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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2781, 16 January 1872, Page 3

The Lake District. —Commenting on the gold returns for 1871, the Mail says : —January, 1871, opened with 4,444 ozs. ; December, 1871, closed with 43,800 ozs. During 'the winter months of April, May, June, and July, the escort fell under 3,000 ozs on three occasians. In September (spring) it rose to 3,400 ozs., audits progress has been steady since then, averaging 3,400 ozs. The total escort far this years is, in round numbers, 44,000 ozs. We are not this year going to point out the yields of gold from the several portions of the district. To specify Queenstown or Arrowtown gold means a rivalry. Both these centres are fed by the outlying districts. The returns from them are unobtainable. Besides, it is desirable that the Wakatip district should be known collectively and solely as one. The population who represent this yield of 44,00(1 ounces are 2730 Europeans and 1600 Chinese. Of these, about 1400 Chinese are miners, and of the Europeans, some 800. The Car* droua p >pulation is 400 Chinese, and SO Europeans. As the gold from that locality mainly finds its way by different sources to Groinw. 11 and elsewhere, it will be correct to strike off 300 persons. We may, therefore, take 1900 persons as procuring this yield of 44,0000z5., or at the rate per head of 23,) ozs of gold, valued £3 17s 6d, or equal to £B9 10s 6d. The yield does not, therefore present any promising ‘ features.' V(e are inclined to think that' th e population engaged ill mining is over-esti-mated.' Under any circumstances, the yield would not reach LIOO per miner. It is' evident, therefore, that a good deal of labour has been sunk during the year. We cannot account for the amount, or give to it any special designation. We cjmijess we are fairly puzzled, because it is apparent that the mining population arp well to do throughout the district. 'The only reason we can aasigu for this low return is that the miner is half gardener, sheep fanner, dairyman, or something' else, and docs not pursue his avocation so persistently as of yore. Still, the anomaly remains that, with increasing yields, tbe average per head has decreased.