OE NEW ZEALAND.

21

G.—No, 4

On the same side of the river, but nearer Hokitika, and within two miles of the old Brighton lead, I have granted a party of four men a prospecting area, under clause 12, section 111. of " The Westland Gold Fields Eegulations," of 600 yards x 400 yards, who seem sanguine of ultimately finding payable gold. With regard to the old Brighton lead, I may state that it is almost deserted. There" are, however, still three or four parties remaining who are just making a living. At the time this ground was rushed it was presumed that the old Hauhau lead (which was a remarkably rich one) had been traced across the riv<# ; but this proved not to be the case, for although a few claims contained a small run of gold, yet no signs of a lead existed, and thus the ground became abandoned. The Maori Eeserve Claim which was formed some four or five years ago, but which never turned out any good and was at last abandoned, has since been taken in hand by a party of six (chiefly townspeople) who are making every preparation to give the ground another test; they are erecting a_ steam engine to enable themfto work the ground with greater advantage. The proposed plan is to sink ajshaft^some forty feet, which'will 3 8consist of three compartments, one for the pipe and the other two for the trucks or cages ; the engine*will, of course, answer both purposes, viz., draining the ground and working the cages. I fear, at the time of starting operations, the enterprizing owners scarcely imagined the great expense and difficulty that would have to be encountered before the claim could in any way be considered in working order, and are only now beginning to realise that fact. I estimate the cost^of erecting machinery and employment of labor, &c, will far exceed £2,000, and that before any attempt could be made to commence operations. I trust, however, that the individuals concerned will eventually reap some benefit, which their perseverance undoubtedly deserves. The district affords other employment as well as mining ; there are no less than three saw mills, which are constantly at work, and all are supplied with timber from the district. Formerly there was not much|demand, but^ately thepemand has greatly increased, specially for white pine which mostly abounds here. This wood has been ascertained to suit admirably for packing purposes, being light and not easily split by nail driving ; it is mostly exported for|the Australian Meat Breserving Companies. During the year I have heard and decided in the Warden's Court sixty-nine cases, which have been all more or less claims for damages of small amounts, caused by encroachment of one claimholder upon another. In the majority of cases a verdict has been recorded for nominal amounts. There have been registered in this office during the year the following :—4O head races (ordinary), 48 tail races, 43 tunnels, 32 dams, 12 extended claims, 37 residence areas, and 16 miscellaneous properties. There are 15 retail spirit license holders throughout the district, storekeeper's and butcheries. The price of provisions are the following : —Beer £5 to £10 per hhd.; brandy £1 to £2 per gallon ; bread 3d. per lb. ; butter, fresh, 2s. per lb.; butter, salt, Is. 3d. per lb- ; cheese 9d. per lb. ; coffee, Is. 9d.; flour, 18s. to 20s. per 100 lbs.; grain (wheaten), 6s. per bushel; cattle (horned), £5 to £15 per head; goats, £2 10s. to £3 per head; horses, £10 to £60 per head; sheep 12s. to 18s. per head; swine £1 to £5 per head; meat (beef), 6d. and 7d. per lb. : mutton 4d. and 6d. per lb.; pork, Bd. per lb.; milk, 6d."per quart; rice, 6d. per lb.; salt, 2d. per lb. ; sugar, 6d. and 7d. per lb.; tea, 2s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.; tobacco, ss. and 6s. per lb. ; wine, Colonial, 12s per gallon ; Foreign, 16s. per gallon. i,-/•;;'Bate of wages—Laborers, £2 10s, per] week, for eight hours ; mechanics, 15s. per day; boys, miners, £1 per week, for 8 hours. In conclusion, with regard to the district throughout, I consider, it (although at present dull) still preserving a prosperous future, and can bear favorable comparison with other mining centres in Westland. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. J, Aylmee, Warden.

No. 13. Mr. Warden Aylmer to the Undee Secretary Gold Fields. Warden's Office, Sic,— Boss, 4th May, 1872. As requested by your circular of 27th March, 1872, I have the honor to make the following Eeport for the information of the Government. The Totara District contains 599 square miles, of which fifty-six square miles are known to be more or less auriferous, out of which about twenty-one square miles are actually being worked. The first rush to the district was to the Totara River, in the year 1864, but nothing of consequence was found till the following year, when new ground was discovered in and round the present township of Ross. Mining is confined to alluvial workings, viz.—Deep sinking, ground sluicing, and creek workings. Deep sinking is carried on from Ross to Donohue's, a distance of about two miles, and again at a small township called Bowen, about five miles distance. Ground sluicing is not followed up to the extent I should wish, owing to the want of a large and cheap water supply, there being plenty of ground that would pay handsomely for sluicing purposes if a large head race was brought in so far to command the district. The creek workings are not numerous, being confined to Donnelly's and a few small gullies up the Totara Eiver. Many of the deep sinking claims on Jones' Flat have reached a depth of 300 feet. In sinking six payable bottoms or layers of wash have been struck, but as yet no true bottoms found. The great difficulty to be contended with in working the deep ground has been the amount of water. To keep this water down a company was formed, who erected a ninety horse-power engine, to which all the claims on the flat within a certain area contributed, in the shape of rates levied by a 6