D.—No. G.

about eighteen feet in diameter, is about to be erected on the Arrow, to drain the <n-ound opposite the Gorge, which has proved too deep to be worked by ordinary means." /8. A peculiar phase in mining is thus reported bv Mr. Warden Beethani, under date August Sth : — "The debris washed down the river (Shotover) by the floods, is affording remunerative employment to great numbers of miners, who are engaged in cradling, earning, I believe fair wages."' 79. This is a circumstance of frequent recurrence. The streams of that elevated region when swollen by heavy rams, bring down earth and debris from the surrounding mountains; and when the waters fall to their natural level, gold is found in considerable quantities amongst the accumulated drift. 80. Similar in many respects to the Shotover workings are those of the Arrow Eiver—the scene of " Fox's Rush/' The bed of the stream itself is known to contain extensive deposits of gold ; but the difficulties experienced in diverting its course have hitherto prevented anything like systematic and contmuous operation. In the adjacent flats and terraces also, the water percolating through the shingly soil is a great drawback to success ; and it is evident that much of the best ground m this district can only be wrought to advantage by associated enterprise. 81. Mr. Warden Beetham thus reports on this subject:—■ "Many of the claims on the fla) have struck heavy gold—as much as three dwts. to the tin dish (of wash dirt) having been obtained. Many of these claims will extend over twelvemonths working . . . The river claims have just recovered from the effects of the late flood One of these was rebottomed on Wednesday last (1st July). Since that time up to Saturday (1th July) the holders have taken out 170 (unices. Six tin dishes were washed consecutively, each yieldhV twelve ounces weight. I mention this instance as having come under my immediate observation " 82. Farther up 1 be stream Bracken's Gully, Twelve mile, and other localities, continue to be profitably worked. Altogether the Arrow (list rict, with an estimated population of less than 2 000 miners, has forwarded per Escort, during the late inclement winter, a monthly avenge of more than 6,000 ounces o!' gold. 88. The various creeks and gullies on the shores of Lake Wakatipu have been comparatively but little worked, owing, no doubt in a great degree, to their remoteness from the townships and the consequent difficulty of obtaining supplies. Many of these creeks have yielded excellent returns, anu mining operations are steadily and satisfactorily progressing thereon. The workings are earned on both in the beds of the streams and in the terraces—many of the latter bein<* more than three hundred feet above the level of the lake. Fine gold is obtained in the creeks "heavy gold in the terraces, and some handsome nuggets have been discovered. Two instances of individual success were reported to me on the ground ■ in one of which six miners obtained 700 ounces in six weeks, and m the other a party of four realized 400 ounces in eight weeks. 84 At the Cardrona a population of about 300 miners are quietly working with fair average success. There is every probability of the valley of the Cardrona. which is 26 miles in length beme worked throughout the greater portion of its extent in the course of time ; for the auriferous strata are by no means hunted to the upper portion of the stream, where operations are now principally carried on. 1 85. The total population of the Wakatipu Gold-fields, inclusive of the Arrow, Shotover ('ardrona. and Lake Diggings, is estimated by the Mining Surveyor at 7.205. o f w hom about 2 000 are engaged in I rade and various callings and the remainder in mining. 86. \t Nokomai proper there is a population ofaboul 200 miners, who are reported by Mr \\ arden \\ ood to be " doing well." The principal workings are on the spurs of the ranges and in irraces. hi the Nevis rallej several rich patches have been discovered,and laro-p finds are still ted from Potter's Gully. I believe that this field will yet become the scene of very extensive mining operations. If a practicable road could be found from any central point to the Nevis the developement oi that district would be materially facilitated. 87. The large trad of auriferous country which constitutes the basin or watershed of the \\ akaia Elver bus not yet been included within the limits of any Gold-field. There is abundant evidence to induce 1 he belief that many of the tributary creeks and gullies will prove to be extenivelj and permanent I- rich. At present the workings are scattered over a large area near the rn extremity oi the Wakaia Valley. No rich finds have been reported, but all can earn moderate wages. The population is estimated at about 500 persons, of whom 460 are miners • and the amount of gold obtained weekly is stated by Mr. Warden Hickson at from 200 to 300 ounces 88. At the head of the Wakaia, near the Obelisk or Old Man Range, is Campbell's Gully of which very little is yet certainly known. But that little is exceedingly favorable. The miners ' there appear to lie doing well; and heavy gold—apparently of a superior description—has been brought thence into Roxburgh (Teviot) and Alexandra (Manuherikia). It is confidently anticipated that when the return of summer renders the roads from these townships more accessible, a large population will migrate to Campbell's, and that numerous <mllies in the same direction will be found to contain payable auriferous ground. The present population is variously estimated at from 300 to 500 souls. J 89. The Mount [da Gold Field embraces within its limits a vast number of streams all of which have been proved to be auriferous. Its boundaries extend from the Manuherikia Pass to illybnrn, and include the old Highlay Field. Hitherto mining operations have prin-ipallv i aimed on far down the Hogburn and continuous creeks. As the course of these is followed upwards, gold of a much rougher and heavier description is found; and I feel assured frnm fU

Debris washed down the shotover.

Debris found to be auriferous.

Arrow River workin Ss-

Mr. Warden Beetham's Report,

Bracket's Gully Twelve-mile, fee.'

Creeks and Gullies on the shores of Lake wllakati P»-

Cardrona.

Total population of Whakatipn Gold Field. Kokomai.

Watershed of the Wakaia.

Campbell's Gaily

Mount Ida Gold Field.

19

GOLD FIELDS OF OTAGO.