C—3

22

The above statement shows the amount expended on the different Schools of Mines throughout the colony ; but, in addition to this, the sum of £6,750 has to be added, as that has been paid to the School of Mines attached to the University of Otago, £500 being paid last year towards maintaining the school, which makes the total expenditure up to the 31st March last to be £25,721 6s. sd. This expenditure has extended over a period of thirteen years.

WATEE-RACES. Waimea Watee-eace. This race is now in good order, and water is supplied to this district and Callaghan's, but, as the Waimea channel is now completed, the connection with the middle branch claims is now being carried on. At Kelly's Terrace the drainage-tunnel is now 2,602 ft. in length, but, as the total length before this work can be utilised is 6,600 ft., it will be some time hence before the water-race can be used. The following statement will show the receipts and cost of maintenance of the Waimea Race for the year ended 31st March last, together with the approximate quantity of gold obtained by those using water for working claims from that supply : —

It will be seen from the foregoing statement that the value of the sales of water for the year amounted to £787 18s. 7d., as against £776 19s. sd. for the previous year, while the cost of maintenance amounted to £677 Is. 6d., as against £669 6s. 3d. for the former year; thus showing an increase in the cost of maintenance of £7 15s. 3d., and also an increase in the value of the sales of water of £10 19s. 2d. from the previous year. The average number of men employed in claims worked with water from this supply last year was 49-5, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 2,409 oz., representing a value of £9,395 2s. 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 £173 17s. lid. per man per annum, or £3 6s. lOd.

Financial Years. Chemicals Subsidies towards and Apparatus, the Erection of also Mineralogical Schools of Mines, and Specimens Maintenance. supplied to Schools of Mines. Scholarships. Salaries of Teachers, and Travellingexpenses, &c. Total Sums paid by the Department towards the Schools of Mines. 1885-86 1886-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 £ s. d. 257 16 6 253 15 9 42 10 0 142 2 0 217 6 6 181 14 0 312 3 4 197 0 5 390 0 0 820 0 0 352 14 11 1,089 18 6 £ s. d. 36 19 9 409 1 4 253 14 1 6 12 9 181 14 10 54 8 0 £ £ s. d. 1,223 9 10 2,716 9 3 1,714 9 6 1,139 4 1 716 3 10 620 9 9 689 5 9 670 1 0 858 19 4 773 17 8 849 3 0 834 12 8 780 19 0 £ s. d. 1,260 9 7 3,383 7 1 2,221 19 4 1,188 6 10 1,040 0 8 892 4 3 870 19 9 982 4 4 1,055 19 9 1,209 8 6 1,719 3 0 1,346 6 1 2,000 17 3 45 10 10 58 18 6 29 19 9 50 100 100 Totals ... 4,257 1 11 1,076 19 10 250 13,587 4 8 19,171 6 5

Month. - Sales of Water. Cash received ' Outstanding Number Kv^l?f' for Sales of ffi«t,rinffltnro |Moneys at the of rwftitv Value ol GoW WntPr Expenditure. Bnd f h Menem- S a °'* ! obtained. WatOT - Month. p.oyed. 0 «™* 1897. £ s. d. 59 1 8 84 2 6 68 10 10 71 11 3 73 14 7 78 3 7 61 9 7 83 17 6 56 8 9 £ s. d. 77 15 3 82 12 9 59 19 0 82 8 6 70 17 6 67 5 0 55 7 9 75 12 6 37 18 6 £ s. d. 48 11 8 60 4 2 46 14 2 57 8 2 49 4 2 54 19 2 55 19 2 54 4 2 64 4 2 £ b. a. 10 17 3 10 17 3 10 10 0 10 16 0 10 16 0 10 16 0 10 16 1 11 7 8 12 7 7 Oz. 185 240 205 220 222 234 198 252 175 £ s. d. 721 10 0 936 0 0 799 10 0 858 0 0 865 16 0 912 12 0 772 4 0 982 16 0 682 10 0 April .. May June July August September October November December.. 61 50 54 52 51 72 45 46 45 1898. 34 1 3 55 12 6 61 5 0 50 16 3 60 17 0 48 7 6 71 19 2 48 4 2 65 9 2 12 4 3 11 19 3 11 19 3 40 37 •11 115 173 190 448 10 0 674 14 0 741 0 0 January February March Totals 787 18 7 769 17 6 677 1 6 49.5 (average) 2,409 9,395 2 0