DISTRICT SURVEYOR'S- REPORT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1115, 23 February 1872, Page 2

DISTRICT SURVEYOR'S- REPORT.

The following is a copy of Mr Browne, the Grey District' Surveyor's^ report for six months ended -31st December last :— purvey Office, Greymouth, ; December 31, 1871. Sir, — I haye the honor to forward a report of this for the^ half-year ending the 31st inst, aud as I only took charge on the 10th of August last, it-can scarcely be expected that I can speak of its progress and requirements in more than general terms, although I have endeavored to make myself thoroughly acquainted with every part — a matter of no small difficulty, in the absence of maps or any proper notes of reference — and as the many reports of my predecessors can be referred to for more detailed information of each particular gully and stream, I shall leave it for a future occasion to particularise every centre of populatio n . It-is quite evident that the settlement of the. district has progressed wonderfully within the last few years, and as this has taken place gradually, it is plain that its resources are very great, notwithstanding former doubts and forebodings. It is also plain, that the system of gold-work-ing, as carried on at present, must soon give way to a more systematic style. For here there is nothing like a combination of capital for gold-mining on a large seale — the construction of large races, &c— as-about the Totara district. Every little gully has its small parties of miners, having scarcely any water-supply, except the ' little that cau be saved by damming up the adjacent creeks, and they are consequently half their time idle. I must, however, state, in connection with water supply, that several extensive race 3 are now in course of construction by private companies, and the difficulties to be overcome are immense, when it is considered that some of the tunnels- are nearly 1800 ft long. But as these races will only command the country about the Nemona and the Limestone diggings, and the country in the lower New River district, it is quite evident that some scheme must soon be gone into for the supply of Maori Gully and the upper New River district. A reconnaissance survey having been already made by Mr O'Connor for this purpose, and his report having been favorable, it is hoped that, by the encouragement of the Government subsidy, a company may be induced to construct the high-level race, estimated to cost L 61,000. The .construction of such a work would tend very much to settle and develop - one of the oldest gold fields in the district. For, although a water supply for Maori Gully was considered an almost accomplished fact six years ago, comparatively nothing has been done in that direction up to the present time. The population of this part of the district is on. the increase, and many of the miners who left some time ago have come back again) which fact in itself is enough to show the great faith that experienced men have in the locality. I have no doubt that, all this country will, before long, be worked by hydraulic sluicing on a large scale, as ground far richer than that of Pounamu is to be had about this part of the district, with abundance of fall for the races, &c. At Pounamu the population is very settled and the country is worked with very fair results, and there may be seen the advantages of an {adequate water supply. In no part of the district has any attempt been made to work any of the deep ground, and with the exception [ of those claims worked .by tunnels; the workings are nearly all surface.

On the Stony Lead and along the coast there are some very rich claims ; and in connection with this part of the district I would point but the great drawback it will be to mining in that quarter if, as proposed, mining on the Railway Reserve should either be disallowed, or permitted only on ' the ' cbhditum : that ~ the miners restore the surface to its original level. For some years past miners have been' at work on different parts of it; and lately a great number of extended claims and leases haye been applied for on it, the granting of which 1 have strongly recommended, as I hold. that every assistance should be given by the Government to large parties of men , ; who spend six or : eight months in the construction- of tail--races to enable them to work the; ground. ; It is well known that the granting of large claims has been the means of developing the resources of many of the other districts, and of keeping a permanent population in the couh-. try, and I think, therefore, that the same policy ought to be pursued here, ands that large claims should be granted on; every reasonable opportunity ; but' to lockj up a strip of country like the Railway! Reserve, extending for, five, miles through! auriferous ground', when the . same can .be} profitably- worked, cannot be judicious. I As I -have already specially reported on the gold workings along said Reserve, % need say no more on the subject at pre-f sent. • : j The mining surveys applied for" iri the 'district during the last ' six months^ amount to twenty-one (21). Of these; one" was a special claim,one lease, 18 extended claims, and one ordinary survey, and were

distributed all through the district, as per accompanying schedule. The total areas of the extended claims amount to twentysix (26) acres. Nine agricultural leases were applied for, having a total area of six hundred and fifty (650) acres. As the proposed main road will open up a large district available.for agricultural purposes, I have no doubt all the land will be purchased which may be thrown open for sale, and I trust the very-vexed question'/ of the alienation of Crown land in this district will be settled very soon, when the men most interested .take a commonsense practical view of the matter, and are made better acquainted with the regulations for the letting arid disposal of it. Up ' to the present time since the uufortunatStony Lead difficulty, the selling of lan acre of land in the district is looked upon? as some new attempt to encroach on the^ rights of the miners, no matter where it may be situated. There are thousands of acres available for agriculture far away from mining all through the district, and it is to be hoped that a number of branch:? roads from the main line will be constructed to facilitate settlement and allow other country than that in the proximity of gold workings to be taken up. In anticipation of the main road being made, a quantity of land has been taken up in the vicinity of Greymouth, and as the supply of labor has been so small up to the present time, ib will be necessary either to have the survey of this land done. by con--tract right off, or a proper labor staff pro-, vided for the neat six months, .to enable); me to get all this done with the current ■ work of the. district. . If better provision; for labor is not made, the consequences will be serious, as already there are nearly fifteen hundred (1500) acres in rural and suburban land, as well as agricultural leases lying unsurveyed in the district. It is anything but encouragement to settle- ■. m'ent when small sections of ten acres are' left for-eight'iriorithsunsurveye'di and the ; unfortunate purchaser can scarce, make, any improvements, hot haying ius boundaries defined. Not only is the system of an r inadequate supply, for labor the means of, retarding^ settlement; but the complications m the way of surveys are fearfully increased, . and now a number of detached surveys through the district have to be rectified before adjoinmg; lands can belaid off. I was sorry to find that a map of the ,district, showing the surveys- of the last six years in condensed form and containing the information daily required by the public, was entirely wanting, and seeing the importance of this. part of Westland rapidly increasing, I hope proper assistance in the way of labor will be allowed me to make such connections of the old surveys as are requisite to enable me to prepare a district map as above referred to. As I have already laid before yon a system for the, general survey "of .the district, it is unnecessary for me now to go into particulars, but will confine myself to saying that everything is going on satisfactorily preparatory to the necessary field work/ ; ' ; - : vi! vi I cannot close this report without drawing your attention: to the state of the Survey Office, for -when: it rains heavily the water pours down as through a sieve, destroying maps and every tiling that may be on the table • and when it is fine weather the roof is so low that the heat makes it insufferable. Hitherto, it may have answered as an occasional office when a small plot was to be done, but since.it has been made a public office it will be necessary to make some additions and alterations/ the present accommodation being insufficient. lam, &c, J. It. Browne, ;-.•..!. District Surveyor.! ~ ' :: ■ ■ • - : " ' " • '"'-■--■■ „-, .!. r