WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2549, 19 April 1871, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

Mr Warden Horton, writing from Roxburgh under date A jail 11, says : I have the honor to report that, during the last quarter, this district lias been visited by that terrible scourge—scarlet fever. About fourteen or fifteen persons have been attacked, aud three deaths (all children) have taken place. I am glad to bo able to state that the disease seems now to he (lying out, and I am in hopes that, if proper precautions are used, the coming winter will eradicate it altogether. ,Since my last report the “ Hercules ” Water Pace Company' have been vigorously prosecuting their work under every disadvantage, both in regard to the ground through which they are taking the race, and also the road over which they are obliged to convey their timber, &c. The company anticipate a completion of their labor in a few months time, but I d.mbt thorn being in a position to avail ot the probable low state of the river dining the coming season. The crops iu this district have all been bar*

vested in capital condition, and the yield, on the average, is better than in most of the down-country districts. Considerable interest is still evinced by all glasses, in the throwing open of blocks -for .settlement under the Agricultural Leasing Regulations, and the choice parts of the land so opened are applied for almost as soon as declared opened. The popaV ion still remains steady, at about a thousand ; but probably a considerable number of Chinese will shortly anive from other districts to cradle along the banks of the river.

The population is estimated as follows ; Europeans engaged in alluvial mining, 300 ; Chinese, 144, The machinery employed is 22 sluices and toms, 20 waterwheels, 24 pumps, and 1030 sluice boxes, valued at L 23.390. The number of square miles worked is 43. There are 111 water races, sup-ply-ing 242 sluice heads, whi di cost Lib,ooo, and which are valued at LI 3, Sob ; S3 tail races costing L 2555, which are va’ued at 1.27.1b ; 50 dams, the cost < f which was L 3050, and the present estimated value, L 310.1 ; 8 ground sluices, costing L 330, an<l valued at 1-370. The prices of provisions are low : beef, 4UI; mutton, pork, fid; bread, 3d per lb. Other goods are obtainable at reasonable rates, milk being fid per quart; sugar, 7d; tea, 3s fid ; rice, 4d ; butter, Is 9d; cheese, Is per lb. Wages, L 3 per week.