WESTLAND GOLDFIELDS.

Kumara Times, Issue 3031, 21 July 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND GOLDFIELDS.

WAIMEA-KUMARA WATER-RACES AND SLUDGE-CHANNELS. THE MANAGER’S ANNUAL REPORT. Mr J. Dand, to the Under-Secretary op Mines. Sir —l have the honour to forward the annual report and tables showing nsult of working the Waimea-Kum-ara Water-race and Sludge-channel for the twelve months ending 31st March 1886. CD » WAIMEA RACE. There has been a slight falling-off in the number of miners using water from this race during the year, the avoiage number supplied being 107 * but the sales of water ate fully°up to that of the year previous. No new ground has been opened up during this year, and, considering t]ie repeated (rials made along the line of race in the past, the future prospects of payable ground of any extent being discovered does not seem hopeful; but many of the claims now held will take several years to work out, and, although the earnings of the miner appear to be a U tie less than they were, I do not anticipate any further redaction in the number of men employed for some time. The race is in fair working order, t ie tunnel having been thoroughly examined and retimbered where required, and trestle-legs of flumes lenewed where found decayed, A number of legs in the Kawhaka flumes were renewed during the Christmas holidays, and a considerable number of the old legs still remaining will require to bo, replaced from time to time until all ihose that show any decay are removed; but, as I have now a good supply on hand for that purpose, this work can be accomplished at such

times as will not interfere with the working of the race. KUMARA RACE. The tunnel part of this race is now being enlarged, and when this work is completed it will greatly increase its carrying capacity. From ninety-six to a hundred beads of water are in daily use, and with increased channel-accom-modation a larger quantity will be required. Forty-one sluicing parties are supplied with water, who take from six to ten heads each, in shifts of three hours each per day of twelve hours, being divided into four shifts of three hours each, to admit of all parties being equally supplied. There has been no reduction in the number of parties using water from the race during the year, nor is there likely to be for some time; but a less number of men is now employed than formerly, the average number for the year being 236. With very few exceptions the whole of the claims are yielding fair returns to the shareholders, who are satisfied with the result of their washings, and speak hopefully of the future prospects. SLUDGE-CHANNEL. The channel is in good repair, and working satisfactorily, and has accommodated thirty parties running tailings into it throughout the year; but, as the construction of No. 2 channel will be finished within two months, the number of parties now using the present channel will then be reduced by fully one-third. This will allow the parties working under the new regulations in the old channel, that had previously been allowed from four to five shifts each week, to work full time. The thirty claims now using the channel are represented hy 160 men instead of by 168, as in previous year. The cause of this is that odd shareholders sell out to the party, and by doing so reduce the number of men in each claim, as after a claim is opened up only a limited number of men can be profitably employed. By the number of parlies using the present channel being reduced, this will be a saving to the Government in the cost of channelmaintenance, as the parties interested in the construction, and whe are to use the second channel, undertake to maintain aud supervise it at their own cost. The present sludge-channel has been used twelve hours each day; but, if water be available to admit of both channels being worked at the same time with full shifts, the working-hours can be reduced to nine, making three shifts of three hours each day, in place of four, which would answer all parties during the winter months, when the days are short. Complaints were made last winter by the first and last-shift men—and with some degree of reason—that the short days did not afford sufficient light to work safely. Paving Channel.— The greatest part of the main chaunel is now paved with stone blocks, which answer the purpose better than wood where there is constant wear. They are not so smooth when first put in as wood; but do uot get so easily out of order, and will last over twelve months with a little patching. Suitable stones are not so plentiful as when first used ; but a sufficient supply has a 1 ways been obtained to meet the requirements. The first cost of stone is greater, and it is more expensive to move about than wood blocks 14in. deep, which are used for paving the different branches. They are lighter to handle than stone, and as one branch gets worked out of fall they can be lifted and used in another branch until they are worn out. Taiungs-site. —The extension of the several branches of the channel has filled up the tailings-site rapidly of late, and forced the Teremakau Riverchannel hard up against the north bank of the stream; but, with frequent freshes in the river to effect a scour to keep the channel clear, and by utilizing the vacant ground at disposal, a sufficient space for tailings may be obtained to last for some time. THE DAMS, The carrying-capacity of the dams is equal to a month’s supply. The lower dam was emptied during the dry weather, and found in good order. Loopline Dam.—During the lime of the recent flood this dam baa shown a weakness at the outlet-box through the embankment, hut has now been repaired and strengthened. Herewith please find tables showing the revenue aud expenditure on account of the Wairnea-Kumara Race and Sludge-channel, maintained by the Government, from the Ist April, 1885, to the 31at March, 1886; also, the number of men employed by the races, their average earnings (approximately), and the quantity of gold obtained by them after deducting water-charges. I have, &c., James Dand, Manager Water-races. Jiumara, 21st Ayril } 1886.

The following statement shows the receipts and expenditure on mainlenance of the Waimea and Kumara Water-races and Sludge-channel for the year 1886, togerher wi'h the number of miners employed and the approximate amount of gold obtained : Receipts, £14,498 7s 2d ; expenditure (maintenance), £8,802 10s 6d \ number of men employed, 343 j approximate amount of gold obtained, 17,376i0z5.; value, £66,029 15s. Return showing the Revenue and Expenditure on account of Constructed Water-races maintained by the Government, from Ist April 1885, to 31st March, 1886. : ■

Statement showing the Revenue of the Goldfields collected in the Districts of Kujiara, Stafford, Goldsborouoh, and Greenstone, for the Period from the Ist January to the 31st March, 1886. ’

I Statement showing the Gold Duty of the Colony of New Zealand for the Period from the Ist January to the 31st December, 1885, in the undermenntioned Provincial Districts. £ s. d. Auckland 4603 0 0 Wellington 200 Nelson 2140 0 0 Marlborough 54 0 0 Westland 9306 0 0 Otago 7136 0 0

Name of Race. Revenue. Expenditure. Balance due Water sold. Actual Receipts. Water Account. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Nelson Creek 1,073 14 2 1,073 14 2 1,104 13 4 Waimea-Kumara... 11,579 12 8 12,132 5 11 2,586 17 61 2,623 5 7 Kumara Sludge-channel... 2,189 18 7 2,366 1 3 6,215 13 0) Argyle Mikonui ... 435 2 8 100 0 0 435 2 8 100 0 0 391 17 8

Rights, Privileges, &c. Kumara. Stafford. Goldsborough. Greenstone. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Miners’ rights 117 0 0 37 0 0 44 0 0 41 0 0 Business licenses 8 0 0 3 0 0 Water-races, sluices, &c. 0 7 6 2 12 6 5 17 6 0 7 6 Gold-mining leases, rents, and royalties 24 7 6 2 4 0. ... 5 11 3 Registration ... ... 2 4 0 0 15 0 4 4 0 1 7 0 Fees and fines, Warden’s Courts 1 17 0 0 5 0 4 7 0 1 3 0 Miscellaneous 0 10 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 Totals £154 6 0 £43 16 6 £58 9 6 | £52 8 9