H.—4,

16

In the Clifton and Arnold Subdistricts mining operations are very dull. The New River Water-race Company have stopped their works for want of funds, and the depressed state of mining affairs. The Hibernian Water-race Company have done nothing to the race since it was destroyed by floods in February, 1877. Warden's Courts have been held regularly once a month at Dunganville and Maori Gully, but the number of cases disposed of are very few. The officers of police, in charge of these stations act as Receivers of Gold Revenue. They issue miners' rights, business licenses, and forms of application for registered rights. These applications are heard at the sittings of the Court, and then forwarded to the officer at Greymouth, where the registers are kept and the certificates prepared. The population in the Clifton District is estimated at 332 Europeans and 120 Chinese, and in the Arnold District at 251 Europeans and 109 Chinese. The principal gold-workings in the Cobden Subdistrict extend along the North Beach to the Razorback, a distance of twenty miles, and to the Black Ball, on the north side of Biver Grey, a distance of fourteen miles. Mining operations have been very quiet, with the exception of a slight rush about five miles up the Ten-Mile Creek, where some good prospects were found; but, owing to the great difficulties to contend with in getting up the creek, this locality has not beeu fairly prospected. On Jones's Flat, between Brunnerton and Langdon's Creek, there are five or six parties working frontage tunnel claims, and making fair wages. Two mining leases have been granted on Langdon's Creek, and another has been applied for. Four quartz gold-mining leases have been taken up on the Black Ball Ranges, but, from the exceeding rough nature of the country, it will be some time before the leases can be thoroughly opened out. In consequence of the change in the boundaries of the Resident Magistrate's District of Greymouth being extended to take in Cobden and No Town, the Resident Magistrate's Court at Cobden was closed in May, 1877, and on the 31st March, 1878, the duties of the Warden's department for Cobden District were transferred, by Proclamation of the Governor, to Greymouth. The population is estimated at 605 Europeans and 18 Chinese. The No Town District extends from tho River Arnold eastward to the Watershed between Red Jack's and Nelson Creek, the principal workings being up No Town Creek, Joyce's Gully, Red Jack's, and the adjoining gullies ; but there have been no fresh discoveries during the year. The population is estimated at 309 Europeans and 52 Chinese. Sittings of the Courts are held every fortnight at No Town, the constable iv charge holding the appointment of Clerk of the Courts, and Receiver of Gold Revenue ; but I find that the duties of this office (such as the keeping of the registers, making out the certificates of registration, and collecting the revenue, amounting to £450) are more than he can perform in connection with his police duties, and the work necessarily falls in arrear. Great difficulties have been experienced in attempting to work the Mines Act passed last session, and it will require several amendments to make it effective. The statistical returns furnished show that there are 442 head-races, of an aggregate length of 348 miles, with 524 heads of water, also 151 tail-races, and 1,285 dams and reservoirs, estimated at £33,584, which, with the mining plant, estimated at £1,672, make the total value of mining property in the district £35,256 sterling. I append herewith returns showing the population, revenue, cases disposed of, and the miners' rights, licenses, and registrations issued during the year. I have, &c, W. H. Revell, The Secretary for the Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

Enclosures in No. 9. THE population of the district is estimated at 5,135 souls, and are located in the under-mentioned districts.

Subdistricts. Europeans. Chinese. Totals. Westland Mining District — Greymouth Borough ... Paroa District Arnold Clifton 2,821 373 251 332 30 115 109 120 2,851 488 360 452 3,777 374 4,151 Nelson South-West Mining District — Cobden No Town ... 605 309 IS 52 623 361 Totals 914 70 984 4,691 444 5,135