Ch—No. 4

16

REPORT ON THE GOLD EIELDS

An officer of Police is stationed at each Court in charge of the sub-district, who also performs the duties of clerk of the Court, issuing and receiving all forms of application and remitting them weekly, together with the customary fees, to the Receiver of Gold Bevenue at the head office, Greymouth, for registration, if correct, and the certificates are then forwarded by return mail to the officer for delivery to the applicants. On the south beach, between Greymouth and Paroa, the well known Beach Lead and Stoney Lead run parallel with the coast • the first named being worked at a depth of ten to fifteen feet, and the latter at a depth varying from twenty to fifty feet, by means of water wheels and tunnel tail races from 800 to 1,500 fee,t in length. The only steam engine at work in the district is that of the North Star Company situate on the Stony Lead. After spring tides and heavy gales, a large quantity of black sand is thrown up on the beach by the action of the sea, which pays £6 to £8 per week to any person having a supply of water at hand. In ordinary wefither a fair complement of water can be conveyed to this locality by the Great Extended and Leviathan water races from the Saltwater Creek, together with the numerous smaller races from the adjoining creeks. On the Lagoon Lead, south of Paroa, several new claims have been taken up since the first parties completed their tunnel tail race, 1,500 feet in length, and found payable wash dirt. In the neighborhood of the Teramekau, a few parties are working near the beach and Sunday Flat, and the terraces further back, known as Candlelight. One party of five or six men are constructing a race about six miles in length to work the other terraces in that locality. Eutherglen, Deep Creek, and Welchman's, still maintain a small scattered population, principally sluicing. In the New Eiver sub-district the miners have great difficulties to contend with from want of' water, and the ground being so deep on the terraces that they are compelled to drive tunnels to work the ground instead of stripping. The Hibernian Water Eace Company are forming a race six miles long from Cockeye Creek, which will convey water on to the terraces at -Nemona at a cost of £5,000 to £6,000 ; and the New River Company have constructed about four miles of their race, which is registered from the right hand branch of New River and Maori Creek for a distance of nine miles, to command the high terraces between Marsden and Welshmen's, at a cost of £9,000. I believe it is the intention of the proprietors of these races to avail themselves of the Government subsidies in aid of the construction of water works on the gold fields. Other races are being constructed to work the terraces about Clifton, Maori Creek, and Cockabulla. There is also an average population working in and about Manuka Swamp, Lancashire and Patterson Creeks. In the Arnold sub-district, German Gully continues to maintain a fair population, but the ground, principally terrace workings, has not proved so remunerative as at first anticipated, and the supply of water is very short after a week's dry weather. There has been an increase in the population about Waimea and Stillwater, where some new ground has been opened out; and the proprietors of the two largest water races in Maori Gully are extending them at a high elevation, a distance of three or four miles, to command the terraces in that locality. Italian and Eeilley's Gullies maintain their usual quota, but are likely to increase when the horse track from Orima to Maori Creek, now in course of construction, is completed. On the block of land withdrawn from the township of Greymouth, for gold workings only, three or four claims have been taken up and woiked. The greater portion of the block has since been taken up under agricultural leases, or sold as suburban lands. In February last the town of Greymouth was visited by the heaviest flood ever known on the coast, which did considerable damage, by sweeping away great portions of the protective works, wharves, streets, and the houses and properties of many of the inhabitants, some of whom barely escaped with their lives. The prompt action of the Government in aiding the municipal authorities and authorising the immediate construction of those protective works in connection with the railway works, has re-established confidence amongst the inhabitants, who trust the works now being carried out may tend to protect the town from such another calamity. Tho Gas Company completed the constrnction of their works in November last; it is likely to prove a profitable investment, the monthly returns showing a steady increase in the number of lights and consumption. The Courthouses at Greymouth and Clifton are in good repair, but I regret to say that the building used for the Courthouse and Police Camps at Orima referred to in my former Eeport is still in the same wretched condition, although £200 has been voted at the two last sessions of the County Council for new buildings, but up to the present time I have been unable to get the work put in hand. The offices of the department of the General Government being found to be inconveniently situated at either extremity of the town, I beg to suggest that a central site should be procured whilst the land can be obtained at a reasonable rate. The local gaol is in good repair, but further accommodation is required, especially for females, and enclosing a yard for prisoners. During the past nine months the district has been free from any serious cases of crime, and the police stationed in the district are in every respect efficient, and command the respect and good will of the community. The roads and horse tracks through the district, so far as made, have been maintained and kept in good repair, with one exception, viz, the Marsden and Clifton horse track, under the supervision of -the District Boad Board. This is the only public road in the district upon which tolls are levied. These tolls average about £25 per month, and if expended thereon would be sufficient to keep it in thorough repair. The population is estimated at 4,300 souls, located as follows : — Greymouth sub-district ... ... ... ... ... 2,840 New Biver „ ... ... ... ... ... 700 Arnold „ ... ... ... ... ... 760