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1883. NEW ZEALAND.
THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).
Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 3rd day of 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. S. Harrison.)
Secretary for Gold Fields' Office, Sib,— Wellington, 2nd July, 1883. I have the honour to forward the general report upon the gold fields for the year ending the 31st March, 1883, with a full report by the Inspecting Engineer of the gold fields visited by him, and the works in progress upon them; detailed reports of the Wardens for the several districts ; with the usual statistical tables and reports from the Managers of water-races. I have, &c., James McKeeeow, The Hon. W. Eolleston, Secretary for Gold Fields. Minister of Mines.
EBPOET. The reports which follow treat so fully of the different gold fields that it will not be necessary in this report to do more than touch on a few of the general results for the year. The first matter for attention is the Yield op Gold. There are no means of ascertaining accurately the yield of gold for any period, because the miners who find the gold, and the bankers to whom they sell the greater portion, are both alike reticent as to the quantities which pass. The Customhouse returns of the export are the only means available for arriving at an approximation of the quantity. These returns, of course, take no account of what is used up by the jewellers in the colony, nor of what may be taken away without paying duty. But, leaving out of account these latter, as of no great moment, and taking, as in former reports, only the quantity exported, there will be found to have been a very considerable falling-off in the yield for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1883, as compared with the previous twelve months, as under :—
Yield of Gold during Years ending 31st March, 1882, and 31st March, 1883.
Oz. Value. Oz. Value. 1881. "une quarter ... September quarter December quarter 1882. f arch quarter •> ... 63,395 83,710 72,815 £ 254,087 332,787 291,684 1882. June quarter September quarter (December quarter 1883. March quarter 40,944 74,776 62,175 £ 164,253 298,445 ■ 248,060 73,309 291,962 70,967 283,797 293,229 1,170,520 248,862 ' 994,555
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There is a falling-off in each quarter, but the decrease would not have been so marked but for the bad quarter ending the 30th June, 1882, just twelve months ago. Decrease for the year ended the 31st March, 1883, 44,367 oz.; value, £175,965. Total value of gold exported up to the 30th June, 1883, £39,958,145. Tables Nos. 5 and 7 show the export from the ports of the various gold fields, from which, by comparison with former tables, it would appear that the greatest falling-off in yield has been in the two main alluvial districts of West Coast and Otago. Mining Population and its Earnings. The return in Table No. 9, after the Appendix, gives the number of miners as 14,523 on the 31st March, 1883; the number twelve months before was returned as 14,714; the mean for the year will therefore be taken as 14,618 ; which gives the average value of the produce of gold at £69 10s. per miner. In former years the average fluctuated between £70 and £80. It ought to be explained here, as in former reports, that many persons returned as miners are only engaged for a portion of the year in that occupation, and are farmers or settlers as well. Quartz-Mining. This class of mining is very tardy of development in New Zealand : a few mines in each of the principal districts of Thames, Eeefton, and Otago continue to do well; but a much greater number at each of these places are either in the preliminary stage of prospecting the lodes, or of exploring for fresh lodes in mines already well opened out. At the Thames and Coromandel paying auriferous stone is found at depths of 600 and 700 feet below sea-level, thereby disproving the preconceived opinion that paying quartz was not likely to be found deep down. A good deal of preliminary work towards opening-out mines has been done at Te Aroha, Eeefton, and Terawhiti, which it is hoped may tell in the returns of future years. The report of Mr. Warden Eevell shows that, of sixtysix mines in the Eeefton District, only three, or, more properly speaking, only two, the Welcome and Keep-it-Dark, paid dividends during the year, while the other sixty-four made calls to the amount of £61,345. There is every reason for hoping that this large outlay will be recouped manifold to the shareholders when once the mines are opened out. The auriferous nature of stone is often well assured, and yet a company fails to develop the mine simply from want of capital. It is a true saying that " it takes a miner to make a mine ;" and the history of the dividend-paying mines attests this in almost every case : success being only attained through persevering, well-directed efforts in testing and opening-out the ground. The results for the year are as follow :— Tons of Ounces of Auckland, — Quartz Crushed. Gold. Coromandel ... ... ... 2,907 7,577 Thames ... ... ... 25,867 43,311 West Coast, — Eeefton ... ... ... 18,928 19,194 Lyell ... ... ... 7,277 3,949 Otago,— Cromwell ... ... ... 2,900 2,400 Arrow ... ... ... 3,000 3,291 Skipper's ... ... ... 2,153 1,379 EeesEiver ... ... ... 1,350 326 64,382 81,427 from quartz. Lawrence ... ... ... ... ... 6,371 from quartz and cement. 87,798 The returns show a decrease in all the districts, except Eeefton, compared with the returns of the previous year, and that year was considerably under the returns of the'year prior to it, and there has been a small though steady decline in the quartz-mining returns for several years. Should this continue to be progressive, it cannot be attributed to any present lack of enterprise, for in no former
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period have there been more systematic comprehensive efforts directed to this class of mining, whether in the application of private capital to the exploration of country by drives and shafts, and the introduction of improved machinery, or in the expenditure of public moneys in rendering the mines accessible. Let these efforts be continued, and there need be no anxiety about the result. Alluvial Mining. This class of mining has always been the most prolific source of gold in New Zealand, and it still continues to yield fully two-thirds of the supply, as in former years. The days when the auriferous gravels were on the surface of the river beaches and channels, ready and waiting long to yield their rich treasures to the digger, with his shovel, tin dish, and cradle, are now a tradition of the past. But nature's resources are far from being exhausted. The alluvial miner finds the reward of his toil and his many ingenious devices in gathering up the precious metal, long hid under the accumulations of untold ages, in the ancient river-beds, now high above the present levels, as at Kumara; along the flanks of the great ranges, as at St. Bathans, Dunstan Mountains ; at all levels, from the ocean-beach itself, laid bare at every receding tide, to the summit of ranges verging on the limits of perpetual snows, as on the Benger and Hawkden Ranges, 4,000 feet up. Having to grope in the dark as it were for this hidden treasure, and to call in the powerful aid of hydraulic pressure to disintegrate and wash away vast superincumbent masses of gravel, the miner has often long months of preparatory work before he has any returns. This delay tells on the year's outturn of gold, and although the alluvial mining will last for many years, and have periods of revival, yet the tendency will be towards a diminution in the annual yield. Outlay on Gold Fields. During the year a large number of works have been entered on, comprehending roads and tracks, water-supply, and sludge-channels, and prospecting for deposits of gold, involving, between payments actually made and liabilities, a sum of £70,000. The disbursement of this large sum and other sums voted by Parliament, together with the charge of half a million of property in water-races, imposed serious responsibilities on the department, which could not, it was found from former experience, be satisfactorily met without the aid of some one who would be solely devoted to the duty of reporting on each work before it was entered on, and of inspecting works while in progress and after completion. Mr. H. A. Gordon was appointed to this post in November, 1882, and since then he has visited all the principal gold districts in the colony, and reported on each of the works enumerated in the list accompanying his report, and also on several proposals for expenditure on works which either have not been entered on yet, or have been disapproved by the Government. It will also be his duty to report from time to time any improvement in mining appliances or modes of working, so that in the annual reports, or more frequently if necessary, the miners will have the advantage of knowing what is being done in other districts, and no doubt they will profit by it. A beginning has also been made towards the collection of mineralogical specimens from the various gold fields, for exhibition at the head office, and cases have been provided for a few of the district offices, to serve the same purpose for local collections. The Gold Fields Department, although solely constituted in the interests of one industry, receives no revenue or support from it. The whole of the revenue arising from gold duty, miners' rights, and rents, &c. —in all, about £50,000 — being handed over to the counties within which it arises. The expenditure on works and the departmental expense fall on the general public, and therefore it is all the more incumbent on the department to make clearly known the arrangements made for a,thorough control of that expenditure. Depaetmental. In consequence of the votes from loan for roads and water-works upon gold fields having been placed directly under the Minister of Mines, and of the votes
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for subsidies towards tracks, &c, upon gold fields having been more largely drawn upon by local bodies—involving together the large outlay previously referred to— the official business of the department has been further increased during the year, but has been well overtaken by Mr. Wakefield, the Under-Secretary, whose assistance I have, as usual, to acknowledge in providing data for this report, in the collection of the Wardens' reports, and in the compilation of the statistical and other information contained in the Appendix. I have also to thank the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Gavin, and the Secretary of Customs, Mr. Seed, for the appended returns of revenue of gold exported. James McKebeow.
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APPENDIX.
REPORT ON GOLD FIELDS, &c, VISITED, AND WORKS IN PROGRESS ON THE GOLD FIELDS. Mr. H. A. Gordon, Inspecting Engineer, to the Under-Secretary of the Mines Department. Sir, — Mines Department, Wellington, 25th May, 1883. I have the honour to report on the gold fields and mineral lodes of the colony that I have visited since my appointment in October last, and on the various works wholly undertaken or subsidized by the Government or otherwise in progress for the development of the gold fields. North Island. Te Aroha. —This is as promising a gold field as there is in the North Island at the present time, and one that is likely to give fair returns as soon as the mines are fully at work, and tramways completed for the conveyance of stone from the mines to the crushing battery, which is expected to be about August next. Quartz reefs containing payable gold have been traced on the surface for a distance of nearly three miles in a northerly direction from the Waiorongomai Township. The thickness of the reefs varies from 6 inches to 8 feet, but the average may be set down at about 3 feet, and so far as they have been opened out they show gold fairly distributed through the whole of the stone. There have been 91 mining claims taken up, containing 1,216 men's ground, and about £15,000 have been spent in prospecting and opening up the mines. Very good stone has been obtained from some of the claims ; but there has never yet been any of the quartz crushed, beyond a few specimens, to test their true value; and until this is done, and the reefs developed to a much greater depth, the permanency of the field cannot be said to be established. There are, however, sufficient indications to induce a large amount of capital to be expended on the field in order to thoroughly test it. Messrs. Firth and Clark, of Auckland, are so satisfied with the prospects obtained from this field that they have erected one of the largest and most complete crushing plants there is in the colony to crush the quartz from the various mines, and have arranged with the claimholders that the maximum cost of the same shall not exceed 10s per ton. This crushing plant consists of forty-one head of stamps, in nine batteries, eight of which contain five heads, and one head is placed in a battery for the express purpose of crushing specimens; each battery is fitted with an automatic self-feeder, which is now largely used in Colorado. They are constructed so that the fall of one stamp in the battery causes a disc, which is at the bottom of a hopper in which the quartz is placed, to revolve about a quarter of its circumference each time. The grating which is intended to be used is made of steel, cut out with a fine die in short slots, instead of round holes, as the ordinary grating is made ; it is likewise completely smooth on both sides, and will wear thin before the holes or slots get widened, whereas in the case of ordinary gratings, which are all punched from one side, leaving a burr on the inside of every hole, the splash of the quartz quickly wears off the burr and leaves the hole considerably larger. The finest gauge of this steel grating is 1,400 holes to an inch—that is, the slots are such that 1,400 needle-points can be put into one inch square ; and, instead of being set vertically, as the ordinary grating is placed, it is intended to set it at an angle of about from 5° to 10° from being vertical, the upper end overhanging outwards, so that the splash of water and quartz from the fall of the stamps will run down over its entire surface. It is claimed for this grating, which is largely used in California, that it will discharge as much tailings as the ordinary grating with 200 holes to an inch, and there cannot be any doubt but what it will last considerably longer. The tailings pass over the ordinary ripple-tables, the upper portion of which is covered with copper plates and silvered over with quicksilver, and the lower portion with blankets. On the upper portion of two of the tables silver plate is used instead of copper, as the quicksilver adheres much better to the former. At the lower end of the ripple-tables twelve berdans are erected for treating the sand that is washed from the blankets. This battery is driven by two turbine water-wheels, constructed by Messrs. Price and Sons, of Grahamstown; and the proprietors have on the ground two additional turbine wheels, constructed by Messrs. J. Leffel and Co., which are largely used in America, to connect with their machinery if found requisite. The cost of this plant, including water-races, &c, up to March last was about £15,000, bat before it is completed and a larger supply of water brought in (works for which are in course of construction) it will probably exceed £20,000. In conjunction with this crushing plant the Piako County Council are constructing tramways and self-acting inclines, to connect it with the principal mines. The tramways are constructed principally with 40-lb. iron rails, having a gauge of 2 feet 9 inches, and are intended to be used for working a light locomotive engine on, or as horse tramways if found to be equally economical. The total I—H. 5.
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length of tramways and inclines is 2 miles 66 chains. When these tramways are completed they will enable the quartz to be conveyed to the crushing battery at a minimum rate of cost. These tramways, together with the large crushing plant, will give such facilities for working the mines as no other new gold field ever had in the colony, and will therefore be the means of the field being properly tested. The tramways and self-acting inclines, when completed, will cost about ,£14,000, of which £6,000, and the use of the 40-lb. iron rails, has been given by Government. Karangahake. —This is a field which promises to become a good mining district in the future. A large area of ground is taken up in mining claims, and gold freely seen in the outcrops of the reefs; but there has been very little work done yet in any of the claims. The Thames County Council are at the present time constructing a road, which is subsidized by Government, to connect the mines with a small crushing battery at the junction of the Ohinemuri Kiver and the Waitawheta Creek. When this is completed, it will enable trial crushings to be made to test the value of the several claims; but before the field can be properly opened up a larger crushing plant will have to be erected, which will entail a large outlay of capital. This field hinges in a great measure on the success of the Te Aroha Gold Field. If that turns out according to expectations there will be no difficulty in obtaining capital to open up the reefs in this locality; but, on the other hand, if it is a failure, there will be little prospect of this field being developed for a long time. Even taking the most favourable view of the matter, it will take fully two years before it is known whether this field is a permanent one or not. Thames. —This is a very extensive gold field, and has been proved to contain the richest deposits of gold-bearing quartz that have been found in the colony. At the present time rich gold-bearing quartz is found in the Prince Imperial and Deep Level Cross Companies' mines, which are working from a main level or tunnel at about 425 feet under sea-level, and are stoping out the quartz overhead, and still leaving equally as rich quartz under their feet, so that there is every indication of being able to trace a gold-bearing reef to a much greater depth. The Queen of Beauty Company, which has the deepest shaft under sea-level for gold-mining there is in the colony, has commenced to open out a level 653 feet under high-water mark, and have obtained gold-bearing quartz at that depth, but the lode has not been properly tested yet; however, there are sufficient indications and data to work on to establish the permanency of this field, which may only be said to be in its infancy yet. The great difficulty that this field will have to encounter when the low levels are reached is the quantity of water there will be to contend with, which will necessarily involve a heavy expenditure to kfepthe mines dry. There is at the present time a large pumping-engine at work known as the " Big Pump/ J belonging to the Deep Level Cross Company, who have sunk a pump-shaft 640 feet deep, and are engaged at the present time in driving a tunnel at this level, to connect with several of the mines, and to prospect the ground at this depth. The length of this tunnel in March last was 1,000 feet, but no gold-bearing quartz had been cut by it at that time. This pumping plant consists of a direct-acting Bull engine, with a cylinder 82 inches in diameter and 10-feet stroke; the pumps are 25 inches in diameter, and three in number, viz., one plunger and two draw-lifts. To work this engine up to its full power would require more boiler capacity than it has at present; it is capable of lifting about 1,300 gallons of water per minute from a depth of 1,000 feet; at the present time it is lifting 550 gallons per minute from a depth of 640 feet, and its working expenses are £478 per mouth. The Queen of Beauty Company has likewise a pumping plant, which consists of a horizontal steam-engine and turbine water-wheel working conjointly; they have two columns of pumps 12 inches in diameter, consisting of six plungers and four draw-lifts, and are lifting at the present time about 180 gallons of water per minute ; but these pumps are capable of lifting about 600 gallons per minute, should the water increase as the ground gets opened out. The total number of crushing, winding, and tailing plants on this field are as follow : Six crushing plants worked with steam-engines equal to 152 horse-power, and twenty crushing plants worked with overshot and turbine water-wheels equal to 392 horse-power, making a total of 544 horse-power, which drives 504 head of stamps and 159 berdans; eleven winding plants, all worked with steam, equal in the aggregate to 175 horse-power; seven tailings plants, six of which are worked with water-wheels and one with steam, equal in the aggregate to 71 horse-power. These plants consist of seventy-three berdans, nine grinding-pans, four settling amalgamating-pans, two concentrators, and two shaking-tables. The principal items of interest on this field are the different classes of machinery that are used in mining ; and, this being the largest emporium for mining machinery in the colony, it may not be out of place to describe some of the plants that are at jvvork here and not in use on any other gold field in New Zealand. Amongst them is a tailings plant, belonging to Mr. J. Brown, of Tararu, which consists of eight grinding-pans, four settling amalgamating-pans, four berdans, two shaking-tables, ripple-tables covered with blankets, and, lastly, a concentrator, and settling-pond. This tailing plant is certainly far superior for grinding the tailings to any other plant in this district: it treats about 200 tons of tailings per week, when in full working order, and reduces them to a fine pulp—everything is ground down to the consistency of the finest sediment. There is likewise a new water-wheel at work at the Foreshore, driving a tailing plant belonging to Messrs. Bowden and Clime; it is termed a tangent-wheel, and said to give a higher percentage of power than the best-constructed turbine-wheel; it certainly has several points to recommend it: first its cheapness, second its simplicity, and lastly its not being liable to get damaged or go out of repair. Appended is a sketch of the tangent water-wheel referred to.
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Coromandel. —The quartz reefs in this district may be more justly designated leaders or veins of quartz, some of which are richly impregnated with gold ; in some instances they give as much as 20 per cent, of gold to the ton of stone, but when this occurs the veins of gold-bearing quartz are generally very narrow. The reefs in this district, with the exception of the Union Beach, lona, Just-in-Time, and Kapanga Companies' mines, are in a very rugged and broken country and have great difficulties to contend with in getting access into it; there is not a good road in the whole district, with the exception of the main road near the Township of Coromandel. No doubt a great deal of money has been spent on tracks here and there, but there has been a great deal of it in a measure thrown away, as it would be simply wasting money to attempt to improve some of them, lately, however, there has been more attention given to have them laid out and constructed with such grades that they can be widened afterwards so as to be fit for wheel traffic, Although this is among the oldest quartz-mining fields in the colony, very little has been done towards its development. The character of the gold on the Te Aroha, Thames, and Coromandel Gold Fields is remarkably fine, and more or less mixed with silver; it is diffused through the stone in layers or bands, as though it had been forced by heavy pressure through the quartz in vapour when it was in a plastic state, and therefore presents a totally different appearance to the gold-bearing quartz in the South Island and on the Victorian fields. The pale appearance of the gold does not present a great contrast with the colour of the stone, so that, when even rich specimens are shown to experienced quartz-miners who are. not acquainted with this character of stone, they are some time before they can realize their value. Terawhiti. —This gold field extends on the ocean side of a line drawn between Oterongu and Ohau Bays; it is a new field, and very little can be said about it yet, as the reefs that have been found are on or near the surface, and not sufficiently prospected to warrant any comment on their permanency. The Albion Company is the only one that has done any stoping-out, and they are at present engaged in erecting a crushing plant of ten head of stamps, which is expected to be completed in June. This plant will afford the other companies an opportunity of getting their stone tested. The Golden Crown Company has sunk down a winze for some distance on the reef, and found good payable stone as far as they have gone. From what I saw of the stone and the prospects obtained from it I am satisfied that it is of a payable nature ; but there is not sufficient prospecting yet done to ascertain whether this reef is of large extent or not. Still, however, from the indications there are I think there is a good prospect of this field proving a payable one for working, but the extent of it at the present time is very limited. South Island. Tuapeka. —The gold-workings in this locality are chiefly confined to the alluvial deposits. At the Blue Spur, at the head of Gabriel's Gully, there are three crushing batteries, all worked with turbine water-wheels, fully employed in crushing cement. This cement working still continues to occupy considerable attention, and will yet take a number of years to work out. In the bed of Gabriel's Gully, immediately below the sites of the cement-crushing batteries, the Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company hold a mining lease, and are sluicing the whole of the debris and tailings that have accumulated in this gully since it was opened in 1861. The method employed for working the ground is a very ingenious contrivance and deserves to be taken notice of, as it is a method by which a great deal of alluvial ground in the colony may yet be worked where there is not sufficient fall to work it by the ordinary sluicing process. There is very little fall in the gully itself, and the bed of it is covered with tailings from about 30 feet to 40 feet in depth. Before this company commenced to work the ground they brought up a tail-race on almost a level until it got on to the bed rock, and in this tail-race is placed a malleable iron pipe of about 30 inches in diameter, for the purpose of carrying off the drainage water and allowing them to excavate a lai'ge paddock in the tailings to the bed rock, and likewise a well sunk for a few feet into the bed rock for the purpose of erecting their sluicing appliances, into which the whole of the tailings are sluiced. In order to get sufficient fall to run off a large quantity of stuff trestles are constructed, and placed on the surface of the tailings, on which the sluice-boxes are supported. The sluice-boxes are 4 feet 6 inches in width, and raised sufficiently above the surface at the upper end to give them sufficient fall for carrying away the tailings and saving the gold, and likewise to have a small drop at the lower end of the boxes to prevent them from blocking up. Underneath the head of the sluice-box is placed a malleable iron pipe of about 15 inches in diameter, having a flange on the upper end for bolting it to the sluice-box in order ±o make the joint watertight; the lower end of this pipe is placed in the well that is sunk in the bed rock, and it stands at an angle of about 25° from being vertical. Into the lower end of this pipe there is a bent nozzle inserted, of about 3^ inches in diameter, which is connected with a main supply-pipe of about 15 inches in diameter, and is under a pressure equal to about 300 feet of hydrostatic head of water when the main supply-pipe is full; the end of the nozzle is bent in such a manner that the jet of water strikes at the same inclination as the discharge-pipe is placed at, thereby forcing, by direcfeshydraulic pressure, all the debris, tailings, and water that is sluiced into the well up into the sluice-box, which stands about 50 feet vertically above the bottom of the discharge-pipe. There is another main supply-pipe, from which a hydraulic nozzle is fixed, having a universal joint; this nozzle is worked by means of a lever, and is used in the bottom of the paddock for sluicing and driving all the debris and tailings into the well where the bottom of the discharge-pipe is placed. The total quantity of water used by this company
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equals from fifteen to twenty sluice-heads. A system of hydraulic sluicing is in use in California on a somewhat similar principle, but uses suction more than direct pressure for lifting the tailings and water. No machinery of this description has been previously used in this colony. Mr. J. R. Perry, who is the principal promoter of this sluicing company, deserves great credit for the ingenious and creditable manner in which he has constructed this plant, and in bringing it to its present perfection. A sketch of this hydraulic plant is appended. At Wetherstone Gully there is one cement-crushing plant, belonging to Messrs. J. C. Brown and Co. The cement in this locality is only worked for about 7 or 8 feet in thickness, immediately above the slate rock. The ground has been previously worked on the terrace or Maori bottom, and very rich patches of gold were obtained from it. This terrace or Maori bottom has been gone through on to the slate rock (which is from 150 to 200 feet below the original bottom where gold was first obtained), and good payable wash-dirt is being got; the whole of it, although not of a very hard nature, is crushed, as this is found the most profitable method of extracting the gold. At Waipori there are several quartz reefs containing gold, some of which are being worked; but as a general rule the gold-bearing portions of the reefs are very small, and, unless very rich, cannot be profitably worked. There are many indications of gold-bearing quartz in the district, and no doubt good reefs will yet be discovered, but very little prospecting has been done in this locality. There is an antimony mine about six miles from Waipori Township, on the Lammerlaw Ranges, where several tons of the ore can be seen stacked on the surface; but I had no opportunity of seeing the thickness of the lode, as the shaft was full of water and all works suspended at the time I visited the mine. There is likewise a copper mine between Waitahuna and Waipori, but I did not visit it, as the works were suspended at the time I was in the district. Roxburgh. —There is a limited population in this district engaged in sluicing operations on the banks and valley of the Molyneux River, and likewise about Campbell Creek, Potter's Gully, and the Waikaia River. There is a quartz reef being worked at the head of Campbell Creek by the Alpine Company, who have erected a crushing battery of ten head of stamps; but the high elevation of this reef prevents mining operations from being carried on for several months of the year, owing to the large amount of snow that lies on the ground during the winter months. Several quartz reefs containing gold have been found on the " Old Man Range "; but no prospecting of any account has been done. One of these quartz reefs is held by Mr James White, who is sluicing the surface of the ground where the quartz reef is situated ; and, from the indications that are to be seen, and the prospects that can be obtained from the stone, this reef is likely to prove a payable one for working when further developed. Alexandra. —At the head of Conroy's Gully a party of miners have erected a crushing battery of three head of stamps, and are prospecting a reef where a rich patch of gold was found a few years ago, but was lost trace of. They occasionally get leaders of quartz containing gold, but no permanent reef has yet been discovered. With the appliances that this party now have for prospecting there is every prospect of their being repaid for their labours. The alluvial mining is wholly confined to hydraulic sluicing, and dredging the Molyneux River ; but this class of mining is gradually becoming less, and the time is not far distant when it will almost become a thing of the past, and attention be more directed to quartz mining and for other minerals which abound in the district, and which will be the only system of mining in the future that will add to the permanent wealth of the colony. Cromwell. —There is a good deal of alluvial ground in the vicinity of Bannockburn that is said to be highly auriferous if fall can be got to sluice it. There are two sludge-channels now in course of construction, one in Smith's Gully and one in Pipeclay Gully, both of which are subsidized by Government, and when completed will be the means of opening up this ground; but the limited supply of water that there is in the district will never employ a large population. Several quartz reefs containing gold have been found in the Carrick Range, and rich patches of gold obtained; but the stone that has lately been found is not sufficiently rich to pay more than working expenses. The character of the quartz reefs here is entirely different from those found in any other district. They are mixed with a red-clay substance, and the stone is generally of a loose, broken nature, and can easily be taken out. An antimony mine was opened up here by Messrs. Buchanan and Watson, of Dunedin, and smelting works erected ; but the lode was never found sufficiently defined nor in large enough blocks, although of good quality, to prove remunerative for working. Still, however, the traces of it are such that there is a prospect of a large well-defined lode yet being found in the locality that will pay for working. Wakatipu. —This is a district that abounds in mineral wealth, but from its almost inaccessible nature it will take many years before it is fairly developed. At Moke Creek a copper lode can be traced for several miles, but very little prospecting has as yet been done on it to prove its value. The lode has been cut in a great many places near the surface, but it is in general very-narrow, and, although the ore is of good quality, will not pay for working at the present time; but there has-siot even a winze been sunk down to a depth of 100 feet on the lode to prove whether it widens out or not. At Skippers the country abounds in quartz reefs, and some very rich patches of gold have been obtained from them. The country in this locality is of a very broken nature, and the quartz reefs partake of the same character; the reefs or lodes only run for a short distance in one direction, and then take a jump to the one side or the other, which makes the working of the mines very expensive, and the reefs very difficult to follow. The Phoenix Company have lately struck a very well-defined reef at about 700 feet under the
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surface, in which gold can be freely seen; it is about 4 feet in width, but whether it will continue unbroken can only be proved as the workings continue. On this mineral belt of country, and about four miles distant, are the Macetown reefs, which are far more denned than the Skippers' reefs, and this may be looked on as the part of the district where the quartz mines will get first developed. The hanging and foot-walls in the generality of the reefs are of a soft nature and liable to flake away after exposure to the atmosphere. This necessitates the ground being well timbered, and timber has hitherto been very expensive to procure owing to its having to be packed on horses from Arrowtown; but when the dray-road that is now being constructed by Government is completed it will materially cheapen the price of mining timber, which is the chief item of expense in working these mines. This may be easily understood from the fact that each prop of 7 feet long and 9 inches in diameter costs about 10s. delivered on the ground, and in some of the mines the whole of the main levels required to be close-timbered. Cardrona. —The only mining that is carried on here is in the alluvial ground. A lead of gold has been traced for about ten miles down the Cardrona Creek into a wide valley, and there lost. The water became too heavy to follow it up without having pumping machinery erected; but the miners in this locality are still very sanguine that they will yet be able to trace it down to the Clutha River, and they propose to sink a prospecting shaft about six miles down the valley at a place where the slate rock can be seen on each side about eight chains apart, erect pumping machinery, and drive on the slate rock from side to side. If this is done it will test the valley sufficiently to prove whether a lead of gold goes down it or not. The Government have granted a subsidy towards this work. Blacks and Tinkers. —This field is confined to alluvial mining, principally hydraulic sluicing. The richest alluvial diggings in the colony during last year may be said to have been Tinkers, which averaged about £2 per man per day for the whole of the mining population on the field. This is to a great extent due to the rich yield of gold that came out of the Blue Duck Claim, which gave in one washing about 2,400 ounces of gold during a period of seven and a half months, and only eight men employed. The gold here is very fine, and the layers or strata in which it is found are of gritty sand nature, resembling crushed quartz. This formation extends from Tinkers to Mount Ida, following through Drybread, Welshmans, Vinegar Hill, and St. Bathans. St. Bathans. —Hydraulic sluicing is carried on here on a more extensive and systematic scale than on any other gold field in Otago. The peculiar formation of the ground here where gold is found deserves notice. Near the township of St. Bathans the gold was first found on the slate and Maori or terrace bottom; but this terrace bottom was gone through, and under it was an immense stratum resembling rough-crushed quartz tailings, which contains a little gold all through it. This stratum is in defined layers or beds, standing at an angle of about 30° from being vertical; some of them are of a tough mullocky nature, others of a fine clean white grit, and some of them are nothing but coarse white tailings, as though they had gone through a grating having holes of about half an inch in diameter; and in this stratum likewise are beds or layers of leaves of trees, amongst which can easily be distinguished the leaves of the kami {Weinmannia Racemosa) : these layers are from 3to 4 feet in thickness. Apart from these beds of leaves intermixed with the strata, there are trees which are now turned into lignite lying here and there. The miners here are a very enterprising class of men. They are at the present time constructing two large sludge-channels to enable them to work the ground at a greater depth. One of them is at St. Bathans, which will be about a mile and a half in length: it is paved with stones in the bottom 6 feet wide, and lined with stones on the sides for about 4 feet in height, and is being constructed with a fall of lin 60. The other channel is at Muddy Creek, about three miles from St. Bathans, and when completed will be three miles in length; it is paved in the bottom with stones 10 feet in width, and lined on the sides with stones 3 feet in height. This latter channel has been in course of construction for eight years, and it will yet take a long time to complete it. The whole of the excavation is done by sluicing the tailings and debris away. This is done by making a temporary cut or channel in the bed of the gully, and keeping the sides lined with scrub : anything is washed into this channel, and any large stones picked out. By this means about 30 feet in depth of tailings have been sluiced away into the Manuherikia River, and the sludge-channel formed ready for paving. Naseby. —It is principally hydraulic sluicing that is carried on here, with water from the Mount Ida Water-race. The system of working the ground in this locality is greatly behind any other gold field in the colony. There is a good supply of water, but the elevation that it is brought in at is not taken advantage of. The most of the miners use canvas hose, instead of iron piping, which has not been greatly introduced here yet. In connection with this waterrace, which was constructed by the Government, and is 65 miles in length, is a sludge-channel, the longest one in the colony. It is 10 miles in length and 6 feet wide in the bottom. It is paved with stones in the bottom, and lined with stones on the sides for about 3 feet in height, and is formed with three separate grades. The upper portion has a.fall of lin 40, the middle portion lin 60, and the loweih portion 1 in 100. When there is a large number of parties sluicing into the channel it is inclined to block up at the change of grades, and this entails a considerable expense'"in maintenance in order to keep the sides lined up with scrub as the tailings block up, so as to keep them within the channel, and by this means it runs itself clear. The most of the gold workings here are on the Maori or terrace bottom; but this bottom has recently been sunk through in a prospecting shaft in the bed of the Hogburn, and the samq
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strata got as there is at Vinegar Hill and St. Bathans; but no gold of a payable character has yet been obtained in this shaft. Round Hill, "Riverton. —This is a gold field that may fairly be termed a poor man's diggings, as the gold is pretty evenly distributed all through the ground. It is worked by sinking and tunnelling the low portions that have not sufficient fall to sluice away, and where there is a fall it is washed away by hydraulic sluicing; but the very limited supply of water there is on the field entails hydraulic operations being conducted on a very small scale. There are about 350 Chinese and 30 Europeans on the field, and the majority of the population appears to be making from ,£1 ss. to £2 per week. There are, however, some exceptions to this, as some of the Chinese informed me that one or two claims paid as much as £8 per week per man; but even taking the lowest earnings it shows that, were there a good supply of water, they would make fair wages. Still there is not a large amount of fall, and if there were water in the field to wash away the hillsides in a wholesale manner it would quickly fill up the only flat valley there is as a receptacle for tailings. West Coast. Totara. —The principal gold-workings in this district are situated in the vicinity of Ross and Woodstock; in the former place there is a large flat where seven different gold-bearing layers or strata have been found and worked directly above one another, the deepest of which is 300 feet below the surface and about 200 feet under sea level. These workings were continued from 1866 to 1873, but the quantity of water there was to contend with was too much for the steam machinery that was then employed in draining the ground, and therefore all mining operations in the deep ground were suspended ; since then the ground has lain dormant, until recently. A large company has now taken up this flat, and got a special claim of 100 acres granted them for the large expenditure they had to incur in working the ground. They have erected powerful hydraulic pumping machineiy, and are at the present time engaged in sinking a shaft for the purpose of carrying on mining operations on a large scale. This is the first large hydraulic pumping plant that has been erected in the colony, and great credit is due to the mining manager, Mr. Camille Malfroy, for the admirable manner in which he has got all the machinery arranged ami fitted up, which was done by Messrs. Price and Sons, of Grahamstown, according to his designs. This plant consists of one hydraulic pumping engine, having a cylinder of 18| inches in diameter and 9 feet stroke, which is placed in a shaft 90 feet below the level of the surface, and is under a head of water 314 feet in height. At this level there is an underground tail-race, which carries away the waste water, and likewise the water from the pumps. The foundations for the engine, size of the pump-shaft, and all connections are ready to connect with another engine of similar dimensions which is at the present time being constructed by Messrs. Price and Sons, at Grahamstown. In connection with this pumping engine there is a small horizontal double cylinder hydraulic engine for lifting the pump-rods and buckets. There is a turbine water-wheel being fitted to wind with as soon as the shaft is properly opened out, but at present the stuff from the shaft is taken up with a reversible overshot water-wheel. The pumps are 14^ inches in diameter, and two in number, and are capable of discharging about two and a quarter sluice-heads of water per minute when working full, and the power of the hydraulic pumping engines, when both are erected, will be equal to 116 horses. At Woodstock there is a large population engaged in alluvial mining. The ground is from 30 to 50 feet in depth, with about five feet in thickness of wash-dirt on the bottom, which is driven out and hauled, up shafts by horse-whims, and stacked in large paddocks, and then washed in sluice-boxes when the paddocks are full, if water is available, but the supply of water on this field is very limited. Waimea and Kumara. —The whole of this field is confined to alluvial workings. Some of the ground is worked from tunnels and shafts, but the principal system of working is hydraulic sluicing, which is carried on with water from the Waimea and Kumara, and likewise from the Okuku, water-races. The former is wholly a Government undertaking, and the latter belongs to a private company. At Waimea the best of the known auriferous ground is getting worked out, but there is still a large area which, although poor, is expected to pay small wages for working. At Kumara there is a large field for hydraulic sluicing operations, which will last, under any circumstances, from twelve to fifteen years. The great difficulty to be encountered here in the future will be the fall for tailings. Already a large flat between the terrace and the Teremakau River is covered with tailings and debris from the sluicing claims, which are hardly yet opened out; and ■when the construction of the Loop-line dam that is now being done by Government, in conjunction with the Waimea and Kumara Water-race, is completed it will greatly increase the supply of water on the field, and consequently wash away the ground at a more rapid rate; so that in a short time the tailings will be run into the bed of the Teremakau River, which will no doubt carry a great portion of them into the sea; but there will likewise be a large portion of the heavy material remain, and raise the bed of the river until it interferes with the fall for working the ground. In^connection with the Government water-race there is a sludge-channel 85 chains in length, and Boxed throughout, 3 feet 6 inches wide in the bottom, and 3 feet high on the sides. ThV'bottom is paved with wooden blocks 8 inches deep, set endways. Where the channel is fully occupied these blocks last about three months, by having them turned over when one side becomes worn in the centre. The cost of these wooden blocks, including turning them, is about £10 15s. per lineal chain of channel. Lately stone paving has been tried, and, judging from the time that it has been in use, it is likely to last in any case for six months, and this
7
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system of pavement costs about £16 per lineal chain of channel; but the stones that are used are all shaped before being put in, which increases the cost considerably. Some stone paving is now being tried with stones without shaping, and if these will answer they can be put in equally as cheaply as the wooden blocks, and are better adapted for saving gold : at the same time, it will reduce the carrying capacity of the channel to some extent. The cost of the whole of the works, in conjunction with the water-supply and sludge-channel, which have been constructed by Government, including liabilities, up to the present time, is £164,575 15s. 2d., and the net revenue derived from the working of same during the past year, after deducting the cost of maintenance, is .£2,143 Is., being about one and three-tenths per cent, on the capital invested. Grey Valley. —The principal mining centres are No Town, Nelson Greek, Orwell Creek, and Granville. At the former place mining is confined to tunnelling and hydraulic sluicing : there is a large extent of ground in this district that would pay by the latter system of working, but there is very little water to be got in the locality. At Nelson Creek hydraulic sluicing is the only system of mining carried on, which is done with water from the Nelson Creek Water-Race. This is wholly a Government work, and cost up to the present time £89,833 19s. 7A. The revenue derived last year from the working of the same, after deducting the cost of maintenance, was £1,018 Bs. 5d., being about 1J per cent, on the capital invested. At Orwell Creek a good deal of underground workings are carried on from shafts, and the wash-dirt lifted by water-lifts. This is done by having a large wooden or iron tank fixed on a trolly with four wheels, and worked on an inclined tramway having a grade of about 1 in 3; the tank is filled with water at the top, and then lowered down the incline, and by so doing it hauls up a truck of wash-dirt which is lifted vertically in a cage travelling in guides fixed in a shaft. There is a drum and brake, which is worked by the brakesman, and regulates the speed of winding, and stops the cage at the proper place. When the water-tank gets to the bottom of the inclined tramway it rests against a projection, which opens a door and allows the water to escape, and when empty the weight of the cage and truck is sufficient to haul it up to the top of the inclined tramway again, where it is refilled, and the same process continued. There is a large area of auriferous country in the vicinity of Orwell, Duffers', and Noble's Creeks, and a great depth of wash-dirt that would pay for hydraulic sluicing if a good supply of water was brought on the ground at a sufficient elevation; but this would entail a large outlay of capital. A scheme for bringing in a large water-supply to work this ground is at the present time proposed to be undertaken by the Ahaura and Orwell Creek Sluicing Company, in conjunction with a scheme to work a large flat between Orwell Creek and the Ahaura River, for which they have made an application for a grant of 200 acres as a special claim. At Granville the principal workings are carried on by hydraulic" sluicing, but there is very little water in the locality, and sluicing operations are conducted on a small scale. Inangahua. —This is a district remarkably rich in mineral resources, and will take years before it is properly developed. There is a mineral belt of country, that is known to contain rich gold-bearing quartz, coal, and antimony, between the Big River and the Mokihinui River, a distance of about fifty miles, and extends for about one mile in width; but the almost inaccessible nature of the country, and the cost of making roads to get supplies and machinery to work the quartz-mines, are so great that a long time must elapse before this part of the country gets properly opened out. At Reefton, Devil's Creek, and Boatmans the quartz mines are being successfully worked, and fresh reefs are being discovered. There is a good deal of new crushing machinery in course of erection, and the principal mines are getting compressed-air machinery for working rock-borers, diamond drills, and winding machinery. One of the most complete mining: plants in the colony is erected at the Golden Fleece Extended Company's mine at Reefton. It consists of one of Ford's wet-compressors, for working two rock-borers, and one dry-compressor, made by the Despatch Foundry Company at Greymouth, for working an underground diamond drill and air-winch for winding from a winze that is being sunk from their No. 6 Level, which is 640 feet below the surface. This winze is down 100 feet below this level, thus making the total depth that the reef has been tested to be 740 feet. The compressed-air machinery was first introduced on this field by Mr. John Trennery, the managing director of the Golden Fleece Extended Company, who, before doing so, visited all the principal quartzmines in Victoria in order to gain an insight into the most modern system of working them, and he found that compressed-air machinery was greatly in use there, and that they could take out the quartz much more cheaply than by the ordinary method of hand-boring. The cost of this machinery in Melbourne is about as follows : Nailer and Thornton's rock-borers, including one pole and the principal duplicate parts, £90 each; Ford's wet-compressor, capable of working two rock-drills, £345 ; underground diamond drill, including three bits and two tangye pumps, capable of boring from 500 to 600 feet at any angle, £460; and a dry-compressor, as made in Greymouth, without receiver, ready to connect on to engine, about £120. Mr. J. Trennery, who is agent in this, colony for Nailer and Thornton's rock-borers, has supplied the Keep-it-Dark, Welcome, and Eureka Companies with them and compressed-air machinery, and they all give great satisfaction. The deep level tunnel between Black's Point and the Waitohu River is now constructed for nearly 1,100 feet, and two quartz leaders have been cut through containing gold,, but not of a payable chai*acter for working. la order to encourage this enterprise the tunnel has, so far, been subsidized to the extent of £1 for £1 by Government. There is likewise another deep level tunnel in course of construction at Boatmans, which is wholly a work of private enterprise, to test the reefs at the deep levels in that locality.
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Lyell. —There has been a good deal of prospecting done here during last year, which is carried on from tunnels driven in from the sides of the steep ranges which occur everywhere in this district. The Government are constructing a road from the junction of the Lyell Road and Zala Town Track to the United Italy Company's mining lease, which, when completed, will give the several mining companies in the vicinity of the Eight-Mile an opportunity of getting machinery on to their claims. Some of the reefs here have not turned out this year as well as expected, but there has been a deal of dead work done, which will tend to increase the returns for next year. The number of crushing plants in the Iriangahua and Lyell Districts is 16, comprising 228 head of stamps and 23 berdans, sof which are worked with steam and 11 with water of an aggregate power equal to about 250 horse. In addition to these there are 3 tailings plants, consisting of 22 berdans and two percussion tables, all worked with water-power. There are likewise 8 winding plants, 5 of which are worked with steam and 3 with water, equal in the aggregate to about 95 horse-power. Mokihinui. —This is a comparatively new field. Although a quartz-reef was successfully worked here a few years ago, it seemed to run out, and no further prospecting was done until lately, when gold-bearing stone of apparently a payable character has been found in several of the claims; but it would be premature to express an opinion on the permanency of the reefs here yet, as very little work has been done towards developing them. There is a small crushing battery that was erected here a few years ago, consisting of ten heads of stamps, that will be useful to test the stone from the various mining leases that are taken up. The Government are at the present time constructing a bridle-track from the end of the present track at Coal Creek to the reefs. Charleston. —This field is confined entirely to beach workings and hydraulic sluicing. A great deal of the latter operations are carried on with water from the Argyle Water-race, which is wholly a Government work. This water-race has cost up to the present time £10,267 Bs. 4d.; and the revenue from it last year, after deducting the cost of maintenance, was £153 16s. 3d., being about 1^ per cent, on the capital invested. It is at the present time being widened and put in a state of proper repair; the most of the high flumes that have lately been a source of expense to keep in repair, will be done away with, and thus lessen the cost of maintenance. The ground that is being worked with this water-race at present will in a few years be worked out; but there is a considerable area of auriferous ground that is said to be payable in the vicinity of the back lead, that the race will command by extending it about one mile further, which will .take at least ten years to work out with the present supply of water on the field. Wakamarina. —The gold-workings on this field consist of river workings which are carried on in the bed of the Wakamarina River; hydraulic sluicing, which is principally on the banks and valley of the river; and quartz-mining. The former is said to give good returns for working. The quartz-reefs are situated on the range on the north side of the Wakamarina River, about two miles above Deep Creek ; some of them have a great thickness of stone, but apparently of a very poor character. The gold is remarkably fine and very difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, yet in drilling the holes for blasting the stone gold is generally found in the drillings by panning them off in a dish. There has not been a large quantity of work yet done on any of the claims, nor any crushing machinery erected to test their value. Aniseed Valley, Nelson. —There is a mineral belt of country in this locality, which can be traced for miles, containing lodes of copper and chrome ore; but very little prospecting has been done on them to test their value. A large area of this country is taken up, and held in mineral leases and prospecting areas ; but they appear to be held more with the view to speculative purposes than to legitimate prospecting and working. Between the Roding and Minor Rivers a copper lode can be seen exposed on the surface for about 100 yards in length and from 4 to 5 feet in thickness, containing grey ore, red oxide, and carbonate of copper, intermixed with blocks of native copper. In February last no work of any consequence was done to test this,. beyond breaking the ore from the outcrop of the lode on the surface; but since then lam informed that a winze has been sunk down and a very rich lode discovered. There is no doubt if a lode of copper of this description were either in the vicinity of Reefton or the Thames, it would have been properly tested long before this, and in all probability would have been successfully worked and have employed a large population. The total value of works (assisted by the Government by way of subsidy or otherwise) completed and undertaken during the past year to develop the mineral resources of the colony is as follow : — £ s. d. Water-races .. .. .. .. .. .. 21,506 010 Roads undertaken wholly by the Mines Department . . .. 16,400 0 0 Roads undertaken by County Councils, and subsidized by Government .'. .. .. .. .. .. 35,938 1 6 Works undertakeifby Prospecting Associations, subsidized by Government .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,966 13 4 Construction of sludge-channels, subsidized by Government .. 5,750 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £,90560 15 8 Of this amount the Government contribution is .. .. £67,271 9 4
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In concluding my first report on the gold fields and mines of the colony, I may remark that this country abounds in mineral wealth which will take a number of years to develop on account of its rugged and almost inaccessible nature. The alluvial gold fields will gradually get worked out, and more attention will be directed to quartz mines, which are the only permanent gold mines in the colony. The mountainous and broken nature of the country where these are generally found is not fit for cultivation or agricultural purposes, which is looked on as the settlement and prosperity of a new country; but nevertheless it abounds in richness, and will support a far larger population than the same area of the best description of land for cultivation, and consequently will add to the value of other land, and greatly increase the wealth of the colony. But in order to develop these mines, roads and tracks will require to be made, to enable machinery and supplies to be taken into the ranges; and too much care cannot be exercised to see that these are properly laid off, before any money is spent on their construction, so that when once a narrow track is made it can at any time be widened into a dray-road if required, and by this means insure the whole of the expenditure to be made in the right direction.. Annexed is a list, taken from the department's records, of works on gold fields that have been undertaken solely by Government, or by subsidies to County Councils, during the year, and likewise plans of mining machinery referred to in report. I have, &c., The Under-Secretary, Henry A. Gordon, Mines Department. Inspecting Engineer, Mines Department.
List of Works on Gold Fields undertaken wholly by the Mines Department, or by Subsidies to County Councils, Local Bodies, and Prospecting Associations.
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Locality and Nature of Work. Total Cost. Contribution by Mines Department. Locality and Nature of Work. Total Cost. Contribution by Mines Department. Coromandel County. Improving road to Iona and Just - in - Time Companies' mines and crushing battery Maying and repairing track from Kapanga Mine to Paul's Creek Making and improving track from Tokatea towards Kennedy Bay Making and improving track from Golden Belt to Tiki Saddle Extension of Vaughan and Visard's Track Extension of track from Teirnan's to Castle Rock Widening road to Kapanga Mine Improving track from Tokatea Saddle to Waikoromiko Making new track to connect Tokatea Track with Tiki Continuation of track from Succpss Company's mine to top of main range £ s. d. 200 0 0 £ s. d. 133 6 8 JTutt County. Road to connect Oterongu Bay with Albion Company's battery, and likewise to connect Terawhiti quartz mines with battery (approximate) £ s. d. 509 16 6 & s. d. 294 3 8 290 0 0 193 6 8 509 16 6 200 0 0 133 6 8 Turtrpeha County. Improving road from Lawrence and Waipori Road to antimony mine, Waipori Making road from top of terrace to Waipori Bush Improving road from Waipori Township to antimony mine, Lammerlaw Ranges Improving road from Waitahuna River to top of terraces on road to copper mine, Waipori Making bridle-track from Roxburgh Road, near Shingle Creek, to Campbell's and Poinohuka Creeks 294 3 8 176 0 0 117 6 8 200 0 0 133 6 8 300 0 G 200 0 0 300 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 C 133 6 8 150 0 0 100 0 0 200 0 0 133 6 8 132 0 0 88 0 0 50 0 0 33 6 8 450 0 0 300 0 0 160 0 0 106 13 4 40 0 0 26 13 4 1,698 0 0 1,350 0 0 900 0 0 1,132 0 0 miscellaneous, Tnapelca County. Drainage channel, Lawrence, undertaken by the Borough Council (approximate) Tuapeka Prospecting Association. Thames County. Making new road from Ohinemuri River to Karangahake quartz mines Dray-road to connect Otanui mines with crushing battery at Maungakerikeri Creek, and improvement of road up Maungakerikeri Creek Improving road to Waitekauri "battery from Katikati Road Improving road up Karaka Creek to Lucky-Hit Company's Mine Improving road to upper mines, Waiotahi 650 0 0 710 0 0 250 0 0 433 6 8 473 6 8 1C6 13 4 Miscellaneous, Vincent County. Grant on completion of sludgechannel, Smith's Gully, Bannockburn Grant on completion of sludgechannel, Pipeclay Gully, Bannockburn 3,000 0 0 600 0 0 3,600 0 0 2,000 0 0 300 0 0 2,300 0 0 2,000 0 0 850 0 0 300 0 0 200 0 0 750 0 0 400 0 0 320 0 0 213 6 8 2,750 0 0 1,250 0 0 attar 2,230 O 0 1,481) 18 4 PiaJco County. ",\ Tramways and inclines to connect crushing battery at Waiorontiomai Creek with quartz mines at Te Aroha (approximate cost) 14,000 0 0 6,000 0 0 Miscellaneous, Lake County. Hoad from Arthur's Point towards Skipper's Creek (approximate) Road from Arrowtown to Mmcetown (approximate) Cardrona Prospecting Associaciation 2,000 0 0 8,000 0 0 2,000 0 0 8,C00 0 0 400 0 0 200 0 0 14,000 _o_q 6,000 0 0 10,400 0 0 10,200 0 0 2—H. 5.
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List of Works on Gold Fields, &c.— continued.
Locality and Mature of Work. Total Cost. Contribution by Mines Department. Locality and Nature of Work. Total Cost. (Contribution by Mines Department. Southland County. Improving road from Mataura to Nokomai Road Improving bush road through Waikaia Bush Improving road from Wnikaka to Leit ham, leading to Whitecombe Improving road from Waikaka Township to Leitham Creek Improving road from Waikaka to Waikaka railway Biding Widening and improving bushtrack from Waipapa to Waikawa £ s. d. 75 0 0 £ s. d. 50 0 0 Inangahua County. Dray-road, Soldiers' Creek to Devil's Creek Dray-road Inangahua River to Rainy Creek battery Dray-road, Caplestown, up Li!tie Boatman's Creek Dray-road, Caplestown, up Main Boatman's Creek Dray-road, Westport Road to IuaDgahua River Track, Devil's Creek to Big Paver Track ,Waitahu River to Caplestown £ s. d. 647 0 0 £ s. d. 431 6 8 150 0 0 100 0 0 909 10 0 606 6 8 150 0 0 100 0 0 379 0 0 252 13 4 30 0 0 20 0 0 697 0 0 464 13 4 221 5 0 149 10 0 150 0 0 100 0 0 134 3 6 89 9 0 150 0 0 100 0 0 358 0 0 238 13 4 705 0 0 4*0 0 0 ■ ■■■■'■■ ■- ■ Survey and expenses Track, Carriboo to Big River 250 0 0 650 0 0 166 13 4 325 0 0 Miscellaneous, Maniotolo County. Deep Lead Prospecting Association at Naseby Miscellaneous, Inangaliua County. To purchase of diamond drill by Inangahua County Council To Deep Level Tunnel Company, construction of lunnel, Black's Point to Waitahu River 4,248 18 6 2,724 5 8 1,066 13 4 650 0 0 Westland County. Bridle-track from Duffer's Creek, Greenstone Road, to 15-mile peg, Chiistchurch Road Continuation of track Back Creek to Eel Creek Bridle-track from Ross Town boundary to Mount Greenland Bridle-track from Duffer's Creek, Bowen, and Okarito Road to sea-beach Improving track, Boucher's Creek to Gentle Annie Terrace Bridle-track to Kanieri Lake.,, Bridle-track, Back Creek to Eel Creek Tunnel-track, Galway Beach to Gillespie's Bluff 2,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 6,900 0 0 3,450 0 0 1,000 0 0 666 13 4 600 0 0 400 0 0 8,900 0 0 4,450 0 0 1,440 0 0 360 0 0 9G0 0 0 240 0 0 Sutler County. Deviation of road from Candlelight Flat to Deep Creek, Charleston Road, Arawaiti Lagoon to North Terraces Prospecting track, Razorback to Paparoa Range 400 0 0 250 0 0 266 13 4 166 13 4 120 0 0 80 0 0 100 0 0 fi6 13 4 512 10 0 84 4 6 750 0 0 500 0 0 1,025 0 0 168 9 0 Miscellaneous, filler County. Road from Zala Track on Lyell Road to United Italy Company's mining lease, Eightmile Creek, Lyell (approximate) Survey of road, United Italy Company's mining lease, Eight-mile Creek to Mokihinui i.iver Survey of road, Brighton to Seventeen - Mile Diggings (approximate) Road from Coal Creek to Mokihinui Reefs and ICaramea Argyle Water-race (construction) 437 5 0 218 12 6 2,800 0 0 2800 0 0 5,15014 0 3,162 0 4 Miscellaneous, Westland County. Road to open up ;> Woodstock Gold Field ".■■:■'■ Construction of Mikonui Water-race Construction of Waimea and Kumara Water-race 200 0 0 200 0 0 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 7,063 0 0 7,063 0 0 800 0 0 800 0 0 9,239 11 0 9,239 11 0 i | 17,302 11 _0 1,600 ,0 0. 1,600 0 0 17,302 11 Oj 4,715 8 0 4,715 8 0 Grey County. Eoad, No Town to Deep Creek Eoad, Langdon's to Moonlight Contribution from Gold Fields vote towards maiu roads 1,100 0 0 1,600 0 0 550 0 0 800 0 0 Miscellaneous Worlcs. Contingencies on wal er-races... Colling wood Road Board, Road to West Wanganui 10,115 8 0 10,115 8 0 2,296 6 6 ! 2,296 6 6 418 16 4 300 0 0 448 16 4 200 0 0 4,996 6 6 3,R46_6_6 718 16 4 i 618 16 4 Miscellaneous, Grey County. Kelson Creek Water-race (cost of reconnaissance survey) Total amount spent and agreed to be contributed 69 5 6 69 5 6 90,560 15 8; 67,271 9 4
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Recapitulation.
Return showing the Revenue and Expenditure and Collateral Advantages derived by the working of the Water-races constructed and maintained by Government during the Year ending the 31st March, 1883.
Total Cost. Contribution by Mines Department. Locality and Nature of Work. Total Cost. lontribuHou b Mines Department. locality and Nature of Work. Water-races. Construction : Mikonui Water-race Waimea-Kumara Water-race Nelson Creek Water-race ... Argyle Water-race Contingencies on water-races... £ s. d. 7,063 0 0 9,239 11 0 69 5 6 4,715 8 0 418 16 4 £ s. d. 7,063 0 0 9,239 11 0 69 5 6 4,715 8 0 418 16 4 Subsidies to County Councils — continued. Westland County ... Grey Comity Inangahua County ... Buller County Collingwood Road Board £ s. d. 5,150 0 0 4,996 6 6 4,248 18 6 750 0 0 300 0 0 £ s. d. 3,162 0 4 3,646 6 6 2,724 5 8 500 0 0 200 0 0 21,506 0 10 21,506 0 10 35,938 J^ 6 20,515 _9__6 Hoads on Gold Fields. Prom Arthur's Point towards Skipper's Arrowtown to Macetown To open up Woodstock Gold Field Lyell to United Italy Company's Mining Lease, EightMile Lyell to Mokihinui... Brighton to Seventeen-Mile Diggings Coal Creek to Mokihinui Reefs and Karamea 2,000 0 0 8,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 2,800 0 0 2,000 0 0 8,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 2,800 0 0 Subsidies to Prospecting Associations. Tuapeka Prospecting Association Cardrona Prospecting Association Naseby Deep Lead Prospecting . Association Inangahua County Council, diamond drill Deep Level Tunnel Company Reefton 600 0 0 400 0 0 1,066 13 4 300 0 0 200 0 0 650 0 O 200 0 0 800 0 0 200 0 0 800 0 0 2,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 6,900 0 0 3,450 0 0 1,600 0 0 1,600 0 0 10,966 13 4 5,600 0 16,400 0 0 16,400 0 0 Subsidies to Sludge and Drainage Channels. Smith's Gully, Bannoekburn Pipeclay Gully, Bannockburn Lawrence Borough ... Subsidies to County Councils. Corornandel County Thames County Piako County Hutt County Tuapeka County Southland County ... 1,698 0 0 2,230 0 0 14,000 0 0 509 16 6 1,350 0 6 705 0 o! 2,000 0 0 750 0 0 3,000 0 0 850 0 400 0 2,000 0 1,132 0 0 1,486 13 4 6,000 0 0 294 3 8 900 0 0 470 0 0 Total 5,750 0 0 3,250 0 90,560 15 8 67,271 9
Name of Water-race. Pi o a a d 1 O o £ f4 o ■si |j si +j a o o HO 111 si Iff fg d ° <33 P "Waimea Kumara Eumara Sludge-Channel £ s. d. 2,178 10 10 3,445 2 6 925 13 4 6,549 6 8 £ s. a. 855 16 0. 1,816 19 6, 1,703 11 1 1,406 6 7 £ s. a. •1,322 14 10 *1,598 8 0 1-777 17 9 2,143 0 1 £ s. a. 118 57515 2 28,798 7 6 17,20012 6 £ s. d a. li 54 nearly 8C loss 147 150 02. : 4,158 7,742 i i £ s. d. 15,901 7 0 29,613 3 0 i £ a. d. 1 15 11 3 4 9 164575"'l5 2 161,575 15 2 297 11,900 ; ;45,517 10 0 2 10 5 Total Nelson. Creek Argyle 2,237 6 3 526 11 1 0,313 4 0 1,218 17 10 372 14 10 5,997 19 3 1,018 8 5 153 16 3 3,315 4 9 89,833 19 7 10,267 8 4 261,677 3 1 i* l* 61 14 372 3,748 ■ 16,314 ■14,330 2 (I 2,547 9 0 02,401 1 0 3 16 6 2 17 0 2 H 11 Total from, all Water-races * Profit on working. t Loss on working.
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WARDENS' AND WATER-RACE REPORTS.
AUCKLAND GOLD FIELDS. No. 1. Mr. Warden Kenrick to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Coromandel, 26th April, 1883. The prosecution of deeper mining operations on the proved line of auriferous country extending from the Union "Beach to the Kapanga mines is the principal work which has engaged attention during the year in this portion of the district. Of the companies so engaged the Just-in-Time has succeeded in striking payable gold at a depth of about 100 feet from the surface, in a reef averaging a foot wide, in a blue sandstone country. Two crushings have been taken out —one of 30 and another of 20 tons —yielding respectively 170 oz. and 187 oz.; the gold worth £2 Jss. per ounce. In my previous report, -when referring to the Union Beach Mine, I regretted that the directors did not see fit to continue operations in developing the reefs under those parts from which such rich returns (£70,000 worth of gold) were formerly obtained. lam glad to say that this is now being done, the mine and plant having been purchased by a new company, the New Union Beach, formed for the purpose of further working the mine. The ground worked by the old company to a depth of 180 feet is now being tested deeper by means of a winze sunk on the cross reef, with the aid of a tangye pump, to a further depth of 70 feet. This winze is sunk in the 180-feet level, at a distance of 300 feet from the shaft, the intention being to drive on the cross reef for about 40 feet to the black reef, on the hanging-wall of which the greater part of the gold was formerly obtained. Work is being carried on in another part of the mine on a section of the Green Harp leader; 50 Ib. of rich specimens have been obtained. The lona Company, south-east of the Just-in-Time, have during the year erected machinery and cleaned out an old shaft 160 feet deep. A low-level is now being carried into the hill to intersect the several leaders known to exist in the ground. About 30 lb. of good specimens have been obtained from the sides of the shaft, portions of a gold-bearing leader formerly worked having been left behind. The Albion, New United, Suez, Morning Star, and other claims are working or preparing to work in this neighbourhood. Between the Kapanga and the beach a block of 130 acres, known as " Blagrove's Freehold," is now proposed to be worked, a company being formed for that purpose. The New Corby adjoins the Kapanga on the north-east. The Corby and Kapanga reefs are supposed to be identical. It is a matter of surprise that, though the Corby paid thousands of pounds in dividends, and never made a call, yet the mine has not been worked at a greater depth than 100 feet. The ground has been purchased during the year by a company—the New Corby —who have erected machinery, and commenced to drive from the old shaft, which will enable them to cut the reef at a depth of 160 feet. The Kapanga Mine is employing about 60 men, and has turned out 2,000 oz. of gold for the year. The company have surrendered their various holdings in order to take out a new title, under which they now possess a compact mine of 30 acres—eighty-eight men's ground. During the year a large quantity of underground work has been done in the mine. Commencing at Scotty's reef, at the 300-feet level, a distance of 267 feet has been driven south and 70 feet north of the cross-cut, and rises have been put up from 70 to 140 feet in places, which have opened out valuable blocks of ground. Nothing has been done at this (the 300-feet) level on the Kapauga reef proper, but at the 420-feet level a cross-cut has been extended due east from that reef—a distance of 160 feet, where the cross-cut intersected Scotty's reef. . At this point a large selfventilating rise is being pushed ahead to communicate with the 300-feet level, and drives have been extended north and south on the course of the reef to open blocks for intermediate stoping. The operations on the Kapanga reef proper at this level consist of drives north and south, 70 to 100 feet in length respectively. Men are now at work rising on the hanging-wall to tap a large body of water 120 feet in depth, getting some old stopes below the 300-feet level. This rise is now up 140 feet. The ground is very wet, and it is expected that a distance of 15 feet more willj|trike the water, thus draining a large amount of .known gold-producing ground, which will be at once stop^j out. The quantity of quartz crushed at this mine during the year is 729 tons, yielding 2,030 oz. of gold, an average of 2 oz. 16 dwt. of gold to the ton. This return has given'general satisfaction throughout the district, as it is felt that the English shareholders who own the mine deserve to succeed in return for the pluck and enterprise they have for many years displayed in working the ground. The return is encouraging, inasmuch as it shows that the reefs carry good gold to a greater depth than was supposed.
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The Tokatea low-level has been carried in a distance of 2,350 feet. The reef is being worked at a depth of 850 feet from the crown of the range. This level, No. 7, has given extra backs of 210 feet on the lode, and during the year the output of gold has paid working expenses. It is worthy of remark that the Tokatea lode has continued from the surface to the present 850--feet level without break or displacement, though in this level the country is much disturbed. The prospects of the mine are now good. In addition to the ordinary work the company are engaged in driving a prospecting level on the hanging-wall leader, the quartz broken out showing gold. Hopes are entertained that this leader will prove payable. Should it do so, an extensive block of new ground will be opened for stoping. The Bismark is being worked by a party of tributers, who have had one crushing, yielding 243 oz. of gold. The Queen of the North, Royal Oak, Comstock, and Colonial Claims are working with payable results. The Success has paid a dividend of 2s. 6d. during the past year, the product of four small parcels of stone and loose gold carried by the manager in a bag from the mine, the gold being so pure and the stone (if any) so rich that its small bulk rendered cartage unnecessary. The company anticipate being able to pay another dividend from the proceeds of the block they are now working. At the Tiki not much work has been done during the year. Blackmore's, Home Rule, and Tier-nan's Claims are being worked again, after having ceased operations for a time. Blackmore's are about to put a large paddock of payable quartz through their battery, which during the past year has crushed 1,267 tons of stone for a yield of 978 oz. of gold. The Home Rule are taking out payable stuff from the reef which is now beiug worked below the old shot of gold ; the present operations from the new level of this mine will test the value of deep mining in this locality. Both the work done and the yield of gold at the Tiki during the year are below expectations. The claims being on private land, and not subject to the mining regulations, work is not compulsory ; much of the ground is therefore likely to remain locked up, unless an accidental discovery in the locality should give fresh heart to the owners. The Matawai Claim, after an enforced idleness of some months through the want of crushing power, have succeeded in crushing 40 tons of stone for a yield of 160 oz. of gold; this result proving quite up to expectation has encouraged the owners to further develop the ground. To summarise the year's operations, it will be seen that, whilst the claims at the Tiki have not come up to expectations, the re-working of the Union Beach, lona, Just-in-Time, and Corby, coupled with the good finds at the deep levels of the Kapanga, have given a considerable impetus to mining operations. If the Kapanga finds are continued in the deep levels of the Beach and adjoining claims, a new and most valuable feature will have been introduced into mining at Coromandel. The total quantity of quartz crushed for the year is 2,907 tons, yielding 7,577 oz., as against 3,447 tons, yielding 7,348 oz. of gold, during the preceding year ending 31st March, 1882. During the year 103 claims have been taken up; 43 claims registered; 21 licensed holdings granted. Six cases have been adjudicated upon in the Warden's Court; and 207 civil and 50 criminal in the Resident Magistrate's Court. I have, &c, Hakry Kenrick, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 2. Mr. Warden Kenrick to the Undek-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Thames, 17th May, 1883. I have the honour to forward the annual report upon the Thames (or South Hauraki) Gold-Mining District for the year ended the 31st March, 1883. But little work has been done in the northern portion of the district during the year. Between Tapu and Tararu a few parties have been prospecting, but with no payable result as yet. At Waioma a license to prospect for minerals other than gold has been granted by the Waste Lands Board. Silver is the mineral sought for, galena having been found in many places throughout that portion of the district. -,z~ At Tararu work is beiug done on the old Suubeam reef, but no crushing has yet taken place. At the Thames proper the discovery of a rich run of gold in the deep levels of the Prince Imperial and Queen of Beauty Claims has given great impetus to mining on the Grahamstown Flat and adjacent ground. Many claims that had been abandoned were at once taken up, several companies having been formed with a considerable capital, and preparations made for testing the lower levels. The Mariner, London, and Queen of England have conjointly erected winding machinery at the old Crown Princess shaft, which is now being prepared for use as the winding shaft for the amalgamated companies. Prior to the discovery in the Prince Imperial and Queen of Beauty the prevalent belief was that the richer runs of gold would not be traced into the deeper levels. Now that this belief is
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proved to be erroneous money is forthcoming to prospect at a greater depth than has yet been done. The levels of the Queen of Beauty and Deep Level Cross are about the same depth below the sea level (about 625 feet), though the depth of the two shafts differ, being 679 feet in the Queen of Beauty to 640 feet in the Deep Level Cross. The Mining Inspector having reported fully upon the operations being carried on in the various claims, it will be unnecessary for me to refer in detail to the prospects of individual claims. Generally it may be assumed that the prospects of the present year will, as far as regards the older mines within the vicinity of the town, depend upon the result of the operations being carried on in the deeper levels. Though a steady yield of gold is still forthcoming from many of the older mines, won from the upper workings, a large amount of dead work in driving, &c, to prove untried ground is still being done in the Kuranui, Golden Crown, and other mines, with good prospects of a payable return, and, as a matter of course on this gold field, the prospect of coming across richer runs of gold. The Deep Level Cross Companies are steadily pushing on their long drive at the 640-feet level in an excellent class of country, and may at any moment come aci'oss payable stone. The dip of the gold in the lower levels being towards the west, many experienced men hold the belief that it will pay to prospect under the foreshore outside the boundaries of the present proclaimed gold field. Acting on this supposition application has been made for prospecting licenses under section 184 of the Gold Mining District Act of 1873. Three have been granted. The licensees propose to run a drive from the 640-feet level of the Deep Level Cross Company, and from the lowest levels of the Prince Imperial Company, in a westerly direction under the foreshore. No work has been clone in this direction as yet. At Otanui, the battery not being completed, but little work has been done in the claims. Small parcels of picked stone have been crushed at the Thames batteries, giving excellent returns, but until a general crushing has taken place no reliable opinion can be given as to the prospects of the mines. The yield of gold from Owharoa continues good, considering the small number of claims being worked. The Smile of Fortune Claim still continues to furnish the larger portion of the gold won in this part of the district. At Waitekauri there is nothing fresh to record; but few of the old mines are now at work. At Karangahake a very large number of claims,.have been taken up and licenses applied for during the year. Here the prospects of the various mines upon which any work has been done are very good. As at the Aroha, there is. a great body of lo'.y-grade quartz that, with cheap carriage and crushing, will undoubtedly prove payable. Some small richer leaders have also been opened up. The stone carries a very large percentage of silver; as much as 300 oz. to the ton has been the result of more than one test. The value of the gold is very low : £2 7s. per ounce. This district, like the Aroha, will be but slowly developed : the difficult nature of the country, coupled with the large outlay of money required to open up the mines, build tramways, and erect batteries will all tend to retard its progress. I have no hesitation in saying that I believe this portion of the field will in the future afford employment for a large number of men, and prove to be a steady gold-producer. I think there can be but little doubt that the reefs are a continuation of those at the Aroha, and that the intervening country will in the near future be occupied for mining. The battery at present being put into working order will be of use to a portion of the claims only. The principal claims, I think, will require a battery on the Waitawhita Creek, to enable them to crush. At the Waihi the year has been wasted, through some mistakes having been made in the levels of the water-race, and consequent loss of power to the turbine. The mistake has proved a costly one to the shareholders, who have been put -to great expense in rectifying it. At the present time (May, 1883,) the battery is at work; the result of last year's work will therefore be to the credit of this year. Having fully described those mines in my previous report, I need only now add that the very large quantity of stone, good water-power, and inexpensive nature of the workings should make even poor-grade stuff payable. It is expected that this stone will run at least \ oz. to the ton. Should this portion of the field prove payable and permanent, I anticipate that future prospecting will run the line of reefs from here and Te Aroha still further in the direction of Tauranga. The yield of gold for the year from the Thames district (Hauraki South) has been 43,310 oz. 12 dwt. 4 gr., as against 45,803 oz. 19 dwt. 6 gr. the preceding year. Herewith I have the honour to forward the usual statistical returns. Following is a statement of applications made and cases dealt with in the Warden's Court and office : Miners' rights issued, 426; claims notified as marked out, 260; licensed holdings grauted, 72; agricultural leases, 4; water-races, 5 ; machine site, 1; residence sites, 26; registrations, 588. Warden's Court cases —commenced, 235; lapsed or discontinued, 485; heard, 86. (The larger number of these casSs were at the suit of the Mining Inspector for forfeiture or payment of rents in arrear.) Resident Magistrate's Court, Thames : Criminal cases, 412; civil cases, 384; amount sued for, £3,358 75.; amount recovered, £2,097 Bs. Resident Magistrate's Court, Paeroa: Criminal cases, 22; civil cases, 92. I have, &c, Harry Kenrick, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
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No. 3. Mr. Warden Keniuck to the Under-Sechetary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Te Aroha, April 19th, 1883. When concluding my last year's report on this district I stated that, 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 would yet be required. This fact was so well understood by all interested in the mines then taken up that energetic efforts were made to raise sufficient capital to construct a tramway to convey the quartz from the mines to the large battery in course of construction at the mouth of the Waiorongomai Creek, a distance of three miles. The Piako County Council, fully appreciating the importance of the settling in the Piako and Waikato districts of a fixed gold-fields population, took the matter in hand, and, with the aid of a considerable subsidy (£6,000) from the Government, have accepted tenders for the work, the total cost of which will not be under £12,000. The exceptional difficulties that had to be contended with in constructing this line will be better understood when it is known that the engineer, Mr. Stewart, with a party of men, was engaged more than three months in the survey and preparing working plans and specifications. The principal work of the year having been the preparation and construction of this tramway, not yet completed, and the battery, the whole of the mines having to wait upon these works, I will devote the first portion of my report to them. As I have before stated, the heavily-timbered and rugged nature of the country caused a great deal of time to be occupied in the survey of the tramway, so that the first formation contract was only commenced in November last. However, the engineer of the work estimates that the line will be completed and ready for work by the end of July next. The tramway will, when finished, be a little over three miles in length, laid with heavy iron rails, with a gauge of 2 feet 9 inches; if required, the line could be worked with a light engine, in lieu of horse-traction, as at present proposed. The rise from the flat where the battery is placed at the mouth of the creek to the terminus on the Premier Claim is 1,420 feet. There will be three self-acting grades connecting three horse-grades or levels; the length of the self-acting-grades, to be worked by steel-wire ropes, will be, respectively, fourteen, twenty-five, and sixteen chains. The horse-grades are sixty-five, sixty-three, and forty-nine chains in length. The different claims in the line of tramway will themselves connect their workings with the line, either by shoots or self-acting wire-tramways. The Premier, Colonist, New Find, and Werahiko Claims intend having this connection ready on completion of the line, so as to be the first to send quartz to the battery. Thanks to the enterprise of two prominent Auckland citizens, Messrs. J. C. Firth and J. McCosh Clark, a large battery has been erected, and two water-races brought in in anticipation of the completion of the tramway. The battery, which is now completed aud ready for work, is placed on the plain where the Waiorongomai Creek debouches from the hills. The crushing power consists of forty head of powerful stamps, and twelve berdans. Large self-acting feeders, with hoppers capable of containing 500 tons of quartz (somewhat less than a week's crushing), and all the latest improvements in gold-saving apparatus have been erected in connection with the battery, at a very considerable expense. The entire plant and buildings are finished in the most thorough and complete manner, aud will compare favourably with any similar plant elsewhere. Two water-races two miles and a quarter in length, capable of carrying thirteen sluiceheads of water, have been constructed, one from the right hand or south branch, the other from the left or main Waiorongomai Creek, the two connecting on the hill 225 feet above the battery. From there the whole of the water is conveyed in 20-inch pipes direct to the turbines, this fall of 225 feet giving a pressure of 90 lb. to the "inch. The mill will be driven by three turbines; two of sixty-horse power each will be used for driving the stamps, and the third of thirty-horse power for driving the berdans. The same water will be also utilised to supply the tables and berdans. The battery and water-races have been constructed at a cost of about £20,000, affording a most substantial guarantee of the faith of the owners in the future of the district. The length of time taken in the construction of the tramway has, as a matter of course, retarded the development of the mines, so much so that over the major portion of the known gold-bearing area absolutely no work has been done ; but the Mining Inspector's report upon the claims herewith will show that enough has been done to encourage the hope that when quartz can be got down to the battery the result will justify the prevalent belief in the future 'of the gold field. That this belief is general is amply proved by the fact of the great expenditure on mining plant, and the expensive and permanent nature of the buildings that have been and are being erected in the two towns that have sprung into existence within the last eighteen months ; whilst as yet not any gold has been sent from the district, beyond, of course, the few ounces obtained from the trial crushings of small parcels of stone. The Mining Inspector, Mr. George Wilson, reports as follows on the claims : Those mines on which any extensive works have been carried on during the year are, first, — The Premier. -*>ln this mine the level, which was commenced about 50 feet lower than where the gold was first found, has been driven for a considerable distance, and the run of gold proved to extend about 70 feet along the reef. A winze is being sunk to connect with a second level about 90 feet deeper, a tramway from which leads to a quartz-hopper at the upper horse-grade tramway. Gold has been found in the winze for 50 feet below the level from which it is com-
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menced. The second reef to the northward has also been driven on from a cross-cut put in from the level near the top of the witize, and a run of gold proved for about the same distance as that on the first reef. In a few weeks the winze will be sunk to the drive at the low-level; the mine will be then sufficiently opened up, so that they will be in a position to keep from ten to twenty stamps at work for several months on the blocks of payable reefs that are now ready to be stoped out. The Colonist. —Driving on the reef at the low-level, the quartz looking well, gold being seen freely every time it is broken down. About 5 feet of quartz is taken out in the drive from the side of the large reef, which is here of great thickness. About 50 feet above the low-level gold was found in about 7 feet of quartz on one side of the large reef. A winze will be sunk from there to connect with the low-level, where a large block of payable reef will be ready for stoping. A shoot from the low-level of this mine connects with a hopper built near that of the Premier. Neiv Find. —This company have put in a low-level cross-cut to work the reef at a level 100 feet below where the prospecting drive was put in, immediately under where the gold was first discovered. A shaft is being sunk to enable them to send down all the surface quartz, and a great quantity of payable stone can then be forwarded to the mill. A considerable length of tramway will have to be made to connect with the horse-grade, as it is several hundred feet below the level. Werahiko and Waitoki. —These two companies have jointly driven a low-level cross-cut to prove these reefs at a greater depth, and are now sinking a shaft from the intermediate level to accommodate both mines in sending quartz down to the low-level. The Werahiko has proved that the run of rich quartz extends from the surface down to the intermediate, and when the connection is made with the horse-grade they will be in a position to stope a large block on their reef. The Waitoki have also a good run of gold in the reef at the intermediate level. Eureka. —The low-level drive along the reef has been through some very hard ground, and they have not been able to reach the point under the shaft sunk on the reef from the surface. It will be a considerable time before the drive and shaft are connected, and until that has been effected no quartz can be sent to the mill. Diamond Gully. —Work has been confined to driving and putting a rise up on the north-east reef lying between the two large reefs. A considerable quantity of picked stone and specimens have been got, but small progress has been made in opening up the mine. Welcome. —Have got very rich prospects in a small leader at the surface. A drive to cut this at a depth of about 30 feet is progressing slowly, as the rock is very hard. The Three Fools, Provincial, Virginia City, Golden Gate, and Empire licensees have agreed to amalgamate, and to arrange with the owner of Cook's water-race and machine-site to form a company to work the ground and erect a battery for crushing quartz, and steps are now being taken to arrange to commence the battery without delay. Other claims in different parts of the field have found gold in reefs, some of which are payable; but sufficient work has not yet been done to prove their value. When the tramway is completed the Premier, Colonist, New Find, Werahiko, and Waitoki Companies will be in a position to keep the mill of forty stamps fully employed on payable quartz for several months, and the returns will no doubt be of such value as to establish the character of this part of the gold field. Several parties have been prospecting on the western side of the mountain, and a number of licenses taken up for claims about the old Prospector's Claim. One party crushed a small parcel at the Thames, and got about i 0 oz. of gold; but they are not very sanguine of getting any more. McLean and party have taken up the old United Claim, not far from the Hot Springs Reserve, and have had such an encouraging prospect from a ton of quartz sent to the Thames for treatment that they have purchased the battery .erected in Te Aroha for the purpose of crushing a large quantity. It will be seen that another three or four months imist yet elapse before any return can be expected from the past year's work and expenditure. I trust to be able, in my next report, to state that results have justified the confidence reposed in the future of the field. During the year ended the 31st March, 1883, 56 cases have been disposed of in the Warden's Court, 119 civil and 42 criminal cases in the Resident Magistrate's Court, 149 miners' rights have been issued, 153 claims notified as pegged out, 53 licensed holdings granted, 37 business licenses granted, 151 business sites granted, 217 residence sites granted, 725 registrations of various kinds effected, 3 water-race rights granted. Herewith I enclose forms of statistical returns from Mining Inspector, with required information. I have, &c., Harry Kenrick, . The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 4 Mr. Mining Inspector McLaren to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Mining Inspector's Office, Thames, 30th April, 1883. I have the honour to forward herewith report on mining operations carried on in the Hauraki North and South Gold-Mining District for the year ending the 31st March, 1883,
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Hatjraki North (Coromandel) . —The principal feature in mining in this district during the year has been increased activity in the deep-sinking operations in the auriferous belt of country that lies between the beach and foot of the main range, there being now five different winding and pumping engines at work belonging to the Union Beach, loua, Just-in-Time, Kapanga, and Corby Gold-Mining Companies, three of these having been erected during the year. Union Beach Gold-Mining Company. —Through being unable to collect the calls this company had to be wound up and a new one formed; after which work was recommenced in June last under the management of Mr. Noel Olimo. The main shaft is 180 feet deep, or about 175 feet below sea level. As the underlie of the reef is away from the shaft, the management thought it better to sink a winze from this level at the end of the north drive, 850 feet from the shaft, instead of taking the usual course of further sinking the shaft and then driving. This winze has now been sunk to a depth of 70 feet, where a level is being opened out. The length of steam-piping required to connect the Tangye (which lifts the water from the winze to the 180-feet level) with the boilers on the surface is 540 feet. The present boilers are found to be hardly sufficient for all requirements; a large new one has been purchased, and is now in course of erection. United. —This is a small piece of ground lying to the north-east of the Union Beach, the workings of which are not extensive, and, as they are near the surface, do not require pumping machinery. The quantity of quartz crushed during the year has not been great, but the shareholders seem satisfied with the result. lona Gold-Mining Company. —This company's ground also joins the Union Beach to the northward. New pumping and winding machinery has recently been erected. In opening out at the bottom of the shaft great difficulties were at first encountered on account of the ground, but, these being overcome, work is now progressing steadily, in favourable country. Just-in-Time Gold-Mining Company. —This ground is contiguous to the lona, and was first held by a party of miners who sank on the rising ground and obtained payable gold at a short distance from the surface ; but the greatest depth they could sink (when they were driven out by the water) was about 35 feet. A company was therefore formed, and pumping and winding gear erected; the shaft was sunk to a depth of 90 feet, where the chamber was formed; and on driving to the reef it was found to contain gold in nearly similar quantities to what it did near the surface. The ground in the vicinity of the reef is of a swelling nature, requiring constant attention on the part of the manager (Mr. P. Barry) in,.order to keep his levels open, by easing the ground at back of timbers, to prevent their being burst in by the pressure. In No. 1 reef about 330 fathoms of stoping-work has been done, and about the same quantity in No. 2, giving 215| tons of quartz, which yielded 610 oz. 16 dwt. melted gold, valued at £2 15s. to £2 16s. per ounce. It is intended shortly to begin sinking the shaft for a further distance of 100 feet. Kapanga Gold-Mining Company. —There are two reefs in this company's ground, known as the Kapanga and Scotty's reefs ; both lie exceedingly flat, and run exactly parallel to one another. The main shaft, which is 425 feet deep, has not been further sunk during the year. At the 425-feet level, Kapanga reef, a rise has been put up a distance of 144 feet on the course of the leader, for the purpose of effecting a communication with the workings under the 300-feet level, into which it is shortly expected to break through, and where a large extent of known goldbearing stone will be to hand for stoping. A distance of 70 feet north and 69 feet south of the crosscut has been driven on the course of the leader. From the Kapanga reef the main crosscut has been further extended east for a length of 150 feet, where it intersects Scotty's reef. A rise has been put up here for 120 feet on the underlie, for the purpose of also communicating with the 300-feet level, and to open the blocks of ground for stoping as well as for ventilation. On Scotty's reef, at the 300-feet level, the leader has been driven on, south, for a distance of 267 feet, and north, 70 feet; intermediate rises have been put up at distances of from 40 to 50 feet apart, and from 40 to 140 feet in height; and stopes opened out both north and south of the different rises, which have yielded some very rich specimen stone, and also good general crushing stuff. No work has been done on the Kapanga reef at this level in consequence of the rising to hole through into the working from the bottom level. During the year 729 tons of quartz have been crushed, for a yield of 2,030 oz. of melted gold. The operations of this mine are conducted under the charge of Captain Thomas. Corby Gold-Mining Company. —This company have also erected machinery, which is now completed, and the shaft in process of being sunk. Kapanga South. —This is a small piece of ground taken up to the south of the Kapanga. A "winze is now being sunk, but from the quantity of water it will be necessary to erect pumping machinery if they wish to go much deeper. Paul's Ckebii District is the most northerly part of the peninsula where mining for gold is carried on, and lies about a mile northward from the Tokatea on the western side of the range. There are only two mines, viz., the Victorian and the Mohaw. The former is situated near the foot of the r3tige, and is as yet only being prospected ; the latter is situated near the top of the range, and the owners have principally been engaged in erecting a small crushing battery, which, is now nearly completed. Tokatea District. — Queen of the North Mine. —The returns from this mine during the year have been payable; the owners are proposing to form a company to open it out at a still deeper level. 3—H. 5.
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Tokatea Mine.—Under the management of Mr. P. L. Hall work continues to be vigorously carried on, principally at the low- or what is now called the main-tunnel-level, the extension of which is still being continued, and has now reached a distance of over 2,300 feet from the mouth; the ground still continues exceedingly hard, requiring dynamite to blast it. Towards the upper levels various passes and winzes have been made and substantially timbered. The upper levels of the mine are still worked by tributers, who, as a whole, have been very successful. Two hundred and thirty fathoms of reef have been stoped out for 305 tons of quartz, which yielded 1,472 oz. of melted gold, valued at about £2 17s. per oz. Bismark Gold-Mining Company. —This company's mine is also under the charge of Mr. Hall, and has been wholly worked by tributers, who have had one crushing of 40 tons, for a return of 202 oz. gold; another crushing of about 45 tons is now ready to be sent to the mill, from which a similar return is expected. Royal Oak. —The upper levels are still being worked by tributers. A crosscut is now being driven from the No. 6 level of the Tokatea, which is intended to cut the Royal Oak lode at about 320 feet below the floor of their upper level; 250 feet requires to be driven before this is done, of which 50 feet has now been completed. Pride of Tokatea. —The work done in this mine has been prospecting the old lodes from a lower level; though a few specimens have been obtained, the general results have not as yet proved payable. In the relinquished portion of this company's ground there have been several small claims taken up, the holders of which have been doing well. Pita's Block. —This block lies immediately to the south of the Tokatea Block. Only one or two holdings are now working, the large number of licenses taken out having been, or are in progress of being, re-entered by me on account of non-working. Success. —A new low-level has been driven which opens up a large block, the first operations on which enabled the directors to declare 2s. 6d. per share dividend. A rise is now being made to connect with the upper level; this is much required for ventilation, as the air is sometimes so bad that the men cannot work. The gold in the leader at the low-level shows much more through the stone than in the upper level, but occasionally patches of gold occur that, without crushing, can at once be put into the pot and melted. In the neighbourhood of the Success there are three small claims at work prospecting, but so far these have not met with any success. Tiki District. —Mining in this district has gone down to a very low ebb. On the Government land all the holdings are or are about to be re-entered for non-working. There are three or four claims at work with about a dozen men, but these are only prospecting. On the private property, out of the large number of claims that have been sold or leased by Mrs. Mclntosh (the owner) only three are at work, namely, Home Rule, Blackniore's, and Tiernan's, and these are not displaying much vigour, there only being about fifteen men employed by the three. Matawai Disteict. —This district has been very much kept back through the extraordinary time taken to complete the new battery and water-race, &c, erected near the foot of the Matawai Creek. A start, however, has recently been made: and Vaughan's Claim crushed 44 tons for a return of 160 oz. of gold. On this claim a lower level is now being driven, which will give 100 feet additional backs on the reef. Warrior.- —A low-level is also being driven in this claim. A trial-crushing from overhead gave at the rate of over 15 oz. to the ton, but as the leader is small (2 in. thick) it takes a lot of work to get out a ton. Castle Rock. —This is the most southerly mine in the Coromandel District, but there is no means of bringing its quartz to the mill, there being no road. The county, however, contemplate making one shortly. In the Hauraki North, or Coromandel District there were no mining accidents of any kind during the year. The total quartz crushed was 2,907 tons for a return of 7,576 oz. 12dwt. 1 gr. melted gold. Hauraki South. —Like the Coromandel District, the principal feature is also the increased energy displayed in mining at deep levels. This is caused by the rich finds obtained in the Prince Imperial down to their lowest level (No. 5), being 428 feet, and also in the Queen of Beauty mine, down to its lowest level, 679 feet, this being now the deepest shaft on the Thames Gold Field. Another feature is that steam-power for crushing quartz is gradually being changed for water-power. This is now taxing the county (late Government) water-race to its very utmost. Many are still retaining their steam machinery in case of accidents to the race, and for the summer season when not nearly the present quantity of water can be supplied. The power of another race as large as the present one could be easily utilized if brought in from the Puru and Waiomo District, from which a good supply can be obtained. Kuranui Hill United. —Under the management of Mr. Thomas H. Crawford a very large amount of work has been carried out in this mine during the year, principally at the 80-feet (below sea) level. Here 600 feet of country has been cross cut, and about 1,100 feet of driving done on the various lodes. Very encouraging prospects have been obtained on the Wheel of Fortune and Duke's reefs. Good or even rich returns may be expected from those blocks, which are solid up to the beach level. On Cook's leader good gold-bearing stone has recently been obtained. As this leader lies within the same strike of country that very rich returns have been obtained from in the Shotover, Caledonian, Prince Imperial, and Queen of Beauty, the manager naturally expects that some very rich returns may be obtained from it. The upper
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levels of the mine have been principally worked by tributers, some of whom have been highly successful; others, however, were not paid wages for their work. The total quartz crushed was 1,496 tons for 4,295 oz. 10 dwt. gold. Deep Level Cross. —This mine is under the charge of Mr. James Coutts. During the early part of the year operations were carried on at the 400-feet (Big Pump) level, but these did not prove payable; also on Caledonian reef, but the run of gold on this, though payable, proved to be of no great extent. The principal work, however, has been the extending southward at the 640-feet level. This drive has now reached a distance of 1,060 feet from the Big Pump shaft. This must prove a very expensive drive, as air-courses have to be carried in all the way to the face, and a large current of air forced through to dispel the heavy and large quantity of gas that is met with at this level. The finds in the Prince Imperial reefs having attracted attention to the southern portion of this mine, the company obtained leave to work these reefs from the Prince Imperial shaft—that is, from where they leave the Prince Imperial ground and go into the Deep Level Cross. The crushings from this portion (southern) have proved very satisfactory: since January last 796| tons have been crushed for a return of 1,360 oz. of gold. It is the intention of the manager to carry down a winze from the No. 5 (428 feet) level of the Prince Imperial to meet the drive now being brought along from the Big Pump. This is a depth of 200 feet. Considerable delay and difficulty must be expected in carrying out this, on account of gas. Caledonian and Golden Calf. —These mines have been worked steadily throughout the year, with but indifferent results. Waiotahi. —Under the management of Mr. J. E. Smith this mine still continues to prove one of the most regular and best dividend-paying mines on the field. Work is still continued in the old levels, no further sinking of the shaft having taken place ; but these levels are by no means exhausted, or likely to be for a long time. Seven hundred and fifty-two fathoms of reef have been stoped for a return of 2,939 oz. of retorted gold. New Prince Imperial. —This mine, which consists of twenty-two men's ground, has been worked almost from the opening of the field ; first by the Mariner's B,eef Company, and afterwards by the Prince Imperial, with, on the whole, poor returns. As an instance of the vicissitudes of gold-mining I may mention that sixteen months ago I was about to re-enter this mine on account of non-working. The Company being unable to get in the calls they therefore sold the ground and machinery for £250. The purchasers formed a new company and appointed Mr. G. S. Clark manager, who immediately set to work, and has succeeded in bringing his mine to the front as a gold-producing and dividend-paying claim, and also being the means of helping to restore confidence in the field by proving that gold is to be found at deep levels. This company since its formation has only called up £450 of its capital. There have been 2,421 loads of quartz crushed, which yielded 7,693 oz. of gold, paying £11,250 in dividends, besides £1,200 to Mr. Robert Graham for surface,rights and liberty to mine under the township. The number of men employed is over seventy, and I have no doubt a greater number will be employed shortly. Queen of Beauty. —Under the management of Mr. George Black the operations of this mine have been very successfully carried on during the year. At the time of my last report the depth of the main shaft was nearly 600 feet. Where No. 9 level was opened in an easterly direction along the course of the reef, at a distance of 80 feet from the shaft, gold was first seen, which increased in richness as the drive extended. The run of gold was found to be about 60 feet wide, some of it very rich, going over 3 oz. to the pound. Another 79 feet has now been sunk in the main shaft, the chamber completed, and the reef is now being driven along to come under the shot or run of gold. This mine is pumped by a large turbine wheel, driven by water from the "county water-race. This, however, has to be supplemented with steam, the water-power not being sufficient. The present speed is four double-strokes per minute, lifting 13,000 gallons per hour, which is barely half the lifting capacity of the pumps. Mariner, London, and Queen of England. —Three mines recently taken up in the neighbourhood of the Prince Imperial and Queen of Beauty. These united with the Deep Level Cross, and formed themselves into a winding association. The old Crown Prince's shaft, at the corner of Upper Albert Street, has been fixed on, and winding machinery erected. Everything being nearly complete, a start will shortly be made. ■ Golden Crown. —Under the management of Mr. T. Dunlop the working of this mine has proved remunerative to the shareholders, there having been two dividends declared, amounting to nearly £2,000. During the year 3,063 tons of quartz have been crushed, yielding 2,835 oz. 17 dwt. gold, valued at £7,892 16s. Bd. The quartz was principally taken from 170 feet, 100 feet, and surface levels. Eight hundred and ninety-two feet of cross-cutting has been opened up on the various levels, 615 feet of driving along the course of the reefs, 134 feet of rises put up, 216 feet of winzes sank, and about 750 fathoms of ground stoped. During the last six months the main surface tunnel is being carried in with the view of opening and testing a large area of ground that has not yet been prospected in the Cure section of the company's ground. This tunnel is how in 500 feet: in'^hat distance two reefs have been cut, which in the upper levels were known as Nos; -I and 2. It is intended soon to begin work on these, to prove their value at this level. There fs still 700 feet to drive to the Care section, where it is expected to cut several other reefs. This company are enabled to crush low-grade quartz, they having alongside their main shaft a fine twenty-stamper battery, driven by water-power. The latter power cheapens the crushing greatly, and the handling and carting the quartz by tipping direct from the mine
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trucks into the battery still further does so. If the Caledonian and a number of other claims had the same advantages I feel assured they would become good payable mines. Moanataiari District.— Moanataiari Mine. —This mine is under the charge of Mr. John G. Vivian. In the Redan section or south part of the mine, at the 80-feet (below sea) level, a large amount of work has been done in driving, rising, and stoping, principally on what is known as the No. 9 foot-wall leader, which proved very remunerative in the upper workings. At this level a large amount of work has also been done on the All Nations' leader, the crushings from which have turned out well. It has hitherto always been considered that No. 2 reef was cut off, or did not exist towards the west or seaward side of the slide. Mr. Vivian has, however, proved this to be a fallacy by not only finding the reef on that side, but also that it contained strong gold. This being so, and as the ground is wholly unworked below this level, great encouragement is given to further sink the shaft and open out deeper levels on this reef. Tunnel level: A large amount of prospecting work has been done in the Homeward Bound or western section of the mine in driving on the various leaders and stoping same where thought to be payable. A crosscut has also been driven to the eastward of the main slide, which has intersected two reefs, one of which has been driven on for some distance, and strong blotches of gold have been seen in the stone. In the upper levels the company are stoping in Heldt's, Morning Star, and Nonpareil sections of the mine; other sections are let to tributers, who have met with varying success. The amount of quartz stoped by the company's workmen and crushed was 1,322 tons, yielding 2,153 oz. 14 dwt. gold; the quantity by tributers, 689| tons for a return of 1,076 oz. 10 dwt. 6gr. melted gold. This company's battery (forty-one stampers) has hitherto been driven by steampower, but alterations are now being made so that twenty of these are to be driven by waterpower from the Thames County water-race. Reuben Parr. —This company has perseveringly carried in the Point Russel level tunnel, but I regret that it has not had the success that the enterprise deserved. It appears that the hard bars of rock between which the reef lies have nearly closed in, and pinched out the reef at this level. The manager, Mr. S. Dryden, is now engaged in rising. Caliban Mine. —This ground has been worked steadily, and still continues to pay well. Alburnia Mine.- —Under Mr. Thomas Radford's charge a large amount of work has been done in driving, rising, and stoping, partly by wages-men and partly by tributers. The Sons of Freedom level has been driven to the boundary of the New North Devon Mine, by which' company the drive is being continued in their own ground, with good indications. In the Alburnia the amount of driving work done is 2,118 feet; sinking and rising, 861 feet. There have been 3,181| tons of quartz crushed, for a yield of 3,783 oz. of melted gold. Columbia. —Since this ground was taken up work has been steadily carried on in this mine to test the Papakura reef. Two hundred and twenty feet of a crosscut was driven to cut this reef, from which, on being tapped, an immense body of water issued, which, from the length of time it took to drain, showed that either it must extend a long way into the back country or there must be a great network of leaders running into it. To the westward 50 feet has been driven on the reef, and a rise of 50 feet put up to the old Papakura level. This was much required for ventilation, as the air was very bad. To the eastward 150 feet has been driven, the aim being to get under the old Nil Desperandum shaft, where in the early days of the field good gold was obtained, but the party were driven out by the great influx of water. Mr. Bowler, the manager, is now sinking a winze with the view of connecting with the old Ruby tunnel, where he expects to open out a block of payable country. Waiotahi District. — Bright Smile. —This mine is situated in the upper Waiotahi, and was formerly held under miners'" rights, but was formed into a company for the purpose of getting funds to work the mine on a more extensive scale. The company's operations began in September last, under the management of Mr. James Garvie. A low level has been driven for 156 feet to cut two reefs known as the Jamaica and Candlelight reefs. These are now being driven along to come under the shots of gold that gave good returns in the upper level. In conjunction with the Extended (a neighbouring) Claim a level 60 feet lower than the above has been driven 270 feet, and a drive along the reef is now being put in for the purpose of picking up the same run of gold found above, in the old Bank of New Zealand ground. There are three separate runs of gold in the reefs in this ground, crushings from only one of which have been yet taken out by the company. The amount of stoping is 165 fathoms; 200 tons of quartz was crushed for 605 oz. 15 dwt. of gold, or at the rate of over 3 oz. to the ton. From the Bright Smile, lower down the creek, there are a number of small claims working under miners' rights, with fair success. The West Coast and Pinafore licenses have also been working steadily, and paying well. Near the foot of the creek several licenses, such as the Hibernia, Cambria, &c, have been recently taken up. For these, companies are now forming, and preparations made to work the ground. The Empress is also^a piece of ground taken up recently with the intention of working the continuation of the reefs that have turned out so richly in the Prince Imperial. Under the management of Mr. Greenville (late of the Hope Mine) operations were commenced in an old abandoned shaft known as the Comstock shaft. This was cleaned out, and re-timbered where necessary; but it was found to be under 100 feet deep, while, from report, it was understood to be 350 feet deep. The managers are therefore having a survey made to ascertain whether it would not be better to sink a new shaft in a more favourable position, or to put in a long drive from a low-level of the Prince Imperial Mine.
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Taeaku District.—The only work being done in this district is at the foot of the creek, where a long low-level has been driven in to work the old Sunbeam reef. Mr. Steadman, the manager, is now engaged putting up a rise to meet the upper workings of this reef. Karaka District.— Adelaide Mine. —This mine is the property of four miners, who must be well satisfied with the result of the different crushings. About fifteen months ago No. 1, or upper level, was exhausted. The returns, though not rich, were sufficient to induce them to put in a level (No. 2) 114 feet lower. The length of this level was only 350 feet, but from the exceedingly hard nature of the country it took nearly eight months to complete. As soon as the reef was cut rich golden stone came to hand. This, and the operations since carried on, have proved that the stone is improving in quality the deeper it is sunk on. To further prove this a winze has been sunk on the reef under the floorlevel as far as possible, on account of the water : that was 24 feet ; and in this the gold was found still to be increasing in quantity. Though there are two or three years' work for a large staff of men at the present level, the owners decided to put in a still lower one, and that the lowest possible that could be got. After due consideration it was determined to extend the old General Chute tunnel, which is nearly level with the creek and situated on the Rocky Point, a piece of ground to the westward of the Adelaide, and recently taken up for the purpose of working the continuance of the Adelaide reef, and also the Moa reef, the latter being a reef that has been worked on for over a quarter of a mile in its length, and averaged at least 1 oz. to the ton of quartz crushed. Arrangements have now been entered into between the Rocky Point holders to jointly carry in this tunnel, which is now in about 300 feet, and 450 feet farther will have to be driven to touch the reef. It will take from six to eight months to complete. The Adelaide holders richly deserve the success they have met with in their No. 2 level. Many people laughed at them for attempting to pierce the very hard bar known to exist, and which proved to be over 100 feet wide; but perseverance overcame the difficulty. But so hard was the bar that six weeks' continuous work blasting with dynamite only advanced them 14 feet, or 2^ feet per week. Since opening the No. 2 level the crushing has been 662 tons, for a return of 1,371 oz. melted gold, the value of which varied from £2 15s. to £3 2s. 6d. per ounce. City of Manchester. —This ground joins the Adelaide on the opposite or north-east side from the Rocky Point, and has both the Adelaide and Moa reefs passing through it. The ground is and has been worked by the owners for the last six years. No. 1 level to the surface has been worked out for over twelve months, and gave an average return of from £5 to £6 per man per week. This No. lis on the same level as the Adelaide No. 1; but their No. 2is 42 feet higher than the Adelaide No. 2. Stoping is being continued from No. 2, with satisfactory returns. It would appear to me that all the claims in this neighbourhood will ultimately make the low-level tunnel just started the base of their future operations. Little Lizzie. —Barclay and party, who hold this ground, have done well. The nature of the ground is exceedingly hard, and miners working in it are said to be working in the " fiinties." Very little work appears to be done in the course of a year, but the proportion of gold in the quartz is very large, often going as high as 7 oz. to the pound, so a small quantity goes a long way. There are several other parties working on the south side, near the foot of the Karaka Creek, who all seem satisfied with the returns they have obtained. Seymour. —This ground lies to the south of the Karaka Creek, immediately behind the Queen of the May section of the Queen of Beauty license. The intention was to sink and prove the Lucknow reef, that gave good specimens near the surface, till overcome by the usual difficulty—water. For this purpose steam machinery has been erected, and the shaft is now sunk to a depth of 110 feet. The intention is to go to 200 feet before they open out. The mine is under the management of Mr. Thomas Kneebone. In the upper part of the Karaka, near its junction, there are one or two parties at work; but as yet without any important result. Hape and Te Papa Districts.— Dart. —This mine was recently known as the Hape, and owned by Mr. Greenville. It being necessary to further sink the shaft, and the pumping and winding machinery not being strong enough to meet the extra strain, a company was formed, and the name altered to the Dart Gold-Mining Company. Under Mr. F. Stone as manager the main shaft has been enlarged from the surface to the bottom (that is No. 2, or 180-feet level), and from there sunk a further distance of 80 feet. By damming back the water at No. 2 level the sinking was completed without waiting on the new machinery being erected. On the surface the site is being cleared for the boilers of the new machinery. Young William.- —Operations were rather erratically carried on during the first part of the year, but iatterly they have settled down to steady work, and the last two crushings have turned out well. The lifting is done by means of a whip. Alpine. —This is a piece of ground adjoining the Young William j it has recently been taken up. Negotiations are now in^progress to amalgamate this with th*e Young William and form a strong company by the combination. Hobson Gold-Mining Company. —This company's ground consists of a combination of Star of Te Papa and Major Claims. A low-level is now being driven to connect with a winze that has been partly sunk from the upper workings. A rise is now being put up to connect with this winze. The old levels have been re-timbered where required and put in good repair. Tairua District.—This district has been doing very little during the year, only two claims —the Decide and Wheel of Fortune—showing anything like real work.
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Otanui District.—ln the early part of the year a number of claims were taken up and a considerable amount of work has been done prospecting these; but things must remain very quiet till the battery is completed, to have their quartz crushed. This battery is now in course of erection at the junction of the Otanui and Mangakirikiri Creeks, and will probably take three or four months yet before it can start. A road from the claims to the battery is also required, which I understand the County Council are making arrangements to have formed; the distance is about three-quarters of a mile. Ohinemubi, Owhakoa District.—This district, considering the number of miners in the vicinity, during the last twelve months has steadily improved its standing in the gold-producing of the Hauraki Gold Fields, and with an increase of outlay in labour would prove a good payable field, as from past experience in both Radical and Smile of Fortune Mines there is every reason to expect "patches'" of gold of considerable value. The premier claim on this field is the property of the Smile of Fortune Gold-Mining Company, which has yielded during the last year 2,124 oz. 12 dwt. of gold from 2,100 loads of quartz. Of this, 641 oz. has been won by tributers, of whom there are two parties at work ; the remainder by company's wages-men. The company have a battery of fifteen stampers, driven by water-power, close to the mouth of the drive. When not crushing for other mines, they are at an advantage in being able to crush low-grade quartz for themselves. They have paid over £2,000 in dividends, and would have paid more but for the recent flood in the Ohinemuri River, which swept down the three bridges that crossed the river higher up; these in passing carried away the trestle-work that supported the waterpipes that supplied the motive-power to the battery, thus putting the company to serious expense and it and surrounding claims to great inconvenience. The battery is, however, once more started, new pipes having been obtained and laid over the river as before. Considerable driving has been done to open up this mine, and lately the quartz has improved in value, some of it yielding over 2 oz. to the load. Lucky Hit. —The party working this ground have done a great amount of prospecting, having driven at least 500 feet. Near the surface they had a small leader, from which they crushed about 75 loads for 62 oz. of gold. They are now engaged following the Smile of Fortune lead into their own ground; it looked as if it would turn out 2or 3 oz. to the ton, but within a few feet of their boundary a hard bar came in, which to all present appearance has cut off the reef. Radical. —This license has been all worked by tributers ; the ground is generally very hard, in some places almost flint. Reid and party have driven 300 feet, and stoped out 100 tons for nearly 200 oz. of gold. A. Toms and party drove for a leader in a very hard belt of country, which has proved barren. Godwin and party have driven 60 feet in similar country with the same result. Victoria. —This ground is being steadily prospected, but as yet nothing that is considered payable has been obtained. Daisy Hill. —This claim is situated higher up the hill than the above. About 330 feet of driving and cross-cutting work has been done. In prospecting two leaders were cut, carrying gold ; but the party gave up, having no funds to sink on these; and I was obliged to forfeit the mine for non-working; as I had also to do with the Battalion Mine party, who after three different cruslrings found themselves JS4QO to the bad, and ceased working. Evelyn. —This party have been prospecting for some time, and have driven 600 or 700 feet; latterly they have found a reef 30 feet in width, out of which they have crushed sixteen loads for a return of 21 oz. of gold. They are now driving on the wall of the large lode, to intersect smaller leaders; and intend to test the large reef at a greater depth from the surface. Waitekauri District.—This district has gone back very much, and most of the mines have had to be re-entered for non-working. The Waitekauri Company, Waitekauri No. 3 Company, and the Welcome Extended Company still continue at work, employing about forty men. Karangahake District.—Since my last report a large amount of ground has been taken up in this district, and a considerable amount of working done in proving them. This district was first rushed at the opening of the Ohinemuri fields in 1875, but afterwards abandoned. The present finds prove the ground then taken up to be on the outside edge of the golden belt of country, ■which lies a little more to the eastward. There appear to be several lines of reef; the first discovered runs through the Maria, Hauraki, Diana, and other ground. Several small trial "crushings have been made for good returns. In several of the reefs there is a large percentage of silver. An assay from the Maria went over 300 oz. to the ton, and by crushing in the ordinary way 40 oz. valued at 16s. per oz. The Golden Crown, Hidden Treasure, Martha, and several other claims have opened on their reefs with good prospects —that of the Golden Crown is 4 feet thick, and shows gold freely in breaking down. A.irial crushing of one ton was taken out of this mine by the men, who succeeded, after almost incredible hardships, in carrying it to the mill. The return was 14 oz. 8 dwt. gold,.valued at £2 7s. per oz. The country is extremely rugged and difficult of access, and it must take both time and capital to open up these mines. It is difficult to say at present what would be the best plan to open communication with the various mines to have the quartz conveyed to the mill, but it would appear to me that a line of road or tramway along the lowest possible level up the Waita-
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whetu Creek, to which tramways or shoots could be laid from the various claims, would be the best plan. lam the more confirmed in this as the claims have now extended to both sides of this creek ; this plan would therefore be suitable for both sides. The County Council is at present cutting a road to the mines. This will be suitable for conveyance of provisions, &c.; but it does not appear that it will be of much general use in carriage of quartz, though it will do good in allowing the district to be accessible and properly prospected. A wire tramway is at present being constructed by the Hauraki Company, which may assist a few mines to get their quartz crushed. The old Karangahake battery has been put in a state of repair, new fiuming erected, &c.; it is expected a start may be made about the beginning of June. Waihi District. —This district has been most unfortunate, and has come to a complete stop, through the batteries not working properly, some mistake having been made either in the turbines or in the calculation of the water-power. After running for some time it was found that not as much quartz could be passed through the stampers in a week as ought to go through in a day. New turbines were therefore ordered from America; these have arrived, and one has been fitted, so that a fresh start may be expected shortly. The following is a return of quartz crushed and gold obtained for the year ending 31st March, 1883, in the District of Hauraki South :—
In Hauraki South there has only been one raining accident: by it two men were very severely burned. It was one of those accidents that no amount of supervision or inspection could prevent, being the result of their own carelessness, or rather foolishness, both being experienced miners, and thoroughly understanding blasting and how to handle powder. It appears they had charged two holes, both of which missed fire; they then drew both charges; this they did in a safe and proper manner; but when they came to re-charge the holes they were both standing close together, and, while one was filling out a charge from a flask containing 6 to 8 lb. of powder, the other, thinking the fuse to blame for the previous miss-fire, cut a piece off and lighted it in order to test it; a spark caught, and the flask exploded. I have, &c, James M. McLaren, The Under-Secretary for Gold Melds, Wellington. Mining Inspector.
MARLBOROUGH GOLD FIELDS. No. 5. Mr. Warden Allen to the Undkr-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Picton, sth April, 1883. My yearly returns have already been forwarded to you, showing a slight improvement in the amount of revenue collected. They require very little comment. I proceed briefly to report as follows ooftcerning the business and prospects of the gold fields under my charge during the past year : — Queen Charlotte Gold-Mining District. — It will be useless to mention any particular work done in this district during the past year, for the reason that gold-mining operations have now entirely ceased. I have mentioned in former reports that I believed fair and honest attempts
Month. Q,nartz Crushed. Tailings Treated. Yield of Gold. A.pril, 1882 May „ June „ July „ August „ September, 1882 . . Dctober „ November ,, December ,, January, 1883 February „ March „ Tons. cwt. qr. lb. 1,943 11 3 0 1,237 0 2 24 2,295 1G 2 25 1,973 11 0 26 2,716 14 2 26 1,996 11 2 26 2,457 3 113 2,562 10 0 13 2,370 2 0 6 ],272 16 0 0 2,864 3 1 16 2,177 0 3 5 Tons. cwt. qr. lb. 1,364 2 0 0 1,775 10 0 0 1,007 10 0 0 767 0 0 0 562 10 0 0 354 5 0 0 357 0 0 0 332 11 1 24 95 1 3 4 198 0 0 0 108 10 0 0 265 10 0 0 Oz. dwt. gv. 3,118 3 12 2,731 3 0 2,535 15 18 2,059 19 0 4,348 15 18 4,001 9 4 3,436 9 0 4,304 16 0 8,026 19 0 1,7^5 1 12 2,059 3 12 4,912 17 0 Hauraki North, 12 months . . 25,867 2,907 2 0 2 0 2 0 7,185 10 1 0 43,310 12 7,576 12 4 1 Totals 28,774 2 2 2 50,887 4 5
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have been made to successfully work some of the different claims, but the attempts have hitherto proved a failure. Queen Charlotte District, as far as gold-mining operations are concerned, may for the present be virtually considered as closed. I may mention that arrangements have just been completed for a new company to work the antimony discovered some time ago in this district. The coal discovery is outside my boundary. There is nothing of any importance to report on this subject. Wairau Gold-Mining District. —There are still a few miners at work in the different gullies along the north bank of the Wairau River. There is nothing doing worthy of report. Matters appear to be at a standstill, and will remain so until sluicing operations are commenced on an extensive scale on the lower flats, and the reefs are opened up on the ranges. In order to provide reasonable accommodation for prospectors and for other parties working on the gold fields it is necessary that a bridle-track should be constructed from Harrington's, or Tipperary Gully, to Timms's Valley, and from thence across the ranges to join the road from Havelock up the Wakamarina Valley. This would greatly assist in opening up a large tract of " reef country/ and would enable parties, at a reasonable cost, to prospect these ranges. Possibly the contractor for the road might stumble across some of the payable reefs that undoubtedly exist in this district. This track would also tend to open up the Wairau Valley Gold Field, now almost cut off from other districts for want of an available road. Three leases for quartz-mining have been taken out for claims in this district, but none are at present worked. Wakamarina Gold-Mining District.—There has been a decided improvement in this district during the past year, although if I confine my remarks to past events I shall have nothing startling to record and, with one or two exceptions, nothing very satisfactory to mention. Taking the 31st day of March last as the time boundary of my yearly report, I must say that, with three or four exceptions, the companies connected with the larger undertakings appear to be quietly waiting for something to turn up on their neighbours' claims, and everyone expecting to do something soon. The Wakamarina low fever has prevailed to a great extent, and has tended to hinder work. Matters appear to be now drifting into a more healthy state, and I look forward with confidence to satisfactory results during the current year. It appears to be the rule shortly to refer to the most important undertakings : — The Forks Sluicing Company have just completed a very creditable three-mile race for ten heads of water, and hope to commence sluicing operations at Dead-horse Terrace soon. The Homeward Bound Company (river claim) have nearly completed a very creditable flood-race and head-dam for the diversion of the Wakamarina River, and hope to commence working the claim soon. The Gorge Company (river claim) have completed a very substantial head-dam, and have nearly completed their tail-dam. They have diverted the course of the Wakamarina River, and thus secured about a thousand feet of rocky gorge to work in. They have also leased several acres of ground adjoining their river claim, that they intend to sluice. Good gold was found in their claim some years ago, and they look forward to reaping a golden harvest. It is essentially a claim with great expectations, and they deserve a rich reward for their labours. Their pumping apparatus, worked by a steam engine, is fixed, and they hope to commence the profitable work soon. Mason's Terrace. —A company have taken up a wet claim at Mason's Terrace. They have just completed a very creditable tunnel through a reef for the purpose of draining their claim. This tunnel, about 170 feet in length, having been completed, they hope to commence working the claim soon. The Wakamarina Gold-Mining Company, known previously as the Wakamarina Alluvial Hydraulic Sluicing Company, have been at work during the past year. The affairs of this company are so bewildering and complicated, companies appear and disappear so often in connection with this claim, and their affairs assume such different forms and shapes, that I am at a loss how to describe their progress. As far as the ground leased is concerned I believe it to be a good claim. Possibly during the current year some one supposed to have the management may see the advisability of commencing to work under a better system. The Caledonian Company (river claim), at Maori Gorge, is in course of preparation under the management of a party who boast long years of experience in this kind of work. The manager reports that they will commence to make a show soon. Mulcahy and party have taken up a river claim. They have done a great deal of heavy preparatory work, and expect, weather permitting, to commence profitable work soon. Many of the miners are engaged at day or contract work upon the larger claims. Many are also still at work on their own account. I hear no complaints, and must therefore conclude that all are making a fair living. Quartz Claims. —The waiting policy appears to be fully developed with regard to quartzmining operations, only two companies having done any work worthy of notice. The Golden Bar Company have lengthened the original tunnel for a short distance, and have driven for about 50 feet "to right and left along the course of the reef. About one hundred tons of stone have been taken out, and stamping machinery, to be worked by water-power, may be expected soon. The Allopathic Company found what they considered to be an outcrop of the reef on their claim, and have driven a tunnel at a lower level to try and cut this reef : this tunnel is about 70 feet long. They expect to find the reef soon.
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The Duchess of Albany, The Nuggetty, The Deep Creek, The Star of the South, and The Try-for-it (other reefing companies) can at present only be recorded as holders of leases with the privilege attached of paying rent for their claims. General Summary.—All things taken into consideration, I think matters look much better than they have done for some years past in the Wakamarina District. A fair amount of capital has been expended on some of the claims, and some very good work has been done. I hope to have something better worth reporting during the current year. I have, &c, J. Allen, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
NELSON GOLD FIELDS. No. 6. Mr. Warden Curtis to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 14th April, 1883. I have the honour 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 to report that nothing whatever worthy of notice has occurred within the past twelve months in the district under my charge. I have, &c, Oswald Curtis, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 7. Mr. Warden Gibbs to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Collingwood, 16th April, 1883. I have the honour to forward for your information statistics and report of the condition of this gold field for the year ending the 31st March, 1883. There is very little that is new to report upon for the past year. Many of the matters referred to in my last report as looking hopeful are much in the same condition now, and the same difficulties which hindered the progress of many promising works are still existing, namely, the want of water and the continuance of the road-making. The Gouland Downs referred to last year, and about which so much has been written, and from the opening of which so much is expected by those who know and have prospected the ground, is, through the stoppage of the road-making, for which Parliament has more than once voted the money, still closed both to the miner and the grazier. The quartz ranges in this locality, the prospecting of which was going on last year for quartz reefs;, has, up to the present, not been successful in developing any workable reefs. There are a few men sluicing near the old ground, that being the only place in this large block of country where there is available water. It is generally believed that this locality would carry a considerable population, if water could be obtained at a moderate cost. The Rocky River, one of the tributaries of the Aorere, has during the year attracted some attention through several large nuggets having been found. This place has always been noted for its rough gold. Druggan's Flat, which I referred to last year as ground over which I had granted extended claims of one acre to each man, intended to be worked on a new plan entailing considerable preliminary expense, has so far turned out a success that, with few exceptions, the men are all actively working their claims, and I believe profitably. The older diggings are still worked by men who may be considered as much settlers as some of the agriculturists : they have good houses, and gardens with plenty of fruit trees in bearing, the gold-mining as carried on by them assuming all the features of a settled industry. Bedstead Gully (in this locality).—The tunnel intended to work the old Perseverance ground by Johnson and Co. is now 575 feet in. The stuff'is very hard, the new contractors for the drive barely making wages at £1 4s. per foot. This company is very sanguine of success. There arc large tracts in this part of the district which would give good returns if some inexpensive scheme of supplying water were adopted. The flume which was built in 1860 by the Nelson Gold-Mining Company, and which, till within the last few years, to some extent supplied the wants of this part of the district, became so much decayed as to be past repairing, and has entirely fallen. Such a supply at the present time, with the increased knowledge of the ground, would enable a large number tif men to engage in profitable work. The flume above referred to cost some £3,000. . The Red Hill:—- -The enterprising owner of this claim (Mr. John Ross) having recently died, these works are at a standstill. I have no doubt, however, that when the ground gets into other hands the works will become productive. 4—H. 5.
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At the Parapara there are a few men gold-digging, and the hematite works have employed the usual number of men during the year. The coal seams at Collingwood are, under the management of the new proprietor, turning out an increased quantity of coal, which is likely soon to be largely increased. The hydraulic cement works are not yet in work; the owner, however, having satisfied himself that a good cement can be produced, has sent to England for skilled labour. Takaka. —The number of men working at gold-digging varies very little from year to year. Within this same district is the Mount Arthur, upon which a considerable amount of prospecting has been done, and some leases granted for working the quartz reefs. These, up to the present, have not been productive; there has been no work done since my last report. At the Anatori District, West Wanganui, the Golden-Ridge Quartz Claim is still giving good returns, and at present is the only battery at work. There are, however, several leases for working quartz granted, and others in course of survey, on which active prospecting is going on; it is reported that on two of them the reef has been struck. The local body are pushing on the road work, and it is to be hoped that, when done, it will offer sufficient facilities for getting machinery on to this rather inaccessible piece of country. The coal measures here (West Wanganui) are now in a fair way of being worked by a new company. I cannot conclude my remarks on this part of the district (West Wanganui), without expressing my regret that the fee-simple of this valuable block of mining country should be allowed to pass into the hands of private individuals. I have, &c, Wm. Gibbs, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 8. Mr. Warden Revell to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Warden's Office, Westport, May, 1883. I have the honour to transmit herewith the statistical returns for the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1883, and to furnish the following general report upon the progress and condition of the Buller District under my charge : — Westport Stjb-District. Alluvial mining has been fairly maintained throughout the year on the Northern and German Terraces, Waimangaroa, Mokikinui, and the banks of the^ Buller River, yielding fair average returns. No new discoveries have been reported ; but it is well-known that the ground on some of the higher terraces along the Buller would pay good dividends if the miners could procure a sufficient supply of water for sluicing, the ground running deep, with gold, more or less payable, all through it. There are a few parties working the black sand along the beach between the Orawaiti and Mokihinui. At Addison's Flat there are several alluvial claims, held under lease or as extended or double-area claims, in full work, or engaged in the construction of lengthy tunnels and tail-races to open out the ground and secure a good fall into the adjoining gullies. These claims are very deep, and have powerful water-lifts attached, by which the hopperings are all hauled up in trucks and run out on the old workings. Halligan and party have just completed a tunnel 2,000 feet in length, which they have had to box right through. They have also brought their water from the Shannon Water-race, carrying it across Mountain Creek, about 1,000 feet, in iron piping 1 foot in diameter; and have erected a substantial water-lift and large set of tables. These works have cost over £1,200, Moran and party had to abandon their claim in consequence of their tunnel having fallen in in two or three places. They have taken up new ground on the Bonanza Lead, and are now constructing a tunnel tail-race 4,000 feet in length to open out their ground. McNeight and party hold a good claim. They have completed their large dam, and driven in a tunnel 800 feet to open out their ground. Carmody and party are in full work in their claim. One share in the claim was sold a short time ago for £300. Moran and party, Milliken and party, Berne and party, O'Malley and party, and others hold similar claims, and are either in full work on the claims, or employed constructing the preliminary works and races required to open out the ground. Karamea is quite an untried district, being almost isolated from Westport; but I believe there are a few miners working on the sea-beaches, making small wages. In quartz-mining an extensive area of ground has been applied for at Mokihinui, Waimangaroa, and Stoney Creek; and at Cascade Creek, Buller River; but up to the present date no machinery has been erected or quartz crushed, with the exception of one or two small lots to test the quality of the reefs. At Mokihitfui the South Pacific Company hold three leases. The company have been engaged prospecting the reef, and purpose putting in a tunnel to further test the ground, and have secured valuable water-rights for driving machinery.
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The Red Queen Company nave driven 200 feet in the upper tunnel, with the reef averaging 1 foot in thickness the whole distance, showing exceptionally good gold. Another tunnel is being driven 250 feet lower down the spur to intersect the reef at a lower level. In the Mokihinui Company's lease little work has been done during the year; but the company are in possession of the battery erected on the old Halcyon .Claim some years ago, and purpose putting it in thorough repair. The Guiding Star Company have been employed in the preliminary works in connection ■with the mine—such as the tramway, water-race, machine site, and tunnels. The lower tunnel has been driven 200 feet along the reef, which averages 2 feet 6 inches in thickness, showing good gold. A test crushing, made in Dunedin, yielded at the rate of 15 oz. to the ton. The Mokihinui Morning Star Company have only been prospecting their lease, and have traced the reef found in the Guiding Star lease through their ground. The Golden Crown Company have likewise traced the same reef through their ground. None of the companies in this locality can do any work in connection with procuring the machinery and batteries until a substantial road is made. The present track is insufficient, and only constructed about half-way; but steps are being taken to construct the other half. At Waimangaroa and Stony Creek the Try-Again Company have had men employed for the past six months driving along the line of reef. They have expended £600, and driven 700 feet, but have not as yet been successful in striking the main reef. The Great Republic Company hold four leases, and have been actively engaged prospecting the ground, and have successfully traced a well-defined reef, over 3 feet in width, along the surface from 200 feet to 300 feet, showing very good gold. The company are driving a tunnel 200 feet, and also sinking a shaft upon the reef, to thoroughly test the ground prior to erecting a battery. At Cascade Creek, on the Buller River, the Christmas Eve Company have prospected their ground for the main reef; but works have been suspended some time pending arrangements with the adjoining leases to fully prospect the ground. Thirteen quartz-mining leases have been granted and executed, whilst twenty-two others have been granted and now await execution. Charleston Sub-district. Mining operations in this part of the district are all alluvial, and have been steadily pursued wherever a supply of water could be secured; but, in consequence of the remarkably dry weather during the past eight months, the feed supplies to many of the water-races have been greatly reduced—so much so that, whilst some are dry, others have only been able to supply half the quantity. The construction of the tunnel from the Government dam, let in the early part of the year, has been duly completed, and the feed supplies repaired ; but the limited supply of water in the dam, occasioned by the dry weather, after supplying two heads of water to the prior rights, has kept the supply below the level of the tunnel, so that that portion of the race cut off by the tunnel has had to be kept in repair to supply the claims on Candlelight and Darkies Terraces. The supply from this race and dam for some months past has not averaged more than five to six heads for nine hours, but when in full work would furnish fifteen heads. Some of the claims supplied from this race have been obliged to stop work, whilst others could only work about half time. The race is being extended some 70 chains further along the terraces, when it will command good ground now lying idle for want of water. Butterworth's dam and race cost him about £1,200, and has a capacity for supplying four heads per diem ; but, from the same cause, the supply has been reduced to two heads. Gregory and Homer's race and dam, the prior rights in the Deep Creek, receive two heads of water from the Government dam when their supply from other sources falls short. They command a large portion of Charleston Flat, and supply water to several claims in the vicinity of their race. There are other races supplying water to claims in and about Charleston. The beach claims, owing to the continued fine weather, have not been so remunerative as in former years; but the owners turn them over to good account after heavy gales or bad westerly weather, and when unworkable keep them protected, and devote themselves to other claims, or to the cultivation and clearing of their agricultural leases and homesteads. At Croninville there are six or eight parties in full work upon their extended claims, making fair wages; but the preliminary work—constructing tunnels, erecting the tables, &c, and in opening out the ground, which is very deep and stony —has been very costly. Ground-sluicing is the principal mode of working these claims, the larger stones being stacked back, and the tailings and small stones being discharged into the Totara River through long tunnel races. The action brought by Costello in April last for injury to his agricultural lease resulted in a verdict being recovered against the miners, who have had to pay £480 and costs to the plaintiff. Since then the miners made application, under the provisions for the resumption of land for mining purposes, for the resumption of that portion of the land in Costello's agricultural lease on the bank of the Totara River; but, Costello's lease having expired, the Crown have decided to make the usual reserve along the river bank : so that the miners will not have to take any further steps in the matter. The two large water-races and extensive reservoirs attached thereto give a fine supply of water to these claims. Lowe and party are bringing in another large water-race from the right-hand or south branch of the Totara, to work their extended claim.
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In all the creeks and large tail-races the miners, commonly known as " fly-catchers," have put in several sets of tables the full width of the creek, to catch the fine gold which escapes from the workings on the upper terraces; and in many instances these claims yield handsome returns to the owners, who have little work to do on them after erection, except to wash out the cloths, and be prepared to prevent damage occurring during floods. Brown and party are erecting a small battery of four heads, driven by a water-wheel in Darkies Greek, to crush and pulverize the black sand and wash-dirt taken from their tables. At Four-Mile, Six-Mile, St. Kilda, and Brighton the miners have been fairly employed on their claims. Some of them also hold beach claims, which they are only able to work after heavy westerly weather, when the heavy seas wash away the body of grey sand thrown up by the tides in fine weather. There are also a few parties working south of Brighton, in the vicinity of Fox's Eiver and Razorback. Several of these miners have taken up agricultural leases, and have cleared and cultivated a considerable area of land, and are establishing comfortable homesteads. Several small parties have been out prospecting for gold in the back country. No payable ground was met with, but traces of gold were found in many places. Quartz reefs are supposed to exist in the back ranges along the coast, but the difficulties of access thereto have deterred many from making a thorough prospect for the reefs. Lyell Sub-district. During the past twelve months alluvial mining has been steadily pursued in many parts of this sub-district. At the Limestone Range there are four parties engaged ground-sluicing, and making fair wages. Gold has at different times been got in the limestone caves, but, as the ground was found to be very treacherous, the miners, after two or three narrow escapes, abandoned them. Welshman's Terrace. —The deep ground discovered there about two years ago has been abandoned. No gold was obtained except in the face of the terrace. No defined lead was ever struck on the terrace, although several tunnels were put in at great expense and labour, the men being driven out by water or by the loose, wet, and dangerous nature of the ground. There are three or four parties still working in the gullies and watercourses in the neighbourhood. There are a few parties working in the Lyell Creek ground-sluicing, making fair wages, and occasionally meeting with rich patches. There are some twenty-five or thirty parties working on the banks and low flats along the Buller River, principally ground-sluicing; many of these parties hold good ground, and are doing well wherever they can command a supply of water. A party of six men have just completed the construction of a dredge to work the bed of the Buller River at Fern Flat. Some of the men in this party were working in the same place two years ago, with good results; but unfortunately their dredge and appliances were all swept away in a flood. They have now determined to make another trial. On the Matakitaki River and its many tributaries there are about one hundred men employed ground-sluicing, with fair results where water is available. Throughout this district many of the miners hold residence areas or other blocks of land, which they are clearing and cultivating, and upon which they have erected good cottages. There are a few claims also held on the banks of the Maruia River, with water rights attached, some seven to ten miles above its junction with the Buller River. Quartz-Mining.■ —There are fifty-four gold-mining leases and special claims held in this part of the district, and seven other leases have been either withdrawn or cancelled. During the first half of the year quartz leases were all the rage, and transactions in the scrip market were numerous ; but latterly there has been a reaction and no business doing, and the works in several claims have been suspended, with the exception of a little prospecting. The United Alpine has a battery of twenty head driven by water, with a 40-feet wheel with 6 feet breast. The company have about forty-five hands employed on the works, but the return of gold has not paid anything like working expenses, and the capital is nearly all called up. They are now driving the No. 6 Level. They are in about 1,140 feet, and expect to drive another 120 feet before striking the reef. The United Italy Company have been formed into a registered company. They have worked out the reef found on the north portion of their lease, which yielded on an average 25 dwt. to the ton. They are now driving a tunnel on the south of the lease for the continuation of the same reef. The United Victory Company have a battery of ten heads of 8-cwt. stamps, driven by two turbines. Two tunnels and an intermediate level have been put in. No. lis now in 250 feet, and No. 2, 600 feet. . There are thirty-five men employed in the mine. The reef runs 2 feet in width, and has averaged. jL^oz. to the ton. The driving is very hard. This claim was considered one of the most promising on the field, and was confidently expected to go from 3 oz. to 4 oz. to the ton. The' unfavourable result of the crushings has had a marked effect, and has caused a general depreciation in the several leases in the district. The Croesus Company are erecting a battery of ten heads, with two berdans, on their lease. Three tunnels have been driven : No. 1 about 600 feet; No. 2, 700 feet ; and No. 3, 200 feet. The reef has been met with in No. 1 and No. 2, and No. 1 and No. 2 levels have been connected
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by a winze of 150 feet. They have erected a shoot 400 feet long, also a receiving paddock capable of holding 200 tons of stone. Some time ago 50 tons of stone was crushed, and yielded 1 oz. 15 dwt. to the ton. There are ten men engaged in the mine. The reef varies from 10 to 2 feet. The Victor Emanuel Company have driven two tunnels : No. 1,150 feet; and No. 2, 230 feet; ■ also an intermediate. They are now sinking a shaft of 140 feet, and are down 45 feet._ The prospects in this mine have been very good, and should they continue the company intend erecting a battery on the ground. The reef averaged 2 feet, with payable stone, showing gold throughout. The Lyell Extended Company have driven 700 feet of their tunnel. They have done good work, and laid down iron rails; but have suspended work for some months, until they can procure a rock-boring drill, to drive the remaining 1,200 feet; and the directors have been making several calls for that purpose. Nothing has been done on the lease or special claim granted on Manuka Flat. The construction of the horse-track from Hampden to Glenroy, of which twenty miles have been completed, with eight more now under construction, has been a great boon to the miners and settlers in that locality. The Clerk of the Court at Lyell attends at Hampden, twenty-five miles from Lyell, every three weeks, to transact business with the miners; and sittings of the Court are held there every six weeks. The Courts are held in the large public hall erected by Mr Moonlight, who has also provided a private room adjoining for an office, where the books and forms required for the Court can be safely kept. The annexed table shows that calls amounting to £16,013 have been made by the several companies, whilst only one company declared a dividend, of £900. There have been 7,277 tons of quartz crushed, yielding 3,948 oz. of gold.
Table showing Amount of Calls made, Dividends, &c., declared, in the Buller District from 1st April, 1882, to 31st March, 1883.
Name of Company. Calls made. Dividends declared. Quartz crushed. Yield. £ a. 750 0 328 2 d. 0 6 £ s. d. Tons. lb. oz. dwt. gr. Try-Again Gold-Mining Company (Limited) ... South Pacific Extended Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Great Republic Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Eeefton No. 1 Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Guiding Star Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Christmas Eve Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Golden Crown Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Mokihinui Morning Star Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Red Queen Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) Mokihinui Gold-Mining Company (Limited) ... Golden Sign Quartz-Mining Company 475 0 100 0 850 0 300 0 200 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o "750 5' 18 12 400 0 50 0 500 0 0 0 0 Lyell Sub-district. United Alpine Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) United Italy Gold-Mining Company (Limited)... Victor Emanuel Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Cosmopolitan Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Day-star Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Crcesus Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Time-will-Tell Gold-Mining Company (Limited) No. 1 South Crcesus Eepublic Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) ... S"o. 2 Alpine Gold-Mining Company (Limited) Ballarat Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) ... South British Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) Caprera Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) Sydney Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) Tyre Connell Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) Outward Bound Gold-Mining Company (Limited) United Victory Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) Lyell Creek Extendgd>Quartz- Mining Company (Limited) Totals 800 0 700 0 1,100 0 350 0 600 0 2,875 0 200 0 100 0 500 0 300 0 408 6 458 6 131 5 41 13 150 0 83 6 1,662 10 1,400 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 4 0 8 0 0 900 "6 0 5,890 0 450 0 2,601 19 18 511 15 12 937 0 829 0 0 16,013 10 10 900 0 0 7,277 750 3,948 13 1
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Description and Value of each Class of Crushing and Mining Plant. Mokihinui Gold-Mining Company (Limited) : Ten-head stamper battery, driven by water-wheel; estimated value, £1,000. Golden Sign Quartz-Mining Company: General mining plant. United Alpine Quartz-Mining Company (Limited): Twenty-head 8-cwt. battery, four berdans; value, £5,284 10s. Bd.; general mining tools, £500. United Italy Gold-Mining Company (Limited) : Pivehead battery; value, £700; general mining tools, £100. Victor Emanuel Gold-Mining Company (Limited): General mining tools, £120. Cosmopolitan Gold Mining Company (Limited) : General mining tools, £20. Day-star Gold-Mining Company (Limited) : General mining tools, £30. Croesus Gold-Mining Company (Limited) : Ten-head battery, with two berdans in course of erection; value, £1,800; general mining took, £200. Time-will-Tell Gold-Mining Company (Limited): General miuing tools, £25. No. 1 South Croesus : General mining tools, £10. United Victory Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) : Ten-head battery of 8-cwt. stamps, driven by turbine; value, £2,000. Lyell Creek Extended Quartz-Mining Company (Limited) : Tunnel, 660 feet. The statistical returns show that there are 542 water-races, of an aggregate length of 465 miles, registered to carry 1,723 heads of water, valued at £45,099; 225 tail-races, at £14,268 ; 543 dams and reservoirs, at £13,582; and 170 ground-sluices, at £10,500. These, taken together with the mining plant and machinery, estimated at £17,000, show the total value of mining property in the district to be £100,449. I append herewith returns showing the total population, the cases disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts; the number of miners' rights, licenses, registrations, &c, issued ; the revenue collected at each office, and the estimated yield of gold.
The following is the return of revenue for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1883:—
The following is the return of miners' rights, licenses, registrations, &c., issued during the twelve months ending 31st March, 1883:—
The following is the return of cases in the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1883: —
The following is the estimated yield of gold : Westport, 4,780 oz.; Charleston, 5,520 oz. > Lyell, 7,000 oz. : total, 17,300 oz. The following is the estimated population: Westport, 2,329 Europeans; 11 Chinese: total 2,340. Charleston, 825 Europeans. Lyell, 1,060 Europeans; 11 Chinese: total, 1,071. Total population, "4,214 Europeans ;22 Chinese : total, 4,236. I have, &c, W. H. Revell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
Westporfc. Charleston. Lyell. Totals. £ s. a. 1,118 13 5 837 3 10 183 19 6 £ b. a. 545 7 0 £ s. a. 698 9 5 £ a. d. Garden's Department, Gold Fields litto, Colliery Reserve Resident Magistrate's Department 25 10 0 61 6 0 2,362 9 10 837 1 10 270 15 6 Totals ... 2,139 16 9 570 17 0 759 15 5 3,470 7 2 •
Westport. Charleston. Lyell. Totals. liners' rights iusiness licenses, £5 business licenses, £3 P~ater-race licenses, 5s. fater-race licenses, 2s. 6d. Registrations, 10s. ... Registrations, Is. ... lining applications .pplications for gold-mining leases rold-mining leases granted 150 11 91 10 147 83 51 19 248 1 190 1 578 268 3 3 152 5 116 1 155 90 7 16 550 16 1 397 12 880 441 61 38
Resident Magistrate's Court. Warden's Court. Totals. Civil. Criminal. Westport Charleston Lyell Ham p den 181 22 36 14 97 7 31 1 8 14 7 286 43 74 15 Totals 136 1>9 418 253
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No. 9. Mr. Warden Revell to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Reefton, 23rd May, 1883. I have the honour to submit my report upon the Jnangahua Mining District, and to furnish the usual statistical returns for the year ending 31st March last. Since the date of my last report the mining industry has undergone considerable development, and marked progress has been made. At that time the whole colony, I might almost say, was disturbed by the Reefton mining fever, which was then prevalent. Many people were unfortunately led somewhat astray while the excitement lasted, and as a consequence new ventures or speculations which should not have received much attention at any time commanded high prices, and shares in mining claims rose above their legitimate value ; and yet perhaps it may be premature to pronounce shares high or low, as the intrinsic value might require years to prove. The collapse which was inevitable subsequently took place in the stock-market, and the prices of shares fell to a very low figure. Notwithstanding this the prospects of the field were never brighter or sounder than at the present time. As far as alluvial mining is concerned I have but little to say, as there are at present no workings of any magnitude. There are about 150 European and 438 Chinese alluvial miners. The yield of alluvial gold for the past year was, as far as could be ascertained, 7,171 oz. It is the intention, I believe, of certain persons to form a company to work ground at Merrygigs, and a special claim of 100 acres has been applied for. To work this ground, which is situated on the top of a high hill, a water-race from Big River will have to be cut. The race will be about five miles in length, and will cost about £6,000. The wash is 80 feet in depth and 10 feet wide at the narrowest point, and splendid prospects have already been obtained from the ground, the value of which must indeed be great if all is true that is claimed for it. I trust I shall, when forwarding you my next report, be able to chronicle the fact of the undertaking being brought to a successful issue and the ground yielding a golden harvest. Up to the time of my last report quartz-mining had been confined to Murray, Boatmans, Larry's, and Devil's Creeks ; but during the " spurt" about eighteen to twenty miles south of Reefton was prospected, with apparently good results. The almost inaccessible nature of the country in this direction, however, will render the development of discoveries a matter of time. The Big River is about sixteen miles from Reefton, and the Big River Claim, situate in that locality, has expended a considerable amount of capital in prospecting the mine. Golden quartz was found on the surface, and the lode was followed some distance down. Subsequently the company started a tunnel to strike the reef at a lower level, which was successfully accomplished. Work in the mine has been discontinued, pending the construction of a road which has been undertaken by the County Council. Some distance further south, in the Snowy River District, very good prospects were obtained, and a good number of leases have been applied for. I mention the new discoveries in this direction with the view of bringing under notice the vast extent of auriferous country in this district, which can justly be computed at forty miles in length. During the year important discoveries were made nearer Reefton, notably in the Globe lode, which averages from 10 to 15 feet in width. The company applied for and obtained a special claim of some fifty-two acres. On the discovery of the reef on the surface active operations were commenced. A shaft was sunk on the stone for a distance of 100 feet, and was found to carry, as is generally believed, payable stone. A. tunnel some 300 feet in length has been driven to the reef, which has been struck some little distance from the foot of the shaft. The mine is situated in Devil's Creek, and will _be connected with the battery now in course of erection on the banks of the Inangahua, nearly opposite to Crushington, by an aerial tramway over three-quarters of a mile in length. There will be telephone communication between the mine and battery. The battery will consist of twenty head of stampers, driven by a turbine. The machinery, race, and aerial tramway will cost about £6,000. This company's operations are and will be watched with a great amount of interest, as, should they be successful, it will give great impetus to mining in the locality. Adjoining the Globe is the Oriental Company's claim. This company has been engaged for a long time past in constructing an adit over 1,000 feet in length. This tunnel has intersected two lines of reef which run through the ground. A few crushings have been had, and with payable results. It is expected that in a very short time constant crushings will be maintained. Unfortunately the company does not possess a very extensive crushing plant, having but ten head of stampers; but these are amongst the heaviest in the field. Doubtless additional machinery will ere long be erected, which, from present appearances, should place this mine amongst the foremost in the district. The Golden Point Company, nearer again to Reefton, have completed the erection of a battery, &c, at a cost of some £3,000. Water has been found exceedingly scarce during the last few months, thereby retarding the crushing operations of this company. Since the end of March the company have crushed 180 tons of stone, which yielded a little over 1 oz. per ton. In the Murray Oreek District the Golden Treasure Company have erected powerful winding gear over the main shaft, which is to be sunk to a depth of 300 feet. A depth of 250 feet has, I believe, already been attained, and when the full distance has been sunk the mine will be so opened up that the company will be enabled to keep the battery supplied for some years to come.
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The Keep-it-Dark, which is one of the principal dividend-paying claims, has added, at a cost of'about £2,000, rock-boring machinery to its plant. The company has sunk the shaft 150 feet deeper, and is now opening out for a lower level, thus thoroughly prospecting the ground, and placing the mine in such a position as to have the supply of stone well ahead of the battery. The Energetic Company, after having exhausted the upper levels, has perseveringly expended a large amount of money in prospecting. Some time since the enterprise was rewarded by the striking of a large body of stone, winch will be available for crushing as soon as the main road up Murray Creek, now under construction, shall be finished as far as the local mine. The Wealth of Nations Claim, which at a former time employed a very large body of men, and contributed so largely to the gold production of the district, has not been very successful of late, but strong hopes are entertained of a revival. The Golden Fleece Extended Company has purchased two air-compressors, two rock-drills, diamond drill, and air-winch. The rock-drills were introduced into this mine by the general manager, Mr. Trennery, and were the first of the kind brought into the field. They have more than answered expectations : at the first trial, before a number of men interested in mining, 3 feet 4 inches of a bore hole was put in in less than six minutes ; under the ordinary method it would take two men about three hours to do the same amount of work. The diamond drill will shortly be at work in this mine. Other companies, recognizing the great advantages to be derived from the use of these machines, ordered them for their mines—viz., the Keep-it-Dark, Eureka, Welcome, and Boatman's Low-level Companies. No doubt before long the rock-drill will be in common use throughout the district. The Lankey's Creek Cement Company has nearly completed the erection of a ten-head crushing plant, at a cost of £4,000. The machinery will shortly be out of hand, and crushing commenced. This belt of conglomerate runs for a considerable distance, and it is thought likely to be of some importance, as the labour of procuring the auriferous stuff is far less than obtaining it from a quartz lode. A few weeks will prove if the undertaking is remunerative. The Inkermann Company has proved the lode in the mine to a depth of 200 feet. A main tunnel has been taken in, and men are now at work in connecting the tunnel with the shaft. Negotiations are pending for the erection of a battery of thirty head of stamps. I will now proceed to discuss the northern portion of the district, extending from Reefton to Larry's Creek, a distance of about eighteen miles, and including Painkiller, Italian, Boatman's, and Larry's. Very little progress has been made in the former of these subdivisions. The Gladstone Company has been prospecting, and obtained favourable indications. In the Boatman's District a very large amount of work has been done in and upon the several mines, foremost amongst which is the Welcome Mine. The most important fact in connection with this mine is the opening up of a lower level by means of a shaft from No. 6 level. A chamber to contain the necessary machinery has been cut, and has cost £1,600. The chamber is without doubt a grand piece of work, and may be described as a masterpiece of mining engineering. The machinery to be placed in this chamber —viz., engine, winding gear and rock-drill— has been conveyed as far as Capleston, and men will shortly be employed in erecting the plant, which will possibly be completed before Christmas. This company has also erected nine berdans, which will be used in the final treatment of the company's tailings. This mine is the largest gold contributor in the district, and has paid handsome dividends; shares consequently command a ready sale at high figures, £5 10s being freely offered now. The Just-in-Time Company has, since my last report, sunk a shaft of 150 feet, and erected substantial winding machinery. Prospecting for what is known as the Western reef, from which such splendid results were obtained some years ago (about 6 oz. to the ton), is being carried on. The Fiery Cross has now finished the drive from the 450-feet level. The reef, which carries a good show of gold, is being connected with the main shaft, with the view of establishing systematic working. The Hopeful Claim, which some years ago declared such handsome dividends, has been reopened. The mine is situated to the south of the Welcome, and promises once more to come to the front, as good stone is being raised from the mine, and crushing will be commenced in a few days. The Eureka Company, whose proposed operations I fully set out in my last report, has completed the erection of winding machinery and rock-borers, to be used in driving the incline tunnel. It is expected, even with the use of the rock-borer, that eighteen months will elapse before the reef is struck. The plucky shareholders will be well entitled to the reward which they are fully confident they will reap. The Southern Cross has commanded a certain amount of attention, but so far the lode is very small. The South Hopeful, and other ventures of smaller note, have temporarily suspended operations. In Larry's Creek flic Caledonian Extended has been carrying on systematic prospecting, with present.indications of success. I have, so far, touched upon a few of the leading mines and works. To give a full description, &c, of each would, I think, be unnecessary. A carefully-compiled table which I append will be found to contain much useful information. The yield of gold is a trifle less than last year :of alluvial gold the yield is 7,171 oz., of the value of £27,362 65. ; gold from mines, 19,194 oz.; value, £74,656 16s. 9d.: total value, £102,019 2s. 9d.
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Table showing the Amount of Calls made, Dividends declared, &c., in the Inangahua District, from the 1st April, 1882, to the 31st March, 1883.
Name of Company. Calls made. Dividends declared. Quantity of Quartz crushed, in Tons. Yield in Ounces. £ s. d. £ s. d. 15,000 0 0 Tons. 4,953 Oz. 7,429 "Welcome Gold-Mining Company Specimen Hill Extended Quartz-Mining Comp'y. Phoenix Extended Gold-Mining Company Oriental Gold-Mining Company Occidental Gold-Mining Company ... Big River Extended Gold-Mining Company ... Southern Cross Gold-Mining Company Hopeful Extended Gold-Mining Company Lucky-hit Gold-Mining Company North Specimen Hill Gold-Mining Company ... Comstock Extended Gold-Mining Company ... North Cleopatra. Gold-Mining Company Colorado Gold-Mining Company Golden Arch Gold-Mining Company Golden Streak Gold-Mining Company Try-again Gold-Mining Company Kohinoor Gold-Mining Company Great "Western Gold-Mining Company Shotover Gold-Mining Company Ophir Gold-Mining Company Surprise Gold-Mining Company Keep-it-Dark Quartz-Mining Company Eesult Quartz-Mining Company New Zealand Gold-Mining Company No. 2 Welcome Gold-Mining Company Sunnyside Quartz-Mining Company No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark Gold-Mining Comp'y. Murray Creek and Cement Company Happy Valley Gold-Mining Company Wealth of Nations Extended Quartz-Mining Co. Just-in-Time Gold-Mining Company Imperial Quartz-Mining Company ... Caledonian Extended Quartz-Mining Company Pactolus Quartz-Mining Company ... Morning Star Quartz-Mining Company South Hopeful Quartz-Mining Company Orlando Quartz-Mining Company ... Golden Hope Gold-Mining Company Inangahua Low-level Tunnel Company Golden Fleece Extended Quartz-Mining Comp'yFiery Cross Extended Quartz-Mining Company Energetic Extended Quartz-Mining Company... Eoyal Quartz-Mining Company Golden Treasure Gold-Mining Company Eureka Quartz-Mining Company Lankey's Creek Gold-Mining Company Eainy Creek Extended Quartz-Mining Comp'yGlobe Gold-Mining Company Wide-Awake Gold-Mining Company Echo Gold-Mining Company Bonanza Gold-Mining Company Cosmopolitan Gold-Mining Company Advance Gold-Mining Company Gorge Gold-Mining Company Eclipse Quartz-Mining Company Great Eastern Quartz-Mining Company Inglewood Extended Quartz-Mining Company Homeward Bound Quartz-Mining Company ... Nil Desperandum Quartz-Mining Company ... Gladstone Extended Quartz-Mining Company City of Edinburgh Quartz-Mining Company ... Western Quartz-Mining Company ... Venus Quartz-Mining Company-: Inkermann Quartz-Mining Company Golden Point Gold-Mining Company Dauntless Extended Quartz-Mining Company 2,250 0 0 1,335 6 8 2,400 0 0 300 0 0 1,100 0 0 650 0 0 1,031 5 0 200 0 0 100 0 0 550 0 0 500 0 0 300 0 0 750 0 0 100 0 0 200 0 0 150 0 0 600 0 0 50 0 0 150 0 0 100 0 0 700 0 0 500 0 0 300 0 0 166 13 4 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 1,625 0 0 2,566 13 4 2,000 0 0 1,499 0 0 666 13 4 266 13 4 800 0 0 200 0 0 550 0 0 800 0 0 600 0 0 3,600 0 0 1,800 0 0 300 0 0 3,900 0 0 3,200 0 0 3,000 0 0 5,700 0 0 2,925 0 0 300 0 0 150 0 0 200 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 250 0 0 200 0 0 550 0 0 1,250 0 0 466 13 4 1,245 16 8 400 0 0 200 0 0 350 0 0 300 0 0 1,000 0 0 3,100 0 0 400 0 0 17,000* 0 0 580 21 9,194 440 345 811 295 43 7,174 402 314 468 1,881 2,433 600 0 0 "703 636 Alluvial gold 61,344 15 0 32,600 0 0 18,928 19,194 7,171 Total yield in ounces 26,365 5—H. 5.
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The calls during the lastyear amounted to .£61,344 —a far greater amount than in any previous year since the opening of the district. This has doubtless contributed largely to the present very quiet state of the sharemarket. Large sums of money have been expended in permanent works, prospecting the mines, and erecting machinery. Machinery to the value of about £19,500 has been erected. The value of machinery in course of erection at the present time—and the greater portion of which is landed here—and machinery ordered is estimated at £14,800, and negotiations are pending for other machinery which will cost, say, £6,500. This will be a sufficient explanation to show why such a large amount of capital has been called up. The natural inference of course is that, with all this additional machinery, the yield of gold will be largely increased, as will also the number of dividend-paying claims; and I trust, for the sake of all concerned, that this may be correct. During the year fifty-three gold-mining leases, containing an area of 1,139 acres and 11 perches, bearing an annual rental of £1,165, have been executed. In addition to these there were, on the 31st March last, forty-eight leases awaiting execution. These leases contain 773 acres and 36 perches, at a rental of £804 per annum. Then there are forty-seven certificates of occupation, containing 704 acres 1 rood 16 perches, bearing an annual rental of £728. I have once more the pleasure to record an increase in the revenue, that of the Warden's department being £5,267 9s. 7d., or an increase of £2,078 3s. Bd. on last year. The sittings of the Courts have been regularly held, and there has been an increase in the business. The following detailed statement will show the revenue collected and business transacted: — Return of miners' rights, &c, issued during the year ended 31st March, 1883: Miners' rights, 465; business licenses (£5), 20; business licenses (£3), 131; water-race licenses (55.), 2; water-race licenses (2s. 6d.), 157; registrations (10s.), 11; registrations (Is.), 354; mining applications, 368; applications for gold-mining leases, 165; applications for special claims, 19; gold-mining leases granted, 172. Revenue : Warden's department, £5,267 9s. 7d; Resident Magistrate's department, £194 125.; local Land Office department, £776 3s. 7d. Return of cases : Civil, 484; criminal, 130; Warden's, 20. I estimate the population as follows: Reefton, 1,100 Europeans, 50 Chinese; Murray Creek, Black's Point, and Crushington, 560 Europeans; Boatman's, Italians, Due North, Redman's Landing, and Cronadun, 600 Europeans, 180 Chinese; Maori Gully, Devil's Creek, Slab Hut, and Merrygigs, 100 Europeans, 258 Chinese: total, 2,360 Europeans, 488 Chinese. The district has generally been free from any serious crime, but the indiscriminate granting of spirit licenses in some of the licensing districts in the Inangahua and Buller Counties has not been beneficial to the community. Some of the licensees and the premises licensed are unsuited and unfit to be licensed, and accommodation licenses are being granted in direct contravention of the Licensing Act; whilst sly grog-selling rides rampant and apparently unnoticed, demanding some amendment in the present Act, as well as more active employment of police or revenue detectives to enforce the provisions of the Act. I have, &c, W. H. Revell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
WESTLAND GOLD FIELDS. {Including part of Nelson South-West Mining District.) No. 10. Mr. Warden Stratford to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Greymouth, 19th April, 1883. I have the honour to report as follows upon the portion of the gold field under my charge;— Barry Town. —A large number of miners have left Barry Town since the date of my last report, many of them having gone to Rimu " rush." Most of the claims have been worked out and abandoned by the original shareholders, and some of the claims have been taken up again by other parties, who are now getting gold on a higher level than the original shareholders worked. Three parties are bringing in water-races, at considerable expense, with a view to working old and abandoned ground by means of sluicing. There are at present about forty miners on the field, working within a mile of the township. Between Cobden and Eazorback, working on the beach and terraces (exclusive of Barry Town), there are about one hundred and twenty miners employed, most of whom %re making fair wages. The track from Cobden to Seven-Mile Creek is nearly completed, and will be a great improvement upon the beach road, and a benefit to the inhabitants of Barry Town and others. Brunnerton.—No discovery of any magnitude has been made during the past twelve months. Three new quartz-mining leases have been taken up. There are about ten men employed on. and about the quartz-mining claims, and some twenty hands working alluvial ground between Brunnerton and Langdon's, some of whom are doing pretty well.
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South Beach. —From Teremakau to Grey Rivers there are about seventy miners, who appear to be fairly remunerated for their labours. Some of the claims no doubt are very poor, but on the -whole I think holders are satisfied with their earnings. The two leases which I mentioned in my last report as having been taken up, for the purpose of working cement by means of a crushing machine, on what is known as Cement Lead, have been surrendered in consequence of the ground proving unpayable. Cameron's Terrace. —The workings at Cameron's have been steadily maintained during the past year. Some of the claims, having proved unremunerative, have 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, constructing tailraces, &c. There are about thirty-five men employed on this portion of the gold field. Rutherglen. —There is nothing new to mention in this part of the district. I think there has lately been rather a tendency to increase of population, and I see no signs of this locality becoming abandoned. The principal drawback in connection with these diggings is the want of a permanent supply of water. At present miners are almost solely depending upon rainfall for their supplies. This summer has been exceptionally dry, therefore the returns of gold are not as great as usual. Limestone and Welshman's. —Very little change has taken place during the past twelve months. The population is about the same as it was last year, namely, sixty Chinese and forty Europeans. As in Rutherglen, water in this locality is very scarce; a greater supply has been obtained during the past year by means of larger dams than were formerly used, which has made the claims more remunerative than hitherto. Marsden. —ln this division of the district there has been little to call for special notice. The number of miners employed has not diminished; and the return of gold is, I think, about the same as last year. Some of the claims are paying large dividends ; on the other hand, many of them are very poor; but I believe, on the average, the result to be satisfactory. The European population is about forty and the Chinese twenty-five. Dunganville. —This portion of the district still maintains about the same population. Many of the claims are paying well. No new ground worthy of note has been discovered. The gold returns will, I think, compare favourably with last year. Arnold. —Miners are working- away steadily in this locality; most of them are making satisfactory returns. No new finds have been made during the past year, and there is nothing calling for special mention. No Town. —The old claims are yielding average returns, and the mining population remains much about the same as last year. The average earnings of the miners generally is about from £2 10s. to £3 10s. a week per man. The ground is worked principally by sluicing. The Chinese population has, I think, slightly increased. Orwell Creek {Ahaura Division). —A decrease of population has taken place at Orwell Creek, caused by the gradual exhaustion of the known auriferous leads and the absence of all prospecting operations. A large company has been floated for the purpose of bringing sixty or seventy heads of water to Orwell Creek Flat at a high level. The company has also applied for a special claim of 200 acres in the same locality. There is no doubt that an immense impetus will be given to mining operations in Orwell Creek and adjacent localities when the company has completed its waterworks scheme and commences mining operations in the deep ground at present under application as a special claim. Moonlight Valley. —This old-established diggings still supports a fair mining population^ all of whom, it is believed, are making full wages, and some of them no doubt a little more than wages. On the range above Paparoa a prospectiug party has been engaged during the summer searching for auriferous quartz reefs, which many experienced miners who know the locality feel confident will yet be found there. Several leaders carrying fair gold have been struck, but as yet the prospectors have failed to strike the main reef. Slatey Creek. —A small rush took place to Slatey Creek last winter, and at one time some twenty or thirty men had pegged off claims. Many of the claims, however, were too poor to work, and nearly all the others were worked out in a few months, the ground being very shallow. The place is almost deserted now, but it is believed that auriferous deposits exist at the head of the creek, and would soon be found if a pack-track were made up the creek to the foot of the main range. River View and Sullivan's. —Mining operations have been brisker here than usual, and considerable quantities of gold have been won by the miners. A block of new ground was discovered during the summer, and a large number of claims pegged off; but it was soon found that the ground could not be worked profitably without a good supply of water, and many of the holders abandoned their claims in quest of more easily worked ground. A large area of ground will be profitably worked when the diversion of the Nelson Creek Water-race to River View has been constructed. Callaghan's Creek. —Mining operations have been very slack here as a rule, owing to the small quantity of rain which has fallen throughout the year. The workings being on a level with the creek, the bed soon becomes choked by tailings and debris, except when frequent heavy floods scour the creek and lower its bed; and, as such floods have been of rare occurrence during the past twelve months, many miners at Callaghan's have had to submit to frequent spells of enforced idleness.
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Nelson Creek. —No new discoveries have been made in this district during the past twelve months. The auriferous deposits at Try-again Terrace are gradually being worked out, and it seems probable that ere long the demand for water from the Government race will decrease. The Nelson Creek Prospecting Association has ceased practical operations for some time. No beneficial result has accrued from the Association's expenditure, although they did all that could be expected of them in managing the business intrusted to them. Granville, Duffer's, Noble's, and Half ounce. —There is nothing new to report with regard to these places, which are all close to each other. They only support but a small population. The miners as a rule are doing very well, and many of them have steady remunerative work before them for years. Most of them have comfortable cottages, surrounded by productive gardens, and seem satisfied with their condition and earnings. Greenstone. —The population has somewhat decreased since the date of my last report. No new ground has been discovered. There are now about one hundred Europeans and sixty Chinese miners steadily employed. Most of the Chinese are working in creek beds. The miners generally appear to be satisfied with their earnings. The district will, I think, maintain its present population for some considerable time. On the ]st November last I gave up charge of the Kumara District to Warden Giles. Since that date I have been obliged to hold monthly sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at Greenstone, to save miners and others the trouble and expense of travelling to Greymouth. There is a large number of Chinese in this district, and the want of a trustworthy interpreter is much felt. The administration of justice is very unsatisfactory without the assistance of a competent person. Roads, etc. There is no doubt that the great want of the district is roads or tracks, the absence of which has retarded the progress of the district very materially. The partly-constructed tracks between Bell Hill, No Town, Hatter's Terrace, and Kopara ought to be finished without delay, as they will open up a tract of country of which very little is yet known. As gold has been found all round this part of the country, it is but reasonable to suppose it is itself gold-bearing. A road along the terraces on the north side of the River Grey is also a great desideratum, and would assist materially in developing the mineral resources lying buried in the Paparoa Mountains and the many inaccessible valleys which intersect them. A track from Ahaura to River View, along the left bank of the River Ahaura, is also badly wanted. All traffic to River View has to cross the River Ahaura by canoe, which is highly inconvenient at all times, and quite impossible when the river is in flood. As the distance is under two miles, and the country to be traversed not very rough, only a small outlay of money would be required to supply the much-required means of communication. The statistical returns herewith will supply the usual information on the general state of the district. I have, &c, H. A. Stratford, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
T No. 11. Mr. Warder Giles to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Hokitika, 30th April, 1883. I have to report considerable progress in mining matters inthe district under my charge, as will be seen in the following remarks upon the different subdivisions of the district with which I have to do. Kumar a. —This district has been assigned to me since my last report. The principal feature in the mining of this locality is the opening of the Government sludge-channel, and the extensive works which have been carried out in the adjacent mining claims to enable them to make use of it. These consist of deep tunne] tail-races opening into the sludge-channel, and of deep sinking in the claims connected with them. All this, with the requisite machinery and waterraces, must have been very costly; but there is reason to think, from such washings as have taken place, that the outlay will be reimbursed whenever a steady water supply can be obtained. It is unfortunate that the postponement of remunerative operations rendered necessary by the magnitude of the preliminary works should be extended by the unprecedentedly dry weather which has prevailed during the whole summer ; but the want of water has prevented much work that would otherwise have been possible, and it is much to be hoped that this state of things will soon be remedied by rain, and by the speedy completion of the second Kapitea dam, a work which is looked forward to with much interest in the district. Some difficulties of a practical nature have occurred between the manager of the sludge-channel and the claimholders who " sluice " into it, and Mr. Gow has no doubt had many difficulties to contend with in the attempt to make things work well. But it may be hoped that his practical knowledge of his business, and his evident desire to do what is best for all parties, aided by the good sense of the miners, who are quite capable of appreciating such qualities, will enable all concerned to find a modus operandi et vivendi. The population of Kumara and the adjacent diggings has been somewhat reduced by the attractions of the Rimu " rush" ; but there is reason to believe that the new workings will fully compensate for this whenever sufficient water is available.
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Waimea. —With the exception of a small rush to a hill near Staffordtown, where some tunnel claims have been taken up, there is nothing to note in respect of fresh work in this district. But there have been two applications for special claims, which may or may not prove hereafter to be of importance. One of these is upon Kelly's Terrace, near Stafford, where a fiftyacre claim has been taken up with the intention of forming a company to raise the necessary funds for draining the ground by a tunnel tail-race. It is asserted that good gold is known to exist on Kelly's Terrace, and that nothing but inability to keep the water down prevented it from being worked years ago. An application was made to the Government some time since for aid in making a drainage tunnel, but it is now proposed to undertake the work by private enterprise. The other special claim above referred to is on the Taipo Ranges, and is intended for the purpose of working the quartz reefs known to exist there. Several gold-mining leases have been already taken up and again abandoned in that spot, and now it is hoped that a grant of a hundred acres as a special claim may perhaps be successful in drawing sufficient capital to enable work to be efficiently carried on. Hokitika and Kanieri. —The diggings in the neighbourhood of Woodstock, now commonly called from the name of the new township, the Rimu diggings, have proved in their general character steady and satisfactory. They pay good wages, and, the claims being worked by driving under ground and lifting the wash-dirt to the surface, an occasional washing can be had without a large and constant supply of water such as is necessary for ground-sluicing. These diggings are not likely to last more than two or three years unless they extend by the discovery of new leads, but there is good ground for hoping that this may be the case, as it seems improbable that the gold should be limited to the area now being worked. The Humphreys Gully diggings are now the object of increasing interest and expectation. There seems to be hardly any difference of opinion as to the value of this ground for sluicing purposes when sufficient water is available. The water-race undertaken by the Humphreys Gully Company has been vigorously pushed forward, and its completion will soon determine the question whether the expectations that have been formed of this locality are well grounded. But until the water is brought in nothing more can be said. Totara. —The greatest activity in mining matters, at least so far as speculation goes, has occurred at Ross. The rapid rise in the price of shares in the Ross Flat Gold-Mining Company, caused by the steady and energetic manner in which they were prosecuting their works, and by their striking gold in the course of the deep shaft that they were sinking, produced much excitement, which manifested itself for the most part in marking out large special claims all over the neighbourhood. There can be no doubt that much of this was purely for the purpose of speculating in shares, and was quite apart from any rational theory of working the ground. But those who cannot find means of fulfilling the conditions imposed will of course have to abandon the ground, and it is satisfactory to note that two or three, at all events, are beginning work. The principal object of attention in this locality will, for some time to come, be the claim of the Ross Flat Company, and the manner in which they have pushed on their works seems to justify the most hopeful views of their ultimate success. The company's main shaft is now between 200 and 300 feet deep, and the fine pumping engine which they have had made in Auckland proves sufficient to cope with the heavy body of water with which the deep strata are saturated. The drainage tunnel which has now been some time completed is a most important and efficient factor in this work, taking off, as it does, the water down to 90 feet below the surface, and increasing by that amount of fall the water power that works the pumps. The company are now forming and extending a system of drainage channels in connection with the main tunnel, which will have the effect of further relieving the pumps. A scheme has now been matured by which additional mining property to the extent of about eighty acres is to be added to the 100 acres already held by the company, and it is proposed to work the whole on a scale of still greater magnitude by means of a new company with increased capital. The prudent enterprise of the directors, and the skill and energy of the mining manager, Mr. C. Malfroy, give every assurance of solid and brilliant results at no distant date. The work of other claims which are to be conducted on similar lines to those of the Ross Flat Company is not yet forward enough to require special notice. But one of the special claims granted lately is for ground-sluicing, and very good expectations are entertained of its success. This is the claim in Donnelly's Creek granted to Abel Weber, and which is now in the hands of a company which was floated with much readiness for the purpose of working it. Work has been well commenced by making a drainage tail-race, and it is generally believed that the claim will be a valuable one. In conclusion, there can be no doubt that a complete revolution in the mining industry of this district was commenced when Mr. Patrick Comiskey three years ago pegged out an area of 100 acres and applied for it as a special claim. The time had come when it was obvious that, over and above the really great results which have been so surprisingly achieved by parties of working miners with claims of less than an acre in size, there remained a great deal more to do which could never be done except on a large scale and with large capital. The prudent liberality of the Government, in granting, subject to proper conditions of working, areas of a size which would never have been thought of a few years ago has, I think, met the want of the times, has given a fair invitation to capital, and has opened a new phase in mining matters, which may be characterized by a prosperity the extent of which no one can as yet foresee. The usual statistical statements accompany this report. I have, &c, J. Giles, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
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No. 12. Mr. Warden Bird to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Warden's Office, Okarito, 4th April, 1883. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns respecting this district for the year ending 31st March, 1883, as requested by your circular of the 9th ultimo. In regard to mining matters generally I have nothing of importance to communicate, little or no alteration having taken place during the past year; in fact, I believe the number engaged in mining has rather diminished than otherwise. But this is accounted for by the high rate of wages, namely, 12s. per diem, offered by contractors who are at present constructing roads through this district; but I have no doubt after the roads are completed a large number will settle down to mining in this southern portion of Westland, which is known to be auriferous, and I think that in the course of time there will be a large return of gold therefrom. I have, &c, Frank Bird, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 13. Mr. Warden Keddell to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Warden's Office, Clyde, 28th May, 1883. I have the honour herewith to forward the statistical returns of the mining districts under my charge, which consisted, since November last, of those formerly known as the Dunstan and Wakatipu Districts, I being relieved of that of Mount Ida at that time by Mr. Warden Hickson. Mining throughout the district has not been varied by any discovery of importance or change worthy of lengthened notice, but, at the same time, I do not think there has been any noticeable falling-off of population or of yield of gold. The principal mode of working is sluicing, and, the supply of water being limited and all available sources occupied, of necessity mining progress is limited, and the yield depends upon the chance richness of the ground on which the water is brought to bear. Clyde and its Neighbourhood. —Very little has been done; as I have mentioned in former reports, the few miners are old inhabitants, who are settled down content with small but apparently sure returns, but working in one old groove—as one area is worked out applying for another, and just making a quiet, independent living. Alexandra. —The Chinese continue to make steady progress, and it is from them this year, as before, that the greater portion of the gold returned from this portion of the district is obtained. The dredges that were built here, and from which so much was looked for, have been failures as yet; but a short time since the largest has settled down to one portion of the river near Alexandra, and seems to be on good ground. The Molyneux has silted up to such an extent since 1862, when any uncovered portion of the beaches yielded rich dirt, that it is almost impossible for any dredge to pay. The river does not appear to have " scoured "at all during the occasional heavy floods, and I question, should the coming winter be as severe as the first that attracted the miners to this portion of the colony in 1862, whether the " bars" and beaches would yield anything like the old returns: it is noticeable everywhere by the older settlers. At Clyde there used to appear a large rock just above the ferry-way, and that is now all but covered with the silt brought down from the upper rivers, Kawarau and Clutha. It is under these great deposits that the old wash-dirt and the auriferous sand are to be looked for, and no system of dredging can effect this. Black's, Tinker's, and Drybread. —The result of labour in this portion of the Dunstan district has been, on the whole, most satisfactory. I am sorry, however, that I cannot give a favourable account of the working of the special claims on the Deep Lead; the enterprise was begun in a hearty manner, and no expense spared to make it a success, but it has proved, so far, a failure. One drawback was, I think, the absence of working shareholders. The original party have floated the affair as a company, and are about to resume operations under new auspices. The old reputation of the ground has attracted other venturers, other claims have been granted, and I believe in a short time the ground may be properly tested. The existence of a valuable auriferous lead of gold is an accepted fact amongst the old miners here, and they would appear to have good foundation for their belief; but the method of prospecting is so costly that, in the face of such belief, the fact of the ground being left so long unworked is not to be wondered at. Tinker's. —The Mountain Race (formerly the Blue Duck) Company are now reaping the reward of long labours. The company have been several years working this claim, and have always had the advantage, in my opinion, of having good managers; their works have been made with system and foresight, and there is no more remunerative mining property in the district. They have recently adopted, on a smaller scale, that mode of hydraulic sluicing that has been worked so profitably at Lawjence : they force, by hydraulic pressure, their wash-dirt from a lower to a higher level, so as to reach their tail-race. The tunnel which they made last year, and through which they meant to work the back portion of their claim, proved too high for the deep ground. There is no doubt there is a large auriferous area in this locality, lying at the mouth of the gullies running down from the Dunstan Range at the back of Bendigo on the Cromwell side.
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Other claims of smaller extent, but rich, are being energetically worked at Tinker's. The Blue Duck yielded about three thousand ounces of gold during the past year. Water is the great motor, and when a large race from Drybread, which is now in hand, is completed, I look for very large returns from the Tinker group. Roxburgh. —At this portion of my district I can note very little change. There are perhaps some dozen and a half sluicing claims that yield good and in some cases rich returns to their owners. These holdings, as I have before stated, do not encourage any remark or notice; they are held by water-race owners, their yields are steady, the men are plodding, methodical, and industrious ; and it is not easy to mark any progress —that is to say, the result. The ground gradually changes its appearance under the water-power, but, whether the results of a " washing up "be £1 per week, or £10, or £20, the work still goes on. I believe that there is remunerative work for all the miners now engaged in this locality for years to come, and room for more, if more water was available ; and I believe, further, that should any of the present miners hit upon any rich lead, so as to startle them out of their usual quiet, undemonstrative manner, means would be found to supply the needful element from the river itself by some mechanical process. I was so fortunate as to meet Professor Ulrich, of the Dunedin University, at Roxburgh, who was then, at the request of the Government, visiting this place for the purpose of reporting on its geological features with reference to gold, and I was pleased to hear him confirm what I had only hoped as to the prospects of that portion of this district—the terraces and flats on the banks of the Molyneux, north and south of Roxburgh. Cromwell and Bannockburn. —At Cromwell the principal workers are Chinese, and I have noticed little change in numbers or appearance of workings to that of last year. At Bannockburn work has progressed all the time. I look on Bannockburn and Tinker's as the most important mining localities in the district, but the prosperity of the former is yet to come, and depends on the progress of the two large main tail-races at Pipeclay and Smith's Gully, which, if properly carried out, will open up a large area of ground already proved richly auriferous; and on the faith of these works many miners are waiting to work a large tract of land. There is abundance of water to work the ground, though more could be put to good use if procurable. These main channels have been encouraged by a subsidy from Government to be given in progress payments as the works proceed. Quartz. I am sorry to report that my remarks under this head must differ so widely from those I had hoped to make when reporting last year. After a trial crushing from one or two of the pioneer claims, which resulted in a yield not worth recording, the new quartz claims on the Carrick, taken up last year with so much confidence of success, were abandoned and the applications for leases withdrawn. The antimony lode in the same locality was also a failure, after the company had gone to a great expense putting up smelting works, &c. Of the discoveries of cinnabar lodes at the Nevis I have heard but little; the prospecting licenses have expired, and I fear nothing is likely to come of them for the present. I have hopes of being able to report favourably of some quartz claims on the Obelisk Range next year; they are not all new discoveries, but have been so little tested that a report would be premature. The Cromwell reef at Bendigo is still at work, and has recently increased its area, but I have nothing further to report about it. Arrowtown and Macetown, Wakatipu District. During the past year there has been a fair yield of gold from the Macetown reefs, chiefly from one company—the Tipperary. The work done by this company is of importance, inasmuch as, by their obtaining richer stone at their deeper levels, they have proved the continuity of the gold; but, though the yield of gold has been satisfactory when it has been got, there has not been much energy shown in this part of the district generally. More than half of the crushing plants have been idle, and many of the holdings entirely unworked. The year has been barren of discoveries, though many new gold-mining leases are now passing through the surveyor's hands and the Court. The greatest drawback to the development of the quartz mines at Macetown is, I trust, likely soon to be removed, by the formation of a dray-track, whereby mining timber, machinery, and necessaries for the mines and workmen can be transported at cheaper rates than at present by packhorses. This class of mining requires the assistance of town capital, and the present high cost of working, from the cause above alluded to, is prohibitory of success. Alluvial mining has received very little attention, and I notice a great falling-off in the Chinese population in the neighbourhood of Arrow. At the Upper Shotover mining still continues to be energetically prosecuted; but no fresh finds or noticeable change has occurred. In the Phoenix Claim good dead-work has been done in the low levels, and the mine opened out for work, with a good prospect of returning the enterprising owner good results on his outlay. There are very few quartz reefs worked in this part of the district, and so far their results give little encouragement. Ido not think, however, they have been sufficiently prospected, for the country is extremely rough and inaccessible, and this, though no drawback to alluvial mining, is an important consideration in working a quartz mine. The Invincible Company's reef, at the head of the Lake Wakatipu, has had its trial or first crushing at their newly-erected battery. I visited the claim—which has now been taken up about three years—a short time since. It is situated on, the eastern side of the Rees River, on the
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mountain side; a great deal of work has been done and difficulties surmounted. The company has now a complete ten-stamper battery, worked by water-power (one shot-wheel) supplied from a water-race they have brought in. The mill is in a good position to crush the stone with the least waste of time and labour by handling it too often; at its present site the stone can be placed in the hopper with little expense for some years of working. The result of their first crushing—32s oz. of gold from 1,350 tons of stuff—does not seem to be very encouraging; but it is, and should be, for the quantity of stone returned is owing to the nature of the lode in their upper workings : it is only an upheaval of the reef which they hope, on good grounds, to discover at a lower depth properly defined. I have no doubt they will; but at present they have no idea of its direction or the way it is laying. A great many prospecting drives and cross-cuts, in all of which they met with broken and disjointed portions of the reef, have been driven ; but only here and there could they make out the walls. I believe in the lower levels projected they are likely to be successful. Settlement. —In all parts of the district the agricultural leases are fast changing into freeholds, and generally remain in the hands of the original applicants and improvers. Owing to the limited supply of agricultural land in the Wakatipu District there are not so many taken up now, and in most of these instances the applications are strenuously opposed on the ground of their being auriferous. Ido not think, in most instances, these objections are made on good authority. The objectors in some parts of the district are holders of three or more sluice-heads of water, and they grudge the occupation of any land that can be commanded by their water by any person whatever, and for any purpose. Ido not think the State is more benefited by sluicing away of acres of land for a few ounces of gold than by the occupation of the same by the agricultural leaseholder, who is bound to improve it. The sluicer, with very little labour, can destroy in a few weeks a large quantity of land and render it utterly useless for any purpose whatever for centuries, until it is again covered with alluvial debris and soil. It may be that some of the land which has become freehold under the agricultural leasing system is auriferous, as it is often stated ; but I think they have been more usefully occupied, and Ido not know of any instance where their auriferous nature has been more than a belief; indeed, in cases such as the Waikerikeri, where the leaseholders'" holdings were cancelled and themselves compensated, the result has been that only a very few miners cared to occupy the ground, and the vast auriferous deposits have yet to be found. I have had some difficulty in obtaining the yield of gold from the banks, and, as I could not obtain it as a complete return, I have not sent any; but I have reason to believe it will not fall short of last year. I have, &c, Jackson Keddell, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 14. Mr. Warden Hickson to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Warden's Office, Naseby, 9th April, 1883. I have the honour, in accordance with instructions, to forward my annual report on the district under my charge for the past year. Having only been in charge of the district since November last, I have not yet become thoroughly acquainted with it, and trust that this my first report may not be considered meagre. The past year has not brought forth any fresh discoveries of importance; it has been a fairly good one for the miners; the winter, lam informed, was exceptionally mild, there being little interruption to mining operations from frost. Water has been in good supply, more rain than usual having fallen throughout the district. Although not a new discovery, I am glad to say that several parties have taken up claims on the eastern slope of the Rough Ridge, about twenty-five miles from Naseby, at a place called Garibaldi, with every prospect of doing well. They have brought a water-race upon the ground several miles in length. They are at present cutting tail-races, and until they are complete cannot work the ground. There are several other new claims opened out near the Gimmerburn, about four miles from Garibaldi, which appear to be yielding profitably. In the Hyde Division there is little doing at present, as also at Macrae's and Strath-Taieri. At Hamilton and Sowburn the miners appear to be doing well, in some cases remarkably so, and all appear to have comfortable homes, more so than in any other part of the district. The Serpentine appears to be principally occupied by quartz miners. On my visit there last month I granted three new applications for quartz-mining leases, the applicants being all sanguine of success. At St. Bathans the favourite mining centres are Vinegar Hill and the Two-Mile, although in St. Bathans itself there are still persons who believe in the value of some ground rejected by the miners years ago, and, who are about to work it systematically and on a large scale. An Association called "The Mount Ida Deep Lead Prospecting Association" was formed in the early part of the past year for the purpose of prospecting for the true bottom of the Hogburn Greek. This Association included farmers, storekeepers, miners, and others, their object being, not so much personal gain as to secure, if possible, some permanent public good to Naseby and the district generally. The subscriptions raised by the Association were subsidized by the
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County and Borough Councils, and also by the Government. Skilled labour was employed to sink a shaft, which has been timbered thoroughly to a depth of 350 feet, at a cost of over £1,000. When their funds fell short, and on representations being personally made to the Hon. the Minister of Mines on his late visit to Naseby, a further subsidy was promised on condition that the Association raised £150. This they have failed to do, and the shaft remains up to this time a dead letter. It is hoped, however, that in the course of a short time they may be able to raise the required sum, when operations will be resumed. There has been some prospecting for quartz reefs on Blackstone Hill, and it is said that good stone has been found, but up to this time no application has been made for a claim. Settlement upon the land open for selection has been progressing, and the farms on the Gimmerburn and other places in the district look well. Had it not been for the unusually wet season the farmers have encountered—in many cases doing great damage—l have no doubt that their profits would have been considerable. Prices have ruled high for farm produce for some time. The new agricultural leases taken during the year represent an area of 1,537 acres 1 rood 30 perches, and 3,253 acres 1 rood 3 perches have been taken up on deferred payments during the same period ; 2,808 acres 2 roods 2 perches held under agricultural lease have been converted into freehold; and two leases have been exchanged for deferred-payment licenses. The total area at present held under agricultural lease is 7,641 acres 2 roods 11 perches, and on deferred payments 27,782 acres 2 roods 22 perches. The yield of gold for the year is estimated to be about 12,811 oz., of the value of £48,041. The total revenue from all sources has been as follows : Gold revenue, including rents on mining and agricultural leases, £2,377 11s. 7d.; rents on deferred payments, £2,823 7s. sd. This shows a decrease as compared with last year. The agricultural leases converted into freehold account partly for the falling-off, as rents on these leases have ceased to be payable. I forward herewith the usual statistical returns, and I have to remark that, in addition to the cases in the Warden's Court, there have been heard 362 applications for mining privileges, 15 applications for mining leases, and 9 for agricultural leases. Of these 48 were opposed, and the hearing of the objections was in some cases very lengthy, involving adjournments and visits to the ground. I have, &c, John S. Hickson, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. AYarden.
No. 15. Mr. Warden Wood to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Lawrence, 24th May, 1883. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual report and statistics for the Tuapeka and Waikaia portions of the Otago Gold Field. There is very little to report, the district throughout having made hut little progress. The mining population shows a slight increase as compared with the preceding year, but there has been a considerable decrease in the yield of gold, amounting to over 3,000 ounces ; this is owing principally to the stoppage of work in some of the large claims at the Blue-spur, consequent on partnership disputes. There are now at the Bluespur over ninety head of stamps at work, and the dividends from some of the claims have been exceedingly good; amongst these may be mentioned the North of Ireland Company, which has been working with much better results than formerly. The Weatherston Cement Company continues to work with great perseverance, and should pay a fair dividend, for it is certainly well looked after by the managing director. During part of last year they had forty men employed, but their complement at present is only twenty-eight. I expect they find the slow process of drilling eats up the profits. I understand that the drilling for each blast costs 2s. It is surprising that in this age of invention some more expeditious way of drilling in a drive has not been discovered. If this item of expenditure, and improvement in cement crushing machinery was to take place, no doubt double the population would be employed, as there is plenty of cement ground which would pay, but not at the present rate of wages and mode of working. I may mention, to show the work this company has done, that the area worked is six acres, the value of the gold obtained .=826,000, out of which £14,000 has been paid in wages. The Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company is now working ground to advantage, and there is every prospect of a continuance of its success, as the higher they get up the gully the greater quantity of solid or unworked ground they will meet with. In the course of two or three years they ought to be about the site of the old. Blue-spur Township, where the ground is nearly all solid, the township having been removed to make room for the Blue-spur tailings. At Waitahuna, mining matters are quiet. The machine formerly employed in cement crushing has been stopped, as the expenses were too great to pay. The miners engaged in sluicing are said to be making fair wages; they are mostly all old residents. At Waipori there are now three batteries at work: the Victory Company, with ten heads of stamps; the Undaunted, ten heads ; and the Modern Maori, five heads. On the line of a new reef known as Porter's reef the Cosmopolitan Company has had several trial crushings, a recent crushing of twenty tons averaging 10 dwt. to the ton. This Company are now preparing to erect machinery. The Modern Maori has been working steadily for the last three years, employing on an average over twenty men. There are about fifty men now working for the above companies. 6—H. 5.
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There is no change of any note in alluvial mining in this part of the district, but increased attention has been paid to the quartz deposits. Nine quartz prospecting areas have been taken up during the year, of which all but two are in the Waipori District. The Waipori Flat opens a wide field for alluvial mining, but the expenditure of capital is necessary to attain this result. On the whole, although I have no instances of rich finds or crushings to record, the mining prospects of the district may be considered satisfactory. The Tuapeka Prospecting and Mining Company, the name of which explains its objects, still continues its operations in various parts of the district, and, although up to the present no successful results have crowned its efforts, it is still sanguine of ultimate success. The Company has up to the present expended between £300 and .£4OO, part of which was contributed by the Government, and it is now actively engaged prospecting the cement at Weathers ton's. The Company first commenced to search for quartz at the head of Gabriel's and Weatherston's Gullies. A tunnel was driven about 380 feet in the neighbourhood of the old Gabriel's Gully Quartz Company's workings. About half a mile from this, on the leading spur between Gabriel's and Weatherston's, tunnelling was carried on, and also in a gully bearing off to the right at the, head of Weatherston's. After work had been carried on for about a month a fine block of quartz was met with, which, after testing, was not thought to be sufficiently payable to warrant further outlay in its development. A shaft has been sunk on the cement at Weatherston's, and another is now being sunk, when it is proposed to connect these two, with the view of thoroughly testing the ground. The copper company is now at a complete standstill, and it is doubtful whether, at the present, operations will be again resumed. Work at the antimony mine has been stopped, owing to various causes; but, as there is a good plant upon the ground and the existence of a payable lode has been proved, there is little doubt that work will again be resumed. During the year 102 acres have been taken up as extended claims. Nine agricultural leases, embracing an area of 1,275 acres, have been issued ; fourteen, with an area of 1,699 acres, have been made freehold; and three have been exchanged into deferred-payment leases. Thirtyseven ordinary deferred- payment leases, embracing an area of 8,507 acres, and eleven pastoral deferred-payment leases, 9,320 acres, have been issued during the year; while seven ordinary deferred-payment holdings, 1,229 acres, have been purchased. A very limited number of deferred-payment settlers have up to the present in this district availed themselves of the provisions for their relief as provided in the Land Act Amendment Act of last session. The gold field of Waikaia is in a languishing condition. The Europeans have nearly given up mining, and have gone rabbiting; they find they can make higher wages, but it is a demoralizing life. In a few years this district will be one of the most nourishing farming districts in southern Otago, as the land has at last been thrown open for settlement. I have, &c, J. Nugent Wood, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 16. Mr. Warden Robinson to the Under-Secketary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Oamaru, 31st March, 1883. I have the honour to forward herewith the usual annual statistical returns for the Maerewhenua division of the Otago Gold Field. There is not much of public interest to report in respect of this field for the past year. The number of miners at work has, with some fluctuations, continued at about the same average. So far as I can learn the earnings of miners at work have on the whole been rather better than of late years, the seasons having been favourable for sluicing. But there has been no new ground opened out, nor has any new enterprise of any consequence been started. It is not easy to get at an estimate of the yield of gold. There is no escort from Livingstone, and the miners dispose of their gold in various ways. Some goes to Naseby to the banks there, some is sold to local storekeepers at Livingstone and Duntroon, and some finds its way into Oamaru. No one, of course, tells what he gets. It seems probable, however, that the yield for the past year has been between 800 and 1000 ounces. Settlement in the neighbourhood of the diggings has contributed to benefit the miners by cheapening the means of living. There is now a considerable breadth of land under cultivation within a few miles of Livingstone. I have, &c, H. W. Robinson, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 17. Mr. Warden Maitland to the Under-Secretauy for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Dunedin, 17th May, 1883. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual returns of particulars relating to the state and condition of the Hindon mining district for the twelve months ending the 31st
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March, 1883. It is to be regretted that they exhibit a falling-off rather than an increase in mining enterprise, the prospects of the district at present being rather discouraging. In the alluvial workings there are still a few, probably fifty, men earning a livelihood, and the remarks made in previous reports as to the desirability of a water-supply for sluicing purposes are still applicable to this as well as other branches of mining industry at Ilindon. Very little has been done during the yearin the way of further testing the quartz reefs. The Gladstone Company have had something like 100 tons of stone crushed, yielding an average of 15 dwt. of gold to the ton. The Game-hen reef is again being prospected, but with what success has not yet transpired. The Zealandia Company's ground has also been further prospected, but no trial of the stone by crushing has been made during the year. As a number of the gold-mining leaseholders are falling into arrears with their rents steps will shortly have to be taken, in terms of the recommendation of the Gold Fields Committee of last session, to cancel those leases that are more than twelve months in arrear. It has been deemed wise to defer taking action in that direction for a time, in order to give lessees every reasonable opportunity (taking into consideration the difficulties peculiar to the district) of testing the various lodes which, as yet, have never been thoroughly prospected. It should also be borne in mind that, so far, the yield of gold has never in any case been sufficient to cover working expenses. I believe it would greatly benefit the district by setting at rest existing doubts as to the probable and ultimate value of the Hindon quartz lodes if they could be tested by boring. But to do this would be beyond the present means of the miners. As the solving of such doubts would materially assist in dealing with the lands now temporarily reserved for mining purposes, the question whether or not it would be advisable for the Government to assist the miners in the direction indicated may possibly he one worthy of consideration. Settlement is slowly progressing, and the crops recently grown by the settlers have been of fair average quantity and quality. A number of workmen on the Peep Stream contract of the Strath-Taieri Railway are residing in the district just now, including whom, with settlers and miners, the population may be estimated at between two and three hundred persons. I have, &c, J. P. Maitland, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 18. Mr. Warden McCulloch to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Invercargill, 3rd May, 1883. I have the honour to forward herewith the usual annual statistical returns for the Orepuki and Longwood Districts for the year ending the 31st March, 1883. I have to report that at Orepuki eight coal leases have now been granted, averaging eighty acres. Three of these have been amalgamated into the Orepuki Coal and Shale Company, who have commenced clearing the ground for a tramway to connect their proposed works with the Orepuki Railway, now in course of construction. The Great Western, with two leases, have, I am informed, sent up men to sink a shaft on their ground. On the remaining three leases no work has as yet been done, the lessees preferring, I presume, to wait until the railway approaches nearer to completion, for until the completion of the railway the coal leases will bs of no value. At Roundhill the Chinese population has decreased from 500 last year to 400; these, I believe, are doing fairly well, and are likely to remain permanently, as may be judged from the fact that during the past year they have built a place of worship at Roundhill in connection with the Presbyterian Church, costing £170, towards which the Chinese- subscribed JlOO, in addition to labour. The want of water still continues to be the great cause of complaint at Roundhill, preventing the development of a considerable area of what is stated to be payable ground. The water-race which was in course of construction by Messrs. Berndtson and Company, from which so much was expected, has been discontinued for want of the necessary capital. Beyond this nothing worthy of remark has occurred in the district, mining matters in other respects remaining in absolutely the same position as at the date of my last report. I have, &c., Henry McCulloch, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.
No. 1.9. Mr. H. A. Gordon, Manager d the Nelson Creek Water-race, to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Nelson Creek, 7th May, 1883. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the transactions connected with the working of the Nelson Creek Water-race for the year ending the 31st March, 1883. The amount received from sales of. water during the year has been £2,237 6s. 3d., and the
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expenditure on maintenance £1,218 17s. lOd.; thus leaving a balance of £1,018 Bs. sd. profit on the working of the race. The average number of miners employed in working ground with water from the race during the year has been sixty-one, and the approximate amount of gold obtained by them during that period has been 3,748 ounces, representing the value of £14,336 2s. After deducting from this sum the amount paid for water, it leaves £12,098 15s. 9d. as the total earnings of the miners employed; being £198 6s. Bd. each per annum, or £3 16s. 6d. per week. The expenditure on maintenance has been heavy, owing to the decayed state of the bridges and flumes, which had to be repaired and strengthened ; and likewise to the necessity of having to re-timber a large portion of the tunnels. Very little prospecting has been done during the year, although free water is still given for that purpose; nor does there appear to be a likelihood of any large extent of new ground being opened up that the race at present commands, as almost every place where wash-drift is found has been more or less tried. Still, however, there is a large terrace situated between Gow's Creek and the left branch of Nelson Creek that has not yet been sufficiently prospected, and probably may yet be found to be payable for working. The revenue arising from sales of water for the ensuing year will depend greatly on the several mining claims that are using water at the present time ; in all probability one or more of them will be worked out, therefore a reduction in the revenue may be anticipated. The maintenance for the first three months of the ensuing year will necessarily be heavy, owing to the decayed state of all the bridges and flumes that have been constructed of red pine (Dacrydium cupressinum), all of which will have to be repaired and strengthened that is not already done; while those that are constructed of black birch (Fagus fused) and other durable timber show but very little sign of decay. The following is the statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year ending the 31st March, 1883:—
Receipts. £ s. d. 1882—April ... ... ... 232 10 0 May ... ... ... 212 14 2 June ... ... ... 200 5 5 July ... ... ... 154 8 4 August ... ... 214 5 10 September ... ... 202 13 4 October ... ... 195 7 6 November ... ... 234 6 8 December ... ... 114 16 8 1883—January ... ... 154 19 2 February ... ... 170 3 9 March ... ... 150 15 5 £2,237 6 3
Expenditure. £ s d 1882—April 97 3 - 4 May ... ... ... 120 6 8 June ... ... ... 99 10 0 July ... ... ... 95 10 0 August ... ... 98 6 8 September ... ... 93 0 0 October ... ... 95 0 0 November ... ... 90 10 7 December ... ... 99 5 7 1883 —January ... ... 100 0 0 February ... ... 85 10 0 March... ... ... 144 15 q £1,218 17 10 Balance to credit ... 1,018 8 5 £2,237 6 3
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 31st March 1883 :— Number of Men APProximate Amount employed. .. . of 3 Gol(* obtained in Ounces. 1882—April ... ... ... ... 64 ... 372 May ... ... ... ... 65 ... 400 June ... ... ... ... 65 ... 375 July ... ... ... ... 64 ... 369 August ... ... ... ... 67 ... 379 September ... ... ... ... 66 ... 391 October ... ... ... ... 63 ... 361 November ... ... ... ... 65 ... 336 December ... ... ... ... 54 ... 137 1883—January ... ... ... ... 53 ... 190 February ... ... ... ... , 52 ... 224 March ... ... ... ... 51 ... 214 729 ."." 3,748 Value of gold 16s. 6d. per ounce) ... ... ... £14,336 20 Deduct sales of water ... ... ... ... ... 2,237 6 3 £12,098 15 9 Average number of men employed, 61; average earnings per man per annum, after deducting money for water, .£l9B 6s. Bd. I have, &c, H. A. Gordon, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager.
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No. 20. Mr. J. Gow, Manager of the Waimea-Kumara Water-race and Sludge-channel, to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — "Waimea-Kumara Races, Manager's Office, 31st March, 1883. I have the honour to submit the following general remarks on the working and maintenance of the Waimea-Kumara Races and Sludge-channel for the year ending 31st March, 1883 :— Waimea Race. —The condition of the race and prospects of the workings generally are much the same as at the date of my last annual report. The race maintains about the same number of miners, whose earnings will probably average nearly the same as last year. The enlargement of the extension of Branch B race has assisted the miners on Tunnel Terrace very much, and increases the sales of water considerably when it is plentiful; rain, however, is necessary at very short intervals to equal the demand, which means a full race at all times. The sales of water for the incoming financial year promise to equal the past. Kumara Race. —Sluicing on a large scale with patent nozzles is now the order of the day. There are now eight giant-nozzles on the field, and I am informed there are many more ordered and on the way from Dunedin. It speaks well for the stability of the claims when the miners can see their way to get these costly but most useful things before their claims can be said to be properly opened out, and with considerable liabilities, which have been accumulating for the past twelve and eighteen months, to be paid out of their first washings. During the past month nearly all the sluicing claims on the field have washed up, and I learn that, with very few exceptions, the washings have been most satisfactory, while a few were handsome, and promise large returns for several years to come. Of the twenty-five sluicing parties taking water from the Government race, and who have washed up during the month, I have heard of only four parties complaining of their returns, while three of these are sanguine of their claims ultimately paying. When we take into consideration the fact that many " duffer bars " were met with when this ground was previously worked by driving, it is only reasonable to assume that some of these claims are now being opened out in some of these places, and that it may take some months to work out of them, during which time sufficient gold may not be obtained to cover the working expenses; but the result of the washings generally has established this as the best sluicing field in New Zealand, and each claim shows how very evenly the gold is distributed from surface to bottom (from 30 to 100 feet), over a very large area that will be profitably sluiced for many years. The miners generally are well pleased with their washings, and the good prospects before them. Sludge Channel. —When my last annual report was written there were four parties only using the channel. There are now about twenty opened out, and several others partially so ; the latter can only work from time to time when water and channel are available. I have not yet had sufficient water in the field to supply more than nine parties at one time in the channel, equal to nearly seventy heads of water, the general number being eight parties each shift, and two shifts of four hours each day; but, as they do not all take water every day from week's end to week's end, I am enabled to serve a few parties intermittently, and, although very unsatisfactory and an unprofitable way of opening a sluicing claim, they are nevertheless very glad to be served even in this way for the time being, in the hope that in a short time more water will be available, and that the channel will be widened from the lower end to No. 2 section, about equal to 50 chains, including the extension at the tail. The channel can be widened about a foot on the one side only, which would increase the sectional area nearly one-third, and the carrying capacity fully one-third, which would, I think, serve all the claims now having tail-races connected with the channel. There are in all thirty-two parties now ready or nearly so, and it is at the present impossible to accommodate on an average more than twenty or twenty-two, even if plenty of water was available, as I do not think the channel will work safely with more than ten parties at one time. Blocking Channel. —For some time past I have been painfully aware of the large cost of maintenance of the sludge-channel, and, seeing the necessity of procuring something harder than wood blocks, I thought of the possibility of procuring suitable glass blocks, which, if not too costly, would, in addition to the advantage of lasting a considerable time, increase the carrying capacity of the channel, and save the large outlay in wages now constantly going on to replace the wood blocks. I subsequently heard that glass blocks were in use in the San Francisco mines, and at once wrote to a gentleman there for information. The reply is that " glass blocks have never been used there"—that cast-iron had been tried, but proved too costly. The paving generally used is "black quartz," quarried in the locality; the blocks used are 18 inches deep, which last four months, where wood blocks of 13 inches deep last only a fortnight. This is in the North Bloomfield Gravel-Mining Company, where three and a half million cubic yards of gravel are washed away in the year. In some cases old cast-off-railway rails are used. I have long thought that railway rails would effect a great saving, and should now like to give them a trial. In the meantime lam having stones collected at several places in line of channel, and placing them in the channel when convenient to do so. The placing is slow, in consequence of the uneven thickness of the stones, requiring to be packed underneath with fine gravel to bed them solid, and the wedging to keep them securely in position. It will take a considerable time
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to collect a sufficient quantity of suitable stones to do the work. Those already placed give every indication of lasting some time, but it is also apparent that stone-paving will lessen the carrying capacity of the channel, because they present a rougher surface to the water and debris, although much care has been taken to place the stones as evenly as possible. Stones are now projected through the body of water on to the side tramways at these places; this paving will, however, get smoother after a month or two of steady use. Kapitea Dam. —This little dam has done wonders in keeping up the daily supply of from fifty to seventy heads during the year; this has been done by the greatest attention to the Kawhaka Supply Race, which empties into the head of Kapitea Creek, and by utilizing the Waimea Race Sunday water, which would otherwise go to waste, but this had to be taken at certain hours, so as not to interfere with the night water supplied to reservoirs at Waimea and Stafford. In addition to the claims now supplied from the Government race there are several not connected with the channel prepared to sluice when the water is available, and I am hopeful of being able to supply them all on completion of widening of race-tunnel and construction of Loopline Dam. The first will be finished within two months, and the latter probably within three months. Up to the present, in order to supply and accommodate as many as possible, I have divided the long summer days into three shifts of four hours each; all parties having tail-races of their own are supplied with water from 6 to 10 a.m., and the channel men from 10 a.m. to 2. p.m. and from 2to 6 p.m. These shifts are still continued, but I fear cannot be much longer, as the days are noticeably shortening. I will therefore very soon be forced into two four-hour shifts, by which time or shortly after I hope to have enough water on the field to serve the private tailrace parties at the same time with the two sludge-channel shifts. This will very much increase the volume of water to be carried by the main race. lam therefore taking advantage of every opportunity to enlarge and increase its carrying capacity, which work is, however, somewhat slow, as it can only be done in such days and hours when water is not in the race. The daily requirements of the field to be supplied by the Government race will soon be between ninety and a hundred heads, equal to 360,000 cubic feet per hour. Herewith please find tables showing the revenue and expenditure on account of the WaimeaKumara Races and Sludge-channel maintained by the Government from the Ist April, 1882, to 31st March, 1883 ; also the number of men employed by the races, their average earnings, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them, after deducting working expenses. I have, &c, J. Gow, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Manager.
No. 21. Mr. Denis Doyle, Manager of the Argyle Water-race, to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Charleston, 12th May, 1883. I have the honour to forward report for the year ending the 31st March, 1883, in compliance with telegram of the 12th instant. In February, 1882, work was begun on sections 1 to 4>, South Supply Race, for enlarging old race. In March contracts were let for sawing and delivering timber on race at different points; this work was let in two sections. The labour of erecting flumes and other portions of race I carried out myself under day labour, according to instructions from Mr. Martin, R.E. The carpenter work I did myself, along with an assistant, other men being employed in getting and squaring timber and hauling it to works. This has been a very difficult piece of work, owing chiefly to the nature of country; being all broken up, in limestone formation, and the timber being of heavy beams, it was very laborious work to get it on the ground and fixed in position. This work was continued until the whole length of race was finished, in the month of September, 1882. I also had 37 chains of ditching and 3 chains of fluming finished on North Supply Race. This race would require finishing to its bead, about 35 chains ; all the old fluming is broken down and perfectly useless from 37 chains to head of race. I also repaired two side feed-races coming into this race, gaining a fair supply of water in rainy weather. Contract No. 1. —Alterations were let in March, 1882, and kept going night and day until such time as the tunnel—27 chains long—was got through. This contract was finished in September, and a splendid piece of work it is. Contracts Nos. 2, 3, and 4 were let in October last, and were finished in January, 1883. Contracts Nos. 5 and 6 were let in April of this year. These two last contracts will connect the new and old race at two miles on old race from the dam ; therefore this two miles of very bad race will be done away with after a short time. The above shows the amount of works already finished and in progress; I may say Contracts Nos. 5 and 6 do not come under report for last year. In the beginning of the financial year 1882-83 the water in the reservoir was very low— not more than two feet in depth. This supply kept running out from time to time, until the broken weather set in, when we had heavy rains all through the winter, raising the supply up to within three inches of overflowing in September. During the whole of
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this time no water was coming into the reservoir from supply races, as it was not required. The old race was kept in repair from time to time whenever a break would occur in flumes and race, which was very often, though not very serious; at the same time expenditure was kept down as much as possible, new timber being used for patching only. In January, 1883,1 began running water through new tunnel as far as the end of Section No. 4. From this point I had a new piece of race constructed for about 7 chains to connect new and old races. After running water for about one month on this route the water got down in reservoir below the level of tunnel, and from the end of February I have been using the old race again to keep the supply going on. I commenced supplying a party of men at Back Lead—Whelan and party —in last November with 20 inches of night-water; and, as a sample of the worth of this ground, I may mention that Whelan and party (three men) washed up for five weeks and received the handsome return of £141 worth of gold. This is leasehold ground, for which these men have been paying for seven years, expecting the water to be brought on every year. I have laid off course of race to this ground, according to instructions from Mr. Martin, R.E. The weather from last September has been very dry in this district, no rain falling during the whole of that time, except some light showers; therefore the reservoir was gradually reduced, until it ran dry altogether in April past. There never has been such a dry season in the recollection of Charleston people; and not the slightest sign of it improving at present. The following is the statement of revenue and expenditure for the year ending the 31st March, 1883 :— £ s. d. Revenue —By sales of water ... ... ... ... ... 526 11 1 Expenditure 372 14 10 Balance profit ... ... ... ... ... ... £153 16 3 The above is as near as I can come to it, as there may be other items I have no record of. All vouchers and bills I send to the Resident Engineer, Greymouth, for approval, when labour salaries are imprested to me to pay. All other tradesmen's accounts are paid through your office. The following is the probable revenue and expenditure for the year 1883-84 : — If race is extended to Argyle Terrace by August the revenue will £ s. d. amount to about ... ... ... ... ... 800 0 0 Expenditure about ... ... ... ... ... ... 392 0 0 If race is not extended as above, the revenue will be about ... 600 0 0 Expenditure, about... ... ... _ ... ... ... 560 0 0 The above will show, as near as I can come to it on the two scales, — Difference in income ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 „ expenditure ... ... ... ... ... 170 0 0 Dead loss of, nearly ... ... ... ... ... £370 0 0 There are three different parties waiting to be supplied with water, but the flumes are so bad they will not carry a supply, and to repair them to carry a supply would cost about £150. This would be thrown away, as new works are close up to them, and would not be justifiable expenditure. The income for last year did not come up to estimate, chiefly through same cause. I hay c, &c, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Denis Doyle, Manager, Argyle Water-race.
No. 22. The Chairman, Mount Ida Water-race Trust, to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir, — Office of Mount Ida Water-race Trust, Naseby, 15th June, 1883. I have the honour to forward herewith balance-sheet of the Mount Ida Water-race Trust for the year ending 30th April, 1883; and in connection with the affairs of the Trust have to report as follows : — The attached statement is not so satisfactory as anticipated at the beginning of the year, but at the same time the Trust has not lost greatly during this period. Comparing the revenue and expenditure of this year with the period ending 30th April, 1882, it will be seen that the net receipts for water sold and channel fees amount to £1,777 15s. 2d., as against £1,679 9s. lOd.; while the expenditure for the same period has amounted to £1,902 25., and £1,830 2s. lid. This shows a loss during 1881-82 of £150 13s. Id., and for the year 1882-83 of £124 6s. lOd. This slight increase in our expenditure over our receipts is accounted for by the fact that for the last three months a series of floods have so damaged the works of the Trust as to require an expenditure of £337 2s. 3d. for extra labour, as against £108 10s. 6d. for the previous year. Had it not been for these repeated floods and breakages the Trust would have been in a position to show a cash balance. At the same time I might point out that the amount owing to the Trust at this date is £1,364 13s. Bd., as against £1,169 for the previous year; so that, were this added to the receipts, our transactions would show a credit balance of £71 6s. lOd. Regarding this last-mentioned item it might be as well to state that during the following month (May) this sum was reduced to £1,269 ss, 4d.
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Shortly after the last annual report was sent, the Trust initiated certain reforms in the management, which has not only tended to increase its efficiency and economy, but also to maintain the revenue. Had it not been for this there is little doubt but that the funds would have suffered greatly, as the ground commanded by the race is becoming poorer year by year, and the miners consequently less able to meet their liabilities. This leads me to point out the necessity existing for the extension of the Trust's operations by the construction of a reservoir at the Eweburn, and also extending the race to Spec Gully. A majority of the members of the Trust hold that these works are greatly required, and a motion has been carried asking the Government to place a sum on the estimates for this purpose. Another matter which has occupied the attention of the Trust during the year has been the proposed purchase of the Surprise Company's Water-race. It was deemed advisable to recommend the purchase of this race for the sum of j£9oo. The Trust were well aware that this represented more than its actual value. They were, however, partly forced into the position by the fact that the Mount Ida Government Water-race had, to a certain extent, deprived this Company of their line of race, and consequently their water-supply. They, therefore, looked to the Trust to bring in all the water they hold themselves entitled to from the Eweburn and other creeks. Hitherto an arrangement has been made to give this Company a certain quantity of water in lieu of what they have been deprived of. This, has, however, proved a considerable tax on the capacity of the race and the revenue of the Trust. Another matter which influenced the Trust was that, at the point from which the Surprise Company lift their supply, the proposed Eweburn reservoir would require to be made. Taking into account the collateral advantages to be derived from the acquirement of this race, the Trust still deem it advisable to urge upon the Government the purchase of this Company's rights. During the year the Trust has improved the carrying capacity of the race by effecting considerable repairs, and also by a thorough cleaning-out of the debris brought down by winter frosts and severe weather, so that it is now bringing in a better supply than ever it has done; but, even with this improvement the average delivery for the year is only about fifteen Government heads—that is, as gauged by a box placed at the inlet to the reservoir. The greatest quantity as thus gauged is twenty-two Government heads, while the maximum originally estimated by the Engineer (Mr. Simpson) was forty heads. Allowing, however, for the imperfect system hitherto adopted for the measurement, the probability is that the race carries about thirty Government heads—a quantity very much less than the original estimate. All the works are now in good working order, and, although the Trust has been economically managed during the past, certain suggested reforms may still further reduce the expenditure for the ensuing year. I have, &c, David Barron, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Chairman, Wellington. Mount Ida Water-race Trust.
Mount Ida Water-race Trust. —Balance-sheet for the Year ending 30th April, 1883.
1882. Receipts. £ s. d. April 30. To Cash in bank ... 360 13 6 "Water sold, channel fees, and sale of channel horse, 1882-3 1,777 15 2 £2,138 8 8 Assets. £ s. d. To Balance in bank ... 193 17 2 Cash in hand 42 9 6 Accounts owing for water sold and channel fees 1,364 13 8 £1,601 0 4
1883. Disbursements. £ s. d. April 30. By Maintenance, head-race 575 14 0 Maintenance, channel 346 2 6 Extra labour 337 2 3 General management 524 5 6 Law expenses ... 11 15 8 Blacksmith's account, &c 9 8 3 Office rent 19 11 8 Timber account ... 34 3 4 Printing and stationery 12 10 6 New works 18 10 0 Tools account ... 2 18 4 Eefund, Williamson Bros. 10 0 0 Cash in hand ... 42 9 6 Balance in bank ... 193 17 2 £2,138 8 8 Liabilities ... ... Nil. £ s. d. To Balance, credit ... 1,601 0 4 £1,601 0 4
David Barron, Chairman. N. P. Hjorring.") ■»»- , n m , H.Anderson, 'J-Members of Trust. Audited and found correct.—John F. G-arvey, Naseby, 18th June, 1883.
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No. 23. Mr. H. A. Gordon, Inspecting Engineer, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department. Mines Department, Wellington, 22nd February, 1883. Sir,— I have the honour to report on the Mount Ida Water-race as follows : — This water-race is sixty-five miles in length, and heads from the right branch of the Manuherikia River. At the time I visited the work in November last there were only about five sluiceheads of water in the river, and the whole of that was not lifted, as there was only a temporary dam across the river, consisting of loose boulders and gravel, to guide the water into the channel of the race. The works consist principally of open ditching, which is cut across the several creeks and gullies, where a large amount of shingle and debris has accumulated, and continues to be washed down from slips that take place on the side of the mountains, which run parallel with the line of the race; these slips are a continual source of trouble to the Water-race Trust, as they completely fill up the race after any fresh or heavy rainfall. The supply of water from the several creeks, including the right branch of the Manuherikia River, down to the eastern trunk of the same river, is not more than fifteen sluice-heads, and this branch is forty miles from the head of the water-race. There is a large supply of water to be got out of the eastern branch ; but Mr. Johnstone, the present manager of the Mount Ida Water-race, holds a right of water out of this stream for twenty sluice-heads, and has a private water-race from this branch to the terrace above Hill's Creek. The Mount Ida Water-race is therefore fiumed across this branch and across the Eweburn, where another private waterright is held consisting of four sluice-heads. The quantity of water discharged at the lower end of the race is about thirty sluice-heads; this quantity flows into a reservoir capable of holding twenty-four hours' water, and is thence conveyed by supply races to the several people that are using it during eight hours of the day. With regard to this work, there is only about 3 chains of it that is of a perishable nature, viz., fluming; the rest is open ditching and a small portion of tunnelling, and it is carried through a country that is not liable to large landslips taking place on the lower side of the race. The Mount Ida Water-race Trust complain greatly about the limited supply of water they have, and wish the Government to either extend the race to the main branch of the Manuherikia River, or to purchase Mr. Johustone's water-rights from the eastern branch,—for which he wants £2,000, —or build a large reservoir in the Eweburn to store the water. With regard to extending the race to the main branch of the Manuherikia River, which is about five miles in length (aud portion of this distance would have to be tunnelled), I hardly think it advisable, inasmuch as the supply of water would not be largely increased, and the length of race would be greater to maintain. If more water has to be brought in it would be far more advantageous to purchase Mr. Johnstone's water-right from the eastern branch of the Manuherikia River, where there is a better supply than can be got from the main branch, and at a distance of only twenty-five miles from the end of the race. With regard to the construction of a reservoir at the Eweburn: this is a place well adapted for the construction of a large reservoir, but its construction would cost, at the lowest estimate, from £8,000 to £10,000 ; this depends entirely on the height of the embankment, which I think ought not to exceed 50 feet. Mr. It. H. Brown, Engineer to the Maniototo County Council, has made a survey of this site, and estimates that the cost of reservoir, with 70 feet embankment, would be £12,160. However, Ido not think that the present prospects of the gold field would justify this outlay. As far as the future prospects of the water-race are concerned, it commands a very large extent of country, where very little prospecting has been done, but where gold is known to exist, and is apparently of the same nature as the country in the vicinity of Vinegar Hill and St. Bathans, where rich deposits of gold are found. From the appearance of the country and nature of the drift I think it probable that payable gold will yet be traced between St. Bathans and Naseby, and thence traced on to what is locally termed " Mount Burster/ where rich deposits of gold are got in the same drift that it is found in at St. Bathans. The gold-workings in the vicinity of Naseby up to the present time have been on the slate and Maori bottoms; but the Maori bottom has been gone through at St. Bathans, and rich deposits of gold found under it, in adrift which has the resemblance of coarse quartz tailings. In the prospecting shaft at Naseby the Maori bottom has been gone through and the same quality of drift obtained as at St. Bathans, but nothing definitely is yet known of the payable nature of this drift or otherwise in this vicinity. It, however, proves that the same ground can be traced, and there is every prospect of payable gold being yet got between those places ; and if such were found the Mount Ida Water-race would become valuable property, and would then justify the construction of a large reservoir to store water; but at the present time, if a larger supply has to be obtained, I should recommend the purchase of Mr. Johnstone's water-right from the east branch of the Manuherikia. River, which probably could be bought for a less sum than he asks for it. I have, &c., Henry A. Gordon, Inspecting Engineer, Mines Department, 7—H. 5.
50
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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 the 1st January to the 31st December, 1882.
Gold duty received during the year in the under-mentioned provincial districts : — £ s. a. £ s. d. Auckland.. .. .. 3,233 10 1 Westland .. .. 8,436 b 3 Wellington* .. .. 115 0 Canterbury .. .. 12 0 Nelson .. .. .. 4,897 10 o Otago .. .. .. 8,344 7 6 Marlborough .. .. 135 4 8 James C. Gavin, Eeceiver-GeneraL
District. Miners' Eights. Business Licenses. Waterraces, Sluices &c. Gold-Mining 1 Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Graliamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri Te Aroha £ s. d. 343 0 0 135 0 0 100 0 0 147 0 0 £ S. d. £ a. d. 12 0 0 £ s. d. 2,341 5 0 i 795 16 3 11,622 6 0 2,340 2 0 & s. d. 51 5 6 6 2 6 £ s. d. 45 5 0 4 13 0 £ s. d. 904 1 2 8 12 0 24 8 10 359 9 6 & s. d. 3,696 16 8 950 3 9 1,746 14 10 3,377 9 0 355 0 0 90 11 6 85 '6 0 Totals 725 0 0 355 0 0 12 0 0 :7,099 9 3 147 19 6 135 4 0 1,296 11 6 9,771 4 3 Hawkb's Bay. Napier 10 0 10 0 Wellington. Wellington 2 0 0 2 0 0 Nelson. Collingwood Westport and Charlestown Ahaura Reef ton Wangapeka West Wanganui .. Lyell No Town 119 18 0 419 1 0 370 3 0 433 2 0 22 0 0 4 16 0 200 0 0 169 0 0 33 0 0 58 0 0 451 10 0 6 5 0 37 10 0 14 2 6 19 15 0 0 7 6 0 5 0 15 12 6 7 10 0 100 17 0 568 1 8 224 18 2 2,341 6 8 12 16 6 42 16 0 27 10 6 25 5 0 0 8 0 0 10 0 12 10 0 10 1 0 3 7 0 23 19 0 20 8 0 0 17 4 0 2 0 3 5 0 10 0 1 10 0 243 5 6 1,127 12 8 716 2 2 3,279 6 0 22 15 6 37 9 0 680 4 8 200 0 0 5 0 0 23 0 0 5 0 0 26 18 0 422 17 2 5 0 0 6 0 0 3 6 0 o"5 0 0 3 0 Totals 1,738 0 0 575 10 0 101 7 6 3,089 18 8 131 17 0 63 17 4 6 5 0 6,306 15 6 Maelbobough. Havelock Blenheim 162 4 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 164 15 0 10 6 0 49 12 0 399 17 0 2 0 0 2"o 0 Totals .. 162 4 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 164 15 0 10 6 0 49 12 0 2 0 0 401 17 0 We STL AND. Hokitika Kanieri .. Greymouth Eoss Stafford Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton .. Kumara Jackson's Bay Goldsborougli 303 0 0 527 0 0 523 0 0 235 0 0 214 0 0 60 0 0 179 0 0 128 0 0 293 0 0 537 0 0 3 0 0 259 1 0 220 5 0 139 10 0 40 0 0 19 0 0 23 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 2 12 6 12 2 6 30 0 0 13 15 0 15 2 6 3 7 6 4 0 0 10 12 6 15 10 0 17 6 0 2 6 24 10 0 559 0 0 218 15 0 15 0 0 7 19 0 14 4 0 21 14 0 12 6 0 14 5 0 2 4 0 8 8 0 6 6 0 12 5 0 22 5 0 0 6 6 20 17 0 22 15 0 9 4 0 33 18 0 2 13 0 15 17 0 12 0 11 19 0 0 5 0 16 11 0 19 17 0 10 0 4 18 0 0 10 13 8 6 6 10 15 0 557 11 6 706 18 6 1,207 13 0 514 17 6 280 5 6 90 18 6 208 7 0 155 3 6 339 6 0 694 4 0 3 9 0 331 2 0 104 0 0 2*'o 0 5 10 0 4 4 6 16 17 0 917 0 Totals 3,261 1 0 560 15 0 133 2 6 800 5 0 142 19 6 150 18 0 40 15 0 5,089 16 0 Otago. Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. Bathans Manulierikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzer's •Orepuki Invercargill Stewart Island .. 116 0 0 658 2 0 137 0 0 212 0 0 74 0 0 180 0 0 510 0 0 178 0 0 242 0 0 623 0 0 225 4 6 328 0 0 18 0 0 39 5 0 20 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 57 0 0 17 0 0 4 12 6 48 7 6 8 2 6 4 12 6 7 10 0 7 17 6 20 10 0 13 5 0 15 7 6 15 0 0 6 7 6 12 5 0 0 10 0 23 10 0 220 15 0 19 3 4 0 11 8 26 6 8 72 8 4 117 16 8 172 6 8 201 1 8 5 19 0 55 10 0 2 4 0 22 6 0 3 0 0 4 15 0 1 13 0 3 14 0 14 9 0 4 8 0 6 19 0 6 12 0 2 12 0 3 18 0 0 8 0 36 6 6 12 2 0 7 7 0 0 15 0 4 16 0 11 14 0 4 8 0 32 11 0 30 14 0 7 9 0 6 7 0 10 0 8 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 10 0 165 14 6 1,025 2 0 207 7 10 234 16 2 115 4 8 196 17 6 687 1 4 334 17 8 472 0 2 962 12 8 272 12 0 443 0 0 0 10 0 2 0 0 86 0 0 25 0 0 37 0 0 2'lG 0 0 5 0 2"0 0 Totals 3,483 6 6 309 5 0 164 7 6 915 9 0 76 10 0 154 17 6 16 1 0 5,119 16 6
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51
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, 1883.
No. 3. Comparative Return of Revenue derived from the Gold Fields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1881 and 1882, showing Increase or Decrease under each Head of Revenue.
District. Miners' Eights. Business Licenses. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-Mining Fees and Leases, Hents, Eegistra- Pines, and tion. Wardens' Eoyalties. Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Grahamstown Coromandel Ohinemuri Te Aroha £ s. d. 63 0 0 54 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 264 1 8 67 0 0 486 10 0 274 0 0 £ s. d. 16 12 6 0 7 6 £ s. d. 10 0 0 21 0 0 £ s. d. 87 10 6 2 0 0 £ s. d. 441 4 8 144 7 6 496 10 0 360 2 6 14 11 0 6 15 0 1416 6 Totals 177 0 0 1,091 11 8 31 11 0 37 15 0 104 7 0 1,442 4 8 Nelson. Collingwood Westport and Charleston Ahaura .. Reefton Wangapeka West Wanganui .. Lyell No Town 28 19 0 111 0 0 76 9 0 136 0 0 2 0 0 0 19 6 47 0 0 49 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 100 0 0 0 15 0 7 17 6 3 5 0 5 2 0 0 2 0 19 0 166 5 0 37 10 0 468 15 0 3 4 6 12 7 0 3 12 0 5 3 0 0 10 18 3 0 8 9 6 16 15 0 0 10 0 3 0 0 34 7 G 319 2 6 135 5 6 734 1516 2 316 21 18 6 96 10 6 53 13 6 3 0 0 4 2 6 1 17 6 20 19 0 40 0 0 2 'i 0 2 0 0 o"7 0 0 16 0 Totals 451 7 6 112 0 0 23 2 6 734 18 0 28 8 0 44 3 6 3 17 0 1,397 17 0 Mablbobough. Havolock 3 6 0 5 18 0 129 8 2 28 0 0 21 0 0 10 17 0 70 6 8 Westland. Hokitika Kanieri Greymoutli Ross Stafiord.. Okarito Greenstone Maori Gully Clifton .. Kumara Jackson's Bay Goldsborough 43 0 0 79 0 0 151 0 0 69 0 0 53 0 0 12 0 0 34 0 0 25 0 0 58 0 0 131 0 0 3 0 0 59 1 0 3 5 0 26 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 17 0 4 0 0 5 2 6 5 2 6 4 15 0 0 17 6 0 10 0 1 15 0 3 5 0 0 12 6 69 8 8 70 10 0 5 0 0 0 15 0 4 10 3 14 0 2 13 0 3 8 0 0 4 0 12 0 13 0 2 17 6 3 9 0 8 0 0 2 14 0 6 11 0 3 10 0 0 14 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 18 0 0 7 0 1 11 0 0 10 0 1 17 0 1 16 0 0 7 0 56 4 6 117 6 0 246 6 2 157 12 6 68 13 0 18 10 6 37 14 0 29 6 0 65 2 6 173 11 6 3 0 0 73 4 6 32 '6 0 i"o o 5 17 0 013 0 6 2 6 4 12 0 10 0 2 9 0 Totals 717 1 0 81 5 0 33 0 0 145 18 8 27 18 6 31 18 0 9 10 0 1,046 11 2 Otago. Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. Bathans Manuherikia Clyde Mount Benger Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzer's Orepuki 8 0 0 128 2 0 32 0 0 18 0 0 10 0 0 30 0 0 55 0 0 65 0 0 58 0 0 95 0 0 19 18 6 50 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 12 6 14 15 0 0 15 0 1 17 6 0 7 6 2 10 0 3 0 0 5 2 6 3 7 6 3 12 6 0 14 0 1 17 6 9l"s 4 84 1 8 o'"5 0 0 11 0 7 17 0 1 19 0 0 17 0 0 4 0 0 17 0 3 9 0 17 0 2 7 0 16 0 0 9 0 0 13 0 C 12 6 2 4 0 0 17 0 2 10 0 21 3 0 6 5 0 21 6 0 0 12 6 18 0 14 13 6 254 9 10 123 15 8 22 18 6 24 16 6 34 4 0 104 14 0 197 12 0 74 19 6 185 13 2 21 14 0 92 18 6 15 'o 0 25 10 0 105 0 0 5 0 0 58 6 8 o"s o 6 0 0 0 2 0 20 0 0 19 0 0 Totals 569 0 6 62 0 0 39 1 6 397 6 8 21 16 0 62 18 0 0 7 0 1,152 9 8 Gold duty received during the quarter in the under-mentioned pr< £ s. d. Auckland .. .. .. 972 2 0 Westla: Nelson .. ..■ .. 1,231 18 10 Otago Marlborough .. .. 58 6 3 wincial districts: — £ s. a. ad .. •• 1,706 15 10 .. 3,127 11 2 James C. Gavin, Keceiver-General.
District. Water- Gold-Mining ' ■ Fees and ■ Miners' Business races, Leases, Eegis- Fines, Miscel- Gold Total. ' Eights. Licenses. Sluices, Eents, and tration. Wardens'! laneous. Duty. &c. Eoyalties. Courts. .UCKXAND — Year 1881 .. Year 1882 Increase Decrease t 1,199 725 '474 £ 203 355 152 £ "l2 ! 12 i 1 £ £ 3,876 110 7,099 148 3,223 38 £ £ £ £ 94 518 3,023 9,023 135 1,297 3,233 13,004 41 779 210 *3,981 * Net.
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52
No, 3— continued. Comparative Return of Revenue derived from the Gold Fields— continued.
No. 4. Comparative Return of the Total Amounts of Gold Fields Revenue (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the Years 1881 and 1882, and the Quarters ending 31st March, 1882 and 1883, showing the Increase or Decrease in respect of each District.
Districts. Miners' Bights. Business Licenses. Waterraces, Sluices, &o. Gold-Mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Misoel- Gold laneous. Duty. Total. Hawke's Bay— Year 1881 Year 1882 .. Wellington— Year 1881 Year 1882 Decrease £ £ £ a £ & £ £ £ 1 1 1 1 11 2 1 2 12 4 *8 Nelson — Year 1881 Year 1882 Increase Decrease Maelbobougk— Year 1881 .. Year 1882 Increase Decrease Westland — Year 1881 Year 1882 Increase Decrease 1,965 1,738 227 188 162 375 576 201 21 8 88 101 13 5 6 2,252 3,690 1,438 90 165 75 168 131 .37 9 10 1 83 C4 "l9 11 50 39 7 6 1 2 2 5,833 4,897 ~936 138 135 10,771 11,203 *432 464 537 *73 '"26 13 3 2,617 3,261 644 285 561 276 133 133 278 800 522 142 143 1 131 151 20 32 40 8 7,753 8,436 683 11,371 13,525 *2,154 Otago— Year 1881 .. Year 1882 .. Increase Decrease Canterbury— Year 1881 Year 1882 Increase 3,773 3,483 '290 375 309 "66 175 164 "ll 1,084 916 "l68 99 76 '23 164 155 9 37 16 "21 10,261 8,344 1*917 15,968 13,463 2*505 1 1 1 •Net. ,1a: OES C Gavin, Eeceivi sr-Gene: •al.
Years 1881 and 1832. Quarter from 1st January fco 31st March. District. 1881. 1882. Increase. Decrease. 1882. j 1883. Increase. Decrease. Auckland. £ 2 397 1*106 662 1,834 1 £ 3,697 950 3,377 1,747 £ 1,300 £ £ 358 28 771 648 £ 441 144 360 497 £ 83 116 £ 3-rahams town .. 3oromandel Pe Aroha Dhinemuri Auckland 2J1S 156 "87 1 'ill 151 Nelson. 278 972 678 2,121 38 27 615 208 243 1,128 716 3,279 23 38 680 200 35 63 395 161 611 11 22 270 52 34 319 135 735 2 22 96 54 29 76 26 Oollingwood Westport and Charleston Ahaura Beefton Wangapeka West Wanganui Lyoll .. No Town 156 38 1,158 124 11 65 15 9 174 8 2 Maelbobough. 325 2 399 2 74 86 1 129 43 Havelock Blenheim 1 Westland. 558 707 1,208 515 280 91 208 155 339 694 3 331 449 616 401 80 44 225 99 252 155 70 25 64 43 84 236 1 108 56 117 246 158 69 18 38 29 65 174 8 73 169 Hokitika Kanieri Greyrnoutk- .. " Ross .. .. .. ., .. Stafford .. .. Okarito ••'••■, Greenstone .T" Maori Gully Clifton Kumara Jackson's Bay .. Goldsborough .. 109 191 807 435 236 153 300 147 232 682 4 321 18 6 o 8 107 12 "62 92 1 7 26 14 19 62 "lO 1 2 35
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No. 4 — continued. Comparative Return of the Total Amounts of Gold Fields Revenue— continued.
No. 5. Return of the Quantity and Value of Gold Entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand during the Year ended 31st December, 1882.
Department of Trade and Customs, William Seed, Wellington, June, 1883. . Secretary and Inspector.
No. 6. Comparative Return of the Quantity and Value of Gold Entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand, for Quarters ended 31st March, 1883, and 31st March, 1882.
Department of Trade and Customs, William Seed, Wellington, 14th April, 1883. Secretary and Inspector.
Tears 1881 and 1882. Quarter from 1st January to 31st March. District. 1882. Increase. Decrease. 1882. 1883. Increase. Decrease. 1881. Otago. £ 213 1,169 205 204 144 233 716 425 514 1,052 222 610 £ 165 1,025 207 235 115 197 687 335 472 962 273 443 £ £ 48 144 £ 41 315 43 46 40 53 180 89 147 202 39 117 £ 15 254 124 23 25 34 105 197 75 185 22 93 £ £ 26 61 Dunedin Naseby Black's and St. Bathans.. Manuherikia Clyde.. Mount Benger Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown Lawrence Switzer's Orepuki 2 31 29 36 29 90 42 90 "81 23 15 19 75 108 51 167 72 17 17 24 SOUTHLAND. 2 2 2 2 Stewart Island Wellington. 11 9 2 2 Wellington Hawke's Bay. 1 Napier Total Deduct decrease .. 20,600 26,689 7,230 1,141 1,141 6,156 5,166 580 1,570 Net increaso Deduct increase .. 6,089 "V580 Net decrease 990 J. jmes C. Gavin, Eeceivi sr-Gene: •al.
T01 ;als; Entered for Duty at Produce of Gold Field in the District of Quantity. Value. Auckland .. Wellington Nelson Picton Nelson Nelson Wellington Westport .. Greymouth Hokitika .. Lyttelton .. Dunedin .. Invercargill Auckland Wellington I Marlborougli Nelson .. i-West Coast lotago ... Oz. 33,059 5 £ 131,007 17 1,352 5,400 3,289 12,494 130,048 519,978 83,451 333,824 Totals 251,204 1,002,720
Quarter ended 31st March, 1883. Quarter ended 31st March, 1882. District of Quantity. Ml Value. Quantity. I Value. .uckland Wellington larlborough felson Vest Coast itago L Oz. 9,721 583 833 28,542 31,288 38,491 2,332 3,095 113,760 126,119 Oz. 8,218 4 29 971 38,222 25,865 £ 32,123 14 112 3,627 152,823 103,263 Totals 70,967 283,797 73,309 291,962
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No. 7. Return of the Quantity and Value of Gold Entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand, from 1st April, 1857, to 31st March, 1883.
Department of Trade and Customs, William Seed, Wellington, 14th April, 1883. Secretary and Inspector.
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, 1883.
During the Quarter ended 31st March, 1883. Entered for Exportation to the 31st December, 1882. Total Entered for Exportation from New Zealand to the 31st March, 1883. Entered for Duty at Produce of the Gold Fields in Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland Auckland Oz. £ 9,721 38,491 Oz. 1,360,399 £ 5,016,664 Oz. 1,370,120 £ 5,055,155 Wellington Picton Wellington Maryborough 583 2^332 35 51,120 137 197,311 35 51,703 137 199,643 Sfelson Nelson 833 3,095 1,632,551 6,480,465 1,633,384 6,483,560 STelson iVestport 3-reymouth Sokitika -West Coast 131 3,007 18,541 6,863 492 12,044 73,775 27,449 11,318,631 3unedin "nvercargill I Otago 28,542 113,760 2,824,848 11,204,871 2,853,390 28,935 2,353 116,708 9,411 4,205,000 16,564,695 4,236,294 16,690,814 31,288 126,119 Totals 70,967 283,797 10,073,959 39,464,143 10,144,926 39,747,940
Mining District. Price of Gold per ounce. Price charged per ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Remarks. luckland —North Hauraki .. South Hauraki To Aroha Iablbobo' —Pelorus and Wairau fBLSOH- Wangapeka Charleston inangahua {^ff Collingwood Wcstport Lyell .. Vestland—Hokitika and Kanieri Waimea Totara .. Greymouth ) Greenstone J Kumara Okarito itago— Hindon Tuapeka Dunstan Longwood Orepuki Waikaia Arrow, Wakatipu Gold Field Mount Ida ,. Macrae's, Hyde \ Hamilton, Serpentine [■ Maerewhenua J i ( { £ s. a. 2 10 0 to 3 16 2 12 6 to 3 2 6 2 16 0 3 13 0 3 12 0 to 3 15 0 3 17 0 3 17 6 3 18 3 3 13 6 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 3 16 0 to 3 16 6 3 16 6 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 15 0 3 15 0 3 8 6 3 16 6 3 15 6 3 15 0 3 15 0 1 8s. to 14s. I 8s.6d.tol2s.6d. 12s. J I 10s. to 15s. £1 £3 £1 £3 15s. £2 10s. £2 £1 10s. £4 I 1 20 in. by 2 in. or 40 in. by 1 in. 2 in. by 20 in. 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 40 in. 40 super, feet. 20 in. by 2 in. ) £3 £3 20 in. by 2 in., or 40 in. by 1 in. £1 None sold £2 to £2 10s. £1 to £5 10s. £1 £2 10s. to £3 £1 £1 to £1 10s. 12s'. 6d. " 100 in. 40 in. to 60 in. 6 in. by 1 in. 40 in. by 1 in. 100 in. j 12s'. 6d. 16 in. by 1 in. 3 15 0 £1 13s.
55
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No. 9. Number of Miners Employed during the Year ending 31st March, 1883.
Alluvial■miners. Quartz■miners. Totals. Mining District. Grand Totals. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. AUCKLAND — North Hauraki South Hauraki .. Te Aroha Mablboeough— Pelorus Wairau Queen Charlotte Sound .. Nelson— West Wanganui Wangapeka Collingwood and Takaka.. Inangahua Ahaura Charleston Westport, including Addison's, NorthernTerraces, Waimangaroa, North Beach, Mokihinui, Karamea, and Lower Buller Valley .. Lyell .. Hampden Westland— Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymouth Arnold Greenstone Okarito Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde .. Cromwell Alexandra Boxburgh • Waikaia, Upper Waikaia, Nokomai, Waikaka, and Waikawa Orepuki and Longwood Wakatipu Gold Field — Arrow, Macotown, Cardrona, Kawarau, Bracken's, and Motatapu Queenstown Naseby Kyebum and Clarke's Hamilton, Sowburn, &c. .. ... Hyde and Fullarton's Macrae's, Strath-Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine Maerewhenua St. Bathans and Ida Valley Black's 200 50 6 25 184 150 270 230 230 150 250 550 350 1,690 500 246 450 100 120 '438 93 4 7 200 250 77 20 270 275 60 252 810 120 8 2 20 18 7 533 25 250 8 252 .810 120 208 52 20 24 25 191 683 270 230 255 400 250 550 350 1,690 500 254 450 100 120 *438 93 4 7 200 250 77 20 270 275 60 252 810 120 208 52 20 24 25 191 1,121 363 230 255 404 257 750 600 1,767 520 524 725 160 120 45 470 40 260 125 156 4 420 20 170 120 150 7 60 70 6 8 52 530 40 330 131 164 4 420 20 170 120 150 56 950 60 500 251 314 87 100 250 400 6 87 106 250 400 337 506 140 300 165 45 55 40 100 150 95 100 15 7 130 67 270 367 165 45 55 40 100 150 95 100 15 7 370 517 260 145 70 47 55 15 40 135 170 85 10 4 20 68 "30 "lO 55 45 40 145 170 85 10 4 20 68 140 55 ii 165 238 Summary. Auckland Marlbobough Nelson .. .. .. Westland .. .. Otago .. .. •• 250 1,495 4,006 2,443 542 1,152 2,188 1,182 30 833 8 394 1,182 280 2,328 4,014 2,837 542 1,152 2,188 1,182 280 2,870 5,166 5,025 Totals 8,194 3,882 2,447 10,641 3,882 14,523
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56
No. 10. Return showing the Average Prices of Provisions and Live Stock for the Year ending 31st March, 1883.
Lite Stock. Meat. I Mining District. V a 14 i M 3 CD O o s-a dl | o Per head. o ft s QQ a o 02 O m 1 a, | 3 § <D .2 GO I .a l ! ! i i i 1 ! Per Im. bushel. 1 | Per head. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per qt. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per. bid. Per gall. Per lb. Pcrlb. Per lb. Per lb. Perlb. Per 100 lb. Per head. Per head. Per head. Per lb. Per lb. Per gallon. Auckland — North Hauraiki South Hauraki .. Te Aroha Mablbokough — Queen Charlotte Sound .. Pelorus Wairau Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Lyell and Hampden Westport Charleston Ahaura Westland — Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Okarito Kumara Greymouth Arnold 105/ 88/-10O/ 100/ 45/ 24/ 25/ d. 24 2/ 1/6 1/6 1/3 /8-1/ 1/3 1/ /8-1/ ,/8-l/ 1/9 1/4 2/ 16/ 14/ 15/ 5/ 6/ £ 5-15 6 5-9 15/-20/ £ 5-50 5-45 5-40 10/-20/ ! 8/-18/ 8/-12/ 30/-60/ 12/-33/ 15/-35/ d. 3-7 5 d. 6 3J-5 5 d. 6 4-7 6 d. 5 6 4 d. 4 d. 14 l 2 d. 5 4-6 6 3/ 1/10-3/6 2/-3/6 6/6 6/ 6/ 24/ 16/-40/ 16/-40/ 5/ 140/ 4 4 3 if 1/ 1/3 1/ 1/2 1/ 1/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 18/ 18/ 16/ 6-8 6-9 6-8 10/ 10/ 13/ 6 5 5 6 4 3| 6 6 6 6 4 14 2 2 7 6 6 3/6 3/ 3/3 7/ 8/ 7/ 13/ 160/ 100/ 140/ 150/ 123/ 130/ 160/ 30/ 33/ 25/ 28/ 23/ 27/6 25/ 2 5 3 4 2 2 2-J /10 1/ 1/9 2/ 1/6 1/6 1/6 10 n 1/6 1/6 1/3 1/6 9 1/2 /10 1/9 2/ 2/ 2/ 1/9 2/ 1/9 16/ | 15/ | 24/ 24/ 13/-20/ 20/ 17/ 5/ 5/6 9/ 14/ 5/6 6/6 7/6 3-6/10/ 6 9/10/ 10 11 9 6-12 60/ 40/ 5-30 6 15 15 25 20 10-50 8/-16/ 9/ 18/ 16/ 15/ 20/ 17/ 10/-60/ 15/ 80/ 80/ 50/ 30/ 40/-100/ 4 5 8 6 7 8 5 4 8 6 7 7 5 6 10 8 6 3 4 6 9 6 6 6 5 6 5 6 4 2 14 3 6 2 4 3 6 6 8 6 6 6 2/-3/ 2/6-3/ 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/9 3/ 6/-6/6 8/ 6/ 7/6 6/6 7/ 6/ 20/ 15/ 20/ 15/ 16/ 15/ 30/ 120/ 135/ 100/ 110/ 120/ 100/-120/ 150/ 25/ 26/ 25/ 27/ 23/6 24/ 25/ 2 2 3 3 2 2i 2/ 1/6 2/ 2/ 2/ 1/6 1/9 1/6 1/ 1/6 1/6 1/9 1/3 1/6 1/ /9 1/ 1/3 1/6 1/ 1/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 1/9 1/9 2/ 17/6 20/ 17/6 25/ 20/ 16/-18/ 21/6 7/ 6/ 5/6 8/ 6/ 6/ 7/ 10/10/ 15 10 6-10 12/10/ 8-12 7-14 30/ 10/ 15/ 30 15 25 7-14 30 20-60 12-40 17/ 13/ 17/ 20/ 17/ 17/ 20/ 80/ 60/ 60/ 30/ 80/ 60/-120/ 20/-100/ 6 4 6 6 7-8 5 6 5 6 6 6 6 5 7 8 8 9 10 8 8 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 4 4 4 4 4 3 5 3 2 2 3 2 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/6 3/6 3/ 7/ 7/ 7/ 6/6 7/ 6/ 6/ 22/0 -18/ -21/ 18/ 22/ 12/-50/ 18/ 40/ 15/-20/ 30/ Otago — Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell .. "*| Clyde Alexandra .. !■ Black's Roxburgh .. J Queenstown Orepuki, Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Mount Ida Maerewhenua 100/ 90/-160/ 120/ 25/ 25/-26/ 30/ 2 1J ii 1/3 1/-1/3 1/6 1/3 /ll-l/ 1/6 /10 /7-/8 /10 1/9 1/6 2/ 15/ 11/ 14/ 4/' 4/9 4-7 5 .. 8-40 5-40 7-35 9/ 7/-18/ 4/-20/ 20/-80/ 25/-40/ 5 4-6 !6-8 4 2J-5 4-7 6 4-6 7-10 "i 3 4 2 1 6 4J 3/ 2/6 3/ 6/6 5/6-6/6 7/ . 18/-30/" 18/-25/ 110/ 100/ 115/ 28/ 24/ 28/ 2 2 1/6 1/ 1/7 1/3 /10 1/6 /9 /9 /10 2/ 2/ 2/ 11/ 12/ 12/ 3/6 4/6 4/ 5 4 5 12/6 15 10 15 7/6 12/ 10/ 50/ 40/ 50/ 6 6 [ 4 44 5 8 6 6 4 5 2 1 2 6 3/ 3/ 3/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 25/ 20/ 28/ 15/ 6 80/-120/ 130/ 27/ 26/ 2 14 1/6 /9-1/ 1/3 /9-1/ /9-1/ 2/ 2/ 14/ 12/-14 5/ 4/ 3-9 7 15/ 10-35 15-35 6/-10/ 8/ 20/-80/ 3O/-40/ 6 5-6 34 3-4 84 4 3 5 4 2 14 5J 4-6 3/6 2/6 6/ 5/6 16/ 20/ .. • •
57
H.—s
No. 11. TABLE showing the Average Rate of Wages per Week for the Year ending 31st March, 1883.
B—H. 5.
General Managers. L»gal Managers. Mining Managers. Enginedrivers. Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Agricultural Labourers. Domestic Servants. Mining District. Engineers. Stokers. Miners. Labourers. Boys. Chinese. 1 Auckland — Te ArohaNorth Hafuraki South Hauraki .. Maklboeough — Wairau Pelorus ... Queen Charlotte Sound .. Nelson — Wangapeka .. Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell and Hampden Ahaura Westland — ■ Waimea Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymouth Okarito Maori Gully (Arnold) Greenstone Otago — Hindon .. £ s. a. £5 t'o'£10 £5 to £8 £ s. d. 10 0 £1 to £2 £1 to £2 £ s. d. £4 to £5 £4 to £6 £3 to £6 £ s. d. £3 to £5 £3 to £5 £ s. d. 28/ to £3 £210/ to £3 £ s. d. 2 8 0 2 10 0 £ s. d. 3 12 0 £2 10/ to £3 £210/ to £3 £ s. a. 3 6 0 3 0 0 60/ to 72/ I £ s. d. 2 14 0 £2 2/ to £2 8/ £2 2/ to £2 8/ £ s. d. 2 10 0 2 0 0 1 16 0 £ s. d. 1 10 0 15/ to 20/ 15/ to 20/ 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1 10 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 £ s. a. o 10 o 10/ to 18/ 10/ to 18/ I 5 0 0 4 'o 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 3 '6 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 10/ to 20/ 7 0 0 4 10 0 10 0 £1 to £3 1 10 0 1 10 0 4 0 0 £5 to £6 5 10 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 £410/ to £5 2 #8 0 3 10 0 3 15 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 3 '6 0 2 14 0 90/ to 100/ 4 0 0 4 4 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 2 8 0 2 14 0 90/ to 100/ 4 0 0 4 4 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 48/ to 54/ 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 2 2 0 42/ to 48/ 3 0 0 £2 to £3 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 0 15 0 2 0 0 20/ to 40/ 20/ to 40/ 2 10 0 0 15 0* 20/ to 30/» 20/ to 30/ 1 10 0* 10 0 1 10 0 2 0 0 20/ to 30/* 10/ to 12/* 10 0* 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 20/ 10 0 15/ to 20/* j 6 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 10 0 4 10 0 6 0 0 4 10 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 4 16 0 3 12 0 4 0 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 3 0 0 £2 14/ to £3 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 15/ to 20/* 10 0 10 0 10 0* 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 20/ to 30/* 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 10 0* 15 0* 0 15 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 15/ to 20/* 10 0 0 15 0* 10 0 2"o 0 i 4 10 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 5 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 42/ to 55/ 2 8 0 1 15 0 17 0 £45 to £50 per annum 20/ to 25/ £30 to £35 per annum 10/ to 12/ Tuapeka and Waikaia Cromwell .. \ Clyde.. Alexandra .. L Black's Eoxburgh .. J Queenstown Orepuki and Longwood .. Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Mount Ida £3 to £4 £20 to £50 per annum £310/ to £4 £3 to £3 5/ 58/ to 63/ £3 12/ to £4 £3 to £312/ £2 2/ to £2 8/ 2 2 0 20/ to 30/ 24/ to 30/ 5 0 0 10 0 5 0 0 4 10 0 3 12 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 14 0 £2 10/ to £3 £2 8/to £214/ 15/ to 25/ 30/ to 40/ 10 0* 10/ to 20/ 6 0 0 10 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 4 0 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 0 15 0 1 10 0 20/ to 30/ 1 10 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 12 0 0 14 0 i"o o 4 10 0 3 10 0 4 '6 0 110 0 15 0 £310/ to £4 £310/ to £4. £310/ to £4 3 0 0 22 2/ to £2 8/ 10 0 £2 2/to £2 8/ 17/6 to 20/ £30 to £50 per annum 12/ to 15/ Maerewhemia £310/ to £41 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 m 2/ to £2 8/ 10 0 £2 2/ to £2 8/ 17/6 to 20/ I • With board.
H.—s.
58
No. 12. Number of Machines employed in Alluvial and Quartz-Mining for the Year ending 31st March, 1883.
Machinery employed in AlluTial•Mini Machinery employed in Qi lartz•Mining. ing. a 1 be s a s i o . II • So b .2 P..S; fl 1 Steamengines employed Winding, C rushing, &c. AggreNo. gate h-p. d I EUD a I ADproximate Value of all Mining Plant ; included in 5 this Return. « i Mining District. a o 0. I! jfl I eg is S o w p ■-d a ft I I O Oh e J IS B Oh (SB I is Auckland— North Hauraki .. South Hauraki .. TeAroha.. 9 35 1 230 840: 20 '.) 33 2 107 482 50 5 25 *3 i tl6 45,000 130,000 20,000 Makleobough— Ravenscliffe and Queen Charlotte Sound Pelorus & Wairau 41 10 3,250 130 2 1,000 1,545 Nelson— Wangapeka Collingwood WestWanganui.. Inangahua Charleston Lyell Hampdon Westport.. Ahaura .. • « 35 100 80 22 60 40 1,650 1 2 40 100 15 40 23 130 4 10 9 'l48 1 1 2 13 4 5 10 206 2 1 2 8 2 3 35 250 2,500 5,000 94,311 2,000 "i "53 3 1 12,000 3,000 2,250 6 1 "i "lO 1 Westland— Waimea .. Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Greymouth Arnold Kumara Greenstone "i 1 2 75 80 55 140 3,500 645 65 1,500 1 8 200 40 70 1 8 10 4,300 12,000 5,000 5,800 5,200 6,175 1,500 130 115 60 30 8 8 d 1 1 8 6 2 6 2 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde, Alexandra, Cromwell, Boxburgh, Black's Orepuki and Longwood Waikaia (Switzers) Arrow (Waikatipu Gold Field) Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's' Hamilton's, Sowburn Hyde and Pullerton's Macrae's, StrathTaieri, and Shag Valley Maerewhenua .. Serpentine St. Bathans, Ida Valley, and other localities i '2 12 500 725 20 15 2 10 20,900 30 17 2 7 90 1 20 12 8 8 6 22 25 39 2 4 2 i 2 ' 4,500 10,500 52,627 2 47 6 1 380 250 1,200 10 l 500 200 6 6 G 107 4 ';') "45 5 i 2 2,000 24,700 150 70 70 20 1,500 500 40 25 400 15 10 200 50 12 150 20 20 60 15 5 ■10 i l 5 10 i 200 600 2,500 l "l6 SUMMABY. Auckland .. Mablbobough Nelson We STL AND .. Otaqo is 3 86 2 130 1,987 5,985 2,742 2 10 17 52 1,000 350 645 27,472 2 4 15 61 8 56 10 "z 45 2 9 1 3 1,090 41 148 10 48 44 1 22 639 10 288 88 17 a 1 *3 16 35 195,000 4,795 121,311 39,975 101,577 i 9 6 90 22 'l46 u 4 2 Total i 16 88 10,844 29,467 82 9 64 6 100 3 60 89 81 1,337 1,083 64 53 462,658 * Tui .■bint :s. tB. srdi
H.—s.
No. 13. Table showing approximately the Number, Description, and Value of the Water-Races, Tailraces, Dams, Reservoirs, and Ground-sluices in Operation during the Year ending 31st March, 1883.
No. 14. Return showing the Revenue and Expenditure on account of Constructed Water-races maintained by the Government, from 1st April to 30th September, 1882, and from 1st October to 31st March, 1883.
59
Wati ir-races. Tail-races. Dama. Kcsi irvoirs. Groui id-slaices. Mining district. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Coat. No. Length in Miles. No. of Sluicpheads. Approximate Cost. No. No. No. No. Auckland— Hauraki North Hauraki South Te Aroha Mablbokough— Polorus .. Wairau West Wanganui .. Kelson — Takaka Wangapeka Collingwood Inangahua Charleston vVestport Lyell .. Hampden Ahaura .. 15 26 3 32 7 4 10 6 33 163 194 184 74 90 213 lOJ 20J 1* 42 7 5 11 38J 135J 171 167J 51 75f 228 47 103 14 61 36 8 11 12 63 795 564 588J 332 239 393 £ 3,000 85,000 7,000 4,500 700 160 230 500 2,847 30,758 12,940 9,747 10,140 12,272 23,127 1 18 2 5 6 19 162 150 49 10 16 107 £ 80 1,500 100 75 250 410 7,931 7,507 5,020 688 1,053 13,342 "l 16 2 2 1 4 22 209 385 104 26 28 128 £ "eo 400 50 240 30 45 890 5,864 1 £ 600 5 £ 7,500 3,288 1,703 1,091 35 50 600 1,500 40 80 3,000 6,000 6,429 vVestland — Waimea.. Totara Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Groymouth Maori Gully (Arnold) Okarito Greenstone 3tago— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde .. Queonstown Alexandra Roxburgh Cromwell Waikaia Orepuki and Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby Kyeburn and Clarke's Hamilton's, Sowburu Hyde and Fullerton's Macrae's, Strath-Taieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine ' Maerewhenua St. Bathans and Ida Valley Black's 890 120 117 105 296 65 26 78 10 309 18 184 25 45 160 56 185 300 44 70 31 18 26 415 100 70 73 283 77| 18 60 15 1,051 90 211 79 163 524 159 320 360 150 210 106 90 42 1,010 300 111 234 490 96 106 150 25 1,024 59 512 69 204 483 225 570 627 132 230 80 64 43 24,000 20,000 7,550 15,000 27,900 2,692 3,000 1,400 750 21,020 6,680 3,700 7,380 19,490 57,960 15,000 12,000 31,000 25,000 10,100 5,500 10,150 4,000 850 140 83 125 163 52 5 60 21 634 25 375 22 86 200 9,000 1,800 800 15,000 7,409 2,510 200 2,500 450 8,556 675 3,740 850 17,250 5,500 1,130 48 91 22 233 44 11 35 19 245 31 36 35 36 60 9,100 600 900 2,500 10,168 1,715 330 2,500 800 7,600 745 1,600 650 1,780 1,500 398 26 11 6 5,900 1,900 700 300 380 65 50 20 109 110 40 12 4,600 560 500 200 2,845 5,700 1,500 80 290 430 120 45 25 15 20 800 11,000 10,000 2,500 2,000 3,000 400 120 40 68 20 15 10 18 1,200 2,500 7,000 1,500 1,000 500 1,200 36 48 72 70 88 141 293 600 93 161 309 162 5,000 12,200 30,200 26,000 25 28 45 88 2,000 1,000 1,200 16,780 7 18 8 58 400 2,000 1,300 1,750
1st April to 30th Septeml ier, 1SS2. 1st Octobe: -, 1882, to 31st larch, 1883. EeTi Revi Balance Due on Water Account. :nue. >nue. 3& Name of Race. Expenditure. Expenditure. Water Sold. Actual Receipts. Water Sold. Actual Receipts. Nelson Creek Waimea-Kumara Argyle s s. a. 1,216 17 1 2,786 14 8. 246 2 3 s s. a. 1,216 17 1 2,395 1 9 246 2 3 & s. a. C03 16 8 1,626 i 9 176 12 9 £ s. a. 1,020 9 2 3,762 12 0 282 0 10 £ s. a. 1,020 9 2 3,185 16 3 282 0 10 £ s. a. 615 1 2 2,780 1 10 195 12 1 £ s. a. Nil. 1,381 19 4* Nil. • £«3 10s. 7d. wori of water sold prior to the 1st A] iril, 1882.
H.—s.
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, 1883.
No. 16. Return of the Number of Mining Leases and Agricultural Leases in Force on the 31st March, 1883, the Extent of Ground Leased, and Rental per Annum.
60
Un< Limi ler " Mining I ted Liability and Amendio lompanies i.ct, 1865," ; Acts. ider Joint-Sti >ck Act. Under ling Companies "Mil .ct, 1872." Mining District. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. No. Nominal Capital. Paid-up Capital. Auckland — North Hauraki* South Hauraki Te Aroha Maelbobough— Pelorui3 .. .. Queen Charlotte Sound Nelson — Collingwood West Wanganui Westport Inangahua Lyell Westland — Hokitika Greymouth Totara Kumara Greenstone Qtago— Hindon Tuapeka .. Cronrvvell .. Black's and Alexandra Orepuki and Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) Naseby (Mount Ida) £ £ £ £ £ £ 160 2,891,950 2,258,756 44 5,617,800 167,301 234 17 2,961,118 345,000 127,342 13,000 1 3,000 2,000 5 1 27,000 11,000 5,000 9,000 i 28,000 25,796 4 1 10 73 17 88,000 12,500 296,000 1,461,250 473,000 21,288 5,500 81,000 664,669 253,600 '2 12,000 9,500 i 4,480 4,480 1 30,000 15,000 1 119,000 16,000 43,250 8,000 'i 6,000 6,000 i 4,480 4,480 ii 2 40,975 24,000 18,602 6,000 4 8 1 5 6 20 8 18,900 80,200 60,000 .28,000 10,640 40,000 30,000 16,250 '7 44,220 44,220 226,650 667,000 105,842 56,880 Totals 184 3,047,145 2,368,874 47 5,629,760 178,261 412 6,920,618 1,506,261 * No register kept.
:iNIKQ AGHI 1CULTUE. .l Leases. iB ASUS. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. Rental per Anuum. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annum. A. B. P. £ s. d. A. B. P. £ S. d. lUCKLAND — Hauraki North Iaelbobough— Wairau Qn. Charlotte Sound Pelorus Telson — Wangapeka, Collingwood, Mt. Arthur, and West Wanganui Inangahua Charleston Ahaura Westport Lyell and Hampden Vestland — Kumara Waimea Totara Greymouth Arnold Itago— Waikaia , -.. Orepuki and Longwood Hindon .. , % . Tuapeka .. - ".. Cromwell Clyde, Alexandra, Black's, Eoxburgh Naseby Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) 17 0 11 34 2 9 Auckland— Hauraki, Ohinemuri 94 4,625 2 10 230 13 0 1 3 8 12 49 2 12 91 0 33 155 0 31 51 0 0 94 0 0 161 0 0 5 15 0 63 17 0 337 14 6 70 1 0 246 16 6 272 5 6 524 5 0 15 177 3 5 2,088 0 22 143 2 30 257 0 0 429 2 28 934 1 36 177 0 0 2,145 0 0 155 0 0 262 10 0 440 10 0 953 0 0 Nelson— Nelson Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell and Hampden Ahaura 1 11 45 39 30 48 83 622 2 5 2,794 3 36 591 2 9 2,225 3 0 2,306 3 38 4,580 0 38 112 26 33 32 54 1 1 10 14 3 10 0 0 10 0 0 234 0 0 199 1 0 19 3 27 10 0 0 10 0 0 114 0 0 204 0 0 18 0 0 Westland— Greymouth Arnold Greenstone Totara 16 20 1 2 1,007 0 34 889 0 7 89 0 0 22 0 0 103 13 6 102 15 6 11 2 6 2 15 0 1 6 6 0 0 , 56 0 0 6 0 0 •• 12,020 1 5 6,742 0 0 3,307 2 28 1,632 11 0 845 5 0 418 2 6 11 40 7 12 132 0 0 209 0 28 101 0 0 91 2 19 137 0 0 230 0 0 101 0 0 95 0 0 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Clyde, Eoxburgh, Alexandra, Black's Mount Ida District Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Field) 108 54 25 48 82 372 1 26 532 2 39 380 0 0 539 0 0 52 88 7,641 2 11 3,788 3 33 958 5 0 478 0 0 Totals 532 6,317 3 27 6,317 2 9 Totals 712 53,255 1 14 6,303 17 6
H.—s.
No. 17. Return of the Number of Licenses under "The Gold-Mining Districts Act, 1873," for the Year ending 31st March, 1883.
No. 18. Return of Cases in the Wardens' Courts, and Costs Awarded, for the Year ending 31st March, 1883.
Notb.— The Beturna numbered 8 to 13, and 15 to 18, inclusive, are compiled from statistics supplied by Wardens. Oliver Wakefield, Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Mines Department, Wellington, 20th June, 1883.
By Authority: George Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB3, 9—H. 5.
61
Mining District. dumber. Gross Acreage. Rental per Annum. -UCKLAND— North Hauraki Grahamstown Te Aroha,.. 36 157 102 A. B. P. 244 2 20 1,068 1 19 389 1 12 £ s. d. 718 0 0 3,084 0 0 1,441 0 0 Totals 295 1,702 1 11 5,243
Number of Mining Disputes Adjudicated on. Aggregate Ami mnt of Value. Amount of Coats Awarded. ." d o o I IS I efl S a O Mining District. Claimed. Recovered. lUOKLAND— North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Iablbobough— Pelorus and Wairau fELSON— Collingwood Inangahua Lyell .. Westport Charleston Ahaura .. 6 No return. 56 £ s. d. £ s. d. 24 16 0 £ a. d. 24 6 0 i 267 19 10 2G3 18 7 50 6 6 33 518 15 1 18 i 3 41 4 0 22 6 20 7 5 14 29 234 10 0 10 0 0 74 18 6 9 11 0 10 0 64 0 0 8 5 0 11 1 0 17 14 6 3 13 0 10 8 0 48 1 0 38 10 0 4 "\ 9 821 2 0 5 10 0 Vestland — Hokitika and Kanieri Waimea Totara .. Kumara Greymouth Arnold (Maori Gully) Greenstone Itago— Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Alexandra Roxburgh Black's Clyde .. Orepuki and Longwood Arrow (Wakatipu Gold Fields) Queenstown Naseby 48 48 7 21 45 25 6 1 8 13 15 5 21 18 7 14 11 40 2,434 1 0 246 2 0 1,530 10 0 2,112 17 0 201 8 2 185 0 0 418 8 0 35 0 0 34 0 0 9 14 0 13 12 0 36 8 0 134 11 11 10 0 33 16 0 6 10 0 10 60 2 0 55 2 6 7 9 0 28 2 0 37 9 0 37 1 0 31 17 0 7 13 0 13 7 0 11 17 0 5 8 0 26 17 0 19 4 0 25 1 0 15 9 0 18 10 0 40 6 0 5 4 "x 2 18 0 37 0 0 18 0 7 0 0 245 0 0 341 4 0 98 8 0 202 17 9 58 0 0 128 5 0 83 14 0 34 8 1 2 Totals 529 10,060 0 4 933 12 10 685 18 C 54
Thxjtotioio^rckphed out -&i& GerverdV Survey Office;, WeUxngtonJ, JV! Z. July, 18 83
SKETCH PLAN OF PERRY'S HYDRAULIC SLUICING PLANT GABRIEL'S GULLY
SKETCH PLAN OF BOWDEN & CLIMES TANGENT WHEEL THAMES
YhxytoltihvifrajphecL cub-Ow Gervercd;-Survey Offices, W%kbngtonv f N.Z Juiy,lBB3.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1883-I.2.3.2.7
Bibliographic details
THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON)., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1883 Session I, H-05
Word Count
55,711THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1883 Session I, H-05
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