H.—3

ally appointed agent there to carry out the objects of Government, I refrain from offering any remarks regarding it. The statistics of that place are therefore not included in my returns. I have, &c, L. Pbice, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 11. Mr. Warden Eevell to the TTndee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Greymouth, 14th April, 1876. I have the honor to forward my report upon the districts under my charge during the year ending 31st March, 1876. No new discoveries have heen made during the year calling for special notice, and there is little to report concerning the progress or condition of mining operations since the date of my last report. The estimated return of the population shows a decrease amongst the Europeans and a slight increase of Chinese; the total estimate being three hundred less than the previous year. This may to some extent he accounted for by the completion of the railway and other public works in this district, and tho men leaving to obtain employment upon similar works in other parts of the colony. The South Beach still maintains a small population, the black sand on the sea beach yielding a fair return to the parties working. There is no demand for water from the Great Extended and Leviathan Water Eaces in that locality, but the proprietors use the supply themselves for ground sluicing on the Stoney Lead. At Butherglen tho Cornish party have almost completed the construction of their head race to the Deep Lead, which will give them the command over an extensive area of payable ground. In the Clifton and Arnold sub-districts, mining affairs have undergone little or no change. There is a slight increase in the Chinese population; they have bought up several interests in water rights and claims at high rates wherever available. The Hibernian Water Race Company, finding no demand for the water (fourteen heads), have let the race on tribute to a party of five miners. The New Biver Water Eace Company have completed eight and a half miles of the race. They have another mile and a half to construct, and have seven men employed thereon; but the difficulty in letting the water has been rather a drawback to the progress of the works, not more than one-fifth of the water being let along the course of tho race. In the Greenstone district the population is estimated at 550, and the revenue collected amounts to £1018, exclusive of gold duty, estimated at £600 and collected at Hokitika. Mining affairs are rather depressed, but the reduction by the Hohonu Water Eace Company of the water to 30s. per head has induced several of the miners to re-open some of the old claims on Duke's Terrace. The Company's claim is at present idle, owing to a dispute as to the reduction of wages. On Eevell's Terrace there are a few claims still being wrought, whilst several have been abandoned in consequence of the unsafe nature of the ground, one or two heavy slips having already occurred through careless working and imperfect timbering of the numerous tunnels and shafts, and others have proved worthless after several months' labour expended in opening the ground. In conjunction with the sittings of the Eesident Magistrate's and Warden's Court at Greymouth, regular sittings of the Court have been held at Greenstone, Arnold, and Dunganville, the returns showing that 987 cases were disposed of as against 1,061 for the previous year. The Chinese throughout the district have proved themselves an orderly, industrious, and persevering set of men. They number about 600, and are principally to be found working in the beds of the various creeks and low terraces adjoining. There are five stores established in different parts of the district, but they still deal largely with European storekeepers, who speak highly of them as customers. The Brunner Eailway Works have been completed with the exception of the Gorge Bridge, and trains are running daily at a small profit over working expenses; but it will be two months before any coal will be available for transit by rail. The Greymouth Coal Company have struck the grit, immediately overlying the coal, at a depth of 225 feet. They expect to reach the seam within 300 feet and be ready to deliver coal in two months. Herewith are attached returns showing the location of the population, European and Chinese; the number of rights and licenses issued; revenue collected and cases disposed of at the several offices in the district. I have, &c, W. H. Eeyell, The Under Secretary for Gold Pields, Wellington. Warden.

THE Population of the district is estimated at 4,775, and is located as follows:—

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Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Greenstone. Total. luropeans 'hinese 3,026 130 415 220 331 103 380 170 4,152 623 Total 3,156 635 434 550 I 4,775