H.—3

14

lam pleased to be able to report the completion of the Kanieri Lake Water Eace. The works have been constructed in a substantial manner. The race is registered to carry 60 Government sluice-heads, but has been constructed to carry 75 heads, which supply will be available night and day even in the driest summer. It is difficult at present to speak certainly as to the full effects which the cutting of this race may be expected to have on the district, but it will be the means of settling a mining population in the locality far in excess of that which it at present carries. Already applications arc coming in freely for extended and special claims along the line of race, and before the end of another year a large number of miners will be located and earning good wages, where before but an odd man here and there was to be met with, and making but a very precarious living. During the past year there were granted of new registrations 38 head-races, 46 dams, 42 tail-races, 9 extended claims, and 7 tunnels. Appended I give a return showing the gold fields revenue received in the district by the Eeceiver of Gold Eevenue for the year ended 31st March, 1875. I have, &c, G. G. FitzGeeald, The Under Secretary Public Works, Wellington. Warden.

£ s. d. £ s. d. Total amount received for the year ending 31st March, 1875 ... 754 10 6 Miners'Rights at £1 each ... ... ... ... ... 472* 472 0 0 Registrations at ss. each ... ... ... ... ... 152 3800 Registrations at 2s. 6d. each... ... ... ... ... 19 2 7 6 Registrations at Is. each ... ... ... ... ... 529 2690 66 16 6 700 Business Licenses at £5 each ... ... ... ... 11 55 0 0 Business Licenses at £3 each ... ... ... ... 6 18 0 0 Business Licenses at £2 each ... ... ... ... 1 200 75 0 0 18 Spirit Licenses at £30 ... ... ... ... ... 1 30 0 0 Spirit Licenses at £20 ... ... ... ... ... 4 80 0 0 110 0 0 5 Fees and Fines in Warden's Court ... ... ... ... 23 9 0 Rents from Agricultural and Mining Leases ... ... ... 680 Sale of Gold Fields Regulations ... ... ... ... 080 Examination of Books ... ... ... ... ... 0 6 0 Copies of Miners'Rights ... ... ... ... ... 0 3 0 30 14 0 754 10 6 * Exclusive of miners' rights issued by Receiver of Gold Revenue at Hokitika, belonging to Kanieri district, about 65. G. G. FitzGeeald, Warden.

No. 9. Mr. Warden FitzGeeald to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sie,— Warden's Office, Ross, 26th April, 1875. I have the honor to make the following report on the state of the Totara District for the year ending the 31st of March last. In my last report I had to speak, with regret, of the quietness of matters in the district, and must say there has been little change for the better since then. There is matter for congratulation, however, in the fact that the mining population is very slightly diminished, notwithstanding the many inducements held out to working men by the high rate of wages and constant employment on public works in this and the neighbouring provinces. This district will compare favourably with any other in the province, when it is borne in mind that in times of dulness, such as happen occasionally on all gold fields, the miners here have nothing to fall back upon. With the exception of the Ross end of the Bowen and Okarita Road there are no public works of any kind going on; while in every other district there is constant employment on water-races, roads, railways, and other works. Notwithstanding the dull state of affairs, it is evident that the miners who have stuck to their claims received fair remuneration, as the yield of gold for the past twelve months amounts to nearly £30 per head of the whole population. The abandonment of the large steam claims was in their favour, as the best of the ground adapted for sluicing, and commanded by the Totara and Jones's Creek Water-race, was taken up and worked upon a much larger scale than hitherto. Though there is nothing fresh to report from the Totara, it is satisfactory that the population in that locality has not decreased. The old hands are still at work, and seem satisfied with their earnings.