WARDEN’S REPORT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 182, 6 May 1873, Page 7

WARDEN’S REPORT.

The following is the report of Mr Warden Simpson for the quarter ending March 31:— “ I have the honour to hand you the statistical returns for the quarter ending 31st March, 1873. The comparison with those of the previous quarter is not favourable : the gold escorted, the great criterion of the actual prosperity of a mining district, being little more than half that of the previous quarter. The chief reason is the continued dry weather. During the past four months, there has not been forty-eight hours’ rain. The frosts are now setting in, and I fear the effects will be still more prejudicial, not only to the mining but the pastoral interest also.. Already stock, particularly on the commons, begin to fall off. This is partly, perhaps, to be attributed to the want of proper regulations : first, as to who should run stock ; and second, the quantity each person so entitled ought to run. The only part of this district that has benefited from the dry season is the Ifevis, and from it the yield of gold lias been greater than for many previous years. Its altitude is the explanation of that. In the alluvial workings, which consist almost entirely of ground-sluicing, water as the main agent cannot be dispensed with, although mechanical means might be more resorted to for raising it from permanent sources. But lam astonished that in a dry district like this, steam is not more used in the quartz and other workings. Many of the reefs are undoubtedly payable, both at Garrick and Bendigo ; but it requires to be a very rich and extensive reef that will admit to be suspended from work for six months out of the twelve. I have no doubt that even at Bendigo, where fuel is not very convenient, steani would pav, particularly in the case of the Bendigo [? Cromwell] Company. . , . One good sign of the district is the fact that the unfavourable season has not sensibly diminished the population, notwithstanding ! \e absence of that great adjunct to a mining district, water. Nor have the miners lost their energy, as witness the efforts that are being made to overcome the want of a natural water supply, in bringing in to the Cromwell district the Garrick water race ; to the Clyde district the Ghatto Creek ; and to that of Alexandra the Gorge race, at an outlay in the total of not less than £20,000. All are

considered good speculations,—particularly the two first-mentioned.

The river Molyneux having fallen to a very low level, attention is being directed to dredging, and in particular to the best mode of overcoming the never-ceasing flow of tailings in that great tail-race. The pneumatic lube system has now been fairly tried, and I think may be said to be the best, enabling the miner to descend and make ocular ex-' urination of the bed of the river. The com-

any who have introduced’ this system Ihtvtf mlybaen moderately successful, owing principally to the small scale of their dredge, and o the want of some sort of iron fender across the bows of their punt to divert the stream )E tailings. So satisfied, however, are miners pith the system, that Hastie and Co., owners sf a river claim that proved very remunerative with the old spoon dredge, have given urders for a tubular dredge that will cost about £2OOO. The tubes are to be nine feet in diameter, so that if sufficient means are provided for the quick elevation of washdirt and diversion of tailings, it ought to be a success. Steam is to be the motive power, ss it is in that of the other company. Two diier dredging companies have been got up -one to use the steam harbour dredge, the other the submarine boat.

The following statistical information is appended to the report7o water-races, valued at £30,000 ; 00 tail-races, at £IO,OOO ; 22 lams, at £1500; and 200 to 250 ground sluices. Total population of district: 950 European and 500 Chines s alluvial miners, t ’i 150 European quartz miners. There are )0 mining companies in the district, and hese employ machinery of £50,000. The ■egisWed companies in the district number 15, fbose aggregate nominal capital is £IOB,IOO, ml paid up £41,700. The Garrick Water supply Company’s application for a Government subsidy has been approved, hut the -ouipauy has not received a subsidy.