OE NEW ZEALAND.

13

G.-No. 4,

exhausted the upper lead, and have since been opening up the mine at a lower level, in doing which some rich veins of stone have been cut. In this mine " Galena "in large quantity has been discovered, and 100 tons of the ore are now in course of shipment to England, the " galena " contains a large per centage of silver. The Decimal Company, under very great difficulties, have nearly completed the erection of their machinery of ten stamps water power, and expect to commence crushing shortly. This mine adjoins the Perseverance, and is likely to turn out well. The Canterbury Company, after more than a year's work, struck the solid reef at a considerable depth, but have now suspended operations; the stone, although containing an average percentage of gold, is of such a hard character, that, with present appliances, it cannot be worked to profit. Mr. John Ross, lessee of the Saint Dathursfc reef, has expended a considerable sum in prospecting his claim, and is so far satisfied with the result that he proposes erecting machinery at once. Alluvial Mining. —Under this head is included seventeen leasehold claims, all of which are being worked with satisfactory results, and in some instances good profits are realised; these leases consist of small blocks, from one to ten acres ; the total area leased is 56a. 3r. 19p., the other alluvial workings consist of claims held under miners' rights, and are situated principally on river terraces and in the beds of small creeks and gullies. River Mining. —The past dry season has been most favourable for river workings, and a considerable quantity of gold has been obtained. Dredging machines have been tried on the Aorere River, but without success ; the river bed appears to be too rocky for this system of working ; those interested in the experiment have suffered considerable loss. Agricultural Leases. —These are four in number, comprising a gross acreage of 141, with four applications under consideration ; the land is of good quality, and when cleared and drained produces excellent crops and abundance of grass ; these leases are held at an annual rental of 2s. 6d. per acre, with a right to purchase at the end of three years at a price to be fixed by the Waste Lands Board at the commencement of occupation ; the occupiers seem generally satisfied with future prospects. H. W. TUENELL, Collingwood, March 31, 1872. Warden.

POPULATION AND WHERE LOCATED, MARCH 31, 1872.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH, 1872, EXCLUSIVE OF GOLD AND CUSTOMS DUTIES.

DlSTBICT. Number. i.natoki Eiver Vaikaramumu Hills ... 3arawhakoho Terrace ... 'arapara Terraces jightband's Gully )oles Creek ... }olden Gully Jedstead Gully Itanton's Creek )octor's Creek torere Eiver (iiffiludmg natives) ... iaituna Hate Eiver locky Eiver Quartz Eanges raatori and Malome's ... 14 34 6 21 12 8 28 51 8 6 20 10 32 12 30 130 Total 412

Foe what eeceived. Amount. Miners'Eight Fees Water Eaces Business License Fees ... Eent on Gold Mining Leases Bent on Agricultural Leases Eegistration Fees Warden's Court Fees ... Publicans' License Fees Miscellaneous Eeceipts .*. £ s. d. 164 2 6 2 5 0 32 0 0 165 12 6 11 13 9 22 15 6 8 16 0 60 0 0 52 15 9 Fees and Fines Eesident Magistrate's Court £520 46 1 1 0 5 Total £566 2 5