WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 2872, 3 May 1872, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

The following is the report of Mr Warden Pyke (Tuapeka district) for the past quarter:— In forwarding the customary report for the quarter ending 31st March, 1872, I do myself the honor to remark that my present acquaintance with the district has been too brief to enable me to furnish any great amount of information as to its progress and present condition —a deficiency 'which 1 trust to remedy iu my next report. So far as I am now able to judge, the Tuapeka district seems to be in a gen-rally healthy and prosperous condition, though (in common with other districts), agricultural and mining pursuits have greatly suffered owing to the unusual drought of the season. The recently discovered quartz reefs in Gabriels are being energetically, and I am pleased to add—satisfactorily tested. I have been shown some very good payable stone from the workings of the “Gabriel’s Gully Company.” The Ta'de Hill Reefs are also bringing to jgrass very promising stone, and the old Waipori Reef is again in full work. I think this district is passing from the “alluvial” to t!ie more advanced “quartz” era. In the former, however, fresh sluicing ground is being constantly discovered, and the new races now in process of construction for the conveyance of water to previously unexplored localities, will, it is confidently anticipated assist in the development of new aud profitable gold workings. During the past quarter gold has been sent down by escort from all divisions of the district, as under : January, 4651 ozs. 4 dwts ; February, 2697 ozs. 4 dwts ; March 2557 ozs 3 dwts. ; making a total 9,903 ozs. 1 dwt. The preponderance in favor of the first month is of course due to the festive seasons of Christmas-tide and the new year. From the usual statistical tables we learn that there are 1080 European and 935 Chinese alluvial miners, and 105 European quartz miners in the district. The machinery comprises 25 water-wheels, 15 hydraulic hoses, 150 pumps, 3100 sluiceboxes, 190 cradles, 2 quartz crushing machines of 20 stamps, 2 water-wheels, 1 whim, and 2 whips, of the total value of L 5570. There are also 230 water-races, valued at L‘27,000 ; 170 dams, valued at L 800 0; aud 440 ground-sluices, valued at L 19,000. With the exception of Waipori gold, which only realises L 3 14s 6d, the gold fetches L 3 15s an oz.