WARDEN'S REPORT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 235, 1 August 1872, Page 6

WARDEN'S REPORT.

The following is the report of Mr Warden Borton (Teviot district) for the quarter ending June 30 :—

In forwarding my report for the quarter just ended, I have the honor to state that no changes of importance have taken place in the mining or agricultural interests of this district. It may be said generally that the past twelve months have been most trying to all classes. Following close upon the long summer drought, we have experienced the most severe winter which I have ever seen in Otago, after a lengthened residence of nearly twenty years. The majority of the claims have been lying idle for a more or less protracted period in consequence of the severe frosts, though in some cases where work had been possible the results have been highly satisfactory. I know of one party on the Clutha who are averaging L 2 per diem, and if they succeed in bottoming, they have good hopes of doing four times as much.

I am glad to state that the ground in the neighborhood of Bengerburn and Miller's Flat is turning out better than it has done for some years past, and that some parties are doing very well in that locality. So far as I have been able to ascertain, the claims in the high-lying parts of the districtCampbell's, Pohamaka, etc. — have been yielding very fairly, though of course the enforced idleness for so lengthened a period baa been a heavy drawback on the miners. A perceptibly increa ed de-ire to settle has been manifested during the quarter, as evidenced by the number of applications for agricultural leaseholds. If some really good laud were thrown open, I am of opinion the greater part would at once be taken up. The population is, I think, a little on the increase, and I would estimate the number at prtsenfc at from 1150 to 1200.

The statistics appended to the report state that the population of the district comprises 499 Europeans, and 167 Chinese, alluvial miners. There are 65 sluices and toms ; 19 water-wheels ; 22 pumps ; 1,615 sluice boxer, valued at L 23.960 ; 134 water-races, valued at L 16.620 ; 99 tail-races, valued at L 2.580 ; 7S dams, valued at L 3.290; and 8 ground sluices, valued at fj3S5. The number |of square miles actually worked upon is 42 ; aud the price realised for gold, L 3 163 per oz.