13

H.—7

proximity to the coal (several additional seams of which have been discovered) ; a large area haa been leased, and it is proposed to form a company and carry on the work on a much larger scale. The drive at the coal mine is progressing slowly, the rock being exceedingly hard ; it is expected that the first seam will be reached in a few months. The sample of plumbago referred to in last report has been pronounced of good quality, and it is probable there will be a considerable demand for it. Some Auckland gentlemen have joined in the enterprise, and propose shortly to commence working the lode. No additional agricultural leases have been granted during the year. Little or nothing has been done to the roads and tracks, which remain in a very bad state. A bridge is very much needed over the River Aorere. Near the junction of Salisbury Creek, there is an excellent site ; the cost of erection is estimated at about £500. The track through the Pakawau Bush is in a very bad state, it being almost impassable, and requires immediate attention. The Mud Plat at West Wanganui has been marked out with guide posts by instructions of the Native Commissioner. Several lives have been lost in attempting to cross the flat, which is nearly seven miles by the present route, and can only be crossed at low water. The district has been visited by members of both General and Provincial Governments, and its general condition is now well known. April, 1873. H. W. Tubnell, "Warden. Statement Bhowing the amount of Land Eevenue receired during the Tear ending the 31st day of March, 1873. £ s. d. Miners' Eights Fees ... ... ... ... ... 123 0 0 Business License Pees ... ... ... ... ... 15 0 0 Water Races Rent on Gold Mining Leases... ... ... ... ... 105 10 0 Sent on Agricultural Leases... ... ... ... ... 24 5 3 Eegistration Fees ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 10 0 Wardens' Court Fees ... ... ... ... ... 17 0 Miscellaneous Receipts ... ... ... ... ... 15 3 0 £313 15 3 Publican's License Fees (part of) ... ... ... ... 32 10 0 Fees in Eesident Magistrate's Court ... ... ... ... 43 2 11 £389 8 2

No. 5. Mr. Warden Giles to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Sir,— Westport, 19th April, 1873. I have the honor to report as follows on the progress and condition of the District of Buller, including Charleston and Brighton, for the year ending the 31st March ult.: — I estimate the mining population as under: — No. of Buller — Miners. Terraces, beaches, and creeks, north of River ... ... ... 260 Addison's, Shamrock, and other places south of Buller, as far as Totara 350 Charleston ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 Brighton ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 110 1,220 I believe that my estimate last year was too low, a circumstance which I account for by supposing that the loss of miners sustained by this district in consequence of the attractions of the Inangahua reefs was magnified, and that I had no means at that time of measuring its true amount. The above estimate is based on tho best information I have been able to attain, and, though only approximate, is probably not very far from the truth. The population seems at present pretty steady, and I see no immediate reason to expect any great increase or diminution. Westport, Charleston, and Brighton. —l have continued to hold Courts at these places, as stated in my last report. My regular Courts are once a week each at Westport and Charleston, and once a month at Brighton. Besides these, there is of course miscellaneous Court business, in the shape of police cases, on other days at Westport. The Court business at Westport, both in the Resident Magistrate's and the Warden's Court, but particularly the former, has considerably increased, as will be seen on a comparison of the statistics forwarded herewith, with those accompanying my last yearly report. The number of cases heard at Charleston has not been so much less than the year before as might have been expected. The amount of business has somewhat declined of late, but it still requires weekly attendance. The monthly Court at Brighton is a great convenience to the residents in that neighbourhood, and the business has hitherto been sufficient, in my opinion, to justify its continuance. Old Digging Localities. —There is very little to report respecting the old and well-known diggings at the terraces north of the Buller, at Addison's,'and the Shamrock lead, and at Charleston and Brighton. At all these places some diminution of population, and some reduction in tho amount of gold obtained, have been experienced. It is of course impossible to say how far this process may be carried, but I should think that the old spots above mentioned will continue to be worked for a long time to come. I have made a practice of giving double ground to parties applying for it in all cases