H.—3.

enactments of " The Arms Act, 1860," and its amendments, which require a permit for the purchase of each keg or parcel of powder. Could this be repealed or altered in the ensuing Session, it would be accepted as a great boon. " The Gold Fields Act, 1866," under which the Ohinemuri Gold Field was opened, has been superseded by " The Gold Mining Districts Act, 1873," as amended last Session. This change has been attended with great advantage, alike to the miners as to those charged with working the gold field. In conclusion, although the year has not been one of unmixed prosperity, yet, when the causes which have retarded the progress of the field are fairly weighed, it will be seen that the want of gold has not been the cause of the temporary depression; and as those adverse influences are now in a great measure removed, the coming year holds out every hope that it will be attended with prosperity and general advancement. I have, &c, Henry Goldsmith, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Mining Inspector. N.B.—ln the absence of official reports of the quantities of gold and other details, I have taken those furnished by the Advertiser, after verification.

HAURAKI SOUTH.—RETURN of YIELD of GOLD, from 31st March, 1875, to 31st March, 1876.

No. 19. The Provincial Secretary, Auckland, to the Under Secretary for G-old Fields. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 7th April, 1876. Adverting to your circular of the 10th February, I have tho honor to forward Mr. "Warden Fraser's report upon and returns of agricultural leases within the Hauraki G-old Mining District South, for the year ending 31st March ultimo. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Public Works Office, Reader Wood, (Gold Fields Branch,) "Wellington. Provincial Secretary. Beport on Agricultural Leases 'within the Hauraki Gold Mining District South (late Ohinemuri Gold Field), to 31st March, 1876. Referring to the return of agricultural leases in force on 31st instant, I have to report that the 33 in force were issued during the months of February and March instant, by which a gross area of 1,650 acres has been granted. The majority of these leaseholders, who have paid rent for the year ending 31st December, 1876, have commenced active operations for permanent settlement, and have already more than the quantity of land required by the regulations to be brought under cultivation during the first twelve months now in process of tillage. They have over 180 head of cattle and about 20 horses on the land. Besides the foregoing 33 leases, 37 applications have been made for leases up this date for 50 acres each, representing a gross area of 1,850 acres. Of these, 44 have been forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent for preparation of leases, 3 are in the hands of the District Engineer for examination of survey, and 30 are being surveyed. On some of these sections permanent settlement has already been commenced, nearly 100 acres are in a progressive state of cultivation, and about 130 head of cattle and 15 horses are on the land. Great delay and inconvenience have been experienced in getting the surveys completed owing to the want of minor trigonometrical stations, the existing trigonometrical stations being on an average five miles apart. The opening of the new road from Mackaytown to the Waitekauri machine site, for the purpose of enabling machinery to be conveyed there, has been of great value to the agricultural settlers located 4—H. 3.

From. To. Quartz. aold. March 31, 1875 ... April 14 May 12 June 9 ... July 7 August 4 September 1 September 29 October 27 November 19 December 16 January 14,1876... February 11 April 14 May 12 June 9 ... July 7 August 4 September 1 September 29 ... October 27 November 19 ... December 16 ... January 14, 1876 February 11 March 10 Tons cwts. lbs. 6,473 2 0 6,812 6 0 5,847 10 0 7,509 0 0 7,019 14 0 7,822 10 0 8,304 12 0 6,472 2 0 4,048 1 0 4,926 19 0 2,051 2 0 2,282 14 0 3,536 13 0 Oz. dwts. grs. 6,607 9 0 6,540 19 0 6,477 11 0 7,821 14 0 6,900 5 0 7,424 13 0 7,875 14 0 6,459 6 0 5,375 10 0 5,927 16 0 2,215 3 0. 2,204 17 0 3,988 12 0 73,106 5 0 75,819 9 0 H. Goldsmith, Mining Inspector.