WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2588, 3 June 1871, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

The following is the quarterly report of Mr Warden (Dunstan district): — “ Sin, —I have the honor to report respecting tho progress and condition of the Dunstan district during the quarter ending 31st March, as follows : Generally, the entire district has been steadily prosperous, as is demonstrated by the escort returns, hereinafter quoted. In tho Clyde division, dredging and lankslnicing have been carried on with but slight interruption and with very fair results. There is not any limit to the latter, except the scantiness of the water-supply. In connection with which subject, 1 may refer to the immense advantage which would accrue if the abundant waters of the Molyneux river were lifted for sluicing purposes—to which end I would urge the erection of one of Thomson’s water-raising machines. I may mention that the highest level of the bank above the river in the vicinity of proved auriferous ground has been ascertained by the District Surveyor (Mr Arthur) to be 82 feet. In the Alexandra division, new ground has been opened at the junction of the Earuscleugb, or Fraser River, with the Molyneux, and good prospects have been obtained, A mining lease for ten acres of land in the vicinity of the old camp has also been applied for and granted in the Warden’s Court. And at Tucker’s Hill, the ground formerly occupied by the now defunct “ Hose, Thistle, and .-hamrock Comp my,” has been re-applied for by sumo of tho original shareholders—evincing, at lea-it, their faith in the gro md. At Blacks, the most noteworthy subject of comment is the workings of the Ida Valley Deep Lead Company, who continue to obtain very good wash-dirt. There cannot be any doubt vh it they have struck a rich “ patch,” and probably there are many other patches equally auriferous in the local.ty. Tire Cr unwell division continues to hold its own. Some new reefs have been reported as discovered at thcCarrick Ranges, and some good ciushings therefrom have been obtained. The coming season, however, is not favorable to this branch of mining, as the waters will be, if not altogether frozen, much too cold to permit of the extraction of gold from the stone. Population : —A census having recently been taken, I omit the usual approximate return, pending the publicatioj of the returns. Yield of Gold: During the quarter gold as under has been forward e I by escort to Dunedin Cromwell, 5,212 ozs. 17 dwts ; Clyde, 2,762 ozs ; Blacks, 2,547 ozs. 1 dwt. ; Alexandra, 2,209 oz\ Total for quarter, 12,730 ozs. 11 dwts., Ie ng at the rate of about 50,000 ounces per annum.” Frcm the statistical tables appended to the report we learn that there are 850 European alluvial miners ; 550 Chinese do do ; and 15’J European quartz mineis in the district. The machinery employed comprises a whip, 5 wato -weels, 6 hydraulic hoses, 5 pumps, 72 sluice boxes, 2 quartz-crushing machines, of 15 stamp heads, and 2 waterwheels, of the aggregate value of L.30,000. There are 19 water-races giving 342 sluice heads, the construction of which cost over L 70,000, the present value be : ng L 40,250 ;15 tailraces, value LI 1,125 ; and 27 dams, valued at L 1,690. The price of gold is from L 3 12s to L 3 16s.