G—No. 31

FURTHER REPORTS ON THE

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district, and will much facilitate and promote both the agricultural and miniug development of the country. Victorian Co-operative Company. —Of the machine claims here, I must mention the Victorian Cooperative Company as continuing to reimburse the shareholders for their outlay. The manager speaks well of the returns, and the ground seems likely to hold good for some time. The Shenandoah Flat are progressing well, and are reaping the benefit of their labour. This Company has recently added three acres to their special claim, and are very sanguine of their future success. Overland Route Company. —The Overland Route Company, Commissioner's Flat, are pushing along quietly, and are receiving their share of the precious metal. Albion Company.— Of the Albion Company I cannot state anything satisfactory. I fear the ground will never pay the speculators for their outlay. Western Company. —The Western Company has ceased to exist, it having worked out their allotted ground. Some few are cradling on the old ground of the Company, and are making small wages —one party a very fair average. The water-power hitherto accorded to this Company is now utilized by a newly-started Saw Mill Company, recently erected on the engine ground of the Western Company. As a local industry, the promoters deserve every credit and support. Tucker Flat still continues to maintain its population, who are working contentedly, and with a good will. The Fight-Mile and Woodstock remain in much the same quiet way. The races in the locality are all doing well, water being eagerly bought up. The hydraulic claims at Arch Creek are paying well, and the miners speak well of the locality. Some few are still lingering about the " Old Brighton Lead," and three or four abandoned tunnels have been recently taken up, with a view of a further test. The Blue Spur, Ho Ho, and Paddocks, Sfc, are very quiet just now. The crushing machines are fully employed, and prove a far better process than burning and pounding the cement. The machines save the whole of the gold, and when the tailings are tried, not a speck of gold can be found. Arahura, German Gully, Greek's, Sfc.— From this part of the district there has been very little news, the great drawback to this (known to be an auriferous) locality being the want of a road, the present track being a wretched quagmire. This however will soon be obviated, at least partially, when the road now being formed is completed. It is then to be hoped the very enterprising shareholders in the Caledonian Water-race may be remunerated for their large outlay in the construction of this valuable race. Of the country between the Kanieri and the Kanieri Lake, I can report very little. Smith and McArdle, of coal mine notoriety, have been compelled to leave their claim near the Lake —the difficulty of getting tucker up fairly beat them. They say the country about the mine looks well, and they intend again trying it in the summer. You are already acquainted with tho number of the population of this district, the census being so recently taken. I will however state that, notwithstanding the seductive mining intelligence conveyed here, both publicly and privately, from Sydney and Auckland, &c, the miners are not disposed to be lured away from where they know they can, by steadily keeping at work, depend upon a living, if not more. The number of miners' rights was 274 issued, whilst from business licenses a revenue of £179 was derived ; the total revenue being £802 45., giving an average, for the half-year of £133 14s. per month. This shows a slight increase on the receipts of the previous half-year. Tho number of cases tried in Court was 50, almost the same as that quoted in my last report. I estimate the mining population at 1,250. 1 have, &c, Justin Atlmer. AVarden.

No. 8. Warden's Report, Boss District, for Six Months ending 30th June, 1871. Sir — 1 lave the honor to make the following report on mining matters in the district under my charge, for the six months ending 30th June, 1871. I regret to say that a great deal of ground has been abandoned on Jones' Flat, owing to the claim-holders not being able to pay the drainage rates. The Drainage Board have consequently been compelled to strike a very heavy rate on the remaining claim-holders, to enable them to meet their liabilities with the Drainage Company. Many miners have taken up claims, and are working them with great success, in Donnelly's Creek ; also, a large number of men are scattered up the Totara River and other creeks in the district. Gold Return, 15,368 oz. 2 dwts. 10 grs; value, £58,390 4s. lOd. This amount divided amongst 1,409, the male population, will give £41 to every man and boy in the district. £ s. d. ! Revenue, Gold Fields ... ... ... ... ... 1,42119 2 Resident Magistrate's Court, Fees and Fines ... ... ... 221 3 6 Warden's Court, Fees and Fines ... ... ... ... 51 15 0 Export Duty on 15,368 oz. 2 dwts. 10 grs. ... ... ... 1,921 0 0 £3,615 17 8 This does not include land sales or dog tax. Population.— Male, 1,409 ; Female, 968. Total, 2,377. Wages (per week). —Managers, £6; engine-drivers, £3 10s.; underground captains, £3 lis. ; carpenters, £3 10s. ; blacksmiths, £4 ; miners, £3. (10 hour shifts). Timber.— Caps, 9 ft,, £8 per 100; round props, 7 ft., £6 per 100; split props, 6 and 7 ft., £5 per 100 ; laths, 5 ft., £1 10s. per 100; firewood, £1 ss. per cord; sawn timber, 12s. per 100 ft.