WARDEN'S REPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 3801, 30 April 1875, Page 2

WARDEN'S REPORT.

Mr Warden Beetham (Queenstown) reports as follows for the year ending March 3lst last: — .. I have no discoveries to report in either alluvial or quartz mining. The year has been cuaractensed by a complete absence of excitement as far as prospecting is concerned. Operations (alluvial) have been confined .almost entirely to the development of claims borderihg the terraces on the banks of the Shotdver River and the more systematic working of the river bed. The two claims most worthy of notice belonging to the last-mentioned class are the New Channel and the Hibernian Co.’s claims, the Hibernian Company being -now in course of registration. The ground held by this company as a special claim comprises a large extent of the bed of the Shotover River lying at the foot of those rich terraces, on which is situated Hie shotover Company’s claim and other holdings of a similar character. The plant and ftttahuements for working the claim will be, when completed, of the best possible description. I here is little new <o report as to the quartzmining industry. Tho Nugget Company has increased its capital, and the manager contemplates operations of a more extensive and complete character. The old Hercules quartz claim has, believe, been taken up by this company, and I understand that it is intended to include the working of the ground in the contemplated operations of the comp.uiy. The Phoenix Company s ground and battery have been let .on tribute for a term of years, and the tcibuton are busily engaged in repairing the plant and brmgign stoneto grass. » The population has slightly decreased in oonsequence of the Palmer rush, and the progress of public works in other portions Of tile Province.

The total amount of ground held under agricultural lease in the district is 19,111 acres. The laud occupied under - deferred payments during the year is 502 acres. The land qindctly sold, not having keen previously held under lease ? is 1,084 acres. The crops throughout the district have been during the present season exceptionally good, both in quantity and quality, the harvest weather having' been all that-could be desired. It Is; hbwever, impossible to speculate upon the pnoes that will rule for grain in the absence of any practicable outlet to the coast. The completion of the Winton and Kingstown line of railway will enable growers and merchants to calculate with more certainty as to prices and, general -value ' of produce. The goldfields revenue collected in the distTqao'ißfmi t ? re \ ve months amount* to /ij i ■ t'elusive of sums reoeivedlrom th« re f«rred to. During ot 15,2070s was from the at L 3 16s per ounce, of J W,Wlm7d sterling.