55 40 150 150 95 100 15 7 420 477 260 145 70 47 55 15 40 135 160 85 10 4 20 65 "SO "lO 55 45 40 145 160 85 10 4 20 65 140 55 44 165 225 .rCKLAND Eaelbokough ... [BISON >TAGO ... 242 1,643 4,153 2,545 8,583 844 906 2,356 4,103 1,114 20 487 12 382 1,114 262 2,130 4,165 2,927 904 846 2,366 1,114 262 3,034 5,011 5,293 "lO Totals 2,015 10 10,598 4,116 14,714

H.—l9.

No. 10. RETURN showing the Average Prices of Provisions and Live Stock for the Year ending 31st March, 1882.

46

Livb Stock. Meat. — -_ PI I-a £ ** 14 _g_2 -_ P*l _ _ _ o O I* _ o o '% o S _ to _ o O _ O EH Miking District. _ .y S © 3 *_ QQ Eh I Per hdd. Per Gallon. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per 100 lb. Per Imp. Bushel. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. PerQt. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per Gallon. Per Head. Per Head. Per Head. Per Head. Per Head. Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Mablbobough — ■ Queen Charlotte Sd. Pelorus Wairau Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Lyell Westport Charleston Ahaura Westland — Waimea Totara Hokitika & Kanieri Okarito Kumara Greymouth Arnold Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell "1 Clyde Alexandra Black's Teviot Nevis J Orepuki, Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Mount Ida 105/ 90/ to 95/ 100/ 48/ 25/ 25/ d. 2i 2 2i 1/6 1/-1/6 1/-1/6 1/3 /10 /8-1/ /8 2 1/6 2/ 16/ 14/ 15/ 5/" 6/ £ 5-15 6-9 5-9 15/-20/ 5/ 5-50 5-40 5-20 10/-20/ 10/-16/ 8/-12/ 30/-60/ 12/-30/ 15/-35/ d. 6 5 5 d. 6 3_-5 4-5 d. 7 5. 6 d. 6 6 6 d. 5 3i 4 d. 1-2 1 2 d. 6 5-6 6 3/ 2/-3/6 2/-3/6 6/6 6/ 6/ 24/ 16/-40/ 16/-40/ 200/ 4 4 3 r 1/ if 2/ 2 < 2/ 20/ 20/ 17/ 8-10 7-10 7-10 10/ 10/ 13/ 13/ 6 5 5 6 4 3. 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 4 1. 2 2 7 6 6 3/6 3/3 7/ 8/ 7/ 120/ 200/ 140/ 150/ 123/ 130/ 140/ 28/ 33/ 30/ 28/ 23/ 26/ 27/6 2 5 3 4 2 2 2. 2/ 1/ 1/6 1/6-2/6 9 7 1/3 1/9 1/ 1/3 1/6 /9 /10 7 /10 1/ 1/9 2/, 2 2 19 2/ 2/ 16/ 15/ 24/ 20/ 13/ 18/ 20/-30/ 4/9 8/ 14/ 4/6 5/6 10/-15/ 4-6 10/ 8 9 10 11 9 7-12 60/ 40/ 5-25 From £8 20 15 25 15-30 10-15 10/ 8/up 14/ 16/ 15/ 16/ 15/-23/ 15/ 80/ 40/ 50/ 30/ 60/-140/ 4 5-6 8 6 7 7 5-8 4 4-5 8 6 7 5 5-8 6 7 1/ 8 7 8 7-8 3 5 0 9 6 4 8 5 6 5 6 4 5 7 2 2 3 6 2 2 3-4 6 5i 7 8 6 6 6-9 2/6-3/ 3/ 3/6 3/6 3 3/-5 6/ 8/ "7/6 6/ 7 7/-9/ 20/ 15/ 20/ 15/ 16/ 20/-40/ 25/ 20/-30/ 120/ 120/ 110/ 110/ 120/ 113/ 120/-160/ 24/ 26/ 25/ 28/ 23/6 24/ 27/ 2 3 3 3 3 3 2i 2/ 1/6 1/6 2 2/ 1/3-1/6 1/ 1/6 1/9 1/3 1/ 1/3 1/6 2 2( 2 2( 1/9 1/9 1/9 18/-21/ 16/ 15/ 22/ 20/ 17/ 20/ 6/6 7/ 5/6 7/ 6/ 6/ 9-14 15 12 6 10-15 10-15 10-12 20/ 10/ 20/ 30/-60 25/ 25/-40/ 15-50 20 25 12 15-60 20-60 15-35 12/-22/ 13/ 13/ 20/ 15/-20/ 18/-24/ 12/-20/ 30/-90/ 60/ 60/ 30/ 80/-120/ 60/-120/ 25/-80/ 6 6. 6 6 6 7 5-6 6 4i 5 6 6 7 5-6 8 8 8 9 10 8 7-10 4 5 6 1/ 6 6 7 4 4 4 6 4 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 la 6 6 6 7 6-7 6 6 3 3 3/ 2/9 3/6 3/6 3/ 6/6 6/ 6/-8/ 6/ 6/ 15/-30, 16/ 18/ 18/ 22/ 12/-50) 14/-20y 100/ 90/-120/ 25/ 25/ 2 1/3 1/ 1/3 /10 /io /7 1/9 1/9 15/ 12/ 4/6 3 10/-12 8-40 5-40 9/ 7/6-18/ 20/-60/ 6 4. 4 3i 6 5 "4 3 3 2 1 6 5 3 <! 2/6 6/6 5/6 18/ 120/ 34/ 21 1/9 1/6 /9 2/ 14/ 4/9 5 10/ 6-35 4/-15/ 35/ 6-8 4-7 7-10 6-8 5 3 3/ ■7/ 18/-25, 130/ 105/ 28/ 28/ 2. 2 1/3 1/3 % /10 /9 2/3 2/ 18/ 10/6 4 3 10/ 15/ 10 15 10/ 10/ 40/ 40/ 5 5 5 4 8 6 6 5 5 Ii 2 >_ 6 3/6 3/ 6/ 6/ 22/ 28/ 80/-120/ 27/ 2 1/2 /ll /a 1/9 14/ 4/9 3-9 15/ 10-35 6/-10/ 20/-80/ 6 3, 8_ 4 5 2 5 6/ 16/ 3/6

H.—l9.

No. 11. TABLE showing the Average Rate of Wages per Week for the Year ending 31st March, 1882.

47

I ■ I Mining District. General Managers. Legal Managers. Mining Managers. Engineers. Enginedrivers. Stokers. Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Miners. labourers. Boys. Chinese. Agricultural Labourers. Domestic Servants. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. A. £ s. a. £ s. a. £ s. d. £ s. a. £ s. d. £ s. a. £ s. d. £ S. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Auckland — Te Aroha North Hauraki ... South Hauraki ... Maelboeough — Wairau Pelorus Queen Charlotte Sound ... Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Ahaura Westland — Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymouth Okarito Maori Gully (Arnold) Otago — Hindon £5 to £10 £200 per annum 7 6 0 £1 to £2 £1 to £2 £1 to £2 £1 to £3 £4 to £5 £3 to £6 £4 to £7 £20o" per annum 4 0 0 I £5 to £6 5 0 0 £3 to £6 £3 to £4 £200 per annum [ 3 0 0 j£410sto£5 £210sto£3 £2 10s to £3 2 S 0 3 10 0 12/6 p. day 2 io 0 £2 to £2 10 8/ per day 3 0 0 10/per day 3 12 0 £2 10s to £3 £2 14s to £3 9/ per day £410s to £5 3 10 0 14/per day 5 0 0 3 10 0 £3 to £3 12s £210s to £3 £214s to £3 3 0 0 9/ per day £410s to £5 3 10 0 14/ per day 4 10 0 4 0 0 2 14 0 £2 2s to £2 8s £116sto£214 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 8/& 9/per day 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 1 16 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 7/ per day 7/& 8/per day 3 0 0 £2 to £3 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 15/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ 10/ to 20/ 2 0 0 30/ to 40/ 5/ to 20/ 2 0 0 15/';& board 2 'o 0 1 16 0 2 8 01 16 0 ... ... 1 16 0 20/ to 30/ 1 10 0 10 0 25/ to 30/ 2 10 0 20/ to 30/ and board 3 0 0 3 0 0 20/ and board 30/ and board 30/ and board 15 0 3 0 0 0 10 0 10/ to 18/ 8/ to 12/ 10/ to 12/ 10 0 10/6 to 15/ 10/ to 20/ 0 10 0 15/ to 30/ 6 "6 0 10 0 6 6 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 5 0 0 3 "o 0 10 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 3 "o 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 16/per day 3 12 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 9/to 10/ p. day 2 10 0 3 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 20/Aboard 15 0 15/ to 40/ 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 15/ to 20/ 10 0 10 0 10/ to 20/ 15/ to 20/ 10 0 15/ to 25/ 10 0 6 "6 0 5 0 0 3 "6 0 30/ & board ... 20/ to 40/ 5 0 0 3 10 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 £2 2,sto£215s 2 8 0 1 15 0 4/6 £45 to £50 £30 to £35 per annum 10/ to 12/ Tuapeka and Waikaia Cromwell Clyde Alexandra Black's Teviot Nevis Orepuki and Longwood ... Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Mount Ida £3 to £4 £30 to £52 per annum 3 10 0 3 0 0 8/ to 9/ per aay 10/ to 12/ per day 12/ per day 2 8 0 7/ per day 20/ to 30/ 24/ to 36/ per annum 15 0 5 0 0 10 0 4 0 0 3 12 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 3 12 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 15 0 2 2 0 10 0 10/ to 15/ i"o 0 4 W 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 1 io 0 20/ to 30/ 1 10 0 15 0 0 12 0 0 14 O £3 to £4 - £3 to £4 £3 to £4 3 0 0 £2 2s to £2 8s| 110 0 £2 2sto£2 8 £45 to £50 12/ to 15/

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No. 12. Number of Machines employed in Alluvial and Quartz-Mining for the Year ending 31st March, 1882.

48

Wo. 12. Ntjmbee of Machines employed in Alluvial- and Quaetz-Mih: 31st March, 1882. :ng for the Tear ending Machinery Employed in Alluvial Mining. Macl linery Employed in Quartz Mining. Mining Districts. I I si £ O I i o g'3 a 63 I I I i 1 §1 So o hi 1 ft I R 00 W Steamengines Employed Winding, Crushing, &c. AggreK"o. gate to' V tu q g I ft CO 1 U I is i Approximate Value of all Mining Plant included in this Return. I Si a d 64 CO So i M % 1 p JJCKLAND — North Hauraki ... South Hauraki ... TeAroha... 9 33 1 200 813 20 8 34 1 96 523 10 4 23 1 ] 4 45,000 130,000 1,100 Iabeboeotoh — Ravenscliffe and Queen Charlotte Sound Pelorus and Wairau 41 10 3,250 130 1,000 445 tasoN— Wangapeka ColHngwood West Wanganui... Inangahua Charleston Lyell Westport... Ahaura 60 2 1 4 1 10 "i "i 118 "2 12 "io 196 "2 8 2 2 26 5.000 78,070 4,000 12,000 3,000 2,250 100 80 200 16 1,650 C "e 1 40 100 30 11 130 50 30 "3 1 "35 3 1 Fbstland— Waimea ... Totara Hokitika and Kam'eri Q-reymouth Arnold ... Kumara ... 1 2 1 150 50 140 1 8 170 44 70 1 6 4,200 4,000 2,000 3,400 3,200 105 "4 120 150 14 11 4 15 3 5,500 3,610 4,000 1 14 12 14 itago— Hindon ... Tuapeka ... Clyde, Cromwell, Alexandi'a,Black's, Teviot, Nevis Orepuki and Longwood Waikaia (Switzers) Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's Hamilton's, Sowburn Hyde and Pullerton's Macrae's, StrathTaieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine and Maerewhenua St. Bathans, Ida Valley, and other localities 1 1 i' 1 12 500 886 360 500 300 150 70 20 14 6 6 2 10 31,735 250 6 105 70 20 30 15 4 "2 e "i 52 "fi 105 2 8 32 31 24 8 4 2 4 10 103 32 13 40 4 6 "5 "i 1 "1 "1 5,450 10,000 52,159 5,000 2,000 23,500 1,500 500 40 25 400 15 10 200 60 12 150 20 5 800 40 60 40 1 16 10 2,500 SUMMAKY. JJCKLAND ... lABLBOEOtf&H Felson ... >TA80 i" 2 18 130 2,106 7,045 2,983 12,264 1 14 13 46 1,000 313 568 3,2305 i 22 49 50 27 60 14 6 40 "i 3 43 2 7 1,033 41 118 43 1 19 629 10 245 27 i'5 "2 2 26 176,100 3,695 104,320 23,310 104,159 2" 9 105 "8 103 22 213 16 "2 i 1 Total ... 2 3 18 74 34,186 72 9 137 20 145 4 60 1,295 85 1,097 58 5 4 32 411,584

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No. 13. Table showing approximately the Number, Description, and Value of the Water-races, Tail-races, Dams, Reservoirs, and Ground Sluices in Operation during the Year ending 31st March, 1882.

No. 14. Return showing the Revenue and Expenditure on account of Constructed Water-races main-tained by the Government, from the 1st April to the 30th September, 1881, and from the 1st October to the 31st March, 1882.

7—II. 19.

49

No. tOi 'able showing approxim; racks, Dams, Beseh~ March, 1882. tely the Number, Descr oirs, and Ground Sluh :ption, and Value of the Water-r :es in Operation during the Year i ices, Tail* snding 31st Wati sr-races. Tai il-racea. Dams. Re servoirs. Groi md Sluices. Mmiira Districts. Lpnpfth in Miles No. of Sluiceheads. Approximate Cost. Approx - mate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. mo. No. No. No. No. Auckland —• Hauraki North... Hauraki South Te Arolia Maelborouoh — Pclorus ... Wairua ... West Wanganui ... Kelson — Takata ... Wangapeka Collingvvood Inangahna Charleston West port Lyell ... Hatnpden Aliaura ... IVestland — Waimoa... Tolara ... Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymoulh Maori Gully (Arnold) Okarito ... Dtago— Hindon ... Tuapeka ... Clyde ... Cromwell Alexandra Roxburgh Waiknia... Orepuki arid Longuood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby ... Kyehurn and Clarke's Hamilton's, Sowburn Hydo and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath-Taieri, and Shag Valley ... Serpentine Maerewlienua St. Bathans and Ida Valley.. Black's ... 14 24 1 31 7 1 2 5 24 15:! 190 163 75 53 171 880 100 74 112 281 67 24 10 19 100 yd. 39 10 4 S. 19 30 115 170 148 65 38 192 400 70 174 71 i 236 37J 18 45 93 1 59 15 2 2 10 51 520 560 421 210 216 297 993 250 74 226 478 103 100 2,800 84,700 30 4,000 500 40 50 2,552 22,054 12,810 6,B33 11,781 8,190 18,917 23,400 18,600 7,550 14,781 27,657 2,907 3,000 1 21 6 1 3 10 134 138 44 15 6 89 870 186 5S 105 177 55 5 "80 1,000 200 15 220 5,314 7,349 4,387 1,037 208 12,802 9,200 1,600 550 8,000 7,510 1,807 200 5 15 167 375 95 28 17 92 1090 46 53 21 220 56 11 1 16 1 1 "60 400 25 130 710 4,464 7,748 2,957 1,091 1,213 4,790 8,800 560 450 2,560 10,125 1,320 330 1 3 396 26 10 600 650 5,800 1,900 595 3 50 200 390 f?0 50 77 105 480 • •^ i 1,500 10,000 4,800 500 500 500 2,800 4,800 13 301 17 180 22 45 56 180 491 44 70 31 18 20 1,043 85 612 73 163 159 300 637 150 210 106 90 30 1,000 55 544 69 204 225 560 1,085 132 230 80 64 1,000 20.8S0 6,625 60,000 7,400 19,490 15,000 11,000 38,300 25,000 10,100 5,500 10,150 21 619 20 300 22 83 450 8,356 642 6,500 886 17,200 19 240 30 100 30 33 800 7,450 740 2,000 610 1,765 12 80 280 79<'i 120, 45 25 15 7,000 14,610 10,000 2,500 3,000 3,U00 100 71 68 20 15 10 1,100 4,050 7,000 1,500 1,000 500 6 300 26 36 48 72 62 42 88 141 293 584 43 93 161 309 1-40 4,000 5,000 12,200 30,200 25,000 20| 25 28 45 86 400 2,000 1,000 1,200 lfi,750 18 7 18 8 58 1,200 400 2,000 1,300 1,750 Ho. 14. eturn showing the Revenue and Expenditure on acci tained by the Government, from the 1st April to t October to the 31st March, 1882. >unt of Constructed "Water-races mainie 30th September, 1881, and from the 1st 1st April to 30tli September, 1881. 1st October, 1681, to 31st larch, 1882. Namk of Race. Balance Due on Water Account, Eevi Revi mue. mue. Expenditure. Expenditure. Water Sold. Actual Receipts. Water Sold. Actual I Receipts. kelson Creek IVaimea-Kumara... A-rgyle £ s. d. 981 0 10 2,206 5 10 229 8 7 £ s. d. 981 0 10 2,117 4 4 229 8 7 £ s. d. 825 16 6 1,609 2 1 +191 2 4 £ s. a. 1,210 12 1 2,138 3 0 188 2 8 £ s. a. 1,210 12 1 2,128 2 6 188 2 8 £ s. d. 528 1 0 1,874 12 5 212 1 8 £ s. d. Nil. *413 10 ? Nil. * £313 15s. 3d, worth of water sold prior (o the 1st April, 1881. f This includes £280 spent under Vote 53, item 1, of the 1881-82 approprii itions. 7—H. 19.

1st April to 30th September, 1881. 1st October, 1681, to 31st iarch, 1882. Namr or Race. Balance Due on Water Account. Eovi Revi mue. mue. Expenditure. Expenditure. Water Sold. Actual Receipts. Water Sold. Actual Receipts. Nelson Creek tVaimea-Kiiniara... A-rgyle £ s. d. 981 0 10 2,206 5 10 229 8 7 £ s. d. 981 0 10 2,117 4 4 229 8 7 £ s. d. 825 16 6 1,609 2 1 +491 2 4 £ 8. d. 1,210 12 1 2,138 3 0 188 2 8 £ s. d. 1,210 12 1 2,128 2 6 188 2 8 £ b. d. 528 1 0 1,874 12 5 212 1 8 £ s. a. Nil. *413 10 ? Nil. * £313 15s. 3d. worth of water sold prior to the t This includes £280 spent under Vote 53, item 1st April, 1881. 1, of the 1881-82 appropri: ttions.

50

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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, 1882.

No. 16. Return of the Number of Mining Leases and Agricultural Leases in force on the 31st March, 1882, the Extent of Ground Leased, and Rental per Annum.

No. 17. Return of the Number of Licenses under "The Gold-Mining Districts Act, 1873," for the Year ending 31st March, 1882.

Under " Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 1865," and Amending Acts. Under Joint-S! iock Act. Uni [er "Minine Co: Act, 1872." ipanies Mining District. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. Nominal No- Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. -UCKLAND— North Hauraki South Hauraki Jelson— Collingwood West Wanganui ... Westport Inangahua Lyell Vestland— Greymouth Totara ... )tago— Hindon ... Tuapeka ... Cromwell Black's and Alexandra Orepuki and Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby ... £ £ No re £ cord No £ kept return £ since the furnish £ Act of ed. £ 1872. £ 4 1 1 48 12 88,000 10,000 24,000 908,500 290,000 21,288 5,00U "i 3 8^500 i',000 61,705 i 4,000 430,516 117,000 2 12,000 9,500 l 4,480 4,480 2 42,000 16,000 11 9 40,975 100,000 18,600 40,000 6 9 30,900 80,200 22,343 40,000 3 12 19 8 19,000 282,000 202,650 66,700 12,000 55,775 103,505 56,880 "i 44,220 44,220 Totals 33 281,695 178,025 4,480 8,480 125 2,043,950 880,307

IlKTNG jEASES. Agei [CTJI/TUR. ll Leases. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annnm. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annum. Auckland — Hauraki North Maelborough— Eavenscliffe, Queen Charlotte Sound Pelorus Nelson— Coll ins-wood, Mount, Arthur and West, Wanganui Inangahua Charleston ,.. Ahaura Westport Lyell Westland— Waimea Totara Greymouth and Clifton Okarito Arnold •Otago— Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood Hindon Tuapeka ■Cromwell, Clyde, and Black's 1 A. E. P. 12 1 25 £ s. d. 24 16 3 Auckland — Hauraki, Ohinemuri A. B. P. £ s. A. 8 91 0 33 94 0 0 87 4,275 3 19 216 10 0 2 14 59 38 31 17 27 15 0 0 148 3 20 949 0 11 160 3 6 237 0 23 202 1 11 472 3 5 15 0 0 145 0 0 980 0 0 193 0 0 242 10 0 186 15 0 480 0 0 Nelson— Nelson Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Aliaura 1 11 45 30 31 41 83 622 2 5 2,791 3 36 591 2 9 2,318 3 16 2,063 3 18 4,530 0 33 7 0 0 63 17 0 337 14 6 70 1 0 2«0 4 6 237 7 6 524 5 0 3 9 13 26 0 6 159 2 0 182 0 8 37 0 0 71 0 0 187 0 0 Westland — Greymouth Arnold 14 20 982 0 25 878 1 22 102 8 6 102 1 0 1 5 5 0 0 24 3 27 5 0 0 23 0 0 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Clyde Roxburgh Alexandra Arrow (Wakitipu Gold Field) Mount Ida District Black's 1 12 11 52 13 6 0 0 168 0 0 125 0 31 294 1 9 139 0 31 6 0 0 168 0 0 130 0 0 318 0 0 142 0 0 129 54 14 20 1 109 12,738 0 4 6,089 0 0 2,019 0 9 2,518 2 16 14 0 1 4,999 0 34 1,833 11 0 761 2 6 270 17 6 368 5 0 1 17 6 628 2 6 Arrow (Wakitipu Gold Field) Naseby 74 462 1 14 469 0 0 60 48 360 0 0 360 0 0 9,653 0 0 103 0 1 1,206 12 6 8 17 6 Totals Totals 761 47,242 1 13 439 4,242 0 20 4 277 1 3 6,993 17

Mining District. Number. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annum. .UCKLAND — North Hauraki ■Grahamstown Te Aroha 30 158 A. B. P. 156 2 7 1,025 3 29 No Return. £ s. d. 4ri9 0 0 3,097 0 0 Totals 188 1,182 1 36 3,566 0 0

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No. 18. Return of Cases in the Wardens' Courts, and Costs Awarded, for the Year ending 31st March, 1882.

Note. —The returns numbered 8 to 13 and 15 to 18, inclusive, are compiled from statistics supplied by Wardens. Oliver Wakeeied, Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Mines Department, Wellington, 10th June, 1882.

By Authority: George Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB2.

51

Mining District. Number of Mining Disputes Adjudicated on. Aggregate Ai tount of Value. Amount oi' Costa Awarded, 3 SS - ■f1 et/J £ g <U £ Wd S *« <a 0 S 9 Claimed. Recovered. — ■ Auckland — North Hauraki ... South Hauraki ... M ABLBOBO UGH — Pelorus NlLSON— Collingwood Inangahua Lyell and Hampden Westport Charleston Ahaura Westland — Hokitika and Kanieri Waimea Totara Kumara Greymouth Arnold (Maori Gully) Okarito Otago— Tuapeka Cromwell Alexandra Roxburgh Black's Clyde ... Orepuki and Longwood ... Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby 65 207 20 10 11 18 4 24 14 5 41 11 40 67 21 8 £ b. A. 389 2 5 41 3 0 401 0 4 30 16 0 337 0 0 51 10 0 404 12 8 6 0 0 256 3 10 95 0 0 178 12 6 542 17 6 320 1 4 13 0 0 £ s. a. 27 0 0 305 11 0 31 3 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 78 10 8 8 0 0 345 1 0 6 0 0 22 5 6 7 0 0 26 10 0 362 6 0 17 16 4 2 10 0 £ s. d. 104 16 0 105 16 0 45 15 0 7 11 0 8 10 0 7 14 0 7 11 0 70 16 0 48 7 6 2 2 0 75 8 6 28 6 0 42 16 0 97 9 0 8 9 0 3 15 0 7 4 8 5" 8 12 1 7 51 10 4 7 3 32 71 26 316 2 0 223 8 6 39 15 0 0 10 25 0 0 4 0 0 46 18 6 0" 1 0 3 0 0 19 0 39 1 0 13 6 0 7 16 0 13 7 0 1 15 0 126 14 0 280 0 0 Records lost 18 0 0 53 0 0 by fire. 122 12 0 29 3 0 1 Totals 777 4,078 0 1 1,406 13 0 893 11 0 46