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Wakamarina Sub-district. —Worked principally by solitary miners, or by parties of two or three. In the Wakamarina Eiver one dredge has been at work for some time, but I have not heard the results. There is a good opening for dredging operations in the Wakamarina and Pelorus districts, but a better and more powerful class of dredge is required than those now at work. . I have, &c, J. Allen, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

Mr. Warden Heaps to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 29th May, 1900. With reference to your circular (No. 23) of the Bth March last. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual statistics for that part of the Karamea Mining District under my jurisdiction, together with a general report of the condition of the mining industry therein for the year ended the 31st March. 1900. Tadmor. Five or six miles of this river has been pegged off as prospecting areas with a view to dredging, and I hear that a party of capitalists have been in the district trying to buy the flats along where the river was worked some years ago. Wangapeka Eiver. It is reported that quite recently this river has been pegged off in prospecting areas to its junction with the Boiling Eiver, but those concerned have been advised by an expert who has since visited the locality that, in his opinion, the river is too shallow and rocky for the purpose of dredging, and it is unlikely that anything further will be done in the matter for the present. I have not heard whether the auriferous ground acquired by Mr. John Tinline is being worked, but Mr. Tinline is expected to be back in the colony shortly, when developments may be looked for. Motueka. The mineral license granted to the Asbestos Company, of Christchurch, mentioned in my last year's report, has been allowed to lapse, as two experts have, I understand, reported that there is not sufficient of the mineral in the locality to justify the great expense which would have to be incurred to develop the industry. A number of prospecting licenses have been applied for on the Motueka Eiver, with a view to testing its fitness for dredging, but they have not yet been consented to by the Hon. the Minister of Mines, pending learning the result of an application which has been made to have the river proclaimed a sludge-channel. Another attempt is being made to bring in the water from Lake Peel for the purpose of sluicing auriferous ground on the Mount Arthur Table-land. Takaka. Forty applications have been dealt with during the year. In the Takaka, Bubu, and Anatoki Eivers ten applications for dredging claims have been received ; four have been granted, four withdrawn, and two adjourned for survey. No work has yet been done on those granted. On the Anatoki six parties are engaged in sluicing. Jackson and party have just completed their water-race, and have started sluicing. The terrace they are working has been worked before, but from the prospects obtained the party is sanguine of being amply remunerated for their enterprise in bringing on the water. The bottom on this claim has never been worked, on account of its being lower than the river. To overcome this difficulty the party is erecting what is known as a " blow-up." On the other side of the river Morrison and party are bringing up a tail-race to work their special claim. The other parties on the river are working singly, and making small wages. On the Bubu I hear that Whelham has been doing well during the year, and has now sold out to a syndicate, which is expected to work this valuable freehold property on a larger scale. The difficulty has been a shortness of water during the summer months; but this last year he had granted to him the right to divert twenty heads of water from the right-hand branch of the Bubu Eiver, which, when the race is completed, will give a constant supply. Anderson and party are still bringing up their tail-race to work their claim. This has been a long job, as great difficulties have been met with on account of the rottenness of the ground. From what I hear, I am of the opinion that if this district was thoroughly prospected payable ground would be found in many places, especially in the Anatoki, where the gold is of a coarse nature, well water-worn, and associated with quartz. Collingwood. This is the most interesting and important part of my district. It is one of the oldest mining districts in the colony, but for some reason never seems to have developed in proportion to the extent of its undoubted richness in mineral wealth. It is not alone rich in gold, but iron, coal, and limestone are found in close proximity to each other in great abundance and with great facilities for working and shipping. Two mineral licenses have been applied for during the year, with a view to developing the iron deposits on a large scale.