H.—9

6

in the yield from the Thames Gold Fields, magnificent veins of quartz having been struck in several of the mines. There seems reason to believe, that so far from being worked out, as was at one time apprehended, the quartz mines in this district are only being opened up, and will afford interest upon the capital expended, and remunerative labour to a large number of miners, for many years to come. I take this opportunity of recording my thanks to the Wardens for their interesting reports and valuable returns, which have enabled me to compile the statistical tables in a more complete form than in the two preceding years ; also to Mr. Batkin, Secretary to the Treasury, and Mr. Seed, Secretary of Customs, for the revenue and export returns furnished by their respective departments. C. E. Haughton, Under Secretary for Public Works, Wellington, loth July, 1874. (Gold Fields Branch).