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ROXBURGH. Mining in this portion of my district remains in much the same condition as last year. Dredging and hydraulic sluicing alike have suffered considerably from the exceptionally dry season, and probably there has been a slight falling-off in the return of gold in consequence. Th<> business transacted in the Court at Koxburgh has, however, slightly increased, the following being the details : Applications, 72 ; general registrations, 251 ; water-races, 14 ; miners' rights, 134 ; rents and royalties, £314 13s. 9d. ; fees and fines, £25 9s. I have, &c, J. L. Bartholomew, Warden. Mr. Warden Vouno. Queenstown, to the Under-Secrf.tary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir. Warden's Office, Queenstown, 31st March, 1911. I have the honour to present my report for the year ended 31st December, 1910, on that portion of the Otago Mining District under my charge. Queenstown-Arrowtown. Lode-mining for soheelite has during the year been actively Carried on at the head of Lake Wnkatipu. In connection with this industry nine mineral licenses and seven prospecting licenses were granted. Two companies were formed and registered with the object of working alluvial areas in the Shotover, and several alluvia! claims and water-rights were taken up by p,:riics in and about the Shotover and Arrow Rivers. A large amount of development was done in connection with sluicing, elevating, and driving operations in these rivers, and this year there should be a very substantial increase in the output of gold from this locality. In several places in the Cardrona Valley sluicing on a small scale was carried on, and two dredges, driven by water-power, were kept at work throughout the year. Waikaia. The water-supply in this portion of the district has during the past year been considerably below the average, and, in consequence of this, expectations as u> an increased output of gold have not been realized. It is estimated that gold to the value of £50,000 has been obtained, but this return is a little below that of former years. The Muddy Terrace Sluicing Company continued working at the faces opened in the spring of 1909, the area sluiced on top of the terraces being about 51 acres, and this yielded, on an average, about 2 gr. to the yard. The contents of a paddock of from Ito 5 acres have passed through the two elevators at the foot of the terraces, for an average yield of about 4 gr. to the yard. The company's plant having been designed and placed to work the ground on a large scale, operations were considerably hampered last year by the scarcity of water. An increased supply is being brought in, and if weather conditions and rainfall go back to normal, work at all the faces should be regularly carried on this year. There were nine dredges at work, being five less than in the previous year. Gore-Waikaka. Dredging continues to be the only form of mining in this portion of the district. Nineteen dredges were at work, being three less than in the previous year ; two were worked in the Waimumu with poor returns, three in the Charlton with fair results ; whilst the returns were, on the whole, good from the fourteen at work in the Waikaka Valley. I have, &c, H. A. Youno, Warden. Mr. Warden Cruickshank, Eiverton, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir ? — Riverton, 10th April, 1911. I have the honour to present the following general report upon goldfield matters in this district during the year 1910: — Mining remains much as during 1909. There is*no new discovery to report, or any incident or movement worthy of note. Now that gold-mining is languishing the residents of Orepuki and Round Hill are turning their attention more and more to cultivating the soil, instead of sluicing it away. There are large areas of Crown land covered with bush of varying milling character, and strong efforts are being made to have these lands thrown open for settlement. The Miners' Associations watch this movement closely; and all applications to obtain either the freehold or a renewable lease of any part of this mining area are scrutinized, and objection made to the Warden if in their opinion the future of the mining industry is imperilled. So far, however, the two industries are working well together without friction. The miners see that the farmers must supplant them in the occupation of most of this land, and many of them are taking up land themselves, and for their families, for pastoral purposes. Round Hill. With the exception of the work done by the Round Hill and Ourawera Companies, mining operations in this locality are not of an extensive nature. These companies, however, have been responsible for

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