D;— No. 4C.

12

REPORTS ON THE GOLD EIELDS

The population at' the Blue Spur remains pretty much the same, and steady profitable work is going on there, with every prospect of continuing for some time. A few parties are still employed up the Arahura, and some prospecting has been going on in that direction, but with what success I have not heard. On tho whole I am justified in stating that this district is steadily improving; and should the efforts of the various parties out prospecting meet with success, there are reasonable grounds for believing that an increased prosperity will be attained during the current six months. I have, &c, The Chairman of the County Council, Hokitika. J. Aylmer, Warden.

Enclosure 7 in No. 2. REPORT BY COUNTY ENGINEER. Sir,— Hokitika, 31st December, 1869. I have the honor to report that during the last six months I have been engaged upon the different works, surveys, and explorations as below described : —- Completion of survey and drawings of the Mikonui Water Eace. Completion of survey and drawings of the Kanieri Water Eace. Superintendence of construction of Hohonu Water Eace. Exploration and survey of line of road Hokitika to Eoss. Detail survey of Eace line from Sandstone Creek to Beach. Reconnaissance survey and map of tho Taipo and Lake Brunner Districts, with estimate of feasible track, &c. Direction of works in progress from Hokitika to Arahura. Various matters of routine in connection with the above, and other items more minutely described in statement of expenditure. Detailed descriptions of some of the above are hereto attached, together with map of the districts explored, and surveys of the roads as laid out; also a statement of cost of each item. Malcolm Eraser, Esq., Chief Surveyor, Hokitika. C, W. O'Connor, OE.

Mikonui Water I ACE. The following results of the det: ■ough estimates of quantities, and in s ail survey of this Bai limilar cases: — :e are given as a gui< ie to the formation o: Length of Contour Line following round Spurs. Length of proposed Race as curtailed by Tunnels. Distance as the crow flies. of race to end of contour line near German Gully ... 25 miles 04 chains. 18 miles 40 chains. 9 miles 40 chains. Of the 18 miles 40 chains as above:— Pot 40 Sluice Heads, 1 mile 8 chains = Fluming, average 18-J- feet in height with boxes ... 4' 8" x 2' 6" 8 „ 35 „ = Boxing laid in side cutting ... ... ... 4/ 8" x 2' 6" 2 „ 68 „ = Tunnelling ... ... ... ... ... 5' 0" x 3'0" At low side. 2 „ 9 „ = Ditching ... ... ... ... ... 4' 8" x 3' 3" The total cost of the detail survey, including preparation of plans, sections, estimates, &c, was 3994 2s. 3d. = £38 10s. 8d. per mile of contour line, or £53 14s. 8d. per mile of line, as finally .dopted. Kanieri Water Eace. Eesult of the detail survey given for tho same purpose as above :—- Length of Contour Line as run round Spurs. Length of proposed Race as curtailed by Tunnels. Distance as the crow flies. [anieri Lake to Big Paddock !ig Paddock to Blue Spur ... 17 miles 0 chains 4 miles 0 chains 13 miles 3 chains 1 mile 71 chains 7 miles 70 chains. 1 mile 20 chains. Total 21 mile3 0 chains 14 miles 74 chains 9 miles 10 chains. Of the 14 miles 74 chains as above: — For 40 sluice Heads. 1 mile 32 chains = Fluming, average height 17 feet with boxes ... 4' 2" x 2' 6'' 2 „ 67 „ = Boxing laid inside cutting ... ... ... 4' 2" x 2' 6'' 1 „ 40 „ = Tunnelling ... ... ... ... ... 5' 0" x 3' 0" At low side. 9 „ 15 „ == Ditching ... ... ... ... ... 4' 2" x 3' 3" The cost of the detailed survey, including preparation of plans, sections, tables of quantities, &c., was £607 18s. 7d. The estimated value of the original trial line in' facilitating survey was £250, in all £807 18s. 7d = £40 17s. Id. per mile of contour line, or £57 9s. 7d. per mile of line as finally adopted.