C.—3

22

It will be seen from the foregoing statement that the value of the sales of water for the year amounted to £776 19s. 5d., as against £795 13s. 6d. for the previous year, while the cost of maintenance amounted to £669 6s. 3d., as against £770 3s. Bd. for the former year; thus showing a decrease in the cost of maintenance of £100 17s. 5d., and also a decrease in the value of the sales of water of £18 14s. Id. from the previous year. The average number of men employed in claims worked with water from this supply last year was 6625, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 2,133 oz., representing a value of £8.318 14s. Deducting the value of the sales of water from the value of the gold obtained, it leaves the average earnings of the men to be £113 16s. 9d. per man per annum, or £2 3s. 9d. per man per week. This cannot be taken as their actual earnings, as the cost of pipes, tools, and timber required in working the claims has also to be taken into consideration. The value of free water given to open up claims and for working poor ground during the year was £100. This free water, however, is necessary, as the ground is becoming more expensive to work every year. The total cost of this water-race and branches up to the end of March last was £136,340 18s. 7d. Callaghan's Branch Water-race. This race has been completed at a total cost of £5,948 18s. Bd., and the miners in this district have been supplied with water since the beginning of February. The anticipation formed that this race will become of importance is shown by the returns obtained from the use of the water from this supply : —

It will be seen from the foregoing statement that the value of the sales of water for the past two months amounted to £42 155., and that the cost of maintenance was £25 15s. The average number of men employed was 12-5, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 110oz., representing a value of £429. Deducting the value of the sales of water from the value of the approximate quantity of gold obtained, it leaves £386 ss. as the earnings of the miners, which is equal to an average of £30 18s. a man for two months, or at the rate of £185 Bs. each per annum. Kumara Water-race. This race still continues highly profitable, although the gold obtained through the use of this water-supply does not come up to past returns. The richer claims are becoming worked out, and, as far as known, the large area of auriferous ground that has been proved is found to require working on the most economical principle in order to remunerate those employed. An extensive area exists that will afford employment for a number of miners for many years to come. Future workings will be more costly, both on account of the limited fall for tailings and also the greater quantity of water required to remove the poorer layers of gravel. The whole of this race is in good repair, the Kapitea Hill Eace, in addition to the ordinary demand, having supplied water required in the construction of No. 4 and also of No. 5 main tailraces, the cost of the water to supply No. 4 being £106 9s. 3d. and for No. 5 free water. The by-wash of the Loop-line Dam is being raised. This will have the effect of largely increasing the storage-capacity of the reservoir. Another catchwater-race, which can be constructed at a reasonable cost, will further improve the supply for this dam, and the loss from scarcity of water be thereby reduced. The No. 5 main tail-race is not yet completed. The total length will be 6276 chains, of which 40 - 27 chains has been constructed, being securely timbered, boxed, and blocked; and there still

Month. Sales of Water. Cash received for Sales of Water. Expenditure. Outstanding Moneys at the End of each Month. Number of Men employed. Approximate Quantity of Gold obtained. Value of Gold obtained. 1896. April May June July August September October November December.. £ s. d. 54 14 2 67 2 11 69 19 2 88 17 6 55 0 0 56 8 4 65 11 11 70 18 11 52 15 0 £ s. d. 70 18 9 67 8 4 46 9 3 88 2 0 69 4 9 54 12 0 76 0 9 73 7 6 30 19 6 £ s. d. 68 13 10 74 9 3 64 17 4 53 14 2 51 19 2 51 5 10 42 14 0 4.5 14 2 52 0 11 £ s. d. 8 10 3 8 10 3 7 15 3 7 15 3 7 15 3 7 15 3 7 15 3 7 15 3 7 15 3 73 78 79 76 61 70 66 59 60 Oz. 130 168 170 222 155 160 185 210 159 £ a. a. 507 0 0 655 4 0 663 0 0 865 16 0 604 10 0 624 0 0 721 10 0 819 0 0 620 2 0 1897. 538 4 0 725 8 0 975 0 0 January February March 50 11 5 61 13 4 83 6 9 72 0 6 55 15 0 74 4 0 85 19 3 38 19 2 38 19 2 12 7 9 7 15 3 10 12 10 48 G4 61 138 186 250 Totals and average 776 19 5 779 2 4 669 6 3 66.25 (average) 2,133 8,318 14 0

Month. Sales of Water. Cash received for Sales of Water. Expenditure. Outstanding Money at the ] End of each Month. Number of Men employed. Approximate Quantity of Gold. Value of Gold. 1897. £ s. d. 13 10 0 29 5 0 £ s. d. 13 10 0 29 5 0 £ s. d. 10 0 0 15 15 0 Oz. 40 70 £ s. d 156 0 0 273 0 0 'ebruary larch " .. 15 10 Total.. 42 15 0 I 42 15 0 25 15 0 | 12.5 (average) 110 429 0 0