d.—3.

Mr. George Walker continues to work his sluicing claim in the Maruia with good results, and a small rush took place to Eappahanock Creek in the same locality, but the ground is only large enough for but very few miners to get into.

Return of Mining Privileges granted by the Warden at Lyell for the Year ended 31st March, 1900.

I have, &c, Eobert Hawkins, Warden. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

Mr. Warden Macpablanb to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Hokitika, 31st May, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith the mining statistical returns for the year ending 31st March, together with my annual report on mining matters generally, in the district under my charge. Hokitika. The gold returns from this district for the year just ended would indicate that, although the number of men employed in this industry has not increased, the gold won is considerably in excess of that of last year ; consequently the men are being-better paid for their labour and investments, and this notwithstanding the many drawbacks they have to contend with in the shape oi want of water' and tailing-accommodation, pointedly referred to in my last year's report. This want is acutely felt by claimholders on Seddon's Terrace and Back Creek who were not fortunate enough to get shares in the syndicate who purchased Hendley and Co.'s races and dams. Those claims on Back Creek and Seddon's Terrace held by the owners of Hendley Eace are paying handsomely, but even they could utilise double the quantity of water to advantage.

138

Date of Grant. Name of Licensee. Privilege granted. Area. Where situated. 1899. April 26 July 13 Aug. 1 1 1 1 Sept. 14 Oct. 2 Nov. 9 9 9 1900. Jan. 11 „ 11 Mar. 8 8 8 Anril 26 May 18 „ 18 Four River Plain Gold-dredging Co. .. Robert Fleming James Cowan* Thomas Crumpton* Buller Dredges Co.* Percy N. Kingswellf William White William Robertson R. W. J. McNeill Edward Woolhouse John Gow Special dredging claim .. Prospecting license Special dredging claim .. Special sluicing claim .. Special dredging claim .. Prospecting license A. B. P. 97 2 0 100 0 0 64 0 0 70 2 21 61 0 27 49 2 0 20 0 0 47 1 20 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 Buller-Murchison. Matakitaki-Matakitaki. Buller-Murchison. Matakitaki-Murohison. Horse Terrace-Matakitaki. Matakitaki-Murohison. Matakitaki-Matakitaki. Charles A. Ulrich Special dredging claim .. 41 1 19 34 2 28 40 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 97 2 2 19 0 0 25 0 0 Buller-White's Point. Henry David Abbott Prospecting license Matakitaki-Murohison. Delia-Vedova and others Henry Forbes Budge William P. Smith Special sluicing claim .. Special dredging claim .. Prospecting license (quartz)f Special dredging claim .. Three-ohannel Flat. Buller-Inangahua Juno. Eight-mile-Lyell. , 18 ,, 18 July 13 Aug. 1 1 1 . 1 1 Sept. 14 , 14 Oct. 2 2 2 Nov. 9 9 9 9 9 9 Jan. 11 „ 11 . 11 „ 11 . 11 „ 11 . 11 „ 11 ,, 11 Alfred Smith Thomas Joseph Malloy Percy N. Kingswell J. H. McKay Robert W. Shallorass Henry Forbes Budge Alpine Extended Gold-mining Co.J .. + 20 0 0 20 0 0 8 0 0 83 1 25 56 1 22 62 2 39 96 3 28 57 3 32 20 0 0 18 0 0 59 0 0 88 3 33 35 3 20 25 0 0 80 0 0 65 0 0 60 0 0 80 0 0 15 0 0 100 0 0 52 2 20 60 2 0 35 2 0 47 1 0 64 3 1 51 0 0 98 3 0 20 0 0 Buller-" Berlins." Buller-Three-channel Flat Buller-Inangahua June. Buller-Old Diggings. Buller-Inangahua June. Lyell. Special quartz claim James Stevenson James H. MoKay Mokoia Gold-dredging Co. Consolidated Gold-dredging Co. Thomas Hubert Lee Thomas Joseph Malloy Thomas Hubert Lee George Walker James H. McKay Thomas Hubert Lee Frederick Feddersen Rocklands Beach Gold-dredging Co. .. Hans C. Hansen Albert Cedarman Elizabeth D. Feddersen Frederick C. Feddersen Thomas J. Malloy Alfred Smith George Walker Thomas Foster Special dredging claim .. Buller-Inangahua June. Buller-Three-ohannel Flat Prospecting license Buller-" Berlins." Inangahua-Inangahua Jn. Buller-Rocklands. Buller-Inangahua June. Buller-Lyell. Special dredging claim .. Buller-Rocklands Buller-Three-channel Flat Buller-Lyell! Buller-" Berlins." Prospecting license Buller-Rocklands. Lyell Creek-Lyell. * Surrendered. f Cancelled. t Exchanged title only.