H.—s

26

At the Parapara there are a few men gold-digging, and the hematite works have employed the usual number of men during the year. The coal seams at Collingwood are, under the management of the new proprietor, turning out an increased quantity of coal, which is likely soon to be largely increased. The hydraulic cement works are not yet in work; the owner, however, having satisfied himself that a good cement can be produced, has sent to England for skilled labour. Takaka. —The number of men working at gold-digging varies very little from year to year. Within this same district is the Mount Arthur, upon which a considerable amount of prospecting has been done, and some leases granted for working the quartz reefs. These, up to the present, have not been productive; there has been no work done since my last report. At the Anatori District, West Wanganui, the Golden-Ridge Quartz Claim is still giving good returns, and at present is the only battery at work. There are, however, several leases for working quartz granted, and others in course of survey, on which active prospecting is going on; it is reported that on two of them the reef has been struck. The local body are pushing on the road work, and it is to be hoped that, when done, it will offer sufficient facilities for getting machinery on to this rather inaccessible piece of country. The coal measures here (West Wanganui) are now in a fair way of being worked by a new company. I cannot conclude my remarks on this part of the district (West Wanganui), without expressing my regret that the fee-simple of this valuable block of mining country should be allowed to pass into the hands of private individuals. I have, &c, Wm. Gibbs, The Under-Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

No. 8. Mr. Warden Revell to the Under-Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir, — Warden's Office, Westport, May, 1883. I have the honour to transmit herewith the statistical returns for the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1883, and to furnish the following general report upon the progress and condition of the Buller District under my charge : — Westport Stjb-District. Alluvial mining has been fairly maintained throughout the year on the Northern and German Terraces, Waimangaroa, Mokikinui, and the banks of the^ Buller River, yielding fair average returns. No new discoveries have been reported ; but it is well-known that the ground on some of the higher terraces along the Buller would pay good dividends if the miners could procure a sufficient supply of water for sluicing, the ground running deep, with gold, more or less payable, all through it. There are a few parties working the black sand along the beach between the Orawaiti and Mokihinui. At Addison's Flat there are several alluvial claims, held under lease or as extended or double-area claims, in full work, or engaged in the construction of lengthy tunnels and tail-races to open out the ground and secure a good fall into the adjoining gullies. These claims are very deep, and have powerful water-lifts attached, by which the hopperings are all hauled up in trucks and run out on the old workings. Halligan and party have just completed a tunnel 2,000 feet in length, which they have had to box right through. They have also brought their water from the Shannon Water-race, carrying it across Mountain Creek, about 1,000 feet, in iron piping 1 foot in diameter; and have erected a substantial water-lift and large set of tables. These works have cost over £1,200, Moran and party had to abandon their claim in consequence of their tunnel having fallen in in two or three places. They have taken up new ground on the Bonanza Lead, and are now constructing a tunnel tail-race 4,000 feet in length to open out their ground. McNeight and party hold a good claim. They have completed their large dam, and driven in a tunnel 800 feet to open out their ground. Carmody and party are in full work in their claim. One share in the claim was sold a short time ago for £300. Moran and party, Milliken and party, Berne and party, O'Malley and party, and others hold similar claims, and are either in full work on the claims, or employed constructing the preliminary works and races required to open out the ground. Karamea is quite an untried district, being almost isolated from Westport; but I believe there are a few miners working on the sea-beaches, making small wages. In quartz-mining an extensive area of ground has been applied for at Mokihinui, Waimangaroa, and Stoney Creek; and at Cascade Creek, Buller River; but up to the present date no machinery has been erected or quartz crushed, with the exception of one or two small lots to test the quality of the reefs. At Mokihitfui the South Pacific Company hold three leases. The company have been engaged prospecting the reef, and purpose putting in a tunnel to further test the ground, and have secured valuable water-rights for driving machinery.