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of land has been thrown open for agricultural leasing during the past year, which was all taken up, and another block is required for settlement. The land in the valley of the Waikaia may be considered the best unsold in the Province of Otago; but it has been taken for an educational reserve, and cannot be disposed of, except on a Resolution of the Provincial Council. The mines at Orepuki are in full swing of work, after years of water-race cutting, &c, and I expect, if the truth was known, that the yield of gold has been greater than in any previous year. Orepuki has a small area of very fine agricultural laud in its immediate vicinity, and will make some few families comfortable homes. It should be remembered that these aud other gold fields in the province will give to industrious men a good living for years to come, when the public works, so much thought of now, will of necessity cease to absorb the labour which will be of more use the more it is dispersed ; for only thus can the labour market be relieved of what is styled the surplus population. Two parties are prospecting in the Longwood Ranges, on the east side, for quartz reefs ; and as heavy nuggety gold has been obtained in the neighbourhood, they are likely to be successful. I have, <&c, John Nugent Wood, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 5. Mr. Warden Simpson to the Undeb Seceetaby for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Clyde, 15th April, 1876. I have the honor to hand you the statistical returns for the year ended 31st March, 1876, for the Gold Fields District of the Dunstan. I have to report generally, that, notwithstanding the incessant cry by business people that business is and has been falling away, the mining community appear during the year to have maintained their numbers and earnings. The yield of gold for the district has been 45,436 oz. as against 43,823 oz. for last year, showing an increase of 1,616 oz., which, stating the mining population at say 1,900, gives about £85 for the year to each miner—a very good average. The falling-off of business must I think be iv luxuries only, and may be set down to the more temperate and frugal habits which with years come on miners as well as other classes as a rule, to say nothing of the more transient causes, such as " Good Templarism," which has its supporters on the mines as well as other places. Speaking of the increased years of the miners, leads mo to remark that it is becoming more and more noticeable every year, that there are few comparatively speaking young men among the miners on the Otago Gold Fields now. Is the race gradually to become extinct ? The increase in the yield of gold this year in this district is due to the alluvial workings, the yield from quartz being only 11,889 oz. as against 14,000 oz. for last year, while that from alluvial workings is 33,547 oz. as against 29,823 oz., showing an actual increase from alluvial workings of 5,8360z. This increase has taken place as follows:—Cromwell, increase 3,570 oz.; Blacks, increase 1,720 oz. ; and Teviot, 110 oz. No new alluvial ground has been opened, but some of the old workings are getting more developed, as at Bannockburn, where sluicing is gradually usurping the place of tunnelling on the terraces, and will do so entirely when the Carrick Race full supply of water is brought in. But before the full supply of that race does come in the sludge channel should be formed up Pipeclay Gully, for it is an absolute necessity to the development of the sluicing of the terraces. A flying survey has been made, and that is all. lam astonished at the miners themselves not pushing the matter with greater energy. Unlike the miners at Tinkers, there seems to be a want of unanimity. At this last place the miners, with a view to get rid of the sludge nuisance, have during the dry season, with their united labour, started aud almost completed a channel about eight miles in length, the Provincial Government aiding them to the extent of £750, a small sum when it is considered that had it not been for this channel the Spottis Hundreds, instead of selling at £4 an acre, would have remained a drug on the market. The following are the principal localities of the alluvial diggings in this district, with their estimated yields for the year:— Cromicell — Oz. Nevis... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,000 Bannockburn ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,000 Kawarau Gorge ... ... ... ... ... 1,700 Quartz Reef Poiut, Bendigo, and other places along the Clutha 2,570 14,270 oz. Blacks — Tinkers ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,000 Drybread ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,500 Black's Flat ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,000 • Ida Valley and Long Valley ... ... ... ... 1,084 8,484 „ Teviot — Molyneux River banks about Roxburgh, and some twelve miles on either side ... ... ... ... ... 3,000 Pomahaka River, Upper Waikaia, and Campbell's, &c. ... 2,320 5,320 „ Alexandra — Manorburn River, Mannherikia River, Conroy's, Blackmail's and Butcher's Gullies, and banks of River Molyneux ... ... 4,163 „ Clyde — Waikirikiri Valley, and banks of Molyneux River ... ... ... 1,310,,