H.—l

10

ground-sluices, estimated at £6,000, and the mining plant and machinery, estimated at £2,500, gives the total value of all mining property at £32,018. In conclusion, I have to add that mining operations are at present in a healthy state, that a good deal of prospecting is being quietly carried on, and the population is gradually increasing. I append herewith a summary of the revenue of the district, and other matters in connection therewith. I have, &c, W. H. Retell, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

Enclosure in No. 9. Paeticulaes of the Revenue Collected in the Waeden's Covet, &c, at Greenstone, during the Tear ended on the 31st March, 1877. No. £ s. d. £ s. d. Miners' Rights ... ... ... ... ' ... 389 389 0 0 Business Licenses at £5 each ... ... ... ... 11 55 0 O Business Licenses at £3 each ... ... ... ... 18 54 0 0 Business Licenses at £2 each ... ... ... ... 14 28 0 0 137 0 Registrations at ss. each ... ... ... ... 76 19 0 0 Registrations at 2s. 6d. each ... ... ... ... 9 12 6 Registrations at Is. each ... ... ... ... 149 7 9 0 27 11 6 Miscellaneous Receipts ... ... ... ... ... 13 2 0 566 13 6 Revenue to Treasury, for Spirit Licenses ... ... ... 281 0 0 Fees and Fines in Resident Magistrate's Court ... ... 36 0 6 Fees of Licensing Court ... ... ... ... 6 12 6 Duty on 8,000 ounces of Gold-dust, payable to the Customs at 7 „„„ „ Q Hokitika ... ... ... ... j 1,690 6 6 Number of Warden's Cases heard ... ... ... 11 Number of Resident Magistrate's Civil Cases heard ... ... 39 Number of Resident Magistrate's Criminal Cases heard ... 4 54 Amount sued for in Resident Magistrate's Court ... ... 364 10 8 Amount sued for in Warden's Court ... ... ... 77 1 8 441 12 4

No. 10. Mr. Warden Retell to the Under Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Warden's Office, Greymouth, 30th April, 1877. In compiling my general report, as Warden of the Greymouth District, I find there is little to record concerning the condition and progress of gold mining during the twelve months ending fhe 31st ultimo. No new discoveries have been made, and, all mining operations in the district being essentially alluvial, very few changes have been effected. In the Paroa Subdistrict the population is estimated at 578, of which 127 Europeans and 115 Chinese are classed as miners, and are chiefly located on the South Beach, Paroa, Rutherglen, Welshman's, and Tankee Creek, working with small water rights, principally sluicing; and many of them occupy comfortable dwellings, with well-cultivated residence areas or gardens attached. The proprietors of the Great Extended AVater-race, who hold a mining lease of five acres, situated near the Nelson Creek on the South Beach, are fully employed in ground-sluicing. The Leviathan Race Company are also ground-sluicing in the same locality, there being no demand for a supply of water from either of their races. The Cornish party also hold extensive water rights, and have turned over a large area of ground at Rutherglen, with good results. In the Clifton Subdistrict the population is estimated at 375 Europeans and 205 Chinese, of whom 225 Europeans and 200 Chinese are engaged in mining operations. In the New River, the old Argus and Independent Claims are still at work, and paying fair wages ; as also several other tunnel claims in the same locality. One party of four men have been driving a tunnel near Maori Creek during the last sixteen months, with the intention of picking up the same lead, and have just struck gold; but whether payable or not still remains to be ascertained. In Cocka-Bulla, Fuchsia, and Cockeye Creeks, and other tributaries of the New River, there are several parties fully employed in ground-sluicing and tunnelling. At Nemona, there are four parties on good payable gold, but the extent of it is very limited. There are also a few claims being worked at Cameron's Terrace: one party sold out their claim and water rights for £300