B.—No. 40.

20

REPORTS ON THE GOLD EIELDS

of a system of tramways. These were, at very great cost, carried up the various gullies, along the sides of which the claims were being worked, under the, able direction and superintendence of Charles O'Neill, Esq., C.E.; and where it was found impracticable to construct the ordinary tramway communication, it has been established and efficiently maintained by a modification of the wire tramwray. The reduction in direct cost of transit has by these means been considerable, so much so that the most distant claims on the line of tramways are now able to deliver quartz to machine at 6s. per ton ; while the indirect saving in the cost of crushing, by reason of the readily obtained transit, enabling machines to be erected in tho neighbourhood of the beach from whence they derive their fuel and other supplies, must be considerable. It was hoped that the revenue derivable from these tramways would have, proved a profitable source of income to the Government; but the great cost of their construction, from the manner in which the labour on them was engaged, precludes that hope now being realized ; and in fact, from the manner in which the proper working of claims has been neglected, the income has scarcely hitherto met the working expenses. Now, however, under a more healthy system, and with more real work being done in the mines, the facilities offered by these tramways are being more availed of, and it may fairly be calculated that, even if worked by the Government, they will pay more than the cost of working if they do not absolutely pay interest on the outlay. A Eeport by the Provincial Engineer on the works completed and in progress to tho end of the year 1869, printed by order of the Provincial Council, has been already forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, and a copy is also appended to this report. The length of tramways executed by the Provincial Government during the year was 8-J miles; of tracks for sledge or pack-horse, 29f miles; of main roads, 5 miles ; and in addition wharves and public offices were built at a total expenditure of £42,332 2s. 4d. for the year. Population, Cost of Provisions, Wages, Sfc. Early in the present year, 1870, from statements by petition and otherwise, as to distress prevailing on the Thames Gold Field, the Superintendent was moved to enter upon an inquiry into the condition of the population located thereon. In order to fairly conduct this inquiry, it was determined to engage the services of unbiassed individuals to obtain a census of the population, with a statement of the actual condition of each. By this means was demonstrated the absolute fallacy of the allegations made by the petitioners as to the results of the reactionary depression, and that census is available for reference regarding numerical status of the population, and the summary is given in the appendix hereto; which summary, however, does not include the population of Coromandel. Of the popmlation shown as domiciled on the gold field, there were engaged in mining operations, or immediately dependent thereon, not more than 4,000, the remainder of those enumerated being employed or interested in the stores and similar occupations, in Grahamstown and Shortland. The natural advantages possessed by the Thames in its sea board, and the easily accessible market of Auckland, have caused the cost of living to bo far below that of any other gold field. A miner, with ordinary frugality, is able to maintain himself for the sum of 15s. per week, while wages have averaged for the year, 365. per week. There will be found appended a detail of the cost of provisions and other supplies. Coromandel. During the year 1869, Coromandel, originally proclaimed a gold field in 1862, but subsequently abandoned, has, by the discovery of auriferous quartz on the summit of the Tokatea ranges, followed by that on the Tiki, caused attention to be again directed to its resources. This has resulted in the working of a great number of claims on these ranges, which have yielded to trials very valuable results. As yet, however, the claims are not sufficiently developed, and there is a want of crushing machinery, which want when supplied will evidence that Coromandel must assume a very important position in the gold-producing fields of tho Colony. Prospects. By the hearing and determining of applications for leases of auriferous ground, which have been carried on with more energy and rapidity since the close of the year 1869, land which was virtually locked up from work is being again opened and occupied. This, with the termination of the scrip mania, has been productive of bond fide work, and consequently the Thames is in a better state than ever before ; and it may be safely predicated that during the year 1870 more ground will be occupied in positive mining work than hitherto, that the yield of gold will steadily increase, while the experience gained during its sharp trial will have resulted in a lessened cost of production. Appended to this Eeport are several valuable tables, showing in detail the subjects on which information has been asked by the resolution of the House of Eepresentatives. There is not in the towns on the gold field any system of sewerage nor any general water supply. The water used for domestic purposes is obtained by storage of tho rainfall, or by wells sunk in contiguity to the dwelling-houses. This is a defect which will probably meet with a remedy by the establishment of a local company to supply water obtained from the fresh-water streams at a point above where it is affected by the operations of the crushing machines. Auckland, 10th June, 1870.