C—3a.

No. 3. Comparative Return of Revenue derived from the Goldfields in the several Districts of New Zealand during the Years 1896 and 1897, showing Increase or Decrease under each Head of Revenue.

75

District. Miners' Bights. Business Licenses, &c. Waterraces, Sluices, &c. Gold-mining Leases, Rents, and Boyalties. Kegistration. Fees and Fines, Wardens Courts. Miscellaneous. Gold Totals Duty. -l-otals. 1 Auckland — £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Year 1896 3,955 529 76 28,362 216 342 1,084 9,902 44,466 Year 1897 1,807 1,190 74 26,953 173 126 1,444 10,403 42,170 Increase 661 360 501 Decrease .. 2,148 2 1,409 43 216 2,296 Nelson— 1,244 35 5,273 55 697 7,537 Year 1896 122 111 Year 1897 956 32 77 5,942 90 89 679 7,865 Increase 669 34 328 Decrease .. 288 3 45 21 18 Mablbobough— 46 216 Year 1896 1 6 3 1 272 Year 1897 55 3 3 281 5 7 26 380 Increase 9 2 65 2 7 25 108 Decrease .. 2 WESTIiAND — 15 83 38 307 4,999 Year 1896 1,174 77 3,305 Year 1897 948 11 60 2,126 75 62 1,465 4,747 Increase 24 1,158 Decrease 226 4 17 1,179 8 252 Otago— 1,848 6,014 160 105 700 9,096 Year 1896 .. 97 172 Year 1897 2,061 106 164 7,770 175 259 941 11,476 Increase 213 9 1,756 15 154 241 2,380 Decrease .. 8 Total Increase .. 665 3 1,766 501 268 Total Decrease . . 2,440 74 98 55