G.—No. 31

18

EURTHER REPORTS ON THE

While exploring the country, I took every available opportunity of getting information relative to> the topography and general formation of the country, and am in possession of enough data to compile a reliable topographical map from Bruce Bay to the Haast River south, and as far north as time will allow to compile from the field books used in the geodesical survey. In nearly every creek gold has been found in small quantities, but it is evident that the country has never been properly prospected, as, in the whole distance over which I have been (about one hundred miles), I did not see a prospecting hole sunk deeper than three or four feet, and these very few and far between. In the whole distance between Bruce Bay and Abbey Rocks there are only three men, who live at the mouth of the Paringa River, but a few more are working further south, towards the Haast River. At Bruce Bay there are only three miners besides Maoris, and at Hunt's Beach there seems to be a settled population of about thirty. The difficulties of getting provisions packed round the Makawhio Bluff, at all times, from Bruce Bay, makes the rate of living high on this beach ; but this also applies to all the beaches along the coast for a distance of about one hundred miles. The benefit of a water supply may be seen to advantage on Gillespie's Beach and Saltwater Beach, where, a year or two ago, scarcely a man was to be seen: there is now a population of about two hundred, and likely to increase. Numbers of diggers are scattered along tho beaches, and nearly all satisfied with the results obtained. I could not help noticing the marked change which has taken place in the Southern District within the last two years, which in a great measure is owing to the feeling of settlement which prevails throughout, and I am confident that many would avail themselves of the opportunities of acquiring land under the special settlement system if they could. Very little change has taken place in the Totara District since my last report, but whatever change has occurred, lam happy to say, has been for the better. As I have, time after time, gone into detailed accounts of the vast amount of capital invested in this district, it will not be necessary for me now to go into particulars. There is one thing, however, in connection with Jones' Flat which I cannot pass over without noticing, and that is, the introduction of water power, which is likely to become a favourite way of working the deep leads. The number of mining surveys for which fees have been received up to May has been very small as compared with former returns, but a great many were applied for and completed by the surveyor who acted in my absence in the South. Between January and May six extended claims and five other mining surveys were applied for. In conclusion, I must say that in both the Totara and Okarito Districts the population seems more settled than I have ever seen it, and great hopes are entertained, by every section of the community, of the future wealth of these districts when properly developed by the construction of roads and waterraces. J. R. Browne, District Mining Surveyor.

No. 4. Gret Warden's Report, for Six Months ending 30th June, 1871. Sir, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, 4th July, 1871. I have the honor to forward, for your information, a report, for the past six months, on the Greymouth District. The general state of the district is healthy ; —commercial and mining interests have progressed steadily, and will bear favourable comparison with previous half-years. In mining operations, several extensive water races, tunnels, tail races, &c, and other works in connection therewith, have been undertaken, whilst others are completed, and repaying the outlay thereon. There is an increase in the population of the district, but it will be seen, by the last Census Return, that there is a largo increase under the heads of "Females" and "Children " since the previous Census, and it is a noticeable fact that good substantial houses, with gardens attached, are now the rule, instead of calico tents, as formerly. In the South Beach the Stoney Lead still maintains its reputation. Some of the claims, known as the North Star, Rising Sun, and others, are yielding handsome returns, after months of heavy labour and expense opening up the ground. The Leviathan and Great Extended Race supply many of the claims on the Stoney Lead and Front Lead, along the beach, at the rate of £1 per head per diem. The North Star have recently brought an engine upon their claim ; and on the Beach Lead, Howison and three other parties are working with large water-wheels. On the Lagoon Lead, two large tunnel tail races have been taken into the lead a distance of 1,500 feet to 1,800 feet. Some good ground has been opened up, and the owners are now working amalgamated claims, and have applied for water-races, some miles in length, from the Deep Creek and New River, which will take time to construct. In the New River Subdistrict, sittings of the Court have been held fortnightly, with one or two exceptions. The ground from Nemona to Coekabulla, and, I may say, the whole of this part of the district, is principally worked by tunnelling. Water in many places is very scarce, and miners are often at a standstill for days in consequence. The special claims granted about two years ago to the Argus Company, of five acres, and the Independent Company, of five acres, at Liverpool Bill's Gully, after two years' work, have suspended operations. O'Connor and party have been engaged since February constructing a large race from the right-hand branch of New River, above Maori Creek, a distance of nine miles, to command the saddle and terraces between Marsden and Welshman's. Other races, varying from two to six miles, are being constructed to work the terraces about Clifton. In the Arnold Subdistrict, sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts have been held monthly.