REPORT OF GOLDFIELDS CUMMITTEE.

Dunstan Times, Volume 641, Issue 641, 31 July 1874, Page 2

REPORT OF GOLDFIELDS CUMMITTEE.

[Extracts from Daily Times Wellington Correspondent.]

mining rorui.ATio". Although the number of the mining population lias considerably decreased during 1873, the aggregate earnings have been largel i augmented. In the previous year the miners employed on the goldfields of the Colony were 22,335, whilst the recent census returns show the number at present engaged in mining pursuits is 18,142. But notwithstanding this reduction there has been an increase in the aggregate earnings of 59,907 oz. or in value of L25G,1G4. Comparing the average earnings of miners for the year 1572 with 1573, a striking difference is manifest in 1872. The average was L7G 10s 2d per head per annum. In the following year it had increased to LSS Os Gd, as compared with LlOl IGs 6d per head in 1871. From quartz 175,3770z. wore extracted ; from alluvial workings, 254,4850». were obtained. The contributions of the various Provinces from quartz mining were ns follows Thames, 114,lS0oz.; Coromandel, 1C,3070z.; Kelson, 20,0980z.; Otago, 14,9740r.; Marlborough, 48oz. I have been unable to ascertain the yield from every quartz mine in the Colony ; but with the data at my command, have approximated as closely as possible. It will bo seen in New Zealand, as in Australia, that quartz mines yield a greater return of gold per miner employed than alluvial. At the Thames, in the year ending 14c hj March, by tbe Warden’s return, 89,330 tons of quartz produced 184,8000z. of gold, affording an average of loz. odwt. Klgr. to the ton, which from the average from twenty-live companies on the goldfields is worth L2 14s G;|d per ounce, yielding per miner, per annum, L 174 IGs. At Coro- t mandcl, during the year ending March, 1873, 8,732 tons of quartz produced 1G,3050z., of the value of L‘!G,SOO, being equal to a yield of loz. 17dwL 7|gr. per ton, and to LUG per hea l per annum. In the Province of Nelson, 13,5CS tors of quartz yielded 20,5420z. of gold, value, L77,50S 21s Id, giving an average of loz. Idwt. 2gr. per ton, showing an amount per head per annum of L 122. In Dimstan district in Otago, 120 quartz miners were employed, producing 12,733ez. of gold, of the value of L 47,095, or L 291 per head per annum. The richness of the Cromwell Company's reef will account for Ihe large returns in this district. The alluvial miners earned—ln Ahaura, L7O; Okarita, LG7 ; Greymonth, LSI ; P.oss, L9O; Waimea, L2B 10a lOpl; Kanieri, LI4S 4s. Li Otago the results in different districts are also remarkable. Tuapeka averages 1.102 per annum ; Mount Ida, 1.47 ; at Switzers, L 52. All the Wardens complain of the scarcity of labour. PROSPECTS OP THE GOLDFIELDS. The perusal of the reports of Wardens and examination of tables included in the appendix will lead to the conclusion that there is no reason for anxiety as to the future prospects of the goldfields of the Colony. The time has no doubt passed for

easy alluvial workings, and the application of skilled labour and capital is necessary now in gold-mining as in other pursuits. In the gold-mining districts, large areas of ground considered not payable when worked 111 a general way, arc found to bo remunerative, and demand only a rounder system of hydraulic sluicing. Vvhi’st it is notorious that many square miles of auriferous country in both islands remain on tircly undeveloped, labor of all kinds at the pvo'enfc time is so highly paid that little inducement is held out to prospect the country for gold. Since the date to which my returns have been made up, there has been a stealyimorovo-

incut iu the yield from the Thames goldfield, magnificent veins of quartz having been struck in several of the mines. There

seems reason to believe that, so far from being worked out, as urns at one time apprebende 1, the quartz mines iu this district are only being opened up, and will afford interest upon tbo capital expended and remunerative labor to a large number of inincis for many years to come. C. E. ITaugiitox.

A Suitable Admonition.—Magistrates who wish to take lessons in “ suitable admonitions” (says the Pall Mall Gazettes) will find a few useful hints in the feeling observations addressed by a judge in Kansas, United States, to a prisoner the other day, reported in one o f the local papers Burnley, you infamous scoundrel, yon arc an unredeemed villain ! You haven’t a single redeeming trait in your character. Your wife and family wish we had sent yon to the penotentiary. This is the fifth time I have had you before me, you have put me to more real trouble than your neck is worth. I’ve exhorted and prayed over you long enough, you scoundrel. Just go home and take one glimpse of your family, and bo off in short order. Don't let us ever hear of you again. The grand jury have fount two oilier indictments against you ; hut I discharge you on your own recognisance, and if I catch you in this neck of woods to-morrow morning at daylight, 1 11 sock you right

square in goal, and pump you off to Jeffersonville in less than no time, you infernal scoundrel. If ever I catch you

crossing your lingers at a man, woman, or child—white man or nigger—l’ll sock you right square into the jug. Stand uu, you scoundrel, while 1 pass sentence on you.” The judge, while delivering this solemn charge to the prisoner, could hardly conceal his emotion, and there was scarcely a dry eye, among the audience in Court. Burnley himself seemed to bo least affected of all on the occasion.