H.—l

6

distance, found they could not work it to advantage or keep it properly clear without a supply of flushing water. They have latterly been engaged in bringing in a supply of water by means of a race eight miles in length, which is not yet completed. Meanwnile they have been allowing their channel to be silted up ; but it is understood that they can easily clear it when they get the extra power of water. 10. The revenue for the year shows a slight increase over last year. The particulars are as follow :— £ s. d. Gold Revenue ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,165 14 6 Warden's Court Fees and Fines ... ... ... ... 60 4 6 Agricultural-lease Rents ... ... ... ... ... 1,651 19 2 Deferred-payment Rents ... ... ... ... ... 517 9 0 Resident Magistrate's Court Fees and Fines ... ... ... 232 11 9 £3,627 18 11 11. Next year, with the increased business consequent upon the opening of the Government sludge channel, and the supply of water from the race, I hope to be able to show a very large increase of revenue. 12. The total of gold escorted from the district during the year is 16,477 oz. 9 dwts. This does not exhibit the entire production, as the Maerewhenua gold finds its way to the banks in Oamaru without escort. There is thus no record of the quantity produced. I have, &c, H. W. Robinson, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, AVellington. AVarden.

WESTLAND GOLD EIELD. No. 8. Mr. Warden Peice to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Hokitika, 16th June, 1877. I have the honor to report as follows upon the state of the several districts under my charge —namely, Okarito and the subdistrict of Jackson's Bay, Totara, Kanieri, Waimea, and Kumara. I have, &c, M. Peice, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

Okarito and Subdistrict of Jackson's Bay. I hate nothing new to report respecting this district, as, I regret to say, during the past year mining operations have been in a depressed condition owing to the Kumara rush, and what has always been detrimental to the development of this gold field, the difficulty of access and high rate of provisions. 80 long as equally payable diggings are found elsewhere no improvement can be expected, although I am perfectly satisfied there is as good payable ground here as in any other part of Westland. The gold revenue for the year ending 31st March, 1877, is £104 55., as against £234 ss. of preceding year, showing a decrease of £130. There is also a decrease of £141 in the revenue for publicans' licenses. The principal diggings are still at Gillespie's, and it speaks well of the place that the Kumara rush has not drawn any away from it. As regards mining from the Haast to Bullock Creek, in the Sub-district of Jackson's Bay (special settlement), the few (seventeen) following this occupation are making fair average wages. The gold fields revenue amounts to only £40. Two quartz mining leases were granted last year, and several quartz claims taken up, but, I regret to say, they have not proved so successful as was anticipated, although I do not believe the ground has been sufficiently tested to pronounce it a failure ; but the great difficulty and expense in conveying machinery into almost inaccessible country retards any great outlay unless the prospects held out are beyond ordinary ones. This much may be said, that Okarito and the Subdistrict of Jackson's Bay, having upwards of 140 miles of coast-line, with indications of various valuable minerals in addition to gold, is yet in its infancy, and requires only population to develop what will render it in time a prosperous district. Totara District. I regret to say I have nothing new to report of this district; but, notwithstanding the present gloomy appearance of affairs, the rich nature of the ground on which Ross is built is so well known that it ouly requires to be energetically worked by large companies to restore it in some measure to its former prosperity. The population ha 3 decreased by about 350 ; it now numbers 1,320, as against 1,670 of previous year. Trie gold fields revenue has also decreased, last year's amounting to £595, the year before to £633, exclusive of gold duty. To a certain extent this is owing to the Kumara rush, which has drawn away a considerable number of miners and business people; also many, who remained in expectation of the Mikonui Water-race being brought in, left, finding that there was no likelihood of the undertaking being commenced.