C—3a

28

Legal. An information was laid in the Eesident Magistrate's Court, Westport, against Mr. Stephen Garvin, of the Venture Claim, Addison's, for not sending in returns from his battery. The case was heard on the 12th April, and a fine of 10s. and costs was inflicted. Watee-eaces. Proposed Water-race to Sulky Gully. —(l 4/6/93): This was an application by Messrs. Seaton and Fletcher for a subsidy to construct a water-race to Sulky Gully, near Brunnerton. There is a fair extent of drift, which would probably pay, though not very well, for sluicing. There is plenty of fall, but the bottom of blue marl dips south-west, so that as the face receded fall would be lost. (15/6/93) : At the point in the creek from which it was intended to lift the water, only about three sluice-heads were running. The line of the required race had not been surveyed ; but, after traversing the most of it, it was evident the expenditure would be too great for the small supply of water, even if a dam were constructed to allow nine sluice-heads per working-day. Argyle Water-race. —(9/3/94): Very frequent breaks have been taking place in the syphon in Ballarat Gully, the chief cause of which appears to have been the use of too thin plates for the piping in the first instance. About 600 ft. of this has been renewed with heavier pipes, leaving 1,200 ft. which requires renewal at the earliest opportunity ; for, although it had been repaired, and the syphon was in working order at the above date, a serious break might occur at any time. Nineteen miners receive water through this section of the race, and they complain of only a fortnight's work this year. (10/3/94): Much of the new part of the race, which has been constructed by the County Council from the Four-mile Creek, runs through limestone, and there is also a short distance through dark greensand, neither of which stand well. The blue marine beds and yellow sand, or sandstone, through which the rest of the race runs, are very good standing ground. 90 chains of galvanised-iron fiuming, which appears to serve the purpose well, have been constructed along the limestone, and more will require to be done at the numerous breaks caused by the action of the water on the calcareous and softer beds. The County Chairman was notified to provide an efficient by-wash at the dam, and lam informed it will be seen to. I also notified Mr. Butterworth, the owner of an adjoining dam, to have it strengthened, or the by-wash cut down. Licensed Holding. Grimmond and Davie's Application, Kanieri Forks. —(27/6/94) : This was for a licensed holding at Coal Creek, to be worked by hydraulic sluicing, and was objected to by the miners who were already working the adjoining ground. This holding was inspected in company with the Warden, Mr. McFarlano. The ground was described as patchy, and the private claims already working into the terrace would in time have to give up work if the full area were granted, and thus lose the benefits of a portion of their labour spent in bringing in water, and in other works. The Warden subsequently granted 20 instead of 30 acres, and this was refused by the applicants. This arrangement may be considered satisfactory. Messrs. Grimmond and Davie evidently know their own mind, and did not take what they did not want. The miners have now unrestricted scope for their workings, and the proposed company is saved from the unpleasantness of charges of monopolising the ground. I have, &c, N. D. Cochrane, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 9. Mr. Warden Steatfoed to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sik, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, 18th April, 1894. I have the honour to forward herewith the statistical returns, and to report upon the district under my charge, for the year ended the 31st March, 1894. The returns and report relating to the Inangahua division will be forwarded separately. Wainiea Valley. —The population has decreased to some extent within the past twelve months through death, but chiefly by engagements on the co-operative works with the Government. In Italians' and Callaghan's Gullies there has been much activity. A long drainage-tunnel (subsidised by Government) has been constructed. A large number of double-area claims have been granted, which are commanded by this tunnel, and as soon as they are connected with it, and drainage secured, good results will follow, and mining in this locality will in the near future be active. Around Goldsborough the old terraces and gullies—viz., Maori and German, Fitzhenry's Terrace, the Left-, Middle, and Bight-hand Branches of Waimea Creek, Greeks' Gully, Hatters', Bed Jack's, Fox's, and Stony Creek—still continue to be worked, and, though the population is reduced and the earnings not so large as formerly, still most of the miners are making a living, with sufficient inducement to remain where they are. Near Stafford. —There is a tunnel terrace, supplied with water from the Government race, where there are a large number of miners working, and though the richest of the ground has been wrought they still continue driving into the terrace, and are doing fairly well. At Liverpool Bill's and Humphry's Terrace there is a good population, and though the best of the old lead is worked out the miners continue operations, pushing further into the hill, and seem contented. No doubt the rate of wages earned is very much less than of old, but it is better than travelling to find (as many have done) that they have gone further and fared worse. The two largest special claims, Wheel of Fortune and Kaye's Terrace West, demand notice. The former has been purchased by Mr. Batehelor, upon which he has erected an elevator, now in full work. He employs about eight hands, and his success will be of advantage to the district. He has recently built a Very large dam, which will enable him to work in all kinds of weather, and I have reason to hope