3

H.—9

The New Pacific, a property adjoining the Union Beach Company, has 'been energetically worked by its present proprietors, and the first 19 tons crushed yielded over 50 ounces of gold, and the prospects of the mine continue to be good. The mines in the Tihi district occupied considerable attention in the beginning of the year, and some of them in that locality were for six months very persistently worked.; but they were more of a prospecting character, and I regret to say, having a great belief in that portion of the district, that after a great expenditure of labour, some of them are at present unworked. With respect to new discoveries, I have pleasure in reporting that at Paul's Creek, a locality always looked upon with favour, from the quantity of alluvial gold discovered in the creek from time to time, a reef has been cut and partly worked, which has proved very auriferous, and is believed to be one of the reefs from which this alluvial gold may be traced. For similar reasons the Waikoromiko district, on the eastern watershed of the Tokatea Bange, has for many years been prospected, but, until the beginning of this year, without any result. About that time a claim, since known as the Plutus, was discovered and been most energetically worked under the greatest disadvantages. On seeing this the Government, at the request of the prospectors, made a track from the Tokatea saddle to the claim, and immediately following its formation, discoveries, which I believe to be of great value and importance, were made ; the first of note being by Messrs. Quinton and Nicholls, whose claim continues to yield considerable quantities of rich stone. Next followed the " City of Auckland," which has handsomely repaid its discoverers; and I make no doubt that many other valuable claims will be found in this locality. It is a well-known fact that coarse gold has been found in the Waikoromiko Creek for years past. I have myself several times seen some of it, and am informed that it fetches a higher price than the generality of gold obtained from reefs in the district. I attribute these last discoveries entirely to the opening up of this portion of the district by the track mentioned ; and I am of opinion that the development of the field would be most materially assisted and encouraged by the formation of tracks up to the more inaccessible portions. With respect to population, I am enabled, owing to the census having been so recently taken, to give a more accurate return than last year. There appears to be a total population of about 1,600 :of these I would estimate about 300 to be miners. These numbers represent the present population, but I would estimate the yearly average at 500 miners. Immediately following the Provincial elections in November, some misunderstanding arose between the employers and the miners, and unfortunately at the same time the Queensland discoveries were made public, while the demand for labour and high wages on public and other works in the South Island, had the effect of inducing some of our best men to leave, and the labour, especially of skilled miners, has been in demand. In conclusion, I beg to reiterate the opinion expressed last year, which, notwithstanding the small yield of gold, has been fortified by my subsequent experience; for, with the exception of the Kapanga, the whole of the prospecting and work of the district has been carried on entirely by local enterprise and capital, and the progress of the district under such circumstances must necessarily be slow. I believe that the work which has been thus done will yet be the means of inducing capitalists to look with more favour on the district, which has in so many different localities valuable reefs yet only partly and imperfectly prospected. To do this thoroughly, requires more capital than has yet been employed. Jackson Keddell, Coromandel, 9th May, 1874. Warden. COEOMANDEL TtJNNEL COMPANY'S WoEKINGS. The draft of tunnel on Coromandel side, up till 31st March, is 1,198 feet; on Kennedy Bay side, 300 feet; total draft, 1,498 feet. The number of leaders cut on the Coromandel side is eight, of the following dimensions and distances :— ft. in. oz. dwts. No. 1. 470 feet in, 1 6 through, strike N.N.W., Bank test, 0 19 No. 2. 580 „ 0 6 „ „ N. „ 6 10 No. 3. 590 „ 10 „ „ „ not tested, No. 4. 670 „ 6 0 „ „ „ Bank test, 0 18 No. 5. 730 „ 6 0 „ „ „ not tested, No. 6. 810 „ 010 „ „ „ No. 7. 820 „ 4 0 „ „ „ Bank test, 4 14 No. 8. 1,135 „ 4 0. „ „ „ not tested, The approximate position of the Tokatea main reef is 1,400 feet from the mouth of the tunnel on the Coromandel side of range. The number of leaders cut on the Kennedy Bay side is two ; the first at a distance in of 115 feet, 3 inches through; the second 140 feet in, and 5 inches through.

No. 2. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 16th April, 1874. Herewith I have the honor to forward the report, by the Warden of the Hauraki Gold Mining District South, for the year ending 31st March ultimo, together with the accompanying return required by circular from the Public Works Office. I have, &c, J. Williamson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.