REPORTS OF WARDENS AND OTHER OFFICERS ON GOLDFIELDS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1896 Session I, C-03a

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1896. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS OF WARDENS AND OTHER OFFICERS ON GOLDFIELDS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. Mr. Warden Bush to the Dndee-Secbetaey for Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Warden's Office, Whangarei, 20th March, 1896. I have the honour to furnish the usual annual report on the Puhipuhi field, and, in doing so, to state that it affords me very much pleasure to draw your attention to the fact of a revival in mining on this field, since which there have been thirteen mining leases applied for (special claims and licensed holdings), which cover an area of 1,230 acres. Pour of these special claims have been granted, and are now held by a registered company, called "The British Gold and Silver Mining Company (No Liability)." This company has had between thirty and forty men working on their mine during the last three months preparing tramway, cutting timber, and overhauling battery, &c. The company also has some 200 tons of ore ready for treatment as soon as sufficient water-power can be obtained for working the battery. The present unexceptionally dry season has caused a deficiency of water, this summer being the driest the oldest settlers can remember in this district. The other special claims have not been granted, being delayed through non-completion of plans. One mineral-prospecting license has been granted to an applicant, who, though working continuously, has not yet succeeded in locating the cinnabar lode for which he is searching. There are applications pending in connection with the above for battery-site, dams, water-race, &c. It is intended to work these mines more or less under the guidance of Mr. Andrew Gordon French, mining engineer and metallurgist, who spent several months on the Puhipuhi fields last winter, thoroughly testing the same, and reported the results of his work as follows : — " The prevailing rocks are dioritic bluestone quartzites, rhyolites, and tufaceous sandstones. Through the three latter classes of rock the silver-bearing quartz occurs in well-defined reefs, running from 2ft. to sft. in width, which carry the paying ore in rich shoots at intervals along the lines of reefs, as is usual in silver-lodes of this class. They are closely related to the silver-ores of the most common occurrence in Mexico, where, by the way, poorer ores than these are worked with good profits. " I am perfectly satisfied with the quality of the Puhipuhi ore, and with the quantity of the two mines held by you—the Prospectors' Claim and the Waipu—and, generally speaking, with the field as a whole ; but I must emphasize what I have formerly said, that 100 acres is too small for silver, and you should endeavour to obtain 200 acres additional, so that the new shoots of ore could be developed as the others get worked down too deep to follow. " The conformation of the ground is very favourable for cheap mining, as the gulches are deep, and allow a great vertical height of backs before water-level is reached. The position of the battery is well chosen, as it is downhill from nearly every part of the field. The quality of the country-rock for working is of the best description, being mostly soft sandstone on one side or another of the lode, and can be worked with pick and gad for the most part. The ore runs to an average of about 2ooz. of silver and sdwt. of gold per ton, although by hand-picking very much richer ore could be sorted out; but, as stone of 15oz. or 16oz. of silver will pay to work, there would be no advantage in sorting out anything but the poorest stone. " The ore at Puhipuhi has a peculiarity, strongly marked, which in the past rendered it too difficult to treat—namely, the presence of tellurium, selenium, and other volatile elements, which cause silver and gold to volatilise when the ore is heated even to a temperature below redness. " The mines, in my opinion, when opened a few years ago were skilfully worked. Justice was done to the ore at the battery as far as was then possible, but owing to the necessity to put the ore through the kiln to prepare it for the battery at least one-third of its silver and gold went into the air in fumes. The difficulty is now overcome by the introduction of an invention which

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arrests the volatile silver and gold, and at the same time puts the ore into the best condition for the extraction of the rest of the bullion." Mr. French has been and is at present employed oh the Monowai Mine, Waiomo, Thames, where he is endeavouring to treat the ore by a special process, as the cyanide has failed to be successful in the presence of base metals. Ores containing tellurium and selenium require special treatment or else the gold and silver are lost. Tellurium and selenium are volatile metals, passing away in smoke, and carrying away at the same time the gold and silver. When the first mining operations were being carried on on the Puhipuhi field the ore was dried in kilns cut in the side of the hills, and the contents of the ore vanished into the air. To obviate this Mr. French has introduced a method by which the ore is dried and roasted. The principle adopted is that of heating with the exclusion of air, and conducting the fumes through a flue into a condensing-chamber, where a continuous shower of water condenses the fumes, and throws down the escaping metals. Mr. French's process is, briefly, as follows :— First, the ore is (1) dried; (2) then crushed; (3) then roasted ; (4) then leached in vats, where the gold, silver, and copper are separately "solved," or brought into solution, each solution being run into separate vats ; and (5) each are thrown down or precipitated by certain reagents; and, finally, (6) the precipitated metals are melted into bars of silver, gold, and copper. There seems every prospect of one or two good mines becoming permanent on this field, which will probably lead to other important discoveries in the not very distant future. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. B. Bush, Warden.

No. 2. Mr. Warden Kenny to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Thames, 30th April, 1896. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns for the year ending the 31st March, 1896, and also the following report on the mining industry for the same period : —■ The prophecy contained in the remarks at the end of my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1895, has been more than justified. The success attending the enterprise of the Hauraki Company at Coromandel, the Crown and Woodstock Companies at Karangahake, the Waitekauri Company at Waitekauri, and the Waihi Company at Waihi has been the means of attracting increased attention to the mining industry throughout the whole of the Hauraki mining district. The results obtained during the past year, both as regards the quantity of gold produced and the number of men employed, have been most gratifying. The value of gold won from the principal mines was as follows :— Coromandel— Hauraki, £97,218, £139,773 since 1894 ; Kapanga, £4,445. Kuaotunu— Kaipai-Vermont, £14,740 16s. 2d ; Try Fluke, £7,055 2s. sd; Great Mercury, £6,093. Thames— May Queen, £23,534 12s. 7d.; Moanataiari, £7,264. Ohinemuri— Waihi, £122,391 9s. Id., £383,529 since 1890; Woodstock, £10,191 10s. 4d.; Crown, £26,310 lis. 6d.; Waitekauri, £15,600. The wish to obtain mining properties has attained such proportions that large areas of ground have been taken up as special claims or licensed holdings. Discoveries of a promising nature have been made in fresh places as well as in the older parts of the district. Coromandel County. Port Charles. —ln this district reefs carrying gold have been discovered, and several special claims taken up. Cabbage Bay. —Several claims have been taken up on the Waikanae and Huruhuru Blocks. Kennedy Bay. —ln this district very encouraging prospects have been met with in the prospectors' claim, and extensive areas have been taken up. Large areas of both old and new ground have been taken up in the Tokatea, Paul's Creek, Waikoromiko, Karaka Block, Kapanga, Kauri Block, Pukemaukuku, Tiki, Matawai, Manaia, Matarangi, Kuaotunu, Opito, Mahakirau, Moewai, Hahei, and Boat Harbour districts. Kapanga and Kauri Blocks. —Progressive works are being vigorously continued. The shaft in the Kapanga (which is now 900 ft. down, and the deepest gold-mine in the colony), Hauraki, Scotty's, Blagrove's, Britannia, Welcome Find, Bunker's Hill, New Golconda, Wynyardton, Hauraki No. 2, Hauraki South, Preece's Point, and Kathleen Mines are all in full operation, steampumping and winding machinery being used. Tokatea. —At the Tokatea, Triumph, Boyal Oak, Success, Hauraki properties, and Hauraki East work on deep-adit levels is being carried on. Manaia. —The Golden Hill shaft has been worked by the aid of a steam pump to drain the mine, whilst other areas are being prospected by driving tunnels. Kuaotunu. —At Kuaotunu the continued good returns from the Try Fluke, Great Mercury, and Kapai-Vermont Mines have led to the occupation of a large number of special claims, in many of which prospecting works are being vigorously carried on. At Mahakirau, Moewai, and Opito districts there is also a considerable amount of prospecting being done.

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Thames County. Mata. —Kelly and party have constructed a water-race to convey water for sluicing purposes, and several other parties occasionally obtain a few ounces of gold by sluicing. Several areas of land have been taken up as quartz-claims. Tapu. —The Sheridan, Royal, and Fluke Mines have been working, and a shaft, where steam machinery is used, has been sunk at Golden Point. Waiomo. —The Monowai Mine has been used both for the cyanide and chlorination processes, and the results from the mine are said to be of an encouraging nature. Several other parties have been prospecting, and large areas taken up. Puru. —A number of special claims have been taken up in this district, and large bodies of quartz have been discovered in some of them. With the water-power available for crushing purposes ore of low grade could be made payable. Tararu. —ln Upper Tararu the Scandinavian Mine, with four stamps, has proved payable, and additional stamps are now being erected. The Norfolk, City of Dunedin, and other mines have been disposed of to the Tararu Mines Company floated in London. The mine is being opened up and the battery put in such a state that cyanide, concentration, and improved processes in gold-saving can be introduced. Kuranui and Moanataiari Creeks. —A company has been formed to work Hanson's Mine, and the Shotover shaft has again been opened. The Hazlebank and Comer's are under offer to an English company, while the Moanataiari Mine has been disposed of to the above company, and £25,000 is available to thoroughly open up and prospect the mine. The Alburnia Company have sunk their shaft to a depth of 345 ft., and are opening up fresh blocks of reef. An English company has purchased this mine. Several other companies have taken up ground in this locality, and are carrying on prospecting operations. All available land in this district has again been taken up. Waiotahi and Grahamstown. —The Fame and Fortune and Cambria Mines have been steadily at work; and the Waiotahi Mine still continues to yield profitable returns. The Victoria Company has reopened the old Imperial shaft, and are working a new reef, which has proved payable, and promises a continuation of satisfactory yields. The Cardigan Company has driven a cross-cut from the Saxon shaft at a depth of 317 ft., and favourable country has been discovered, and gold found in the quartz. Waiokaraka. —The May Queen Company have had good returns from the block opened up by the drive from the Saxon shaft. The value of the gold won by the company was £20,967 45., and by tributers, who worked in the Saxon section of the mine, £2,567 Bs. 7d.; total, £23,534 12s. 7d. The Queen of Beauty Mine in connection with the Deep Sinker and Deep Levels Consolidated has been taken over by the Thames Hauraki Goldfields (Limited), an English company, with a working capital of £50,000, and a commencement has been made to strip the Queen of Beauty shaft, the size of which is 7ft. 6in. by Bft. 6in. in the clear. This will be the largest gold-mining shaft in the colony, perhaps in any of the Australian Colonies, and new and improved pumping and winding machinery is to be erected. Karaka Creek. —The Adelaide Company have sunk a shaft from the side of Una Hill to the Bocky Point adit, and will continue sinking to open up the lower levels. In the other parts of the district, as well as Una Hill, Te Papa, and Hape Creek, all the available land has been taken up. In the districts of Otunui, Puriri, Tairua, Tairua Biver, Kirikiri, Wires, Ohui, Wharekawa, and Whangamata an extensive area of ground has been taken up, and very encouraging prospects met with, chiefly in large reefs. Ohinemuri County. Maratoto. —This district is again receiving attention. A large amount of prospecting work has been done in opening up the Paiakarahi Mine, and, although the quartz is not of high grade, suitable machinery driven by water-power will be erected for the economical treatment of large quantities of the ore. The old Maratoto Mine has been purchased by a syndicate, with a view to English capital being introduced. Karangahake.- —The Crown Mine has been profitably worked. The battery of twenty stamps is being enlarged, and twenty new stamps will be erected. When the forty stamps are in use the quantity of quartz treated will be doubled. The mine is well opened up. The adit-level from the Waitawheta is driven a distance of 1,200 ft. Exploring works are being carried on under waterlevel, and special machinery, driven by compressed air, is to be used for pumping and winding. The Woodstock Company are also erecting a forty-stamp battery in place of the ten stamps formerly used. The mine is well opened up, so that the new mill can be well supplied. The Talisman Company have a ten-stamp battery ready for use, and there is sufficient ore in sight to keep the mill going continuously. Prospecting is being extensively carried on in many places, and all the available ground round about Karangahake, and extending towards Mangakino and Owharoa, is occupied by special claims or licensed holdings, and as English capital is being invested in prospecting the Victor-Waihou, Earl of Glasgow, and other mines fresh discoveries of gold-bearing reefs are being made. Owharoa. —The chief work in this district is carried on by the Ohinemuri Syndicate, who have acquired a large area of freehold. They are driving a low-level adit from the Mangakara Creek, and also carrying on prospecting work on other portions of the mine. Heitman's Freehold Company are sinking a shaft near the Waitekauri Boad junction, and other companies are putting in prospecting drives. Waitekauri North. —The Waitekauri Company are making extensive works in opening up the Golden Cross reef. A low tunnel is being driven, to be about one mile and a quarter in length, to drain the shaft which is being sunk near the workings. They are also constructing a water-race

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from the adit to the old Waitekauri battery, which has been removed, and forty new stamps are in course of erection. A tramway is being constructed from this mine to the battery. The Golden Cross section is now so well opened up that it will take several years' work to exhaust the quartz from the upper workings. The Waitekauri Extended Company are also carrying on extensive prospecting works, and have opened several reefs to the northward of the line of the Golden Cross reef. A thirty-stamp battery is to be erected. Other companies are working, and the prospects from the reef are very encouraging. Large areas of grouud are taken up in this locality. Waitekauri. —In the Jubilee Syndicates Mine work is going on driving a low-level tunnel, and also on a reef near their battery, which at present consists of ten stamps. Cyanide treatment is to be added, and when complete, crushing will be commenced. Many other companies are engaged in prospecting, and reefs are being discovered. The whole of the ground extending towards Komata and Owharoa has been taken up for mining purposes. Komata. —The Komata Beefs Company have done a great amount of work. Several reefs of large size have been cut, and the quartz gives good assays. A twenty-stamp mill, to be driven by water-power, is being erected on the Komata Creek. There are several other companies engaged in this district, and the results so far show that large bodies of quartz of payable grade have been discovered. The land about this place and towards Maratoto has all been taken up, chiefly in large areas. Wharekeraupunga (or Parakawai district). —Considerable areas have been taken up here and towards Whangamata; but very little prospecting has yet been done. There is a likelihood of English capital being introduced here. Waihi. —The Waihi Company have had another successful year. Very extensive operations are being conducted in developing the Martha reef. The main shaft has been sunk to a depth of 330 ft., and pumping machinery sufficient to cope with the water is being erected. A tramway about seven miles long is being constructed to convey the quartz to the machine-site on the Ohinemuri River, near Thorp's Hill, and a new battery of 100 stampers is to be erected there. This will be driven by water-power from the Ohinemuri River, where a fall of 50ft. can be obtained, and also from the Waitekauri and Mangakara Streams, where the fall will be from 200 ft. to 300 ft. Sufficient power will be available to drive the mill throughout the year. The Union Waihi Company, who now hold a portion of the land formerly held by the Waihi Company, are engaged in sinking a shaft and driving an adit-level for the purpose of working the Union and Amaranth reefs. The shaft is already 153 ft. in depth. The Waihi-Silverton Company have erected a battery of forty stamps, and have got the mine well opened up from their shaft. The assays from the quartz, which are taken systematicaly daily, show that the ore is of a valuable character, and a large addition to the yield from Waihi district may be anticipated from this mine. The Grand Junction Company have sunk a shaft at the eastern end of the Waihi Mine, and another at the western end, but the difficulties attendant on a heavy flow of water in the formation have caused progress to be much slower than was anticipated, and a sufficient depth has not yet been attained to prospect on the run of the Martha reef. The Waihi South, Waihi Consols, and Queen of Waihi Companies have also sunk shafts, but a sufficient depth has not been reached to pierce through the rhyolite and prospect for the reefs. The Favona, another mine in the locality of the Silverton, has discovered a reef of quartz of great thickness, and is carrying on works to open up and test its value. The Brilliant and the Favona have been disposed of to an English company. Large areas have been taken up from Waihi towards the East Coast, and in a northerly direction in the bush, and also towards Mataura. Piako County. Large areas have been taken up in the Tui Creek, Te Aroha, and Waiorongomai districts. The Te Aroha Syndicate have possession of The New Find, Premier, and other old mines at Waiorongomai, and are prosecuting exploration works to prospect the reefs, and are taking steps to test large quantities of the quartz. Tauranga County. Since the extension of the goldfields boundary to the southward, prospecting has been carried on in the Tauranga and Te Puke districts. Gold has been discovered in several places, and on Fleming's freehold a considerable amount of work has been done. The number of special claims of the maximum area of 100 acres shows that much larger areas than were previously taken up are now eagerly sought after. It is not to be expected that the total number of these areas will be mined upon, as too many of them have been marked out haphazard, without regard to line of reef or favourable.localities. Mining companies have been formed to work ground so situated that the ultimate probability of even discovering reefs is very remote. There is, however, one favourable feature in connection with the floating of many local companies, inasmuch as sums from £200 to £2,000 have been obtained from the sale of promoters' shares, which will be devoted towards working the ground before any of the company's capital is called up. This method is an improvement on that which obtained in the past, when the whole of the money from shares sold by the promoters was pocketed by those who first marked out and occupied the ground. In many cases mines have been disposed of to English companies, and in others negotiations for the sale are pending. The following list will show the English companies who have already become proprietors of mines in this district: The Hauraki, Scotty's Hauraki, Royal Oak of Tokatea, The Tokatea of Hauraki, New Hauraki Gold Properties, Kathleen Gold-mine, Success Gold-mine, Triumph, Hauraki East, Kapanga, Preece's Point, Kathleen, Crown, Blagrove's Freehold, &c, at Coromandel; Tararu Mines, Alburnia, Moanataiari, Thames-Hauraki Goldfields, and Fame and

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Fortune, at Thames; Crown, Woodstock, and Victor-Waihou, at Karangahaket Waitekauri, Jubilee, Waitekauri Extended, and Komata Reefs, at Waitekauri; Waihi, Union Waihi, WaihiSilverton, and Grand Junction, at Waihi. There are also a number of other mines disposed of, but definite particulars have not reached me. The outlook for next year is exceedingly hopeful. The new mills to be erected at Coromandel, Komata, Karangahake, Waitekauri, and Waihi may be expected to commence crushing in time for the results to swell the yield of gold. The Silverton new mill of forty stamps is already at work, and the results so far are up to expectations. The total number of stamps to be erected during 1896 will be about two hundred and fifty. The statement attached will show the returns from mines compared with those of the past year, and it will be seen that there is a total increase of £116,360 in the value of the yield of gold, and that the numbe for men engaged in mining is more than doubled : Men emploved—lß9s, 1,422 ; 1896, 3,482. The population at Coromandel has received large additions, and numerous houses are being built in the town and surrounding district. At Thames, although the increase is not so marked, houses in the town are already scarce. Paeroa, which is the distributing-centre for Ohinemuri County, has grown to be a large town. Karangahake Township is also fully occupied, whilst both at Waitekauri and Waihi the areas of the present townships are found to be too confined, and their limits will have to be at once extended. The increase of work, consequent on the demand for mining properties, has taxed the staff at all the offices to the utmost, and only through the energy and zeal displayed by all the officers, without exception, has the work been kept pace with. I believe that the year ending the 31st March, 1896, will mark an era in the gold-mining history ol New Zealand. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. H. Eyre Kenny, Warden.

No. 3. Mr. Warden Allen to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Blenheim, 7th May, 1896. I have the honour to forward you herewith the usual annual returns of Marlborough goldfields. Although the returns may show a slight decrease in number of men employed, I am of opinion that in a short time the number of men employed upon the goldfields in this district will be considerably increased. My report, of course, is only for the year ended the 31st March last. Up to that date there is nothing connected with any of the districts under my charge that requires special notice. A little more interest is now being taken in mining matters in this district. Applications for a few of the reefing claims formerly cancelled have been lodged, but it appears to me that most of these applications are simply for holdings to be held as speculations. I will now very briefly refer to some of the sub-districts under my charge. In the Cullensville district there is no improvement to report. An attempt has been made to float a company to work the low-lying land known as Cullen's freehold, but at present nothing has been done. Ido not know of any claim paying more than wages. In the various valleys, including Onamalutu on the north bank of the Wairau, about the same number of miners are at work, very few doing more than making bare wages. In the Wakamarina district the Gorge Company, working a river claim, have succeeded, by dams and other protective works and by pumping, in clearing their I,oooft. of river claim of water ; they are now engaged sinking a shaft through the shingle forming the river-bed. They have not bottomed ; therefore the results of their labour is at present uncertain. A few licensed holdings (reefing claims) have been applied for in this district, but no work has yet been done by the applicants on any of them. The one or two parties who have held reefing claims in this district have either ceased work or have existed by means of " protection orders." It seems strange that the statements should have to be annually made that the Marlborough goldfield is as rich as any in New Zealand. That we have miles of reefing country intersected by valleys, the deposits in the beds of the streams flowing down these valleys clearly indicating that payable quartz reefs are to be found. These are, I believe, statements of facts; yet what is the results : simply that, if we are to be governed in our judgment by facts concerning mining in other colonies and countries, the decision must be that there has been no real mining carried on in Marlborough up to the present time, and that a district that ought to produce a large revenue, and provide work for a large number of men, is utterly neglected. Before closing I may mention that arrangements have been made by a Wellington company to work the Ravenscliff property on tribute. The tributers are only just commencing work. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. J. Allen, Warden.

No. 4. Mr. Warden Heaps to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 14th May, 1896. I have the honour to report upon, and to forward herewith, the usual statistical returns, for the year ended the 31st March last, for the Mount Arthur Table-land and Wangapeka portions of the Karamea mining district.

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Again the returns show little progress in mining matters in the above district during the past year, but that attention has been attracted to the district is evident from the number of mining experts who have visited the district for the purpose -of reporting to principals at a distance on its resources. Mount Arthur Table-land. The experience of the last year has been similar to previous years for some time past. About six men have been constantly at work on the field, and their earnings, as far as I can learn, have not averaged more than £2 a week during the year. In the summer months they suffer from shortness of water, and in the winter from too much snow. It is difficult to understand how men can put up with the rigor of such an altitude—not far off 4,000 ft. —during the winter months for so little reward. Several applications were made during the year for special claims, but, after obtaining preliminary reports, were not gone on with, probably on account of the great outlay required in getting water and machinery on to the ground. Wangapeka District. I regret that I have not been able to visit this part of my district since my appointment as warden, and have therefore to fall back upon the courtesy of other officers for my information. I am indebted to the local Postmaster, Mr. H. A. Quenton, for the following notes, the obtaining of which has somewhat delayed the forwarding of my returns :— The Sherry. —Some twelve or fourteen men are working on this field, principally groundsluicing. During the past year Mr. R. Mcßae, of Wangapeka Run, has been employing miners to prospect the terraces on his country, with the result that payable gold has been found. He has lately had a head-race constructed some 120 chains in length, including some 30 chains of fluming, which, together with the dam, will provide a good supply of water at all times. Work is now in full swing, and a considerable quantity of gold has already been obtained. He has named the claim " The Belle Hydraulic Sluicing Company." Application is about to be made to have the Wangapeka Biver, below its junction with the Sherry, proclaimed a sludge-channel. Myers and party are also credited with making good wages with their hydraulic plant in one of the Sherry Hills. Boiling Biver. —Six men or so have been working here for many years, principally in the terraces, apparently content with small wages, combined with a comfortable hut and a small plot of garden-ground. Upper Wangapeka. —About a dozen men are working in the upper branches of this river. Most of the gold got is of a course nature, and is found in patches. Baton. —Most of the miners, which number about a dozen men, are old hands, and appear to make small wages. During the summer months several of the settlers employ their spare time in mining, often making a very welcome addition to their incomes by this means. The work done is principally in the bed of the Baton River. The Crow Track is still incomplete, so that the developments I ventured to predict last year as imminent on its completion still belong to the future. I have, &c, Wilson Heaps, Warden.

No. 5. Mr. Warden Greenfield to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sib, — Warden's Office, Westport, sth June, 1896. I have the honour to forward herewith statistical returns and report on the mining industry of the Karameamining district for the year ended the 31st March, 1896, as follows, viz.:— Addison's. The Venture Gold-mining Company (Limited). —Since my last report this company has registered under " The Mining Companies Act, 1882." During the year the company has continued to work with very satisfactory results, dividends equal to 33 per cent, on the capital invested being paid. The Addison's Gold-sluicing Company (Limited). —This company has been engaged during the year in the construction of a tail-race tunnel, referred to in my report of last year as 1 mile 18 chains in length. Two-thirds of the drive have been completed, and the company anticipate that the tunnel will be completed at an early date, when sluicing operations will commence. The Londonderry Gold-mining Company (Limited). —This company has applied for a special claim of 100 acres and a licensed holding of 30 acres. The ground contains a large deposit of auriferous cement, which has been tested, with results of 3dwt. to sdwt to the ton. B. Smith and Party. —This party hold 10 acres of ground, and have applied for a special claim of 100 acres. They have had the water-race surveyed, and have completed about two miles of the race. It is intended to erect a battery, and it is reported that the ground contains exceptionally good auriferous cement. Bbadshaw's Teerace. The old-established claims in this locality have done fairly well during the year, and a few new parties have started to work. The discharge of tailings into Bradshaw's Creek has been a fruitful source of litigation between the landowners and miners, entailing considerable expense on both; and I am afraid the trouble will remain and increase so long as tailings are discharged into the creek. It is asserted by practical men who know the locality well that an effective sludge-channel could be constructed, at comparatively small outlay, to convey the tailings direct to the sea, which would not only be a great boon to the miners, but would divert the discharge of tailings from the

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Buller River, into which Bradshaw's Creek flows, and which might, if largely increased, cause damage to the Westport Harbour. I would therefore suggest that the question of constructing this tail-race should be the subject of inquiry at an early date, with the view of stopping further litigation, and to encourage mining enterprise in an important auriferous district. With regard to the other well-known claims in the Addison's district, I have nothing special to report, excepting that the Shamrock Gold-mining Company has been to considerable expense in opening up fresh ground and removing the washing plant to a more advantageous position. Waimangaeoa. The Great Bepublie Gold-mine. —This mine, which was opened up some time in 1882, when some very good results were obtained, but as these results did not continue, and the available capital was very limited, the works were stopped, has now been taken up by Williams and party, who have been prospecting the higher ground of the claim by trenching, and believe they have discovered what they suppose to be the track of the main reef, and negotiations are now proceeding for the erection of an aerial tramway, and for putting the battery left by the original company into working order. When this is accomplished crushing will be at once proceeded with, as a considerable amount of stone, which it is believed will prove payable, is now ready for crushing. The Britannia Gold-mining Company (Limited). —The claim held by this company adjoins the Great Bepublie Company's claim on the south. Prospecting has been carried on for about nine months, and what has every appearance of a solid reef has been discovered. A tunnel has been driven along the reef 4ft. wide for a distance of 50ft., and at the end of the drive there appears to be a strong body of stone. Gold is visible in the quartz, and gives a good prospect when crushed. Westport Prospecting Association. —Prospecting has been discontinued for want of funds, and there is no probability of work being resumed. Mokihinui. The Swanston Gold-mining Company. —About £3,000 have been expended on the property held by this company in opening up the mine by adit-level, erecting a ten-head battery, and bringing in water. The yield of gold averaged 25dwt., which is very encouraging. At present work has been discontinued, pending enlargement of the company and capital. The Bed Queen Company. —This company has been prospecting their ground for some three months, with the view to proving the reef. About 4 chains of payable stone have been exposed by trenching. It is from lOin. to Ift. wide, and is estimated to be rich. Cascade Creek. Button and Party. —This party, after nearly four years' work, have suspended operations, and applied for protection. They were trying to bottom the creek where they hoped to find good gold. Owing to the want of funds, and the difficulty of getting provisions on to the claim, operations have been discontinued for the winter months. This party applied for a subsidy, and were refused, for reasons of which I have not been informed. lam of opinion that prospecting in this district should be encouraged, as if the creek should prove payable there would be room for a large number of men, as the creek would be worked for a distance of three or four miles, and the tributaries for about the same distance. Foster and Party. —This party hold ground immediately above Button and party's claim. They endeavoured to bottom by means of a shaft, but with their appliances there was too much water to cope with, and they were compelled to give up the attempt. Charleston. Brown s Terrace.— -There is now some prospect of the cement on this terrace being tested. Wilson and party have acquired a special claim of 68 acres, and have arranged to bring in water from O'Donnell's Bace at Croninville. They are now engaged in surveying the lines for head- and tail-races for construction. A good area of cement is known to exist on the ground, and it is hoped that the success that has attended the cement workings at Addison's will extend to Brown's Terrace, as the cement is apparently of similar character. Lyell. The United Alpine Company. —This claim has been steadily worked during the year, but the yield of gold has not been very great. 1,958 tons of stone were crushed, which yielded 6940z. of gold. Six men are employed in No. 4 tunnel to cut a reef 4ft. wide, which shows good gold, and which was discovered in No. 1 tunnel in December, 1895. Six contractors are extending No. 9 level for the purpose of striking the reef known as the " North Block." The future prospects of this mine are considered encouraging. The Lyell Creek Extended Company .—This company's claim adjoins the United Alpine ground, but the stone obtained hitherto has not been payable. There were three crushings during the year, viz. : 322 tons, which yielded 20oz. of gold ; 95 tons, which yielded 7£oz. of gold ; and 82 tons, which yielded 15oz. of gold. Six men are now employed in sinking on the reef, which is 12ft. wide, and showing more gold than the stone recently crushed giving the above-mentioned results. The United Italy Company. —The six tributers who had been employed in driving a tunnel 600 ft. (referred to in my last report) succeeded in striking the leader they left under foot in 1894. The leader is 4in. wide, and shows good gold. They are now employed in getting out stone, and have about 20 tons to grass, and in about a fortnight's time they intend to crush 40 tons, which they expect to yield lOoz. to the ton, and I hope their expectations may be realised. The Tyrconnel Mine.— This mine is held by a party of three, who are the lessees. There are seven men employed. During the year they crushed 34 tons of quartz, which yielded Boz. of gold to the ton. They are now employed in getting stone from a rich leader, 4in. wide, which they believe will give lOoz. of gold to the ton.

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The Croesus Mine. —This claim is held by the lessees of the Tyrconnel Mine, who have let it to a party of three, who had two crushings during the year—viz., 69| tons, which yielded 28oz. of gold, and 45 tons, which yielded 270z. They have about 100 tons of stone to grass, which they intend to crush shortly. This stone was obtained from a leader 18in. wide, of poor quality, and not expected to yield more than 18dwt. to the ton. The Alpine No. 2 Mine. —ln January last a slip took place in Lyell Creek, exposing a leader about 4in. wide. A licensed holding was applied for of 30 acres, and two men are at work driving on the leader, which is of a broken character, but the future prospects are considered encouraging. Murchison. The Mammoth Sluicing-claim. —During the early part of the year this claim was worked, but for some months mining operations were suspended. Two men are now at work, and the returns obtained are said to be satisfactory. A considerable sum of money has been expended in constructing a water-race some six miles long, and it is probable that the race will be extended four miles at an early date. Owen. —Several applications for special claims were lodged during the year; some, after prospecting the ground, have been withdrawn, but there are two applications which have not yet been dealt with. Collingwood. I am pleased to be able to report that there has been a substantial revival of mining in this district during the year, as will be seen by the returns, seventy-five additional miners' rights were issued, and 278 applications were received, being an increase of 170. The Quartz Ranges have been three times carefully prospected by the best experts procurable, and a lead of gold has been discovered, which is believed to extend a considerable distance, but, owing to the difficult country through which the necessary water will have to be brought, the ground can only be made available by the expenditure of a very large sum of money. A good supply of water can be obtained, either from the Boulder Lake or the Clark Biver, should the necessary funds be forthcoming. Four special claims have been taken up by local and London men, who, being satisfied with the results of the prospecting above referred to, are now taking steps to raise the necessary capital. Golden Gully and Appo's Flat.— The same persons above referred to hold two special claims in these localities, which they propose to work by means of water from the Slate River. Exactly similar steps have been taken with regard to these claims as in the case of the Quartz Ranges, and with very similar results. Should success attend the endeavour to raise the necessary capital to carry out the above mentioned enterprises, which is highly probable, work will be found for a large number of men for a considerable time. The Parapara Hydraulic Sluicing Company. —This company completed laying their plant, and sluicing has been carried on for a considerable time, but I am unable to say with what degree of success, but, as the work is still progressing it may be concluded that the company is satisfied. Johnston's United Mining Company. —There are only a few men employed in this mine, and it seems somewhat doubtful whether full operations will be again resumed, as a considerable capital will be required to work the mine with satisfactory results. Kaituna District. No alteration of any importance has taken place since my last report; about the same number of men are employed there, and it is reported they are earning good wages. Dredging. The Cock-sparroio Dredge. —This dredge is at work on the Buller River, about three miles below the Lyell. During the year two dividends of 3d. were paid, and had it not been for the time lost through floods and other causes the results would have been very satisfactory, as when able to work, good gold is obtained in payable quantities. The Buller Dredge. —This dredge is at work on the Buller River, at Fern Flat. 1,3500z. of gold were obtained, and dividends paid amounting to £1,150. The Matakitaki Dredge. —This dredge is at work on the Matakitaki River, about four miles above Murchison. 680oz. of gold were obtained, but it was not sufficient to pay workingexpenses. Several applications have been lodged for special dredging-claims on the Buller and Matakitaki Bivers, and a right has been recently granted to divert the Biver Buller at White's Point, subject to certain conditions. If this scheme should be carried out it will, it is believed, require the services of an able engineer and the expenditure of a large sum of money. The Golden Bay Dredge. —This dredge, I am sorry to have to report, has not proved a success, and the company is, I believe, now in liquidation. The failure, it is believed, is not due to the absence of gold in the river, but because the dredge was unsuitable for the work. A considerable quantity of gold was obtained at the start, when the dredge was working a part of the river comparatively free from large boulders ; but on shifting further down the river large boulders were met with, and the buckets were found too small, and the machinery too weak to cope with them, and the company ceased operations. A large number of dredging-claims were applied for on the Aorere Biver, but as they were objected to by the settlers on the river-banks as interfering with their riparian rights, and their claims for compensation amounting to over £5,000, the applications had to be refused. T may say they were refused with great regret, as, had the claims been allowed, there is little doubt" that several dredges would have been placed on the river, which would, in my opinion, have been

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of considerable advantage to the district, and would have benefited the settlers on the banks of the river instead of injuring them, as they would have found a market for their produce, timber, and firewood. In conclusion, I may say that there has been a marked increase in the number of men employed in mining in several parts of the large district over which I have jurisdiction. There has been a large increase in the number of applications for special claims, and some energy has been displayed.in prospecting. Large areas have also been applied for in the neighbourhood of Matakitaki and Maruia under the Act of last session. This improved state of things is, no doubt, to some extent due to the fact that the attention of English capitalists has been drawn to the West Coast goldfields. I have, &c, Alfred Greenfield, Warden.

No. 6. Mr. Warden Steatfoed to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir, — Warden's office, Reefton, Ist June, 1896. I have the honour to forward you herewith statistical returns for the year ended the 31st March last, and submit the following report on the Inangahua district for the same period. The result of the year's operations compare very favourably with the previous year, there being an all-round improvement. The calls are less, by £1,735, being, I believe, smaller than in any previous year in the history of the district; the dividends are greater by £14,913; the quantity of stone crushed is greater by 3,053 tons, with an increase of 3,1780z. of gold. The yield of alluvial gold is greater by 871oz. From theopening of the district to the 31st March last 670,749 tons of quartz have been crushed, from which 476,0270z. of gold have been obtained, representing a value of £1,860,968, out of which sum £588,518 has been distributed in dividends. The total amount of alluvial gold raised for the same period is approximately estimated at 127,5420z., representing a value of £471,882. The total gold production of the district amounts to 603,5690z., of the value of £2,332,850. The following table will show the calls made, dividends declared, &c, by the various companies in the district during the year : —

List of Dividends declared, Calls made, &c., by various Companies.

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Name of Company. Calls made. Dividends declared. Quartz crushed. Yield of Gold. Value. iVealth of Nations EEercules... iolden Lead slew Low-level Tunnel 5ir Charles Bussell Exchange Jlobe £eep-It-Dark vfo. 2 South Keep-It-Dark ... 3ig Eiver Welcome United ... jord Edward Jolden Treasure ... £ s. 1,200 0 600 0 318 0 1,500 0 300 0 d. 0 0 0 0 0 £ s. d. 1,625 0 0 1,200 0 0 Tons. 3,347 1,646 42 Oz. 1,190 823 39 3 258 £ a. d. 4,734 0 9 3,254 14 7 157 0 9 11 6 0 1,025 6 1 383 900" 0 0 5,250 0 0 3,750 4,169 1,502 2,389 6,026 15 0 9,584 17 0 600" 0 0 16,292 0 8 1,600 0 400 0 200 0 0 0 0 10,800 0 0 3,736 4,026 i'rogress ... Cumberland 1,200 0 100 0 100 0 100 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 6,000" 0 0 8,640 523 3,914 572 15,830 4 6 2,341 14 2 success ... Dillon ... iloyal 'nglewood 172 126 500 0 0 Private Coys, and Tributers — Al Golden Fleece ... Caledonian Sir F. Drake Syndicate ... Just in Time Victoria Boatman's Tailings Fiery Cross 150 0 0 59 1,050 *900 1,045 25 169 464 401 97 315 26 155 154 150 1,878 16 6 1,627 0 0 383 3 0 1,260 0 0 104 0 0 620 0 0 590 6 9 572 4 9 +160 Uluvial gold 8,418 0 0 25,925 0 0 29,816 16,604 5,421 66,793 10 6 21,142 7 10 Totals... 22,025 87,935 18 4 ick. iroximate onl

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A great revival in mining has taken place in this district during the past twelve months. This was brought about by the arrival of Mr. David Ziman, the well-known mining speculator, from Johannesberg. His advent marks a new era in the history of mining in this district. Mr. Ziman, impressed with what he saw, and recognising the great capabilities and value of the district, made several applications for special claims in various parts of it. He then purchased the old Fiery Cross and Hopeful special claims. Afterwards he made offers to the several companies and mineowners for the option to purchase the Globe, Progress, Wealth of Nations, Welcome, Royal, Golden Fleece, Energy, New Low-level Tunnel, and other properties. His offers were accepted, the right to purchase extending over a period of six months, a substantial deposit being paid in each case. Mr. Ziman then proceeded to London, and succeeded there in forming a powerful syndicate, composed of a number of the leading financiers. This syndicate is now known as the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited), and has a capital of £250,000, Mr. David Ziman being the managing director. This syndicate took over Mr. Ziman's options, the whole of which have been exercised. In the cases of the Globe, Progress, Wealth of Nations, and Welcome Companies, new companies are to be formed to work the mines mentioned, and, possibly, adjoining ground, the old shareholders being able to participate or take up shares in the new companies according to the number of shares held by them in the old ones. Since taking possession of the several properties, the Consolidated Company have been energetically at work in retimbering old workings, securing the ground, prospecting, and generally developing the mines. The New Zealand office of the company is in Reefton, Mr. Boyd, late manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Greymouth, being in charge. The company have secured an efficient engineering and survey staff, Mr. P. L. Foster, late of Colorado, being chief engineer, and Mr. Pearce, late of Colorado, assistant. Mr. Evans, late of Denver, is assayer. Mr. Brett, suryeyor, of Greymouth, is now engaged surveying and laying off various works in different mines. It is the intention of the company to introduce air-compressors and rock-drills, so that the work in the mines may proceed with the utmost speed, and also to erect the very latest and most approved milling plant and goldsaving appliances. In the meantime, the works in the various mines will be pushed on, and the mines developed in such a manner as to keep them well in advance of the reduction-works ; and every effort will be made to keep these constantly going. Generally, as plans are formulated, work will be started on all the other properties held by the company, and I am informed they expect to have not less than a thousand men at work within twelve months' time. I submit for your information the following account of the work done by the principal companies in the district during the past twelve months, and some indications of future operations :— Devil's Creek. Progress. —During the year the stoping of stone between Nos. 5 and 4 levels has been continued, and 50ft. still remains to be stoped before reaching No. 4 level. This block of stone averages about 95ft. in length, and varies from 3ft. to 45ft. in width. A winze has been sunk on the reef from No. 5 level to a depth of 175 ft., carrying a strong body of stone all the way down. For the purposes of opening up No. 6 level the main shaft has been sunk a further depth of 145 ft. The work at present being carried on is as follows : No. 2 level is being driven to the east to prospect 600 ft. of virgin country between this mine and the Globe, and a pass constructed to open out a known body of stone on this level. Drives and cross-cuts are also being pushed on to develop the adjoining special claims—viz., the Progressive, Rose, and Ballance, it being considered more desirable to develop these properties at once at a low-level than to work from the surface. This will not only prove the ground at a depth, but will probably lead to early developments of this well-known rich district. During the year the company have crushed 8,640 tons of stone, from which 3,9140z. of gold have been obtained, representing a value of £15,830, out of which £6,000 has been given in dividends. The total output of the mine is 60,235 tons of quartz, which yielded 28,1850z. of gold, valued at £113,145, out of which shareholders obtained £23,400 in dividends. Globe. —The No. 5 level has been extended 230 ft. east, the first 50ft. on stone, which was of an average width of 6ft. An intermediate level of 40ft. was opened on this block, and worked up to No. 5 level. A winze has been sunk on this block, and is now down to a depth of 175 ft. from No. 5 level, and a reef of splendid quality was followed the whole distance, a cross-cut in it proving it to be a.bout 7ft. wide. Another 100 ft. remains to be sunk, and a cross-cut is being put in to cut the stone on No. 6 level. No. 5 level was driven another 50ft. in blank country, when another block was found, which has been driven on 130 ft. and stoped up 40ft. over the level. This stone will average about 6ft. in width, and is of fair quality. Driving is being pushed on easterly to cut the old Union Reef. No. 6 level is being driven both east and west. In the west end the reef has been driven on 150 ft. into the Progress ground, making the total length of the block 330 ft., and stone still continuing in the face. This is a very large body of stone, and will average from 10ft. to 12ft. in width. In the east end the reef has gone into the wall, but a cross-cut is being driven to pick it up. A survey is being made of the surface and workings to fix the site for a main shaft to work the whole of the company's ground. It is proposed to sink this main shaft to a depth of 2,000 ft., and connect the Larnach and Carroll special claims with it, and thoroughly prospect these properties at low levels. No time will be lost in pushing on this work, and all the necessary machinery will shortly arrive. During the year the company have crushed 3,750 tons of quartz, obtaining 1,5020z. of gold therefrom, valued at £6,026, out of which a dividend of £900 was declared. The total output of the mine is 75,558 tons of stone, yielding 35,8230z. of gold, valued at £142,201, and dividends to the extent of £40,900 have been given. M UEEAY Creek and Crushington. Wealth of Nations. —During the year the 500 ft. or lowest level has been connected with the winze, which was sunk on the reef from the 350 ft. level, and the quartz stoped out to a height of

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65ft. above the level, the reef averaging 20ft. in width by a length of 60ft. The working of this block has given an average yield of 6Jdwt. of gold per ton. A winze is being sunk on the reef, and is now down over 80ft. below the 500 ft. level. The level has also been extended 60ft. south and 50ft. north, stone still continuing in either face. The battery level is being extended to connect with the old workings in the Energy and Undaunted. Cross-cuts are also being put in to prove the adjoining properties—viz., Beaconsfield and Gladstone. This group of properties will also be surveyed at once to fix a site for a main shaft to work the lot. In the meantime, prospecting works will be pushed on to prove the low levels. During the year the company have crushed 2,747 tons of quartz, the yield being 1,1900z. of gold, of a value of £4,734, out of which £1,625 was distributed in dividends, besides paying off a bank draft of £800. This mine has produced 61,213 tons of quartz, yielding 34,0630z. of gold, of a value of £132,465, from which £37,537 was declared in dividends. Hercules. —During the year 1,646 tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 8220z. 14dwt. 7gr. of gold, valued at £3,254 14s. 7d., enabling shareholders to receive dividends amounting to £1,200. At the date of my last report 60ft. of backs remained to be worked, between Nos. 8 and 7 levels, which has been stoped out with the above results. The winze from No. 8 level on the reef was continued until a depth of 100 ft. was reached. Stone 4ft. in width was carried down to a depth of 80ft., when a break was met with. The bottom of the winze is still carrying a good tiack. The main shaft has been sunk a further depth of 151 ft., and is now down 750 ft., deep from the landingbrace in No. 3 level, making it one of the deepest vertical shafts in the district. This should give from 175 ft. to 180 ft. of back on underlay between the two levels A chamber has been constructed at bottom of shaft for No. 9 level, and a cross-cut 200 ft. driven to cut the line of reef. The drive on line of reef south is now in a distance of 130 ft., and is still being steadily carried on. It is estimated 320 ft. will have to be driven to intersect the block of stone on which the winze from No. 8 is sunk. Driving in No. 7 level to intersect block of stone worked in level above will shortly be resumed. No. 2 South Keep-It-Dark. —Baling was the only work done for the first four or five months of the year. No. 3 level is now being extended south of the main shaft, from which the present face is now in about 200 ft. A well-defined track is being followed, and boulders of quartz are occasionally met with. It is expected a good block of stone will be met with-in this direction. The main shaft is down 450 ft., or about 380 ft. below the level of the Inangahua River. The country is solid and well defined. Keep-It-Dark. — This well-known old claim, which paid regular dividends for so many years, lost the payable stone about four years ago, and during that time prospecting was carried on in various directions. Just prior to the date of my last report a strong body of payable stone, which had been sunk on from No. 5 level, was intersected in No. 6 level. This block is about 60ft. long, and about 30ft. wide. It has been stoped out to a height of 60ft., leaving another 60ft. to stope up to No. 5 level, and there is every prospect that it will go higher. A winze has been sunk on the reef from No. 6 level, and is now down 20ft. on a strong body of stone. Work in the mine has been delayed for the last month owing to a heavy landslip breaking the old and new winding-wheels, besides doing other damage. It is expected the mine will again be in working order shortly. During the year the company crushed 4,169 tons of stone, for a yield of 2,3890z. of gold, valued at £9,585, from which shareholders received £5,250 in dividends. The total output of the mine is 117,749 tons of quartz, which yielded 62,4490z. of gold, representing a value of £243,451, out of which dividends were declared to the extent of £113,333. Low-level Tunnel. —The old drive is being repaired ready to start work. A contract has been let for timber, and, immediately an air-compressor can be got in place, rock-drills will be at work, and this tunnel driven to connect with the Golden Fleece workings, a distance of 2,400 ft. Crossdrives will be pushed on to prove the Salisbury, Juno, Lillie, and other properties. Golden Fleece and Boyal. —Driving is now going on from both mines to connect these properties ; the connection, it is expected, will be effected in about a month. A winze will then be sunk from the bottom of the Fleece workings to connect with the Low-level Tunnel, so that all the stone mined from this group can be taken to central reduction-works on the Inangahua River. It will be seen that these works are of some magnitude, and necessarily will take a considerable time and a large expenditure of capital to complete. Boatman's. Welcome United.- —This company have had two parties of contractors employed. One in the No. 10 level, where several hundred feet of driving has been done on a good reef track, but so far without success ; they are now cross-cutting in an easterly direction. The second party has been cross-cutting from the Eureka shaft to intersect the Welcome Reef, about 90ft. below No. 9 level. The Consolidated Company, which took over this mine, have floated a new company, and a working capital of £15,000 has been paid into the Bank of New Zealand. The new company is in 110,000 shares, of which the old shareholders receive 24,000, the new shareholders 76,000, and 10,000 are reserved for the company. Fiery Cross. —The old workings are being cleared and repaired. The old workings will be surveyed, and sinking and cross-cutting pushed ahead to prove this and the adjoining property—the Seddon —at low levels. Boatman's Low Level. —This work is to be put in hand at once, the old tunnel will be repaired and driven to prove the value of the Cadman and Blake properties. Laeey's Creek. Caledonia and Bosebery. —Mr. Foster, engineer to the Consolidated Company, is now visiting the ground with a view to fixing the position for the main shaft to work these properties. Machinery will shortly be erected and sinking commenced.

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Merrijigs. Golden Lead. —The work done in the mine during the year has been between No. 2 level and the surface, further south than the old workings. One crushing of 42 tons has been sent to the battery for a return of 390z. of gold. It is impossible to prospect this ground by winzes owing to the great quantity of water met with, and very little good prospecting can be done until the lowlevel tunnel, which is now in 658 ft., has been driven another 650 ft., and will then drain the mine. Cumberland. —The operations for the past year have been almost wholly confined to prospecting work in the bottom level. The stone between the intermediate and incline levels has been taken out. The bottom level has been extended south a distance of 300 ft., and a large quantity of lowgrade quartz been met with. Cross-cutting a length of 80ft. has also been done to the west. At the present time a winze is being sunk from the bottom level. During the year, 523 tons of stone have been crushed, the yield being 5720z. of gold, valued at £2,341 14s. 2d. The total output of the mine is 12,795 tons of stone ; yield, 11,1670z. of gold ; value, £45,757 17s. 3d.; and dividends to the extent of £13,800 have been given. Big River. Big Biver. —During the year the company have crushed 3,736 tons of quartz, for a yield of 4,0260z. of gold, valued at £16,292 os. Bd., and paid £10,800 to the shareholders in dividends. The sum of £1,000 deposited for the option of purchasing the property was also divided amongst the shareholders. The shaft has not been sunk since last report, as there was enough stone opened up to keep the battery employed. In the mine they are now sinking a winze from No. sor lowest level, and is now down about 50ft. on a large body of stone of good quality, which looks well for the future of the mine. Another winze is being sunk on a block of stone from Nos. 4to 5 levels. The stone is of good quality, and will average 4ft. in width. They are now driving from No. 5 level to intersect this block, and if they succeed in striking it they will have 120 ft. of backs. The total output from the mine is 12,797 tons of quartz; yield, 18,2280z. of gold; value, £69,874 16s. 9d.; out of which dividends to the amount of £38,700 have been paid. Lord Edivard. —This claim adjoins the Big River, and are working from the same shaft. They have two men employed driving a prospecting-tunnel at the No. 2 level of the Big River, 420 ft. below the surface, to try and find the continuance of that company's reefs. General. I do not expect the output of the district will be quite so large for the current year as the past, as there will be very little stone crushed from the Progress, Globe, and Wealth of Nations Claims, as it is the intention of the Consolidated Company, the present owners of these mines, for the next six or eight months to fully prospect and develop them. They will afterwards erect very large and central reduction-works. It will always be the endeavour of the company to so open up their mines as to keep them far in advance of their batteries, thus enabling them to take and crush large quantities of stone, by which means they will be able to make low-grade ore, of which there are vast quantities in these mines, pay. I believe any new companies that may be floated by the Consolidated Company will be provided with ample working capital. When this is done, and the companies are managed upon economical and business principles, and a reasonable proportion of gold saved from stone crushed, I feel sure that there are large quantities of stone which will be made to pay that would not otherwise do so. This must necessarily have a good effect on the district, and be the means of giving steady employment to a large number of men. Hitherto companies in this district carrying out works of any magnitude have been considerably hampered by the slow and expensive way of obtaining funds by making calls. This is the first occasion in the history of this district in which English capital has been invested in it, and I hope, therefore, it will be profitably employed, and so be of great benefit to the district and colony. I have to thank managers of companies and others for such information willingly supplied. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. H. A. Stratford, Warden.

No. 7. Mr. Warden Stratford to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sib, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, May, 1896. I have the honour to forward herewith the statistical returns, and to report upon the district under my charge, for the year ended the 31st March, 1896 ; the returns and report relating to the Inangahua division will be forwarded separately. Waimea Valley. —With reference to the different gullies surrounding Stafford and Goldsborough, there is little fresh to report. They still continue to be worked by a small number of miners in each, the number in most instances being limited to what the supply of water will employ. The ground is generally poor, the best having been long since worked. The results, so far as gold is concerned, have been better than last year. This is owing to the wet year we have had, and the consequent greatly increased supply of water. As for the new fields opened, lam sorry to say that there are none to report. The main tail-race or drainage-tunnel from the middle branch of the Waimea Creek to the right-hand branch is now being constructed, and considerable progress has been made during the year. The total length of the tail-race, when completed, will be 32 chains, of which about 17 chains have been driven; and within six months it will probably be completed. I may say that some considerable time was lost owing to the party which commenced the tunnel giving it up about five months since, necessitating fresh arrangements being made. The reason for abandonment was, I am informed, the great difficulty of the country met with, the reef being so

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exceptionally hard that the men could not make even small wages at the contract price. The new arrangement is, I believe, that each claim shall supply a man, the shareholders to make good the balance required in addition to the subsidy. This tail-race will open up for sluicing a large area of ground in the middle branch of the Waimea Creek, and there is very little doubt that the ground will pay handsomely, as it has been prospected with favourable results, consequently the starting of operations in connection with it should give a considerable impetus to mining in the Waimea district. The Government water-race still supplies the ground commanded by it from Goldsborough, along Tunnel Terrace, Liverpool Bill's, &c, and on to Gillam's Gully, where it ends. The same parties still use it. The results are poor, as most of the best ground is worked, but the water supply has been constant and good. The extension of this race to Italian's and Callaghan's is nearly completed, and water will be available there as soon as the deviation of the Waimea Bace at Kawhaka is completed. The deviation referred to will, when completed, do away with about a mile of high fluming, which in the past has been a considerable source of expense to maintain, beside the danger of its breaking down altogether, having been erected about twenty-three years ago. The latest effort to open new ground is the proposed drainage-tunnel into Gillam's Gully, Kelly's Terrace, &c. There is no doubt that a very large area of payable ground exists in this locality, but it has remained unworked for many years owing to the large quantity of water in the ground. The proposed drainagetunnel will drain all this ground, and I have every confidence that when it is completed a large number of miners will find profitable employment for many years. The work has not yet commenced, but the necessary surveys have been made. The main tail-race has been granted, and on receipt of the deed from the Government re subsidy, I understand that work will at once be commenced. The energetic prosecution of this work is anxiously looked forward to by the mining population of this locality, as many of them find it difficult to get employment. As for other industries, the sawmilling is the next best, so far as employment is concerned ; but I am sorry to say that the great competition has so reduced prices as to materially interfere with the earnings of the workers, and has compelled the two mills in the immediate neighbourhood to considerably reduce the number of hands. The supply of sleepers for Government railways continues to give employment to a considerable number; silver-pine is admitted to make the best sleepers, and the West Coast thus gets the monopoly of the supply, which is very large. Kumara. —During the past year the number of miners employed on this field was slightly less than during the preceding year, and the number of claims using water has decreased by one, while the goldfield has fallen off by some 700oz. or 800oz. It may, however, be said that the latter is gradually decreasing, as nearly the whole of the richest claims have been worked out. There is, however, a large extent of what may be considered poor ground, in which men will be able to earn small wages, and it will be many years before this class of ground is worked out. The new sludgechannel, known as No. 4 main tail-race, was completed during the year, and sluicing operations connected therewith were commenced in August last. It is about 42 chains in length, with boxing 3ft. wide and 3ft. deep. There are now three parties using this channel, and more are making preparations to do so. Considerable progress has been made in the construction of No. 5 Main Tailrace, nearly one-half of which has been completed ; the total length of the race being about 63 chains. The size of the tunnel, which is fully timbered throughout, is 7ft. by 4ft. 6in. in the clear; the boxing is of the same dimensions as in No. 4 main tail-race. This channel, when completed, will open up a large area of auriferous ground, which, though poor, will enable a large number of miners to earn small wages. Although there has been a decrease in the populatiou, a number having left for. the West Australian goldfields, the revenue has not suffered a great deal, as the appended figures will show :— 1895. £ s. d. Warden's department ... ... ... ... ... 590 14 5 Magistrate's department ... ... ... ... ... 70 12 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... £661 6 5 1896. • Warden's department ... ... ... ... ... 651 15 0 Magistrate's department ... ... ... ... ... 98 18 0 Total £750 13 0 Greenstone. —There is nothing of importance in mining matters to report from here. The population is about the same, and the miners plod away seemingly satisfied with their earnings. Return of cases disposed of in the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, Kumara, for the year ending 31st March, 1896 : Civil, 200 ; criminal, 57 ; Warden's, 20. The revenue for the year, amounting to £750 135., collected in the Kumara Court, is made up as follows: Warden's department, £651 155.; Magistrate's department, £98 18s. : total, £750 13s. Particulars of revenue collected in the Warden's Court for the year ending 31st March, 1896. £ s. d, Miners'rights ... ... ... ~, ... ... 282 10 0 Business licenses ... ... ... ... ~. ... 7 10 0 Water-race licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 336 Registrations ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 0 0 Rents ... ... ... ... ... ~. ... 97 2 0 Fees and fines ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 11 0 Miscellaneous (chiefly timber royalties) ... ... ... 234 18 6 Total £651 15 0 Number of mining applications lodged during the year ending 31st March, 1896, 147.

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Greymouth. As regards alluvial mining, I must premise by stating that there is nothing calling for special mention, no fresh developments having taken place within the period under review. The older portions of the diggings, although probably becoming poorer year by year, appear to maintain a stationary population, for, unless it be the case of Chinese, there has been no very apparent increase or diminution in the mining population during the last few years. Commencing at the extreme northern end of the Greymouth sub-division : — Barrytown. —l am informed that the majority of the miners are not doing remarkably well, although about the same population as during the previous year is still sustained. There are no fresh discoveries to report. A quartz-prospecting area has, however, been applied for, a licensed holding in alluvial ground of 7-J acres taken up, and a battery for crushing black-sand cement is in course of erection. Between the Ten-mile and Cobden there is a mining population of about twenty men, about whom the most that can be said is that they are making a living. One party of miners at the Ten-mile is engaged bringing a race on to some ground, and their venture is thought to be a good one. Sulky Gully and Fiji Terrace at the time my last report was written were manned by coalminers from the Brunner Mine, whose time was not fully occupied at their usual avocations. They thought to thus profitably occupy their spare time, but I believe their hopes were not realised, and this locality is now deserted by all excepting some half a dozen men. It is, however, said that a party of Chinese is doing fairly well, although possessed of a very limited water-supply; and in the same locality a party of Europeans, who are bringing in a race from McLean's Creek—a large undertaking—hope on its completion to be amply repaid for their trouble. At Maori Gully, one of the rich diggings of days gone by, a small but settled population still succeeds in earning a livelihood. There is no change to report from Marsden, Welshman's, Limestone, and No Name. The European population continues the same, but there has been a slight diminution in the number of Chinese. At Dunganville, on the other hand, there has been an increase in the Chinese population, some eighty or ninety of whom are now mining there. The miners in this portion of my district are forming an association for prospecting purposes, and it is to be hoped that their efforts in this direction will be successful. Quartz-mining. At the Paparoa Bange, more familiarly known as Langdon's, the owners of the Victory Claim—• Messrs. Curtis Brothers—have erected a five-head crushing-battery, constructed a tramway, and built a large dam. They have also during the year extended the main tunnel about 50ft. along the reef, and opened out three stopes. The leading stope is 134 ft. on the reef, which averages from 18in. to 2ft. in width. A lower level tunnel was also started, but the stormy weather of some weeks back carried away the face of it, and a fresh start .will now require to be made. Crushing was commenced in October last, and has been continued pretty regularly each month since then. Mr. Curtis supplies the following information respecting the crushings : October-November, 30 tons; December, 25 tons ; January, 35 tons; February, 45 tons. These crushings averaged 2oz. 12dwt. per ton. In March, 20J tons were crushed, yielding 78oz. 3dwt. 6gr. of melted gold, of a value of £317 4s. 2d. Julian Company. —This company has been engaged putting in a new drive, known as No. 3 drive, seeking for what is known as Langdon's reef, though at a considerably lower level than where it was originally driven on. During the year 600 ft. have been driven; 300 ft. of this is straight driving, and the balance a cross-cut to the westward. No gold-bearing stone was met with in the drive. It is expected that the Victory reef will ultimately be found in this claim. A little prospecting only has been done on the other claims in this locality. One special claim and three licensed holdings were applied for during the year in the same neighbourhood, two of which were taken up. The other two are not yet surveyed. In connection with quartz-mining matters, it might here be mentioned that negotiations were entered into by the owners of seven of the claims at Langdon's with Mr. Mills, of the firm of Forsyth and Masters, who was going Home to float the same on the London market; but Mr. Mills, on reaching England, found it necessary to modify the offer he had made to the claim-owners, and, as Messrs. Curtis, of the Victory Claim, would not agree to the fresh proposals, nothing eventuated. COAL-MINING AND TIMBER. Grey mouth-Point Elizabeth Bailway and Coal Company (Limited). —This company now controls the Brunner Mine, having, in October last, taken over the Grey Valley Coal Company interest. For the year ended December last the output was 98,021 tons, on which royalty to the amount of £1,450 lis. sd. was paid. Besides this an acreage rent of £1,000, reserved by the lease held by the company, has also been paid. Save the terrible accident which occurred on the morning of the 26th March last, the sad details of which have been too well published throughout the colony to bear repetition here, I know of nothing in connection with the mine requiring special mention. I am informed that a considerable amount of prospecting has been done during the year on this company's property at Point Elizabeth, and that it is now proposed to proceed with the railwayworks connecting the mine with the Port of Greymouth. The only other coal-producing mine in this district is situate at Blackball. It has been working regularly each week throughout the year, though not, I believe, on full time. The sales during the period under review have amounted to 38,943 tons. Timber. —During the past year the exporting sawmillers of the coast entered into a combination known as "The West Coast Timber Trading Company," which was incorporated under "The Companies Act, 1882," in October last. The objects of this association, which, I may say, executes all orders and sees to the shipment of same, are the securing of better rates and such other advantages as mutual combination alone can give rise to, while cheapness of administration is secured,

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inasmuch as all business is transacted from one central office. The company has exported the following quantities: New Zealand ports, 1,715,423 ft.; Cape Town, South Africa, 738,000 ft.; Melbourne, 289,664 ft. To the Cape, red-pine has been sent, and to Melbourne, white-pine. Return of cases disposed of in the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at Greymouth for the year ending the 31st March, 1896 : Civil, 186; criminal, 243 ; Warden's, 17. The revenue for the year amounted to £3,299 16s. 5d., made up as follows : Warden's department, £2,930 2s. 5d.; Magistrate's, £290 9s. ; Licensing-fees, £79 ss. : total, £3,299 16s. sd. Particulars of revenue collected in the Warden's Court at Greymouth, for the year ending the 31st March, 1896 :— £ s. d. Miners'rights ... ... ... ... ... ... 337 2 0 Business licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 300 Water-races ... ... ... ... ... ... 31 5 0 Registrations ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 4 0 Rents ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,045 17 0 Fees and fines ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 14 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,483 0 5 £2,930 2 5 Number of applications lodged during the above-named period, 290. Moonlight Greek. — Stewart's Hill still continues to find employment for about twenty miners, who, on the whole, make good wages. Some attention has been given to quartz-minim? in this locality, there being at present three applications for special claims pending in the Auaura Warden's Court. While one party is already vigorously at work constructing a low-level tunnel into its ground, everything would seem to lead to the conclusion that reefs do exist here, and, judging from the specimens obtained, they should be of an exceptionally rich nature. Some time since a party was formed to bring in a race from the Roaring Meg Creek to Healy's Gully, which is situated in the Moonlight Creek watershed, and a considerable area of ground has been taken up in anticipation of being supplied with water therefrom. It seems that a good deal of prospecting has been done, and the prospect of the ground turning out well almost assured. As regards the area of this auriferous country, I may say that it extends from the Roaring Meg Creek to the foot of German Gully, Blackball southward, and upward from the Meg to BA Creek, a distance of about three miles. Between Upper Moonlight and the Roaring Meg Creek there are about a hundred and ten miners at work —eighty at Moonlight and thirty at Roaring Meg Creek— while about seventy Chinese are employed about Shellback and Caledonia Creek, new auriferous ground having been found by them towards the last-named creek. Blackball. —There is at the Upper Blackball a number of sluicing-claims, employing between thirty and forty miners. I am unable to report any hew discoveries during the year, although some prospecting for quartz reefs has taken place at, and about the head of, the left-hand branch, and leaders containing gold found. The class of gold from this locality favours the belief that reefs are not far distant, and only need discovering. A considerable number of Chinese, and a few Europeans, are working about Ford's and Soldiers Creeks, and Lingren's Terrace. No Town. — There are about a hundred miners, including Chinese, in this district, where a considerable amount of sluicing is carried on in spite of a very limited water-supply. The great drawback is, I may say, the apparent inability to bring a sufficient supply of water for sluicing purposes on to the high terraces; otherwise those situate north and south of No Town would, in all probability, have long since been worked and found payable. About two years ago some new ground was opened at Sunday Creek, which has been giving, and will continue for a long time to come to give, handsome returns. How far this extends is hard to say. The last party that got on gold had about 1,700 ft. to tunnel for it, but is now being well paid for its labour. Nelson Creek still maintains a large number of miners, who, taking the general average, make fair wages. The workings extend over a considerable area of country in this locality. The Bellhill Gold-mining Company's water-race is nearing completion, when the value of their property will be known. This portion of the district has held the reputation of being one that would yield good returns, provided a sufficient supply of water were brought to bear on it; but this was an undertaking beyond the means of a small party of miners, and it is to be hoped that success will attend the efforts of the company carrying it out. There has been no new discovery of auriferous ground of any importance during the last twelve months, but it is believed that a large area exists at the upper part of the left-hand branch which will pay for working. Ahaura. —With the exception of two claims taken up opposite Sullivan's Creek, which are giving payable returns, there is nothing fresh to report. Rees and party, and Calder and party, are still engaged in the construction of their water-races, which are rather big undertakings, and will be some time yet before they are completed. Some idea can be formed of the first when it is mentioned that there are about 40 chains of tunnelling in the line of race, while the last-named party's race is three miles in length, having two large reservoirs connected with it. Such undertakings prove that these parties have confidence in the ground, especially when it is considered that everything is paid for out of their own pockets. Nobles, Waipuna, and Mosquito Creeks. —There are some thirty Europeans and twenty Chinese working about the above-named creeks. The district labours under special difficulties in respect to water-supply. During the last twelve months a party of ten Chinese, who have set in toward the head of Mosquito Creek, are reported to be doing well. From the point where they are working to the foot of the creek is untried. Many attempts have been made to prospect this creek, but hitherto all have failed, owing to a large body of water being met with underground. A special claim has been applied for with the intention of giving it another trial, it being no doubt under contemplation

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to construct a tail-race from Waipuna Creek in connection therewith. This is work that different parties have thought of undertaking, but its magnitude has deterred them. Duffer's, Half-ounce, and Brandy Jack's Creeks. —There are from sixty to seventy miners at work in the above-named creeks. The auriferous terrace discovered some three years ago at Halfounce, which was principally worked in ordinary claim, and turned out well, has been driven out, but will now probably pay to sluice away. Gold was found as high as the top of the tunnels. There is no doubt that the terraces on high levels would pay handsomely were water available for sluicing, and should the construction of a race from Randall Creek be brought about, this district will doubtless be greatly benefited. Orwell Greek.- —There is a considerable number of miners in this locality. Operations are generally carried on by driving, the want of water preventing sluicing being done to any extent. It is well known that there is a large area of auriferous ground on Napoleon Hill—McCoola Terrace— and all the ranges about which would pay for sluicing ; and some time back a party was formed to carry water from Randall Creek, a survey made having proved that a supply could be obtained from that source, which might, if necessary, be supplemented by a race from Safety Camp Creek. This party contemplates construction of a reservoir capable of holding a supply at the rate of thirtyfive heads for sixteen hours per diem. As a result, a licensed holding and a special claim of 35 acres have been applied for. The race in question could be made to command all the high-terrace land about Duffer's, Noble's, Half-ounce, and Mosquito Creeks, and all the auriferous country along the north side of Ahaura River, comprising eighteen square miles. Callaghan's Creek. —There are about twenty miners in this locality, who are mostly employed at sluicing old workings. The terraces at the head of this creek and towards the river are auriferous, being on the line of country that carries gold, but the scarcity of water precludes the possibility of working at high levels. Revenue received at Ahaura for the period ending the 31st March, 1896 : — £ s. d. Miners'rights ... ... ... ... ... ... 305 0 0 Water-races ... ... ... ... ... ... 27 0 0 Registrations ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 1 0 Rents ... ... ... ... ... " ... ... 232 18 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 102 9 2 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... £700 8 2 Number of mining applications received during the above-named period: Ordinary applications, 531; applications for special claims, 7 ; applications for licensed holdings, 6; and issued residencesite licenses, 10. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. H. A. Stratford, Warden.

No. 8. Mr. Warden Macfarlane to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Hokitika, 15th May, 1896. I have the honour to forward herewith the usual mining statistics for the year ending the 31st March, 1896, together with the annual report on mining matters in the district under my charge. Hokitika. The gold returns from this district for the year ending the 31st March shows considerable improvement on last year's returns, and this notwithstanding the fact that the number of men employed in mining are fewer. Craig's claim and the University Reserve continue to give good returns, and what is known as Bay's claim, at the Blue Spur, is still yielding excellent gold. The presence of such rich patches of gold along the foot of the range is the best proof of the unrealised value of the auriferous deposits covering the Blue Spur Ranges, from the Hau Hau to Humphrey's Gully, and which are now almost wholly unavailable to the ordinary miner on account of the scanty supply of water, as only by wholesale hydraulic mining can this block be profitably dealt with. In view of the almost certainty of Mr. Ziman's arrangements with the Humphrey's Gully Company being carried out, and the yet more extensive operations contemplated in connection with large mining properties taken up by that gentleman and his friends in the same neighbourhood, I anticipate that in a few years this will be one of the largest gold-producing fields on the Coast, and in this connection lam only dealing with the North Coast, or Arahura watershed. On the Hokitika side of the same range, and commanding the whole of the auriferous flats along the foot of the range, including Commissioners, Kanieri, Tucker, and Shenandoah Flats. We have the Kanieri Lake Waterrace Company busy getting the old Kanieri race put in repair, one line of pipes having already been carried across the main branch of the Kanieri River, and a second line is now being laid to convey water to the same terrace; the first line having proved a profitable speculation to both race- and claim-owners. A second race is projected to lift 120 heads of water out of the same lake, but on the south side; this, when constructed, will induce men to take up claims that are now valueless, and furnish employment for many who are often unwillingly idle, who if at work would materially increase the output of gold. Returns from Seddon's Terrace, Back Creek, and Rimu are about the same as last year, the efforts made to obtain an increased supply of water having proved abortive. So far as I can learn, the money spent in assisting prospecting has not yet resulted in any discovery of new runs of payable gold-bearing gravels. The want of an adequate water-supply is the great drawback to this district, but owing to the great cost there is but small prospect of its being undertaken.

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Prospecting the quartz reefs partly exposed in the Maitai slates in the narrow belt lying to the north-west of the granites of Mount Graham, near Kanieri Lake, is being vigorously carried on by men who are assisted by a private company. Nothing of value has as yet been discovered, but as the supposed source of much of the gold found at the Kanieri and other places in the neighbourhood lies within the boundary of these slates, and from the geological features of the block, there is every prospect of their striking something valuable. In view of the attention of capitalists being so strongly directed to the New Zealand goldfields, it would be well if more parties were sent on the same hnes, so that when money is available for investment we may have something tangible to show and offer. The reefs that supplied the millions of ounces of gold won and to be won from our terraces, gullies, and sea-beaches have yet to be uncovered, but only by a careful and systematic examination of the auriferous rock-formations can such discovery be made. Ross. In ordinary mining, matters are much the same as they were a year ago. The Mont dOr still maintains its reputation as a good dividend-paying claim. The last clear up gave about 3870z. of gold. I understand the company's property is under offer to a party who propose to increase the capital and extend operations ; but nothing definite has been done so far. The Ross United is simply keeping things going in anticipation of a powerful company taking the matter in hand. The company are also in treaty with the Government about the £10,000 subsidy promised. No better speculative investment is to be had on the Coast, and if properly handled, and the capital spent in developing the mine, then shareholders might reasonably hope to receive a long-looked-for dividend. The late stir in quartz-mining in the Auckland Province, and in Reefton, has had its effects here, quite a large number of special claims having been applied for in the Cedar Creek Block. Some very rich stone, said to be from a fine free reef, was found a short time ago, and has since been tested by Professor Guy, at the Christchurch University, giving phenomenal results—viz., 89oz. gold to the ton (at the rate of). Considerable excitement was caused on the return becoming known, and no doubt more will be heard of it. Mr. Zala has at last got a small battery to work on stone from his reef at Forum Creek ; result not yet known; but if pluck and perseverance deserve success Mr. Zala is the" man entitled to it. No doubt, with so much attention being directed to quartz-reefing, other discoveries will in due course be made. Mount Rangitoto is said to be under offer to an English company. With such a body of mineral, assaying as it does, we may reasonably hope to see this mine at work at an early date. Okarito and Jackson's Bay. Nothing new to report from either of the above districts. The exceptionally wet weather experienced has hindered settlement operations, but has been of benefit to the alluvial miners. Means of communication is the great drawback to this district. There is a vast and almost virgin field waiting the arrival of the energetic prospector, and no doubt South Westland will yet be heard of in the mining world. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. D. Macfarlane, Warden.

No. 9. Mr. Warden Keddell to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Si B) — • Warden's Office, Oamaru, 6th June, 1896. I have the honour to report that the mining industry in the Maerewhenua sub-district has progressed satisfactorily during the past year, though there have been no new discoveries, and no notable events to chronicle. On the west side, the water-supply has been usually abundant this year, but on the Livingstone side, owing to breakages and other causes, the returns have not been so good. The Mosquito water-race has changed into more energetic hands ; it has been enlarged and strengthened at considerable expense, and miners are hopeful of a continuous and larger supply. The new proprietor has applied for a special claim of 30 acres, to be worked by hydraulic sluicing, and this application, at present unopposed, will if granted give employment to several men. The Mountain Hut Race is still persevered with, and its proprietors hope in a few months to satisfy the demands of the Government Engineer as to supply and capacity. All the available land near the Township of Livingstone has been taken up as occupation leases, and land for residence areas is at a premium. I anticipate with the increased water-supply a more successful season in the coming year. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Jackson Keddell, Warden.

No. 10. Mr. Warden Hawkins to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. g IE Warden's Office, Lawrence, May, 1896. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual statistics of the mining industry in the Tuapeka district for the year ending the 31st March, 1896, and the following report of the various centres, for your information : — The year just closed is remarkable for the extreme severity of its winter, which has surpassed the record for very many years. In consequence, mining was considerably retarded during a 3—C. 3a.

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considerable period, but, as a set-off to this, it may be remarked that the large amount of moisture absorbed by the soil had the effect of furnishing an increased supply of water, which has lasted throughout the season, and largely contributed to lessen the effect of the enforced idleness, and forms a contrast to the dry season of the previous year. No actually new finds have been reported to me during the year, but renewed attention has apparently been directed to several localities which have been comparatively dormant for some years, and I anticipate the results will justify the energy bestowed. The general activity in the mining now going on in other districts of New Zealand is also in some measure apparent in this district, and several inquiries for suitable properties have been made by intending speculators. Tuapeka. Eleven special claims and five licensed holdings were applied for during the year, being an increase of several on previous years, and evidences a desire on the part of miners to engage in mining operations on a larger scale than has hitherto been the rule. A company styled the Beaumont Local Co-operative Gold-mining Company (Limited) [L. Dalziel] is expected to be in full operation about the beginning of spring. The company has taken up a special claim, and has been up to the present constructing a high-level race, the last sections of which are now being constructed. A contract has been let for cutting timber for sluicing-boxes, and one for steel pipes and other hydraulic plant. A licensed holding of 8 acres was granted to John Edie and John Kirkpatrick at Crookston. The claim is situated near the ground which they have been working for years by means of hydraulic sluicing, from which it may be inferred they are satisfied with the auriferous nature of the locality. A special claim was granted to Charles Bennet at the Beaumont of some 53 acres, but so far the holder has not done more than prepare the ground for systematic working. The Local Industry Company, which is working in Gabriel's Gully, by means of an elevator plant, and using the water leased from the Phcenix Company at Weatherstone's, have been pushing ahead steadily, and obtained fair returns. Kitto and party are using their new race to advantage, with the result that better yields have accrued than was the case in the past. Mills and party, having got their elevator plant into thorough working-order, have, it is said, managed to secure a fair remuneration for their outlay. At Tuapeka Flat (Weatherstones), Donlan, Smythe, and party have been working steadily with an elevating plant, and. the results are stated to be very satisfactory. McLelland and party, who have hitherto been working on tribute, have taken up ground on their own account, but are said to be only paying expenses. Blue Spur. The Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold-mining Company (Limited). —The history of the mine, which might almost be called famous, dates far back into the whole story of gold-mining in New Zealand —at any rate, into that of gold-mining in the South Island. The original rush to the Tuapeka district was to Gabriel's Gully, and the escort returns of the earlier days show that a very large quantity of gold was taken from this place. Later on new-comers could not find room in the gully, which is of comparatively narrow width. It dawned upon some of those who had worked out their claims in the gully, which in those early days was crowded with a very large number of men (the size of claims allowed being very limited, and the claims soon worked out), to try the neighbouring spur, known as the Blue Spur. This spur is composed solely of cement, although the top dirt contained gold. After the first rush, which consisted of several thousands of miners, was over, a number started to explore the neighbouring spurs, and notably the Blue Spur. The work at the Spur was different in character to that in the neighbouring gully, and of a much more difficult character. Those who started at this work, although at first having to undergo considerable hardships, achieved a great amount of success. As is well known, the whole of the Blue Spur claims were eventually purchased by the Blue Spur and Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold-mining Company. This company, although it had to encounter many difficulties, it is pleasant to hear, are beginning to see daylight before them. The mine is now in good working-order with a plentiful supply of water, excepting, perhaps, in very frosty seasons. The winter, however, set in early, the first heavy fall of snow occurring in the month of May; and although frosts were not so severe as during the previous year they were very persistent, retarding sluicing operations seriously during the months of June and July, and doing serious injury to the heads of the races. Spring rain and a wet summer furnished 482 hours' sluicing-water in excess of the previous year, and the surplus accounts in a great measure for the increased output of the mine, which averaged 366J0z. of gold per month, as against 315f0z. for the previous year, or 50oz. per month in excess. The mine is in good working-order, and there is no reason to doubt but that the output of gold will be considerable for a number of years. This is mainly owing to the skilful management and careful working of the mine by the manager, Mr. Jackson. The returns furnished by the company show that they have succeeding in winning 4,3900z. of gold during the year, and have put 350,202 tons of cement through the elevator. They have succeeded in paying off all their indebtedness to the bank, and will probably very shortly declare a substantial dividend. Waikaia. It will be seen from the returns of revenue collected during the year that there has been a fair amount of mining at Waikaia, although the total of ground worked during that period is stated to

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be only about 150 acres. This part of the district seems to have a steady mining population, estimated at 110 Europeans and about ninety Chinese actually engaged in mining. Some of them are said to be making very good wages, but the interrupted supply of water interferes with their efforts very considerably. The local bank has purchased 1,3600z. of gold during the year, and at least as much more has been disposed of outside the district. This estimate is said to be well within the yield. The Argyle water-race has been taken over by a new company, who have expended about £2,000 in bringing in more water, and putting a large quantity of iron pipes on the ground, with a view to work a special claim applied for by the company. Owing to want of sufficient water, Sew Hoy and party have had to discontinue sluicing on their special claim at Nokomai. They are at present engaged in bringing in another water-race from the Nokomai Saddle and Donkey Flat, which, when completed, will carry twenty-four sluice-heads of water. Although the outlay will be considerable there is every prospect of the work paying handsomely. Messrs Munro and party have applied for cancellation of their special claim on Dome Creek, and the dredge which they built has been removed out of the district. The party of miners who took up 1,200 ft. of quartz reef at Nokomai do not seem to have done any work on the claim for some time, but it is understood that a fresh party of men are now applying for the claim. Considerable activity is shown in taking up extended claims on the east side of the Mataura River, and there are at present three different parties cutting and bringing in water-races to what is known as " The Ferry Terrace," near Nokomai, where it is said some men have been making very good wages—from £4 10s. to £6 per week—off the landslip on the east side of the Waikaia River. There are no men out of employment, and, all things considered, there is a very healthy tone about mining matters in the district. The estimated number of miners in the Waikaia district is two hundred, of whom about ninety are Chinese. Waitahuna. The mining population in this locality is stated to be about three hundred and fifty, of whom some fifty are Chinese, so that it would appear that there has been an influx of miners to that part of the district since the date of my last report, though I am rather inclined to the opinion that the previous estimate has been below the real number, especially, as will appear from what follows, that there has been no unusual activity in mining matters during the year. The Norwegian Hydraulic Sluicing Company at Waitahuna Gully have obtained the best results of any of the parties engaged. Their operations are carried on in the old tailings near the top of the gully, and they are very well satisfied with the returns from their work. About twelve men altogether, including the shareholders, are employed on the claim. The party known as Callanan and party have not been doing much lately. They are at present engaged in widening their race, with the object of getting a larger water-supply for the purpose of starting hydraulic sluicing in the top part of the gully, amongst the old tailings. Ferris and party are still sluicing in the cement in the gully, with very good results. Of the two claims on Waitahuna Flat, there is only one at work now. O'Kane and party have dissolved partnership. Quigley and party are still working on the flat, but owing to the large amount of stripping which has to be done the returns are very poor. Mr. Perry's dredge, which was working in the river-bed above the township, has been removed down the river, about half a mile or so below the township. They have only just commenced to open out a face, so that at present it is impossible to say whether the ground will prove auriferous or not. Mr. Arnold Stum is still prospecting at the old Waitahuna Quartz-reef, in the hope of hitting on the reef again. He is at present sluicing away the side of the hill, where the old reef ran out, and by this means he hopes to strike the lost reef. On the whole, mining has been very quiet during the year, and there is practically nothing new to report. Messrs. Nelson and party have worked out a large part of their dredging claim above the bridge at Glenore, and are preparing to deal with the section below the bridge. They have shown great enterprise, and it is to be hoped are obtaining satisfactory results. Waipori. The movement in mining properties has caused more attention to be directed to the auriferous deposits in the bed of the Waipori River, and already about a dozen applications for special claims for dredging purposes have been made, although, perhaps, the removal of the injunction referred to below may be reckoned a factor in the movement. The river-bed had been marked out for five or six miles years ago, but only two of the claims—those held by the Jutland Flat Company and the Upper Waipori Company respectively—have been thoroughly worked. The injunction obtained by the farmers at Berwick against the former company for polluting the stream of the river was removed some months ago, since when work has proceeded uninterruptedly and with satisfactory results. The Jutland Flat Company employs one dredge and the Upper Waipori Company two. Three special claims for dredging purposes have been applied for at Post-office Creek. The Canton Reef, some hundred acres in extent, which was prospected many years ago and abandoned, has been again taken up by several parties, who intend to thoroughly prospect the ground. Lawson and party have applied for about 70 acres and Mr. Pearsall for 30 acres of this ground, but the applications have not yet been granted.

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Another reef, originally taken up by the O.P.Q. Company years ago in the same locality, and worked by them and other companies in succession and then abandoned, is at present in the hands of a party who are endeavouring to float it on the London market. The area is about 74 acres. There is evidence of increased activity in matters relating to mining throughout this district, and all are hopeful of better times in the near future. The mining population is somewhere about two hundred and fifty, including eighty Chinese. Waikaka. Little or nothing has been done here, except by Chinamen. Tapanui. It will be seen that very little is being done in this district, the total number of persons employed being twenty-five, of whom four are Chinese. I have, &c, Bobert S. Hawkins, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

Return of Miners' Rights, Water Licenses, Business Licenses, and Registrations issued during the Year ended 31st March, 1896.

Return of Cases heard in the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts stated below, and of the Revenue collected, during the Year ended 31st March, 1896.

Return of Revenue collected during the Year ending 31st March, 1896.

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Nature of Rights issuea ana of Applications receivea. Lawrence. Waikaia. Tapanui. Totals. Miners' rights ... Business licenses Water-race licenses 457 107 211 6 £20 14s. Information not furnished. 20 3 688 6 Eegistrations ... 309 i 10 319 Applications for special claims Special claims granted ... Applications for licensed holdings Licensed holdings granted Applications for mineral licenses ... Mineral licenses granted Number of ordinary applications dealt with 20 14 8 6 1 1 3 3 147 183 "7 357

Districts. Civil. Criminal. | Warfen's. ! L_ Totals. I I Revenue. Lawrence Milton Clinton Waikaia Kaitangata Gore Tapanui Balclutha i t • • 111 40 20 37 57 107 38 87 60 57 22 16 7 110 36 95 21 "7 192 97 42 60 64 217 74 182 £ a. 147 16 91 16 16 0 35 8 32 12 242 12 229 2 164 13 a. 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 Totals 497 403 28 928 960 0 0

Lawrence. Waikaia. Tapanui. Totals. Warden's Department ... Deferred-payments Magistrates' Courts on goldfields Magistrates' Courts outside of goldfields ... £ a. 702 11 382 6 147 16 a. 6 2 0 £ a. 234 10 35"8 a. 9 0 £ 8. 10 13 229"2 a. 0 0 £ s. a. 947 15 8 382 6 2 412 6 0 547 14 0 Totals ... 1,232 13 8 269 18 9 239 15 0 2,290 1 10

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The population of the districts mentioned below is estimated at 23,969, and is distributed as follows:—

No. 11. Mr. Warden Dalgliesh to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir, — Warden's Office, Naseby, 2nd May, 1895. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual statistical returns of the mining industry for the Mount Ida District, and in doing so I beg to submit the following report for your information :— Although the ordinary operations carried on do not present any strikingly new features, I have pleasure in reporting a very marked revival of activity during the latter months of the past year with regard to both quartz-mining and still more so dredging—as to the latter, on the Taieri Biver, from Strath Taieri upwards towards Hyde. Also, on the Manuherikia River, from Ophir upwards towards the Dunstan Creek and Blackstone Hill, quite a large number of claims have been applied for; some have been already granted, and active steps are being taken to work them. Suitable plant, I am informed, is being arranged for, and considerable animation displayed. No doubt this improvement is attributable in a great measure to the very brilliant success achieved by some of the dredging companies on the Clutha River, and, if the prospects on which the operations now contemplated in the localities I have named are borne out when worked on a large scale, then a period of still greater activity and prosperity may with certainty be anticipated in the immediate future throughout this district. Valuable improvements in dredging machinery are frequently being perfected and applied. From the information afforded me, I believe the most complete will now be obtained, and the various places will really get a fair trial. In former attempts, principally from the want of capital, it has been impossible to obtain really suitable plant, and, in many instances very inefficient machinery has been tried, with results disastrous to those immediately interested, and stamping similar undertakings with danger and unstability ; while, with more fitting appliances, there would be every probability of them proving successful, and an almost limitless source of profitable employment to vast numbers of industrious workers. In this, as in other descriptions of gold-mining, it is only by the application of thoroughly efficient and proved goldsaving appliances that success can be attained in these days of operating on ground difficult of access, or not carrying the large quantities of the precious metal which were so easily obtained in former years. There is little doubt, and the fact must not be lost sight of, that in many localities the auriferous strata and drifts are becoming more difficult to grapple with—getting deeper, and the necessary fall more perplexing to secure. At the same time there is no corresponding increase in the supply of water to counteract these disadvantages. Calculations as to profitable occupation of ground for mining have now to be based on largely increased quantities of material being treated. The ordinary supply of water for sluicing purposes has on the whole been favourable, and as a result I am gratified to be able to report that the yield of gold shows a very substantial increase as compared with the estimated amount obtained during the previous year. In quartz-mining, the feverish excitement displayed at both the West Coast and the Auckland fields has had the natural effect of again attracting increased attention to the auriferous lodes in this district. Quite a large number of areas have again been taken up as special claims, in which it is intended to introduce some of the latest and most improved machinery for crushing and goldsaving purposes. Where found suitable, I understand the cyanide process will be taken advantage of. Some of the contemplated works will be of considerable magnitude, necessitating the investment of much money, and, according to statements made by applicants, no difficulty is now anticipated in raising the necessary amounts. This will doubtless be beneficially felt throughout the district. It has, I believe, been clearly demonstrated long ago—and in numerous particular localities within this district —that there are existing lodes of auriferous quartz (now practically lying dormant) which would prove highly remunerative as a settled investment of capital, if treated economically with modern appliances; even with the old-fashioned effete machinery, returns were

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European. Chinese. Totals. Lawrence Borough Tuapeka District Waipori Waitahuna Milton Balclutha Kaitangata Tapanui Clinton 997 2,086 310 1,100 4,000 4,300 3,200 2,609 1,499 2,000 1,360 200 90 50 30 997 2,286 400 1,150 4,030 4,300 3,200 2,649 1,500 2,007 1,450 40 1 7 90 Gore Waikaia Totals 23,461 508 23,969

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obtained which would far eclipse many of the averages now secured with modern machinery used in the dividend-paying mines both in this colony and elsewhere ; indeed, there is little doubt in my mind, judging from the information given me, that in numbers of our previously-worked quartz mines more of the gold was lost during the process of crushing than was actually saved. Principally to this fact, I think, may be attributed the want of permanent success that has hitherto marked the quartz-mining undertakings in this locality. I sincerely hope that, in the proposed new developments in this direction, greater care may be exercised in the adoption of reliable and economical plant. There appears to be every probability that during the present year many of our quartz lodes will be well tried, and with the advantage of more capital, and the consequent application of the more modern appliances. Naseby. In this locality I have little or no alteration to notice for the past year. In Main Gully there are about the same number of claims occupied, probably about twenty-five, which give employment to upwards of forty men. Three of the parties are elevating, and are, I believe, obtaining fair remuneration. Guffie and party have quite recently started operations on their new claim of 60 acres, and the result of the first run is most encouraging, proving both the value and efficacy of the elevating system, as well as the strong probability of a lengthened period of payable time being occupied in the immediate future at this place. At Enterprise and Coalpit Gullies there are some twenty claims novv being carried on by about thirty men, the majority of whom are doing fairly well, although the supply of water is sometimes deficient and the stripping in some of the claims as much as 50ft. At Mulholland's and Home Gullies there appear to be something over twenty men employed, including some Chinese miners, the latter being principally on Creighton's freehold, for the privilege of working which they pay, I am informed, the very handsome figure of £20 per acre, showing that the ground must be very good to allow of such a royalty being paid in addition to the charges for water. At Spec Gully some thirty men are now working, the majority of whom have their own water-races, and are being fairly recompensed for their labour. Some of the Chinese miners are being attracted towards the head of this gully, and the small terraces and spurs in that direction, and if they can get water I have little doubt that the ground will prove payable. I estimate that in the vicinity of Naseby, including the gullies I have named, there are from ninety to a hundred claims in active operation, in which fully one hundred and fifty men are employed, a number which would be increased manyfold if water were obtainable in a steady supply and at a reasonable figure. I have again to express disappointment that so very little attention has been paid to the subject of prospecting during the past year, and the matter of the conservation of water has been equally at a standstill. I have frequently alluded to both of these topics as being of vital importance to the future welfare of the district, and I sincerely hope the time is not far distant when both will receive earnest attention from those whose interests are most at stake, and who would be advantaged, I am sure, by directing their energies in the direction I have indicated. Kyeburn. Kyeburn and neighbourhood has not altered in any material way since my last report. All the available water is being utilised. Some of the miners at Upper Kyeburn have been adding considerably to their plant in the way of piping to facilitate operations. A Mr. Williamson, lam informed, has executed a praiseworthy amount of prospecting, and has found what is thought will prove payable ground about half a mile above the other workings. He has secured a claim, erected dam, &c, and will give the ground a fair trial. Blanchard's party have gone to considerable expense in putting a disused race into complete order. Porter's party have added many hundreds of feet of piping of large capacity, and use the water on two claims when sufficient. The Messrs. Brown, on Kyeburn Peninsula, have their plant now in good working-order, and are elevating some deep ground, with, I believe, fair returns. A. Zecke, I believe, has a very good claim on the river. If he had the necessary pressure and fall for elevating it would give grand results. The dredging boom has extended even to this place. Two dredging-claims have been taken up. A good many years ago there were some hundreds of Chinamen working about the place, with their usual primitive methods, just scratching the surface; so with a modern dredge capable of getting the lower strata under treatment the results should be favourable. A few more claims have been taken up on some of the ground lying between Kyeburn and Spec Gully ; but nothing at all of any importance is going on. Hamilton's, Sowburn, etc. Mining has been carried on in about the some quiet way has hitherto. The returns have not been particularly good, but the miners are persevering, and looking forward with hopes of striking richer ground. For instance, the Perseverence party have now been prospecting for nearly three years, without getting any return commensurate with their labour and capital expended. It is stated they have struck payable seams in their tunnel recently, and they richly deserve a satisfactory yield in the future. Pretty well all of the old residents remain on the field, some doing Very well. One instance is reported of four men obtaining 50oz. in a month, and continued almost equally well remunerated for some time after. Griffiths and party are also said to have been fairly successful. Messrs. Hambly are still getting very good returns near Pateorou,. and have plenty of ground to operate on for many years to come. Some claims have been taken up near Pateorou, on the Taieri River, for dredging. The machinery, however, is not yet on the ground, and I think it will be some time before it will be at work. Nenthorn. No change is observable in this locality ; there are still a few miners working in a quiet persistent way at some of the claims bearing well-remembered names—viz., the Surprise, employ-

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ing about six men, the Victoria, where some eight men are working,.and the Eureka six men have kept at it until quite recently. The stone raised by them was found to run about 15dwt. to the ton, which, with the appliances at their disposal, was not found sufficiently payable. A small party are again giving the Jacob a trial. Mr. Mills has been carrying on operations with praiseworthy assiduity at the Croesus, but I regret to hear the result has not been favourable. Macrae's. Mining generally has not altered in the neighbourhood, although a little more animation is observable with regard to quartz. A number of areas have been applied for, and prospecting the various lodes is being carried out. Several companies are being projected, some on extensive lines. The Bonanza is stated to have had a good year, but the actual yield has not reached me. The Messrs. Donaldson, at Golden Point, have treated successfully a considerable quantity of stone. They have applied for an increased area, and are, I understand, very sanguine as to their future operations. If careful manipulation will insure success I think they will acquire it. Altogether I am of opinion that Macrae's and its surroundings will be much improved within the next year or two ; the indications of capital being invested are promising. I am informed that some Chinese miners about Horse Flat have again had a most profitable year —indeed, if the returns are as good as reported to me it is not a little surprising that much greater attention is not being bestowed on that locality. Hyde, etc. On the Taieri Biver quite a number of dredging-claims have been applied for, and a good deal of animation is shown on the subject. So far as lam informed, really good dredging prospects are obtainable on many of the beaches. Up till the present only one dredge has actually been placed in position and started work, and it is too recent in its initiation for a fair opinion to be given as to results. Quite a number of new men have been taking up claims, water-races, &c, along the banks of the river, not a few of them being men who have been working on the railway-works. Practical miners who appear to think, in many instances, that they have very payable prospects in front of them, if they are reasonably successful it will be the means of inducing many more to take up claims along the river, for there is plenty of apparently similar ground available. At Fullarton's there are somewhere about forty miners, working principally in what is known as the Deep Sinking. I have not heard of any very rich finds having yet been secured, but it is well known there is some particularly good ground about there. lam inclined to think, however, it will require a good deal of money invested in water-races, &c, to work it properly. Some Chinese miners, I believe, are doing well towards the Mareburn. And at Capburn, near the railway-works, there has recently been a good deal of activity shown by some newcomers who have taken up claims, waterraces, &c. Some of the prospects have been very promising. Further down the Taieri, towards Sutton Creek and Barewood, increased activity is shown", and I am given to understand that not only are the prospects favourable, but that a large amount of capital is more than likely to be invested in mining in that part of the district at an early date. Rough Ridge, Blackstone Hill, and Ida Valley. No changes of any importance have taken place at any of these places during the past year, excepting at the quartz lodes at Rough Ridge, where some special claims have been taken up, comprising some of formerly worked ground known as the Progress, Central, &c. According to the statement of the applicants, it is intended to form a company —indeed, the initiatory steps have already been taken in that direction—with a large capital to be floated on the London market, and, if successful in doing so, the best and most modern plant will be introduced. My previous remarks, as to the loss of gold in quartz treatment, are particularly applicable to this place. I am informed by one of those now working there that from recent tests made it would appear that only about one-third of the gold had been originally saved by the battery process. The Great Eastern, another of the old claims now included in the special claims alluded to, is another instance, according to my informant. The yield in 1888 and 1889 showed an average of something over loz. to the ton, yet samples of the stone submitted to exhaustive treatment at Home gave returns up to 9oz. to the ton. If this is correct, and I have no reason at present to doubt its accuracy, there should be a great future in store for the quartz lodes at Rough Ridge. About the same number of men are scattered about the gullies and creek-beds, working in a desultory way, not, lam afraid, as a rule being well paid for their labour. On Idaburn, at the.upper portion, Wheeler and party have continued to get good results; and I am inclined to think some fairly good ground will be developed on the upper portions of the Wedderburn. I have been informed of fair prospects being secured there. Ophir, Matakanui, Etc. Nothing of much importance has been reported from these localities. The supply of water was very favourable during the earlier part of the year, and the yield of gold has increased correspondingly. This applies more particularly in the neighbourhood of Matakanui, where the most important claims are situated. At Ophir the supply has been, as ever, very limited, and mining is certainly not advancing at that place—the hopes of the mining population there are now centred on the results of the dredging company, which is now engaged building what promises to be a really good steam dredge. The company has a claim on the Manuherikia River, in close proximity to the township. Judging from prospects obtained, to which I have alluded in previous reports, it seems almost a certainty that it contains very payable ground. A number of other claims have been applied for further up the river, and, if the efforts of the first-mentioned one are successful, I fully anticipate a period of great activity along the whole course of the Manuherikia. As to sluicing

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near Ophir, I am afraid that, unless water can be brought on to the ground, the industry, so far as that description of mining is concerned, must languish, for the ground in that neighbourhood will not pay under the present system of treatment. These remarks apply equally to what is known as German Gully, also the various gullies running down from Raggedy Range to the Manuherikia River. It is fully believed by many well calculated to form a fair opinion that pretty well the whole of that stretch of country would pay well for sluicing if water were but available in proper quantity. There is a movement being made to amalgamate a number of the larger claims at Matakanui, with a view to flotation on a large scale on the London market. Some of the claims have proved to be wonderfully rich in the past, and are believed still to contain ground capable of as good results for a long time to come ; consequently the present holders are holding out for very large prices for their individual holdings. It is argued, probably correctly, that the whole of the ground could be worked to much greater advantage if undertaken by one properly-organized company, and water, the great factor, could be utilised to much greater economy than as at present. The undertaking, if carried out, will be certainly unequalled for magnitude in these parts. About the same number of miners are engaged as last year, but I look for a considerable increase in numbers if the dredging operation now being initiated turn out successfully. St. Bathan's, Cambrian's and Neighbourhood. lam glad to be in a position to report very favourably of this part of my district. Water for the greater part of the year has been in good supply, and the results have been equal to recent years. No appreciable alteration has taken place in the number of miners employed. The Scandinavian Company has erected an excellent elevating plant, and the prospects for the future of the company are most encouraging. The St. Bathan's Water-race Company has continued its work with success during the year, carrying on the deep and very expensive tail-race to their new claim at Surface Hill. Mr. Ewing's well-known claim at Kildare Hill is still in active operation, the energy which has hitherto characterized the works still being apparent. Elevating is now carried on from a depth of 120 ft., and another elevator, of a capacity of another 30fc, is about to be put in position. The claim of the same proprietor at Vinegar Hill is also being worked with great vigor, with, lam given to understand, good results. Again, at Cambrian's Mr. Ewing is in the van of progress, where he is entering upon very extensive works in a special claim recently acquired, with complete elevating plant. The general impression is that the ground will pay well, a result which is well merited by the untiring energy displayed by the proprietor. Good and, I believe, remunerative work has been carried on by the St. Bathan's Channel Company, the A.M. and E. Company, and by most of the old-established claim-holders. On the whole, I consider St. Bathan's and its immediate neighbourhood to be in a very prosperous condition, with every reasonable anticipation of a continuance of it for a long time to come. A comparatively new departure seems possible in dredging in this locality. Areas have been applied for, embracing the course of the Dunstan Creek, and there appears to be a probability of active steps being taken to adapt the system now in vogue on the large rivers to the comparatively insignificant streams, tributaries to them. The results will be watched with great interest, as, if successful, it would open up a very large field of operations. In connection with this subject, I am of the opinion that some modification of the regulation respecting prospecting areas for dredging will be found desirable. The time allowed now—namely, twelve months—is, I think, unnecessarily long; and in many cases it might be found to be detrimental to the interests of many to lock up such considerable areas for so long a time as twelve months. I have not been yet informed of the yields of the larger claims in this neighbourhood. If the figures reach me in time I will submit them for your information later on. The permanent settlement of the land is progressing very satisfactorily ; undoubted evidence of it appearing from one end of my district to the other. Far more substantial houses and farm steadings are springing into existence in the many blocks thrown open. There is now quite a settled rural population to be met with, of whom it may, I think, with confidence be said they have come to stay. The crops last year were for the most part very good, and, in spite of the wonderfully inclement weather we experienced last winter, and the consequent severe losses in stock, the agricultural and small pastoral settlers are, I consider, in better circumstances than they have enjoyed almost at any time previously. A prosperous future may be reasonably predicted for them ; more particularly so when the railway is carried to a point where its advantages will be within the reach of the many who are now cut off from it by distance. In this connection I venture to say that, as the line progresses, a liberal adoption of the village-settlement sections of the Land Act in the neighbourhood of the various stations would prove most welcome and beneficial, and go a long way to promote close settlement, a result so much to be desired. In conclusion, I may say that the present condition of the district as a whole I look upon as satisfactory, and the outlook for the future promising. The volume of business transacted in the Courts and offices under my charge shows an increase. The revenue, lam glad to say, also presents a satisfactory comparison with last year. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. S. Mead Dalgliesh, Warden.

Statement of business in Courts, and revenue collected: Complaints in Wardens' Courts, 41; ordinary applications heard, 484; licensed holdings granted, 10; special claims granted, 11; miners' rights issued, 650 ; water-race licenses, 299 ; general registrations, 600 ; revenue collected, £1,620 12s. 5d.; approximate estimate of yield of gold, 19,0000z. Magistrates' Courts : Civil cases, 293; criminal cases, 111.

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No. 12.

Mr. Warden McCarthy to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— The Warden's Office, Clyde, Ist June, 1896. I have the honour to enclose herewith the annual statistical returns, and to submit the following report on mining matters in the sub-districts under my supervision, for the year ended the 31st March, 1896 :— Clyde and Alexandra. From what I have observed during the short time I have been in charge of the DunstanWakatipu Warden's district, I am satisfied that in Clyde and Alexandra, as well as the districts immediately surrounding, the mining industry is worthy of being further developed, and there are not wanting signs that there is not only auriferous ground capable of making a fair return, but men ready and willing to risk labour and capital for the purpose. There is no doubt, in my opinion, that those directly engaged in gold-mining will show a substantial increase during the coming year. In the locality immediately surrounding Clyde, Messrs. Nicolson and party may be said to be carrying on the most extensive operations in sluicing. Their claim is at the head of the Waikerikeri Valley. Over eighteen months ago this party leased the Golden Gate Company's water-race, which takes its rise from the dead waters of the Chatto Creek. The race is a long one, and its maintenace gives considerable trouble and entails much expense, one man having to be kept constantly on the race attending to repairs. However, notwithstanding these difficulties and frequent stoppages owing to shortness of water, I believe the ground has yielded satisfactory returns. About twenty-five men are working by various methods upon what is known as the Clyde commonage, some of whom have done remarkably well—it is said, in some instances, as much as £10 per week per man, whilst all are earning more than average wages. The prosperity which has for so many years followed the operations of Messrs. Gartley Brothers at Springvale has at last induced others to try their luck; about a dozen new claims have been taken up, and some rather encouraging prospects have been obtained from those which are being worked, notably Mr. Thomas Allan's, a son of Mr. John Allan, who lately sold out to Gartley Brothers. There is room for a hundred men within a radius of a few miles from this locality,- and I am sure that that number could, year in and year out, earn a good living. The want of water is certainly a considerable drawback to very extensive operations; but the ground is admirably suited for small workings, being shallow and within a reasonable distance of water sufficient for cradling and box-sluicing. The Manorburn, which caused a considerable stir about twelve months ago, I am afraid has not come up to first expectations. All agree that gold exists there in sufficient quantities to pay handsomely for sluicing; but, as there is no water there available for that purpose, most of the claim-holders here had to seek pastures new. A few, however, have been more fortunate, and still remain apparently satisfied with their earnings. Messrs. Jackson and party, from various circumstances, can only rely on a short season during which water is available (last year's supply only enabled them to work six months), and the results have not been satisfactory. This is to be ■ regretted, for they have expended a considerable sum, both in money and labour, in constructing races and dams. The Molyneux Hydraulic Company, in consequence of shortness of water and the high level at which the Molyneux River has been running, could only carry on sluicing operations from April till August of last year, during which they extracted 1650z. of gold. The profit for the time actually worked being about £200; but bringing the whole year's operations into account the result was a loss! The directors, finding that, from the uncertain nature of their water-supply and the frequent stoppages caused by the rising of the river, the claim could only be carried on at a loss, made efforts to increase the capital of the company with a view of procuring a dredge; but this effort failed, and they finally accepted the tender of Messrs. Stapers and McLean to work the claim on tribute at a rental of £2 per week and a royalty of 10 per cent, on the gold obtained. The tributers, after cleaning out the race, have commenced elevating, but sufficient time has not transpired to know with what result. Maynes and party have ceased working at Butcher's Point, and are about to remove their plant to Poverty Beach, where they have joined Messrs. Noble and Paget, who are also the holders of water-rights, with a view of washing the deep ground near Mr. Noble's orchard. About the same number are, judging from former reports to which I have had access, employed along the banks.of the river between Clyde and Alexandra, and in the gullies and creeks in the immediate vicinity, as in previous years ; all of them would seem to be doing fairly well. Dredging. Dredging in this district is still the chief attraction to capitalists wishing to devote their attention to gold-mining operations.. A great many claims have been pegged out during the past year, and several powerful dredges are in course of construction. There are in active work six steam and three current-wheelers. Four other dredges are approaching completion, one of which is to work the Manuherikia Biver and the flats adjoining, about three miles above Alexandra. Great hopes are entertained of its ultimate success, and quite a number of claims have been applied for in that locality in anticipation. The Ngapara dredge, which commenced working about nine months ago has met with almost phenomenal success. It struck good gold in the first week or two after starting, and has managed to keep up good returns ever since. Mqst of the shareholders are workingmen, and had considerable difficulty in raising the requisite capital to build their dredge, but I am informed that more than sufficient gold has been extracted to clear off all liabilities, and to pay a substantial dividend to the fortunate but, withal, plucky shareholders. Hyde and party (Dunstan), Finlay and party (Perseverance), Spencer and party (Chicago), the Enterprise Company, Leijon and party, and the three current-wheelers are all reported to be on

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payable ground; but, being most of them private parties, the actual results have not been made public. The Enterprise dredge has, however, averaged about 230z. per week, whilst some of the others have as much as doubled that average. Bald Hill Flat. In this locality success greatly depends upon a good water-supply, and this, last year, although expected to be very good, was in reality not above the average. Mr. John Ewing now owns the property formerly owned by the Bald Hill Sluicing Company (Limited), and managed to get about six months' work with an average of six men, during which time 4200z. were got. The ground is very good, and, when water is available, Mr. McPherson, the manager, manages to get over a lot of bottom. Hessar and party have had a very good season, their excellent water-supply standing them in good stead. They own about sixty-five miles of a water-race, and this, as it may be supposed, entails great expense in keeping in repair. One of the party informs me that they have worked out since they commenced operations about 10 acres, which averaged sgr. to 7gr. to the cubic yard. Carrol and Lynch have felt the want of a constant supply of water, but the splendid wash they have been treating has made up in a measure for this drawback. Mr. George Wilkinson has four men employed in his claim at the head of the flat, and seems to be quite satisfied with the result. Mitchell Brothers and a party of Chinese are also working steadily on the flat, and are, I believe, doing fairly well. Several men are working in Butler's freehold, and are, it is said, making excellent wages. The terms upon which Mr. Butler allows them to work are, I am informed, at the value of £10 per acre and a small percentage of the gold won ; the top soil to be saved, and then replaced on the ground worked. Other freeholds in this locality would, I believe, pay for being treated on similar terms. Quaetz-mining. A promising reef has been opened by a party of young men on a spur between Gorge and Coal Creeks. So far very little work has been done on it, and therefore nothing definite can be said of its value at present; but lam informed, at its present stage of development, it looks quite up to the average of reefs found and worked in this locality. The Excelsior Claim, owned and worked by Mr. Francis W. Gray, has been yielding some splendid returns lately, and although the lodes are not up to the phenomenal results of a year or two ago, still the 2700z. got out during the last few months by two men must be considered very satisfactory. At White's reef work is being carried on with great vigour, some six men being employed in the mine ; and, although Mr. Robert Symes, the proprietor, does not publish his receipts, it is generally understood that the claim is paying him very handsomely. The Exhibition Mine, owned by Mr. Henry Symes, is at present shut down pending the erection of a ten-head stamper battery, which he lately purchased from Mr. J. F. Kitching, and known as " The Alpine." The two lines of reef in Conroy's Gully, which, many years ago, under most unfavourable circumstances, yielded upwards of three thousand pounds' worth of gold, have again been taken up with a view of inducing the flow of capital in that direction to give them another trial. Wakatipu and Aerow. In this portion of the subdivision there is every reason to believe that something like a revival is about to take place. At the Lower Shotover four new dredging claims of 100 acres each, extending along the course of the river to the west of the bridge, have been taken up, whilst immediately to the west of the Victoria Bridge still another has been applied for, and an attempt is likely to be made to work some portions of the Gibbston Flat. With reference to quartz-mining, I have to report that the Achilles Company quite recently got a cake of gold weighing about 4500z. as a result of one month's driving and twenty days crushing, the latter operations having been proceeded with concurrently with the former. The yield for the year was 2,0000z. The Tipperary and Glenrock Companies, under the management of Mr. W. J. Stanford, have had no great yield of gold during the year, having been occupied during most of the time in prospecting operations, with, according to present indications, every prospect of success. The Leviathan and Crystal Companies have only just commenced operations, and have lately amalgamated and been floated as one concern, with a company whose head office will be in London. The yield, so far, has been -|oz. to the ton. Over this subdivision the mining population remains about stationary, whilst the gold revenue well maintains the average of the last ten years. Cromwell. During the year mining matters in this subdivision, although marked by no exceptional finds, show a marked tendency to improvement. The water-supply has been well maintained, and there has not been much broken time ; however, the yields have not been large, owing, no doubt, to the richer alluvial deposits having been well-nigh worked out, and the deposits remaining, requiring improved appliances and the concentration of the water in larger streams. This, of course, cannot be effected without amalgamation of the various companies. Bannockburn has been quiet, and I understand that Parby and party's licensed holding has not done more than pay small wages, whilst the Pipeclay Channel Company's interest has been recently sold for £100 —a very small figure considering the outlay of capital. At Nevis, Robertson and party are reported to have done very well, whilst Ritchie Brothers, at the Lower Crossing, Masters Brothers, at Galvin's Terrace, and the Pactolus Syndicate are all

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seeking to enlarge their orders. A few are doing fairly well at Quartz-reef Point, but Criffel, Roaring Meg, and Fraser River are seldom heard of. Mid Run, however, seems fairly lively, whilst what looked like a small rush lately set in between the Five-mile and the Lowburn, and a goodly area was taken up, and is now being steadily worked. At Fat Boy, the New Eldorado Company have once more set to work, and have applied for an increased area. In reefing, the Cromwell tributers have made a very good season, and now that the company has been reorganised, and intends to spend a very considerable sum in further developing the ground, we may fairly expect a busy season at Bendigo. At the Carrick, the Lawrences are reported to have done excellently well, whilst Evan Jones and party, and McCabe and party are well satisfied with their prospects. Mr. Clark is, I understand, vigorously engaged in developing his lead, and a special claim of 100 acres has just been granted to Mr. J. B. Neale. Dredging seems just now the popular method of extracting the precious metal; and at Cromwell, as at Wakatipu, a large number of claims have been applied for. The Electric Company seems to have dropped on to excellent wash, and although the returns have not publicly transpired, yet recent purchases of interests at advanced figures is a good index to the character of the wash. As a consequence of this company's operations, all the Kawarau, from the Cromwell Bridge to the Kawarau Gorge, has been marked out, and is now under application under the special-claim system. The Clutha has been applied for under the same system from below the Cromwell Bridge right up to Pyke's Bridge at Rocky Point, and prospecting areas have been applied for beyond even that point, whilst every likely part of the Nevis River has been pegged off under the former system. Most of those who have pegged off the Clutha are understood to be awaiting results from Crookston's dredge, which is expected to be at work in a week's time; and if these results are favourable most of the claims will, I believe, be forthwith put in active working order. The Receiver of Gold Revenue at Cromwell, Mr. James Fleming, reports to me that the goldfields revenue for the year ending the 31st March last was £1,276 14s. 5d., being an increase of £523 Is. on the previous year. Roxburgh. During the past season the water-supply here has been better than in any other portion of the district. This, to a great extent, may be attributed to the reservoir at Dismal Swamp. The Roxburgh Amalgamated Company has had continuous work, which must be very satisfactory to the shareholders, something like ten thousand pounds' worth of gold having been won as a result of the year's operations. Some doubt existed at first as to whether the gold extended back into the flat, but the operations referred to have dispelled that doubt, and it would seem that the company has many years of profitable work before it. The Hercules Company's property is still in the hands of the tributers, as is also that of Messrs. Ewing and McConnochie ; but I believe little, if any, profit has accrued to the proprietors. The claims on the banks of the river between Roxburgh and Coal Creek are still paying well, and the yield of gold as yet shows no signs of giving out. The Island Block Company, under the management of Mr. Rawlins, has had a fairly successful year, and, although no dividend has been declared, I believe a considerable overdraft has been cleared off. The Island Block Extended Company has been forced into liquidation, and the company's property sold, the Golden Run Company being the purchasers, the purchase-money being £2,800. I believe the latter company is in treaty for the purchase of a small freehold which has been a block to convenient working in the past, and when this is acquired it is expected that, with dredging and hydraulic sluicing, the company will possess a remunerative property. Mr. James Sullivan, who has a claim on the river-bank at Horseshoe Bend, has for many years past been unable to work it through the uncertain state of the river. He has now, however, succeeded in obtaining the necessary capital to erect a substantial hydraulic plant upon the ground. He is at the present time obtaining very fair returns. Dredging. During the past year the river has maintained an almost abnormal height, and this has militated against the returns from dredging claims. Still, a large quantity of gold has been obtained, chiefly by the large and steady returns of a few of the dredges at Horseshoe Bend. The whole river, from Coal Creek to below Horseshoe Bend, may be fairly said to be either under license or application, and several new dredges have been erected. The Dunedin Gold-dredging Company has been rather unfortunate during the most of the past year. The ground is very deep, and the flood drift so extensive, that great difficulty is experienced in getting the bottom unless the river is at winter level. The Roxburgh Steam Dredge was idle several weeks, owing to the drift beating the buckets. The ground, however, under favourable circumstances, is highly payable, and the 510oz. obtained left a small profit. The Edina Dredge has been working fairly continuously, but I am afraid the extensive sluicing operations above the claim prevents any very large returns being obtained. The Golden Run Dredge has had a very good year, and the 820oz. won by dredging and the 80oz. by sluicing, in the claim lately acquired from the Island Block Extended Company, ought to have yielded a very handsome profit. The Golden Gate Dredge, which has only been at work a few months at its claim below the Island Block Company's pipes, has succeeded in paying a 6s. dividend out of the 5770z. recovered. This dredge is said to be one of the best of its kind on the river. The Golden Treasure Company, whose claim is at Miller's Flat, may be congratulated upon being the possessors of a valuable property. During the year 9500z. of the precious metal was obtained, out of which the shareholders netted a fair dividend.

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The Ettrick Dredge has been somewhat unfortunate. The ground being deep, and the river still continuing high, the company was compelled to obtain protection with a view to prospecting another portion of the river. Payable ground was not discovered, and the company again directed its attention to its former claim, when, after a trial washing had been taken out, payable prospects were disclosed. During the year 4660z. were won, which will probably just about pay expenses. The Otago Dredging Company, who lately amalgamated with Brazil and party, have been working with the late Miller's Creek Company's dredge, and are doing fairly well, as also have Bennett and party. Pringle and party, with their new steam dredge, have been doing remarkably well, 70oz. to 80oz. per week being spoken of as results of frequent occurrence. Quartz. Considerable excitement has been caused in the locality of Boxburgh by the report that highly payable quartz had been discovered in the vicinity of Campbell's. Several claims have been pegged off, and it is said several apparently permanent lodes have been exposed; but, in consequence of the severe frost prevailing in the locality, work has ceased until the spring. General. The Receiver of Gold Revenue at Clyde, Alexandra, and Roxburgh informs me that the revenue shows an increase over that of last year, especially at Clyde and Alexandra. The return of gold, so far as the several sources of information were open to me, from the area extending from Queenstown to Roxburgh, exceeds 40,0000z. —a considerable increase over that of the previous year. The large number of steam dredges at work and in course of being built has caused a considerable demand for coal, and has given an impetus to the coal-mining industry in the district, and several coal leases and licenses have been applied for. The prosperity in gold- and coal-mining has, in its turn, beneficially assisted the farmers, who, I am glad to say, have had good harvests, and are receiving remunerative prices for their produce. I should like to see the occupation-lease system more generally taken advantage of, especially by miners, who could devote what would otherwise be idle time to fruit-growing and other cognate industries, to the profit of themselves and the general benefit of the district, which is admirably adapted for such industries. I might here venture to remark that if applicants for occupation-leases would, instead of attempting to obtain the grant of leases of large areas, in some cases of 100 acres each, for three or four members of the same family, and thus attempting to convert "The Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894," into a second Land Act, confine their attention to obtaining titles for very much smaller areas, and to bringing these areas into a high state of cultivation, they would not only be keeping more within the spirit and intention of the Act, but would be more likely to enhance their own material prosperity. As it is, applicants, by asking too much, and thus putting on the provisions of the Act a strain they were never intended to bear, suffer disappointment, and the administrators of the Act come in for an amount of public criticism much of which is undeserved. Where such large areas are applied for, those intrusted with the administration of the waste lands of the Crown must first determine what would be the effect of making grants of occupationleases of such extended acreage on the future disposal of the Crown lands immediately adjoining. In this way applicants, oftentimes, by attempting to grab too much, simply court a refusal. In conclusion, I might mention that in various parts of the large district intrusted to my care there are several orchards, far removed from any railway, of which the area under cultivation does not exceed 20 acres, and which return to their thrifty and industrious owners a clear annual profit of from £200 to £400 a year, and this notwithstanding the heavy charges incidental to transport to a market. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. S. E. McCarthy, Warden.

No. 13. Mr. Warden Carew to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir, — Warden's Office, Dunedin, Ist June, 1896. I have the honour, in compliance with the request contained in circular of the 16th March last, to forward herewith the annual statistics in respect of the Hindon portion of the Otago Mining District, for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1896. The only feature worthy of note in the year's transactions in the district referred to is an increased interest in regard to the quartz-reefs at Barewood and the Museum Endowment Reserve in the Nenthorn Survey District. Efforts appear to be in progress for the formation of several strong companies for the development of the lodes at both places. At Barewood a number of the areas previously abandoned have been again taken up, as well as some new ground ; and the stone crushed from the claim formerly held by the late Barewood Mining Company has yielded about 12dwt. per ton. The party known as " Wolter and party," on the same line of reef, has been formed into a registered company as " The Barewood Quartz-mining Company, Limited," and recently this company, from 380 tons of stone, obtained 3300z. of gold. On the Museum Endowment Reserve, Block XII., Nenthorn Survey District, as the result of the prospecting by Lyders and party —mentioned in my last year's report—some seven licensed holdings of 30 acres each have been taken up, and other privileges acquired, with the view of thoroughly testing the ground. The prospects are said to be of a promising nature. At the Hindon Reefs, in the Mount Hyde Survey District, very little has been done during the year. Only a small quantity of stone has been crushed, with similar results to those previously reported. In alluvial working, and in other respects, the Hindon District presents little or no change to report. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. E. H. Carew, Warden.

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No. 14. Mr. Warden Poynton to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Invercargill, 24th April, 1896. I have the honour to forward herewith annual returns and to submit the following report on mining matters in the sub-districts under my charge, for the year ending the 31st March, 1896 : — Oeepuki. There is nothing fresh to report from this sub-district, but I think there is a slight increase in the number of miners employed since last year, and the yield of gold has been better, principally on account of the abundance of water during winter and spring of last year. Number of miners employed : Europeans, 120; Chinese, 20. Round Hill. The Round Hill Mining Company have been steadily at work during the greater part of the year, and the gold returns are said to be very satisfactory. They have now a special claim of 60 acres, and have gone to considerable expense in enlarging and repairing their water-races. One of the races will bring in about twenty-four Government heads. Additional elevators are to be used, and are now being erected. When this claim is being fully worked, as it will be during the coming year, a very large number of men will be employed in connection with it. The Ourawera Gold-mining Company have a special claim of 20 acres further up the stream than the Round Hill Mining Company's claim. They have made a start at hydraulic sluicing, and are well satisfied with their prospects. The approximate yield of gold from the Orepuki and Round Hill districts for the year past is 6,8820z. The mining population is for Round Hill: Europeans, 60; Chinese, 120. LONGWOOD. The Riverton Mining Association sent out two parties of prospectors into this district in February last, and within a month two reefs were reported to be discovered. Two claims have been applied for, but the reefs have not yet been tested. Preservation Inlet District. There has been a considerable falling-off m the number of claims applied for in this district during the last twelve months, and several of those previously granted have been abandoned. The yield from the two principal quartz-claims on the field for the past year was—from the Morning Star, 7280z., from 1,335 tons ; and from the Golden Site, llloz. 9dwt. 12gr., from 454 tons. There can be no doubt as to the great mineral wealth of this district, but owing to a number of causes —principally the rugged nature of the country, the dense bush, and inhospitable climate— the greater part of it is still unexplored. Number of miners employed on the field : Alluvial, 50 ; quartz, 40 ; all Europeans. Wyndham. The total number of miners at work in this district is forty-two—thirty-six Europeans and six Chinese. The old beach-dredging claims have been abandoned. Dredging-claims were applied for which included parts of the bed of the Mataura River outside the Mining District. The applicants were advised to take steps to have that part of the river-bed proclaimed, if they were satisfied it would pay for dredging, but I have heard nothing about it for some months past. While writing this report, I have received from the Clerk of the Court at Wyndham two applications for special claims of 50 acres and 30 acres on the Six-mile and Waipapa beaches respectively. They are made by the agents of a wealthy South African syndicate, who state in the applications that they are going to spend £25,000 in testing the beaches by the cyanide process. As the applications came to me only to-day, I have had no time to make inquiries. It has long been the opinion of some chemists that gold exists in the interiors of the crystals of the magnetic and other iron ores found on our auriferous beaches, and that the renewal of gold on the workedout beaches is partly due to the liberation of gold particles from those ores. If this view be correct, the cyanide process would certainly enable the miner to extract the gold from the pulverised ores. As vast quantities of these ores are found at different places in the colony, it is important to make an exhaustive trial of them, and I hope this will now be done. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. J. W. Poynton, Warden.

No. 15. Mr. N. D. Cochrane, Inspector of Mines, to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 30th May, 1896. I have the honour to report as follows on the mines worked under the provisions of " The Mining Act, 1891," in the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland districts, during the year ended the 31st March last :— Marlborough. When in this district in December last there was only alluvial mining being done, reference to which will be made later on. Neither the Ravenscliff at Waikakaho, nor the Empire City quartzmines at Wakamarina, had resumed work. Collingwood. Johnston's United Quartz-mine was not inspected during the year, owing to my being fully occupied with other work. At date of writing the manager informs me only three men are employed at prospecting work.

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Lyell.

United Alpine Quartz-mine. —(4/12/95) : Work has been resumed in the old No. 1 tunnel near the site of Zalatown. At a point about 100 ft. in from the mine-mouth, a reef with westerly underlie, 4ft. wide has been cut through and is now being reopened. Another reef not quite so far in, which was worked to the north in the early days of mining on the coast, is now to be reopened to the south of the level. Air right. Some loose pieces of wall-rock on the way in are to be taken down. The only work doing from No. 7 level is sinking the inclined shaft, which is carried on by three shifts, and the face of which is in slate, in the foot-wall. The distance on the incline from No. 7to No. 8 levels is 300 ft., and the face is 190 ft. further. One of the wire ropes, used in hauling was unsafe, so I requested in writing that it should not be further used, all work to be done by the other. I was informed this would be complied with, and that a new rope was ordered at once. Report a week behind. Plan duly kept, but not dated. South British Prospecting Tunnel. —(4/12/95) : This is a prospecting drive adjoining the United Alpine ground, and it is in a distance of 195 ft. A reef was cut at 170 ft., but was not considered payable. Various leaders were also cut, but with no better results. As Mr. Green did not consider the subsidy he received under the regulations sufficient, he has discontinued all work. United Italy Quartz-mine. —(4/12/95) : A new low level has been driven by the party of tributers, and the line of leader cut at 630 ft. From this, 120 ft. has been driven on the track of the leader, which is thin and irregular. An uprise is to be started shortly, as the party believe they are right underneath the golden stone worked in No. 3 level. Six men in all are at work, in three shifts. At date of writing a rich leader is said to have been found. Tyrconnel Quartz-mine. —(4/12/95) : The leader has been driven on for some 260 ft. from the low level, and from this a winze has been put up to an intermediate level, above which two slopes are at work. Two stopes are also working 40ft. higher up. The quartz varies from 14in. to lin. in thickness. Air very good. Some loose pieces of wall-rock are to be timbered up. Six men in all are at work. The second shift of two men work in the lower stopes. The prospects are considered good. Lyell Creek Low-level Tunnel. —(3/12/95): A crushing was taken out from the level and two stopes above, but it did not turn out well. After this a winze was put up 50ft., with no better result. A winze is now being sunk to the north of this, on quartz about 4ft. in thickness. Air led in in large pipes, which give a good current. Three shifts of two men each are employed. Later operations, I understand, have been confined to sinking on the lode more to the south, and with better prospects. Westport. Swanston Quartz-mine. —(16/11/95) : This is the old Guiding Star and Morning Star ground at Mokihinui, which has been taken up by a new company, and operations so far have been carried on with vigour. In the Guiding Star ground a level has been driven from the side of Maori Creek for a distance of 80ft., on quartz all the way. Two stopes have also been started. Air good. The course of the lode is nearly north and south, and the underlie is to east at 70°. The average width of the reef is about 18in., but the wall-rock is very hard. This block of stone has been traced on the surface for 130 ft., and is also said to have been found 10 chains ahead in a bend of the creek. The old level in the Morning Star ground has also been extended, but operations have been stopped for the present, as the shoot of gold is considered to be underfoot, the crushing having only yielded about 4dwt. of gold per ton. A ten-head stamper battery has been erected, and is worked by a 4ft. Pelton wheel. Ten men in all are employed. Great Bepublie Quartz-mine. —Work has been resumed prospecting at this mine, so this district should thus get another trial. I have had no opportunity of visiting it, but lam informed that Auckland capitalists have secured an interest in it, and funds will be available for its full development. Reefton. Progress Quartz-mine. —(17/10/95) : Fourteen miners stoping per shift, and the main shaft is bein" sunk. At present it is down 70ft. from the No. 5 level. 450 ft of driving will be required to connect with the winze when bottomed. The winze at present is down 150 ft. Good and heavy timber is being put in the stopes, and this is required, as the lode is 40ft. in width. Air in stopes not very satisfactory, and in the winze it was bad; but before work starts it is cleared out by a hand-fan. (20/11/95) : I revisited this mine, as the hanging-wall at the stopes had caved in and choked the airway. The cause of the fall was probably through a bend in the course of the reef, by which an oblique pressure would be exerted on the sets of timbering. I had cautioned Mr. Black as to the liability to such a thrust at my previous visit, but at that time there was nothing to find fault with in the timbering. The air was very fair at one end of the fall; at the other end it was dull, but not bad. I measured the intake current as 4,600 cubic feet per minute. I found the screen beyond the engine at the main shaft was rolled up. On pointing this out to Mr. Black he ordered it to be put down. Next day I inspected the levels, winze, and airways out to the surface, and wrote Mr. Black as to the steps which should be taken to improve the ventilation. (11/2/96) :An intake air-current of 7,400 cubic feet per minute circulating. No. 3 level and the passes are being repaired. No work is being done in the stopes, which are well filled in, but only developing of the mine, or dead-work, going on. As this mine is one of those which have been bought by Mr. Ziman, it is to be opened up so that a steady output shall bo maintained. The old levels and passes are to be repaired, and connection made with the Globe Mine. Compressed air is to be substituted for steam underground, and at my last visit I found the latter was not being used. This ought to be an improvement, as the heat underground was a great drawback to good ventilation when the wind was strongly downcast, although an assistance at other times.

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Globe Quartz-Mine. —(17/10/95): Work below No. 5 level is finished for the present. In No. 5 the east end of the level is being extended on a new block of payable stone. This is 50ft. ahead of the block formerly worked ; it has been driven on 80ft., with quartz still in the face Bft. thick, without seeing the hanging-wall. Air sufficient. Some of the caps in the level showing weight, but, there is no danger. Eeport behind. Survey to be made next week. Two shifts are worked, and a total of twenty-five men employed. (11/2/96) : Stoping has been stopped and the work of developing the mine is going on, as it is one of those purchased by Mr. Ziman. The east and west ends of No. 6 level are being extended; the latter is in 130 ft. from the cross-cut, on quartz all the way, about 15ft. in thickness as far as known. The east end of the level is in 175 ft. from the cross-cut, the last few sets being on dark quartz, which has cut out and a new make has just been struck which is carrying gold. A winze is down 56ft. from the intermediate level below No. 5, and the air in it is good. Another winze is being sunk from No. 6 level, and is down 27ft. Twenty men in all employed. Two men are also prospecting on the outcrop of the old Union Beef, in the direction of the Larnach lease, and a quartzlode about 10ft. in width is clearly exposed for a considerable distance. Wealth of Nations Quartz-mine. —(27/7/95) : In the 500 ft. level, about 280 ft. from the blind shaft, the winze from the level above has been broken into. Some loose pieces, to which I drew Mr. Watson's attention, are to be timbered up at once. One line of reef appears to run a little west of north, but it is not sufficiently opened up to say. Air good. Three shifts of three men each are employed. Beport kept. Bopes tested. (22/11/95) : Stoping going on 36ft. above the 500 ft. level; the lode is about 26ft. wide at the centre of the block, tapering in at each end. The length of block is about 60ft. Air good. Three shifts of six miners in each, and a total of twenty-nine men employed. (13/2/96) : This mine has also passed into the hands of Mr. Ziman's syndicate. The batterylevel is being repaired, and it is intended to drive into the Energetic ground 200 ft., and connect with the old workings. I reminded Mr. Watson as to keeping a drill ahead, and he can be depended on to look after it. In the 350 ft. level two men are driving to a little south of east on quartz, which has just come in after following the track of the reef for a few feet. In the 500 ft. level two men are working, and a winze is started to be sunk, and is down 10ft. A place is also being driven off the side of the level, on a continuation of a block of quartz running off from it. No stoping is going on, but only work of developing the mine. Beport duly kept. Bules, signals, and manager's name posted up. On the 27th March, a miner named Thomas Shaw, in descending a pass to release a piece of timber which had stuck in being lowered, lost hold of the rope and was killed by falling to the staging below. Keep-It-Dark Quartz-mine. —(19/10/95) : Four stopes working above No. 5 level, where the line of reef is curved, but the general course is north-east. The block of quartz is about 70ft. long and 25ft. wide in the centre. A fair current of air circulating. Eight miners work in the morning shift, and six in the afternoon ; nineteen men in all are employed. I drew the manager's attention to some loose pieces of wall-rock in the No. 6 level, and these are to be pulled down. Signals posted at the main shaft, but not at the blind shaft. The ropes have been tested; this has not been entered in the report-book, but will be in future. Manager's report duly kept. (14/2/96): Two shifts of two men each are driving in No. 5 level, a little east of south, on quartz about 4ft. 6in. in thickness. In the stoping below this ten miners are at work, in two shifts. The course of the reef is nearly east and west, with a spur running off to north. The filling-in is Well up, as necessary for such a place. Some loose pieces of wall-rock to which I drew attention are to be taken down or secured. Beport behind. Total number of men employed, 21. Hercules Quartz-mine. —(27/7/95) : The cage has been fitted with new safety-catches, which work well both when the rope was slacked and the level used. The shaft is at present being sunk, and is down 83ft. from No. 8 level. It is to be opened out at 150 ft. down, or a total depth of 710 ft. The winze is down 100 ft., and 80ft. of this is in quartz. About 550 ft. of driving will be required to connect when sinking is completed. (19/10/95) : No work has been done for a fortnight, as repairs are being done to the waterwheel and water-race. The main shaft has been sunk, and No. 9 level opened out at a depth of 690 ft. (14/2/96) : A cross-cut 150 ft. in length has been driven to the line of reef which is now being followed; 40ft. has been driven, and two men are extending the drive to south-west, on the track of the reef in hard slate country. Air right; timbering well done ; three shifts are employed. No. 2 South Keep-It-Dark Mine. —This mine has been idle during the most of last year, but, with the improved prospects in quartz-mining, a start has been made to extend the No. 3 level to south on the track of the reef. Mr. Hindmarsh informs me at date of writing that, in driving, boulders or small blocks of quartz are being met, and the indications for finding a continuation of the lode are considered good. Four men are employed. Boyal Quartz-mine. —(24/10/95): Having heard that work had been resumed in this mine, I visited it and entered the tunnel. No one was about, and evidently work had been again suspended, as at a point about I,looft. in from the mine-mouth a fall of timber blocked the way. This was not preventing the circulation of air. I understand it is intended under the new management to drive from this mine and connect with the Golden Fleece workings. Golden Fleece Quartz-mine. —(24/10/95): Five men are stoping about 180 ft. above the No. 6 level, and one man is prospecting on the surface. The average thickness of the lode is about 3ft. The air is led along the level in boxes, and is sufficient. Ten men in all are at work. Inglewood Extended Quartz-mine. —(23/11/95) : The only work doing is retimbering the old No. 1 level in the North Star ground. This adit was driven about eighteen years ago. About 5 chains ahead of the face a reef was lately found by Mr. Walshe outcropping on the surface, and was sunk on for 40ft. The stone was gold-bearing, and varied from Bin. to 3ft. 6in. in thickness.

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It is to prove this at 100 ft. lower level that the old tunnel is now being extended. I requested some timbering to be done at the mine-mouth, and this will be put in. I "•":! Victoria Quartz-mine. —(23/11/95) : This mine is- worked by a private party, six men in all being at work, in three shifts. At present a winze is being put up from No. 2 level, at a point about 500 ft. from the mine-mouth, to connect with the intermediate level. It is up 50ft., and the quartz was struck at 30ft., of an average thickness of about 14in. As centering has been carried up, the air is sufficient. Rules posted up in the smithy. The crushing from the centre block of stone, Mr. Collins states, gave only 3-Jdwt. gold to the ton, but the south block now to be worked is expected to turn out better. Sir Charles Bussell Quartz-mine was not working when I was in that district. Sir Francis Drake Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95) : This mine is worked by a private party of miners. A new block of quartz has been found about 12ft. to the east of the line of the old reef. It runs nearly north and south, is 70ft. in length, and about 3ft. 6in. in thickness. The height of backs is not known, but the lode lies underfoot. Four men are stoping in the day shift 60ft. above the No. 2 level, and two men in the second shift. Air good, and timbering all right. (12/2/96): Stoping is now going on 110 ft. above the No. 2 level. Air fairly good. The lode continues the same width as formerly, and what seems to be a new make of quartz has just been met in the south end of the stopes after a pinch of a few feet. The length between the north and south faces is 90ft. Two shifts are at work, employing eight men in all. Exchange Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95): Two men are putting in a prospecting drive at a higher level than formerly. As they are only in some 90ft., the air is good. Timbering sufficient. Dynamite on road-side, so I cautioned the men, and it is to be kept away in future. At a subsequent visit this had been complied with. Cumberland Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95) : Two men are driving in the intermediate level to south, 90ft. above the No. 4 level, which is also being extended to the south. In the latter there appears to be a new make of quartz in the face. A cross-cut has also been put in 106 ft. from the line of reef to south-west, but nothing is doing there now. Some of the timbering is beginning to require attention in the winze from No. 3 and in the intermediate level, but it is to be renewed where required. Air all right. Rules posted up. Report kept. Only six men in all employed. (12/2/96). —No work is doing in the intermediate level now. The required timbering to which I drew attention has been done. No. 4 level is being driven to south-east on a quartz-lode 18ft. wide, but not gold-bearing. A different class of quartz has just come in on the foot-wall; it contains no free gold, but is heavily charged with pyrites. There is a fair current of air, which is led in in boxes. A cross-cut has been driven to south-west, and has cut a track of a reef on which two men are now driving, but so far no quartz has been seen. Total number of men employed, six, in one shift. Mr. Thomas Lawn, the mine-manager, keeps the plan duly posted up. Golden Lead Quartz-mine. —(18/10/95) : Work is now going on 106 ft. above No. 2 level, or 64ft. down from the surface on the No. 1 leader. Air good. Two men are stoping and two are extending the intermediate level. Although the leaders are very thin, Mr. Sutherland informs me the prospects are considered fair. Al Quartz-mine. —(21/10/95) : The No. 1 party of tributers have ceased working, as the leader pinched out. The No. 2 party of tributers, of four men, are taking out four stopes above the level where the leader lies very flat and is very thin indeed, but carrying rich gold. Air very good. Big Biver Quartz-mine. —(23/10/95) : Three stopes are working 25ft. under No. 2 level. Air good. A set of timber required on travelling-way near top stope, and this the manager agreed to have put in at once. No. 3 level is being driven to south-east, and a start has been made to open out in the winze between Nos. 3 and 4 levels, at a depth of 65ft. Reef very irregular. One stope working 20ft. under No. 4, on quartz averaging about 10ft. in thickness, but tending to increase in width underfoot. Air good in both these workings. Work in No. 5 level is to be started shortly. A steam-engine has been obtained in place of the water-wheel, so that winding will be facilitated. Plan up to September last. Manager's report kept. Copy of the Act at the mine, and the rules in sheet form have been sent for. Lord Edward Quartz-mine. —(23/10/95) : The only work doing is driving a cross-cut to a little west of north from the Big River Mine No. 2 level. This is in about 150 ft. past the boundary. Air rather thick after firing, but it seems to clear fairly well. Mr. McCallum, manager of the Big River Mine, is in charge of this one also. Boatman's. Fiery Cross Quartz-mine. —(20/8/95): This mine has been purchased by Mr. Ziman, and, pending further development, is being worked by a party of tributers. Nothing is being done from the shaft, the point where work is going on being a tunnel from the surface which strikes the line of reef about 80ft. in. The lode is very flat, underlies to west, and is about 16in. in width, with antimony to be seen in the quartz. It was considered too poor at the time when work was formerly going on near the surface. Air good. Four tributers and one wages-man are at work. Welcome United Quartz-mine. — (20/8/95) : Work from the blind shaft in the old Eureka level has been suspended ; the latter is being repaired, and it is intended to connect with the old Welcome workings. Some timber in incline requiring renewal; this is to be seen to. Only three men and manager employed. (15/2/96) : Work has been resumed from the blind shaft, cross-cuts having been driven to the north-west and north-east from the level at a point about 650 ft. from the bottom of the shaft. At present only the latter cross-cut is working, employing five men, in two shifts. Air poor, even although a high-speed fan driven by steam-engine has been erected. Timbering of both shaft and level requiring immediate attention, so I notified the company's manager in writing to have this done at once, and the air improved. lam informed that both have been attended to.

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Just-in-Time Quartz-mine. —(20/8/95): No one about. A short tunnel has been driven from the level of the top of the shaft, under the water-race, which has been carried away through the quartz being taken out underneath. All work suspended at present. Brunnerton. Victory Quartz-mine. —(26/11/95): The only work doing is the extension of the level on the line of reef. One stope has been started at a point about 69ft. from the mine-mouth. Some timbering is needed at this point, and is to be put in at once. The width of the lode varies, averaging perhaps 18in. Three men, working in one shift, and two outside, making a total of five men employed. A five-head battery has been erected, which is driven by a 6ft. Pelton wheel, under 100 ft. pressure. The returns from this mine have been highly encouraging, and the prospects are considered excellent. Julian Quartz-mine. —(26/11/95): One shift of two men driving, extending the No. 3 level to south-west. The face is in decomposed slate. Connection has been made with No. 2 level for air, which is all right at present. Various leaders have been cut in the level and cross-cut, but have not turned out payable. I drew Mr. Graham's attention to some loose pieces of wall-rock, and these will either be taken down or secured. Boss. Donnelly's Creek Quartz-mine. —(14/10/95): A party of five tributers are working from the No. 3 level, at the face of which the quartz is about 6in. in thickness, the greatest width of the lode being about 2ft. Air sufficient at present. A few laths needed, which will be put in. The last crushing yielded about 7dwt. to the ton, but owing to the thinness of the leader it was not considered payable, and work was shortly afterwards stopped. C. Porter's Prospecting Tunnel. —This mine was inspected in October, and again in January. It is a drive from the side of Donnelly's Creek, and has been put in with the view of cutting a rich leader which was worked at a higher level some years ago. The tunnel runs in a south-east direction, and at first passes through tertiary strata, then, shortly after, meeting a carbonaceous bed, cuts into highly-jointed and bedded or rubbly slate, in which it continues. A short cross-cut has been driven to south-west, but without result. A second cross-cut, 81ft. in length, has been driven at a point 505 ft. in from the mine-mouth. This was expected to have cut the leader, but has not done so. Broken leaders have been cut in both the main tunnel and cross-cut, but they are not auriferous, and are not in the position of the one sought for. The question is largely one of position or survey, and, from the information supplied me, the cross-cutting should have been from a point in the tunnel further ahead. United Helvetia Quartz-mine.— (l 2/10/95): Mr. Zala has now taken up a special claim on the site of his prospecting work, and has named it as above. He has purchased a light battery of four heads of stamps, which has been got up the hill in spite of all difficulties, and the foundations for its erection are being prepared, at which six men are employed. He has also done some driving and cross-cutting in the No. 4 level; but his chief employment has been in improving the track and getting his battery up the hill. lam informed at date of writing that a crushing was started, but could not be completed for want of water, only 12 tons having been crushed so far, but it is considered payable stone. Mr. Zala also writes that he has taken up another claim in Donnelly's Creek. This appears to me rather strange, after spending six or seven years prospecting alone amongst the mountains; but still a parallel is found to it in the early days of the goldfields, when rich claims were abandoned by the owners to allow them to take part in a new rush. Mr. Zala, however, is only waiting for water to go on with his crushing. General. Owing to the revival in mining, more particularly since Mr. Ziman has become interested in many of the mines, quartz-mining on the West Coast presents a very much more hopeful aspect than at date of former reports. All likely ground has been applied for, and districts such as Westport, Owen, and Teremakau, in which all quartz-mining had come to a standstill, are having claims taken up again, and will have a fresh trial. The mines purchased by Mr. Ziman in the Beefton district have not merely changed hands to be worked as formerly, but are to be worked in a much larger and more systematic way, which will afford employment for many more miners. The name of the company is the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited), and at date of writing the managing director writes me that the following works are proposed or in progress :— Caledonian and Bosebery Mines, Larry's Greek. —Work has not yet been started, but a main shaft is to be sunk to work both these claims when the necessary surveys have been completed. A start is expected to be made within the next two months. Welcome United Mine. —This mine is just being taken over. A thorough inspection of the old workings will be made at once, and the necessary work started to pick up the reef. £15,000 has been supplied to reinstate this mine and form the working capital. Fiery Cross Mine.— The old levels are to be reopened, and cross-cutting done where considered most advisable. Boatman's Low Level. —Work is intended to be started shortly, and the tunnel driven to prospect extensively. Low-level Tunnel, Black's Point. —Work has been started in this tunnel, which will be driven to connect with the Golden Fleece workings. As extensive tunnelling will be done in these low levels, air-compressors and rock-drills are being imported. Golden Fleece and Boyal Mines. —Driving from each of these is now going on, and it is expected connection will be made in about a month. Sinking from the Fleece to connect with the Low-level

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Tunnel is to be started. The depth of sinking will be about 600 ft. Prospecting is also to be carried on in both mines to prove known blocks of stone and to discover new ones. The Venus, Salisbury, Lillie, Royal Mint, Juno, and Percival Claims %re all to be prospected and connected with the Low-level Tunnel by drives, cross-cuts, or shafts. Wealth of Nations Mine. —Driving to connect with the Energetic Mine is being pushed ahead. Driving and prospecting is going on in all the levels, and large bodies of stone are showing. The winze from the lowest level is down 100 ft. on stone all the way. Surveys are being made for drives to be put in from the lowest workings in this mine to connect with and open up the Energetic, Undaunted, Beaconsfield, and Gladstone Claims at low depths. Globe Mine. —No. 6 level has been extended both east and west, to the latter on a large body of stone, which has been followed 160 ft. into the Progress ground. A winze is down from this level 106 ft. on stone all the way. Cross-cutting is going on to pick up the reef in the east end. Driving is being pushed on from No. 5 level to cut the old Union reef in the Larnach lease. Surveys are being made for a main shaft to be started in the Globe ground to wind the stone from it and the surrounding claims from a depth of 2,000 ft. Progress Mine. —Extensive driving has already been done in the various levels, and large bodies of stone proved. A cross-cut is being put in from the No. 2 level to prospect and open up the Progressive ground. Surveys are being made for a drive from the No. 4 level to open out the Rose Claim. Air-compressors are being fixed for the supply of motive-power. Battery-work has not been carried on to any great extent, as it is intended to keep the dead-work or development of the mines well ahead of the reduction-work. Plans are being prepared for a new mill to take the place of the present Globe battery. From these notes it will be seen that a new era of prosperity has dawned on quartz-mining on the West Coast. In this connection, two things appear to me to stand out clearly : First, that in the future development of the mines their prosperity must depend on capital and labour recognising that their interests are in common, and so working hand-in-hand; second, that in the present time of confidence the development and arrangements for working the mines—all the mines, and not those only which are having the benefit of capital expended at present—should be such as to be of benefit in the inevitably quieter years to come, and which in "turn will be succeeded by another period of advancement. Extended Prospecting Areas. —l am informed by the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited) that they have expended some £2,000 in prospecting the areas at Maruia and Jackson's. At Maruia work has been suspended for the winter months on account of the weather. At Jackson's, work is still going on, prospecting the low country. Several small reefs have been discovered, stone from one of which assayed as high as loz. to the ton. ALLUVIAL MINING. Mahakipawa. King Solomon Mine.— {lo/12/95): Work is now going on in the old Golden Gate ground, the original claim having been worked out, except a strip of 50ft. left as a barrier to dam back the water between it and the Hibernian Claim, and some 20ft. left at the lower end of the claim which could not be worked for water. From the Golden Gate shaft, a distance of 135 ft. has been driven towards the Solomon boundary. A cross-drive to east has been put in for 80ft., but has found no gold. Any gold obtained has been from the west side of the " reef," near the main drive. Timbering sufficient. Air not too strong ; but boxes are being made and will be put in in a day or two. Three shifts of two men each are working. The old claim was flooded out five months ago, and no work has been done in it since. The steam-engine at the Golden Gate shaft has been removed, and the pumping is now done by an overshot water-wheel 23ft. in diameter. The pipes are llin. and the depth of shaft 117 ft. Davis and Carr Claim. —(lo/12/95) : This claim has been bought from the company, and is now worked by two men. Sluicing is being continued, but the face is not a high one, and the old tailrace is not to be used for the boxes, so work should be quite safe. Hibernian Extended Claim. —(lo/12/95) : This claim has been drowned out for seven weeks, and were it not for the rich nature of the ground it would have been abandoned long ago. When pumped out it is worked by a party of eight tributers. Forty feet of ground remains to work at the lower end and nearly 20ft. at the upper end of the claim. Wakamaeina. Wakamarina Gorge Claim. —(ll/12/95) : The works for the drainage of this gorge, where such rich deposits of gold are expected to be found, are nearly completed. A wing-dam has been put in opposite Deep Creek, which turns the water into the cut channel some 600 ft. long. The length of the gorge is 1,000 ft., and when pumping starts it can be drained in about four days. There are two columns of llin. pipes, and the lift is only 36ft. The engine has coupled cylinders B£in. diameter, pressure 651b., and eighty-five strokes per minute. Twenty men in all are employed. Westport. Clapton's Claim, Mokihinui. —(24/1/96): This is a short drive into the terrace at Chatterbox Creek, above the rich ground worked in the early days. The face of the tunnel is in heavy drift of granite and sandstone boulders and the bottom is soft yellow sandstone. Mr. Clapton hopes to find a back lead in the flat ground, in from the face of the terrace. Fairdown Prospecting Tunnel. —l have measured the distances driven in this subsidised tunnel several times during the year. (8/11/95): The face was in bands of sand and fine gravel, not of a

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promising appearance, although further back, layers had been passed through in which colours of gold could be obtained. At the end of the year over 2,000 ft. of driving had been done. Operations have been suspended for the time being. Millikan and Party's Claim, Addison's. —(23/1/96) : Five men are working taking out cement, to crush which a battery is being erected. The thickness of cement varies from 10ft. to 14ft., and below it there is a layer of drift with boulders, from 6ft. to Bft. in thickness, also auriferous, which rests on .the blue bottom. Ten men in all are employed A miner working in this claim on the 21st January, John Moriarty byname, got rather severely burned on the face and one hand when charging a shot-hole with powder in which he had just before fired some roburite to chamber it for the charge. Although so careless, he was an experienced hand in blasting. Charleston. Charleston Prospecting Tunnel and Shafts. —(6/9/95) : These have been subsidised with the view of proving whether the lower beds are auriferous or not. Two shafts were sunk, 42ft. and 45ft. in depth, but had been allowed to fill with water. A few colours had been obtained in one of these, but nothing payable. The drive runs into the terrace at Constant Bay for 42ft., and shows the gneissic bed-rock overlaid by rather hungry-looking brecciated drift. Although not auriferous, this merely proves the drift so at that particular point, and rich leads may quite possibly exist further back in the flat. Lyell. Gocksparrow Dredge. —(lß/12/95) : The position where work is now going on is above Rock Fall, below the Town of Lyell, in a new claim, as the drift of the old one is said to have been too rough. The depth worked is 16ft. to the marl bottom, and the stuff raised is heavy river-drift containing fine gold. This dredge has paid two dividends, and, now that it is shifted, is expected to do well shortly. It is provided with two boats and a like number of life-belts. Three shifts are worked, employing six men in all. Reefton. Al Sluicing-tunnel. —(3/3/96) : This subsidised prospecting-tunnel is in a distance of 320 ft air-shaft has been sunk at a point 285 ft. in from the mine-mouth, so the ventilation is good. Beunnerton. Stdky Gully Water-race. —This subsidised tunnel for taking the water through the hill has been visited and measured up on several occasions. (17/2/96): 202 ft. had been driven at the northwest end, and 104 ft. from the south-east side. The driving has been in tough mudstone all the way, and there is no likelihood of any change. The total distance will be about r 49oft. when completed. Hokitika. Humphrey's Gully Sluicing Claim. —(ls/8/95): This claim is worked by a party of tributers. 'The upper face is about 50ft. in height. Further down the claim the face is very high, and the pressure squeezes out the bottom, so that there is a series of benches. I drew the attention of the manager, Mr. Martin, to the possibility of a run of stuff, and he is keeping watch. There are five nozzles in the claim, and the pressure at the first is 130 ft. Thirty-three heads of water are used when working, but, owing to want of a regular supply, sluicing, I am told, is only carried on for a third of full time. This is one of the claims taken over by Mr. Ziman, and I understand it is intended to cut the race through difficult country a further distance of four miles, or fifteen miles in all, to the Arahura River, when a permanent large supply of water will be obtained. Proposed Drainage-tunnel, Bimu. —(l2/8/95): This was an application for a subsidy to drive a tunnel 185 ft. in length to drain the Rimu Flat, a depression in the surface behind Brighton Terrace, which has probably formed an ancient outlet of the Hokitika River before it had cut down its channel to the present level. A great many claims have been worked in this flat, which has become so broken with the workings that all the surface drainage finds its way below. From the accounts of the miners the flat got poorer when followed downwards, and the water has prevented effective prospecting below the position of the present workings. Craig's Freehold Mine. —(l 4/8/95): Only two men and a trucker working at present, as a battery is in course of erection to crush the cement. The point being worked is a drive to northeast, some 400 ft. in from the main tunnel, at a like distance from the mine-mouth. The layer of cement runs from 4in. to Bin. in thickness, and is very rich. The dip is to west at 1 in 10. Air very good. Timbering all right. Seven men in all are employed. This mine was three times subsequently inspected, and a check-survey made with the view of checking any encroachment on a reserve 5 acres in extent. This reserve has since been divided up into claims, some of which are said to be doing well. Ross. Mont dOr Claim. —(l 4/10/95): Mr. Davie had returned, and was again in charge of this claim. The face is still very high, but is assuming a natural batter. The number of men employed varies from seventeen to twenty-four. Boss United Claim. —(14/10/95): No sluicing was going on, as the adit had got blocked and was being cleared. As the bottom dips to north, no further work is to be done in that direction, but sluicing will be gone on with through the spur to the west. Prince of Wales Claim. —(l 4/10/95): All the drift is now being moved to the elevators by wheeling in the open. Fourteen men in all are employed, in one shift. I have, &c, N. D. Cochrane, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

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No. 16.

Mr. Alexander Aitken, Manager, Waimea-Kumara Water-races, to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir, — Kumara, 2nd May, 1896. I have the honour to forward the following report on the Waimea-Kumara Water-races for the year ending 31st March, 1896 : — Waimea Water-race. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £795 13s. 6d., and the expenditure for the same period on maintenance was £770 3s. Bd., showing a credit balance of £25 9s. lOd. on the year's transactions. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was sixty-nine, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained 1,9250z., valued at £7,507 10s. The sales of water are £192 7s. Id. less than the preceding year, and the yield of gold 5500z. less, valued at £2,145. The difference in the yield of gold and in the sales of water is attributable to the time lost by the miners through breakages and scarcity of water, and to several claims being worked out in the Waimea and Stafford districts. The yield of gold averages about the same as last year, so that, had the sales of water been up to the average of last year, the yield of gold would not have shown any material difference. The expenditure on ordinary maintenance is less than for the preceding year by £291 ss. Bd. This is due to the flumes on the Waimea and Stafford sections being in a fair state of repair, so that very little had to be expended upon them. Some of the tunnels had to be retimbered and cleaned out. Several very large slips occurred during the year, the largest in January last, when it took a fortnight to repair the damage done. The whole of this race in the Waimea and Stafford sections is now in a fair state of repair. Besides the sales of water, free water to the value of £115 9s. 7d. was supplied during the year to assist some of the claimholders who had a succession of poor washings, and who would have had to abandon the workings unless some assistance had been given, and a considerable amount of waste water has been given away to parties with the endeavour of opening up new ground in the district. Only repairs that were absolutely necessary to render the race safe were effected on the high fluming at Kawhaka, as the high fluming will soon be dispensed with and the deviation, now nearly completed, used in its place. Deviation Waimea Race at Kawhaka. The deviation of the Waimea Race at Kawhaka was commenced about the lattter end of August, but owing to the wet weather no work was done until the middle of September. The earthwork is now nearly completed. An average of thirty-five men was employed on contracts during the whole of the time. The amount expended on this work during the year was £1,583 19s. Bd., and the wages earned by men engaged ranged from ss. 6d. to lis. 7d. per day. The difference is due mainly to the amount of work the contractors were able to perform, those earning :he small amounts being old men and unable to do much work. The fluming, which will not be more than 10ft. in the highest part, will be proceeded with as soon as possible, so as to enable the high fluming on the old race to be dispensed with. As soon as this deviation is completed, water will be available for Callaghan's and the Middle Branch of the Waimea Creek, as the deviation will carry a much larger quantity of water than the race at present in use. The portions of the race at present in use in earthwork would carry more water, but the high fluming is not safe to run full in its present state. Branch Race to Callaghan's. During the year the sum of £1,709 12s. was expended on this work, which includes the construction and laying of 1,700 lineal feet of 26in. wrought-iron riveted pipes, with necessary tanks at inlet and outlet ends for syphon across the Hokitika Road. The balance of the expenditure was caused principally in the work of building up the low places where it was originally intended to erect fluming and boxing over creeks, tail-races, &c, and erecting necessary by-washes. When the race is cleaned out, which is rendered necessary owing to the occurrence of slips, and the deviation of the Waimea Race at Kawhaka is completed, water can be supplied at Italians' and Callaghan's. Beanch Race towaeds Middle Branch of Waimea Creek. No work has been done on this race during the year, but an extension is required to enable water to be supplied to claims taken up in the Middle Branch of the Waimea Creek. Instructions have been received to proceed at once with the construction of this extension, when water will be available for the claims taken up in connection with the Waimea Main Tail-race. Waimea Main Tail-race. This main tail-race extends from the Middle Branch of the Waimea Creek to the Right-hand Branch, and the entire length of it will be in blue reef. The total length when completed will be 2,036 ft., of which 1,036 ft. has already been driven. The size of the tail-race is 7ft. by 4ft. 6in. in the clear, and has a gradient of 3in. per box, or P37sft. per chain. The boxes will be 3ft. by 3ft. in the clear, without including blocks. There is a large area of sluicing ground in the Middle Branch of the Waimea Creek which can be worked through this tail-race about 25ft. in depth, and the tail-race now being constructed will enable the whole of this ground to be worked. The depth at which the tail-race will reach the Middle Branch is 42ft., and the drop for tailings at the outlet into the Right-hand Branch will be fully 20ft. It will take about eight months to complete the work, and when completed should give a great impetus to mining in the Waimea District.

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Kumara Water-race. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £4,106 lis. 3d., and the expenditure on maintenance for the same period was £1,943 Bs. 7d., leaving a profit over workingexpenses of £2,163 2s. Bd. The average number of miners using water from this race was 101, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained was 6,0450z., valued at £23,575 10s. Royalty to the value of £24 Bs. lOd. was collected on timber cut on the Reservoir Reserve during the year. Besides the sales of water above referred to, water to the value of £1,129 19s. 4d. was supplied to claims having a succession of poor washings, and water to the value of £332 15s. was given as assistance towards the construction of No. 4 channel. In all cases where assistance was given to poor claims, the yield of gold and the expenses connected with the production of the same was fully inquired into. The total value of water supplied from this race during the year was £5,569 ss. 7d., exclusive of water for flushing, washing down and fire purposes, leakage, and waste. For four working-days no water was supplied from this race for sluicing, and for forty days there was no water for the channels owing to dry weather. Besides the above, the miners observed eighteen days as holidays during the year. One claim has been worked out during the year, using eight sluice-heads of water; and one claim has ceased sluicing, owing to poor washings, using twelve sluice-heads of water: making twenty sluice-heads in all. Some of the claims had to cease work for a few months during the year, owing to the difficulties in connection with closing the old Larrikins Road, and this to a large extent will account for the decrease in the sales of water and in the yield of gold. During the past year water was lost over the dams on seventy-three separate days, and during that time the total quantity of water lost would have given a full supply to the field for 83£ days if it could have been impounded. Considerable repairs were necessary during the year on the head race tunnel, and a large number of intermediate sets had to be put in to render the tunnel safe. A portion of the Kumara race in earthwork gave way on account of the settlement of the old worked ground underlying it, and this had to be replaced by fluming. Besides the above, repairs had to be made on many portions of the race to maintain it in a good and efficient state. The 30in.-syphons have required constant attention and repair during the year, and it has been necessary to use large numbers of new iron pipes to replace those that were beyond repair. The whole of the steel syphons now in use will require to be rearranged and renewed at once, as the expense of keeping them in a fit state for carrying water is becoming too great. Kapitea Hill Race. This race has not been extended during the year, and a portion of the water now being used in No. 4 main tail-race is now being supplied from it, but an extension of 8 or 10 chains will be necessary before water can be supplied to No. 5 main tail-race. Nardoo Flat Syphon. There is no water now being supplied from the Government race to any of the claims on Nardoo Flat, and the syphon leading thereto, which is in a good condition, can be removed and utilised for the conveyance of water from the Kapitea Hill Race to No. 5 main tail-race when it is completed. As the water now being supplied to the Borough of Kumara for fire purposes is taken from the Nardoo Flat syphon, arrangements would require to be made to take such supply direct from a tank on the race. No. 4 Main Tail-race. The No. 4 main tail-race was completed in July last, and is now being used by three parties, and two more parties are making preparations to run into it. The total length of the tail-race is 2,729 ft., and its dimensions are 7ft. high by 4ft. 3in. wide in the clear. The boxing is 3ft. by 3ft., with blocks Bin. in thickness, and the gradient is sin. per box, or 2-29 ft. per chain. No. 5 Main Tail-race. This work is now in course of construction. Its total length, when completed, will be 4,290 ft., of which about one-half is constructed. Starting from the outlet end, a length of 8 chains has been constructed in open cutting, and the whole of the remainder will be in tunnelling. The work in tunnelling has been securely timbered and slabbed, and the whole of the completed portion has been boxed and partly blocked. The dimensions are 7ft. high by 4ft. 6in. wide in the clear, and the boxing 3ft. by 3ft., with a gradient for the first 46 chains of 3fin. per box, or l'7lBft. per chain, and the remainder 4in. per box, or TB3ft. per chain. There is no doubt that the richest of the ground, as far as at present known, has been worked, and there are now only a few chains that are paying more than 10s. per man per day ; but there is still a very large area of ground that will, with economical working, pay small wages. No. 4 main tail-race will enable a very large area of comparatively poor ground to be worked, and a still larger area of similar ground will be opened up as soon as No. 5 main tail-race is completed. I have, &c, Alexander Aitken, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Manager, Water-races.

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No. 17. Mr. Roderick Murray, Manager, Mount Ida Water-race, to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington". Sir,— Naseby, Bth April, 1896. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Mount Ida and Blackstone Hill water-races for the year ending the 31st March, 1896 : — Mount Ida Water-race. The total sales of water from this race during the year amounted to £1,189 Is., and the expenditure on maintenance and repairs for the same period, £1,362 4s. The total cash received was £1,229 18s. Id. On account of payment in advance, water to the amount of £86 17s. 6d. was supplied. Free water to the amount of £15 6s. 3d. was supplied to assist in opening up new claims, and free water for washing up was also supplied to the amount of £68 6s. 6d. The total value of water supplied from the race during the year was £1,359 lis. 3d. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race was 61-25, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from the race was 2,3050z., valued at £8,931 17s. 6d. From the last half of April to the 10th May there were several slight falls of snow, giving a good supply of water. On the 26th May we had the heaviest fall of snow experienced so early in the season for many years, followed by hard frost, when nearly all the miners knocked off work, a thaw setting in on the 30th allowing them to go to work again ; but by the 13th June winter setting in in earnest compelled them to knock off again, when, on account of the terrible severity and length of the winter, there was practically no work done for twelve weeks. I started to clean out the race on the 26th August, the severity of the winter and the great depth of snow causing a great deal of stuff to fall into it, this, together with hundreds of dead sheep and thousands of rabbits, entailing a large expenditure to clean it out. By the end of December the ranges were clear of snow, hot weather and high winds drying up the water, so that for most of the time since then there has been but little over half a supply. There are now three elevating claims at work—all in the Main or Hogburn Gully — supplied by water from the race, the latest a claim of 60 acres on the sludge-channel, taken up by W. Guffie and party (three), a mile and a half below the Township of Naseby, from which, from a month's washing they have had out of it, they are likely to get well paid for their enterprise. The race since it has been cleaned has been kept in good order by the maintenance men. There has been little or no prospecting done in the district during the year. Blackstone Hill Race. The total sales of water for the year from this race was £131 lis. 7d., and total cash received was £131 4s. Id. The total cost of keeping this race in repair, including the repairing the tunnel in Johnstone's tail-race where the main road crosses it, was £29 Bs. From the end of December the supply of water has been at times very short, particularly during last month. The average number of miners supplied with water from this race during the year was 741. I have, &c, R. Murray, Manager. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

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APPENDIX.

No. 1. Statement showing the Revenue of the Goldfields 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, 1895.

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District. Miners' Eights. Business Licenses, Machine and Residence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining , Leases, Rents, Hegistraand tion. Royalties. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Totals. Auckland. Coromanael Te Aroha Thames Ohinemuri Puhipuhi £ a. a. 843 2 0 38 0 0 716 1 0 684 3 0 14 10 0 £ a. a. 49 10 0 13 10 0 33 0 0 163 0 0 7 0 0 £ a. a. 5 17 0 3 is 0 11 10 0 £ a. a. 1,615 9 6 807 6 6 1,717 10 2 2,723 13 0 2 15 0 £ s. a. 24 4 0 2 4 0 11 11 0 25 0 0 10 0 £ a. a. 23 12 0 52 8 0 £ s. a. 385 14 0 16 10 0 28 18 0 556 3 0 9 16 6 £ a. d 2,947 8 e 877 10 e 2,563 3 S 4,163 9 C 39 10 € 4 9 0 Totals .. 2,295 16 0 266 0 0 21 2 0 6,866 14 2 63 19 0 80 9 0 997 1 6 10,591 1 Nelson. Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Reef ton Wangapeka Lyell .. Motueka Murchison and Owen's 132 1 0 182 10 0 83 10 0 272 10 0 255 0 0 19 0 0 44 0 0 5 10 0 32 10 0 3 0 0 7 13 0 1 io 0 14 0 0 8 10 0 13 17 6 6 0 0 25 7 6 13 12 6 0 15 0 2 5 0 0 15 0 8 5 0 308 19 6 971 17 9 60 0 0 158 17 0 1,170 13 9 0 10 0 98 15 6 15 1 0 14 14 0 11 3 0 32 18 0 15 15 0 0 5 0 2 5 0 0 14 0 4 17 0 6 9 0 18 18 0 3 10 3 6 0 11 13 0 45 9 4 68 12 9 15 0 68 13 8 214 11 3 0 15 6 13 0 519 9 10 1,278 3 0 164 19 0 563 2 2 1,695 5 6 21 5 6 148 8 6 6 19 0 159 18 0 lli'l4 0 212 0 Totals .. 1,026 11 0 26 3 0 79 7 6 2,881 7 .6 97 12 0 43 7 0 403 2 6 4,557 10 Mablbobough. Havelock Picton 45 0 0 1 10 0 10 0 5 5 0 216 3 3 10 0 14 6 271 4 1 10 Totals 46 10 0 10 0 5 5 0 216 3 8 3 10 0 14 6 272 14 2 Westland. Hokitika and Kanieri Greymouth Ross Stafford Kumara Goldsborough .. Okarito 223 0 0 324 1 0 45 0 0 59 10 0 258 10 0 66 10 0 30 0 0 6 0 0 1 10 0 10 0 8 17 6 31 15 0 3 15 0 7 17 6 3 12 6 11 17 6 1 15 0 180 17 0 88 15 6 107 14 0 29 14 0 332 5 1 9 7 0 20 6 0 5 13 0 4 10 16 17 0 6 8 0 2 3 0 15 16 0 4 6 0 2 6 0 8 16 0 4 14 0 91 8 6 1,998 1 5 1 15 0 104 8 2 1 11 6 3 5 0 0 5 0 535 6 0 2,464 8 11 169 3 0 207 16 8 626 2 1 93 4 6 66 0 6 4 10 0 0 10 0 5 0 0 2617 6 Totals .. 1,006 11 0 18 10 0 69 10 0 766 3 1 64 15 0 35 18 0 2,200 14 7 4,162 1 8 Otago. Black's Tapanui Hindon Naseby Roxburgh Alexandra Clyde .. J Pembroke Cromwell Queenstown Arrowtown 71 0 0 7 10 0 72 11 0 222 3 0 129 0 0 1 10 0 3 5 0 19 10 0 0 10 0 3 7 6 10 0 40 5 0 7 5 0 144 5 0 94 19 9 820 9 9 547 11 0 6 2 0 0 9 0 1 13 0 22 8 0 8 4 0 3 18 0 0 3 0 23 6 6 9 19 0 15 6 0 14 0 28 6 0 499 10 6 33 7 6 231 8 0 8 13 0 201 17 9 1,647 12 9 735 16 6 213 0 0 13 0 0 10 5 0 696 5 9 14 17 0 14 13 0 10 17 6 972 18 3 14 10 0 239 15 0 158 0 0 114 10 0 137 10 0 97 12 0 163 10 0 10 11 0 11 10 0 10 0 5 0 0 10 10 0 6 0 0 0 10 0 7 0 0 6 2 6 8 12 6 18 10 0 9 16 17 10 0 5 17 0 357 18 0 580 2 2 292 1 6 343 18 6 101 12 9 518 16 0 0 17 0 23 10 0 15 0 0 12 1 0 14 1 0 8 11 0 15 8 0 4 10 12 10 0 5 12 0 11 9 0 14 12 0 4 19 0 20 11 0 0 5 0 31 0 0 29 1 6 11 14 6 43 7 0 14 0 1 13 0 26 0 0 682 4 0 805 8 2 451 8 6 576 18 6 233 10 3 743 8 0 Lawrence Waikaia Orepuki, Preservation, and Longwood Maerewhenua .. Wyndham Nenthorn Miaaiemarch .. 48 0 0 16 10 0 6 10 0 1 10 0 4 2 6 0 10 0 30 19 0 21 1 0 2 16 0 18 0 85 17 6 39 9 0 6 10 0 1 10 0 Totals .. 1,713 1 0 82 6 0 134 1 6 4,555 17 2 147 5 0 !125 13 6 692 6 0 7,450 10 2 Grana totals .. 6,088 9 0 393 19 0 309 6 0 15,286 5 7 376 12 0 285 7 6 4,293 19 1 27,033 18 2 Note.—Jackson's Bay omitted.

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No. 2. Statement showing the Revenue of the Goldfields collected in the several Districts, and the Gold Duty of the Colony of New Zealand, for the Period from 1st January to 31st March, 1896.

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District. Miners' Bights. Business Licenses, Machine and Residence Sites. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Royalties. Registration. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous Totals. Auckland. Joromandel 'e Aroha (hinemuri 'hames 'uhipuhi £ s. d. 251 10 0 155 4 0 115 0 0 7 5 0 £ s. d. 13 0 0 5 0 0 30 0 0 11 0 0 0 10 0 £ s. d. 5 10 0 2 10 0 6 5 0 £ s. d. 739 15 6 155 0 0 1,378 19 1 1,300 11 4 98 15 0 £ s. d. 10 3 0 16 0 7 9 0 5 0 0 0 7 0 £ s. d. 4 13 0 11 4 0 0 10 0 £ s. d. 99 1 0 99 11 0 45 6 0 0 10 0 £ s. d. 1,123 12 6 161 6 0 1,673 13 1 1,494 6 4 107 17 0 Totals 528 19 0 59 10 0 14 5 0 3,673 0 11 24 5 0 16 7 0 244 8 0 4,560 14 11 Nelson. lotueka Jollingwood Vestport Jharleston Lhaura .. teefton.. Vangapeka /yell .. lurchison 2 10 0 15 0 0 56 0 0 30 10 0 88 0 0 101 0 0 4 10 0 14 0 0 6 0 0 10 0 2 2 0 2 10 0 4 5 0 2 7 6 5 12 6 4 2 6 101 11 6 280 18 0 7 9 0 110 15 0 823 5 0 0 5 0 2 19 0 2 17 0 2 11 0 7 7 0 4 11 0 18 0 7 13 0 0 7 0 0 12 0 1 19 0 4 17 0 52 13 7 0 3 6 43 10 3 86 6 6 0 7 0 0 10 0 0 9 0 2 15 0 129 5 6 406 8 7 43 8 0 255 16 9 1,027 14 0 i 17 0 84 0 0 40 0 6 6 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 67 5 0 31 5 6 0 15 0 0 16 0 Totals 317 10 0 9 12 0 21 17 6 1,422 9 0 22 1 0 11 19 0 188 16 10 1,994 5 4 Marlboeough. lavelock 'ioton 10 15 0 0 10 0 1 15 0 10 13 0 18-0 0 3 6 24 14 6 0 10 0 Totals 11 5 0 1 15 0 10 13 0 18 0 0 3 6 25 4 6 Westland. lokitika and Kanieri J-reymouth toss Stafford.. )karito .. £umara Joldsborough 58 10 0 110 11 0 23 0 0 21 10 0 9 10 0 90 0 0 22 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 17 6 7 17 6 12 6 2 0 0 17 18 0 48 0 0 101 10 0 14 15 0 4 10 0 6 6 0 18 0 1 11 0 0 7 0 5 4 0 1 15 0 1 11 0 16 0 7 11 10 951 18 0 12 7 4 4 16 0 93 18 4 1,127 2 6 140 13 10 44 12 0 10 17 0 219 0 11 27 19 6 10 0 3 0 0 15 0 2 17 6 11611 11 3 0 0 0 8 0 019 0 Totals .. 335 1 0 9 0 0 16 10 0 298 14 11 21 1 0 6 5 0 977 12 2 1,664 4 1 Otago. Slack's .. ?apanui lindon .. Jaseby .. Llexandra) !lyde .. } loxburgh 'romwell Jueenstown irrowtown jawrenoe )repuki, Preservation, and Longwood 'embroke laerewhenua Vaikaia Vyndham Tenthorn liddlemarch 19 0 0 1 10 0 22 0 0 61 10 0 36 0 0 20 0 0 80 0 0 62 10 0 35 0 0 42 10 0 21 0 0 10 0 2 10 0 110 10 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 0 7 6 12 0 0 3 0 0 2 2 6 2 12 6 0 17 6 5 7 6 2 10 0 8 5 0 27 3 6 225 18 2 126 9 0 108 12 6 202 12 5 248 0 6 28 9 0 142 0 0 87 10 0 19 0 0 4 0 0 9 0 6 12 0 4 12 0 1 11 0 4 19 0 2 13 0 3 2 0 6 18 0 3 10 5 5 0 4 16 0 5 14 0 16 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 2 10 0 0 10 0 0 7 6 73 1 6 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 10 6 7 10 0 0 15 0 29 1 6 2 4 0 51 0 0 386 16 8 175 1 0 132 11 0 297 9 5 322 19 6 68 0 6 201 2 6 116 11 0 10 0 0 11 0 0 20 11 0 9 0 0 1 10 0 0 10 0 4 10 0 3 0 0 0 15 0 16 1 0 3 7 6 10 0 0 19 0 2 11 0 0 5 0 4 17 0 0 8 0 10 0 0 31 0 0 36 19 6 10 5 0 1 10 0 0 10 0 Totals 453 11 0 12 1 0 32 12 6 1,225 8 7 39 5 0 26 12 0 83 11 6 1,873 1 7 Grand totals .. 1,646 6 0 110,117 10 5 90 3 0 87 0 0 6,630 6 5 108 0 0 61 3 0 1,494 12 0 Note. —Jackson's Bay omitted.

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No. 3. Comparative Return of Revenue derived from the Goldfields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1894 and 1895, showing Increase or Decrease under each Head of Revenue.

6—C. 3a.

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District. Miners', Eights. Business Water ' Gold-mining Licenses races > Leases, Begis- *,„ ' Sluices, Bents, and tration. <K0 - &c. Boyalties. Fees and Fines, Wardens' Courts. Miscellaneous. Gold Duty. Totals. Auckland — £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Year 1894 450 837 24 2,234 21 29 178 4,380 8,153 Year 1895 2,296 266 21 6,867 64 80 997 11,658 22,249 Increase 1,846 4,633 43 51 819 7,278 14,096 Decrease 571 3 Wellington— Year 1894 Year 1895 Increase Decrease .. Nelson — 912 41 95 1,672 80 29 495 3,324 Year 1894 Year 1895 1,027 26 79 2,881 98 43 403 4,557 Increase 115 1,209 18 14 1,233 Decrease .. 15 16 92 Mablbobough— 39 282 28 358 Year 1894 3 2 3 1 Year 1895 ... 47 1 5 216 3 1 273 Increase .. 8 3 Decrease .. 2 66 28 85 Westland— 980 65 70 37 388 2,025 Year 1894 81 454 Year 1895 1,007 19 70 766 65 36 2,201 4,164 Increase 27 5 312 1,813 2,139 Decrease 12 5 1 Otago— 1,537 129 4,257 126 118 170 6,416 Year 1894 79 Year 1895 1,713 82 134 4,556 147 126 692 7,450 Increase 176 8 5 299 21 8 522 1,034 Decrease .. Total Increase .. 2,172 6,387 77 44 3,062 7,278 18,417 Total Decrease .. 597 6

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No. 4. Comparative Return of the Total Amounts of Goldfields Revenue (exclusive of Gold Duty) collected in the several Districts during the Years 1894 and 1895, and the Quarters ending 31st March, 1895 and 1896 respectively, showing the Increase or Decrease in respect of each District.

No. 5. Return of Gold Duty credited to Local Bodies for the Year ended 31st December, 1895, and Quarter ended 31st March, 1896.

Eobeet J. Collins, The Treasury, 15th May, 1896. Accountant to the Treasury.

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Years 1894 and 1895. Quarters ending 31st March, 1895, and 31st March, 1896. District. 1896. Increase. Decrease. 1894. 1895. Increase. Decrease. 1895. Auckland. Coromandel Te Aroha Thames Puhipuhi Ohinemuri £ 541 617 872 28 1,713 £ 2,947 878 2,563 40 4,163 £ 2,406 261 1,691 12 2,450 £ £ 161 178 299 15 615 £ 1,124 161 1,494 108 1,674 £ 963 1,195 93 1,059 £ 17 Nelson. 1 281 820 157 629 1,136 15 133 151 7 519 1,278 165 563 1,695 21 148 160 6 238 458 8 2 167 123 34 115 231 2 47 22 3 129 406 43 256 1,028 5 84 40 1 Motueka Collingwood Westport Charleston Ahaura Reefton Wangapeka Lyell Murehison and Owen's .. "38 559 6 15 9 "66 283 9 141 797 3 37 18 Marlbobough. Havelook 358 273 85 68 25 43 Westland. Hokitika Kanieri .. J Greymouth Ross Stafford Okarito Kumara Jackson's Bay Goldsborough 326 565 153 182 106 608 1 85 535 2,464 169 208 66 626 209 1,899 16 26 116 - 671 52 77 33 183 94 1,127 141 45 11 219 456 89 22 "32 22 "l8 "40 "36 - 93 1 "30 "28 8 2 Otago. 94 1,175 202 1,879 108 704 13 710 51 416 38 Hindon Naseby and Black's Alexandra .. ) Clyde .. J Roxburgh Cromwell Arrowtown Queenstown Pembroke Lawrence Waikaia Tapanui Orepuki, Preservation, and Longwood Maerewhenua Wyndham Nenthorn Middlemarch 294 706 973 267 133 175 42 826 605 519 904 22 500 245 11 646 736 682 451 805 26 577 234 9 743 "77 4 77 90 "68 99 143 173 66 160 5 95 56 3 207 132 297 68 323 10 201 37 2 117 124 2 163 5 106 11 11 2 19 1/ 90 "97 110 47 5 86 39 7 2 2 2 24 8 7 5 1 31 10 2 1 24 5 1 1 Wellington. Wellington Cantsbbury. Christohurch Totals 15,893 27,032 11,633 494 5,018 10,H8 5,691 591 Net increase 11,139 5,100

Local Body. For the Year ended 31et December, 1895. For the Quarter ended 31st March, 1896. Counties— Coromandel Manukau Marsden Ohinemuri Piako .. Thames Whangarei Bobough— Thames £ S. d. 3,622 18 5 0 11 8 0 2 0 6,361 17 9 19 10 3 863 3 9 £ s. d. 888 9 0 1,673* 5 9 8li" 1 10 0 2 0 789 6 2 257 12 7 Totals .. 11,057 10 0 3,130 11 2

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No. 6. RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty* for Exportation from New Zealand from 1st April, 1857, to 31st December, 1895.

No. 7. COMPARATIVE RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty* for Exportation from New Zealand for the Years ended 31st December, 1895 and 1894.

Department of Traae and Customs, W. T. GLASGOW, Wellington, 23rd January, 1896. Secretary and Inspeotor.

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Pboduce op the Goldfields in dubing the Quaeteb ended 31st December, 1895. Enteeed foe Expoetation to the 30th Septembee, 1895. Total enteeed fob Exportation feom New Zealand to the 31st Decembee, 1895. County or Borough. District. Quantity. Value. Quantity, j Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. 8,701 3,160 23,787 38 1 2,527 £ 35,508 12,957 87,734 160 4 10,299 Oz. Oz. County of Coromanael , Thames , Ohinemuri.. „ Piako „ Marsden Borough of Thames .. > 38,214 146,662 1,901,933 7,170,040 1,940,147 7,316,702 County of Hutt Wellington 188 706 188 706 County of Marlborough Marlborough 83,878 326,629 83,878 326,629 Nelson .. 1,668,494 6,615,775 1,668,494 6,615,775 County of Buller Inangahua.. Grey „ Westland .. Borough of Kumara .. Hokitika .. „ Ross -West Coast 5,001 7,810 5,932 6,038 97 208 1,042 20,005 31,243 23,727 24,153 388 831 4,169 104,516 4,135,428 16,441,498 4,161,556 16,546,014 26,128 Canterbury 24 96 24 96 County of Taieri „ Tuapeka , Vincent „ Maniototo .. , Waihemo .. „ Waitaki Waikouaiti.. Clutha Lake , Wallace „ Bruce Fiord , . Southland .. 155 9,632 6,934 2,576 950 720 56 3 2,576 1,497 249 57 1,652 637 39,024 28,152 10,459 3,764 2,951 229 11 10,398 6,043 1,004 230 6,686 Otago 27,057 109,588 5,168,747 20,435,008 5,195,804 20,544,596 Unknown 122 484 122 484 Totals 91,399 360,766 12,958,814 50,990,236 13,050,213 51,351,002

Produce of the During the Quarter ended — Totals for Year 1895. Totals for Year 1894. GOLDFIELDS IN THE District op 31st March, 30th June, 30th Septem- 31st Decem- Ouantitv 1895. 1895. ber, 1895. her, 1895. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland Marlborough.. Nelson West Coast .. Otago Oz. 19,046 Oz. 22,740 455 695 20,186 19,851 Oz. 31,213 2,240 1,765 17,735 18,009 Oz. 38,214 Oz. 111,213 2,695 2,460 89,429 87,694 £ 430,862 10,771 9,016 357,719 353,796 Oz. 52,916 2,536 2,860 86,950 76,353 £ 211,974 10,123 10,634 347,464 307,644 251380 22,777 26i128 27,057 Totals for 1895 67,203 63,927 70,962 91,399 293,491 1,162,164 Totals for 1894 65,837 53,699 54,447 47,632 221,615 887,839 * Gold duty abolished in the South Island on the 31st March, 1891, by " The Gold Duty Abolition Act, 1890."

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No. 8. RETURN of the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty* for Exportation from New Zealand from 1st April, 1857, to 31st March, 1896.

No. 9. Comparative Return for the Quarters ended 31st March, 1896, and 31st March, 1895.

Department of Trade and Customs, W. T. GLASGOW, Wellington, Ist May, 1896, Secretary and Inspector.

Pboduce of the Goldfields in During the qoabteb ended 31st Mabch, 1896. Entebed for Exportation to the 31st December, 1895. Total entered foe Exportation to the 31st Mabch, 1896. County or Borough. District. Qu'ntity Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. 8,884 1,785 12,888 1 1,304 £ 36,345 7,499 44,405 4 5,478 Oz. Oz. £ 'ounty of Coromandel.. Thames „ Ohinemuri .. „ Whangarei .. Sorough of Thames ■ Auckland 7,410,433 iounty of Hutt 24,862 93,731 1,940,147 7,316,702 1,965,009 Wellington 188 706 188 706 'ounty of Marlborough Marlborough 478 1,910 83,878 326,629 84,356 328,539 !ounty of Collingwood.. „ Waimea I Nelson I 1,112 241 4,101 890 1,668,494 6,615,775 1,669,847 6,620,706 1,353 4,991 lounty of Buller „ Inangahua .. Grey „ Westland Sorough of Kumara Hokitika .. Ross ■West Coast 3,874 5,423 7,700 7,572 87 108 908 15,486 21,694 30,798 30,287 349 431 3,633 16,648,692 Canterbury 25,672 102,678 4,161,556 16,546,014 4,187,228 'ounty of Taieri „ Tuapeka „ Vincent „ Maniototo .. „ Waihemo „ Waitaki „ Lake „ Wallace „ Waikouaiti .. „ Bruce Clutha Fiord „ Southland .. Itewart Island 24 96 24 96 Otago 257 5,416 6,775 4,126 267 541 3,261 1,560 312 396 18 312 728 68 1,049 22,154 27,745 16,901 1,092 2,216 13,347 6,286 1,276 1,590 73 1,248 2,944 271 I 20,642,788 24,037 98,192 5,195,804 20,544,596 5,219,841 Unknown 122 484 122 484 Totals 76,402 301,502 13,050,213 51,351,002 13,126,615 51,652,504 * Gold duty abolished in the South Island on the 31st March, 1891, by " The Gold Duty Abolition Act, 1890."

Quarter ended ilst March, 1896. Quarter ended ilst March, 1895. District of Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. .uckland larlborough lelson .. Vest Coast )tago Oz. 24,862 478 1,353 25,672 24,037 £ 93,731 1,910 4,991 102,678 98,192 Oz. 19,046 £ 73,764 25|380 22,777 101' 527 92,294 Totals 76,402 301,502 67,203 267,585

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No. 10. 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, 1896.

45

Mining District. Price of Gold per Ounce. Price charged per Ton for crushing Quartz or Cement. Price charged for Water per Sluicehead per Week. Bemarks. £ s. a. £2 15s. to £3 8s. 6a. £2 lis. to £2 15s. £2 8s. to £2 18s. £2 8s. to £2 18s. £ B. a. 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 £ s. a. Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki Ohinemuri Te Aroha Puhipuhi 3 0 0 Marlboro—Pelorus and Wairau 3 17 0 Nelson — Wangapeka Motueka.. Charleston Inangahua Collingwood Westport Murchison Lyell 3 14 0 3 14 0 3 19 0 £3 18s. to £4 Is. 5a. £3 10s. to £3 14s. 6a. 3 19 0 3 17 0 8 17 0 0 i 6 8s. to 10s. 2 15 0 0 5 0 Westland —Hokitika, Kanieri, ana ) Waimea Totara ana Ross .. Staffora Greymouth Kumara Ahaura Okarito 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 3 18 0 0 12 0 2 0 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 40in. by lin. 20in. by 2in. Government heaa. 40in. 40in. Otago— Hinaon Tuapeka.. Longwooa 3 17 6 3 18 6 3 10 6 0 15 0 3 0 0 10 0 Orepuki ana Rounahill 3 18 6 0 15 0 40in. by lin. Government heaa. 40in. by lin. Government heaa. Arrow (Wakatipu Goiafieia) ana Queenstown Mount Ida .. } Macrae's, Hyde .. \ Hamilton, Serpentine ) Maerewhenua 3 17 6 3 17 6 12s. 6a. to 15s. 1 10 0 40in. by lin. 3 17 0 1 10 0 20in. by 2in. ana 4in. pressure. Cromwell Pembroke Waikaia Tapanui Wyndham Roxburgh .. ) Clyae ana Alexanara Black's .. 3 17 0 3 15 6 3 14 6 3 15 0 3 17 6 0 8 0 0 4 0 5s. to £1 10 0 0 15 0 3 17 6 3 17 6

No. 11. Return showing the Average Prices of Provisions and Live-stock for the Year ending 31st March, 1896.

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46

Live-stock. Mbat. 5 m ■S&. n -3 CO • m o o 1 * ■~ r is o "5 o E o 00 q 1 cX n d o i ° o a, s on O 0 6 Mining District. 8 Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per 1001b. Per Im. bushel. Per head. Per head. Per head. Per head. Per head. Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per qt. 1 Per lb. Per lb. Per lb. Per gallon. Per. hhd. Per gall. Per lb. Per lb. Auckland — Ohinemuri North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi Marlborough — Queen Charlotte Soun3 j Pelorus .. Y Wairau .. ) Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwooa Inangahua Lyell Murchison Westport Charleston Ahaura Westland — Staffora Waimea Hokitika ana Kanieri } Ross Okarito Kumara Greymouth Otago — Hinaon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyae .. \ Alexanara Roxburgh Black's Queenstown Wynaham Arrow (Wakatipu Goiafleia) Mount iaa Nenthorn Waikaia Orepuki ana Longwooa .. Maerewhenua Pembroke 86/ 95/ 90/ 80/ 150/ 23/ 25/ 27/ 25/ 40/ a. 34 14 3i 3 1/ 1/ /9 1/ 1/ /10 /9 /10 /10 /7 /7 Pi /6 1/10 1/10 1/10 1/10 2/ 10/6 11/ 10/6 10/6 13/ 4/6 3/6 4/ 4/6 4/ £ 6 6-7 7 6 7 6/ 12/ £ 7 4-50 8-50 10 10/ 8/-14/ 15/ 10/ 10/ 20/ 10/-35/ 40/ 20/ 30/ a. 5 6 5 5 5 d. 4 5 4 4 3 a. 6 5 6 6 6 a. 3 5 4 3 4 d. 3 3 Si 4 d. 1 1 1 1 1 a. 3 3 3 3 3 2/3 2/-3/ 1/6-3/ 2/3 2/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 16/6-20/ 15/-35/ 18/ 90/ 28/ 7 /8 /8 /8 1/8 13/6 4/9 3/10/0 10 6/ 10/ 3ij 2f; 2/ 6/ 25/ 150/ 100/ 100/ 140/ 100/ 120/ 150/ 25/ 25/ 26/ 29/ 26/ 25/ 25/ 2 2 2 24 14 4 2 8 /9 1/3 1/ 1/ 1/2 1/ 1/3 /7 /6 1/ 1/ /10 1/ /9 1/ /8 /8 /8 P /9 /8 /8 2/ 1/10 1/9 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 13/-20/ 13/ 14/ 15/ 16/8 11/ U/ 16/ 4/ 4/9 5/6 8/6 9/ 5/ 5/6 5/6 3-5 3 7/10/0 4/10/0 5/10/0 7 6 6 10/'-40/ 8-25 14 10-30 5-20 5-25 15 6-25 30 5/-8/ 7/ 10/-12/ 10/ 9/ 12/ 20/ 15/ 10/-30/ 20/ 60/ 10/-30/ 10/-20/ 30/ 60/ 50/-80/ 3 5 6 4 4 6 5 5 3 3 5 4 4 5 5 5 4 5 7 6 5 6 6 S 3 4 4 6 4 5 6 6 3 34 4 4 4 3 4 4 ii 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 34 34 34 4 5 3 3 4 2/6 2/1 3/ 3/ 3/ 2/ 1/6-3/ 2/6 6/-7I 6/ 6/ 6/6 6/6 7/ 5/-8/ 7/ 6/6 21/-28/ 15/ 24/ 25/ 15/-30/ , 19/ 157 10/ 12/6 100/ 30/ 24/6 24/6 39/ 25/ 25/ 2 1/ 1/6 1/3 1/6 1/6 1/ 1/ »! 1/6 1/6 14/ 10/ 14/ 18/ 12/ 11/6 6/ 4/3 6/ 5 10/ 20 15/ 40/ 6 6 i 6 • 4 2 4 3/ 6/6 30/ 90/ 14 1/ /8 5-10 6-15 9/ 60/-90/ 5 5 6 6 3 2 I 4 2/ 6/ 16/ 110/ 60/ 85/ 90/ 2 6 li 1/ 1/ 1/ 1/ 8 /9 /10 /8 1/6-2/ 1/6 1/6 1/10 4/6 4/6 6-7 7 7 7/10/0 5/ 10/ 10/ 10-20 10-18 15 12/-16/ 16/ 12/ 8/6 40/-60/ 40/-50/ 3/ 10/ 7 5 5 4 G 4 5 4 8 5 8 6 4 6 5 4 4 6 3 3 2 2 2 14 3 6 5 3 2/6 3/ 2/6 1/9 6/ 7/6 7/ 5/3 20/-30/ 20/-30/ 22/ 17/ 90/ 110/ 100/ 120/ 120/ 120/ 110/ 26/ 35/ 27/ 30/ 28/ 30/ 28/ li li li li li 1/ /8 /8 1/ 1/ 1/ 1/ 1/2 /10 1/2 1/ /7 /7 /10 /8 /7 /5i /a 1/8 1/10 1/10 1/9 12/-15/ 4/6 11/ 10/ 3/ 2/6 3/9 3/6 5 6 3 5-30 5 16 9 7/6 7/ 10/6 9/ '7/ 30/ 40/ 4 3 3 44 4 24 4 6 6 3 6 4 2 2 5 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 2 2 3 2| 34 2/6 2/ 1/10 2/3 2/4 2/4 3/4 2/-3/ 2/ 2/-3/ 6/ 5/6 5/3 5/6 5/6 5/ 5/ 6/-7/ 5/6 6/-7I 18/ 30/ 18/ 20/ 20/ 20/ 16/-30/ 1/ 1/ 1/ 1/ /7 1/ /a 1/6 14/ 13/ 12/ 10/ 8/ 10/ 11/6 5 6-25 8/-20/ 50/ 50/ 50/ 20/-40/ 40/ 20/-40/ 5 4 8 4 ii 34 li li 2 li 2 /8 /8 /9 /5 /9 /8 /7 /6 /8 Pi 1/6 1/6 2/ 1/6 2/ 1/6 3/9 4/ 3/ 3/8 5 5 5-10 5 5-10 6-25 10-30 11 10-30 7/-20/ 7/-20/ 5/-15/ 8/6 5/-15/ 5 5 6 4 6 4 4 5 24 5 8 7 6 34 6 5 5 4-6 3 4-6 24 3 3 3 3 14 14 2 l 2 34 34 3-4 3£ 3-4 130/ 28/ 25/ 16/-30/ 15/-20/ 17/ 24/ 90/ II 1/ /9 3/10/0 10/-15/ 3-25 •2/6-10/ 10/-40/ 4-64 2 d 34 4 4 1 3/6 1/10 1/6-2/3 2/6 1/6-3/ 5/6 6/ 5/ 6/ 5/6 120/ 90/ 24/ 27/ li li 14 ii /10 /10 /9 1/ /8 /10 /9 /9 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 12/ 20/ 9/ 10/ 3/4 4/ 2/3 3/ 3 6-9 5 3-6 20'/' 5 8-18 12/10/0 1J-25 5/ 5/-12/ 8/-9/ 1/6-10/ 5/ 20/-35/ 30/ 10/-50/ 6 5 4 44 4 4 3 44 6 6 3i 6 4 3 4 6 4 2 3 4 2 1 14 2 4 34 3 4 140/ 60/ •• - •■

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47

No. 12. Table showing the Average Rate of Wages per Week for the Year ending 31st March, 1896.

Mining District. General Managers. Legal Managers. Mining Managers. Engineers. Engine-* drivers. Stokers. Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Miners. Labourers. Boys. Chinese. Agricultural Labourers. Domestic Servants. Auckland — North Hauraki South Hauraki To Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri £ s. a. £5 to £10 £5 to £10 £150.to £500* 4 0 0 £150 to £500* £ s. a. £1 to £2 10 0 1 10 0 2 0 0 £1 to £2 £ s. a. £3 to £5 5 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 £4 to £5 £ s. a. £3 to £3 10 3 10 0 3 0 0 £ s. a. 2 14 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 £ s. a. 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 0 0 2 8 0 £ s. a. 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 £ s. a. 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 £ s. a. 2 8 0 2 5 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 £ s. a. 2 2 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 £ s. a. 5/ to £1 10 10/ to 15/ 10/ to 15/ £ s. a. £ s. a. 2 0 0 1 10 0 10 0 6/ to 15/ 5/ to 10/ 12/6 £4 to £5 3 0 0 £14to£l 10 i"o 0 12/6 Marlborough — Wairau .. ) Pelorus .. } 10 0 3 15 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 5/ to 10/ 10 0 8/ to 12/ Nelson — Collingwooa Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell .. Ahaura Murchison Wangapeka 5 0 0 £6 to £8 1 10 0 £2 to £3 5 0 0 £4 to £5 3 10 0 £3 10 to £5 2 10 0 3 10 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 10/ a aay 2 8 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 3 12 0 3 17 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 10/ a aay 2 2 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 14 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 8 0 10/ a aay 2 6 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 5 0 £1 10 to £2 2 8 0 6/ a aay 0 12 0 £110 to £2 10 0 15 0 0 15 0 2 0 0 15 0 1 10 0 10 0 10/ 10/ to 15/ 10/ 10/ 10/ to £1 7/ to 10/ 12/ 6/ to 9/ I - o'io 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 '6 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 6/ a aay 5 0 0 3 io 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 - 0 0 4/ to 5/ Westland — Waimea ana Staffora .. Hokitika ana Kanieri .. Ross Kumara Greymouth Okarito 4 0 0 6 0 0 10 0 15 0 1 10 0 10 0 £4 to £5 5 0 0 3 10 0 £4 to £6 3 io 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 4 00 3 10 0 £3 to £3 10 3 12 0 2 10 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 12 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 £2 10 to £3 £2 10 to £3 3 0 0 1 10 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 £2 to £2 10 2 8 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 1 10 0 10 0 10/ to 12/6 0 15 0 2 0 0 i"o 0 £1 to £1 10 0 15 0 1 10 0 15 0 £1 to £2 2 0 0 8/ to 12/ 10/ 7/ to 10/ 6/ to 12/ 15/ .. £4 to £5 2 '5 0 Otago — Hinaon Tuapeka Tapanui Cromwell Clyae .. \ Alexanara Black's Roxburgh Waikaia Orepuki, Longwooa, ana Preservation Arrow Queenstown Mount Ha Maerewhenua.. Wyndham Pembroke 4 0 0 4 0 0 5 '6 0 5 0 0 4 10 0 5 0 0 2 - 0 0 0 io 0 0 15 0 0 12 6 4 0 0 3 10 0 4 0 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 10 0 3 0 0 3 10 0 £4 to £5 3 i6 0 2 15 0 2 15 0 2 15 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 3 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 5 0 2 io 0 2 8 0 2 14 0 2* 10 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 5 0 3 5 0 2 8 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 8 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 12 0 1 16 0 10 0 0 10 0 i"s 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 8 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 10 0 10 0 15 0 15 0 15 0 0 15 0 1 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15/ to £1 10 0 15/ 10/ 8/ 9/ 7/6 to 15/ 7/6 to 15/ 7/6 to 15/ 10/ to 12/ 8/ to 13/ 5 0 0 £40 a year 5 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 2 14 0 2 8 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 8 0 2 2 0 10/ a aay 2 8 0 2 8 0 2 6 0 1 10 0 1 16 0 6/ a aay 10/ to £1 10/ to 15/ 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 12 0 £1 to £1 10 £1 to £1 10 15 0 £1 to £1 5 £1 to £1 5 10 0 0 17 6 2 2 0 15/ to £1 8/to 12/ 8/ to 12/ 7/6 to 15, 8/ to 10, 7/ to 12, 5/ to 15, 3 0 0 •• •• * A year.

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No. 13. Number of Machines employed in Alluvial and Quartz-mining, and the Value thereof, for the Year ending 31st March, 1896.

48

[achi iner; employed in Alluvial [ini igMachii lery em] iloyed in Qui irtz■mil ling. Mining District. Steamengines employed winding, crushing, &c. 3 o S to S ■a Oh s; a Ph h O ■ ft a co ag EH o „ o Ss Sm s 1/1 CO I fH 3 -4-J 3 o to o w o 3 i >. DO C3 cS ©O la Co o Ji m a-a 02 en" 5 I CI! a 'C o M Steamengines employed winding, crushing, &c. Ep a o a! to 5 3 Eh O 2 3 3 CO "3 CS 3 I CO >> P4 rH o in .& Approximate Value of all Mining Plant included in this Beturn. I AggreNo. gate I h.PDO CO a a en S CD ■rH A M o i 0) A AggreNo. gate J u 1 a A a a « c s Auckland — Ohinemuri North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi 16 21 14 450 460 374 13 9 24 1 1 255 110 392 20 21 2 2,5 2 22 234 £ 80,000 50,000 50,000 2,000 2,500 1 "25 Totals 52 1,309 48 777 50 256 184,500 Marlborough— Wakamarina Cullen's Creek Waikakaho Other places 1 30 59 15 30 10 2 6 1 i "lO 1 250 400 5,000 200 6 Totals 1 134 10 14 2 10 1 5,850 Nelson — Wangapeka Collingwooa Inangahua Charleston Lyell Murchison Westport Ahaura i "40 i 71 670 53 1,685 2,479 i io 3 9 2 23 510 2 i i 2 2 47 -i 22 45 443 21 3 "20 340 "35 17 2 a 3 65 24,970 149,085 850 13,500 12,300 3,000 11,000 *8 1 2 3 i 22 3 10 25 1 8 i Totals 1 40 8 1 17 547 3 4 69 23 488 27 408 45 5 3 214,705 65l Westland — Staffora Ross Hokitika ana Kanieri Greymouth Kumara Okarito i 2 8 39 2 5 2 8 10,000 60 110 1,400 150 1 6 4 1 2 2 2 700 40 90 500 90 1 3 a 30 2 i 12 6 30 '5 "lO i a 50,000 14,000 7,800 12,000 3,000 7,500 2 6 6 '2 '±35 12 a 20 '2 Totals 5 18: 41 21 11,721 17 1,421 47 5 68 5 2 4 16 94,300 —I I Otago— Tapanui .. Hinaon Tuapeka .. Cromwell.. Clyae ana Alexanara Roxburgh Black's Orepuki ana Longwooa Waikaia (Switzer's) Arrow Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn ana Clarke's Hamilton's ana Sowburn Hyae ana Pullerton's Macrae's, StrathTaieri, ana Shag Valley Serpentine St. Bathan's, Ida Valley, &c. Maerewhenua Wyndham 2 "30 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 "l8 500 400 700 630 190 400 300 400 18 2 3 1 1 2 11 5 8 mis. 10 7 4 65 65 50 3 5 1 1 4 30 2 10 16 1 4 3 1 i 3 "3 i i "70 "23 8 8 5 2 7 3 2 2 "i 5 25 25 34 14 "l4 12 "40 70 2 1 1 1 i 2 3 a 1 1 2,000 8,000 17,000 19,000 39,000 81,000 30,000 5,600 4,000 20,000 60,000 700 600 10 mis. 10, 70 25,000 840 100 140 1 30 Totals 2 1 6 5 4,379 24 857 20 69 4 1 1 2 10 169 35 304 13 4 3 1 2 311,540 summa: ir. Aucklana .. Marlborough Nelson Westlana .. Otago 1 .. 1 40 5 182 2| 30 9! 252, 'l 8 1 4 21 6 5 18 27 ! 134 2,479 11,721 4,379 _J I 18,713 10 .. 14 17 547 3 171,421 47 24 857 20 ' ' , 68j2,825 j 84 4 5 69 68 4 2 i I 5 ! 2 1 2 6 73 52 1,309 28 *488 i6 '±69 85J l,966i 48 2 27 4 35 777 50 256 10 1 408 45 5 3 .. 65 16 3 304 13 4 3 1 2 l,515jll2j 9; 6 1|323 184,500 5,850 214,705 94,300 311,540 Totals 1 72 "1 116 810,895 78

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No. 14. Table showing approximately the Number, Description, and Value of the Water-races, Tail-races, Dams, Reservoirs, and Ground-sluices in Operation during the Year ending 31st March, 1896.

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49

Wal ;er-races. Tail-races. Dams. Eesi jrvoirs. Groui id-slaices. Miningr District. Length in Miles. No. of Sluiceheads. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cose. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Cost. Approximate Total Cost. No. No. No. No. No. Auckland— Hauraki North .. Hauraki South .. Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri 49 13 3 1 14 n* 7 H l 18} 45 40 6 99 £ 4,000 6,500 1,800 300 14,550 £ 9 £ 5^000 £ 1 £ 200 £ 4,000 11,700 1,800 450 18,550 1 i,'6oo: 1 7 iso 3,000 Totals 80 42} 190 27,150 1,000; 17 8,15i 200 36,500 Marlborough— Pelorus 42 52 400 15 250! 14 220 870 26 Nelson — Wangapeka, Baton, and Sherry Collingwooa Inangahua Charleston Westport Lyell Murchison Ahaura Motueka 10 102 316 245 162 41 114 687 6 6 101 227 260 146 37 96 642 6 22 710 2,214 1,250 1,144 92 360 2,313 6 40 182,968 62,174 3,500 21,791 6,000 16,300 113,100 27 6 77 487 130 161 9 48 714 650 3,886 28,548 6,000 18,887 400 1,530 65,300 2 55 534 400 302 12 46 609 5 50 9,350 20,143 5,500 15,756 480 1,100 17,900 5 2 1,500 1 1 39 50 200 200 790 196,404 110,865 16,700 56,434 6,880 18,930 196,300 32 Totals 1,683 1,521 8,111 405,900 1,632 125,201 1,965 70,284 1,500 41 450 603,335 Westland — Hokitika & Kanieri Ross Kumara Greymouth Okarito .. Stafford ana Goldsborough 340 127 196 278 30 800 289 97 110 267 27 500 653 345 380 657 200 1,500 215,000 35,320 24,600 22,370 800 20,000 270 167 200 738 16 600 2,500 1,800 15,000 12,000 100 10,000 289 73 72 924 12 600 1,600 1,927 5,000 9,313 240 8,000 ii 7,000 50 40 620 800 219,100 39,667 52,400 43,683 1,340 44,000 60 3,000 1 600 200 3,000 Totals 1,771 1,290 3,735 318,090 1,99! 41,400 1,970 26,080 61 110,000 691 4,620 400,190 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Tapanui Clyde & Alexandra Black's Arrow Roxburgh Cromwell Pembroke Waikaia Orepuki, Longwood, and Preservation Queenstown Naseby Kyeburn & Clarke's Hamilton's and Sowburn Hyde & Pullerton's Macrae's, StrathTaieri, and Shag Valley Serpentine St. Bathan's and Ida Valley Maerewhenua Wyndham 43 262 1 212 125 90 167 409 10 100 395 100 55 799 1* 505 478 175 355 1,072 36 350 336 150 150 1,575 3 652 522* 225 1,050 1,336 38 470 630 450 6,250 13,000 150 27,185 37,480 14,000 29,905 73,907 5,000 23,000 18,950 50,000 15 412 3 143 111 150 82 251 15 160 150 125 750 8,024 50 9,765 7,100 4,500 6,185 12,550 2,000 2,000 6,500 4,500 28 285 1 85 82 25 68 139 4 165 155 30 950 5,700 25 7,360 7,510 1,400 3,930 9,730 250 2,030 2,200 1,500 i 25 1 "i 80 35 3,660... iio 35 3 20 20 150 125 200 200 2,000 2,750 8,075 26,724 450 44,310 52,090 20,100 43,020 96,187 7,250 29,030 30,540 56,000 450 1,425 1,250 117,000 500 13,000 181 5,001 136,000 17,750 18 10 143 15,801 48 70 14,900 75: 41 1,650 30 14 1,200 Totals 2,393| 121681*1 8,475* 430,727 2,196! 78,574| l,29lj 48,785) 61 3,165 228 5,275 566,526 sum: :ary. Auckland .. Marlborough Nelson Westland .. Otago 80 26 1,683 1,771 2,393 42} 42 1,521 1,290 21681* 190 52 8,111 3,735 8,475* 27,150 400 405,900 318,090 430,727 1 15 1,632 1,991 2,196 1,000 250 125,201 41,400 78,574 17 14 1,965 1,970 1,291 8,150 220 70,284 26,080 48,785 2 61 61 1,500 10,000 3,165 1 41 691 228 200 36,500 870 450 603,335 4,620 400,190 5,275 666,626 Totals 5,953 24577J 20,563* 1,182,267 5,835 246,425 5,257 153,519 124 14,665 961 10,545 ,607,421

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No. 15. Return of Cases in the Wardens' Courts, and Costs awarded, for the Year ending 31st March, 1896.

50

Mining District. Number of Mining Disputes adjudicated on. Aggregate Ant' >unt of Value. Amount of Costs Awarded. ,2 - cj ®3f 8 w Claimed. Recovered. VUCKLAND —■ North Hauraki South Hauraki Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri 233 59 7 7 337 £ s. a. 16 3 4 153 19 3 £ s. d. 153 19 3 £ s. d. 23 12 0 29 16 0 4 5 0 26 8 6 \1 ARLBOROUGH 12 35 0 0 10 0 0 32 13 0 Kelson — Collingwood Inangahua Lyell .. Westport Charleston Ahaura Murchison 9 9 2 29 5 26 2 li'lO 0 50' 0 0 -3 0 0 17 0 7 3 0 44 4 6 7 19 0 12 10 9 0 13 0 36' 0 0 4 "lO 0 8 Westland — Kumara Greymouth Hokitika and Kanieri Stafford Ross Okarito Goldsborough 20 17 11 6 6 36 18 0 75 0 0 130 0 0 20 0 0 21 2 0 2 12 0 22 10 0 11 12 0 30 4 9 53 8 11 6 18 0 1 16 0 4 9 50 0 )tago— Tapanui Hindon Tuapeka Cromwell Roxburgh Black's .. .'. Clyde and Alexandra Waikaia Orepuki and Longwooa .. Arrow (Wakatipu Goiafieia) Queenstown Mount Ha Maerewhenua Wynaham 17 46 34 15 92 7 26 4 9 40 8 13 0 0 300 0 0 247 12 0 20 0 0 60 0 0 135' 0 0 36' 0 0 15 2 0 16 10 0 22 1 0 18 0 35 13 0 6 10 0 103 18 0 3 3 0 7 19 0 65 3 6 33 15 0 7 17 0 259 7 1 1,259 3 3 50 0 0 4 13 9 353 16 4 20 0 0 i Totals 1,104 2,766 12 11 775 0 4 610 13 11 18

51

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No. 16. Return of the Number of Mining Leases or Licenses and Agricultural Leases in Force on the 31st March, 1896, the Extent of Ground Leased or held under License, and Rental per Annum.

H. J. H. Bliott, Under-Secretary for Mines.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (2,850 copies), £53 3s. 6d.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB96.

Price, Is. 3d.)

Mining Leaees. Agricultural Leases. Mining District. No. Gross Acreage. pJ^L,. I No. Gross Acreage. .UCKLAND — Hauraki North Hauraki South Te Aroha Puhipuhi Ohinemuri 260 166 A. E. P. 9,106 0 36 14,161 0 0 £ s. d. 3,483 10 0 4,990 5 0 86 87 A. R. P. 1,227 1 3 4,021 1 13 £ a. d. 32 12 0 52 11 0 4 308 4Oo"o 0 13,553 3 26 200 0 0 6,834 16 0 ii 270 1 17 44 16 0 Iarlbobough— Wairau and Pelorus 17 1,113 2 16 200 12 9 l 22 3 8 13 0 Jelson— Collingwood Inangahua Charleston Ahaura Westport Lyell .. Murchison 1 11 9 10 0 0 127 0 10 119 0 0 10 0 0 130 0 0 64 10 0 1 7 1 1 38 1 25 147 0 0 50 0 0 137 2 37 3 18 0 4 8 6 5 0 0 13 16 0 Vestland— Okarito Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Stafford and Goldsborough Greymouth Ross 1 8 17 4 15 13 30 0 0 512 3 35 214 1 36 60 0 0 225 3 30 378 0 0 15 0 0 252 0 0 139 8 0 40 0 0 123 0 0 201 10 0 1 8 50 0 0 158"2 13 1 17 6 Iβ' 18 0>TAGO— Waikaia Cromwell Hindon Tuapeka Black's Clyde and Alexandra Roxburgh Naseby .. Arrow"(Wakatipu Goldfield) Queenstown Maerewhenua Tapanui Wyndham Pembroke 3 15 32 40 11 34 156 3 20 437 0 0 1,622 3 4 837 0 26 414 3 24 877 3 9 79 10 0 219 0 0 817 10 0 440 15 0 257 5 0 618 10 0 10 9 14 16 75 42 . 22 32 49 1,161 3 24 395 2 0 343 0 0 532 0 0 1,379 0 0 2,047 3 19 754 3 23 670 2 2 1,597 0 0 83 0 4 21 2 3 15 18 8 46 13 6 86 2 6 106 7 6 49 14 8 26 11 6 77 5 8 2 93 0 0 61 10 0 5 119" o 0 4 17 0 Totals 971 44,451 2 20 19,178 11 9 423 15,014 0 24 693 12 9>