35

C.—3a.

200 ft. was reached, and several drives were made, when the work ceased, the funds subscribed being exhausted. It is not proposed to abandon the undertaking, as an effort will be made to obtain assistance under the provisions of Part XV. of the Mining Eegulations. Waipoei. In some of the larger claims in this part of the district work is being actively carried on, as also in the other classes of claims. The number of miners employed is estimated at 180, of whom 60 are Chinese. The Upper Waipori Gold-dredging Company with their two dredges have realised 9650z. of gold, having turned over 358,000 tons of stuff. The Zetland Plat Company, since the commencement of their operations in September last, have dredged about 170,000 tons of stuff, with a return of 5030z. of gold. The Amalgamated Deep Lead Company, who have recently erected a large dam which, enabling them to store more water, gives them a more regular supply, after having to contend with many difficulties, have succeeded in obtaining during the year 5120z. There are a number of extended claims at Waipori which are being worked with fair success in most cases. Two large areas —one of 99 acres, and the other of 61 acres —-were cancelled during the year; these were taken up with the object of working them by companies which were not floated. There is now very little doing with the quartz reefs which abound in the neighbourhood. Messrs. Stewart and Gare have a claim of 46 acres. They have a battery on the ground, and are steadily working. They have a large body of stone which is expected to turn out 14dwt. or 15dwt. to the ton. They have had a number of crushings with good results. They have been engaged for some time in driving a tunnel so as to intercept the reef at a lower level. This tunnel was through hard rock, and cost a good deal of money. There are four other quartz claims held, but these are mostly being prospected. A good deal of interest has been taken in the Lammerlaw Antimony Company. This company held a lease of 60 acres in the Lammerlaw Eanges—about eight miles from Waipori, and fourteen miles from Lawrence. A new shaft was lately sunk in the claim, a drive was put in to tap the lode at 60ft. when an excellent body of ore was struck; the lode being from 2ft. to sft. thick, and will give 70 or 80 per cent, of antimony. Altogether, the prospects of the company are of a very high character. At Weatherston, Munro's Gully, Tuapeka Plat, and along the Tuapeka Eiver to the Tuapeka mouth, the number of claims being worked remain about the same. There are no accurate returns of results in these localities, but most of the miners appear to be doing fairly well, Four special claims, comprising 254 acres, which had been taken up at the Beaumont, have been surrendered, the necessary capital not being forthcoming to enable the persons to proceed with the work. Waitahuna. The total number of persons engaged in mining at Waitahuna are : Europeans, 60; Chinese, 40. These are mostly engaged in working along the banks of the Waitahuna Eiver and on the adjoining flats. The principal claims in Waitahuna Gully are those of Thompson and party, Callanan an party, Ferris and party; these are all alluvial claims. The only quartz claim—that of the Waitahuna quartz—is not now being worked. This company, after having spent a large sum of money in erecting machinery, &c, are now in liquidation. At Manuka Creek, Adam's Flat, and Glenore, about fifty men are employed, including Chinese. Most of them at times engage themselves in other pursuits. A little excitement was caused at Canada Eeef some time ago about the quartz reefs there. Messrs. Kerr and party, who took a claim of 16 acres as a licensed holding, after working some time, abandoned the enterprise. Mining in the Waikaia district is not improving. The Waikaia Dredging Company some few months ago purchased the Talisman Company's dredge on Tucker Beach, Shotover, in the Wakatipu District, and moved it to Gow's Creek, about twelve miles above the Waikaia Township. They only started work last week, but I think they ought to be amongst the dividend-paying mining ventures of Otago. The water-race—fourteen miles long—of the Waikaia Water-race Company should be completed by the middle of June next, and should be a success if faithfully constructed. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. J. Nugent Wood, Warden.

Return of Revenue collected during the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1892.

Lawrence. Waikaia. Tapanui. Totals. Garden's department >eferred-payment rents Resident Magistrate's Courts (goldfields ... Resident Magistrate's Courts (outside goldfields) £ s. 1,218 18 223 11 a. 6 7 £ s. 141 18 a. 6 £ 12 s. 4 a. o £ s. 1,373 1 223 11 a. o 7 186 6 0 56 12 0 75 4 o 318 2 0 530 15 8 Totals 1,628 16 1 198 10 6 87 8 0 2,445 10 3