THE WARDEN'S REPORT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 4 August 1870, Page 6

THE WARDEN'S REPORT.

We cull the following interesting facts from Mr. Warden Simpson's quarterly report : —

Of the ground that has been opened up during the quarter, I would mention the claim of Mr. George Coomb, on a spur at the head of the Manuka Creek Gorge, Glenore. Some twelve mouths ago, Mr. Coomb and others sunk several shafts on this spur to a depth of 40 feet before striking the reef, and for the whole of that distance the sinking was through a wash of quartz sand, with gold payably distributed from top to. bottom. A race was subsequently constructed, and water brought from a distance of 20 miles, and now the ground may be said to be fairly opened. The ground, however, presents a different appearance from what was anticipated ; the quartz sand is found to be stratified with thick bands of hard conglomerate or cement of varied thickness, and unyielding to water or even the pick, rendering blasting necessary. These layers of cement render the claim much more difficult to work, but as gold is distributed through this cement, it will not be less payable it is thought. Mr. Coomb works the claim so far as possible with the hydraulic hose, and with a view of pounding up the cement as much as possible before sending it through tho ground sluice, he purposes erecting a small battery a short way down the ground sluice. It is surprising to every one that something of the sort has not been, tried on the Blue Spur, where tons of cement go through the ground sluices in a half disintegrated state. The great danger in the working of Mr. Coomb's ground, is the surface conglomerate boulders that keep falling in. So far as an opinion can be formed, the ground is believed to be payable, but until the sluice is washed up, which will not be for some months, no positive opinion can be given. If favourable, and water can be obtained, a large area of ground will be opened up in this neighbourhood. The amount of revenue collected in the Tuapeka district during th quarter ended on the 30th June, was as follows : — Goklfielda revenuo, £1385 14s 7d;

Judicial do, £45 7s 6; total, £1431 2s Id. The total number of cases, &c, heard in the different courts during the quarter was 239, which is made up as follows :—ln: — In the Resident Magistrate's Court, 90 (54 being civil and 36 criminal) ; in the Warden's Court, 16 ; applications mado to the Warden under mining regulations, 120, of which 28 were disputed ; applications made under the agricultural lease regulations, 10 ; applications made under the mining lease regulations, 3, 1 of which was disputed. The total number of miners in the district is 1352, of whom 1012 are Europeans, and 350 Chinese. 12 miners only, all Europeans, are engaged in quartz mining, the remainder being all alluvial miners. The machinery used by the alluvial miners is as follows : — 1 turbine wheel and machinery for raising water, worth say, £200 ; 2 whims and pulleys, 26 water wheels. 12 hydraulic hoses, 100 pumps, 2500 sluice-boxes, and 40 quicksilver and compound cradles, valued at £3200. The quartz miners employ 1 steam-engine of six-horse power, 2 crushing machines, 18 stamp heads, 2 water-wheels, and 1 whim and pulley, valued at £1205. Besides the foregoing there are 200 head water races, of a total length of 600 miles, valued at £24,000 ; 410 ground sluices and tail races, of a total length of 2100 chains, valued at £16,800 ; 150 reservoirs and dams, valued at £6000 ; 400 sluice heads of water used (40 inches to a head) valued at £12,000; value of blasting powder used, six tons, £480. The approximate value of all the mining plant and machinery in the district, therefore, is £63,880. On a rough estimate from 4 to 5 square miles of auriferous ground are being mined upon, but about 12 square miles have been turned over from first to last. The present price of gold ia £3 15s per ounce, and during the quarter gold lias been " escorted " by the Banks as follows :—: — ozs. dwts. grs. From Lawrence 3,925 10 19 Waipori 1,795 4 6 Waitahuna 1,243 18 8 Tokomairiro 425 7 9 Total 7,390 0 0 The average weekly rate of wages for miners in the district is £3.