17

H.—7.

Locality. Miners. Others. Brought forward ... ... ... ... ... 570 520 Larry's ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 20 In an gahua Valley ... ... ... ... ... 20 100 Christy's to Lyell ... ... ... ... ... 30 15 Lyell ... ...• ... ... ... ... 250 100 Upper Buller and Matakitaki ... ... ... ... 150 100 Total ... ... ... 1,032 855 The crushings at the Lyell Reefs are as under : — Date. Name of Company. Tons Crushed. Yield —oz. 1872, July. Alpine ... ... ... ... 51 142 „ September. Alpine ... ... ... ... 34 56 „ October. Alpine ... ... ... ... 40 54 „ December. Alpine ... ... ... ... 34 50 1873, February. Alpine ... ... ... ... 21 25 1872, October. Little Wonder ... ... ... ... 110") , ~_„ 1873, January. Little Wonder ... ... ... ... 75 j I'°''i „ March. Excelsior ... ... ... ... 119 66 Totals ... ... ... 484 1,966

Since the above return, the Alpine has sent down 300 ounces. Discovery of Antimony. —Large quantities of antimony ore have been discovered at Boatman's Creek by Mr. Caples, and at Rainy Creek by Mr. Ranft, who intends applying to the Waste Lands Board for a lease. Loose blocks of the ore were found in a gully leading into Deep Creek, and this led to further investigation, resulting in the discovery of the main reef. This metal is valuable in itself, and the adjacent coal would render it a very easy matter to smelt the ore on the spot. Samples of the ore that have been tested yielded from 3G'4O to 70 per cent, of antimony, and from half an ounce to one ounce of gold per ton; but there are parts, if separated, that would give a much larger yield of gold. Mr. Ranft has lodged a large parcel of about 50 lbs. in the office at Reefton for public inspection. Some excellent specimens from Boatman's, furnished by Mr. Caples, were forwarded to the Christchurch Exhibition. The ore occurs in nearly all the quartz reefs in the district, and may possibly have something to do with the difficulty that exists in saving gold. Statistics. Warden's Court. —Number of cases during the year, 102 ; number of applications under rules, 534 ; number of applications for gold mining leases, 92. Of the iatter applications, 49 have been granted, 19 refused, 18 are still pending, and G have been withdrawn. Applicant for agricultural leases, 69, with an area of 4,621 acres, making a total of 9,334 acres applied for since the opening of the district. Number of miners' rights issued, 899 ; annual business licenses, at £5, 32 ; half-yearly business licenses, at £3, 251; quarterly business licenses, at £2, 201. Resident Magistrate's Court. —Number of civil cases heard, 656 ; criminal cases, 161. Of the latter, 77 were upon information, and 74 were drunk and disorderly cases. Number of publicans' licenses issued, 94 ; accommodation licenses, 29. Revenue. —Provincial Account Province of Nelson, £2,895 Bs. 3d ; Provincial Treasurer's Account, £2,005 ss. 2d; R.M. fees and fines, £751 ss. 7d; total, £5,651 19s. Amount of deposits on gold mining leases, £1,840, and on agricultural, £706. Conclusion. I have now in conclusion to point out to the Government certain local matters I think deserving of attention. 1. Road through Upper Buller to Lyell and Christy's.- —This I think the most important work. The country through which it passes is daily growing into importance, and with a good road the Lyell would be able to draw its supplies from the Nelson settled districts instead of the hazardous and uncertain means of communication by boat as at present, and at a very much cheaper rate. 2. Sale of Reef ton Township. —This is a matter urgently desired by the inhabitants, and one that I strongly recommend. There are not at present any rights acquired under the mining rules such as claims, dams, water-races, and which a sale would affect. The people are anxious to have a better tenure to their ground before improving; but as this matter has already been brought by deputation under the notice of His Honor the Superintendent, it is unnecessary for me to further refer to it. 3. Mining Conference. —The discoveries of payable quartz reefs in the Province are comparatively of a recent date, and that, doubtless, is the reason why the rules relating to quartz claims are so mean-re, aud to a great extent unadapted for many of the workings. The consent of His Honor to a conference consisting of practical miners on the one hand and the Wardens on the other, to draw up rules relating to quartz, has given the greatest satisfaction, and will no doubt lead to a great deal of good. 4. Exhibition at Christchurch. —A very large and influential committee were appointed to see that the district was fairly represented. A large number of specimens of good auriferous quartz, coal, antimony, and fossils were forwarded, together with a pamphlet descriptive of the district and specimens. A bronze medal was awarded to the committee, and at the request of Dv. Haast and Dr. Hector it was agreed te allow the specimens to be forwarded to the Vienna Exhibition. I trust that some of the vast resources of the Province will thus become better known. 5. Jnspectorship of Leases. —The appointment of this officer was no doubt most desirable when this district was first opened out, to prevent at any rate shepherding, and also to prevent ground being taken 3—H. 7.