WARDEN'S REPORT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 228, 13 June 1872, Page 5

WARDEN'S REPORT.

The following is the report of Mr Warden Rogers, Orepuki, for the quarter ending 31st March :— There has been a slight increase in the number of European miners, but a decrease in the Chinese. This has been occasioned by the fraud of one of the managing men, who, besides manufacturing spurious gold, has left all his empleyed men destitute of stores, and without their wages. The' few Chinese who remain expect an addition to their number but it will not be material, as the difficulty o* the road from TUverton deters them. The yield of geld during the last quarter will be very low, iv consequence of the dry weather. Many parties have had to knock off altogether, and nearly all have been reduced to half time. The same want of water has retarded the sludge-channel, which is a matter of the greatest importance here, as all the lower known auriferous ground is closed from work by the want of fall and accumulation of sludge in the Tau Noa Creek. Three races of an average of eight miles each ape being brought in. These will add about eighteen heads to the present water supply, and, in connection with the sludgechannel, will largely increase the returns from this district. All the creeks are now taken up within this basin of the ranges, and we must look for any further supply to the Waiau and Orawea from the north-east, and the Pura Pura Kino to the south. These will be works of a most expensive kind ; and although it is known that thn lnrge extent of auriferous ground warrants such enterprises, yet the population is too small at present to induce the formation of companies for such purposes. No parties have hitherto availed themselves of the power to borrow under the Public Works Act, the works here, although extensive, being limited to an amount, say LISOO in cost, and at this limit the assistance is not desirable. I beg to direct your attention to the necessity of repair of the bridge's on the road from Riverton. They are dangerous now ; and in the winter, unless repaired, the road ' will often be impassable.

The mining population of the district comprises 153 Europeans and 17 Chinese. The machinery employed, comprises 21 hydraulic hoses and 31 sluice boxes of the approximate value of L 25- The price of gold ranges from L 3 14s 6d to L 3 16s per oj«. There are 50 water races valued at L 5,30 0; 60 tail races, value L 3,500; and 24 dams, value LllO.

Judge Ward's Appointment. — It is currently rumored in town that Mr Macassey has issued a writ against Judge Ward for an allege/1 libel in the Timaru herald. That paper, i,t will be remembered, a little back published a strongly worded article on Mr Macassey's action in the Provincial Council in reference to Judge Ward's appointment ; and it is supposed that Mr Maccassey regards Judge Ward as the writer. — Star. Fiji. — The young community of Fiji is just now exhibiting an extraordinary amount of vitality of a mischievous nature. Some party called the " Mutuals " maintain a hostile position to the established order of things. They have taken the cutter Volunteer—lately sold by order of the court— from the police, to prevent her sailing until a man of war arrives. The Burt party are also arming a large number of neutrals, fearing bloodshed, and a notice has been furnished that they will oppose the side first commencing hostilities. Dr Reilly, a well-known medico, ii appears has been assaulted, besides having received a threatening letter from one signing himself "Hell Fire Jack," secretary of the Vigilance Committeo, |