OE WESTLAND AND AUCKLAND.

15

D.—No. 40.

Enclosure 8 in No. 2. GREY DISTRICT. Sir, — Warden's Office, Greymouth, 31st December, 1869. I have the honor to transmit for your information the following report on that portion of the Grey District under my charge. On the South Beach the lead of gold has been traced from the Stony Head northward to the South Town Belt, and south to the Saltwater Creek, and thence along the old lagoon head towards the New Eiver. The greater portion of this ground is taken up and held as extended claims, varying from half an acre to three acres. The lead is from fifteen to twenty-three feet deep, and large tunnel tail races have to be constructed to drain and work the ground. In some instances two or three adjoining claims have amalgamated to construct one tunnel to their claims, which expedites the work, and is a saving of labour to all concerned. Several of these tunnels, which are from 500 to 1,000 feet in length, have been completed, and the owners are in full work in their claims, with very fair prospects. The heavy rain in October did considerable damage to these tunnels, especially that of the All Nations, and the branch tunnels of the Homeward Bound and ; but the shareholders set to work, and after six weeks' labour, have repaired damages, and cut a race to take off the storm water. In the Arnold District mining operations have been steady, and gold has been struck in the neighbourhood of the Stillwater Creek, which has caused a slight increase in the population there. Pigon and party are pushing on with their tunnel, 3,000 feet in length. They are within 500 feet of their claim, which is a special claim of five acres, granted under clause 12 of " The Gold Fields Act, L 566." A monthly Court is held at Maori Gully, and the constable in charge issues notices of application for registration ; and when the time for posting has duly expired, he forwards them by post to Greymouth, where the registration certificates are prepared and returned by next post, which is a great saving of expense and loss of time to the miners in outlying gullies. The road from the Coal Mine to Maori Gully has been completed, except the bridge over the Stillwater Creek, which is now in course of construction. By the completion of this road freight on goods has been reduced from £14 to £9 per ton; the goods being landed at the Stillwater, and carted from thence to Maori Gully. About Eutherglen and Welshman's Terrace there are some parties working the shallow ground; but the difficulty of obtaining water is a serious drawback to the better working of this ground. The company formed to work the lease of ten acres on the South Beach have been unfortunate, and are about to be wound up. In October a movement was made to re-form the company to work the coal mines and construct the railway thereto, but up to the present date no definite arrangements have been made; but negotiations are now pending for the formation of this company, which I. believe will be successful. Hamilton and Co.'s tramway is now open for traffic from Paroa to Marsden, and in conjunction with Kilgour's tramway from Greymouth. The carriage of goods has been very considerably reduced. I estimate the population roughly at 3,300, as follows : —Greymouth, 2,000 ; South Beach, 600; Saltwater Creek, Eutherglen, 150.; Arnold, 550 —total, 3,300. The revenue from all sources for the six months amounts to £1,947 45., and during the same period forty-two cases were disposed of in the Wardens' Courts at Greymouth and Arnold, and 641 certificates of registration were issued, viz.: —39 extended claims ; 82 head races; 72 dams ; 54 tail races ; 394 transfers, renewals, &c. During the past four months the weather has been remarkably dry, and there has been a total absence of freshes in the large rivers, which have been usual at this season of the year. The great scarcity of water all over the district has greatly retarded the operations of the miners, who have, in many instances, been obliged to stack their wash-dirt for two and three months. Herewith is attached a list of the retail prices at Greymouth, Arnold, Eutherglen, and Marsden, and also a return of gold exported from Greymouth for the six months, ending 31st December, 1869. I have, &c, The Chairman, County Council, Westland. W. H. Eevell, Warden.

List of Eetail P: ticES in the Grey District. Article. Greymouth. Arnold. Rutherglen. Marsden. ?lour per ton ... lea per lb. lugar „ Sutter ,, £20 to £22 3s. to 4s. 6d. to 7d. Is. 6d. to 2s. Is. 2d. Is. Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. 9d. to Is. 6s. £34 3s. 6d. 8d. 2s. Is. 6d. Is. 6d. Is. 6d. 8d. to lOd. 17s. £9 £24 3s. 6d. 6d. to 7d. Is. 9d. Is. 6d. Is. 6d. Is. 6d. £26 3s. 6d. 8d. 2s. Is. 8d. Is. 8d. Is. 9d. 3acon ,, )heese „ handles „ 5eef „ 'otatoes per cwt. freight 8s. to 10s. £3 10s. £4 Eeturn of Gold export Gold produce of ~\ Gold produce of I id from Ghetmou' Westland felson ... 'H during the Six Dnths ending 31st December, 1869. ... 16,527 Oz. ... 20,616 „