H.—l9

26

The value of the gold obtained from the quartz mines—viz., 20,154 oz. at £3 17s. 3d. will amount to £77,844 16s. 6d. ; and the alluvial gold, 7,259 oz, 16 dwt. 7 gr., at £3 165., to £27,588 lis. 9d.; making the total value of the yield of gold for the past twelve months £105,433 Bs. 3d. Several very disastrous fires have occurred in the Town of Eeefton during the year, resulting in the destruction of a large amount of valuable property, and, what is far worse, loss of life. These have naturally called attention to two most important matters, especially in such a wooden town, as this —- First, the urgent necessity of an efficient water supply ; and second, such a construction in the buildings as to render escape in case of fire more easy, and consequent prevention of a similar loss of life. The question of water supply is now engaging the attention of the County authorities, and it is to be hoped they will be able successfully to cope with the difficulty. The majority of the property-holders who suffered by the fires, confident of the success of the district, have and are now erecting new premises. The result is, as frequently happens under similar circumstances, tho erection of more pretentious and substantial buildings; there has consequently been great activity in the building trade. There has been an influx in the population, drawn hither by good accounts and by the requirement of labour, and' there is not such a thing as an empty house to be seen. The population I estimate as follows : Eeefton, 1,000 Europeans, 55 Chinese ; Murray Creek, Black's Point, and Crushington, 528 Europeans ; Boatman's, Italian, Due North, Bedman and Landing Creek, and Cronaden, 500 Europeans, 400 Chinese ; Maori Gully, Devil's, Slab Hut, and Merrigig's Creeks, 59 Europeans, 260 Chinese: total, 2,087 Europeans ; 715 Chinese. A very strong and energetic committee has been appointed to collect different specimens of minerals, marble, timber, &c, to be forwarded to the Christchureh Exhibition ; and I have every reason to believe that a good collection will be made, and one that will be creditable to the district. It is to be regretted that the movement was not set on foot six months ago. The cart bridge over the Inangahua Eiver has been completed and thrown open for traffic. Tenders for erection of similar bridges at Little Grey and the Owen have been accepted, and, although these are out of my district, must prove of benefit to it, as will the Matira Eoad recently opened. The establishment of the overland mail service will ere long make itself felt and appreciated. I have, &c, W. H. Eevell, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

WESTLAND GOLD FIELDS. (Including part of Nelson South-West Mining District.) No. 10. Mr. Warden Steateobd to the Undee-Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, Ist April, 1882. I have the honor to forward herewith the usual statistical returns for the mining districts under my charge, except that of Kumara, which I have sent in separately, and to add a general report for the year ending 31st March, 1882. The state of the gold field is much the same as it was last year. Such particular points as require attention will be mentioned in connection with the subdistricts to which they relate. Mode of Working. —The principal mode of working is by sluicing and tunnelling. Barry Town. —Little change has taken place in this division since my last report; no new ground of any magnitude has been discovered. There are about 180 miners on this field, principally located within half a mile of the prospectors' claim, most of which seem to bo fairly remunerated for their labours. I mentioned in my last report that several parties had set into work at a place about six miles north of Barry Town ; they have since left that locality on account of the poor nature of the ground. There are a few parties of miners working along the beach between Greymouth and Barry Town who appear satisfied with their earnings. The present mode of travelling is along the sea beach at low water, but the track which is now being constructed by the General Government from Coal Creek Flat to the Nine Mile will, when completed, be a great boon to the inhabitants of Barry Town and other diggings on North Beach. Brunnerton and Langdon's. —There are still a few miners working between Brunnerton and Langdon's, on the north bank of the Grey Biver, who appear to be making fair wages. At Langdon's several of the old gold-mining leases have been taken up by fresh parties, and they are all prospecting for a payable quartz reef, which is supposed to exist in that locality ; very good specimens of stone have already been obtained, but not sufficient to induce parties to erect machinery. The prospectors seem very sanguine of this locality, and I hope to be in a position to give you further particulars in my next report. South Beach. —Between the Teremakau and Grey Bivers there are still a fair number of claims being worked, but I regret to say that in some cases the returns are somewhat small, and, on the whole, the result of mining operations during the past year cannot be pronounced very remunerative. Two leases have recently been taken up on what is known as the Old Cement Lead with a view of working the cement by means of a crushing machine. Cameron's Terrace. —The population has greatly decreased since the date of my last report. There are only about thirty miners at present on the ground, who seem to be getting a fair amount of gold. Putherglen. —The population of this locality is about seventy-five Europeans and fifty Chinese. The ground is worked principally by sluicing. The miners, as a rule, appear satisfied with their earnings. Limestone and Welshman's. —Situate about seven miles from Greymouth, with a population of about one hundred, including about sixty Chinese. The ground is principally worked by sluicing. If a good and constant supply of water could be obtained, the ground in this locality would pay well. At present water is very scarce,