D.—No. 40.

OE WESTLAND AND AUCKLAND.

13

Hohonu Water Eace. Length of Contour Line Length of Line finally -p.. , ~ „. as received, adopted. Distance as the crow flies. Head of Race to Duke's Terrace ... ... 5 miles 42 chains. 5 miles 23 chains. 3 miles 78 chains. Of the 5 miles 23 chains as above: — To deliver 47 Sluice Heads. 0 mile 49 chains = Fluming, average 10| feet in height, boxes ... 4' 6 x 2' 6" 1 „ 12 „ = Boxing laid in side cutting ... ... ... 4' 6" x 2' 6" At low side. 3 „ 42 „ = Ditching, size of cut ... ... ... ... 4' 9" x 3' 4" The total cost of the detailed survey, including plans, sections, estimates, tables of quantities' specifications, &c, = £247 12s. 4d.—that is £44 16s. 6d. per mile of line as finally adopted. £ s. d. The average price of Fluming throughout was ... ... 39 18 0 per chain „ Boxing „ 20 0 4 Ditching „ ... ... 4 14 10 Brooker and Company's Water Eace. This race is undertaken by the above party of miners for the purpose of washing the black sand on the beach between tracks H.D. and H.E., about four miles south of the Hokitika Eiver. It is being constructed to carry two Government heads of water, derived from a stream called Sandstone Creek, which runs into the Mahinapua Eiver on the east side. The total length of race will be two miles fifteen chains, of which fifty chains consists of fluming averaging eighty feet in height. The line has been levelled by Air. Murray, and a section with sizes of cut, boxing, &c, given to the promoters. Eoad from Arthur's Town and Hokitika to Eoss. Commencing on south side of Hokitika Eiver at the point selected for punt landing, the line for this road is laid out to meeting with Woolhouse's track, near Eoss. As will be seen from the plan herewith,* the proposed line lies on west side of, and adjacent to sft. track H.F., from Hokitika Eiver to the HO. track. From the junction of H.O. and H.F. it runs to a point on the H.B. line about 40 chains beyond the crossing of same, with H.P. Thence to the Totara it follows nearly the course of the H.B. track. On tho terrace overhanging the Hokitika Eiver, the road will reach an elevation of about 350 feet above the sea level; but throughout the remainder of its course the average height above the sea is about 250 feet, and the formation of the country is easy, with light timber. The steepest gradient necessary will be about one in ten. The average distance of the road from the sea will be — From Woodstock to Mahinapua Lake ... ... ... ... 3 miles From Mahinapua Lake to Eoss ... ... ... ... ... 2 ~ From Hokitika the connecting road will run from commencement of Hospital Eoad, on south side of river, to a point on the line above described, about 60 chains north of its crossing with H.A. track. The cost of a road, formed, gravelled, and drained, 10 feet wide, and cleared 33 feet wide, I estimate as follows :— From Woodstock to the Totara Eoad, W. Harvey's Creek ... 14i miles, £6,020 Connection from Hokitika to main road as above ... ... 2} „ £1,100 Total ... ... ... ... 16i miles, £7,120 If made from Hokitika alone, without connection with Woodstock, 14J miles, £6,470 Explanation oe the Country in the vicinity oe Taipo Eiver and Lake Brtjnner, with the view of ascertaining the locality and condition of the different gold working-8, and the most feasible eoutes thereto. With respect to the Taipo District, no further data relating to the workings have been obtainable since my report of 24th November last. The reconnaissance survey, however, has been extended, and a map, executed under your direction, has been issued to the public. The country and gold-workings to the north of Teremakau are shown upon the map sent herewith ; and the following notes relating to them may possibly be useful. Bell Hill workings are situated at foot of a low ridge about six miles N.E. of the N.E. corner of Lake Brunner ; some rich deposits have been found in the district, and the country for a considerable distance round Bell and Jones' Hills has been proved auriferous. Jones' Creek, shown on map, at its crossing with horse-track near Bell Hill, was the site of the Lake Brunner rush of 1865. The expectations formed of the place at that time have been proved fallacious, and the country, which was expected to be capable of supporting seven or eight hundred men, has only maintained about fifty or sixty ; but this number have made a good living, notwithstanding the great difficulties they have experienced in obtaining food. Immediately adjoining Bell Hill, the workings arc of such a nature that their continuance for a considerable time is almost a matter of certainty. The gold is deposited in a rock basin which forms * The plan illustrating this portion of the Report does not appear to have been forwarded. 4