13

C.—4

The receipts from sales of water amount to £1,073 14s. 2d., while those of the previous year amounted to £990 6s. Bd. This shows an increase of £83 7s. 6d.; but this is more than compensated by the increase of expenditure. The cost of maintenance has been £1,104 13s. 4d., against that of £811 10s. sd. during the previous year; which is an increase of £193 2s. lid. This is due to large slips which took place in July last. The average number of miners employed working mining-claims by means of this water-supply has been sixty-four, and the approximate amount of gold obtained by them has been 2,3580z., representing a value of £9,019 7s. Deducting the sales of water from the value of the gold obtained, the average earnings of the miners have been about £2 7s. 9d. per week. The value of free water given to assist the miners in opening out their claims and in prospecting has been £488. The total cost of construction of this work has been £90,151 19s. Id., and the loss in working during the past year £30 19s. 2d. Argyle Water-race, Charleston, Nelson. —This water-race is now in good repair, the whole of it having been recently reconstructed ; but it will have to be extended to Back Lead before any increase in the returns can be expected. The ground that the race at present commands is almost wrorked out. Tenders will shortly be called for the construction of the extension, which, when completed, will enable a large area of auriferous ground to be worked between Ballarat Gully and the Nile River. The following table shows the result of the working of the race during the paH year : —

The receipts have been £435 2s. Bd., while those of the previous year were £476 13s. 6d.; thus showing a decrease of £41 10s. lOd. The expenditure for past year has been £391 17s. Bd., against £419 19s. 7d. of the previous year; being a decrease of £28 Is. lid. The amount of free water given to the miners during the past year has been £4 2s. 6d. The total cost of this work up to the present time has been £14,192 17s. lid., and the profits drawn last year from the working of the race £43 55.; which gives interest on capital invested at a little over a quarter per cent. Mikonui Water-race, Ross, Westland. —This work is in course of construction. About three miles of the lower portion is completed, which is still leased to the Mount dOr Gold-mining Company at a rental of €100 per annum. The work in progress during the year has been confined to the construction of the long tunnel. About 50 chains of the lower end of this tunnel is completed; but a portion of this will have to be retimbered again before water is admitted. The ground, being of a swelling nature when exposed to the atmosphere, breaks the timber soon after it is first put in position. A contract for 35 chains of the upper end of tunnel was taken,

Number of Men employea. Approximate Amount of Goia obtainea. Value of Gold. Month. Receipts. Expenditure. 1885. £ s. a. 92 13 4 79 0 0 74 18 4 11 19 2 75 8 4 85 1 8 90 0 10 172 1 8 89 15 0 £ s. a. 60 13 4 62 3 4 71 16 8 188 13 2 120 7 8 99 8 8 95 10 8 90 19 8 90 17 8 Oz. 190 179 143 40 207 232 240 266 221 '■£ -[_. a. 726 15 0 684 13 6 546 19 6 153 0 0 791 15 6 887 8 0 918 0 0 1,017 9 0 845 6 6 April May June July .. August .. September October November December 57 56 54 60 66 67 65 68 68 1886. 105 15 10 102 5 10 94 14 2 88 4 2 57 8 8 78 9 8 72 65 71 250 200 190 956 5 0 765 0 0 726 15 0 January February March .. Totals 768 1,073 14 2 1,104 13 4 2,358 9,019 7 0 Remarks. —Average earnings of miners, after dedueti: Nelson Creek Water-race, £30 19s. 2d. ig sales of water, £2 7s. 9d. ler week. Ap; larent loss on

Month. Receipts. Expenaiture. Average Number of Men employed. Approximate Amount of Goia obtainea. Value of Goia. 1885. £ a. a. 30 7 4 28 5 0 30 15 4 39 7 2 40 5 9 36 1 10 38 4 9 37 2 11 30 17 8 £ a. a. 33 19 1 36 9 10 28 3 4 31 19 5 26 3 4 42 12 7 33 10 6 30 1 8 40 7 1 Oz. £ s. d. ipril .. May .. rune .. ruly .. \ugust September 3ctober November December 1886. 36 15 3 39 17 4 47 2 4. 32 15 10 26 10 0 29 5 0 lanuary February March .. 21 464 1,77416 0 Totals 435 2 8 391 17 8 21 464 1,774 16 0 Remarks. —The average number of days ' £4 10s. per man per week during the time tin worked during ey were at wor] the year has b k. Profit on A een eighty-fivi .rgyle Water-r£ i per man, or at the rate of ,ce, £43 5s.