WARDEN'S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2775, 9 January 1872, Page 2

WARDEN'S REPORT.

Mr Warden Barton (Roxburgh district), writing understate the 3rd ins);., says ; 1 have the honor to report that the long continued dry weather is beginning to tell rather severely on all classes of the population ; the races of the miners are getting low, and disputes are now and again cropping up as the ownership of small springs, which arc now eagerly sought after for irrigation purposes The find of gold oh the river bank claims continues remarkably steady ; and some very' rich, patches have been struck at the White Comb and-Waikaia —these latter places seem to be increasing in favor with the miners, and a large accession to the population has taken place this spring, chiefly, I believe, from the surrounding districts. lam glad t<i lie able to report the discovery of a valuable limestone, just to the south of the township of Box-, burgh. A few tons have been burned, and all competent judges who have as yet seen it pronounce it lar superior to any yet discovered in the Province. Should the Government grant a lease of the property to the fortunate discoverers, I anticipate the new industry will not only benefit the proprietors, but the 1 district- at large.’" Farmers are beginning to complain that the crops are rapidly spoiling, and I am very sorry to notice one crop after another already changing colour, although as yet scarcely in ear. Such a long continuance of hot, parching gafei, raij),' 'has riot be§u' ■before m jthis'distriep- ‘ ' The statistical tables appended to the report show that the population of the district is 680, comprising 533 European and 147 Chinese alluvial miners. The machinery employed in alluvial mining consists of 59 sluices and toms, 20 water-wheels, 23 pumps, and I44(j‘sluice-boxes, the aggregate value of wnioli is at The number: of square miles actually mined ig 414, and the value of gold L 3 15s per 03. There are 128 water-races, valued at 1A3, 630 ; 9-2 tailraces, valued at L 2480 ; 72 dams, valued at L 298 5; and 8 ground sluices, valued at L 385. (