WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2559, 1 May 1871, Page 3

WARDEN’S REPORT.

Mr Warden Beetham, under date April 25th, has forwarded a report from Queenstown and tlie Lakes to the Provincial Government from which wa gather the following facts :—The slight decrease in the yield of gold in February and March as compared with January, is owing to the extremely dry weather during summer anti autumn, in consequence water for sluicing purposes has been scarce. The population of the district has more than doubled during twelvemonths. It is now 670 against 309 last year. It is ehicliy apparent at the Arrow. Large areas of ground continue to be taken up under the Extended Claim llegulations, and the Warden is of opinion, that it the rent of in'iiiug lease areas was reduced, a largo increase would take place, because of affording a ready means of adjusting disputed boundaries, and security to the leaseholders during preliminary operations. The yield of gold lor three months, ending 31st March 1871, was 9<54 ozs. The quantity sent down by escort during the year, was 35,07-1 ozs., valued at L13t,529 adjust 22,203 ozs., worth 1.85,000 last year. J lu the President Magistrate’s Court, during the year 115 cases were beard ; in the Wardens Court 19 casus and 312 mining applications were decided. 45 acres 3r. Ip. were leased under the mining regulations ; 104 acres were granted in extended classes, and 2182 acres 3r. 11, under agricu.tural lease regulations. In the Queenstown division there are, alluvial miners, 701 Europeans, 414 Chinese ; quart zminers, 40 Europeans The mining machinery consists of 111 slu ces and toms, 3 water wheels, 29 hydraulic hoses, 20 pumps, 500 sluice boxes ; 1 quick-silver and compound cradle. In quartz mining -4 crushing machines, 59 stamp heads, 3 water wheels. The whole is valued at L24,03c, At the Arrow there are 500 Europeans, and 529 Chinese alluvial miners using 101 sluices and toms, 4 water wheels, 35 hydraulic hoses, 30 pumps, and 480 sluice boxes, Total value, L 12.012. Gold L 3 15s Od per ounce, Mr Warden llobinsou repsrts from Naseby under date April 26th Sluicing operations have extended at the Ilogburn, but more water is wanted as well as means of getting rid of the tailings. At Macrae's, work lias been stopped at the Luke of Edinburgh Company’s claim. Mr llobinsou does not feel competent to give a reason why, for it was always represented to him that sufficient stone was procurable, containing sufficient gold to leave a handsome profit. The claim and machinery arc for sale. He considers that it that claim should be profitably worked, Macrae’s would soon become an important quartz mining district. Matters are unchanged at Hamilton, Hyde, an 1 Bt. Bathan’s. The ground at Welshman’s Gully is worked in Jar 0 e claims under ndumg leases. Aew ground of good quadty is expected to be opened up at the Gorge, Manuherikia, but nothing deliuito is known. The works at the Otekaiki reef are nearly completed, and a quantity of likely looking quartz is on the ground ready fur ciushing. The water-races at the Marewehuna diggings are not yet completed, and it is not likely, without help, that there will be a sufficient supply for sluicing purposes for some time to come. The All .Nations Company, registered, are offering their race and water-rights, and claim, for sale. This is considered fortunate, as it affords opportunity for transferring them to hands able to carry tlum through. The Warden considers that the completion of this race only is needed to give an impetus to the mining industry of the district.