H.—s

4

for subsidies towards tracks, &c, upon gold fields having been more largely drawn upon by local bodies—involving together the large outlay previously referred to— the official business of the department has been further increased during the year, but has been well overtaken by Mr. Wakefield, the Under-Secretary, whose assistance I have, as usual, to acknowledge in providing data for this report, in the collection of the Wardens' reports, and in the compilation of the statistical and other information contained in the Appendix. I have also to thank the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Gavin, and the Secretary of Customs, Mr. Seed, for the appended returns of revenue of gold exported. James McKebeow.