D.—No. 8.

REPORTS PROM CUSTOMS OFFICER, SHORTLAND, THAMES.

No. 1. Copy of a Letter from Mr. D. Ltjndon to the Collectob of Customs, Auckland. Sib,—- Shortland, 9th May, 1868. I beg to forward the enclosed statement of the number of vessels, tonnage, <fee, together with tho number of passengers arrived at Shortland, for the fortnight ending 30th April instant. The population of this district is increasing steadily ; the building trade is brisk, and, in consequence, timber is fetching higher rates ; stores and cottages are springing up in all directions, and on the whole this place is assuming the appearance of a settled population. The quantity of gold deposited at the Banks is 826 ounces. The falling off in the quantity is accounted for by the severe weather preventing the miners from bringing their stuff to the machines. At Hastings (Tapu Creek), there are new discoveries of gold every day, and the paddle steamer " Clyde," twenty-seven tons, is now a regular trader between the latter place and Shortland, and is doing a good passenger trade. I have, &c, D. Lundon, To the Collector of Customs, Auckland. Landing Waiter.

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from Mr. D. Lundon to the Coliectob of Customs, Auckland. Sib, — Shortland, 20th May, 1868. I beg to forward the enclosed statement of the number of vessels, nature of cargo, &c, together with the number of passengers arrived at Shortland, from the Ist to the 16th May, 1868, both days inclusive. The quantity of gold deposited at the various Banks within the above period, is 924 ounces. Some of the machines are at a standstill for want of stuff to crush, the roads are so bad that carters are demanding one pound per ton for cartage, and the miners do not feel inclined to pay such high rates, they prefer to do without crushing until the roads are in better order. Since my last report gold has been discovered at Kennedy's Bay, and several miners have taken their departure from Shortland with the intention of trying their luck in the former district. The favourite route from Shortland to Kennedy's Bay is in small vessels to Coromandel, and thence by a good track over the range, a distance of ten miles, brings them to the mining locality. I have, &c, D. Litndon, To the Collector of Customs, Auckland. Landing Waiter.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Mr. D. Lundon to the Coilectob op Customs, Auckland. Sib,— Shortland, 13th June, 1868. I have the honor to forward the enclosed return of the number of vessels and their tonnage, nature of cargo, &c, together with the number of passengers arriving at and departing from Shortland, for the fortnight ending 31st May. The population of Shortland, including Puriri and Hastings, is estimated at 9,000, and the number of miners' rights issued to date is 6,483 ; the number of miners' rights is not a fair estimate of the actual number of miners at work on the ground, for when shares are sold the parties purchasing have to provide themselves with miners' rights to enable them to hold their shares. Now that the winter has set in a large number of the claims are being registered to enable parties to return to their homes for a short time, and until the necessary machinery in their immediate neighbourhood is completed. The quantity of gold deposited with the Banks in Shortland, is 1,739 ounces, and this amount will not be increased before September next. I have, &c, D. Lundon, To the Collector of Customs, Auckland. Landing Waiter.

No. 4, Copy of a Letter from Mr. D. Lukbon to the Collectoe of Customs, Auckland. Sib,— Shortland, 30th June, 1868. I have the honor to transmit herewith a return of the number and tonnage of vessels, and number of passengers arriving at Shortland, from the Ist to the 15th June instant, together with the quantities of spirits, wines, and tobacco (duty paid) within the above period. I have, &c, D. Ltodon, To the Collector of Customs, Auckland. Landing "Waiter.