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this year, as in others, has been entirely due to a falling-off in it. The surface workings in beds of streams have been pretty well worked out, and the alluvial miner has to follow the leads of gold into deeper levels ; and consequently he is retarded in the search by having either to sink for it, or to wash away the superincumbent drift by hydraulic sluicing. There have been a few discoveries of fresh ground during the year, as at Oriffel, in Otago, where, on the high slopes of Mount Pisa, at an elevation of about 4,000ft. above sea-level, a considerable area has been proved payably auriferous for sluicing, and may be expected to last, as a summer diggings, for many years to a limited number, similarly to the diggings at Clarke's, near Naseby, and Campbell's, near Teviot; both of which are about 4,000ft. of altitude. The great range of level in the auriferous deposits, and the extensive area of the colony over which they are spread, while it suggests the thought that there may still be many places rich in treasure undiscovered, it is still unlikely that any very extensive field awaits discovery, unless it may be in the southern portion of the densely bush-clad Westland District or in the recesses of the great Southern Alps. Indeed, it is known that there are auriferous deposits at the headwaters of such rivers as the Dart and Waiho, close up to the glaciers; but hitherto the difficulty of access has prevented any but the most adventurous spirits from venturing into these fastnesses. In the open country the prospector has tried, it may be said, every valley and stream-course in the colony. However, the alluvial deposits now being worked are proved over a large area of ground, and will last for many years for certain. It is well known that the beds of the Clutha, Shotover, and several other rivers are rich in auriferous deposits, and many attempts have been made, by turning the river from side to side, by pneumatic cylinders, diving-bell boats, and other expedients, to get at the rich treasure —some of them with success. But in such a river as the Clutha, the largest in the colony, any attempt at turning the vast volume and current is utterly hopeless, although futile attempts have even been made to do that. The most successful plan hitherto adopted with that river has been the hopper-dredge. Eor several years the motive-power to work the dredge was the current of the river, the punt being moored. But it was found that only certain portions of the river could be worked on this plan. A powerful steam dredge (as was mentioned in the report of 1882) was placed on the Clutha Biver, between Clyde and Alexandra, by Mr. McQueen, engineer, Dunedin, which is capable of bringing stuff up from a deptli of 22ft. At first there was a difficulty in washing out the gold, there being no room in the punt for the usual length of sluice-box, but this difficulty has now been overcome, and the last year's returns were very satisfactory to the promoter of this ingenious process. The proportion of the year's returns is contributed by the three great divisions of the mining districts in very much the same ratio as before—namely, West Coast, one-half ; Otago, one-third ; and Auckland, one-sixth. Yield of Gold during the Year ending 31st March, 1884, and 31st March, 1885.

Mining Population and its Earnings. The return of miners (Table No. 9) gives a total of 12,034, and, as the number twelve months ago was 12,206, the mean for the year is 12,120, giving an average wage of £76 10s. sd. per man, or £4 14s. sd. more per man than last year. This

Quarter ending Quantity. Value. Quarter ending Quantity. Value. 1683. une... September )ecember Oz. 52,401 59,113 65,893 £ 210,205 236,422 262,928 1884. June September December 1885. Oz. 54,696 52,362 60,607 £ 219,26' 208,49, 244,45' 1884. dareh 62,281 249,579 Marcb 63,917 255,21 Totals ... 239,688 959,134 Totals ... 231,582 927,43: